thedenverpost--2020-06-10--Brooks Koepka raises notion of not playing a Ryder Cup without fans

Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka feels so strongly against a Ryder Cup without fans that he could see a scenario where some players protested by not playing .
Would he be one of them ?
Rory McIlroy doesn ’ t think it will come to that .
The world ’ s No .
1 player has said on various podcasts that the Ryder Cup , scheduled for Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin , should not be played if fans can ’ t attend .
So when asked if he would consider not playing if fans couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m pretty sure they won ’ t carry on without spectators , so I don ’ t think that would have to be an option that I would have to consider.
” He spoke with conviction and said he has been in constant conversations with European Tour chief Keith Pelley , PGA of America officials and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan .
McIlroy , like Koepka , is a two-time PGA champion .
“ I think there ’ s enough people within the game that don ’ t want the Ryder Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ That ’ s why I sort of have this conviction that it wouldn ’ t happen if fans wouldn ’ t be allowed .
… So that ’ s why it ’ s either going to be played this year with fans , if we can do that , or going to have to figure out kicking it down the road to a later date.
” Even with so much emphasis on the PGA Tour returning amid the COVID-19 pandemic this week at the Charles Schwab Challenge , the Ryder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That includes a change to U.S. qualifying because of golf being shut down for the last three months .
Steve Stricker now will get six captain ’ s picks — half of his team — and qualifying was extended by one week through the BMW Championship on Aug. 27-30 , the second of three FedEx Cup playoff events .
That leaves 12 events for Americans to earn Ryder Cup points , assuming the Ryder Cup is held this year .
A decision is expected by the end of the month on whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or without fans , or be postponed .
Under the previous system , Stricker had four captain ’ s picks .
The change bumps Justin Thomas ( No .
7 ) and Tiger Woods ( No .
8 ) out of the last two qualifying spots , though only 19 of the 31 events to earn points have been played .
The PGA Tour canceled 11 events , nine that pertain to the Ryder Cup .
The John Deere Classic has been replaced by a one-time event at Muirfield Village sponsored by Workday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have counted anyway because it is held opposite a major .
Also missing from qualifying are three majors .
The British Open was canceled , while the the U.S. Open has moved to the week before the Ryder Cup and the team already will have been set .
The Masters will be played in November .
“ With all the various changes to the 2020 schedule , it quickly became apparent that we would need to amend our selection criteria , ” Stricker said .
“ These changes were sparked by circumstance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the end , we believe they will allow us to put our best team together.
” Koepka raised the possibility that it might take more than that to field the strongest team .
He also raised the sticky topic of money in making the decision — not for him , but the revenue generated for the PGA of America and European Tour .
“ I think there ’ s a lot more that goes into that , why they would be playing , personally , ” he said .
“ As players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re playing or why we would play.
” Interviews at Colonial are being conducted virtually , and the audio and video froze as Koepka gave an answer that ended with him rubbing thumbs and fingers together to mimic Johnny Manziel .
“ That ’ s the only reason , ” he said with a smile .
“ Give it to Johnny Football.
” Koepka later said in a text message , “ I ’ m talking the PGA wants the money , and does the Euro Tour.
” Stricker , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have an audience , even a smaller one .
He said his home state of Wisconsin was starting to open , but that only raised more questions .
Would it allow for 50 % capacity at Whistling Straits ?
Would the corporate support be as strong with companies trying to recovery from the pandemic ?
Is a return to golf and other sports going to lead to a spike in coronavirus cases ?
“ There ’ s just so many things that are unanswered right now , ” he said .
Stricker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on site might satisfy players , he had a hard time imagining how thousands of fans could practice social distancing with only four matches on the course at a time .
“ But I ’ ve been talking to the players , ” Stricker said .
“ They ’ re a little bit more excited and a little keen to the idea of 50 % capacity of fans .
… We ’ re planning every week to be playing the Ryder Cup in September .
Until otherwise , until we hear otherwise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka feels so strongly against a Ryder Cup without fans that he could see a scenario where some players protested by not playing.
Would he be one of them?
“Possibly,” Koepka said Wednesday.
Rory McIlroy doesn’t think it will come to that. The world’s No. 1 player has said on various podcasts that the Ryder Cup, scheduled for Sept. 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, should not be played if fans can’t attend.
So when asked if he would consider not playing if fans couldn’t attend, McIlroy replied, “I’m pretty sure they won’t carry on without spectators, so I don’t think that would have to be an option that I would have to consider.”
He spoke with conviction and said he has been in constant conversations with European Tour chief Keith Pelley, PGA of America officials and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. McIlroy, like Koepka, is a two-time PGA champion.
“I think there’s enough people within the game that don’t want the Ryder Cup to happen without fans,” McIlroy said. “That’s why I sort of have this conviction that it wouldn’t happen if fans wouldn’t be allowed. … So that’s why it’s either going to be played this year with fans, if we can do that, or going to have to figure out kicking it down the road to a later date.”
Even with so much emphasis on the PGA Tour returning amid the COVID-19 pandemic this week at the Charles Schwab Challenge, the Ryder Cup remains part of the conversation.
That includes a change to U.S. qualifying because of golf being shut down for the last three months. Steve Stricker now will get six captain’s picks — half of his team — and qualifying was extended by one week through the BMW Championship on Aug. 27-30, the second of three FedEx Cup playoff events.
That leaves 12 events for Americans to earn Ryder Cup points, assuming the Ryder Cup is held this year. A decision is expected by the end of the month on whether the most vocal golf event will proceed with or without fans, or be postponed.
Under the previous system, Stricker had four captain’s picks. The change bumps Justin Thomas (No. 7) and Tiger Woods (No. 8) out of the last two qualifying spots, though only 19 of the 31 events to earn points have been played.
The PGA Tour canceled 11 events, nine that pertain to the Ryder Cup. The John Deere Classic has been replaced by a one-time event at Muirfield Village sponsored by Workday, while the Barbasol Championship would not have counted anyway because it is held opposite a major.
Also missing from qualifying are three majors. The British Open was canceled, while the the U.S. Open has moved to the week before the Ryder Cup and the team already will have been set. The Masters will be played in November.
“With all the various changes to the 2020 schedule, it quickly became apparent that we would need to amend our selection criteria,” Stricker said. “These changes were sparked by circumstance, but conceived with integrity in mind. In the end, we believe they will allow us to put our best team together.”
Koepka raised the possibility that it might take more than that to field the strongest team. He also raised the sticky topic of money in making the decision — not for him, but the revenue generated for the PGA of America and European Tour.
“I think there’s a lot more that goes into that, why they would be playing, personally,” he said. “As players, I think we all know why they’re playing or why we would play.”
Money?
Interviews at Colonial are being conducted virtually, and the audio and video froze as Koepka gave an answer that ended with him rubbing thumbs and fingers together to mimic Johnny Manziel.
“That’s the only reason,” he said with a smile. “Give it to Johnny Football.”
Koepka later said in a text message, “I’m talking the PGA wants the money, and does the Euro Tour.”
Stricker, meanwhile, held out hope the Ryder Cup would have an audience, even a smaller one. He said his home state of Wisconsin was starting to open, but that only raised more questions.
Would it allow for 50% capacity at Whistling Straits? Would the corporate support be as strong with companies trying to recovery from the pandemic? Is a return to golf and other sports going to lead to a spike in coronavirus cases?
“There’s just so many things that are unanswered right now,” he said.
Stricker said while having some percentage of fans on site might satisfy players, he had a hard time imagining how thousands of fans could practice social distancing with only four matches on the course at a time.
“But I’ve been talking to the players,” Stricker said. “They’re a little bit more excited and a little keen to the idea of 50% capacity of fans. … We’re planning every week to be playing the Ryder Cup in September. Until otherwise, until we hear otherwise, we’re still planning to play.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-10--The Villas at Cotton Ranch uses high-quality craftsmanship to create modern mountain-living in Vail

The Villas at Cotton Ranch uses high-quality craftsmanship to create modern mountain-living in Vail Valley

