thedenverpost--2020-02-21--“Realistic” Amy Klobuchar wins voters at Aurora event

That ’ s the word several of the 1,100 attendees at Amy Klobuchar ’ s campaign event Thursday evening in Aurora used to describe her and her platform .
Klobuchar is one six Democratic presidential candidates visiting Colorado over eight days ahead of Super Tuesday on March 3 , and she spoke at the same time as Republican President Donald Trump ’ s rally south in Colorado Springs .
The U.S. senator for Minnesota caught the crowd ’ s attention with well-received quips and plans that appeared doable to them .
Certainly , they ’ re more doable than some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Bernie Sanders such as free college for everyone , Samantha Hall of Broomfield said .
“ I liked the details , ” Hall said .
“ She ’ s thought it out.
” Klobuchar talked about changing the political landscape and correcting for the past four years .
“ It ’ s time to cross the divide in our politics to get to a higher plain , ” she said .
The candidate was introduced by Colorado Sen. Pete Lee , D-Colorado Springs , who commended her work on environmental issues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people names and spreading the blame , Amy is committed to working with people across the aisle to get things done , ” Lee said .
When Tom Berve walked into the hall where Klobuchar was set to speak , he was still trying to figure out who he was going to vote for in the Democratic primary .
He was far from alone at the event .
But after listening to Klobuchar ’ s speech , he ’ d made up his mind .
“ She ’ s just sort of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ She ’ s genuine .
She believes in what she ’ s saying and what she wants to do.
” Klobuchar spoke about joining the international climate agreement , increasing Pell grants available for education and making it easier to pay back loans .
Her platform also includes creating comprehensive immigration reform and implementing universal background checks for gun purchases — something she said the majority of Americans support .
Unlike some of her colleagues who are afraid of the National Rifle Association , she said , “ I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest applause when she said one of her first solutions to the problems with education would be to fire Education Secretary Betsy Devos .
Klobuchar told attendees that she had a list of 137 items she planned to do in her first 100 days in office and they ’ re all not only possible but legal .
Stapleton resident Courtney Nelson grew up in a Republican family and considers herself a moderate Democrat .
She wanted her young daughters , who had music class at the event site , the Stanley Marketplace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I loved how she said we need a president with a heart , ” Nelson said .
For her , the first order of business for a president needs to be ensuring immigrant children separated from their parents are reunited .
She said she also appreciated Klobuchar ’ s talk about unity .
The senator urged the crowd to talk to friends and family about her candidacy — including people who stayed home in 2016 or who didn ’ t vote for a Democrat , not just the fired-up Democratic base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , ” Klobuchar said .
“ And that ’ s why it ’ s so important to have an optimistic economic agenda for people in this country.
” She riled the crowd when talking about getting President Donald Trump out of office and she connected to Colorado ’ s issues , ranging from gun control to climate change to high health care costs .
Peggy and Pat Green have been supporters of Klobuchar ’ s since early in her campaign .
They cited her support of Dreamers , her health care policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more affordable .
“ She ’ s very smart and she ’ s the only candidate that , when asked a question , answers it , ” Peggy Green said .
“ And she has a nice sense of humor.
” Englewood resident Lynne Sullivan said it seems Klobuchar is in the best position to win the general election .
“ She ’ s practical and knows how to implement policies , ” Sullivan said .
“ She ’ s like Goldilocks — not too old and not too young.
” But , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know if she ’ ll win the primary .
”

Realistic.
That’s the word several of the 1,100 attendees at Amy Klobuchar’s campaign event Thursday evening in Aurora used to describe her and her platform.
Klobuchar is one six Democratic presidential candidates visiting Colorado over eight days ahead of Super Tuesday on March 3, and she spoke at the same time as Republican President Donald Trump’s rally south in Colorado Springs.
The U.S. senator for Minnesota caught the crowd’s attention with well-received quips and plans that appeared doable to them.
Certainly, they’re more doable than some of the broad promises of Democratic candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders such as free college for everyone, Samantha Hall of Broomfield said.
“I liked the details,” Hall said. “She’s thought it out.”
Klobuchar talked about changing the political landscape and correcting for the past four years.
“It’s time to cross the divide in our politics to get to a higher plain,” she said.
The candidate was introduced by Colorado Sen. Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, who commended her work on environmental issues and restorative justice.
“Instead of calling people names and spreading the blame, Amy is committed to working with people across the aisle to get things done,” Lee said.
When Tom Berve walked into the hall where Klobuchar was set to speak, he was still trying to figure out who he was going to vote for in the Democratic primary. He was far from alone at the event.
But after listening to Klobuchar’s speech, he’d made up his mind.
“She’s just sort of a great candidate for everyone,” Berve said. “She’s genuine. She believes in what she’s saying and what she wants to do.”
Klobuchar spoke about joining the international climate agreement, increasing Pell grants available for education and making it easier to pay back loans. Her platform also includes creating comprehensive immigration reform and implementing universal background checks for gun purchases — something she said the majority of Americans support.
Unlike some of her colleagues who are afraid of the National Rifle Association, she said, “I will not fold.”
But she perhaps received the largest applause when she said one of her first solutions to the problems with education would be to fire Education Secretary Betsy Devos.
Klobuchar told attendees that she had a list of 137 items she planned to do in her first 100 days in office and they’re all not only possible but legal.
Stapleton resident Courtney Nelson grew up in a Republican family and considers herself a moderate Democrat. She wanted her young daughters, who had music class at the event site, the Stanley Marketplace, to hear a woman candidate speak.
“I loved how she said we need a president with a heart,” Nelson said. For her, the first order of business for a president needs to be ensuring immigrant children separated from their parents are reunited. She said she also appreciated Klobuchar’s talk about unity.
The senator urged the crowd to talk to friends and family about her candidacy — including people who stayed home in 2016 or who didn’t vote for a Democrat, not just the fired-up Democratic base.
“People need something to vote for,” Klobuchar said. “And that’s why it’s so important to have an optimistic economic agenda for people in this country.”
She riled the crowd when talking about getting President Donald Trump out of office and she connected to Colorado’s issues, ranging from gun control to climate change to high health care costs.
“This election is a decency check,” Klobuchar said. “It’s a patriotism check.”
Peggy and Pat Green have been supporters of Klobuchar’s since early in her campaign. They cited her support of Dreamers, her health care policy proposals and her ideas to make education more affordable.
“She’s very smart and she’s the only candidate that, when asked a question, answers it,” Peggy Green said. “And she has a nice sense of humor.”
Englewood resident Lynne Sullivan said it seems Klobuchar is in the best position to win the general election.
“She’s practical and knows how to implement policies,” Sullivan said. “She’s like Goldilocks — not too old and not too young.”
But, she said, “I don’t know if she’ll win the primary.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Kiszla: “We can beat anybody in NBA,” is Nuggets’ battle cry. But truth is this team needs serious c

Kiszla: “We can beat anybody in NBA,” is Nuggets’ battle cry. But truth is this team needs serious change to become serious contender.

Asked where the Nuggets belong in the pecking order of championship contenders , coach Michael Malone insisted : “ We can beat anybody in the NBA.
” Only Milwaukee , Toronto and the Lakers have won more games at this advanced stage of the NBA season than Denver .
Nevertheless , the Nuggets cast themselves as feisty underdogs .
“ Our team is a team that believes , ‘ Why not us ?
’ We ’ re not satisfied with being a No .
2 seed , ” Malone said Thursday , echoing a theme his players have embraced since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indeed .
Denver ’ s 15 victories against teams with a winning record ranks atop the league , while home losses to Cleveland , New Orleans and Atlanta have revealed maddening inconsistency .
These scrappy Nuggets are cute , endearing and fun , as easy to like as center Nikola Jokic kidding he got “ snubbed ” for MVP after playing a tick under 12 minutes and scoring five points at the All-Star Game .
But cute , endearing and fun can ’ t win championship rings , the way pairing LeBron James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can , to give just two examples from recent NBA history .
These Nuggets are more likely to lose in the opening round of the playoffs than win the championship this season .
That ’ s not gloom and doom .
It ’ s basketball math .
Although they might well approach the 57 regular-season victories achieved by George Karl and the gang in 2013 , the number-crunching analysts at FiveThirtyEight currently estimate this Denver team has no more a 3 % chance of winning the championship .
And that ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off-loading of Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez at the trade deadline can be explained simply as tidying the accounting books and graciously offering two players stuck on the bench a chance to shine on a bad Minnesota team .
Denver was in search of a bigger deal , a trade that could ’ ve given this team a better shot at beating the Lakers and advancing to the NBA Finals right now , in 2020 , rather than down the line .
“ After 55 or so games , you have an idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ But when you look around the Western Conference landscape , you have teams that are still changing , ” said Malone , noting Houston has gone all-in on a small-ball lineup , while the Clippers recently added backcourt help in guard Reggie Jackson .
“ After 55 ( games ) , you have an idea of who teams are .
But you can catch fire .
And that ’ s my hope .
Last year , after the ( all-star ) break , we were 15-10 .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the dangerous team we talk about being in these final 27 , I don ’ t want to go 15-12 .
That ’ s barely above .500 basketball .
Our hope is we can find another gear.
” The patience front-office executive Tim Connelly has demonstrated in everything from living with Jamal Murray ’ s youthful mistakes at point guard to showing unrelenting faith in Malone has been praise-worthy .
Yes , I like the Nuggets ’ mantra : We don ’ t skip steps .
Patience is always a virtue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bulls of Michael Jordan or the Bad Boys in Detroit is a so very 1980s notion of how to win a league championship .
In this NBA era , champions are built by LeBron James handpicking teammates , Kevin Durant joining forces with the dynasty of the moment or Toronto mastermind Masai Ujiri gambling on the great Kawhi experiment .
We have not yet seen the best these Nuggets can be , for many reasons : nagging injuries , the prolonged slump of Gary Harris , the slow rise of Michael Porter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 games of the regular season , there ’ s no margin for error and no time for excuses .
Denver must nail down the No .
2 seed to give itself the best why-not-us shot in the playoffs .
Furthermore , if the Nuggets can ’ t take a step forward in the postseason , advancing at least to the Western Conference finals , it will be time for Connelly and this franchise to acknowledge changes must be made and a significant piece must be added alongside Jokic , even if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murray and the idea that continuity is this team ’ s righteous path to a championship .

