thedenverpost--2020-07-17--DJ LeMahieu back with Yankees after recovering from COVID-19

NEW YORK — Second baseman DJ LeMahieu returned to the field for the New York Yankees on Friday after missing nearly two weeks with COVID-19 .
Manager Aaron Boone announced on July 4 that LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before traveling to New York and said they were self-isolating at home .
LeMahieu , a former Rockies second baseman , was not in the lineup for Friday ’ s intrasquad game but hit in a batting cage and was to take grounders on the field .
Boone wants LeMahieu to build up his legs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will be ready for Thursday night ’ s opener at Washington .
“ I don ’ t want to commit one way or the other , ” he said .
LeMahieu signed with the Yankees before the 2019 season and hit .327 .
He set career highs with 26 homers and 102 RBIs while splitting time among first , second and third .
He turned 32 on Monday .
Following the departure of shortstop Didi Gregorius as a free agent , LeMahieu is expected to be mostly a second baseman this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK — Second baseman DJ LeMahieu returned to the field for the New York Yankees on Friday after missing nearly two weeks with COVID-19.
Manager Aaron Boone announced on July 4 that LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before traveling to New York and said they were self-isolating at home.
LeMahieu, a former Rockies second baseman, was not in the lineup for Friday’s intrasquad game but hit in a batting cage and was to take grounders on the field. Boone wants LeMahieu to build up his legs and said it’s not clear whether he will be ready for Thursday night’s opener at Washington.
“I don’t want to commit one way or the other,” he said.
LeMahieu signed with the Yankees before the 2019 season and hit .327. He set career highs with 26 homers and 102 RBIs while splitting time among first, second and third. He turned 32 on Monday.
Following the departure of shortstop Didi Gregorius as a free agent, LeMahieu is expected to be mostly a second baseman this season as Gleyber Torres shifts to shortstop.


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Young Life says it’s for “every kid, everywhere.” Ex-participants in LGBTQ community say that’s neve

Young Life says it’s for “every kid, everywhere.” Ex-participants in LGBTQ community say that’s never been true.

In the summer of 2017 , Joshua Truitt was summoned for a chat over a presentation he was set to make to his campers at the Crooked Creek Ranch camp in Fraser .
The camp was run by Young Life — an international Christian ministry based in Colorado Springs — and had a tradition called cardboard testimonies , in which leaders present to their teen mentees something they struggled with before God entered their lives .
Truitt wanted to do his about being gay , a message that might let younger queer participants know they weren ’ t alone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ red picnic table , the Rocky Mountains towering before them .
The conversation quickly turned from small talk to a more serious tone about Truitt ’ s testimony topic — and his future in the organization .
After hearing about his sexuality , Young Life was uncomfortable with the volunteer leader sleeping in the same cabin as the campers , Truitt said staff told him .
All his one-on-one chats with the teens he had been mentoring all year needed to be done in public where others could see them , he recounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there didn ’ t explicitly call me a pedophile , ” Truitt said .
“ But it was very implied : Because I was gay , I was dangerous.
” Truitt ’ s experience stayed dormant for years .
But two weeks ago , he joined hundreds of people using the # DoBetterYoungLife hashtag on social media to share their raw , emotional stories of discrimination and trauma , of exclusion and heartbreak during their time in an organization that markets itself as a place for “ every kid , everywhere.
” Interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and staff , along with hundreds more social media stories , reveal an organization that bars members of the LGBTQ community from becoming leaders or working at camps , even after they ’ ve spent years volunteering .
Those involved with Young Life described a bait-and-switch that invites all to embrace their faith in a welcoming environment , only for some to realize that different rules applied to them .
In response to questions from The Denver Post , Young Life , in a statement , apologized to those who were hurt during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the creation of a new council “ to further review the stories of current and former members of the Young Life family who have come forward to share instances where they have experienced pain in our family based on their race , gender , sexual orientation or other factors.
” The council will be co-chaired by Young Life ’ s chief human resources officer and vice president of administrative services , who will assemble a “ diverse group of staff and non-staff ” to conduct this review , the organization said in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these stories and recommend the appropriate course of action in each case , ” Young Life said .
“ …The formation of this council is a next step in what we expect will be a long process of review , reflection , repentance and reform.
” As stories flood in from across the country , a coalition of former Young Life volunteers and staff has been pushing for the organization to confront what they allege are discriminatory policies toward the LGBTQ community , expand diversity training and open its doors to more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I was in Young Life , I thought I was the only person experiencing this , ” Truitt said .
“ But when all these are people are posting — not only LGBTQ people , but women facing sexism , others facing racism — it ’ s systemic within the organization.
” One post , then the floodgates opened It all started with one post .
In late June , Kent Thomas , a 30-year-old social worker from Tacoma , Washington , heard from a close female friend that Young Life recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — despite the fact the organization had booted that friend from a leadership position three years ago after finding out she was dating a woman .
Thomas was infuriated , but not surprised .
Young Life had been a central part of his existence since birth .
His parents were lifers and Thomas grew up going to camp with them until he could join Young Life in middle school .
“ As a kid growing up in Young Life , I definitely took the ways they looked at the world seriously , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a gay kid , I thought I was destined for hell unless I changed the way I felt about guys.
” At 24 , he came out of the closet and was fired from another religious organization .
So Thomas approached Young Life to see if he could lead along with his sister .
In an email to Thomas that he provided to The Post , a Young Life spokesperson told him the organization ’ s policy “ affirms the belief that we are created to experience sexual intimacy in the context @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and woman and those serving in leadership are expected to live within the context of this understanding.
” Finally , after his friend told him about the photo , Thomas was spurred to act .
On June 29 , he fired off a seven-paragraph post on Instagram .
“ Young Life says all queer kids are welcome , ” he wrote , “ but partial ‘ inclusion ’ at an arm ’ s length is even worse than overt exclusion .
It ’ s like making eye contact with someone and saying ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I love you ’ while gently shutting the door in the their face.
” Thomas ended the post by encouraging others to use # DoBetterYoungLife to tell their stories .
He figured maybe 20 others would see it , share it , and the whole thing would be over in a few days .
Instead , his post and subsequent Twitter thread were shared by thousands of people .
Soon , hundreds of former Young Life participants were posting their own stories under the same hashtag about how they felt Young Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closet , or forced them to “ act straight ” in order to stay in a community they couldn ’ t imagine being without .
“ Young Life became a deep place of anxiety for me , ” one person wrote on Instagram .
“ I will never be able to put into the words the damage that Young Life has caused me , ” another wrote .
Thomas was flooded with direct messages , thanking him for opening the door to a world many former volunteers thought might stay shut forever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healing to know I ’ m not alone , ” Thomas said , “ and also brought up wounds I thought I had healed from and moved beyond.
” What makes the Young Life experience so hurtful , according to those who spent years with the ministry , is that it brands itself as inclusive .
The organization , started in 1941 by a Texas minister , has grown exponentially over the decades .
Nearly 370,000 kids per week participate in Young Life programs from more than 8,500 schools and ministries across 104 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s website .
These programs and camps are powered by nearly 68,000 volunteers and 5,700 staff members worldwide .
“ Young Life doesn ’ t start with a program , ” the organization states in the first line of the “ About Young Life ” section of the website .
“ It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them , on their turf and in their culture , building bridges of authentic friendship.
” Under the “ Our Values ” section , the organization lists “ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all economic , cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
” Two items down on the list : diversity .
Young Life says there ’ s not one type of person that gets involved in the organization .
“ It ’ s for everyone , ” the organization says on its website .
That mission led Haeley Keilen to fall in love with Young Life ’ s special needs mentorship program as a senior in high school , enough to push her toward a career as a special education teacher .
The program made her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It just fit .
So Keilen signed up to volunteer at a Young Life summer camp in Michigan , and was elated when she was accepted .
A few days later , she said , one of Young Life ’ s area leaders texted her about getting coffee .
“ They said something like , ‘ I don ’ t know how to tell you this , but you can ’ t do work crew because you ’ re gay , and it goes against the Young Life contract.
’ ” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sexually active outside of a heterosexual marriage relationship should not serve as staff or volunteers in the mission and work of Young Life , ” the policy states , according to a copy obtained by The Post .
( Young Life , in an email , said “ we do not make our policies public.
” ) “ I didn ’ t feel any emotion , ” she said .
“ I just sat there.
” Former Young Life volunteers recounted tales of other leaders publicly sharing various behavior that also goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching pornography , drinking or engaging in pre-marital sex .
“ That was the hardest thing to follow , ” Keilen said .
“ Why do some people get to break the contract but I can ’ t ?
What ’ s different ?
I don ’ t drink ; I don ’ t do drugs .
The only thing I was breaking was being gay .
It seems hypocritical.
” Young Life previously had changed the language of its policy — if not the meaning behind it .
A copy of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which does not include a date , stated : “ If an individual was terminated from service as a staff member or volunteer as a result of concerns by Young Life that the individual engaged or may have engaged in an act of child molestation , child abuse , sexual involvement with a child , incest or overt homosexual activity/lifestyle , there will be no rehire or reinstatement.
” In an email responding to The Post , the organization said that section is “ not a current Young Life policy.
” Even supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough to get you trouble with Young Life , said Addie Barret , a former volunteer leader at Butler University .
When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015 , she celebrated with social media posts and on her blog .
That afternoon , Barret said she received a call from a Young Life staff member .
“ He suggested I ‘ take this time to delve more into the Word and join a few more Bible studies , ’ ” Barret said .
Until she could adopt the correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a leader .
The stories on social media encompassed not only LGBTQ discrimination , but also tales of leaders being pressured to raise money so low-income teens could make it to camp , while their richer counterparts got their parents to simply cut them a check .
Diversity , something Young Life points to as a key organizational tenet , is also lacking , former participants said , and that has led to allegations of racism in some areas .
In one instance , video of a 2018 event in Norman , Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young Life staff donning yarmulkes and prayer shawls as they danced to traditional Jewish music .
Carrie Hopper , the leader who shot the video , said the skit was accompanied by Hitler jokes and Nazi salutes .
The individual responsible for the offensive skit was fired after the organization reviewed their employment record , Young Life said in an email .
The leaders of the Do Better Young Life movement don ’ t just want to share their stories — they also want change .
More than 6,400 people have signed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of shifts Young Life can make to become more affirming .
These include the immediate repeal of the sexual conduct policy that bars LGBTQ individuals from serving as volunteer leaders or staff , more scholarships for low-income students and leaders , diversity training for staff and elevating the representation of queer members and people of color in the organization .
After the hashtag went viral , Thomas said Young Life ’ s president , Newt Crenshaw , reached out to talk .
Initially the former volunteer was all ears — until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young Life staff that had been posted online .
The memo — on which Young Life would not comment — included talking points for staff on the movement , including that the sexual conduct policy is an “ internal document ” that should not be shared outside the mission .
But one line in particular jumped out for Thomas and others : “ …we are not reviewing our policy or theology.
” “ If they ’ re not willing to really let these stories open hearts and minds , ” Thomas said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t do anything.
” Young Life , in its emailed statement to The Post , said : “ We are always reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure that our behavior reflects the Kingdom of God .
While we are confident — with continued study , prayer and reflection — that our theology is faithful to God ’ s vision for human sexuality and other aspects of the human experience , these stories highlight the need for intensive examination of how we live out our faith and beliefs.
” Former volunteers said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bare minimum , clarify its policies so kids and parents can make an informed decision about whether to get involved .
Nearly everybody stressed that this movement was to “ do better , ” not to completely dismantle Young Life .
Mixed in with the heartbreak and tears were summers full of joy , best friends and unforgettable moments of growth .
The organization has so much potential , they said .
It ’ s now time they live up to it .
Ironically , Thomas said , the same traits that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have community and work together on a collective mission — are the skills he ’ s using to further # DoBetterYoungLife .
“ It feels that we ’ re taking the healing and pain and isolation , and making it into action and community and more freedom , ” he said .
“ It feels so challenging , but also one of the most meaningful things I ’ ve ever been a part of .
”

