NCHS Wins Tournament With Last Shot

BLOOMINGTON — Normal Community and Rock Island each had potential game-winning shots go in Tuesday night.

Rock Island’s didn’t stay in.

Jason Jones’ contested perimeter shot went deep inside the cylinder at Shirk Center, rattled around and popped out at the buzzer.

That meant Alex Peacock’s impromptu coast-to-coast drive and layup a few seconds earlier stood up as the difference in a 55-54 NCHS victory for the State Farm Holiday Classic large school bracket championship.

“When he (Jones) shot it I didn’t think it had a chance, but as the ball got closer to the rim it looked a lot better,” NCHS coach Dave Witzig said. “We’re thankful the ball bounced away.”

A 3-pointer by Jones put second-seeded Rock Island (12-2) ahead for the first time at 54-53 with 13.8 seconds left. Following a timeout, the 6-foot-7 Peacock took the inbounds pass and began driving up the court.

“We were going to get it in and run a play. But I saw that nobody was guarding me so I knew what coach always tells me to do … take it right to the basket and see what happens,” Peacock said.

“They were backed off really far. I felt like a little point guard just taking it all the way to the hole.”

Peacock drove into the lane and banked in a layup over two defenders with 5.6 seconds to go. After a Rock Island timeout, Jones nearly hit his shot with two defenders in his face.

“It looked good and it went halfway down and my heart just sunk,” Peacock said.

“I thought it looked good and obviously it was the guy who had the hot hand,” Rocks’ coach Thom Sigel said of Jones, who scored 11 of his 18 points in the second half. “Sometimes that basket looks a little bigger, but I guess it wasn’t quite big enough.”

Peacock’s drive gave him a game-high 19 points, including a conventional three-point play with 1:34 left after Rock Island cut a 45-35 deficit to 48-47.

His final basket provided the top-seeded Ironmen (11-0) with their third one-point win over the Rocks in the past year.

“We wanted to attack the basket,” Witzig said. “That wasn’t exactly the play we had, but that’s just a senior making a big play in a big moment.”

Sigel said he would have preferred to foul Peacock once he got into the lane.

“It was a challenged layup, but I’d like to have seen him earn it at the line,” Sigel said. “We kind of backed off. But credit them for making it.”

NCHS led 12-2 early and 12-5 after one quarter. The Rocks pulled to within 19-15 at the half before both teams heated up in the third quarter. Rock Island sank 8 of 11 from the field and NCHS 9 of 12.

“No disrespect to Normal because they have a great team, but it took us a while to wake up,” Sigel said. “We were sleepwalking. We weren’t real focused and you can’t do that against a real good team.”

Montana State recruit Tyler Hall added 12 points for Rock Island.

Peacock grabbed 11 rebounds to go with his 19 points, while 6-8 Elon recruit Tyler Seibring had 17 points and nine rebounds. They helped NCHS earn its fifth Classic title and first since 2011.

Hall, Peacock and Seibring were joined on the all-tournament team by Peter Hanley of Peoria Notre Dame, Oliver Stephen of Edwardsville and Kaliph Fagan of Thornwood.

2015 Goals

Reflecting in an earlier post, I wondered if 2015 could revive the mystic memories of college years by appealing to ISU Bone Scholar criteria of "broad and excellent achievement," "community engagement," "outstanding qualities of character and leadership," "dependability, cooperation, initiative." So this year's list reads a notch more ambitiously than previous ones, including tried and true goals and some new ones deserving comment:

Physical Health

- Exercise/stretch 5+ days per week

- Body fat 14%

- Healthy knee

- Fruits/vegetables 5+ days per week

- Increased use of sunscreen and other skin care products

The first three carry over from last year. The last two tilt toward a new level of exterior health by recognizing the most widely-recommended health tips that have been overlooked.

Financial Health

- Expenses below 2014 levels

- Improved tutoring records

The absence of financial goals last year might have contributed to record-high expenses. I should be able to hit these marks fairly easily with attention.

Community Engagement

- Volunteer for a new organization

- Develop and execute a marketing plan for tutoring

I anticipate tutoring fewer hours personally as I pursue other hobbies like theater. But could I develop a network of other tutors, or find more success in the college market?

Personal Character And Leadership

- Blog thanks weekly

- Make 10 new acquaintances, including a mentoring relationship

- Lead condominium association projects, such as new driveway

- Arrive early/discipline

"Arrive early" to places seems simple, but I believe it could have as great a ripple effect as any of these other goals. In order to excel, one must first be present. It's time to turn my eyes back toward the front of the class.