Asked where the Nuggets belong in the pecking order of championship contenders, coach Michael Malone insisted: “We can beat anybody in the NBA.”
Only Milwaukee, Toronto and the Lakers have won more games at this advanced stage of the NBA season than Denver. Nevertheless, the Nuggets cast themselves as feisty underdogs.
“Our team is a team that believes, ‘Why not us?’ We’re not satisfied with being a No. 2 seed,” Malone said Thursday, echoing a theme his players have embraced since training camp.
Why not us? Indeed. Denver’s 15 victories against teams with a winning record ranks atop the league, while home losses to Cleveland, New Orleans and Atlanta have revealed maddening inconsistency.
These scrappy Nuggets are cute, endearing and fun, as easy to like as center Nikola Jokic kidding he got “snubbed” for MVP after playing a tick under 12 minutes and scoring five points at the All-Star Game.
But cute, endearing and fun can’t win championship rings, the way pairing LeBron James with Anthony Davis or signing Kawhi Leonard can, to give just two examples from recent NBA history.
These Nuggets are more likely to lose in the opening round of the playoffs than win the championship this season. That’s not gloom and doom. It’s basketball math. Although they might well approach the 57 regular-season victories achieved by George Karl and the gang in 2013, the number-crunching analysts at FiveThirtyEight currently estimate this Denver team has no more a 3% chance of winning the championship.
And that’s why I refuse to believe the Nuggets’ off-loading of Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez at the trade deadline can be explained simply as tidying the accounting books and graciously offering two players stuck on the bench a chance to shine on a bad Minnesota team. Denver was in search of a bigger deal, a trade that could’ve given this team a better shot at beating the Lakers and advancing to the NBA Finals right now, in 2020, rather than down the line.
“After 55 or so games, you have an idea of who you are,” Malone said. “But when you look around the Western Conference landscape, you have teams that are still changing,” said Malone, noting Houston has gone all-in on a small-ball lineup, while the Clippers recently added backcourt help in guard Reggie Jackson.
“After 55 (games), you have an idea of who teams are. But you can catch fire. And that’s my hope. Last year, after the (all-star) break, we were 15-10. That’s OK. But if we want to be the dangerous team we talk about being in these final 27, I don’t want to go 15-12. That’s barely above .500 basketball. Our hope is we can find another gear.”
The patience front-office executive Tim Connelly has demonstrated in everything from living with Jamal Murray’s youthful mistakes at point guard to showing unrelenting faith in Malone has been praise-worthy.
Yes, I like the Nuggets’ mantra: We don’t skip steps.
Patience is always a virtue. But the commitment to continuity that served the Bulls of Michael Jordan or the Bad Boys in Detroit is a so very 1980s notion of how to win a league championship. In this NBA era, champions are built by LeBron James handpicking teammates, Kevin Durant joining forces with the dynasty of the moment or Toronto mastermind Masai Ujiri gambling on the great Kawhi experiment.
We have not yet seen the best these Nuggets can be, for many reasons: nagging injuries, the prolonged slump of Gary Harris, the slow rise of Michael Porter Jr.
But during the difficult final 27 games of the regular season, there’s no margin for error and no time for excuses. Denver must nail down the No. 2 seed to give itself the best why-not-us shot in the playoffs.
Furthermore, if the Nuggets can’t take a step forward in the postseason, advancing at least to the Western Conference finals, it will be time for Connelly and this franchise to acknowledge changes must be made and a significant piece must be added alongside Jokic, even if it means saying goodbye to Will Barton or Murray and the idea that continuity is this team’s righteous path to a championship.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--With dad battling cancer, Hayden’s Dylan Zimmerman aims for a Parade of Champions showing for both o

With dad battling cancer, Hayden’s Dylan Zimmerman aims for a Parade of Champions showing for both of them

For Dylan Zimmerman , it ’ d be special enough to advance in his Class 2A 132-pound bracket to the coveted “ Parade of Champions ” that introduces the finalists Saturday night at the Pepsi Center .
But to walk in under the lights beside his dad and coach , Mark , who has been battling cancer for over three years ?
That ’ s what the Hayden sophomore is truly grinding for , as wrestling has served as both inspiration and distraction for the family amid Mark ’ s battle .
Mark was originally diagnosed with throat cancer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the last year .
The 52-year-old went through 55 rounds of radiation and three rounds of chemotherapy in 2019 , causing him to lose over 50 pounds .
“ It was tough to see him like that because he ’ s always been my big , strong dad , ” Dylan said .
“ But it brought us all closer as a family , it made us strong , it made me stronger as a young man .
We knew we had to help him and support him and lift him up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parade of Champions — that would be so amazing to have him with me.
” And the finals aren ’ t a pipe dream for Dylan , who placed third at 113 pounds last year .
That was right about when the family noticed a quarter-size lump on Mark ’ s neck ; by May , his medical situation was increasingly dire .
“ We thought we were managing it , ” wife and mom , Gayle Zimmerman , said , “ but then the cancer blew up and spread.
” The blitz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing and his eye .
It also left his voice a low , gravely grumble , his words mostly indistinguishable unless he ’ s speaking forcefully right into your ear .
But he does just that during Dylan ’ s matches with his other son , 20-year-old Drake , who also serves as an assistant coach for Hayden .
Mark yells into Drake ’ s ear , then Drake yells instructions to Dylan .
That ’ s been their method all season , as it was Thursday when Dylan opened his second Pepsi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminaries .
Father and son embraced after the match , with the former soaking it all in .
“ Win or lose , I try not to put pressure on him , because he puts enough pressure on himself , ” Mark said .
“ ( Wrestling ) gives me something to look forward to , because cancer is hard… So I ’ m feeling good , considering .
I ’ m trying to get my weight back .
And my voice , hopefully that comes back eventually.
” Gayle , the rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dylan has taken on this season .
“ He ’ s been a lot more stressed this year than last year , ” Gayle said .
“ He ’ s never one to have ever been nervous , but this year , it ’ s been a little different because he ’ s putting more pressure on himself .
He wants to do it for dad more than anything , and he wants to do better than last year.
” As the family leans in on each other via wrestling — Gayle photographs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the videography — the local community has supported them , too .
That included a benefit dinner for Mark last fall , as well as a GoFundMe campaign that ’ s raised over $ 7,000 for his medical expenses .
“ We have family and friends always making us dinner all the time , and there was the ( benefit ) dinner , and there ’ s been all other kinds of showings of support , ” Dylan said .
“ The community has been really great.
” That kind of support isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track record in a community he was born and raised in .
A member of Moffat County ’ s state championship team in 1985 , Mark co-founded Moffat County Youth Wrestling in 2012 , which now acts as the main feeder system for high school programs in the county .
He ’ s been an assistant coach at Moffat County and Hayden , and is well-known around the area for his family business , Bullseye Taxidermy .
Mark ’ s currently undergoing rounds of immunotherapy , with plans to have another scan in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will know if he ’ s completely cancer free .
In the meantime , they ’ ll hope , pray and root as hard as ever for Dylan this weekend… with one man enjoying the ride more than most coaches or dads ever could .
“ It ’ d mean everything for him to make the finals , ” Mark said , tears welling up .
“ And if he doesn ’ t make it , I ’ m okay with that too .
”