In the summer of 2017, Joshua Truitt was summoned for a chat over a presentation he was set to make to his campers at the Crooked Creek Ranch camp in Fraser.
The camp was run by Young Life — an international Christian ministry based in Colorado Springs — and had a tradition called cardboard testimonies, in which leaders present to their teen mentees something they struggled with before God entered their lives.
Truitt wanted to do his about being gay, a message that might let younger queer participants know they weren’t alone.
Three staffers waited for him at a red picnic table, the Rocky Mountains towering before them. The conversation quickly turned from small talk to a more serious tone about Truitt’s testimony topic — and his future in the organization.
After hearing about his sexuality, Young Life was uncomfortable with the volunteer leader sleeping in the same cabin as the campers, Truitt said staff told him. All his one-on-one chats with the teens he had been mentoring all year needed to be done in public where others could see them, he recounted the staffers saying.
“The people there didn’t explicitly call me a pedophile,” Truitt said. “But it was very implied: Because I was gay, I was dangerous.”
Truitt’s experience stayed dormant for years. But two weeks ago, he joined hundreds of people using the #DoBetterYoungLife hashtag on social media to share their raw, emotional stories of discrimination and trauma, of exclusion and heartbreak during their time in an organization that markets itself as a place for “every kid, everywhere.”
Interviews with a dozen former Young Life volunteers and staff, along with hundreds more social media stories, reveal an organization that bars members of the LGBTQ community from becoming leaders or working at camps, even after they’ve spent years volunteering. Those involved with Young Life described a bait-and-switch that invites all to embrace their faith in a welcoming environment, only for some to realize that different rules applied to them.
In response to questions from The Denver Post, Young Life, in a statement, apologized to those who were hurt during their time in the organization and announced the creation of a new council “to further review the stories of current and former members of the Young Life family who have come forward to share instances where they have experienced pain in our family based on their race, gender, sexual orientation or other factors.”
The council will be co-chaired by Young Life’s chief human resources officer and vice president of administrative services, who will assemble a “diverse group of staff and non-staff” to conduct this review, the organization said in its statement.
“The council will review these stories and recommend the appropriate course of action in each case,” Young Life said. “…The formation of this council is a next step in what we expect will be a long process of review, reflection, repentance and reform.”
As stories flood in from across the country, a coalition of former Young Life volunteers and staff has been pushing for the organization to confront what they allege are discriminatory policies toward the LGBTQ community, expand diversity training and open its doors to more people of color and lower-income families.
“When I was in Young Life, I thought I was the only person experiencing this,” Truitt said. “But when all these are people are posting — not only LGBTQ people, but women facing sexism, others facing racism — it’s systemic within the organization.”
One post, then the floodgates opened
It all started with one post.
In late June, Kent Thomas, a 30-year-old social worker from Tacoma, Washington, heard from a close female friend that Young Life recently had posted a picture of her online — despite the fact the organization had booted that friend from a leadership position three years ago after finding out she was dating a woman.
Thomas was infuriated, but not surprised.
Young Life’s statement Young Life provided the following statement to The Denver Post on Friday in response to the newspaper’s questions about former participants’ allegations of discrimination:
Young Life is announcing today the creation of a council to further review the stories of current and former members of the Young Life family who have come forward to share instances where they have experienced pain in our family based on their race, gender, sexual orientation or other factors.
Some of the stories that have been shared in recent days have already been addressed, but some are new. They represent a small fraction of the experiences across Young Life, a ministry that has existed for 80 years and includes more than 80,000 staff and volunteers in 104 countries and ministers to more than two million kids at any given time. However, we are deeply saddened to know that any individual would walk away from their experience with Young Life feeling hurt or shamed, and wish to apologize for instances where our sins of commission and omission have caused this pain.
We are always reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure that our behavior reflects the Kingdom of God. While we are confident — with continued study, prayer and reflection — that our theology is faithful to God’s vision for human sexuality and other aspects of the human experience, these stories highlight the need for intensive examination of how we live out our faith and beliefs.
The council will review these stories and recommend the appropriate course of action in each case. Our Chief Human Resources Officer, Sha Farley, and our Vice President of Administrative Services, Paul Sherrill, will co-chair the council and assemble a diverse group of staff and non-staff to conduct this review.
The formation of this council is a next step in what we expect will be a long process of review, reflection, repentance and reform. We want to express our deep gratitude to those who have shared their stories. Their courage in coming forward will lead to a Young Life that is better equipped to introduce kids of all backgrounds to Jesus and help them grow in their faith.
Young Life had been a central part of his existence since birth. His parents were lifers and Thomas grew up going to camp with them until he could join Young Life in middle school.
“As a kid growing up in Young Life, I definitely took the ways they looked at the world seriously,” he said. “Which meant, being a gay kid, I thought I was destined for hell unless I changed the way I felt about guys.”
At 24, he came out of the closet and was fired from another religious organization. So Thomas approached Young Life to see if he could lead along with his sister.
In an email to Thomas that he provided to The Post, a Young Life spokesperson told him the organization’s policy “affirms the belief that we are created to experience sexual intimacy in the context of a marriage relationship between a man and woman and those serving in leadership are expected to live within the context of this understanding.”
“If you’re gay,” Thomas realized, “you can’t lead.”
Finally, after his friend told him about the photo, Thomas was spurred to act. On June 29, he fired off a seven-paragraph post on Instagram.
“Young Life says all queer kids are welcome,” he wrote, “but partial ‘inclusion’ at an arm’s length is even worse than overt exclusion. It’s like making eye contact with someone and saying ‘I love you, I love you, I love you’ while gently shutting the door in the their face.”
Thomas ended the post by encouraging others to use #DoBetterYoungLife to tell their stories. He figured maybe 20 others would see it, share it, and the whole thing would be over in a few days.
Instead, his post and subsequent Twitter thread were shared by thousands of people. Soon, hundreds of former Young Life participants were posting their own stories under the same hashtag about how they felt Young Life humiliated them when they came out of the closet, or forced them to “act straight” in order to stay in a community they couldn’t imagine being without.
“Young Life became a deep place of anxiety for me,” one person wrote on Instagram.
“I will never be able to put into the words the damage that Young Life has caused me,” another wrote.
Thomas was flooded with direct messages, thanking him for opening the door to a world many former volunteers thought might stay shut forever.
“It’s been both healing to know I’m not alone,” Thomas said, “and also brought up wounds I thought I had healed from and moved beyond.”
A “hypocritical” policy
What makes the Young Life experience so hurtful, according to those who spent years with the ministry, is that it brands itself as inclusive.
The organization, started in 1941 by a Texas minister, has grown exponentially over the decades. Nearly 370,000 kids per week participate in Young Life programs from more than 8,500 schools and ministries across 104 countries, according to the organization’s website. These programs and camps are powered by nearly 68,000 volunteers and 5,700 staff members worldwide.
“Young Life doesn’t start with a program,” the organization states in the first line of the “About Young Life” section of the website. “It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship.”
Under the “Our Values” section, the organization lists “All Kids,” comprising “every ability and all economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.” Two items down on the list: diversity.
Young Life says there’s not one type of person that gets involved in the organization. “It’s for everyone,” the organization says on its website.
That mission led Haeley Keilen to fall in love with Young Life’s special needs mentorship program as a senior in high school, enough to push her toward a career as a special education teacher. The program made her feel good at something for once. It just fit.
So Keilen signed up to volunteer at a Young Life summer camp in Michigan, and was elated when she was accepted.
A few days later, she said, one of Young Life’s area leaders texted her about getting coffee.
“They said something like, ‘I don’t know how to tell you this, but you can’t do work crew because you’re gay, and it goes against the Young Life contract.’ ”
The leader showed Keilen a snippet of Young Life’s policy.
“We must … clearly state that individuals who are sexually active outside of a heterosexual marriage relationship should not serve as staff or volunteers in the mission and work of Young Life,” the policy states, according to a copy obtained by The Post. (Young Life, in an email, said “we do not make our policies public.”)
Keilen was in shock.
“I didn’t feel any emotion,” she said. “I just sat there.”
Former Young Life volunteers recounted tales of other leaders publicly sharing various behavior that also goes against Young Life’s contract: watching pornography, drinking or engaging in pre-marital sex.
“That was the hardest thing to follow,” Keilen said. “Why do some people get to break the contract but I can’t? What’s different? I don’t drink; I don’t do drugs. The only thing I was breaking was being gay. It seems hypocritical.”
Young Life previously had changed the language of its policy — if not the meaning behind it. A copy of a previous policy reviewed by The Post, which does not include a date, stated: “If an individual was terminated from service as a staff member or volunteer as a result of concerns by Young Life that the individual engaged or may have engaged in an act of child molestation, child abuse, sexual involvement with a child, incest or overt homosexual activity/lifestyle, there will be no rehire or reinstatement.”
In an email responding to The Post, the organization said that section is “not a current Young Life policy.”
Even supporting the LGBTQ community as an ally can be enough to get you trouble with Young Life, said Addie Barret, a former volunteer leader at Butler University.
When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015, she celebrated with social media posts and on her blog. That afternoon, Barret said she received a call from a Young Life staff member.
“He suggested I ‘take this time to delve more into the Word and join a few more Bible studies,’ ” Barret said. Until she could adopt the correct narrative, Barret couldn’t be a leader.
The stories on social media encompassed not only LGBTQ discrimination, but also tales of leaders being pressured to raise money so low-income teens could make it to camp, while their richer counterparts got their parents to simply cut them a check.
Diversity, something Young Life points to as a key organizational tenet, is also lacking, former participants said, and that has led to allegations of racism in some areas.
In one instance, video of a 2018 event in Norman, Oklahoma, called “Jew Night” showed Young Life staff donning yarmulkes and prayer shawls as they danced to traditional Jewish music. Carrie Hopper, the leader who shot the video, said the skit was accompanied by Hitler jokes and Nazi salutes.
The individual responsible for the offensive skit was fired after the organization reviewed their employment record, Young Life said in an email.
Pushing for change
The leaders of the Do Better Young Life movement don’t just want to share their stories — they also want change.
More than 6,400 people have signed the movement’s petition, which lists a series of shifts Young Life can make to become more affirming. These include the immediate repeal of the sexual conduct policy that bars LGBTQ individuals from serving as volunteer leaders or staff, more scholarships for low-income students and leaders, diversity training for staff and elevating the representation of queer members and people of color in the organization.
After the hashtag went viral, Thomas said Young Life’s president, Newt Crenshaw, reached out to talk. Initially the former volunteer was all ears — until he saw a purported internal memo to Young Life staff that had been posted online.
The memo — on which Young Life would not comment — included talking points for staff on the movement, including that the sexual conduct policy is an “internal document” that should not be shared outside the mission. But one line in particular jumped out for Thomas and others: “…we are not reviewing our policy or theology.”
“If they’re not willing to really let these stories open hearts and minds,” Thomas said, “a conversation with me wouldn’t do anything.”
Young Life, in its emailed statement to The Post, said: “We are always reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure that our behavior reflects the Kingdom of God. While we are confident — with continued study, prayer and reflection — that our theology is faithful to God’s vision for human sexuality and other aspects of the human experience, these stories highlight the need for intensive examination of how we live out our faith and beliefs.”
Former volunteers said they hoped the organization would, at a bare minimum, clarify its policies so kids and parents can make an informed decision about whether to get involved. Nearly everybody stressed that this movement was to “do better,” not to completely dismantle Young Life.
Mixed in with the heartbreak and tears were summers full of joy, best friends and unforgettable moments of growth. The organization has so much potential, they said. It’s now time they live up to it.
Ironically, Thomas said, the same traits that he learned in Young Life — how to have community and work together on a collective mission — are the skills he’s using to further #DoBetterYoungLife.
“It feels that we’re taking the healing and pain and isolation, and making it into action and community and more freedom,” he said. “It feels so challenging, but also one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever been a part of.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Hickenlooper’s ethics defense costs taxpayers more than $133,000

