thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Altitude/Comcast dispute: Worst-case scenario extends blackout well into the future

Nearly six months have passed without Avalanche or Nuggets programming on Comcast with no apparent end to the bitter dispute .
As for hope local games might return with the playoffs fast approaching ?
An analysis of the latest court filings from Altitude ’ s federal antitrust lawsuit — alleging a Comcast plan to monopolize sports programming in the region — illustrates the regional sports network ’ s slow-moving legal strategy .
The cable giant , meanwhile , seems intent on halting requests to produce evidence in its aim to dismiss the case .
The first pretrial conference for Altitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , 2021 , per online court records , placing the Nuggets , Avalanche and Rapids in jeopardy of a continued Comcast blackout well into 2021 .
In a worst-case scenario , though , the stalemate could extend for several years .
RELATED : Dish Network reveals latest proposal to Altitude Sports , refutes claim it hasn ’ t negotiated in good faith “ If you have conglomerates behind both sides where neither really has to deal in order to stay in business , a short-term resolution is unlikely , ” said Jacob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in San Diego , who specializes in antitrust , unfair competition and complex business litigation .
“ If the case gets into discovery , at that point you ’ re going to have at least hundreds of thousands of pages of documents produced by the defendant and relevant third parties .
You ’ re going to have numerous depositions , and all of that just takes a significant amount of time.
” For a potential preview of what ’ s to come , just look at what ’ s happening in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchased exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for Dodgers games in a landmark 25-year , $ 8.35-billion deal .
The team launched its own regional sports network , SportsNet LA , with TWC offering the channel to competing television providers .
But DirecTV , Dish , Cox and Verizon balked at the high price tag and declined to carry SportsNet LA .
The result : An estimated 70 % of Los Angeles households have been unable to watch local Dodgers broadcasts in an ongoing blackout for six seasons — and counting .
Charter Communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LA available to a larger percentage of households .
But it was too little , too late , with rival television providers still refusing to carry the RSN due to high cost .
“ Initially , there was a lot of anger , ” said Bill Shaikin , a longtime sportswriter at The Los Angeles Times who covers the Dodgers and sports business .
“ Right now , it ’ s not so much an issue of people wanting to see the Dodgers but can ’ t .
There are plenty of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dodgers and decided that ’ s just fine with them.
” Back in Denver , crawling litigation suggests a resolution is not close .
Kroenke-owned Altitude filed its initial antitrust lawsuit Nov. 18 .
Nearly three months after that , it refiled an amended version that changes a member of counsel , provides additional arguments and revises wording throughout .
Comcast , now forced to refile its motions to stay discovery and dismiss the case , provided a scathing review of Altitude ’ s litigation in a Feb. 13 court filing .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the amended complaint , however , alters the inescapable conclusion that Altitude has pleaded presumptively — and demonstrably — meritless antitrust claims .
Nor does the amendment undermine in any way Comcast ’ s prior showing that a discovery stay is warranted .
To the contrary , Altitude ’ s decision to wait until the last minute to amend its complaint rather than opposing Comcast ’ s motion to dismiss , forcing Comcast to move again to dismiss the complaint , confirms its strategy of seeking to delay an eventual ruling on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s new motion to dismiss , and the case moves toward a jury trial , it is unclear how the verdict will impact the immediate availability of local Nuggets and Avalanche broadcasts .
However , the decision could have a far-reaching impact on an evolving national sports media landscape .
“ It will have pretty wide-sweeping ramifications for the industry , good or bad , ” Lacomb said .
“ If this is resolved in Altitude ’ s favor , you ’ re going to have regional sports networks with a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyer comes in and offers them predatory terms , they get to point to this case and say , ‘ You can ’ t do that.
’ If there is a decision that comes the other way , then you ’ re giving the cable company free rein to come in and offer those alleged rates.
” DirecTV is the only television provider that currently offers Altitude programming after reaching a multi-year agreement in October .
Altitude has been blocked out from Comcast and Dish since the end of August .
Bill Isaacson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Altitude , spoke with reporters upon the initial antitrust lawsuit filing .
Asked whether Altitude was serious about bringing to case to trial , Isaacson responded with an answer that likely makes Avalanche and Nuggets fans subscribed to Comcast service shudder .
“ We ’ re prepared to do this the whole way , ” Isaacson said .

Nearly six months have passed without Avalanche or Nuggets programming on Comcast with no apparent end to the bitter dispute. As for hope local games might return with the playoffs fast approaching?
Don’t count on it.
An analysis of the latest court filings from Altitude’s federal antitrust lawsuit — alleging a Comcast plan to monopolize sports programming in the region — illustrates the regional sports network’s slow-moving legal strategy. The cable giant, meanwhile, seems intent on halting requests to produce evidence in its aim to dismiss the case.
The final pretrial conference for Altitude v. Comcast is currently scheduled for May 3, 2021, per online court records, placing the Nuggets, Avalanche and Rapids in jeopardy of a continued Comcast blackout well into 2021.
In a worst-case scenario, though, the stalemate could extend for several years.
RELATED: Dish Network reveals latest proposal to Altitude Sports, refutes claim it hasn’t negotiated in good faith
“If you have conglomerates behind both sides where neither really has to deal in order to stay in business, a short-term resolution is unlikely,” said Tim Lacomb, an attorney at MoginRubin LLP in San Diego, who specializes in antitrust, unfair competition and complex business litigation. “If the case gets into discovery, at that point you’re going to have at least hundreds of thousands of pages of documents produced by the defendant and relevant third parties. You’re going to have numerous depositions, and all of that just takes a significant amount of time.”
For a potential preview of what’s to come, just look at what’s happening in Los Angeles.
In 2013, Time Warner Cable purchased exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for Dodgers games in a landmark 25-year, $8.35-billion deal. The team launched its own regional sports network, SportsNet LA, with TWC offering the channel to competing television providers. But DirecTV, Dish, Cox and Verizon balked at the high price tag and declined to carry SportsNet LA.
The result: An estimated 70% of Los Angeles households have been unable to watch local Dodgers broadcasts in an ongoing blackout for six seasons — and counting. Charter Communications purchased TWC in 2016 and made SportsNet LA available to a larger percentage of households. But it was too little, too late, with rival television providers still refusing to carry the RSN due to high cost.
“Initially, there was a lot of anger,” said Bill Shaikin, a longtime sportswriter at The Los Angeles Times who covers the Dodgers and sports business. “Right now, it’s not so much an issue of people wanting to see the Dodgers but can’t. There are plenty of people who got used to not seeing the Dodgers and decided that’s just fine with them.”
Back in Denver, crawling litigation suggests a resolution is not close.
Kroenke-owned Altitude filed its initial antitrust lawsuit Nov. 18. Nearly three months after that, it refiled an amended version that changes a member of counsel, provides additional arguments and revises wording throughout. Comcast, now forced to refile its motions to stay discovery and dismiss the case, provided a scathing review of Altitude’s litigation in a Feb. 13 court filing.
Its new motion states: “Nothing in the amended complaint, however, alters the inescapable conclusion that Altitude has pleaded presumptively — and demonstrably — meritless antitrust claims. Nor does the amendment undermine in any way Comcast’s prior showing that a discovery stay is warranted. To the contrary, Altitude’s decision to wait until the last minute to amend its complaint rather than opposing Comcast’s motion to dismiss, forcing Comcast to move again to dismiss the complaint, confirms its strategy of seeking to delay an eventual ruling on the merits.”
If a judge rejects Comcast’s new motion to dismiss, and the case moves toward a jury trial, it is unclear how the verdict will impact the immediate availability of local Nuggets and Avalanche broadcasts. However, the decision could have a far-reaching impact on an evolving national sports media landscape.
“It will have pretty wide-sweeping ramifications for the industry, good or bad,” Lacomb said. “If this is resolved in Altitude’s favor, you’re going to have regional sports networks with a significant ability to protect themselves. If a buyer comes in and offers them predatory terms, they get to point to this case and say, ‘You can’t do that.’ If there is a decision that comes the other way, then you’re giving the cable company free rein to come in and offer those alleged rates.”
DirecTV is the only television provider that currently offers Altitude programming after reaching a multi-year agreement in October. Altitude has been blocked out from Comcast and Dish since the end of August.
Bill Isaacson, the outside counsel hired to represent Altitude, spoke with reporters upon the initial antitrust lawsuit filing. Asked whether Altitude was serious about bringing to case to trial, Isaacson responded with an answer that likely makes Avalanche and Nuggets fans subscribed to Comcast service shudder.
“We’re prepared to do this the whole way,” Isaacson said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-29--Tiger Woods takes 3rd straight week off by skipping Bay Hill due to stiff back

ORLANDO , Fla. — Tiger Woods is taking a third straight week off by deciding against playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill .
Woods hasn ’ t played since his 76-77 weekend at Riviera , where he finished 68th in the Genesis Invitational while serving as tournament host .
He decided against the World Golf Championship in Mexico City the following week , saying his back was stiff and he needed time to rest and train .
Woods is an eight-time winner at Bay Hill .
He has played it only once since his last Arnold Palmer Invitational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years while going through surgeries on his lower back .
He tied for fifth , eight shots behind Rory McIlroy , when he last played in 2018 .
Brooks Koepka committed to Bay Hill on Friday .
He missed the cut at the Honda Classic and said he plans to play the next four weeks through the Match Play in Texas .
That would give him a week off before the Masters .
Koepka is playing Bay Hill for the second straight year .
He has missed the cut the last two times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past champion and the No .
1 player in the world .
McIlroy is among three players from the top 10 who are playing .
The other is Patrick Reed , coming off a victory in the Mexico Championship .