For Dylan Zimmerman, it’d be special enough to advance in his Class 2A 132-pound bracket to the coveted “Parade of Champions” that introduces the finalists Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.
But to walk in under the lights beside his dad and coach, Mark, who has been battling cancer for over three years? That’s what the Hayden sophomore is truly grinding for, as wrestling has served as both inspiration and distraction for the family amid Mark’s battle.
Mark was originally diagnosed with throat cancer in January 2017, and the cancer spread over the last year. The 52-year-old went through 55 rounds of radiation and three rounds of chemotherapy in 2019, causing him to lose over 50 pounds.
“It was tough to see him like that because he’s always been my big, strong dad,” Dylan said. “But it brought us all closer as a family, it made us strong, it made me stronger as a young man. We knew we had to help him and support him and lift him up. So to get him into the Parade of Champions — that would be so amazing to have him with me.”
And the finals aren’t a pipe dream for Dylan, who placed third at 113 pounds last year. That was right about when the family noticed a quarter-size lump on Mark’s neck; by May, his medical situation was increasingly dire.
“We thought we were managing it,” wife and mom, Gayle Zimmerman, said, “but then the cancer blew up and spread.”
The blitz of radiation Mark went through affected his hearing and his eye. It also left his voice a low, gravely grumble, his words mostly indistinguishable unless he’s speaking forcefully right into your ear. But he does just that during Dylan’s matches with his other son, 20-year-old Drake, who also serves as an assistant coach for Hayden.
Mark yells into Drake’s ear, then Drake yells instructions to Dylan. That’s been their method all season, as it was Thursday when Dylan opened his second Pepsi Center appearance with a pin in the preliminaries. Father and son embraced after the match, with the former soaking it all in.
“Win or lose, I try not to put pressure on him, because he puts enough pressure on himself,” Mark said. “(Wrestling) gives me something to look forward to, because cancer is hard… So I’m feeling good, considering. I’m trying to get my weight back. And my voice, hopefully that comes back eventually.”
Gayle, the rock of the family, acknowledged the burden Dylan has taken on this season.
“He’s been a lot more stressed this year than last year,” Gayle said. “He’s never one to have ever been nervous, but this year, it’s been a little different because he’s putting more pressure on himself. He wants to do it for dad more than anything, and he wants to do better than last year.”
As the family leans in on each other via wrestling — Gayle photographs every match, while sister Darbi does the videography — the local community has supported them, too. That included a benefit dinner for Mark last fall, as well as a GoFundMe campaign that’s raised over $7,000 for his medical expenses.
“We have family and friends always making us dinner all the time, and there was the (benefit) dinner, and there’s been all other kinds of showings of support,” Dylan said. “The community has been really great.”
That kind of support isn’t surprising given Mark’s track record in a community he was born and raised in. A member of Moffat County’s state championship team in 1985, Mark co-founded Moffat County Youth Wrestling in 2012, which now acts as the main feeder system for high school programs in the county. He’s been an assistant coach at Moffat County and Hayden, and is well-known around the area for his family business, Bullseye Taxidermy.
Mark’s currently undergoing rounds of immunotherapy, with plans to have another scan in mid-March, at which point the family will know if he’s completely cancer free. In the meantime, they’ll hope, pray and root as hard as ever for Dylan this weekend… with one man enjoying the ride more than most coaches or dads ever could.
“It’d mean everything for him to make the finals,” Mark said, tears welling up. “And if he doesn’t make it, I’m okay with that too.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--PHOTOS: Presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar vists Aurora

Intelligence officials say Russia is interfering with the 2020 election to try to help President Donald Trump get reelected , @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .

Nick Cote, Special to the Denver Post
Attendees listen as Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar speaks at a rally at Stanley Marketplace on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, in Aurora.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Class 3A wrestling: Weld Central pays tribute to fallen teammate with #LeviStrong message

The numbing sadness had yet to completely fade Thursday for the Weld Central wrestling team as it began the CHSAA state championships following the sudden loss of a teammate and friend .
But the tight-knit Class 3A program from Keenesburg came together at the Pepsi Center to pay tribute with a team mantra printed on Weld Central warmup shirts : # LeviStrong .
Levi Gerkin , a sophomore 145-pound wrestler , died Jan. 30 after a single-vehicle crash in unincorporated Adams County .
He was 16 .
Grief-stricken teammates declined interviews Thursday , but Weld Central coach Elliot Copeland described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks since Gerkin ’ s untimely passing .
“ It was really tragic losing Levi , ” Copeland said .
“ We ’ re never going to use it as an excuse to maybe why we didn ’ t accomplish our goals , but not necessarily as motivation , either .
It ’ s just part of our story .
We wanted to honor Levi as best we could , to remember how big a part of the team he was , and his contributions.
” Gerkin , also the varsity quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was a rising star wrestler .
He just missed qualifying for state as a freshman , and this season , Gerkin had beaten multiple wrestlers who placed at state last year .
Gerkin ’ s obituary posted online reads : “ Levi ’ s incredible love for everything in life was amazing .
Levi loved the beautiful outdoors , enjoying fishing , hunting , hiking , camping , boating , ATV ’ s and ( he ) loved crafting things with wood .
He enjoyed spending time with his friends/teammates , girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weld Central wrestlers wore singlets with “ LEVI ” spelled down the back in addition to warmup shirts with # LeviStrong , and a photo of Gerkin with his arm raised in victory on the back .
The team qualified seven wrestlers for state .
“ ( Gerkin ) was having a great season , he was really physically talented , he was stubborn … he was a bunch of things , man , ” Copeland said through misty eyes , and then paused a moment to regain his composure .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without him today .
But we ’ ve been trying to push the idea that this is something you get to do only a few times throughout your life .
And you never know when these opportunities can be taken away from you .
That ’ s especially true with our team this year.
” The outpouring of community support has been overwhelming at times , Copeland said , with Weld Central opponents paying their respects .
One powerful moment arrived at the team ’ s regional tournament to qualify for state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 3A Jefferson in Edgewater , made a photo tribute for Gerkin and placed it atop the 145-pound medal stand — even after Jefferson senior Zander Condit had won the region title .
Tears fell across the gym .
“ My little brother passed away 19 years ago in a car accident going into his senior year , so I can empathize with what the family is going through , ” Fonseca said .
“ I was 21-years-old at that time and I do remember some of the great gestures that people did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Added Condit , the opposing wrestler who gave up his podium place for Gerkin ’ s tribute : “ He was a good kid , and when I heard about it , I was obviously sad we lost a person in the wrestling community — that hurts everybody .
It seemed like the right thing to do.
” Gerkin ’ s spirit was palpable inside Pepsi Center for those who knew him best , and even wrestlers who didn ’ t , because their shared bond is unlike many athletes .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport around and there is a lot of grind , physically and mentally , ” Fonseca said .
“ Everyone appreciates that you ’ re out there as a coach or a wrestler , and they know how much work it takes to be successful .
Not just in wins and losses , but to be on the mat .
That ’ s why everyone is so close .
”

The numbing sadness had yet to completely fade Thursday for the Weld Central wrestling team as it began the CHSAA state championships following the sudden loss of a teammate and friend.
But the tight-knit Class 3A program from Keenesburg came together at the Pepsi Center to pay tribute with a team mantra printed on Weld Central warmup shirts: #LeviStrong.
Levi Gerkin, a sophomore 145-pound wrestler, died Jan. 30 after a single-vehicle crash in unincorporated Adams County. He was 16. Grief-stricken teammates declined interviews Thursday, but Weld Central coach Elliot Copeland described how the group has held together now three weeks since Gerkin’s untimely passing.
“It was really tragic losing Levi,” Copeland said. “We’re never going to use it as an excuse to maybe why we didn’t accomplish our goals, but not necessarily as motivation, either. It’s just part of our story. We wanted to honor Levi as best we could, to remember how big a part of the team he was, and his contributions.”
Gerkin, also the varsity quarterback of Weld Central’s football team, was a rising star wrestler. He just missed qualifying for state as a freshman, and this season, Gerkin had beaten multiple wrestlers who placed at state last year.
Gerkin’s obituary posted online reads: “Levi’s incredible love for everything in life was amazing. Levi loved the beautiful outdoors, enjoying fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, boating, ATV’s and (he) loved crafting things with wood. He enjoyed spending time with his friends/teammates, girlfriend, and family.”
On Thursday, Weld Central wrestlers wore singlets with “LEVI” spelled down the back in addition to warmup shirts with #LeviStrong, and a photo of Gerkin with his arm raised in victory on the back. The team qualified seven wrestlers for state.
“(Gerkin) was having a great season, he was really physically talented, he was stubborn … he was a bunch of things, man,” Copeland said through misty eyes, and then paused a moment to regain his composure. “It’s just really hard being here without him today. But we’ve been trying to push the idea that this is something you get to do only a few times throughout your life. And you never know when these opportunities can be taken away from you. That’s especially true with our team this year.”
The outpouring of community support has been overwhelming at times, Copeland said, with Weld Central opponents paying their respects. One powerful moment arrived at the team’s regional tournament to qualify for state.
Oscar Fonseca, the head wrestling coach at 3A Jefferson in Edgewater, made a photo tribute for Gerkin and placed it atop the 145-pound medal stand — even after Jefferson senior Zander Condit had won the region title. Tears fell across the gym.
“My little brother passed away 19 years ago in a car accident going into his senior year, so I can empathize with what the family is going through,” Fonseca said. “I was 21-years-old at that time and I do remember some of the great gestures that people did and it helped me get through that.”
Added Condit, the opposing wrestler who gave up his podium place for Gerkin’s tribute: “He was a good kid, and when I heard about it, I was obviously sad we lost a person in the wrestling community — that hurts everybody. It seemed like the right thing to do.”
Gerkin’s spirit was palpable inside Pepsi Center for those who knew him best, and even wrestlers who didn’t, because their shared bond is unlike many athletes.
“It’s the hardest high school sport around and there is a lot of grind, physically and mentally,” Fonseca said. “Everyone appreciates that you’re out there as a coach or a wrestler, and they know how much work it takes to be successful. Not just in wins and losses, but to be on the mat. That’s why everyone is so close.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-22--Rockies’ Daniel Bard, Ubaldo Jimenez trying to keep major-league dreams alive

