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Volume 79 Edition 218 ©SS 2021 FRIDAY,FEBRUARY 19, 2021 $1.00

NATO allies CORONAVIRUS to expand Iraq mission

BY JOHN VANDIVER Stars and Stripes STUTTGART, Germany — NA- TO allies agreed Thursday to sig- nificantly expand their training mission in Iraq, a move that will bolster the alliance’s position in the Middle East and potentially ease demands on U.S. forces in the country. The non-U.S. NATO mission will grow from its current 500 ser- vice members to about 4,000, and its efforts will extend to regions beyond the greater Baghdad area, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at the end of a two-day meeting of alliance de- fense ministers. The U.S., which began drawing down its forces last year, has about 2,500 troops in Iraq in a separate mission. Stoltenberg said the expansion would start in the coming months. “Increases in troop numbers will be incremental,” he said. NATO has been in Iraq since ANTHONY NELSON, U.S. AIR FORCE/AP 2004, when it deployed a small An American service member receives a COVID-19 vaccination at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on Feb. 9. Thousands of U.S. troops number of advisers who worked are refusing or putting off the vaccine as frustrated commanders look for ways to convince them to take the shot. with Iraqi security forces both in SEE NATO ON PAGE 3 One-third of troops offered vaccine refused, DOD official tells Congress Pentagon wants more service members to accept shots, which are voluntary

BY COREY DICKSTEIN ■ roughly 212,000 service members have re- Stars and Stripes In largest drop since ceived their first of two doses of the vaccine, WASHINGTON — About one-third of U.S. he said. TRAVIS MUELLER / U.S. Army WWII, US life expectancy troops offered the coronavirus vaccine as of Pentagon officials in recent weeks had de- Spanish troops salute during a transfer of authority ceremony in Wednesday have refused the inoculation, top shortened by a full year clined to provide information about the num- Iraq in December. NATO’s Defense Department officials told House law- Page 7 ber of troops vaccinated or an estimate of how expansion of its training mission makers. many have declined the vaccination. Salesses in Iraq could ease some of the The Defense Department has fully vaccinat- serves, Robert Salesses, the Pentagon’s home- provided the numbers at the request of Rep. demands on American forces in ed about 147,000 of its troops across the force, land defense chief, told the House Armed Ser- the country. including active-duty, National Guard and re- vices Committee on Wednesday. Another SEE THIRD ON PAGE 7 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER

EUROPE GAS PRICES EXCHANGE RATES

Military rates South Korea (Won) 1108.65 Switzerland (Franc) .8971 Euro costs (Feb. 19) $1.18 Thailand (Baht) 30.01 Europe gas prices were not Dollar buys (Feb. 19) 0.8068 Turkey (NewLira) 6.9732 British pound (Feb. 19) $1.36 available before press time Japanese yen (Feb. 19) 103.00 (Military exchange rates are those available South Korean won (Feb. 19) 1076.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3770 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ Britain (Pound) 1.3955 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2701 your local military banking facility. Commercial China(Yuan) 6.4782 rates are interbank rates provided for reference PACIFIC GAS PRICES Denmark (Krone) 6.1598 Egypt (Pound) 15.6599 when buying currency. All figures are foreign Country Super E10 Super unleaded Super plus Diesel  Euro .8283 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Japan .. $3.209 .. $2.939 South Korea $2.579 .. $3.219 $2.959 Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7528 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Change in price .. +4.0 cents .. +7.0 cents Change in price +4.0 cents .. +4.0 cents +8.0 cents  Hungary (Forint) 297.62 Israel (Shekel) 3.2664 Okinawa $2.569 .. .. $2.939 Guam $2.579 $2.969 $3.219 .. Japan (Yen) 105.91 INTEREST RATES Kuwait(Dinar) .3026 Change in price +4.0 cents  .. .. +7.0 cents Change in price +4.0 cents  +5.0 cents  +4.0 cents .. Norway (Krone) 8.4833 Prime rate 3.25 Philippines (Peso) 48.56 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 *DieselEFD **Midgrade Poland (Zloty) 3.72 Federal funds market rate 0.04 Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7504 3­month bill 0.04 For the week of Feb. 19-25 Singapore (Dollar) 1.3284 30­year bond 2.07 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 45/34

Kabul Seoul 67/45 57/39 Baghdad 81/58 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 58/38 63/28 82/52 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 41/30 63/49 52/46 Iwakuni Kuwait City Bahrain 63/39 Brussels Zagan Sasebo Guam 69/49 77/62 Ramstein 47/32 64/46 52/47 48/36 85/77 Riyadh Lajes, 66/50 Doha Azores Stuttgart 74/64 57/48 40/37 Pápa Aviano/ 50/35 Vicenza 52/39

Naples 55/35 Okinawa Morón 66/52 63/49 Sigonella Rota 64/42 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 62/52 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 83/75 57/42 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ..... 36 Classified ...... 37 Comics ...... 38-39 Crossword ...... 38-39 Faces ...... 35 Opinion ...... 40 Sports ...... 41-48 Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Marines resume Arctic exercises in frigid Norway

BY JOHN VANDIVER “Norway offers challenging, Stars and Stripes rugged terrain that hones our About 1,000 U.S. Marines left in cold-weather and mountain war- limbo in Norway after Arctic drills fare skills with top specialists in were canceled because of corona- fighting and winning in arctic con- virus concerns will now be staying ditions — the Norwegian mili- on until spring, the Corps said tary,” Rankine-Galloway said. Thursday. The pandemic has complicated “The Marines will carry out military training efforts in Europe their field training in accordance for nearly a year. Numerous exer- with Norwegian and U.S. COVID cises have been canceled or cur- safety protocols,” Maj. Adrian J.T. tailed, including the Marine-led Rankine-Galloway, Marine Corps Cold Response exercise in Nor- Forces Europe and Africa spokes- way last year. The Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based man, said in a statement. Marines are part of a rotational The Marines had traveled to force that trains with the Norwe- Norway last month for the long- gian military and other NATO al- planned Joint Viking and Rein- PHOTOS BY JENNIFER H. SVAN/Stars and Stripes lies. deer I exercises, only to see them Air Force Master Sgt. Jim Burke, an airfield manager and jump master with the 435th Contingency The Marines have been a regu- Response Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, ensures Senior Airman Cody Paynter’s parachute canceled soon after arrival when lar presence in Norway since the equipment is secure and ready to go before a rare jump Thursday. case levels spiked in the country. Cold War and continue to keep The number of new daily cases large stockpiles of weapons in throughout the country dropped Norwegian caves. from highs of about 900 per day in The mission expanded three Paratroopers jump at Ramstein early January to about 250 per day years ago when the Corps as of mid-February, Norway’s launched six-month rotations that despite lousy weather, pandemic public health agency reported kept Marines in Norway all year, Thursday. with back-to-back rotations. BY JENNIFER H. SVAN The Marines say they will now Stars and Stripes press ahead with their Arctic mis- [email protected] For the Air Force and Army sion. Twitter: @john_vandiver paratroopers on the C-130J air- craft that took off from Ramstein on Thursday, the day was good enough for a jump — and that’s NATO: all they needed. Iraq’s government German weather, coronavirus restrictions and maintenance is- sues had forced the Ramstein- wants additional trainers based 435th Contingency Re- sponse Group to scratch several FROM PAGE 1 that concluded Thursday were jumps, including one earlier this the country and in neighboring the first attended by U.S. Defense month at a field near the city of nations. Secretary Lloyd Austin in his new Worms. In 2018, the alliance began its role. They were “getting close to be- current training mission aimed at Allies also discussed the way ing non-current,” said Master helping Iraqi forces prevent a re- forward in Afghanistan, but no Sgt. Jim Burke, a jumpmaster surgence of the Islamic State, decision was announced on and airfield manager with the which a few years earlier con- whether the U.S. and other allied unit. Tech. Sgt. Dwight Stalter folds his parachute after landing Thursday. trolled large swathes of the coun- forces intend to meet a May 1 “That’s not a good situation,” try. deadline for exiting the country, he said. base’s busy airfield. chuting from planes since 2012 NATO got involved in Iraq at in connection with a peace deal Paratroopers in the 435th have Working with the squadrons, and is retiring this summer. the urging of the Trump adminis- with the Taliban. to acquire and maintain the skills and with some cooperation from For Senior Airman Cody Payn- tration, which had pressured the Increased violence in the coun- needed to jump into an austere the German weather, they made ter, 25, it would be the first time alliance to share more of the secu- try and the prospect of a spring environment where there may be the jump happen. Airborne ser- he’d deploy his parachute since rity burden. Taliban offensive have raised enemy activity, and then conduct vice members from other units in graduating from jump school last The U.S. strike that killed Iran’s concerns that the deal could be airfield operations. They need to Germany were invited to partici- fall. Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in derailed. jump about every three months to pate, Burke said. He nailed the jump. Everyone January 2020 prompted allies to “The talks are fragile and pro- stay current. The C-130 took off from Ram- else landed safely, too, although suspend the training mission, gress is slow,” Stoltenberg said. They knew it wouldn’t be pos- stein early Thursday, made a loop one person sprained an ankle af- which consisted of about 500 “We are faced with many dilem- sible to get an off-base drop zone to the west and then headed back ter landing on concrete. troops. mas.” approved on short notice, Burke to base, making three low passes “It feels good, yeah,” Paynter But NATO now appears poised The Biden administration also said. So with their critical skills over the grassy drop zone where said after he’d landed. “Once they to do more by vastly expanding is in the midst of a review of U.S. needing a refresher, the group’s 30 paratroopers jumped out, 10 at open up those doors, that’s when the initial effort. The request for force levels and the role of its jumpmaster team sought permis- a time. the blood starts flowing.” additional trainers came from the troops in Afghanistan. sion from Ramstein’s 37th Airlift It was Burke’s 72nd jump and Iraqi government, Stoltenberg th Squadron and 86 Operations one of his last in the Air Force. [email protected] said. [email protected] Support Squadron to use the The 44-year-old has been para- Twitter: @stripesktown The two days of high-level talks Twitter: @john_vandiver PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WAR/MILITARY 30 Taliban die in bombmaking accident

BY J.P. LAWRENCE the incident, the Afghan military lead to a U.S. withdrawal from Af- leverage in negotiations with the olence is too high and could hin- Stars and Stripes said. While the foreigners were ghanistan. Kabul government, the report to der peace negotiations if not KABUL, Afghanistan — About not identified, militants from But the Taliban leadership con- Congress by the Lead Inspector curbed. 30 Taliban militants were killed abroad — some affiliated with al- tinues to maintain ties with al- General for Operation Freedom’s “Taliban violence is much high- when they detonated a bomb they Qaida — have trained Taliban Qaida, with members of the ter- Sentinel said. er than historical norms ... it just were learning how to assemble, fighters to make bombs during rorist organization integrated into The Biden administration is doesn’t create the conditions to the Afghan Defense Ministry said. the last two decades of war in Af- Taliban forces and command weighing whether the Taliban are move forward in what is hopefully The blast occurred last week at ghanistan. structures, a new report said meeting their commitments as it a historic turning point for Af- a bombmaking course in Afghan- The Taliban are supposed to Thursday. decides whether to withdraw all ghanistan,” Miller said. istan’s northern Balkh province, prevent Afghanistan from being a Last year, the guerrillas troops from the country by May 1. the statement said. base for terrorist groups such as launched repeated attacks against Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. Zubair Babakarkhail contributed to this report. Six foreign fighters were al-Qaida, under the terms of a Afghan forces as U.S. troops start- commander in Afghanistan, told [email protected] among the militants who died in deal signed last year that would ed to withdraw, in order to gain Reuters this week that Taliban vi- Twitter: @jplawrence3 PETA pushes Pentagon to end the drinking of cobra blood

BY ERICA EARL ganization wrote Marine Corps in the spring, but with the coro- Stars and Stripes Commandant Gen. David Berger navirus pandemic, Cobra Gold is An animal rights group has pet- asking him to end the practice of postponed until fall, Indo-Pacific itioned the Pentagon to end the killing cobras and other animals Command spokesman Army Maj. practice of Marines and soldiers during Cobra Gold. The Marines Randy Ready said Wednesday. decapitating snakes and consum- did not respond at the time. The command is still planning the ing their blood during survival Cobra Gold is a multinational exercise and figuring out what it training at the annual Cobra Gold exercise co-hosted by the United will look like, he said. exercise in Thailand. States and Thailand. It is the PETA also called attention to U.S. service members gather- largest joint military exercise in the potential health risk of drink- ing for a taste of cobra blood is Southeast Asia and includes ing cobra blood, saying it “poses a “ritualistic rather than instruc- training in disaster response and zoonotic disease threat akin to the tive” and may be a health risk, cyber-threat response and hu- COVID-19 pandemic currently according to the plea Wednesday manitarian assistance. wreaking havoc across the from People for the Ethical Treat- Part of its jungle survival train- world.” ment of Animals to Defense Sec- ing involves Thai military in- The Centers for Disease Con- retary Lloyd Austin. structors preparing native insects trol and Prevention said Feb. 10 “Cobra Gold is not a practical and snakes for consumption. U.S. that while the coronavirus origi- MICAIAH ANTHONY/U.S. Marine Corps sustenance procurement training military photographers typically nated in an animal, likely a bat, no A Marine drinks cobra blood during Cobra Gold jungle survival training exercise but rather a cruel meth- record the vivid scenes. current findings suggest that ani- in Sattahip, Chonburi province, Thailand, in February 2018. od of attempting to build camara- “Despite the extreme cruelty mals perpetuate the virus’ derie among troops,” said the pet- inflicted during Cobra Gold, the spread. person.” pealed to then-Secretary of De- ition signed by PETA vice presi- photographs and videos docu- “At this time, there is no evi- In 2011, the Marine Corps fense Les Aspin. dent Shalin Gala. ment a complete indifference to dence that animals play a signif- Mountain Warfare Training Cen- As an alternative, PETA in its A Pentagon spokesman reac- the suffering of the animals,” the icant role in spreading SARS- ter in California curtailed its use petition proposed virtual training hed Wednesday said the depart- PETA petition said. “Instead, par- CoV-2, the virus that causes CO- of live animals in survival train- or using plant-based foods in the ment would not be able to re- ticipants revel in the torture and VID-19, to people,” the CDC web- ing after discussions with PETA, survival food procurement por- spond until the following day. deaths, in what can only be de- site says. “The first reported in- the petition states. tion of the exercise. This is PETA’s second attempt scribed as a party-like atmo- fections were linked to a live And prior to that, the U.S. Ar- to shut down that aspect of sur- sphere.” animal market, but the virus is my Dugway Proving Ground in [email protected] vival training. Last March, the or- The exercise is usually staged now spreading from person to Utah did the same after PETA ap- Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Okinawa governor calls for reduction of US military footprint BY MATTHEW M. BURKE fairs told Stars and Stripes by “It is absolutely unacceptable,” 2022. The Marines plan to relocate AND HANA KUSUMOTO phone Thursday. he said. Next year, the prefecture will the airfield from densely populat- Stars and Stripes “Noise and environment issues Tamaki does not plan to target mark the 50th anniversary of its ed Ginowan city farther north to CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — and U.S. mili- specific installations on the island reversion to Japan from U.S. ad- Camp Schwab along the coast of Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki is tary-related in- for closure and has no timeline to ministration. The U.S. and Japa- Oura Bay where a runway is un- urging Tokyo and Washington to cidents and acci- make the reduction, his spokes- nese governments have quietly der construction. slash the U.S. military footprint on dents continue to man told Stars and Stripes. It’s been consolidating, closing and Tamaki said the moves, includ- the island where some 30,000 U.S. occur because customary in Japan for some gov- returning military land for years. ing the Futenma relocation, are troops are stationed. 70.3% of U.S. ernment officials to speak to the In 2016, the U.S. handed back “far from appropriate” and re- Okinawa accounts for 70.3% of military facili- media on condition of anonymity. nearly 10,000 acres of Okinawa’s turning all bases south of Kadena the total area in Japan occupied by ties and areas At a news conference Wednes- Northern Training Area to the would only reduce the occupancy U.S. bases, Tamaki told the pre- continue to be day in Tokyo, Japan’s Chief Cabi- prefecture, an area twice the size rate to 69%. MCAS Futenma fectural assembly Tuesday in Na- concentrated on Tamaki net Secretary Katsunobu Kato de- of Kadena Air Base. That transfer should be closed immediately and ha, according to a copy of his re- Okinawa, which clined to comment on Tamaki’s reduced the American footprint Marine air operations moved out- marks. He wants that number re- is 0.6% of Japan’s land area,” the statement. However, Kato said he on the island by 20%, U.S. officials side the prefecture, he told the as- duced to less than 50%, he told the governor told the assembly. takes Okinawa’s burden “serious- said at the time. sembly, a position he’s long held. assembly. Tamaki said he understands the ly.” That handover and a number of Tamaki for the first time set a necessity of the U.S.-Japan securi- “The Japanese government will base closures were agreed upon target for an acceptable U.S. mil- ty alliance, but Okinawa shoulders make its best efforts to ease the during U.S.-Japan negotiations in [email protected] Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 itary footprint, an Okinawa pre- an inordinate share of that bur- burden,” he said. 1996, among them Marine Corps [email protected] fectural spokesman for base af- den. Tamaki is up for reelection in Air Station Futenma. Twitter: @HanaKusumoto Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY Army War College leader faces sexual assault inquiry BY COREY DICKSTEIN him or what entity was investi- placed as the school’s comman- stamp out its decades-old prob- lege’s 52nd commandant in July, Stars and Stripes gating them. dant by Army Maj. Gen. David C. lem with sexual misconduct with- after leaving Fort Leavenworth, WASHINGTON — The com- Smith and a CID spokesman Hill, who had been serving as the in its ranks. Kan., where he had served as the mandant of the Army War Col- declined Thursday to provide deputy commander of the U.S. An outside investigation of Army Combined Arms Center’s lege was suspended last week further information about the al- Army Corps of Engineers. problems at Fort Hood, Texas, deputy commanding general for over allegations of sexual assault, legations, including when or The sexual assault allegations launched after the April 2020 on- education. Pentagon officials said Thursday. where they might have occurred. were first reported Thursday by post killing of Spc. Vanessa Guil- He commissioned into the Ar- The Army’s Criminal Investi- Smith said they were unrelated to Task & Purpose, which reported len found a command climate my in 1988 as a field artillery offi- gation Command is investigating Maranian’s duties as War College a protective order was issued and culture that was permissive cer and had served in Iraq and an allegation of “inappropriate commandant, a job he started in Feb. 9 against Maranian citing of sexual assault and harassment Afghanistan, according to his of- touching” by Maj. Gen. Stephen July. the CID investigation of an “abu- as a result of poor leadership. ficial biography. Maranian, who was suspended “No further information will be sive sexual contact.” Since the Fort Hood Independ- The War College in Carlisle, Feb. 9 from his duties as War Col- released at this time to protect A defense official confirmed ent Review Committee released Pa., trains lieutenant colonels and lege commandant, said Cynthia the integrity of the investigative Thursday that the misconduct al- its findings in November, Army colonels to lead at the military’s Smith, an Army spokeswoman. process,” Smith said in a state- legations against Maranian were officials have said they believed highest levels, granting gradu- The Army announced last ment issued Thursday. “These “sexual in nature.” The official such problems existed across ates master’s degrees in strategic week that Maranian had been are allegations at this time and was not authorized to discuss the many of its installations and have studies. suspended pending an investiga- Maranian is presumed innocent investigation and spoke on condi- vowed to do all they can to im- tion but declined at that time to until and if proven otherwise.” tion of anonymity. prove. [email protected] disclose the allegations against Maranian was temporarily re- The military has pledged to Maranian became the War Col- Twitter: @CDickteinDC Bombing attached to car kills 2 Kabul University lecturers Associated Press sibility for the bombing. tant propaganda by the Islamic State group in bombings, targeted killings, and violence KABUL, Afghanistan — An explosion in The two lecturers, Mubasher Muslimyar among university students. No charges on the battlefield as peace negotiations in the Afghan capital on Thursday killed two and Marouf Rasikh, taught at the universi- were raised and he was later released. Qatar between the Taliban and the Afghan lecturers at the Kabul University, after a ty’s Islamic studies faculty, according to an Kabul police said an investigation team government have stalled. bomb attached to the car they were travel- Afghan official who spoke on condition of had arrived at the scene of the explosion. The Islamic State’s local affiliate has ing in went off, a police spokesman said. anonymity because he was not authorized This was the second explosion on Thurs- claimed responsibility for some of the at- The attack took place around noon near to talk to the media. day in Kabul. An earlier one had targeted tacks, but many go unclaimed, with the gov- the university, said Kabul police spokes- Two years ago, Muslimyar had been police in the District 10 area of Kabul but ernment putting the blame on the Taliban. man Ferdaws Faramarz. briefly arrested by the Afghan intelligence caused no casualties. The insurgents have denied responsibil- No group immediately claimed respon- agency over allegations of promoting mili- Afghanistan has seen a nationwide spike ity for most of the attacks. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK Most Germany DODEA schools set to reopen

Stars and Stripes KAISERSLAUTERN, Germa- ny — Most schools on U.S. bases in Germany will reopen for in- person classes beginning Mon- day, the Department of Defense Education Activity said in a state- ment. U.S. Army Garrison Baumhold- er schools are the only exception, the statement said Thursday. Baumholder schools will continue exclusively with online classes through at least Feb. 26 because of a recent increase in coronavi- rus cases in the area, the state- ment said. Students enrolled in DODEA’s virtual school aren’t impacted by the change, school officials said. The openings coincide with fall- ing coronavirus case rates across most of Germany, where DO- DEA’s 34 schools have been closed for in-class learning since mid-December. Many German classrooms are also slated to reopen Monday af- ter closing in accordance with the country’s strict lockdown mea- sures. BRIAN FERGUSON/Stars and Stripes Masks will be required while in A student walks to class in August on the first day of school at Vogelweh Elementary School, Germany. school, while riding buses and at school drop-off locations, DODEA wearing face coverings, maintain- Thursday stood at 45 and 44, re- ry. Health officials have empha- 100,000 people for much of Janu- said. ing social distancing and follow- spectively. sized that infection rates can ary. Unlike off-base locations, ing the instructions of school lead- Rates in Bavaria and Hesse change quickly. The Birkenfeld district rate, where German authorities re- ership,” DODEA said in a mess- were both at 55 per 100,000 peo- In the city and district of Kai- which includes Baumholder, re- quire surgical masks at places age to parents. ple, according to the Robert Koch serslautern, home to tens of thou- mained just over a weekly aver- such as grocery stories, cloth cov- In Rheinland-Pfalz and Baden- Institute, Germany’s national sands of Americans, the incidence age 100 cases per 100,000 people erings are still acceptable at base Wuerttemburg, two states with health agency. rates were 15 and 21.7 cases per as of Thursday, according to state schools, DODEA said. many U.S. base schools, the sev- Rates above 50 per 100,000 peo- 100,000 people as of Thursday, re- data. “We also ask that you remind en-day coronavirus average inci- ple are considered to be in the spectively. The same rates were your students of the importance of dence rates per 100,000 people on country’s “red” high-risk catego- between 100 and 200 cases per [email protected] USFK reports 14 new cases; none for military in Japan BY JOSEPH DITZLER have nearly doubled since 326 day and Wednesday, a USFK daily reports below 400, according DOD expects to vaccinate near- Stars and Stripes were reported Sunday, according news release said. Another seven to public broadcaster NHK and ly all its service members, civilian TOKYO — The U.S. military to the World Health Organization. service members and one Defense Tokyo metro government data. employees and other beneficiar- command in South Korea on Its one-day peak so far occurred Department civilian employee ar- The city has reported 108,782 ies by late July or early August, Thursday reported that 14 people on Dec. 25 at 1,235 new cases. rived on commercial flights at In- infections during the pandemic Robert G. Salesses, interim assist- have tested positive for the coro- According to U.S. Forces Korea, cheon International Airport on and more than 1,180 deaths due to ant secretary of defense for home- navirus since Jan. 19, all of them 11 of its new patients tested posi- Jan. 19, Feb. 3, 6, 8, 12, Sunday and complications from COVID-19, land defense and global security, new arrivals to the peninsula. tive upon arrival and before going Monday. the coronavirus respiratory dis- told the House Armed Services South Korea reported 621 new into mandatory quarantine; the All are in quarantine at either ease. Committee earlier in the day. infections Wednesday, according remaining three turned up posi- Osan or Humphreys, according to On the vaccine front, the De- Anyone in the U.S. military may to the Korea Disease Control and tive on the test required before ex- USFK. fense Department has so far ship- decline the vaccine because the Prevention Agency. Seoul ac- iting quarantine. Meanwhile, U.S. commands in ped more than 200,000 doses over- Food and Drug Administration counted for 179 and Gyeonggi Of the 14, six service members Japan reported no new cases seas and over 800,000 doses inside has only approved it for emergen- province, home of the country’s arrived at Osan Air Base on the Thursday. the United States, Pentagon cy use. largest U.S. base, Camp Hum- Patriot Express, the government- Tokyo announced that 445 peo- spokesman John Kirby said at a phreys, had 237. chartered air passenger service, ple tested positive for the corona- press briefing in Washington on [email protected] New infections in the country on Feb. 8, Saturday, Sunday, Tues- virus, breaking a six-day run of Wednesday. Twitter: @JosephDitzler More than 10,000 Veterans Affairs patients have died from COVID-19

BY NIKKI WENTLING first VA patient and the first per- fections related to the holiday sea- zation reported Tuesday that new cines to more than 1.8 million peo- Stars and Stripes son in Oregon to die of the virus, on son. Death rates were also slowing. coronavirus cases fell for the fifth ple, 1 million of whom were veter- WASHINGTON — The corona- March 14. As of Wednesday — 340 The department reached a high consecutive week, and deaths fell ans. The rest were VA employees virus has killed 10,000 Depart- days later — 10,059 VA patients point in mid-January, with more 10% from last week. The ebb or other federal workers. Of the 1.8 ment of Veterans Affairs patients and 128 employees have died, than 1,100 VA patients dying dur- comes as countries continue their million people, 550,000 have re- — a grim milestone just 11 months about 30 deaths per day. ing a two-week period. In contrast, rollouts of coronavirus vaccines. ceived both doses, making them after the first veteran’s death was Active cases of the virus were about 650 patients died during the The VA has established 215 vac- fully vaccinated. reported. falling across the VA system after first two weeks of February. cination sites cross the United

A 70-year-old man at the VA peaking last month in what ex- The VA’s data reflects global States. As of Wednesday, the de- [email protected] hospital in Portland, Ore., was the perts called a “second wave” of in- trends. The World Health Organi- partment had administered vac- Twitter: @nikkiwentling Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 VIRUS OUTBREAK US life expectancy drops by a year during pandemic

Associated Press due to infection but also from year, that was 77.8 years for Life expectancy in the United heart disease, cancer and other Americans overall, down one year States dropped a staggering one conditions. from 78.8 in 2019. For males it was year during the first half of 2020 as “What is really quite striking in 75.1 years and for females, 80.5 the coronavirus pandemic caused these numbers is that they only re- years. its first wave of deaths, health offi- flect the first half of the year ... I As a group, Hispanics in the cials are reporting. would expect that these numbers U.S. have had the most longevity Minorities suffered the biggest would only get worse,” said Dr. and still do. Black people now lag DAVID GOLDMAN/AP impact, with Black Americans los- Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, a white people by six years in life Gravedigger Thomas Cortez watches as a refrigerated trailer is ing nearly three years and His- health equity researcher and dean expectancy, reversing a trend that delivered to keep pace with a surge of bodies arriving for burials, panics, nearly two years, accord- at the University of California, San had been bringing their numbers mostly those who died from coronavirus, in New York in April. ing to preliminary estimates Francisco. closer since 1993. Thursday from the Centers for This is the first time the CDC Between 2019 and the first half demic,” Bibbins-Domingo said. prove working conditions and bet- Disease Control and Prevention. has reported on life expectancy of 2020, life expectancy decreased They’re more likely to be in ter protect minorities from infec- “This is a huge decline,” said from early, partial records; more 2.7 years for Black people, to 72. It frontline, low-wage jobs and living tion, and to include them in eco- Robert Anderson, who oversees death certificates from that period dropped 1.9 years for Hispanics, to in crowded environments where nomic relief measures, she said. the numbers for the CDC. “You may yet come in. It’s already 79.9, and 0.8 years for white peo- it’s easier for the virus to spread, Dr. Otis Brawley, a cancer spe- have to go back to World War II, known that 2020 was the deadliest ple, to 78. The preliminary report and “there are stark, pre-existing cialist and public health professor the 1940s, to find a decline like year in U.S. history, with deaths did not analyze trends for Asian or health disparities in other condi- at Johns Hopkins University, this.” topping 3 million for the first time. Native Americans. tions” that raise their risk of dying agreed. Other health experts say it Life expectancy is how long a “Black and Hispanic communi- of COVID-19, she said. “The focus really needs to be shows the profound impact of CO- baby born today can expect to live, ties throughout the United States More needs to be done to dis- broad spread of getting every VID-19, not just on deaths directly on average. In the first half of last have borne the brunt of this pan- tribute vaccines equitably, to im- American adequate care,” he said. US jobless claims jump to 861,000 as layoffs stay high Associated Press workers rose 13,000 from the pre- The job market has stalled, with ing for jobs. People who aren’t ac- over fraud. WASHINGTON — The number vious week, which was revised employers having added a mere tively seeking work aren’t counted Two federal unemployment aid of Americans applying for unem- sharply higher, the Labor Depart- 49,000 jobs in January after cut- as unemployed. programs — one that provides up ployment aid rose last week to ment said Thursday. Before the ting workers in December. Nearly Fraudulent claims may be to an extra 24 weeks of support 861,000, evidence that layoffs re- virus erupted in the United States 10 million jobs remain lost to the pushing up the totals. Last week, and another that covers self-em- main painfully high despite a stea- last March, weekly applications pandemic. Though the unemploy- Ohio reported a huge increase in ployed and gig workers — were dy drop in the number of con- for unemployment benefits had ment rate fell last month from applications, and said it had set extended until March 14 by a $900 firmed viral infections. never topped 700,000, even during 6.7%, to 6.3%, it did so in part be- aside about half the increase for billion rescue package that was Applications from laid-off the Great Recession of 2008-09. cause some people stopped look- additional review out of concern enacted late last year. Third: Defense Department ramps up support of civilian vaccinations of the benefits of these vaccines.” operating in a [coronavirus] envi- partment is ramping up its sup- troops are now deployed in dozens FROM PAGE 1 However, the general said that ronment.” port to the broader effort to inoc- of states to help with coronavirus Mike Rogers of Alabama, the because the vaccines manufac- In all, the Pentagon has con- ulate the U.S. civilian population. operations, including providing committee’s top Republican. tured by medical giants Pfizer and ducted 916,575 injections through The Federal Emergency Manage- inoculations, distributing vac- Pentagon officials want to see Moderna have only been autho- Wednesday throughout its com- ment Agency has requested up to cines and manning testing loca- more service members and other rized by the U.S. Food and Drug munity, a number that includes 10,000 troops to support up to 100 tions, said Air Force Maj. Gen. members of the Defense Depart- Administration on an emergency service members, their family mass-vaccination sites that it Steven Nordhaus, the National ment community accept the vac- basis, the Pentagon cannot man- members, department civilians plans to set up throughout the Guard Bureau’s operations direc- cinations, said Air Force Maj. date its personnel accept the vac- and contractors, Salesses said. It country. By next week, more than tor. Gen. Jeff Taliaferro, the Joint cine, as it does other inoculations. has focused primarily on inoculat- 700 active-duty troops will have Nordhaus expected those de- Chiefs of Staff vice operations di- “The services and combatant ing front-line health care workers deployed to support vaccine loca- ployments to continue through at rector. commands have worked hard to and so-called Tier 1 troops, fo- tions in California, Texas and New least the spring, he told House “We believe, of course, the vac- make sure we can operate in a cused on the nation’s most strate- York. Salesses said the Defense lawmakers. cine is the right thing to do,” Talia- [coronavirus] environment,” Ta- gically vital missions, he said. Department would continue to “We’ll continue to see states uti- ferro said. “It’s clearly safe for liaferro said. “The addition of vac- All service members who want provide additional troops, vowing lize guardsmen to get after these service members, and we need to cines should make us more capa- to be vaccinated should be able to it would “move further and faster vaccination efforts,” he said. continue to educate our force ble in that environment. But, get their shots by late July or Au- to help end the [coronavirus] pan- about its safety and ensure leader- we’ve already demonstrated over gust, Taliaferro said. demic.” [email protected] ship is involved in the discussion the last year we’re fully capable of Meanwhile, the Defense De- Another 28,430 National Guard Twitter: @CDicksteinDC PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK ROUNDUP Calif. plan for aid would pay $600 each to millions

