thedenverpost--2020-11-27--Can we make our robots less biased than we are?

By David Berreby , The New York Times Co. On a summer night in Dallas in 2016 , a bomb-handling robot made technological history .
Police officers had attached roughly a pound of C-4 explosive to it , steered the device up to a wall near an active shooter and detonated the charge .
In the explosion , the assailant , Micah Xavier Johnson , became the first person in the United States to be killed by a police robot .
Afterward , then-Dallas Police Chief David Brown called the decision sound .
Before the robot attacked , Johnson had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others and hit two civilians , and negotiations had stalled .
Sending the machine was safer than sending in human officers , Brown said .
But some robotics researchers were troubled .
“ Bomb squad ” robots are marketed as tools for safely disposing of bombs , not for delivering them to targets .
( In 2018 , police officers in Dixmont , Maine , ended a shootout in a similar manner. )
.
Their profession had supplied the police with a new form of lethal weapon , and in its first use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black man .
“ A key facet of the case is the man happened to be African-American , ” Ayanna Howard , a robotics researcher at Georgia Tech , and Jason Borenstein , a colleague in the university ’ s school of public policy , wrote in a 2017 paper titled “ The Ugly Truth About Ourselves and Our Robot Creations ” in the journal Science and Engineering Ethics .
Like almost all police robots in use today , the Dallas device was a straightforward remote-control platform .
But more sophisticated robots are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they will use artificial intelligence to do much more .
A robot with algorithms for , say , facial recognition , or predicting people ’ s actions , or deciding on its own to fire “ nonlethal ” projectiles is a robot that many researchers find problematic .
The reason : Many of today ’ s algorithms are biased against people of color and others who are unlike the white , male , affluent and able-bodied designers of most computer and robot systems .
While Johnson ’ s death resulted from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a decision might be made by a robot — one created by humans , with their flaws in judgment baked in .
“ Given the current tensions arising from police shootings of African-American men from Ferguson to Baton Rouge , ” Howard , a leader of the organization Black in Robotics , and Borenstein wrote , “ it is disconcerting that robot peacekeepers , including police and military robots , will , at some point , be given increased freedom to decide whether to take a human life , especially if problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Last summer , hundreds of AI and robotics researchers signed statements committing themselves to changing the way their fields work .
One statement , from the organization Black in Computing , sounded an alarm that “ the technologies we help create to benefit society are also disrupting Black communities through the proliferation of racial profiling.
” Another manifesto , “ No Justice , No Robots , ” commits its signers to refusing to work with or for law enforcement agencies .
During the past decade , evidence has accumulated that “ bias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Howard notes in her 2020 audiobook , “ Sex , Race and Robots.
” Facial-recognition systems have been shown to be more accurate in identifying white faces than those of other people .
( In January , one such system told the Detroit police that it had matched photos of a suspected thief with the driver ’ s license photo of Robert Julian-Borchak Williams , a Black man with no connection to the crime . )
There are AI systems enabling self-driving cars to detect pedestrians — last year Benjamin Wilson of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight such systems were worse at recognizing people with darker skin tones than paler ones .
Joy Buolamwini , the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League and a graduate researcher at the MIT Media Lab , has encountered interactive robots at two different laboratories that failed to detect her .
( For her work with such a robot at MIT , she wore a white mask in order to be seen . )
The long-term solution for such lapses is “ having more folks that look like the United States population at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Chris S. Crawford , a professor at the University of Alabama who works on direct brain-to-robot controls .
Algorithms trained mostly on white male faces ( by mostly white male developers who don ’ t notice the absence of other kinds of people in the process ) are better at recognizing white males than other people .
“ I personally was in Silicon Valley when some of these technologies were being developed , ” he said .
More than once , he added , “ I would sit down and they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t work .
And I was like , You know why it ’ s not working , right ?
” Robot researchers are typically educated to solve difficult technical problems , not to consider societal questions about who gets to make robots or how the machines affect society .
So it was striking that many roboticists signed statements declaring themselves responsible for addressing injustices in the lab and outside it .
They committed themselves to actions aimed at making the creation and usage of robots less unjust .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made an impact , ” said Odest Chadwicke Jenkins , a roboticist and AI researcher at the University of Michigan .
At a conference earlier this year , Jenkins , who works on robots that can assist and collaborate with people , framed his talk as an apology to Williams .
Although Jenkins doesn ’ t work in face-recognition algorithms , he felt responsible for the AI field ’ s general failure to make systems that are accurate for everyone .
“ This summer was different than any other than I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Colleagues I know and respect , this was maybe the first time I ’ ve heard them talk about systemic racism in these terms .
So that has been very heartening.
” He said he hoped that the conversation would continue and result in action , rather than dissipate with a return to business-as-usual .
Jenkins was one of the lead organizers and writers of one of the summer manifestoes , produced by Black in Computing .
Signed by nearly 200 Black scientists in computing and more than 400 allies ( either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people working in related areas ) , the document describes Black scholars ’ personal experience of “ the structural and institutional racism and bias that is integrated into society , professional networks , expert communities and industries.
” The statement calls for reforms , including ending the harassment of Black students by campus police officers , and addressing the fact that Black people get constant reminders that others don ’ t think they belong .
( Jenkins , an associate director of the Michigan Robotics Institute , said the most common question he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you on the football team ?
” ) All the nonwhite , nonmale researchers interviewed for this article recalled such moments .
In her book , Howard recalls walking into a room to lead a meeting about navigational AI for a Mars rover and being told she was in the wrong place because secretaries were working down the hall .
The open letter is linked to a page of specific action items .
The items range from not placing all the work of “ diversity ” on the shoulders of minority researchers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds spent by organizations and universities go to Black-owned businesses to tying metrics of racial equity to evaluations and promotions .
It also asks readers to support organizations dedicate to advancing people of color in computing and AI , including Black in Engineering , Data for Black Lives , Black Girls Code , Black Boys Code and Black in AI .
As the Black in Computing open letter addressed how robots and AI are made , another manifesto appeared around the same time , focusing on how robots are used by society .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the open letter pledges its signers to keep robots and robot research away from law enforcement agencies .
Because many such agencies “ have actively demonstrated brutality and racism toward our communities , ” the statement says , “ we can not in good faith trust these police forces with the types of robotic technologies we are responsible for researching and developing.
” Last summer , distressed by police officers ’ treatment of protesters in Denver , two Colorado roboticists — Tom Williams , of the Colorado School of Mines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver — started drafting “ No Justice , No Robots.
” So far , 104 people have signed on , including leading researchers at Yale and MIT , and younger scientists at institutions around the country .
“ The question is : Do we as roboticists want to make it easier for the police to do what they ’ re doing now ?
” Williams asked .
“ I live in Denver , and this summer during protests I saw police tear-gassing people a few blocks away from me .
The combination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then seeing it in Denver was the catalyst.
” Williams is not opposed to working with government authorities .
He has conducted research for the Army , Navy and Air Force , on subjects like whether humans would accept instructions and corrections from robots .
( His studies have found that they would. )
.
The military , he said , is a part of every modern state , while American policing has its origins in racist institutions , such as slave patrols — “ problematic origins that continue to infuse the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an email .
“ No Justice , No Robots ” proved controversial in the small world of robotics labs , since some researchers felt that it wasn ’ t socially responsible to shun contact with the police .
“ I was dismayed by it , ” said Cindy Bethel , director of the Social , Therapeutic and Robotic Systems Lab at Mississippi State University .
“ It ’ s such a blanket statement , ” she said .
“ I think it ’ s naïve and not well-informed.
” Bethel has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robot projects for a decade , she said , because she thinks robots can make police work safer for both officers and civilians .
Crawford is among the signers of both “ No Justice , No Robots ” and the Black in Computing open letter .
“ And you know , anytime something like this happens , or awareness is made , especially in the community that I function in , I try to make sure that I support it , ” he said .
Jenkins declined to sign the “ No Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was worth consideration , ” he said .
“ But in the end , I thought the bigger issue is , really , representation in the room — in the research lab , in the classroom , and the development team , the executive board.
” Ethics discussions should be rooted in that first fundamental civil-rights question , he said .
Howard has not signed either statement .
She reiterated her point that biased algorithms are the result , in part , of the skewed demographic — white , male , able-bodied — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If external people who have ethical values aren ’ t working with these law enforcement entities , then who is ?
” she said .
“ When you say ‘ no , ’ others are going to say ‘ yes.
’ It ’ s not good if there ’ s no one in the room to say , ‘ Um , I don ’ t believe the robot should kill .
’ ”

