Chicago Tribune - 30 June 2024

TRAVEL By Steve Chapman | For the Chicago Tribune I f you’re no more than an occasional tennis fan — the kind who tunes in for the finals at Wimbledon or the French Open — you’ve probably entertained idle dreams of jetting overseas to see Coco Gauff or Novak Djokovic play in person. Probably not in this lifetime, you realize. But you can get the same cast of athletes on court just by driving a few hours from Chicago. One of the premier events of the professional tennis tour takes place each August just outside Cincinnati. Yes, Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Open, formerly known as the Western & Southern Open, is among a tier of tournaments ranking just below the majors — the Australian Open, Wimbledon, the French Open and the U.S. Open — where virtually all the top players compete. Last year, it featured not only Djokovic and Gauff, who hoisted the winners’ trophies, but 2023 Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova, 2024 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, and American Taylor Fritz, who raised his profile by winning a title while being featured in the Netflix documentary series “Break Point.” Also there were this year’s French Open champions, Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz. Except for those nursing injuries, the Cincinnati tournament has just about everybody who’s anybody — and everybody who will eventually be somebody. This isn’t just a tournament. It’s more like a festival of tennis, with plenty of food, music and other diversions. It features a relaxed, intimate environment that brings fans close to the players at a price well below the cost of even the U.S. Open in New York — for which, by the way, Cincinnati offers a superb preview. It takes place at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, a drive of less than five hours from Chicago. The facility, about 22 miles north of downtown Cincinnati, features 21 courts, including a center court with a capacity of more than 11,000. For most of the tournament, players can be seen practicing or competing on any of the fan-accessible courts from morning to night. This year’s main field includes 56 men and 56 women in the main singles draw. Next year, it will expand to 96, going from nine days to 12. Go to an NFL or MLB game, and you’ll likely be far removed from the athletes. Here, you may literally bump into a top-ranked pro who is strolling between the locker room and the court. The Fan Zone offers autograph sessions and interviews with players, as well as comfy Adirondack chairs and giant TVs showing the action on the main courts. With so many players taking part, the array of choices can be dizzying. Unlike some tournaments, this one features both men and women. But that’s just one of the choices facing spectators. There is also: Singles or doubles? The promising youngster or the proven veteran? The early rounds, when anything is possible, or the later ones, when match winners vie to keep advancing? Adding to the challenge is that these contrasting matches may be taking place simultaneously. But you can have it all, and on the same day. One pleasure of tennis tournaments is the freedom for fans to move from one match to the next when the urge strikes. If a player who catches your interest is taking the court at the same time as another player you want to see, you can scratch both itches, watching one match for a while before migrating to the other. If a contest proves dull, you can seek out a livelier one. Last year, it looked as if the 2024 tournament might be the last one in the heart of the Midwest. After the tournament was purchased by the financial services firm Beemok Capital, officials in North Carolina tried to lure the new owner to Charlotte by offering to build a lavish new tennis facility. But the fears were soon put to rest. In October, 2023 champions Djokovic and Gauff popped up on X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce: “Your wonderful tournament is staying in Cincinnati — and it’s going to be bigger and better forever.” Part of the deal is an investment of some $200 million to expand and upgrade the venue. This year, the Open will follow the Summer Olympics in Paris, prompting organizers to delay the customary Saturday kickoff to Sunday, Aug. 11. The men’s and women’s singles championship matches are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 19. The ticket options are fairly simple. You can buy a reserved seat in Center Court, which also grants you access to every other court. Or, on the day of the session you’re attending, if Center Court has sold out, you can go to the box office to buy one of a limited number of grounds passes, good anywhere but Center Court. Multiday packages sell out months in advance. For day sessions, doors open at 10 or 11 a.m., depending on the day, and matches begin an hour later; for night matches, doors open at 5 or 6 p.m., also an hour before play commences. A separate ticket is required for each session. At most courts, seating is first come, first served. There are plenty of hotels within a few minutes’ drive, including Marriott, Residence Inn, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn. Parking is free at unpaved lots for ticket holders. Parking at the premium Diamond Lot is $200 per day. The venue features an outdoor food court with such options as Cincinnati-style chili, sushi, salads, tacos, pizza, gourmet coffee and ice cream. There are several bars scattered around the venue, along with a wine garden. Food court lines can be long around meal times. One way to avoid them is to wait until a match begins on Center Court, drawing fans back in. This being the Midwest in summer, fans should be prepared for blazing sun, heat and humidity. Shade is scarce in the stands, so hats, sunscreen and frequent hydration are recommended. A seat cushion is a good accessory, because many courtside seats are metal benches. The bigger problem can be rain. Play is suspended at the onset of precipitation and doesn’t resume until the showers end, courts are dried off and players warm up, all of which takes time. If the forecast looks soggy, you will want to bring an umbrella, as the available shelter can be oversubscribed by the huddled masses. When rain goes on for hours, matches are postponed, sometimes until the following day. If a session is canceled, you may qualify for a rain check, but it’s usable only for the next year’s tournament. If weather washes out a day session, you can seek out other Cincinnati attractions. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center features exhibits on forced bondage, including what has been called “the only known surviving rural slave jail.” The Cincinnati Art Museum has an exhibition running till Sept. 8 that features four bronze figures sculpted by Auguste Rodin. The William Howard Taft National Historic Site is the birthplace and boyhood home of the 27th president and the 10th chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. But in good weather, you can give your full attention to tennis, admiring Djokovic’s bulletproof backhand, Gauff’s dazzling foot speed, Ons Jabeur’s confounding drop shots and more. And you may get a long look at a player you’ve never heard of who, in a year or two, could capture a Grand Slam title. The Cincinnati Open offers an embarrassment of riches. If you’re a tennis fan, it’s hard to beat. If you’re not — well, it could make you one. Steve Chapman is a freelancer. TOP TIER, SO NEAR The Cincinnati Open offers fans premier tennis without having to travel abroad or break the bank Coco Gauff, of the United States, celebrates match point against Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, during the women’s singles final of the 2023 Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in Mason, Ohio. AARON DOSTER/AP Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, serves to Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the mens final at the 2023 Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. IAN JOHNSON/ICON SPORTSWIRE Djokovic kisses the Rookwood Cup after defeating Alcaraz during the men’s singles final of the 2023 Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio. AARON DOSTER/AP GeoQuiz What was the former name of the country now known as Eswatini? Find out on Page 8 N/C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 7

GEOQUIZ ANSWER Answer: Swaziland. The tiny country, which is slightly smaller than New Jersey, is an absolute monarchy. In 2018, King Mswati III renamed it to reflect the name most commonly used by its people. Eswatini is surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. By Jae-Ha Kim Tribune Content Agency Will Rigby has a set routine before he prepares for a trip. “I’ve seen enough of the great cathedrals of the world,” said the dB’s drummer, who is based out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “They’re impressive, but all the same. (I check for) museums and other attractions, see if any band I want to see is playing where I’m going (and) places to eat.” The band’s recently rereleased album “Stands for Decibels” will be followed by a reissue of their second record “Repercussion” this fall, followed by a tour. This interview with Rigby has been edited for clarity and length. Q: What trips do you have planned for this year? A: In May, (I went to) Mississippi for a gig. (Then) I’m going to New Jersey, New York, Athens (Georgia), Charlotte (North Carolina), Winston-Salem (North Carolina) and Los Angeles — different trips for different reasons. In Los Angeles, I’m visiting my daughter, which I haven’t done in a long time. I’m excited to be going when she has a performance — she plays music as TBHQ. Check her out on Bandcamp. Q: Do you work on any of your songs on the road? A: I’m not a prolific songwriter. What songwriting I do is done at home. Perhaps some inspiration may strike as I’m out in the world, but I’d say that, for the most part, traveling is not something that causes me to write. Q: Where was the first paid concert that the dB’s played? A: The dB’s started in June 1978. Our first gig was at Max’s Kansas City, opening for the Feelies, I think. Our first show outside New York City was in Philadelphia that same summer or early fall. Q: What was a trip you took as a child that stands out? A: The major trip that I took was as a 9-yearold from my home in Winston-Salem to Utah and Idaho and back, in a VW bus with my parents and five siblings. We saw many attractions along the way, including Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, the Corn Palace in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and Bryce Canyon National Park, and Meteor Crater in Arizona. The impetus for the trip was a family reunion in Idaho and more visiting with various extended family in Utah. This trip was one that more or less bifurcated my childhood into before and after. I loved it, although the campgrounds got a bit old. It’s amazing now to think how we kids were just crawling all over the back of the car all the way across the country and back — no seat belts at all, not even a thought of them. Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways? A: Asheville is a big favorite. We go to Nags Head at least once every year. We hope to broaden our vacation horizons to outside North Carolina. Charleston (South Carolina) and Savannah (Georgia) are on my list of places to visit less than a day’s drive away. Q: Do you speak any foreign languages? A: I studied Spanish for years in school, but it’s pretty rusty. I’ve rarely been in situations where it was needed, although I could have utilized it a lot more than I did in my 22 years living in New York. I have been to Spain and was pleased that I was able to make conversation. Q: What are your five favorite cities? A: Asheville, St. John’s (Newfoundland), Chicago, London, Melbourne. Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items? A: A few years ago, my most unusual answer would be scissors. When I was on the road a lot, for whatever reason I hated to be without a pair of scissors, for miscellaneous uses. Almost like a totem or security blanket. ... I hate to be without my computer, but when I go on short trips and don’t take it, there’s a sense of freedom from it. For more from the reporter, visit www.jaehakim.com. CELEBRITY TRAVEL Musician’s must for traveling is scissors The dB’s drummer Will Rigby says a childhood road trip across the nation whet his appetite to travel. JOHN GESSNER By Christopher Elliott | King Features Syndicate I recently flew from Rome to Palermo, Italy, on ITA Airways. Unfortunately, my luggage did not. I filed a claim immediately at Palermo Airport. I didn’t receive my luggage until the end of my trip a week later. Since my luggage was missing the entire trip, I had to make purchases, including another set of luggage. My coat was in my suitcase. Thank God another woman on my tour lent me her coat. The weather was cold with heavy rain. So many things that I needed were difficult to purchase because we returned from tours late in the day. I think I did a good job of keeping my cost of purchases to a minimum, but I still spent $992. I have copies of my receipts. ITA Airways wants to reimburse me $733. I’d like to be fully reimbursed. Can you help me? — Jacqueline Bartolini, Bradenton, Florida TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER ITA Airways lost my luggage but won’t cover my expenses A: ITA Airways is liable for the entire $992. Under the Montreal Convention, if an airline loses, damages or delays your checked luggage, you’re entitled to compensation up to an amount of about $1,400 (unless there’s damage caused by an “inherent” defect in the baggage). Bottom line: If you can prove that you purchased these items while you were waiting for your luggage, ITA Airways should cover them. Unfortunately, airlines don’t always pay what they’re supposed to. They may scrutinize your list of items and say, “We don’t think you really needed that.” Looking at your list, I can see a few items that might have raised eyebrows, including $85 in cosmetics, a $6 mirror and a pair of shoes for $172. However, you were careful to document each purchase and noted the reasons for buying each item. I think ITA Airways needed to tell you why it wouldn’t cover certain items, but I don’t see it justifying its decision not to reimburse you anywhere in your correspondence with the airline. You might have avoided these problems by traveling light and carrying your luggage on the plane. I know this sounds unreasonable, but take it from someone who lives out of his luggage — it’s doable. I know very experienced travelers who never check their luggage. They buy any toiletries they need at their destination if it exceeds 3.4 ounces, like a large tube of toothpaste or a bottle of shampoo. (I have all my liquids in 3.4-ounce, airplane-safe containers.) You could have appealed this to an executive at ITA Airways. I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of the ITA Airways executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. Given that ITA Airways didn’t really explain why it shorted you $259, I thought it was worth asking. So I did. After you reached out to my consumer advocacy team, we checked with ITA Airways. At first, the airline said it couldn’t refund you because it didn’t have documentation for some items. But it did have them, and you showed them the receipts again. Finally, 10 months after you lost your luggage, ITA Airways sent us the following statement: “ITA Airways apologizes for the disruption and confirms that the customer will receive a refund for the expenses related to the purchase of items which occurred due to this inconvenience.” Then it sent you a check for $733. I contacted ITA again and asked it to cover the rest of your expenses, as agreed. It finally did. Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers resolve their problems. Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@ elliott.org. On my last visit to Oslo, I was struck by how peaceful the city felt. It seemed a world away from the commotion and angst that comes with the 24-hour news here in the U.S. I couldn’t help but take notes: Parents park their baby carriages on the sidewalk as they abandon their infants for a few moments to step into a store to do some shopping. You can hear birds in the city center, which is nearly traffic-free. And when you do see a car, it’s usually electric (the bestselling car in Norway is the Tesla). A “congestion fee” keeps most cars from the center of town. And where traffic used to clog the harborfront, a tunnel takes cars under the city rather than through it. Matching memories I have from my childhood visits, down at the harbor I notice a weatherbeaten sailor standing at the stern of his boat. He’s hoping to sell before sunset the last of the shrimp he caught before sunrise. Across the pedestrian boulevard, the old yellow train station is now the Nobel Peace Center, which explains the vision of a man who dedicated the wealth he earned inventing dynamite to celebrate peacemakers. Nearby, the brick City Hall — where the prize is awarded — is decorated by statues glorifying noble workers as it towers high above the harbor action. There’s a light mist. A sturdy harborfront boardwalk glistens as if happy to be the city’s dance floor. I stand at the edge of the scene and marvel at about a hundred Norwegians swing dancing to the tunes of a disc jockey under an umbrella — in what seems like a microcosm of a content society. It’s mostly American-style two-step to the recorded oldies … familiar tunes with unfamiliar Norwegian lyrics. Every time I come to Norway, I’m fascinated by their experiment in big government. My friends here enjoy telling me why they don’t mind their high taxes. For example, everyone loves November. It’s “half tax month” as the government wants people to have some extra money for the upcoming holidays. Coming out of the pandemic, the Nordic countries experienced a baby boom, even while birth rates fell in many other countries. Strong social safety nets in the Nordics, coupled with tax incentives for new babies, are likely key reasons. In Norway, parental leave is very generous. Families get up to 12 months leave at 80% pay. While the mom and dad can split the leave as they like, men are required to take at least a month of paid paternity leave when their baby arrives. While I’m noticing more babies in Scandinavia, I’m also noticing much less smoke. I remember a time decades ago when tobacco smoke was a real problem for American travelers in Europe. Then, nearly 20 years ago, Italy and Ireland went smoke free… and so did Scandinavia. Today, much of Europe is as smoke-free as the U.S. In Norway’s bars, restaurants, cafés, and trains, it’s clean air for all. I visited one of Oslo’s infamous old “brown cafés” — so named for the smokestained interiors. Of course, no one’s smoked inside here for ages. Nowadays, Norwegian restaurants and bars are routinely equipped with blankets so those who still smoke can do so outside— even in the cold season. To consume nicotine indoors, locals use snuff — snus in Norwegian. Men will notice that in urinals here, little used-up packs of chewing tobacco pile up where cigarette butts once did. When the sun’s out, Oslo’s parks are packed — filled with the joy of families barbecuing on a disposable, charcoal-heaped aluminum pan called an engangsgrill (one-time grill).” American visitors will also notice a lot of nudity — primarily topless women and naked kids. Parents let their kids play naked in city parks and fountains, and it’s really no big deal. Scandinavia has a casual approach to nudity. I’m not talking just mixed saunas (which are common throughout Europe). Many Americans are amazed at what runs on prime-time TV. My friend tells me that Norway has mixed PE classes with boys and girls showering together from the first grade on. In Norwegian hospitals, she tells me, women who need an X-ray are casually sent from the doctor’s office down the hall past the waiting public to the X-ray room after they’ve stripped to the waist. “No one notices and no one cares,” she says. Scandinavians are quick to point out the irony that while much of America goes into a tizzy over a teacher who shows students a photo of Michelangelo’s naked David, it is America that statistically has the biggest problem with sex-related crimes. Travel makes it clear there are more ways than one to live your life. That’s one reason why I keep on travelin’. Rick Steves (www.ricksteves. com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This column revisits some of Rick’s favorite places over the past two decades. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves. com and follow his blog on Facebook. People first in peaceful, progressive Oslo Aker Brygge, Oslo’s former shipyard, is home to condos, restaurants and shopping. City Hall, with its twin towers, sits at the head of the harbor. CAMERON HEWITT Rick Steves 8 Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 N/C