Associated Press vaccine, we thought this was the SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Mil- perfect opportunity to put a plan in lions of low-income Californians place to keep our team and guests would receive $600 checks under safe.” a $9.6 billion coronavirus aid package announced by Gov. Gavin Arizona Newsom and legislative leaders. PHOENIX — Arizona reported The plan announced Wednes- COVID-19 pandemic totals of over day would cut checks to about 5.7 800,000 confirmed cases and more million people who earn less than than 15,000 deaths, passing the $30,000 per year, as well as some two grim milestones Wednesday immigrants living in the country after nearly 13 months since the illegally who were excluded from coronavirus outbreak was first re- federal COVID-19 relief payments ported in the state. made during the Trump adminis- The Department of Health Ser- tration. vices on Wednesday reported The plan also provides a new 1,315 additional confirmed cases round of small business grants and 82 new deaths, increasing the and more housing assistance for state’s pandemic totals to 801,055 farmworkers infected by the vi- cases and 15,063 deaths. rus. Arizona was a national hot spot The plan “will help those who in both last summer’s surge and are hurting most,” Assembly the larger one that began last fall, Speaker Anthony Rendon said in a accelerated during the winter ho- WOODY MARSHALL, (GREENSBORO, N.C.) NEWS & RECORD/AP joint statement. “We are building lidays and began declining in Ja- Janice Newsom makes a cross with ash on the forehead of her husband, David Newsom, in the lawn of the an economic foundation for the re- nuary. First Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C., on Wednesday. covery of jobs, small businesses The number of people occupy- and, indeed, our everyday lives.” ing inpatient beds in Arizona said. eas lag behind. Beam, the state’s acting health The Legislature plans to quickly peaked at 5,082 on Jan. 11 and “This will leave nearly 250 secretary. Delivery of another take up the measure, with votes dropped to 1,941 as of Tuesday. towns, and hundreds Vermont Wyoming 30,000 to 55,000 initial doses of the expected as early as Monday after The summer surge’s hospitaliza- families, without the food assist- CASPER — The Wyoming De- Moderna vaccine will need to be budget committee hearings start- tion peak was 3,517 on July 13. ance they were promised under partment of Health has warned delayed, as well, as officials ing Thursday. Legislators are hop- The numbers of daily new cases this federal program,” they wrote residents about phone scammers scramble to get Pennsylvania ing that money for some of the and daily deaths also continued to in the letter. who are promising quicker access back on track. largest segments of the plan can drop, with decreases in seven-day to a coronavirus vaccine in ex- The second-dose shortage does be distributed in April. rolling averages in the past two Missouri change for personal information. not affect the Pfizer vaccine. weeks, according to data from The O’FALLON — Rural Missouri The health department reiterat- New York COVID Tracking Project. counties are both the most and ed that all coronavirus vaccines Wisconsin NEW YORK — A woman said The rolling average of daily new least successful at getting the CO- are free and recipients will not be MADISON — More than 1 mil- she was fired from her server job cases dropped from 4,634.3 on VID-19 vaccine into the arms of asked for their health insurance lion doses of the coronavirus vac- at a New York City restaurant over Feb. 2 to 1,781.7 on Tuesday, and residents, according to data from information or Social Security cine have been administered to not yet wanting to get the corona- the rolling average of daily deaths the state’s coronavirus dashboard number over the phone, the Casp- more than 740,000 people in Wis- virus vaccine, which the restau- dropped from 130.6 to 99.3 during on Wednesday. er Star-Tribune reported Tues- consin, the state Department of rant said was a requirement. the same period. Shelby County, with just 6,400 day. Health Services reported Bonnie Jacobson, 34, told The residents in a remote area of Insurance is not needed to re- Wednesday. New York Times she was fired Vermont northeast Missouri, has provided ceive a vaccine. The most county Gov. Tony Evers praised the Monday from the Red Hook Tav- MONTPELIER — Vermont’s at least one dose of the vaccine to health departments may ask for milestone, calling it “exciting ern in Brooklyn, after she told congressional delegation says the 20.7% of residents. Atchison are a person’s insurance or Medi- news” while also urging people to management that she wanted to New Jersey vendor picked for the County, with just under 6,000 resi- care information. remain vigilant. hold off because she and her hus- latest round of a federal food dis- dents in Missouri’s far northwest- The state is currently in Phase To date, nearly 264,000 people band are trying for a child and it’s tribution program in Vermont is ern corner, has vaccinated 20.2% 1B of its vaccination tier system, have received both doses and unclear if the vaccines could have failing to meet the needs of hungry of residents, followed by Worth which includes residents 65 and 740,450 have gotten at least one, any impact on that. residents amid the pandemic. County at 18.2%. older, people with certain pre-ex- the state health department re- She said employees received an Democratic U.S. Sen. Patrick Among the top 15 counties for isting conditions and some front- ported. email from the restaurant that get- Leahy, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch and vaccinations, just one — Cape Gi- line workers. Wisconsin ranked seventh in ting vaccinated was a require- independent U.S. Sen. Bernie rardeau County — has more than the percentage of its population ment, and when she said she want- Sanders sent a letter to U.S. Agri- 50,000 residents. Cape Girardeau Pennsylvania that has received at least one dose ed to wait, she received an email culture Secretary-designate Tom County is tied for fourth with Gas- Pennsylvania is facing a tempo- through Tuesday, according to the saying, “At this time your employ- Vilsack on Friday saying that conade County, where 17% of resi- rary shortage of booster shots of U.S. Centers of Disease Control ment will be terminated. We are Global Trading Enterprises, LLC, dents have received a dose. the Moderna vaccine because pro- and Prevention. In Wisconsin, sad to see you go. If you do change which won the contract for the lat- Pulaski County, which is home viders inadvertently used them as 12.7% of the population had gotten your mind, please do not hesitate est round of Farmers to Families to Fort Leonard Wood and has first doses, setting back the state’s at least one dose, ahead of the na- to let us know.” Food Box Program, “submitted a 52,000 residents, has the lowest already stumbling vaccine rollout. tional average of 12%. The federal Equal Employment bid that is seemingly too low for vaccination rate at just 4.2%, fol- The error could mean more The number of new COVID-19 Opportunity Commission has said them to deliver food boxes to the lowed by other outstate counties than 100,000 people will need ap- cases in Wisconsin continues to employers can require employees areas promised under the con- — Newton at 4.4%, McDonald at pointments rescheduled, state decline, with the seven-day aver- to get vaccinated. tract.” 4.7%, Crawford at 5.2% and Pe- health officials said Wednesday. age as of Wednesday at 731. A In a statement, restaurant own- Global Trading Enterprises is miscot at 5.5%. About 30,000 to 60,000 appoint- month ago, the seven-day average er Billy Durney said, “Once New only delivering food boxes to sev- Overall, 10.6% of Missourians ments for the COVID-19 booster was 2,129. The average is now at York state allowed restaurant en locations in just five of the have received at least one dose, shot will need to be pushed back its lowest point since early Sep- workers to receive the COVID-19 state’s 14 counties, the delegation and data shows the two urban ar- by one or two weeks, said Alison tember. Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION Texas outages drop but water crisis persists

Associated Press In the Houston area, one family AUSTIN, Texas — Power was succumbed to carbon monoxide restored to more Texans on from car exhaust in their garage. Thursday, with fewer than a half- A woman and her three grand- million homes remaining without children died in a fire that au- electricity, and many still were thorities said might have been without safe drinking water after caused by a fireplace they were winter storms wreaked havoc on using. the state’s power grid and utili- In Texas, just under 500,000 ties this week. homes and businesses remained Meanwhile, the Appalachians, without power, down from about DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP northern Maryland and southern 3 million on Wednesday. The People wait in line to fill propane tanks Wednesday, in Houston. Pennsylvania braced for heavy state’s grid manager, the Electric snow and ice. Snow fell in Con- Reliability Council of Texas, said icing over, said Toby Baker, ex- necticut, New Jersey and New the remaining outages are largely ecutive director of the Texas York, and the National Weather weather-related, rather than Commission on Environmental Service predicted up to 8 inches forced outages that were made Quality. in the New York metropolitan ar- early Monday to stabilize the Gov. Greg Abbott urged resi- ea Thursday and Friday. power grid. dents to shut off water to their Little Rock, Ark., got 15 inches “We will keep working around homes, if possible, to prevent of snow in back-to-back storms, the clock until every single cus- more busted pipes and preserve tying a record for snow depth set tomer has their power back on,” pressure in municipal systems. in 1918, the weather service said. said ERCOT Senior Director of Weather-related outages also More than 320,000 homes and System Operations Dan Woodfin. struck Oregon, where some cus- businesses were without power in Adding to the misery, the tomers have been without power Louisiana, Mississippi and Alaba- weather jeopardized the state’s for almost a week. ma as storms dumped as much as drinking water systems. A Portland supermarket threw 4 inches of snow and ice across Texas officials ordered 7 mil- its perishable food into dump- the region. lion people — a quarter of the sters, leading to a clash between In Tennessee, 12 people were population of the nation’s second- BRONTE WITTPENN, AUSTIN AMERICAN­STATESMAN/AP scavengers and police. rescued from boats after a dock largest state — to boil tap water James Anyaegvu, who lived in the burned home, speaks with a fire The damage to the power sys- weighed down by snow and ice before drinking it, following days fighters on East 12th Street in Austin on Wednesday. Around noon, tem was the worst in 40 years, collapsed on the Cumberland of record low temperatures that Austin Fire Department and ATCEMS responded to a house fire that said Maria Pope, CEO of Por- River on Wednesday night, the damaged infrastructure and killed two people and left several with critical and minor injuries. tland General Electric. Nashville Fire Department said. froze pipes. At the peak of the storm, more The extreme weather has been Some Austin hospitals faced a the Austin area, no one hospital tin Medical Center. than 350,000 customers in the blamed for the deaths of more loss in water pressure and heat. currently has the capacity to ac- Water pressure has fallen be- Portland area were in the dark. than 30 people, some of whom “Because this is a state-wide cept transport of a large number cause lines have frozen, and More than 100,000 customers re- perished while struggling to keep emergency situation that is also of patients,” said David Huffstut- many people left faucets dripping mained without power Thursday warm. impacting other hospitals within ler, CEO of St. David’s South Aus- in hopes of preventing pipes from in Oregon. ‘Complete bungle’: Texas’ energy pride goes out with cold BY PAUL J. WEBER Making matters worse: Expectations “We are very angry. I was checking on sity of Houston, said the problem was a Associated Press that the outages would be a shared sacri- my neighbor, she’s angry, too,” said Amber lack of weatherized power plants and a AUSTIN, Texas — Anger over Texas’ fice by the state’s 30 million residents Nichols in north Austin. “We’re all angry statewide energy market that doesn’t in- power grid failing in the face of a record quickly gave way to a cold reality, as pock- because there is no reason to leave entire centivize companies to generate electricity winter freeze continued to mount Wednes- ets in some of America’s largest cities, in- neighborhoods freezing to death.” when demand is low. In Texas, demand day as millions of residents in the energy cluding San Antonio, Dallas and Austin, She crunched through ice wearing a par- peaks in August, at the height of the state’s capital of the U.S. remained shivering with were left to shoulder the lasting brunt of a ka and galoshes, while her neighbors dug sweltering summers. no assurances that their electricity and catastrophic power failure, and in sub- out their driveways from 6 inches of snow He rejected that the storm went beyond heat — out since Monday in many homes freezing conditions that Texas’ grid oper- to move their cars. what ERCOT could have anticipated. — would return soon or stay on once it fi- ators had known was coming. “This is a complete bungle,” she said. “That’s nonsense. It’s not acceptable,” nally does. The breakdown sparked growing out- Republican Gov. Greg Abbott called for Hirs said. “Every eight to 10 years we have “I know people are angry and frustrat- rage and demands for answers over how an investigation Tuesday of the grid man- really bad winters. This is not a surprise.” ed,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Texas — whose Republican leaders as re- ager, the Electric Reliability Council of Joshua Rhodes, an energy researcher at Tuesday. “So am I.” cently as last year taunted California over Texas. His indignation struck a much dif- the University of Texas in Austin, said the In all, nearly 1.9 million customers in the Democratic-led state’s rolling black- ferent tone than just a day earlier when he state’s electric grid fell victim to a cold Texas still had no power Wednesday after outs — failed such a massive test of a major told Texans that ERCOT was prioritizing spell that was longer, deeper and more historic snowfall and single-digit temper- point of state pride: energy independence. residential customers and that power was widespread than Texas had seen in dec- atures created a surge in demand for elec- And it cut through politics, as fuming Tex- getting restored to hundreds of thousands ades. tricity to warm up homes unaccustomed to ans took to social media to highlight how of homes. Climate change should be factored in such extreme lows, buckling the state’s while their neighborhoods froze in the But hours after those assurances, the too, he said. power grid and causing widespread black- dark Monday night, downtown skylines number of outages in Texas only rose, at “We’re going to have to plan for more of outs. A large swath of Texas was under yet glowed despite desperate calls to conserve one point exceeding 4 million customers. this kind of weather. People said this would another winter storm warning Wednesday. energy. Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the Univer- never happen in Texas, and yet it has.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 NATION With bill on Hill, Biden OK with reparations study BY KEVIN FREKING to push the idea. Associated Press Even with Democrats controll- WASHINGTON — President ing both chambers of Congress and Joe Biden’s White House is giving the White House, passing a repara- its support to studying reparations tions bill could prove difficult. The for Black Americans, boosting proposal has languished in Con- Democratic lawmakers who are gress for more than three decades. renewing efforts to create a com- Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Tex- mission on the issue amid the stark as, said the descendants of slaves racial disparities highlighted by continue to suffer from the legacy the COVID-19 pandemic. of that brutal system and the en- SANDRA SEBASTIAN/AP A House panel heard testimony during racial inequality it Honduran migrant children raise white flags in front of a Honduran and an American flag, as they are Wednesday on legislation that spawned, pointing to COVID-19 as blocked by Guatemalan soldiers and police from advancing toward the U.S.­Mexico border, on the highwaywould create a commission to ex- an example. Data from the Centers in Vado Hondo, Guatemala, on Monday. amine the history of slavery in the for Disease Control and Preven- U.S. as well as the discriminatory tion indicate that Black people are government policies that affected nearly three times as likely to be former slaves and their descend- hospitalized because of COVID-19 Dems’ immigration bill has ants. The commission would rec- as white people and nearly twice as ommend ways to educate the likely to die from the illness. American public of its findings and “The government sanctioned pathway, no new security suggest appropriate remedies, in- slavery,” Jackson Lee said. “And cluding financial payments from that is what we need, a reckoning, a Associated Press rived in the U.S. illegally as chil- spread over four years to try to the government to compensate de- healing reparative justice.” WASHINGTON — President dren. For others living in the U.S. boost economic development and scendants of slaves for years of un- But polling has found long- Joe Biden’s administration is join- as of Jan. 1, 2021, the plan estab- tackle corruption in Latin Ameri- paid labor by their ancestors. standing resistance in the U.S. to ing Democrats on Capitol Hill to lishes a five-year path to tempora- can countries, to try to address Biden backs the idea of studying reparations to descendants of unveil a major immigration over- ry legal status, if they pass back- some of the root causes of migra- the issue, White House press sec- slaves, divided along racial lines. haul that would offer an eight- ground checks, pay taxes and ful- tion to the U.S. retary Jen Psaki said Wednesday, Only 29% of Americans voiced year pathway to citizenship to the fill other basic requirements. A dozen Democratic lawmak- though she stopped short of saying support for paying cash repara- estimated 11 million people living Then, after three years, they can ers, including lead sponsors Cali- he would sign the bill if it clears tions, according to an Associated in the U.S. without legal status. pursue citizenship. fornia Rep. Linda Sanchez and Congress. Press-NORC Center for Public Af- The legislation, to be released in The plan would raise the cur- New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, “He certainly would support a fairs Research poll taken in the fall detail Thursday, will reflect the rent per-country caps for family were set to unveil the full text. study of reparations,” Psaki said at of 2019. Most Black Americans fa- broad priorities for immigration and employment-based immi- Comprehensive immigration the White House briefing. “He un- vored reparations, 74%, compared reform that Biden laid out on his grant visas. It would eliminate the reform has struggled to gain trac- derstands we don’t need a study to with 15% of white Americans. first day in office, including an in- penalty barring those immigrants tion in Congress for decades. Me- take action right now on systemic Rep. Burgess Owens, a first- crease in visas, funding to process who live in the U.S. without autho- nendez was part of the bipartisan racism, so he wants to take actions term Republican from Utah, ar- asylum applications and new rization and who then leave the Gang of Eight senators who nego- within his own government in the gued against a reparations com- technology at the southern border. country from returning for three tiated a 2013 immigration reform meantime.” mission. He noted that his great- But while the plan offers one of to 10 years. It also would provide bill that ultimately collapsed. Pri- Biden captured the Democratic great-grandfather arrived in the fastest pathways to citizenship resources for more judges, sup- or to that, a bill backed by Presi- presidential nomination and ulti- America in the belly of a slave ship of any proposed measure in recent port staff and technology to ad- dent George W. Bush failed in mately the White House with the but went on to escape slavery years, it does so without offering dress the backlog in processing Congress as well. strong support of Black voters. As through the Underground Rail- any enhanced border security, asylum seekers. While Biden is pushing a com- he campaigned against the back- road and become a successful en- which past immigration negotia- The bill would expand transna- prehensive bill, during a town hall drop of the biggest reckoning on trepreneur. He criticized the “re- tions have used as a way to win Re- tional anti-drug task forces in Cen- Tuesday he said that while a path- racism in a generation, Biden distribution of wealth” as a failed publican votes. Without enhanced tral America, enhance technology way to citizenship would be essen- backed the idea of studying repa- government policy. security, it faces tough odds in a at the border, and set up refugee tial in any immigration bill, rations for the descendants of “Though it is impractical and a closely divided Congress. processing in Central America to “there’s things I would deal by it- slaves. But now, as he tries to win nonstarter for the United States The bill would immediately pro- try to prevent some of the cara- self.” That could leave the door congressional support for other government to pay reparations, it vide green cards to farm workers, vans that have overwhelmed bor- open to standalone bills focused agenda items including a massive is also unfair and heartless to give those with temporary protected der security in recent years. on providing a pathway to citizen- coronavirus relief package, he Black Americans the hope that this status and young people who ar- The plan includes $4 billion ship for various populations. faces a choice of how aggressively is a reality,” Owens said. US charges N. Korean computer programmers in global hacks Associated Press The newly unsealed indictment worked at times from locations in Wednesday charges Jon Chang spiracy that attempted to steal WASHINGTON — The Justice builds off an earlier criminal case Russia and China. Hyok, Kim Il and Park Jin Hyok more than $1.3 billion of money and Department has charged three brought in 2018 and adds two addi- Law enforcement officials say with crimes including conspiracy cryptocurrency from banks and North Korean computer program- tional North Korean defendants. the prosecution highlights the prof- to commit wire and bank fraud. businesses, unleashed a sweeping mers in a broad range of global Prosecutors identified all three as it-driven motive behind North Ko- Park was previously charged in ransomware campaign and target- hacks, including a destructive at- members of a North Korean mili- rea’s criminal hacking, a contrast 2018 in a criminal complaint link- ed Sony Pictures Entertainment in tack targeting an American movie tary intelligence agency, accusing from other adversarial nations like ing him to the hacking team re- 2014 in retaliation for a Hollywood studio, and in the attempted theft them of carrying out hacks at the Russia, China and Iran who are sponsible for the hack of Sony Pic- movie, “The Interview,” that the and extortion of more than $1.3 bil- behest of the government with a generally more interested in es- tures and the WannaCry global North Korean government didn’t lion from banks and companies, goal of using stolen funds for the pionage, intellectual property theft ransomware attack, among other like because it depicted a fictional- federal prosecutors said Wednes- benefit of the regime. Alarmingly or even disrupting democracy. acts. The indictment accuses the ized assassination of leader Kim day. to U.S. officials, the defendants The indictment unsealed hackers of participating in a con- Jong Un. Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION First lady recommits to helping military children and families BY NIKKI WENTLING Child Education Coalition and national security, Biden said. Stars and Stripes teaching colleges as a way to renew “When your child is suffering, WASHINGTON — First Lady the effort. Military children face nothing in your world is right,” she Jill Biden held a listening session unique issues, she said, such as fre- said. “That’s why giving military- Wednesday as part of her plan to quently changing schools and feel- connected kids what they need to recommit to military families. ing isolated from their peers. thrive isn’t just a nice thing to do, Biden is renewing her Joining “I’m proud of the progress we it’s critical to our national securi- Forces initiative, which she start- made, and I know the needs of mil- ty.” ed with former First Lady Mi- itary kids and their parents have Wednesday’s event was one of chelle Obama in 2011 to help mili- evolved in the past 10 years, so our multiple listening sessions Biden tary families with employment work is far from finished,” Biden is planning regarding military and education. Part of the effort in- said. “The Bidens have a saying: ‘If families. The first was a meeting cluded “Operation Educate the you have to ask for help, it’s too with military teens held just days Educators,” which trained future late.’ We can’t expect our military after President Joe Biden was in- teachers how to support military students to ask for help. We need to augurated. EVAN VUCCI/AP children in their classrooms. lift them up so they don’t have to.” President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at Joint Base Biden held a listening session Focusing on military children [email protected] Andrews, Md., on Monday, after spending the weekend at Camp Wednesday with the Military helps families and also improves Twitter: @nikkiwentling David, Md. Bob Dole to be treated for advanced lung cancer

BY NIKKI WENTLING Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, a World War II vet- eran, said he was diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer and would begin treatment Monday. Dole, 97, shared his diagnosis on Twitter. He has stage-four lung cancer, the most advanced stage of the disease. In his statement, he acknowledged those suffering from the coronavirus pandemic. “Recently, I was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. My first treatment will begin Mon- day,” Dole tweeted. “While I cer- tainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own.” Dole became known as a hero of World War II who survived and overcame debilitating injuries to become one of the country’s most prominent and influential politic- ians. He represented Kansas in the House from 1961 to 1969, fol- lowed by a 27-year tenure as a senator. He held the role of Re- publican leader of the Senate dur- ing his final 11 years in that cham- ber before he launched his second and final presidential run in 1996. After his political career, Dole championed a movement to me- morialize WWII on the National Mall. In 1997, one year after his final failed presidential bid, he took over as the national chair- man of the fundraising campaign for the National World War II Me- morial. In a 2019 interview with Stars and Stripes, Dole said: “I’ve had a lot of public service, and most of it, I enjoyed. I’ve had a good life.” PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WORLD Killings surge in Syria camp housing ISIS families BY BASSEM MROUE of the coronavirus epidemic, offi- they were in late 2019, ISIS sleep- Associated Press cials say. If left there, the thou- er cells continue to strike Syrian BEIRUT — The deaths stacked sands of children in the camp risk government troops, the Kurdish- up: a policeman shot dead with a being radicalized, local and U.N. led Syrian Democratic Forces and pistol equipped with a silencer, a officials warn. civilian administrators. local official gunned down, his son “Al-Hol will be the womb that Al-Hol houses the wives, wid- wounded, an Iraqi man beheaded. will give birth to new generations ows, children and other family Last month, 20 men and women of extremists,” said Abdullah Su- members of ISIS militants — were killed in the sprawling camp leiman Ali, a Syrian researcher more than 80% of its 62,000 resi- MAYA ALLERUZZO/AP in northeastern Syria housing who focuses on jihadi groups. dents are women and children. Boys watch a Kurdish guard in 2019 at Al­Hol camp, at the gate to the families of Islamic State. It has been nearly two years The majority are Iraqis and Syr- section where foreign families from Islamic State­held areas are The slayings in al-Hol camp — since the U.S.-led coalition cap- ians, but it includes some 10,000 housed, in Syria. nearly triple the deaths in previ- tured the last sliver of territory people from 57 other countries, ous months — are largely believed held by ISIS, ending their self-de- housed in a highly secured sepa- official Badran Cia Kurd. “Any- police force, and most were killed to have been carried out by ISIS clared caliphate that covered rate area known as the Annex. one who tries to reveal these con- in their tents or shelters at night, militants punishing perceived large parts of Iraq and Syria. The Many of them remain die-hard tacts or stops dealing with Daesh RIC said. enemies and intimidating anyone brutal war took several years and ISIS supporters. is subjected to death,” he said, us- Most of the victims were shot in who wavers from their extremist left U.S.-allied Kurdish author- The camp has long been chaot- ing the Arabic acronym for ISIS. the back of the head at close range, line, say Syrian Kurdish officials ities in control of eastern and ic, with the hardcore militants Of the 20 killings at al-Hol in Ja- according to RIC and the Syrian who run the camp but say they northeast Syria, with a small pres- among its population enforcing nuary, at least five of the dead Observatory for Human Rights, a struggle to keep it under control. ence of several hundred Ameri- their will on others and seeking to were female residents of the Britain-based opposition war The jump in violence has can forces still deployed there. prevent them from cooperating camp, according to the Rojava In- monitor. heightened calls for countries to Since then, remaining ISIS mil- with Kurdish authorities guarding formation Center, an activist col- The immediate cause for the repatriate their citizens languish- itants have gone underground in it. lective that tracks news in areas jump in killings was not known. ing in the camp, home to some the Syrian-Iraqi border region, ISIS cells in Syria are in contact controlled by the SDF. All the vic- Whatever the cause, the blood- 62,000 people. Those repatriations continuing an insurgency. Though with residents of the camp and tims were Syrian or Iraqi citizens, shed points to the ISIS strength have slowed dramatically because attacks in Syria are lower than support them, said senior Kurdish including a member of the local within the camp. Migrants Facebook blocks news again on access in the move Australia Associated Press Associated Press TENOSIQUE, Mexico — In the CANBERRA, Australia — In a first Mexican shelter reached by surprise retaliatory move Thurs- migrants after trekking through day, Facebook blocked Austra- the Guatemalan jungle, some 150 lians from sharing news stories, migrants are sleeping in its dormi- escalating a fight with the gov- tories and another 150 lie on thin ernment over whether powerful mattresses spread across the floor tech companies should have to of its chapel. pay news organizations for con- Only six weeks into the year, the tent. shelter known as “The 72” has Australia’s government con- hosted nearly 1,500 migrants, com- demned the step, which also pared to 3,000 all of last year. It has blocked some government com- halved its dormitory space due to ISABEL MATEOS/AP munications, including messages the pandemic. That wasn’t a prob- Central American migrants rest last week at "The 72" shelter in Tenosique, Mexico. Six weeks into the about emergency services, and lem last year because few mi- year, the shelter has hosted nearly 1,500 migrants compared to 3,000 all of last year. some commercial pages. grants arrived, but this year it’s The digital platforms fear that been overwhelmed. the high levels seen in late 2018 and dle of the pandemic, making it all stay to two because of the “ava- what’s happening in Australia “We have a tremendous flow early 2019. The difference is that it the more vulnerable,” said Ruben lanche” of migrants who arrived in will become an expensive prece- and there isn’t capacity,” said Ga- would happen during a pandemic. Figueroa, an activist with the January. There would be as many dent for other countries as gov- briel Romero, the priest who runs The protective health measures Mesoamerican Migrant Move- as 220 migrants there compared to ernments revamp laws to catch the shelter in Tenosique, a town in imposed to slow the spread of CO- ment. the 100 they would see before the up with the fast changing digital southern Tabasco state. “The sit- VID-19, including drastically re- Some migrants have expressed pandemic began in March 2020, world. uation could get out of control. We duced bedspace at shelters along hope of a friendlier reception from she said. Facebook acted after the need a dialogue with all of the au- the route, mean fewer safe spaces the new U.S. administration or In Tapachula, the largest Mexi- House of Representatives passed thorities before this becomes for migrants in transit. started moving when some bor- can city near its border with Gua- legislation that would make it and chaos.” In particular, he would like Some shelters remain closed by ders were reopened. temala and home to Mexico’s big- Google pay for Australian jour- the government to assist with mi- local health authorities and almost Others are being driven by two gest detention center, there are nalism, said Treasurer Josh Fry- grants who camp outside while all have had to reduce the number major hurricanes that ravaged signs of the increase as well. denberg. He said he was given no they are full. of migrants they can assist. Appli- Central America in November and Now, more than 1,300 miles to warning before Facebook acted. Latin America’s migrants — cations for visas, asylum or any desperation deepened by the eco- the southeast, some 1,500 migrants The legislation must be passed by from the Caribbean, South Ameri- other official paperwork are de- nomic impact of the pandemic. spread across various camps in the Senate to become law. ca and Central America — are on layed by the government’s re- Isabel Chávez, one of the nuns Panama have their sights set on Australian news organizations the move again. After a year of pan- duced capacity due to the pandem- who work at the migrant shelter in getting to Tapachula, either as a could not post stories and people demic-induced paralysis, those in ic to process them. Palenque, some 60 miles from Te- temporary stopover en route to the who tried to share existing news daily contact with migrants be- “This is not a post-COVID mi- nosique, said they had to reduce U.S. border or to begin the asylum stories got notifications saying lieve the flow north could return to gration; it is a migration in the mid- the number of days migrants could process in Mexico. they were blocked from doing so. Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 Robin Thicke WEEKEND finds the light Music, Page 28

Frances McDormand gives a riveting performance as a house-less person learning to navigate her new life on the road in festival favorite and Golden Globe nominee ‘Nomadland’ Movies, Page 15

Searchlight Pictures, iStock photos; Stars and Stripes illustration

Video games — 18 Travel & Food — 20-26 Books — 27 Health — 32 Crossword — 34 PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: GADGETS & TECHNOLOGY Sanitization overkill UV phone sanitizers work; that doesn’t mean you need one