The Villas at Cotton Ranch combine award-winning craftsmanship and high-end design features with its location nestled along the Gypsum Creek and the convenience of outdoor home care .
The luxury 72-townhome community located 38 miles from Vail and Beaver Creek offers slower-paced living for people who want to escape the bustle of Denver .
Gypsum also offers slightly warmer weather and less snowfall than its up-mountain neighbors with an average 47 inches per year compared to Vail ’ s 360 inches and Beaver Creek ’ s 325 inches .
Award-winning developers Jeanne and J.T .
Landreth worked with Slifer Designs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valley with rustic contemporary interiors with open floor plans and upscale finishes , including imported Italian cabinetry , gas fireplaces , Energy Star appliances , and fiber optic high-speed internet .
Three new walkout homes will be ready for October occupancy .
The $ 510,000 , two-bedroom option is 1,900 square feet .
From the one-car garage , you walk into the main floor , which features an open kitchen , dining , living room area with a balcony that overlooks Gypsum Creek .
“ You can hear the water , ” Jeanne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the master bedroom complete with his and her closets , a five-piece master bath , and a second balcony that overlooks the creek .
The lower level is a walkout with a patio that features an open living area with a potential second bedroom .
Landreth says most owners turn that room into an office , workout room , guest room , or man cave .
The townhome also features 200 feet of storage space underneath the garage , perfect for stashing mountain toys like ski or fishing gear and bikes .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be available in October for $ 659,000 .
Those walkout homes feature two-car garages , with 400 feet of storage space underneath , and a first-floor master suite .
The development also has one three-bedroom , two-car home ready to move in now .
The 1,900-square-foot townhome is listed at $ 545,000 and includes an unfinished basement , plus storage space under the two-car garage .
The townhomes at The Villas at Cotton Ranch are low-maintenance and appeal to buyers 50 and older who either want to trade down to a smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or those who can work remotely and want to take advantage of the high-speed fiber-optic internet , Landreth says .
Although some of the homes are second houses and a few belong to families , most are owned by empty nesters , who appreciate the convenience of the community ’ s low-maintenance program .
Property owners no longer have to worry about snow removal or lawn care .
“ My wife and I came up to Eagle County looking for a second home for weekend getaways .
After several disappointing weeks of searching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cotton Ranch .
What a find !
With proximity to a “ real ” airport , a fantastic layout , stunning scenery , and the ability to reach Denver , we knew that we had found our new home .
Three months after closing , we decided to leave Denver and move up full time .
If you ’ re a working professional and thinking about moving up to the high country , I can ’ t think of a better choice !
” – Erich With 247 days of sunshine each year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts whether you like to golf , hike , bike , fish , or ski .
The community is located 38 miles from the Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas and is adjacent to the Pete Dye-designed 18-hole Gypsum Creek Golf Course .
The golf course clubhouse , home to the Creekside Grill , is within walking distance .
The clubhouse also features pickleball and tennis courts and a large outdoor swimming pool .
During winter snow , the course transforms into an ideal spot for Nordic skiing or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gypsum Recreation and Fitness Center with an indoor pool also is a short walk from your new home .
“ In looking for a second home in the Vail Valley , we wanted high-quality , affordable new construction , minimal exterior maintenance , a main floor master bedroom , approximately 2,500 square feet , an open floor plan , and a single-family home feel .
The Villas at Cotton Ranch checked all of our boxes and more at a price point that was a tremendous value .
Our new home has great storage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gypsum Rec Center , and beautiful interior finishes .
It felt like home to us immediately !
” – Dave and Lisa But the primary reason to buy a home at The Villas at Cotton Ranch is the quality .
“ Bridget and I are extremely happy about our purchase in The Villas at Cotton Ranch .
The quality of the construction is what first caught our attention , and after looking valley-wide for a home , The Villas at Cotton Ranch stood out above the others and became our obvious choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a must for us , and the floor plans are well thought out and very functional .
All appliances and fixtures are of a higher quality than we found in other homes in comparable price ranges .
These units are built very well with strong attention to detail .
Excellent price point , great neighbors , nice golf course , hiking , biking , fishing , wildlife viewing , large patio , and beautiful sunsets are all part of what makes The Villas at Cotton Ranch a wonderful alternative to up valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” – Bridget and Farrow The homes are built with top-of-the-line environmental features including premium argon gas Low-E windows , Therma-Tru exterior doors , R21 insulated walls and R45 insulated attics , high-energy furnaces , and programmable thermostats .
The houses also come with Tamko Heritage roofs with a full ice and water shield and a 50-year limited warranty .
Inside , the townhomes feature : • Fiber optic high-speed internet • CAT 6 smart home wiring • Energy Star appliances • Kohler fixtures • Emtek interior door hardware in a satin finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Gas fireplaces • Bedrooms pre-wired for ceiling fans and TVs • Imported Italian floating cabinets • Zero-entry showers • Comfort-height toilets • Walk-in pantries • And slab countertops Whether you want to downsize or escape the hassles of metropolitan living , the high-quality mountain homes at The Villas at Cotton Ranch appeal to empty-nesters , retirees , second-home owners , and families .
The two- and three-bedroom homes are energy efficient and low maintenance .
Nestled along the Gypsum Creek , the community offers outdoor enthusiasts the ideal jumping-off point for everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skiing .
The homes are available by appointment only , so call 970-361-3619 or visit villasatcottonranch.com to schedule your tour today !
Sara B. Hansen has been an editor and writer for more than 20 years .
Her professional background includes editing positions at The Denver Post , The Des Moines Register , The Fort Collins Coloradoan , and At Home with Century 21 .
She ’ s also the founder and editor of DogsBestLife.com and the author of “ The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.
” The news and editorial staffs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this post ’ s preparation .

The Villas at Cotton Ranch combine award-winning craftsmanship and high-end design features with its location nestled along the Gypsum Creek and the convenience of outdoor home care.
The luxury 72-townhome community located 38 miles from Vail and Beaver Creek offers slower-paced living for people who want to escape the bustle of Denver. Gypsum also offers slightly warmer weather and less snowfall than its up-mountain neighbors with an average 47 inches per year compared to Vail’s 360 inches and Beaver Creek’s 325 inches.
Award-winning developers Jeanne and J.T. Landreth worked with Slifer Designs to create Colorado mountain homes in Vail Valley with rustic contemporary interiors with open floor plans and upscale finishes, including imported Italian cabinetry, gas fireplaces, Energy Star appliances, and fiber optic high-speed internet.
Ready in October
Three new walkout homes will be ready for October occupancy.
The $510,000, two-bedroom option is 1,900 square feet. From the one-car garage, you walk into the main floor, which features an open kitchen, dining, living room area with a balcony that overlooks Gypsum Creek. “You can hear the water,” Jeanne Landreth says.
The second floor is the master bedroom complete with his and her closets, a five-piece master bath, and a second balcony that overlooks the creek.
The lower level is a walkout with a patio that features an open living area with a potential second bedroom. Landreth says most owners turn that room into an office, workout room, guest room, or man cave. The townhome also features 200 feet of storage space underneath the garage, perfect for stashing mountain toys like ski or fishing gear and bikes.
Two three-bedroom options of 2,700 square feet also will be available in October for $659,000. Those walkout homes feature two-car garages, with 400 feet of storage space underneath, and a first-floor master suite.
The development also has one three-bedroom, two-car home ready to move in now. The 1,900-square-foot townhome is listed at $545,000 and includes an unfinished basement, plus storage space under the two-car garage.
Attractive to empty nesters or remote workers
The townhomes at The Villas at Cotton Ranch are low-maintenance and appeal to buyers 50 and older who either want to trade down to a smaller space or relocate for mountain living, or those who can work remotely and want to take advantage of the high-speed fiber-optic internet, Landreth says.
Although some of the homes are second houses and a few belong to families, most are owned by empty nesters, who appreciate the convenience of the community’s low-maintenance program. Property owners no longer have to worry about snow removal or lawn care.
“My wife and I came up to Eagle County looking for a second home for weekend getaways. After several disappointing weeks of searching, we stumbled across The Villas at Cotton Ranch. What a find! With proximity to a “real” airport, a fantastic layout, stunning scenery, and the ability to reach Denver, we knew that we had found our new home. Three months after closing, we decided to leave Denver and move up full time. If you’re a working professional and thinking about moving up to the high country, I can’t think of a better choice!” – Erich
Outdoor adventures await
With 247 days of sunshine each year, The Villas at Cotton Ranch is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts whether you like to golf, hike, bike, fish, or ski. The community is located 38 miles from the Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas and is adjacent to the Pete Dye-designed 18-hole Gypsum Creek Golf Course.
The golf course clubhouse, home to the Creekside Grill, is within walking distance. The clubhouse also features pickleball and tennis courts and a large outdoor swimming pool. During winter snow, the course transforms into an ideal spot for Nordic skiing or snowshoeing.
For indoor workouts, the Gypsum Recreation and Fitness Center with an indoor pool also is a short walk from your new home.
“In looking for a second home in the Vail Valley, we wanted high-quality, affordable new construction, minimal exterior maintenance, a main floor master bedroom, approximately 2,500 square feet, an open floor plan, and a single-family home feel. The Villas at Cotton Ranch checked all of our boxes and more at a price point that was a tremendous value. Our new home has great storage, proximity to the golf course and the Gypsum Rec Center, and beautiful interior finishes. It felt like home to us immediately!” – Dave and Lisa
High-quality homes
But the primary reason to buy a home at The Villas at Cotton Ranch is the quality.
“Bridget and I are extremely happy about our purchase in The Villas at Cotton Ranch. The quality of the construction is what first caught our attention, and after looking valley-wide for a home, The Villas at Cotton Ranch stood out above the others and became our obvious choice. The master on the main level was a must for us, and the floor plans are well thought out and very functional. All appliances and fixtures are of a higher quality than we found in other homes in comparable price ranges. These units are built very well with strong attention to detail. Excellent price point, great neighbors, nice golf course, hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, large patio, and beautiful sunsets are all part of what makes The Villas at Cotton Ranch a wonderful alternative to up valley living. We absolutely love it!” – Bridget and Farrow
The homes are built with top-of-the-line environmental features including premium argon gas Low-E windows, Therma-Tru exterior doors, R21 insulated walls and R45 insulated attics, high-energy furnaces, and programmable thermostats. The houses also come with Tamko Heritage roofs with a full ice and water shield and a 50-year limited warranty.
Inside, the townhomes feature:
• Fiber optic high-speed internet
• CAT 6 smart home wiring
• Energy Star appliances
• Kohler fixtures
• Emtek interior door hardware in a satin finish
• Recessed can lighting with LED bulbs
• Gas fireplaces
• Bedrooms pre-wired for ceiling fans and TVs
• Imported Italian floating cabinets
• Zero-entry showers
• Comfort-height toilets
• Walk-in pantries
• And slab countertops
A perfect space
Whether you want to downsize or escape the hassles of metropolitan living, the high-quality mountain homes at The Villas at Cotton Ranch appeal to empty-nesters, retirees, second-home owners, and families.
The two- and three-bedroom homes are energy efficient and low maintenance. Nestled along the Gypsum Creek, the community offers outdoor enthusiasts the ideal jumping-off point for everything from hiking and biking to fishing and skiing.
The homes are available by appointment only, so call 970-361-3619 or visit villasatcottonranch.com to schedule your tour today!
Sara B. Hansen has been an editor and writer for more than 20 years. Her professional background includes editing positions at The Denver Post, The Des Moines Register, The Fort Collins Coloradoan, and At Home with Century 21. She’s also the founder and editor of DogsBestLife.com and the author of “The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.”
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this post’s preparation.


