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Nothing ruins a Las Vegas sex party like a phone call from your spouse in which she explains that she’s just discovered a lump in her breast.Sex is messy, complicated; it is true for humans and, it turns out, for puppets too.They have hang-ups. They’ve got saggy bits. They enjoy kinks. When: Jan. 26-31Where: Začek McVay Theatre, The Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.Tickets: $49Info: chicagopuppetfest.org “I suppose the message is: penises are OK; we should talk about [sex] more; and everyone’s doing it and it’s all weird,” said Mark Down, the co-writer and co-director of “The Sex Lives of Puppets,” part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival (Jan. 21-Feb. 1 at various locations across the city). “Sex Lives” runs Jan. 26-31 at The Biograph’s Začek-McVay Mainstage, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.This year’s festival brings 80 or so performers to Chicago from across the United States and around the globe.“The ‘Sex Lives’ is very fun, very accessible. … I would challenge anyone who has hesitations to come to any of our shows, and they will see something they have never seen in their lives,” said festival founder, Blair Thomas. Dale Wylde, Isobel Griffiths, Mark Down and Briony O’Callaghan from “The Sex Lives of Puppets.” Blind Summit Theatre was working on other shows and during breaks in rehearsals the puppets would talk about sex, making the puppeteers laugh, then they’d go back to rehearsals and it would be boring.Charlie Lyne What makes “Sex Lives” different than, say, the bawdy puppet sex scene in Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s 2004 film “Team America: World Police,” is that the show is loosely based on the lives of real, ordinary people.It is improvised, but many of the candidly carnal conversations between the puppets originated with a survey of modern-day British attitudes about sex, done by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, including one participant who attended an orgy in Sin City without his spouse.“It’s amazing how rare the sort of husband and wife and three kids is in the survey …,” said Down, chatting with the Chicago Sun-Times from a flat in Vilnius, Lithuania, where his partner is a diplomat on a six-month assignment. “When you go straight in on sex, what comes out really quickly is that [many] people are living with second husbands, second partners. It’s a massively complicated sort of web.” Meryl is one of the puppets speaking candidly about sex in “The Sex Lives of Puppets.” There isn’t actually that much sex in the 1 1/2 -hour show. Much of it is puppet couples talking about sex — like the old-married-couple interludes in the 1989 romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally,” leading to sweet, often tender moments.Charlie Lyne There isn’t actually that much sex in the 1 1/2 -hour show. Much of it is puppet couples talking about sex — like the old-married-couple interludes in the 1989 romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally,” leading to sweet, often tender moments, Down said.“There is a couple that have sex, but they are kind of in the middle of an interview when they do it. So it’s like a couple’s therapy that turns into a sex scene,” he said.The puppets aren’t “anatomically complete,” except those in the shadow porno sequence of the show, which Down described as “absolutely juvenile.”Down, who is in his late 50s, has had a long and distinguished career in the puppet world. The artistic director of the London-based Blind Summit Theatre company, Down conceived puppets for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, for the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and the Metropolitan Opera, among other venues.It's an unusual life journey for someone who originally completed training to become a medical doctor and worked in an emergency room.“Then I went to drama school,” he said.But why puppets having and talking about sex?It was an idea Blind Summit developed not long after the pandemic ended. The company was working on other shows and during breaks in rehearsals: “The puppets were all talking…

Alanna Atwood, a fifth grader at Wendell Smith Elementary, thinks Martin Luther King would tell us today to use our words before resorting to violence.“We shouldn’t be using any weapons or anything because weapons can cause a lot of things, it can cause injuries and more things like that, and we don’t want that in the world,” Alanna said.The 11-year-old delivered that message to a crowd of more than 150 at the Drake Hotel on Friday in an oratory competition honoring the civil rights icon organized by the Foley and Lardner law firm. She was one of eight Chicago elementary school finalists who wrote and memorized their own speeches for the contest. Alanna won first place.Frank Pasquesi, managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office, said the event is more than a competition — it's a chance to pass on King’s lessons to a new generation.