BY HELEN CAREFOOT ered by mercury, excimer, pulsed xenon lamps or The Washington Post LED lights. Many of the popular devices on the lmost a year into the coronavirus pan- market say they sanitize in about five to 10 minutes; demic, the United States is a little clean- a longer incubation period means they could use ing obsessed. Disinfectant wipes were a lower-powered lights. Ahot-ticket item for most of 2020. Face One important caveat: Depending on the material masks, first a DIY project, are now a staple for you put into the chamber, Linden said, repeated seemingly every brand. Air purifiers saw a bump as exposure could decay some materials over time. more was learned about how the virus spreads. The real question, Reingold and other experts And one long-used but perhaps lesser-known say, is whether these devices are necessary to pre- disinfecting technology — ultraviolet light — got a vent transmission of viruses — and they said no. BINATONE/TNS big boost as consumers sought to protect the one “It’s not a question of whether the UV works; that’s Binatone, a UK­based company, claims that MaskFone is the world’s item they touch the most: their phone. not the issue. The question is: ‘Does it actually first wireless headphone and mask combination. Personal UV sanitizing devices can run from as translate into a health benefit?’” said Amesh Adalja, little as $10 for a wand-style model to more than an infectious-disease physician and senior scholar $100 for an enclosed box that will also charge your at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. The world’s first wireless phone, with room to spare for your wallet and keys. Some studies have found that viruses, such as If you’ve been considering buying a UV phone coronavirus and norovirus, can survive on surfaces headphone/mask combo sanitizer, consider this: Although the experts we such as keyboards and cellphones. But the Centers spoke to say that this type of device works if it pro- for Disease Control and Prevention has said that BY GREGG ELLMAN matching control symbols on the duces UV-C light in the appropriate dose, they still surfaces are not thought to be a common way that Tribune News Service outside, so adjusting the mask don’t recommend buying one. the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads. “I think Wearing a mask in these un- isn’t needed to be heard on a call. Ultraviolet light can indeed neutralize viruses, there are a lot of people who are trying to capitalize certain times has become a way Access to voice assistance is done said Arthur Reingold, head of epidemiology and on people’s concern about germs and transmission of life to prevent exposure to by double-clicking the play but- biostatistics at the University of California at Ber- of disease,” Adalja said. “Yes, you could do that to harmful bacteria, viruses and ton. keley’s School of Public Health. “There’s a long your phone, but I don’t know that it does much to pollution. It’s no surprise that For times when you want the history of using ultraviolet light on infectious agents decrease your risk of infection. I’m someone who technology is making its way into mask on but without the earbuds, to reduce transmission.” It’s widely used to deactiv- takes care of COVID patients, and I’ve never once the face coverings. just pull the cable clip to hold the ate pathogens in hospital rooms, either through done that to my phone, because I don’t have to.” At last month’s CES virtual earbuds with the magnetic ear- aerial or direct exposure, on surgical tools and A common claim (often repeated by companies conference, UK-based telecom- bud holder to keep them in place. surfaces, and to decontaminate and treat waste- selling cleaning devices) is that phones are much munication company Binatone When the mask needs to be water. dirtier than other household objects, such as toilets. showed the MaskFone, claiming washed, the earbuds, controls “It attacks the genetic material of an organism But the presence of microbes doesn’t mean any- it’s the world’s first wireless and microphone are easily re- and basically ties knots in the DNA and RNA of thing in terms of whether it can make you sick, said headphone and mask combina- movable. After washing the viruses, so they can’t reproduce,” said Karl Linden, Paula Cannon, professor of molecular microbiology tion, stating it combines safety, mask, they snap back in, and a professor of environmental engineering and sus- and immunology at the University of Southern fashion, technology and enter- there was no shrinking or remod- tainable development at the University of Colorado California’s Keck School of Medicine. “It doesn’t tainment. eling of the mask needed to get it at Boulder. mean you had any danger. If you took a tiny pinch Along with the mask, which back to its original setup. Both UV sanitization can happen in seconds if the of yogurt and put it on a plate, you would have hun- includes a medical-grade N95 before and after the washing, device has enough power, Linden said. In a health- dreds of microbes, and nobody is going to say that’s filter, there are built-in (and cellphone calls were heard fine care setting, rooms and tools can be sanitized in more dangerous than a toilet seat,” she said. “It’s removable) microphone and on both ends of the call. seconds, because they’re operating at using semi-truthful scientific facts out of context to wireless earbuds. Now when the Online: maskfone.com; $49.99 high strength and are pow- build a narrative to sell a product.” situation isn’t conducive to re- And trying to get rid of all the microbes that moving your mask to make a Raptic has released the rug- could be present on your phone isn’t a worth- hands-free call or listen to music, ged, yet attractive Shield line of while goal, Adalja said, because it’s impos- the MaskFone is the solution. protective smartphone cases for sible; microbes are everywhere and on every The mask is made with dura- Samsung’s new Galaxy S21. surface or object you could touch — even on ble machine-washable twill fab- The cases are loaded with your body. Many of them aren’t harmful to ric, which can easily conform to protective features including humans, he said, and transmission risk from most face features and shapes. tests to survive 10-foot drops on your phone is probably low. “Not all mi- Add the disposable and replace- concrete, which exceeds U.S. crobes are major transmission risks, but able interchangeable N95 filters military MIL-STD-810G stan- most of them can be obviated by just wash- to ensure a high level of protec- dards. This testing covers all ing your hands.” tion with 95 percent virus fil- sides, faces, edges and corners. tration. The medical-grade filters But even with these features, will last up to 200 hours before a the attractive smartphone is not replacement is required. hidden. The front and back cov- But what makes the MaskFone erages are clear, allowing full an item worth talking about is the functionality to the touchscreen, rechargeable electronic tech- controls and cameras. The back nology. The wireless Bluetooth panel is made from shatterproof earbuds produce decent sound clear polycarbonate. and will be good for up to 12 Both the front and back have hours of playtime and handsfree soft rubber bumpers around the Many products on the calls before a USB charge is perimeter and raised lips on the market claim to needed. edge, to help prevent the screen effectively sanitize small If you’re not in a mask-wearing from shattering in the event of a items, such as this environment, you’ll want to use drop. Built-in antimicrobial pro- iHome iUVBT1 Pro better-sounding earbuds, but for tection is there to kill germs. UV­C sanitizer, but since what these are and the envi- The cases are wireless charg- they’re unlikely to make ing compatible and are available users sick, their ronments they work in, the usefulness is debatable. MaskFone is a great product. for all the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 The integrated and removable Ultra, and Galaxy S21 Plus mod- IHOME/TNS microphone lives in a pocket els in a variety of colors. inside of the mask along with the Online: rapticstrong.com; controls, which line up with $29.99 Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 WEEKEND: MOVIES

Searchlight Pictures photos “Nomadland” follows Fern (Frances McDormand, above and below right), a woman navigating life on the road and adjusting to a new normal. Also pictured above: David Strathairn. Putting misconceptions MOVIE REVIEW in the rearview mirror ‘Nomadland,’ starring Frances McDormand, explores life on the road with broad strokes and attention to fine details BY PETER SBLENDORIO New York Daily News “Nomadland,” a new film starring Frances McDormand, provides an intimate window into the roving lifestyle by showing the experiences of a McDormand perfect community of people who live in their vans and travel the United States. The authenticity of “Nomadland” impressed Bob as a house-less nomad Wells, a real-life nomad who plays himself in the movie. BY MOIRA MACDONALD she’s house-less. And she’s not “It’s remarkable,” Wells told the Daily News. “It The Seattle Times particularly unhappy; drifting, captures the life extremely well, in fine detail and Watching Frances McDor- like in the lake where we see her in broad strokes.” McDormand, left, consults with director Chloe Zhao mand in a movie is like watching briefly floating blissfully, seems McDormand portrays a fictional character, Fern, on the set of “Nomadland.” someone you know, an old friend, to suit her. whose life is upended by her husband’s death and someone with whom you can feel “Nomadland,” based on a non- the 2011 closure of the U.S. Gypsum plant where The movie earned the top award last year at the completely at ease. She’s the kind fiction book by journalist Jessica she worked in Empire, Nev. Venice Film Festival and Toronto International of actor who seems to bring Bruder, is primarily about Fern’s While enduring her financial and emotional Film Festival, and is up for best drama motion home with her, and therefore journey, but we also meet a host struggles, Fern attends the Rubber Tramp picture at the Golden Globes on Feb. 28. she’s perfect as Fern in Chloé of other people in similar straits, Rendezvous, an annual gathering for nomads host- A number of real-life nomads appear in the mo- Zhao’s wondrous “Nomadland”: many of whom are played by ed by Wells, before beginning her new life driving vie and are introduced during McDormand’s char- This is a character for whom nonactors who are themselves state to state in a van and working temporary jobs. acter’s journey. home isn’t a place, but something nomads. (Watch for David “If you ask any nomad why you do this, what’s “Her character creates this path that we get to you carry. Strathairn as a gentle loner who’s important to you about it, it’s always freedom,” said watch,” Bruder said. “She’s kind of the proxy for Like Zhao’s previous film “The drawn to Fern.) It’s a movie Wells, whose economic situation initially caused the viewer in some way, in terms of just entering in Rider,” “Nomadland” has a about people who are often in- him to adopt the lifestyle in 1995. “You are in as these worlds that we get to see other people, and haunting, dreamlike quality; also visible; older people, without much control as a person can be in our time and that means often stepping back and having them like “The Rider,” its drama takes much money, who’ve chosen — location. You have control during the day over what tell their stories.” place in the face and voice of its or had chosen for them, when the you do and what you think.” Wells hopes “Nomadland” shows that “alterna- main character, who’s figuring social safety net fails — an al- Directed and written by Chloé Zhao, the movie tives” exist beyond the way of life much of society out a new kind of life. Fern, a ternative way of life. This is a premieres Friday on Hulu. It’s based on the 2017 is accustomed to, and credits the film for depicting recent widow, leaves her long- woman of remarkable strength, book “Nomadland” by Jessica Bruder, who lived as a strong sense of community. time home in rural Nevada, in a making a new plan on the fly a nomad for up to two months at a time during the “Fern makes all these friends ... and you keep former company town that’s now after her old life floated away. three years she worked on the project. coming back. The bungee cord keeps pulling you an empty shell after the plant Zhao shows us the difficulty of “The film is very intimate and brings you close to together,” Wells said. that employed Fern and her this life — the endless laundro- them, and that sort of empathetic work really “You find solutions to all the little problems. Fern husband closed years ago. She mats, the cramped bed in the makes it hard to have prejudices or misconceptions is offered, multiple times, a way out, like people becomes a nomad, living in her van, the cold, the possessions left just when you can get close to people like that,” need to rescue her from this life, but there’s this van and finding seasonal work behind — but also its beauty and Bruder told The News. “It makes it easier to imag- healing. ... The movie is all about healing of her when and where she can, discov- freedom. ine yourself into someone else’s life. That was my grief. Nomadism is just part of the healing process. ering the American West along “Nomadland” is rated R for some nudity. Running great hope for the book, and I think the film is going It’s really very moving because of that. You’re see- the way. She’s not homeless, time: 107 minutes. Now playing in select theaters in that direction as well.” ing healing and hope.” Fern corrects an acquaintance — and streaming on Hulu. PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: MOVIES

‘Transforming that anger

Tahar Rahim stars as Mohamedou Ould Slahi into strength’ in Guantanamo Bay in “The Mauritanian.” STXFilms How actor Tahar Rahim reflected the mental, physical prisons of ‘The Mauritanian’

BY MICHAEL ORDOÑA here I can be free because now everybody [around 25 pounds] within 20 days. ... I ate ical torture that brought Slahi to that Los Angeles Times could hear me.’” so much boiled eggs that I almost turned point, but “we shared something very or Tahar Rahim, “The Maur- When Slahi joined al-Qaida’s jihad into a chicken, man. At some point that intimate, Mohamedou and I: the love of itanian” was about prisons — at against Russian invaders in Afghanistan, state leads you to an emotional place you our mothers. Guantanamo Bay, and of the he was fighting on the side backed by the wouldn’t know could exist.” “I started to sob. My heart was broken, Fmind. CIA. According to him, he walked away A devout Muslim, Slahi admitted to because I could see my mom here — I got “It’s about the horrors he has been from the organization in the early 1990s. Rahim that he struggled with profound goose bumps [right now, remembering it] through, but also there’s a light inside of However, his cousin became a top adviser anger at his predicament but that it had no — and I could shoot it just one time. Then this character,” French-born Rahim says to Osama bin Laden. Slahi’s rare contacts outlet because it was directed at God and I fell down, and I said, ‘I’m dead. I just of playing longtime detainee and now with the cousin, and an occasion in which not people. can’t keep going. I hope you have it.’ bestselling author Mohamedou Ould Slahi. he allowed travelers from near his home- “The only way to let it out is it has to “At this moment, I think I touched with “The way he was able to go through this ... town to stay the night — only to learn they evolve into something stronger, bigger, the tip of my finger a little bit of what he’s he became so wise to be able to not hold a were al-Qaida soldiers — were among the that could help you, finally. And this is been through. It was so heavy.” grudge against anybody after all of this. circumstantial facts that convinced Amer- wisdom,” Rahim says of his character’s It’s almost incredible for a human being.” ican intelligence he was an active al-Qaida journey. “Transforming that anger into Slahi (also spelled “Salahi”) was ac- recruiter. Investigators never, however, strength. Yeah, I think that helped me the cused by American intelligence of being a found sufficient evidence to file charges. most.” “significant al-Qaida operative” involved “It’s 16 years, I think, from when he was Of a scene in which, under extreme in not only the 1999 millennium plot, but arrested. If there was some proof, we physical duress, Slahi hallucinates that his the 9/11 terrorist attacks. After initially would have found it,” Rahim says. mother has been detained and tortured, claiming innocence, Slahi “confessed” “The Mauritanian” isn’t actually about Rahim says he couldn’t imagine the phys- under torture and was held without charge whether Slahi helped recruit or fund ter- for 14 years. The film depicts his confine- rorists. It’s about the human spirit surviv- ment and the legal battle waged by civil ing brutality and incarceration, and also “There is the law, libertarians (played by Jodie Foster and about the rule of law: specifically, the writ Shailene Woodley) on his behalf. Slahi of habeas corpus, prohibiting unlawful you know, except at wrote the memoir on which “Maurita- and indefinite detention. nian” is based, “Guantánamo Diary,” “We’re living in democracies, and there Guantanamo Bay.” while in captivity. Rahim and Foster have is the law, you know, except at Guantana- received Golden Globe nominations for mo Bay,” Rahim says of the infamous Tahar Rahim their performances. military detention center. “It’s so crazy actor who played longtime detainee Rahim met with Slahi and came away that those type of things are happening in Mohamedou Ould Slahi impressed: “That he came out as he is our free countries. Everybody has the right now, a wise man and a good person right to have a lawyer, to be judged; this is .... He had faith in the fact that he is in- our main foundation. It has to be respect- nocent, and he’s been fighting to tell peo- ed.” Tahar Rahim, shown in April 2019, ple that. During the period covered by the film, says he lost 25 pounds in about 20 “That’s why he’s saying at the very end Slahi was in a rough state, physically. days for his role as a Guantanamo Bay [of the film, while still incarcerated but “I went on a drastic diet because he prisoner in “The Mauritanian.” TNS finally before a court], ‘Your honor, even said, ‘I was as thin as a stick.’ I lost Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 WEEKEND: MOVIE REVIEWS Joy under pressure ‘The Mauritanian’ engages with the help of Rahim and real-life footage of Slahi — not its prominent actors

BY JOCELYN NOVECK getting; he also deserves more big roles. Associated Press Macdonald is known for documentaries t’s often the case that movies based (the Oscar-winning “One Day in Septem- on true stories offer a glimpse of the ber”) as well as features (“The Last King real-life characters at the end. In of Scotland”), and “The Mauritanian” has I“The Mauritanian,” the story of a quasi-documentary feel at times. Partly former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moha- that’s because there’s a lot of dry informa- medou Ould Slahi’s 14 years behind bars, tion to get across, namely the ins and outs that real-life footage is the most engaging of Slahi’s legal case. The film tries to part of the film. achieve this by juxtaposing the stories of That’s not entirely the fault of the film- defense lawyer Nancy Hollander (Foster), makers, who do an earnest and thoughtful who works to gain Slahi’s release based on STXFilms if less than absorbing job of telling Slahi’s lack of evidence, and U.S. military prose- The script of “The Mauritanian” doesn’t give big­name stars Shailene Woodley (left), story based on the best-selling memoir he cutor Stuart Couch (Cumberbatch.) Jodie Foster (right) and Benedict Cumberbatch, who play lawyers, much to work with. wrote in prison, “Guantanamo Diary.” Both Foster, in her brittle, crusty por- It’s just that nothing can beat this intim- trayal of Hollander, and Cumberbatch, his desperate family. She has no idea of the dynamics of the case. ate view of the real man, smiling and sing- sporting a southern drawl as a devoted his innocence or guilt, but asks: “Since But the most accessible scenes feature ing joyfully to Bob Dylan, no less. One military man with a conscience, are wel- when did we start locking people up with- Slahi himself, whether they involve the wonders how he even managed to stay come presences in any movie. But the out a trial in this country?” She enlists a dreaded interrogations or the prisoner’s sane, let alone joyful, after 14 years at script doesn’t give them a lot to work with junior colleague, Teri Duncan, to help basic efforts at making a friend at Guanta- Guantanamo without being formally — we learn almost nothing about them as (Woodley, underused). namo, a French detainee he speaks to charged or tried. And in conditions that people outside of the case. Meanwhile we meet Couch (Cumber- through a green mesh fence, and who included a brutal stretch of torture: severe Rahim, though, has plenty of room to batch, also a producer here), who’s tapped dubs him “The Mauritanian.” cold, sexual humiliation, sleep depriva- shine. The actor infuses almost every by superiors to lead the prosecution. They The film has the rhythm of a legal thrill- tion, a mock drowning, waterboarding, scene with humor and humanity. We meet know he has skin in the game: His good er heading toward a dramatic courtroom and threats to imprison his own mother. Slahi at a wedding celebration in Maur- buddy was a pilot on one of the planes that trial. The true climax is hardly that cli- Luckily, “The Mauritanian,” directed by itania, two months after 9/11. The police hit the World Trade Center. He asks: mactic: Slahi testifies by video at his ha- Kevin Macdonald, gets one thing very show up to question him about ties to al- “When do we start?” It’s made clear that beas corpus hearing. He learns by mail right: Tahar Rahim’s masterful central Qaida. “The Americans are going crazy,” the goal is the death penalty. that he’s won. performance. The French actor achieves they say. He assures his mother he’ll be The film tracks these two as they pursue He whoops with joy. He’s going home. something his big-name costars — Jodie back soon — and asks her to save him their cases, each stymied by government And then, the closing credits tell us, he Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch and Shai- some food. It’s clear she fears she may restrictions on information. Hollander remains imprisoned at Guantanamo for lene Woodley — do not, presenting a mul- never see him again (in fact, she didn’t.) receives cartons of fully redacted docu- seven more years. ti-layered, subtly shaded and deeply mov- Four years later in Albuquerque, lawyer ments; Couch seeks crucial details about “The Mauritanian” has been rated R “for violence including a ing portrayal that proves hard to forget. Hollander is approached to use her securi- interrogations. For each, the discovery of sexual assault, and language.” Running time: 129 minutes. Rahim deserves the awards buzz he’s ty clearance to help find Slahi, on behalf of the torture Slahi went through will change Available in select theaters. ‘Barb and Star’ comedy weakened by Bond-inspired villainy BY MICHAEL PHILLIPS Bond-movie contraption. The Director Greenbaum works Chicago Tribune prologue deals with a paperboy with a pretty heavy hand, though Comedywise, Ian Fleming — (Reyn Doi) entering a secret lair to the degree “Barb and Star” is not a funny man — has been a to join an icy villainess in her plan really a frustrated musical, it’s a dubious influence on screen to uncork a torrent of genetically movie that benefits from that comedy for decades. Quite apart modified mosquitoes on an entire frustration and its occasional from full-on James Bond spoofs city — the very city where Barb bursts of song and dance. Cameo in the “Austin Powers” vein, and Star are vacationing. day-players include Andy Garcia elements and whole slabs of spoo- Five minutes into this thing, I and Reba McEntire, plus Morgan fy, outlandish Bond-inspired was, like: What the hell? Why? I Freeman providing the voice of a villainy have a way of popping up mean, I know why: “Barb and talking crab. All that is more fun and weighing down all sorts of Star Go to Vista Del Mar” needs a than everything to do with lost movies, the latest dispiriting peg on which to hang its charac- microchips and genetically mod- example being “Barb and Star Go ters and its situations, and to ified killer mosquitoes and a to Vista Del Mar,” now available include the evil genius’ boy-toy misunderstood villainess’ back- to stream. Edgar (Jamie Dornan, pretty story. Is it a spoiler to mention who funny) who gets mixed up bed- Wiig and Mumolo work so plays the evil genius causing all LIONSGATE/AP wise and danger-wise with our easily and smoothly together, you the grief in debut feature director Kristen Wiig, left, and Annie Mumolo star in “Barb and Star Go to heroines. Star, Wiig’s character, feel like an ingrate for not enjoy- Josh Greenbaum’s film? Let’s Vista Del Mar” as two friends who leave Nebraska for the first time. is reeling from a cheating ex. ing their efforts more in these assume so. We’ll stay mum out of “Men find me disgusting. And script circumstances (especially respect for the chief creatives on eled outside their small Nebraska Thanks to sudden unemploy- I’m OK with that!” she notes, since they wrote it). Now and this project: Kristen Wiig and town called Soft Rock (clever ment and a tip from a friend, brightly if unconvincingly. then, though, the payoffs arrive. Annie Mumolo, who rightly se- name). Chipper, good-natured, Barb and Star decide to bust out Mumolo’s Barb, meantime, And with Mumolo in particular, a cured Oscar nominations for they’ve been finishing each oth- of Soft Rock and fly to the (fic- finds Dornan’s Edgar as enticing sentence such as “I’m Barb and their “Bridesmaids” screenplay a er’s sentences since childhood. tional) Vista Del Mar resort on as Star does. There’s some im- this is Star — and you are?” turns decade ago. They are case studies in Mid- Florida’s gulf coast. Here, the plied, crazy, drug-fueled three- into a rhapsodic ode to Minneso- Here they’ve created a promis- western hard-r’s and borderline- men are plentiful and ogling, and way sex, and a fair bit of raunch ta-speak, a la “Fargo,” but in this ing showcase inspired by any Canadian vowel sounds, especial- the boardwalk trinkets are suggesting that this was an R- case, it’s one state down and to number of sketches Wiig and ly “a,” pronounced “aaaayyyy.” (I faaaaaaabulous. rated project that got revised the left. Mumolo cooked up in their know the sound well; if you grow That’s a decent premise for a downward to secure the PG-13 Groundlings improv years in Los up in Wisconsin and then move to comedy. Around it, though, “Barb rating, if anyone even looks at “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” is rated PG-13 for rude sexual content, drug use and some strong Angeles. Best friends forever, Minnesota, it’s basically too late and Star” preoccupies valuable those ratings anymore in lock- language. Running time: 106 minutes. Now Barb and Star have never trav- to ever change the results.) screen time with its wearying down. available on demand. PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: VIDEO GAMES

Riot Games adapts its popular League of Legends title to mobile and console systems with League of Legends: Wild Rift, shown at left and below. A compressed map and shorter matches are among the alterations to make the game better suited to a smaller screen and shorter bursts of playing time.

RIOT GAMES/TNS Console-worthy but compact League of Legends: Wild Rift headlines complex, high-quality games coming to iPhone 12

BY GIESON CACHO With that said, it could mean that playing Wild Rift pertise of Crash’s sister, Coco. Players tackle levels to get The Mercury News could have an impact on play in League of Legends. Chow material to build new structures that unlock weapons and martphones have quickly closed the gap between said the talent and skill sets in one can translate to anoth- other goodies. handheld devices and consoles. As Genshin Im- er and vice versa. “Playing one makes you better at the Lastly, Crash on the Run! has three modes with the pact has shown, the gaming machine in your other,” he said. plans to introduce seasonal content. Players can check Spocket can produce graphics that are equal to On mobile devices, Chow said the touchscreen works out survival runs, which has asynchronous multiplayer. anything you’d see on the past generation of machines. well, but the game can support controllers. He said Wild They also have time trials and challenge runs for players The iPhone 12 emphasizes this point with three games Rift will have a full esports ecosystem and that it is sched- who have the need to collect or speed run everything. that are on their way or already on the smartphone. The uled to have a regional open beta in the Americas next Expect to play Crash on the Run! in the spring. Players device’s A14 Bionic chip and 5G support means that it can month. can preregister the game on iOS and Android. handle more complex games and players can enjoy them Online: wildrift.leagueoflegends.com Online: king.com/game/crashontherun at home or on the road. Gaming has come a long way from Bejeweled being played in a browser window. Crash on the Run! Marvel Realm of Champions Here’s a look at three titles that are expected to draw Picking up on the theme of console games on mobile Not to be confused with Kabam’s other Marvel product, some buzz on the platform. devices, Activision is bringing the Crash Bandicoot fran- Marvel Contest of Champions, this action role-playing chise to smartphones with the help of Candy Crush-mak- game lets players control their favorite comic book char- League of Legends: Wild Rift er King. acters in an open arena. After years of being solely on PC, Riot Games is bring- The project takes elements of The game takes place on a plan- ing its famed MOBA to mobile devices and consoles albeit the endless runner genre pop- et called Battleworld, where the with a few changes. This custom version has tweaks that ularized by the likes of Temple environment is in disarray after its tailors it for a different audience. Executive producer Run and applies it to the beloved emperor, the Maestro, was assassi- Michael Chow said, “We rebuilt franchise. In doing so, they re- nated. His death leads to conflict everything from the ground up.” moved the “endless” part and among the Champion Houses. The Although Riot Games makes created a level-based format that gameplay is easy to pick up with changes to its multiplayer online players would see in a typical players moving around and fight- battle arena formula in Wild Rift, Crash Bandicoot game. The hero ing with light, heavy and special Chow said many of the alterations travels to different worlds and attacks. They also have a dash to are so subtle that the new version biomes, overcoming obstacles and even defeating bosses. help them dodge attacks. feels close to the original. Many The game doesn’t skimp on the visuals and looks as It has MOBA feel, but it’s more direct as players battle tweaks will be imperceptible save good as a title one would see in the PlayStation 3 era. over a center of arena to get supercharged so that they for one — the map is substantially King’s Bob Woodburn said Crash on the Run! offers a can defeat the other houses’ battlefield leader. Players smaller, and that reduction cuts the match time. sense of exploration and discovery as the bandicoot runs can level up and earn new gear to customize their heroes. Chow said the average League of Legends games take and leaps across a linear path with different levels of Ethan Young, Kabam’s development director, said 40 minutes while Wild Rift contests average 17 minutes. height and obstacles. He said the team has been looking Marvel Realm of Champions will get a 2.0 build with “That allows the game to better fit different parts of the to see if they could do a side-scrolling portion, but it’s still alliance events, new game modes, world quests and the day and different parts of life,” he said. That means play- undetermined so far. introduction of a narrative mission. Later in a subsequent ers can get in a quick game during their commute or Like other Crash games, players will unlock skins, but update, the game will also have a new map called Pleas- lunch break. in the mobile game, they’re more than just decorative. ant Hill and an eighth champion — Thor. News on Thor Wild Rift has the same rhythm and typography, but The skins have different attributes. Some may boost re- and the new map will be shared at a later time. everything happens much faster, Chow said. Because of source gathering while others may give players an extra The game is out right now, but unfortunately it doesn’t the compact dimensions, it also means that actions are Aku Aku so they can handle tougher levels. have controller support, though it’s something that “we’re magnified in a match. Mistakes are more devastating, and In addition to the core runner gameplay, players will talking about,” Young said. the swings in matches are much more drastic. find some light base-building that incorporates the ex- Online: marvelrealmofchampions.com Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 WEEKEND: LIFESTYLE Some assembly required Plastic model kits offer temporary solace from pandemic anxieties

BY JOHN LEICESTER Associated Press e hunches at the dining room table, putting the finishing touches on his miniature World War II tank. Deep in concentration, he keeps his Hhand steady as he works to make the scaled- down plastic model look as realistic as possible. And as he does so, Maxime Fannoy — locked-down PHOTOS BY MICHEL SPINGLER/AP husband and father riding out the coronavirus with his Guy Warein, a 70­year­old retiree, works on model trains Jan. 27 in his home in Richebourg, northern France. family in Belgium — feels the outside world’s unremitting pandemic nightmare slip thankfully out of focus. “It’s an escape. When you are building a kit or a scene, you really plunge into it,” Fannoy says. “Everything else loses its importance, and in the current context, that is a real help.” Rejuvenated by quarantines and lockdowns, the old- school pastime of creating miniature worlds by assem- bling and decorating scaled-down models or running mini trains on mini tracks is enjoying a revival — plastic ther- apy against the pandemic blues. Sales are booming as families shorn of their social lives keep idle hands and minds busy by making models and dusting off train sets. British brand Airfix saw a run on plastic kits for Spitfires, the iconic World War II fighter plane. Hornby, which owns Airfix and also makes an array Sales are booming as locked­down families glue and paint of model trains and cars under other brands, has become models and dust off train sets. Model trains are on display on tracks in Warein’s home. profitable again with sales soaring. The analog pleasures of gluing and painting, fixing and Having a hobby allows me to think of other things.” fiddling, are also peeling some members of the digital Manufacturers have struggled to meet the global surge generation away from their screens. Teens are catching in interest. Hornby’s CEO, Lyndon Davies, says he had to the modeling bug from parents and grandparents who airfreight 10,000 Spitfire kits from a factory in India when suddenly find themselves with time again to indulge in Airfix’s stocks ran dry for the first time in the company’s hobbies many had been too busy to pursue since child- 71-year history. hood. “What you don’t want of your In France, 70-year-old retiree kids, your grandchildren, is Guy Warein says his lockdown- “It’s an escape. When them sitting watching the TV or time renovations on a model train staring at phones all the time. set that had been gathering dust you are building a kit or This pandemic has really in his attic have helped him con- brought families together at nect with his video-gaming a scene, you really home,” he says. “They have used grandkids, pulling them “from the types of products we make to the virtual world to reality.” plunge into it. try and forget what was going on On a visit when school was out, in the outside world.” The old­school pastimes of making scale models and the eldest, aged 16, said: “‘Come Everything else loses its Another British manufactur- playing with miniature trains are making a comeback as a on, Grandpa, let’s go and see the er, Peco, has hired extra staff to form of therapy against the pandemic blues. trains and make them work.’ So importance, and in the satisfy surging orders — up by we put them together and did 50% in some markets — for its him to do his job as a business developer from home, he set things together,” Warein says. current context, that is miniature trains, tracks and to work on his stash, stocking up on brushes and paints in “It’s a coming together of gener- modeling accessories. the final days before lockdown. ations, and that can only be bene- a real help.” “This is happening every- He first completed a series of 1/24th-scale rally cars. A ficial.” where: Our markets in the UK, WWII Tiger tank, painted to look weathered and mounted So he repaired the HO-scale Maxime Fannoy across Europe, in Australia, in a wintry scene with troops and a jeep, followed at the locomotives and rolling stock North America, in China,” says end of 2020. He posted photos of the diorama, the fruit of inherited from his father-in-law and fixed up the room Steve Haynes, the sales manager. “People are making far 50 hours of handiwork, on Facebook. where he intends to run them on a U-shaped track layout greater use of their spare time, their free time, their en- “I generally start in the evenings at around 8 p.m. and that he’s designing. The activity helped Warein, a former forced time stuck at home to tackle the boredom, to tackle stop around 11 p.m. to midnight,” Fannoy says. “I can no educator and municipal councilor, tune out the pandemic the isolation and do something creative.” longer do the things I would normally do. So what do I do? I and its anxieties. In Belgium, Fannoy calls himself a “model-maker made open a kit and work on it. In fact, it’s my wife who comes “You fill your time and forget what’s happening around from lockdown.” He had long bought plastic kits, because and pulls me out of this mini-world I live in.” you,” he says. “Turning on the radio or the television is like they reminded him of childhood, but had never had time to “The hours fly by. It’s a form of meditation,” he says. “It being hit with a truncheon, because they systematically build them. Instead, he hoarded them away in a wardrobe. has helped enormously in getting me through the past talk about the virus and the misfortunes it has brought. ... When the pandemic shut down his busy life and forced year.” PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Residents, tourists share sunny Salema

