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THE HEARTBREAK AND HOPE OF CHICAGO BEARS FANS ‘Wait Until Next Year!’
THE KONECKY JOURNAL FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025
With the Super Bowl upon us, fans like to reminisce about their favorite end-of- season matchups from the past.
Superfans skits, making fun of Bears fans’ dogged devotion. These parodies are still funny to this day. Comedian Dave Swersky recently performed a new Superfan skit ahead of the Bears’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions. His parody was still hilarious (and the Bears still lost). The Bears had another opportunity to win a Super Bowl ring in 2007, when they faced the Indianapolis Colts in the championship game. Devin Hester, a rookie phenom, ran the opening kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown, setting a record at the time for the earliest lead in Super Bowl history. (The Seattle Seahawks broke that record in the 2014 Super Bowl by scoring a safety 12 seconds into the game.) To this day, Hester is the only primary return specialist enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But the Bears were soon thwarted by the Colts’ offense. Led by quarterback Peyton Manning and famed Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, the Indianapolis team handed the Bears a 29–17 loss. I have learned a lot about following sports since then, but those experiences are among the ones I remember most. I root for the Miami Dolphins these days, mostly because my wife’s stepfather is a giant Dolphins fan, but beyond that, my loyalties still lie with the Bears. This past season was particularly rough. After a 4–2 start, the Bears’ best in years, they lost eight consecutive games and fired head coach Matt Eberflus at midseason. Although my Super Bowl hopes were flattened once again, I still had fun watching the games with friends and family. And, of course, as a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, I’ve had plenty of practice losing. As we say in Chicago, “Wait until next year!”
The approach of the Big Game always reminds me of my most memorable Super Bowl decades ago.
As a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, I will never forget the 1985
season, when the Bears famously beat the New England Patriots 46–10 in Super Bowl XX. It was a complete blowout. Life as a Bears fan hasn’t been nearly as much fun since!
I was about 8 years old at the time, and seeing my dad and his friends following the Bears and hearing
them talk about the team was interesting. The Bears had some iconic characters. Walter Payton was an amazing running back who set records at the time for rushing and pass receptions. Other colorful characters were William “The Refrigerator” Perry, who at 335 pounds set a record at the time for the heaviest player to score a
“As a lifelong Chicago Bears fan, I will never forget the 1985 season … Life as a Bears fan hasn’t been nearly as much fun since!”
Super Bowl touchdown. “Da Coach,” Mike Ditka, aka “Iron Mike,” once got into a fistfight with an assistant coach on the sidelines. The Super Bowl Shuffle, the rap song the team performed seven weeks before their Super Bowl victory, peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and actually earned a Grammy nomination. It’s a little cringey to watch now, but as an 8-year-old, I thought it was the greatest thing.
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In the early 1990s, TV’s “Saturday Night Live” cast revived the team’s pop culture appeal with their
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Steer Clear of Trouble
Beyond Stranger Danger
Teaching Kids to Stay Safe
One of the most winning qualities of little kids is their curiosity about the world and the people around them. A recent video of a winsome toddler starting conversations with adult shoppers at the grocery store drew more than 20 million views on TikTok. But if that curiosity leads a child to engage with strangers in public, is that still a good thing? The dire parental warnings against “stranger danger” of the 1980s and 1990s seem a little extreme today. Teaching kids to fear anyone they haven’t met isn’t healthy. Children need to develop social skills to talk with a doctor or a new teacher, order a meal, make new friends, or ask for help. Recently, parenting experts have begun promoting a more nuanced view of stranger danger. They encourage parents to teach children to recognize suspicious behavior and identify adults they can trust. “Rather than issuing a blanket warning about stranger danger, allow children to talk with other adults in safe situations in public and observe them provide real-life examples of what they need to know,” Reena Patel, a parenting expert, told Parents magazine. Patel urges parents to teach their children ground rules: Adults don’t ask children for help, so don’t respond to an adult stranger who does so, and trustworthy adults will not invite a child to leave a safe place to show them something or give them a gift. If your child is uncomfortable talking with a stranger, don’t require them to do so just for the sake of politeness. Patel says, “Some children are simply a little slower to open up to others, and they shouldn’t be labeled ‘shy’ just because of that temperamental trait. Support them in cutting off any conversation that makes them uncomfortable.”
A MESSAGE FROM THE FAITHFUL
“Outstanding service and attention to detail. We
felt very comfortable with Matthew and his staff. They took great care of us and got us amazing results in our case. I highly recommend Mr. Konecky’s law offices.”
– G. Adamia
“Trustworthy, honest, great lawyer, great communication. If you are a father, trust this
attorney. He is not after your money. Genuinely cares about people.”