ORLANDO, Fla. — Tiger Woods is taking a third straight week off by deciding against playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Woods hasn’t played since his 76-77 weekend at Riviera, where he finished 68th in the Genesis Invitational while serving as tournament host. He decided against the World Golf Championship in Mexico City the following week, saying his back was stiff and he needed time to rest and train.
Woods is an eight-time winner at Bay Hill. He has played it only once since his last Arnold Palmer Invitational victory in 2013, including four straight years while going through surgeries on his lower back.
He tied for fifth, eight shots behind Rory McIlroy, when he last played in 2018.
Brooks Koepka committed to Bay Hill on Friday. He missed the cut at the Honda Classic and said he plans to play the next four weeks through the Match Play in Texas. That would give him a week off before the Masters. Koepka is playing Bay Hill for the second straight year. He has missed the cut the last two times.
McIlroy leads the field as a past champion and the No. 1 player in the world. McIlroy is among three players from the top 10 who are playing. The other is Patrick Reed, coming off a victory in the Mexico Championship.


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Wall Street has worst week since 2008 as S&P 500 drops 11.5%

Stocks sank around the globe again Friday as investors braced for more economic pain from the coronavirus outbreak , sending U.S. markets to their worst weekly finish since the 2008 financial crisis .
The damage from the week of relentless selling was eye-popping : The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3,583 points , or 12.4 % .
Microsoft and Apple , the two most valuable companies in the S & P 500 , lost a combined $ 300 billion .
In a sign of the severity of the concern about the possible economic blow , the price of oil sank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses moderated Friday after the Federal Reserve released a statement saying it stood ready to help the economy if needed .
Investors increasingly expect the Fed to cut rates at its next policy meeting in mid-March .
The Dow swung back from an early slide of more than 1,000 points to close around 350 points lower .
The S & P 500 fell 0.8 % and is now down 13 % since hitting a record high just 10 days ago .
The Nasdaq reversed an early decline to finish flat .
Global financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak that has been shutting down industrial centers , emptying shops and severely crimping travel all over the world .
More companies are warning investors that their finances will take a hit because of disruptions to supply chains and sales .
Governments are taking increasingly drastic measures as they scramble to contain the virus .
The rout has knocked every major index into what market watchers call a “ correction , ” or a fall of 10 % or more from a peak .
The last time that occurred was in late 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was escalating .
Market watchers have said for months that stocks were overpriced and long overdue for another pullback .
Bond prices soared again as investors sought safety and became more pessimistic about the economy ’ s prospects .
That pushed yields to more record lows .
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell sharply , to 1.14 % from 1.30 % late Thursday .
That ’ s a record low , according to TradeWeb .
That yield is a benchmark for home mortgages and many other kinds of loans .
Crude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that global travel and shipping will be severely crimped and hurt demand for energy .
“ All this says to us is that there are still a lot of worries in the market , ” said Gene Goldman , chief investment officer at Cetera Financial Group .
“ We need the Fed to come out and say basically guys , we got your back.
” Traders have been growing more certain that the Federal Reserve will be forced to cut interest rates to protect the economy , and soon .
Goldman said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amounts to a tightening of rates compared with other nations and their actions to offset the impact of the coronavirus .
Investors now widely expect the Fed to cut interest rates by a half-point at its meeting that winds up March 18 .
According to data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ’ s Fedwatch tool , the expectations for a half-point cut jumped from 47 % just before the Fed ’ s statement was released to 60 % by the close of trading .
The latest losses have wiped out the S & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to October .
The benchmark index is still up 6.1 % over the past 12 months , not including dividends .
Its weekly loss of 11.5 % was the biggest since an 18.2 % drop in the week ending October 10 , 2008 .
The sell-off follows months of uncertainty about the spread of the virus , which hit China in December and shut down large swaths of that nation by January .
China is still the hardest hit country and has most of the 83,000 cases worldwide and related deaths .
Uncertainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jumping to places outside of the epicenter and dashed hopes for containment .
“ Fear is a stronger emotion than hope , ” said Ann Miletti , head of active equity at Wells Fargo Asset Management .
“ This is what we ’ re seeing today and this week and over the past seven days.
” Airlines have suffered some of the worst hits as flight routes are cancelled , along with travel plans .
Big names like Apple and Budweiser brewer AB InBev are part of a growing list of companies expecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and athletic-wear company Columbia Sportswear are the latest companies expecting an impact to their bottom lines .
Cruise operators have also been hard hit , with shares sinking 30 % or more as shipboard infections rose .
But those companies were having a far better day Friday , with some on Wall Street believing that the sell-off was overdone .
Shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises rose 4.4 % , while Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings gained 7.3 % .
Carnival ’ s shares climbed 5.1 % .
A big concern investors have is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychological effect on consumers , making them reluctant to spend money and go to crowded places like stores , restaurants and movie theaters .
The late-2018 stock market plunge , for instance , derailed holiday sales that year .
Now , analysts are worried that the latest stock swoon could cause consumer spending — which makes up some 70 % of the economy and has played a huge role in keeping the U.S. expansion going — to contract again .
Craig Johnson , president of Customer Growth Partners , a consumer consultancy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be up 4.1 % , but he now says it could increase just 2.2 % if the impact of the new virus in China persists beyond April .
‘ ’ This is a moving target right now , ” ’ he said .
‘ ’ There is a lot of uncertainty.
’ Many companies face the prospect of crimped financial results with their stocks already trading at high levels relative to their earnings .
Before the virus worries exploded , investors had been pushing stocks higher on expectations that strong profit growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining for most of 2019 .
The Dow fell 357.28 points , or 1.4 % , to 25,409.36 .
The S & P 500 slid 24.54 points , or 0.8 % , to 2,954.22 .
The Nasdaq rose 0.89 points , or less than 0.1 % , to 8,567.37 .
The Russell 2000 index of smaller company stocks lost 21.44 points , or 1.4 % , to 1,476.43 .
In commodities trading , benchmark crude oil fell $ 2.33 to settle at $ 44.76 a barrel .
Brent crude oil , the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at $ 50.52 a barrel .
Wholesale gasoline fell 2 cents to $ 1.39 per gallon .
Heating oil was unchanged at $ 1.49 per gallon .
Natural gas fell 7 cents to $ 1.68 per 1,000 cubic feet .
Gold fell $ 75.90 to $ 1,564.10 per ounce , silver fell $ 1.27 cents to $ 16.39 per ounce and copper fell 2 cents to $ 2.55 per pound .
The dollar fell to 108.42 Japanese yen from 109.95 yen on Thursday .
The euro weakened to $ 1.0967 from $ 1.0987 @

By ALEX VEIGA and DAMIAN J. TROISE
Stocks sank around the globe again Friday as investors braced for more economic pain from the coronavirus outbreak, sending U.S. markets to their worst weekly finish since the 2008 financial crisis.
The damage from the week of relentless selling was eye-popping: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 3,583 points, or 12.4%. Microsoft and Apple, the two most valuable companies in the S&P 500, lost a combined $300 billion. In a sign of the severity of the concern about the possible economic blow, the price of oil sank 16%.
The market’s losses moderated Friday after the Federal Reserve released a statement saying it stood ready to help the economy if needed. Investors increasingly expect the Fed to cut rates at its next policy meeting in mid-March.
The Dow swung back from an early slide of more than 1,000 points to close around 350 points lower. The S&P 500 fell 0.8% and is now down 13% since hitting a record high just 10 days ago. The Nasdaq reversed an early decline to finish flat.
Global financial markets have been rattled by the virus outbreak that has been shutting down industrial centers, emptying shops and severely crimping travel all over the world. More companies are warning investors that their finances will take a hit because of disruptions to supply chains and sales. Governments are taking increasingly drastic measures as they scramble to contain the virus.
The rout has knocked every major index into what market watchers call a “correction,” or a fall of 10% or more from a peak. The last time that occurred was in late 2018, as a tariff war with China was escalating. Market watchers have said for months that stocks were overpriced and long overdue for another pullback.
Bond prices soared again as investors sought safety and became more pessimistic about the economy’s prospects. That pushed yields to more record lows. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell sharply, to 1.14% from 1.30% late Thursday. That’s a record low, according to TradeWeb. That yield is a benchmark for home mortgages and many other kinds of loans.
Crude oil prices sank 4.9% over worries that global travel and shipping will be severely crimped and hurt demand for energy.
“All this says to us is that there are still a lot of worries in the market,” said Gene Goldman, chief investment officer at Cetera Financial Group. “We need the Fed to come out and say basically guys, we got your back.”
Traders have been growing more certain that the Federal Reserve will be forced to cut interest rates to protect the economy, and soon. Goldman said the Fed’s current lack of action amounts to a tightening of rates compared with other nations and their actions to offset the impact of the coronavirus.
Investors now widely expect the Fed to cut interest rates by a half-point at its meeting that winds up March 18. According to data from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s Fedwatch tool, the expectations for a half-point cut jumped from 47% just before the Fed’s statement was released to 60% by the close of trading.
The latest losses have wiped out the S&P 500’s gains going back to October. The benchmark index is still up 6.1% over the past 12 months, not including dividends. Its weekly loss of 11.5% was the biggest since an 18.2% drop in the week ending October 10, 2008.
The sell-off follows months of uncertainty about the spread of the virus, which hit China in December and shut down large swaths of that nation by January. China is still the hardest hit country and has most of the 83,000 cases worldwide and related deaths.
Uncertainty turned into fear as the virus started jumping to places outside of the epicenter and dashed hopes for containment.
“Fear is a stronger emotion than hope,” said Ann Miletti, head of active equity at Wells Fargo Asset Management. “This is what we’re seeing today and this week and over the past seven days.”
Airlines have suffered some of the worst hits as flight routes are cancelled, along with travel plans. Big names like Apple and Budweiser brewer AB InBev are part of a growing list of companies expecting financial pain from the virus. Dell and athletic-wear company Columbia Sportswear are the latest companies expecting an impact to their bottom lines.
Cruise operators have also been hard hit, with shares sinking 30% or more as shipboard infections rose. But those companies were having a far better day Friday, with some on Wall Street believing that the sell-off was overdone. Shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises rose 4.4%, while Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings gained 7.3%. Carnival’s shares climbed 5.1%.
A big concern investors have is that the stock market rout could have a psychological effect on consumers, making them reluctant to spend money and go to crowded places like stores, restaurants and movie theaters.
The late-2018 stock market plunge, for instance, derailed holiday sales that year. Now, analysts are worried that the latest stock swoon could cause consumer spending — which makes up some 70% of the economy and has played a huge role in keeping the U.S. expansion going — to contract again.
Craig Johnson, president of Customer Growth Partners, a consumer consultancy, says he had expected annual retail sales to be up 4.1%, but he now says it could increase just 2.2% if the impact of the new virus in China persists beyond April.
‘’This is a moving target right now,”’ he said. ‘’There is a lot of uncertainty.’
Many companies face the prospect of crimped financial results with their stocks already trading at high levels relative to their earnings. Before the virus worries exploded, investors had been pushing stocks higher on expectations that strong profit growth was set to resume for companies after declining for most of 2019.
MARKET ROUNDUP:
The Dow fell 357.28 points, or 1.4%, to 25,409.36. The S&P 500 slid 24.54 points, or 0.8%, to 2,954.22. The Nasdaq rose 0.89 points, or less than 0.1%, to 8,567.37. The Russell 2000 index of smaller company stocks lost 21.44 points, or 1.4%, to 1,476.43.
In commodities trading, benchmark crude oil fell $2.33 to settle at $44.76 a barrel. Brent crude oil, the international standard, dropped $1.66 to close at $50.52 a barrel. Wholesale gasoline fell 2 cents to $1.39 per gallon. Heating oil was unchanged at $1.49 per gallon. Natural gas fell 7 cents to $1.68 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Gold fell $75.90 to $1,564.10 per ounce, silver fell $1.27 cents to $16.39 per ounce and copper fell 2 cents to $2.55 per pound.
The dollar fell to 108.42 Japanese yen from 109.95 yen on Thursday. The euro weakened to $1.0967 from $1.0987.
___
AP Retail Writer Anne D’Innocenzio and AP Business Writer Stan Choe contributed.