The New York Times News Service Syndicate

By David Berreby, The New York Times Co.
On a summer night in Dallas in 2016, a bomb-handling robot made technological history. Police officers had attached roughly a pound of C-4 explosive to it, steered the device up to a wall near an active shooter and detonated the charge. In the explosion, the assailant, Micah Xavier Johnson, became the first person in the United States to be killed by a police robot.
Afterward, then-Dallas Police Chief David Brown called the decision sound. Before the robot attacked, Johnson had shot five officers dead, wounded nine others and hit two civilians, and negotiations had stalled. Sending the machine was safer than sending in human officers, Brown said.
But some robotics researchers were troubled. “Bomb squad” robots are marketed as tools for safely disposing of bombs, not for delivering them to targets. (In 2018, police officers in Dixmont, Maine, ended a shootout in a similar manner.). Their profession had supplied the police with a new form of lethal weapon, and in its first use as such, it had killed a Black man.
“A key facet of the case is the man happened to be African-American,” Ayanna Howard, a robotics researcher at Georgia Tech, and Jason Borenstein, a colleague in the university’s school of public policy, wrote in a 2017 paper titled “The Ugly Truth About Ourselves and Our Robot Creations” in the journal Science and Engineering Ethics.
Like almost all police robots in use today, the Dallas device was a straightforward remote-control platform. But more sophisticated robots are being developed in labs around the world, and they will use artificial intelligence to do much more. A robot with algorithms for, say, facial recognition, or predicting people’s actions, or deciding on its own to fire “nonlethal” projectiles is a robot that many researchers find problematic. The reason: Many of today’s algorithms are biased against people of color and others who are unlike the white, male, affluent and able-bodied designers of most computer and robot systems.
While Johnson’s death resulted from a human decision, in the future such a decision might be made by a robot — one created by humans, with their flaws in judgment baked in.
“Given the current tensions arising from police shootings of African-American men from Ferguson to Baton Rouge,” Howard, a leader of the organization Black in Robotics, and Borenstein wrote, “it is disconcerting that robot peacekeepers, including police and military robots, will, at some point, be given increased freedom to decide whether to take a human life, especially if problems related to bias have not been resolved.”
Last summer, hundreds of AI and robotics researchers signed statements committing themselves to changing the way their fields work. One statement, from the organization Black in Computing, sounded an alarm that “the technologies we help create to benefit society are also disrupting Black communities through the proliferation of racial profiling.” Another manifesto, “No Justice, No Robots,” commits its signers to refusing to work with or for law enforcement agencies.
During the past decade, evidence has accumulated that “bias is the original sin of AI,” Howard notes in her 2020 audiobook, “Sex, Race and Robots.” Facial-recognition systems have been shown to be more accurate in identifying white faces than those of other people. (In January, one such system told the Detroit police that it had matched photos of a suspected thief with the driver’s license photo of Robert Julian-Borchak Williams, a Black man with no connection to the crime.)
There are AI systems enabling self-driving cars to detect pedestrians — last year Benjamin Wilson of Georgia Tech and his colleagues found that eight such systems were worse at recognizing people with darker skin tones than paler ones. Joy Buolamwini, the founder of the Algorithmic Justice League and a graduate researcher at the MIT Media Lab, has encountered interactive robots at two different laboratories that failed to detect her. (For her work with such a robot at MIT, she wore a white mask in order to be seen.)
The long-term solution for such lapses is “having more folks that look like the United States population at the table when technology is designed,” said Chris S. Crawford, a professor at the University of Alabama who works on direct brain-to-robot controls. Algorithms trained mostly on white male faces (by mostly white male developers who don’t notice the absence of other kinds of people in the process) are better at recognizing white males than other people.
“I personally was in Silicon Valley when some of these technologies were being developed,” he said. More than once, he added, “I would sit down and they would test it on me, and it wouldn’t work. And I was like, You know why it’s not working, right?”
Robot researchers are typically educated to solve difficult technical problems, not to consider societal questions about who gets to make robots or how the machines affect society. So it was striking that many roboticists signed statements declaring themselves responsible for addressing injustices in the lab and outside it. They committed themselves to actions aimed at making the creation and usage of robots less unjust.
“I think the protests in the street have really made an impact,” said Odest Chadwicke Jenkins, a roboticist and AI researcher at the University of Michigan. At a conference earlier this year, Jenkins, who works on robots that can assist and collaborate with people, framed his talk as an apology to Williams. Although Jenkins doesn’t work in face-recognition algorithms, he felt responsible for the AI field’s general failure to make systems that are accurate for everyone.
“This summer was different than any other than I’ve seen before,” he said. “Colleagues I know and respect, this was maybe the first time I’ve heard them talk about systemic racism in these terms. So that has been very heartening.” He said he hoped that the conversation would continue and result in action, rather than dissipate with a return to business-as-usual.
Jenkins was one of the lead organizers and writers of one of the summer manifestoes, produced by Black in Computing. Signed by nearly 200 Black scientists in computing and more than 400 allies (either Black scholars in other fields or non-Black people working in related areas), the document describes Black scholars’ personal experience of “the structural and institutional racism and bias that is integrated into society, professional networks, expert communities and industries.”
The statement calls for reforms, including ending the harassment of Black students by campus police officers, and addressing the fact that Black people get constant reminders that others don’t think they belong. (Jenkins, an associate director of the Michigan Robotics Institute, said the most common question he hears on campus is, “Are you on the football team?”) All the nonwhite, nonmale researchers interviewed for this article recalled such moments. In her book, Howard recalls walking into a room to lead a meeting about navigational AI for a Mars rover and being told she was in the wrong place because secretaries were working down the hall.
The open letter is linked to a page of specific action items. The items range from not placing all the work of “diversity” on the shoulders of minority researchers to ensuring that at least 13% of funds spent by organizations and universities go to Black-owned businesses to tying metrics of racial equity to evaluations and promotions. It also asks readers to support organizations dedicate to advancing people of color in computing and AI, including Black in Engineering, Data for Black Lives, Black Girls Code, Black Boys Code and Black in AI.
As the Black in Computing open letter addressed how robots and AI are made, another manifesto appeared around the same time, focusing on how robots are used by society. Entitled “No Justice, No Robots,” the open letter pledges its signers to keep robots and robot research away from law enforcement agencies. Because many such agencies “have actively demonstrated brutality and racism toward our communities,” the statement says, “we cannot in good faith trust these police forces with the types of robotic technologies we are responsible for researching and developing.”
Last summer, distressed by police officers’ treatment of protesters in Denver, two Colorado roboticists — Tom Williams, of the Colorado School of Mines and Kerstin Haring, of the University of Denver — started drafting “No Justice, No Robots.” So far, 104 people have signed on, including leading researchers at Yale and MIT, and younger scientists at institutions around the country.
“The question is: Do we as roboticists want to make it easier for the police to do what they’re doing now?” Williams asked. “I live in Denver, and this summer during protests I saw police tear-gassing people a few blocks away from me. The combination of seeing police brutality on the news and then seeing it in Denver was the catalyst.”
Williams is not opposed to working with government authorities. He has conducted research for the Army, Navy and Air Force, on subjects like whether humans would accept instructions and corrections from robots. (His studies have found that they would.). The military, he said, is a part of every modern state, while American policing has its origins in racist institutions, such as slave patrols — “problematic origins that continue to infuse the way policing is performed,” he said in an email.
“No Justice, No Robots” proved controversial in the small world of robotics labs, since some researchers felt that it wasn’t socially responsible to shun contact with the police.
“I was dismayed by it,” said Cindy Bethel, director of the Social, Therapeutic and Robotic Systems Lab at Mississippi State University. “It’s such a blanket statement,” she said. “I think it’s naïve and not well-informed.” Bethel has worked with local and state police forces on robot projects for a decade, she said, because she thinks robots can make police work safer for both officers and civilians.
Crawford is among the signers of both “No Justice, No Robots” and the Black in Computing open letter. “And you know, anytime something like this happens, or awareness is made, especially in the community that I function in, I try to make sure that I support it,” he said.
Jenkins declined to sign the “No Justice” statement. “I thought it was worth consideration,” he said. “But in the end, I thought the bigger issue is, really, representation in the room — in the research lab, in the classroom, and the development team, the executive board.” Ethics discussions should be rooted in that first fundamental civil-rights question, he said.
Howard has not signed either statement. She reiterated her point that biased algorithms are the result, in part, of the skewed demographic — white, male, able-bodied — that designs and tests the software.
“If external people who have ethical values aren’t working with these law enforcement entities, then who is?” she said. “When you say ‘no,’ others are going to say ‘yes.’ It’s not good if there’s no one in the room to say, ‘Um, I don’t believe the robot should kill.’”


thedenverpost--2020-11-27--Pick 6: Odds Nate Robinson beats Jake Paul in boxing, Nuggets’ R.J. Hampton wins rookie of the year

Can a former Nuggets point guard beat a YouTube star in a boxing match ?
Well , that question will be answered Saturday when 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson faces off against the 6-1 Jake Paul on the undercard of the Roy Jones Jr.-Mike Tyson exhibition bout .
Robinson , who played in Denver from 2013-15 , will be making his professional boxing debut while Paul ( 1-0 ) is in his second pro fight .
Here ’ s a look at some of the current odds in the world of sports .
The odds former Nuggets guard Nate Robinson will defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match Saturday , according to Bovada .
The two face off on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. exhibition match .
The odds Colorado-based Curtis Blaydes will beat Derrick Lewis in their UFC heavyweight bout on Saturday , according to BetMGM .
Lewis is a +275 underdog .
How many points USC is favored to beat Colorado by in their college football game Saturday , according to BetMGM .
The over-under for how many wins the Nuggets will get in the NBA ’ s 72-game 2020-21 regular season , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampton will win rookie of the year , according to BetOnline .
Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is favored at +400 .
The odds Nuggets guard Jamal Murray wins the NBA most improved player award , according to BetOnline .
Murray is the favorite to win .
Michael Porter Jr. ( +2,000 ) is sixth and Bol Bol ( +6,600 ) is 47th .