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. — Ubaldo Jimenez is 36 years old and hasn ’ t pitched in the majors since 2017 .
Daniel Bard , 34 , hasn ’ t thrown a major-league pitch since 2013 .
Yet here they are , in the Rockies clubhouse , hoping to show what they can do in the Cactus League and perhaps even make the major-league roster .
Jimenez , who starred for the Rockies all of those years ago , is going to have a tough time making the starting rotation .
Bard , who signed a minor-league deal with the club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crack the Rockies ’ bullpen , even though the ‘ pen needs to quality depth .
I ’ ve read a lot of snide tweets about both men , but here ’ s the thing : Isn ’ t it a great story that both of them are giving baseball another try ?
And if either of them makes the roster , it ’ s an even better story .
If they don ’ t ?
No harm , no foul .
Like former Rockies ’ first-round pick Tyler Matzek , and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control of his pitches .
In 2012 , he issued 43 walks in just 59 ⅓ innings — a hint of the wildness on the horizon .
He missed time with an abdominal injury in 2013 and pitched only a combined 16 ⅓ innings between the majors and Triple-A .
By then , his command was AWOL and he walked 27 batters in that span .
Several failed minor-league contracts later , and after resorting to a submarine delivery , he retired as a pitcher .
But he didn ’ t give up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last two years with the Diamondbacks , working with other players on the mental aspect of the game .
Long interested in the dynamics of athletics and the mind , Bard figured he could help other players with their struggles .
Then a funny thing happened .
While he was playing catch , he started to realize that the old , natural feelings of throwing a baseball had returned .
Bard knew he had to give pitching another try .
“ I started to feel different than I had felt the last five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bard said .
“ So this past offseason , I went back home ( to Greenville , S.C. ) and built it back up just to see how everything felt , and it ’ s felt really good ever since.
” He realized he was another crossroads .
“ It got to the point where it would have been really hard for me to keep doing my job with the Diamondbacks without constantly thinking about , ‘ Have I still got it ?
’ ” he said .
“ I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I was over ( baseball ) .
I was frustrated .
“ But the second that feeling returned , I was like , ‘ I ’ ve either got to do it and give it a real shot or move out of baseball.
’ Because I know I can ’ t stay in baseball with that feeling and do my job as a coach.
” And so , two pitchers who had some much success early in their careers , are giving it another shot .
“ I never stopped practicing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jimenez said .
Who knows what will happen ?
But it ’ s late February in the desert where hope springs eternal .
Lambert ’ s quest .
Is young right-hander Peter Lambert the forgotten man in competition for the starting rotation ?
Hardly .
Black is quite aware of Lambert ’ s struggles last year when the rookie made 19 starts after being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque in June .
After two terrific outings against the Cubs , Lambert hit the wall , finishing the season 3-7 with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big part in Lambert ’ s struggles , but he ’ s convinced the right-hander will rebound .
“ There were some tough ones , right ?
” Black said .
“ But there ’ s a mental toughness and a confidence that I love.
” For starters .
Right-hander Jeff Hoffman is scheduled to start and throw two innings in Saturday ’ s Cactus League opener against Arizona at Salt River Fields .
That ’ s weather permitting because there is heavy rain in the forecast .
Left-hander is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black said that right-handers German Marquez and Jon Gray , in addition to Freeland , likely won ’ t pitch in a Cactus League game until the second time through the rotation .

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ubaldo Jimenez is 36 years old and hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2017. Daniel Bard, 34, hasn’t thrown a major-league pitch since 2013.
Yet here they are, in the Rockies clubhouse, hoping to show what they can do in the Cactus League and perhaps even make the major-league roster.
Jimenez, who starred for the Rockies all of those years ago, is going to have a tough time making the starting rotation. Bard, who signed a minor-league deal with the club on Friday, is a longshot to crack the Rockies’ bullpen, even though the ‘pen needs quality depth.
I’ve read a lot of snide tweets about both men, but here’s the thing: Isn’t it a great story that both of them are giving baseball another try? And if either of them makes the roster, it’s an even better story. If they don’t? No harm, no foul.
Bard’s tale is especially intriguing.
Like former Rockies’ first-round pick Tyler Matzek, and so many other pitchers, Bard suddenly lost control of his pitches. In 2012, he issued 43 walks in just 59 ⅓ innings — a hint of the wildness on the horizon. He missed time with an abdominal injury in 2013 and pitched only a combined 16 ⅓ innings between the majors and Triple-A. By then, his command was AWOL and he walked 27 batters in that span.
Several failed minor-league contracts later, and after resorting to a submarine delivery, he retired as a pitcher. But he didn’t give up the game completely. He spent the past two years with the Diamondbacks, working with other players on the mental aspect of the game. Long interested in the dynamics of athletics and the mind, Bard figured he could help other players with their struggles.
Then a funny thing happened. While he was playing catch, he started to realize that the old, natural feelings of throwing a baseball had returned. Bard knew he had to give pitching another try.
“I started to feel different than I had felt the last five years, in a good way,” Bard said. “So this past offseason, I went back home (to Greenville, S.C.) and built it back up just to see how everything felt, and it’s felt really good ever since.”
He realized he was at another crossroads.
“It got to the point where it would have been really hard for me to keep doing my job with the Diamondbacks without constantly thinking about, ‘Have I still got it?’ ” he said. “I didn’t have those feelings for two years. I was over (baseball). I was frustrated.
“But the second that feeling returned, I was like, ‘I’ve either got to do it and give it a real shot or move out of baseball.’ Because I know I can’t stay in baseball with that feeling and do my job as a coach.”
And so, two pitchers who had some much success early in their careers, are giving it another shot.
“I never stopped practicing and I never lost my love of baseball,” Jimenez said.
Who knows what will happen? But it’s late February in the desert where hope springs eternal.
Lambert’s quest. Is young right-hander Peter Lambert the forgotten man in competition for the starting rotation? Hardly.
On Friday, manager Bud Black said: “I’m a big Peter Lambert fan.”
Black is aware of Lambert’s struggles last year when the rookie made 19 starts after being called up from Triple-A Albuquerque in June. After two terrific outings against the Cubs, Lambert hit the wall, finishing the season 3-7 with a 7.25 ERA.
Black believes fatigue played a big part in Lambert’s struggles, but he’s convinced the right-hander will rebound.
“There were some tough ones, right?” Black said. “But there’s a mental toughness and a confidence that I love.”
For starters. Right-hander Jeff Hoffman is scheduled to start and throw two innings in Saturday’s Cactus League opener against Arizona at Salt River Fields. That’s weather permitting because there is heavy rain in the forecast.
Black said that right-handers German Marquez and Jon Gray, in addition to Kyle Freeland, likely won’t pitch in a Cactus League game until the second time through the rotation.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--U.S. Citizenship and Immigration refuses to hold citizenship ceremonies with city of Denver

Since last July , United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has refused to hold naturalization ceremonies with the City and County of Denver — a tit-for-tat move that follows the city ’ s decision to protect immigrants from federal enforcement .
Naturalization ceremonies mark the culmination and celebration of a years-long process for individuals to become American citizens , and often include flags , certificates and public showings of support .
But as of July 5 , 2019 , none of those public demonstrations of civic pride could be hosted by Denver city government , as first reported by Denverite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal offices .
“ The mission of USCIS is to both celebrate American citizenship through naturalization ceremonies as well as protect the homeland by ensuring the integrity of our immigration system , ” Jessica Collins , a citizenship and immigration spokeswoman , said in a statement .
“ Unfortunately , the City and County of Denver chooses not to work with USCIS on investigations of potential fraud , which negatively impacts USCIS ’ ability to fairly and accurately adjudicate cases involving national security concerns and fraud .
Given the situation , USCIS will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City and County of Denver to hold naturalization ceremonies until the City and County of Denver cooperates on the overall USCIS ’ mission.
” Mike Strott , spokesman for the mayor ’ s office , said the city was “ obviously disappointed in the decision.
” “ This was a longstanding partnership , ” he said .
“ It ’ s an important ceremony for people who have come to this country to basically start over and have a better life.
” In 2017 , Denver City Council passed ordinances preventing local law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police can not ask people about immigration or citizenship status , and city departments are forbidden from sharing information about people for the purposes of immigration enforcement .
The ordinances place Denver in a group of so-called sanctuary cities , whose polices have rankled federal authorities and the Trump administration .
In April , Trump threatened to ship detained immigrants to Democratic cities such as Denver , a move Mayor Michael Hancock derided .
The mayor in 2018 refused an invitation to the White House after the Justice Department threatened to subpoena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And last March , the state sued the Trump administration for withholding millions of dollars in law enforcement grant funding due to its immigration enforcement policies .
“ It ’ s pretty obvious this administration and the city has a fundamental disagreement with the White House and their approach to immigration , ” Strott said .

Since last July, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has refused to hold naturalization ceremonies with the City and County of Denver — a tit-for-tat move that follows the city’s decision to protect immigrants from federal enforcement.
Naturalization ceremonies mark the culmination and celebration of a years-long process for individuals to become American citizens, and often include flags, certificates and public showings of support.
But as of July 5, 2019, none of those public demonstrations of civic pride could be hosted by Denver city government, as first reported by Denverite. Applicants can still take oaths at federal offices.
“The mission of USCIS is to both celebrate American citizenship through naturalization ceremonies as well as protect the homeland by ensuring the integrity of our immigration system,” Jessica Collins, a citizenship and immigration spokeswoman, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the City and County of Denver chooses not to work with USCIS on investigations of potential fraud, which negatively impacts USCIS’ ability to fairly and accurately adjudicate cases involving national security concerns and fraud. Given the situation, USCIS will not be able to collaborate with the City and County of Denver to hold naturalization ceremonies until the City and County of Denver cooperates on the overall USCIS’ mission.”
Mike Strott, spokesman for the mayor’s office, said the city was “obviously disappointed in the decision.”
“This was a longstanding partnership,” he said. “It’s an important ceremony for people who have come to this country to basically start over and have a better life.”
In 2017, Denver City Council passed ordinances preventing local law enforcement from working with federal immigration authorities. Police cannot ask people about immigration or citizenship status, and city departments are forbidden from sharing information about people for the purposes of immigration enforcement.
The ordinances place Denver in a group of so-called sanctuary cities, whose polices have rankled federal authorities and the Trump administration.
In April, Trump threatened to ship detained immigrants to Democratic cities such as Denver, a move Mayor Michael Hancock derided. The mayor in 2018 refused an invitation to the White House after the Justice Department threatened to subpoena information regarding Denver’s sanctuary policies.
And last March, the state sued the Trump administration for withholding millions of dollars in law enforcement grant funding due to its immigration enforcement policies.
“It’s pretty obvious this administration and the city has a fundamental disagreement with the White House and their approach to immigration,” Strott said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Brooks: Why Sanders will probably win the nomination

