My Blacktie colleague Pamela Cress last week covered the United Veterans Committee of Colorado Annual Banquet. The coalition is a non-profit coalition of over 55 veterans’ service organizations, affiliates and associates representing more than 465,000 retiree/veterans throughout Colorado. All the party pix are here. — Penny Parker.

Medal of Honor recipients George Sakato (oldest in Colorado) and Sal Giunta (youngest in Colorado).

By Pamela Cress
BLACKTIE-COLORADO
The oldest and the youngest Medal of roshe run Honor recipients in Colorado have quite a bit in common, as was evidenced by the presence of youngster Sal Giunta and WWII veteran George “Joe” Sakato at the 40th annual United Veterans Committee banquet on Sunday.

Both have a deep commitment to our country, our service people, our values and our integrity, and both feel that they carry the Medal of Honor as a representation of all those who can’t carry it, or who never came home.

Giunta gave a heartfelt speech that gave a glimpse into why he had the character to risk his life for his fellow infantrymen, and why he utlimately had what it took to wear that representative Medal of Honor. Mr. Sakato also spoke briefly about his experiences and how he has carried the torch for his fellow servicemen to this day. He was joined by several members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team from WWII, and the salutes, thunderous applause and standing ovation still did not seem like enough.

Past President of UVC Jay Bobick returned as jovial emcee, and Governor John Hickenlooper also made an appearance to declare his support for veterans’ initiatives. UVC President Ralph Bozella gave a rousing testimonial to the efforts of UVC recently to get aid and support for veterans within the legislative and political arena.

The UVC is a non-profit coalition of over 55 veterans’ service organizations, affiliates and associates representing more than 465,000 retiree/veterans throughout Colorado.

Many awards were presented to others who have shown their honor and commitment:

• Lifetime Achievement: Marvin L Meyers;
• Veteran of the Year: Izzy Abbass;
• Distinguished Federal Legislator: Congressman Ed Perlmutter;
• Distinguished Veterans’ Advocates: US Senator Michael Bennet and US Senator Mark Udall;
• Distinguished Legislators: State Senator Linda Newell, State Senator Bob Bacon, State Representative Kathleen Conti, StateRepresentative Su Ryden;
• Distinguished Service: Glenn Kataoka, Steve Rylant, Michael Shapiro;
• Distinguished Achievement: Tom Reigle;
• Meritorious Service: Andy McKean;
• Meritorious Achievement: Cameron Cook;
• Legislative Service: Myron Spanier;
• Outstanding Veteran Service: Jack Levinson;
• Outstanding Veteran Service Officer: Elise Harrison, Ben Mestas; Outstanding Service: Jordan Schupbach;
• Outstanding Veteran Service Organization: 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Employer Support for Guard and Reserve:
• Outstanding Public Organization (serving veterans): 9News Morning Show

A heartfelt thanks to all of these men and women who help us show our appreciation for veterans.

I’m off to California today, so it’s appropriate to share with you Blacktie’s coverage of last weekend’s “Spirit of Sailing Gala.” All the party pictures are here. — Penny Parker.

Gala chair Chris Oertel (left) talks with Community Sailing of Colorado’s executive director, Brandon Kaas.

By Lisa Perry
Blacktie-Colorado

On a red-sky night, the 13th annual Spirit of Sailing Gala was indeed a sailor’s delight—so entertaining that any landlubber would consider learning the ropes. Everything was shipshape at the Denver Athletic Club on Saturday, April 28, as around 200 enthusiastic supporters of Community Sailing of Colorado were on board for a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, roshe run hyp femmes dinner program and dancing. Money raised was earmarked for equipment and scholarships in conjunction with CSC’s junior- and adaptive-sailing programs. Ardent supporters Sarah and Chris Riopelle were honored as recipients of this year’s coveted “Sprit of Sailing” award.

Amiable emcee and CBS4 meteorologist Dave Aguilera was at the helm for the dinner program that featured a welcome by Community Sailing’s executive director, Brandon Kaas, and event chair Chris Oertel. Tom Ehman, longtime yachting veteran and America’s Cup Campaign rep from Golden Gate Yacht Club (defender of the Cup), showed video footage highlighting racing maneuvers and triumphs that had the crowd riveted. He called sailing an “elite sport—without being elitist,” and talked about the positive core values and education gained by learning to sail. Ehman also previewed the 34th America’s Cup races to be held in San Francisco in 2013.