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By Stephanie Rosenbloom The New York Times Nothing says summer more than a waterfront getaway. And at these properties you can make the most of the season, whether you want to splash in the ocean off the Maine coast or laze by a river on a South Carolina island. You can even escape to the mountains of Austria where a castle on a lake awaits. THE CATSKILLS, NEW YORK The Chatwal Lodge At this luxury escape in White Lake, New York, about a two-hour drive from Manhattan, immerse yourself in more than 100 acres along the Toronto Reservoir. Or better yet, get into the reservoir and go paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. And because the Chatwal Lodge is set within the approximately 2,500-acre Chapin Estate, you can also fly-fish on private trout streams there. On dry land, pretend you’re back in summer camp and try archery, birdhouse decorating, baking classes and yoga. Or visit the recreation center where you can play shuffleboard, duckpin bowling, table tennis, billiards and board games. At night, gather for stargazing and s’mores around a fire pit. This year, the property added what it calls Treehouses, three accommodations perched about 15 feet above the ground amid oaks and maples, to its 11 suites and stand-alone stone cottage. Each treehouse, which can accommodate up to four guests, has a king-size bed on the first level, a loft with a Murphy bed, a living room with a wet bar, a covered balcony, and a deck with a fire pit. JOHNS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection Beginning Aug. 1, check into this new 72-roomand-suite luxury property along the Kiawah River and you’ll have 20 miles of waterfront and nature trails to hike and bike. Water activities abound, including kayaking, fishing classes, clam-harvesting workshops and a “water safari” that takes you on the river’s estuary where you might spot roseate spoonbills, great blue herons and sea turtles. Even though you’re surrounded by nature, you’re just a 40-minute car ride to the buzzy bars and restaurants of downtown Charleston. But there are plenty of places to tuck into a meal just beyond your room, too. For lunch and cocktails, make your way to the Cove, a 1950s beachclub-inspired restaurant at the riverfront pool. The Dunlin, named for a shorebird, has charming, cottage-inspired rooms that play off their sunny Lowcountry surroundings with wicker, linen, and white and mint-green hues. Porches provide places to sip iced tea and gaze at the river. Opt for a suite and you’ll have more space, including a living room and a soaking tub from which you can enjoy views of the water. HOF BEI SALZBURG, AUSTRIA Rosewood Schloss Fuschl This 15th-century castle on Lake Fuschl in the Austrian Alps reopens its doors July 1 after closing in 2022 and undergoing a gut renovation. What was once a hunting lodge and a summer residence of the archbishop of Salzburg is now part of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and it will have 98 rooms, including suites and stand-alone, lakefront chalets, as well as places to try regional cuisine, which emphasizes fish from local lakes, cheeses and wood-fired bread. A spa will include a heated infinity outdoor pool, an indoor pool and a fitness center. The big draw, of course, is the vast blue-green lake, and staying there means you can participate in activities like a fishing excursion that might wind up with you beside the water savoring a freshly smoked catch. And while the tranquility of the lake and the property’s walking trails may make you feel far from city life, Salzburg and its historic center, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is only a half-hour car ride away. Wherever you choose to spend the days, they’ll conclude in your room, where soothing hues are in keeping with the natural surroundings. Most of the rooms have full or partial views of the lake, and some have private outdoor space as well, including the lakefront chalets. OGUNQUIT, MAINE The Dunes on the Waterfront On the southern coast of Maine, amid flowers and picket fences, the cottages at the Dunes are scattered across 12 acres of lawns near the Atlantic Ocean. Following a renovation, the property just opened with 21 whitewashed cottages with green shutters, ranging from one to three bedrooms, all with a private porch or patio and a fireplace. In the morning you can have coffee, baked goods and a newspaper delivered to your door. Later, take a five-minute walk to get fresh seafood at the Ogunquit Lobster Pound. The charming restaurants, bars, shops and sandy beaches of Ogunquit are also a stroll away, or you can hop on one of the hotel’s complementary bikes and ride into town. The hotel also has row boats for you to cross the river to the popular Ogunquit Beach. Back at the Dunes, go fishing off the new dock, paddle board, kayak or join a waterfront yoga class. Take a dip in the heated swimming pool with views of the ocean, or while away an afternoon playing lawn games. NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND Newport Harbor Island Resort Fresh off a $50 million renovation, this resort on the site of a former torpedo factory has 257 rooms and suites, and a 22-slip marina where you can take to the water on inflatable paddle boards and in kayaks. A seasonal water taxi whisks you from the marina to the shops and restaurants of downtown Newport. Or stay put and feast on seafood at the resort. The restaurant 1639 has New England classics like clam chowder and lobster, which you can enjoy on its outdoor deck or indoors with views of the harbor. Head to the Pineapple Club for its pool, cabanas and restaurant. The rooms, most with views of the water and many with balconies or patios, have new furniture and are decorated in calming earth tones. Go for a swim in the outdoor saltwater pool or, if the weather doesn’t cooperate, in the heated indoor pool. Get a massage or body treatment at the spa, work out in the fitness center, or feel the sea breeze in your hair as you take a ride on one of the complementary bicycles. Savor the summer at these waterside hotels Take a break and spend some time by tranquil waters At the Chatwal Lodge, activities include kayaking in the Toronto Reservoir, which the lodge overlooks. 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INSIDE SUCCESS • RIDES Your guide to money and work, plus automotive news and reviews REAL ESTATE By Bob Goldsborough Chicago Tribune The two-bedroom, 1,550-square-foot Streeterville condominium that jazz great Ramsey Lewis owned until his death at age 87 in 2022 was listed in May and now is available for $489,900. A Chicago native who grew up in the Cabrini-Green housing complex, the Grammy-winning Lewis was a pianist and composer, and he also hosted mornings from 1997 until 2009 on WNUA-FM, where he previously hosted a weekly show from 1990 until 1997. In the Streeterville neighborhood, Lewis bought the condo in 2002 for $400,000. Until 1995, Lewis had owned a house next door to the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. in the South Side Jackson Park Highlands neighborhood. Located on the sixth floor of a 36-story tower that was constructed in 1974, Lewis’ condo, which is being sold by his estate, has been fully renovated. The condo has two bathrooms, northwest views including of Water Tower Place and the John Hancock Center, an open floor plan, a highend kitchen and modern built-ins throughout, listing agent Brady Miller of Chicago Real Estate Artists LLC told Elite Street. Miller, who attended the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, has a jazz background himself, having spent many years in New York City performing and touring. He noted that his real estate agency was founded by musicians, and that the ELITE STREET Streeterville condo that jazz great Lewis owned listed for sale The two-bedroom, 1,550-square-foot Streeterville condominium that jazz great Ramsey Lewis owned until his death at age 87 in 2022 was listed in May and is available for $489,900. CHICAGO HOME Turn to Elite, Page 4 By R.J. Rico and Jesse Bedayn Associated Press I n a dreary part of downtown Atlanta, shipping containers have been transformed into an oasis for dozens of previously unsheltered people who now proudly call a former parking lot home. The gated micro community known as The Melody doesn’t look like a parking lot anymore. Artificial turf is spread across the asphalt. Potted plants and red Adirondack chairs abound. There’s even a dog park. The shipping containers have been divided into 40 insulated studio apartments that have a single bed, HVAC unit, microwave, small refrigerator, TV, desk, sink and bathroom. On a recent afternoon, a half-dozen residents were chatting around a table in The Melody’s smoking area. “I’m just so grateful,” said Cynthia Diamond, a 61-year-old former line cook who uses a wheelchair and used to be chronically homeless. “I have my own door key. I ain’t got to worry about nobody knocking on my door, telling me when to eat, sleep or do anything. I’m going to stay here as long as the Lord allows me to stay here.” Faced with years of rising homelessness rates and failed solutions, city officials across the U.S. have been embracing rapid housing options emphasizing three factors: small, quick and cheap. Officials believe micro communities, unlike shelters, offer stability that, when combined with wraparound services, can more effectively put residents on the path to secure housing. Denver has opened three micro communities and converted five hotels for people who used to be homeless. Austin, Texas, has three villages of “tiny homes.” In Los Angeles, a 232-unit complex features two threefloor buildings of stacked shipping containers. “Housing is a ladder. You start with the very first rung. Folks that are literally sleeping on the ground aren’t even on the first rung,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, sitting in one of the city’s new micro communities that offer tiny, transitional homes for that first rung. More than 1,500 people have been moved indoors through the program, with over 80% still in the housing as of last month, according to city data. The inexpensive units are particularly a boon for cities with high housing costs, where moving that many people directly into apartments wouldn’t be financially feasible. Atlanta’s and Denver’s programs act as a stepping stone, working to get people jobs and more permanent housing; Denver aims to move people out within six months. That includes Eric Martinez, 28, who has been in limbo between the street and the bottom rung for most of his life. At birth, Martinez was flung into the revolving door of foster care, and he’s wrestled with substance use while surfing couches and pitching tents. “It’s kind of demeaning, it makes me feel less of a person,” Martinez said, his eyes downcast. “I had to get out of it and look out for myself at that point: It’s fight or flight, and I flew.” MICRO COMMUNITIES SPROUT UP Some cities eager for small, quick, cheap solutions for unhoused The Melody, seen April 12, is made from shipping containers for Atlanta’s homeless population. JOHN BAZEMORE/AP Eric Martinez sits in his room June 5 at a micro community in Denver. Martinez and others were directed into three micro communities of small cabin-like structures with a twin bed, desk and closet, after his Denver tent encampment was swept. THOMAS PEIPERT/AP Turn to Housing, Page 2 Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 1

By Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin Tribune Content Agency Q: I am selling my primary residence in Chicago that I’ve owned for about 30 years. I owned another property in another state and we are downsizing to live there in our retirement years. My wife and I have been married for 15 years and her name is not on the deed to the home in Chicago. I thought that you were allowed a $250,000 exemption on capital gain for a single person and $500,000 for a married couple. Not sure if that is still true. I certainly do stand to profit more than $250,000 on this property since it has appreciated in the course of 30 years. My main question is, does my wife’s name have to be on the deed in order to qualify for the $500,000 exemption to not pay capital gains? A: Well, we have good news for you. You only need to be married to get the full exclusion. The Internal Revenue Service’s rules allow homeowners who have owned their primary residence for two of the past five years to exclude from federal taxes up to $250,000 in profits for a single person or $500,000 for married couples. Publication 523 on the IRS website gives examples of how you can qualify for the exclusion and what might trip you up. The IRS rules specifically state that only one spouse has to meet the ownership requirement for you to qualify for the full exclusion. For our readers who are not familiar with the exclusion, or who haven’t sold in the past 20 years, here’s a short primer: Let’s say you and your spouse (or two non-married individuals) purchased a home before the pandemic for $200,000 and used it as your primary residence. Homes in your area are now selling for $700,000. If you decide to sell, the IRS would allow you to sell the home and pay no taxes to the federal government on that sale. (There may be state tax to pay.) That’s a lot of cash to pocket without paying federal taxes. Computing the profit is only slightly more complicated: You need to know what you paid for the home, what you may have put into the home that allows you to add to the basis of the home, what it costs you to sell the home, and the sales price. Publication 523 includes a worksheet you can use. It walks you through which expenses and other costs that you can include in your computation to determine your profit from the sale of the home. We know that for most of our readers, the $250,000 exclusion for a single person or $500,000 for a couple will be more than enough to cover all profits from the sale of a home. Of course, some parts of the country have seen home prices skyrocket over the past decade. If you live in Boise, Idaho, or Sherman Oaks, California, you might have a profit that far exceeds $500,000. If you’re that lucky, and you need to sell, you should take a close look at the IRS publication to see what you are allowed to include as you calculate your property’s basis. One last item that may be important to some readers: If you owned this house and your spouse owned a different house, you’ll need to be careful in making sure that each of you will qualify for the full home sale exclusion. Let’s say you and your spouse owned homes before you got married. And one of you sold their home a year ago. If that spouse used the home sale exclusion to avoid paying tax on some of the profit, that same spouse must wait an additional 12 months before taking the home exclusion. That’s because you can only take the exclusion once every two years. And you and your spouse must meet all of the qualifying conditions to get the exclusion for each home sold. Again, the most fundamental part of the home sale exclusion is that each owner must have lived in the home as their primary residence for at least two of the past five years. If you meet that rule, great. Be sure to verify with your tax preparer any other items that may be specific to your issue. For example, vacation homes are not eligible for the tax exclusion because they are not primary residences. Rental properties also are not eligible. Ilyce Glink is the CEO of Best Money Moves and Samuel J. Tamkin is a real estate attorney. Contact them through the website ThinkGlink.com. REAL ESTATE MATTERS Spouse not needed on deed to get tax break While married couples can exclude up to $500,000 from federal taxes on the sale of their home, there are other caveats. DREAMSTIME Martinez’s Denver tent encampment was swept, and he and the others were directed into the micro communities of small cabin-like structures with a twin bed, desk and closet. The city built three such communities with nearly 160 units total in about six months, at roughly $25,000 a unit, Johnston said. The 1,000 converted hotel units cost about $100,000 each. On site at the micro community are bathrooms, showers, washing machines, small dog parks and kitchens; the Salvation Army delivers meals. The program represents an about-face from policies that for years focused on short-term group shelters and the ceaseless shuffle of encampments from one city block to the next. That system made it difficult to keep people who were scattered through the city connected to services and on the path to permanent housing. Those services in Denver’s and Atlanta’s micro communities are largely centralized. They offer case management, counseling, mental health and substance-abuse therapy, housing guidance and assistance obtaining anything from vocational skills training to a new pair of dentures. “We’re able to meet every level of the hierarchy of needs — from security and shelter, all the way up to self-actualization and the sense of community,” said Peter Cumiskey, the Atlanta site clinician. The Melody, and projects like it, are a “very promising, feasible and cost-effective way” to tackle homelessness, said Michael Rich, an Emory University political science professor who studies housing policy. Rich noted that transitional housing is just the first step toward permanent housing. The programs in Denver and Atlanta, taking inspiration from similar ones in Columbia, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia, offer a degree of privacy and security not found in congregate shelters or encampments. Giving each resident their own bathroom and kitchen is a crucial feature that helps set The Melody apart, said Cathryn Vassell, whose nonprofit Partners For Home oversees the micro community in Atlanta. Aside from a prohibition on overnight guests, staff emphasize that tenants are treated as independent residents. Vassell acknowledged that it’s unclear how long the containers will last — she’s hoping 20 years. But, she said, they were the right choice for The Melody because they were relatively inexpensive and already had handicap-accessible bathrooms — many were used by Georgia hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, which took about four months to complete, cost about $125,000 a unit — not “tremendously inexpensive,” Vassell said, but less than traditional construction and much quicker. Staffing and security operations cost about $900,000 a year. The scars of life on the street still stick with Martinez. All his belongings are prepped for a move at a moment’s notice, even though he feels secure in his tiny home alongside his cat, Appa. The community has been “very uplifting and supporting,” he said, pausing. “You don’t get that a lot.” On his wall is a calendar with a job orientation penciled in. The next step is working with staff to get a housing voucher for an apartment. “I’m always looking down on myself for some reason,” Martinez said. But “I feel like I’ve been doing a pretty good job. Everyone is pretty proud of me.” Housing from Page 1 2 Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 TheDailyMeal.com ROOMS FOR RENT $150 weekly/$600 monthly Acacia SRO Rooming House 723 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60654 MEN ONLY. SENIOR DISCOUNTS. Call to inquire 312-421-4597 CHICAGO $600 60654 723 WEST GRAND AVE OTHER ROOMS FOR RENT Historic High Springs 1600 SQ FT, 200 Frontage on US Highway 441, Build your dream Here. Glanzer Realty LLC, Olena Shannon Realtor 954- 200-3999 HIGH SPRINGS, NORTH FLORIDA 1672 SF 32643 19327 NW US HIGHWAY, HIGH SPRINGS FL COMMERICAL COMMERCIAL FOR SALE SOUTH/SOUTHWEST Main Body Waterfront Property on Lake Sara! Boat dock/Large Deck at Waterfront! Fire pit Area with Seating!! Wonderful Front Porch Overlooking Waterfront! Lake Sara is approx 3hrs from South Suburbs of Chicago! DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THIS ONE OF KIND WATERFRONT HOME! 2 Golf Courses, Waterfront Restaurants, Music Ventures, Parks! Call CATHY FIELD TODAY WHITTEN REAL ESTATE AGENCY PLLC at 1-217-343-8773 for more Information! EFFINGHAM LAKE SARA $879000 62401 14969 N 9TH AVE SFH NATIONAL REAL ESTATE Move in ready! Beautifully updated fully furnished 2-story, 2,100 S.F. waterfront condo located on the Saint Joseph River and steps away from the sandy shore of Lake Michigan and Silver Beach. This condo adorns 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, huge living room, extra-large main bedroom, walk-in closets in each bedroom. One enclosed detached parking space is included. The Waterfront Association is a gated community with pool and clubhouse. SAINT JOSEPH $875,000 49085 240 WATER ST APT A CONDO PREMIUM 200 FT LAKEFRONT VACANT LOT FOR SALE: 3,545-acre full recreational lake. South exposure. Trees & dead-end road provide exceptional privacy. Large enough for home & guest house; 0.83 acres. MLS#: 1979690. Judy Mixis, Shorewest Realtors, (715) 367-9670 PELICAN LAKE, WI $339000 54463 2597 UNCLE BEN RD. LAND NATIONAL LOTS/ACREAGE Search for your new Real Estate Property at classifieds.chicagotribune.com To place a real estate ad, visit chicagotribune.com/advertiser/realestate REALESTATE ARKETPLACE SELL YOUR HOME to place your ad, visit chicagotribune.com/advertiser or call 312 222 2222 Your Goodwill® purchases fund job training and more in your community. 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chicagotribune.com/homes Visit us online for exclusive Home of the Day photo galleries, plus views of other featured homes and real estate stories. Address: 2130 N. Cleveland Ave., Chicago Price: $4,999,999 Listed: May 15, 2024 This seven-bedroom, 7 1/2-bath home in Lincoln Park features a checkered marble entryway and a paver patio with a fireplace. The living and dining rooms have white oak floors, 11-foot ceilings, a custom staircase and a limestone fireplace. A two-car garage has electric vehicle charging and a parking pad. In the kitchen are a Subzero fridge, a 60-inch Wolf range with two ovens, two dishwashers and a butler’s pantry. Additionally, the kitchen has House of Rohl brass plumbing fixtures, a porcelain waterfall countertop and a wrapped hood. The primary suite on the second floor has a walk-in closet and bathroom with Waterworks fixtures. Also on the second floor are a library and en suite guest bedroom. The third floor features three en suite bedrooms, a laundry room and an office. The top floor leads to a rooftop with panoramic city views. On the lower level is a rec room with two bedrooms, a dog wash and a mudroom. There is also an elevator to all floors. Listing agent: Sherri Hoke, Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, 310-909-4550 Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options. To feature your luxury listing of $1,000,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@ chicagotribune.com HOME OF THE WEEK Lincoln Park 7-bedroom home with elevator: $5M POSITIVE IMAGE PHOTOS Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 3 Dyer Indiana’s NEWEST DEVELOPMENT! Custom Single Family Homes! Built to Suit. • Lake Michigan Water • Low Taxes • 40 Minutes to Chicago Call 219.924.3686 50% OFF INSTALL!* 2024 06/30/24 (312) 736-0123 shelfgenie.com Custom Pull-Out Shelves for your existing cabinets and pantry. *Limit one offer per household. Must purchase 5+ Classic/Designer Glide-Out Shelves. EXP Independently owned and operated franchise. © ShelfGenie SPV LLC. All rights Reserved. Call for Your FREE Design Consultation DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF, JUST NAIL THE BIG STUFF. What’s another teeny, tiny stain? You’ve got more important things to think about—like making sure your kids are buckled correctly in the right seat for their age and size. Check at NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat

agency roots itself in that creativity. “Everything in this unit is custom-designed, with very high-end finishes, and people notice that when they come through,” Miller said. “Everything is higher quality than people would have anticipated. There are a lot of high-end builtins, and some secret areas too for storage. It also has nice, engineered hardwood floors throughout, and it’s easily expandable to be three bedrooms without really sacrificing any of the space in a meaningful way. And it’s a great building overall, with a large private balcony with really nice views.” The condo had a $9,320 property tax bill in the 2022 tax year. It also has a $19,092-a-year homeowners association fee. Ramsey’s estate first listed the unit in early May for $524,900, and several weeks later cut the asking price to $489,900. Retired Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster sells Lakeview home for nearly $2.5M: Retired Chicago Cubs starting pitcher and Marquee Sports Network analyst and talk show host Ryan Dempster and his wife on June 6 sold their six-bedroom, 5,650-square-foot Lakeview house for $2.45 million — just $50,000 below his asking price. Dempster, 47, pitched for the Cubs from 2004 until 2012 and retired from baseball in 2014. He then took a job in the Cubs front office before signing on as an analyst for the MLB Network and hosting a late night-style talk show, “Off the Mound with Ryan Dempster,” on the Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network. In Lakeview, Dempster paid $1.95 million in 2014 to a homebuilder for the house that he just sold. The two-story house has 6 ½ bathrooms, four fireplaces, hardwood floors, high ceilings, custom millwork and cabinetry, a living room with moldings and a marble fireplace, a private office with a wall of built-in shelving and a kitchen with a large center island, a butler’s pantry and Sub-Zero, Wolf and Miele appliances. It also has a great room with custom built-ins and coffered ceilings, a primary bedroom suite with an oversize steam shower and a dual vanity and a lower level with an oversize recreation room, a wet bar, a guest suite, an exercise space and a temperature-controlled wine cellar. Outside on the extrawide property are a landscaped yard, a brick patio, an outdoor fireplace, a deck and an oversize three-car garage with a full attic. “(The house) was wellbuilt, on a 37.5-foot lot, had a nice backyard and the Dempsters decorated it very nicely,” listing agent Jeffrey Lowe of Compass told Elite Street after the sale. Lowe also represented the buyers. Lowe did not comment on where the Dempsters are off to, but Dempster briefly owned a French Provincial-style house in Wilmette in 2021, which he sold that year for $2.135 million. He previously has owned several other homes in Lakeview. Regarding the Lakeview house that he just sold, Dempster tried listing it as a pocket listing in 2021 for $2.25 million before taking it off the market, and he then relisted it as a pocket listing on March 7 for $2.45 million before publicly placing it on the market the following day. The house had a $36,382 property tax bill in the 2022 tax year. Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter. Elite from Page 1 The two-bedroom, 1,550-square-foot Streeterville condominium that jazz great Ramsey Lewis owned until his death at age 87 in 2022 was listed in May and is available for $489,900. CHICAGO HOME Retired Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster and his wife on June 6 sold their six-bedroom, 5,650-square-foot Lakeview house for $2.45 million. 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Jill Schlesinger Jill on Money Your guide tomanagingmoney,work and the business oflife SUCCESS The world recently recognized Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a term that has many applications. In this column, we are focusing on the financial exploitation of older Americans, which involves financial abuse committed by someone the victim knows, and financial fraud, which is perpetrated by a stranger. To quantify the financial impact, law enforcement agencies have released the damage done in the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Last year, elder fraud complaints jumped 14%, and associated losses of those crimes rose by 11%. (For these crimes, the government defines “elder” as those age 60 and older.) The money involved in these instances have ballooned, with elder scams robbing people of over $3.4 billion, or an average of $33,915 a victim. The types of scams are wide-ranging, with tech support swindles accounting for the most widely reported kind of elder fraud in 2023. These are events where criminals pose as representatives or fictitious companies. They offer to fix nonexistent computer issues, and ultimately gain remote access to victims’ devices and sensitive information. Losses for tech scams amounted to $590 million last year. But it was investment scams that were the most financially devastating kind of elder fraud in 2023, costing victims more than $1.2 billion in losses. There is no single type of investment fraud, according to the FBI. Fraudsters often pitch these ideas as “low-risk investments with guaranteed returns” and include Ponzi and pyramid schemes, market manipulation fraud, real estate investing and cryptocurrency scams. With crypto, criminals usually rely on building trust and confidence, initiating contact through dating apps, social media platforms or professional networking sites. As the relationship deepens, the criminal slowly lures the victim into a complex cryptocurrency investment scam. Another elder crime starts as a text or call from someone posing as a relative claiming to be in immediate financial need. Government officials at the FTC remind us that “scammers are good at faking it,” so it’s important to verify the person’s identity. “Resist the pressure to react and send money immediately. Hang up — or tell the person you’ll call them right back. “If you don’t feel comfortable hanging up, try asking a question only the real person would know the answer to, like ‘What was the name of our childhood dog?’ or ‘Where did you spend Thanksgiving last year?’ ” If you are seeking a generalized preventive measure that can uncover scams, most banks, credit unions and brokerage firms allow individuals to choose one or more trusted contacts, like an adult child or close friend, who your bank or credit union can reach out to for emergency situations. If you believe you may have been a victim of elder fraud, contact your local FBI field office, submit a tip online or file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. You will need: „ Names of the scammer/company „ Dates of contact „ Methods of communication „ Phone numbers, email/mailing addresses and websites used by the perpetrator „ Methods of payment „ Where you sent funds, including wire transfers and prepaid cards (provide financial institution names, account names and account numbers) „ Descriptions of your interactions with the scammer and the instructions you were given Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News business analyst. A former options trader and CIO of an investment advisory firm, she welcomes questions at [email protected]. Check her website at www.jillonmoney.com. Financial abuse targeting older folks on the rise I asked what kind of family Amina wanted. She said, ‘A family like yours.’ That’s when I knew I had to adopt her. Denise, adopted 17-year-old Amina LEARN ABOUT ADOPTING A TEEN YOU CAN’T IMAGINE THE REWARD A D O P T U s k I D s . O R G Jill Schlesinger Jill on Money DREAMSTIME By Stephanie Vozza | Fast Company Y our first job after college will be one you always remember. It’s natural to hit the ground running, trying to prove yourself by working extra hard. However, don’t overlook the importance of your mental health. According to the fifth annual Workforce Attitude Survey from Headspace, Gen Z struggles at work more than their peers. “Forty percent of Gen Z workers are reporting extreme stress every day, and 59% are reporting feeling dread on a weekly basis,” says Russell Glass, Headspace CEO. “This is significantly higher than what we see in other populations.” Part of the problem is that Gen Z entered the workforce at a unique time in history. “During the pandemic, things were changing dramatically,” he says. “A lot of them have no idea what a standard normal workplace looks like.” On a positive note, Gen Z has destigmatized mental health. Glass says this demographic is more willing to talk about it than older populations, especially Gen Xers and boomers. Talking and acting, however, are two different things, and protecting your mental health means creating and enforcing boundaries. “I learned over time that I was much more effective when I was getting what I needed from a physical standpoint, a mental health standpoint, and an overall health standpoint,” says Glass, who is a contributor to “Boundaries, Priorities, and Finding Work-Life Balance,” which is part of Harvard Business Review’s Work Smart book series. Setting boundaries early in your career can help you create a job that supports your mental health. Here are three ways you can strive for better balance. Set boundaries with yourself Boundary-setting begins with yourself, and one of the best ways to get off on the right foot is to protect downtime. “In the beginning of your career, you can feel invincible — like you can do anything,” Glass says. “But the brain needs rest and breaks to perform at its peak capability.” Glass recommends taking small breaks during work. Even a minute of intentional breathing or a short walk will increase brain capacity, allowing you to function at your peak longer. While micro-breaks are suitable for daily resets, good mental and physical health also needs macro breaks. Studies show that taking longer breaks from work is connected to longevity. “Starting all of this early is important because it’ll allow you to have a more effective and positive career from the start versus having to struggle to learn those things before you get into positions later in your career,” Glass says. Know your nonnegotiables Once you have established good internal habits, you’ll be better equipped to set boundaries with others. Glass says there are hard and soft boundaries. “Take time to think about what your hard boundaries are,” he says. “What are the things that you’re just not going to sacrifice? For me, I have kids at home, and I’m going to have dinner with those kids. That’s an important part of who I am as a dad, and I’m not going to allow work to encroach in on that. Then set up your schedule around that hard boundary.” Soft boundaries aren’t as rigid. For example, Glass tries to take half-hour breaks throughout the day. “Those are times for me to get up and stretch or walk outside,” he explains. If someone really needs time with me, I can be flexible. Or I might suggest doing a one-on-one walk. I can find a way to get some sun or stretch my legs, too.” If you feel your boundaries aren’t being respected, have a conversation with your boss immediately. For example, if you are being contacted on off hours or weekends, Glass suggests saying: “I’m finding that I can’t be as productive as I want to be because I’m not getting the breaks and separation from work that I need. It seems like I must be available on a Saturday. I’m willing to do that because it’s a soft boundary for me, but I want to work with you to figure out when I can step away.” “If you’re in a situation where your boss doesn’t respect that or says, ‘That’s not how we do things here,’ then you have to ask yourself, is this really the place for me?” Glass says. “Is this where I want to build my career, particularly as a new entry into the workforce? When you set boundaries, you have to be willing to have those conversations and make decisions from a value standpoint.” Be proactive about employers Where you work will also affect your mental health. As you enter the workforce and consider employers, Glass recommends asking yourself three questions. First: Do you believe in the CEO and leadership team, and can you learn from them? Second: Is the company a place where you can bring your whole self to work? Finally: Do you believe in the product, mission or service that the company is executing? “If you feel you can trust the leadership team, if you feel you can bring your whole self to work, and you’re excited about what they’re trying to accomplish in the world, almost nothing else matters,” Glass says. “If any of those are missing, you should not consider that organization if you have a choice.” When you start your first job out of school, there’s much to learn and experience. It may take time to adjust to the work environment and determine how to be most productive. “There’s some introspection that needs to happen,” Glass says. “If the employer is breaking hard boundaries, it’s OK to move on because those are the things that are critical to you. If they’re soft boundaries, you may just need more time, learning and education. It’s healthy to go through some of that stuff in your early career. It will help you understand what kinds of jobs you like.” Mind your mental health by setting boundaries at work KNOW YOUR LIMITS Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 5

