Colorado AvidGolfer is celebrating a 100th milestone.
Not that the local magazine is becoming a centenarian – it still has a few years to go before hitting that drive – rather CAG is publishing its 100th issue with the July edition, on newsstands and online (www.coloradoavidgolfer.com) this week.
Editor Jon Rizzi realized a couple of months ago that the magazine was approaching its 100th edition.
“It’s been a really great run so far,” he said, reflecting on the past.
To celebrate CAG No. 100, the pages pay homage to past covers along with its current cover guy Billy Casper, whose company recently took over management of The Golf Club at Ravenna in Littleton.
Other big names whose mugs have graced the coveted CAG cover include: Todd Helton (first cover), John Elway (twice), Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jill McGill, Amelia Earhart (last month), Amy Van Dyken, John Lynch, Terrell Davis, Don Cheadle, Kevin Costner, David Duval, Tom Weiskopf and on and on.
But Rizzi doesn’t let the fairway grass grow under his feet. He’s set his sights on Broncos QB Peyton Manning for a future cover.
“He’s only been here for a year, so we’re still working on that,” Rizzi said.
After celebrating the biggest issue ever in 2006 just before The International held its last tournament at Castle Pines, CAG, along with the rest of the country, figuratively boarded up the windows to brace against the recession’s storm.
“We weathered the recession, which hit the golf business and publishing business very hard,” Rizzi said. “We kept our hand firmly on the tiller and navigated the waters. We pulled back from nine issues to eight issues a year, which made us a stronger publication.”
Rizzi, employee No. 1, was supported by co-captain and publisher Allen Walters, employee No. 2 in the company majority owned by The Baker brothers – Dick, Don and Ray.
What does Rizzi hope to accomplish for the magazine’s next 100 issues?
“Surviving is a good thing,” he said. “We want to continue to come up with some new ideas and new ways of covering the Colorado golf scene. We always want to be the ultimate resource for golf in Colorado.”
Former PGA Tour winner and new owner of The Golf Club at Ravenna Billy Casper graces the cover of Colorado AvidGolfer’s 100th issue. (Photo courtesy of Colorado AvidGolfer magazine)
Go forth over the Fourth
If you’re staying close to home for the Fourth of July weekend (or entertaining guests), Visit Denver (the city’s gang of gung-ho boosters) has compiled a list of area activities meant to put a bang into your holiday festivities. Here are 10 ideas to add sizzle to your celebration.
Free concert and fireworks
The fourth annual Independence Eve Celebration at Civic Center Park will feature a free patriotic concert by The Colorado Symphony, an innovative light show on the Denver City and County Building and a stunning fireworks finale on July 3. Lawn seating on a first-come, first-served basis; blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs encouraged.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Cherry Creek North hosts this free, outdoor art show – a celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts – July 5 through 7. Culinary Avenue features tasty treats and live cooking demonstrations from some of Denver’s most popular eateries.
Rock out at Red Rocks
- Michael Franti and Spearhead on July 3.
- Blues Traveler on July 4.
- The Avett Brothers on July 5 and 6.
- Pop-classical vocalist Josh Groban joins forces with the Colorado Symphony for a special concert on July 7.
Pro Sports Paradise and Post-Game Fireworks
- At Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies take on the Los Angeles Dodgers during a three-game homestand, July 2-4. A fireworks show follows the July 3 and 4 games.
- The Colorado Rapids face the New York Red Bulls at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 4 with a fireworks display after the game,
- The Denver Outlaws lacrosse team battles the New York Lizards on July 4 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Fireworks follow the game.
Roller coasters, water slides, fireworks at Elitch Gardens
Spend July 4 at Denver’s downtown amusement park and then watch a fireworks display.
Red, White & Blue Race
Work off all the barbecue and desserts by running in the Liberty 4-mile run in Washington Park July 4. The Liberty Run also includes a Firecracker Kids Fun Run.
Rhythm of Drums Along the Rockies
Eight of the nation’s top drum and bugle corps perform July 6 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Oompa Loompas in downtown Denver
Head to downtown Denver’s Skyline Park hosts a free screening of the family-friendly classic “Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” on July 6. Showtime at dusk.
Swing to the Sounds of City Park Jazz
The Sam Mayfield Blues Band will perform a free outdoor concert July 7 in City Park.
Even more ideas to plan a Fourth of July weekend excursion to The Mile High City at visitdenver.com/July4.
Red, white and chew
Many of us prefer to hang out at home with family and/or friends on the Fourth of July (also known at my house as “annual potato salad day”), but others would rather revel at a local eatery where someone else does the cooking and the dishes.
Here’s a list (with credit to www.denver.eater.com for some of the restaurants that are open and those that are closed during the nation’s birthday.
Open on the Fourth:
Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, 3525 E. Colfax Ave., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; The Corner Office on 14th and Curtis streets; Adelitas Cocina y Cantina, 1294 S. Broadway; Second Home in the JW Marriott Cherry Creek; Lala’s Wine Bar + Pizzeria, 410 E. Seventh Ave.; Govnr’s Park, 672 Logan St.; Marlowe’s, 501 16th St.; Paramount Café, 519 16th St.; Avenue Grill, 630 E. 17th Ave.; Biker Jim’s, 2148 Larimer St.; Jonesy’s Eat Bar, 400 E. 20th Ave.; The Kitchen Denver, 1530 16th St.; Coral Room (brunch only), 3489 W. 32nd Ave.; Linger (dinner only), 2030 W. 30th Ave.; The Fort (a cannoneer will shoot a replica of a 1780s French cannon at the top of every hour), 19192 Colorado 8, Morrison; Punch Bowl Social, 65 Broadway; Vesta Dipping Grill, 1822 Blake St.; Steuben’s, 523 E. 17th Ave.; Ace Eat Serve, 501 E. 17th Ave.; EDGE Restaurant & Bar in The Four Seasons Hotel Denver, 1111 14th St.; Elway’s Downtown in The Ritz-Carlton Denver, 1881 Curtis St.; Racines, 650 Sherman St. and Tony P’s at 777 E. 17th Ave. and at 2400 W. 32nd Ave. (Tony P’s in Cherry Creek at 240 Milwaukee St. will reopen during the Cherry Creek Arts Festival only on July 5, 6 and 7).
Closed on the Fourth:
El Camino, Barolo Grill (closed through July 10 for the staff’s annual trip to Italy), Fresh Craft, Trillium, Euclid Hall, Pinche Taqueria, The Lobby, Le Grand Bistro & Oyster Bar, Rioja, Bistro Vendome and Panzano.
The seen
* Taylor Armstrong of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” hanging out at the new Maya Beaver Creek inside The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa Friday evening during the restaurant’s first Friday Patio Party. Armstrong spent the winter in Vail with her “married” (in the process of getting divorced) attorney-boyfriend John Bluher, who’s originally from Parker, according to Internet reports.
* Denver Mayor Michael Hancock glad-handing and groovin’ to the Railbenders Wednesday at Elway’s Cherry Creek’s patio concert series.
* Denver City Councilman Charlie Brown shopping in the produce department at the Sheridan Costco.
Eavesdropping on one single man to another at the Whole Foods on East Hampden Avenue:
“Dude, we need to hang out here more often. Even the ugly girls are hot at this Whole Foods.”
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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