“We don’t want people to forget the impactful words and the approach he took,” Pasquesi said. “Words matter, and I think Dr. King taught us that just with words you can accomplish anything.”The competition was created in Dallas in 1993, and its popularity led to an expansion to Houston and later Chicago, where it is now in its seventh year. More than 260 students participated in this year’s competitions across the three cities.King has many connections to Chicago. In 1966, King moved his family to the West Side and spent a year in North Lawndale advocating for fair housing, education and jobs. Alanna Atwood presents her speech during the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 1 of 9 Alanna Atwood celebrates her win during the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 2 of 9 Alanna Atwood wins 1st place at the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 3 of 9 From left to right, Anjolaolua Ekemode, 3rd Place, Alanna Atwood, 1st place, and Kaiden Phelps, 2nd place, hold their ribbons during the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 4 of 9 Azaria Brown presents her speech during the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 5 of 9 Kaiden Phelps celebrates his second place finish during the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 6 of 9 Kaiden Phelps presents his speech during the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 7 of 9 Kalani Cox-Dembry presents her speech to judges and an audience at the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 8 of 9 Alanna Atwood celebrates with a loved one during the 7th annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition at The Duke Hotel. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 9 of 9 Alanna’s parents and teachers helped her with her remarks over several weeks. She said she was nervous before taking the stage, but her voice remained steady and poised throughout her remarks.“Dr. King said we must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline,” Alanna said. “The right message of hope is to be compassionate and respectful.”Other students spoke about continuing the fight against racism, gun violence in communities and not succumbing to despair when things look bleak.“There is a lot going on in the news in the world, which is why it's so necessary to find joy in your friendships with people,” Tremond Williams, 5th grader at Cather Elementary, said in his speech. “Find joy in celebrating life.”Students represented schools including Joseph Warren Elementary, Arthur Dixon Elementary and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. The crowd encouraged students with claps and shouts of “you got this” when they stumbled.Each finalist was awarded with a cash prize, a new laptop and a congratulatory letter from Gov. JB Pritzker.Arshay Cooper, an author who was raised in Chicago, was on the panel of judges who scrutinized the students’…

Moon Alert There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The moon is in Aquarius.Aries (March 21-April 19) A positive day This is a fun-loving, exuberant day for you! Bosses, parents and VIPs might make a move that you didn't expect. Hopefully, it will benefit your pocketbook. Something happening behind the scenes might surprise you as well. You feel restless and ready for change. Romance is blessed! A friend could become a lover.Taurus (April 20-May 20) A positive day You make a great impression on others today, which means you can demand the advantage. Sudden opportunities to travel might fall into your lap, or these opportunities could relate to medicine, the law or publishing. Someone older might surprise you today.Gemini (May 21-June 20) A dynamic day Today is full of unexpected surprises that will bless you. Meanwhile, you're keen to do anything to expand your world because you need a change of scenery. Romance with someone "different" might blossom. Interactions with others about shared property could bless you financially.Cancer (June 21-July 22) A positive day People are unpredictable today, especially partners and close friends. Stay light on your feet because you can't be sure what's coming your way. Meanwhile, rules and regulations that might have held you back in the past could suddenly change today. Voilà!Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) A positive day Your routine might change today. Technical problems might arise, or equipment might suffer from a glitch. Check banking because something unexpected could impact shared property, taxes and debt, or your bank account. Cooperate with others today. Go along to get along.Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) A positive day Innovative ideas might occur to you today. It's also a wonderful day to socialize. Upsets in sports events might occur. A social occasion might be canceled or delayed. Parents should be vigilant to avoid accidents with their kids. Keep your eyes peeled.Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) A dynamic day This is a playful, fun-loving day! You'll enjoy warmhearted interactions with others. You might even be inspired. Be aware that your home routine might suddenly change, so stay light on your feet. It's a great day for fun outings and romance. Keep swiping because new love might be waiting to meet you.Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) A positive day Pay attention to everything you say and do today because it is a mildly accident-prone day. Nevertheless, all your interactions with others are warm and friendly. You might see new and innovative ways of doing something, especially related to the entertainment world or the hospitality industry.Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A dynamic day You can be impulsively extravagant, and today is one of those days. Be careful. If you spontaneously make a big purchase — keep your receipts and the box. Double-check your money and possessions to make sure everything is cool because something unexpected could impact them.Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A positive day You're full of electric, buzzy energy today, which is why you might not know which way to turn first. One thing is certain: you will be attracted to new ideas, new experiences and new ventures. You'll be innovative and quick to come up with new solutions.Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) A dynamic day You might have some amazing, original money-making ideas today. If so, do not dismiss them. Write them down to reconsider later, because today, when it comes to finances, you can think outside the box. You might also make some impulsive wardrobe purchases. (Keep your receipts.)Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) A positive day A friend or perhaps a member of a group might surprise you today. Changes you made several years ago might now take shape. You're starting to see that your life is different, and perhaps things are more appropriate to who you are. Conversations with younger people will be lively, perhaps even competitive.If today is your birthdaySinger, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly…