SUCCESS By Ella Vincent Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Prenuptial agreements are popular with wealthy celebrities, but plenty of ordinary couples are taking steps to protect their assets in case their marriage ends in divorce. About 20% of American couples have a prenup, and 50% of Americans said they support the use of prenups, according to a 2023 Harris Poll, up from 42% in 2022. Julia Rodgers, a family law attorney who co-founded Hello Prenup, a website that helps users create a do-it-yourself prenuptial agreement, says a prenup is particularly important for couples who have children from a previous marriage. “If you want to keep your wealth in the family and not lose it in a divorce, you should protect it with a prenup,” Rodgers says. If your marriage ends and you don’t have a prenup, a divorce court determines how your assets will be divided, and divorce laws vary by state. “By having a prenup, you decide the rules for yourself,” Rodgers says. “Without a prenup, you’re letting the state decide for you.” In a prenuptial agreement, each person must disclose all their financial information, including assets and debts. Assets designated as separate property in the prenup can’t be divided with your spouse in the event of a divorce. Assets that aren’t designated as separate will be considered marital, or community, property and split 50-50 in a divorce. You can use the prenup to protect retirement plans and accounts, such as pensions, 401(k)s and IRAs, says Kristen Marinaccio, a family law attorney with Brach Eichler LLC in Roseland, New Jersey. A prenup can also help you split up your debts. If you and your future spouse don’t want to be liable for each other’s student loans, credit card balances and other debts in the event of a divorce, your prenup can clarify that you want to keep your debts separate. If you earn more than your spouse or vice versa, you can specify in your prenup how much support the lowerearning spouse will receive if you divorce. You can also spell out whether the support will be provided in a lump sum or monthly payments, along with how long you’ll need to be married before a specific amount of support is provided, Marinaccio says. Child support or child custody can’t be included in a prenup because that must be settled by a family court judge. You also can’t include day-to-day nonfinancial matters, such as how to divide chores. If your marriage ends and you’re unhappy with the terms of the prenup, you can contest it in a family court. The court can void the prenup if it finds that the agreement gives one of the divorcing spouses an unfair advantage, Marinaccio says. However, challenging a prenup is difficult. Once you’ve drawn up a prenup, you and your partner should sign it, and you should also have it notarized. In some states, such as Florida, an attorney must review the prenup for it to be valid. Prenups aren’t just for the rich and famous DREAMSTIME SOURCE: Bruce Eckfeldt, Inc. Planning your exit strategy As a strategic growth coach, I’ve worked with dozens of companies on how to create and implement successful scaling strategies, and many of them have found successful exits. When I speak with founders about selling, I have a series of core questions that I ask them before we engage in any growth or exit planning process. Why didyou start yourbusiness? I always like to start by having founders reflect on why they started the business. For some, it wasarandom series of events that got things going. For others, it wasacarefully thought-out plan with clear goals and ambitions. Regardless, it’s helpful to uncover any motivations or dreams that inspired the company’s start that need to be considered when planning an exit. What areyou goingtodoafter yousell? Too often, I see founders get into the heat of the sale process only to have an existential crisis when selling becomesareality. They put their sweat, blood, and tears into this business, and the idea of letting it go can become overwhelming and unnerving. Without a clear plan for what you’ll do after you sell, you’ll subconsciously sabotage the deal. Drinking pina coladas on the beach doesn’t cut it. Founders needanew passion and project to work on. It could be a new business, or it could be a personal or social pursuit, but they need something. You need to know what that is before you begin to think about selling. What’s yourminimumnumber? One of the first exercises I do is to ask founders how much money they want in their pockets at the end of the sale. Many have no idea, in which case we have work to do. For those who have a number, we look into what it will take to get to that number based on the current company finances. For some, this might be a simple private equity play. For others, we might need to spend a few years growing and improving the business and finding a strategic exit before we have a hope of hitting it. What are your acceptabledeal terms? Sales agreements cover a lot more than cash on the barrel. There are often ongoing earnouts, bonuses, reps and warranties, non-competes, employment agreements, and many other terms that can impactadeal’s attractiveness. Knowing which ones are acceptable and which are not will greatly change the types of possible deals. Elliot Raphaelson The Savings Game In a previous column, I pointed out that in the wake of rule changes under the SECURE Act of 2019 and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, there are updated rules regarding missed required minimum distributions (RMDs) associated with IRA accounts. Fortunately, the penalties associated with missed RMDs have been reduced. In 2023, they were reduced from 50% to 25%. The new regulations also specified that if the missed RMD was reported in a “timely” manner, the penalty would be reduced to 10%. A timely manner was defined as when a beneficiary inherited an IRA in 2023 or later, the penalty would only be 10% of the missed RMD if the beneficiary filed IRS Form 5329 by the end of the second calendar year following the year for which the RMD was missed. Procedures have been finalized so that individuals who have missed RMDs for acceptable reasons can apply for a complete waiver of penalties. In a recent newsletter, IRA expert Ed Slott has documented these procedures, which I’ll discuss below. In order to file for a waiver, you have to first take the missing distributions. Then, you should file a separate Form 5329 for each year you missed an RMD. You can enclose all the separate Form 5329s in one filing. The justification for filing a waiver can be the same for each year you file a 5329. Form 5329 is not restricted only to missed RMDs. They can be used for health savings accounts and for Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORM 5329 On line 52, report the RMD that should have been withdrawn for the applicable year. On line 53, report the amount that was distributed before the deadline. In many cases that amount could be zero. On line 54, enter “RC,” which refers to reasonable cause for the missed RMD. On line 54, specify “0” if you are requesting a full waiver on line 54 next to RC. On line 55, report penalty due. If requesting a full waiver, enter “0.” Attach a statement indicating the reason for the missed RMD. For example, illness, job loss, family emergencies/deaths, misinterpretation of regulations, poor advice, etc. Do not pay the penalty. If the IRS approves the waiver request, they will not respond. If the waiver request is denied, the IRS will send you a notice requesting payment. Example: Harry did not take any RMDs in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and in 2023 he did not take a sufficient withdrawal. He is required to file separate forms for all four years. His explanation for the missing RMDs is the same for 2020, 2021 and 2022; for 2023 his explanation is different. So his attached statements referencing why he missed those RMDs can be identical for 2020, 2021 and 2022 on those 5329 forms. If he had a different explanation for 2023, it should be documented differently in his Form 5329 for 2023. At the end of 2022, the SECURE 2.0 Act established a three-year statute of limitations. That limitation period starts with the tax-filing deadline for the year for which the RMD is missed. Previously, the statute of limitations for years prior to 2022 was an open question. Bottom line: Don’t assume that just because you missed taking RMDs, you are subject to significant penalties. If you believe you have justification for missing RMDs, you should file Form 5329 for each year you either missed taking an RMD or took only partial withdrawals. Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at [email protected]. Seek penalty waiver for missed IRA withdrawals DREAMSTIME Elliot Raphaelson The Savings Game Terry Savage The Savage Truth The stock market keeps reaching new highs on the major indices: The Dow Jones Industrial Average did it in mid-May, and the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ did it in mid-June. A casual glance at the evening news headlines gives the sense that all is well in the financial markets. Last week’s column discussed a Harris poll showing that 56% of Americans think we are already in a recession, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Gross domestic product — a preferred yardstick for the economy — is growing at a more than 3% annual rate. How could so many people be so misinformed? Likely because they are personally feeling squeezed by higher prices and rising credit card debt, not to mention by unnerving political commentary about our economic problems. After last week’s column was written, it was reported that the University of Michigan Consumer Confidence index dropped sharply to 65.6 in June from 69.1 the previous month. And before the report, a survey of economists was expecting this index to rise to 72! Pessimism is contagious. And so is optimism. But reality eventually rules. So, perhaps now it’s time to ask this question: Could the investing public be equally misinformed about this bull stock market as it makes new highs? Oncoming bear? It’s highly possible that the stock market headlines about new highs are masking a treacherous oncoming decline that could hit just as baby boomers retire and start depending on their pool of savings for income. James Stack of InvesTech Research, who manages billions for his clients and has repeatedly been ranked highly on Barron’s “Top 100 Financial Advisers” list, has been worried about stock market overvaluation for months, even as the market moved higher. Stack explains that he is not a market timer but rather a risk manager. Thus, he has had a high position of cash (in the form of Treasury bills) for many months. Stack notes that markets can turn down swiftly, once all the buyers are “all in.” But something happened recently that makes Stack especially nervous about the near-term prospects for the stock market. As he explained in a message to subscribers: “On Tuesday, June 11, both the Nasdaq Index and S&P 500 Index hit new highs. “HOWEVER, the number of declining stocks outnumbered advancing stocks on both exchanges. AND there were more stocks hitting new 52-week (yearly) lows than were hitting new 52-week highs on both exchanges.” He has just told his subscribers and clients that the circumstances of “overvaluation” in the market today are reminiscent of the months before the “dot-com bubble” burst. He wrote: “Overall, this confirms the narrowing participation and deteriorating leadership that has been progressively eating away at the current bull market’s momentum, and also suggests that volatility could soon start to increase.” An opportunity Lest you think Stack is one of those perma-bears, he also called the bottom of the market in 2009 amid general doom and gloom — another very timely call. Stack explains that he maintains a cash position to be able to buy bargains when others are out of money and out of hope. One thing is sure: A bear market now would have a devastating impact on those just retiring — and planning to live on their investment savings. If a prominent and successful money manager can advise holding a significant amount of “chicken money” in T-bills, maybe you want to take another look at your portfolio. And that’s the Savage Truth. Terry Savage is a registered investment adviser and the author of four bestselling books, including “The Savage Truth on Money.” Terry responds to questions on her blog at TerrySavage.com. Markets ride high, but don’t risk being lax Terry Savage The Savage Truth 6 Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024