Taxpayers spent $ 133,438 covering the cost of John Hickenlooper ’ s defense attorney in the 18 months before he was found to have violated the state ’ s ban on gifts to public officials .
That total , uncovered through open records requests , does not include expenses incurred in June , which could add up to tens of thousands of dollars .
Hickenlooper ’ s attorney , Mark Grueskin , was paid $ 525 per hour for his work on the case , which ended in mid-June .
Hickenlooper , a Democrat , violated state ethics laws twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jet flight and Maserati limousine ride from large corporations , the Independent Ethics Commission ruled June 5 .
He was ordered to pay $ 2,750 , the largest fine in ethics commission history , which he paid out of his own pocket .
Because the ethics violations occurred while Hickenlooper was governor , his defense was paid for by the government — common practice in Colorado .
The 18-month legal saga was made longer by a series of factors , including the coronavirus pandemic and Hickenlooper ’ s refusal to testify via video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Hickenlooper , now a U.S. Senate candidate , added thousands of dollars to the bills that taxpayers paid .
It also earned Hickenlooper the first contempt citation in the ethics commission ’ s history .
Hickenlooper ’ s bills are nowhere near the most expensive racked up by an elected official .
Attorneys for Scott Gessler , a Republican former secretary of state , billed more than $ 500,000 during a six-year legal saga that ended with Gessler paying a $ 1,515 fine for unethically charging the state for travel to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state law and legal costs have become electoral fodder as he tries to defeat Sen. Cory Gardner , a Yuma Republican , this November .
The legal costs have also raised eyebrows because they were paid with leftover money from a 2003 federal fund .
The fund was supposed to be for essential government services and federal mandates , but Hickenlooper and his predecessor used the money for a wide range of discretionary spending .
“ Take full responsibility for your actions , John , ” Gardner said in a statement Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found guilty of violating the Colorado Constitution , pay back taxpayers for wasting the $ 133,438 in legal fees you paid for from a 9/11 recovery fund to skip out on a court-ordered subpoena and defend taking illegal private jet flights from billionaires.
” The 2003 fund used to pay Hickenlooper ’ s legal bills was established to boost Colorado ’ s economy after the recession of 2001 , which was made worse by the terror attacks .
“ The Office of the Governor paid these legal fees from a federal fiscal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay similar expenses for both Democratic and Republican officials for nearly two decades , ” said Hickenlooper spokeswoman Melissa Miller .
Republicans in the General Assembly tried to audit the federal fund late last year but were blocked by Democrats .
On Monday , state Sen. Paul Lundeen , R-Monument , asked the U.S. Treasury Department ’ s inspector general to investigate .
A Treasury spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the federal department has jurisdiction over a governor ’ s use of federal money .
“ Governor Hickenlooper ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer funds to pay his $ 525-per-hour political attorney represents a gross misappropriation of federal taxpayer funds , ” Lundeen wrote in his complaint to the Treasury .

