John Lehndorff, the Boulder-based pie poobah, award-winning newspaper journalist and my former colleague at The Rocky Mountain News, has just released the Colorado Pie Trail Calendar 2014, which includes sweet stories about the state’s pies and pie producers.

The calendar also provides a comprehensive directory of recommended pie shops, bakers and restaurants across the state. Another feature lets crust lovers plot their personal pie trail from place to place.

Pie guy Lehndorff is the founding executive director of the American Pie Council, head judge for the National Pie Championship, director of the Great American Pie Festival and founding editor of the “Pie Times” newsletter.

You can find him celebrating National Pie Day on Jan. 23, which was registered as a holiday in 1975 by Charlie Papazian of Boulder.

To buy the pie guide ($14.95), go to http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/688460.

Would it be a good thing if Joe Hodas’ new job went up in smoke?

Hodas, a PR and marketing exec at agency Vladimir Jones, has accepted the chief marketing officer position at Dixie Elixirs & Edibles, a Denver-based manufacturer of marijuana-infused edibles. The news was first reported by the Denver PR Blog.

Hodas has held previous marketing and public relations jobs at Frontier Airlines and Smashburger. Way to go, Joe!

Joe Hodas is moving to a new gig at Dixie Elixirs & Edibles, a Denver-based manufacturer of marijuana-infused edibles. (Twitter photo)

After a 25-year run, Golden’s Heritage Square Music Hall closed Dec. 31 citing lack of funds to finance productions.

Heritage Square is putting all of its contents — costumes, scenery, props, theater equipment, photo memory books and CDs — up for sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 23, 24 and 25.

Eavesdropping on David Wells’ Facebook page: “My next child born is going to be named ‘Omaha Hurry Hurry Smokey Left’  Wells.”

You could say it was a “cheesy” afternoon Saturday when a gang gathered at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs (3525 E. Colfax) to judge the Great Colorado Grilled Cheese competition, hosted by radio rock star Pat “Gabby Gourmet” Miller.

Our mighty mouse team of judges – Gabby’s son Steve Miller and his adorable son Joey, gal about town Sarah Gore, Westword’s Lori Midson and yours truly risked gut and gullet to sample 17 entries in the great grilled cheese contest.

The interpretations varied from pizza-esque tastes to Reuben-esque entries to walks on the multi-cheese wild side.

For the first time ever (Gabby has hosted several of these culinary competitions), the judges’ and people’s choice picks were the same.

The winners were:

* Third place – Chauncy Hutton of Marczyk’s Fine Foods with two locations at 17th and Clarkson and Colfax and Fairfax, for a savory blend of muenster, Vermont cheddar, fire roasted tomato and brown mustard sandwich on store-made bread.

* Second place – catering company chef and Chef & Brew Fest organizer Michael Long and his radio show partner and chef Elizabeth Woessner for their sweet waffled fennel sourdough with fontina and apple sandwich pressed in a waffle iron.

* First place – Darci Hata with Hacienda Maize, a local producer of gourmet pepper jellies, for a savory caramelized bacon, Hacienda Maize jalapeno jelly, smoky gouda, sharp cheddar and Camembert sandwich.

The event organizer was Mike Wheaton of www.chowdownforcharity.com. Steve Balas, owner of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, donated 15 percent of the proceeds to Project Angel Heart, and participants opened their hearts and wallets to donate extra cash.

Our own columnist, Penny Parker, second from right, was among the judges Saturday for the grilled cheese tasting at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs. (Facebook photo)

Eater Denver, the local version of the national foodie website, posted on Friday “the 10 biggest dining and food stories of 2013,” which included restaurant openings, closings and behind-the-scenes drama.

Among the newsy notes:

* LoHi’s Old Major for its culinary kudos as well as several staff shifts.

* It’s good to be chef Jennifer Jasinski, co-owner of Rioja, Bistro Vendome, Euclid Hall and the upcoming S&G Fish in Union Station. Not only was she a worthy competitor in Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters,” but she also brought home a coveted James Beard award.

* El Diablo says adios. Embattled owner Jesse Morreale ultimately cried “uncle” to the city of Denver after battling upgrade requirements to his historic One Broadway building. It’s Denver’s dining loss.