SUCCESS By Ella Vincent Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Q: Are late fees on credit card payments going down? A: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has finalized a rule that caps fees for late credit card payments at $8, a significant reduction from the recent average of $32. But the rule faces legal challenges from banking and business groups, including the American Bankers Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Among other claims, the groups argue in a lawsuit that the rule prevents card issuers from charging fees that are high enough to deter customers from making late payments. Regardless of whether the CFPB rule survives, you can take steps to avoid late payments altogether. “Let technology help you,” says Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree and author of “Ask Questions, Save Money, Make More.” Set up alerts through your card issuer’s phone app or by email or text message to notify you of upcoming payment due dates. Or implement automatic transfers from your bank account to pay your credit card bill by the due date each month. Periodically log in to your online account to make sure the payments are correctly processed. If your payment is 30 days or more past due, the card issuer will likely share with the major credit-reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) that the account is delinquent — and that will damage your credit score. So make sure to pay an overdue bill as soon as possible. The issuer may waive a late fee upon request, especially if you’re a longtime customer or otherwise have a clean payment record. Q: How much does it cost to have a prenuptial agreement drawn up? A: Hiring a family law attorney to draw up a prenuptial agreement can cost $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the contract. Hello Prenup (www.helloprenup.com) charges $599 per couple, plus $50 for notarization, for a program that guides you and your intended spouse through detailed questionnaires about your assets, debts, inheritances and more. You can ask an attorney questions for an extra $99 per partner. If you want an attorney to represent you, thoroughly review and digitally sign your prenup, it’s an additional $699 each. Rocket Lawyer (www.rocketlawyer. com) provides a template you can use to create a prenup. The cost is $19.99 a month after a seven-day free trial. Another DIY option is Law Depot (www.lawdepot.com), which offers a downloadable prenuptial agreement. You can sign up for a one-week free trial; after that, the cost is $33 a month. If you use one of these services, consider paying a lawyer to review your prenup to make sure it’s enforceable. Avoid fees on late payments despite drop DREAMSTIME Steve Rosen Kids & Money When the federal SECURE Act 2.0 was approved two years ago with a host of high-impact changes in retirement savings programs, there was a piece that attracted less attention: the ability to roll unused money from 529 college savings accounts into a Roth IRA. The account transfer program, which became effective at the start of 2024, was meant to help beneficiaries build up retirement income from unused dollars in their 529 state-sponsored college savings accounts. Through the first quarter this year, nearly 9,000 transfers have been completed totaling $63 million in assets, or $7,088 per account, according to data compiled by ISS Market Intelligence and shared with the College Savings Foundation, an organization that supports 529 college savings plans. College Savings Foundation members “are hearing from clients that they like the added flexibility this brings to 529s by allowing a portion of the assets to be used for the beneficiary’s retirement, Chris McGee, chair of the foundation, said in a statement. While the rollover feature may be a good idea for families that oversaved for college, some of the conversion details may be problematic. Among the details in the fine print are the following. To qualify for the account transfer, the 529 must have been open for 15 years or more, and the money being rolled over must have been in the account at least five years. Rollovers must be made to the Roth of the beneficiary of the 529 account. While the law requires the 529 account to have been opened for 15 years before a transfer, the College Savings Foundation said it is unclear whether changing the beneficiary on the 529 account, which the law allows, restarts this 15-year clock. “Until the IRS tells us otherwise, it’s best to use 529 funds that have been in the account for 15 years for the same beneficiary, the College Savings Foundation said. The Internal Revenue Service sets limits on how much individuals can contribute to an IRA each year, which is $7,000 for 2024. The lifetime maximum a 529 beneficiary can roll over is $35,000. That means it will take more than five years to get the full benefits of the rollover if the beneficiary is under age 50. Some states allow a state tax deduction for contributions to 529 plans and may impose state taxes or penalties if the funds are not used for qualified educational expenses. If the state has not yet adapted its law to treat a rollover to a Roth IRA as a qualified expense, then the state would treat that rollover as a non-qualified distribution and the state’s normal taxes and penalties would apply, according to the College Savings Foundation. Check your state laws. Another item in the fine print is the fact that the beneficiary must have earned income from work that equals the amount to be rolled over. For example, if you are planning on rolling over $5,000 in 2024 to a Roth, the beneficiary must have earned at least $5,000 for the year. “If you started contributing to the 529 when your beneficiary was young and there are assets left over after he or she completed school and started working, this could be a great way to keep contributing to your loved one’s life,” according to an analysis by John Hancock Investment Management. Caveats aside, I’m for anything that helps sock away money for a child’s future. Just keep in mind this conversion program isn’t for everyone. Questions, comments, column ideas? Send an email to [email protected]. Is a 529 college savings account transfer to IRA a good idea? Steve Rosen Kids & Money DREAMSTIME By Ashlyn Brooks Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Apple recently announced that loans made through its buy now, pay later program will be reported to Experian, a major credit reporting company. If more lenders follow Apple’s lead, the change could help consumers who use these loans build a credit history — but it could hurt their credit scores, too. BNPL services allow consumers to spread payments on their purchases over a few weeks or months, typically without interest if payments are made on time. Unlike layaway plans of the past, which required buyers to wait to claim a purchase until they had paid it off, BNPL provides instant gratification, which has made the loans popular with consumers. More than 40% of U.S. adults have used at least one BNPL service, according to a survey by Bankrate. However, the simplicity of BNPL plans can obscure potential pitfalls. Fees for late payments can be steep, and consumer advocates worry that the easy availability of the loans encourages consumers to purchase things they can’t afford. Nearly 30% of consumers who have used BNPL said they have spent more than they should, according to a Bankrate survey. Because BNPL payments usually aren’t reported to the three major credit reporting companies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — consumers have less incentive to curb spending and pay on time (although if you fail to pay for an extended period, the BNPL provider may turn your debt over to a debt collector, which can heavily damage your credit). At the same time, with most BNPL providers, using your loan responsibly doesn’t help you build a good credit history. So far, most other BNPL providers, including Klarna and Afterpay, haven’t announced plans to report their loans to the credit reporting companies. Affirm says it reports some longer-term loans to Experian, but it doesn’t report its plans that offer four interest-free payments, a common BNPL structure. In addition, most credit scoring models haven’t adapted to incorporate the way BNPL payments are made. For example, unlike credit card payments, which are typically made once a month and are reported to the credit reporting companies, many BNPL borrowers make small, biweekly payments. While Apple BNPL payments will appear on Experian credit reports, the information won’t be factored into borrowers’ credit scores, Experian says — and a credit score is a key measure that lenders use to judge a potential borrower’s creditworthiness for a credit card, mortgage or other loan. Experian says BNPL loan information may factor into credit scores in the future “as new credit scoring models are developed.” For now, while BNPL services provide a convenient way to spread out payments, consumers shouldn’t rely on them to develop a positive credit history. The most effective way to build credit is to apply for a credit card, pay your bills on time and keep the balance to less than 20% to 30% of the card’s limit. Don’t rely on buy now, pay later plans to help build credit score By Emma Patch Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Millions of public school workers, along with some employees at colleges and universities, hospitals, charities and other nonprofit organizations, use 403(b) plans to save for retirement. As is the case with employer-provided 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans are taxadvantaged. Contributions are typically deducted from your paycheck and invested. Pretax contributions will reduce your taxable income, and your investments will grow tax-deferred until you retire. If your plan offers a Roth option, contributions are after-tax, but withdrawals will be tax-free as long as you’re 59  1/2 or older and have owned the account for at least five years. Employers may offer a matching contribution to a 403(b) up to a certain threshold (a maximum 3% of your salary, for example). Most public schools don’t offer a match, but if your employer provides one, consider contributing at least enough to earn it. Most pensions for teachers who work 30 years or more replace 50% to 70% of their salary, so a 403(b) can fill the gap, says Dan Otter, co-founder of 403bwise, a nonprofit that advocates for better retirement plans for K-12 teachers. But 403(b)s have some key characteristics that make them unique — and sometimes less than desirable. Certain benefits that 403(b)s offer aren’t available with other types of employerprovided plans. The regular contribution limit is the same as with 401(k) plans — $23,000 in 2024 for workers younger than 50. And employees age 50 or older can make $7,500 in catch-up contributions to a 403(b) this year, just as those who have a 401(k) can. But some employers permit longtime employees to make additional catch-up contributions to a 403(b). If you’ve been with an employer for at least 15 years and you’ve made an annual average contribution of less than $5,000 a year, you can contribute an additional $3,000 a year, up to a lifetime maximum catch-up contribution of $15,000. You can take advantage of the 15-year rule even if you’re younger than 50. For those who are 50 or older, the IRS will apply contributions above the regular limit first to the 15-year rule, then to the standard catch-up contribution limit. On the downside, 403(b) plans aren’t subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which means employers don’t have the same fiduciary obligations as companies that offer 401(k) plans, Otter says. As a result, many teachers are offered 20 to 100 plans, often provided by insurance agents promoting high-cost variable annuities, says Nicholas Bunio, a CFP based in Philadelphia. Though many 403(b) plans have lackluster offerings, the problem really lies with plans for employees in K-12 public schools, he says. You can find out which school districts are doing right by their employees with 403(b) plans by using the search tool at www.403bwise.org/education/vendorsearch-tool. If your only option is a plan filled with high-cost products, consider investing in a Roth IRA instead. Unique characteristics of 403(b) retirement plans can also be drawbacks Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 7

By Marc D. Grasso Boston Herald This week in Grasso’s Garage is the basic version of recently tested Buick Envista, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax Activ. Sharing the same frame and curves, the Trax offers consumers an excellent base price and an entrylevel SUV option. Its space and utility are just some of the notable advantages that the Trax provides. When selecting exterior paint colors, manufacturers focus on adding various tints and metallic flakes to create a unique or more attractive hue. Our Trax Activ tester was Cacti Green, one of the most unusual colors we’ve seen. Chevrolet, aiming to establish its own presence, offers the Trax Activ in six exterior colors, including Nitro Yellow and the rereleased Marina Blue Metallic, a nod to Corvette aficionados. Equipped with the popular EcoTech 1.2L Turbocharged fourcylinder engine, the Trax effortlessly accelerates, providing a pleasant, smooth and quiet ride for its driver. Coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax presents itself as an excellent, budget-friendly choice for a wide range of buyers. The standard features of our test model included front-wheel drive, Sirius XM Radio, an 11-inch color LCD display, keyless remote start, and a heated steering wheel. Additional options such as a sunroof package and driver confidence package were available, totaling $1,690. The Trax is offered in various models: LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS, and Activ. Chevrolet’s entries in Grasso’s Garage this year have been attractively priced and appealing, and have truly delivered a wow factor. Buick’s Envista impressed us, and now the Trax is a similar, albeit more basic, version about which, frankly, I’m having a hard time finding anything to criticize. Maybe I should just say that Cacti Green color is an acquired taste … and I’m a guy who prefers green cars! Grasso’s Garage is here for you! Are you in the market for a new car? I would be happy to provide my honest input. All you have to do is email me: marc.grasso@ bostonherald.com. GRASSO’S GARAGE 2024 Chevrolet Trax is more than just ‘Activ’ Equipped with the popular EcoTech 1.2L Turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax provides a pleasant, smooth and quiet ride for its driver. MARC D. GRASSO/BOSTON HERALD 2024 CHEVROLET TRAX ACTIV MSRP: $23,900/$26,685 as tested MPG: 28 city/32 highway/ 30.2 as tested By Kristin Shaw Edmunds More than ever, buying a hybrid vehicle makes a lot of sense. The latest models are just as powerful — in some cases, more powerful — as related gas-only models and have such small price premiums that it’s easy to start saving money while reducing your vehicle-based carbon emissions. But what to choose, especially when you’re on a tight budget? Consider a hybrid sedan. Compared with an SUV, they typically get better mileage and have a lower starting price. Edmunds’ experts highlight six of the top new hybrid sedans on sale today for under $35,000. They are ordered below by price including the destination charge. 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Looking for great value? The 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid has the lowest price tag in this category while also piling on a five-year/60,000-mile basic, 10-year/100,000- mile powertrain warranty. Toyota and Honda can’t beat that. This hybrid version of Hyundai’s small sedan also boasts up to an EPA-estimated 54 mpg combined and comes nicely equipped with many helpful technology features. The main drawback is a lack of power: The 139-horsepower hybrid engine makes passing or accelerating up to highway speeds a bit belabored. Base starting price: $27,400 2024 Toyota Prius The 2024 Toyota Prius is Edmunds’ top-rated hybrid sedan for good reason. Easily identified by its sleek new profile, the latest Prius gets up to an EPA-estimated 57 mpg combined. It’s also a lot more powerful than the Elantra Hybrid — it makes up to 196 horsepower — and can be equipped with all-wheel drive to help enhance traction in wintery weather conditions. The Prius has a hatchback-style trunk that makes loading cargo easy. However, the actual cargo area is a little small, and the Prius’ rear seat isn’t as roomy as the Elantra’s. Base starting price: $29,045 2025 Toyota Camry Numerically tied on Edmunds’ list of best hybrid sedans is the 2025 Toyota Camry. The Camry is fully redesigned this year and comes with a hybrid powertrain as standard. That means every Camry is now a Camry hybrid. It gets up to 52 mpg and still has all of the qualities you expect of a Camry, including roomy seating and a no-nonsense driving demeanor. All-wheel drive is available, too. Some drivers might find seat comfort a bit lacking, but overall the Camry is an excellent choice. Base starting price: $29,495 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Spacious and sleek, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is refreshed for this model year. Hyundai bestowed its midsize sedan with a full-width headlight bar that gives the Sonata Hybrid a stylish look. Under the hood is a hybrid powertrain that gets up to 47 mpg combined. All-wheel drive isn’t available, however, and acceleration isn’t quite as snappy as the Camry’s. Inside, you’ll find a big center touchscreen that’s easy to use along with many standard features. And as with the Elantra, the Sonata is backed by a long warranty. Base starting price: $31,950 2024 Honda Accord The 2024 Honda Accord is a jack-of-all-trades sedan that is as at home ferrying kids to soccer practice as it is transporting a single professional around town. Ever since the Accord’s last redesign, Honda has made the hybrid powertrain standard on the Accord’s more expensive trim levels. That results in a higher starting price than the Camry or Sonata, though you do get a well-equipped Accord in the process. EPA-estimated fuel economy is up to 48 mpg combined, and the Accord is the quickest-accelerating hybrid sedan on our list. All-wheel drive isn’t available. Base starting price: $33,990 2025 Honda Civic Hold the phone, because Honda is making a hybrid powertrain available in the 2025 Civic. It will come with the same hybrid powertrain as the Accord and will get up to 50 mpg combined. You’ll also be able to get the hybrid in the Civic sedan or the Civic hatchback. But similar to the Accord, Honda will only equip the Civic’s top trim levels with the hybrid. The 2025 Civic should be arriving at dealerships this month. Base starting price: $29,845 Edmunds says Each of these sedans gets excellent fuel efficiency and comes well equipped with features. The Prius continues to be the best choice for maximum mpg, but the other cars aren’t far behind and offer more interior space. HYBRIDS ON A BUDGET Edmunds experts highlight top 6 sedans available for under $35K The 2024 Hyundai Elantra hybrid gets an EPA estimate of up to 54 mpg combined. HYUNDAI The 2024 Toyota Prius gets an EPA fuel economy estimate of up to 57 mpg combined. TOYOTA The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets an EPA estimate of up to 47 mpg combined. HYUNDAI The 2025 Toyota Camry gets an EPA fuel economy estimate of up to 52 mpg combined. TOYOTA The 2024 Honda Accord hybrid gets an EPA estimate of up to 48 mpg combined. HONDA The 2025 Honda Civic hybrid powertrain is a new option, getting about 50 mpg. HONDA RIDES 8 Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024

Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 9 CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE INSPECTION! ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 718 E. Rand Rd. 847-278-3324 NAPERVILLE 815 E. Ogden Ave. 630-590-1214 BURR RIDGE 16W240 83rd St. 708-526-6011 WINDOWS ENTRY DOORS PATIO DOORS NEXT fiberglass windows are engineered for tomorrow Vinyl windows are a 1970s relic Last up to 50 years Stay snug and tight Slimmer frames, bigger views Most durable windows made Expand and contract Warp and crack Yellow and fade Fail in extreme weather TIRED OF LEAKY, DRAFTY WINDOWS? IT’S TIME FOR FIBERGLASS. NEXTDoorAndWindow.com *New orders only. $5000 maximum savings.Cannot be combined with other offers.Does not apply to previoussales or quotes. Expires 07/15/2024. **Financing offers a 12-month interest free feature on your purchase (at an APR of 24.99% State Specific). Financing is provided by third party lenders unaffiliated with NextDoor and Window under terms and conditions arranged between the customer and such lender, all subject to credit requirements. Full disclosure located on our website. 50% OFF INSTALLATION ON WINDOWS & DOORS* 0 INTEREST | 0 PAYMENTS FOR 12 MONTHS**

Dear Motormouth: I have a 2015 Lexus RX 350 with 66,000 miles. The manual says nothing about changing the differentials oils but only suggests to “check” them periodically, assuming that the car is used normally and not with heavy tow. The dealer does put the fear of God in you that you should change the oils at low mileage intervals. I finally bought in and changed them last week for an unconscionable $400, which took all but 20 minutes. I know I could get it done elsewhere cheaper, but I feel better knowing that a Lexus dealer does it. It’s amazing how fast dealers can complete things when you wait for your car to be repaired but still charge you the $200- an-hour labor rate. What is your position on the differential oil changes? I know next up is transmission fluid change some day. — D.E., Naperville, Illinois Dear D.E.: Many dealer service departments have “suggested” maintenance schedules that are not printed in the owner’s manual. Of course, they are a business that, like others, needs to improve the bottom line. If it isn’t in the owner’s manual, it is not mandatory. That said, the price for a quart of fluid at the service department can approach $100. As for labor, the service department charges by the labor guide, and beating the book helps that bottom line. You may politely decline suggested services. Dear Motormouth: I have a 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid with 60,000 miles on the odometer. First, how long can I expect the original electric motor battery to last before I may have to service or replace it? Second, my wife and I plan a cross-country trip this summer. What type of servicing and preventive maintenance would you suggest overall prior to starting this journey? — F.W., Suffolk, Virginia Dear F.W.: You can expect the hybrid battery to last eight to 10 years. You needn’t do anything special prior to your trip. Dear Motormouth: I own a 2017 Kia Sorento, which has been serviced by my regular mechanic since I bought it new. All oil changes and routine repairs have been done by this mechanic, who my family has used for years. Recently the mechanic found oil seepage in the timing chain cover and verified a leak with a dye treatment. This expensive repair is under warranty, so I took the car to the dealer where I bought it, and the service department there used the same dye treatment but could not find a leak. The dealer won’t fix a leak it says it can’t find. Who should I believe, my trusted mechanic or the dealer? — M.D., Schererville, Indiana Dear M.D.: Trust your regular mechanic but don’t hate on your dealer. Your mechanic may have cleaned the area and the leak may take more time to reappear. Sometimes seeping is slow. Dear Motormouth: I have XM satellite radio in two of my cars. But my 2007 BMW Z4 radio system does not have the capability to be able to listen to XM. Using my iPhone and the XM app, how do I link it to the Z4 radio for listening capabilities? — J.S., Mount Holly, New Jersey Dear J.S.: You should be able to pair your phone to the car using Bluetooth. But you may have to go through some extra steps in your car’s setup menu. You may need to ask the folks at a BMW dealership or an electronics store about the details. Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. Weber’s work appears in professional trade magazines and other consumer publications. Send questions along with name and town to motormouth. [email protected]. You can say no to ‘suggested’ maintenance on any vehicle The owner’s manual for a 2015 Lexus RX 350 doesn’t require differentials oils to be changed. DREAMSTIME Bob Weber Motormouth By Larry Printz Tribune News Service It’s no mystery why mainstream consumers aren’t flocking to electric vehicles. While public infrastructure remains an issue, if you own a home with a 240-volt outlet, that’s not a problem. The issue is the vehicles themselves. Until now, most were Lilliputian in size and driving range at a gargantuan price premium. Consider the 2011 Ford Focus Electric with its 115-mile range and $39,995 price. That’s $55,432 today. Others, such as the Fiat 500 EV, Chevrolet Spark EV and Mitsubishi i-MiEV, suffered from the same problem. Then there was the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt, which has a fairly decent 259 miles of range and, in 2023, a starting price of less than $27,000, dropping to less than 20 grand with the $7,500 federal tax credit. It finally caught on, despite its subcompact length and incredibly unremarkable styling. But GM has killed it, with a replacement nowhere in sight. Now comes the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV. It’s pricier but is a far better vehicle, incredibly good looking and modern, with a sleek appearance that’s positively alluring in a way the Bolt never was. And it has the space, range and performance to make it outright competitive. Climb in the driver’s seat and you’ll find the instrument panel comes far forward, impinging on entry space and lending a cozy feel to the front row. Seats are flat and lack bolstering but prove comfortable enough. Their manual adjustments prove clunky to engage, lacking a smooth action that suggests cheapness. It’s not helped by the mostly black interior, a nonstarter in warm climes. And there’s a bit too much hard plastic, particularly on the dashboard, where designers placed gills to break up its visual depth. But they reflect annoyingly in the windshield. Overall, the cabin lacks the imaginative design and interesting, quality finishes found in Hyundai and Kia EVs. Rear cargo space is good, but at 27 cubic feet, it’s smaller than the Toyota bZ4X, and there’s no front trunk. There’s space under the center console to stash a small bag, but the lid is hinged on the passenger side, making it accessible only to the driver. The instrument panel is dominated by a 17.7-inch infotainment screen that uses Google Automotive software. So CarPlay won’t work with it. Also, Google Maps’ on-screen buttons are the same size as on your smartphone, and they’re placed close together, making them impossible to use. But the Equinox does have some thoughtful cold-weather touches. It features battery charge pre-conditioning, warming it up in the garage before starting. And the Heated Wiper Pack warms the bottom of the windshield in icy weather, while the door handles vibrate to break themselves free of ice. Other worthy features include SuperCruise, GM’s semi-autonomous handsfree driving software, and a hands-free starter. Just climb in the car, put your foot on the brake and the car starts. While not perfect, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV should prove the perfect new addition. AUTO REVIEW Chevy’s new battery electric SUV surprisingly attractive, affordable The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV 3LT features automatic climate control. PAUL SANCYA/AP 2024 CHEVROLET EQUINOX EV 3LT AWD Base price: $47,200, excluding $1,395 destination charge Powertrain: Front permanent magnet motor; rear induction motor Horsepower/Torque: 288/333 pound-feet Range: 285 miles Recharge time (Level 2): 6.3 hours from 20% (estimated) Length/Width/Height: 191/77/65 in Ground clearance: 6 in Payload: 1,139 lbs Cargo capacity: 26-57 cubic feet Towing capacity: 1,500 lbs 10 Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 The Homestead at Morton Grove MortonGrove, IL60053 847-581-1800 SA ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Community Name Address Phone Number STUDIO 1BEDROOM 2BEDROOMS TYPE* GARAGEPKG ON SITESALON MAID SERVICE EXERCISERM WASH/DRY PUBLICTRANS CATS DOGS *Type:SA Senior Apartments • RCRetirement Communities • AA Active Adults • AL Assisted Living • MC Memory Care • LFPLifePlan Community • EFC Entrance Fee Community IMAGINE MORE TIME FOR YOU Your new home at The Homestead at Morton Grove means having more time to enjoy life. Our rental community offers the best in maintenance-free living — including secured building, scheduled transportation, social activities, private patios and terraces, indoor parking, and so much more. CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE ATOUR AT 847-581-1800 6400 Lincoln Avenue | Morton Grove a rental community for those 55+ www.homesteadatmortongrove.com Get more out of your subscription by setting up your digital account It’s easy to start your online access! Visit: go-activate.com VALUED SUBSCRIBER Jumble Daily - Jumble Crossword Daily Jumble Sunday - Sudoku - Mahjong Bubble Shooter Pro - Plus many more F R GAMES PUZZLES & SOLITAIRE STORY MAHJONG STORY BUBBLE SHOOTER PRO DAILY DAILY SUDOKU COOKIE CRUSH PlayJumble.com SeniorLivingSolutions

COMICS CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM/COMICS Check out more than 75 comic strips, from “Barney Google and Snuffy Smith” to “Zippy the Pinhead.” CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM/GAMES Crossword, Sudoku and 30 more games and puzzles. Baby Blues By Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott Zits By Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman Grand Avenue By Mike Thompson Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 1

Dogs of C-Kennel By Mick and Mason Mastroianni Take It From the Tinkersons By Bill Bettwy FoxTrot By Bill Amend Blondie By Dean Young and John Marshall 2 Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, June 30, 2024