Can a former Nuggets point guard beat a YouTube star in a boxing match?
Well, that question will be answered Saturday when 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson faces off against the 6-1 Jake Paul on the undercard of the Roy Jones Jr.-Mike Tyson exhibition bout. Robinson, who played in Denver from 2013-15, will be making his professional boxing debut while Paul (1-0) is in his second pro fight.
2020 is one weird year.
Here’s a look at some of the current odds in the world of sports.
+175
The odds former Nuggets guard Nate Robinson will defeat YouTube star Jake Paul in their boxing match Saturday, according to Bovada. The two face off on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. exhibition match.
-358
The odds Colorado-based Curtis Blaydes will beat Derrick Lewis in their UFC heavyweight bout on Saturday, according to BetMGM. Lewis is a +275 underdog.
11.5
How many points USC is favored to beat Colorado by in their college football game Saturday, according to BetMGM.
43.5
The over-under for how many wins the Nuggets will get in the NBA’s 72-game 2020-21 regular season, according to BetOnline.
+5,000
The odds Nuggets guard R.J. Hampton will win rookie of the year, according to BetOnline. Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is favored at +400.
+1,000
The odds Nuggets guard Jamal Murray wins the NBA most improved player award, according to BetOnline. Murray is the favorite to win. Michael Porter Jr. (+2,000) is sixth and Bol Bol (+6,600) is 47th.


thedenverpost--2020-11-27--Nuggets Mailbag: Is Bol Bol ready to be Nikola Jokic’s backup?

Beat writer Michael Singer opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically throughout the offseason .
Pose a Nuggets — or NBA — related question here .
The 2019 Denver Nuggets featuring Jamal Murray , Gary Harris , Will Barton , Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic were able to be the second seed in the Western Conference and one win away from the WCF with Torrey Craig and Gary as the primary wing defenders .
Wouldn ’ t PJ Dozier , who ’ s the same height , longer wingspan and shown he ’ s not afraid of defending Lebron and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you get with Torrey Craig ?
From what I can tell the Nuggets front office is headed toward a more Eurocentric style of basketball where almost everyone on the floor can make plays ( Facundo Campazzo , Jamal , PJ , MPJ , Jokic ) .
Defensively PJ can defend wings , Jamal has greatly improved from the 2019 postseason and Jokic ’ s defense is also unfairly criticized .
He had the same amount of blocks and steals as Bam Adebayo in the playoffs last year .
I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s a poor defender .
All it takes to fix that is film and better preparation .
He ’ s only 25 .
Am I overly optimistic ?
I don ’ t think “ overly ” is correct .
I think fans should be cautiously optimistic .
Had the Nuggets kept Jerami Grant , no one would ’ ve given Torrey Craig ’ s departure for Milwaukee a second thought .
Craig ’ s departure , after Grant ’ s stunning decision to leave , was a compounded blow .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best wings .
Lost in all the discussion was Dozier , who isn ’ t as big as Craig defensively , but is much more comfortable with the ball in his hands .
For regular season purposes at least , the Nuggets have a lot of trust in Dozier .
He ’ s an adequate stopgap , albeit undersized to deal with the West ’ s best wings .
If the playoffs started tomorrow , there ’ d be a ton of responsibility on new acquisition JaMychal Green .
The Nuggets would count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the way out to the perimeter .
It still feels like there ’ s a missing defensive piece between Dozier and Green .
The Nuggets should be able to survive until the trade deadline when that need might become more apparent .
Finally , your point about shared playmaking is valid .
The Nuggets love the idea of multiple ballhandlers and multiple points of attack .
They went into this offseason targeting a playmaker .
They ended up with two in Campazzo and Hampton .
My guess : Both will play bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think the Nuggets are gon na stack up defensively against the top wings in the NBA with this new condensed schedule and without a primary defender in the rotation ?
Do you think they could ’ ve done a better job filling out the roster with the likes of Hassan Whiteside and others still being available ?
Had the Nuggets known what Grant was going to do , they might ’ ve made a play at Robert Covington ( now on Portland ) or Jae Crowder ( now on Phoenix ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day after free agency started with only one power forward ( Vlatko Cancar ) on the roster would ’ ve given Tim Connelly hot sweats .
They had to lock someone in Friday night , if not for their sanity , then to give them some negotiating power with free agent Paul Millsap , who took his time letting the market play out .
After agreeing with Green , who used up most of their mid-level exception , the Nuggets were hamstrung .
Their only options were veteran minimums or the bi-annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the way free agency opened , could anyone blame them if they capped off Friday night with a stiff drink ?
Top five questions : Which of the four new players will get the most minutes this season : R.J. Hampton , Zeke Nnaji , Isaiah Hartenstein , or Facundo Campazzo ?
Who will be the backup point guard : Monte Morris or Campazzo ?
When and how will we lose Morris ?
Who will get Michael Porter Jr. ’ s minutes as Malone continues to bench him ?
We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometime .
Will he break our heart and leave , or will he get traded ?
Sunny !
We ’ ll start with the doomsday scenario .
By not landing Jrue Holiday , the Nuggets kept themselves in the running for a potential Bradley Beal trade .
Whatever ’ s going on in Washington doesn ’ t seem harmonious .
I promise you league executives are closely monitoring Beal ’ s status as the season , and trade deadline , inch closer .
If the Nuggets get involved , Michael Porter Jr. would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of now , the Nuggets have been insistent he ’ s not going anywhere .
Morris , as a young , promising point guard , has significant value , too .
Let ’ s just rip the band-aid .
Most Nuggets fans could stomach losing those two if it meant landing Beal .
Your first question is an excellent one .
In regards to playing time , I ’ m mildly confident Nnaji will get the fewest of the four .
If there was enough confidence in him as a backup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was with Denver ’ s braintrust on draft night — I doubt they would ’ ve prioritized Isaiah Hartenstein over Craig or another wing defender .
I expect Hartenstein to get Plumlee-level run .
Think 18 or so minutes per game .
Campazzo and Hampton are both really interesting cases .
Campazzo , 29 , is not a typical rookie and likely wouldn ’ t be coming to America without assurances of playing time .
I think he and Morris will share facilitating responsibilities with the second unit .
I also think Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the possibility of pairing Campazzo with Nikola Jokic .
If you watch a few minutes of Campazzo highlights , you ’ ll see why .
If you can knock down an open three ( hello , Michael Porter Jr. ) , basketball bliss might be waiting for you .
Hampton ’ s playing time , to me , is the biggest wild card .
His athleticism and speed are unlike anything Denver has on its roster .
At the same time , there are two incumbents in Gary Harris and Will Barton who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them right now .
Depending on whether Harris ’ hip is fully healthy and Barton ’ s knee has recovered , I ’ m not going to be surprised if there are minutes for Hampton .
He said he can play the 1 , 2 , or 3 .
He also said he can become a low-40 % 3-point shooter .
Frankly , he said a lot of things .
You love to hear it from a guy who slipped in the draft and has something to prove .
Why did the Nuggets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract ?
Couldn ’ t they have just left Bol Bol on a two-way contract ?
With the expanded eligibility for two-way players this year he could have spent a majority of the season developing/playing with the Nuggets and this would have allowed the team to keep Torrey Craig .
The Nuggets didn ’ t need to convert him , but they wanted to .
Consider it doing right by their guy , who ’ d earned it after a dedicated offseason .
I don ’ t know this to be true , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise to Bol before Denver ’ s free agency plans went haywire with Grant .
Think about this : The Nuggets talked about wanting to bring back all their free agents after the season ended .
They were able to keep only one of the four .
I ’ m from Serbia and I want to ask : Is Bol Bol ready to be Nikola Jokic ’ s backup ?
I don ’ t think so .
Until Bol gets stronger and can hold his own physically in the paint , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a backup 3 than a 5 .
Not to mention , there ’ s a lot more playing time available on the wing than there is at backup center .
Bol ’ s strength is in the mismatches he creates .
On offense , there aren ’ t many threes in the league who can realistically get a hand in his face .
If he played the five , I think opposing centers would bully him .
He ’ s so unique and is still so raw that Malone needs time to figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And to Malone ’ s credit , he wasn ’ t afraid to try out funky lineups in Orlando ( even if it was by necessity ) .
After losing Jeram Grant but recovering nicely by bringing on JaMychal Green and Isaiah Hartenstein , then re-signing Paul Millsap , this 2021 Nuggets squad seems to be a playoff team once again .
Maybe even a contender by the time the chemistry gets to where it needs to be by the end of the season and roles are defined .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great opportunity to really see what the Nuggets have in Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol .
It should be a really fun season , but my question is… Will I be able to watch it ?
I dropped Comcast because they weren ’ t carrying Altitude anymore .
What other ways might there be for us Nuggets fans to actually watch our favorite team play this season other than when they play on TNT or ESPN ?
Any developments ?
Man , I deserve a commission for this .
NBA League Pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch the majority of the games .
You could also switch to DirecTV , which did reach a deal with Altitude .
I checked in recently regarding Comcast-Altitude and believe that whatever negotiations are happening , they ’ re taking place at the Stan Kroenke level .
In a year where so much has gone wrong , it is laughable that most Nuggets fans in Denver may not be able to watch the games again .
Fans deserve so much better than this .
Realistically , what do you envision Bol Bol ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season ?
I ’ ve heard he has impressed the team with the work he ’ s put in this offseason and that he could play some 3 ( which is the thinnest position on the depth chart for the Nuggets ) .
See above .
The depth chart is more fluid than I can ever remember it .
I think we see more Bol this year , perhaps not on a night-to-night basis but in spot situations .
Michael Porter Jr looks like he will be the third of a three-star lineup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the assets to trade for someone like Bradley Beal if Porter doesn ’ t have the year the Nuggets are hoping for ?
The only way the Nuggets are trading for Beal is if Porter *does* have the year Denver is hoping for .
And even then , they ’ d have to swallow hard to move him .
Porter has two more years of cost-controlled salary .
That ’ s a significant piece for a franchise that ’ s historically stayed below the luxury tax line .
The Lakers are better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we gon na see real minutes for Bol Bol , more for Michael Porter Jr. and some for Facundo Campazzo and R.J. Hampton ?
Will they play Hampton more than they played say Goodwin or Lydon ?
Will Will Barton start again or is he adding sixth-man fire now ?
Covered most of this above except for Barton .
I think the Nuggets are in a strange place with him .
The only way I can see him start is if Malone feels he ’ s a better option at shooting guard than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingent on his knee .
Barton was in significant pain before he left the “ Bubble ” and his mobility was limited .
Since rehabbing for weeks in Miami , is his knee better ?
The 65-day offseason won ’ t help him .
I think most likely he ’ s coming off the bench behind Michael Porter Jr. Is he cool with that ?
Does he have a choice ?
He hasn ’ t played an NBA game in nine months .
Think of his trade stock like Victor Oladipo ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone whose health status is unknown .
How does Michael Malone balance the risk of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic wearing out before the season is over and trusting new people to play significant minutes ?
One of the most interesting — and if you ’ re Malone , frustrating — story lines last season was the development of Porter .
Malone had to live with his growing pains while maintaining pace in the West .
While Porter grew a lot in Orlando , ultimately , the team got younger , with roles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unenviable job this year ?
Find minutes for Bol , learn what lineups work with Campazzo , decide whether Hampton can have an immediate impact , platoon Green and Millsap at the four , make hard choices with veterans Harris and Barton , continue to refine Porter ’ s defense and compete with a Western Conference that got deeper .
Maybe he needs a stiff drink , too .

