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A Denver father dreamed of a home for his family. Medical debt nearly pushed them onto the streets.

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

By Noam N. Levey, KFF Health NewsKayce Atencio used to be haunted by a thought while working at a homeless shelter in downtown Denver. “It could have been me,” said Atencio, 30, who lives in a small apartment with his son and daughter not far from the shelter.It nearly was. Atencio and his children for years slept on friends’ couches or stayed with family, unable to rent an apartment because of poor credit. A big reason, he said, was medical debt.Atencio had a heart attack at 19, triggered by an undiagnosed congenital condition. The debts from his care devastated his credit score. “It always felt like I just couldn’t get a leg up,” he said, recalling a life of dead-end jobs and high-interest loans as he tried to stay ahead of debt collectors. By 25, he’d declared bankruptcy.Across the country, medical debt forces legions of Americans to make painful sacrifices. Many cut back on food, take on extra work, or drain retirement savings. For millions like Atencio, the health care system i...

Here’s how to visit Sweetwater County, Wyoming

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

By Irene Middleman ThomasSpecial to The Denver PostIf you were around in the ‘70s and ‘80s, you can now forget what you heard about Rock Springs and Green River, Wyo. They no longer deserve the notoriety of Wild West oil boom “Sin City” towns with more prostitutes than New York’s Lexington Avenue, and more bars than Las Vegas.Recently, while visiting both cities in Wyoming’s largest county, Sweetwater, I was pleasantly astonished to find swanky bistros with yes, even vegan offerings. At Sidekicks, a poshy coffee/wine bar bookshop, well-dressed women gathered to sip on pinot noirs while discussing the latest bestsellers.This enormous region, in the southwest corner of the state, boasts much of the same spectacular red rock ridges and towering formations that draw throngs in neighboring Utah’s national parks, but without the daunting crowds or entrance fees. Frankly, this might just be the most under-discovered and underrated place in Wyoming.Sweetwater County is home to d...

Denver immigrant families left out of past pandemic aid can now apply for basic cash assistance

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

Denver immigrant families that were left out of past pandemic recovery aid programs can apply for new cash assistance through the city beginning Tuesday.Households that qualify will receive $1,000 to $1,500 under the city’s Basic Cash Assistance for Households Program. The city is using $3 million in one-time federal COVID-19 recovery dollars for the program, which is expected to help 1,800 to 2,200 families, according to Denver’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.Within those families, the money will help support about 4,200 children, including about 1,200 who are under the age of 5, said Atim Otii, the office’s director.City officials designed the program for families who typically aren’t eligible for public assistance, often due to the parents’ immigration status. Many immigrant families who otherwise would have qualified based on their incomes were left out of earlier pandemic assistance programs. The Denver City Council approved the program e...

Paddleboarders dressed as witches will haunt Colorado lakes; here’s how to join them

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

A chill in the Colorado air and the promise of changing leaves means spooky season is officially on its way. That will be evident at lakes and reservoirs in September and October when costumed groups of locals take to the water for their annual witch paddles.Witch paddles — events in which people dress in costumes to paddleboard, kayak and canoe — have become a hallmark of fall and a fun excuse to enjoy the outdoors before winter sets in.The concept is simple: Don a Halloween-inspired witch or warlock outfit and launch your boat alongside other bewitching characters for a casual paddle. Some organizers suggest tying your witch hat to your head so it doesn’t blow into the water.Here are three events where you can join the gaggle of witches on the water and have a few cackles along the way.Brittany Long and her dog Pepper, left, joined other members of the SUP Sisters paddling group and dressed up as a witch to celebrate Halloween at Chatfield State Park in Littleton on Oct. 3, ...

Gardening: How to preserve your late-summer harvest in Colorado

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

Even though summer heat is slowly fading, we won’t easily forget this past spring and summer, which brought abundant moisture along with hail, tornadoes and plant havoc. The good news is that fall is the time to wind down, reflect on the summer growing season, enjoy the harvest and transition to fall.Let’s not mention frost — but keep it in the back of your mind.This month focuses on vegetable harvesting and preserving what you can for fall and winter eats. There’s still time to put in new perennials and divide plants for next season’s blooms. Shop for deals on trees and shrubs but get them in the ground yesterday, without delay.Preserve the harvestPlanning a well-stocked freezer and pantry of home-grown fruits and vegetables means some work now, but oh how happy you’ll be enjoying home-preserved peaches, herbs or tomatoes later when a foot of snow arrives and you don’t have to drive to the store. If your crops got hailed out or were less bountiful, purchase locally grow...