6/30 URBAN PLANNING: A capital idea By Gary M. Larson | EditEd By stanLEy nEwMan (stanxwords.com) Across 1 Palm tree fruit 5 Put up with 10 Idealistic wish 15 Insignificant 19 British brews 20 Sportcoat flap 21 Region of ancient Turkey 22 Hovering above 23 Winged biters [SOUTH AMERICA] 25 2012 Super Bowl MVP [DITTO] 27 Preparations 28 Ready to go out 30 Stares at 31 Minute amount 33 Place a curse on 34 Long-gone bird 36 Disdain 39 2000 Flushes rival 43 Native nation 47 Sticky sealer 48 Caterer’s dispenser 49 Pottery ovens 50 Take an oath 51 Fuse measure 52 Four Seasons leader [EUROPE] 54 Parcel (out) 55 Auto from Olds 56 Potato pancakes 57 Adversities 58 Director __ B. DeMille 59 Twisters 61 Do as told 62 Tennis star Nadal 63 Small keepsake 64 Wooden pin 66 Bogged down 67 Maltreated 69 Latest fad 70 Opened up space (for) 73 Shaggy locks 74 Gloomy 75 Prince William’s eldest 77 Osaka “OK” 78 Hieroglyphics bird 79 Too-snoopy one [EUROPE] 81 Stubborn equine 82 Metered utility 83 Medication specs 84 Harlem Renaissance poet 85 Huffy state 86 Plane seat separators 88 Soldier’s assent 89 Lather-filled 90 Online auctioneer 91 Encountered 92 Any day now 94 Asian gambling mecca 97 Helena’s state 101 Conditional release 105 Crop watering [EUROPE] 108 Analogy, e.g. [DITTO] 110 Regan’s father 111 Beauty and the Beast girl 112 Not as wild 113 Lost traction 114 R&D locales 115 Stand in good __ (be of value) 116 Concise 117 Countless years Down 1 River blockers 2 Bath gel additive 3 Try out 4 Attorney’s title 5 Elite group 6 Dracula alter ego 7 Apple music player 8 Forest grazer 9 Alternatively 10 Big rig’s fuel 11 Luxury watch brand 12 Oklahoma city 13 Desired result 14 Goat call 15 Genghis Khan, for one 16 Diabolical 17 Russo of films 18 Measures of work 24 Fully aware of 26 Central points 29 Gleamed 32 Gorged oneself 34 Toys that might talk 35 “All” prefix 36 Originate 37 Walk-on part 38 Expedient practice [AFRICA] 40 Sharp tugs 41 Fist, informally 42 Jewish ritual 43 Rolling, as terrain 44 Guacamole maker’s risk [MIDEAST] 45 “It’s the truth!” 46 Reside 48 Did bartering 49 Superman’s birth name 52 Some cereal 53 Intuitive feeling 54 Put off for a while 58 Life’s work 60 Snoops (around) 61 Have bills 62 Corduroy features 64 Colors crudely 65 Folklore fiend 66 Felt-tip pens 67 Mexican gal pal 68 Kid-lit elephant 69 Choir clothing 70 Japanese rice cake 71 Desert haven 72 Teary-eyed 74 Needing a cleaning 75 African antelopes 76 Brain scans: Abbr. 79 Sub __ (secretly) 80 GWTW guy 83 Repair, as software 85 First light 87 Broadcasts again 88 Longed (for) 89 Reach great heights 91 Cash, casually 93 Eyeball-bending drawings 94 Pepper grinder 95 Vicinity 96 Lobster cousin 97 Marathon measure 98 Makesamove 99 Genesis builder 100Arsenal stockpile 102 European capital not hidden here 103 Beef cut 104Finish lines 106Tummy muscles 107 Vietnamese New Year 109According to Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” © 2024 Creators Syndicate. All rights reserved. p For inter uz active puzzles a zl nd games g e i o to chicagot sl ribune.com/ an games d Scan QR code to play online. By The Mepham Group©2024. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights reserved. Sudoku Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box in bold borders contains every digit 1 to 9. Level: Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” 6/30 Across 1 Fleet 5 Campaign bane 9 Crimean resort city 14 High poker pair 18 R&B’s India.__ 19 Ski resort near Salt Lake City 20 “Inside the NBA” analyst Shaquille 21 Nanny’s nightmare 22 Movie about one who defies authority and gets absolutely no creditfor it? 26 Mountain formation 27 Yearly record 28 Wind dir. 29 “Can do” 31 Wish to take back 33 Indigenous people of Canada 35 Small scrap 38 Movie about life with a hockey dad? 44 Puts in the overhead bin 46 Section in a poetry anthology, perhaps 47 Jenga loser 48 Pick or file 49 Recipe direction 50 Soap characteristic 52 Surrender 55 Movie about a major problem at a croquet tournament? 59 Mentally acute 60 Sandwich option 61 Indigo dye 62 Paddle kin 64 Assam export 65 Fa follower 66 Spanish seasoning 68 Smallest Canadian prov. 70 Periodic table suffix 72 __ and cheese 75 Recent prefix 77 Ventimiglia of “Heroes” 79 Unexpected boons 84 Merriness 86 Movie about playing baseball during a downpour? 89 Bird skilled at mimicry 91 On and on 92 __ Field: Queens stadium 93 Sicilian hiking destination 94 Pollen holders 96 Townshend of The Who 97 Shutterbug’s setting 98 Movie that captures the arc of conception through the delivery room? 103 Study again 104Texter’s “Gimme a reason” 105 Confession topic 106 Fabric store meas. 107 Feeling queasy 110 Bank of America’s virtual assistant 113 Capital of the Bahamas 118 Movie exposing the truth behind a cloning experiment? 123 Light as can be 124 Aquafina rival 125 [look on the back] 126 Japanese beef city 127 Dean’s list figs. 128 Cold brew style 129 Closely guarded IDs 130 “Zounds!” Down 1 Stable setting 2 Blueprint calculation 3 Luke and Leia, e.g. 4 Course pegs 5 Permissible 6 “Knock Knock” filmmaker Roth 7 Flour ground in a chakki 8 Actress Madeline 9 “Name please?” 10 Buck’s defense 11 Grassy expanse 12 Box sealer 13 Salzburg setting 14 Gp. of lawyers 15 Grand __: wine classification 16 Life of affluence 17 Anastasia of “Fifty Shades of Grey” 23 Ankara coins 24 Like most software, once 25 Subside 30 Pricing word 32 Overdoes it on stage 34 Getty of “Golden Girls” 36 Like eyesores 37 Arab patriarch 38 Chaser chosen by a head tap, inakid’s game 39 Big-eyed babies 40 “__ Guides”: howto series 41 Foam dart maker 42 Fully cooked 43 Likely will, with “is” 44 Pentagram shape 45 Country Music Hall of Famer Keith 49 Climbs, as a rock wall 50 __ Diego 51 Pre-tied tie 53 Big name in denim 54 Crime lab material 56 Start of p.m. 57 Slander 58 Greeted 63 Scheme 67 Request from a whistleblower 69 Light 71 Least noticeable 72 Studio whose logo says “Ars gratia artis” 73 Gymnast Raisman 74 Removing books fromalibrary, say 76 Pet tag info 78 To-go cup top 80 Grown-up pups 81 Well put together 82 Natural history museum display, for short 83 Pic 85 Wonderland cake directive 87 Skye of “La Brea” 88 Rap great born Tracy Marrow 90 “Funny!” 95 Frontline doctor 96 Barbecue spot 97 End-of-semester hurdle 98 Sizzle 99 Marker for some sale items 100Smallish garage 101 First Latina EGOT winner 102 West Coast gridders 108 Security claim 109 Big name in denim 111 Budget execs 112 Off-rd. rides 114 For old times’ __ 115 Brown sky cause 116 Swedish supergroup 117 Like many textbooks 119 New __: cap brand 120 Pt. of GPS 121 Picker’s problem? 122 1-Down layer Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” © 2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Jumble Unscramble the six Jumbles, one letter per square, to form six words. Then arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer, as suggested by this cartoon. By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek. © 2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights reserved. PlayJumble.com This week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” 6/30 Watching With the Sound Off By Pam amick klawitter edited By Patti Varol Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 3

Ain’t itGrand? By Charles Preston Across 1 Baby grand 6 Affixed, in a way 11 Solidify 14 “Captain Blood” Flynn 15 Architect’s drawing: Fr. 16 ___ Grande 17 Exempt due to prior conditions 19 Hill resident 20 Peck’s partner 21 Late dancer/actor Gregory 23 “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” composer 27 Moses, for one 29 Home run legend Hank 30 Campus celebrants 31 Best Picture: 1932 34 Actor Waterston 37 Sicilian spewer 38 Peace goddess 39 “I cannot tell ___” 40 “Twilight Zone” Serling 41 Matriarch 43 Ancient Cornish monolith 46 Open cuts 47 Perplexed 49 Nobleman of Navarre 51 Pari ___: synchronously 52 Presently 53 Likely 54 Coronado sighted it 61 Passing grade 62 Vocal track 63 Diadem 64 Misfire 65 Sirens do 66 Musician Mischa or Ziggy Down 1 Cribbage need 2 Kind of verb: abbr. 3 Parrot 4 Vote in the Sénat 5 Veteran 6 Thousand bucks 7 Balt 8 Granite State univ. 9 Dutch commune 10 “Bull ___”: 1988 11 City in Nebraska 12 Austrian composer 13 ___ luck! 18 Jest 22 Stateside serai 23 Bar selection 24 With an ___ the ground 25 Karpov or Kasparov 26 Covid-19, slangily 27 Late astronaut/senator 28 Held sway 30 On ___: carousing 32 Meteorologist’s data 33 Galloon lace 35 Actress Teegarden 36 Reagan’s Attorney General 39 Court call 42 Issue 44 PGA’s Ernie 45 Candy bar ingredient 47 Swiftly 48 ___ off: stop gradually 49 “Waiting for ___” 50 Mythological giant bird 52 Upstart 55 Deeply regret 56 USN officer 57 Zilch 58 Thanksgiving serving 59 ___ pro nobis 60 Mum’s mum Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” © 2024 Creators News Service. 1. Define clues, writing in Words column over numbered dashes. 2. Transfer letters to numbered squares in diagram. 3. When pattern is completed, quotation can be read left to right. The first letters of the filled-in words reading down form an acrostic yielding the speaker’s name and the topic of the quotation. Clues Words Quote-Acrostic 6/30 Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” By Ray Long. Edited by Linda Preston. © 2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights reserved. “IDENTICAL TRIPLETS” Last week’s crosswords “Commercial Free” “Baby Face” This week’s Jumble (Peter) WEHNER: THE POWER OF GRACE: But true grace is some combination of generosity and magnanimity, kindness and forgiveness, and empathy... all above the ordinary call of duty, and bestowed even, or especially, when not particularly earned. Last week’s Quote-Acrostic Last week’s Sudoku island puzzle solutions Today’sbirthday (June 30): Plot to realize dreams this year. Consistent efforts build solid foundations for your research. Discovering hidden professional opportunities this summer leads to amazing and valuable autumn discoveries. Renovation or relocation takes focus this winter, inspiring springtime creativity, communications and networking. Imagine, sketch and prepare. Aries (March 21-April 19): 8. Disorganization could get expensive. The trouble’s in the details. Refine budgets for changing circumstances. Upgrade the integrity of your financial situation. Taurus (April 20-May 20): 9. Nurture yourself. Don’t get sidetracked by controversy. Focus on a personal presentation. If you break your word, apologize and recommit. Gemini(May 21-June 20): 6. Rest and reconsider your upcoming plans. An obstacle requires thoughtful strategies. Avoid travel or crowds and find a peaceful place to meditate and imagine. Cancer (June 21-July 22): 7. Support your team to stay on task. Patiently navigate confusion, chaos or a conflict of interests. Practice compassionate listening, tact and diplomacy. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): 8. A professional challenge takes focus. Unanticipated variables could change your prospects. Check data and reservations. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): 7. Obstacles and traffic could cause delays. Plan long-distance moves in advance. Or explore your own neighborhood. Learn through the experience of another. Connect remotely. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): 8. Opposites attract. You can provide what your partner lacks. This can be especially useful with shared finances. Patiently collaborate. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): 9. Coordinate actions to manage shared responsibilities. Focus on practical priorities with your partner. Keep your patience with delays or obstacles. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): 8. Anticipate resistance.Abarrier to your physical labor or health arises. Maintain practices for strength and endurance. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): 8. Handle chores and obligations before going out to play. Pay extra attention to a loved one with a breakdown. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): 9. Prioritize home and family. Reinforce domestic structures. Make repairs and upgrades. Handle chores and clean a mess. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): 8. A challenge with a creative project requires patient review. You’re learning what doesn’t work. Implement changes, edits and refinements. — Nancy Black, Tribune ContentAgency Horoscopes Q.1—Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ KQ1094 ♥ 7 2 ♦ K ♣ AK653 South West North East 1♠ Pass 2♠ 3♥ ? What call would you make? Q.2—North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ J984 ♥ K94 ♦ K ♣ AQ8 7 4 West North East South 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass Pass 2NT* Pass 3♣ 3♥ Pass Pass ? *Bothminors What call would you make? Q.3—East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 6 ♥ KJ853 ♦ K 10764 ♣ Q 8 North East South West 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass ? What call would you make? Q.4—East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: ♠ 10 9 4 ♥ AKJ 8 5 ♦ 10 8 6 ♣ 10 4 West North East South 1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣ Pass Pass ? What call would you make? Answers in Monday’s comics pages. — Bob Jones, Tribune ContentAgency Bridge This game challenges you to find as many words as you can, as quickly as you can, in one master word. RAVAGES (RAV-ih-jez): Wreaks havoc upon. Can you find 20 or more words in RAVAGES? Averagemark: 17 words Timelimit: 30 minutes Here aretherules: 1.Words must be four or more letters. 2.Words that acquire four letters by the addition of an“s,” such as“bats”and “cats,” are not used. 3. Use only one form of a verb — either“pose”or“posed,”not both. 4. Proper nouns and slang terms are not used. Answers totheword game: r; ga ; a ve ra e; ag av ; r ge ra e; as ; v er av a; re ; a er ag e; av ag e; ag ; s ga sa e; av gr r; ea ; g ve ga e; av ; s ge va sa e; rg sa r; ge sa ar se r; ve sa Word Game — Kathleen Saxe, distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication for UFS 4 Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, June 30, 2024

Dustin By Steve Kelley and Jeff Parker The Lockhorns By Bunny Hoest and John Reiner Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, June 30, 2024 5

Mutts By Patrick McDonnell The Middletons By Ralph Dunagin and Dana Summers Prickly City By Scott Stantis Doonesbury By Garry Trudeau 6 Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, June 30, 2024