Thrillist.com, the website that brings you all the lists you never knew you needed to know, has compiled “Every important American airport ranked by its food/drink.”

Coming in at a respectable No. 8 – out of 72 – is Denver International Airport. Here’s how Thrillist made its picks:

“We did it like this: First, we broke down every essential airport by the number of planes that fly in, plus region so every state was included. Then we looked up every single restaurant and bar available at each spot, and broke the airports down into four tiers. Once we had the tiers, we went deeper and figured out our proper rankings, paying particular attention to two factors: a) whether the options were unique and illustrative of the foods of that region, and b) the quantity of quality places available. But we tried to weigh the first factor higher, so smaller airports with more local food got more credit than massive places with 85 chains.”

About DIA, Thrillist said, “Considering you’re legally allowed to get Rocky Mountain high (though not at the airport), this place is a delight, and not just because Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs hot dogs are ‘delivered directly from New Jersey.’ They’ve also got a Boulder Beer Taphouse, a New Belgium Hub, Ben & Jerry’s, an outpost of Denver’s incredible Root Down, some sort of Russian coffee place, and Elway’s, because no airport is complete without a restaurant or bar from someone who played or coached local professional sports.”

See the rest of the rankings at www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/best-airports-for-food-and-drink-best-american-airports-for-eating.

Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc. and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce have announced the 2015 inductees into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame, representing Colorado business leaders from the past and present.

“Inclusion in the Colorado Business Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of success and recognition,” said Steve Kinsley, chairman of the Junior Achievement board of directors. “These leaders provide inspiration for future trailblazers and have left a legacy that reinforces the importance and value of the free enterprise system.”

Laureates, selected for their enduring and innovative professional contributions to Colorado, inspirational and ethical acumen and philanthropic endeavors, will be inducted at the 26th annual Colorado Business Hall of Fame dinner on Jan. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.

The 2015 Colorado Business Hall of Fame Laureates are:

Pat Bowlen – After successful careers in oil, gas and real estate, Bowlen purchased the Denver Broncos in 1984. He presided over a franchise that has been one of the NFL’s most successful in his three decades of club ownership. A recent Harris Poll named the Broncos as America’s favorite team – a testament to the winning culture and first-class standards established by Bowlen throughout his tenure in Denver. Bowlen is chairman of the board of Denver Broncos Charities, which has donated more than $25 million to Denver-area organizations.

Brown Cannon, Brown W. Cannon and George R. Cannon – Brown Cannon was the founder of Windsor Farm Dairy, founder of Presbyterian Hospital, a prominent civic leader and county commissioner. His two sons, Brown W. Cannon and George R. Cannon, returned to Denver after World War II to become community leaders and successful businessmen. As senior vice president of Beatrice Foods, Brown W. Cannon helped to grow the company to an international giant. George R. Cannon had a successful career in the trucking industry for companies including Gallagher Freight Lines, Flexivan Corp. and Motor Cargo.

Klaus Obermeyer – At age 94, Obermeyer is a ski legend and industry icon. Born in a small Bavarian alpine village, Obermeyer followed his passion for skiing to America, landing in Aspen where he became a ski instructor. Determined to keep his students warm, Obermeyer designed and produced a down parka. In 1947 he founded Sport Obermeyer, and the innovations continued with suntan lotion, double-lens goggles, turtlenecks and fashion conscious high-tech skiwear.

Thomas A. Petrie – Petrie, chairman of Petrie Partners, has been an adviser on more than $200 billion of energy-related mergers and acquisitions. In addition to serving as a member of several industry associations, he is a trustee for the Denver Art Museum and serves on the board of governors of the Colorado School of Mines Foundation.

Bob and Joanna Sakata – During World War II, Sakata was held in a relocation camp in Utah. After his release, the Sakatas purchased 40 acres of farmland in Brighton. Today, Sakata Farms owns and farms more than 3,200 acres of vegetables, including its renowned sweet corn. The Sakatas have served on numerous state and local boards and were instrumental in founding the Brighton Community Hospital.

For details about this event or to purchase a table or tickets, contact Shawna Robbins at 303-260-6286 or srobbins@jacolorado.org.

Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain and Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce 2015 inductees into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame: Pat Bowlen, above, and Thomas Petrie, below, and Bob and Joanna Sakata.

Wheat Ridge was named one of the nation’s best cities for retirement, according to a new ranking released Monday by Livability.com. The city was ranked fifth on Livability’s 2014 Best Places to Retire list – the only Colorado city to make the cut.

Livability cited Wheat Ridge’s numerous bike trails, fitness centers, nearby mountains and ski resorts as important amenities for active retirees. Through its research, Livability found that Wheat Ridge was one of the healthiest cities it examined, with the highest percentage of residents who exercise out of all the cities on this list. The site also factored in Wheat Ridge’s support groups, abundant shopping opportunities, great restaurants, low crime and excellent health care into its ranking.