As we’ve had to postpone our travels sic beach with a paved promenade, and because of the pandemic, I believe a endless sun. weekly dose of travel dreaming can be Where a small road hits the beach on good medicine. Here’s a reminder of the Portugal’s southwestern tip, Salema is an fun that awaits us in Europe at the other easy 15-mile bus ride from the closest end of this crisis. train station in Lagos. Still a fishing village — but only barely — Sale- he flatbed fish truck rambles ma has a split personality: into the village blaring the “1812 The whitewashed old town Overture” on its horn. Today’s is for residents, and the Tmy beach day and I was ready to more utilitarian other half just sleep in. But it’s market day in Sale- was built for tourists. ma, and the parking lot that separates the Residents and tourists jogging shorts from the black shawls fills pursue a policy of peaceful up, one vehicle at a time, with horn-tooting Rick coexistence at the beach, merchants. First the fish truck rolls in, Steves luxurious with powder-fine then the bakery trailer steaming with sand and framed by steep fresh bread, followed by a fruit-and-vege- vivid-yellow cliffs. Tractors pull in and table truck, and finally a five-and-dime push out the fishing boats, 2-year-olds Rick Steves truck for clothing and odds and ends. toddle in the waves, topless women read Local fishermen in Salema, Portugal, easily coexist with visitors on the beach. Groggy yet happy, I quickly get dressed German fashion mags, and old men really and join the scene — savoring one of the do mend the nets. British and German Whatever’s caught is served up by the north. last true villages on the Algarve. connoisseurs of lethargy laze in the sun, wives of fishermen in huge pots of Portu- At the end of the day, after enjoying a Any place that’s famous as a “last undis- while locals grab the shade. gal’s beloved seafood stew (cataplana) nice plate of fish, I take a glass of white covered tourist frontier” probably no While the days of black-clad widows inside steamy hole-in-the-wall eateries, wine and sip it with the sunset. Nearby, a longer is. But the Algarve of my dreams chasing topless Nordic women off the where tourists slurp it up. withered old woman shells almonds with a survives — just barely. It took me three beach are gone, nudity is still risqué. Over Restaurateurs are allowed to build a railroad spike, dogs roam the beach like tries to find it. West of the big city of La- the rocks and beyond the view of prying temporary, summer-only beachside res- they own it, and a man catches short fish gos, Luz and Burgau both offered only a eyes, Germans grin and bare it. taurant if they provide a lifeguard and run with a long pole. Beyond him is Cape corpse of a fishing village, bikini-strangled Unwritten tradition allocates different a green/yellow/red warning-flag system Sagres — 500 years ago, it was the edge of and Nivea-creamed. Then, just as dark- chunks of undersea territory to each Sale- for swimmers. the world. As far as the gang sipping port ness turned couples into peaceful sil- ma family. The pottery jars stacked every- Tourism chases the sun and quaint and piling olive pits in the beachside bar is houettes, I found Salema. where are traps, which are tied about a folksiness. And the folksiness survives concerned, it still is. It’s my kind of resort: three beachside yard apart in long lines and dropped off- only with the help of tourist dollars. Fish- streets, a dozen restaurants, a few hotels, shore. Octopi, looking for a cozy place to ermen boost their income by renting spare Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guide- time-share condos up the road, a couple of books, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and orga- set an ambush, climb inside, unaware bedrooms (quartos) to the ever-growing nizes European tours. You can email Rick at rick@rick- bars, English and German menus, a clas- they’ve made their last mistake. stream of tan fans from Europe’s drizzly steves.com and follow his blog on Facebook. Tradition of strong beer at its height during Lenten season Aside from the odd Easter egg market and celebrations calendar on the shop’s website. The pick-up time is also welcoming spring, the Lenten season tends to be rather indicated. In order to limit the spread of coronavirus, the sedate across much of Germany. In ordinary times, Mun- abbey is serving only customers with an address in Belgi- ich bucks the trend with a festival city residents treasure um, but hopes to begin serving its European customers as something they keep largely to themselves. soon. Online: trappistwestvleteren.be/en/beer-sales Starkbier fests honor a strong beer with its roots deeply planted in Bavarian tradition. Centuries back, monaste- Italy: Former monastery brewery rises again ries were the major players in the practice of brewing The Montecassino Abbey, located in the Lazio region beer. During Lent, the pious monks largely some 80 miles south of Rome, was founded in 529 and stayed away from solid foods, gaining their began brewing beer in the 15th century. Production calories instead from Fastenstarkbier, a ceased when the monastery was bombarded during dark, strong beer with a malty flavor and a World War II. The complex was rebuilt in the same style. typical alcohol content of 7% or above. A Since 2018, barley sown on land surrounding the abbey daily ration of five liters of the potent stuff has been reaped and used to produce Montecassino ab- was not unheard of. iStock bey beer at a nearby brewing establishment. A small This style of beer, a double bock, was Much sought­after Westvleteren Trappist Beer is brewed brewery established on one of the monastery’s old farms Karen first brewed in 1629 by Paulaner monks in at the St. Sixtus Abbey by monks in Belgium. now offers samples. Beer-making, which takes place in Bradbury a monastery on the outskirts of Munich. collaboration with Birra Peroni, one of the Italy’s biggest But the production of strong beer could Belgium: Sale of prized beer goes online brewers, is just one part of a larger project aiming to only take place with the consent of the pope. A barrel of restore the ancient agricultural traditions of the region. this special beer for fasting was dispatched to Rome, but For many beer lovers, a trek to the St. Sixtus Abbey in Online: birramontecassino.it its long journey over the Alps did it no favors. When the Westvleteren, Flanders, represents the ultimate pilgrim- Holy Father tasted the now-spoiled beer, he saw no rea- age. The three types of beer brewed here consistently Italy: Buying beer revives a monastery son to forbid the consumption of such a dubious treat. garner nearly perfect scores on beer consumer websites. In 2000, a handful of American monks arrived at the Although the annual strong beer festival that’s opened To obtain these precious drops, one must appear in per- site of the Basilica of St. Benedict in the Umbrian region each year by the mayor of Munich himself won’t be tak- son at the abbey gates at a previously booked date and of Norcia, abandoned in 1810 when Napoleon suppressed ing place, the breweries themselves have no need to time. A maximum of two wooden crates containing 24 monastic orders. They successfully reestablished the break with tradition. In addition to Paulaner’s starkbier, bottles each can be purchased. monastery, but an earthquake in 2016 left most of it in which bears the name Salvator, a number of other such For many years, ordering the beer meant hours trying ruins. One of the few things left standing was a brewery beers, whose names also end in the “-ator” suffix, are to get through to the brewery by phone. In the spring of in which the monks had been making a beer they called available for purchase at this time of the year. 2019, the brothers began taking orders online. Procuring Nursia, a reference to the city’s Latin name, since 2012. Pick up one or several and celebrate at home this year. the beer still means appearing in person, and providing The monastery’s beer has an enthusiastic following. It’s Dancing on your table is optional. personal details including the registration number of the sold in local shops and restaurants, and is available online While beer-brewing monasteries are rightly considered vehicle in which the beer will be picked up. The strict in both Europe and in the United States. Purchase of bastions of tradition, several are moving with the times. measures combat unauthorized resale and profiteering. Birra Nursia helps ensure that the monks will have a Here’s a look at some of the latest developments in mo- Now, the only way to obtain Trappist Westvleteren is place to sing their old Latin chants and continue to build nastic brewing tradition in Europe. via its web store, which has limited hours, listed on a up their brewing industry. Online: birranursia.it Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 WEEKEND: FOOD & DINING

Zum Kaaser Location: Schulstrasse 1, D-67685 Erzenhausen Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed on Thursday. Prices: Appetizers start at 4.50 euros. Burgers run from about 4-13 euros. Expect to pay more than 10 euros for most salads and specials. Kids menu has chicken nuggets, hamburger, schnitzel and pasta, all under 7 euros. Credit cards are accepted. Parking: available across the street from the restaurant. Information: Phone: (49) (0) 6374-1647; email; [email protected]; online: zum-kaeaeser.de Jennifer Svan

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER H. SVAN/Stars and Stripes The hamburgers on the special takeout menu at Zum Kaaser, including a standard cheeseburger, make for a tasty meal.

Zum Kaaser, a restaurant and inn in rural Erzenhausen, a village northwest of Kaiserslautern, has a special takeout menu during the lockdown and offers Only missing the atmosphere delivery service to neighboring villages. The dine-in experience at Zum Kaaser in Erzenhausen is memorable, but takeout will do well enough for now

BY JENNIFER H. SVAN Stars and Stripes AFTER f we ever get to eat in restaurants again, Zum Kaaser, tucked away in a HOURS village northwest of Kaiserslautern, GERMANY Iis at the top of my list. The restaurant is spread out inside a spacious, restored stone building that’s been in the same family for more than 100 over the other menu staples, pasta and years, and exudes country charm. In win- salad. ter, a table near the fireplace is the best My kids each ordered a cheeseburger seat in the house, while the beer garden is with a side of French fries. The one meat ideal for soaking up Germany’s long sum- patty with melted cheese on a sesame bun mer nights. with lettuce was satisfying, about the right Zum Kaaser, pronounced “Kay-zer” size for older kids. here and meaning “to the emperor,” offers I went for the vegetarian burger, a patty classic German fare like schnitzel and made with lentils and pumpkin in a red spaetzle (egg noodle pasta) as well as bun, with a side of fried potato wedges less-traditional meat, fish and vegetarian that quickly lost their crispiness in the dishes made with seasonal ingredients. takeout box. The honey mustard sauce The few times I was there before the paired well with the burger. pandemic, the service was prompt and Those with hearty appetites could try pleasant, and the owner recommended the Texas burger — about half a pound of one of the best Bordeaux wines I’ve ever ground beef topped with gouda cheese and had. bacon. Other meat options include a It’s hard to capture the essence of the grilled chicken burger with tomato, pine- A vegetarian burger at Zum Kaaser in Erzenhausen, made with lentils and pumpkin and place, in both quality of food and atmo- apple and curry sauce. Some of the burg- served on a red bun, is a hearty alternative to a traditional hamburger. sphere, in takeout boxes. But that’s the ers are on the pricey side at about 13 eu- only way Zum Kaaser has stayed afloat ros. and onion, and drizzled with balsamic found some rave reviews about it on Trip during the coronavirus lockdown, offering On a whim, we ordered bruschetta, an vinegar. It was a good choice. Advisor — and celebrate the end of lock- a limited to-go menu during dinner hours appetizer of meal-size proportions. The While we still much prefer the dine-in down there with either prosecco or a dark on most days and delivery service to base had a thin, flaky crust, similar to experience, we enjoyed our food and beer. neighboring villages. flammkuchen, a pizza-like meal popular in rejoiced at not having to cook or do dishes,

When ordering takeout earlier this Germany and France’s Alsace region. It at least for a night. When the restaurant [email protected] month, my family and I opted for burgers was topped with diced tomato, cucumbers reopens, I plan to try their ice cream — I Twitter: @stripesktown PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: QUICK TRIPS

Hiking up the hill to the Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico takes the hiker through a series of 150 arches built in the 18th century to shelter pilgrims. On the QT Directions: The church is at Viale X Giugno, 87, 36100 Vicenza. From the Tribunale di Vicenza, where there’s a nearby paid parking lot, there are several walking routes. Each, between about 1.5 miles and 2 miles, takes 20-30 minutes. A drive takes four min- utes. Hours: In keeping with pandemic rules, the church is currently open only for weekend mass. Cost: Free Food: Several snack bars are currently closed. Al Pellegrino 1926, a restaurant on site, is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 7:30

PHOTOS BY NANCY MONTGOMERY/Stars and Stripes a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Website: monteberico.it, in Italian. The Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico, first built in the 15th century and rebuilt over the next two centuries as a tribute and offering to the Virgin Mary to save the faithful from the plague, stands high on a hill above Vicenza. Nancy Montgomery A divine pilgrimage Heavenly views wait at the end of a steep climb to Vicenza’s 15th century Sanctuary of Saint Mary of Mount Berico church BY NANCY MONTGOMERY The newest plague, the coronavirus pandemic, has put Stars and Stripes such pilgrimages on hold. The church is now closed illions of pilgrims have made their way over weekdays. the centuries up the hill from Vicenza to But fitness devotees can still make the trek. Those up the Sanctuary of Saint Mary of Mount Ber- for the steep climb can arrive at the sanctuary via a Mico, sometimes on their hands and knees. 700-meter-long, two-sectioned archway built in the 18th The church, built originally in the 15th century to century. The design, consisting of 150 arches, grouped in The view extends for miles at the parking lot of the persuade Mary to use her influence with God to stop a sets of 10, symbolizes various Roman Catholic traditions church, from the city of Vicenza to Monte Grappa, the plague resurgence, is a Marian shrine that overlooks the such as the 150 Hail Marys of the Rosary. foothills of the Alps and the Venetian Lagoon. city. Another route begins at the “Arch of the Little Stairs,” Every first Sunday of the month, thousands have made designed by Palladio and built in 1596, which leads to the climb “to ask for a grace or to give thanks for having 192 steps divided into 32 flights. It formed the only ac- received one, or simply to pay a visit to the Virgin Ma- cess path to the Sanctuary until the construction of the ry,” according to 30 Giorni magazine. The church was arcade made the hike easier. open most days to tourists and worshippers alike. It’s an altogether more leisurely drive, on a broad, winding motorway, eight minutes from the city center. The white marble church comes impressively into view, with the graceful arches off to the side. Even the capacious parking lot — also called the Piaz- zale della Vittoria — is something to see. From there, a full view of the city awaits, along with views of Monte Grappa, the foothills of the Alps and the Venetian la- goon. There’s also a little park with a sweet statue of a moth- er joyously holding aloft her baby and a toddler clinging to her hip. The title is “Grazie, Mama.” The park, called the Garden of Victory, also features a monument to the Alpini, the Italian Army’s specialist mountain infantry, known for their World War I hero- ism. Just up the street on the Viale Dieci Giugno is another bigger park on the grounds of the Museo del Risorgi- mento e della Resistenza. It’s a green, quiet space with trails laid among huge conifers and interspersed with The winding road up to the Santuario della Madonna di sunny glades. Monte Berico is popular with bikers and motorcyclists. A small park across from the church honors mothers and Motorists can marvel at the 150 arches alongside the the Alpini, the Italian Army’s mountain troops known for [email protected] road meant to shelter pilgrims. Twitter:@montgomerynance their exploits in World War I. Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 WEEKEND: TRAVEL Freedom to move about These European destinations are allowing tourists vaccinated for COVID-19 — but Americans are still not welcome at most

BY SHANNON MCMAHON The Washington Post ith coronavirus vaccination efforts mounting in many parts of the world, some trav- Welers may be looking forward to their inoculation in hopes of traveling again. And while there are growing argu- ments against vaccine passports, some na- tions have begun allowing vaccinated trav- elers to bypass the usual entry require- iStock photos ments, like a 14-day quarantine. Travelers to Nicosia, Cyprus, will soon be able for bypass coronavirus entry requirements such as a 14­day quarantine European nations and remote tropical by showing proof of vaccination. Cyprus is one of seven countries open, or soon to be open, to vaccinated travelers. islands are among the destinations wel- coming vaccinated travelers even though The Seychelles health experts remain uncertain about cor- The islands of the Seychelles now allow “all visitors onavirus vaccines’ ability to prevent trans- from any part of the world who have been vaccinated” to mission of the virus. enter without quarantining. The Seychelles’ list of permit- Most vaccines “have not proven that they ted countries for incoming travel no longer applies to those who are fully vaccinated at least two weeks before decrease transmission, so the patient may their arrival. still get mild or asymptomatic versions of Vaccinated visitors will still be required to supply a the disease and they may then be able to negative coronavirus test result in the form of a PCR test transmit it,” said Carlos Acuna-Villaordu- taken less than 72 hours before travel. Those vaccinated, tested visitors are “allowed free movement throughout na, an infectious-disease physician at Bos- their stay in Seychelles,” the islands’ tourism board said ton Medical Center. “We don’t know yet, in a statement. but there are groups studying that.” Georgia The risk associated with allowing vacci- Husavik, on the eastern shore of Iceland, shines in the The non-EU nation of Georgia reopened this month to late­afternoon light. The country plans to open its borders nated travelers, for now, is that they might travelers who are fully vaccinated against the coronavi- in May to non­U.S. travelers who can show proof that they carry a contagious amount of the virus rus. It will not require testing or prevent those from high- have been vaccinated against COVID­19. without being sick and infect unvaccinated risk nations from entering. people in the destination they are visiting. “Citizens of all countries, traveling by air from any Europe may enter Iceland, an E.U. member, without country, may enter Georgia if they present the document restrictions if they are fully vaccinated. Perhaps for that reason, some nations al- confirming the full course (two doses) of any COVID-19 Travelers “who are in possession of valid documenta- lowing vaccinated visitors are still requir- vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia,” the tion that proves prior infection or vaccination against ing coronavirus tests before arrival. Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. COVID-19” can skip Iceland’s screening and quarantine Here are the destinations that have an- measures, the country’s government says. The country Estonia also notes that its “unique geographical position” may nounced they will allow vaccinated trav- The government of Estonia, which does not permit contribute to “measures at the border [that] will most elers, and what the terms of entry are. U.S.-based travelers because of EU entry restrictions, likely be stricter than those prescribed by the EU.” recently announced it will now allow individuals from lower-risk countries who have recovered from the coro- Cyprus navirus or have received an approved coronavirus vac- The island of Cyprus, which is considered European cine, both in the past six months, to visit without quaran- territory by the European Union and is not allowing U.S. tining. Proof of previously testing positive for the coro- travelers to enter, has also announced that starting in navirus or a vaccination certificate in English, Russian or March, it will welcome vaccinated travelers who are Estonian will be accepted for entry. permitted to visit Europe. Romania Poland The EU nation of Romania, which does not permit The government of Poland, which is also subject to EU Americans to enter, lifted quarantine requirements for rules denying Americans entry until further notice, al- vaccinated travelers on Jan. 18, according to U.K. offi- lows travelers from European Union nations to enter with cials. Travelers from permitted countries such as En- proof of vaccination. gland will be allowed entry without testing or quarantine “Persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 after 10 days from their final dose of the vaccine. are exempted from the obligatory quarantine (on the basis of a certificate confirming vaccination against CO- Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, awaits foreign Iceland VID-19),” Poland’s entry rules state. The permissions for visitors who have been vaccinated against COVID­19. Beginning in May, travelers from low-risk countries in vaccinated travelers have been in place since Dec. 28. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: FOOD & TRAVEL It’s like school lunch in a bun The mac ’n’ cheese sandwich at Mos Burger introduces Japan to a uniquely Western flavor

BY THERON GODBOLD Stars and Stripes apan’s second largest burger chain, Mos Burger, added a new flavor to its menu Feb. 10, a potato croquette covered in macaroni and cheese and Jstuffed between burger buns. The sandwich, available for a limited time only, is introducing the Japanese public to a very Western fla- vor. Mac ’n’ cheese, a staple comfort dish in the United States and some European countries, is still a mystery to 88% of Japanese people, according to a survey by Mar- ket Development Institute from Oct. 27. A hot croquette is laid on lettuce, then drizzled with Mos Burger’s special meat sauce and covered in creamy macaroni and cheese that is sprinkled with kishi nanko plum, a Japanese plum that adds a tangy taste, and dried THERON GODBOLD/Stars and Stripes bonito flakes that add a salty, smoky flavor from the A new sandwhich from Mos Burger, one of Japan’s most popular fast­food burger chains, pairs macaroni and cheese Bonito tuna they are made from, to make up the center with a potato croquette. The mac ’n’ cheese burger is only available for a limited time. of the sandwich. It is a “hot and voluminous burger perfect for the cold A hint of horseradish heat in Mos Burger’s secret meat The Mos Burger website doesn’t say when the mac ’n’ season,” Mos Burger says on its website. sauce flavors the sandwich, but the overall taste was a cheese-croquette burger will be discontinued. At 978 yen, or about $9.35, for a large meal set that bit bland and could use a little salt. If you are looking for something a little different but includes a fries and a drink, the new burger reminded The portions are rather large for Japanese fast food, somehow familiar, this sandwich might hit the spot. me of a school lunch in the 1980s — a Friday special of but smaller than a typical American portion. The large mac ’n’ cheese and tater tots that tasted so good during meal set is about the same size as a small combo at U.S. [email protected] childhood, but just OK as you got older. chain restaurants. Twitter: @GodboldTheron Discount rail passes will soon be available for US troops in Japan BY HANA KUSUMOTO part of Japan’s mainland, Honshu, and in Stars and Stripes the Kanto region, which includes Tokyo Expats and foreign workers, including and the surrounding prefectures. those in Japan under the status of forces The pass for Niigata and Nagano will be agreement, have long grumbled about available for travel in the Kanto region and people on tourist visas being able to ride in the Nagano and Niigata prefectures in the country’s rails on discounted fares. the central and western parts of the island. Starting April 1, a couple of these low- The Tohoku passes cost 20,000 yen cost passes will be available to foreign (about $191) for adults and 10,000 yen ($95) residents, too, according to a news release for children. Nagano, Niigata passes are from East Japan Railway. They’ll offer 18,000 yen for adults ($172) and 9,000 yen unlimited rides for five consecutive days ($86) for children. on some JR East lines, including the high- The passes will be sold at Narita In- speed shinkansen, and other designated ternational Airport and most major sta- trains and buses. tions with passport-reader ticketing ma- AARON KIDD/Stars and Stripes However, only tourists can purchase the chines: Tokyo, Ueno, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, U.S. troops stationed in Japan will soon be able to get discounted ride passes usually popular Japan Rail Pass, which offers Shibuya, Shinagawa, Hamamatsucho, reserved for tourists for the shinkansen, or high­speed bullet train. unlimited rides nationwide. Yokohama, Mito, Sendai, Yamagata, Fu- The passes that will be offered to foreign kushima, Morioka, Hachinohe, Aomori, use automatic ticket gates. Current passes Kanto region for three consecutive days. residents are called “JR East Pass (Tohoku Akita, Niigata, Nagano and Matsumoto. must be shown to station staff to pass the The passes cost 10,180 yen ($97) for adults area)” and “JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata The change comes as the company revis- gates. and 5,090 yen ($49) for children. area).” es the rail passes, which were available The two passes will supplement the

The Tohoku pass will be available for only as paper tickets. The new passes will already available JR Tokyo Wide Pass, [email protected] travel in the Tohoku region in the northern be machine-readable to let pass holders which offers unlimited use of trains in the Twitter: @HanaKusumoto Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 25 WEEKEND: FOOD Power up with Mario snacks 7-Elevens in Japan are celebrating Nintendo star’s 35th birthday with 6 limited-time treats

BY THERON GODBOLD Stars and Stripes apan’s ubiquitous 7- Elevens are marking 35 years of Nintendo’s plucky plumber Mario J PHOTOS BY AARON KIDD/Stars and Stripes smashing Goombas, knocking Japan’s ubiquitous 7­Elevens are celebrating 35 years of Nintendo’s plucky Italian Bowser into lava and saving plumber Mario with several themed snacks and a giveaway. Princess Peach with themed snacks and a giveaway. Present the 7-Eleven app on your mobile phone when pur- chasing one of the six items and you’re entered to win coupons, Light and airy, the taste of Princess tote bags or even a Nintendo Peach’s Dolce floats across your tongue, Switch gaming system. just as she floats across the screen in Like the prizes, the snacks Super Mario Bros. 2. can be sweet, but also savory. Super Star’s Agar Mario’s Mixed Roll features a Neapolitan The fried chicken that fills Bowser’s Fire Power up with this mildly sweet milk Mario’s Mixed Roll mushroom pasta and tomato sauce, a Breathing Super Spicy Karaage Roll is This snack named for the franchise’s pudding with a creamy pineapple topping. croquette and egg salad resulting in a flavored with a kicky chili sauce that has a hero harkens to his possible Italian heri- This golden-topped snack can cleanse the multileveled flavor experience. curry­like aftertaste. tage. The sandwich is stuffed with a Nea- palate after you have a go at Bowser or the politan mushroom pasta and tomato sauce, three-course Mario sandwich. a croquette and egg salad. The seemingly Yoshi’s Green Melon Bread strange combination results in a multi- The green melon bread, drizzled with a leveled flavor experience. sugary topping, is filled with a whipped melon cream. “Womp-pow,” the sound Bowser’s Fire Breathing echoes through my mind when I bite into Super Spicy Karaage Roll this tasty treat, like I’m hopping on my first Yoshi playing Mario as a kid on Super Bowser’s snack pays homage to his Nintendo. spicy life in the video game world. The fried chicken that fills the roll is flavored Fire Flower Fiery Curry with a chili sauce that has a curry-like Steamed Buns aftertaste, and when you finish, like play- Stamped with a Fire Flower emblem on ing the game, you feel accomplished. top, this steamed bun is filled with a red tomato chicken curry, but according to Princess Peach’s Dolce Nintendolife.com, it's apparently less spicy Light and airy, the taste of Princess than Bowser's chicken sandwich. Peach’s Dolce, a double-layered confec- Each item in the Mario snack buffet tion of smooth strawberry cream cheese costs on average 125 yen, about $1.25. and sweet-and-sour strawberry jelly, Make a speed run to 7-Eleven before Feb. floats across your tongue, just as she floats 24, because after that the snack promotion across the screen in Super Mario Bros. 2. is GAME OVER. Like her character, the sweet snack is designed to mimic her look, crowned with [email protected] Bowser’s Fire Breathing Super Spicy Karaage Roll pays homage to his spicy life in the golden stars and clothed in pink and red. Twitter @GodboldTheron video game world. When you finish, like playing the game, you feel accomplished. PAGE 26 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: TRAVEL ‘Ultimate pilgrimage’ Disney fans have their post-pandemic sights set on Tokyo Disney Resort

BY CARLYE WISEL Bloomberg s some families eagerly await COVID-19 vaccinations so they can get their Mickey-loving kids Aback to the Magic Kingdom, the most passionate Disney fans are looking forward to something else entirely: a trip to Japan. Tokyo Disney Resort will emerge from the pandemic bigger and better than be- fore. And it’s already a nostalgia feast — the idyllic Disney of childhood as pre- served in one’s mind, where soap is mag- ically dispensed in the shape of Mickey Mouse and families efficiently board ver- sions of Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad that somehow always look as good as new. Only-in-Japan rides and unique experi- ences, such as a Big Band revue with Japan News-Yomiuri Mickey Mouse playing the drums live, Visitors wearing masks pose at Tokyo Disneyland July 20 in Urayasu, Japan. The Tokyo park offers attractions found nowhere else. amp up the charm. Whimsical snacks — including mochi shaped as Toy Story’s Cutting-edge technology combined with passengers face-to-face with a ghastly, animal that received a lukewarm recep- Little Green Men aliens, soft-boiled eggs a reverence for classic Disney stories, oversized lava monster before bursting tion in American parks but is perhaps the with Mickey-shaped yolks, and a rotating rather than its more recently acquired through a volcano; the Japanese take on greatest Tokyo Disney phenomenon. Japa- variety of popcorn flavors that include Star Wars and Marvel franchises, is the Tower of Terror drops its original “Twi- nese audiences dress up Duffy dolls in garlic shrimp, curry and honey-soy — fairy dust to Tokyo Disney’s appeal. A light Zone” theme for a fresh storyline costumes, push them in strollers, and can’t be found anywhere else. And on $720 million “Beauty and the Beast” ex- about the disappearance of a wealthy commandeer high chairs for the dolls in souvenir stands, kawaii culture makes for pansion completed in 2020, for instance, hotelier. On the entertainment side, the restaurants. Disney keepsakes unlike any others. gives guests a ride through Beast’s castle nighttime Electrical Parade Dreamlights Duffy’s crew of a half-dozen gleefully That’s why 3 million visitors to the from aboard an enchanted teacup; a fur- puts a modern spin on the illuminated simplistic animals, known as Duffy & parks each year (in normal times) come ther $2.4 billion will soon bring “Peter Main Street Electrical Parade floats of Friends, have such strong appeal that they from overseas — 10% of its total attend- Pan” and “Tangled” attractions to Dis- yesteryear, while stage shows include the paved the way for OLC to generate rough- ance. In 2019, Tokyo Disney Resort report- neySea in a more significant way than at Mardi Gras dance revue, Let’s Party Gras. ly $8 billion a year in merchandise spend- ed record-setting visits while its sibling parks in the U.S. There’s a caveat, though: The parks are also a proving ground for ing in 2018 and 2019. parks in the U.S. and Hong Kong saw 3% While it’s all familiar intellectual property, technology. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt — in Cultural beliefs such as omotenashi — declines in attendance. the storytelling is primarily in Japanese, which a sweet but slightly psychedelic the Japanese philosophy of intuitive hospi- “It truly does feel like the ultimate pil- be it on rides, shows or parades. story unfolds from a seemingly self-driv- tality — only further Disney’s own core grimage,” says Geoffrey Koester, a higher “I often find myself wishing I could ing vehicle — pioneered “trackless” rides values of service with a smile. Such little education administrator, content creator erase all of my memories and experience nearly two decades before one arrived at things as the fact that bags left in one’s and lifelong Disney fan. our Disney parks again for the first time,” Walt Disney World. Now Disney’s U.S. room can be seamlessly transferred to That’s partially because the two theme says Alexa Starkey, dental hygienist and parks are using this system for many of another hotel are commonplace Japanese parks, Disneyland and DisneySea, four self-proclaimed Disney adult. “Tokyo their freshest attractions, such as the Star amenities that would come across (at best) hotels, and shopping district located at Disney Resort represents a way to get that Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride that as unconventional consumer demands at Tokyo Disney Resort are wholly owned by first-time Disney feeling again.” opened in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood American theme parks. the deep-pocketed Oriental Land Co.; in Tokyo DisneySea tends to astonish Studios. Tokyo Disney Resorts closed for months addition to licensing and royalty fees, it Americans most. Taking inspiration from Daniel Jue, WDI portfolio creative exec- at the start of the pandemic, then reo- contracts Walt Disney Imagineering the seven seas, its “ports” meld shockingly utive for Tokyo Disney Resort, has a fur- pened on a limited basis in July, with (WDI) to bring its next-level visions to life. realistic scenery wherein a Venetian gon- ther theory regarding the parks’ devout fewer available shops and restaurants in Unlike Walt Disney Co., OLC’s business dola drifts past a fiery volcano, or an ele- fandom: its Japanese guests. Here, they order to facilitate social distancing. By the entities almost completely revolve around vated train bypasses turn-of-the-century don matching outfits and character head- time international borders reopen, oper- the theme park resort, resulting in well- Manhattan as it curls toward a steam- bands, mimic parade choreography, and ations should be closer to normal. funded experiences, along with forward- powered ocean liner. simply let loose in a way that doesn’t hap- Rules and regulations, including book- thinking expansions that celebrate nostal- “So many of the attractions at Tokyo are pen elsewhere in Japan’s day-to-day socie- ings and ticket sales, are ever-changing gic Disney icons rather than flashy com- not found at any other park, and even ty. It’s participation as attraction. amid the pandemic. mercial acquisitions. (That comes with a those that share a name with another park “My hypothesis is that there is a kind of Generally, first-time guests are encour- flip side; a less-diversified balance sheet aren’t nearly the same experience,” Koes- a human, essential need that Tokyo Dis- aged to book hotels roughly six months in means the company lost its only real ter says. ney Resort fulfills for our Japanese advance, with rooms at Hotel MiraCosta source of income during its four-month The Jules Verne-inspired Journey to the guests,” he says. — facing the visual spectacle of Tokyo closure in 2020.) Center of the Earth, for instance, puts Take Duffy the Disney Bear, a stuffed DisneySea — in highest demand. “So many of the attractions at Tokyo are not found at any other park, and even those that share a name with another park aren’t nearly the same experience.” Geoffrey Koester higher education administrator, content creator and lifelong Disney fan Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 27 WEEKEND: BOOKS ‘Your life doesn’t have to be just sports’ Basketball coach’s wife writes children’s book to reinforce that Black people can be successful in any career

BY EMILY GIAMBALVO ed to do was work for Disney so The Washington Post that I could see myself as a char- ears ago, when two of acter,” she said. Tierra Haynes’ three When working on this book, children were still Haynes wanted the three boys to Ytoddlers and the family undoubtedly look like her sons. lived in Toledo, Ohio, she shut- Jennings said she drew the tled her kids around in a minivan spacesuits specifically so they with a DVD player in the back would not cover the boys’ hair. seat. The youngest two boys, When Dallas dreams of being an Devon and Dallas, loved “Mr. astronaut on the final page, Jen- Peabody & Sherman,” repeatedly nings didn’t want the thought watching the movie that follows a bubble to show a silhouette or the boy and a dog as they time travel back of a head. It needed to be to visit historical figures. One “him as a Black man on the day, Haynes thought to herself: moon,” she said. “That’s impor- Why do these characters rarely tant. They need to see that. It’s meet anybody Black? little details that we really fo- Around the same time, cused on to make sure the idea of Haynes’ oldest son, DeAndre Jr., representation is definitely realized he was one of the only there.” Black kids in his class. Conversa- Haynes’ children had a role in tions during Black History the design process, offering feed- Month felt uncomfortable when back to Jennings. Little Dre the other third graders looked wanted his character to also wear toward him. That planted the glasses, and they made sure idea in Haynes’ mind. Her kids Devon had the gap between his — and all kids — needed to know front teeth. Dallas said he wants more about important Black to learn how to do a backflip figures in American history. She soon, so Jennings drew him up- imagined writing a children’s side-down while floating through book to help fill the void. But her space. life was busy, raising three boys Haynes chose Bluford as the and investing in dozens of others subject of her first book a few who played basketball for her years ago because, at the time, husband’s teams, so the thought Kelsey Price her boys were interested in remained nothing more than an Tierra Haynes, the wife of Maryland basketball assistant coach DeAndre Haynes, wrote a children’s book space. She knew that would be a unfinished idea. about the first African American astronaut, Guion Bluford Jr. Haynes’ children — Dre, Devon and Dallas — visually appealing topic to make DeAndre Haynes’ job took the are the main characters in the book, “The Adventures of Us: Getting to Know Guion Bluford Jr.” learning fun. She wants her boys family from Toledo to Michigan to become even more involved and now to the University of While at home during the pan- stumble upon.” In the room moving forward, letting them Maryland, where he’s an assist- demic, Haynes wrote for months. where they now attend virtual choose possible topics to explore. ant basketball coach. She long ago landed on Guion school, she hung posters of Thur- Little Dre suggested the next His family’s life orbits sports. Bluford Jr., the first African good Marshall and Bessie Cole- book be about an important wom- Little Dre, 13, plays AAU basket- American to go to space, as an man. It’s all part of the effort to an in Black history “so that it ball, and 7-year-old Devon loves ideal character. By the fall, reinforce that they can do any- could be equal,” the 13-year-old football. Their childhood has Haynes had finished a manu- thing. That’s the purpose of the said, explaining how a young been packed with role models by script for a book that follows her book, which Haynes hopes is the Black girl could see herself in way of their dad’s basketball three sons on a trip to space, first in a series. these books, too. teams. They consider former where they meet and learn about After Haynes had the idea Basketball will always be an Michigan player Jordan Poole a Bluford. A couple of weeks ago, while living in Ohio, then settled integral piece of their lives. And brother, and when Devon recent- she finally held a hardback copy on Bluford as the character while if Little Dre wants to be a profes- ly gave his mom a list of people of her book, “The Adventures of living in Michigan, her husband sional basketball player, his par- to invite to his virtual birthday Us: Getting to Know Guion Blu- found an illustrator because of ents are going to help him get party, he included former Terps ford Jr.,” and now it’s landing in his ties at the University of Mary- there. Subtle reminders of the Anthony Cowan Jr. and Jalen the hands of other children. land. Nearly two years ago, an sport appear in the book: Little Smith. Ask Little Dre what he Tierra and DeAndre Haynes assistant coach for the Terrapins’ Dre is holding a ball on one page, wants to be when he grows up, want their boys to see an array of women’s basketball team posted and later, Dallas calls Bluford and he will say an NBA player. If career paths. Little Dre has lately a digital drawing of her staff, “the Michael Jordan of astro- not that, maybe he would coach become interested in videogra- “I didn’t see other successful noting that her friend Morgan nauts.” But basketball — and like his dad. phy, and his parents have pointed Black people,” he said, and bas- Jennings had created the image. dreams of becoming an astro- Tierra Haynes half-hoped she out the member of Maryland ketball launched Haynes to the DeAndre, who had long believed naut, an architect or a doctor — would pass a bookstore and see basketball’s staff who does that life he has now. He was a stand- in his wife’s idea for a book, im- can intersect. that somebody else had written work. Devon enjoys art, and out point guard for Kent State mediately contacted Jennings At some of her husband’s pre- the books she envisioned, but the 6-year-old Dallas loves animals. before playing overseas. But and Kaitlynn Fratz, the Maryland vious coaching stops, the team’s void remained. And then this “We try to tell them that: Your even decades later, during team assistant. The first question he players have read books at local spring, following the killings of life doesn’t have to be just conversations about racial in- asked Jennings: “Can you draw schools. That’s one of the visions Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd sports,” DeAndre Haynes said. justice last summer, Haynes Black people?” Realistic illustra- she has with the book — to have and too many others, she realized “You look at it out here, man, realized some of his players were tions were nonnegotiable. the Jordan Pooles and Jalen she couldn’t wait. there are so many successful unaware of important Black Jennings played college bas- Smiths of the world read to kids, “It became painfully clear to people who are not doing some- individuals in American history. ketball at California University of highlighting these paths of possi- me that these were stories that thing with a basketball, with a As parents, Haynes and his Pennsylvania, where she became bility. needed to be told,” Haynes said. ball, on a field, on a court. And wife found books with diverse close friends with Fratz. During “That would be such a full- “It became very important to me we want them to know that.” characters for their kids to read, college, Jennings gravitated circle moment,” Haynes said, for my boys to not only have the When Haynes was a kid in “but it had to be intentional,” toward art and incorporated “for all the pieces of our lives to news or the NBA to see images of Detroit, he watched the Pistons Tierra said. “It wasn’t typically Black characters and culture into be able to come together in that other Black men.” and their rival Michael Jordan. something that you would just her work — “all I had ever want- way.” PAGE 28 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: MUSIC