thedenverpost--2020-06-10--Denver to drop all curfew violation charges against protesters

The Denver City Attorney ’ s office will dismiss 320 criminal cases against those arrested for violating the emergency curfew imposed by Mayor Michael Hancock as protests ramped up throughout the city , officials said .
“ We recognize the profound value of peaceful protests , especially now .
We are dismissing the curfew violations as part of a non-punitive , restorative approach outside of the court system , ” City Attorney Kristin Bronson said in a statement .
“ While I very much hope that there is never a future need for another curfew in Denver if one is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be important that our residents take it seriously and comply with it.
” The city will also host a public forum for those who were charged to discuss recent protests with police and others , the release said .
The dates for that forum will be announced soon .
Protests over the death of George Floyd , who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer , erupted in Denver on May 28 and quickly turned violent with vandalism and looting .
People threw rocks and water bottles at police , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foam bullets at the crowds .
On May 30 , Mayor Michael Hancock imposed a city-wide curfew and then extended it through Friday .
However , protesters ignored the curfew , remaining on streets for hours after it passed and chanting expletives to describe their thoughts on the mayor ’ s decision .
Between May 28 and June 1 , at least 338 people were arrested on various charges , with the majority taken into custody on curfew violations .
Other arrests during that period included weapons violations , burglary , assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were charged with multiple crimes .
However , police largely stopped enforcing the curfew on June 2 .
The demonstrations also became more organized and peaceful .

The Denver City Attorney’s office will dismiss 320 criminal cases against those arrested for violating the emergency curfew imposed by Mayor Michael Hancock as protests ramped up throughout the city, officials said.
“We recognize the profound value of peaceful protests, especially now. We are dismissing the curfew violations as part of a non-punitive, restorative approach outside of the court system,” City Attorney Kristin Bronson said in a statement. “While I very much hope that there is never a future need for another curfew in Denver if one is ever imposed, in whatever circumstances, it will be important that our residents take it seriously and comply with it.”
The city will also host a public forum for those who were charged to discuss recent protests with police and others, the release said. The dates for that forum will be announced soon.
Protests over the death of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, erupted in Denver on May 28 and quickly turned violent with vandalism and looting. People threw rocks and water bottles at police, and police fired tear gas, pepper balls and foam bullets at the crowds. On May 30, Mayor Michael Hancock imposed a city-wide curfew and then extended it through Friday.
However, protesters ignored the curfew, remaining on streets for hours after it passed and chanting expletives to describe their thoughts on the mayor’s decision.
Between May 28 and June 1, at least 338 people were arrested on various charges, with the majority taken into custody on curfew violations. Other arrests during that period included weapons violations, burglary, assault, arson and drug violations. Some people were charged with multiple crimes.
However, police largely stopped enforcing the curfew on June 2. The demonstrations also became more organized and peaceful.


thedenverpost--2020-06-10--Rob Manfred says “100%” chance of MLB season, new proposal soon

NEW YORK — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there is “ 100 % ” chance of big league ball this year .
Major League Baseball will make another proposal to start the pandemic-delayed season , but Manfred vowed Wednesday to unilaterally order opening day if an agreement is not reached .
The players ’ association made its second proposal Tuesday , asking for an 89-game regular season and 100 % of prorated salaries .
MLB ’ s plan a day earlier was for a 76-game season , would guarantee 50 % of prorated salaries and hinge 25 % in additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MLB has threatened a shorter schedule if players insist on 100 % of their prorated salaries .
The union likely would file a grievance , contending a longer schedule was economically feasible and asking arbitrator Mark Irvings to award damages .
There has not been a big league schedule of fewer than 80 games since 1879 .
Both MLB and the union have proposed expanding the playoffs from 10 teams to as many as 16 this year and next , but that enlarged postseason is contingent on a deal .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the MLBPA that gets us more games and resolves the issues that have separated us amicably , ” Manfred said Wednesday on an interview with ESPN before that network ’ s coverage of the amateur draft .
“ But at the end of the day , we negotiated for the right in March to start the season on a number of games that we select in these particular circumstances .
And if we have to , we ’ ll exercise that right.
” Manfred insisted the chance of playing this year was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t say when he would order a shorter schedule .
“ Each and every day that goes by , we lose the capacity to play at least one game , and that ’ s really the time pressure that ’ s significant at this point in time , ” he said .
The players ’ association declined to comment on Manfred ’ s remarks .

NEW YORK — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says there is “100%” chance of big league ball this year.
Major League Baseball will make another proposal to start the pandemic-delayed season, but Manfred vowed Wednesday to unilaterally order opening day if an agreement is not reached.
The players’ association made its second proposal Tuesday, asking for an 89-game regular season and 100% of prorated salaries. MLB’s plan a day earlier was for a 76-game season, would guarantee 50% of prorated salaries and hinge 25% in additional money on the postseason’s completion.
MLB has threatened a shorter schedule if players insist on 100% of their prorated salaries. The union likely would file a grievance, contending a longer schedule was economically feasible and asking arbitrator Mark Irvings to award damages.
There has not been a big league schedule of fewer than 80 games since 1879. Both MLB and the union have proposed expanding the playoffs from 10 teams to as many as 16 this year and next, but that enlarged postseason is contingent on a deal.
“I would prefer to negotiate a new agreement with the MLBPA that gets us more games and resolves the issues that have separated us amicably,” Manfred said Wednesday on an interview with ESPN before that network’s coverage of the amateur draft. “But at the end of the day, we negotiated for the right in March to start the season on a number of games that we select in these particular circumstances. And if we have to, we’ll exercise that right.”
Manfred insisted the chance of playing this year was “100%.” He wouldn’t say when he would order a shorter schedule.
“Each and every day that goes by, we lose the capacity to play at least one game, and that’s really the time pressure that’s significant at this point in time,” he said.
The players’ association declined to comment on Manfred’s remarks.


thedenverpost--2020-06-10--Many daily cannabis users believe it’s safe to drive under the influence, CDOT study says

Many Coloradans who use cannabis daily believe it is safe to drive under the influence and say they would like to see empirical evidence that proves otherwise before changing their behavior .
That ’ s according to the results of a survey of 18,000 residents conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation from 2017 to 2019 .
CDOT aimed to gauge the perception of driving under the influence of cannabis in hopes of building a campaign to reduce the number of traffic crashes and fatalities involving the substance .
In 2018 , 13.5 % of drivers involved in fatal crashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency .
In 2017 , The Denver Post independently analyzed state and federal data and found the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes in Colorado who tested positive for marijuana rose sharply each year since 2013 , more than doubling in that time .
Though CDOT ’ s survey didn ’ t offer specific statistics , it made general conclusions about attitudes toward driving and marijuana .
For example , the more often survey respondents used cannabis , the less dangerous they tended to believe driving after using it was .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better , the report said .
Cannabis users also said they are skeptical of laws , policies and enforcement regarding driving impaired , CDOT found .
Many respondents didn ’ t find statistics currently available on the subject to be convincing enough to change their ways .
Some dismissed existing research and data as counter to their own experiences .
Cannabis users told CDOT they wanted more information that was “ credible , nuanced , and empirical that could prove the dangers of driving after using cannabis , ” the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop a public awareness campaign about the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana .

Many Coloradans who use cannabis daily believe it is safe to drive under the influence and say they would like to see empirical evidence that proves otherwise before changing their behavior.
That’s according to the results of a survey of 18,000 residents conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation from 2017 to 2019. CDOT aimed to gauge the perception of driving under the influence of cannabis in hopes of building a campaign to reduce the number of traffic crashes and fatalities involving the substance.
In 2018, 13.5% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for cannabis, according to the agency. In 2017, The Denver Post independently analyzed state and federal data and found the number of drivers involved in fatal crashes in Colorado who tested positive for marijuana rose sharply each year since 2013, more than doubling in that time.
Though CDOT’s survey didn’t offer specific statistics, it made general conclusions about attitudes toward driving and marijuana. For example, the more often survey respondents used cannabis, the less dangerous they tended to believe driving after using it was.
Some said it even helped them drive better, the report said.
Cannabis users also said they are skeptical of laws, policies and enforcement regarding driving impaired, CDOT found. Many respondents didn’t find statistics currently available on the subject to be convincing enough to change their ways. Some dismissed existing research and data as counter to their own experiences.
Cannabis users told CDOT they wanted more information that was “credible, nuanced, and empirical that could prove the dangers of driving after using cannabis,” the report said.
CDOT plans to use this information to develop a public awareness campaign about the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana.
View the full report, entitled The Cannabis Conversation.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Mushrooms are healing the earth, starting with Colorado’s forests

Can mushrooms help save our Colorado forests ?
Jeff Ravage knows they can .
Ravage is a big fan of mushrooms .
He ’ s also the North Fork watershed coordinator for the Coalition for the Upper South Platte , an organization that has been working to protect the ecological health and water quality of the 1.6 million-acre watershed southwest of Denver since 1998 .
In early June , Ravage and a team of volunteers inoculated a massive pile of wood chips at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms with mushroom spawn .
The goal ?
To highlight how quickly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste and debris into beneficial compost , using completely natural processes .
Ravage ’ s team has spent the last six years experimenting with and proving out this concept .
Now , they want to demonstrate that this fungal degradation process works on an industrial scale in the hopes that foresters and land managers across the country — and even private companies — begin to replicate it .
“ The goal is to create enough information to allow people to do this with their local mushrooms where they ’ re at , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done by people who run sawmills who have to deal with waste .
It could be done by municipal waste management , who end up with a lot of tree trimmings from residents .
It can definitely be done by forest managers.
” The mushroom project was initially inspired by Colorado ’ s wildfires .
The idea arose when staff members at the Coalition for the Upper South Platte began brainstorming ways to deal with wood waste left behind when crews thin forests for fire mitigation .
It helps to back up here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Colorado and other wooded areas , wildfires had free reign .
Fire roamed through the forests , burning weak and old trees while leaving the strongest standing ; it also burned up forest debris .
This created a mosaic-style pattern , with trees growing in heterogeneous clumps surrounded by open space .
Forests were healthy and diverse , with wildfires helping to keep the balance .
Colorado ’ s modern forests are vastly different from their prehistoric ancestors .
Today , our forests are much denser and more homogenous , due in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfires .
Now , we squash wildfires as soon as they start .
Because of this , land managers and foresters try to mimic wildfires by manually removing up to 60 percent of trees in an overgrown area .
This creates tons of woody debris , which is expensive and inefficient to haul out .
If used for firewood , this debris also releases carbon into the atmosphere .
If chopped up and left in the forest , these wood chips create a thick blanket that kills off grass and wildflowers while also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels .
It can take 40 to 50 years for these wood chips to rot naturally , Ravage said .
Here ’ s where the mushrooms come in .
In just a few years , native wood-rotting mushrooms can convert a pile of wood chips into nutrient-rich compost .
Ravage calls this process “ cold fire , ” since fungal degradation achieves the same outcome as wildfires without any of the heat or potential for destruction of homes and business .
His team has been exploring this concept since 2014 by observing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with native mushroom spawn .
Not only do the initial mushrooms convert the wood chips into compost , but they also encourage secondary organisms and fungi to show up and get to work .
The mushrooms are also a tasty snack for squirrels , bears , deer , elk and other wildlife , which further spur the degradation process along by shuffling through the wood chips looking for food .
“ If we can leave more of this wood on-site and deal with it in a manner that ’ s not to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to save money , reduce the amount of fuel that ’ s used to haul it off , and also reduce the amount of carbon released , ” Ravage said .
Native mushrooms may also help restore an area that ’ s been decimated by wildfire .
The fungi will likely help speed up the resurgence of all the beneficial bacteria , fungi and bugs destroyed by the fire .
Without intervention , a burned-out forest can take up to 1,000 years to regenerate .
Ravage suspects mushrooms can speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a theory he hopes to investigate with future research .
The mushroom regeneration process is labor-intensive on the front end , starting with tracking down , then cultivating , lots of native mushrooms found within a 30- to 100-mile radius of the targeted area .
But after that , it ’ s essentially a set-it-and-forget-it approach to forest regeneration .
“ Nature knows how to do this stuff .
We just need to learn how to kickstart it , ” Ravage said .
“ The realization that restoring the environment is perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems is growing.
” The Denver Botanic Gardens is home to one of the largest collections of mushrooms of the North American Rocky Mountains , housed within the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi .
When researchers there learned about Ravage ’ s mushroom project , they invited him to become an adjunct researcher and take advantage of the gardens ’ mycological resources .
Similarly , researchers at the gardens are partnering with Ravage to study various fungi questions in the field .
Andy Wilson , assistant curator of mycology for Denver Botanic Gardens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that follow the original wood-rotters into the wood chip piles .
“ How do the fungal communities within these decomposition plots work ?
How does that turnover happen ?
” Wilson said .
“ One species might be active on certain kinds of wood debris , whereas other fungi might come along later and feed on different kinds of residues or leftover materials.
” The team at Chatfield Farms offered Ravage a site to prove the mushroom degradation concept at an industrial scale .
The gardens also benefit from having a living research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also an educational display that Chatfield can engage in to show there are lots of ways to promote and engage in conservation , ” Wilson said .
The Chatfield pile contains approximately 100 metric tons of wood chips .
Over the next several years , Ravage and his team will observe and track the mushrooms ’ progress , watching to see how quickly the pile shrinks and turns into compost .
They ’ re also planning a second industrial-sized test plot at the base of Pikes Peak later this month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ manual for this type of project , the group is experimenting with different mushroom strains and other elements , including how much and where they apply the spawn .
Through it all , one fact remains clear to Ravage , Wilson and other fungi fans : Mushrooms are one of our biggest allies if we hope to have any chance of healing the earth .
“ We all know that woody debris can be decomposed by lots of different organisms , ” Wilson said , “ but there are no organisms on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of effectiveness and efficiency of fungi.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

