Denver dweller David Duval joined the ESPN telecast after his first-round 5-over-par 76 on Thursday during the first round of the British Open at Muirfield, which will declare a champ on Sunday.
Duval shot a second-round 79 to finish at 13-over 155 and missed the cut, so maybe we can expect to see more of him on the ESPN telecast this weekend.
Will this be a new line of work for one of my favorite pro golfers? Duval won the 2001 British Open at the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lytham St. Annes, England.
And although I have found him to be rather shy during my few encounters and interviews with him, he’s been downright chatty throughout his commentary. When he was relatively new to Denver, Duval and his girlfriend (now wife) caused quite a stir when they graciously attended my 50th birthday along with friends.
He met local gal Susan Persichitte in August 2003 at the Cherry Creek Grill while in town for The International tournament that used to be played at Castle Pines. They were married in 2004. The Duval duo have two children together: Brady, born in 2005; and Sienna, born in 2008. She has custody of her three older children – Deano, Nick and Shalene – from a prior marriage.
In his heyday, Duval was ranked the No. 1 golfer in the world.
Coverage of the British Open continues through Sunday on ESPN.
Eye on IKEA
IKEA in Centennial donated nearly $60,000 of products in comfort kits for families forced out of their homes during Colorado’s Black Forest fire in June. In all, 800 kits were created; 500 for adults and 300 for children.
“There really wasn’t a question of if we’d do something to help our neighbors, it was a question of what we’d do,” stated local marketing, PR and community outreach manager Annie Boeckman.
IKEA Centennial co-workers brainstormed product ideas to include in the kits. Each bag contained basic necessities focusing on eating, sleeping and hygiene.
“The products chosen for the bags were a team effort,” Boeckman said. “Our co-workers put themselves in the mindset of an evacuee and thought about what they’d need if they had to up and leave at a moment’s notice.”
Each IKEA bag contained a pillow, blanket, towel, water bottle, eating and writing utensils. The child kits also contained markers, paper and a soft toy to keep them entertained during a stressful situation.
IKEA Centennial realized firsthand results of their efforts in an e-mail from an IKEA visitor on July 2, “I want to thank you for the kind packages you sent to the Red Cross to help those in the Black Forest Fire! My sister lost everything, but had toys for her grandkids to play with because of your kindness.”
It took just five days to pull more than 10,000 products, set up an assembly line on the store’s receiving dock and have co-workers assemble the bags. Many IKEA employees came in early or stayed late knowing time was of the essence for the evacuees.
The New Jersey IKEA transport team, in charge of setting up trucks for product delivery to and from distribution centers, quickly contracted a 53-foot trailer to transport the bags to Colorado Springs. The kits were delivered to the American Red Cross Disaster Assistance Center on June 21 and distributed by Red Cross volunteers the following week.
We all scream for ice cream!
Denverites will be able to use their smartphones to summon ice cream trucks on demand today, and to request a delivery of ice cream and summer treats compliments of Uber, the on-demand driving service.
This is a world-wide promotion that Uber is running in 33 cities and 11 countries on the same day. The company’s regular Uber service – a smartphone app that lets riders connect with safe, stylish, and efficient transportation options – will still be running. This is an added bonus for Denverites on a (scorching) summer day.
Readers of this column are eligible for a special discount with the promotional code ICECREAM for $20 off the first ride. To snag the special offer, go to http://uber.com/go/icecream to sign up.
You can also follow Uber Denver’s twitter account @Uber_Denver and the hashtag #UBERICECREAM for live updates on the promotion throughout the day on Friday.
Music please at Tony P’s
Tony P’s place at 17th Avenue and Clarkson features music every Friday and Saturday night from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the lounge upstairs “We have a beautiful room with upholstered banquettes, sectioned seating areas and a large balcony overlooking vibrant 17th Avenue,” said owner Tony Pasquini.
Playing this and most weekends is the seven-piece Rod Buckner Funkenjazz Band. Buckner has played, taught trumpet, and been a treasured fixture in the Denver music scene for more than 30 years.
“He used to play down at the Blu Luna room and has compiled a group of some of the finest musicians I’ve ever heard in Denver,” Pasquini said. “Not only is Rod a great musician, he is great showman that fills the room with his positivity, warmth and charisma. He truly is one of this city’s great treasures and is simply not to be missed. We’re excited to see you, reconnect, fill our lives with the joy that exquisite live music can bring. I hope you can make this weekend or a weekend sometime soon.”
There’s a $7 cover charge.
Buckner Funken Jazz will perform at Tony P’s on 17th Avenue and Clarkson Street on Friday and Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Buckner Funken Jazz)
Wine time
Again Balstreri Vineyards is teaming up with Dream Italia for their annual movie night, but this time the event is scheduled on two nights beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 19 or Saturday, July 20.
The evenings include wine, dinner and light-hearted films under the big movie tent. Chairs and a tent will be provided. Friday night’s film is “A Good Year” and Saturday night’s film is “Letters to Juliet.” The film starts at 9 p.m. outside under the movie tent.
Balistreri Vineyards is located at 1946 E. 66th Ave., Denver 80229; tickets are $49 per person, which include movie menu, a glass of Balistreri wine and the film. Additional wine by the glass or bottle will be available for purchase. Tickets and more information at www.balistreriwine.com.
“A Good Year,” starring Russell Crowe, is the first movie featured Friday at Balistreri Vineyards in north Denver.
Summer soiree
Tickets are still available for a special summer wine and food soiree, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday at The Washington Park Boathouse (on Exposition between Downing and Franklin, a benefit for Sense of Security, a Colorado breast cancer charity that helps patients receive the financial assistance they need while undergoing treatment (www.senseofsecurity.org).
The event will be catered by Footers Catering, with a bruschetta bar, beef tenderloin skewers, Chevre-stuffed strawberries, lamb skewers and more. Mayfair Liquors has selected more than 30 summer wines to pair with the tasty treats.
Cost is $65 per person and tickets can be ordered at www.blacktie-colorado.com.
Sweet soiree
August Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is hosting its first Sugar Rush Challenge where a select group of six student participants will bring their skills and pastry precision to the arena for a chance to win prizes, bragging rights and recognition in The Sugar Rush Challenge Winner’s Circle.
The public is welcome to witness the culinary competition from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Escoffier Boulder, 637 S. Broadway, Suite H. Phone: 720-220-2789.
Judges include Christina Hong of The Four Seasons Hotel Denver, Lauren Siebert of Linger and Nina Acosta of The Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center.
Eavesdropping on two women talking about whether to get an iPhone: “I just don’t like the way the iPhone operates.”
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you will get used to it. I hate it! You’ll just get used to hating it.”
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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