10 Things To Look For In A Great Mentor

By Joel Peterson:

Every young person needs a mentor. If they don't find one in parents, coaches or teachers, they’ll emulate movie stars, athletes or rock musicians.

As a kid growing up in Michigan, my idol was Al Kaline, the Detroit Tiger’s Hall of Fame right fielder. I was such an avid Al Kaline fan that I only ate New Era-brand potato chips because its manufacturer advertised that they were “on the alkaline side.” That was enough for me.

One night after a Detroit Tigers’ game, I begged my dad to stay so I could get autographs from Tigers players. First, I was spurned by outfielder Rocky Colavito, but my hopes rose again when I spotted first-baseman and slugger Norm Cash coming out of the locker room. Like Colavito, he brushed me off. One after another, the exhausted players rushed past us adoring kids without stopping to say a word.

So when I finally spotted Al Kaline, my 13-year-old heart skipped a beat. Would number 6 ignore me, too? Was he aware I knew all of his stats, his life story, his current batting and fielding averages? A dismissal by Al Kaline would have crushed a kid whose very potato chip preference depended on alkalinity.

He must have known, because he stopped to sign. For an inconsequential young teen, this was a perfect night. And it’s one I’ve never forgotten. The only other Tiger who stopped to give me his autograph that night was Jim Bunning, also a Hall of Fame player – and later a US Senator. To this day, I have these two autographs, along with a special memory of two guys out of three dozen who took a few seconds for an excited kid (and his patient dad) who had waited outside a locker room for an hour before an 80-mile drive home.

This hardly makes them mentors, but it does capture some of the elements of good mentors: They’re accessible. They take time. They lead by example. They communicate. They are respected by others, and they show respect.

For most young people starting a career and seeking a mentor, the right equation includes a version of what I experienced on a muggy night in 1960. Young professionals need someone to pattern themselves after – a trusted adviser, a supporter, a person who can lend experience. Since finding a great mentor is one of the best ways to enhance your own future, I recommend the following:

1. Let it happen. Don’t ask someone to be your mentor. The best ones are already taken. They’re buried with requests. So just watch them, take mental notes, follow their examples. And if someone naturally takes a special interest in you, you’ve found gold. Cherish it as a life-changing gift.
2. Focus on integrity. Choose someone to pattern yourself after who has impeccable integrity. Then watch how they manage challenging situations, tough conversations and setbacks.
3. Pick someone who shares your values. Values are a person's “default positions” when no one is watching. They’re usually most evident in how we spend our time, our money and our mental energy. They’re hard to change, so pick someone who naturally overlaps with you.
4. Find a “teacher.” Look for someone who enjoys sharing knowledge and is delighted to impart skills, contacts and expertise – not someone who hoards them as a way to maintain power.
5. Look for a listener. Many people listen only to gather their own thoughts and to prepare their own reactions. Great mentors tend to be people who listen to understand. They ask follow-up questions and they make sure they’ve understood before they react.
6. Seek someone with a network. Networks take a lifetime to build. And if you’ve found a mentor who has adopted your career interests as his or her own, you’ll be introduced to a world of contacts it would otherwise take you years to develop. If you’re given the gift of a warm introduction, don’t blow it – respect the gift. (A consultant once told a mentee of mine that he was in a position to take over from me because he now shared my most-valuable investment contacts. If you’re a mentee, fire this type of consultant!)
7. Find a leader who cares about others. Look for mentors who take joy in the success of others and want them to get ahead. Self-absorbed people never make good mentors (beyond observable narrow skills).
8. Choose an optimist. They tend to get more done, have deeper relationships and be more reliable when the going gets tough. Plus, optimists tend to be cheerleaders – a key trait in finding the perfect mentor. If you find one of these, it’ll remind you of your mom – the one person in the world who believed in you during your darkest moments.
9. Don’t be put off by straight talk. Look for someone who’ll give you feedback. If you buy the idea that feedback is the breakfast of champions, your best mentors will be the people who pull you aside and tell you what you need to hear – even when you don’t want to hear it. (I recall a business coach who pulled me aside after what I thought had been a brilliant performance, to say simply “You talked too much.” That was it! And he was right.)
10. Pick respect over love. Lean toward finding someone to follow whom others admire and respect. Sometimes, these are not the most popular people, but there’s usually a reason for universal admiration and respect. Figure out what it is in your potential mentor and pattern yourself after the quality that generates such respect.

My first business mentor was Trammell Crow, who taught me most of the lessons upon which I’ve relied during my 42 years in business. But you don’t need a formal mentor to serve as your river guide, confidant or advisor. If you don’t find a flesh-and-blood mentor, grab one from history.