Can mushrooms help save our Colorado forests? Jeff Ravage knows they can.
Ravage is a big fan of mushrooms. He’s also the North Fork watershed coordinator for the Coalition for the Upper South Platte, an organization that has been working to protect the ecological health and water quality of the 1.6 million-acre watershed southwest of Denver since 1998.
In early June, Ravage and a team of volunteers inoculated a massive pile of wood chips at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms with mushroom spawn. The goal? To highlight how quickly and efficiently fungi can convert a pile of waste and debris into beneficial compost, using completely natural processes.
Ravage’s team has spent the last six years experimenting with and proving out this concept. Now, they want to demonstrate that this fungal degradation process works on an industrial scale in the hopes that foresters and land managers across the country — and even private companies — begin to replicate it.
“The goal is to create enough information to allow people to do this with their local mushrooms where they’re at,” Ravage said. “It could be done by people who run sawmills who have to deal with waste. It could be done by municipal waste management, who end up with a lot of tree trimmings from residents. It can definitely be done by forest managers.”
The mushroom project was initially inspired by Colorado’s wildfires. The idea arose when staff members at the Coalition for the Upper South Platte began brainstorming ways to deal with wood waste left behind when crews thin forests for fire mitigation.
It helps to back up here — way back. Before human settlement in Colorado and other wooded areas, wildfires had free reign. Fire roamed through the forests, burning weak and old trees while leaving the strongest standing; it also burned up forest debris. This created a mosaic-style pattern, with trees growing in heterogeneous clumps surrounded by open space. Forests were healthy and diverse, with wildfires helping to keep the balance.
Colorado’s modern forests are vastly different from their prehistoric ancestors. Today, our forests are much denser and more homogenous, due in large part to our understandable aversion to wildfires.
Now, we squash wildfires as soon as they start. Because of this, land managers and foresters try to mimic wildfires by manually removing up to 60 percent of trees in an overgrown area. This creates tons of woody debris, which is expensive and inefficient to haul out. If used for firewood, this debris also releases carbon into the atmosphere. If chopped up and left in the forest, these wood chips create a thick blanket that kills off grass and wildflowers while also changing the soil’s natural pH levels. It can take 40 to 50 years for these wood chips to rot naturally, Ravage said.
Here’s where the mushrooms come in. In just a few years, native wood-rotting mushrooms can convert a pile of wood chips into nutrient-rich compost. Ravage calls this process “cold fire,” since fungal degradation achieves the same outcome as wildfires without any of the heat or potential for destruction of homes and business. His team has been exploring this concept since 2014 by observing the changes at two test sites they inoculated with native mushroom spawn.
Not only do the initial mushrooms convert the wood chips into compost, but they also encourage secondary organisms and fungi to show up and get to work. The mushrooms are also a tasty snack for squirrels, bears, deer, elk and other wildlife, which further spur the degradation process along by shuffling through the wood chips looking for food.
“If we can leave more of this wood on-site and deal with it in a manner that’s not to the detriment of the environment, then we’re going to save money, reduce the amount of fuel that’s used to haul it off, and also reduce the amount of carbon released,” Ravage said.
Native mushrooms may also help restore an area that’s been decimated by wildfire. The fungi will likely help speed up the resurgence of all the beneficial bacteria, fungi and bugs destroyed by the fire. Without intervention, a burned-out forest can take up to 1,000 years to regenerate. Ravage suspects mushrooms can speed up the process by hundreds of years, a theory he hopes to investigate with future research.
The mushroom regeneration process is labor-intensive on the front end, starting with tracking down, then cultivating, lots of native mushrooms found within a 30- to 100-mile radius of the targeted area. But after that, it’s essentially a set-it-and-forget-it approach to forest regeneration.
“Nature knows how to do this stuff. We just need to learn how to kickstart it,” Ravage said. “The realization that restoring the environment is perhaps the easiest way to fix our climate problems is growing.”
The Denver Botanic Gardens is home to one of the largest collections of mushrooms of the North American Rocky Mountains, housed within the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi. When researchers there learned about Ravage’s mushroom project, they invited him to become an adjunct researcher and take advantage of the gardens’ mycological resources.
Similarly, researchers at the gardens are partnering with Ravage to study various fungi questions in the field. Andy Wilson, assistant curator of mycology for Denver Botanic Gardens, is studying the parade of mushrooms that follow the original wood-rotters into the wood chip piles.
“How do the fungal communities within these decomposition plots work? How does that turnover happen?” Wilson said. “One species might be active on certain kinds of wood debris, whereas other fungi might come along later and feed on different kinds of residues or leftover materials.”
The team at Chatfield Farms offered Ravage a site to prove the mushroom degradation concept at an industrial scale. The gardens also benefit from having a living research study on their grounds.
“It’s also an educational display that Chatfield can engage in to show there are lots of ways to promote and engage in conservation,” Wilson said.
The Chatfield pile contains approximately 100 metric tons of wood chips. Over the next several years, Ravage and his team will observe and track the mushrooms’ progress, watching to see how quickly the pile shrinks and turns into compost.
They’re also planning a second industrial-sized test plot at the base of Pikes Peak later this month. Since there’s no pre-established instruction manual for this type of project, the group is experimenting with different mushroom strains and other elements, including how much and where they apply the spawn.
Through it all, one fact remains clear to Ravage, Wilson and other fungi fans: Mushrooms are one of our biggest allies if we hope to have any chance of healing the earth.
“We all know that woody debris can be decomposed by lots of different organisms,” Wilson said, “but there are no organisms on the planet that do it with the level of effectiveness and efficiency of fungi.”
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Denver weather: Expect warm temps, mostly dry through the weekend

The Denver weather forecast calls for a couple of sunny days Thursday and Friday with the high temperature climbing to about 90 by the weekend .
On Thursday in Denver , winds will be light and the high temperature should top out at about 83 degrees , according to the National Weather Service .
On Friday , winds will pick up a bit , gusting to 20 mph , as the high temp hits 90 degrees .
Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected in the mountains starting Friday and continuing into next week .
The isolated mountain storms will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winds gusting above 40 mph , according to the weather service .
There ’ s a 30 % chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms on Saturday in Denver , the weather service said .
Skies will be partly sunny and the high temperature will again cap at about 90 degrees .
Denver will see a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms on Sunday as the high temperature bumps up a notch to 91 degrees under mostly sunny skies .
The potential for critical fire weather conditions return Saturday and Sunday across parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weather service .

The Denver weather forecast calls for a couple of sunny days Thursday and Friday with the high temperature climbing to about 90 by the weekend.
On Thursday in Denver, winds will be light and the high temperature should top out at about 83 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. On Friday, winds will pick up a bit, gusting to 20 mph, as the high temp hits 90 degrees.
Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms are expected in the mountains starting Friday and continuing into next week. The isolated mountain storms will likely unleash lightning, small hail and winds gusting above 40 mph, according to the weather service.
There’s a 30% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms on Saturday in Denver, the weather service said. Skies will be partly sunny and the high temperature will again cap at about 90 degrees. Denver will see a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms on Sunday as the high temperature bumps up a notch to 91 degrees under mostly sunny skies.
The potential for critical fire weather conditions return Saturday and Sunday across parts of the southeastern plains, according to the weather service.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Colorado Rising drops efforts to get restrictions on oil, gas development on November ballot

Colorado Rising , the group behind a 2018 failed effort to mandate 2,500-foot buffers around new oil and gas wells , is ending a campaign to get similar measures on the ballot this year .
The environmental organization ’ s board of directors sent a letter to supporters Wednesday saying that the stay-at-home orders to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus made it impossible to physically collect signatures .
The restrictions were imposed just as the organization was getting gearing up for fundraising , according to the letter .
“ More importantly , we were not willing to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put their lives on the line to collect signatures , ” said the letter signed by Tricia Olson , board chairperson .
Five of the five initiatives proposed for this November ’ s statewide ballot would have mandated that new oil and gas wells be at least 2,000 feet to 2,500 feet from occupied buildings , waterways and other sensitive areas .
A sixth proposal would have dramatically increased the bonds companies must pay to ensure well sites are properly shut down and cleaned up .
In 2018 , Colorado voters rejected Proposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rising that would have required new wells be at least 2,500 feet from buildings , waterways and other areas .
Joe Salazar , Colorado Rising ’ s executive director , said he “ was totally disappointed ” about ending the initiative campaign .
“ But we recognize that there are some things you just can ’ t control , and Mother Nature is one of them , ” Salazar said .
“ It ’ s responsible to remove ourselves from this so we don ’ t get anybody sick.
” The group would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valid signatures from registered voters to win a spot on the ballot for each proposal .
Gov .
Jared Polis issued an executive order in May authorizing the secretary of state to create temporary rules allowing signatures for ballot issues to be collected by mail or email due to concerns about the coronavirus .
A coalition of business leaders has sued , saying the governor doesn ’ t have the authority to change how signatures are collected because the requirements are set by the state Constitution .
The rules require that signatures be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said even if the court upholds the governor ’ s executive order , there likely wouldn ’ t be enough time to collect all the signatures .
He said Colorado Rising will stay involved with the development of new oil and gas rules mandated by Senate Bill 181 , approved by the legislature in 2019 .

