There are a couple of new young guns in Denver’s public affairs strategy, business development and government relations OK Corral.
RD Sewald, a long-time figure at Denver City Hall and the State Capitol, and Josh Hanfling, a well-known participant in the Colorado political, business and nonprofit arenas, have joined forces to create Sewald Hanfling, LLC, a Colorado-based public affairs strategy firm serving corporate, non-profit and political entities.
Hanfling, who dabbled in several businesses since arriving in Denver from Washington, D.C., in 1992, moved to London last year to run a foundation for his best buddy and former boarding school chum.
He returned to Denver, a place he claims that everyone who leaves eventually comes back to, on Nov. 16, the same day that Sewald left his post as senior strategic advisor and director of government affairs for Gov. John Hickenlooper. The twosome hung their shingle on their 511 Broadway office and opened for business on Nov. 19.
“I spent the last 20 years trying to make Denver and Colorado a great place to live,” Hanfling said. “Now, I’m going to get paid for it.”
The duo estimated that they met in 1996 when Hanfling, then a fledgling business owner, contacted Sewald, then Denver’s director of zoning, over an issue Hanfling was having with the city. They became fast friends ever since.
“RD and I have been working on stuff for years for candidates and fundraising,” Hanfling said. “At the end of the day, it was just fun. It’s like (ice cream kings) Ben and Jerry’s motto: If it’s not fun, why do it?”
Sewald, who’s spent his professional life in public service, said he thinks that both partners have a synergistic relationship that should serve them well as entrepreneurs.
“When you decide you want to partner with someone, you look at strengths and weaknesses,” Sewald said. “Josh’s experience with charities and my experience with government complement our strengths. When you combine the business community with government relations, it’s a pretty powerful list in terms of knowing folks.”
For more information on Sewald Hanfling, its services and founders, go to www.sewaldhanfling.com.
Beggin’ for bacon
Got time for swine? Denver’s first Bacon and Beer Festival trots into town from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at Mile High Station, 2027 W. Lower Colfax Ave.
The event, sponsored by @eatboston, Forkly and Denver Off the Wagon, features a host of Denver-area eateries, which will be serving samples of their bacon-based dishes paired with beers from local suds sites.
Proceeds from the pork party will benefit Metro CareRing and Project Angel Heart. The event is also supported by Whole Foods Markets and American Homestead Bacon.
For tickets and more info on participating restaurants and breweries go to http://wheretoeat.in/calendar/63/29-2012-Denver-Bacon-and-Beer-Festival/.
Larkburger’s new location
Downtown Denver is finally getting a burger bonus with the opening Saturday of the 10th Larkburger on California Street just off the 16th Street Mall.
The Colorado-based fast-casual burger chain will open at 10:30 Saturday, with regular hours from 10:30 to 9 p.m. daily.
The award-winning restaurant group (Larkburger won this year’s Denver Burger Battle) is committed to being eco-friendly. For the new downtown location that means chairs are made from recycled plastic bottles; canola oil is recycled for automotive fuel; cups, utensils and containers are 100 percent biodegradable and reclaimed timber is used in the interior design.
Larkburger will open its next restaurant in Broomfield in mid-December. For more information, go to www.larkburger.com.
Holiday happening
Mariel, the tres chic boutique at 3000 E. Third Ave. in Cherry Creek North, is holding a holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.
The event includes two trunk shows from Vilaiwan Fine Jewelry and Alberto Makali Furs. In addition, award-winning author Lee Clayton Roper, author of A Well-Seasoned Kitchen, will sign books from 3 to 6 p.m.
Guests will enjoy appetizers from Roper’s cookbook and pastries from Gateaux with sipping wine, shopping and socializing.
More information: 303-623-1151 or at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mariel/191410474271658?fref=ts. Visit the Facebook page and “like” Mariel. Owner Denise Snyder would love some love!
Good give
There are so many worthy causes to give to on Dec. 4, the official Colorado Gives Day when Coloradans are encouraged to donate to a charitable organization listed on www.givingfirst.org during that 24-hour period.
During that date, Colorado Neurological Institute’s partner restaurants TAG on Larimer Square and Undici Ristorante, 1200 E. Hampden in Englewood, will donate 10 percent of food sales to CNI’s efforts in research, patient services and education.
For more information about CNI, go to www.thecni.org.
Spoiler alert
Skip this if you don’t want to know developments and drama from Wednesday’s episode of “Top Chef Seattle” on Bravo.
After blowing it with a bottom round crudo in the Quck Fire Challenge, our man Tyler Wiard, exec chef at Elway’s, made it to the final four in the elimination challenge with his retro crab cocktail.
He missed winning the $10,000 prize by a claw! Instead, the noshing nod went to Kristen for sauteed mushrooms and deep-fried onions (really?).
Schiavone says so long
Jenny Schiavone, a sister gingy, sent out her swan song to her media friends on Wednesday saying that it was her last day as “PR chick” for DIA.
She’s accepted a strategic communications position at ICF International, a consulting firm, where she’ll be contracted to FEMA Region VIII working on a national preparedness project (wow, she’s pretty and smart?).
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with “Jen” all these years starting when she was a kid working PR for Denver Center Attractions.
Stacey Stegman, long-time spokesmodel for CDOT (she’s got beauty and brains too!), will be the new global communications director for DIA starting Dec. 10.
To Jen: “You go girl!”
Eavesdropping on a man to a woman at Citygrille: “I’m a neophyte when it comes to politics. I’m way too self-absorbed.”
Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.
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