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Adams County sheriff’s commander sentenced to probation for careless driving resulting in death

An Adams County sheriff ’ s commander was sentenced Friday to two years of probation for careless driving resulting in death .
John Paul Bitterman was also sentenced to 250 hours of community service for the on-duty crash , on March 28 near Bennett , which killed 85-year-old Eira Saenz Sandoval , according to a district attorney ’ s office news release .
Bitterman , 44 , was on duty in an unmarked patrol vehicle driving west on East 88th Avenue at the intersection of Colorado 79 when he ran a stop sign and collided with a Nissan Murano .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , died at the scene .
Maria Del Refugio Corral Saenz , 58 , Sandoval ’ s daughter and the driver of the Nissan , was injured .
Bitterman also was convicted , in January , of careless driving resulting in injury .
“ There truly is no way to mend the devastation that the defendant caused to this family , ” Deputy District Attorney Danielle Warly told the court , according to the release .
“ Eira survived breast cancer only to be killed before her time .
Maria , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screaming for help , had to watch her mother die .
The defendant swore an oath to protect the public and hold others accountable for their actions .
Shouldn ’ t those same standards apply to him ?
” Bitterman was not responding to a service call at the time of the crash and he had not activated the patrol vehicle ’ s lights or siren .
Trial evidence showed that he was logging on to his computer while driving in the moments before the crash .
Judge Leroy Kirby noted that evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floored his vehicle through the intersection just before impact , the release said .
“ You thought you could make it through , ” Kirby said , according to the release .
“ We all make mistakes .
You are a commander in the Adams County Sheriff ’ s Office .
I would hope that police officers , of all people , would show more care in what you do .
I see police cars zipping around me with no lights on all the time .
They think because they are in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want .
That is not true.
” Bitterman was also ordered to pay restitution and the cost of prosecution in the case .

An Adams County sheriff’s commander was sentenced Friday to two years of probation for careless driving resulting in death.
John Paul Bitterman was also sentenced to 250 hours of community service for the on-duty crash, on March 28 near Bennett, which killed 85-year-old Eira Saenz Sandoval, according to a district attorney’s office news release.
Bitterman, 44, was on duty in an unmarked patrol vehicle driving west on East 88th Avenue at the intersection of Colorado 79 when he ran a stop sign and collided with a Nissan Murano. Sandoval, a passenger in the Nissan, died at the scene. Maria Del Refugio Corral Saenz, 58, Sandoval’s daughter and the driver of the Nissan, was injured. Bitterman also was convicted, in January, of careless driving resulting in injury.
“There truly is no way to mend the devastation that the defendant caused to this family,” Deputy District Attorney Danielle Warly told the court, according to the release. “Eira survived breast cancer only to be killed before her time. Maria, with a broken sternum and a broken leg, screaming for help, had to watch
her mother die. The defendant swore an oath to protect the public and hold others accountable for their actions. Shouldn’t those same standards apply to him?”
Bitterman was not responding to a service call at the time of the crash and he had not activated the patrol vehicle’s lights or siren. Trial evidence
showed that he was logging on to his computer while driving in the moments before the crash.
Judge Leroy Kirby noted that evidence showed Bitterman had slowed slightly and then floored his vehicle through the intersection just before impact, the release said.
“You thought you could make it through,” Kirby said, according to the release. “We all make mistakes. You are a commander in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. I would hope that police officers, of all people, would show more care in what you do. I see police cars zipping around me with no lights on all the time. They think because they are in a police car, I can do whatever I want. That is not true.”
Bitterman was also ordered to pay restitution and the cost of prosecution in the case.


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--The Rapids are looking to end a playoff drought. Here are 5 keys to get them there

COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids begin MLS play Saturday looking to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2016 .
If they are to make a run , here are five keys .
Improved defense : The Rapids allowed the third-most goals ( 63 ) in MLS during the 2019 season , but their backline quietly improved after Lalas Abubakar was brought in on loan last May .
Now a full-time Rapids player following an offseason trade , Abubakar is the backbone of a retooled defense that includes MLS iron man Keegan Rosenberry at right-back , emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Auston Trusty and veteran Drew Moor .
Rosenberry is the only backline starter remaining from the first eight games of 2019 , when the Rapids used six different four-man groups across the back .
The Rapids are banking on stability leading to another jump in quality .
The only other thing that remains in question is how Clint Irwin performs in place of the retired Tim Howard .
Irwin has been a capable keeper in the past , but he hasn ’ t been a front-line goalie since 2016 .
Behind him is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debut in MLS .
Schedule challenges : There are a couple of complexities when it comes to the Rapids ’ schedule .
A major one is the Olympics .
Winger Jonathan Lewis and defenders Vines and Trusty are on the provisional roster , meaning half of the backline could be missing for a significant portion of the summer .
The Rapids also have a grueling 13-match stretch over 10 weeks between May and early July in which they face 11 clubs that made the playoffs last year , including midweek games against Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the Rapids will be in a good position to make a late push with 5 of 6 games at Dick ’ s Sporting Goods Park against conference foes between Aug. 1 and Sept. 12 .
Rapids identity : Since taking over near the end of last season , head coach Robin Fraser has had a full preseason to install some of his philosophies .
How much the team ’ s identity/tactics will change with new talent added to the mix remains a bit of a mystery .
The Rapids were most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter-attack style .
But two of the club ’ s biggest offseason additions — Younes Namli and Nicolas Benezet — are known more as possession players .
A lot of the identity will be made up by which players are playing .
The Rapids have five capable wingers and a plethora of options at striker .
More interesting is the midfield , which features Cole Bassett and Kellyn Acosta , both of whom must settle into a position .
Diversity in scoring : One of the biggest contributors to the Rapids ’ offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 58 goals ) came from their league-best 19 goals off set pieces .
Colorado was also near the top for counter-attack goals , but diversifying its attack with more open play is essential to take some pressure off Jack Price ’ s dead-ball mastery .
Namli is the big addition here and could create more volley opportunities for MLS ’ all-time headed goals leader Kei Kamara ( 14 goals in 2019 ) .
Namli will also be able to dribble into spots that let speedy wingers make runs behind opponents ’ backline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalty kick taker a season ago , but he was only 4 of 7 in 2019 and missed one in the preseason .
Pádraig Smith ’ s legacy : The Rapids general manager made a couple of big moves ahead of his third season at the helm , hiring Fraser as head coach in August and signing Namli as the sixth designated player in club history in January .
Fraser was the second head coach hired by Smith and Namli his first designated player .
How those two moves play out could go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long Smith sticks around Commerce City .

COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids begin MLS play Saturday looking to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2016. If they are to make a run, here are five keys.
Improved defense: The Rapids allowed the third-most goals (63) in MLS during the 2019 season, but their backline quietly improved after Lalas Abubakar was brought in on loan last May.
Now a full-time Rapids player following an offseason trade, Abubakar is the backbone of a retooled defense that includes MLS iron man Keegan Rosenberry at right-back, emerging USMNT left-back Sam Vines, the athletic Auston Trusty and veteran Drew Moor.
Rosenberry is the only backline starter remaining from the first eight games of 2019, when the Rapids used six different four-man groups across the back. The Rapids are banking on stability leading to another jump in quality.
The only other thing that remains in question is how Clint Irwin performs in place of the retired Tim Howard. Irwin has been a capable keeper in the past, but he hasn’t been a front-line goalie since 2016. Behind him is Andre Rawls, who has yet to debut in MLS.
Schedule challenges: There are a couple of complexities when it comes to the Rapids’ schedule. A major one is the Olympics. Winger Jonathan Lewis and defenders Vines and Trusty are on the provisional roster, meaning half of the backline could be missing for a significant portion of the summer.
The Rapids also have a grueling 13-match stretch over 10 weeks between May and early July in which they face 11 clubs that made the playoffs last year, including midweek games against Portland and both L.A. teams.
Survive that, and the Rapids will be in a good position to make a late push with 5 of 6 games at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against conference foes between Aug. 1 and Sept. 12.
Rapids identity: Since taking over near the end of last season, head coach Robin Fraser has had a full preseason to install some of his philosophies. How much the team’s identity/tactics will change with new talent added to the mix remains a bit of a mystery.
The Rapids were most successful in 2019 with a pressing and counter-attack style. But two of the club’s biggest offseason additions — Younes Namli and Nicolas Benezet — are known more as possession players.
A lot of the identity will be made up by which players are playing. The Rapids have five capable wingers and a plethora of options at striker. More interesting is the midfield, which features Cole Bassett and Kellyn Acosta, both of whom must settle into a position.
Diversity in scoring: One of the biggest contributors to the Rapids’ offensive surge to third in MLS last season (58 goals) came from their league-best 19 goals off set pieces.
Colorado was also near the top for counter-attack goals, but diversifying its attack with more open play is essential to take some pressure off Jack Price’s dead-ball mastery.
Namli is the big addition here and could create more volley opportunities for MLS’ all-time headed goals leader Kei Kamara (14 goals in 2019). Namli will also be able to dribble into spots that let speedy wingers make runs behind opponents’ backline.
Kamara was the Rapids’ primary penalty kick taker a season ago, but he was only 4 of 7 in 2019 and missed one in the preseason.
Pádraig Smith’s legacy: The Rapids general manager made a couple of big moves ahead of his third season at the helm, hiring Fraser as head coach in August and signing Namli as the sixth designated player in club history in January. Fraser was the second head coach hired by Smith and Namli his first designated player. How those two moves play out could go a long way toward determining just how long Smith sticks around Commerce City.