From history, I’ve chosen Winston Churchill as my mentor, admiring how fearless he was in a fearsome time, and how he wasn’t shaken when rejected by colleagues. In the end, others turned to him when the chips were down. I’ve aspired to a tiny reflection of this for my own legacy. Needing to overcome reversals in my life, I’ve also chosen Abraham Lincoln as a mentor.

If you’re lucky enough to find one, whether in real time or in history, pay it forward by becoming one for others.

Obama Replaces Costly High-Speed Rail Plan With High-Speed Bus Plan

Tom Brady Defers Pay To Help Team

Wouldn't it be great if stars deferring money became a trend? By Adam Schefter, ESPN:

------------------------

In a deal turned into the NFL office Monday, quarterback Tom Brady restructured his contract to give the New England Patriots $24 million more in cash to spend this offseason, according to league sources.

Under the new deal, Brady changed the $24 million in "skill" guarantee to only "injury" guarantee, meaning that Brady now would get the guaranteed money only if he was injured.

Brady also now can be released by the Patriots without any liability, but he then would become an unrestricted free agent, free to command the type of guaranteed money he has agreed to surrender.

Brady will receive a $1 million bump in each of the three remaining years of the deal. His base salaries will now be $8 million in 2016, $9 million in 2016 and $10 million in 2018.

The move frees up cash for the Patriots to use on other players. New England needs the cash to help re-sign some of its own free agents, including cornerback Darrelle Revis, safety Devin McCourty, tackle Nate Solder and running back Shane Vereen.

9-0 NCHS Ironmen Roll To Tournament Quarterfinal

BLOOMINGTON — There was an Alex Peacock dunk and some swished 3-pointers from Tyler Seibring. Yet, the biggest crowd pleaser late Saturday night for Normal Community High School was a scramble for a loose ball in the second quarter.

Seemingly everyone on the court dived to the Shirk Center floor in pursuit of the basketball. NCHS came away with it, another sign the top-seeded Ironmen would not be denied in a 64-39 victory over No. 8 seed Rockton Hononegah in a State Farm Holiday Classic large school boys quarterfinal.

The 6-foot-8 Seibring scored 25 points and the 6-7 Peacock added 13 to lead NCHS (9-0) into a 6 p.m. semifinal Monday at Shirk Center against fifth-seeded Edwardsville.

The Ironmen outscored Hononegah 8-0 in the final 3:35 of the second quarter to take a 24-14 halftime lead. Seibring then scored 12 straight points during a 21-13 third quarter that broke it open.

NCHS’ defense forced six Hononegah turnovers in the pivotal second quarter. The Indians had only five field goal attempts in the period, making two.

“They’re the kind of team that you can’t let them run an offense because if they get wide open shots they’re going to knock them down,” NCHS coach Dave Witzig said. “I thought Duane Farrington and David Boyd did a great job on their shooters. They didn’t have an easy time getting good looks.

“We got on the ground for loose balls. We were able to tip them out for some easy layups.”

Witzig said of the scramble, “When you have guys hustling like that, it just kind of sparks everybody. And then Ty got hot in the second half.”

Seibring, an Elon recruit, was 4 of 5 from the field in the third quarter and 2 of 2 from 3-point range.

“They were crashing down hard and Alex Peacock did a great job of kicking it out and all the guards did a great job of kicking it out,” Seibring said.

Six-seven junior Ethan Pogge added eight points for the Ironmen, while Hononegah was led by 6-7 sophomore Max Miller’s eight points.

2014 Goals Review

It's been another blessed year filled with happiness and accomplishment. The final wrap-up:

Exercise/Stretch 5+ Days a Week, Body Fat 14%

Thanks to the close of the semester I've been back at six days of weekly exercises. The body's behaved all month long, even after an afternoon of flag football. I'm running three miles several times a week on the treadmill at about an 8:30 pace, plus regular weight lifting for the hips, glutes, back and shoulders. The body fat's under 14% according to the meter.

Healthy Knee

My hip strength is rising which has helped alleviate some pressure on the knee, but a call to Dena's knee doctor is still in order. After curing three ailing body parts in 2014 (elbow, teeth, eye), this shorter list will be appealing in the new year.

Tutor 700 Hours

Thanks to a couple of 40+ hour weeks, including a record 13-hour day, I blew past 700 and landed on 753 for the year. After starting the year with an 800-hour goal and post-summer adjustment down to 700, splitting the difference is perfectly fine.

Blog Thanks Weekly

Nailed this goal again! In all I did over 60 posts simply about gratitude this year, and I'm sure that life's been more radiant because of it.