Taxpayers spent $133,438 covering the cost of John Hickenlooper’s defense attorney in the 18 months before he was found to have violated the state’s ban on gifts to public officials.
That total, uncovered through open records requests, does not include expenses incurred in June, which could add up to tens of thousands of dollars. Hickenlooper’s attorney, Mark Grueskin, was paid $525 per hour for his work on the case, which ended in mid-June.
Hickenlooper, a Democrat, violated state ethics laws twice in 2018 when he accepted a private jet flight and Maserati limousine ride from large corporations, the Independent Ethics Commission ruled June 5. He was ordered to pay $2,750, the largest fine in ethics commission history, which he paid out of his own pocket.
Because the ethics violations occurred while Hickenlooper was governor, his defense was paid for by the government — common practice in Colorado.
The 18-month legal saga was made longer by a series of factors, including the coronavirus pandemic and Hickenlooper’s refusal to testify via video conference. Invoices show the latter decision by Hickenlooper, now a U.S. Senate candidate, added thousands of dollars to the bills that taxpayers paid. It also earned Hickenlooper the first contempt citation in the ethics commission’s history.
Hickenlooper’s bills are nowhere near the most expensive racked up by an elected official. Attorneys for Scott Gessler, a Republican former secretary of state, billed more than $500,000 during a six-year legal saga that ended with Gessler paying a $1,515 fine for unethically charging the state for travel to a political event.
Hickenlooper’s violations of state law and legal costs have become electoral fodder as he tries to defeat Sen. Cory Gardner, a Yuma Republican, this November. The legal costs have also raised eyebrows because they were paid with leftover money from a 2003 federal fund. The fund was supposed to be for essential government services and federal mandates, but Hickenlooper and his predecessor used the money for a wide range of discretionary spending.
“Take full responsibility for your actions, John,” Gardner said in a statement Friday. “Now that you’ve been found guilty of violating the Colorado Constitution, pay back taxpayers for wasting the $133,438 in legal fees you paid for from a 9/11 recovery fund to skip out on a court-ordered subpoena and defend taking illegal private jet flights from billionaires.”
The 2003 fund used to pay Hickenlooper’s legal bills was established to boost Colorado’s economy after the recession of 2001, which was made worse by the terror attacks.
“The Office of the Governor paid these legal fees from a federal fiscal relief fund, which has been used to pay similar expenses for both Democratic and Republican officials for nearly two decades,” said Hickenlooper spokeswoman Melissa Miller.
Republicans in the General Assembly tried to audit the federal fund late last year but were blocked by Democrats. On Monday, state Sen. Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, asked the U.S. Treasury Department’s inspector general to investigate. A Treasury spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the federal department has jurisdiction over a governor’s use of federal money.
“Governor Hickenlooper’s covert and desperate use of federal taxpayer funds to pay his $525-per-hour political attorney represents a gross misappropriation of federal taxpayer funds,” Lundeen wrote in his complaint to the Treasury.


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Masks will help, but more distancing needed to head off a September spike in Colorado, model shows

If more Coloradans wear masks , it will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 , but not by enough to avoid a spike if people don ’ t stop gathering in crowds , according to projections released this week .
If people continue having face-to-face interactions at the rate they are now , Colorado ’ s hospitals could see their intensive care units hit full capacity in early September , according to a model from the Colorado School of Public Health .
Even if everyone wore masks in public and older people stayed home at the rates they did during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order is always obeyed and some seniors have jobs — it would only push the potential collision with capacity back about one month if younger people continue interacting at the current rate .
People moving around more is a factor in the increase in Colorado ’ s COVID-19 infections , though tourists bringing cases to the state and some element of chance could be involved , state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said .
The model only looks at data through the end of June , so it ’ s not clear if Independence Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s order to close bars earlier this month will change the epidemic ’ s trajectory .
To head off a spike , the public needs to go back to roughly the level of face-to-face interactions they had in May or early June , said Beth Carlton , an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health .
If enough people do that , Colorado could avoid hitting capacity in intensive care units , or at least put it off long enough to give hospitals a chance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
On Thursday , Polis announced a two-week moratorium on new exemptions to state social-distancing rules , as well as a statewide mandate to wear masks in indoor public areas .
“ There is a small window of opportunity , ” he said .
“ The party has to end.
” Part of the reason that the window is narrow is that changes made today won ’ t show up in case counts for up to two weeks , because people who got the virus yesterday won ’ t display symptoms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to go to a hospital , Carlton said .
“ The big picture is that changing the course of transmission is like navigating an ocean liner , ” she said .
“ You need to plan ahead because it can take a while to turn the ship.
” Julie Lonborg , vice president of communications and media relations for the Colorado Hospital Association , said bed capacity is only one part of the puzzle , and hospitals will need to be flexible in how they use staff and protective equipment like masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are plans in place to share resources , if necessary , and hospitals that belong to larger systems can ask for help from sister facilities around the country , she said .
So far , the increase in hospitalizations isn ’ t as steep as it was in March , Lonborg said .
Since then , they ’ ve also learned more about how to care or patients , including that not everyone with low oxygen levels needs a ventilator , she said .
“ Hospitals demonstrated in the spring that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if necessary , we will do it again , ” she said .
As of Friday , three hospitals said they could be short of staff in the next week , one thought it might have a shortage of protective equipment and one anticipated being nearly out of intensive-care beds .
But that bed shortage has more to do with a spate of outdoor injuries than with the virus , Lonborg said .
Last week , Colorado reported 2,935 new cases .
The last time it reported more was the week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usage also are rising , hitting levels last seen in early June .
The percentage of tests coming back positive slowly increased over the course of the week , topping the 5 % threshold experts want to see on Wednesday .
That means the increase in cases isn ’ t just due to more testing .
Deaths also appear to have risen for the first time since the second week of April .
The state health department reported 23 coronavirus deaths in the week ending Sunday , up from 13 the previous week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it difficult to be sure a pattern will hold , however .
Cases have been increasing since mid-June , but that growth accelerated in July , Herlihy said .
The average number of people infected by each person has reached levels last seen in late March , which will cause rapid growth in cases if nothing changes , she said .
“ This path is not a place where we want to be , ” she said at a news conference Thursday .
Total cases increased about 30 % over the last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teens and adults under 40 .
Cases are starting to grow among middle-aged adults , however , Herlihy said .
Even more concerning , there are signs that more people older than 65 , who are at higher risk for complications , are getting the virus , she said .
One possible reason that the demographics have shifted could be that younger people were the first to start going out , caught the virus and then passed it on to middle-aged and older people , Carlton said .
Younger people are more likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so they may have unknowingly infected people at higher risk , she said .
Colorado isn ’ t one of the worst states for new cases at this point , according to a report prepared for the White House coronavirus task force and made public by the Center for Public Integrity .
The state had 45 new cases for every 100,000 people , which is less than half the national average , but both cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive are increasing .
The report identified five Colorado municipalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties in the “ yellow zone , ” meaning cases are rising and people there should keep their in-person interactions to about half of their pre-pandemic level and avoid large crowds .
The White House report , dated July 14 , advised Colorado to maintain restrictions on bars and to recruit more contact tracers .
It also mistakenly urged the state to maintain its mask mandate , which Polis hadn ’ t yet enacted when the report was prepared .
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado .

If more Coloradans wear masks, it will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, but not by enough to avoid a spike if people don’t stop gathering in crowds, according to projections released this week.
If people continue having face-to-face interactions at the rate they are now, Colorado’s hospitals could see their intensive care units hit full capacity in early September, according to a model from the Colorado School of Public Health.
Even if everyone wore masks in public and older people stayed home at the rates they did during stay-at-home — not likely, since no order is always obeyed and some seniors have jobs — it would only push the potential collision with capacity back about one month if younger people continue interacting at the current rate.
People moving around more is a factor in the increase in Colorado’s COVID-19 infections, though tourists bringing cases to the state and some element of chance could be involved, state epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said. The model only looks at data through the end of June, so it’s not clear if Independence Day travel or Gov. Jared Polis’s order to close bars earlier this month will change the epidemic’s trajectory.
To head off a spike, the public needs to go back to roughly the level of face-to-face interactions they had in May or early June, said Beth Carlton, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at the Colorado School of Public Health. If enough people do that, Colorado could avoid hitting capacity in intensive care units, or at least put it off long enough to give hospitals a chance to prepare for a new wave, she said.
On Thursday, Polis announced a two-week moratorium on new exemptions to state social-distancing rules, as well as a statewide mandate to wear masks in indoor public areas.
“There is a small window of opportunity,” he said. “The party has to end.”
Part of the reason that the window is narrow is that changes made today won’t show up in case counts for up to two weeks, because people who got the virus yesterday won’t display symptoms for several days, let alone get sick enough to go to a hospital, Carlton said.
“The big picture is that changing the course of transmission is like navigating an ocean liner,” she said. “You need to plan ahead because it can take a while to turn the ship.”
Julie Lonborg, vice president of communications and media relations for the Colorado Hospital Association, said bed capacity is only one part of the puzzle, and hospitals will need to be flexible in how they use staff and protective equipment like masks if cases continue to rise. There are plans in place to share resources, if necessary, and hospitals that belong to larger systems can ask for help from sister facilities around the country, she said.
So far, the increase in hospitalizations isn’t as steep as it was in March, Lonborg said. Since then, they’ve also learned more about how to care or patients, including that not everyone with low oxygen levels needs a ventilator, she said.
“Hospitals demonstrated in the spring that they are capable of ramping up very quickly, and if necessary, we will do it again,” she said.
As of Friday, three hospitals said they could be short of staff in the next week, one thought it might have a shortage of protective equipment and one anticipated being nearly out of intensive-care beds. But that bed shortage has more to do with a spate of outdoor injuries than with the virus, Lonborg said.
Accelerating growth in cases
Last week, Colorado reported 2,935 new cases. The last time it reported more was the week that ended May 3. Hospitalizations and ventilator usage also are rising, hitting levels last seen in early June.
The percentage of tests coming back positive slowly increased over the course of the week, topping the 5% threshold experts want to see on Wednesday. That means the increase in cases isn’t just due to more testing.
Deaths also appear to have risen for the first time since the second week of April. The state health department reported 23 coronavirus deaths in the week ending Sunday, up from 13 the previous week. Reports are often delayed, making it difficult to be sure a pattern will hold, however.
Cases have been increasing since mid-June, but that growth accelerated in July, Herlihy said. The average number of people infected by each person has reached levels last seen in late March, which will cause rapid growth in cases if nothing changes, she said.
“This path is not a place where we want to be,” she said at a news conference Thursday.
Total cases increased about 30% over the last month, with higher rates for children, teens and adults under 40. Cases are starting to grow among middle-aged adults, however, Herlihy said. Even more concerning, there are signs that more people older than 65, who are at higher risk for complications, are getting the virus, she said.
One possible reason that the demographics have shifted could be that younger people were the first to start going out, caught the virus and then passed it on to middle-aged and older people, Carlton said. Younger people are more likely to have mild symptoms, or none, so they may have unknowingly infected people at higher risk, she said.
White House report
Colorado isn’t one of the worst states for new cases at this point, according to a report prepared for the White House coronavirus task force and made public by the Center for Public Integrity. The state had 45 new cases for every 100,000 people, which is less than half the national average, but both cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive are increasing.
The report identified five Colorado municipalities and metro area as well as 11 counties in the “yellow zone,” meaning cases are rising and people there should keep their in-person interactions to about half of their pre-pandemic level and avoid large crowds.
Those include:
Adams County
Arapahoe County
Colorado Springs
Conejos County
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood
Eagle County
Edwards
El Paso County
Elbert County
Garfield County
Glenwood Springs
Kit Carson County
Mineral County
Montrose
Montrose County
Prowers County
The White House report, dated July 14, advised Colorado to maintain restrictions on bars and to recruit more contact tracers. It also mistakenly urged the state to maintain its mask mandate, which Polis hadn’t yet enacted when the report was prepared.
Join our Facebook group for the latest updates on coronavirus in Colorado.