Beat writer Michael Singer opens up the Nuggets Mailbag periodically throughout the offseason. Pose a Nuggets — or NBA — related question here.
The 2019 Denver Nuggets featuring Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton, Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic were able to be the second seed in the Western Conference and one win away from the WCF with Torrey Craig and Gary as the primary wing defenders. Wouldn’t PJ Dozier, who’s the same height, longer wingspan and shown he’s not afraid of defending Lebron and has offensive ability, be an upgrade from what you get with Torrey Craig? From what I can tell the Nuggets front office is headed toward a more Eurocentric style of basketball where almost everyone on the floor can make plays (Facundo Campazzo, Jamal, PJ, MPJ, Jokic). Defensively PJ can defend wings, Jamal has greatly improved from the 2019 postseason and Jokic’s defense is also unfairly criticized. He had the same amount of blocks and steals as Bam Adebayo in the playoffs last year. I don’t think his subpar pick-and-roll defense automatically means he’s a poor defender. All it takes to fix that is film and better preparation. He’s only 25. Am I overly optimistic?
— Jean P., Towson, MD
I don’t think “overly” is correct. I think fans should be cautiously optimistic. Had the Nuggets kept Jerami Grant, no one would’ve given Torrey Craig’s departure for Milwaukee a second thought. Craig’s departure, after Grant’s stunning decision to leave, was a compounded blow. It raised reasonable doubts about guarding opponents’ best wings.
Lost in all the discussion was Dozier, who isn’t as big as Craig defensively, but is much more comfortable with the ball in his hands. For regular season purposes at least, the Nuggets have a lot of trust in Dozier. He’s an adequate stopgap, albeit undersized to deal with the West’s best wings. If the playoffs started tomorrow, there’d be a ton of responsibility on new acquisition JaMychal Green. The Nuggets would count on him to handle opposing power forwards all the way out to the perimeter. It still feels like there’s a missing defensive piece between Dozier and Green. The Nuggets should be able to survive until the trade deadline when that need might become more apparent.
Finally, your point about shared playmaking is valid. The Nuggets love the idea of multiple ballhandlers and multiple points of attack. They went into this offseason targeting a playmaker. They ended up with two in Campazzo and Hampton. My guess: Both will play bigger roles than you think.
How do you think the Nuggets are gonna stack up defensively against the top wings in the NBA with this new condensed schedule and without a primary defender in the rotation? Do you think they could’ve done a better job filling out the roster with the likes of Hassan Whiteside and others still being available?
— Tariq Richards, St. Kitts & Nevis
Had the Nuggets known what Grant was going to do, they might’ve made a play at Robert Covington (now on Portland) or Jae Crowder (now on Phoenix). But facing the prospect of waking up a day after free agency started with only one power forward (Vlatko Cancar) on the roster would’ve given Tim Connelly hot sweats. They had to lock someone in Friday night, if not for their sanity, then to give them some negotiating power with free agent Paul Millsap, who took his time letting the market play out. After agreeing with Green, who used up most of their mid-level exception, the Nuggets were hamstrung. Their only options were veteran minimums or the bi-annual exception (which went to Campazzo). After the way free agency opened, could anyone blame them if they capped off Friday night with a stiff drink?
Top five questions: Which of the four new players will get the most minutes this season: R.J. Hampton, Zeke Nnaji, Isaiah Hartenstein, or Facundo Campazzo? Who will be the backup point guard: Monte Morris or Campazzo? When and how will we lose Morris? Who will get Michael Porter Jr.’s minutes as Malone continues to bench him? We know we’re going to lose MPJ sometime. Will he break our heart and leave, or will he get traded?
— Brig, Louisville
Sunny! We’ll start with the doomsday scenario. By not landing Jrue Holiday, the Nuggets kept themselves in the running for a potential Bradley Beal trade. Whatever’s going on in Washington doesn’t seem harmonious. I promise you league executives are closely monitoring Beal’s status as the season, and trade deadline, inch closer. If the Nuggets get involved, Michael Porter Jr. would need to be part of the package. As of now, the Nuggets have been insistent he’s not going anywhere. Morris, as a young, promising point guard, has significant value, too. Let’s just rip the band-aid. Most Nuggets fans could stomach losing those two if it meant landing Beal.
Your first question is an excellent one. In regards to playing time, I’m mildly confident Nnaji will get the fewest of the four. If there was enough confidence in him as a backup five — and Nuggets coach Michael Malone was with Denver’s braintrust on draft night — I doubt they would’ve prioritized Isaiah Hartenstein over Craig or another wing defender. I expect Hartenstein to get Plumlee-level run. Think 18 or so minutes per game.
Campazzo and Hampton are both really interesting cases. Campazzo, 29, is not a typical rookie and likely wouldn’t be coming to America without assurances of playing time. I think he and Morris will share facilitating responsibilities with the second unit. I also think Denver’s front office is drooling at the possibility of pairing Campazzo with Nikola Jokic. If you watch a few minutes of Campazzo highlights, you’ll see why. If you can knock down an open three (hello, Michael Porter Jr.), basketball bliss might be waiting for you.
Hampton’s playing time, to me, is the biggest wild card. His athleticism and speed are unlike anything Denver has on its roster. At the same time, there are two incumbents in Gary Harris and Will Barton who have a lot of question marks around them right now. Depending on whether Harris’ hip is fully healthy and Barton’s knee has recovered, I’m not going to be surprised if there are minutes for Hampton. He said he can play the 1, 2, or 3. He also said he can become a low-40% 3-point shooter. Frankly, he said a lot of things. You love to hear it from a guy who slipped in the draft and has something to prove.
Why did the Nuggets need to convert Bol Bol’s contract? Couldn’t they have just left Bol Bol on a two-way contract? With the expanded eligibility for two-way players this year he could have spent a majority of the season developing/playing with the Nuggets and this would have allowed the team to keep Torrey Craig.
— Scott, Boulder
The Nuggets didn’t need to convert him, but they wanted to. Consider it doing right by their guy, who’d earned it after a dedicated offseason. I don’t know this to be true, but there might’ve been a promise to Bol before Denver’s free agency plans went haywire with Grant. Think about this: The Nuggets talked about wanting to bring back all their free agents after the season ended. They were able to keep only one of the four.
I’m from Serbia and I want to ask: Is Bol Bol ready to be Nikola Jokic’s backup?
— Ognjen, Bajina Bašta
I don’t think so. Until Bol gets stronger and can hold his own physically in the paint, I think he’s much better suited as a backup 3 than a 5. Not to mention, there’s a lot more playing time available on the wing than there is at backup center. Bol’s strength is in the mismatches he creates. On offense, there aren’t many threes in the league who can realistically get a hand in his face. If he played the five, I think opposing centers would bully him. He’s so unique and is still so raw that Malone needs time to figure out how best to use him. And to Malone’s credit, he wasn’t afraid to try out funky lineups in Orlando (even if it was by necessity).
After losing Jeram Grant but recovering nicely by bringing on JaMychal Green and Isaiah Hartenstein, then re-signing Paul Millsap, this 2021 Nuggets squad seems to be a playoff team once again. Maybe even a contender by the time the chemistry gets to where it needs to be by the end of the season and roles are defined. At the same time, this upcoming season seems like a great opportunity to really see what the Nuggets have in Michael Porter Jr. and Bol Bol. It should be a really fun season, but my question is… Will I be able to watch it? I dropped Comcast because they weren’t carrying Altitude anymore. What other ways might there be for us Nuggets fans to actually watch our favorite team play this season other than when they play on TNT or ESPN? Any developments?
— Matt Edlund, Centennial
Man, I deserve a commission for this. NBA League Pass is one that should allow you to watch the majority of the games. You could also switch to DirecTV, which did reach a deal with Altitude.
I checked in recently regarding Comcast-Altitude and believe that whatever negotiations are happening, they’re taking place at the Stan Kroenke level. In a year where so much has gone wrong, it is laughable that most Nuggets fans in Denver may not be able to watch the games again. Fans deserve so much better than this.
Realistically, what do you envision Bol Bol’s role with the Nuggets as this season? I’ve heard he has impressed the team with the work he’s put in this offseason and that he could play some 3 (which is the thinnest position on the depth chart for the Nuggets).
— Mike Green, Brisbane, Australia
See above. The depth chart is more fluid than I can ever remember it. I think we see more Bol this year, perhaps not on a night-to-night basis but in spot situations.
Michael Porter Jr looks like he will be the third of a three-star lineup. Do you think the Nuggets would have the assets to trade for someone like Bradley Beal if Porter doesn’t have the year the Nuggets are hoping for?
— Roger, Centennial
The only way the Nuggets are trading for Beal is if Porter *does* have the year Denver is hoping for. And even then, they’d have to swallow hard to move him. Porter has two more years of cost-controlled salary. That’s a significant piece for a franchise that’s historically stayed below the luxury tax line.
The Lakers are better. With the now-even-younger Nuggets, are we gonna see real minutes for Bol Bol, more for Michael Porter Jr. and some for Facundo Campazzo and R.J. Hampton? Will they play Hampton more than they played say Goodwin or Lydon? Will Will Barton start again or is he adding sixth-man fire now?
— @andyjuett, via Twitter
Covered most of this above except for Barton. I think the Nuggets are in a strange place with him. The only way I can see him start is if Malone feels he’s a better option at shooting guard than Harris. And that’s all contingent on his knee. Barton was in significant pain before he left the “Bubble” and his mobility was limited. Since rehabbing for weeks in Miami, is his knee better? The 65-day offseason won’t help him. I think most likely he’s coming off the bench behind Michael Porter Jr. Is he cool with that? Does he have a choice? He hasn’t played an NBA game in nine months. Think of his trade stock like Victor Oladipo’s. It’s hard to move someone whose health status is unknown.
How does Michael Malone balance the risk of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic wearing out before the season is over and trusting new people to play significant minutes?
— @ry_garr, via Twitter
One of the most interesting — and if you’re Malone, frustrating — story lines last season was the development of Porter. Malone had to live with his growing pains while maintaining pace in the West. While Porter grew a lot in Orlando, ultimately, the team got younger, with roles that are less defined. Malone’s unenviable job this year? Find minutes for Bol, learn what lineups work with Campazzo, decide whether Hampton can have an immediate impact, platoon Green and Millsap at the four, make hard choices with veterans Harris and Barton, continue to refine Porter’s defense and compete with a Western Conference that got deeper. Maybe he needs a stiff drink, too.