Volunteer For A New Organization

This one will have to be re-upped for 2015. LMC is offering several volunteer opportunities next year and I could capitalize on that.

Clean House

This goal is met. The basement's fixed, wardrobe updated, carport lighting & driveway projects under way.

6 Science-Backed Ways To Stay Young

By Amy Rushlow:

In the recently released trailer for “The Age of Adeline,” actress Blake Lively gets into a magical car accident in the year 1935 and never ages another day. She may look a youthful, radiant 29 years old forever — but it comes at a cost to her relationships and love life. 

While the film is obviously fiction, there are scientifically backed actions you can take to fight aging and stay looking and feeling young. Try these strategies to slow the clock.

1. Consider sunscreen as important as brushing your teeth.

Sun exposure accounts for about 80 percent of visible signs of aging on the face, according to a 2013 study. The same study also found that people in their 40s who spend a lot of time in the sun look about five years older than shade-seekers, as judged by a panel of 30 impartial research volunteers.

The sun’s damaging UVA (ultraviolet A) rays lead to fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, and dilated pores, explains New-York based dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD. UVA rays account for about 95 percent of the radiation that hits the Earth’s surface, according to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, which is why wearing sunscreen daily is so important. Even the UVA rays that come in through your car or office window, as well as UVA rays you’re exposed to cumulatively over the years, “can do a lot of damage to the skin and tremendously increase the rate at which you age,” Bowe tells Yahoo Health. 

Applying sunscreen to your face once a day in the morning is sufficient in the winter months and if you work indoors, Bowe says. But whenever you’re outdoors, even in the shade, be sure to cover any exposed skin with SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, and reapply every two hours. Look for a product that says it has broad-spectrum protection, which means it guards against both UVA and UVB rays, Bowe recommends.

The tops of your hands — a hot spot for skin cancer — need extra attention, Bowe adds. Since we wash them regularly, which cleans off the SPF, she suggest applying sunscreen to your hands in the morning and at least once again in the middle of the day. 

Blake Lively on set in Vancouver while filming “The Age of Adeline,” where she portrays a woman who remains 29 forever. (R Chiang/Splash News/Corbis)

2. Think and act young.

Neuropsychologist Mario E. Martinez, PhD, founder of the Biocognitive Science Institute and author of “The Mind-Body Code,” has spent most of his life studying people who thrive in old age. He is fascinated by what separates healthy centenarians from people who don’t age as well, and has researched the topic across numerous cultures and socioeconomic classes worldwide.

What he’s found: For people who look significantly younger than their age, “the main factor that separates them from people who look significantly older is that the people who look younger believe that middle age starts 15 years later.” They also have a certain pattern of beliefs and behaviors, including forgiving easily, using enjoyable rituals to buffer stress, and continuing to learn new skills.

And when it comes to aging well, continuing to do some form of work seems to be preferable to a retirement of idle leisure. In fact, a University of Maryland study discovered that people who work part-time after they retire have fewer chronic diseases and physical limitations. And recent French research shows that people who retire earlier have an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Get enough sleep.

Florence Comite, MD, a leader in the field of personalized medicine, says that adequate sleep is “by far and away the number one thing that trumps everything else” when it comes to healthy aging. “We live in a society where it’s common to burn the candles at both ends, and we think it’s perfectly fine to have five or six hours of sleep and that’s enough,” she tells Yahoo Health. “But sleep is critical for health.” Sleep deprivation is associated with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and other conditions.

While we snooze, the immune system activates and the body restores its hormonal balance, Comite explains. “You’re in effect healed from the damages of the day,” she says. 

People who sleep fewer than five or six hours a night also tend to age faster, research shows. In one study, older men who slept five hours per night or less had shorter telomeres (sections of DNA that indicate cellular aging) than men who snoozed for seven or more hours nightly. (Shorter telomeres are associated with accelerated aging.) Another study found that middle-aged women who averaged six or less hours of shut-eye had shorter telomeres than longer sleepers. The changes were the equivalent of being nine years older than their biological age.

4. Brighten your skin with science-backed products.

Free radicals are like tiny little missiles that damage the collagen and elastin that keep your skin firm and smooth, Bowe explains. UV rays, pollution, and cigarette smoke are the main sources of free radical damage to the skin. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, so Bowe recommends applying a skin serum with antioxidants underneath your sunscreen in the morning and again before bed.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3), kojic acid, and vitamin C are other compounds added to some skin serums and lotions that have been shown to reduce dark spots and even out skin tone. “If you incorporate them into your skin routine over time, they can make your skin look lighter and brighter,” Bowe says.

