Harvey, Illinois is a primarily African-American south suburb of Chicago.  In the 1800's it housed an orphanage for African-American children.  In the past it was known for having some of the best places to eat in the Chicagoland area.  Places like Anello's Pizza, City BBQ, George's BBQ, Gino's Steakhouse  and Jean's Bakery.  Sadly, today it is known mostly for crime and poverty; but there is something else -- if you look deeper.

This small city of roughly 25,000 has provided gems for the rest of the world to share in for decades.  A bounty of sport, movies, music and culture!  Harvey gave the world the R&B greats:  The Dells (I was married to the daughter of a Dells member).  Harvey also produced baseball hall of famer Lou Boudreau and comic legend Tom Dreesen; as well as actors Michael Boatman and Danitra Vance.  In the arena of politics Harvey elected its first Black Mayor in the 1980's, David N. Johnson, who went on to work for African-American empowerment in the region.  The city's high school, Thornton Township High School, is known -- with good reason -- as NFL High!  Napoleon Harris (NFL), Barry Gardner (NFL), Antwaan Randle El (NFL), Melvin Ely (NBA), Rod Higgins (NBA) and many more notables.

Just on one block -- 155th & Vine -- we had Grammy Award Winning Music Producer Maurice Joshua, Comedian & Actor Aubrey Fourte, Actor & Producer Mark Fourte, Ph.D & Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force Officer Anthony Thompson, at least three others who went on to get Doctorates, and myself all growing up together.  Oh, and just around the corner was Lamar McGriggs, NFL defensive back; while Grammy Award Winning Music Producer Hula Mahone was in walking distance.

Yes there is crime and poverty in Harvey, but there is also a drive to achieve and overcome!

I'd like to first congratulate the Chicago Cubs on a great season!  A great regular season with awesome young talent for the future, two of the better pitchers in game to build a pitching staff with, the perfect manager and a proven front office.

Now let's move on to the Chicago white sox.  Their fans have shown jubilation at the Cubs losing in the NLCS...but I didn't see the sox in the ALCS.  They weren't in the ALDS, or the wildcard game -- and didn't come close to sniffing the playoffs.  sox fans often point to 2005, when they won a World Series.  Let's deal with this for a moment:

Firstly, it's not as if the Cubs have never won.  Yes it's been a long time -- Cubs won it over a hundred years ago and the sox did it 10 ago --  but the Cubs have won! It's all a matter of time and perspective, but the deed has been done.  Secondly, even when the sox won the World Series in 2005, they couldn't outdraw the Chicago Cubs in attendance.  The Cubs beat the sox attendance figures by an average of roughly 10,000 fans per game.  That says a lot!  Even when the sox come in first -- they still come in second in Chicago.  When the sox won, Chicagoans still weren't racing to see them! A losing Cubs' team still outdraws a winning sox team -- point made!

The sox have always been the second team in Chicago, and will continue to fill that space.  Looking at the current team makeup, the sox don't compare with the Cubs (who still haven't brought all of their talent up from the minors).  The sox have a penny-pinching owner, while the Cubs have a spender.  The white sox front office seems to be confused on how to better the team, while the Cubs' front office has a clear - WORKING -- plan.  The white sox U.S. Cellular field has no character, and doesn't come close to comparing to old Wrigley Field -- which is one of the best parks in MLB.  Finally, the Cubs are poised for a bright future full of playoff appearances, while the sox would be better off with a demotion to minor league baseball.  And, if they were demoted, Chicago wouldn't miss them! 

sox fans shout loudly while signifying nothing. It's sorta like telling yourself "I'm the greatest" in a mirror, when in reality you're nowhere near that status.  Pumping yourself up with fantasy, just to be deflated by reality.  Get as loud as you want southside minor leaguers, but Chicago's team is still the Chicago Cubs!  GO CUBS!

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Soldiers deal with a lot in combat.  Besides dodging bullets soldiers routinely carry packs weighing upwards of 80 pounds on missions.  The U.S. military is working to change all of that.  The answer:  TALOS!

TALOS -- Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit -- is expected to be a game-changer for the soldier on the battlefield.  If you've seen the movies "Iron Man" or "T2: Terminator 2" you might have an idea of what the future holds.  TALOS won't provide flight, but it will create near super soldiers!  The battery powered exoskeleton will provide strength and endurance for load carrying; while using liquid metal to give superior ballistic protection.  The suit will also monitor vitals, and will aid soldiers with their situational awareness through in-helmet technologies.  The program is on track to deliver a first-generation suit by August 2018.

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