Q&A

Finding the light amid the darkness

CHRIS PIZZELLO, INVISION/AP Singer­songwriter Robin Thicke poses for a portrait at Gold Diggers Sound in Los Angeles on Feb. 3 to promote his eighth album, “On Earth, and in Heaven.” Robin Thicke discovers humility and happiness while coping with hard times

BY MESFIN FEKADU Associated Press AP: You’ve been through a lot in the past few years, tabloid-heavy divorce and monstrous lawsuit about his biggest hit but the album is positive. Is that the message you was hard enough, but then life hit Robin Thicke beyond the gossip wanted to send? column. Thicke: That’s what the album really is: when every- thing hits the wall. And some of these things I could not His father, “Growing Pains” actor Alan Thicke, died. The following control — my father, Andre, my manager Jordan Feld- year, his popular manager Jordan Feldstein — actor Jonah Hill’s stein, my house burning down. But there were other brother who also oversaw Maroon 5’s career — died at just 40. things that happened like getting a divorce, getting Thicke’s Malibu, Calif., home burned down a year later because of sued, getting bad public press. There were things that I the Woolsey fire. And last year his champion and mentor Andre Har- did and that I could have done much better, that I could rell, the record executive who launched the careers of Sean “Diddy” have handled much better that made all of these prob- lems come into play at one time. My vanity. My ego. My Combs and Mary J. Blige, died. arrogance. All the things that needed to be met all were A“I’ve always been a pretty positive person and obviously this five, six years I just went met over this period of time. They all shook hands and through challenged all of my preconceived notions of faith and positivity,” Thicke said. they fought it out. Right now, the good angel is winning While trying to live life and find the light, Thicke also grew distant from music — a hard and is enjoying music and his family. ... I’m really just realization for the Grammy-nominated performer who typically takes one to two-year breaks going through a gratitude period for everything I have. between albums. I’m happier because of it. What helped you get out of that dark place? Then he wrote a song about his father. And another about Harrell. I think we all reach our breaking point in some way. “I just kind of woke up out of the fog, the creative fog I was in and personal fog I was in. The world is telling you, “You need to make some Just started seeing the world a little differently, finally,” he said. changes.” The people that love you, the people that “On Earth, and in Heaven,” Thicke’s eighth album, was released Feb. 12. The 11-track set is don’t, somehow you’re getting a recurring message that a breezy, acoustic R&B journey about his hard and heavy times, though hope is at the center change needs to happen. For me, I had to strip down my of it. selfishness, my vanity, my self-importance. My sensitiv- ities of being made fun of or being called names. “That’s What Love Can Do,” which closes the album, was written after his father passed; I think that is one of the great superpowers, to be able “Look Easy,” the new single, is dedicated to “the front line workers and our moms and our to laugh at yourself, to not take yourself too seriously teachers”; “Out of My Mind” touches on depression and anxiety as well as finding peace; and and to enjoy the room, even when they’re teasing you. I “Beautiful” is about finding the light in a sea of darkness. didn’t have that before. I held on to my music and my In an interview with The Associated Press, edited for clarity and brevity, Thicke talks art too tight. I held on to everything I had worked so about writing about his loved ones, getting rid of his ego, fatherhood and what he learned hard for too tight. Then I couldn’t take any negativity — from the gift and curse that was “Blurred Lines.” SEE LIGHT ON PAGE 29 Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 29 WEEKEND: MUSIC REVIEWS

Foo Fighters COMMENTARY Medicine at Midnight (Roswell/RCA) “Medicine at Midnight” is what happens when Foo Taylor Swift’s remade ‘Love Story’ Fighters embrace grooves instead of riffs. Who asked for that? No one, really. But is still a classic, but now it’s all hers we should have. The nine-track album clocks in at a swift 36 min- BY MIKAEL WOOD leased cuts and hits like “Fifteen” and utes and it’s the band’s coolest in years, throwing Los Angeles Times “You Belong With Me.” In a state- out sounds they’ve rarely shown before — David Thirteen years ago, Taylor Swift ment, Swift said “Fearless” chron- Bowie, hair metal and glam rock. The band sounds opened her song “Love Story” with a icled “the adventures and explora- like it’s having fun. memory: “We were both young when tions of a teenage girl who was learn- Adele and Kelly Clarkson producer Greg Kurstin I first saw you,” the precocious coun- ing tiny lessons with every new crack — who also helmed the band’s 2017 album “Con- try star, then 18, sang in the lead sin- in the facade of the fairytale ending crete and Gold” — has turned the often dour Foo gle from her 2008 “Fearless” album, she’d been shown in the movies.” Fighters leader Dave Grohl into a party songwriter “I close my eyes and the flashback In a way, the faithfulness of the new with an album that sometimes veers toward parody starts.” “Love Story” is a disappointment. but never crosses the line. Now she’s remembering that mem- Swift’s 2020 albums, “Folklore” and “Making a Fire” has finger snaps and na-na-na ory — and her recall is pretty close to JORDAN STRAUSS, INVISION/AP “Evermore,” are full of grown-up lyrics (listen for Grohl’s 14-year-old daughter, Vio- total. Taylor Swift is rerecording her early musings on romance and compro- let, on backing vocals). On Feb. 11, Swift, now 31 and one of material so she can own the rights to mise. “Cloudspotter” sounds like Warrant’s “Cherry the world’s biggest pop acts, released the new versions of her songs. One longs to hear what she might Pie” and has a Jimi Hendrix-style riff along with a a rerecorded version of the Romeo make of the starry-eyed idealism of nods to him in the lyrics (“Refuse me while I kiss and Juliet-themed “Love Story” as the Last year, Braun sold Swift’s cata- “Love Story.” But then to veer too far the sky”). first sampling from a highly antici- log to Shamrock Capital for more than from the original would be to en- “Holding Poison” has a Hüsker Dü feeling, and pated overhaul of “Fearless,” due $300 million. According to the singer, danger the chance that some music April 9. The new “Love Story” — Shamrock offered to work with her, supervisor might license this rendi- “Chasing Birds” is like a psychedelic mood-chang- officially titled “Love Story (Taylor’s but she declined when she learned tion instead of the one Shamrock er that The Flaming Lips could have recorded, with Version)” — is virtually indistinguish- that Braun would retain a financial owns. Grohl singing: “The road to hell is paved with bro- able from the rendition that gave interest in her music. In a letter she Does that make the whole enter- ken parts / Bleeding hearts like mine.” Swift her first Top 10 hit. posted on Twitter, Swift told Sham- prise sound more calculating than we The anti-war “No Son of Mine” has a Metallica That fidelity is by design, of course. rock’s partners that she intended to want to believe pop stars are? If so, feel and the title track, we swear, has a slinky Roxy Incensed by music exec Scooter proceed with rerecording her old give Swift credit for talking about her Music vibe and a guitar solo reminiscent of Bowie’s Braun’s purchase of her old label Big music — the idea being that her new dealings with Braun in starkly emo- “Let’s Dance.” Speaking of Bowie, there’s more Machine in 2019, Swift said that year versions would supplant the originals tional terms — “Scooter has stripped than a touch of The Thin White Duke to “Shame that she planned to rerecord her first in the marketplace. me of my life’s work,” she said when Shame” — a little “Fame” at least. six albums as a way to potentially So why remake “Fearless,” her he bought Big Machine — that have The old Foos are not entirely erased. The last diminish the value of the master re- second studio album, first? By some recast a business conflict as a battle song, “Love Dies Young,” is a classic rocker that cordings newly held by Braun, known measures it’s her most successful LP, over art. could have come from any of the band’s previous among other things for his work with having sold more than 10 million co- Ditto the way she’s framing her nine albums. Swift’s longtime nemesis Kanye West. pies and won four Grammy Awards, remake of “Fearless” — a process, she But the fact that they can still surprise and create (Ownership of an artist’s masters, including album of the year. said, that “has been more fulfilling great new sounds after 10 albums is enough to which is typical of a major label, is But any Swift super-fan would also and emotional than I could’ve imag- cheer. “Go and put that record on,” Grohl sings in what enables the label to profit from recognize the significance of her fa- ined and has made me even more one song — and you should. sales and streams and to control the mous lucky number, 13, in the timing. determined to rerecord all of my — Mark Kennedy use of the artist’s music in movies, The new “Fearless” will feature 26 music.” Associated Press television and commercials.) songs, including previously unre- Don’t doubt that she’ll get it done. Light: Thicke rebuilds life after personal losses, ‘Blurred Lines’ lawsuit FROM PAGE 28 any apples, oranges and tomatoes being thrown at me. At saw magic come from the most unlikeliest of places. He the most of those playing cards. My house burned down this point in my life, luckily, I’ve learned to embrace all went to the projects and signed Mary J. Blige and told her and I saw that as an opportunity to show my son the value parts of the culture of fame and entertainment. mother right after she sang, “Your daughter is going to of family and laughter and music and dance and movies Was is difficult writing about your father on this album? sing for kings and queens someday.” She did. He did that over material items. OK, we lost our stuff. Our house It’s cathartic for me. It’s therapeutic. It helps me get for me. He believed in me more than anybody else did. burned down, but we have each other and we have every through my tough times. It definitely helped me. If it Andre’s son, Gianni Credle­Harrell, is listed as a day an opportunity to make the most of our days and have helps me, then maybe it’ll help somebody else. Maybe it’ll co­writer on “Beautiful.” What was it like working with a great time together. Laugh and sing and dance and play. comfort them. him? It gave me an opportunity to show him how to walk Did writing about your father and Andre open the That was actually just a fun evening. I had crafted the through those things. And with losing the people you love, floodgates so you could write the rest of the album? Yeah. I spoke with Andre about a week before he song, but I didn’t have the lyrics finished and I didn’t we all have to learn how to walk through those things on passed. We went over my album and he wasn’t very im- have some of the message finished. I had the chorus, the our own. It’s nice to know that you’re not alone and that pressed, to say the least. He was like, “Where’s all the base of it and the musical structure, but I hadn’t connect- somebody out there, or your family friends, can help you horns and the strings and the vocal production and the ed to what made that song stand apart. Gianni came and walk through it. background you do? All the bass lines and stuff?” Then he he gave me some ideas for some melody flows (and) I Years later, how do you look at what happened with passed away, so I went to work. I realized that he’d al- ended up keeping a little part. “Blurred Lines”? ready given me so much life and fuel to my fire. He sup- It wasn’t until George Floyd happened that I brought It was a necessary part of my personal growth. I was ported me and believed in me and had some new place to the song back. It was actually sitting still for four years. partying too much that year. I was celebrating 20 years of take my talents. I wanted to honor him and also honor my When George Floyd happened, I went back to the song hard work and the success that had finally come with it. father, of course, by finishing it. and I rewrote it because there’s a line that says, “I look in Some bad routines, some bad habits caught up with me. What do you remember most about Andre? your eyes, your smile reminds me what love’s about.” Then I made some bad decisions. People got hurt. It was He was just nonstop positive, fun, generous with his That famous picture of George Floyd, where he’s smiling, time to go away for a little while. Get my perspective. Get energy, patient with people and inspiring. He really could the lyric came back to my head when I saw him smiling my head back on straight. Focus on my son. Focus on look around the room and see where everybody was at in the midst of the situation. I wanted to write a song what was most important in my life. Then out of that, I and give them some little tidbit, some little piece, some about tearing down the existing system and rebuilding started to build back my soul. Started to build back my little nugget that’ll help push them forward. He was al- something that’s beautiful, something better. faith and my confidence very slowly by doing the right most like an angel in disguise that way. He even taught What’s it like being a father of four? thing. I just try to wake up every day and give to my fam- me that, he said, “You never know if that guy on the street We are all in a situation where we are being dealt the ily, give to my friendships and give to my music and do that just handed you his mixtape is the next Jay-Z.” He hand and whatever hand we’re given we have got to make the right thing. I built back some strength inside of me. PAGE 30 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: ENTERTAINMENT

BY GEOFF EDGERS be changed by feeling judged.” The Washington Post “Silvershow” set a similar tone. Silver- ne morning not so long ago, man filmed the HBO pilot early last year Sarah Silverman needed some on a bare-bones set. It opens with a mono- weed. So she drove to Santa logue and gives way to a video spoof about OMonica and pulled into a park- censorship of women’s nipples set to Billy ing space outside a dispensary. Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Silver- That’s when the trouble started. A man man then leads a lively discussion about in an Escalade got out of the car and start- the ills of social media with Sacha Baron ed screaming: “What’s wrong with you? Cohen and journalist Sheera Frenkel. You hit my car, you b——.” “Silvershow” was exactly what Silver- Whoa. Silverman was sure that she man wanted: a spot for her brand of com- hadn’t so much as smudged his bumper. mentary and comedy in the same territory But, even if she had, did this man’s re- as Oliver and Bill Maher. Without expla- sponse match the crime? Standing there, nation, HBO passed. Silverman had a choice: shout back or try “I think it’s madness,” Baron Cohen one of her social experiments. Could kind- says. “I saw that show and I thought, she’s ness convert this negative energy into fantastic. She’s incredibly outspoken, something positive? incredibly intelligent and amazingly fun- “I’m so sorry,” Silverman said without a ny. So it seems bizarre that she’s not front- tinge of sarcasm. “Show me where the ing a show that is primarily political.” scratch is? I’ll pay for it.” One of Silverman’s most illuminating That’s all it took. The man was dis- exchanges did not take place on a TV set armed. He told her to forget about it; life or a stage. In 2017, early in Trump’s first would move on. term, she tweeted about her desire to Except that Sarah Silverman knew the connect and communicate more with the story was perfect material — not neces- president’s supporters. Jeremy Jamrozy, a sarily comedy gold, but funny enough and San Antonio man, did not appreciate the with a deeper message. She told her sister, idea. He responded with a nasty epithet Laura, about it in a Zoom, mentioned it to that began with the letter “c.” Silverman her producer, Raj Desai, and then re- could have slammed or blocked him. In- counted it on “The Sarah Silverman Pod- stead, she scrolled through Jamrozy’s cast” a few days later. online history and contacted him. The interaction is about human behav- “I believe in you,” she responded on ior and our ability to reshape even the Twitter. “I read ur timeline & I see what ugliest confrontations by trying just a bit ur doing & your rage is thinly veiled pain. harder. It also highlights Silverman’s But u know that. I know this feeling. Ps special superpower, the ability to use her My back ... sux too. see what happens glow and an awwcomeonbuddy nudge to when u choose love. I see it in you.” convert all sorts of nasty mojo. Jamrozy opened up. He told her that he She would be delivering this story on- CARMEN CHAN/For The Washington Post had been molested as a boy and felt alone. stage now, except that there’s a pandemic Sarah Silverman, pictured Jan. 22 in Los Angeles, quietly launched a podcast months He also apologized for the hostility. and, therefore, no gigs. Or she might be ago to little fanfare. But it may be one of the sneakiest successes of the pandemic. “Dood I don’t care,” Silverman tweeted. telling it on TV, except that Hulu canceled “I’m fine. I see something in you. My gut her “I Love You, America” series in 2019 tells me you could have a great life. My and HBO passed on her latest pilot last shrink says we don’t get what we want, we year. Then again, it makes cosmic sense get what we think we deserve. I’m telling that this is being told on her podcast, be- More than a mouth you, you deserve so much more than you cause it’s hard to imagine Silverman’s know.” pot-fueled parable getting space to “It’s really one of the more inspiring breathe on those other platforms. The Silverman’s podcast has provided an opportunity things I’ve seen, like the mouse pulling the HBO bigwigs would have told her to tight- thorn out of the tiger’s paw,” McKay says. en up the anecdote. The rules of standup for self-analysis and a lifeline during the pandemic The exchange with Jamrozy may have would have required the setup to be met seemed unusual, but for those closest to by a punchline. lion downloads each month. chant for shocking, potty-mouthed materi- Silverman, it made perfect sense. Which is why “The Sarah Silverman Still, Silverman had other plans for al has evolved to embrace more of what Sister Laura thinks Silverman’s natural Podcast,” launched by the longtime come- 2020. she calls social politics. She’s still not inclination to think of others is rooted in dian a few months ago with little fanfare Her big project was “The Bedwetter,” a above discussing, in detail, her internet her childhood and, specifically, her rela- and a sense of resignation, may be one of musical adaptation of her bestselling 2010 porn search words. But she also addressed tionship with her mother. the sneakiest successes of the pandemic. memoir. It was set to open off-Broadway the Democratic National Convention. Her Silverman was 6 when her parents, Beth “I mean, yeah, I came to it because my in May at the Atlantic Theater Company philosophy, onstage and off, is that not Ann and Donald, divorced. Instead of the hands were bound,” Silverman says in a with a cast that included Linda Lavin and everybody is stupid, not only her views are four girls staying together, she, the young- recent Zoom interview from her apart- Stephanie J. Block. right, and if we listen to those we disagree est, chose to stay with Mom. Her sisters ment in Los Angeles. “I couldn’t do stand- In early March, Silverman was in New with instead of rolling our eyes, we might moved in with Dad. up and I had no place to put stuff. But now York with playwright Joshua Harmon, get somewhere. Imagine being as clever Silverman’s mother was beautiful, in- I realize this was really what I needed to who co-wrote the book, and Adam Schles- as John Oliver without the snark. telligent and artistic. She directed plays in do. I just can’t believe the freedom and the inger, the Fountains of Wayne founder “I Love You, America,” which ran from their native New Hampshire and, after her messiness and the looseness. It’s maybe and Emmy winner, who wrote the music. 2017 to 2019, embraced that evolution. In divorce, at age 42, enrolled in college. But something I didn’t realize I was missing.” Schlesinger, years earlier, had been the one early segment, Silverman traveled to she was also distracted and flaky. There Everybody has a podcast, she’d grumble one who pitched the idea of a musical Louisiana to visit a family of rabid Donald would be food in the house, but Sarah when the subject would come up. after reading the memoir, a freewheeling, Trump supporters. During the visit, she would be left to make her own meals. “And I get it,” says director Adam origin story of the anxious young girl — led a discussion about health insurance, Laundry would pile up. She would often McKay (“The Big Short,” “Anchorman”), she struggled with enuresis, or bed-wet- and it became clear that the family, which find herself waiting at school to be picked a longtime friend and one of those nudging ting, until she was 16 — who became a had been mercilessly bashing Obama, was up; Beth Ann had forgotten. her. “You want to do a TV show. It certain- comic star. covered by “Obamacare.” “She was alone, she was little; my mom ly seems bigger and cooler, but that’s In mid-March, after the NBA shutdown, “That moment was the crystallizing was out a lot, absent a lot, depressed a lot,” changing. I honestly don’t know anyone the Atlantic closed its doors and postponed moment for me,” says Amy Zvi, Silver- says Laura, one of Sarah’s three older out there right now with the reach that Joe the show. “And two or three days later, man’s longtime manager and an executive sisters. “When my mom went back to Rogan has.” Adam texts: ‘You won’t believe this, I producer on the show. “Rather than say, school, Sarah would come home from Rogan, the former “Fear Factor” host think I have this thing. I have a super high ‘You realize that you’re wrong and I’m school and she would hide under a blanket and second-tier standup before he fever and a cough,’” Silverman says. “And right,’ Sarah didn’t correct them.” until someone came home.” launched “The Joe Rogan Experience” in then, April 1, he was dead. Dead.” “I don’t want to make people look Silverman has spent years justifying her 2009, chums around with Elon Musk and By then, HBO had already passed on dumb,” Silverman says. “Those aren’t the mother’s behavior. Even now, she worries signed a $100 million deal with Spotify last “Silvershow.” people I care to show up. I think people year. Rogan says the podcast has 190 mil- Over the past decade, Silverman’s pen- can be changed, but they’re never going to SEE PODCAST ON PAGE 31 Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 31 WEEKEND: TELEVISION Podcast: Show allows for freedom, messiness FROM PAGE 30 that “The Bedwetter,” resche- duled to open in early 2022, puts too much emphasis on her moth- er’s depression. She knows so much of what made her child- hood difficult is also what helped her find her voice onstage. “Like my shrink says, if it’s hysterical, it’s historical,” Silver- man says. “My mom was kind of hard on me. And I don’t know if it was frustration or jealousy. But I feel frustrated for her, because I feel like she could have been a Broadway director. She had so Netflix many dreams and they were just From left to right: Amanda C. Miller as Jo, Jack Fisher as Kid, Tom Kenny as Chuck and Keith Ferguson as Papa G in “Kid Cosmic.” so crushed by every person around her.” The podcast has been more than an opportunity for self- analysis. It has become a lifeline. ‘Heroes help, not hurt’ Silverman’s last gathering with friends was in early December, a masked, socially distanced poker ‘Powerpuff Girls’ creator’s latest show, ‘Kid Cosmic,’ focuses on ‘the people, not the powers’ game to celebrate her 50th birth- day. (This included scheduling BY ROBERT LLOYD “Kid Cosmic” seems to straddle the past heroes like “Powerpuff,” it’s got science fic- multiple coronavirus tests for the Los Angeles Times and the present — there are cellphones, but tion like “Wander Over Yonder,” it’s an odd participants in the lead-up.) Now nimator Craig McCracken, who also landlines, videocassettes, 45s, cathode assemblage of misfit characters like “Fos- her physical circle has shrunk to gave the world “The Powerpuff ray TV ... ter’s” — it’s sort of all the things I like in one her boyfriend, Rory Albanese, a Girls,” “Foster’s Home for Imagi- McCracken: The main idea is that the kid thing. There are also character archetypes: comedy writer and television Anary Friends” and “Wander Over grew up in this junkyard with his grandpa, My father passed away when I was 7, so I producer who moved to LA from Yonder,” has an exhilarating new cartoon and a lot of that stuff he has is just stuff his was raised by a single mother, and that’s kind New York last year, and her dog, series, “Kid Cosmic,” which premiered Feb. grandpa had around; he’s kind of a poor kid, of an ongoing theme that’s not really been Mary. 2 on Netflix. Set on a thinly populated stretch and he’s made the best of a bad situation. His conscious, but it’s been in all my shows. “The Sister Jodyne listens to each of American desert — there’s a diner, a mo- grandpa collects junk and so there’s old video Powerpuff Girls” only had Professor; Mac [in episode eagerly. tel, a junkyard — it concerns a kid, called games, old comics, old records, and Kid has “Foster’s”] only had his mom; the Kid has his “I’m amazed at how honest only the Kid (Jack Fisher), who comes across just kind of consumed all this media from grandpa. And also the dynamic between she’s been,” she says. “It’s like some powerful stones dropped by an alien on different eras. Even his bike is made out of Frankie and Mac and Kid and Jo is very she’s discovering new parts of the lam. While they confer powers on the parts of other bikes. And also I like that de- similar to my relationship with my older herself and we’re listening to bearer, they also bring in their wake a host of sign aesthetic; I like antiques and junk, and sister; my sister’s 11 years older than me, and how it all unfolds.” unfriendly ETs trying to get their hands, I’m a big “American Pickers” fan. My grand- she’s the one who introduced me to the Beat- “The Sarah Silverman Pod- claws, etc. on them. parents were collectors and my mom and all les and Star Wars and Monty Python. And so cast” shies away from celebrity Haphazardly, an unlikely team of heroes my uncles were collectors — I’ve been grow- the idea of being a young kid growing up with guests, preferring to have the comes together: The Kid, Jo (Amanda C. ing up with that stuff my whole life. a cool older girl is just part of me growing up host interact with the listeners Miller), a waitress; Rosa (Lily Rose Silver), a There is a hand­drawn look to the series, a — that thread runs through my shows as well. who leave voicemails. Some, she toddler; Papa G (Keith Ferguson), the Kid’s kind of sketchbook aesthetic, with detail Goodness seems to me a recurring theme simply answers. Others, she has grandfather; and Tuna Sandwich (Fred Ta- many cartoons would leave out. in your work. followed up on. tasciore), a cat. Tom Kenny, the narrator and The drawing style came from the fact that That’s how I see the world. I like positivity, Back to the angry Escalade Mayor on “Powerpuff,” plays Chuck, an ex- the show conceptually is grounded in reality I like kindness, I like that hippie-dippy type man. The incident did not end traterrestrial enemy kept close. — these aren’t cartoon characters, per se; of a guy. I didn’t want to make a show about when she killed him with kind- Along with friend and sometime collab- they’re real people. So I started looking at violence, and I didn’t want to make a show ness. No, Silverman insisted, “I orator Genndy Tartakovsky (“Dexter’s Lab- other forms of cartooning that had that nice about if somebody’s different from you and want to make this right.” oratory”), McCracken was at the forefront of balance between iconic, caricature cartoon you label them a bad guy, just beat them up Then she asked what he a second wave of innovative, creator-driven characters, but also placed in the real world. and you win. The theme of the show was smoked. television animation, whose first wave began And I gravitated toward Hank Ketcham’s “Heroes help, not hurt.” Even Papa G says, “I like a full-bodied high,” he in the 1990s with the likes of Ralph Bakshi’s Dennis the Menace, but more specifically “Evil’s just a cry from a heart that’s hurting.” told her. “Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures” and Hergé’s Tintin. I grew up with Tintin and I I believe those things. I believe that there are With that, Silverman, Emmy- John Kricfalusi’s “The Ren & Stimpy Show.” love the fact [that] those were definitely car- reasons people become evil — there’s always winning standup, TV host and With “The Powerpuff Girls,” which ran toon characters but felt like real people; and something broken deep down — and that you now podcaster, walked into the from 1998 to 2005 on Cartoon Network under the environments those stories would inhabit can try to help people. And that’s what being dispensary and acquired a spliff McCracken’s watch (it was rebooted in 2016 were really tactile and believable. Because a hero’s really all about. It’s not about just of Indica for her antagonist. He without him), he hit a sweet spot that com- the show is about regular people thrust into being the cool fighter. And I wanted the Kid smiled at the olive branch, but bined action, humor, historical allusiveness this extreme situation who aren’t really good to learn that. And also, Kid has experienced they were already at peace. and multigenerational appeal; “Kid Cosmic” at what they’re doing, I wanted the show some loss in his life. He wants to stop bad While she was inside, he had paid strikes those same notes in a completely visually to have a human, homemade compo- things from happening because bad things her parking meter. different way, with a more naturalistic, high- nent; I wanted you to see drawings on the did happen to him. But it’s sort of accepting, “I haven’t shaken someone’s ly detailed look and a serialized approach to screen — like, people made this. This isn’t like, “Well, that’s a part of life.” There’s suf- hand in a year, but I gave him a storytelling. like slick, CG, super-polished. fering, and it’s how you cope with it and grow big handshake,” Silverman says. Its first season has as much to do with a Are there themes that tie your series through it. I wanted to do a different type of “And I go, ‘Look at us. We were live-action miniseries like “Stranger Things” together, do you think? kids’ show that wasn’t just about “Hey, what arch enemies and now we’re best as it does with anything we’ve seen in cartoon I definitely do. “Kid Cosmic” is an amal- neat powers.” I always say it’s about the peo- friends.’” form. gam of a lot of things I’ve done. It’s got super- ple, not the powers. PAGE 32 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: HEALTH & FITNESS Mind your mask Learn how to ensure that your mask fits properly and offers enough protection against COVID per the CDC’s latest guidance

BY JEMAL R. BRINSON, KORI RUMORE tie a knot with the elastic loops, as close as you can to AND JONATHON BERLIN the mask, according to an instructional video from Chicago Tribune the University of North Carolina’s UNC Health. Next, ew mask advice from the Centers for bend the metal nose mold so it fits the shape of your Disease Control and Prevention — con- nose. Next, the knot will make the sides of the mask nected with a new study — focuses on near the tied ear loops puff out. Fold those puffed-out Nmaking sure masks fit correctly to better edges in a pleat so it lays flat on your cheek. When prevent the spread of COVID-19. putting on the mask, make sure it fits snugly. JEMAL R. BRINSON, CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS photos The CDC studied whether wearing two masks What not to do: Don’t wear more than one dis- Layer a cloth mask on top of a surgical or medical procedure mask. provided more protection than one and found that it posable mask at one time; it will not improve fit. did. The researchers found that wearing one mask — Handle the mask only by its ear loops, cords or head surgical or cloth — blocked about 40% of the particles straps — not the surface of the mask itself. coming toward the head that was breathing in. When What about KN95s: A KN95 shouldn’t need any a cloth mask was worn on top of a surgical mask, modifying of the straps. Ideally, this type of mask can about 80% were blocked. filter up to 95% of particles in the air, however, coun- Here is a look at the CDC’s advice and some tips on terfeit KN95 masks make it hard to distinguish real how to mask properly: KN95s from fake ones just by looking at them. Do not wear a KN95 mask with an exhalation valve, which Double mask can allow respiratory droplets to leak into or out of What to do: Layer a cloth mask on top of a surgical the mask. If you have facial hair, then this type of or medical procedure mask. This helps the entire mask might not make a good fit. Do not combine a setup fit more snugly and eliminates gaps around the KN95 mask with another KN95 mask or any other sides of the face or nose. Make sure the fit is comfort- type of mask. able and doesn’t have gaps. What not to do: Do not combine two disposable Nylon cover masks, which are not designed to fit tightly. Wearing What to do: Other studies have found that placing a more than one disposable mask at a time will not sleeve made of sheer nylon hosiery material around improve fit. Also, do not wear a KN95 mask, a type of the neck and pulling it up over either a cloth or surgi- filtering face-piece respirator that is commonly cal mask significantly improved the wearer’s protec- made in China, with any other mask. tion by fitting the mask more tightly to the face and The CDC recommends knotting, folding then tucking the ear loops of Cloth mask dos: Choose a cloth mask made of reducing edge gaps. 3­ply masks for a better fit. multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric that also includes a nose wire, which can help im- Mask brace prove the mask’s fit. Does the mask block light when What to do: Air leaks around the edges of a cloth or you hold it up to a bright light source? Then it’s a good surgical mask can be reduced by layering one of construction. these devices on top of a cloth mask for a better fit. A Cloth mask don’ts: Stay away from any cloth mask recent study showed that when either a solid or elas- that includes an exhalation valve or vent, which can tic fitter is worn over a surgical mask, then it can allow respiratory droplets to leak into or out of a potentially increase the wearer’s protection by 90% mask. for aerosols. A mask brace can be purchased online or made out of rubber bands. Former Apple product Knotted ear loops design engineer Sabrina Paseman, behind fixthe- What to do: The CDC recommends knotting, fold- mask.com, posted a tutorial that lays out the steps: ing then tucking the ear loops of 3-ply masks for a First, chain three rubber bands together. Second, better fit — making the edges of the mask fit more place the center rubber band in front of the mask tightly to your face. First, fold the mask in half around the chin and nose. Adjust the fit and do a CDC lengthwise, lining up the corners and edges. Second, seal check.