thedenverpost--2020-11-27--DU Pioneers leaning on NHL experience to prepare for Omaha “pod”

Secrets learned from the NHL playoff bubble will be applied by the University of Denver when the Pioneers begin the season next week inside the National Collegiate Hockey Conference “ pod ” in Omaha , Neb .
DU coach David Carle spoke to his predecessor , Jim Montgomery , the former Dallas Stars head coach now working as an assistant with the St. Louis Blues , about playing 10 games in 18 games .
And two former Pioneers who went deep into the NHL bubble in Edmonton — Derek Lalonde , a former DU assistant now with the Stanley Cup-champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a then-center for the Vegas Golden Knights — addressed the team on Zoom calls .
DU assistant coach Dallas Ferguson also leaned on Avalanche coach Jared Bednar , whose team lost in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals to Dallas .
“ We ’ ve tried to expose ourselves and our players about what it ’ s like to be in the bubble , ” Carle said .
But it ’ s not really a bubble .
It ’ s being called a pod because security won ’ t be as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who are currently in a seven-day quarantine before departing for Omaha on Sunday , will stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Omaha — along with Colorado College and Miami .
Only players , coaches , and staff will be allowed inside the hotel , but security won ’ t be as tight as it was in the NHL bubble .
In fact , players will be allowed to walk to nearby Baxter Arena , where all 40 games will be played from Dec. 1 to Dec. 20 .
All pod personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One positive test will lead to 10-day isolation for that person , plus a 14-day quarantine for any person deemed a close contact .
To that end , Carle is preparing for more than 25 players to play a role in Omaha — a possibility that appears all the more likely given that DU could lose two key players to World Junior duty on Dec. 10 and the Pios haven ’ t played a game in eight months .
“ We expect a lot of uncertainty in the pod , ” Carle said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be comfortable playing with other guys .
So we ’ ve been doing that quite a bit with forward-line combinations and D-pairings .
I think we ’ re going to need everybody in the pod .
Everyone is going to have to play , and play in different moments and different roles.
” Carle , 31 , is the NCAA ’ s second-youngest head coach .
Brett Riley , 29 , is now the youngest since being hired as the head coach of Long Island University in May .
Carle has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to play in the pod .
“ The biggest things will be managing their rest and recovery , ” Carle said .
“ If you can manage those two things well they ’ re going to be rested and be able to perform at a high level of energy and emotion in the games , which is ultimately the two most important things in this environment .
”

Secrets learned from the NHL playoff bubble will be applied by the University of Denver when the Pioneers begin the season next week inside the National Collegiate Hockey Conference “pod” in Omaha, Neb.
DU coach David Carle spoke to his predecessor, Jim Montgomery, the former Dallas Stars head coach now working as an assistant with the St. Louis Blues, about playing 10 games in 18 games. And two former Pioneers who went deep into the NHL bubble in Edmonton — Derek Lalonde, a former DU assistant now with the Stanley Cup-champion Tampa Bay Lightning, and Paul Stastny, a then-center for the Vegas Golden Knights — addressed the team on Zoom calls.
DU assistant coach Dallas Ferguson also leaned on Avalanche coach Jared Bednar, whose team lost in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals to Dallas.
“We’ve tried to expose ourselves and our players about what it’s like to be in the bubble,” Carle said.
But it’s not really a bubble.
It’s being called a pod because security won’t be as tight as a bubble. The Pioneers, who are currently in a seven-day quarantine before departing for Omaha on Sunday, will stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Omaha — along with Colorado College and Miami. Only players, coaches, and staff will be allowed inside the hotel, but security won’t be as tight as it was in the NHL bubble. In fact, players will be allowed to walk to nearby Baxter Arena, where all 40 games will be played from Dec. 1 to Dec. 20.
All pod personnel will be tested regularly for COVID-19. One positive test will lead to 10-day isolation for that person, plus a 14-day quarantine for any person deemed a close contact.
To that end, Carle is preparing for more than 25 players to play a role in Omaha — a possibility that appears all the more likely given that DU could lose two key players to World Junior duty on Dec. 10 and the Pios haven’t played a game in eight months.
“We expect a lot of uncertainty in the pod,” Carle said. “I think guys are going to be comfortable playing with other guys. So we’ve been doing that quite a bit with forward-line combinations and D-pairings. I think we’re going to need everybody in the pod. Everyone is going to have to play, and play in different moments and different roles.”
Carle, 31, is the NCAA’s second-youngest head coach. Brett Riley, 29, is now the youngest since being hired as the head coach of Long Island University in May.
Carle has a litany of NHL contacts and a grand plan to play in the pod.
“The biggest things will be managing their rest and recovery,” Carle said. “If you can manage those two things well they’re going to be rested and be able to perform at a high level of energy and emotion in the games, which is ultimately the two most important things in this environment.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-27--Ask Amy: He’s a great dad, but a bad drinker

Dear Amy : I think my husband may have an alcohol problem , but I am not sure how to help him .
He is great dad to our young toddlers , and a devoted husband to me .
But as soon as the kids go to bed , he starts drinking beer .
He drinks all night and I often wake up alone , to find him sleeping in the basement on the floor .
He is never sick or angry .
He doesn ’ t “ black out.
” He ’ s not abusive or harmful to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels unacceptable .
He tells me that he is depressed and hates his job , but he feels like it is his duty to take care of us , even though I work .
I want him to feel like he can leave his job and make changes if he is unhappy , but he seems unwilling to .
I have asked him repeatedly to talk to a counselor , but he won ’ t .
I am afraid that my girls will think this behavior is an acceptable coping mechanism as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it will negatively impact his health if he does not stop .
I don ’ t want to leave him , but I ’ m not sure I can tolerate this much longer .
— Lost , but Still In Love Dear Lost : The first thing you should do is connect with an Al-anon group ( or other “ friends and family ” support group ) in order to share your story , your burdens , and your questions with people who have tread this challenging path .
One thing you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find your husband passed out on the floor of the basement , you should leave him there ( and not usher him up to bed ) .
Waking up alone on the basement floor might be a wake-up call for him .
He is sharing his feelings of depression with you .
Unfortunately , alcohol is a depressant , which will make everything worse for him .
Obviously , his drinking is having a huge impact on your home life , and I would guess that your toddlers are already gaining an awareness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , your husband should initiate a job search .
His depression likely makes him feel paralyzed ; his inertia might also be a red herring , providing him with a “ reason ” to stay exactly where he is , in order to keep drinking .
It wouldn ’ t be wise for him to leave his job until he finds another job , because many hours at home could increase his drinking .
You must take care of yourself and your children .
If this situation is intolerable ( I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take whatever steps you can to temporarily separate from him .
You must not martyr your family to his addiction , but instead you should recognize your own powerlessness to force him to stop .
Dear Amy : I wanted to share my view on the “ Independent ” woman who was offended when her in-laws visited her vacation home , cleaned it and did some repairs .
My sisters and I used to complain every time my mom did something for us .
One day my dad said four words that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just say thank you.
” WOW .
That moment was magical for me .
Not needing to prove to others you are in control makes you more in control .
When my parents would come to visit , I learned to stop trying to control them , and enjoyed whatever they came to do .
My dad would fly across the country with his essential tool box , and my mom would also bring her things , including gloves !
They loved it if I had projects for them in advance !
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the memories of the projects and things they did around the house .
I wish I could still call my parents to come over and enjoy their company as they enjoyed themselves doing little projects !
Thanks for pointing out that refusing help is not proof of adulthood !
People who love to give , need people willing to receive .
It ’ s a beautiful dance .
Dear Blessings : It is a kindness to let others show their love through “ acts of service , ” as long as they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going through the underwear drawer .
Dear Amy : “ Sensitive , or Reasonable ?
” was wondering if her 10-month old relationship with her boyfriend was a good keeper .
You wrote : “ When a relationship is really clicking , it feels like a happy-ever-after , not like a messy first draft.
” I read this aloud to my wife , and we both loved it .
Dear Happy : Well , I ’ m a writer .
I know a thing or two about messy first drafts .

