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Did you hear that I have a 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. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

These are a few of my favorite things…

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad…

I’m thinking about the best bites I put in my mouth during this year.

OK, let’s start with the bone marrow at Colt & Gray, really the best.

And we’ll segue to the proscuitto wrapped melon at Capital Grille.

What else? The best carpaccio made by chef Sean Yontz no matter where he was.

Any pasta dish at Shells and Sauce.

Mexican food at La Fiesta, Zocalo or Mexico City Lounge.

A sandwich at Masterpiece Delicatessen, which opened in my ‘hood but I still haven’t tried.

Racines either Mexicali Salad or Cheesy nutty salad. Beyond the best!

A buffalo cheeseburger at City Grille cooked perfectly medium rare. What’s better than that?

Dim sum at The Empress. Westword Editor and co-founder Patty Calhoun and I love the variety of dumplings and meat options: duck or barbecued pork?

And a partridge in a pear tree…

Check out Westword’s vote on the best of 2013 at inbox@westword-insider.com and social community.

The bone marrow at Colt & Gray, above, and the sandwich selection at Masterpiece Delicatessen, below. (Photos by Colt & Gray and Masterpiece Delicatessen)

This was the email I got from the founders of the Post  Brewery, a new brewery/brew pub (105 Emma St. in Lafayette):

“Why Lafayette? We have asked ourselves that question 100 times before seriously considering this. We began looking for a location for a brewery to produce beer for our existing restaurants about five years ago. And during that time, (we have) been spinning a chicken concept around in his big brain for at least that long. It became clear that putting the two together would possibly be a brilliant idea.

“The challenge then came in finding a brewmaster who would not only make outstanding beer but who would be someone we could build a story around. We will be the 180^th brewpub to open in Colorado. So, this brewery needed to have some relevance and street cred and just not be another restaurateur jumping on the craft brewing bandwagon.

“That’s when we met Bryan Selders. Bryan was the brewmaster for DogFish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware for the first decade of that brewery’s life. Their production was very limited when he started, but during his tenure there he took them to the point of being considered one of the most original, delicious and innovative breweries in the U.S., winning many national awards, international press and critical praise along the way.

“The chicken part of this story is about fried and rotisserie chicken. Chef Brett Smith has been with Big Red F for almost 15 years with a six-year hiatus spent on St. John Island where he mastered Creole and island cooking, especially with those island yard birds.

“Chef Brett, Dave and BRF culinary director Jamey Fader have traveled extensively throughout the U.S., searching for the very best chicken they could get in to their mouths – they found a few that will stand out in their culinary daydreams for a lifetime.

“It was at this moment that The POST Brewing Company and GoodBird Kitchen came to be. GoodBird is the name of the kitchen at The POST. Joining this powerhouse team at The POST as General Manager is Lara VannDagenhart(formerly of The KITCHEN, Kitchen Upstairs, Kitchen Next Door). Finally, Brian Selbitschka as beverage manager, rounds out the team – he’s managed bars for The Big Red F for 12 years including LoLa, Zolo and The West End Tavern. We feel this team represents one of the strongest opening teams we have ever assembled to launch a restaurant.”

The Post Brewery is slated to open in January.

I am still reeling from this news from BJ Dyer, co-owner of Bouquets, my favorite flower shop:

“Two weeks ago, I took Guenther (Vogt) to St. Joe’s emergency room with trouble breathing. They found pneumonia in his lungs. Shortly later, they diagnosed the reason for the issue: AML leukemia. He’d had no prior issues or knowledge of it, and the blood tests at his annual physical in late summer showed no signs of any problem.

“After fighting the pneumonia, and going through a tough bout of chemo (7 days of 24-hour IV drip) he still was getting worse, and went into ICU on a ventilator. The doctors fought hard, but Guenther suffered through a lot … at one point was on 12 IV pumps. Finally, the infection in his lungs overwhelmed him, and with no other options, he chose to be taken off the life support on Monday afternoon. The official word: Guenther died from a lung infection as a complication of acute myeloid leukemia.

“This has been sudden and overwhelming as you can imagine. Today I am informing people that he cared about, and who cared about him. He always thought you were terrific, Penny. We’d be at an event and he’d say ‘Oh, look! There’s Penny. Love her! Let’s go say hi.’

“You’re welcome to share the news with anyone who knew Guenther, or through your BTC column.”

A service is planned Sunday, Jan. 5, but BJ is still confirming the venue.

Guenther, I hope you are planning a fabulous dinner party in heaven. You were truly one of the best!

BJ Dyer, left, and Guenther Vogt. The two co-owned Bouquets flower shop and Vogt died Monday of a lung infection caused by acute myeloid leukemia, which was only diagnosed two weeks ago. (Blacktie-Colorado photo)

This from Dana Lauren Berry, the most awesome PR gal at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver:

“Today is my last day at Four Seasons Hotel Denver!  I just wanted to take a minute to thank you – it has been wonderful to work with you.  I’m taking a few days to pack and move, then I’m off to open the new Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort as the Director of Public Relations for this
phenomenal new property. which is opening in late summer 2014.”

