Linda Goto, who was one of Denver’s kindest, classiest most tireless charity volunteers up until she lost a longtime bout with cancer last November, will be honored by The Cherry Creek Arts Festival for her work on The Denver Hospice Mask Project during its gala July 2.
The event takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. at the JW Marriott, 150 Clayton Lane in Cherry Creek.
Mickey Ackerman, founder of The Denver Hospice Mask Project, will accept the CCAF’s Distinguished Patron Award in memory of Goto and offer a toast with champagne, her signature drink.
Goto chaired both the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and The Mask Project in 2002 and was the event planner at The Denver Hospice at the time of her death.
A reception on the remodeled outdoor patio starts at 5. There will be 25 CCAF artists with their works for guests to peruse. At 7 p.m., the party moves to the mezzanine ballroom for dinner and presentation of the award.
- Your gala ticket includes a framed 2013 CCAF poster, invitation to CCAF Opening Night Party on July 5, access to an air-conditioned VIP Lounge in the JW Marriott where the beverages will be flowing, and access to the Member Lounge in the Beer Garden all through the festival July 5-7. And perhaps most welcome – free valet parking at Cherry Creek Shopping Center during the festival.
- For gala tickets visit www.cherryarts.org/gala.
Rockin’ Fridays
Shanahan’s, the popular steak place south of town, launches its concert Rockin’ Fridays On the Patio on July 5.
Here’s the lineup: July 5 – Phatt Daddy, July 12 – Mary Louise Lee, July 19 – Hot Lunch, July 26 – Dotsero, Aug. 2 – Funkiphino, Aug. 9 – Tunisia, Aug. 16 – Moderators, Aug. 23 – Thumpin and Aug. 30 – The Spin. Music plays from 6 to 10 p.m.
The concert menu features a three-course $110 dinner for two, and hand-crafted Stoli cocktails for $10. There’s a $50 food and beverage minimum per person for all reserved patio seating.
Reservations: www.shanahanssteakhouse.com or by calling 303-770-7300.
Thrills and chills
Elitch Gardens is pumping up the park this year with the debut of a new roller coaster, and by doubling the number of productions with a total of seven new shows.
Blazin’ Buckaroo, a new family roller coaster, features a 360-foot long steel ride meant for novice riders.
“We can’t wait to see how many families will take their first roller coaster ride together on Blazin’ Buckaroo,” said Tracy Durham, Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park’s director of marketing.
One new show designed for children and families is Do Right Duo in Kiddieland, which features super-hero friends sharing their superpower formula for food, fitness and brainpower.
Interactive shows include The Raptor Project, which brings birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, falcons and owls that will soar over the audience.
African dance, agility and strength come together with the Mapapa African Acrobats display their physical strength and acrobatic artistry. (I saw this group during a recent VIP party at the park, and their gravity-defying feats were mind blowing!)
Guests can enjoy all the rides, slides and shows at Elitch Gardens with a season pass for $79.99. Main gate tickets are $45.99 with discounts available online at www.elitchgardens.com.
Maya en vez de Cima
Renowned chef Richard Sandoval, who heads an international restaurant empire which includes Tamayo, Zengo, Al Lado and La Sandia in Denver, repositioned his culinary presence at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain, and last week opened Maya in place of the more upscale Cima.
Maya, a Modern Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, is designed to bring a more upbeat casual dining experience than the more formal Cima.
Maya’s menu features Sandoval’s authentic Mexican flavors by blending traditional recipes with contemporary touches. Fresh ingredients will be plucked from the restaurant’s on-site garden.
The menu features four types of guacamole made table side, mahi mahi ceviche queso fundido and chicken flautas. Chef’s specials include lobster and shrimp Yucatan. Colorado bass, carne asada and pork carnitas.
For more information, go to www.richardsandoval.com.
We are proud nerds
Nerdwallet.com, a consumer finance advice website that specializes in advice for new college grads, rated Denver No. 3 on its recent list of the best cities in the U.S. for college graduates. Here’s what the blog said:
“Denver has a great and affordable social life for recent college graduates, boasting the most bars per capita and a low cost of living. This laid-back city has a moderate unemployment rate, making it easier to find a job here than most other cities, and Denver’s residents have easy access to mountains and nature just a few hours’ drive away. Denver’s top industries are aerospace, broadcasting and telecommunications, energy and healthcare.”
Who topped the list? Boston, No. 1; Seattle, No. 2. (Insert your own opinion and read the blog at www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/2013/best-cities-recent-college-graduates/.)
Eavesdropping on two women discussing pants: “Why do we have to zip anything, haven’t you heard of elastic?”
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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