Dear Amy: I think my husband may have an alcohol problem, but I am not sure how to help him.
He is great dad to our young toddlers, and a devoted husband to me. But as soon as the kids go to bed, he starts drinking beer. He drinks all night and I often wake up alone, to find him sleeping in the basement on the floor.
He is never sick or angry. He doesn’t “black out.” He’s not abusive or harmful to me in any way, but this behavior feels unacceptable.
He tells me that he is depressed and hates his job, but he feels like it is his duty to take care of us, even though I work.
I want him to feel like he can leave his job and make changes if he is unhappy, but he seems unwilling to.
I have asked him repeatedly to talk to a counselor, but he won’t.
I am afraid that my girls will think this behavior is an acceptable coping mechanism as they get older. I am also concerned that it will negatively impact his health if he does not stop.
I don’t want to leave him, but I’m not sure I can tolerate this much longer.
— Lost, but Still In Love
Dear Lost: The first thing you should do is connect with an Al-anon group (or other “friends and family” support group) in order to share your story, your burdens, and your questions with people who have tread this challenging path. One thing you might learn is that, if you find your husband passed out on the floor of the basement, you should leave him there (and not usher him up to bed). Waking up alone on the basement floor might be a wake-up call for him.
He is sharing his feelings of depression with you. Unfortunately, alcohol is a depressant, which will make everything worse for him. Obviously, his drinking is having a huge impact on your home life, and I would guess that your toddlers are already gaining an awareness of their dad’s problem.
Yes, your husband should initiate a job search. His depression likely makes him feel paralyzed; his inertia might also be a red herring, providing him with a “reason” to stay exactly where he is, in order to keep drinking.
It wouldn’t be wise for him to leave his job until he finds another job, because many hours at home could increase his drinking.
You must take care of yourself and your children. If this situation is intolerable (I could imagine it might be), you should take whatever steps you can to temporarily separate from him. You must not martyr your family to his addiction, but instead you should recognize your own powerlessness to force him to stop.
Dear Amy: I wanted to share my view on the “Independent” woman who was offended when her in-laws visited her vacation home, cleaned it and did some repairs.
My sisters and I used to complain every time my mom did something for us.
One day my dad said four words that clicked and changed me forever: “Just say thank you.” WOW. That moment was magical for me.
Not needing to prove to others you are in control makes you more in control.
When my parents would come to visit, I learned to stop trying to control them, and enjoyed whatever they came to do. My dad would fly across the country with his essential tool box, and my mom would also bring her things, including gloves! They loved it if I had projects for them in advance!
Now they cannot travel, I have the memories of the projects and things they did around the house.
I wish I could still call my parents to come over and enjoy their company as they enjoyed themselves doing little projects!
Thanks for pointing out that refusing help is not proof of adulthood! People who love to give, need people willing to receive. It’s a beautiful dance.
— Blessings
Dear Blessings: It is a kindness to let others show their love through “acts of service,” as long as they don’t also show their love by going through the underwear drawer.
Dear Amy: “Sensitive, or Reasonable?” was wondering if her 10-month old relationship with her boyfriend was a good keeper.
You wrote: “When a relationship is really clicking, it feels like a happy-ever-after, not like a messy first draft.”
I read this aloud to my wife, and we both loved it.
— Happy Wife
Dear Happy: Well, I’m a writer. I know a thing or two about messy first drafts.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-11-27--Man facing first-degree murder charges after Aurora stabbing victim dies on Thanksgiving

A suspect accused of stabbing a man on Nov. 19 in Aurora is facing first-degree murder charges after the victim @ @ @ @ @ Abdifatah M. Nur , 40 , who was arrested following the stabbing at the Aurora @ @ @ @ @ initially charged with attempted first-degree murder , but since the victim died , Nur will @ @ @ @ @ charges , Aurora police said in a news release Thursday .
The identity of the @ @ @ @ @ the Adams County Coroner ’ s Office after he has been positively identified and family @ @ @ @ @ from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit and district detectives are investigating the homicide .
At this @ @ @ @ @ clear what the relationship between the two was , police said .
Anyone with information @ @ @ @ @ to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 where they can remain anonymous and be @ @ @ @ @ up to $ 2,000 .

A suspect accused of stabbing a man on Nov. 19 in Aurora is facing first-degree murder charges after the victim died on Thanksgiving Day.
Abdifatah M. Nur, 40, who was arrested following the stabbing at the Aurora Day Resource Center, was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, but since the victim died, Nur will now be facing first-degree murder charges, Aurora police said in a news release Thursday.
The identity of the victim will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after he has been positively identified and family has been notified.
Investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit and district detectives are investigating the homicide. At this time, it is not clear what the relationship between the two was, police said.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 where they can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Ready the full story here.


thedenverpost--2020-11-28--50-something Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr. hungry to fight again

LOS ANGELES — Mike Tyson stepped onto a spotlighted stage Friday and weighed in at 220 pounds , ripping off his shirt to reveal a muscled torso that could belong to an athlete of half his 54 years .
The former heavyweight champion moved into a COVID-protective glass box and went nose-to-nose with Roy Jones Jr. , once the most talented fighter in the world .
Jones ’ 210-pound frame was slightly less toned , but still clearly in better condition than most of his fellow 51-year-olds .
These two boxing greats are older , calmer men now , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night intending to recapture a moment of their brilliant past — and they ’ ve both worked very hard to make sure they won ’ t be embarrassed in this extraordinary boxing exhibition .
“ This is the fun part , ” said Tyson , who will fight for the first time in 15 years .
“ Everything else to get here was hell.
” Their fight at Staples Center is an eight-round sparring session of sorts .
It will have two-minute rounds , no official judging and limited violence , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re asking the California State Athletic Commission or the fighters , who both intend to let their hands go .
“ Maybe I don ’ t know how to go easy , ” Tyson said .
“ I don ’ t know .
I don ’ t want to say the wrong thing .
I don ’ t want the commission mad at me.
” But for Tyson and Jones , this unique pay-per-view show is less of a sporting event and more of a chance for two transcendent athletes to prove age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a choice .
“ I don ’ t look at life as age , ” Tyson said .
“ I look at life as energy .
You don ’ t bring your age to the table .
You bring your energy to the table .
You don ’ t go meet people : ‘ Hey , I ’ m Bob .
I ’ m 59.
’ You don ’ t do that.
” Tyson still seems surprised by the wave of events that carried him back to the ring .
He admits the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a middle-aged husband and father who needed to lose 100 pounds two years ago , because that headstrong kid from Brooklyn had never thought that far ahead .
“ I didn ’ t even think I would live this long , ” he said .
“ I was just so intense , and just took myself so serious.
” Tyson got back into shape at the urging of his wife , who got him to start doing 15 minutes a day on the treadmill .
The 15 minutes turned into two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , running and eventually punching , along with the adoption of a vegan diet .
“ Never eat anything , ” he said with a laugh .
“ Just starve and exercise.
” The momentum started when he posted video of a training session on social media early in the coronavirus pandemic , and his crisp , powerful punches led to millions of impressions and a subsequent stream of increasingly lucrative comeback offers , along with the chance to raise money for charities .
“ This is a part of my life that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tyson said .
“ My last fight , I didn ’ t have any interest in doing it .
I ’ m interested in doing it now.
” Tyson is referring to his loss to journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005 , when he finally wrapped up his singular career in ugly fashion .
He became the heavyweight champion at 20 and reigned over the division for five years , but his epic downfall soured him on the sport .
“ I want to do it now , ” Tyson said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do it from a contract perspective : ‘ If you don ’ t do this , we ’ ll take everything you have , and you ’ ll be back in Brownsville.
’ They were blackmailing me .
It ’ s a different perspective now.
” While Tyson became an international icon for his brutish , dangerous image and numerous misbehaviors , Jones was widely revered as perhaps the most skilled boxer of his generation .
Jones was a preternaturally gifted athlete who dominated his weight classes while still pursuing his passion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rookie guard for the Knicks in 2005 when Jones participated in a full practice with the team .
“ I was freaking out , ” said the 36-year-old Robinson , no stranger to freakish athletic feats as a three-time winner of the NBA Slam Dunk contest at 5-foot-9 .
“ That was one of the highlights of my life , to be able to rub shoulders and hoop with one of your favorite boxers.
” Jones fought regularly throughout the 2010s , but thought he was finally retired two years ago .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponent in Tyson ’ s comeback , Jones couldn ’ t resist the chance to fight a legend he never got to meet during a career spent mostly at light heavyweight .
So Jones embarked on his own comeback training regimen .
“ It ’ s been the craziest thing you ever could have imagined , ” Jones said .
“ I can ’ t believe I ’ m able to maintain my speed at 51 years old .
I ’ m still faster than 95 % of the boxing world , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pains are there because you ’ re 50 , and they ’ re going to be there no matter what you do .
You just have to have a mental strength to overcome an adversity.
” Tyson and Jones are returning to a new world of boxing fandom and consumption .
This show is being promoted by Triller , a video-making app and social media platform , with a fight-night show featuring performances by several rappers , a surprisingly solid undercard and a co-main event pitting Robinson in his professional boxing debut against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul both seem appropriately awed by the circumstances of their bout .
“ You ’ ve got to remember , I ’ m 23 , and this is the first time that people my age will be able to experience a Mike Tyson fight live , ” Paul said .
” I can ’ t believe I ’ m a part of it.
” Neither Tyson nor Jones is likely done with boxing after this show .
Jones said he hopes to fight mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva next “ if this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go wherever this strange trip takes him next .
“ Me being here is already a success , ” Tyson said .
“ Me just existing as a human being is a success .
”

