“It’s a good day. The Nuggets won last night,” head coach George Karl told the folks who flocked to Coohills restaurant Tuesday morning as the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for the Cancer Care Initiative.
Karl knows a thing or two about “winning” as a two-time cancer survivor.
The event coincided with Colorado Gives Day, the annual event where citizens are asked to dig deep into their pockets and consciences to donate to a favorite charity.
Karl is committed to cancer causes.
“Cancer reminds me of an NBA locker room,” he said with a hoarse voice from screaming during the game on Monday. “There are a lot of egos and a lot of money. We pay our players way too much. I’m tremendously committed to doctors, but the (health industry) CEO and rehab don’t play together as a team. If they don’t, they’re not going to win big.
“We’ve had 16 or 17-point leads, then we relaxed on defense and gave up those leads. Unfortunately we lost two of those games.”
The coach, an off-the-cuff speaker, talked about his cancer treatments.
“They never told me that my taste for red wine would be gone,” he said. “Now, my wine cellar is a waste.” He also added that he firmly believes that someone will discover a cure for cancer. I’m less convinced. As a breast cancer survivor who has had a mother die of brain cancer, and had a friend die of lung cancer, I’m sorely skeptical that a cure will be found in my lifetime.
But Karl’s optimism and positive attitude was refreshing. He stressed nutrition education should be taught at a young age because, “When you clog your system, you’re open to cancer.
“I try every day to find my own space. I still want to win a championship; I’m still obsessed with that. I’ve learned to walk down the hallway during half time and do yoga breathing because I want to cuss those (players) out. I take 40 pills a day and I feel better, but I don’t know which one makes me feel better.”
Karl reminded the attendees to be passionate about a charity and to support that organization, especially on Colorado Gives Day. The coach said after the breakfast, he was getting on a plane for a five-day road trip.
“I hate my schedule,” he said, but obviously not as much as he hates cancer.
Calhoun to be honored
Westword founder and editor Patty Calhoun (a gal pal of mine) will be honored at with the Independent Voice of the Year Award during Open Media Foundation’s Independent Voices fundraising dinner starting at 6 p.m. Friday at 700 Kalamath Ave. in the Santa Fe Arts District.
The event will feature food from Denver independent restaurants including Watercourse, Root Down and Black Pearl, with micro brews from Strange Brewery and chai tea from Bhakti Chai.
Tickets are $150 and include a one-year programming membership to Denver Open Media, which offers discounts on classes and the opportunity to upload video content to air on DOM’s Comcast Channels 56, 57 and 219.
Tickets for the dinner can be purchased online - RSVP Here or by e-mailing development@openmediafoundation.org.
Coohills’ coup
Coohills has landed one of Denver’s true treasures to entertain on New Year’s Eve.
Hazel Miller and her band will perform starting at 8 p.m. during the second seating that includes a seven-course dinner with music and dancing for $135 per person (not including tax and gratuity).
Or diners can opt for early seating in the dining room between 5 and 6:30 with five courses for $75 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).
The third option is a casual evening in the bar with a limited a la carte menu for $40 per person or $75 per couple cover charge to enjoy the Hazel Miller Band.
Complimentary glass of bubbles and party favors included with all reservations.
Click here for more details and to make reservations.
Mr. Nice Guy
Former Denver City Councilman Ed Thomas sent me a note about dining at Elway’s Cherry Creek after Sunday’s game that he attended with his son, Michael, and some of his pals visiting from out of town.
After the game, Thomas and his posse went to Elway’s for dinner.
“Sure enough, John Elway came in for dinner and stayed for two hours,” said Thomas who now runs a consulting firm. “He could not have been friendlier: posing for pictures, working the room, signing autographs . It was a plus for the restaurant and the Broncos and for Elway.”
I have said this before, but with the Broncos on a roll, it bears repeating. I have known Elway for years while covering him in my former newspaper columns, and I have never seen him turn down an autograph or photo request. He’s truly a gracious Denver icon with no ‘tude about how famous he really is.
Eavesdropping on a musician at Swallow Hill Music during a benefit for The Denver Hospice: “Colorado legalizes marijuana just when Twinkies goes out of business. Not fair.”
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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