5. Eat enough …

A number of studies in various animal species have shown that reducing calories to near-starvation levels increases lifespan. In a landmark study in the 1930s, mice fed half the normal amount of calories lived 50 percent longer, says Gil Blander, PhD, a researcher on the biology of aging formerly with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who is currently the chief science officer of InsideTracker. The findings have inspired some people to try the strategy, following programs such as The Longevity Diet, in an attempt to live longer.

The catch: The approach is far from proven. Research studies on long-term calorie-restricted diets in monkeys have shown wildly conflicting results. A study on normal-weight humans following a calorie-restricted diet for two years, which will assess factors related to longevity, is currently underway. 

6. … But not too much

“The most scientifically proven way to live longer and feel younger is to maintain a healthy body weight,” says weight-loss specialist Charlie Seltzer, MD. “This may seem simple, but no amount of antioxidants or vitamins or a super low-calorie diet will make up for carrying extra weight, especially around your belly.”

People who are overweight in middle age live an average of three fewer years than those at a healthy weight, according to a large study that has been tracking a group of American adults since 1948. And obesity shortens lifespan by a full six to seven years. “The effect of overweight and obesity in adulthood on life expectancy and premature death is striking,” the study authors write.

Obesity is closely related to heart disease and diabetes, which explains part of the decrease in lifespan. But new research is showing that extra fat itself may have destructive effects on the body. For example, a study released in November from Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered evidence of heart muscle damage even among people without heart disease, and even when researchers accounted for risk factors like high blood pressure.

400% Business Growth: Adam White, Running Central

Thanks to Dona for the tip. This local couple's apparel business has mushroomed. How? They'll tell you.

Reviving That Walker Hall Spirit

As the new year of promise approaches, it's worth reflecting on the past.

My four college years spent living in Illinois State University's Walker Hall two decades ago may have been the most successful. Dissatisfied with underachievement, and buoyed by almost naive idealism, I doggedly chased and realized my first serious goal, the Bone Scholarship:

Bone Scholars are students who combine broad and excellent academic achievement with campus and community engagement. They are expected to have shown outstanding qualities of character and leadership. A twelve-member Bone Selection Committee carefully reviews the submitted applications and makes awards based on the following considerations:

• The breadth, diversity, and quality of candidates’ academic work;
• The type and extent of activities in which candidates have been involved, both in the university and the community;
• Candidates' personal qualities of dependability, cooperation, and initiative as well as other criteria which may be determined by the committee.

Guided by God's grace and the simplicity of that goal, I graduated with a trove of friends, memories, and self-confidence.

By many measures life has continued to be successful and blessed since moving out of Walker. Yet some of the colors have faded. How can 2015 restore the vibrance? Maybe the Bone Scholarship criteria can point the way once again.

"Broad and excellent academic achievement." Back then, this meant striving for A grades. How does this translate to life after school? What measurable "perfection" is there? My annual goals have served this purpose reasonably well. Are there "subjects" that are missing from the schedule?

"Campus and community engagement." How broadly involved am I in community volunteerism?

"Outstanding qualities of character and leadership." Where should I be providing leadership? What character trait deserves the most focus?

"Dependability, cooperation, initiative." How can I be more dependable?

I'm fortunate enough to have plenty of time likely ahead of me, and the means and faith in God to excel once again. Over the next few days, I'll consider what goals could inspire 2015 with the same magic of those Walker Hall years.

5 Bullish Observations About Chicago

By Mark Strotman:

The Bulls got a slight scare Tuesday night when the Wizards used a 12-0 run to briefly re-take the lead in the fourth quarter, but Derrick Rose once again took over late, leading Chicago to a 99-90 win on the road.

Here's five observations from the Bulls' third straight win, and seventh in their last eight games:

1. Yes, the Bulls are still capable of winning grind-it-out games

Last night the Bulls came out firing from start to finish, scoring 129 points in a track meet against the Toronto Raptors. On Tuesday night the pace was much slower, yet the Bulls still managed to be efficient. Despite only scoring 15 fast-break points and connecting on five 3-pointers, the Bulls were patient offensively and stood their ground defensively, holding the Wizards to 43 percent shooting and 90 points, almost 11 points under their season average of 100.8. The Bulls' offense has been as good as ever under Tom Thibodeau this year, but there's still a gear they can throttle down to and still be successful, and we saw it tonight. The Bulls entered the game just 4-4 when scoring less than 100 points.