LOS ANGELES — Mike Tyson stepped onto a spotlighted stage Friday and weighed in at 220 pounds, ripping off his shirt to reveal a muscled torso that could belong to an athlete of half his 54 years.
The former heavyweight champion moved into a COVID-protective glass box and went nose-to-nose with Roy Jones Jr., once the most talented fighter in the world. Jones’ 210-pound frame was slightly less toned, but still clearly in better condition than most of his fellow 51-year-olds.
These two boxing greats are older, calmer men now, but they’re returning to the ring Saturday night intending to recapture a moment of their brilliant past — and they’ve both worked very hard to make sure they won’t be embarrassed in this extraordinary boxing exhibition.
“This is the fun part,” said Tyson, who will fight for the first time in 15 years. “Everything else to get here was hell.”
Their fight at Staples Center is an eight-round sparring session of sorts. It will have two-minute rounds, no official judging and limited violence, although the limit depends on whether you’re asking the California State Athletic Commission or the fighters, who both intend to let their hands go.
“Maybe I don’t know how to go easy,” Tyson said. “I don’t know. I don’t want to say the wrong thing. I don’t want the commission mad at me.”
But for Tyson and Jones, this unique pay-per-view show is less of a sporting event and more of a chance for two transcendent athletes to prove age is a number — and aging is a choice.
“I don’t look at life as age,” Tyson said. “I look at life as energy. You don’t bring your age to the table. You bring your energy to the table. You don’t go meet people: ‘Hey, I’m Bob. I’m 59.’ You don’t do that.”
Tyson still seems surprised by the wave of events that carried him back to the ring. He admits the younger Tyson never would have believed he would be a middle-aged husband and father who needed to lose 100 pounds two years ago, because that headstrong kid from Brooklyn had never thought that far ahead.
“I didn’t even think I would live this long,” he said. “I was just so intense, and just took myself so serious.”
Tyson got back into shape at the urging of his wife, who got him to start doing 15 minutes a day on the treadmill. The 15 minutes turned into two hours, and then expanded to biking, running and eventually punching, along with the adoption of a vegan diet.
“Never eat anything,” he said with a laugh. “Just starve and exercise.”
The momentum started when he posted video of a training session on social media early in the coronavirus pandemic, and his crisp, powerful punches led to millions of impressions and a subsequent stream of increasingly lucrative comeback offers, along with the chance to raise money for charities.
“This is a part of my life that I had pretty much thrown away,” Tyson said. “My last fight, I didn’t have any interest in doing it. I’m interested in doing it now.”
Tyson is referring to his loss to journeyman Kevin McBride in 2005, when he finally wrapped up his singular career in ugly fashion. He became the heavyweight champion at 20 and reigned over the division for five years, but his epic downfall soured him on the sport.
“I want to do it now,” Tyson said. “Most of the time I was obligated to do it from a contract perspective: ‘If you don’t do this, we’ll take everything you have, and you’ll be back in Brownsville.’ They were blackmailing me. It’s a different perspective now.”
While Tyson became an international icon for his brutish, dangerous image and numerous misbehaviors, Jones was widely revered as perhaps the most skilled boxer of his generation. Jones was a preternaturally gifted athlete who dominated his weight classes while still pursuing his passion for basketball.
Nate Robinson was a rookie guard for the Knicks in 2005 when Jones participated in a full practice with the team.
“I was freaking out,” said the 36-year-old Robinson, no stranger to freakish athletic feats as a three-time winner of the NBA Slam Dunk contest at 5-foot-9. “That was one of the highlights of my life, to be able to rub shoulders and hoop with one of your favorite boxers.”
Jones fought regularly throughout the 2010s, but thought he was finally retired two years ago. When he got an offer to be the opponent in Tyson’s comeback, Jones couldn’t resist the chance to fight a legend he never got to meet during a career spent mostly at light heavyweight.
So Jones embarked on his own comeback training regimen.
“It’s been the craziest thing you ever could have imagined,” Jones said. “I can’t believe I’m able to maintain my speed at 51 years old. I’m still faster than 95% of the boxing world, and it shocks me. The aches and pains are there because you’re 50, and they’re going to be there no matter what you do. You just have to have a mental strength to overcome an adversity.”
Tyson and Jones are returning to a new world of boxing fandom and consumption. This show is being promoted by Triller, a video-making app and social media platform, with a fight-night show featuring performances by several rappers, a surprisingly solid undercard and a co-main event pitting Robinson in his professional boxing debut against YouTube star Jake Paul.
Robinson and Paul both seem appropriately awed by the circumstances of their bout.
“You’ve got to remember, I’m 23, and this is the first time that people my age will be able to experience a Mike Tyson fight live,” Paul said. ”I can’t believe I’m a part of it.”
Neither Tyson nor Jones is likely done with boxing after this show. Jones said he hopes to fight mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva next “if this one goes well,” while Tyson will go wherever this strange trip takes him next.
“Me being here is already a success,” Tyson said. “Me just existing as a human being is a success.”


thedenverpost--2020-11-28--Black Friday 2020 in Denver: tourists, missing Santa and COVID-19 capacity limits

Downtown Denver resident Julie Jensen wasn ’ t expecting to do any shopping when she stepped out for coffee Friday .
Then she saw the H & M store in the Denver Pavilions was having a 30 % off everything Black Friday sale .
“ I stopped in and got some gifts for family , ” she said of the bag of sweaters on her arm .
Jensen ’ s broader holiday shopping plans speak to a season unlike any other with the novel coronavirus surging in Colorado and in many other places across the country .
She expects to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she can .
She said she would not be doing any other Black Friday shopping , especially not in enclosed malls .
“ I think you need to be sensitive to the circumstances .
There is no reason to go over the top ” this year , Jansen said .
“ I wouldn ’ t know what to expect from the mall today .
It just sounds like a bad idea.
” Jensen isn ’ t alone .
A Gallup survey earlier this month found that 28 % of Americans planned to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to last , the highest percentage since 2012 .
Still , Gallup found Americans ’ average gift-buying budget was $ 852 , close to the $ 846 reported in last year ’ s November survey .
For many of Colorado ’ s small retailers , it ’ s imperative to claim a chunk of that spending .
Market data analysis firm Womply found that in 2019 the holiday season produced six of the 20 biggest revenue days of the year for local retail businesses .
Black Friday was 14th .
The Saturday before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses have faced their own set of challenges this year , as Brendan Prough , manager of the Where the Buffalo Roam gift shop on the 16th Street Mall , can attest .
For one , Prough is expecting the holiday season to be slower because so many office workers in the surrounding area are now working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Last-minute purchases for white elephant parties will now have to take place through the business ’ fledging online ordering system if at all .
Where the Buffalo Roam ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice this year , once at the height of the racial justice protest this summer and again for a week and a half earlier this month around Election Day where more unrest was predicted but never materialized .
Boarded windows tend to scare off the store ’ s bread-and-butter demographic : tourists .
A big holiday season is not critical to the store ’ s success as it is with some other businesses .
“ The summer is our peak season for sure , ” Prough said , noting the cheap flights into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay afloat in 2020 .
“ It ’ s been better than expected to be honest .
Sometimes we ’ re making last year ’ s numbers .
The biggest thing we ’ re missing is the convention center .
That ’ s the biggest thing by far.
” On Friday , Where the Buffalo Roam ’ s capacity was capped at 15 shoppers by new COVID-19 business restrictions .
The only customers shopping in the store just after 11:30 a.m. was a family visiting from Chicago and Albuquerque , N.M. Over on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the John Fluevog Shoes boutique took turns running a red velvet rope across the entrance whenever the store hit its five-shopper capacity .
Assistant manager Brandon Giovannoni said Fluevog ’ s handmade shoes aren ’ t necessarily big holiday gifts — it ’ s hard to give shoes to someone who hasn ’ t tried them on — but gift cards are a big seller and the store was running a sale of up to 65 % off Friday .
San Antonio residents Lorenzo and Julianna Morales tried on shoes Friday while their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Denver for vacation , visiting Rocky Mountain National Park .
The shoes Lorenzo ultimately ended up buying were for him .
The family plans to do most of their gift shopping this year online and avoid big-box retailers in person .
“ Targets and stuff like that , we ’ ll be staying away from them , ” Lorenzo said .
It wasn ’ t a typical Black Friday at Southlands in Aurora , billed as the state ’ s largest outdoor shopping center .
“ In general , certainly compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had lines wrapping around buildings , we anticipated this would be a bit more subdued because of the pandemic and COVID restrictions , ” said Darcy Rutzen , vice president of retail property management for M & J Wilkow , the center ’ s manager .
“ But we ’ ve been pleased to see that people have still been out , and there have still been lines.
” Southlands requires tenants and shoppers to wear masks , even outdoors .
There ’ s still outdoor skating at Southlands for those who make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual holiday kickoff parade .
Santa Claus will be a no-show this year after the Tri-County Health Department said he would have to do his work outside , Rutzen said .
When the pandemic passes , Rutzen said she expects to see some of the COVID-era practices remain , such as curbside shopping .
But she believes brick and mortar will also stick around .
The company backed up that belief this fall when it undertook a multi-million dollar construction project at Southlands , adding trees , new play areas , a climbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lights and music .
“ As much as people are shopping online , we really believe there ’ s no substitute for physical retail , ” Rutzen said .
“ People want to come look at holiday decor , pick up a few things in a store .
It ’ s not like every other year , but they ’ re still trying to find those little bits of normalcy.
” The Park Meadows mall , one of Colorado ’ s largest enclosed shopping centers , reported having a Black Friday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent past .
The mall has modest lines at its entrances when it opened at 7 a.m. , general manager Pamela Kelly said .
Its Dick ’ s Sporting Goods , Macy ’ s and J.C. Penney stores all opened at 5 a.m. and it ’ s possible most customers filtered in through them .
“ It wasn ’ t your traditional Black Friday doorbuster , ” Kelly said , noting many retailers have stopped emphasizing those types of deals in recent years and have started spreading out sales over a longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , it was comfortable , very steady , very active and energetic but not all crowded .
People are out shopping but they are doing so cautiously.
” Park Meadows was using video equipment to monitor capacity .
As of 2:20 Friday , the mall was at about 25 % capacity , Kelly said , or half of the 50 % cap mandated under Level Red health restrictions on the state ’ s color-coded dial .
For shoppers looking for a mellow shopping experience , at Park Meadows or anywhere , Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing times .
“ I think that one of the secrets to success and safe shopping this year is to look at the store hours , ” Kelly said .
“ That first hour and that last hour is usually when there is the least amount of intensity .
”