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Nuggets Journal: Team braces for scrimmage while awaiting Orlando reinforcements

Officially or unofficially , the Nuggets are in a pickle .
At least seven of their players weren ’ t inside the NBA bubble as of Thursday afternoon , when new Nugget Troy Daniels estimated that between 8-to-10 of his teammates were in Orlando .
The team isn ’ t disclosing or discussing which players aren ’ t there or why players are MIA .
But functionally , not having enough players when the team opens its scrimmage schedule next Wednesday vs. Washington is a problem .
Seven-foot-two rookie Bol Bol told reporters he ’ d actually played some small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice lineups .
On Friday , Nuggets coach Michael Malone issued a correction .
“ Bol Bol as a two guard is pretty exciting , ” he quipped .
Videos from the team ’ s social media accounts have trumpeted Malone and his fellow coaches racing the players through conditioning drills .
One celebrated an elbow jumper that Malone buried in Jerami Grant ’ s grill .
While Malone has often relished running drills with his players , this is next level .
When you consider that most of the team ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardly surprising to see Malone mixing it up with his guys .
“ We will have some unique lineups out there , ” Malone said Friday , acknowledging a concern over guys ’ minutes .
“ We will be playing unique defense .
… And if we have to play Bol Bol at point guard , we ’ ll play Bol Bol at point guard.
” When Murray tweeted Thursday , “ Put me at the 4 , ” no one knew if he was kidding .
Malone said that the NBA was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 minutes to account for teams ( like the Nuggets ) who are missing their full complement of players .
It ’ s a start .
Their next scrimmage is scheduled three days later vs. the Pelicans .
But the larger problem is that the entire team hasn ’ t played meaningful basketball in four months , and will be asked to do so beginning Aug. 1 vs. Miami in the first seeding game .
Their most significant player , Jokic , only recently arrived to the bubble after an international flight followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who thinks they ’ d risk playing Jokic any significant period Wednesday hasn ’ t listened to the cautious approach the Nuggets have preached .
“ I think a team like us who is undermanned , across the board , the objective is to get through these games , try to create some chemistry and continuity and try to show signs of improvement on both ends of the floor , ” Malone said .
“ But the number one thing for me is , can we get through these three scrimmages healthy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a position where they ’ re overworked , playing too many minutes and getting hurt.
” So the Nuggets , who already missed crucial practice time after closing their facility before heading to Orlando , are up against it .
Malone did manage to find a silver lining , though .
After mentioning that Grant had also played some shooting guard , Malone sounded pleasantly surprised at certain guys who ’ d found success while playing out of position .
Nevertheless , he ’ d prefer the alternative .
“ Does it ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have all our players here ?
” Malone said .
“ Yes it does.
” From now until Wednesday , the Nuggets can only hope some reinforcements start to trickle in and that they can clear quarantine in time .
If not , Wednesday might be a spectacle .
“ We really have no expectations ( for the scrimmage ) , ” Barton said .
“ Only thing we ’ re going to ask is to compete with who we have .
”

Officially or unofficially, the Nuggets are in a pickle.
At least seven of their players weren’t inside the NBA bubble as of Thursday afternoon, when new Nugget Troy Daniels estimated that between 8-to-10 of his teammates were in Orlando. The team isn’t disclosing or discussing which players aren’t there or why players are MIA. But functionally, not having enough players when the team opens its scrimmage schedule next Wednesday vs. Washington is a problem.
Seven-foot-two rookie Bol Bol told reporters he’d actually played some small forward in the team’s wonky practice lineups. On Friday, Nuggets coach Michael Malone issued a correction.
“Bol Bol as a two guard is pretty exciting,” he quipped.
Videos from the team’s social media accounts have trumpeted Malone and his fellow coaches racing the players through conditioning drills. One celebrated an elbow jumper that Malone buried in Jerami Grant’s grill. While Malone has often relished running drills with his players, this is next level. When you consider that most of the team’s frontcourt is there, it’s hardly surprising to see Malone mixing it up with his guys.
A verified roll call: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Will Barton, Paul Millsap, Noah Vonleh, Tyler Cook, Mason Plumlee, Grant, Daniels and Bol.
“We will have some unique lineups out there,” Malone said Friday, acknowledging a concern over guys’ minutes. “We will be playing unique defense. … And if we have to play Bol Bol at point guard, we’ll play Bol Bol at point guard.”
When Murray tweeted Thursday, “Put me at the 4,” no one knew if he was kidding.
Malone said that the NBA was considering dropping the first scrimmage to just 40 minutes to account for teams (like the Nuggets) who are missing their full complement of players. It’s a start. Their next scrimmage is scheduled three days later vs. the Pelicans.
But the larger problem is that the entire team hasn’t played meaningful basketball in four months, and will be asked to do so beginning Aug. 1 vs. Miami in the first seeding game. Their most significant player, Jokic, only recently arrived to the bubble after an international flight followed by a mandated quarantine period. Anyone who thinks they’d risk playing Jokic any significant period Wednesday hasn’t listened to the cautious approach the Nuggets have preached.
“I think a team like us who is undermanned, across the board, the objective is to get through these games, try to create some chemistry and continuity and try to show signs of improvement on both ends of the floor,” Malone said. “But the number one thing for me is, can we get through these three scrimmages healthy and not getting guys obviously putting them in a position where they’re overworked, playing too many minutes and getting hurt.”
So the Nuggets, who already missed crucial practice time after closing their facility before heading to Orlando, are up against it. Malone did manage to find a silver lining, though. After mentioning that Grant had also played some shooting guard, Malone sounded pleasantly surprised at certain guys who’d found success while playing out of position. Nevertheless, he’d prefer the alternative.
“Does it (stink) that we don’t have all our players here?” Malone said. “Yes it does.”
From now until Wednesday, the Nuggets can only hope some reinforcements start to trickle in and that they can clear quarantine in time. If not, Wednesday might be a spectacle.
“We really have no expectations (for the scrimmage),” Barton said. “Only thing we’re going to ask is to compete with who we have.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Joy Burns, first woman to lead DU’s Board of Trustees, dies at 92

Joy Burns , a longtime trustee of the University of Denver and the first woman to lead the board , died Friday at her Cherry Hills Village home .
She was 92 .
During her two stints as chairwoman , from 1990-2005 and 2007-09 , Burns saw DU through some of “ its biggest financial challenges and historic triumphs , ” said Chancellor Jeremy Haefner in a news release .
“ In our long and eventful history , the university has had few better friends than Joy , ” Haefner wrote .
“ She was respected for her steady leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped the university stave off insolvency and restructure for a 21st century marketplace .
Much as she was admired for her leadership qualities , she was also loved for her many kindnesses and for her indefatigable support of student achievement.
” During her service on the board , and in partnership with Chancellor Emeritus Daniel L. Ritchie and others , the university had one of its most successful fundraising campaigns in its history .
That allowed DU to invest more than $ 400 million in new facilities and infrastructure .
In 1997 Burns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burns , a DU alumnus , donated $ 5 million to DU to establish the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate & Construction Management .
The community ice arena on campus , at the Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness , is named after Joy Burns .
Joy Steelman Colwick was born Dec. 2 , 1927 , in Navarro County , Texas .
She was among the first women in the history of the University of Houston to earn a business degree .
In 1956 she came to Colorado from Houston to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years later she met Franklin Burns , a Denver home builder , and one their first dates was at a DU hockey game .
And so began a romance with her husband , the university and the school ’ s sports programs .
In 1997 , Burns was inducted into the DU Sports Hall of Fame .
Burns was part owner of the Colorado Xplosion women ’ s professional basketball team , and she served as president of the Sportswomen of Colorado Foundation .
“ If we ’ ve been successful in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the community , and part of it should go back to the community , ” Burns told the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2002 .
Burns was the owner of the Burnsley Hotel , 1000 Grant St. , a longtime , 16-story Capitol Hill establishment with views of the Front Range and downtown Denver .
Originally built as an apartment building in 1963 , it was converted to a hotel in 1969 and at one point an investment group included actor Kirk Douglas and jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald .
Burns sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
It ’ s now again an apartment tower .
Burns served on the board of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau , as well as the board of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts .
In 1995 , two years before her husband ’ s death , she took the helm of his business , D.C. Burns Realty & Trust Co. Burns was one of the founders of the Women ’ s Bank , later renamed the Colorado Business Bank , and of the Women ’ s Foundation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trustees in 1981 and is among the longest-serving trustees in the school ’ s history .
She retired from the board in 2017 .
At the university ’ s annual Founders Gala in March 2018 , Burns received DU ’ s highest honor , the Founders Medal .
“ The University of Denver owes a lot to Joy Burns , to her fierce spirit , fearless leadership and her dedication to our students , ” Haefner said .
“ She was a bright light and a force to be reckoned with .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebration of Burn ’ s life will be held at a future date .