The group behind a 2018 failed initiative to mandate 2,500-foot setbacks for oil and gas wells is ending its campaign for similar ballot measures this year. But individual supporters say they’re not giving up.
Colorado Rising’s board of directors sent a letter to supporters Wednesday saying that the stay-at-home orders to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus made it impossible to physically collect signatures for the ballot proposals. The restrictions were imposed just as the organization was gearing up its fundraising, according to the letter.
“More importantly, we were not willing to ask any volunteer or paid signature gathers to put their lives on the line to collect signatures,” said the letter signed by Tricia Olson, board chairperson.
However, Anne Lee Foster said Thursday that she and another proponent, Suzanne Spiegel,, submitted the six initiatives that Colorado Rising was backing and have decided against withdrawing them. She said they and other supporters will continue collecting signatures to try to place at least one of the proposals on the November ballot.
“We feel it’s our responsibility to continue to pursue the initiative and to do our due diligence,” said Foster, who formerly worked for Colorado Rising. “We have a dedicated group of people who’ve been working on this issue for a long time.”
Five of the five initiatives would mandate that new oil and gas wells be at least 2,000 feet to 2,500 feet from occupied buildings, waterways and other sensitive areas. A sixth proposal would dramatically increase the bonds companies must pay to ensure well sites are properly shut down and cleaned up.
In 2018, Colorado voters rejected Proposition 112, a measure promoted by Colorado Rising that would have required new wells be at least 2,500 feet from buildings, waterways and other areas.
Joe Salazar, Colorado Rising’s executive director, said he “was totally disappointed” about ending the initiative campaign.
“But we recognize that there are some things you just can’t control, and Mother Nature is one of them,” Salazar said. “It’s responsible to remove ourselves from this so we don’t get anybody sick.”
Supporters need about 124,000 valid signatures from registered voters to win a spot on the ballot.
Diane Schwenke, president and CEO of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, is working with Dave Davia,CEO of the Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association, on an initiative to create a state oil and gas commission appointed by a panel of retired judges and divided equally among Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters. The governor now appoints members based on criteria set by statute.
“Those of us who are supportive of the economic benefits of oil and gas thought some of this ballot nonsense would come to and end” after the legislature approved sweeping changes to state regulations in 2019, Schwenke said.
The plan to pursue more restrictions on the industry through the ballot box makes the case for forming an independent board aimed at keeping politics out of regulations, Schwenke said.
People collecting signatures for various ballot measures have had to deal with disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order in May authorizing the secretary of state to create temporary rules allowing signatures for ballot issues to be collected by mail or email due to concerns about the coronavirus.
A coalition of business leaders sued, saying the governor doesn’t have the authority to change how signatures are collected because the requirements are set by the state Constitution.
The rules require that signatures be gathered in person and notarized. A Denver District judge upheld the executive order. Opponents said they’re considering their next step.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Denver’s historic Brown Palace hotel reopened Wednesday but industry still struggling

Its voluntary closure on April 7 , the first shutdown in its 128-year history , was a demonstration of just how damaging the novel coronavirus has been to Colorado ’ s travel and leisure economy .
On Wednesday , after going 64 nights without accommodating a guest , the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa reopened .
It may not be the typical rush the historic hotel is accustomed to this time of year , but with around 50 rooms booked Wednesday night and 100 rooms expected to be filled each night this weekend , Brown Palace general manager Nick Moschetti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff were excited to get back to providing a top-quality hospitality experience .
The hotel ’ s spa has been open in limited fashion for a few weeks , Moschetti said , but the Ship Tavern and food service in its iconic lobby are also back in business this week .
Guests will be required to wear masks when moving around the hotel .
The Brown Palace ’ s decision to get back to turning down beds and serving afternoon tea is the latest sign Colorado ’ s hotel industry is coming back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
“ It ’ s been a constant process of evaluating the market , evaluating demand , ” Moschetti said .
“ This weekend we saw a consistent pickup , we saw consistent rooms being booked and this is just when business justified us opening the door.
” But it ’ s not all good news for Colorado ’ s hotel industry , one of the segments of the economy most battered by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Amie Mayhew , president and CEO of the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meetings and group events of more than 10 people remain on hold across much of the state under Gov .
Jared Polis ’ s latest COVID-19 restrictions .
Until larger gatherings are allowed to occur again , Colorado hotels , which the American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates did $ 12 billion in sales and employed more than 98,000 people last year , will continue to struggle and shed jobs , Mayhew predicts .
“ As we talk with hotels that are really driven by group meetings , even if they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not enough for them to stop laying off employees or bring people back to work , ” Mayhew said .
In a letter sent Monday , the CHLA requested an immediate executive order allowing meeting rooms and hotel-based restaurants to reopen at 50 % capacity .
Unless a roadmap to reopening comes out soon , Mayhew said , bookings through the end of the year and even into early 2021 will suffer .
The Brown Palace is open but its sister property , the 231-room Holiday Inn Express located across Tremont Place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
Moschetti last month informed the state labor department that what were expected to be short-term layoffs for 298 employees at the Brown Palace may now extend past six months .
Of the combined 340 staff that work at both hotels , only 85 were back at work as of Wednesday , he said .
The reason the Holiday Inn Express remains closed : No large events to drive business .
“ It doesn ’ t have the draw of the Brown Palace , ” he said .
“ It enjoys occupancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t happening right now.
” The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon , which has privately owned condos among its offerings , never fully closed down .
On May 25 , the hotel got the green light to open up to leisure travelers so long as it didn ’ t exceed 50 % capacity .
Later this month , if it meets all the requirements set forth by county health leaders , it could go back to 75 % to 100 % capacity .
“ As we ’ ve welcomed guests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great to have energy back in the resort , ” general manager Kristen Pryor said .
“ That ’ s what we ’ re all about.
” Eagle County ’ s rules allow group events of up to 50 people , and on June 18 , the Westin Riverfront plans to host a ticketed outdoor bluegrass and barbecue party for 50 guests on its 3,000-square-foot outdoor lawn , Pryor said , using blankets to emphasis social distancing guidelines .
It could be the first of several such events this summer , but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting space accustomed to hosting dozens of weddings each year , Pryor is also hoping for more leeway from the state government .
“ We are definitely in favor of what CHLA is asking for in allowing meeting back into Colorado as soon as possible , ” Pryor said , adding she has heard Eagle County might seek a variance allowing groups of up to 250 to congregate this summer .
“ We are evaluating what that looks like in our meeting space and how we can accommodate those groups with social distancing @ @

Its voluntary closure on April 7, the first shutdown in its 128-year history, was a demonstration of just how damaging the novel coronavirus has been to Colorado’s travel and leisure economy. On Wednesday, after going 64 nights without accommodating a guest, the Brown Palace Hotel & Spa reopened.
It may not be the typical rush the historic hotel is accustomed to this time of year, but with around 50 rooms booked Wednesday night and 100 rooms expected to be filled each night this weekend, Brown Palace general manager Nick Moschetti on Wednesday morning said he and his staff were excited to get back to providing a top-quality hospitality experience.
The hotel’s spa has been open in limited fashion for a few weeks, Moschetti said, but the Ship Tavern and food service in its iconic lobby are also back in business this week. Guests will be required to wear masks when moving around the hotel.
The Brown Palace’s decision to get back to turning down beds and serving afternoon tea is the latest sign Colorado’s hotel industry is coming back to life as coronavirus restrictions are rolled back.
“It’s been a constant process of evaluating the market, evaluating demand,” Moschetti said. “This weekend we saw a consistent pickup, we saw consistent rooms being booked and this is just when business justified us opening the door.”
But it’s not all good news for Colorado’s hotel industry, one of the segments of the economy most battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amie Mayhew, president and CEO of the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association, said that while leisure travel is picking up, meetings and group events of more than 10 people remain on hold across much of the state under Gov. Jared Polis’s latest COVID-19 restrictions. Until larger gatherings are allowed to occur again, Colorado hotels, which the American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates did $12 billion in sales and employed more than 98,000 people last year, will continue to struggle and shed jobs, Mayhew predicts.
“As we talk with hotels that are really driven by group meetings, even if they can generate some leisure travel, it really is not enough for them to stop laying off employees or bring people back to work,” Mayhew said.
In a letter sent Monday, the CHLA requested an immediate executive order allowing meeting rooms and hotel-based restaurants to reopen at 50% capacity. Unless a roadmap to reopening comes out soon, Mayhew said, bookings through the end of the year and even into early 2021 will suffer.
The Brown Palace is open but its sister property, the 231-room Holiday Inn Express located across Tremont Place, is not expected to reopen until July. Moschetti last month informed the state labor department that what were expected to be short-term layoffs for 298 employees at the Brown Palace may now extend past six months. Of the combined 340 staff that work at both hotels, only 85 were back at work as of Wednesday, he said. The reason the Holiday Inn Express remains closed: No large events to drive business.
“It doesn’t have the draw of the Brown Palace,” he said. “It enjoys occupancy from Denver city-wide stuff that obviously isn’t happening right now.”
The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa in Avon, which has privately owned condos among its offerings, never fully closed down. On May 25, the hotel got the green light to open up to leisure travelers so long as it didn’t exceed 50% capacity. Later this month, if it meets all the requirements set forth by county health leaders, it could go back to 75% to 100% capacity.
“As we’ve welcomed guests back, it’s just been great to have energy back in the resort,” general manager Kristen Pryor said. “That’s what we’re all about.”
Eagle County’s rules allow group events of up to 50 people, and on June 18, the Westin Riverfront plans to host a ticketed outdoor bluegrass and barbecue party for 50 guests on its 3,000-square-foot outdoor lawn, Pryor said, using blankets to put a visible emphasis on social distancing guidelines. It could be the first of several such events this summer, but at a property with 7,000 square feet of meeting space accustomed to hosting dozens of weddings each year, Pryor is also hoping for more leeway from the state government.
“We are definitely in favor of what CHLA is asking for in allowing meetings back into Colorado as soon as possible,” Pryor said, adding she has heard Eagle County might seek a variance allowing groups of up to 250 to congregate this summer. “We are evaluating what that looks like in our meeting space and how we can accommodate those groups with social distancing.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Nathan MacKinnon on TSN: “I was bugging (Artemi Panarin) every day” during free agency

Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon told TSN radio that he tried hard to recruit Artemi Panarin in free agency last summer , and if MacKinnon had to pick a Hart Trophy winner as NHL most valuable player , it would be the Russian winger who is coming off a fabulous regular season with the New York Rangers .
“ We tried hard to get him in free agency .
I was bugging him every day , ” MacKinnon said of Panarin , who stands fourth in NHL scoring , two points ahead of No .
5 MacKinnon .
“ I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s hard to compete with the Big Apple.
” MacKinnon said Panarin called him after he chose the Rangers , who pledged $ 81.5 million over seven years for last year ’ s top free agent .
“ He said , ‘ Sorry.
’ He ’ s a class act .
We were close , ” MacKinnon said of “ Bread Man.
” “ It ’ s nice that we were on the shortlist.
” MacKinnon also talked to TSN hosts Bryan Hayes and Jeff O ’ Neill about a welcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the proposed upcoming 24-team playoff format .
“ I think this is a great solution , ” MacKinnon said , noting he hopes the Avalanche is sent to Las Vegas for its hub city .
As for that sign .
Cole Harbour is where MacKinnon , 24 , grew up in the shadow of three-time Stanley Cup winner Sidney Crosby , 32 , of the Pittsburgh Penguins .
Hayes and O ’ Neill suggests Cole Harbour should have a welcome sign , saying “ the home of Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he needs “ a couple Cups before I get a sign.
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Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon told TSN radio that he tried hard to recruit Artemi Panarin in free agency last summer, and if MacKinnon had to pick a Hart Trophy winner as NHL most valuable player, it would be the Russian winger who is coming off a fabulous regular season with the New York Rangers.
“We tried hard to get him in free agency. I was bugging him every day,” MacKinnon said of Panarin, who stands fourth in NHL scoring, two points ahead of No. 5 MacKinnon. “I was trying everything to get him … Sometimes it’s hard to compete with the Big Apple.”
MacKinnon said Panarin called him after he chose the Rangers, who pledged $81.5 million over seven years for last year’s top free agent.
“He said, ‘Sorry.’ He’s a class act. We were close,” MacKinnon said of “Bread Man.” “It’s nice that we were on the shortlist.”
MacKinnon also talked to TSN hosts Bryan Hayes and Jeff O’Neill about a welcome sign in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia and the proposed upcoming 24-team playoff format.
“I think this is a great solution,” MacKinnon said, noting he hopes the Avalanche is sent to Las Vegas for its hub city.
As for that sign. Cole Harbour is where MacKinnon, 24, grew up in the shadow of three-time Stanley Cup winner Sidney Crosby, 32, of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hayes and O’Neill suggests Cole Harbour should have a welcome sign, saying “the home of Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.”
MacKinnon shot down that idea, saying he needs “a couple Cups before I get a sign.”
— Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
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Ask The Experts
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
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thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Avs Mailbag: Who will benefit most from time off before NHL playoffs?

Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season .
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag .
As we approach the possibility of continuing the NHL season , I ’ d love to see some analysis of which teams benefited the most from this extended break .
And maybe teams that may suffer from it .
I really like to think my Avalanche will benefit with how many injuries they suffered before the break , and the fact they started the season pretty hot suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hot streak .
Other teams that got hot late in the season may suffer the opposite effect .
But I want to hear from the experts and what they think !
The Avs definitely benefited — if the season resumes with a 24-team playoff .
Nothing is for sure right now , just probable that we ’ ll see hockey this summer .
If that ’ s the case , Nathan MacKinnon will miss one game instead of “ weeks ” worth .
And Mikko Rantanen , Nazem Kadri , Matt Calvert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserve .
As for other teams that benefited , Columbus has to be in there .
The Jackets get Seth Jones back after the Denver youth legend was pegged to miss much of April .
Outside of injuries , Chicago and Montreal benefit big-time .
The Blackhawks were six points out of a playoff spot March 12 and the Canadians were 10 back .
Yet , they now both have a chance to win the Stanley Cup .
The Avalanche were pretty banged up when the season came to a halt .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play .
How has the period helped the Avs and just how healthy will they be heading into the playoffs ?
Can you give Avs fans an update on injured players ?
I would think everyone should be healthy by now , even Wilson .
I see I ’ m getting a lot of the same questions .
But , indeed , Colin Wilson could be in the picture , too .
He ’ s played just nine games this season before undergoing major surgery .
I ’ d have to look through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly Wilson ’ s injury was , but he disclosed that to me Feb. 14 , a day before that miserable outdoor game at the Air Force Academy .
Wilson wasn ’ t allowed to participate in the family skate at Falcon Stadium .
But he looked healthy and I remember him saying he was optimistic to return for the playoffs .
So , absolutely , the Avs could be 100 percent healthy if/when training camp begins next month .
Also , remember that the Avs probably didn ’ t want any stoppage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time of the pause , even without all the key players .
Certainly , the layoff won ’ t necessarily change the chemistry of this team .
They have confidence in that .
But it might take some time to rebuild that chemistry .
Hey Mike , thanks for keeping us up to date on the NHL ’ s plans for a “ restart.
” In all the articles/aareports I ’ ve read or listened to , the cities mentioned most for the Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs venues are Las Vegas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a laundry list of reasons and requirements for selecting the playoff cities so can you detail the criteria ?
Las Vegas is a no-brainer , but the other two , why ?
And was Denver and Pepsi Center never a consideration ?
Dan , Edmonton is high on the list because it ’ s a big new building with a practice rink — lots of practice rinks in the area .
And they have the hotels and the Canadian dollar is around 40 % less than the USD .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other favorite .
As for Denver , I don ’ t know if the city pitched itself .
Maybe it wouldn ’ t have been considered because there aren ’ t any other downtown rinks .
Any word on roster sizes or taxi squad size for the NHL ’ s play-in/playoffs ?
Twenty-eight is the number , Allan .
The Avs , for example , will probably take their top two forward prospects , top two defensemen and goalie Michael Hutchinson .
As you probably know , it ’ s a 23-man maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on the list of black aces the Avs have submitted to the NHL ?
I do not know .
I suspect the guys in the running are forwards Logan O ’ Connor , Martin Kaut and T.J. Tynan , defensemen Conor Timmins , Jacob McDonald and Anton Lindholm .
I ’ m not sure if Bo Byram is eligible .
He ’ s signed and not active with his junior team .
Perhaps the Avs just want the NHL ’ s top prospect , per The Hockey News , to get some @ @ @

Denver Post sports writer Mike Chambers responds to questions in the Avs Mailbag every other week during the regular season.
Pose an Avalanche- or NHL-related question for the Avs Mailbag.
As we approach the possibility of continuing the NHL season, I’d love to see some analysis of which teams benefited the most from this extended break. And maybe teams that may suffer from it. I really like to think my Avalanche will benefit with how many injuries they suffered before the break, and the fact they started the season pretty hot suggests that they COULD start back up with a hot streak. Other teams that got hot late in the season may suffer the opposite effect. But I want to hear from the experts and what they think!
— Jacob Applegate, Nooksack, Wash.
The Avs definitely benefited — if the season resumes with a 24-team playoff. Nothing is for sure right now, just probable that we’ll see hockey this summer. If that’s the case, Nathan MacKinnon will miss one game instead of “weeks” worth. And Mikko Rantanen, Nazem Kadri, Matt Calvert and Philipp Grubauer will come off injured reserve. As for other teams that benefited, Columbus has to be in there. The Jackets get Seth Jones back after the Denver youth legend was pegged to miss much of April. Outside of injuries, Chicago and Montreal benefit big-time. The Blackhawks were six points out of a playoff spot March 12 and the Canadians were 10 back. Yet, they now both have a chance to win the Stanley Cup.
The Avalanche were pretty banged up when the season came to a halt. Some teams definitely benefited from the stoppage of play. How has the period helped the Avs and just how healthy will they be heading into the playoffs?
— Steven Lovenguth, Loveland
Can you give Avs fans an update on injured players? I would think everyone should be healthy by now, even Wilson.
— Rick Sallee, Colorado Springs
I see I’m getting a lot of the same questions. But, indeed, Colin Wilson could be in the picture, too. He’s played just nine games this season before undergoing major surgery. I’d have to look through my buried notes to find out what exactly Wilson’s injury was, but he disclosed that to me Feb. 14, a day before that miserable outdoor game at the Air Force Academy. Wilson wasn’t allowed to participate in the family skate at Falcon Stadium. But he looked healthy and I remember him saying he was optimistic to return for the playoffs. So, absolutely, the Avs could be 100 percent healthy if/when training camp begins next month.
Also, remember that the Avs probably didn’t want any stoppage. They were playing well at the time of the pause, even without all the key players. Certainly, the layoff won’t necessarily change the chemistry of this team. They have confidence in that. But it might take some time to rebuild that chemistry.
Hey Mike, thanks for keeping us up to date on the NHL’s plans for a “restart.” In all the articles/aareports I’ve read or listened to, the cities mentioned most for the Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoffs venues are Las Vegas, St. Paul and Edmonton. I know there was a laundry list of reasons and requirements for selecting the playoff cities so can you detail the criteria? Las Vegas is a no-brainer, but the other two, why? And was Denver and Pepsi Center never a consideration?
— Dan Rish, Albuquerque, N.M.
Dan, Edmonton is high on the list because it’s a big new building with a practice rink — lots of practice rinks in the area. And they have the hotels and the Canadian dollar is around 40% less than the USD. I’m also hearing Las Vegas is the other favorite. As for Denver, I don’t know if the city pitched itself. Maybe it wouldn’t have been considered because there aren’t any other downtown rinks.
Any word on roster sizes or taxi squad size for the NHL’s play-in/playoffs?
— Allan Tremblay, Edmonton
Twenty-eight is the number, Allan. The Avs, for example, will probably take their top two forward prospects, top two defensemen and goalie Michael Hutchinson. As you probably know, it’s a 23-man maximum roster in the regular season.
Who are on the list of black aces the Avs have submitted to the NHL?
— Kay, Lakewood
I do not know. I suspect the guys in the running are forwards Logan O’Connor, Martin Kaut and T.J. Tynan, defensemen Conor Timmins, Jacob McDonald and Anton Lindholm. I’m not sure if Bo Byram is eligible. He’s signed and not active with his junior team. Perhaps the Avs just want the NHL’s top prospect, per The Hockey News, to get some practice time.