Successful presidential candidates are mythmakers .
They don ’ t just tell a story .
They tell a story that helps people make meaning out of the current moment ; that divides people into heroes and villains ; that names a central challenge and explains why they are the perfect person to meet it .
In 2016 Donald Trump told a successful myth : The coastal elites are greedy , stupid people who have mismanaged the country , undermined our values and changed the face of our society .
This was not an original myth ; it ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 1890s .
But it ’ s a powerful us vs. them worldview , which resonates with a lot of people .
Trump ’ s followers don ’ t merely believe that myth .
They inhabit it .
It shapes how they see the world , how they put people into this category or that category .
Trump can get his facts wrong as long as he gets his myth right .
He can commit a million scandals , but his followers don ’ t see them as long as they stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also telling a successful myth : The corporate and Wall Street elites are rapacious monsters who hoard the nation ’ s wealth and oppress working families .
This is not an original myth , either .
It ’ s been around since the class-conflict agitators of 1848 .
It is also a very compelling us vs. them worldview that resonates with a lot of people .
When you ’ re inside the Sanders myth , you see the world through the Bernie lens .
For example , if you look at Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a successful entrepreneur who took his management skills into public service and then started giving his wealth away to reduce gun violence and climate change .
If , on the other hand , you look at Bloomberg through the Bernie lens you see a rapacious billionaire who amassed a gross amount of wealth , who became an authoritarian mayor and targeted young black men and then tried to buy his way to power .
Same person through different lenses .
My takeaway from Wednesday ’ s hellaciously entertaining Democratic debate is that Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myth .
Bloomberg , Joe Biden , Pete Buttigieg , Amy Klobuchar all make good arguments , but they haven ’ t organized their worldview into a simple compelling myth .
You may look at them , but you don ’ t see the world through their eyes .
Elizabeth Warren inhabits a myth without expressing it clearly .
It just happens to be Sanders ’ myth .
I thought her performance Wednesday evening was tactically brilliant and strategically catastrophic .
Her attack on Bloomberg was totally through the Bernie lens .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the Bernie lens .
( Through that lens a bigger spending proposal is always better than a less big spending proposal . )
Warren was a devastatingly effective surrogate for Sanders , but she reinforced his worldview rather than establishing one of her own .
Over the past five years Sanders and his fellow progressives have induced large parts of the Democratic Party to see through the Bernie lens .
You can tell because every candidate on that stage has the categories and mental equipment to carve up a billionaire like Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment to take down a socialist like Sanders .
Sanders goes untouched in these debates because the other candidates don ’ t have a mythic platform from which to launch an attack .
Saying his plans cost too much is a pathetic response to a successful myth .
I ’ ve spent much of this election season away from the campaign rallies and interviewing voters embedded in their normal lives .
This week , for example , I was in Compton and Watts in and around Los Angeles .
The reality I encounter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the us vs. them stories Trump and Sanders are telling .
Everywhere I go I see systems that are struggling — school systems , housing systems , family structures , neighborhoods trying to bridge diversity .
These problems aren ’ t caused by some group of intentionally evil people .
They exist because living through a time of economic , technological , demographic and cultural transition is hard .
Creating social trust across diversity is hard .
Everywhere I go I see a process that is the opposite of group vs. group war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people becoming extra active on the local level to repair the systems in their lives .
I see a great yearning for solidarity , an eagerness to come together and make practical change .
These gathering efforts are hampered by rippers at the national level who stoke rage and fear and tell friend/enemy stories .
These efforts are hampered by men like Sanders and Trump who have never worked within a party or subordinated themselves to a team — men who are one-trick ponies .
All they do is stand on a podium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the heroes have traits Trump and Sanders lack : open-mindedness , flexibility , listening skills , team-building skills and basic human warmth .
In this saga , leaders are measured by their ability to expand relationships , not wall them off .
The gathering myth is an alternative myth — one that has the advantage of being true .
David Brooks has been a columnist with The New York Times since 2003 .
He is the author of “ The Road to Character ” and , most recently , “ The Second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Successful presidential candidates are mythmakers. They don’t just tell a story. They tell a story that helps people make meaning out of the current moment; that divides people into heroes and villains; that names a central challenge and explains why they are the perfect person to meet it.
In 2016 Donald Trump told a successful myth: The coastal elites are greedy, stupid people who have mismanaged the country, undermined our values and changed the face of our society. This was not an original myth; it’s been around since at least the populist revolts of the 1890s. But it’s a powerful us vs. them worldview, which resonates with a lot of people.
Trump’s followers don’t merely believe that myth. They inhabit it. It shapes how they see the world, how they put people into this category or that category. Trump can get his facts wrong as long as he gets his myth right. He can commit a million scandals, but his followers don’t see them as long as they stay embedded within that myth.
Bernie Sanders is also telling a successful myth: The corporate and Wall Street elites are rapacious monsters who hoard the nation’s wealth and oppress working families. This is not an original myth, either. It’s been around since the class-conflict agitators of 1848. It is also a very compelling us vs. them worldview that resonates with a lot of people.
When you’re inside the Sanders myth, you see the world through the Bernie lens.
For example, if you look at Mike Bloomberg through a certain lens you see a successful entrepreneur who took his management skills into public service and then started giving his wealth away to reduce gun violence and climate change. If, on the other hand, you look at Bloomberg through the Bernie lens you see a rapacious billionaire who amassed a gross amount of wealth, who became an authoritarian mayor and targeted young black men and then tried to buy his way to power.
Same person through different lenses.
My takeaway from Wednesday’s hellaciously entertaining Democratic debate is that Sanders is the only candidate telling a successful myth. Bloomberg, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar all make good arguments, but they haven’t organized their worldview into a simple compelling myth. You may look at them, but you don’t see the world through their eyes.
Elizabeth Warren inhabits a myth without expressing it clearly. It just happens to be Sanders’ myth. I thought her performance Wednesday evening was tactically brilliant and strategically catastrophic. Her attack on Bloomberg was totally through the Bernie lens. Her attacks on Buttigieg and Klobuchar were also through the Bernie lens. (Through that lens a bigger spending proposal is always better than a less big spending proposal.)
Warren was a devastatingly effective surrogate for Sanders, but she reinforced his worldview rather than establishing one of her own.
Over the past five years Sanders and his fellow progressives have induced large parts of the Democratic Party to see through the Bernie lens. You can tell because every candidate on that stage has the categories and mental equipment to carve up a billionaire like Bloomberg. None have the categories or mental equipment to take down a socialist like Sanders.
Sanders goes untouched in these debates because the other candidates don’t have a mythic platform from which to launch an attack. Saying his plans cost too much is a pathetic response to a successful myth.
I’ve spent much of this election season away from the campaign rallies and interviewing voters embedded in their normal lives. This week, for example, I was in Compton and Watts in and around Los Angeles. The reality I encounter every day has little to do with the us vs. them stories Trump and Sanders are telling.
Everywhere I go I see systems that are struggling — school systems, housing systems, family structures, neighborhoods trying to bridge diversity. These problems aren’t caused by some group of intentionally evil people. They exist because living through a time of economic, technological, demographic and cultural transition is hard. Creating social trust across diversity is hard.
Everywhere I go I see a process that is the opposite of group vs. group war. It is gathering. It is people becoming extra active on the local level to repair the systems in their lives. I see a great yearning for solidarity, an eagerness to come together and make practical change.
These gathering efforts are hampered by rippers at the national level who stoke rage and fear and tell friend/enemy stories. These efforts are hampered by men like Sanders and Trump who have never worked within a party or subordinated themselves to a team — men who are one-trick ponies. All they do is stand on a podium and bellow.
In the gathering myth, the heroes have traits Trump and Sanders lack: open-mindedness, flexibility, listening skills, team-building skills and basic human warmth. In this saga, leaders are measured by their ability to expand relationships, not wall them off.
The gathering myth is an alternative myth — one that has the advantage of being true.
David Brooks has been a columnist with The New York Times since 2003. He is the author of “The Road to Character” and, most recently, “The Second Mountain.”
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Colorado man indicted for not reporting to serve tax evasion sentence faces five more years

A Colorado man who failed to show up to serve a prison sentence for tax evasion was indicted Thursday by @ @ @ @ @ now faces an additional five years of imprisonment .
Lawrence Martin Birk founded Tarryall River @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t pay his federal taxes for more than 20 years .
After the @ @ @ @ @ he tried to conceal the money , according to the U.S. Department of Justice He @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to 60 months in prison , three years of supervised release and was ordered @ @ @ @ @ 1.8 million in restitution to the IRS .
He was supposed to report to prison @ @ @ @ @ allegedly fled and was recently arrested .

