When radio and TV personality Denise Plante reported for the KOSI 101.1 airwaves last week, her outfit of choice sent some friendly guffaws throughout the radio station.

Plante, whose other job is as host of Colorado & Company (10 to 11 a.m. on 9News), donned a black-and-white stripped jacket, which reminded her KOSI colleagues of the title character in “Beatlejuice,” the 1988 movie starring Michael Keaton.

“If I didn’t get teased at the station daily about something, I would think something was wrong!  We truly are like family,” Plante said.

Eavesdropping on a man’s Facebook post: “The population of Alaska has changed. There are now two men for every woman, and two reality TV crews for every man.”

“Project Runway All-Stars” winner, celebrity designer and Denver dweller Mondo Guerra will attend and feature a fashion collection designed exclusively for Urban Nights on Aug. 1 at Mile High Station. He will join a roster of other designers and upscale boutiques for Colorado’s largest runway show.

“Having Mondo join our cast of designers is a coup for us,” said event co-chair Justin Joseph. “Mondo continues to use his cache as a celebrity designer to support local causes, and there is no more worthy of a cause than the crisis of youth homelessness in Denver. Our guests should prepare to have their minds blown by the collection he is exclusively designing for Urban Nights.”

Guerra will design an exclusive avant garde collection inspired by the artwork designed by youth facing homelessness who have sought assistance from Urban Peak. That same artwork will be auctioned off at Urban Nights.

“I am designing an exclusive collection to showcase the important work of Urban Peak and the need to help the too many kids who are sleeping on the streets of Denver every night. These kids’ artwork inspired me, and they are the reason I decided to join the Urban Nights runway,” Guerra said.

Infiniti of Denver is the event’s presenting sponsor.

“Amy and Chris Smith, along with Dave Cook, have been instrumental to Urban Nights’ success from the beginning. Their commitment to the community is second to none, and their further support of Urban Nights and the youth of Urban Peak exemplifies the generosity of the Infiniti of Denver team,” said Jeff Joseph, co-chair of Urban Nights 2014.

The 200-foot runway is Colorado’s longest, and this year will feature stunning fashions from the following designers and boutiques:

Mondo Guerra www.mondoguerra.com

50 Dresses www.50dresses.com

Andreas Tsagas www.atsagasfursandleather.com

/Baskit/ www.baskitwear.com

Gabriela Martinez www.denverclothingdesign.com

Goldyn www.shopgoldyn.com

Infatué www.infatueclothing.com

Infernal Contraptions by Karen Holloway https://www.etsy.com/shop/InfernalContraptions

Multiblazer www.multiblazer.com

Pure Addiction www.shoppureaddiction.com

Pink’s, Straight From L.A. www.pinksdenver.com

Soigneé Elegant Attire www.soigneeattire.com

Steadbrook www.steadbrook.com

“This year’s fashion presentation will showcase an exciting group of local fashion designers and high-end boutiques,” said Dahlia Weinstein, Urban Nights fashion show producer. “Segments featuring one-of-a-kind designs and international designer labels offer something for everyone attending this cutting-edge fashion show.”

Tickets on sale at www.urbannightsdenver.org and all proceeds will go to Urban Peak.

More than 900 young people sleep on the streets of Denver on any given night, and last year, Urban Nights raised more than $150,000 to help fight this epidemic.

Chuck Morris, President of AEG Live Rocky Mountains, will be the recipient of this year’s Urban Legend Award. When he’s not busy promoting Denver’s next must-see event, Morris is known for his philanthropic work supporting worthwhile charities including the Denver Health Foundation.

In addition to the silent auction that will feature artwork from Urban Peak youth, the night will conclude with a performance by “Glee” star Charice.

The VIP party and silent auction begin at 6 p.m. and doors open for general admission at 7 p.m. The program and fashion show kick off at 8 p.m. and will be followed by Charice’s performance and an after party beginning at 11 p.m. 

(MondoGuerra.com photo)

Vail and CBS4 are hosting an open casting call for the hit CBS series “Survivor,” on Aug. 16 – right in the heart of downtown Vail. Camera crews will be on hand to capture each potential contestant’s best 60 seconds on video – ‘Why I Should Be on Survivor,’ so there’s no need to bring a tape.

Guarantee your spot for a casting call by registering at http://denver.cbslocal.com/survivorvailcastingcall14/. By registering you will have the chance to participate in the open call. Further information will be sent to you on or around Aug. 1.

If you’d like to spend audition weekend in Vail, keep checking the website for more information and special Survivor Open Call room rates. Make sure you are eligible to audition by reviewing the requirements listed on the website. Save time at auditions by bringing a completed video release and waiver.

The Wheat Ridge Business Association will host the second annual Feed the Future Summer Gala from 5 to 8 p.m. July 20 at Teller Street Gallery, 7190 W. 38th Ave. The event will feature food, wine, live music and a variety of door prizes.