Patrick Finley and Jason Lieser break down another impossibly dramatic Bears game — this time a season-ending loss to the Rams at Soldier Field. New episodes of “Halas Intrigue” will be published regularly with accompanying stories collected on the podcast’s hub page. You can also listen to “Halas Intrigue” wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. Latest on the Bears Bears Bears will have 25th pick in this year's draft Their season-ending loss to the Rams on Sunday night locked in their draft position. [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone] By Patrick Finley read Bears Bears coach Ben Johnson: 'Shame' to waste great defensive performance in 20-17 playoff loss to Rams The Bears held the Rams below their season averages for points and yards and shut down stars Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone] By Jason Lieser read Bears Bears safety Jaquan Brisker, an unrestricted free agent, 'for sure' wants to re-sign Brisker said that’s not entirely up to him, though, and when asked if he’ll be back, he said, “We will see.” [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone] By Jason Lieser read

It’s ludicrous to suggest it didn’t even matter what happened after the play of the year in this remarkable, inimitable Bears season — in all the NFL, really — but in a way, it didn’t.The play, the moment, the damn-near-a-miracle was that special. That promising. That perfect.You all saw it. Hell, you all probably heard it. Who didn’t? On fourth-and-heartbreak for the Bears, needing four yards from the Rams’ 14 with 27 seconds to go or it was season over, quarterback Caleb Williams collected a shotgun snap at the 19, dropped back, back some more, glimpsed a pair of pass rushers steaming in, spun to his right, saw even more danger coming fast, spun out again, backpedaled all the way to the 40 — the 40! — let fly to the end zone and …Goodness, this Bears journey, the gift that wouldn’t stop giving.Until it finally did. The Bears lost to the Rams — a more complete team, more cut out for winning a Super Bowl, but not a damn bit more exciting to behold — 20-17 in overtime in a divisional playoff game at Soldier Field.It’s over. Maybe wildness like this was the only way it could end.But back to that play. Of course a heave so desperate, so unlikely to end well, found a home in tight end Cole Kmet’s hands for the biggest Bears touchdown since Devin Hester ran back a kickoff in the Super Bowl. Of course the Bears somehow tied it up. Of course they didn’t go quietly. Of course they smacked on their comeback hat until the last dust of magic came out.“Our guys fought the entire way,” coach Ben Johnson said, “just like they have all season long.” CALEB WILLIAMS YOU ARE RIDICULOUS📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/2zphVCnNbd— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 19, 2026 The Bears went further this season than most anyone had clear reasons to believe they would. Improbably, they won the NFC North. Deliciously, they beat the Packers in a playoff game. Undeniably, they flashed such gathering strength — at coach, at quarterback, at hanging in there, at finishing strong — that it feels more like the start of something than a conclusion.It could have gone so much worse after wide receiver Rome Odunze dropped what should have been a touchdown catch on the opening possession of the game, leading to no points and a Williams interception. Especially because the Rams took over and, led by future Hall of Fame QB Matthew Stafford, drove 85 yards for a touchdown.But the Bears answered with 12 plays, 80 yards and seven points of their own and it was game on.In the third quarter, the score 10-10, the Rams picked off Williams for a second time and took possession at the 50, the best starting field position all night for either team. Trouble? Only if you’d consider the Rams not gaining a single inch trouble. End Montez Sweat pressured Stafford on first down, cornerback Kyler Gordon stuck to star receiver Puka Nacua like glue on third down, and in between Stafford airmailed an incompletion. Three-and-out? At this point, getting to the NFC Championship Game seemed ever so possible.And in the fourth quarter, after the Bears, trailing 17-10, were stopped on downs at the Rams’ 2, they got the stop they had to have with two minutes left on the clock. Then Williams threw an 18-yard dart to tight end Colston Loveland, and running back D’Andre Swift rumbled for 13, and wideout Luther Burden III caught a ball. Sure, the clock was melting. Isn’t that when things go best for this team?It all set up Williams to make that play, and we’ll remember it for longer than we’ll remember any of the details of a disappointing loss that came after it.The Rams can worry about going to Seattle and facing the Seahawks, who might be close to unbeatable. The Bears will lick their wounds and look forward to what’s coming for themselves.Once upon a time — 40 years ago — the Bears shuffled to their only Super Bowl win. You’ve probably heard about that by now. But the season before it, their trajectory changed dramatically. They dominated the division, set an all-time record for sacks and made it…