In the interim, Jill Swanson, marketing & PR assistant, will handle media inquiries, special rate
requests, donation requests, community event involvement, etc., for Four Seasons Hotel Denver.

Best of luck in Florida, Dana!

The winners of the haircut and blow dry by Kacie DeJesus (the generous donor at Mikael Padilla Salon at 300 Fillmore St.) are longtime subscriber Chrystal Terhune and newbie Stuart Young of Hamilton Linens. Thanks to you both for subscribing! Subscribers to this column are winners in more ways than one.

CRL Associates chief operating officer and Denver City Council hopeful Roger Sherman held his annual toast to the staff at The Palm restaurant in the Tabor Center Friday night.

The seven-year tradition started when an unexpected winter blizzard derailed Sherman’s flight plans and cancelled his trip to Chicago. He diverted to The Palm with his friend and co-worker Cathie Greig, who again joined Sherman at Friday’s sip soiree.

Sherman, Greig and co-workers at local government relations powerhouse CRL Associates raised a glass of 2001 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon with the staff at The Palm — from managers to dishwashers — who crammed inside the bar for the much-anticipated occasion financed by Sherman.

“We have so much to be thankful for, and this has become something we look forward to each Christmas,” Sherman said. The toasters tipped back two jeroboam (double magnums) of the Jordan Cab.

Roger Sherman (not pictured) toasts the staff of The Palm last Friday night in his seventh annual tribute to the restaurant’s wait staff, chefs, bartenders, dishwashers and managers. The toast finished with everyone downing two double magnums of 2001 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon. (Roger Sherman photo/Jordan Winery photo)

Denver’s restaurant world was rocked Saturday in the aftermath of the news of Jeff Parr‘s death.

Parr, who was 43, apparently died in his sleep Friday night. Leigh Sullivan, who was partners with Parr in Leigh Sullivan Enterprises, a restaurant consultancy company, said that Parr wasn’t feeling well Friday night, went to bed and never woke up.

“He was a very happy man, so that is giving me some comfort,” said Denver chef Jenna Johansen.

Other chefs were in disbelief. Former Barolo Grill chef Brian Laird said, “What happened? I just saw him last week.”

Parr’s restaurant resume is extensive: Before joining Sullivan, he spent stints with Sage Restaurant Group, Loews Hotels, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Levy Restaurant (Wellshire Inn, Pepsi Center).

Perhaps the most eloquent tribute to Parr came from close friend Paul “Berrick” Abramson who wrote,”God took one of the good ones from us last night. Jeffrey Parr was an amazing father and husband, a truly great friend and one of the finest human beings I’ve known. Always there with a smile, eager to help a friend or stranger, energized by being part of the community and absolutely driven, grounded and consumed by his love for his wife (Libby Pollock) and son (Brooklyn Beau).

I told you last week about several of the festivities available around town to ring in the new year, but wait, there’s more.

While I couldn’t possibly list all New Year’s Eve activities (for restaurants, check out www.opentable.com), a few more happenings caught my attention.

* The Tavern Downtown, 1949 Market St., continues its annual NYE tradition with NYE Resolution 2014 featuring the Tavern Olive Drop & Fireworks Display. The olive drop begins at the one-minute countdown to midnight with the fireworks display following. Tickets are $25 in advance at www.tavernhg.com, and $35 at the door.

Entry price includes access to both the Tavern Downtown and the adjacent Cowboy Lounge, a beer, Fireball shot, champagne toast and party favors. Hourly resolution drawings will be held for chances to win more than $200 in gift cards with a grand prize of a trip for two to Las Vegas including hotel and airfare.

* Man about town and primo party promoter Quinn Washington and KOSI-101 invite you to ring in the new year at Kevin Taylor at the Opera House with a portion of the evenings proceeds going to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.

“We are excited to announce that we will be giving away an autographed Wes Welker football to one lucky attendee,” Washington said.

The countdown begins at 10 p.m. with a champagne toast and midnight serenade by Lauren Bocci Music accompanied by Collin Stoddard Music. The event will be hosted by KOSI radio personalities Murphy & Denise (a.k.a. Murphy Huston and Denise Plante). Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. Evening attire requested.

More information: https://nightout.com/events/newyearsevegala2013.

* The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Fr. Joseph Carrigan Division (AOH) and The Celtic Tavern again will join forces for the Fourth Annual Family Irish New Year’s Celebration. The event takes place from 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Celtic Tavern, 1801 Blake St.

Observing the Dublin Ireland time zone, the 2014 new year will be saluted at 5 p.m. MST with a special toast and bagpipe salute. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Catholic Samaritan House and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.

The family celebration is open to the public, with a $10 suggested donation at the door – party favors included.

Festivities include: traditional Irish music from Juice of the Barley, a specially priced menu, entertainment for kids of all ages, a drawing and silent auction benefiting the Catholic Samaritan House and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary.

More information: www.theceltictavern.com.

KOSI-101 radio personalities Denise Plante and Murphy Huston will participate in the New Year’s Eve celebration at Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House on Dec. 31. (KOSI-101 photo)