Joy Burns, a longtime trustee of the University of Denver and the first woman to lead the board, died Friday at her Cherry Hills Village home. She was 92.
During her two stints as chairwoman, from 1990-2005 and 2007-09, Burns saw DU through some of “its biggest financial challenges and historic triumphs,” said Chancellor Jeremy Haefner in a news release.
“In our long and eventful history, the university has had few better friends than Joy,” Haefner wrote. “She was respected for her steady leadership and strategic thinking, both of which helped the university stave off insolvency and restructure for a 21st century marketplace. Much as she was admired for her leadership qualities, she was also loved for her many kindnesses and for her indefatigable support of student achievement.”
During her service on the board, and in partnership with Chancellor Emeritus Daniel L. Ritchie and others, the university had one of its most successful fundraising campaigns in its history. That allowed DU to invest more than $400 million in new facilities and infrastructure.
In 1997 Burns and her husband, the late Franklin Burns, a DU alumnus, donated $5 million to DU to establish the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate & Construction Management. The community ice arena on campus, at the Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness, is named after Joy Burns.
Joy Steelman Colwick was born Dec. 2, 1927, in Navarro County, Texas. She was among the first women in the history of the University of Houston to earn a business degree. In 1956 she came to Colorado from Houston to work for an oil company. Two years later she met Franklin Burns, a Denver home builder, and one their first dates was at a DU hockey game. And so began a romance with her husband, the university and the school’s sports programs.
In 1997, Burns was inducted into the DU Sports Hall of Fame. Burns was part owner of the Colorado Xplosion women’s professional basketball team, and she served as president of the Sportswomen of Colorado Foundation.
“If we’ve been successful in our business endeavors, that success has come from the community, and part of it should go back to the community,” Burns told the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2002.
Burns was the owner of the Burnsley Hotel, 1000 Grant St., a longtime, 16-story Capitol Hill establishment with views of the Front Range and downtown Denver. Originally built as an apartment building in 1963, it was converted to a hotel in 1969 and at one point an investment group included actor Kirk Douglas and jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. Burns sold the property in 2012 for $10 million. It’s now again an apartment tower.
Burns served on the board of the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as the board of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. In 1995, two years before her husband’s death, she took the helm of his business, D.C. Burns Realty & Trust Co. Burns was one of the founders of the Women’s Bank, later renamed the Colorado Business Bank, and of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado.
Burns joined the DU Board of Trustees in 1981 and is among the longest-serving trustees in the school’s history. She retired from the board in 2017. At the university’s annual Founders Gala in March 2018, Burns received DU’s highest honor, the Founders Medal.
“The University of Denver owes a lot to Joy Burns, to her fierce spirit, fearless leadership and her dedication to our students,” Haefner said. “She was a bright light and a force to be reckoned with. She will be sorely missed.”
A celebration of Burn’s life will be held at a future date.


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Ask Amy: Contact with friendly dog could be poisonous

Dear Amy : I have a severe general allergy to poison ivy .
If the tiniest amount of the poison ivy urushiol oil touches any part of me I will break out with hundreds of small , but itchy , blisters .
These blisters cover my body ( not just where I ’ ve come in contact ) .
Without a steroid prescription from my doctor it can take months for a breakout to clear up .
My problem is that I like to hike on trails that have been cleared of poison ivy , but frequently the areas off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay on the trail , so this isn ’ t a problem , but people love to bring their dogs , and if their dogs go off the trail , come in contact with poison ivy , and then touch me , it results in hundreds of blisters , doctors appointments , costs , medication and misery .
Because of this , I try to be proactive .
I ’ ll say : “ Please , don ’ t let your dog touch me , I have allergies.
” They say : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is friendly.
” Then the person gets mad or acts insulted — or worse , they let the dog jump all over me .
I don ’ t hate dogs .
I just don ’ t want dogs ( or any animal ) touching me unless I absolutely know they haven ’ t had any contact with the common substance that makes me so sick .
How would you address this issue ?
Dear Allergic : I definitely enjoy dogs , but I also wonder why some dog owners don ’ t seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are actually animals .
Dogs are sometimes unpredictable ( this is understandable because they are animals ) , and dogs can pose a risk to humans .
Just as no parent should assume that every stranger will find their children charming , no dog owner should assume that everyone will want to interact with their dog .
“ Oh don ’ t worry , he is friendly ” is not an appropriate answer to a human who can ’ t have contact with a dog without experiencing extreme consequences .
The dog ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You should say , “ I have extreme allergies and could land in the hospital if I have contact with your dog .
I ’ m going to stay on this side of the trail while you pass by.
” Dear Amy : I have three boxes of old love letters that must go .
Box A is from my high school sweetheart and first love , now deceased .
Box B is from my torrid college affair ( no longer in contact ) .
Box C contains letters from my dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were married .
I have not opened nor read any of these for at least 30 years , and revisiting these would be very emotional for me .
Should I read them privately , then dispose ?
Should I share some of them with my husband ?
Should I revisit only my husband ’ s letters with him ( we have no secrets ) ?
Or should I just shred them all immediately and be done with it ?
Dear Three Boxes : Ah , COVID-cleaning .
Many of us are confronting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual “ Bobs ” ) from our past .
You should review all of these letters , privately .
Tell yourself that you will at least open the envelopes and visually scan them .
This job might pair well with a hearty merlot .
The letters from your high school sweetheart might contain nuggets from his youth that his family would appreciate .
Because he is deceased , consider sharing some of this ( descriptive , wise , or humorous ) material with them .
Box B : Review and make the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value to anyone else ?
Box C : Boom .
You have your next anniversary present for your husband .
Put these letters into a binder and save them .
Dear Amy : I have enjoyed the testimonials in your column from people who have successfully quit smoking .
After smoking for decades , I managed to kick the habit , permanently , a few years ago .
I tried everything , and would be successful for a few weeks and a few months , even at one point for over a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I always felt terrible about myself when I fell off the wagon , which made everything worse .
I finally realized that – for me – quitting smoking would be a lifetime project .
Truly a one-day-at-a-time proposition .
Once I started focusing more on my successes than my failures , I was able to build on them .
Dear Smoke Free : Testimonials from people who have “ been there ” are inspiring to people who are still struggling .
Thank you .

Dear Amy: I have a severe general allergy to poison ivy. If the tiniest amount of the poison ivy urushiol oil touches any part of me I will break out with hundreds of small, but itchy, blisters. These blisters cover my body (not just where I’ve come in contact). Without a steroid prescription from my doctor it can take months for a breakout to clear up.
My problem is that I like to hike on trails that have been cleared of poison ivy, but frequently the areas off the side have poison ivy. I stay on the trail, so this isn’t a problem, but people love to bring their dogs, and if their dogs go off the trail, come in contact with poison ivy, and then touch me, it results in hundreds of blisters, doctors appointments, costs, medication and misery. Because of this, I try to be proactive.
I’ll say: “Please, don’t let your dog touch me, I have allergies.”
They say: “Oh, don’t worry he is friendly.”
I say: “I don’t care. I can’t touch your dog.”
Then the person gets mad or acts insulted — or worse, they let the dog jump all over me.
I don’t hate dogs. I just don’t want dogs (or any animal) touching me unless I absolutely know they haven’t had any contact with the common substance that makes me so sick. How would you address this issue?
— Allergic
Dear Allergic: I definitely enjoy dogs, but I also wonder why some dog owners don’t seem to realize that their beloved family members are actually animals. Dogs are sometimes unpredictable (this is understandable because they are animals), and dogs can pose a risk to humans.
Just as no parent should assume that every stranger will find their children charming, no dog owner should assume that everyone will want to interact with their dog.
“Oh don’t worry, he is friendly” is not an appropriate answer to a human who can’t have contact with a dog without experiencing extreme consequences. The dog’s friendly nature is not in question.
You should say, “I have extreme allergies and could land in the hospital if I have contact with your dog. I’m going to stay on this side of the trail while you pass by.”
Dear Amy: I have three boxes of old love letters that must go.
Box A is from my high school sweetheart and first love, now deceased.
Box B is from my torrid college affair (no longer in contact).
Box C contains letters from my dear husband of many years, written before we were married.
I have not opened nor read any of these for at least 30 years, and revisiting these would be very emotional for me.
Should I read them privately, then dispose?
Should I share some of them with my husband?
Should I revisit only my husband’s letters with him (we have no secrets)? Or should I just shred them all immediately and be done with it?
— Three Boxes in Phoenix
Dear Three Boxes: Ah, COVID-cleaning. Many of us are confronting bits and bobs (and sometimes, actual “Bobs”) from our past.
You should review all of these letters, privately. Tell yourself that you will at least open the envelopes and visually scan them. This job might pair well with a hearty merlot.
The letters from your high school sweetheart might contain nuggets from his youth that his family would appreciate. Because he is deceased, consider sharing some of this (descriptive, wise, or humorous) material with them.
Box B: Review and make the same determination. Would these letters be of value to anyone else?
Box C: Boom. You have your next anniversary present for your husband. Put these letters into a binder and save them.
Dear Amy: I have enjoyed the testimonials in your column from people who have successfully quit smoking.
After smoking for decades, I managed to kick the habit, permanently, a few years ago. I tried everything, and would be successful for a few weeks and a few months, even at one point for over a year. But I always relapsed, and I always felt terrible about myself when I fell off the wagon, which made everything worse.
I finally realized that – for me – quitting smoking would be a lifetime project. Truly a one-day-at-a-time proposition. Once I started focusing more on my successes than my failures, I was able to build on them.
— Smoke Free
Dear Smoke Free: Testimonials from people who have “been there” are inspiring to people who are still struggling. Thank you.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Rockies notes: Charlie Blackmon doesn’t miss beat in return from COVID-19