A Colorado man who failed to show up to serve a prison sentence for tax evasion was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury and now faces an additional five years of imprisonment.
Lawrence Martin Birk founded Tarryall River Log Homes in 2000 but didn’t pay his federal taxes for more than 20 years. After the IRS began collection efforts, he tried to conceal the money, according to the U.S. Department of Justice
He was convicted in July and sentenced to 60 months in prison, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay more than $1.8 million in restitution to the IRS. He was supposed to report to prison in November, but he allegedly fled and was recently arrested.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Avs goalie Pavel Francouz signs extension, might get consecutive-night starts in Southern California

ANAHEIM , Calif. — For good reason , goalie Pavel Francouz was among the first Avalanche players off the ice at Honda Center late Friday morning .
After signing a two-year , $ 4 million contract extension Friday , he ’ s expecting a big weekend workload — as Friday night ’ s starter against the Ducks and likely also in net Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings .
Francouz , who began the season as Philipp Grubauer ’ s backup , is now the main man with Grubauer out indefinitely with a lower-body injury .
Francouz will be backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has played in just one career NHL game .
Francouz has a .923 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average , both ranking among the top-10 for goalies who have played 20 ore more games .
He will make his first career appearance at Honda Center , and Avs coach Jared Bednar has faith in the 29-year-old who is in his first full season in the NHL .
“ He ’ s been really good for us , ” Bednar said of Francouz after the morning skate .
“ He was patient , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
And then when he ’ s got the opportunity to go in , he ’ s made the most of it .
He ’ s come in in different situations for us .
In relief , he ’ s played good .
In his starts , he ’ s played good.
” The better Francouz plays this weekend , the less the Avs will look for a playoff-veteran goalie to acquire before Monday ’ s NHL trade deadline .
Colorado general manager Joe Sakic said Wednesday he is looking to trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only be Francouz ’ s backup until Grubauer returns .
Footnotes .
The Avs move forward without three key injured forwards in Mikko Rantanen ( upper-body ) , Nazem Kadri ( leg ) and Matt Calvert ( lower-body ) , who each are out for “ weeks.
” … Forward Sheldon Dries , who was called up from the AHL ’ s Colorado Eagles on Thursday , will play on a line with center Tyson Jost and Vladislav Kamenev .
Dries swapped positions with T.J. Tynan , who was returned to the Eagles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is playing in Southern California , with the Eagles at the Ontario Reign on Friday at the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday .

ANAHEIM, Calif. — For good reason, goalie Pavel Francouz was among the first Avalanche players off the ice at Honda Center late Friday morning. After signing a two-year, $4 million contract extension Friday, he’s expecting a big weekend workload — as Friday night’s starter against the Ducks and likely also in net Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Francouz, who began the season as Philipp Grubauer’s backup, is now the main man with Grubauer out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. Francouz will be backed up by Hunter Miska, 24, who has played in just one career NHL game.
Francouz has a .923 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average, both ranking among the top-10 for goalies who have played 20 ore more games. He will make his first career appearance at Honda Center, and Avs coach Jared Bednar has faith in the 29-year-old who is in his first full season in the NHL.
“He’s been really good for us,” Bednar said of Francouz after the morning skate. “He was patient, working hard in practice, biding his time. And then when he’s got the opportunity to go in, he’s made the most of it. He’s come in in different situations for us. In relief, he’s played good. In his starts, he’s played good.”
The better Francouz plays this weekend, the less the Avs will look for a playoff-veteran goalie to acquire before Monday’s NHL trade deadline. Colorado general manager Joe Sakic said Wednesday he is looking to trade for a goalie, but that might only be Francouz’s backup until Grubauer returns.
Footnotes. The Avs move forward without three key injured forwards in Mikko Rantanen (upper-body), Nazem Kadri (leg) and Matt Calvert (lower-body), who each are out for “weeks.” … Forward Sheldon Dries, who was called up from the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on Thursday, will play on a line with center Tyson Jost and Vladislav Kamenev. Dries swapped positions with T.J. Tynan, who was returned to the Eagles on Thursday. The AHL affiliate also is playing in Southern California, with the Eagles at the Ontario Reign on Friday at the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--McMillin: It took a serendipitous journey to realize that I am not only an anti-racist, but a racist

I am racist , and I am anti-racist .
A year ago , I would not — indeed could not — have written that sentence .
I would have naively insisted , “ I ’ m not racist.
” Author Ibram X. Kendi gave me the words , the definitions and , indirectly , the encouragement to write that sentence .
It ’ s a start .
It was serendipitous that earlier this month I found myself in a Colorado College auditorium listening to Kendi .
A few days earlier I was browsing in Poor Richard ’ s Books and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s books , “ How to Be an Antiracist.
” “ You know he ’ s going to be at CC next Wednesday , ” a clerk who was stocking books on the table next to me said excitedly .
“ It ’ s open to the public.
” As I checked out the clerk said , “ So , are you going to go to his talk ?
” I ’ d been stumbling along a journey that began about a year ago with a vacation to Barbados .
I picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the country ’ s history : “ Sugar in the Blood ” by Andrea Stuart and “ To Hell or Barbados ” by Sean O ’ Callaghan .
Suddenly I was immersed in the gritty details of the early slave trade in the West Indies and the ethnic cleansing of Ireland .
My takeaway , at its simplest level , was that the concept of racism was codified on the island with the slave laws adopted in the mid-to-late 1600s when the government set apart “ white ” indentured servants and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ By differentiating so sharply between the rights and treatment of their black and white workers , the Barbadian proprietors set up a legal system in which racism was encoded .
“ If the Barbadians helped to invent the concept of ‘ whiteness ’ and the privileges intrinsically connected with it , they also by extension helped invent ‘ blackness ’ and its associated disadvantages.
” The concept was perpetuated — and codified again — in the American colonies .
It gave me a new historical context of slavery and racism ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world today .
A summer road trip included stops at other sites where hate and injustice played out : Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument ; the Panama Hotel in the heart of Seattle ’ s International District , which was known as Japantown before World War II and where many Japanese people who were rounded up left items they expected to retrieve ; Tule Lake National Monument , where Japanese citizens were imprisoned during the war , and the Mitchell Monument Historic Site where a Japanese balloon bomb exploded and killed six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times ’ 1619 project on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship in the British colony of Virginia .
It examined how every aspect of the formation of the United States was touched by 250 years of slavery .
My reading list expanded .
So did my dismay for feeling so ill-informed about my country ’ s history and for the shallowness of our attempts to explain slavery and other racial injustices .
We are too willing to absolve ourselves of responsibility and say , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixed it.
” We did not .
We hid the depravity of using slavery to enrich and build a nation in which those doing the building did not have rights or standing .
In which racism and white privilege thrived — and still do .
In the fall I learned about antiracism and inclusiveness trainings in Denver and Boulder .
Many are offered by consultants for the workplace , but some were public sessions .
In my research , I found reference material and reading lists — and authors such as Austin Channing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In January , I attended the Educating Children of Color Summit at Colorado College , where I listened to speakers talk about college access , power , privilege , poverty , harsh punishment and immigration .
And then came Kendi ’ s talk , and his emphasis on settling on a common meaning for the terms we use in this discussion .
“ A racist , ” he said , “ is someone who is expressing a racist idea or supporting a racist policy by action on inaction.
” Yes , inaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we condone racist policies .
Racist is a descriptive term , Kendi said , although it is used as a pejorative one .
An antiracist believes all racial groups are equals without suggestions of inferiority or superiority , he said .
Anti-racists support policies that reduce racial inequity .
We can be both , even at the same time .
Some abolitionists , for example , supported the antiracist emancipation policy while also suggesting a racist transition period to “ prepare ” African Americans to participate in society .
Kendi was answering my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to move beyond wallowing in white guilt and begin to understand true equality .
How to get my sense of justice aligned with reality .
“ The heartbeat of racism is denial , ” he said , noting all the excuses we ’ ve used .
“ It ’ s lawful , so I ’ m not racist .
It ’ s separate but equal , so I ’ m not racist .
We ’ re keeping America safe , so I ’ m not racist.
” Instead , we must listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and practices and work to eradicate them .
We must elect local , state and federal representatives who embrace antiracist policies .
We must embrace ethnic and cultural differences instead of racializing them .
We must end our inaction .
Sue McMillin is a long-time Colorado reporter and editor who worked for The Gazette and Durango Herald .
Now a regular columnist for The Denver Post and a freelance writer , she lives in Cañon City .
To send a letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email or mail .