thedenverpost--2020-06-11--Ask Amy: What will dating be like in a post-COVID-19 world?

Can you look into your crystal ball and tell me what dating will be like for someone over 50 , once it resumes , in the age of COVID-19 ?
Given all the caution afoot in the world ( not mine , I ’ m ready ) , will I ever find a mate ?
Dear Alone : This is a great question .
I ’ m going to try to prognosticate .
One thing I can guarantee is a solid conversation-starter : “ So — how has the pandemic treated you ?
” This lengthy crisis has tested everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reacted to this global anxiety is revealing .
You should be able to discern fairly quickly if a potential partner is compassionate , concerned , anxious , panicked , denying , angry , balanced ( in your opinion ) , calmly cautious or raring to go .
You might learn whether someone is temperamentally optimistic ( it sounds as if you are ) , or gloomy around the edges .
You might meet people who are grieving , feeling lonely , cooped-up and sad .
You will likely get to know one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person ( this is a positive post-COVID-19 development ) .
Before meeting in person , you and/or your date may offer or ask for proof of immunity from the virus ( if reliable testing becomes widely available ) .
Your first in-person meeting might be held outside , at a distance .
You probably won ’ t shake hands when you greet one another .
If you are a disinfector , you might always carry an extra bottle with you , as a gracious gesture to offer to your date .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but your date obsessively does ( or visa-versa ) , that might be a deal-breaker .
Mask wearers will face a dilemma of whether — or when — to reveal the bottom half of their faces when meeting in person .
And most people ( including you ) will have learned to cut their own hair .
Dear Amy : My husband and I have played a large role in our nieces ’ and nephew ’ s lives .
They had very rough childhoods .
Their father died when they were very young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sister ) suffers from a severe and abusive personality disorder .
She is estranged from all of her children , and from us .
When they were young , we had “ the kids ” with us on many weekends and vacations , and as young adults , we housed them through college and single-motherhood .
While they ’ re genuinely good people , they tell endless white lies , have unpaid debts to us and often lack follow-through on commitments made to us .
We have always attributed their rough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unconditional in our love for them .
Now that they are 25 , 29 and 30 respectively , my heart has turned cold toward them .
I resent their disloyal and disrespectful behavior .
They are all adults who should know better .
Am I unrealistic in my expectations and my desire to be treated differently by these family members ?
— Shutting Down in So Cal Dear Shutting Down : Loving someone unconditionally does not mean that you sign up to be used and abused by them .
Loving someone unconditionally means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good and loving behavior with affirmations , positive reinforcement and access to you .
Respond to negative behavior honestly , delivering reasonable and proportional consequences .
They borrow and don ’ t repay you ?
Don ’ t give them the opportunity to fail so spectacularly .
You either give freely and without expectation , or you tell them they will have to repay their debt before they can borrow again .
They openly disrespect you ?
You say , honestly , “ Hey — we know we deserve better than this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to figure out how to be kinder to me .
Until then , let ’ s take a little break.
” It sounds as if you have done a lot for these young adults , but — your great intentions and laudable actions would not completely offset their rough and heartbreaking upbringing .
Dear Amy : “ About to Explode !
” had a housemate who interrupted all the time .
We have a friend who does the same , and it came to define her ( in my mind ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing loss in her left ear , and I began to watch the patterns associated with her interruptions .
Much more often than not , those that she interrupted were positioned to her left .
Now , I grab a seat to our friend ’ s right , and I babble away to my heart ’ s content .
People are probably silently BEGGING her to interrupt me !
Dear Rick : Several readers have suggested hearing loss as a possible cause for this habit .
Thank you all .

Dear Amy: I’m a 55-year-old single male.
Can you look into your crystal ball and tell me what dating will be like for someone over 50, once it resumes, in the age of COVID-19?
Given all the caution afoot in the world (not mine, I’m ready), will I ever find a mate?
— Alone Until I Die?
Dear Alone: This is a great question. I’m going to try to prognosticate.
One thing I can guarantee is a solid conversation-starter: “So — how has the pandemic treated you?”
This lengthy crisis has tested everyone in unforeseen ways, and how people have reacted to this global anxiety is revealing. You should be able to discern fairly quickly if a potential partner is compassionate, concerned, anxious, panicked, denying, angry, balanced (in your opinion), calmly cautious or raring to go. You might learn whether someone is temperamentally optimistic (it sounds as if you are), or gloomy around the edges. You might meet people who are grieving, feeling lonely, cooped-up and sad.
You will likely get to know one another online via videoconferencing before meeting in person (this is a positive post-COVID-19 development). Before meeting in person, you and/or your date may offer or ask for proof of immunity from the virus (if reliable testing becomes widely available). Your first in-person meeting might be held outside, at a distance. You probably won’t shake hands when you greet one another. If you are a disinfector, you might always carry an extra bottle with you, as a gracious gesture to offer to your date. If you don’t routinely disinfect surfaces, but your date obsessively does (or visa-versa), that might be a deal-breaker.
Mask wearers will face a dilemma of whether — or when — to reveal the bottom half of their faces when meeting in person.
And most people (including you) will have learned to cut their own hair.
Dear Amy: My husband and I have played a large role in our nieces’ and nephew’s lives. They had very rough childhoods. Their father died when they were very young, and their mom (my husband’s sister) suffers from a severe and abusive personality disorder. She is estranged from all of her children, and from us.
When they were young, we had “the kids” with us on many weekends and vacations, and as young adults, we housed them through college and single-motherhood.
While they’re genuinely good people, they tell endless white lies, have unpaid debts to us and often lack follow-through on commitments made to us.
We have always attributed their rough childhood to these character traits and remained unconditional in our love for them.
Now that they are 25, 29 and 30 respectively, my heart has turned cold toward them. I resent their disloyal and disrespectful behavior. They are all adults who should know better.
Am I unrealistic in my expectations and my desire to be treated differently by these family members?
— Shutting Down in So Cal
Dear Shutting Down: Loving someone unconditionally does not mean that you sign up to be used and abused by them. Loving someone unconditionally means that you love them anyway.
Reward good and loving behavior with affirmations, positive reinforcement and access to you. Respond to negative behavior honestly, delivering reasonable and proportional consequences.
They borrow and don’t repay you? Don’t give them the opportunity to fail so spectacularly. You either give freely and without expectation, or you tell them they will have to repay their debt before they can borrow again. They openly disrespect you? You say, honestly, “Hey — we know we deserve better than this. You know it too. I trust you to figure out how to be kinder to me. Until then, let’s take a little break.”
It sounds as if you have done a lot for these young adults, but — your great intentions and laudable actions would not completely offset their rough and heartbreaking upbringing.
Dear Amy: “About to Explode!” had a housemate who interrupted all the time.
We have a friend who does the same, and it came to define her (in my mind).
I later learned that she has significant hearing loss in her left ear, and I began to watch the patterns associated with her interruptions.
Much more often than not, those that she interrupted were positioned to her left. Now, I grab a seat to our friend’s right, and I babble away to my heart’s content. People are probably silently BEGGING her to interrupt me!
— Rick
Dear Rick: Several readers have suggested hearing loss as a possible cause for this habit. Thank you all.
(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.)