* Celebrated chef Matt Selby leaves the Vesta Dipping Grill group and helps open Corner House then departs after a few months.

* The Source, the Brighton Boulevard industrial building, is redeveloped by the Zeppelin team (also developers of the nearby Taxi space) and opens as a super cool place in RiNo, an up-and-coming neighborhood. The building houses Acorn, the sister restaurant to Oak at Fourteenth in Boulder; Comida, the second outpost for the original Longmont eatery; Mondo Market, a killer cheese and gourmet grocer; CapRock Farm Bar; Crooked Stave brewery; a wine shop; butcher; flower shop and bakery.

* Voodoo Doughnut’s opening at 1520 E. Colfax.

* Chef Max MacKissock‘s departure from the relocated and revamped Squeaky Bean at 1500 Wynkoop. (MacKissock is married to Jasinski, by the way.)

* Pizzeria Locale, from the owners of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, sold to Chipotle, which has big plans to expand the brand to other states.

For the rest of the stories and top 10 picks, go to http://denver.eater.com/archives/2014/01/10/10-biggest-dining-and-food-stories-of-2013.php.

Broncos former tight end and 2011 Pro Football Hall of Famer turned TV NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe will be the keynote speaker at The Journey, the Junior League of Denver’s fundraiser to support literacy efforts in the Denver metro area, on March 13.

A lesser known fact about Sharpe is his dedication to literacy and education. It wasn’t until his early teen years that he learned to read, guided by his grandmother’s influence.

All proceeds support the Junior League of Denver’s focus, which is changing lives through literacy in the Denver metro area. Funds raised enable the organization to provide financial and volunteer support to its community partners.

“Attendees are helping us get books and tools to families in need in the Denver metro area,” said Junior League President Lisa Lumley. “In addition to our literacy programs, we sponsor One Book 4 Colorado, in partnership with Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and the Mile High United Way.”

The March 13 event starts with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by Sharpe’s speech and dinner at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Tickets are $125 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.jld.org or call 303-692-0270.

Former Broncos tight end and current CBS Sports pregame analyst Shannon Sharpe is returning to Denver to speak at a March 13 event for the Junior League. (CBS Sports photo)

Sweet!

Longmont-based Robin Chocolates (http://robinchocolates.com/), owned by Robin Autorino, has been named one of the top 10 chocolate makers in North America for 2013 by “Dessert Professional,” the leading trade publication for chocolate, pastry, baking and ice cream professionals.

“We are tremendously honored,” said Autorino, who founded Robin Chocolates in 2008. “Our passion is making bold, beautiful and delicious chocolates and pastries, and it is enormously satisfying to be recognized for our work.”

Autorino began her professional career as a chef for a small cafeteria, and then joined the military and continued cooking, baking and candy making as a hobby. After 14 years in the Navy and more than a decade working for computer and Internet companies she settled on her true passion working in the culinary world.

She attended Culinary School of the Rockies, and during an internship at a patisserie in France, discovered her love of pastries, desserts and chocolate. Her resume includes pastry chef positions at Flagstaff House in Boulder and The Brown Palace Hotel.

Robin Chocolates is a family-run business where Autorino’s husband, Chris, handles the company’s artwork and website.

“One rule I learned in the military is that precision counts,” she said. “If it doesn’t look perfect and taste great, I won’t sell it.”

Readers and visitors to the shop at 600 S. Airport Road, Longmont, can mention the code #topchocolateshop for five percent off all orders through the end of January.

Robin Chocolates in Longmont has earned national acclaim. (Robin Chocolates Facebook photo)

Westword‘s second annual Whiteout Fashion Show celebrates the season’s hottest fashions and Denver’s coolest designers from 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 30 at the McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax Ave.

This signature Westword event mixes live music, fashion-forward vendors, signature cocktails and light bites in an evening that concludes with a curated runway show.

Tickets are $45 general admission; $75 for VIP exclusive runway seating. Tickets at http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/412693?utm_medium=email&utm_source=WW&wrKey=EEBC903591FDE6E4AA4C5234D54842E3.