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Murder suspect known as the Hammer Killer arrives in Colorado decades after cold case killings shook

Murder suspect known as the Hammer Killer arrives in Colorado decades after cold case killings shook metro region

Alex Christopher Ewing , the man accused of bludgeoning four victims to death with a hammer three decades ago , has arrived in Colorado , where he will face charges in the cold case killings .
The Nevada Supreme Court last week denied Ewing ’ s motion to stay in Nevada , where he ’ s been held since 1985 on an attempted-murder conviction .
Ewing is being held at the Arapahoe County Detention Center , with an advisement hearing scheduled for Monday , Vikki Migoya , spokeswoman for the 18th Judicial District Attorney ’ 1 ` s Office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murders shook the region , the investigative trail going cold for decades .
On Jan. 10 , 1984 , Patricia Smith was raped and killed in her Lakewood apartment .
Six days later , Bruce and Patricia Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa were found dead in Aurora .
In August 2018 , 34 years after the murders , DNA evidence on two pieces of carpet and a little girl ’ s bed comforter connected Ewing to the scene of the crimes .
The cold case is the latest in a growing list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a new light as DNA evidence gives investigators previously untapped resources .

Alex Christopher Ewing, the man accused of bludgeoning four victims to death with a hammer three decades ago, has arrived in Colorado, where he will face charges in the cold case killings.
The Nevada Supreme Court last week denied Ewing’s motion to stay in Nevada, where he’s been held since 1985 on an attempted-murder conviction.
Ewing is being held at the Arapahoe County Detention Center, with an advisement hearing scheduled for Monday, Vikki Migoya, spokeswoman for the 18th Judicial District Attorney’1`s Office, said via email.
The brutal 1984 murders shook the region, the investigative trail going cold for decades. On Jan. 10, 1984, Patricia Smith was raped and killed in her Lakewood apartment. Six days later, Bruce and Patricia Bennett and their 7-year-old daughter Melissa were found dead in Aurora.
In August 2018, 34 years after the murders, DNA evidence on two pieces of carpet and a little girl’s bed comforter connected Ewing to the scene of the crimes.
The cold case is the latest in a growing list of serious crimes now being checked out in a new light as DNA evidence gives investigators previously untapped resources.


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Despite low expectations nationally, Rapids’ Jack Price remains confident: “We like people that don’

Despite low expectations nationally, Rapids’ Jack Price remains confident: “We like people that don’t fancy us”

COMMERCE CITY — Walking off the field after a Rapids ’ preseason practice Wednesday , Jack Price cut off a reporter before he could even finish his question .
“ They ’ re writing us off , they always do , ” the 27-year-old Colorado midfielder said of the national perception of his club .
Indeed , after compiling just 20 wins during the past two seasons , most national pundits aren ’ t buying the Rapids as an MLS playoff contender ahead of Saturday ’ s season opener at D.C. United .
And Price isn ’ t all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that don ’ t fancy us , we ’ re not really bothered about them , ” Price said .
“ They can talk , we know that we ’ ve got a good squad .
We ’ ve added quality , and the players that were here towards the back end of last season — we were one of the best teams form-wise ( during that time ) .
” Price captained the Rapids for much of that stretch with goaltender Tim Howard sidelined by an injury .
Now , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over as the team leader in his third season .
He also welcomed his first child into the world this winter — a boy named Hugo .
“ I ’ m used to talking a lot on the pitch and off the field as well , so I think that ’ s the main reason I was chosen to be the captain because I ’ m respected in the room , ” Price said .
“ Off the field with the baby as well now there ’ s a responsibility there which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a leader on the field.
” Last season he set the MLS record with 10 assists off set pieces and had three other free kicks or corner kicks lead directly to goals .
But he doesn ’ t really fit the classic notion of what a defensive midfielder should be .
His defensive actions and tackle success is below league average for his position , according to American Soccer Analysis .
Yet his involvement , pass quality and ball security are all top-tier .
His set piece success boosted Colorado from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league ’ s best a year ago .
It ’ s why he and the Rapids are nearing a long-term contract extension .
“ He ’ s very professional about how he goes about his business , ” head coach Robin Fraser said .
“ ..
He ’ s a good passer , he reads the game well , and he makes a lot more correct choices than incorrect choices.
” The addition of Younes Namli as an attacking midfielder should make Price ’ s job as a facilitator easier and allow him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : set pieces .
“ I get it and I just give it , and it just makes my life so much easier , ” Price said .
“ We had a 15- , maybe 30-minute run against New England in preseason and every time I got it I just gave it to ( Namli ) and he did his magic .
We haven ’ t really had that in an attacking midfielder.
” Price has spent his entire soccer career with two clubs thus far : Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C .
and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English side saw him come up through their academy and become an integral part of a 2013-14 team that earned a League One promotion to the Championship .
The unit sparked a quick build , which climbed Wolves up two tiers in five years .
That rebuild reminds him of where Colorado is now .
“ It no doubt reminds me of my time at Wolves , ” Price said .
“ I ’ m very lucky to have had the Wolves and now the Rapids that have kept me for a while @ @

COMMERCE CITY — Walking off the field after a Rapids’ preseason practice Wednesday, Jack Price cut off a reporter before he could even finish his question.
“They’re writing us off, they always do,” the 27-year-old Colorado midfielder said of the national perception of his club.
Indeed, after compiling just 20 wins during the past two seasons, most national pundits aren’t buying the Rapids as an MLS playoff contender ahead of Saturday’s season opener at D.C. United. And Price isn’t all that interested in selling.
“We like people that don’t fancy us, we’re not really bothered about them,” Price said. “They can talk, we know that we’ve got a good squad. We’ve added quality, and the players that were here towards the back end of last season — we were one of the best teams form-wise (during that time).”
Price captained the Rapids for much of that stretch with goaltender Tim Howard sidelined by an injury.
Now, with Howard gone, the Englishman has taken over as the team leader in his third season. He also welcomed his first child into the world this winter — a boy named Hugo.
“I’m used to talking a lot on the pitch and off the field as well, so I think that’s the main reason I was chosen to be the captain because I’m respected in the room,” Price said. “Off the field with the baby as well now there’s a responsibility there which will maybe help me along the way to be a leader on the field.”
Price’s play has been exemplary.
Last season he set the MLS record with 10 assists off set pieces and had three other free kicks or corner kicks lead directly to goals. But he doesn’t really fit the classic notion of what a defensive midfielder should be. His defensive actions and tackle success is below league average for his position, according to American Soccer Analysis. Yet his involvement, pass quality and ball security are all top-tier.
His set piece success boosted Colorado from being an abysmal offense to one of the league’s best a year ago. It’s why he and the Rapids are nearing a long-term contract extension.
“He’s very professional about how he goes about his business,” head coach Robin Fraser said. “.. He’s a good passer, he reads the game well, and he makes a lot more correct choices than incorrect choices.”
The addition of Younes Namli as an attacking midfielder should make Price’s job as a facilitator easier and allow him to focus on defense and his specialty: set pieces.
“I get it and I just give it, and it just makes my life so much easier,” Price said. “We had a 15-, maybe 30-minute run against New England in preseason and every time I got it I just gave it to (Namli) and he did his magic. We haven’t really had that in an attacking midfielder.”
Price has spent his entire soccer career with two clubs thus far: Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. and the Rapids. His 17 years with the English side saw him come up through their academy and become an integral part of a 2013-14 team that earned a League One promotion to the Championship. The unit sparked a quick build, which climbed Wolves up two tiers in five years.
That rebuild reminds him of where Colorado is now.
“It no doubt reminds me of my time at Wolves,” Price said. “I’m very lucky to have had the Wolves and now the Rapids that have kept me for a while.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Dog poop dispute leads to gunfire in Arapahoe County

An argument over picking up dog poop led to gunfire Thursday , and one person has been arrested in connection @ @ @ @ @ Emile Dismel , 38 , was arrested for suspicion of possession of a weapon by @ @ @ @ @ , prohibited use of weapons , reckless endangerment and harassment , according to a news @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s Office .
Dismel and another man were walking their dogs on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ East Florida Avenue in unincorporated Arapahoe County when they got into an argument over picking @ @ @ @ @ , the news release said .
Dismel is accused of firing a handgun during the @ @ @ @ @ , a reverse 911 call went out to neighbors asking them to shelter in place @ @ @ @ @ while deputies searched for a suspect .
Dismel was taken into custody on an arrest @ @ @ @ @ .
He had a handgun when he was arrested , the news release said .