I am racist, and I am anti-racist.
A year ago, I would not — indeed could not — have written that sentence. I would have naively insisted, “I’m not racist.”
Author Ibram X. Kendi gave me the words, the definitions and, indirectly, the encouragement to write that sentence. It’s a start.
It was serendipitous that earlier this month I found myself in a Colorado College auditorium listening to Kendi. A few days earlier I was browsing in Poor Richard’s Books and Gifts and picked up one of Kendi’s books, “How to Be an Antiracist.”
“You know he’s going to be at CC next Wednesday,” a clerk who was stocking books on the table next to me said excitedly. “It’s open to the public.”
“Hmm,” I said. “Good to know.”
As I checked out the clerk said, “So, are you going to go to his talk?”
“I think I might,” I said.
I’d been stumbling along a journey that began about a year ago with a vacation to Barbados. I picked up a couple of books to learn about the country’s history: “Sugar in the Blood” by Andrea Stuart and “To Hell or Barbados” by Sean O’Callaghan.
Suddenly I was immersed in the gritty details of the early slave trade in the West Indies and the ethnic cleansing of Ireland. My takeaway, at its simplest level, was that the concept of racism was codified on the island with the slave laws adopted in the mid-to-late 1600s when the government set apart “white” indentured servants and “black” slaves.
Stuart writes: “By differentiating so sharply between the rights and treatment of their black and white workers, the Barbadian proprietors set up a legal system in which racism was encoded.
“If the Barbadians helped to invent the concept of ‘whiteness’ and the privileges intrinsically connected with it, they also by extension helped invent ‘blackness’ and its associated disadvantages.”
The concept was perpetuated — and codified again — in the American colonies.
It gave me a new historical context of slavery and racism; the ramifications of which are playing out in the world today.
A summer road trip included stops at other sites where hate and injustice played out: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument; the Panama Hotel in the heart of Seattle’s International District, which was known as Japantown before World War II and where many Japanese people who were rounded up left items they expected to retrieve; Tule Lake National Monument, where Japanese citizens were imprisoned during the war, and the Mitchell Monument Historic Site where a Japanese balloon bomb exploded and killed six people who were picnicking.
Then came the New York Times’ 1619 project on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first slave ship in the British colony of Virginia. It examined how every aspect of the formation of the United States was touched by 250 years of slavery.
My reading list expanded. So did my dismay for feeling so ill-informed about my country’s history and for the shallowness of our attempts to explain slavery and other racial injustices. We are too willing to absolve ourselves of responsibility and say, “It’s long over. We fixed it.”
We did not. We hid the depravity of using slavery to enrich and build a nation in which those doing the building did not have rights or standing. In which racism and white privilege thrived — and still do.
In the fall I learned about antiracism and inclusiveness trainings in Denver and Boulder. Many are offered by consultants for the workplace, but some were public sessions. In my research, I found reference material and reading lists — and authors such as Austin Channing Brown, Jennine Capõ Crucet and Kendi.
In January, I attended the Educating Children of Color Summit at Colorado College, where I listened to speakers talk about college access, power, privilege, poverty, harsh punishment and immigration.
And then came Kendi’s talk, and his emphasis on settling on a common meaning for the terms we use in this discussion.
“A racist,” he said, “is someone who is expressing a racist idea or supporting a racist policy by action on inaction.”
Yes, inaction. Because when we do nothing, we condone racist policies.
Racist is a descriptive term, Kendi said, although it is used as a pejorative one.
An antiracist believes all racial groups are equals without suggestions of inferiority or superiority, he said. Anti-racists support policies that reduce racial inequity.
We can be both, even at the same time. Some abolitionists, for example, supported the antiracist emancipation policy while also suggesting a racist transition period to “prepare” African Americans to participate in society.
Kendi was answering my questions about how to be antiracist, how to move beyond wallowing in white guilt and begin to understand true equality. How to get my sense of justice aligned with reality.
“The heartbeat of racism is denial,” he said, noting all the excuses we’ve used. “It’s lawful, so I’m not racist. It’s separate but equal, so I’m not racist. We’re keeping America safe, so I’m not racist.”
Instead, we must listen to those who point out racist policies and practices and work to eradicate them. We must elect local, state and federal representatives who embrace antiracist policies. We must embrace ethnic and cultural differences instead of racializing them. We must end our inaction.
It’s a start.
Sue McMillin is a long-time Colorado reporter and editor who worked for The Gazette and Durango Herald. Now a regular columnist for The Denver Post and a freelance writer, she lives in Cañon City.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Kafer: I’m beginning to believe Democrats want Colorado’s drivers to be miserable

Deep within the bowels of Denver International Airport the Illuminati gather for their secret meetings .
A bloodthirsty Chupacabra stalks sleeping cattle in the San Luis Valley to gorge upon their entrails .
Aliens or government spy drones or both wander the night sky in northeastern Colorado .
Centennial State conspiracy theories abound , but I ’ ve never given them credence .
And yet , while languishing in the daily bottleneck at the Santa Fe Drive and Interstate 25 interchange , breathing the smog from idling cars , I have discovered a real conspiracy in our state : Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixing our transportation problems , and they intend to exploit our frustration to raise taxes .
As part of a 2018 bipartisan agreement to fund transportation about $ 500 million will be spent this year from the general fund .
That will barely touch the multi-billion dollar backlog in unfunded projects .
Republicans would like to make an additional $ 300 million investment in roads this year .
Democrats oppose allocating more money from the $ 12 billion general fund for transportation because they say it would divert funds from other priorities — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the like .
Yet , they had no problem authorizing an expansion of full-day kindergarten in the last session .
At nearly $ 200 million , the program will cost more than lawmakers budgeted .
Democrats also blew $ 800,000 to study how the government can “ increase the amount of retirement savings by Colorado ’ s private-sector workers.
” Have they heard of an IRA and or a savings account ?
These savings strategies already exist .
Those of us in the private sector who save for retirement could have told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dime of taxpayer money .
Likewise , research on the problems plaguing government retirement plans like PERA and Social Security are available on the internet for free .
Imagine that .
Although Democrats have no additional money for roads , the governor has proposed spending $ 27 million to expand subsidized preschool programs , $ 10 million for a family leave benefit for state employees , and other new programs .
It ’ s obvious : progressive pet projects are the priority , not congested roads .
Democrats say they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicated funding source for transportation .
When Republicans proposed reallocating such a source , Democrats killed the bill .
Senate Bill 44 would have dedicated 10 % of vehicle sales and use taxes to highway projects .
Next year the state would have spent $ 366 million on roads .
So what is their solution ?
Raise taxes directly or in the form of new fees .
Never mind that Coloradans already pay a driver ’ s license fee , commercial license fee , vehicle registration fee , public highway authority fee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , emergency medical services fee , additional registration fee , motorist insurance identification fee , motorcycle surcharge fee , diesel fee , peace officers standards and training board fee , county road and bridge fee , plug-in electric vehicle fee , road safety surcharge fee , and a bridge safety surcharge fee .
The advantage of calling a tax a fee is that the legislature doesn ’ t have to seek permission from voters .
In addition to all these fees , Colorado taxpayers also pay taxes for transportation including sales taxes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a 22 cent per gallon tax on gasoline , a rate that is midway between the state ’ s southern and northern neighbors .
Democrats believe Coloradans are open to a new tax on top of all of the taxes , fees , surcharges , and tolls we already pay .
Did the politicians not notice the results of the past two elections ?
Voters rejected tax increases not once but twice .
The message is pretty obvious : we already pay enough taxes and expect the legislature to spend what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like roads .
Perhaps they think that if we sit long enough at the Santa Fe and I-25 interchange breathing fumes that we ’ ll beg them to raise taxes .
That appears to be the plan : refuse to fund roads with the money available , provoke frustration , then raise taxes .
While not worthy of a Dan Brown novel , it ’ s a conspiracy theory worth contemplating while you ’ re wasting time in traffic .
Krista Kafer is a weekly Denver Post columnist .
Follow her on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to the editor about this article , submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail .

Deep within the bowels of Denver International Airport the Illuminati gather for their secret meetings. A bloodthirsty Chupacabra stalks sleeping cattle in the San Luis Valley to gorge upon their entrails. Aliens or government spy drones or both wander the night sky in northeastern Colorado. Centennial State conspiracy theories abound, but I’ve never given them credence. And yet, while languishing in the daily bottleneck at the Santa Fe Drive and Interstate 25 interchange, breathing the smog from idling cars, I have discovered a real conspiracy in our state: Democrats in the legislature have no interest in fixing our transportation problems, and they intend to exploit our frustration to raise taxes.
Let’s examine the mounting evidence.
As part of a 2018 bipartisan agreement to fund transportation about $500 million will be spent this year from the general fund. That will barely touch the multi-billion dollar backlog in unfunded projects. Republicans would like to make an additional $300 million investment in roads this year. Democrats oppose allocating more money from the $12 billion general fund for transportation because they say it would divert funds from other priorities — prisons, schools, public health, and the like. Yet, they had no problem authorizing an expansion of full-day kindergarten in the last session. At nearly $200 million, the program will cost more than lawmakers budgeted.
Democrats also blew $800,000 to study how the government can “increase the amount of retirement savings by Colorado’s private-sector workers.” Have they heard of an IRA and or a savings account? These savings strategies already exist. Those of us in the private sector who save for retirement could have told them all about it without spending a dime of taxpayer money. Likewise, research on the problems plaguing government retirement plans like PERA and Social Security are available on the internet for free. Imagine that.
Although Democrats have no additional money for roads, the governor has proposed spending $27 million to expand subsidized preschool programs, $10 million for a family leave benefit for state employees, and other new programs.
It’s obvious: progressive pet projects are the priority, not congested roads.
Democrats say they don’t want to act unless there is another dedicated funding source for transportation. When Republicans proposed reallocating such a source, Democrats killed the bill. Senate Bill 44 would have dedicated 10% of vehicle sales and use taxes to highway projects. Next year the state would have spent $366 million on roads.
So what is their solution? Raise taxes directly or in the form of new fees. Never mind that Coloradans already pay a driver’s license fee, commercial license fee, vehicle registration fee, public highway authority fee, emissions control fee, additional highway fee, emergency medical services fee, additional registration fee, motorist insurance identification fee, motorcycle surcharge fee, diesel fee, peace officers standards and training board fee, county road and bridge fee, plug-in electric vehicle fee, road safety surcharge fee, and a bridge safety surcharge fee. The advantage of calling a tax a fee is that the legislature doesn’t have to seek permission from voters.
In addition to all these fees, Colorado taxpayers also pay taxes for transportation including sales taxes on new vehicles, taxes on commercial transportation, and a 22 cent per gallon tax on gasoline, a rate that is midway between the state’s southern and northern neighbors.
Democrats believe Coloradans are open to a new tax on top of all of the taxes, fees, surcharges, and tolls we already pay. Did the politicians not notice the results of the past two elections? Voters rejected tax increases not once but twice. The message is pretty obvious: we already pay enough taxes and expect the legislature to spend what we give them on essential government serves like roads.
Perhaps they think that if we sit long enough at the Santa Fe and I-25 interchange breathing fumes that we’ll beg them to raise taxes. That appears to be the plan: refuse to fund roads with the money available, provoke frustration, then raise taxes. While not worthy of a Dan Brown novel, it’s a conspiracy theory worth contemplating while you’re wasting time in traffic.
Krista Kafer is a weekly Denver Post columnist. Follow her on Twitter: @kristakafer.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Olathe unable to match Cedaredge’s firepower, lose 48-22

The Cedaredge Bruins easily put away the Olathe Pirates by a score of 48-22 on Thursday .
No team or @ @ @ @ @ for this contest .
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive .
@ @ @ @ @ and will update as more data is available .