Charlie Blackmon hasn ’ t played a baseball game since March 10 — the last game the Rockies played at spring training in Arizona .
Four months later , the four-time all-star appeared in his first scrimmage at the Rockies ’ summer camp Friday after missing the start of practices at Coors Field following his positive test for COVID-19 .
“ Feel good about them being ready for the season , on the roster , ” manager Bud Black said about Blackmon and fellow outfielder David Dahl , who also returned to summer camp Friday after missing time due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackmon already looks primed to go .
Leading off for the purple squad , the outfielder started simply enough , hitting a single off pinstripe starter Antonio Senzatela .
But Blackmon was just getting started .
Stepping up to the plate in the top of the third , he turned on a Senzatela offering and lined a home run deep over the wall in right , leaving his teammate on the mound no option except to watch .
Chris Owings got the good news Friday .
The 28-year-old utility player was officially added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with reliever Daniel Bard and outfielder Matt Kemp .
“ You could see that those guys were excited to be Rockies , ” Black said .
“ But they brought balance .
We saw ( Owings ) in spring training one , we saw Bard in spring training one , and I thought they both showed very well until the shutdown .
And they continued that here in Denver.
” Owings was quick to show Friday night why he made the cut .
Facing righty Ashton Goudeau , the former non-roster invitee doubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single .
Two frames later , Owings did it again , doubling to the right-center gap with two outs , though he was stranded .
“ I thought their readiness here in camp was on point , ” Black said .
“ They were ready physically and mentally , and they showed that here through until today.
” Playing second for the pinstripe squad , Owings also helped turn a double play in the fourth and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Dahl .
Footnotes .
Catcher Elías Díaz legged out what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second inning for the pinstripe squad after his soft line drive was missed by a diving Sam Hilliard in left .
… Trevor Story had a nice night , getting a single , a walk , a stolen base , and scored a run .
… Ryan McMahon also added two hits , a double and a single .
… Antonio Santos threw two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts .

Charlie Blackmon hasn’t played a baseball game since March 10 — the last game the Rockies played at spring training in Arizona.
Four months later, the four-time all-star appeared in his first scrimmage at the Rockies’ summer camp Friday after missing the start of practices at Coors Field following his positive test for COVID-19.
“Feel good about them being ready for the season, on the roster,” manager Bud Black said about Blackmon and fellow outfielder David Dahl, who also returned to summer camp Friday after missing time due to core soreness.
For his part, Blackmon already looks primed to go.
Leading off for the purple squad, the outfielder started simply enough, hitting a single off pinstripe starter Antonio Senzatela.
But Blackmon was just getting started. Stepping up to the plate in the top of the third, he turned on a Senzatela offering and lined a home run deep over the wall in right, leaving his teammate on the mound no option except to watch.
Owings earning his spot
Chris Owings got the good news Friday. The 28-year-old utility player was officially added to the Rockies 40-man roster, along with reliever Daniel Bard and outfielder Matt Kemp.
“You could see that those guys were excited to be Rockies,” Black said. “But they brought balance. We saw (Owings) in spring training one, we saw Bard in spring training one, and I thought they both showed very well until the shutdown. And they continued that here in Denver.”
Owings was quick to show Friday night why he made the cut. Facing righty Ashton Goudeau, the former non-roster invitee doubled before scoring off a Daniel Murphy RBI single. Two frames later, Owings did it again, doubling to the right-center gap with two outs, though he was stranded.
“I thought their readiness here in camp was on point,” Black said. “They were ready physically and mentally, and they showed that here through until today.”
Playing second for the pinstripe squad, Owings also helped turn a double play in the fourth and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Dahl.
Footnotes. Catcher Elías Díaz legged out what could generously be called a triple in the second inning for the pinstripe squad after his soft line drive was missed by a diving Sam Hilliard in left. … Trevor Story had a nice night, getting a single, a walk, a stolen base, and scored a run. … Ryan McMahon also added two hits, a double and a single. … Antonio Santos threw two scoreless innings of relief with two strikeouts.


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--9-man Rapids fall in chaotic, controversial match against Sporting KC

It was a self-destructive kind of night for the Colorado Rapids .
Up a goal in the second half , the Rapids gave away a penalty , were shown two red cards and conceded three goals in a half hour to walk away 3-2 losers to Sporting Kansas City on Friday .
Hopes for advancing in the MLS is Back Tournament were all but dead for Colorado , which dropped consecutive matches for the first time in the Robin Fraser era .
“ I couldn ’ t be more proud of my team , talk about a resilient performance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When we were at full strength we were excellent .
When we ’ re down one man , we were still excellent , and when we ’ re down two men , we were still excellent.
” The Rapids came out with a flurry .
Charging through the midfield , Diego Rubio spun off a defender to find Cole Bassett for an advancement to Nicolas Benezet .
The winger laid it back toward the center of the field where Basset touched it for Kellyn Acosta , whose left foot hammered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado a 1-0 lead six minutes in .
Colorado continued to possess the ball but Sporting showed moxie on corner kicks .
Pushing a ball past debuting keeper William Yarbrough , captain Jack Price cleared a sure goal from Khiry Shelton with his head .
Danny Wilson broke up a long ball in the 61st minute of his first start of the year .
After video review , he was ejected on a straight red card for “ denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
” Four minutes later , Kansas City made 10-man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the box , Gadi Kinda lifted a cross from post to post , where Shelton knocked it home on a half volley to level the scoreline .
Moments later , Sporting once again was on the attack when Rubio blocked a cross from inside the box .
Play was halted and after review , and it was determined Rubio inadvertently blocked the ball with his hand .
Alan Pulido ’ s penalty shot easily gave Kansas City a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute .
As play resumed , Price argued with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was given a straight red card .
“ ( Jack ) Price was sent off for using abusive/insulting/offensive language to the match referee , ” Professional Referee Organization ( PRO ) said in an email to reporters postgame .
“ Hey @ thesoccerdon next time try to get some real referees , no fake please , ” Benezet tweeted at MLS commissioner Don Garber postgame .
“ I never seen that in my life .. ” The Rapids played 9-on-11 the rest of the way , but still managed to spring an attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a just-off-the-bench Jonathan Lewis streaking down the left-wing .
He evened the score at 2-2 in the 84th minute with a right-footed shot far post .
“ I thought we dominated the game , ” Acosta said .
“ Going down two men is definitely a tough hole to climb out of , but I couldn ’ t be more proud of the effort that everyone put in.
” At the beginning of a 12-minute stoppage time there was a scramble for the ball in front of goal and it found the foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ box , he shot toward the net which deflected off Sam Vines and catapulted over Yarbrough for the game-winner .
What ’ s next : The Rapids are back in action on Wednesday against Minnesota United FC for their final group stage match of the tournament .