An argument over picking up dog poop led to gunfire Thursday, and one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.
Jonathan Emile Dismel, 38, was arrested for suspicion of possession of a weapon by a previous offender, menacing, prohibited use of weapons, reckless endangerment and harassment, according to a news release from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Dismel and another man were walking their dogs on Thursday near South Parker Road and East Florida Avenue in unincorporated Arapahoe County when they got into an argument over picking up their dogs’ waste, the news release said. Dismel is accused of firing a handgun during the dispute.
At the time, a reverse 911 call went out to neighbors asking them to shelter in place because of the gunfire and while deputies searched for a suspect. Dismel was taken into custody on an arrest warrant around 5 p.m. Thursday.
He had a handgun when he was arrested, the news release said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Cory Gardner targeted by pro-Iranian disinformation effort, report says

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner was targeted by an online disinformation operation designed to support Iranian political interests , according to a report from a cybersecurity firm .
The senator says he was warned by the FBI months ago that it could happen .
In mid-February , social media companies took action against 11 Facebook and Instagram accounts , along with nearly 40 on Twitter , that are believed to have been part of the pro-Iranian operation .
Last year , the network of accounts was caught impersonating Republican candidates on social media .
At least one account posing as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an October 2019 tweet from Gardner , telling him to impeach President Donald Trump .
Another account in the network then posted a video of anti-Gardner Twitter replies , falsely inflating the extent of online opposition to the senator , according to a Feb. 12 report from the cybersecurity company FireEye .
“ They have aimed messaging at various influential individuals based on those individuals ’ stances toward matters that are relevant to Iranian interests , ” said a FireEye spokesperson .
FireEye stopped short of claiming impersonators worked for or in coordination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts sent “ anti-Saudi , anti-Israeli , and anti-Trump messaging ” that can be linked to Iran “ based on both promoted narratives and limited technical indicators.
” In some cases , the accounts made personal posts in Persian years before adopting American personas and posting political messages in English .
Gardner , a Yuma Republican , is a frequent critic of Iranian leaders .
He opposed former President Barack Obama ’ s nuclear deal with Iran and supported the killing of Qassem Soleimani , an Iranian military leader , earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those two topics , according to FireEye analysts , cheering the nuclear deal and criticizing Soleimani ’ s killing .
“ I had been briefed by the FBI that we would be the target of foreign interference , not only over Iran but China as well , ” Gardner said in an interview Friday .
“ So , this report is the smoking gun that that ’ s actually happened.
” Gardner said he and other members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee were told by the FBI several months ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely be targets of foreign interference .
He said the FireEye report shows social media companies need to remain vigilant and transparent .
“ I ’ ve been very hard on the radical leadership of Iran and have stood up against them .
They , obviously , believe they want to manipulate people to try to interfere with the election for their purposes , because they may want somebody else in this ( Senate ) seat who ’ s not as tough on Iran , ” said Gardner , who is running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report does not allege Iranians tried to shift the results of upcoming elections .
Last year , FireEye determined the pro-Iranian disinformation network impersonated congressional candidates , published letters to the editor in American newspapers , and posed as journalists to interview American officials , activists and citizens .
In 2018 , FireEye found Iranians likely used a network of inauthentic news websites and social media accounts to promote Iranian political narratives online .
“ Ultimately , what Iran , Russia and China are trying to do is reduce the trust in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Gardner said of disinformation efforts .
“ I have always said this is something I take seriously .
I ’ ve acted against Russia appropriately and have taken a number of steps against Iran .
”

U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner was targeted by an online disinformation operation designed to support Iranian political interests, according to a report from a cybersecurity firm. The senator says he was warned by the FBI months ago that it could happen.
In mid-February, social media companies took action against 11 Facebook and Instagram accounts, along with nearly 40 on Twitter, that are believed to have been part of the pro-Iranian operation. Last year, the network of accounts was caught impersonating Republican candidates on social media.
At least one account posing as an American within the disinformation operation replied to an October 2019 tweet from Gardner, telling him to impeach President Donald Trump. Another account in the network then posted a video of anti-Gardner Twitter replies, falsely inflating the extent of online opposition to the senator, according to a Feb. 12 report from the cybersecurity company FireEye.
“They have aimed messaging at various influential individuals based on those individuals’ stances toward matters that are relevant to Iranian interests,” said a FireEye spokesperson.
FireEye stopped short of claiming impersonators worked for or in coordination with the Iranian government but said the accounts sent “anti-Saudi, anti-Israeli, and anti-Trump messaging” that can be linked to Iran “based on both promoted narratives and limited technical indicators.” In some cases, the accounts made personal posts in Persian years before adopting American personas and posting political messages in English.
Gardner, a Yuma Republican, is a frequent critic of Iranian leaders. He opposed former President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran and supported the killing of Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian military leader, earlier this year. The impersonator network frequently focused on those two topics, according to FireEye analysts, cheering the nuclear deal and criticizing Soleimani’s killing.
“I had been briefed by the FBI that we would be the target of foreign interference, not only over Iran but China as well,” Gardner said in an interview Friday. “So, this report is the smoking gun that that’s actually happened.”
Gardner said he and other members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee were told by the FBI several months ago that some members of the committee would likely be targets of foreign interference. He said the FireEye report shows social media companies need to remain vigilant and transparent.
“I’ve been very hard on the radical leadership of Iran and have stood up against them. They, obviously, believe they want to manipulate people to try to interfere with the election for their purposes, because they may want somebody else in this (Senate) seat who’s not as tough on Iran,” said Gardner, who is running for re-election this year. FireEye’s report does not allege Iranians tried to shift the results of upcoming elections.
Last year, FireEye determined the pro-Iranian disinformation network impersonated congressional candidates, published letters to the editor in American newspapers, and posed as journalists to interview American officials, activists and citizens. In 2018, FireEye found Iranians likely used a network of inauthentic news websites and social media accounts to promote Iranian political narratives online.
“Ultimately, what Iran, Russia and China are trying to do is reduce the trust in our institutions and the integrity of our elections,” Gardner said of disinformation efforts. “I have always said this is something I take seriously. I’ve acted against Russia appropriately and have taken a number of steps against Iran.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Combine Journal: Invitation to Von Miller’s pass-rush summit beneficial to Tulsa’s Trevis Gipson

INDIANAPOLIS — Tulsa defensive end/outside linebacker Trevis Gipson attended Cedar Hill High School in Texas , located about six miles from DeSoto High , the alma mater of Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller .
That proximity has created a connection between Gipson and Miller .
In the Tulsa media guide , Gipson listed Miller as his favorite player and last summer Miller invited Gipson to attend his pass-rush summit in Las Vegas .
“ Just being around him and ( the Rams ’ ) Aaron Donald and all those guys was a great blessing and it wouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here this week at the scouting combine .
Gipson appreciated how Miller took time to give him valuable instruction .
“ He gave me a lot of tips — film review , how to take care of my body , having mental toughness — a lot of things I was able to take into my senior year and my stats overall showed that , ” said Gipson , who has not interviewed with the Broncos .
Projected as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 base and a sub-package defensive end , Gipson doubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and increased his tackle for loss total from nine to 15 .
Keene tests well .
Virginia Tech tight end/Littleton native Dalton Keene had a solid showing in the on-field workouts .
Keene was first in the broad jump ( 125 inches ) and 20-yard shuttle ( 4.19 seconds ) , third in the three-cone drill ( 7.07 seconds ) , tied for fourth in the bench press ( 21 ) and fifth in the 40-yard dash ( 4.71 seconds ) among tight ends .
Less is better ?
Mississippi running back Scottie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior can actually help his stock and he will enter the NFL with fresh legs .
“ Hopefully it does , ” he said .
“ I didn ’ t have a big workload so I can come right in and take on a role being a rotational back and do anything they need me to do.
” Phillips ( 5-foot-8/209 pounds ) entered 2019 with momentum , having gained 926 yards on 153 carries ( 12 touchdowns ) as a junior .
Under new offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez , Phillips carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , but only 40 attempts thereafter .
“ It started out being frustrating because I wasn ’ t getting the touches I thought I should , but then it made me a better teammate because I tried to do the extra things to help , ” said Phillips , who led all running backs at the combine with 29 bench-press reps. Footnotes .
North Carolina State defensive lineman Larrell Murchison ’ s first year on campus as a junior college transfer was Bradley Chubb ’ s final year .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murchison said of Chubb , who was drafted fifth overall by the Broncos in 2018 .
“ He ’ s going to laugh , but he ’ s going to work hard and he ’ s going to show you how to work .
Cool guy and great guy.
” … The Broncos had an informal meeting with Montana inside linebacker Dante Olson , who led FCS with a school-record 179 tackles in 2019 .

INDIANAPOLIS — Tulsa defensive end/outside linebacker Trevis Gipson attended Cedar Hill High School in Texas, located about six miles from DeSoto High, the alma mater of Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller.
That proximity has created a connection between Gipson and Miller.
In the Tulsa media guide, Gipson listed Miller as his favorite player and last summer Miller invited Gipson to attend his pass-rush summit in Las Vegas.
“Just being around him and (the Rams’) Aaron Donald and all those guys was a great blessing and it wouldn’t have happened without Von,” Gipson said here this week at the scouting combine.
Gipson appreciated how Miller took time to give him valuable instruction.
“He gave me a lot of tips — film review, how to take care of my body, having mental toughness — a lot of things I was able to take into my senior year and my stats overall showed that,” said Gipson, who has not interviewed with the Broncos.
Projected as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 base and a sub-package defensive end, Gipson doubled his sack total to eight in 2019 and increased his tackle for loss total from nine to 15.
Keene tests well. Virginia Tech tight end/Littleton native Dalton Keene had a solid showing in the on-field workouts. Keene was first in the broad jump (125 inches) and 20-yard shuttle (4.19 seconds), third in the three-cone drill (7.07 seconds), tied for fourth in the bench press (21) and fifth in the 40-yard dash (4.71 seconds) among tight ends.
Less is better? Mississippi running back Scottie Phillips is hoping a decreased role as a senior can actually help his stock and he will enter the NFL with fresh legs.
“Hopefully it does,” he said. “I didn’t have a big workload so I can come right in and take on a role being a rotational back and do anything they need me to do.”
Phillips (5-foot-8/209 pounds) entered 2019 with momentum, having gained 926 yards on 153 carries (12 touchdowns) as a junior. Under new offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez, Phillips carried 85 times in the first four games last year, but only 40 attempts thereafter.
“It started out being frustrating because I wasn’t getting the touches I thought I should, but then it made me a better teammate because I tried to do the extra things to help,” said Phillips, who led all running backs at the combine with 29 bench-press reps.
Footnotes. North Carolina State defensive lineman Larrell Murchison’s first year on campus as a junior college transfer was Bradley Chubb’s final year. “He’s a funny guy,” Murchison said of Chubb, who was drafted fifth overall by the Broncos in 2018. “He’s going to laugh, but he’s going to work hard and he’s going to show you how to work. Cool guy and great guy.” … The Broncos had an informal meeting with Montana inside linebacker Dante Olson, who led FCS with a school-record 179 tackles in 2019.