The gala raises funds for the Feed the Future Backpack Program, which provides food items to students in eight local elementary schools, who receive free or reduced-cost lunch. The Arvada Food Bank provides the food and each week, volunteers package the items with the goal of supplying students with extra meals when they might otherwise go hungry. Participating children receive two breakfast and two lunch items, two snacks, fruit and vegetables.

The program, which costs roughly $3,000 per month, benefits 300 children each week during the school year.

“This is the one program that has brought businesses, churches, elected officials, schools, residents and other non-profit organizations together in support of our children. We have become the ‘village’ for our children,” said Loretta DiTirro, president of the Wheat Ridge Business Association. “If just one child benefits, we have succeeded.”

Tickets are $35 each and may be purchased at www.wheatridgebiz.com or by mailing a check to the Wheat Ridge Business Association,  P.O. Box 1231, Wheat Ridge, 80034-1231.

Donations to the Feed the Future program can also be made on-line or via mail. 

Part Second City, part Monty Python, “The Bicycle Men” rolls into The Garner Galleria Theatre for a short ride that ends on July 20.

This zany musical, lets you leave your rational mind at the door as you take this zany journey with four versatile actors — Joe Liss, John Rubano, Derek Manson and Bruce Green (with music accompaniment by Ryan McCurry) – who take on a variety of roles. It’s pure silliness.

The story takes place in the heart of France where an American man takes his biciclete into a repair shop, but that’s where sanity ends and you strap on your helmet for a wild ride. While waiting for overnight repairs, the character “Steve” meets the locals and takes a no-hands journey through town.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 17-20 and at 2 p.m. July 19 and 20.

Single tickets for “The Bicycle Men” start at $29. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticket Services at 303-893-4100. TTY (for Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons): 303-893-9582. Groups of 10 or more, please call 303-446-4829. Additionally, tickets may be purchased at the Denver Center Ticket Office in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.

For a Californian, my taste buds are firmly planted in the South.

So, I was more than thrilled when Sassafras recently opened a second location at 320 E. Colfax, a few blocks from my abode.

I had heard about the legendary lines at the original Jefferson Park location at 2637 W. 26th Ave., and put it on my mental list to try at an off time some day. But then Sassafras came to my ‘hood, and not too soon.

I checked out the place Saturday for breakfast/lunch with my BBFF (best boy friend forever), Bradley Joseph. I ordered the Cajun Benedict, a sassy plate of jumbo lump crab cakes, house-made tasso, crawfish hash, poached eggs and smoked cayenne hollandaise. Bless its little Southern heart.

With my coaxing, my BBFF ordered the fried chicken, a simply named dish of marvelous marinated local free range fried cluckiness with a choice of sides: dirty rice or mac and cheese and pickled pepper slaw or collard greens. A fluffy buttermilk biscuit completes the plate.

Sassafras serves breakfast and lunch daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No reservations, which I find annoying, so be prepared to to wait or grab a couple of seats at the bar (we did), and let the amiable bartender Abe enhance your dining experience with a guava hurricane and more Southern inspired cocktails.

More information at www.sassafrasamericaneatery.com or by calling 303-831-6233.

(Penny Parker photos)

Eavesdropping on a man talking about a conversation with his grandparents:

Grandma: “Where do we turn? I’m so turned around.”
Grandpa to grandson: “She gets turned around in the bathtub.”

Every year, foodies flock to The Big Eat to sip, snack and celebrate the culinary diversity of Denver’s indie restaurants.This year, while strolling the new event site in The Galleria at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (on 14th Street between Champa and Curtis), you’ll get wined and dined by local chefs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. (VIPs enter at 6:30) Thursday.

Some of the participating restaurants:  Ace Eat Serve, Adelita’s, Ambli Gourmet Eatery, Appaloosa Grill, Argyle Whiskey Beer, Bones, Carmine’s on Penn, Central Bistro & Bar, dbar , Euclid Hall, Gallo di Nero, Harman’s Eat Drink, Interstate, Jonesy’s Eat Bar, Krewe BBQ, Limelight, Little India, Lou’s Food Bar, LowDown Brewery + Kitchen, Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza, Panzano, Rialto Café, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, St. Ellie, Steuben’s Food Service, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, Stoney’s Bar & Grill, Tana’s Delights, The Lobby, Trillium, Uber Eats, Vesper Lounge, Vesta Dipping Grill, Work & Class and the Wynkoop Brewing Company.

Tickets are $55 per person, which includes tastings from 36-plus restaurants, craft beer, wine, entertainment, cocktail demos and more. VIP tickets are $75 per person, which includes early entry with special tastings from newly opened restaurants plus a VIP only hangout.

The Big Eat Private Balconies for a party of 10 are $1,250. Includes early entry and a private space with a balcony overlooking the event. Platters of food will be waiting for your arrival with an to an open bar with craft cocktails, beer and wine.