Other mask advice to keep in mind A mask brace can be purchased online or made out of rubber bands. When to wear one fits closely over your nose or has a nose wire to help reduce fogging. You might also try to use an ■ Wear a mask any time you are in a public antifogging spray made for eyeglasses. setting. Children under the age of 2 and people ■ Don’t use a mask that is made out of fabric who cannot wear a mask safely due to a dis- that makes it hard to breathe. Pass on any mask ability or an underlying medical condition that includes an exhalation vale or vent, which should not wear a mask. could allow virus particles to escape. And, leave ■ Masks are required on planes, buses, trains the N95 respirators for health care workers, the and other forms of public transportation when CDC says. traveling into, within or out of the United States, as of Feb. 2. What to do in cold weather ■ If you will be near people who do not live ■ Wear a mask underneath your scarf, ski with you, wear a mask. mask or balaclava — these items are not re- ■ If someone you live with is sick with symp- placements for a mask. toms of COVID-19 or tested positive for CO- ■ Change your mask when it becomes wet. A VID-19, then wear a mask inside your home. wet mask is harder to breathe through, is less efficient at filtering and vents more around the How to wear one edges of the mask. Keep a spare mask to replace ■ Always wash your hands or use hand san- one that becomes wet from moisture in your itizer before putting on your mask and don’t breath due to snow or rain. touch the mask while you are wearing it. Studies have found that placing a sleeve made of sheer nylon hosiery ■ If you wear glasses, then find a mask that Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Tribune reporting material around the neck and pulling it up over either a cloth or surgical mask significantly improved the wearer’s protection. Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 33 WEEKEND: FAMILY

Don’t throw honorable out with the bathwater

Recently, the reputation of the military has been tarnished by Capitol riot reports indicating that a significant number of those arrested have served. Although extremism in the ranks is not a new problem, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin saw the riot as a “wake-up call.” On Feb. 3, Austin ordered a 60-day stand-down for all military commanders to meet with troops to discuss racism and extremism. Even though “DOD policy expressly prohibits military personnel from actively advocating supremacist, extremist KRISTEN PRITCHARD/AP or criminal gang doctrine, ideology or causes,” the mandato- Kayleigh and Cody Cousins hold hands during their Dec. 27 wedding ceremony accompanied by their son, River, ry stand-down is an aggressive step in figuring out why one at home in San Diego, Calif. They initially planned an April 2020 wedding, postponed it after the pandemic took in three active service members reported evidence of white hold, rescheduled it for December, then had to shift gears again when a new lockdown was imposed. supremacy and/or extremism within their units in a 2019 poll, up from the previous year. I applaud the aggressive stance being taken by DOD lead- ership. Racism and violence has no place in our military. For better or for worse Regardless of statistics, even one bigot or extremist in our incredibly diverse and talented service is one too many. However, while reading reports on the Capitol attack, I’ve The pandemic has challenged couples’ patience, resiliency, teamwork been disheartened that the idiocy of a few has damaged the reputation of 1.3 million active duty and 18 million veterans. BY DAVID CRARY to marriage counselors, is that many couples backed off As a Navy spouse whose husband served proudly for 28 Associated Press from a possibly imminent divorce for fear it would only years, I know that “guilt by association” affects the morale of or many U.S. couples yearning to be married, worsen pandemic-fueled financial insecurity. military family members, too. the pandemic has wreaked havoc on their The Rev. Russ Berg, who runs a faith-based marriage It doesn’t take a military strategist to figure out that an wedding plans while bolstering their team- counseling ministry in Minneapolis, tries to encourage all-volunteer force is only effective if — in a country where Fwork and resilience. For couples already mar- that kind of hesitancy among the couples he advises. less than one-half of one percent of the population is willing ried, it has posed a host of new tests, bringing some “Some come in saying they’re overwhelmed, fighting to serve — the risk-reward proposition offers positive recog- closer, pulling others apart. over finances, their kids’ education,” Berg said. “With- nition. However, some reporting on the military-connected Spending more time together — a common result of out going to work, they don’t have that buffer of being Capital rioters have failed to mention that the vast majority lockdowns, furloughs and layoffs — has been a blessing physically gone. They feel they’re on top of each other.” of men and women who serve do so honorably. for some couples who gain greater appreciation of one “I try to put it in perspective, that everyone is stressed In fact, a few have implied that military folks are not to be another. For other spouses, deprived of opportunities out right now and it’s not a good time to make decisions trusted at all. for individual pursuits, the increased time together about the future of your marriage,” he said. “I say, ‘Let’s On Jan. 18, 2021, as 25,000 National Guard troops were “may seem more like a house arrest than a fantasy,” work on it for six months and make sure you don’t add assembling to protect the Capitol Building, the president- suggested Steve Harris, a professor of marriage and the pain of regret to the pain of divorce. Explore all your elect, Congress and all those gathering for Inauguration Day, family therapy at the University of Minnesota and asso- options before you decide.’” U.S. Representative Steve Cohen said in a CNN interview, ciate director of a marriage counseling project, Minne- For countless couples on the brink of marriage, the “The [National] Guard is 90-some-odd percent male … sota Couples on the Brink. pandemic plunged fine-tuned wedding plans into dis- they’re probably not more than 25% of the people that are Gregory Popcak, a psychotherapist in Steubenville, array due to restrictions on large gatherings and wari- protecting us who voted for Biden. The other 75% … might Ohio, who specializes in marriage counseling for Ca- ness about long-distance travel. want to do something.” When CNN reporter Jim Sciutto tholics, says the pandemic has been particularly trou- In San Diego, Kayleigh and Cody Cousins initially asked if Cohen had seen any evidence of insider threats in blesome for spouses whose coping strategies have been planned an April wedding, postponed it after the pan- the military, he said, “Actually not, Jim, but you draw a cir- disrupted. demic took hold, rescheduled it for December, then had cle … the people who were for Trump and not for Biden … “For couples who had a tendency to use their business to shift gears again when a new lockdown was imposed. the zone of folks who you’d be suspect of. The suspect group to avoid problems, the pandemic has made things infi- “That was devastating,” Kayleigh said. “We said, is large.” nitely worse,” he said. “The lockdown has raised the ‘Let’s just do it on Zoom.’” Although Cohen was hit with widespread criticism for his emotional temperature a few notches. ... Things that So they set up an altar at home, recruited a friend to inaccurate statements, I wondered, “How many watched were provocative before are now catastrophic.” officiate virtually, and had a wedding ceremony Dec. 27 that CNN morning show and believed what they heard?” Overall, people have become more cautious amid the watched remotely by about 40 of their friends and fam- Then, on the Jan. 21 episode of “All Things Considered,” pandemic, said sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, director ily. NPR reported that 20% of defendants in Capitol riots cases of the National Marriage Project at the University of Professionally, Kayleigh helps her husband run a served in the military. Virginia. tree-cutting service, so they understand each other’s My heart sank. Can this be true? “This caution is making them less likely to get di- work demands. For other couples, there’s work-related Not quite. vorced, less likely to get married, less likely to have a friction. On the Feb. 10 episode of “Morning Edition,” NPR claimed child,” he said. Danielle Campoamor, a freelance writer in New York that 31 of 212 defendants are “military veterans [who] ac- Comprehensive national statistics on marriage and City, says she and her partner of seven years find them- count for about 15% of those criminally charged in the Capi- divorce during the pandemic won’t be compiled for selves arguing frequently as the pandemic complicates tol riot.” However, NPR’s searchable database indicates that many months, but the numbers available thus far from a the challenges of raising their two children and earning NPR lumped two law enforcement defendants with no mil- few states suggest there’s a notable decline in each needed income. She works from home; he commutes to itary service into the pool of 31 “military” defendants and category. an Amazon fulfillment center. included three veterans who were only arrested for violating In Oregon, divorces in the pandemic months of March “He goes to work for 12-hour shifts,” said Campoa- the city curfew. One veteran was not at the Capitol building, through December were down about 24% from those mor, 34. “I’m left alone helping my 6-year-old with but was charged for allegedly threatening statements he months in 2019; marriages were down 16%. In Florida, online learning, potty-training my 2-year-old, cooking made on social media. Another “veteran” had enlisted in the for the same months, divorces were down 20% and and cleaning. Marines but separated during basic training. Only two de- marriages were down 27%. There also were decreases, “There are days when I think, ‘Yes, we can do this,’ fendants are serving currently, both in the Army Reserves. though smaller, in Arizona. and other days I say, ‘No way that I can do this,’” she Details are important when the morale of millions who One reason for fewer divorces: In many states, access said. “We don’t have time to discuss our relationship, to serve our country honorably is at stake. to courts for civil cases was severely curtailed during work on improving it, or on separating. Sometimes I Read more at themeatandpotatoesoflife.com, and in Lisa’s book, The Meat and Potatoes of the pandemic’s early stages. Another reason, according don’t have the capacity to remember what day it is.” Life: My True Lit Com. Email: [email protected] PAGE 34 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 WEEKEND: CROSSWORD AND COMICS NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

TODDLER TALK 1234 56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 BY KATIE HALE AND CHRISTINA IVERSON / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ 81 91 02 12 22 Katie Hale, of London, and Christina Iverson, of Ames, Iowa, are stay-at-home moms. Katie is also co-founder of a community organization that recycles children’s books. They connected online after Katie read about Christina’s first Times puzzle and 32 42 52 62 reached out for mentoring. This is Christina’s seventh crossword for the paper. It is Katie’s debut. — W.S. 72 82 92 03 ACROSS 54 Signal approval 107 Beginning and end of 15 One creating draft 1 Unloading point 55 Inexplicably missing, ‘‘America’’ after draft? 13 23 33 43 53 5 Trait for a ballerina say 109 ‘‘Ha-ha!’’ 16 Andean empire 63 73 83 93 04 56 Brontë who wrote 110 Noise heard during member 10 ‘‘Wanna hear a ‘‘Agnes Grey’’ the London Blitz 17 Some clicks of the secret?’’ preceder tongue 14 24 34 44 54 64 74 84 57 Target of permethrin 111 Domain for Jameson 14 Not much cream and Maker’s Mark? 19 Slice of toast? 94 05 15 25 35 45 55 18 The ‘‘O’’ of OWN 58 Not very convincing 116 Curl target, 25 Comes out ahead informally 26 Dolts 65 75 85 95 06 20 Portrayer of Captain 60 Highly skilled 117 Manual alternative 28 Market launch, for Davies in ‘‘Roots’’ 61 Rare race outcome 16 26 36 46 118 Soul singer Bridges short 63 Unimaginative 21 Bind with rope 119 Bank investment? 32 Amphibians that may 56 66 76 86 birthday gift 22 Abacus column 120 Spanish dagger or have toxic skin 64 Is stertorous Adam’s needle is a 33 Clichéd 96 07 17 27 37 47 57 67 77 87 23 Helpful 65 Puritan’s goal in variety of it 34 Shakespeare villain 97 08 18 28 38 24 Accept payment from 17th-century Salem? 121 New York football with more lines than Batman? 69 Changes topics in a team, informally the title character 48 58 68 78 88 27 Eponymous Irish city debate, perhaps 122 Apt rhyme for 35 Kindle download 98 09 19 29 39 29 ____ pickle 73 Scrapes (out) ‘‘crude’’ and ‘‘rude’’ 39 Skip the big 74 The Rose Bowl, e.g. 123 It may need to be ceremony, say 30 Counterparts of 49 59 69 79 89 99 79 Czar who co-ruled broken to move 40 They’re found around faunas with Peter I 124 Lucretia ____, Scots 001 101 201 601501401301 31 Cause for celebration 80 Goes head to head abolitionist and 41 Bony fish with prized at a pachyderm women’s rights eggs 801701 901 011 81 Indiana athlete sanctuary? advocate 42 ‘‘Bottled poetry,’’ 83 Sunburn soother 111 211 511411311 611 36 ____ lecithin according to Robert 84 Specialist publication, (chocolate additive) DOWN Louis Stevenson 711 811 911 021 for short 1 Childbirth assistant 43 Active Sicilian 37 What most pens can’t 85 Monopolize volcano 121 221 321 421 do 2 Choose to participate 86 Something a 3 Concern for Superman 44 Filled with wonder 38 Jane portrayer in Parmesan vendor 4 Superman’s birth name 47 Without concrete 1981’s ‘‘Tarzan, the might offer? evidence 5 Like many a teenage 62 Channel with a lot of 71 Celebrity who holds 87 Physically fit 103 Hip bone Ape Man’’ the Guinness world 89 Unflappable state of boy’s facial hair 50 ‘‘Ad Parnassum’’ and house renovation 88 Rock song? 104 Classic brand of 41 Worry about, mind ‘‘Fish Magic,’’ for shows record for ‘‘Most 6 First Asian tennis Frequent Clapper’’ 90 Big cut of tuna wafers informally 90 Baron Cohen of film two 63 Keeps in the loop, in player to be ranked 72 Half and half? 91 Fill with wonder 105 Upright 45 Flip (out) 92 One of all fours? No. 1 in singles 51 Metaphor for a shared a way experience 75 Gallivants 95 Attaches, as a button 106 The Apostle of 93 Container words 7 Press 64 Give a start 46 Rock band that 52 Be more important 76 On the safe side 97 Some shop tools Ireland, familiarly 8 Bishop’s jurisdiction you might think 94 2019 film whose title than 66 Prez with a rhyming 77 Ancient kingdom in 98 ‘‘Now it makes 107 It might come in a campaign slogan would always be an means ‘‘to the stars’’ 9 Long period 53 Exaggerated kiss modern-day Jordan sense!’’ branded tote bag opening act, with 96 A dance and a dip 10 Like some evidence 67 Lab work sound 78 Elusive, in a way 99 ‘‘____ So Bad’’ (Tom 108 Buddy ‘‘the’’? 98 Cartoondom’s Olive and bulbs 68 Cause of some brain 80 Words to learn, Petty song) 55 Fuss 112 ‘‘____-haw!’’ 48 Ex-Giants QB ____ 11 Doctor’s order 59 Legal title: Abbr. freeze briefly 101 Flying ____ drop Manning 81 In itself: Lat. 113 Laid up 100 What a stoner actor 12 I.R.S. ID 60 He wrote lyrics 69 It comes in California (pro wrestling 49 Finish scooping out a smoked during 13 Live broadcast no-no to ‘‘My Way’’ for and New York styles 82 ‘‘Oh, come on!’’ move) 114 Formerly called big stir-fry? rehearsal? 14 In Sinatra 70 Covered in vines 85 Aggressive pitch 102 Shocks, in a way 115 Perón of politics

GUNSTON STREET RESULTS FOR ABOVE PUZZLE

T T O M E S A E L D W E L N E M G

A C C U Y E E V E L N O E L O T U A

P E C I B S S E N I S U B Y E K S I H W

T R E L A R I A L O L S A W H C S

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L Y O A S L A S A R T S A D A

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L A E D L E E H W E H T G O H E N I Z

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L O W A D O N M O T T O B K O W T I H

I L E S R O O D G I W T A E W S

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

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S A R O L F A N I K C I R E M I L

K C E H C E N Y A W A E K A T E L I T U

S N E T H S A L R E N S A H A R P O T I B A T S S P E S I O P K C O D Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 35 FACES

Sisterhood rules in first Spanish Peacock series

BY LYNN ELBER There’s a tendency to pit wom- Associated Press en against each other as compet- Sisterhood and survival are the itors, said Sáenz, calling that a themes of a dark comedy coming sharp contrast with reality. to Peacock, a first step into Span- Her castmates are “just gener- ish-language fare created for the ous people ... that’s the thing I ad- streaming service. mire the most The Miami-set “Armas de Muj- in artists today, er,” which translates in English in human be- as “Women’s Weapons,” also is a ings in gener- switch for its stars, including al,” she during a Kate del Castillo of “La Reina del panel discus- Sur” drama series fame. sion with TV SONY PICTURES CLASSICS/TNS “I’m very happy to be doing this critics. Valerie Mahaffey (center), with Danielle Macdonald (left) and Imogen Poots in a scene from “French Exit.” amazing genre that I’m not famil- Although the Kate del iar with as an actress,” del Castil- series is in Castillo lo said Wednesday. “Actually, in Spanish (with Latin America we’re not used to English-lan- doing this kind” of dark humor. guage subtitles), Production is underway on its universal sto- ‘Close to perfect’ eight episodes of the series, which ry makes the also stars Roselyn Sánchez (“De- language irrele- vious Maids,” “Grand Hotel”) vant, Sánchez ‘French Exit’ was ‘gratifying’ experience for Valerie Mahaffey and Sylvia Sáenz and Jeimy Oso- said. The actors rio, who appeared together in also emphasized BY PETER SBLENDORIO “Frances even softens toward people that she “Betty en NY.” A premiere date it’s not a crime Roselyn New York Daily News would’ve just run over in the past.” has yet to be announced. drama, despite Sanchez aking “French Exit” was a magnifique Mahaffey, 67, moved to New York after attending The characters’ affluent lives the fact their experience for Valerie Mahaffey. the University of Texas and emerged as a Broadway are upended after their husbands characters married men in the The Emmy-winning actress stars in actress during the 1970s. Her dream of becoming a are arrested for links to the same business. Mthe movie as a widow living in Paris performer started at a young age. crime cartel, whether as account- “This is going to be able to who’s eager to befriend Michelle Pfeiffer’s charac- “My dad loved plays, and he would order plays ant, assassin or a top boss. translate to any language, any ter, an ostentatious heiress who moves to the City of from the States and help put them on,” she recalled The women search for ways to country, any culture, because it’s Light once she loses her fortune. of her childhood in Indonesia. “I went just rabid for support themselves and their about empowering women, and “In such a wonderful way, as opposed to Mi- anything to do with dance, or ‘Can I be in the choir? families in style — an exercise in how these four ladies are thrown chelle’s character Frances, she is a person who in Is there a child part in that play?’ On Saturdays, the bonding that mirrors their own into these incredible ... circum- spite of being a widow (is) not ready to give up on oil company that my dad worked for would order on-set relationship, the actors stances and they need to survive,” life,” Mahaffey told the Daily News. “She’s enthusi- movies from the States. They would play a movie on said in reply to a question about she said. “And they do it through astic and grabbing at life with both hands, and I kind Saturday night for the grown-ups, but in the after- how they work together. friendship and loyalty.” of loved that about her.” noon, us kids could go and see the movie. It was just The comedy-drama, out now in select theaters be- like, ‘Oh my God, I want to do all of this.’” fore a nationwide release April 2, introduces Pfeiff- Mahaffey joined the long-running soap opera er’s Frances Price as a famous socialite who’s forced “The Doctors” in 1979 and starred on the show for Luke Combs apologizes for to move from New York City to a friend’s apartment several years. She then won the Emmy for best sup- in Paris after learning she’ll soon be out of money. porting actress in a drama for “Northern Exposure” Mahaffey’s Madame Reynard is a longtime ad- in 1992. Confederate flag imagery mirer of Frances, who is also a widow, and invites Now, Mahaffey is earning awards-season buzz for BY KRISTIN M. HALL the celebrity and her son over to her house in hopes her portrayal of the enthusiastic and earnest Mad- Associated Press of getting to know them. ame Reynard in “French Exit,” and got a nomination Country star Luke Combs has Although Pfeiffer’s character is initially standoff- for best supporting actress at April’s Independent apologized for appearing with ish and downbeat about her future, her true person- Spirit Awards. Confederate flags, saying he is ality begins to come through over the course of the “I’ve had some wonderful experiences as an ac- now aware of how painful that flag film. tress, and I’ve been around a while,” Mahaffey said. is. “Most of us can’t relate to that kind of wealth, but “This one, this experience, was as close to perfect as The apology came weeks after you absolutely do see her humanity and can relate, it gets. ... The doing of it was perfect, and then now another top country star, Morgan ultimately,” Mahaffey said. that people are reacting like this ... it’s so gratifying.” Wallen, was removed from radio stations and suspended by his la- bel after being caught on video us- CHRIS PIZZELLO, INVISION/AP Demi Lovato reveals 2018 overdose “My purpose in putting this out is to help people ing a racial slur. Luke Combs at the Billboard who have been on the same path as I have,” she said. “There’s no excuse for those im- Music Awards in 2020 in Los caused brain damage “I wanted to set the record straight, and I wanted to ages,” said Combs, a 30-year-old Angeles. Combs has apologized Demi Lovato says that her drug overdose in 2018 reveal it all for my fans.” North Carolina singer-songwriter for appearing with Confederate resulted in the singer having three strokes and a Despite her near-death experience, Lovato said who has had two multiplatinum al- flags in the past. heart attack, leaving her with physical limitations she wouldn’t change what happened to her. bums and several hit country that still affect her. “Everything had to happen in order for me to learn songs. old images now because he wanted Lovato reveals publicly for the first time details the lessons that I learned,” she said. ... “I’m so proud Combs said the images were to show as a highly visible country about the near-fatal incident in “Demi Lovato: Danc- of the person that I am today. One of the main reasons from seven or eight years ago and artist that people can change and ing with the Devil,” a four-part docuseries debuting I’m coming forward is so I never have to live that life as a younger man, he did not un- learn from their mistakes. He also March 23 on YouTube Originals. again.” derstand what that flag meant. wanted to encourage more people “I was left with brain damage, and I still deal with “And as I have grown in my time in the country music industry to the effects of that today,” she said in a video call on Paris Hilton announces engagement as an artist and as the world has have those hard conversations. Wednesday. “I don’t drive a car because I have blind Paris Hilton announced her engagement to entre- changed drastically in the last five The genre has been having a ra- spots in my vision. For a long time, I had a really hard preneur Carter Reum in her social media post on to seven years, I am now aware of cial reckoning even before Wal- time reading. It was a big deal when I was able to read Wednesday — the same day as her 40th birthday. how painful that image can be to len’s actions, but top artists have a book, which was like two months later, because my “There’s no one I’d rather spend forever with,” she someone else,” Combs said. “I often been reluctant to talk about vision was so blurry.” said in the post. would never want to be associated race, both in the genre’s present Lovato said the lasting repercussions “are still The couple have been dating since 2019. with something that brings so and its past. there to remind me of what could happen if I ever get much hurt to someone else.” “I am trying to learn. I am trying into a dark place again.” Compiled from Associated Press He said he was addressing the to get better,” Combs said. PAGE 36 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Gambler scores $1.1M jackpot, tips dealers ATLANTIC CITY — A NJ gambler who hit a $1.1 million jackpot on a progressive poker game after placing a $5 wa- ger at an Atlantic City casino cele- brated his win by offering a $50,000 tip to the dealers on shift. Frank Nagy, who lives in Mon- mouth County, scored his big win Saturday afternoon at the Tropi- cana, where he has played for many years. The win marked the largest jackpot on a progressive poker game in the history of the casino’s parent company, Caesars Enter- tainment. The last time the jack- pot was hit was in August 2019. Argument over barking dog leads to fatal shooting PHOENIX — A 71- AZ year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in west Phoenix that al- legedly stemmed from an argu- ment over a barking dog, accord- ing to authorities. Phoenix police said Manuel De La Cruz-Rodriguez has been booked into Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Police said Xavier Henriquez, REBECCA SANTANA/AP 19, was on his cellphone Monday afternoon when a man came up to him and started arguing with him. Suit fit for the pedestal The person who was on the other Crowds stop to look at an elaborately embroidered Mardi Gras Indian suit that was placed Tuesday on a pedestal on Canal Street in New end of the phone call reportedly Orleans, which until 2017 held a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The suit was put there by Demond Melancon, who heads the said the man was yelling at Henri- Young Seminole Hunters. Melancon is known for his meticulous hand­sewn beadwork used to create massive Mardi Gras Indian suits depicting quez about his dog barking, ac- actual and imagined events from African and American history. cording to police. The person said a shot was heard. 11 rescued from streets THE CENSUS “what can only be described as a Arriving police officers found after water main break horrible tragedy” inside, with Henriquez with a gunshot wound The approximate weight, in pounds, of cocaine police officers in Iowa about 40 dogs, 25 parakeets, rab- to the head. He was rushed to the PHILADELPHIA — 2 say they found in a car during a traffic stop. The stop happened last bits and other animals dead from hospital and doctors later pro- PA At least 11 people were week on Interstate 80 in Dallas County, television station KCCI reported. The smoke inhalation, Battalion Chief nounced him dead. rescued Tuesday evening after a sheriff’s office said Eddie Ponce, 32, of Maplewood, Minn., was stopped on Rita Reith said in a news release. Police said investigators found large water main break in Phila- suspicion of speeding. Court records show a drug-sniffing police dog alerted to Multiple reptiles, fish, an office evidence connecting De La Cruz- delphia left cars submerged and drugs inside the car, and officers say they found the cocaine, marijuana and cat and “a resilient guinea pig” $4,000 in the vehicle. Ponce now faces several charges. Rodriguez to the shooting. the area completely flooded, au- that survived the fire were re- Ice fishing derby includes thorities said. moved from the building and were The 48-inch break occurred warns of significant quakes, has truck and noticed something un- being evaluated by pet store staff. impromptu wedding around 6 p.m. in the Nicetown ar- been enabled in California since usual being dropped in. He turned The cause of the fire remains MEREDITH — A ea of North Philadelphia, news October 2019. The system uses a off the blade and called 911. under investigation. NH 2.62-pound white outlets reported. network of sensors that detect the “I come outside, I see him, he Graceland plans in-person perch won the grand prize and a Floodwaters consumed the start of an earthquake and calcu- seemed happy,” Fidele said. “I events during Elvis Week couple got married at this year’s streets, swamping cars and leav- late magnitude, location and the said OK, you’re OK now.” Great Meredith Rotary Fishing ing workers and customers of a expected amount of shaking. It It’s an experience the boy won’t MEMPHIS — On the Derby at Lake Winnipesaukee, nearby U-Haul storage facility sends the information in real time soon forget. TN 44th anniversary of El- one New Hampshire event that trapped inside, authorities said. to distributors that send out alerts “I got picked up and thrown to vis Presley’s death, fans will get to wasn’t canceled because of the Philadelphia Fire Commission- to cellphones and the internet. where I was going to be a mashed celebrate the musician once again coronavirus pandemic. er Adam Thiel said one woman The information moves so potato,” the boy told WFLA in at the annual Elvis Week event in Cameron MacDonald, 23, of was freed from her car, which was quickly that people may have val- Tampa. Memphis, Tenn. Pittsfield, Mass., caught his win- immersed in the floodwater, and uable seconds to protect them- Overnight fire kills 100 Presley’s Graceland is prepar- ning fish on Saturday for the 10 others were rescued from the selves before shaking arrives, animals at pet store ing to host visitors and offer in- $15,000 grand prize, The Laconia U-Haul facility. No injuries were trains can be slowed or industrial person events for Elvis Week from Daily Sun reported. reported. processes stopped. INDIANAPOLIS — An Aug. 11 through Aug. 17. Organiz- Also Saturday, Eric Peterson It’s unclear what caused the Boy escapes trash truck IN estimated 100 animals ers said public health protocols and Shannon Tinker decided to rupture. blade thanks to driver died when an overnight fire filled will be in place, including the re- get married on Meredith Bay, in West Coast quake warning an Indianapolis pet store with quirement of masks, temperature front of their Bud Light-themed system to finish rollout TAMPA — A young thick smoke and deadly gases, fire screenings and socially distanced bobhouse. FL Florida boy was nearly officials said. seating. “We both wanted something LOS ANGELES — The crushed when the garbage can he It took firefighters about an Since Presley’s death on Aug. simple, we both like being down CA earthquake early warn- was hiding in was emptied into a hour to extinguish the blaze at Un- 16, 1977, fans have flocked to there on the ice even though we ing system known as ShakeAlert garbage truck, authorities said. cle Bill’s Pet Center on Monday Memphis to commemorate his life never catch anything,” Peterson will be capable of delivering alerts Elias Quezada, 7, had climbed night because they had difficulty and career in the week leading up said. directly to wireless devices in into his grandmother’s garbage accessing the fire in the building’s to his death anniversary. Because When the time came, about 75 Oregon on March 11 and to Wash- can while he was playing outside, back roof area, the Indianapolis of the coronavirus pandemic, El- anglers put down their fishing ington state in May, completing last Tuesday. Fire Department said. vis Week events were mostly held poles and walked over to be part of the West Coast rollout, the U.S. Thankfully, garbage truck driv- After dousing flames that had online last year. the impromptu — and socially dis- Geological Survey said Tuesday. er Waldo Fidele was monitoring filled the building with thick, tanced — wedding party. The ShakeAlert system, which the trash being emptied into the black smoke, crews discovered From wire reports Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 37 PAGE 38 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 52 Boy king 24 Karate level 1 Pac. counterpart 53 Big rig 25 Morays 4 “Stay” singer 54 Trawler gear 26 French seat Lisa 55 UFO fliers 27 Maui meal 8 Postal delivery 28 Power co. Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Dad on DOWN supply “Black-ish” 1 Totals 29 Gloomy guy 13 Bullets 2 Decorate 32 Substituted (for) 14 Hotel chain 3 Comic Jay 33 Hit the roof 15 “Jurassic Park” 4 Endured 35 Harry Potter pal creature 5 Nebraska city 36 Party dances 17 Video-streaming 6 Flightless bird 38 Island of Hawaii brand 7 “Prince Igor” 39 Doctrine 18 Free of bumps composer 42 Refer to 19 Discoverer’s call 8 Blockhead 43 Threaded Non Sequitur 21 “Isn’t — bit like 9 I love (Lat.) fastener you and me?” 10 Squid squirt 44 LAPD ranks 22 Vienna’s river 11 Lucy of “Kill Bill” 45 Ozone, for one 26 Run in the wash 16 Reacted to a 46 Employ 29 Band’s booking light show 47 “The One I 30 R&B singer 20 Witch Love” band Des’— 23 Caspian Sea 49 White House 31 “— Lang Syne” feeder nickname 32 Baltimore paper Answer to Previous Puzzle 33 Ump’s call Candorville 34 Dundee denial 35 ACLU issues 36 Boston team, for short 37 — clock 39 Male cat 40 Year in Madrid 41 Puts into law 45 Mentor 48 Sound of a Carpe Diem ringing bell 50 On the Baltic, say 51 Furniture brand Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 39 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS DOWN 24 Citric beverage 1 Discover 1 Floral 25 Physique 6 South American rings 26 Scam artist prairies 2 Rim 28 Alienate

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Physician 3 Shoot for 30 British ref. work 13 Italian cheese 4 Nipper’s co. 31 UFO fliers 14 Golden Arches 5 Chopin 33 “The Matrix” character burger composition 34 Mao — -tung 15 Roil 6 “Qué —?” 39 Italian for 16 Cruising (“What’s “Pardon me” 17 Despot going on?”) 41 Relish 19 Small batteries 7 Houston 20 Track tipster 42 Fermi’s bit player 22 Hooter 43 Baby’s father Non Sequitur 8 Roman 1002 24 Tummy muscles 45 Yemen neighbor 9 Kind of parking 27 French cheese 47 “Avatar” race 10 Water, to Juan 29 Skin soother 48 Biblical pronoun 11 Bribes 32 Prime Minister’s 49 Scale member 12 CEO’s deg. address 51 Chicago 18 Marks of shame 35 Actress Falco winter hrs. 21 Japanese sash 36 911 responders 53 “All bets — off” 37 Mormon church, 23 Kids’ card game Answer to Previous Puzzle for short Candorville 38 Refusals 40 God of war 42 Annex 44 — Nostra 46 Pismires 50 After-shower powder 52 Arizona tribe 54 Texas city