thedenverpost--2020-02-28--Nuggets’ Will Barton remembers his favorite player, Kobe Bryant: “It’s hard to process”

LOS ANGELES – Nuggets veteran Will Barton confirmed the news of Kobe Bryant ’ s death before most major news outlets had .
As news began trickling out , beginning with the initial report from TMZ , Barton phoned an associate of Bryant and found out that he was indeed on the helicopter that had crashed on Sunday morning , Jan. 26 .
It was hours later , after the Nuggets had beaten the Rockets in a dazed , emotional victory , that the players learned of Gigi Bryant ’ s death , along with seven others .
Back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tragedy , Barton reflected Friday on the moment he found out his favorite player had died and how he ’ s dealt with the news over the past month .
“ It ’ s hard to process , ” Barton said at Friday ’ s shootaround at Staples Center , hours before the Nuggets faced the Clippers .
“ It ’ s still a little fresh .
Anytime you lose somebody like that , so sudden , you just try to remember him .
I try to watch highlights of him and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Since the tragedy , the court has been his haven .
“ That ’ s how I cope with things , anything that goes on in my life , any tragedy , death , ” Barton said .
“ Those two , three hours I ’ m on the court , it helps take my mind off everything and I can just focus on basketball , so I needed it .
You don ’ t even want to think about it , and then after that whistle blows , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Barton collected the SLAM magazine covers featuring Bryant ’ s mug .
To face off against him before he retired in 2016 meant everything to Barton .
“ Every time he guarded me , it was always something I looked forward to and was special , ” Barton said .

LOS ANGELES – Nuggets veteran Will Barton confirmed the news of Kobe Bryant’s death before most major news outlets had.
As news began trickling out, beginning with the initial report from TMZ, Barton phoned an associate of Bryant and found out that he was indeed on the helicopter that had crashed on Sunday morning, Jan. 26. It was hours later, after the Nuggets had beaten the Rockets in a dazed, emotional victory, that the players learned of Gigi Bryant’s death, along with seven others.
Back in Los Angeles for the first time since the tragedy, Barton reflected Friday on the moment he found out his favorite player had died and how he’s dealt with the news over the past month.
“It’s hard to process,” Barton said at Friday’s shootaround at Staples Center, hours before the Nuggets faced the Clippers. “It’s still a little fresh. Anytime you lose somebody like that, so sudden, you just try to remember him. I try to watch highlights of him and play hard in his honor every night.”
Since the tragedy, the court has been his haven.
“That’s how I cope with things, anything that goes on in my life, any tragedy, death,” Barton said. “Those two, three hours I’m on the court, it helps take my mind off everything and I can just focus on basketball, so I needed it. You don’t even want to think about it, and then after that whistle blows, it’s back to reality.”
As a kid, Barton collected the SLAM magazine covers featuring Bryant’s mug. To face off against him before he retired in 2016 meant everything to Barton.
“Every time he guarded me, it was always something I looked forward to and was special,” Barton said.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Jamie Anderson wins women’s slopestyle finals at Burton U.S. Open 2020

The most classic 1-2 combination in women ’ s slopestyle snowboarding , Jamie Anderson and Anna Gasser , topped the podium on Friday at the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships in Vail .
Anderson , 29 , said in a sport where podium competitors are getting younger , she was happy to see a couple of veteran competitors make a statement on Friday .
“ We hold each other up because we ’ re a couple of 90s kids , everybody else was born in the 2000s and up , ” Anderson said of Gasser and their competition these days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990 , started competing at the Burton US Open 13 years ago .
Defending champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was six years old at the time , and Anna Gasser was a teenager just learning to snowboard .
Anderson and Gasser also shared a podium at the Burton US Open five years ago .
Since then , they have pushed the progression of women ’ s slopestyle snowboarding into the realm of double flips , double corks and all other varieties of tricks that involved getting inverted twice .
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent straight to your inbox .

Jamie Anderson clinched her 8th #BurtonUSOpen title, landing a solid run during round one of the #BurtonUSOpen Women's Slopestyle Finals, and she was able to hang onto the lead for the rest of the competition. pic.twitter.com/OqMYpoXBap — Burton Snowboards (@burtonsnowboard) February 28, 2020
The most classic 1-2 combination in women’s slopestyle snowboarding, Jamie Anderson and Anna Gasser, topped the podium on Friday at the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships in Vail.
Anderson, 29, said in a sport where podium competitors are getting younger, she was happy to see a couple of veteran competitors make a statement on Friday.
“We hold each other up because we’re a couple of 90s kids, everybody else was born in the 2000s and up,” Anderson said of Gasser and their competition these days.
Anderson, who was born in 1990, started competing at the Burton US Open 13 years ago. Defending champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was six years old at the time, and Anna Gasser was a teenager just learning to snowboard.
Anderson and Gasser also shared a podium at the Burton US Open five years ago. Since then, they have pushed the progression of women’s slopestyle snowboarding into the realm of double flips, double corks and all other varieties of tricks that involved getting inverted twice.
Read more on Vail Daily.
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thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Denver jazz shows you have to see in March: Bill Frisell, Thundercat and more

Colorado music lovers know that the internationally respected guitarist Bill Frisell grew up in Denver , and attended the artist-friendly East High School .
Now 68 , Frisell ’ s latest project , Harmony , appears at the Boulder Theater on March 3 .
The quartet , which features the brilliant-beyond-categorization vocalist Petra Haden ( daughter of bassist and jazz legend Charlie Haden , ) cellist Hank Roberts and bassist-guitarist Luke Bergman , released a dreamlike , self-titled album on Blue Note Records last year .
“ Harmony ” provides an appropriately spacey setting for Frisell ’ s otherworldly guitar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a lovely collection that this able quartet should be able to replicate easily onstage in Boulder .
Tickets range from $ 25-30 and can be had at bouldertheater.com .
Joanne Brackeen is a towering figure in the history of jazz piano .
Admired for her astonishing technique , she released an excellent run of albums in the beleaguered 1970s , a time when jazz was allegedly dead ( it wasn ’ t . )
Earlier in her career , Brackeen also shared the stage with mentors whose names are now part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Art Blakey , Stan Getz and Joe Henderson stand out among the giants .
She hasn ’ t released a new album under her own name in nearly two decades , but Brackeen is back at Dazzle for two shows on March 16 .
Crowned a NEA Jazz Master in 2018 , Brackeen ’ s powers as an artist are undiminished .
Get tickets ( $ 15-35 ) at dazzledenver.com .
For multiple years , veteran guitarist Earl Klugh has presented a “ Weekend of Jazz ” at The Broadmoor Hotel and Resort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swear by it , and the event returns March 27-28 .
Klugh will bring trumpeter Chris Botti and saxophonist Boney James to the Broadmoor stage , and there are ticket packages , VIP Artist Experiences , accommodations and more at broadmoor.com .
Now well into his 80s , every new release from saxophonist and bandleader Charles Lloyd is something precious .
There ’ s a new , extended live set out on his latest label ( and he ’ s recorded for pretty much all of them by now ) , Blue Note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Live From the Lobero ) ” was recorded two years ago , and what ’ s most notable is how vital Lloyd sounds throughout .
It ’ s something of a “ greatest hits ” collection , with new interpretations of his best-known compositions , like “ Forest Flower ” and a searching take of “ Dream Weaver , ” in which he always was , and still is , at his most Coltrane-esque .
Lloyd ’ s most dedicated followers will want to contrast his boundless energy on the Lobero set with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( TCB The Montreux Jazz Label ) ” collection , recorded at Montreux in 1967 , and be in silent awe of how his magnificent tone , invention and devotion have remained the same for 50 plus years .
How does he do it ?
And more jazz : Trumpeter Brad Goode , a forward-thinking artist and educator , appears at the Broomfield Auditorium on March 4 .
… Acclaimed violinst Regina Carter plays for two nights at Dazzle , March 4 and 5 .
… Bassist Thundercat , impossible to pigeonhole but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plays the Ogden Theatre on March 12 .
… The Special EFX All Stars take to the Soiled Dove Underground stage on March 12 .
… Yellowjackets descend on Dazzle March 14 , the same night the Amend and Claxton Quartet appear at Nocturne .
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , In The Know , to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox .

Colorado music lovers know that the internationally respected guitarist Bill Frisell grew up in Denver, and attended the artist-friendly East High School. Now 68, Frisell’s latest project, Harmony, appears at the Boulder Theater on March 3.
The quartet, which features the brilliant-beyond-categorization vocalist Petra Haden (daughter of bassist and jazz legend Charlie Haden,) cellist Hank Roberts and bassist-guitarist Luke Bergman, released a dreamlike, self-titled album on Blue Note Records last year. “Harmony” provides an appropriately spacey setting for Frisell’s otherworldly guitar and Haden’s vocals. It’s a lovely collection that this able quartet should be able to replicate easily onstage in Boulder. Tickets range from $25-30 and can be had at bouldertheater.com.
***
Joanne Brackeen is a towering figure in the history of jazz piano. Admired for her astonishing technique, she released an excellent run of albums in the beleaguered 1970s, a time when jazz was allegedly dead (it wasn’t.) Earlier in her career, Brackeen also shared the stage with mentors whose names are now part of the music’s lore: Art Blakey, Stan Getz and Joe Henderson stand out among the giants.
She hasn’t released a new album under her own name in nearly two decades, but Brackeen is back at Dazzle for two shows on March 16. Crowned a NEA Jazz Master in 2018, Brackeen’s powers as an artist are undiminished. Get tickets ($15-35) at dazzledenver.com.
***
For multiple years, veteran guitarist Earl Klugh has presented a “Weekend of Jazz” at The Broadmoor Hotel and Resort in Colorado Springs. Smooth Jazz aficionados swear by it, and the event returns March 27-28.
Klugh will bring trumpeter Chris Botti and saxophonist Boney James to the Broadmoor stage, and there are ticket packages, VIP Artist Experiences, accommodations and more at broadmoor.com.
***
Now well into his 80s, every new release from saxophonist and bandleader Charles Lloyd is something precious. There’s a new, extended live set out on his latest label (and he’s recorded for pretty much all of them by now), Blue Note.
“8: Kindred Spirits (Live From the Lobero)” was recorded two years ago, and what’s most notable is how vital Lloyd sounds throughout. It’s something of a “greatest hits” collection, with new interpretations of his best-known compositions, like “Forest Flower” and a searching take of “Dream Weaver,” in which he always was, and still is, at his most Coltrane-esque.
Lloyd’s most dedicated followers will want to contrast his boundless energy on the Lobero set with the recently released “Swiss Radio Days (TCB The Montreux Jazz Label)” collection, recorded at Montreux in 1967, and be in silent awe of how his magnificent tone, invention and devotion have remained the same for 50 plus years. How does he do it?
***
And more jazz: Trumpeter Brad Goode, a forward-thinking artist and educator, appears at the Broomfield Auditorium on March 4. … Acclaimed violinst Regina Carter plays for two nights at Dazzle, March 4 and 5. … Bassist Thundercat, impossible to pigeonhole but definitely involved in facets of jazz, plays the Ogden Theatre on March 12. … The Special EFX All Stars take to the Soiled Dove Underground stage on March 12. … Yellowjackets descend on Dazzle March 14, the same night the Amend and Claxton Quartet appear at Nocturne.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--An opera star, a Newman Center concert and a powerful performance about being a black man in America

Classical compositions come — and then go — with surprising frequency these days , with new commissions premiering regularly on the programs of orchestras , opera companies and string quartets .
Pieces arrive with great fanfare , only to disappear forever after their debut .
Some very good works are never heard again .
But composer Tyshawn Sorey ’ s “ Cycles of My Being ” is beating the odds .
The six-part song cycle for tenor voice with piano accompaniment debuted in February 2018 , and has only gained momentum , with encore performances taking place in cities large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Much of that success has to do with its singer , and champion , Lawrence Brownlee , who also commissioned the work and had a hand in its creation .
He performs the cycle in Denver on March 4 , part of a program of art songs presented by Friends of Chamber Music at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts .
Brownlee is a major figure in the opera field , a rare singer who manages to sustain a formal career with lead roles in staged operas by Rossini and other masters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , solo concerts .
His star power lands bookings for the song cycle and sells tickets .
The success of “ Cycles of My Being , ” though , has more to do with its subject matter .
The piece is meant to relay to audiences the psychic realities of what it is like to be a black man in America in the 21st century .
It ’ s raw and full of purpose , fueled by current events and unrelenting social anxiety .
It ’ s also quite poetic , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant contributions from Brownlee himself .
Hayes , Sorey and Brownlee are all black men , and that is relevant .
Brownlee said he watched with growing concern over the past few years as incidents of brutality against African-Americans sparked violence and backlash .
“ Freddie Gray and Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin , and so many other people , so many other people , ” he said in an interview last week .
“ You think about them as a black man , ” he said .
“ You sit there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this could be me , or my cousin , or a friend of mine , or someone close to me . '
” The situation was , he said , overwhelming for a time .
“ It ’ s just like we ’ re talking about the coronavirus today — but that was the pandemic .
That was the thing that was everywhere .
You saw it in California , you saw it in Baltimore , you saw all over New York City.
” He decided to respond in song , recruiting his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The goal wasn ’ t to rehash the violence , but to acknowledge it as part of the everyday existence of black men and to discuss how that feels .
“ We want to deliver this message that is raw , that is straight in your face , but in a way that people can digest it .
You know , some things you just kind of have to let out.
” Not much is held back , starting with the opening section , titled “ Inhale , Exhale , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms .
“ Do you love the air in me , as I love the air in you ?
” It ’ s a rhetorical question that gets at the essence of humanity .
We all breathe the same air , yet we focus on the things that make us different , particularly race .
“ Cycles of My Being ” dives into how that manifests into separation , oppression .
It is subtle , overt , passive , often wrapped in disguise .
Hate is powerful , all encompassing , and enrapturing.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in first-person , and via the persuasive voice of a performer who has been praised equally as both a singer and actor .
That ups its authority and intimacy and can make it difficult to hear .
“ Cycles of My Being ” takes a classical music form — it ’ s written for piano and tenor — though it borrows heavily from other musical traditions , jazz for one , but also gospel , especially the section titled “ Whirlwind , ” where the singer addresses God directly .
“ It sounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of freedom in how I express it , which is reflective of how you hear something in church on Sunday , ” Brownlee said .
Sorey ’ s score takes its time letting things unravel ; it ’ s paced and deliberate , and direct in the way it carries these sometimes troubling inner thoughts .
“ You absolutely feel pain and you absolutely feel tension , ” Brownlee said .
“ You feel an unrest , an unsteadiness , an unevenness , and that was intentional.
” That said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final section is titled “ Each Day I Rise , I Know , ” and that ’ s meant to inspire some hope , a recognition that , for black men , these can be troubled times , but that there are still things to be thankful for .
The text keeps that notion real , rather than letting it fall into some happy-ending cliché .
“ I have something to praise “ We talk about hope , we talk about love , we talk about something to be thankful for , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Maya Angelou in the words .
Interestingly , “ Cycles of My Being ” holds its discussion of blackness with mostly white audiences .
It plays to the opera crowd , which is not known for its diversity .
One recent performance took place in Provo , Utah , before an audience that was “ 99.9 percent Caucasian , ” as Brownlee puts it .
But that ’ s an opportunity , he believes , to share these honest thoughts with people who don ’ t have opportunities to hear them — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person and not so productively .
The listeners were rapt in Provo , he said , and the event provoked rich discussions .
Brownlee is on a personal mission to diversify audiences in opera .
He serves as an ambassador for the field , introducing it to new consumers through smaller concerts , often partnering with local groups that serve non-opera-going constituents .
He also has a pitch to opera companies about doing their part to lure new faces .
That is part programming and part marketing — making sure publicity and ticketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color .
“ If they see diversity , then people will be more likely to say , ‘ Hey , even though I didn ’ t really know about it , perhaps I ’ m likely to go and support it.
’ And then perhaps that person who had never been exposed to it could fall in love with an art form that they never thought they would.
” He ’ d like to see that happen , and from his own unique perspective on stage , as a black performer in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I say it ’ s important to see an artist who looks like me on the stage , ” he said .
“ It would be equally wonderful if I could look out at the audience and see people who look like me.
” Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , In The Know , to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox .

Classical compositions come — and then go — with surprising frequency these days, with new commissions premiering regularly on the programs of orchestras, opera companies and string quartets.
Pieces arrive with great fanfare, only to disappear forever after their debut. Some very good works are never heard again.
But composer Tyshawn Sorey’s “Cycles of My Being” is beating the odds. The six-part song cycle for tenor voice with piano accompaniment debuted in February 2018, and has only gained momentum, with encore performances taking place in cities large and small across the United States.
If you go Tenor Lawrence Brownlee and pianist Myra Huang perform a recital of classical songs Wednesday, March 4, at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Denver campus. Info and tickets at 303-871-7720 or friendsofchambermusic.com.
Much of that success has to do with its singer, and champion, Lawrence Brownlee, who also commissioned the work and had a hand in its creation. He performs the cycle in Denver on March 4, part of a program of art songs presented by Friends of Chamber Music at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts.
Brownlee is a major figure in the opera field, a rare singer who manages to sustain a formal career with lead roles in staged operas by Rossini and other masters, while simultaneously wowing audiences at smaller, solo concerts. His star power lands bookings for the song cycle and sells tickets.
The success of “Cycles of My Being,” though, has more to do with its subject matter. The piece is meant to relay to audiences the psychic realities of what it is like to be a black man in America in the 21st century. It’s raw and full of purpose, fueled by current events and unrelenting social anxiety. It’s also quite poetic, with a text penned by Terrance Hayes, with significant contributions from Brownlee himself.
Hayes, Sorey and Brownlee are all black men, and that is relevant.
Brownlee said he watched with growing concern over the past few years as incidents of brutality against African-Americans sparked violence and backlash. “Freddie Gray and Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin, and so many other people, so many other people,” he said in an interview last week.
“You think about them as a black man,” he said. “You sit there and you think, ‘My gosh, this could be me, or my cousin, or a friend of mine, or someone close to me.’”
The situation was, he said, overwhelming for a time.
“It’s just like we’re talking about the coronavirus today — but that was the pandemic. That was the thing that was everywhere. You saw it in California, you saw it in Baltimore, you saw all over New York City.”
He decided to respond in song, recruiting his composer and lyricist to create the cycle. The goal wasn’t to rehash the violence, but to acknowledge it as part of the everyday existence of black men and to discuss how that feels.
“We want to deliver this message that is raw, that is straight in your face, but in a way that people can digest it. You know, some things you just kind of have to let out.”
Not much is held back, starting with the opening section, titled “Inhale, Exhale,” which frames the discussion of race in stark terms.
“America, I hear you hiss and stare”
“Do you love the air in me, as I love the air in you?”
It’s a rhetorical question that gets at the essence of humanity. We all breathe the same air, yet we focus on the things that make us different, particularly race. “Cycles of My Being” dives into how that manifests into separation, oppression.
The fourth section is titled “Hate:”
Hate takes on many shapes.
It is subtle, overt, passive, often wrapped in disguise.
Hate wears white sheets, black suits, high heels, and boots.
Hate is powerful, all encompassing, and enrapturing.”
But the piece is mostly rendered in first-person, and via the persuasive voice of a performer who has been praised equally as both a singer and actor. That ups its authority and intimacy and can make it difficult to hear.
“Cycles of My Being” takes a classical music form — it’s written for piano and tenor — though it borrows heavily from other musical traditions, jazz for one, but also gospel, especially the section titled “Whirlwind,” where the singer addresses God directly.
“It sounds like an improvisation where there’s a lot of freedom in how I express it, which is reflective of how you hear something in church on Sunday,” Brownlee said.
Sorey’s score takes its time letting things unravel; it’s paced and deliberate, and direct in the way it carries these sometimes troubling inner thoughts. “You absolutely feel pain and you absolutely feel tension,” Brownlee said. “You feel an unrest, an unsteadiness, an unevenness, and that was intentional.”
That said, it has moments of uplift. The final section is titled “Each Day I Rise, I Know,” and that’s meant to inspire some hope, a recognition that, for black men, these can be troubled times, but that there are still things to be thankful for. The text keeps that notion real, rather than letting it fall into some happy-ending cliché.
“I have something to praise
Sunbreak toothpaste hair glaze
Mirror gaze a flute of blue jays
Moaning, amazing & misbehaving
Each day I rise, I know.”
“We talk about hope, we talk about love, we talk about something to be thankful for,” said Brownlee, who acknowledges the influence of Maya Angelou in the words.
Interestingly, “Cycles of My Being” holds its discussion of blackness with mostly white audiences. It plays to the opera crowd, which is not known for its diversity. One recent performance took place in Provo, Utah, before an audience that was “99.9 percent Caucasian,” as Brownlee puts it.
But that’s an opportunity, he believes, to share these honest thoughts with people who don’t have opportunities to hear them — at least, perhaps, not in person and not so productively. The listeners were rapt in Provo, he said, and the event provoked rich discussions.
Brownlee is on a personal mission to diversify audiences in opera. He serves as an ambassador for the field, introducing it to new consumers through smaller concerts, often partnering with local groups that serve non-opera-going constituents.
He also has a pitch to opera companies about doing their part to lure new faces. That is part programming and part marketing — making sure publicity and ticketing materials include the faces of people of color.
“If they see diversity, then people will be more likely to say, ‘Hey, even though I didn’t really know about it, perhaps I’m likely to go and support it.’ And then perhaps that person who had never been exposed to it could fall in love with an art form that they never thought they would.”
He’d like to see that happen, and from his own unique perspective on stage, as a black performer in a music field where racial diversity remains rare.
“I say it’s important to see an artist who looks like me on the stage,” he said. “It would be equally wonderful if I could look out at the audience and see people who look like me.”
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-03-01--Ski racers abandoning wax that improves speed amid fears that its toxic