– F. Myth
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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR DUI CASE IN FLORIDA
Download These Books Today ! YOUR LEGAL RESOURCE People from all walks of life are arrested on DUI charges. How they respond following their arrest can make a major difference in the outcome. The consequences of a DUI conviction in Florida include potential prison time, license suspension, and thousands of dollars in fines. The steps drivers must take to defend themselves are complicated. Many are surprised to learn you can lose your license twice as a result of the same DUI. Drivers’ licenses are suspended automatically when a person is charged with DUI in Florida, and license holders only have 10 days to request a hearing. If this is your first DUI and you meet other conditions, you can request a hardship hearing to request a permit granting limited driving privileges for business purposes, including getting to work or school. Those who don’t qualify for a business-purpose permit can ask for an administrative hearing before a DMV officer. This proceeding resembles a trial, except the officer in charge may not have legal training or understand the arguments being made. The purpose of this hearing is
to decide whether the arrest was lawful. An experienced DUI attorney can get a copy of the state’s records in advance and assess your chances of prevailing at this hearing and having your license restored. If you lose at the administrative hearing, you must enroll in DUI school and pay a fine to get your license back. Even if you prevail, you are still at risk of losing your license again if you are convicted of DUI in the criminal case that will follow. Also, if you are convicted of a DUI, you must purchase special insurance for a minimum of three years that can potentially increase your premiums fivefold. You get the picture: Navigating a DUI charge is complex and the potential penalties are harsh. Having an experienced DUI attorney by your side greatly increases your chances of keeping your license and emerging with minimal harm. Our office has been helping clients accused of DUI for more than 15 years. If you are facing DUI charges in Florida or know someone who is, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We will help you mount the strongest possible defense.
‘Cheesy’ Cashew Queso Cooking With Ashley
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
Ingredients
When it comes to the legal process, you may have a lot of questions. Well, I have answers! Right now, I am offering my two resource books for free. ‘My Loved One Has Been Arrested: What’s Next?’ The second edition of my first book is now available for download. In the second edition, you will find out what happens after your case, how to remove mugshots, and what to do if you were the one arrested. If you want a physical copy, please contact our office today. ‘What You Must Know About Your DUI Case Before You Do Anything’ Being convicted of a DUI charge can drastically change your life. Learn what goes into a DUI case and what your first step should be.
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2 large poblano peppers, halved and seeded
• • • • • •
1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• • • • •
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup cashews
2 cups water, divided 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp ground cumin
Directions
1. Heat broiler. Add poblanos face down to a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 4 minutes or until charred. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Then, remove skin and cut into 1/4-inch pieces. 2. In a saucepan, heat oil and garlic on medium heat for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in cashews and spices. 3. Return saucepan to heat. Add 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes or until cashews are tender. 4. Put contents of saucepan in a blender and add yeast and 1/2 cup of water. Purée until smooth. 5. Pour mixture back into saucepan and simmer 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. 6. Fold in poblanos and serve with chips.
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INSIDE
1 Super Bowl Shuffle: Reliving Chicago’s Super Bowl Win 2 Street Smarts for Kids A Message From the Faithful 3 Some Troublesome Myths About Getting a DUI ‘Cheesy’ Cashew Queso 4 Your Guide to Mardi Gras 2025
The Cultural Essence of Mardi Gras Why Everyone Needs to Experience the Magic at Least Once
Much like Coachella or the NFL draft, Mardi Gras is one of the year’s most anticipated events. The vibrantly colored beads and masks represent more than just a celebration — they’re a cultural phenomenon that captures the essence and history of New Orleans.
If you want to celebrate spring with unparalleled revelry, extravagance, and tradition, pack your bags for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s on Tuesday, March 4, this year, the day before Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar. Find out why everyone should experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans at least once in their lives. Historical Foundations Mardi Gras is the French term for Fat Tuesday, with celebrations dating back to the 1700s and Renaissance Europe. The traditions of this celebrated holiday are deeply rooted in Italy and France but have evolved into a unique melting pot of Creole, African, and European influences. More than 50 countries around the world now celebrate the festival, including the largest Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Festivities of the Carnival Season Carnival commemorates the season before Lent, the 40-day period of abstinence leading up to
Easter. In a tradition that dates back to the late 1800s, those participating in the many Carnival parades, especially in the French Quarter, throw beads out into the crowds of revelers. Many masked parade participants, known as “krewes,” create spectacular floats and elaborate costumes to mimic the Venetian Carnival of ages past. The parades are held throughout the week before and on Fat Tuesday. The Traditions of Years Past During Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday lives up to its name. The local cuisine is among the best in the world. Whether you are looking for traditional fare like gumbo and crawfish etouffee or local favorites like lobster pizza and king cakes, restaurants serve these options and more day and night. If you want to check out the cocktail scene, ask about the Hurricane . Pat O’Brian’s bar served this local libation during World War II (when whiskey was hard to find) and is still popular today!
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