Carpe Diem 55 Abase oneself 56 Director Scorsese 57 Haunting Beetle Bailey Bizarro PAGE 40 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Biden ignoring group of grateful US allies Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY HENRY OLSEN the Northern Pacific. All of these separate Western Europeans often disliked — was Special To The Washington Post alliances were geared toward stopping one music to the ears of other allies. efense Secretary Lloyd Austin threat, which all allies faced equally. Austin also needs to grasp how unwilling EDITORIAL offered a nice theoretical de- Neither the United States nor its myriad citizens in many NATO countries are to ful- Terry Leonard, Editor fense of the United States’ invol- allies face a unitary threat today. While our fill their treaty obligations. A Pew Research [email protected] Dvement with our NATO allies in Pacific allies are consumed with Communi- Center poll conducted in 2019 asked thou- a recent op-ed for The Washington Post. st China’s rise, many NATO allies do not sands of Europeans in NATO countries Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor That’s fine as far as it goes; America needs share this anxiety. Israel and our Arab allies whether their country should use military [email protected] strong allies to remain safe and secure. The fear Iran’s nuclear program, something ap- force to defend another NATO country Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content trouble is that neither Austin nor the Biden parently of little concern to many in East against a Russian attack. A median of 50% [email protected] administration seems to grasp that our old, Asia and Europe. Even among NATO allies, opposed using their country’s military to de- unreformed alliances are ill-suited to meet there are different perceptions of the threat fend another NATO ally, the central prom- Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] the threats facing the United States today. from Russia. Eastern European countries ise contained in the NATO Treaty’s Article 5. Austin argues that allies such as those in that border Russia and countries harboring Only 34% of Germans and a paltry 25% of Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital NATO are essential to our national security, Russian troops spend more on their national Italians supported upholding their coun- [email protected] and that they have too often felt that the Unit- defense than most central European coun- try’s treaty obligations. Perhaps that’s why ed States has ignored them or failed to con- tries, such as Germany and Italy. The first Germany’s already-shrunken military is ut- BUREAU STAFF sult them. This is clearly an oblique swipe at set of NATO allies wonder whether Russian terly unprepared to fight; many Germans former President Donald Trump, whose un- President Vladimir Putin will treat them don’t want it to. Europe/Mideast diplomatic manner and open disregard for like he has treated Ukraine; the second set, Whispering sweet nothings in diplomatic Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] many traditional allies, such as Germany, hundreds of miles away from the nearest ears will not solve this conundrum, nor will it +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 harmed relations. But for all of his bluster Russian military bases, don’t share the same help bridge the wide gap in views between Pacific and errors, Trump grasped something that level of concern. our allies. Simply put, our Asian, Middle Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief eludes Austin and others: Tensions with our It’s no wonder, then, that citizens of our al- Eastern and Eastern European allies want [email protected] allies exist because there are fundamental lied nations feel very differently about the United States to confront dangerous foes +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 disagreements regarding the nature of the Trump than the Biden administration and are willing to back our efforts with their Washington alliance itself, not solely because of one seems to believe. A 2019 poll released at for- own. Many of our Western European allies Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief man’s clumsy foreign policy. mer NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh don’t and are more willing to temporize with [email protected] (+1)(202)886-0033 NATO was formed in 1949 as part of a Rasmussen’s Copenhagen Democracy China than join a global effort to contain it. Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News global strategy to contain the Soviet Union. Summit showed that people in Western Eu- The United States needs allies, but it also [email protected] Its mission was to ensure that Soviet forces rope, Canada and Australia thought U.S. needs allies that agree on the alliance’s pur- could not conquer Western Europe and leadership under Trump was a negative pose and are willing to carry their share of CIRCULATION dominate the North Atlantic. The United force for global democracy. Citizens else- the load. We desperately need to reform our Mideast States formed other regional alliances to where, however, thought the United States alliances and restructure our military to Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager perform similar roles elsewhere. The South- played a positive role. These views were es- meet our urgent challenges. That gargan- [email protected] east Asia Treaty Organization was estab- pecially strong in Asia and in the Middle tuan task would tax any administration. It’s [email protected] lished in 1954 to battle Communist expan- East, where Israelis and Arabs thought the troubling that the Biden administration DSN (314)583-9111 sion in that region, while the Central Treaty United States was a force for good. Eastern seems not to understand that it needs to do Europe Organization arose in 1955 to contain Soviet Europeans also were strongly positive to- so. Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager expansion in the Middle East. U.S. bilateral ward the United States. It’s clear that [email protected] [email protected] defense treaties with South Korea and Ja- Trump’s unilateral and often bellicose ap- Henry Olsen is a Washington Post columnist and a senior fellow +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 pan served to contain Communist designs in proach to Iran, China and Russia — which at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Pacific Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 Japanese public needs to know SDF to appreciate it CONTACT US BY JEFFREY W. HORNUNG to make or of SDF training to defend Japan spoke past each other. The government took Washington Special to Stars and Stripes against Chinese aggression, the main image an overly legalistic approach and occasional- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 hina’s increased military activity of the SDF is one of non-military disaster re- ly referenced hypothetical scenarios. The 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 against Taiwan and recent pas- lief. Even with the alliance, instead of images media and opposition parties sensational- Reader letters sage of a law that allows the Chi- of U.S. and Japanese armed forces closely ized the legislation as “war acts” and avoided [email protected] Cnese coast guard to use weapons cooperating, the public view of the alliance substantive discussion about the contents. Additional contacts against foreign ships that Beijing sees as ille- tends to be that of frequent visits between po- Given the threats facing Japan, however, it stripes.com/contactus gally entering its waters is a reminder that litical leaders or ministers. The alliance’s may benefit the Japanese public to better un- Japan’s security environment is not getting core role of warfighting is rarely, if ever, seen derstand the value of the SDF as an armed OMBUDSMAN any safer. While it may be unthinkable, it is in full public view. force and the military cooperation that takes Ernie Gates possible that someday China will use force And yet, as was the case after Joe Biden be- place with the United States. Doing so could against Japan. If so, the Self-Defense Forces came America’s 46th president, Japanese begin to move discussions beyond purely le- The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information, reporting any attempts by the will be called upon to defend the country. In leaders will often seek a verbal commitment galistic or emotional arguments to engage in military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s this situation, does the Japanese public fully from a new U.S. administration to defend the the important security issues facing Japan. independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for appreciate what the SDF would be expected Senkaku Islands. While this gets widely re- This, in turn, could help Japanese leaders fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman to do? ported, often lost in the public dialogue is publicly debate the objectives of important welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by email at [email protected], or by phone at According to surveys conducted by the what that exactly means, including the fact policies with a more engaged public. 202.886.0003. Cabinet Office, a large majority of the Japa- that the SDF may be responsible for using Should a strong public aversion to the nese public maintain a positive opinion of the force. Importantly, there is never any men- SDF’s role or use of force permeate society, it Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday SDF, but a majority also believe the current tion that Japanese and Americans are risk- could mean weak public support for the op- through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and defense capabilities of the SDF are sufficient ing their lives to defend Japan. And that they erations themselves, making the job of the Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send and do not need to be strengthened. And may even die in that cause. SDF that much more difficult. After all, ask- address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, when given multiple options for what they The aversion to public discussion of the ing armed forces to protect a public that does APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the Department of Defense for members of the military services think the role of the SDF is, the largest re- SDF is understandable given Japan’s history not support it could sap those forces of mo- overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views sponse is disaster relief operations, not de- and that segments of the Japanese public rale. Japan is no exception. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- fending the country from external threats. maintain strong feelings of pacifism and are The threats facing Japan are not going per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to Although Japan does not call the SDF a highly sensitive to the idea of Japan using away, which means the SDF’s role will in- remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. military, externally, it is viewed as such. This force, even in the defense of Japan. crease in importance. Having a better appre- The appearance of advertising in this publication does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or is for good reason. It is widely respected as a The public debate surrounding the securi- ciation and understanding of the SDF, and Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. modern armed force fielding advanced de- ty legislation that eventually passed in 2015 is Japan’s alliance with the U.S., may benefit Products or services advertised shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, fense capabilities. This respect is particular- a good example. Instead of public discus- not just the SDF, but the leaders who will be religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of ly strong from its U.S. ally. Yet, the Japanese sions on the role of the SDF, the military rela- called upon to make difficult decisions. the purchaser, user or patron. public tends to receive a largely sanitized tionship with the United States, and the ex-

© Stars and Stripes 2021 view of the SDF and the alliance. Instead of pectations of what the SDF should do to de- Jeffrey W. Hornung is a political scientist at the Rand Corp., a stripes.com seeing the sacrifices SDF families are forced fend Japan, all parties to the public debate nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization. Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 41 SCOREBOARD/COLLEGE SPORTS

COLLEGE BASKETBALL DEALS Wednesday’s men’s scores Wednesday’s transactions BASEBALL EAST Major League Baseball Boston U. 78, Holy Cross 69 American League Charleston (WV) 109, Davis & Elkins 74 BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Agreed to terms Concord 96, W. Virginia St. 81 with RHP Matt Harvey on a minor league Daemen 85, Roberts Wesleyan 69 contract. Fairmont St. 94, Notre Dame (Ohio) 84 BOSTON RED SOX — Acquired C Ronaldo Maryland 79, Nebraska 71 Hernandez and minor league INF Nick So- NC State 74, Pittsburgh 73 gard from Tampa Bay in exchange for LHP Quinnipiac 74, Iona 70 Jeffrey Springs, RHP Chris Mazza and un- Sacred Heart 82, CCSU 70 disclosed money. Placed C Kevin Plawecki Seton Hall 60, DePaul 52 on the COVID-19 related IL. St. Francis (NY) 90, Fairleigh Dickinson NEW YORK YANKEES — Agreed to terms 87 with RHPs Kyle Barraclough, Jhoulys Cha- St. Thomas Aquinas 99, Mercy 67 cin, Luis Garcia, Nick Goody, Adam Warren Wagner 57, Mount St. Mary’s 55 and Asher Wojciechowski, OFs Michael Wheeling Jesuit 89, Frostburg St. 85 Beltre, Socrates Brito, Jay Bruce, Ryan La- SOUTH Marre and Thomas Milone, Cs Rob Brantly, Robinson Chirinos and Kellin Deglan, LHP Carson-Newman 76, Mars Hill 56 Nestor Cortes, Lucas Luetge and Tyler Catawba 86, Newberry 83 Lyons, INFs Derek Dietrich, Chris Gittens Chattanooga 89, W. Carolina 81, OT and Andrew Velazquez on minor league Duke 84, Wake Forest 60 contracts. Flagler 98, Lander 91, OT TAMPA BAY RAYS — Placed LHPs Jalen Furman 78, Samford 64 Beeks and Colin Poche on the 60-day IL. Gardner-Webb 69, Radford 57 Traded RHP John Curtiss to Miami in ex- Georgia Southwestern 80, Clayton St. 59 change for minor league 1B Evan Edwards. Kentucky 82, Vanderbilt 78 Agreed to terms with LHP Rich HIll and Mercer 71, ETSU 64 RHP Oliver Drake on one-year contracts. Montevallo 83, Auburn-Montgomery 74 National League North Carolina 82, Northeastern 62 CHICAGO CUBS — Agreed to terms with SC-Aiken 71, Augusta 69 RHP Jake Arrieta on a one-year contract. Tennessee 93, South Carolina 73 Placed LHP Kyle Ryan on the COVID-19 re- Tusculum 90, Lincoln Memorial 74 lated IL. UCF 81, South Florida 65 MIAMI MARLINS — Agreed to terms with VCU 68, Richmond 56 OF Adam Duvall on a one-year contract. VMI 88, UNC-Greensboro 77 Placed RHP Jeff Brigham on the 60-day IL. Virginia-Wise 71, Lenoir-Rhyne 70 Designated OF Harold Ramirez for assign- Wingate 76, Anderson (SC) 69 ment. Wofford 81, The Citadel 67 NEW YORK METS — Announced the re- MIDWEST tirement of OF Tim Tebow. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Agreed to GEORGE NIKITIN / AP Cedarville 74, Walsh 70 terms with INF Brad Miller on a one-year Chicago 54, Valparaiso 52 contract. Placed RHP Seranthony Domin- Loyola Chicago competes against Lewis University during the championship match of the 2015 NCAA Drake 77, N. Iowa 69 guez on the 60-day IL. Agreed to terms Hillsdale 65, Ohio Dominican 54 with LHP Tony Watson on a minor league Men’s Volleyball Tournament in Stanford, Calif. Fairleigh Dickinson Athletic Director Brad Hurlbut an­ Indiana 82, Minnesota 72 contract. nounced recently his school will add men’s volleyball in 2021­22 and women’s lacrosse the following year. Indiana St. 87, Evansville 73 PITTSBURGH PIRATES — Agreed to Kansas 59, Kansas St. 41 terms with LHP Tyler Anderson on a one- Lake Erie 77, Tiffin 72 year contract. Placed RHP Jose Soriano on Marquette 73, Butler 57 the 60-day IL. Missouri St. 68, S. Illinois 53 SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Agreed to terms with LHP Jake McGee on a two-year FAR WEST contract. Placed RHP John Brebbia on the Boise St. 79, Utah St. 70 60-day IL. Agreed to terms with RHPs Jay Southern Cal 89, Arizona St. 71 Jackson and Nick Tropeano on minor Wyoming 83, New Mexico 74, OT league contracts. WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Signed LF Men’s Top 25 schedule Gerardo Parra and LHP T.J. McFarland to Against the norm minor league contracts. Friday’s games FOOTBALL No games scheduled National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed OL Bran- Wednesday’s women’s scores den Bowen. HOCKEY Fairleigh Dickinson adding, not axing sports EAST National Hockey League Ball St. 76, Buffalo 63 BUFFALO SABRES — Loaned F Rasmus BY TOM CANAVAN board in all departments to bal- Boston U. 71, Holy Cross 53 Asplund and D William Borgen to the taxi Bryant 83, Merrimack 80, OT squad. Reassigned Fs Seven Fogarty, An- Associated Press ance the budget. Fairfield 63, Iona 56 drew Ogleivie, C.J. Smith and D Jacob Bry- son to Rochester (AHL). 285 Maryland 103, Illinois 58 TEANECK, N.J. “That was an easy way to make Navy 55, Lafayette 53 CALGARY FLAMES — Recalled RW Brett Ritchie and G Evan Cormier from loan to rad Hurlbut took over ends meet,” he said. “We didn’t Quinnipiac 84, Siena 63 Stockton (AHL). Number of NCAA and NAIA athletic Rutgers 83, Minnesota 56 as athletic director at want to do that. We wanted to MONTREAL CANADIANS — Recalled LW teams that have been eliminated as of UConn 77, St. John’s 32 Grandon Baddock from Laval (AHL) Fairleigh Dickinson in look at it from a different lens SOUTH NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Loaned Fs Nick Jan. 19 because of budget cuts or 2019, planning to in- and say: ‘Hey, if we use this for- South Florida 69, Cincinnati 65, OT Merkley and Mikhail Maltsev to the taxi school closures. Some of the schools squad. Reassigned G Evan Cormier and D B UCF 63, Tulane 61 Jeremy Groleau from the taxi squad to crease the number of sports cutting programs include Stanford, mula, we’ll actually be able to be MIDWEST Binghamton (AHL). played at the small Division I Clemson, Minnesota, Fresno State, starting to be revenue drivers Bowling Green 76, Cent. Michigan 67 VEGAS KNIGHTS — Recalled G Logan Thompson from Henderson (AHL). school a short ride from New Iowa and Connecticut. and help in the enrollment proc- DePaul 83, Xavier 75 SOCCER Iowa St. 84, Kansas 82 Major League Soccer York City. SOURCE: Associated Press ess, which so many schools like Miami (Ohio) 62, Toledo 60 Nebraska 71, Northwestern 64 CF MONTREAL — Signed F Erik Hurtado In a little over two years, Hurl- ours that are out there need.’ ” W. Michigan 71, Kent St. 58 to a one-year contract. CHARLOTTE FC — Signed D Jan Sobocin- but has taken his first step, an- closures. Some of the schools cut- Andrew Schwarz, a sports SOUTHWEST ski. nouncing last month that men’s ting programs included Stanford, economist with the California- Oklahoma St. 59, Kansas St. 46 LA GALAXY — Signed MF Carlos Harvey Temple 68, Tulsa 46 from Tauro FC (Panama). volleyball will be added in 2021- Clemson, Minnesota, Fresno based firm of OSKR, worked NASHVILLE SC — Signed D Robert Castel- lanos. 22 and women’s lacrosse would State, Iowa and Connecticut. with FDU — enrollment 8,944 at COLLEGE HOCKEY REAL SALT LAKE — Announced MF Luke Mulholland is retiring and being named follow the next year. The addi- Games and matches have been its four campuses — on the ex- club’s scout. Named Kurt Schmid techni- Wednesday’s score cal director. tions will give the private school held in mostly empty arenas and pansion. He said the concept is MIDWESTERN SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES — Signed RB in northeast New Jersey 21 stadiums, drastically reducing not new for schools driven by en- Michigan 8, Ala.-Huntsville 2 Luciano Abecasis to a one-year contract. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC — Signed sports. ticket revenue. Professional and rollment, provided they had LB Javain Brown. COLLEGE FOOTBALL National Women’s Soccer League While that wasn’t unexpected, college leagues have had to deal space in the classrooms and dor- ORLANDO PRIDE — Agreed to terms with the timing was. with daily COVID-19 testing, mitories for the athletes. Many Friday’s games F Marta on a one-year contract. COLLEGE The announcement occurred postponements and cancella- Division III schools have em- SOUTH TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY — An- Lincoln University (MO) at Nicholls nounced MF Mari Liis Lillemae was called as many schools and universities tions, the biggest in college being ployed the concept to increase MIDWEST up to join the Estonian National Soccer have cut sports programs as part the decision not to hold the mon- tuition and room and board reve- W. Illinois at South Dakota, ppd. Team for the UEFA Women’s Champion- S. Dakota St. at N. Iowa ship Qualification. of the economic fallout from the ey-making NCAA basketball nue. Saturday’s games AP SPORTLIGHT coronavirus pandemic. tournaments a year ago. It’s the Schwarz said it will work on SOUTH The most recent data from The lifeblood for many schools. the Division I level, where VMI at Chattanooga (0-1), ppd. Feb. 19 National Student Clearinghouse Hurlbut says FDU President schools get extra money from the Morehead St. at James Madison 1928 — Canada wins the gold medal in Mercer (0-3) at Wofford hockey at the Winter Olympics in St. Mo- Research Center shows a 4.4% Christopher Capuano, a propo- NCAA for every sport they offer Samford at ETSU ritz, Switzerland. Canada, represented by Davidson at Elon the 1926 Toronto University team, re- decrease in undergraduate en- nent of sports expansion, gave over the minimum of 14. W. Carolina (0-3) at Furman ceives a bye to the final round. The Cana- rollment this fall over the year him an odd look when he told In men’s volleyball, there are MIDWEST dians then beat Sweden 11-0, Britain 14-0 S. Illinois (1-0) at North Dakota and Switzerland 13-0. before. Public, four-year univer- him it was time to expand. roughly 20 players on a team. Illinois St. at Missouri St. (0-3) 1955 — Bernie Geoffrion of the Montreal SOUTHWEST Canadiens scores five goals in a 10-2 victo- sities are down 1.9%, private, “He wanted to see the econom- The Knights would be allowed to Sam Houston St. at Incarnate Word, ppd. ry over the New York Rangers. four-year universities are down ics behind it,” Hurlbut said. give 4 ½ scholarships. The other Northwestern St. at Lamar 1977 — Rod Gilbert of the New York Rang- FAR WEST ers gets his 1,000th career point with a 2.1% and two-year colleges are The spreadsheet Capuano got 15 ½ players will pay for tuition, Tarleton State (0-1) at New Mexico St. goal in a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders. 1982 — Atlanta’s 127-122 four-overtime down 9.5%. was an eye-opener. It suggested books, room and board, if need- Sunday’s games win over Seattle equals the fourth-longest game in NBA history and the second long- Sports has been hit hard in that adding sports at a mid-major ed, and whatever fees are associ- SOUTH est since the 24-second clock. many places. Through Jan. 19, Division I school would end up ated with attending the school. E. Illinois at UT Martin 1984 — Phil and Steve Mahre of the Unit- Edward Waters at Jackson St. ed States become the first brothers to fin- The Associated Press found adding hundreds of thousands of The exercise was similar for Austin Peay (0-3) at Tennessee Tech. ish 1-2 in an Olympic event, the men’s sla- Jacksonville St. (3-1) at Tennessee St. lom, at the Winter Games in Sarajevo, Yu- some 285 NCAA and NAIA ath- dollars to the ledger in time. women’s lacrosse. It will give a MIDWEST goslavia. The Soviet Union beats Czechos- letic teams had been eliminated Hurlbut said many schools maximum of 12.6 scholarships Murray St. at SE Missouri (0-1) lovakia 2-0 to win the gold medal in Youngstown St. at N. Dakota St. (1-0) hockey. because of budget cuts or school have been cutting 20% across the for a roster of about 40 players. PAGE 42 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 NBA

Scoreboard Hayward enjoying Eastern Conference Atlantic Division WLPct GB Philadelphia 19 10 .655 — more prominent Brooklyn 18 12 .600 1½ Boston 14 14 .500 4½ New York 14 16 .467 5½ Toronto 13 15 .464 5½

Southeast Division role in Charlotte WLPct GB Charlotte 13 15 .464 — Atlanta 12 16 .429 1 BY STEVE REED uprooting his family again. Miami 11 17 .393 2 Associated Press But after talking with Hornets Orlando 11 18 .379 2½ CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a time owner Michael Jordan, general Washington 9 17 .346 3 when many veteran NBA players manager Mitch Kupchak and Central Division BRANDON DILL/AP are doing anything they can to join coach James Borrego, he felt it WLPct GB a “super team” in hopes of win- was a chance worth taking. Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) handles the ball Milwaukee 16 12 .571 — ning a championship, Gordon “The challenge of going to a against Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) in the second Indiana 15 14 .517 1½ Hayward is a bit of an anomaly. team that is really young but real- half of Wednesday's game in Memphis, Tenn. Chicago 12 15 .444 3½ Cleveland 10 19 .345 6½ Hayward took the road less ly talented and trying to help them 8 traveled this offseason when he get to that next level was some- game. And he’s thriving in his role, helped reenergize him. Detroit 8 20 .286 opted out of his contract with the thing that was really enticing to shooting 51.5% from the field and He said it was the “fresh start” Western Conference high-profile Celtics and chose to me,” Hayward said. “I just decid- 42.2% from three-point range. that he needed. come to Charlotte to take on a ed to go for it — and it has been “I’m loving the style of play,” “It seems like yesterday that I Southwest Division more prominent role and the op- great ever since.” Hayward said. “We are moving was these guys — I was the young WLPct GB portunity to help build a young Jordan tried to lure Hayward to the ball, I’m able to cut, play with guy,” Hayward said with a laugh. San Antonio 16 11 .593 — Hornets team into a playoff con- Charlotte before, signing him to a the ball and off the ball ... .” “I think Raja Bell was 34 when I Memphis 12 12 .500 2½ tender. four-year, $63 million offer sheet When the Hornets need a basket was a rookie and I remember Dallas 13 15 .464 3½ So far, so good. in 2014 when he was a restricted in the fourth quarter, they often thinking, ‘Man, he is old.’ And now New Orleans 12 16 .429 4½ The 11-year NBA veteran is av- free agent, but Hayward’s first defer to Hayward. And he’s been I have a family and kids and these Houston 11 17 .393 5½ eraging a career-high 22.3 points team, the Utah Jazz, matched the there to rescue them from bad guys are the young guns.” Northwest Division along with 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 offer. possessions with the shot clock Hayward said his sole focus is WLPct GB assists per game for the playoff- The Hornets were thrilled when winding down on a number of oc- on helping the Hornets end a four- Utah 24 5 .828 — starved Hornets, who are 13-15 he decided to come to Charlotte casions. year playoff drought. Portland 18 10 .643 5½ and in the thick of the Eastern this time around. “The system, the way they’re With a shortened offseason, it Denver 15 13 .536 8½ Conference playoff race. Hay- “The biggest thing is that he’s using him, clearly he doesn’t look took some time for everyone to fall Oklahoma City 11 17 .393 12½ Minnesota 7 22 .241 17 ward, an All-Star in 2017, is ninth been a gem as a playmaker,” Bor- like he’s been there a short time,” into their roles, he said. in All-Star balloting among front- rego said of the 6-foot-7 Hayward. Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “He But he believes the team is get- Pacific Division court players in the East. “He’s got the size. In this league, looks like he’s very comfortable. ting better as the season progress- WLPct GB “I wanted to go somewhere we needed someone with size that I’m happy that he’s fallen into a es. L.A. Lakers 22 7 .759 — where I could maximize who I am can make plays and his play-mak- mindset and an opportunity where “We have had some flashes of L.A. Clippers 21 9 .700 1½ as a basketball player again,” he ing is the best thing that he does. he has because he’s worked hard being really good,” Hayward said. Phoenix 17 10 .630 4 Golden State 16 13 .552 6 said. “Certainly the responsibility He loves to share the ball, move to get where he is.” “We have beaten some good teams Sacramento 12 15 .444 9 here is more, and I’m embracing the ball. He loves passing the Hayward jokes that at 30, he’s and had successful moments. And that.” ball.” now “an old guy” in basketball then we have had some bad mo- Tuesday's games Boston 112, Denver 99 Hayward said the decision to Hayward said he likes how un- years, but said that being around ments as well. And that is a prod- Portland 115, Oklahoma City 104 New Orleans 144, Memphis 113 leave Boston and sign a four-year, selfishly the Hornets play. young players like rookie LaMelo uct of us being young. We have to L.A. Lakers 112, Minnesota 104 $120 million contract with Char- Charlotte is second in the league Ball, Devonte Graham, P.J. Wash- learn to be more consistent, me in- Toronto 124, Milwaukee 113 Brooklyn 128, Phoenix 124 lotte wasn’t easy, given it meant in assists, averaging 27.5 per ington and Miles Bridges has cluded.” San Antonio at Detroit, ppd Wednesday's games Orlando 107, New York 89 ANALYSIS Atlanta 122, Boston 114 Philadelphia 118, Houston 113 Chicago 105, Detroit 102 Washington 130, Denver 128 Indiana 134, Minnesota 128, OT Griffin, Pistons break-up will be a win-win Portland 126, New Orleans 124 Memphis 122, Oklahoma City 113 BY TIM REYNOLDS Utah 114, L.A. Clippers 96 Griffin is making about $36.8 mil- walker, but still could be very good back and it helped catapult him Golden State 120, Miami 112, OT Associated Press lion this season, has an option for in certain roles on certain teams — back to All-Star level in 2018-19. Chicago at Charlotte, ppd San Antonio at Cleveland, ppd Blake Griffin has jumped over about $39 million next season, and assuming, of course, that he’ll want The good news here is that if he Detroit at Dallas, ppd cars to win dunk contests, smacked it’s hard to imagine that any team to accept a diminished role. He wants his freedom right away, if he Thursday's games his head on the sides of back- would be willing to trade for some- turns 32 next month. That’s hardly and his representation are able to Toronto at Milwaukee Brooklyn at L.A. Lakers boards, and once turned three con- one with the NBA’s eighth-highest washed-up. pick his next destination, he could Miami at Sacramento secutive passes from Chris Paul all salary and 128th-highest scoring And there’s always a market for probably talk the Pistons into Friday's games into alley-oop slams in a span of average of 12.3 points this season. the veteran who is liked, respected, speeding up the process of getting Denver at Charlotte, ppd about 30 seconds. So, if the Pistons are really going good in the locker room, good in the to that team by leaving a few mil- Denver at Cleveland Golden State at Orlando These days, we can only assume to move on, they’ll probably have to community. lion on the bargaining table. Atlanta at Boston Chicago at Philadelphia that he can still dunk. He hasn’t in a just take the hit, negotiate a buyout Dwyane Wade came off the There’s also good news for the Dallas at Houston game since Dec. 12, 2019. More and truly start fresh. bench toward the end of his career Pistons. General manager Troy Detroit at Memphis Oklahoma City at Milwaukee than 440 NBA players have gotten “Blake’s track record, his play- in Miami. Vince Carter was pri- Weaver told ESPN on Monday that Phoenix at New Orleans Toronto at Minnesota at least one slam down in that span, ing resume, speaks for itself,” Pis- marily a reserve for his last eight the team “will work to achieve a Utah at L.A. Clippers but none are from Griffin, and tons coach Dwane Casey said. seasons. The Los Angeles Lakers positive outcome for all involved.” Saturday's games there might not be another any- “Someday, the guy’s going to be a won a title last season thanks in This decision comes a week or so San Antonio at New York, ppd time soon. Hall of Famer. He’s one of the play- large part to Rajon Rondo’s veter- after Detroit traded Derrick Rose Golden State at Charlotte Indiana at Houston The Detroit Pistons and Griffin ers that I’ve respected over the an savvy off the bench. Title-con- to New York, clearing another vet- Miami at L.A. Lakers Phoenix at Memphis are going to be splitting up some- years. ... He can be a piece to a con- tenders want veterans who are eran so younger players can log Sacramento at Chicago time in the coming weeks, after the tending team. I’ve been with con- smart and can help, and Griffin more minutes and develop. Rose Washington at Portland sides revealed Monday that tending teams and you’d love to now gets to pick his spot. got to be reunited with the Knicks Sunday's games they’ve decided it best to go their have a guy like Blake Griffin on Griffin has already reinvented and coach Tom Thibodeau, and Boston at New Orleans Minnesota at New York separate ways. For now, much of your team.” himself once, so it’s not like he can’t has a better chance of reaching the Philadelphia at Toronto Oklahoma Coty at Cleveland the talk is about seeking a trade. The days of Griffin terrorizing do so again. Like many players in postseason. A win-win. Detroit at Orlando But, eventually and not surprising- opponents and rims are over; he’s this three-point era, he added that It’s time for Griffin to find his Denver at Atlanta Brooklyn at L.A. Clippers ly, it will come down to money. no longer elite, no longer a sky- shot to his repertoire a few years win-win. Sacramento at Milwaukee Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 43 OLYMPICS/AUTO RACING/NFL Tokyo Source: appoints Wentz new boss BY STEPHEN WADE Associated Press headed TOKYO — Seiko Hashimoto has appeared in seven Olympics, four in the winter and three in the summer — the most by any “mul- to Colts tiseason” athlete in the games. BY ROB MAADDI She made even more history on Associated Press Thursday in Japan, where women PHILADELPHIA — The Phila- are still rare in delphia Eagles have agreed to the boardrooms trade Carson Wentz to the Indi- and positions of anapolis Colts, according to a per- political power. son familiar with the deal. The 56-year- The Eagles will receive a third- old Hashimoto round pick in this year's draft and was named pres- a conditional second-round pick ident of the To- in 2022 that can kyo Olympic or- JOHN RAOUX / AP turn into a first- Hashimoto ganizing com- Michael McDowell celebrates with a burnout after winning the Daytona 500 on Monday at Daytona round pick if mittee after a meeting of its exec- International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Wentz plays 75% utive board, which is 80% male. of the snaps this She replaces 83-year-old Yoshiro year or 70% and Mori, a former Japanese prime the Colts make minister who was forced to resign the playoffs. last week after making sexist com- McDowell hopes Daytona The person Wentz ments about women. spoke to The As- Essentially, he said women talk sociated Press on condition of too much. anonymity because the deal hasn't “Now I’m here to return what I been announced. owe as an athlete and to return win brings more success Wentz is coming off the worst back what I received,” Hashimoto season of his five-year career and told the board, according to an in- was benched for rookie Jalen terpreter. BY JENNA FRYER The victory was just the third in Hurts after 12 games. He finished Hashimoto had been serving as Associated Press 17 years for Front Row and owner third in NFL MVP voting in 2017 the Olympic minister in the cabi- DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Bob Jenkins. David Ragan won when he led the Eagles to an 11-2 net of Prime Minister Yoshihide ichael McDowell FRM’s first race, in 2013 at Talla- record before a knee injury ended Suga. She also held a portfolio was best known for dega Superspeedway, and Chris his season and Philadelphia went dealing with gender equality and years as the guy who Buescher won at Pocono in 2016. on to win its only Super Bowl title. women’s empowerment. She said Mbarrel-rolled eight Jenkins doesn’t think the spo- The deal reunites Wentz with she would be replaced as Olympic times at Texas while trying to qual- radic success is indicative of the Colts coach Frank Reich, who minister by Tamayo Marukawa. ify for just the second race of his team he’s built. served as Philadelphia's offensive She brought up the issue of gen- Cup Series career. “I know the average fan is sur- coordinator his first two seasons der equality repeatedly, and fo- He’d driven through the rem- prised when we win a race, but it in the league. The Colts are turn- cused on problems at the organiz- nants of an oil spill when McDo- never surprises me,” Jenkins said. ing to their fourth starting quar- ing committee, which is male- well’s car made a hard right turn “It’s taken a long time to get our terback in Reich's four years. An- dominated, has no female vice into the wall. The car rebounded, third win and our first Daytona 500 drew Luck retired abruptly be- presidents and has an executive flipped onto its roof and went air- win, but people don’t realize this is fore the 2019 season and Jacoby board made up of 80% men. It em- borne for eight rolls before the our third top-five in the Daytona Brissett took over. Philip Rivers ploys about 3,500 people. flaming wreckage finally came to a 500. You want to win champion- led the team to the playoffs in his “Of course, it is very important stop on its wheels. JOHN RAOUX/AP ships, but you’ve got to win races only season in Indianapolis in what Tokyo 2020 as an organizing “It’s just one of those things that McDowell is interviewed after the first.” 2020. committee does about gender happened,” McDowell said. “But first victory of his NASCAR Cup McDowell earlier this month Wentz is entering the first sea- equality,” she said, sitting be- you definitely hope that people Series career, which gives him an said he doubted FRM could make son of a four-year, $128 million tween two males — CEO Toshiro would know you for something bet- automatic berth in the playoffs. the 16-car playoffs on points, so the contract he signed in June 2019. Muto and spokesman Masa Ta- ter than that.” priority had been earning an auto- The Eagles will absorb a signifi- kaya. "I think it will be important It took 13 years for him to change since at least 2013, when he scored matic berth via a race win. The cant salary cap hit of $33.8 million for Tokyo 2020 to practice equal- the narrative: McDowell is now a his first career top-10 finish at Day- schedule this year has a NASCAR- in dead money on their 2021 cap. ity.” Daytona 500 champion. tona. He has been a fixture near the high seven road courses — the first The Eagles traded up twice in International Olympic Commit- The journeyman earned the first front of the field since, particularly is this Sunday at Daytona — and the 2016 NFL Draft to select tee president Thomas Bach said win of his career — he was 0-357 after he moved to Front Row Mo- four superspeedways, which theo- Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick. Hashimoto was “the perfect before Daytona — by zipping past torsports in 2018. retically gave FRM a fighting He started all 16 games as a rookie choice” for the job. two crashing cars on the final lap. Although FRM is considered chance to compete against NAS- and had a breakout sophomore “With the appointment of a McDowell led for less than a mile in one of NASCAR’s third-tier teams, CAR’s elite. season before he tore two knee lig- woman as president, the Tokyo the wee hours Monday morning it has a strong program for super- FRM now has its first playoff aments in Week 14 and watched 2020 Organizing Committee is al- but it was all he needed to validate a speedways and road courses, cir- berth in team history. More impor- Nick Foles lead the Eagles to a Su- so sending a very important signal career spent driving inferior cars. cuits that somewhat level the play- tantly, crew chief Drew Blickens- per Bowl win over New England. with regard to gender equality,” Daytona is unlike any race on ing field. In four Daytona 500s derfer has 25 weeks to prepare for A back injury ended Wentz’s Bach said in a statement. NASCAR’s schedule in that under- driving the No. 34 Ford, McDowell the championship rounds. He can season early in 2018 and Foles led Hashimoto competed in cycling dogs have a chance if they can finished fifth, ninth, 14th and, final- overhaul his strategy to fixate less the Eagles to a playoff victory. in three Summer Olympics (1988, make it to the finish. It takes under- ly, first. on decent finishes and instead ag- Wentz started every game in 1992 and 1996) and in speedskat- standing the nuances of super- “This is definitely no fluke,” said gressively chase stage points and 2019 and helped the Eagles win ing in four Winter Olympics (1984, speedway racing — managing the three-time Daytona 500 winner victories in hopes of a deeper play- the NFC East with an excellent 1988, 1992 and 1994). She won a draft, knowing who to push and Denny Hamlin. “I’ve said many off run. four-game stretch in December. bronze medal — her only medal — how to do it, and using instinct to times this is a skill game. He’s got “All that matters right now is But he was knocked out of his at the 1992 Albertville Games in plot strategy at almost 200 mph. the skill set to win these, and he fi- winning the stage or winning the first career playoff start after nine speedskating. McDowell has had the hang of it nally got it done.” race for us,” Blickensderfer said. snaps because of a concussion. PAGE 44 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 MLB