Also working in Wheat Ridge’s favor is the homestead exemption Colorado provides to eligible residents 65 and older. In addition, Livability noted that Colorado residents 55 and older receive a generous retirement-income exclusion from state taxes. At 7.5 percent, Wheat Ridge’s sales tax is also lower than the national average of 9.6 percent.

“We are thrilled to have Livability recognize the high quality of life that we enjoy in Wheat Ridge,” said Wheat Ridge Mayor Joyce Jay. “For residents who want easy access to both an array of outdoor amenities and all Denver has to offer, we’re hard to beat.”

To create its Best Places to Retire 2014 list, Livability considered a variety of factors for an even deeper look at how cities can accommodate older adults. In addition to overall quality of life factors, the site’s editors examined economic data, natural amenities, golf courses, weather, preventable hospital stays, walkability and much more.

In addition, editors looked at Census data to find areas with heavy concentrations of seniors and businesses and services that cater to them. They analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find areas with low unemployment for seniors and used data from Kiplinger to find cities located in states with retiree-friendly tax benefits.

To see the entire list, go to www.livability.com/best-places/top-10/best-places-to-retire/best-places-to-retire/2014/coeur-d’alene.

To celebrate the holiday season, Village Inn is kicking off its second annual Serving Those Who Serve Us campaign to honor men and women who serve the community and cannot always be home for the holidays.

Whether it’s a doctor or nurse on call, a firefighter working on Christmas Eve, a police officer on duty Thanksgiving night, or active or retired military personnel from the local community, Village Inn wants to make sure these first responders still have a sweet and happy holiday.

With Serving Those Who Serve Us, Village Inn gives people the chance to nominate local heroes who will receive a dozen free whole pies to enjoy and share with their family and colleagues over the holidays. Launched last year, the Serving Those Who Serve Us program received hundreds of nominations and honored first responders all over the country for service to their local community.

Nominators are limited to one nomination per holiday that can be made online at www.villageinn.com/servingthosewhoserveus/ or by clicking on the link to the nomination form on Village Inn’s Facebook page.  Selected winners will be notified and a pie delivery will be coordinated.

Nominations for Village Inn’s Serving Those Who Serve Us ends 9 a.m. MST on Dec. 31.

If anyone knows the meaning of “Service With Style” it’s Denise Snyder, the stylish owner of Mariel, a women’s clothing and bridal boutique at 3000 E. Third Ave.

On Friday, Snyder will be honored for her dedication to Volunteers of America, one of her pet projects, during a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pinnacle Room of the Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton St.

The event will feature lunch, a fashion presentation and a pop-up store. For tickets, go to www.voacolorado.org.

Get an advance Taste of the Holidays from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Whole Foods Market Tamarac, 7400 E. Hampden Ave.

Stop by for an all-store tasting of the market’s best holiday foods and beverages including wine, beer and spirits. Enjoy live music and support Share Our Strength and its mission to ensure that no child in America goes hungry by providing access  to nutritious food in places where kids live, learn and play.  Learn more at: www.nokidhungry.org.

File this under “it’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it.”

With all the restaurants and tipping establishments opening before the holiday season, I’ve been on the media circuit taste testing the newbies to report to you, dear readers. And looking at my calendar for the next two weeks, there’s much more to come.

First up was The Nickel, the newly decorated dining room and library lounge in the Hotel Teatro where chef Kevin Taylor helmed the kitchen for years.

With Taylor’s departure to take care of other interests including restaurants at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex and the Denver Art Museum, there was a void in the Teatro’s culinary program.

Filling that void is The Nickel, serving “Rocky Mountain centric modern American food” under the leadership of chef Christopher Thompson. That means you’ll find a varied menu including braised short ribs, seared wild salmon, lamb Bolognese, roasted kabocha squash soup and baby kale salad along with myriad desserts.

The most amazing transformation is The Study, a library lounge where Taylor’s signature restaurant used to reside. It’s a sink into your seat with a good friend or a good book atmosphere with a “chef’s bubble hour” from 4 to 6 p.m. daily.

Reservations: www.hotelteatro.com/the-nickel or call 303-228-1100.

Next stop in my week of wining and dining was Sarto’s, a much-anticipated new Italian eatery in the Jefferson Park neighborhood at 2900 W. 25th Ave.

Heading up the kitchen crew is Brian Laird, the much-lauded long-time chef at Barolo Grill, who’s had months to work on the menu since near-endless construction delays postponed Sarto’s opening.

But Laird has brought his A-game to the new spot’s menu featuring Italian favorites – the antipasti and wild mushroom risotto are stand-outs. Look for Laird behind the cicchetti bar nightly, featuring gastronomical bites on bread, where he’ll prepare items to suit your taste buds.

Resrvations: 303-455-1400 or at www.opentable.com.