Downtown Denver resident Julie Jensen wasn’t expecting to do any shopping when she stepped out for coffee Friday. Then she saw the H&M store in the Denver Pavilions was having a 30% off everything Black Friday sale.
“I stopped in and got some gifts for family,” she said of the bag of sweaters on her arm.
Jensen’s broader holiday shopping plans speak to a season unlike any other with the novel coronavirus surging in Colorado and in many other places across the country. She expects to spend less, supporting local businesses when she can. She said she would not be doing any other Black Friday shopping, especially not in enclosed malls.
“I think you need to be sensitive to the circumstances. There is no reason to go over the top” this year, Jansen said. “I wouldn’t know what to expect from the mall today. It just sounds like a bad idea.”
Jensen isn’t alone. A Gallup survey earlier this month found that 28% of Americans planned to spend less on holiday gifts this year compared to last, the highest percentage since 2012. Still, Gallup found Americans’ average gift-buying budget was $852, close to the $846 reported in last year’s November survey.
For many of Colorado’s small retailers, it’s imperative to claim a chunk of that spending. Market data analysis firm Womply found that in 2019 the holiday season produced six of the 20 biggest revenue days of the year for local retail businesses. Black Friday was 14th. The Saturday before Christmas was No. 1.
Downtown businesses have faced their own set of challenges this year, as Brendan Prough, manager of the Where the Buffalo Roam gift shop on the 16th Street Mall, can attest. For one, Prough is expecting the holiday season to be slower because so many office workers in the surrounding area are now working from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last-minute purchases for white elephant parties will now have to take place through the business’ fledging online ordering system if at all.
Where the Buffalo Roam’s windows have also been boarded up twice this year, once at the height of the racial justice protest this summer and again for a week and a half earlier this month around Election Day where more unrest was predicted but never materialized. Boarded windows tend to scare off the store’s bread-and-butter demographic: tourists.
A big holiday season is not critical to the store’s success as it is with some other businesses.
“The summer is our peak season for sure,” Prough said, noting the cheap flights into Denver the year have helped the store stay afloat in 2020. “It’s been better than expected to be honest. Sometimes we’re making last year’s numbers. The biggest thing we’re missing is the convention center. That’s the biggest thing by far.”
On Friday, Where the Buffalo Roam’s capacity was capped at 15 shoppers by new COVID-19 business restrictions. The only customers shopping in the store just after 11:30 a.m. was a family visiting from Chicago and Albuquerque, N.M.
Over on Larimer Square, the two staffers at the John Fluevog Shoes boutique took turns running a red velvet rope across the entrance whenever the store hit its five-shopper capacity. Assistant manager Brandon Giovannoni said Fluevog’s handmade shoes aren’t necessarily big holiday gifts — it’s hard to give shoes to someone who hasn’t tried them on — but gift cards are a big seller and the store was running a sale of up to 65% off Friday.
San Antonio residents Lorenzo and Julianna Morales tried on shoes Friday while their kids waited outside. The family flew into Denver for vacation, visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. The shoes Lorenzo ultimately ended up buying were for him. The family plans to do most of their gift shopping this year online and avoid big-box retailers in person.
“Targets and stuff like that, we’ll be staying away from them,” Lorenzo said.
It wasn’t a typical Black Friday at Southlands in Aurora, billed as the state’s largest outdoor shopping center.
“In general, certainly compared to the previous Black Fridays, where you had lines wrapping around buildings, we anticipated this would be a bit more subdued because of the pandemic and COVID restrictions,” said Darcy Rutzen, vice president of retail property management for M & J Wilkow, the center’s manager. “But we’ve been pleased to see that people have still been out, and there have still been lines.”
Southlands requires tenants and shoppers to wear masks, even outdoors.
There’s still outdoor skating at Southlands for those who make reservations, but the center canceled its annual holiday kickoff parade. Santa Claus will be a no-show this year after the Tri-County Health Department said he would have to do his work outside, Rutzen said.
When the pandemic passes, Rutzen said she expects to see some of the COVID-era practices remain, such as curbside shopping. But she believes brick and mortar will also stick around. The company backed up that belief this fall when it undertook a multi-million dollar construction project at Southlands, adding trees, new play areas, a climbing wall, seating and a fountain complete with lights and music.
“As much as people are shopping online, we really believe there’s no substitute for physical retail,” Rutzen said. “People want to come look at holiday decor, pick up a few things in a store. It’s not like every other year, but they’re still trying to find those little bits of normalcy.”
The Park Meadows mall, one of Colorado’s largest enclosed shopping centers, reported having a Black Friday morning similar to others it has had in the recent past. The mall has modest lines at its entrances when it opened at 7 a.m., general manager Pamela Kelly said. Its Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s and J.C. Penney stores all opened at 5 a.m. and it’s possible most customers filtered in through them.
“It wasn’t your traditional Black Friday doorbuster,” Kelly said, noting many retailers have stopped emphasizing those types of deals in recent years and have started spreading out sales over a longer period of time. “But this year, it was comfortable, very steady, very active and energetic but not all crowded. People are out shopping but they are doing so cautiously.”
Park Meadows was using video equipment to monitor capacity. As of 2:20 Friday, the mall was at about 25% capacity, Kelly said, or half of the 50% cap mandated under Level Red health restrictions on the state’s color-coded dial.
For shoppers looking for a mellow shopping experience, at Park Meadows or anywhere, Kelly recommends keeping an eye on opening and closing times.
“I think that one of the secrets to success and safe shopping this year is to look at the store hours,” Kelly said. “That first hour and that last hour is usually when there is the least amount of intensity.”
Denver Post staff writer Judith Kohler contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-11-28--Disney to lay off 4,000 more employees amid pandemic

ORLANDO , Fla. — The Walt Disney Co. announced plans to lay off 4,000 more employees largely due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The announcement by the company was made in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing earlier this week , saying 32,000 employees at the parks , experiences and products division will be terminated in the first half of fiscal year 2021 , which began last month .
In late September , the company had already announced plans to terminate 28,000 theme park workers .
The company did not say how many of the additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida theme parks .
In the SEC document filed on the eve of Thanksgiving Day , the company said it also put 37,000 employees not scheduled for termination on furlough as a result of the pandemic .
“ Due to the current climate , including COVID-19 impacts , and changing environment in which we are operating , the company has generated efficiencies in its staffing , including limiting hiring to critical business roles , furloughs and reductions-in-force , ” the document said .
The company also said they may make more cuts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content investments and additional furloughs and layoffs .
In Florida , the company has been limiting attendance at its parks and changing protocols to allow for social distancing by limiting characters ’ meet and greets .
Disney ’ s parks closed in March as the pandemic started spreading in the U.S .
The Florida parks reopened in the summer , but the California parks have yet to reopen pending state and local government approvals .

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Walt Disney Co. announced plans to lay off 4,000 more employees largely due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement by the company was made in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing earlier this week, saying 32,000 employees at the parks, experiences and products division will be terminated in the first half of fiscal year 2021, which began last month.
In late September, the company had already announced plans to terminate 28,000 theme park workers. The company did not say how many of the additional 4,000 employees work at the California or Florida theme parks.
In the SEC document filed on the eve of Thanksgiving Day, the company said it also put 37,000 employees not scheduled for termination on furlough as a result of the pandemic.
“Due to the current climate, including COVID-19 impacts, and changing environment in which we are operating, the company has generated efficiencies in its staffing, including limiting hiring to critical business roles, furloughs and reductions-in-force,” the document said.
The company also said they may make more cuts in spending such as reducing film and television content investments and additional furloughs and layoffs.
In Florida, the company has been limiting attendance at its parks and changing protocols to allow for social distancing by limiting characters’ meet and greets.
Disney’s parks closed in March as the pandemic started spreading in the U.S. The Florida parks reopened in the summer, but the California parks have yet to reopen pending state and local government approvals.