Community Sailing of Colorado was developed as a registered nonprofit by Steven Frank in 1995 on Standley Lake in Westminster to address the need for a well-organized program to promote and educate kids in the Denver area through sailing. Its mission: “Provide a place, the means and the knowledge for youth to learn and refine the skill and art of sailing in a safe, controlled and fun environment.” The vision remains to motivate youngsters ages 5 to 17 toward reaching their full potential in life, using sailing as a tool, while taking advantage of its inherent qualities to encourage positive growth, self-esteem and behavior.

CSC operates a youth summer sailing program and camp inside the Cherry Creek Marina & Yacht Club, hosts weeklong and two-week “Learn To Sail” camps, plus intermediate and advanced camps, adult classes and a summer drop-In sailing program that allows access to sailing after students learn the basics. Around 200 youngsters participate each year.

The Spirit of Sailing Gala is the group’s largest fundraiser, says CSC Executive Director Brandon Kaas. He admits that Colorado might not be a recognized hotspot for sailing, but cites numerous positive attributes gained by kids who learn to sail: self-confidence, safety, communication, planning, thoughtful decision-making, self-dependence, dependence on crew, roshe run hyp qs trust and other skills that carry on into adult life. The Spirit of Sailing Gala generates $70,000 toward scholarships and sliding-scale fees for those who otherwise might not be able to attend a sailing camp, plus equipment for junior sailing and CSC’s adaptive program. For more information, please visit: www.CommunitySailing.org.

My Blacktie-Colorado colleagues are everywhere. Here’s Billie Black’s report from Friday’s Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center gala. The party pictures are here. — Penny Parker.

Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center Executive Director Stephanie Villafuerte with Judge Andrew & Leah Fitzgerald.

By Billie Black
Blacktie-Colorado

The Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center 2012 Annual Dinner was a night to celebrate the children that the center has been serving for 31 years, finding loving and healthy homes for Colorado’s abused and neglected children.

The event, held at the Hyatt Convention Center, roshe run nm br drew many Colorado judges and attorneys. They joined with sponsors and friends to support this elegant dinner to raise funds to continue the ongoing mission of the Children’s Law Center.

The mission of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center is to change the lives of abused and neglected children through compassionate legal advocacy, education and public policy reform.

* It is a nonprofit law firm that represents 1,500 child clients a year, primarily those in foster care. They are committed to creating stability for our child clients while pursuing a permanent, nurturing home.

* It provides needed education programs for judges, fellow attorneys, law students and foster parents.

* It touches the lives of all of Colorado’s abused and neglected children through our appellate work and public policy reform.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and a silent auction and was followed by a dinner program. The smooth and soulful sounds of The Hazel Miller Band serenaded the guests as they found their seats and joined friends for a formal sit down dinner provided by the Hyatt hotel.

Emcee Ed Greene from CBS4 started off the evening’s program with a few jokes to fill the room with laughter before introducing Shari Shink, who founded the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center in 1981. Shari was presented a bouquet of flowers for her commitment by Executive Director Stephanie Villafuette.

Stephanie Villafuette then shared some heartwarming stories of a few of the many, many children who she has helped personally and of other children who now have happy, healthier lives and loving families through the care of the Children’s Law Center. It was quite touching to hear so many success stories for children who once so neglected or abused.

A live auction followed with auctioneer and roshe run suede former Representative Debbie Stafford, raising much needed funds and then the evening wrapped up as Hazel Miller came back onstage to rock the room. The dance floor filled up and the crowd danced the evening away.

The Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center, founded in 1981, is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on community support. Visit its website for more information on how you can help as well as find out about upcoming events.

I wrote in my On The Town column today about Inspirato’s Manzanita home in northern California.

Here’s what it looks like, and here’s a little more about it.

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Inspirato’s Manzanita home in Sonoma County is a gated retreat in Wine Country that will have you boasting about the experience for years to come. Its remarkable beauty and uncrowded landscape adds to the residence’s reputation as a sanctuary that’s tucked away in an enchanted forest. You’ll have access to hidden hiking trails, swim and tennis facilities, a clubhouse with a European spa, a private 3,000 square foot wine cellar for club members and guests, roshe run suede femmes gourmet dining, and only the best five-star service available (with the exception of golf at the Mayacama Golf Club). Visit some of Mayacama Resorts’s preferred Sonoma and Napa vintners such as Cakebread Cellars, Ferrari-Carano Winery, Jackson Family Wines, Lancaster Estate, Lynmar Estate, Realm Cellars, Terra Valentine, Wattle Creek Winery, and many more. Calmly sip a glass of your favorite wine while becoming enveloped in a gorgeous Mayacama sunset. There’s no other way to fully experience the brilliance of California Wine Country.