MONTPELIER , Vt. — At ski races across the United States , competitors are starting to abandon a type of wax many count on for speed amid concerns it contains toxic chemicals that threatens human health and could reach streams and other critical groundwater sources .
The International Ski Federation , the governing body for international skiing , announced plans to ban the use of fluorinated waxes in all disciplines next season .
These waxes contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances , collectively known as PFAS .
They are commonplace in the environment and have been linked to a growing list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skiing Co. among those saying goodbye to ski wax , hello to Phantom Nordiq Canada , the governing body for cross country skiing in Canada , also prohibited high and medium fluorinated waxes in most cross-country races this season .
The Norwegian Ski Association , meanwhile , banned the use of fluorinated glide wax — used in both classic and skate skiing — for all athletes under age 16 two years ago .
That leaves skiers to use hydrocarbon waxes on their skis .
“ I ’ m very happy with the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sverre Caldwell , director of the SMS T2 team of elite cross-country ski racers , including U.S .
Ski Team members , based at Stratton Mountain in Vermont .
“ For two reasons : one is the potential danger and the other is , anything that kind of evens the playing field is good to me .
It should be the athletes racing not the skis racing.
” The move to shift away from those particular waxes goes well beyond the professional circuit and the skiers themselves .
In Vermont , the VPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop using all fluorinated glide waxes this season and in Maine high fluoro waxes were banned at the state championship .
Wax technicians , coaches and athletes have been heating the so-called fluoro waxes with irons on the base of skis and then scraping it off for years — often in wax rooms and trailers before a race .
Many now wear masks and work in highly ventilated areas and wonder if they have suffered any health problems from all that exposure to the wax .
“ The jury ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next couple of years about what that meant for them , ” said Jeff Clarke , a former U.S. cross-country ski team director , who is now coaching the Stowe Middle/High School Nordic team in Vermont .
While coaches say they are ready for a ban , until the FIS rules go into effect , the waxes still will be used in national races and they worry about how the FIS ban will be enforced .
The waxes make a bigger difference in cross country skiing , particularly in warmer conditions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The International Ski Federation says it ’ s looking at many options for testing for the presence of the fluoro waxes and has not yet determined what will be the best approach .
“ The trick is going to be finding a test because right now they ’ re the fastest thing , ” Caldwell said .
“ People will cheat at that level given the opportunity.
” Meanwhile , wax companies are working on alternatives .
So far , much of the PFAS contamination has been linked to firefighting foam at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and packaging material that contains PFAS .
But supporters of the bans point to one site in Vermont to show that the wax can foul drinking water supplies .
A well at the site where National Guard biathletes , the U.S. Biathlon Association and the University of Vermont Nordic team train has been found to have PFAS above the state ’ s interim standards for safe drinking water .
The well is currently not used for drinking water , according to the Guard .
“ Since there are no other potential sources in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the supposition is that the use of high fluorinated waxes by the biathletes has contributed to the PFAS found in the well , ” said Lee Ann Banks , environmental compliance manager for the Vermont Army National Guard .
The waxes , however , give cross country skiers the upper edge on race day .
“ It makes a huge difference , ” said Richard Rokos , head coach of skiing at the University of Colorado .
“ Skis are gliding better , it has less resistance .
In reality it saves you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Still he supports the ban .
“ I think the goal of Nordic coaches is to eliminate the fluoro waxes and in the end of it to have uniform wax for every race , for every skier which will in that sense it will probably be more just because it will be human performance , ” Rokos said .
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter , The Adventurist , to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox .

MONTPELIER, Vt. — At ski races across the United States, competitors are starting to abandon a type of wax many count on for speed amid concerns it contains toxic chemicals that threatens human health and could reach streams and other critical groundwater sources.
The International Ski Federation, the governing body for international skiing, announced plans to ban the use of fluorinated waxes in all disciplines next season.
These waxes contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS. They are commonplace in the environment and have been linked to a growing list of health problems.
RELATED: Aspen Skiing Co. among those saying goodbye to ski wax, hello to Phantom
Nordiq Canada, the governing body for cross country skiing in Canada, also prohibited high and medium fluorinated waxes in most cross-country races this season. The Norwegian Ski Association, meanwhile, banned the use of fluorinated glide wax — used in both classic and skate skiing — for all athletes under age 16 two years ago.
That leaves skiers to use hydrocarbon waxes on their skis.
“I’m very happy with the decision not to use it,” said Sverre Caldwell, director of the SMS T2 team of elite cross-country ski racers, including U.S. Ski Team members, based at Stratton Mountain in Vermont. “For two reasons: one is the potential danger and the other is, anything that kind of evens the playing field is good to me. It should be the athletes racing not the skis racing.”
The move to shift away from those particular waxes goes well beyond the professional circuit and the skiers themselves. In Vermont, the VPA Nordic High School Coaches Association decided to stop using all fluorinated glide waxes this season and in Maine high fluoro waxes were banned at the state championship.
Wax technicians, coaches and athletes have been heating the so-called fluoro waxes with irons on the base of skis and then scraping it off for years — often in wax rooms and trailers before a race. Many now wear masks and work in highly ventilated areas and wonder if they have suffered any health problems from all that exposure to the wax.
“The jury’s going to start coming back with a verdict in the next couple of years about what that meant for them,” said Jeff Clarke, a former U.S. cross-country ski team director, who is now coaching the Stowe Middle/High School Nordic team in Vermont.
While coaches say they are ready for a ban, until the FIS rules go into effect, the waxes still will be used in national races and they worry about how the FIS ban will be enforced.
The waxes make a bigger difference in cross country skiing, particularly in warmer conditions, than in alpine skiing, coaches say.
The International Ski Federation says it’s looking at many options for testing for the presence of the fluoro waxes and has not yet determined what will be the best approach.
“The trick is going to be finding a test because right now they’re the fastest thing,” Caldwell said. “People will cheat at that level given the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, wax companies are working on alternatives.
So far, much of the PFAS contamination has been linked to firefighting foam at military bases and household products like carpet and packaging material that contains PFAS.
But supporters of the bans point to one site in Vermont to show that the wax can foul drinking water supplies.
A well at the site where National Guard biathletes, the U.S. Biathlon Association and the University of Vermont Nordic team train has been found to have PFAS above the state’s interim standards for safe drinking water. The well is currently not used for drinking water, according to the Guard.#newsletter_ad {float: right;width: 40%;padding: 0.5em;border-left: 2px solid #EDB207;margin-bottom: .2em;margin-left: .5em;}@media (max-width:416px){#newsletter_ad {width:100%;}
“Since there are no other potential sources in the vicinity of the biathlon well, the supposition is that the use of high fluorinated waxes by the biathletes has contributed to the PFAS found in the well,” said Lee Ann Banks, environmental compliance manager for the Vermont Army National Guard.
The waxes, however, give cross country skiers the upper edge on race day.
“It makes a huge difference,” said Richard Rokos, head coach of skiing at the University of Colorado. “Skis are gliding better, it has less resistance. In reality it saves you energy and gives you a better performance.” Still he supports the ban.
“I think the goal of Nordic coaches is to eliminate the fluoro waxes and in the end of it to have uniform wax for every race, for every skier which will in that sense it will probably be more just because it will be human performance,” Rokos said.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Adventurist, to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox.