Comment on French troops inch north in Mali as Islamists melt away

A skirmish erupted on the floor of the National Western Complex’s arena. Thunderous pops of gunfire, shouting and fancy equine footwork unfolded inside the Denver events center one Saturday morning last month, as a group of boys outfitted in authentic 19th-century U. S. Cavalry uniforms clashed with kids dressed in fringed pants, moccasins, headbands and a feathered war bonnet. The Westernaires, a Golden-based nonprofit that teaches kids horsemanship, has performed this reenactment of the Battle of Little Bighorn for decades.

A vital but overlooked job of many food pantries is to supply meals to students — some of whom only eat with regularity outside the home. The challenges of doing so are steep, with food costs rising anywhere from 10% to 17% over the last two years, depending on the item, said executive director Barbara B.

After a perfect five-game homestand, the Nuggets were rewarded by the NBA schedule gods this week with a rare stretch of four days off between games. Their turnaround from an 0-2 start has been among the most surprising developments across the league so far this season, depending on whom you ask.

Despite being more than 1,400 miles away, Justin Simmons still considers Denver home. Black and red are his new uniform colors, but he continues to bleed orange and blue. Simmons’ football career took a different path last spring when the Pro Bowl safety was released from the Broncos in March. The franchise’s longest-tenured player at that time was left to find a new team.

Keith Bishop sees his life in windows. The most significant window for the former Broncos offensive lineman opened in early 1990. He was a backup left guard at the end of his 10th NFL season after losing his starting spot due to a back injury and viral meningitis. Shortly after the Broncos’ blowout loss to the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV, he was scheduled to meet with coach Dan Reeves about his future. Only the meeting got postponed. “They said, ‘Well, you’re going to have to come back (and meet with Reeves),'” Bishop recalled.

Dear Eric: My sister-in-law is one of the kindest and most giving people I know. She volunteers at her church, at our local YMCA and at our golf club. She has driven friends several states away for medical treatments. However, my brother/her husband of 30-plus years is not a social guy, and this irritates her to no end.