AP: Tatis Jr., Border still Padres agree on 14-year, an obstacle $340M deal Associated Press SAN DIEGO — Fernando Tatis for Toronto Jr. has helped make baseball fun again in San Diego. In return, the Blue Jays will open at ‘home’ in Florida Padres have agreed to give BY ROB GILLIES the electrifying Associated Press shortstop a $340 TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays will million, 14-year play their first two homestands of the season at deal that could their spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla., keep him with because of Canadian government restrictions San Diego until during the pandemic. Tatis Jr. he’s 35 years old, The team said Thursday it has been planning according to two different scenarios for home games and had people familiar with the situation. hoped to see improvements in public health. STEVE NESIUS/AP The two people spoke to The As- The Blue Jays cited the “ongoing Canada- The Toronto Blue Jays will play their first two homestands of the regular season at their TD sociated Press on condition of ano- U.S. border closure” in making the “difficult Ballpark spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla., due to Canadian government restrictions nymity Wednesday night because decision.” The team added in its statement that during the coronavirus pandemic. the deal hadn’t been announced. it “hopes of a return to play at Rogers Centre as It will be the longest contract soon as possible.” in the second half may be more realistic, after Bisons Triple-A farm team. The Canadian gov- signed in MLB history. Giancarlo After starting the season with three-game players and large segments of the population in ernment didn’t allow the team to play at home Stanton, now with the New York series at the New York Yankees and Texas the U.S. and Canada are vaccinated. because of the risk of spreading COVID-19, cit- Yankees, signed a 13-year, $325 Rangers, Toronto’s schedule has a homestand The TD Ballpark in Dunedin seats about ing frequent travel required during a baseball million deal with Miami in 2015. with four games against the Los Angeles An- 8,500 fans and had a major renovation in 2019- season. Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, gels from April 8-11 and the Yankees from 20. The Blue Jays will limit capacity to 15%. Last year’s Major League Baseball regular $330 million deal with Philadel- April 12-14. Toronto last played at 49,000-capacity Rog- season was played without fans. phia in 2019. The biggest deal by The Blue Jays follow with a trip to Kansas ers Centre on Sept. 29, 2019, an 8-3 win over The border remains closed to nonessential dollars remains Mike Trout’s City, Boston and Tampa Bay, then have home Tampa Bay. travelers who are not Canadian citizens. Cana- $426.5 million, 12-year contract games against Washington on April 27-28 and “We hope for warm summer nights under da requires those entering the country to iso- signed with the Angels in 2019. Atlanta from April 30 to May 2. After that, a 10- the open Rogers Centre roof,” the team said. late for 14 days. And starting Monday, air trav- The 22-year-old Tatis has game trip to Oakland, Houston and Atlanta. The Blue Jays played home games during elers who arrive in Canada will be forced to bloomed into a superstar in less It remains unlikely they would gain approval the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, N.Y., and quarantine in a hotel for up to three nights as than two full seasons with the Pa- to play May games in Toronto. A return home were 17-9 at Sahlen Field, home of their Buffalo they await the result of a coronavirus test. dres, hitting .301 with 39 home runs, 98 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 143 games. He helped San Die- Protocols: go end a 13-year playoff drought in 162-game season under pandemic 2020 and win a wild-card series against the St. Louis Cardinals be- FROM PAGE 48 fore the Padres were swept by the ited-capacity crowds are expected 45 rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the at many stadiums, autographs will NL Division Series. remain a no-no. He has quickly become one of Number of MLB games postponed for Other 2020 changes have been the faces of baseball. He stands coronavirus-related reasons last year. put on the bench. The universal All but two were made up. out because of his flair, easy smile, designated hitter is gone, and no blond dreadlocks flowing from SOURCE: Associated Press deal has been reached to reex- under his cap, a uniform dirtied by pand the postseason. Of course, from a peak of nearly 14,000 cases his hard-charging play and his last year’s agreement to fatten the in one day to under 2,000, while dance moves in the dugout after playoff field from 10 to 16 teams Florida went from a high of 19,000 hitting home runs. wasn’t finished until hours before cases to under 8,000. Tatis was literally raised in the the first pitch on opening day, so Still, MLB has adopted extra game at the feet of his father, who there’s precedent for a late spring precautions. The Grape- played 11 seasons in the big change. fruit League schedule was re- leagues. He has dared to chal- Then again, the league and worked to limit travel, and clubs lenge old-school norms — after union have agreed on little lately won’t play exhibitions against lo- hitting his second home run in an — hardly a promising sign with cal colleges — usually a spring sta- 11-9 win in Game 2 of the wild- the collective bargaining agree- ple. Some early games may be card series against the Cardinals, ment set to expire Dec. 1. Expect shortened to five or seven innings, he unleashed an emphatic bat flip. chatter about that this spring, too. and half-innings can be called off A photo of Tatis in that moment is Scheduling figures to remain a before three outs if a pitcher has on the cover of the video game headache. There were 45 games TNS photo thrown at least 20 pitches. MLB The Show ’21. postponed for coronavirus-relat- Detroit Tigers catcher Grayson Greiner stands near a batting cage While many recent changes In August, Tatis caused a stir ed reasons last year, and all but during the first day of spring training Wednesday in Lakeland, Fla. haven’t been wholly popular with when he hit a grand slam on a 3-0 two were made up. fans, the consensus is that all these count with the Padres leading the Players will again be tested 3-4 how draining it is until you’re Spring rosters will be limited to adaptations are baseball’s best Texas Rangers by seven runs. The times per week for COVID-19 and done,” he said. “I think last year 75 players, with minor league chance at normalcy. furor died down and the Padres heavily restricted in what they can was that. It was two months of that camps delayed until the big leagu- “I actually liked both the seven- became the first team in MLB his- do during their time off. Lester, mental grind of the testing, worry- ers leave town for opening day inning doubleheaders and the tory to hit grand slams in four signed by Washington as a free ing about the testing, making sure April 1. For fans accustomed to ex- runner on second,” Oakland man- straight games and five in six agent in January after six seasons you’re doing all the right things.” ploring the backfields, there won’t ager Bob Melvin wrote in a text to games. with the Cubs, compared the ex- And now it’s time to start all be much to see. the AP. Tatis comes from San Pedro de haustion of last year’s protocols to over, beginning soon in Clearwa- The good news for all involved “I was skeptical at first, but they Macorís, Dominican Republic, al- a deep playoff run. ter, Tempe and all the familiar — spread of the virus has slowed both were successful in my opin- so known as the Cradle of Short- “Mentally, you don’t realize camp sites. near camps. Arizona has dropped ion.” stops. Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 45 MLB La Russa feels fortunate to manage White Sox BY ANDREW SELIGMAN “I embrace the challenge, mostly because I love the Associated Press job and I’m excited about the potential of this team.” CHICAGO — Tony La Russa feels fortunate. Tony La Russa The Chicago White Sox gave the Chicago White Sox manager Hall of Famer the opportunity to manage again despite a lengthy public knowledge. and when he found out in the hir- absence from the dugout and La Russa was charged with mis- ing process. stuck with him when news of a demeanor drunken driving in Ari- “My focus is not on rehashing drunken driving arrest broke zona last February after dining something that happened four or shortly after his hiring. with friends from the Los Angeles five months ago,” Hahn said. “It’s At that point, he knew. There Angels. The charges were filed about the excitement we feel as we was no way he was stepping down. Oct. 28, a day before the White Sox get ready to try to win a champion- “Once they knew and they hired him. ship.” wanted to keep me, then I haven’t La Russa alerted chairman Jer- The White Sox made the play- had the first thought that I ry Reinsdorf about the case when offs last year for the first time shouldn’t back off,” he said the team started interviewing him since 2008 at 35-25 and ended a Wednesday. in October and talked to general string of seven losing seasons. La Russa is locked in now, with manager Rick Hahn and execu- The White Sox added starter spring training under way. He is tive vice president Ken Williams Lance Lynn and star closer Liam trying to push the White Sox to- about it “once they found out.” Hendriks to a team that already ward a championship and add an- Hahn would not say when, exact- included AL MVP José Abreu, other ring to the one he earned ly, he became aware. 2019 batting champion Tim An- with Oakland and two in St. Louis. “I’m sure Jerry must have told derson and ace Lucas Giolito. At 76, he is the oldest manager Rick and Kenny,” La Russa said. They’re banking on La Russa to in the majors. He hasn’t filled out a “He and they decided to stay with show he still has the touch to push lineup card since he managed the me.” a team to the top. Cardinals to a World Series cham- But now he’s back in his ele- “There are some legitimate pionship in 2011. ment, leading a team coming off a questions about what I have to of- The White Sox turned a few breakout season. fer, my age and not being cur- heads when they hired him for a Hahn said working with La Rus- rent,” La Russa said. “I embrace Chicago Tribune archive second go-around in October, 34 sa the past few months has him the challenge, mostly because I White Sox manager Tony La Russa in 1983. The Chicago White Sox years after they fired him. And even more excited. And he wasn’t love the job and I’m excited about gave the Hall of Famer the opportunity to manage again despite a that was before his arrest became interested in discussing the arrest the potential of this team.” lengthy absence, hiring him for a second go­around in October. Phillies seek end to 9-year postseason drought

BY ROB MAADDI Right-handers Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler Associated Press and Zach Eflin form a solid trio atop the ro- Joe Girardi held up the Philadelphia Phil- tation. New arms Chase Anderson and Matt lies’ roster on a sheet of paper and made it Moore will compete with veteran Vince Ve- clear improvements in the offseason don’t lasquez and prospect Spencer Howard for matter once players hit the field. the final two spots. “This paper doesn’t The two guys who don’t get starting jobs mean a lot, right? We have should add more depth to a bullpen that’s to go out and prove it and been revamped. Phillies relievers had a guys have to play up to 7.06 ERA in 2020. The team signed Brandon their potential,” Girardi Kintzler, who was Miami’s closer last sea- said during a virtual ses- son, Archie Bradley, who has closer experi- sion with reporters on ence, and lefty Tony Watson to join Hector Wednesday. “And that’s Neris. The Phillies are counting on Jose Al- what spring training is all varado returning to his 2018 form with the Girardi about, getting guys in the Rays, and they’re hoping nonroster pitchers best possible position to go like Neftali Feliz and Hector Rondon can do out and compete starting April 1. And we the same. will work very, very hard at that. But I like “We’ve done a lot to strengthen our pitch- the improvements that we’ve made.” ing and to bring in power arms,” Girardi Pitchers and catchers reported to camp said. “I think it was something that we and the first full team workout is scheduled lacked last year in the back end of our bull- for Monday. The Phillies fell one win short pen and we’ve done a really good job of of qualifying for the expanded postseason ALEX BRANDON/AP bringing those arms in.” last year and haven’t had a winning record The Philadelphia Phillies finalized a $28 million, two­year contract with shortstop Didi After coming close only to fall apart down since they last reached the playoffs in 2011. Gregorius this month. the stretch, Girardi says the team has “a The team suffered its third straight Sep- mindset of determination to complete the tember collapse, going 1-7 in the final eight Phillies also added several veteran reliev- last year, but they’ve really stepped up. And task.” games. Their failure cost general manager ers and starters to try to bolster a bullpen now it’s our job to reward them.” But they’re in a tough NL East featuring Matt Klentak his job. David Dombrowski that was the worst in baseball last season. With Realmuto and Gregorius back, scor- the defending division champion Braves, was hired to run baseball operations and “They’re making a commitment to win- ing shouldn’t be a problem for an offense Mets, Marlins and Nationals. Sam Fuld was promoted to GM. ning and telling the fans we’re going for it,” that finished tied for fifth in runs last sea- “We’re in this to win it, right? That’s why Re-signing two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Girardi said of ownership. “I applaud them son. Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, we’re here,” Girardi said. “So I really be- Realmuto and shortstop Didi Gregorius for that because obviously they had (reve- Rhys Hoskins and Alec Bohm make the li- lieve that we’re going to try to formulate the were their biggest offseason moves. The nue) losses last year. Everybody had losses neup deep top to bottom. best team possible now." PAGE 46 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 NHL/COLLEGE BASKETBALL

AROUND THE NHL Games in Tahoe could mean more picturesque sites

BY JOSH DUBOW Associated Press NHL scoreboard Outdoor games have become the the marquee event of the NHL sea- East Division son ever since the league staged the GP WLOT Pts GF GA first Winter Classic in Buffalo back Boston 14 10 2 2 22 42 30 in 2008. N.Y. Islanders 15 8 4 3 19 38 34 None of the 30 previous outdoor Philadelphia 13 8 3 2 18 46 41 games had quite a setup like this Washington 14 7 4 3 17 50 52 season, when the league will stage Pittsburgh 14 7 6 1 15 44 50 New Jersey 10 5 3 2 12 28 28 two games this weekend on the 18th N.Y. Rangers 14 4 7 3 11 33 39 fairway of a golf course on the Buffalo 12 4 6 2 10 31 38 VASHA HUNT / AP shores of Lake Tahoe, with the Sier- Central Division Alabama forward Herbert Jones, left, moves the ball down the floor against Georgia guard Sahvir Wheeler. ra Nevada Mountains towering in GP WLOT Pts GF GA Jones has added three­point shooting to his already strong defensive and rebounding skills. the background. Florida 14 10 2 2 22 48 43 With the COVID-19 pandemic Chicago 18 9 5 4 22 52 51 preventing the ability of huge Tampa Bay 14 10 3 1 21 54 32 crowds gathering at a stadium, the Carolina 14 10 3 1 21 53 40 league opted for a pair of true out- Columbus 17 7 6 4 18 50 60 Dallas 12 5 3 4 14 40 34 door games in a picturesque setting Jones’ emergence gives Nashville 15 6 9 0 12 36 52 far from any stadium. Detroit 18 4 11 3 11 35 56 If the feedback to the games Sat- West Division urday between Colorado and Ve- GP WLOT Pts GF GA gas and Sunday between Boston Vegas 14 10 3 1 21 43 31 and Philadelphia is as positive as it St. Louis 16 9 5 2 20 52 49 Alabama a decent shot was to the first Winter Classic, the Colorado 13 8 4 1 17 41 27 NHL could look for other dazzling Arizona 15 7 6 2 16 40 42 BY JOHN ZENOR suggested Jones as an option for outdoor venues in the future. Anaheim 16 6 7 3 15 32 42 Associated Press much-needed point guard depth. Los Angeles 14 5 6 3 13 44 44 29.9% “We feel this is something that San Jose 14 6 7 1 13 38 51 erb Jones was drain- Based on his limited film study at will resonate with sports fans,” ing three-pointers — the time, Oats was skeptical. Minnesota 12 6 6 0 12 30 34 Percentage improvement this season NHL chief content officer Steve North Division three in all — during in Herb Jones’ three-point shooting “His defense is unbelievable, Mayer said. “I really believe this is the first half of Alaba- but how he’s playing this year?” he GP WLOT Pts GF GA H compared to his first three seasons going to catch their eye whether ma’s game against Georgia. with Alabama. He’s hitting 52.8% of said. “No, I didn’t see that before I you’re a hockey fan or basketball Toronto 17 12 3 2 26 60 45 For a sharp-shooting team like got here. Now once we started Montreal 15 9 4 2 20 52 39 his three-point attempts. fan or football fan, this is something the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide, practicing that summer, then I Edmonton 18 10 8 0 20 63 60 SOURCE: Associated Press you’re going to tune into. If we do Winnipeg 16 9 6 1 19 55 46 that might not seem notable. Then could start to see it a little bit. I get a great response, I think at the Calgary 16 8 7 1 17 45 45 again, Jones made only one three game. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound se- thought he was going to be dyna- league office we’ll talk about what Vancouver 20 8 11 1 17 62 72 all of last season. nior also is tops on the team in as- mite, like an all-league player. Ottawa 18 4 13 1 9 41 71 the future of games in crazy, beau- Jones is no longer mostly just a sists, steals and blocked shots. Then he just couldn’t stay healthy tiful, wonderful landmark places Wednesday’s games rebounder and defensive stopper, He is coming off a career-best his junior year.” happens to be as we look to the fu- Florida 4, Carolina 3, OT like Alabama is no longer just a 21-point game against the Bull- The left-hander injured his left Chicago 2, Detroit 0 ture.” Vancouver 5, Calgary 1 middle-of-the-pack team in the dogs. elbow in the season opener. Then Edmonton 3, Winnipeg 2 Toronto 2, Ottawa 1 Southeastern Conference. The John Petty Jr. gets more atten- he fractured his left wrist, missing Doc-umentary mutual transformation is hardly tion as one of the SEC’s top shoo- three games and playing the rest Part of NBC’s Sunday broadcast Thursday’s games coincidental. ters. Jahvon Quinerly and Josh of the season in a cast. Buffalo at Washington will be a documentary about re- N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh “I still go out and try to do my Primo are former five-star pro- Upon his return, Jones played tired play-by-play announcer Mike N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia job on the defensive end,” Jones spects and Jaden Shackelford is only seven minutes against Au- Nashville at Columbus Emrick. “Doc Emrick — The Voice New Jersey at Boston said. “I don’t too much worry the team’s leading scorer. burn as a defensive specialist, but Ottawa at Toronto of Hockey” will air before the San Jose at St. Louis about the offense, really. I just try But nobody on the Tide’s best his impact persuaded Oats to play Bruins-Flyers game and include 20 Tampa Bay at Dallas, ppd to get open shots for my team- team in years fills up a stat sheet him more, even essentially one- Los Angeles at Arizona current and former players and Minnesota at Anaheim mates and create for my team- like Jones. He has added scoring handed. Jones responded with 17 broadcasters sharing their mates. If it’s my time to score, I to his repertoire even while deal- rebounds against LSU in his next Friday’s games thoughts on “Doc.” Chicago at Carolina take that opportunity and score.” ing with a lower back injury that outing, making two key free Emrick hasn’t seen it and doesn’t Florida at Detroit Even if that means shooting the has limited practice time. throws (one-handed, of course) Edmonton at Calgary want to know anything about it un- Winnipeg at Vancouver occasional three-pointer. Jones One thing hasn’t changed: late in the game. til it airs. He and wife Joyce are has made 19 of 36 threes, a 52.8% Jones’ defense. Now that Jones is healthier, Saturday’s games “just going to watch it like everybo- Buffalo at New Jersey clip. He doesn’t have to elaborate “I think he’s the best defensive Oats is hoping his versatile player dy else.” N.Y. Rangers at Washington on the dramatic improvement in player in the country,” Alabama can attain at least one more indi- Vegas vs. Colorado at Edgewood Ta- “It’s like a present,” Emrick said. hoe Resort that regard. guard Keon Ellis said. “He just vidual milestone. “They’re doing a really nice thing Florida at Detroit “Everyone can see it,” Jones does so much. He can guard from 1 “I’d still love to see him get a tri- Chicago at Carolina for me. And I would rather not ask a Los Angeles at Arizona said. through 5s (positions). Just seeing ple-double,” the Tide coach said. N.Y. Islanders at Pittsburgh lot of questions about, well, what Nashville at Columbus In his first three seasons, he that alone, he sets the standard for “I think he’s that good of a player are you getting me for Christmas?” San Jose at St. Louis made 14 shots from beyond the our defense. He’s always talking. and I think he should get one. As- Toronto at Montreal Tampa Bay at Dallas arc, hitting on a paltry 22.9% of his He knows what spot everyone’s sists, rebounds, deflections, steals, Game of the week Minnesota at Anaheim Calgary at Edmonton attempts. Last season, when he supposed to be in, and he’s always blocks. The Toronto Maple Leafs visit had elbow and wrist injuries, helping our guys. I think he just “Even when he’s not doing any- the Montreal Canadiens on Satur- Sunday’s games Jones was just 1-for-14. motivates everyone to play better thing that shows up on a stat sheet, Philadelphia vs. Boston at Edgewood day for the fourth meeting of the Tahoe Resort He is averaging 11.9 points, eas- on defense.” he’s just kind of mucking things up season between the top two teams Montreal at Ottawa ily a career best, this season and a After coach Nate Oats had just for the other team’s offense. He’s New Jersey at Washington in the North Division. Winnipeg at Vancouver team-leading 5.9 rebounds per taken over the program, a staffer so valuable to have out there.” Friday, February 19, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 47 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Djokovic adds to perfect mark Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia — No- Scoreboard vak Djokovic had a perfect record in Australian Open semifinals, and Thursday he was playing almost flawless ten- At Melbourne Park Melbourne, Australia nis to protect it. Purse: AUD32,790,000 It didn’t matter that across the Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Men’s Singles net was Aslan Karatsev, a 114th- Semifinals ranked, 27-year-old Russian who Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Aslan Karatsev, Russia, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. had come through qualifying to Women’s Singles Semifinals make his debut in a Grand Slam Naomi Osaka (3), Japan, def. Serena Wil- tournament after nine failed at- liams (10), United States, 6-3, 6-4. Jennifer Brady (22), United States, def. tempts. Karolina Muchova (25), Czech Republic, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Djokovic made only one un- Men’s Doubles forced error in more than 50 min- Semifinals Ivan Dodig, Croatia, and Filip Polasek (9), utes. Slovakia, def. Nikola Mektic and Mate Pav- ic (2), Croatia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. It was tight for the first seven Mixed Doubles games — before Djokovic reeled Quarterfinals Matthew Ebden and Sam Stosur, Austra- off eight straight points to win the lia, def. Hayley Carter, United States, and first set — and again when Karat- Sander Gille, Belgium, 6-3, 6-2. Desirae Krawczyk, United States, and sev went on an all-or-nothing roll Joe Salisbury, Britain, def. Andreja Klepac, ANDY BROWNBILL / AP Slovenia, and Neal Skupski, Britain, 6-3, late in the second set. 6-4. Japan’s Naomi Osaka, left, is congratulated by the United States’ Serena Williams after winning their Sensing a shift in support for the Mixed Doubles Semifinals semifinal match Thursday at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. underdog — there was a loud, vocal Rajeev Ram, United States, and Barbora crowd at Rod Laver Arena after a Krejcikova (6), Czech Republic, def. Storm Sanders and Marc Polmans, Australia, 6-3, five-day span when fans were 6-3. barred during a local COVID-19 outbreak — Djokovic moved up a gear and finished off his opponent gap to Roger Federer and Nadal, Serena stopped: Osaka 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. who share the men’s record at 20. He’s now 9-0 in semifinals at the The 33-year-old Serb also is aim- season-opening major, and one ing to be only the second man to win win from a ninth Australian title. nine or more titles at one of the four “The more I win, the better I feel Grand Slams. Nadal has 13 at Ro- tops Williams in semis coming back,” the top-ranked Djo- land Garros. Djokovic, in Austra- kovic said. “The love affair contin- lia, and Federer, with eight at Wim- Associated Press job done in order to add one more ues.” bledon, currently share second MELBOURNE, Australia — As Grand Slam trophy to her collec- Djokovic will have a day off Fri- place. Serena Williams walked off the tion of 23 and equal Margaret day when No. 4 Daniil Medvedev “Recovery is the priority right court after her latest so-close-yet- Court for the most in tennis histo- and No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is now,” Djokovic said. “I’ve had so-far bid for a 24th Grand Slam ti- ry. coming off a five-set win over Ra- enough match play, enough prac- tle ended with a loss to Naomi Osa- Osaka, who also beat Williams fael Nadal, meet in the other semi- tice. ka at the Australian Open, the 39- in the chaotic 2018 U.S. Open final final. He said he’d have a rest and “Right now it’s just gathering all year-old American paused and that concluded with the crowd get the popcorn ready to watch and the necessary energy for the most put her hand on her chest while booing and both women in tears, see who he gets to face in Sunday’s important match of the Australian thousands of spectators rose to ap- reached her fourth major title final. Open.” plaud. match and stretched her winning Given his past success in Mel- After the win, Djokovic said Kar- Was this, Williams was asked at streak to 20 matches by claiming bourne, Djokovic should feel confi- atsev deserved plenty of praise for a news conference after the 6-3, the last eight points. dent going into another champion- his amazing major breakthrough. 6-4 semifinal defeat, her way of “I don’t know if there’s any little ship match. He already owns an Karatsev will move into the Top 50 saying goodbye? kids out here today, but I was a lit- all-time record eight Australian ti- for the first time next week, mean- “If I ever say farewell,” she re- tle kid watching her play,” Osaka, tles, and he’s aiming for an 18th ma- ing he won’t have to go through plied with a smile, “I wouldn’t tell 23, said about Williams, “and just jor title, which would reduce the qualifying for the majors. anyone.” to be on the court playing against When the next question return- HAMISH BLAIR / AP her, for me, is a dream.” ed the conversation to the subject The United States’ Jennifer The No. 3-seeded Osaka’s of Williams’ many mistakes Brady reacts to beating the Grand Slam collection also in- Thursday — twice as many un- Czech Republic’s Karolina cludes last year’s U.S. Open and forced errors, 24, as winners, 12 — Muchova in the semifinals. Brady the 2019 Australian Open and she she shook her head, teared up, will play in her first Grand Slam is, without a doubt, the most dan- said, “I’m done,” and abruptly final on Saturday against Osaka. gerous hard-court player in the walked out of the session with re- women’s game at the moment. porters. fifth match point when Muchova That used to be Williams, of On Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. local sent a forehand long. course. But she was off-target too time, Osaka will meet first-time “My legs are shaking,” Brady much in this contest. Grand Slam finalist Jennifer Bra- said. “My heart is racing.” “I could have won. I could have dy of the United States for the She lost to Osaka in a three-set been up 5-Love,” said Williams, championship. The 22nd-seeded thriller in the U.S. Open semifi- who instead took a 2-0 lead at the Brady, who is from Pennsylvania nals last September. outset before dropping the next and played college tennis at “Everyone’s just really excited five games. “I just made so many UCLA, prevailed in an epic, 18- whenever they play their first fi- errors.” point last game to edge No. 25 Ka- nal,” Osaka noted about what Her forehand, in particular, rolina Muchova 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in the awaits Brady, “but they’re also re- went awry, with no fewer than 10 semifinals. ally nervous.” unforced errors off that side in the ANDY BROWNBILL / AP Brady dropped to her back at Williams was hoping to get to first set alone. Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning the second set the baseline after saving a trio of her 34th Grand Slam final but, “Too many mistakes there,” she against Russia's Aslan Karatsev during their semifinal match Thursday break points, then converting her once again, couldn’t quite get the said. “Easy mistakes.” at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. PAGE 48 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, February 19, 2021 Serena stopped SPORTS Osaka advances to Australian Open final with win over Williams ›› Tennis, Page 47

MLB New spring, same protocols

Baseball set to undertake full season using lessons learned during last year’s abbreviated 60-game slate

BY JAKE SEINER vish, hoping to push the upstart San Diego Associated Press Padres over the top. Still in their way, the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodg- ompleting the 2020 season re- ers, who upgraded with NL Cy Young quired MLB to rewrite its rule Award winner Trevor Bauer. Francisco book. Stadiums were emptied, Lindor is a Met, Nolan Arenado a Cardinal, schedules rewritten. Some and George Springer and Marcus Semien players opted out. The ones have joined up with the Blue Jays. tChat didn’t spat into COVID-19 testing cups This season, though, promises to again be until their mouths went dry. defined by the pandemic. “When it was all said and done, you kind Offers by MLB to delay opening day were of look back and go, ‘God, that was the long- rejected by the players’ association last est 60 games I’ve ever been a part of,’ ” vet- month, defaulting the league into an on- eran pitcher Jon Lester said last month. time start. Well, to borrow from another Chicago Baseball will again use seven-inning dou- Cubs favorite: bleheaders and runners on second base to Let’s play 162! start extra innings — experiments intro- Against the backdrop of a still dangerous duced during last year’s condensed regular coronavirus pandemic, pitchers and catch- season to ease the burden on pitchers amid ers are reporting to spring training this a flood of postponements prompted by posi- week, the first step in a 2021 season that will tive tests and contact tracing. take many of the complexities from 2020’s Sunflower seeds are still outlawed, and TNS photos 60-game sprint and stretch them over an high-fives frowned upon, too. Although lim- Top: Detroit Tigers pitchers Casey Mize and Matthew Boyd warm up on Wednesday, additional four months. the first day catchers and pitchers reported to spring training in Lakeland, Fla. Above: Sure, there’s the usual buzz over players Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse and medical staff load equipment onto trucks bound for with new homes. Blake Snell and Yu Dar- SEE PROTOCOLS ON PAGE 44 spring training in Port Charlotte on Wednesday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Source: Eagles send QB Wentz to Colts ›› NFL, Page 43