It was a self-destructive kind of night for the Colorado Rapids.
Up a goal in the second half, the Rapids gave away a penalty, were shown two red cards and conceded three goals in a half hour to walk away 3-2 losers to Sporting Kansas City on Friday.
Hopes for advancing in the MLS is Back Tournament were all but dead for Colorado, which dropped consecutive matches for the first time in the Robin Fraser era.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my team, talk about a resilient performance,” head coach Robin Fraser said postgame. “When we were at full strength we were excellent. When we’re down one man, we were still excellent, and when we’re down two men, we were still excellent.”
The Rapids came out with a flurry. Charging through the midfield, Diego Rubio spun off a defender to find Cole Bassett for an advancement to Nicolas Benezet. The winger laid it back toward the center of the field where Basset touched it for Kellyn Acosta, whose left foot hammered a curling rocket past Richard Sánchez to give Colorado a 1-0 lead six minutes in.
Colorado continued to possess the ball but Sporting showed moxie on corner kicks. Pushing a ball past debuting keeper William Yarbrough, captain Jack Price cleared a sure goal from Khiry Shelton with his head.
Danny Wilson broke up a long ball in the 61st minute of his first start of the year. After video review, he was ejected on a straight red card for “denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.”
Four minutes later, Kansas City made 10-man Colorado pay. Bouncing around each side of the box, Gadi Kinda lifted a cross from post to post, where Shelton knocked it home on a half volley to level the scoreline.
Moments later, Sporting once again was on the attack when Rubio blocked a cross from inside the box. Play was halted and after review, and it was determined Rubio inadvertently blocked the ball with his hand. Alan Pulido’s penalty shot easily gave Kansas City a 2-1 lead in the 72nd minute.
As play resumed, Price argued with the official, David Gantar, and was given a straight red card.
“(Jack) Price was sent off for using abusive/insulting/offensive language to the match referee,” Professional Referee Organization (PRO) said in an email to reporters postgame.
“Hey @thesoccerdon next time try to get some real referees, no fake please,” Benezet tweeted at MLS commissioner Don Garber postgame. “I never seen that in my life ..”
The Rapids played 9-on-11 the rest of the way, but still managed to spring an attack.
Kei Kamara subbed on and found a just-off-the-bench Jonathan Lewis streaking down the left-wing. He evened the score at 2-2 in the 84th minute with a right-footed shot far post.
“I thought we dominated the game,” Acosta said. “Going down two men is definitely a tough hole to climb out of, but I couldn’t be more proud of the effort that everyone put in.”
At the beginning of a 12-minute stoppage time there was a scramble for the ball in front of goal and it found the foot of Graham Zusi. From outside the box, he shot toward the net which deflected off Sam Vines and catapulted over Yarbrough for the game-winner.
What’s next: The Rapids are back in action on Wednesday against Minnesota United FC for their final group stage match of the tournament.


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--Tiger Woods’ big finish gets him to the weekend at Memorial

DUBLIN , Ohio — Five months without competition , and Tiger Woods was grinding over key shots and big putts Friday at the Memorial .
None was bigger than a 7-foot par putt on his final hole .
It kept him from going home .
Woods missed a pair of 3-foot putts early that shut down any momentum , twice missed the green with awkward chip shots in deep rough and had to finish birdie-birdie-par for a 4-over 76 .
It was just enough to make the cut on the number at 3-over 147 , his highest 36-hole score at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1997 .
The Memorial , the Masters and the Arnold Palmer Invitational are the only tournaments he has played at least 15 times without failing to make the cut .
Woods said his back felt a little stiff while warming up and he couldn ’ t move through his swing like he would have liked .
He said it was a struggle on a warm , calm morning at Muirfield Village .
But when asked if it was enough to keep him from playing the rest of the week , Woods replied , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to play tomorrow.
” Woods was outside the cut when he finished , and he was helped by a pair of fellow Californians .
Max Homa finished with two bogeys , and Bryson DeChambeau made a 10 on the par-5 15th hole , moving the cut to 3 over .
Ryan Palmer ( 68 ) and Tony Finau ( 69 ) managed just fine and were tied for the lead , leaving Woods 12 shots behind going into the weekend .
The finish at least gave him a chance .
Woods had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the water on the sixth hole — he started on the back nine — and missed a par putt just outside 5 feet to fall to 6 over for his round .
He looked to be done .
He wasn ’ t moving well , the look of someone who would be heading home shortly .
But he found the fairway on the par-5 seventh and made birdie from a greenside bunker .
Then , he rolled in 20-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 eighth .
He found more trouble on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the right , in rough and blocked by trees , leaving his only option to chip out to the fairway .
From there , his wedge spun back to 7 feet below the hole and he made that par for to have hope .
“ I finished birdie-birdie-par , ” he said .
“ That ’ s about the only positive to it today.
” He wasn ’ t sure what to make about his back , which has undergone four surgeries , the last one to fuse his lower spine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three more times , including the Masters last year for his 15th major .
Woods last played Feb. 16 in the cold at Riviera , where he finished last in the Genesis Invitational with a 76-77 weekend .
He attributed stiffness that week to the cold .
As for Ohio in July ?
Woods said he felt fine when he woke up , not so much while going through his practice sessions .
“ It wasn ’ t quite as good as I ’ d like , and it it what it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ It ’ s going to happen more times than not.
” What really irritated him was his putting .
He three-putted from about 35 feet on the par-5 11th , missing a 3-footer for birdie .
Two holes later , after a superb play from the rough to right side of the green , he rolled a fast putt to 3 feet and missed that par putt .
And then when he chopped up the par-5 15th for bogey , the rest of the day became a battle .
From a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he sent his shot high on the hill into rough so deep it took him a few minutes to find it .
With the greens so brittle , he hit that through the putting surface into more rough , and he had to make an 8-foot putt to escape with bogey .
Making the turn , Woods had an awkward lie with his ball in the collar of a bunker .
He caught all ball and sent that long , through the green and into a bunker , failed to get up-and-down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot sailed to the right toward a hazard , and Woods simply hung his head .
He still managed to have enough left at the end to give him a chance .
Woods is a five-time winner of the Memorial , and his next victory would set the PGA Tour career record of 83 .
Also looming is the first major of the year at the PGA Championship in three weeks .
For a 44-year-old who won the first of his 82 tour titles at age 20 , time isn ’ t on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun , ” he said .
“ Early on in my career , I thought it was fantastic because I was getting better and better and better .
And now I ’ m just trying to hold on .
”

DUBLIN, Ohio — Five months without competition, and Tiger Woods was grinding over key shots and big putts Friday at the Memorial. None was bigger than a 7-foot par putt on his final hole.
It kept him from going home.
Woods missed a pair of 3-foot putts early that shut down any momentum, twice missed the green with awkward chip shots in deep rough and had to finish birdie-birdie-par for a 4-over 76.
It was just enough to make the cut on the number at 3-over 147, his highest 36-hole score at Muirfield Village since his Memorial debut in 1997.
The Memorial, the Masters and the Arnold Palmer Invitational are the only tournaments he has played at least 15 times without failing to make the cut.
Woods said his back felt a little stiff while warming up and he couldn’t move through his swing like he would have liked. He said it was a struggle on a warm, calm morning at Muirfield Village.
But when asked if it was enough to keep him from playing the rest of the week, Woods replied, “I would like to have the opportunity to play tomorrow.”
Woods was outside the cut when he finished, and he was helped by a pair of fellow Californians. Max Homa finished with two bogeys, and Bryson DeChambeau made a 10 on the par-5 15th hole, moving the cut to 3 over.
Ryan Palmer (68) and Tony Finau (69) managed just fine and were tied for the lead, leaving Woods 12 shots behind going into the weekend.
The finish at least gave him a chance.
Woods had to lay up from deep rough short of the water on the sixth hole — he started on the back nine — and missed a par putt just outside 5 feet to fall to 6 over for his round. He looked to be done. He wasn’t moving well, the look of someone who would be heading home shortly.
But he found the fairway on the par-5 seventh and made birdie from a greenside bunker. Then, he rolled in 20-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 eighth. He found more trouble on the ninth, sending his tee shot to the right, in rough and blocked by trees, leaving his only option to chip out to the fairway.
From there, his wedge spun back to 7 feet below the hole and he made that par for to have hope.
“I finished birdie-birdie-par,” he said. “That’s about the only positive to it today.”
He wasn’t sure what to make about his back, which has undergone four surgeries, the last one to fuse his lower spine. He has recovered well enough to win three more times, including the Masters last year for his 15th major.
Woods last played Feb. 16 in the cold at Riviera, where he finished last in the Genesis Invitational with a 76-77 weekend. He attributed stiffness that week to the cold. As for Ohio in July?
Woods said he felt fine when he woke up, not so much while going through his practice sessions.
“It wasn’t quite as good as I’d like, and it it what it is,” he said, adding later, “It’s going to happen more times than not.”
What really irritated him was his putting. He three-putted from about 35 feet on the par-5 11th, missing a 3-footer for birdie. Two holes later, after a superb play from the rough to right side of the green, he rolled a fast putt to 3 feet and missed that par putt. And then when he chopped up the par-5 15th for bogey, the rest of the day became a battle.
From a fairway bunker right of the 17th fairway, he sent his shot high on the hill into rough so deep it took him a few minutes to find it. With the greens so brittle, he hit that through the putting surface into more rough, and he had to make an 8-foot putt to escape with bogey.
Making the turn, Woods had an awkward lie with his ball in the collar of a bunker. He caught all ball and sent that long, through the green and into a bunker, failed to get up-and-down and took double bogey.
His next shot sailed to the right toward a hazard, and Woods simply hung his head. He still managed to have enough left at the end to give him a chance.
Woods is a five-time winner of the Memorial, and his next victory would set the PGA Tour career record of 83. Also looming is the first major of the year at the PGA Championship in three weeks.
For a 44-year-old who won the first of his 82 tour titles at age 20, time isn’t on his side.
“Aging is not fun,” he said. “Early on in my career, I thought it was fantastic because I was getting better and better and better. And now I’m just trying to hold on.”


thedenverpost--2020-07-18--PHOTOS: Enough is Enough march decries recent youth gun violence

Gionna Flores , left , is hugged by Keilah Collins during the Enough is Enough rally to call attention to @ @ @ @ @ of Montbello High School on Friday , July 17 , 2020 .
They were mourning @ @ @ @ @ and many others in the community who have lost their lives to youth violence .

Rachel Ellis, The Denver Post
Gionna Flores, left, is hugged by Keilah Collins during the Enough is Enough rally to call attention to youth violence in Denver outside of Montbello High School on Friday, July 17, 2020. They were mourning the loss of Davarie Armstrong and many others in the community who have lost their lives to youth violence.