2. Jimmy Butler is still human, we think

After a week's worth of dominant play Jimmy Butler was due to come back down to earth, at least for a night. The Bulls' swingman, on the heels of a 29-point effort on Monday, scored just 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting and added six rebounds and two assists in 38 minutes. He didn't look as comfortable with his shot and had just one bucket after halftime, but we can probably chalk this up as A) an off-night on the second of a back-to-back on the road and/or B) an off-night from a player who has been nothing short of superb all year. Either way, Butler should bounce back Thursday on Christmas against the Lakers.

3. Derrick Rose is just about all the way back

He may not want to admit it, and there's always room for improvement for a 26-year-old, but Derrick Rose looks to be just about all the way back. The former MVP scored 25 points in 29 minutes against a formidable opponent in John Wall (18 points, 9 assists) and he scored 10 points in the final stanza to push the Bulls to victory after they briefly lost the lead. He did have five turnovers, but only one came in the final period. But past the box score, Rose was once again attacking the basket, finding open shooters when he did and moving seamlessly without any real hesitation. It'll be a storyline all year, but there's a chance that this recent stretch of play for Rose following his illness becomes the turning point for his season.

4. Aaron Brooks just may win the Bulls a playoff game one day

The Bulls' reserve guard saw additional minutes in Kirk Hinrich's absence Tuesday night, and he once again provided a spark on that second unit, scoring 13 points and handing out six assists in 26 minutes. He only shot 5-for-13 and didn't hit a 3-pointer, but he didn't turn the ball over once and even managed a season-high four rebounds. He's jelled extremely well with the second unit, and while the Nate Robinson comparisons are easy for so many reasons Brooks does that feel to his game. If he can catch fire one night, or better yet pass the ball like he did Tuesday and not turn it over, he could be a key factor in a playoff series when the Bulls need an offensive spark. Come back to this one in May.

5. Taking care of the ball is a good recipe for success

The Bulls have been middle-of-the-pack in turnovers all year, entering tonight's game averaging 14.1 giveaways per contest. But against the Wizards, whose opponents had averaged the eighth most turnovers, the Bulls had just 10 giveaways that turned into just six Wizards points. Better yet, only three players accounted for those turnovers; not great that Rose had five on his own, but no turnovers for Pau Gasol in 34 minutes and none from the bench in 88 minutes is a great sign, especially in a slow-pace game such as this one.

BONUS: What an impressive stretch of play

Consider a sixth observation an early Christmas present. Despite having played the fewest number of home games (11) in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls sit fourth in the standings at 19-9 and just knocked off three championship contenders (Memphis, Toronto, Washington) in impressive fashion. The schedule is about to soften up, as the Bulls play just one current playoff team in their next six games. They've won seven of their last eight and, after this most recent stretch, are looking like the team to beat in the East. It's still early, but a healthy Bulls team is a dangerous Bulls team.

Honest Trailer: Home Alone

Scents And Sense: The Week In Thanks

When it's above 40 degrees in central Illinois in December, you make sure to spend some time outside. Today I got to participate in the high school basketball team's practice for the first time this year, a great chance to hang out with the guys including coaches. Then it was over to the gym after a day off, which was painful but not nearly as much as it could have been. We played touch football Sunday afternoon, and the last time I did that I was laid up with throbbing back and knees for a week afterward. This time I must have played defense just lazily enough to conserve myself.

Christmas is coming, and with Sean and Jennifer on the road in Florida the rest of the band will be leading the Christmas Eve service. After having two children in two years and dutifully attending every weekend, it's a pleasure to be able to help them enjoy a well-deserved vacation with confidence that things will be fine. And it's great to be part of a team that gets along so well.

Also, I was able to complete almost all of my Christmas shopping through Walmart, Kroger and Amazon. It was yet another reminder of the blessing of freedom in self-employment and the convenience of shopping in the United States.

Dena's knee continues to recover as she's into her physical therapy program, she's back to work and even heading back to the elliptical machine at the gym. During her week of rest we got plenty of time to chill out together since my semester was over.

The condominium association had a tremendously productive meeting recently. We approved a 7-year financial plan, next year's budget, the asphalt plan for our driveway and the lighting on our carports. We are fortunate to have such a mature group of leaders (including Dena) that understands the importance of a long-term view. And frankly that our neighbors are pretty sensible too, with the occasional hiccup. Dena invested a lot of time improving our communication of financial records when there were some frustrated e-mails fired off. Maybe no one I know e-mails with greater sensitivity and taste than her.

I've become a fan of scented candles, and it really helps make me thankful for our sense of smell. At this time of year, with baked goods on the make, there may be no better sense.

I delivered six dozen assorted cookies made by Kelly's Bakery to pay respect to the staff at the Normal Public Library. They're a central part of the friendly hum of the place, and they were delighted by the donation, which to me was about the least I could do considering what a wonderful environment it is for learning.

Random shout-out to Lisa Holland, who met up with me for an overdue lunch. She "gets" me more than most people not only because of her analytical mind but also because of her natural open-mindedness and kindness; we can talk freely about almost anything.

I go into every year aiming to meet a flock of new acquaintances, and through Leadership McLean County, tutoring and other sessions I can easily name several uplifting memorable experiences that have brightened my day in some way.

I've watched a lot of my favorite show Undercover Boss these last couple weeks. It reminds me how powerful work can be in raising the happiness of others, not just making a buck.

2015 is less than ten days away; much has happened, and there's still more to look forward to. In this season of remembrance and preparation, hopefully we can keep celebrating today more so than any other.

Tutoring Quote Of The Day

From the mother of an ISU student whose son was failing his business calculus class when they reached out to me mid-semester:

"I wanted to let you know that my son got a C in calculus and we were thrilled. Thank you so much for coming to the rescue. I feel that if we had found you sooner he would have had a good chance of getting a B or even an A. We are very grateful for all your help and will be sure to keep your number on hand in case he needs more math help in the future. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"

Honest Trailer: Independence Day

Winter Solstice Facts

The winter solstice is past!

Turns out, the solstice occurred on Sunday, December 21st at 5:03pm CST. At that time, the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun, before it starts to rally back. That means that longer days are ahead. For starters that's not saying too much... only 9 hours and 16 minutes of daylight which barely gives State Farm corporate employees enough time to get home.

The recovery toward brighter evenings is slow at first, but interestingly the earliest sunset is well before the solstice. On December 12 the sun set at its earliest time of 4:29, but sunrise times were still climbing, so that total daylight kept shrinking for several more days. In fact, sunrise will slip as late as 7:19 before it starts to fall on January 12. Because of this combined effect, it will be more than a month before daylight grows by as much as 2 minutes in a single day.

Dates to keep in mind:

March 8: Daylight savings time, when your Saturday 5:54 sunset will leap to 6:55 on Sunday.

March 21: Biggest daylight gain of the year, 2 minutes and 41 seconds. Also our 17th wedding anniversary, which would make it the year's brightest day all by itself.

June 21: Wake up by 5:26 and enjoy a full 15 hours and 4 minutes of (hopefully) sunny skies. Bring your sunscreen.

And so, optimists among us, settle in for a six-month joy ride ahead!

U.S. Economy Grows At Fastest Pace In 11 Years

By Martin Crutsinger:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. economy grew at a sizzling 5 percent annual rate in the July-September period, the fastest in more than a decade, on the strength of consumer spending and business investment.

The resurgence in growth last quarter provided the latest evidence that the U.S. economy is steadily strengthening and outshining most others around the world.

The Commerce Department on Tuesday sharply revised up its estimate of third-quarter growth from a previous figure of 3.9 percent. Much of the increase came from consumer spending on health care and business spending on structures and computer software.

It was the fastest quarterly growth since the summer of 2003, and it followed a 4.6 percent annual growth rate in the April-June quarter.

Most analysts think the economy is slowing to an annual rate of around 2.5 percent in the current October-December quarter. And they foresee growth around 3 percent in 2015. That would still be the strongest expansion since the economy grew 3.3 percent in 2005, two years before the Great Recession began.

The 2007-2009 downturn, the worst since the 1930s, cost millions of people their jobs. Since then, the economy has struggled to regain full health. Even after the recession officially ended in June 2009, the economy has turned in tepid growth averaging 2.2 percent annually.

But many economists think growth is set to accelerate as more businesses have grown confident about hiring. The country is on track to have its healthiest year for job growth since 1999. In November, employers added 321,000 jobs, the sharpest one-month increase in three years.

With more people working and having money to spend, solid gains are expected in consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of the economy.

For the third quarter, consumer spending grew at a 3.2 percent rate, the best showing this year and a full percentage point higher than the estimate the government made a month ago. That upward revision was driven by higher spending on health care.

Business investment spending rose at a 7.2 percent annual rate, 2.1 percentage points more than the government's previous estimate. Much of the new strength came from investment in structures and computer software.

The estimate released Tuesday was the government's third and final look at third-quarter growth in the gross domestic product — the value of all goods and services produced in the United States.

10 Tips For Becoming A Better Husband And Father

By Steve Spring, Good Men Project

When Max Schireson announced that he was leaving his role as CEO of MongoDB to spend more time with his family and friends, he wrote that, “Life is about choices. Right now, I choose to spend more time with my family.”