The Cedaredge Bruins easily defeated the Olathe Pirates by a score of 48-22 on Thursday.
Kimmy Milholland lead Cedaredge with 14 points scored while also grabbing one rebounds. Kammie Henderson helped by contributing 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
Olathe will play host to Gunnison, while Cedaredge will travel to play Basalt.
Olathe has not reported any team or player statistics from this contest.
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This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Arreola’s double-double lifts Denver West over Denver North in 46-44 win

The Denver West Cowboys narrowly won over the Denver North Vikings in a 46-44 game on Thursday .
Denver West @ @ @ @ @ Mia Trevino who put up 23 points while also recording two assists .
Jasmine Arreola @ @ @ @ @ 11 points and collecting 16 rebounds .
Denver North has not reported any team or @ @ @ @ @ .
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive .
Information accurate as @ @ @ @ @ as more data is available .

The Denver West Cowboys narrowly won over the Denver North Vikings in a 46-44 contest on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Mia Trevino lead Denver West with 23 points scored, while also recording two assists. Jasmine Arreola recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and collecting 16 rebounds.
Denver North was paced in scoring by Jaydy Gonzales who accounted for 18 points, while also recording six rebounds and two assists. Ja’Naya Ward recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points and collecting 22 rebounds.
More Colorado High School Basketball
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This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-21--Vista PEAK Prep wins big over Westminster, 85-52

Vista PEAK Prep easily defeated the Westminster Wolves by a score of 85-52 on Thursday .
Westminster was paced in @ @ @ @ @ accounted for 25 points , while also collecting one rebound and two assists .
Valerie @ @ @ @ @ scoring 11 points and collecting 14 rebounds .
Vista PEAK Prep has not reported any @ @ @ @ @ this contest .
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive .
Information @ @ @ @ @ will update as more data is available .

Vista PEAK Prep easily put away the Westminster Wolves by a score of 85-52 on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Vista PEAK Prep was paced in scoring by Seairra Hughes who accounted for 22 points while also collecting 12 rebounds and nine assists. Mikayla Jones had a solid night, recording 16 points.
Westminster was paced in scoring by Marina Boltz who put up 25 points, while also recording one rebound and two assists. Valerie Gallegos recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and collecting 14 rebounds.
In their next games, Vista PEAK Prep will stay home and play Thornton, while Westminster will travel to play Windsor.
More Colorado High School Basketball
Subscribe to the Denver Post today
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-22--Ask Amy: Wedding guests are put off by cash grab

Dear Amy : The son of a friend is getting married in March .
He and his fiancée have lived together for several years .
Both are 30-ish and employed .
They are planning an expensive wedding , followed by an expensive honeymoon to Thailand , and have established a registry asking for funding for their honeymoon or future home .
As we are not interested in contributing to these expenses , would it be appropriate to make a contribution to a charity in honor of their nuptials ?
Under the circumstances , we plan to save our money by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a kitty jar might be passed to pay for the ceremony .
Dear Perplexed : If this couple registered for a slow cooker from Crate and Barrel , would you decline to give it to them , believing that because they are employed and living together — they don ’ t actually deserve to receive something specifically because they ’ ve asked for it ?
My point is that the idea behind registries has always been to try to give the couple something that they actually want and will use .
Even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to a prosperous couple , in some cultures , after a wedding — regardless of the social status of the couple — people place money in an envelope and hand it directly to the bride , who places the envelope in a special purse .
Others use “ money trees ” on their gift table , and some guests pin cash onto a metal tree for the couple to use to defray expenses .
Less-obvious requests for cash are honeymoon registries ( or even so-called “ cash ” registries ) , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registries involve specific items you can purchase for the couple to enjoy while on their honeymoon trip , such as , “ Zip-lining through the rain forest ” or “ an afternoon of surfing.
” Using one of these registries , I contributed for a honeymooning couple to have coffee and croissants at a café during their trip to Paris .
They sent me a postcard from their trip , thanking me for the gift and completing the circle .
Nice !
Just because a registry is set up , a guest is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , because you intend to skip this wedding , you are not obligated to give the couple anything at all .
However , you can pat yourself on the back , because contributing to a worthy nonprofit is always a good idea , even if your motivation to do so is more passive-aggressive than generous .
Dear Amy : My siblings found out through an email from their nephew ( my son ) that I am going to be a grandmother .
I was away at the time , having just found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nephew to offer congratulations .
It is now four days later and not one of them has contacted me to congratulate me about the fact that I am going to be a grandmother .
We otherwise have regular communication .
Am I being over-sensitive , or are they being insensitive ?
Dear Grandmother : I think you are being over-sensitive .
Your siblings might have believed that your son was going to share his news with you in a special way .
Because you were away at the time , they might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just in case you hadn ’ t been told yet .
Or , they may have simply been focused on responding to the person who shared this news with them — your son .
Now that you are going to enter the special-status category of “ grandparent , ” you should take stock of your own needs , sensitivities , and relationships .
Being a grandparent is a grand opportunity to become more expansive and generous , and please , less sensitive .
If you are excited , say so !
Contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think you ’ ve already heard the good news !
I ’ m really excited .
Our newest family member is due this summer.
” This will give them the opportunity to respond directly to you .
For your sake , I hope your siblings give you what you want .
Dear Amy : In a recent column , you replied to a question from “ Desperate , ” a medical student who was torn between her desire to live a small-town life , and her longtime boyfriend ’ s need to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of metropolitan areas that seem to offer the benefits of both big-city life and proximity to beautiful nature , you mentioned my town of Portland , Oregon .
Sure — we appreciate the shout-out , but please don ’ t send any more people here , Amy .
We ’ re all full-up .
Dear Happy : And your response is … full-on Portlandish .

Dear Amy: The son of a friend is getting married in March.
He and his fiancée have lived together for several years.
Both are 30-ish and employed.
They are planning an expensive wedding, followed by an expensive honeymoon to Thailand, and have established a registry asking for funding for their honeymoon or future home.
As we are not interested in contributing to these expenses, would it be appropriate to make a contribution to a charity in honor of their nuptials?
Under the circumstances, we plan to save our money by declining the wedding invitation, afraid that a kitty jar might be passed to pay for the ceremony.
— Perplexed
Dear Perplexed: If this couple registered for a slow cooker from Crate and Barrel, would you decline to give it to them, believing that because they are employed and living together — they don’t actually deserve to receive something specifically because they’ve asked for it?
My point is that the idea behind registries has always been to try to give the couple something that they actually want and will use.
Even though you balk at the idea of contributing money to a prosperous couple, in some cultures, after a wedding — regardless of the social status of the couple — people place money in an envelope and hand it directly to the bride, who places the envelope in a special purse. Others use “money trees” on their gift table, and some guests pin cash onto a metal tree for the couple to use to defray expenses.
Less-obvious requests for cash are honeymoon registries (or even so-called “cash” registries), which have become quite popular. My favorite registries involve specific items you can purchase for the couple to enjoy while on their honeymoon trip, such as, “Zip-lining through the rain forest” or “an afternoon of surfing.”
Using one of these registries, I contributed for a honeymooning couple to have coffee and croissants at a café during their trip to Paris. They sent me a postcard from their trip, thanking me for the gift and completing the circle. Nice!
Just because a registry is set up, a guest is not obligated to use it.
In fact, because you intend to skip this wedding, you are not obligated to give the couple anything at all.
However, you can pat yourself on the back, because contributing to a worthy nonprofit is always a good idea, even if your motivation to do so is more passive-aggressive than generous.
Dear Amy: My siblings found out through an email from their nephew (my son) that I am going to be a grandmother.
I was away at the time, having just found out myself.
They all emailed their nephew to offer congratulations.
It is now four days later and not one of them has contacted me to congratulate me about the fact that I am going to be a grandmother.
We otherwise have regular communication.
Am I being over-sensitive, or are they being insensitive?
— Soon-to-be Grandmother
Dear Grandmother: I think you are being over-sensitive. Your siblings might have believed that your son was going to share his news with you in a special way. Because you were away at the time, they might not have wanted to hop onto this news, just in case you hadn’t been told yet.
Or, they may have simply been focused on responding to the person who shared this news with them — your son.
Now that you are going to enter the special-status category of “grandparent,” you should take stock of your own needs, sensitivities, and relationships.
Being a grandparent is a grand opportunity to become more expansive and generous, and please, less sensitive.
If you are excited, say so! Contact your siblings, saying, “I think you’ve already heard the good news! I’m really excited. Our newest family member is due this summer.” This will give them the opportunity to respond directly to you. For your sake, I hope your siblings give you what you want.
Dear Amy: In a recent column, you replied to a question from “Desperate,” a medical student who was torn between her desire to live a small-town life, and her longtime boyfriend’s need to live in a big city.
In your list of metropolitan areas that seem to offer the benefits of both big-city life and proximity to beautiful nature, you mentioned my town of Portland, Oregon.
Sure — we appreciate the shout-out, but please don’t send any more people here, Amy. We’re all full-up.
— Happy in Portland
Dear Happy: And your response is … full-on Portlandish.
(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.)