World steps up fight to guarantee food security

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

Everything from famine and war to climate change and land use all usually have one thing in common – food security.The problems of food security have increasingly come to the fore in recent years, usually impacting people in the poorest countries in developing nations.But the conflict in Ukraine, and the subsequent spin off effects for spiralling food prices and the cost of living, has also made rich Europeans ever more aware of potential food security problems.The issue was highlighted just last week by EU Council president Charles Michel at the G20 summit in India – the meeting of the world’s richest countries - where he spoke of “the global consequences” of current conflicts, “especially the food (and energy) security.”His message is partly echoed by Left MEP Mick Wallace (Independents for Change, Ireland) who says, “The science is absolutely clear, the biggest threats to our food security and to the future of agriculture are the climate and bio...

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Celebrates Her Birthday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie Celebrates Her Birthday: Bronx rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has released a new single and video called “Her Birthday.”The song is taken form his B4 BOA EP which is also out now. It tells the story of misplaced love, a bad relationship. The video, meanwhile, sees the rapper peppered with arrows. That is mixed in with images of Boogie out to dinner with the birthday girl. It’s a sad tale.“Multi-platinum global superstar, A Boogie wit da Hoodie has been a force to be reckoned with since arriving on the scene in 2016,” reads this bio. “Credited for bringing the new sound of New York City to the masses, the Bronx, NY-native has been proclaimed ‘the most promising young rapper the city has produced in some time’ by The New York Times, while boasting nearly 18B global streams and over 50 RIAA platinum and gold certifications to date. With a dynamic catalog of world-renowned hit songs (‘My Shit,’ ‘Drow...

A Healing Property Permeates the Whole of Kris’s “(roygbiv).”

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

Introducing Kris, the captivating musical artist known for her authenticity and emotional depth. Through her skilled storytelling, she effortlessly intertwines personal experiences into her music. Brace yourself for her debut EP, “Where do I Begin?” This collection perfectly fuses singer-songwriter sensibilities with theatrical elements, creating a truly unparalleled listening journey for devoted fans.The EP’s closing track, “(roygbiv),” stands out for its poignant emotion and unfiltered honesty. It is a conversation between Kris’ present self and her past, closeted teenage self. Despite its intricate and playful lyrics, the song was written effortlessly, capturing an authentic and spontaneous essence.She approaches the sensitive topic of coming out with empathy and subtlety, shedding light on a unique, often ignored perspective. Through her music, she shares her personal journey and creates a healing and relatable experience for listeners.Kris...

Best Hair Transplant Istanbul – A New Beauty Trend You’ll Want To Get In On

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

Few people give their hair much thought until it starts causing problems and falling out. Only then does it become apparent just how critical hair is to your overall appearance, confidence levels, and how others perceive you.Although you could make lifestyle changes to improve the quality of your hair, such as reducing your stress, eating healthy, and exercising, your options are more limited if you’re suffering from genetic hair loss. In that instance, only a hair transplant could be a permanent solution.However, instead of searching for any random hair transplant clinic in your vicinity, you might want to look up a hair transplant in Turkey. It’s the latest beauty trend that might just turn your life around.What makes Turkey a good destination for hair transplants?With its astonishing scenery, marvelous architecture, great cuisine, and fascinating culture, Turkey is a great place to visit for your next vacation. However, it’s not just a popular tourist destination. It’s also one o...

Pitching with discomfort? SF Giants starter explains why it’s an easy decision

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:55:36 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Cobb has dealt with a right hip impingement for the last three months — and there’s not much question that the injury will be an issue for him until the end of the season.So the right-hander is simply giving the Giants what he’s got, and on Monday, that meant five solid innings in what became a 5-4, 10-inning win for San Francisco over the Cleveland Guardians at Oracle Park.Cobb hadn’t pitched at home since Aug. 29 when he no-hit the Cincinnati Reds through 8 2/3 innings. He had his scheduled start Sunday pushed back a day after he recently received a cortisone shot.Cobb still felt the injury after his second pitch in the first inning and shortly after, needed to be checked on by manager Gabe Kapler and athletic trainer Dave Groeschner. But he remained the game as the Giants went on to their fourth straight win to help keep their playoff hopes intact.“Alex is about as competitive a person as I’ve seen,” Kapler...