In his farewell announcement, Schireson wrote about the things he’s missed (a family puppy being hit by a car, emergency surgery for his son) and the miles he’s flown (he’s on track for 300,000 this year). He also wrote that while it is common for women to juggle their family with their career, men are expected to focus on their career and squeeze in time with their family if, and when, they can.

Whether you’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company or you’re slaving away in a cubicle,  you are probably struggling with balancing your career with your family. In a recent Citi/LinkedIn survey, when men were asked about their biggest career regrets, 17% said they wished they’d spent less time at work and more time with their families or on personal pursuits.

As men, we’re wired to be the breadwinners, to be the providers for our families. We fear that spending more time being a husband and father will make us look to others like we’re not doing our main job. It can be tempting to focus on your career, especially if you’re trying to get a raise or manage an important project—-or simply keep your job in times of economic uncertainty. If you’re spending most of your time working, your family life is going to suffer.

While you may need to focus on your career right now, there are a few secrets that you can use to better manage your career, and take care of your family without getting overwhelmed. I have created 10 strategies that you can use to help you manage your career and family, and to help you become a better husband and father. I have also created a check list for Good Men Project Readers that will help you implement these strategies in your life.

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Here are my 10 strategies:

1.    I KNOW WHERE I AM HEADED

Most of us plan our careers, our new new homes, and even our vacations, but we never take the time to plan our life. As a result we often end up with poor health, failed marriages, and broken families. It doesn’t have to be this way. Begin to live your life on purpose by taking the time to get clear about where you are going in life.

2.    I KNOW MY PRIORITIES

Your priorities become clear once you know where you are headed in life. Once you are clear about where you are headed in life, your priorities become clear. By keeping things simple you will be able to focus on the few things that really matter to you.

3.    I MANAGE THE “BIG ROCKS”

Your “big rocks,”are your most important tasks—-the one that will need to focus on if you are going to succeed. Time management pros will tell you that identifying your big rocks first is a key to getting things done. Focus on getting your “big rocks” taken care of first, and the rest will fall into place.

4.    I SEEK THE ADVICE OF OTHER MEN

Most men don’t tell anyone what they want or what they are struggling with because they don’t get an outside perspective. When we do this, we miss out on the experience of others. Take the time to listen and learn from other men who have been where you are and have experienced what you are experiencing.

5.  I KNOW THAT MY JOB IS NOT MY IDENTITY                                                  

You are a husband first, and a father second. Your job is what you do to pay the bills. Don’t make the mistake of tying your self-esteem to the success or failure of your job.

6.   I KNOW WHEN TO SAY “NO”

Once you have said “yes” to your priorities in life, you are in a great position to say “no” to the things that matter less. You will have the clarity to manage your priorities rather than to be managed by them. Learn to say “no” to the good, so that you can say “yes” to the best.

7.   I DON’T TAKE MY HEALTH FOR GRANTED

This is one area where you need to put yourself first. This means before your family, friends, and career, because you can’t take care of anyone else unless you take care of yourself. If you don’t look after your own health and become sick, you are not much use to your family or your employer.

8.   I HAVE A SUPPORT NETWORK

Very few people (if any) achieve anything great alone. Sports stars have teammates, coaches, and cheerleaders. You should too. Be willing to ask the people in your life to support you. It’s great to have the help, the encouragement and the fellowship of others who want you to be the best person that you can be. It makes all the difference in the world.

9. I FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME

In the past, most people believed that multitasking was a good way to increase productivity. After all, if you’re working on several different tasks at once, you’re bound to accomplish more, right? Unfortunately, multitasking does not save you time. Not only has research shown that multitasking reduces your productivity, it has also be shown to be harmful to your health. Focus on your career when you are at work, and your family when you are at home.

10. I THINK “WE,” NOT “ME

It sounds so obvious but having a family-oriented life requires everyone thinking in a family-oriented way. Once you begin to see your work as something that takes place within the larger context of the your family, you are able to quit worrying about whether you have your priorities right, and everything will begin to fall into place. The important thing is to show that your family is important thing in your life by your actions.

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There you have it. These are my 10 secrets to becoming a better husband and father. They have helped me, and I am sure that they will help you. Pick one to implement today and you will be on your way to becoming a better husband and father.

Just remember that becoming a better husband and father isn’t a one-shot deal. It is a continuous process as your family, interests, and career change. Use this check-list periodically to examine your priorities—-and make changes, if necessary—-to make sure you’re staying on track.