I want to thank you all for being so supportive and hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. My column will return on Monday.

I love you all and wish you a fabulous holiday season.

We love our advertisers; they are what keeps this column running. Please support our wonderful advertisers — Seattle Fish Co., Colorado Oil & Gas Association, Epicurean Catering, EDGE Restaurant & Bar and our first advertiser, Tuscan Sun Wines — who keep this column running.

Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com or call her at 720-985-6947 . And be sure to click on each ad to read more.

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.

For years I have heard anecdotally that Thanksgiving eve (today) translates to killer business for bars and restaurants. And I have some sources to back up my notion.

Wikipedia says: “According to Domino’s, Super Bowl Sunday is the most popular day for its pizza deliveries, followed by Halloween, New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and the day before Thanksgiving.”

Denver restaurant consultant John Imbergamo, who represents local power houses including Elway’s in Cherry Creek, Racines and Rioja, “It’s really the bars that reap the bounty in Thanksgiving Eve. Restaurants not so much.  All of the college students come back to town for turkey day and are meeting up with old friends at the bars.

“The pizza delivery guys are all looking for their slice of the delivery pie on Thanksgiving Eve as turkey prep takes precedence over Wednesday night family dinner.”

And speaking of pizza delivery guys, Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizza chief Mark Dym, whose LoDo restaurant delivers within a certain radius, said, “This is one of our busiest nights – authentic Italian pizza and cocktails are always a great option for families the night before Thanksgiving,” Dym said.

PR princess Aubrey Cornelius, who represents the popular Linger and Root Down in lower Highland, said, “I can tell you that they definitely notice an uptick in reservations before major holidays, like Thanksgiving. People with family visiting tend to want to dine out before dining in, and many just need a drink before Thanksgiving madness ensues.”

Too funny, but too true. For more restaurant options, go to www.opentable.com.

And just for an example of restaurants recognizing the pre-Thanksgiving potential, Sullivan’s at 1745 Wazee St. is offering a $6 bar menu with select wines, signature cocktails and live music. For reservations, go to www.sullivanssteakhouse.com.

After weeks of hard work, a few test runs on the Zamboni and stringing the lights, the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park is ready to welcome you to its fourth season.

Historically, the Southwest Rink has opened the day following the Thanksgiving holiday.  But to bring some extra cheer to families visiting the downtown Denver area on the holiday, the rink will be open to the public starting today, and will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In the first three years, the Southwest Rink at Skyline Park attracted almost 120,000 skaters. Last year, the Rink saw eight marriage proposals, 32 broomball teams, 16 performances of live music, and more than 7,100 fun giveaways for different events.

The rink is made possible by a public-private partnership among the Downtown Denver Partnership, the City of Denver Parks and Recreation Department and Southwest Airlines.

AnnaFesta women’s clothing and Marie-Margot Couture are pairing up for Red Ball, a runway show that brings awareness for World AIDS Day, beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St.

Red Ball is a hip, chic and ultra-contemporary alternative fashion and outrageous hair show that blends fashions from local designers with create hair designs and make-up artistry from local salons.

There will be a cocktail reception, fire dancers, aerial artists, silent auction and special guests. The VIP reception begins at 6 p.m., which includes appetizers by Lifestyles Catering and cocktails by Absolute Vodka.

General admission starts at 7 p.m. with the runway show at 8 p.m. For tickets, go to www.redball.org. To see the AnnaFesta fall collection on line, go to www.annafesta.com.

In the spirit of “shop local Saturday” on Saturday, I would like to recommend one of my favorite owner-operated small shops, Mariel women’s wear boutique at 3000 E. Third Ave. in Cherry Creek North.

Owner Denise Snyder invites shoppers to sip some wine and snack on some appetizers from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday while enjoying 10 percent off accessories, furs and day dresses. More info: 303-623-1151 or at www.marielboutique.com.

Come catch the 24th annual tree lighting ceremony at Cherry Creek Shopping Center from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Friday.

Join Cherry Creek and Santa Claus for hot apple cider, kettle corn, entertainment by the Original Dickens Carolers and a holiday celebration as attendees count down to officially light the 58-foot tree in the valet circle for the season. This annual event is a can’t-miss family tradition for many Denverites (never mind that my birthday isn’t until Dec. 2, wink wink).

I realize that you can’t judge a restaurant by one visit, but when I ventured into The Corner House for a test drive earlier this year, I was underwhelmed despite the fact that Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben’s chef Matt Selby was helming the kitchen.

However, I was shocked to learn this week that Selby and Corner House management had split company. According to Claire Walter‘s Culinary Colorado blog:

“The Corner House opened early this year with chef Matt Selby heading the kitchen and actually cooking, having left Vesta Dipping Grill, Steuben’s and Ace to do get back into the kitchen. Great reviews. Accolades. Press coverage.”

In a press release, Corner House management said: “The Corner House and Chef Matt Selby have amicably parted ways …  The partners will be steering the restaurant back on its original course of providing a space where the food, atmosphere and prices are in line with what a community expects from their neighborhood bistro, and are looking forward to welcoming everyone back in for a comfortable, warm experience of delicious food and drinks.”

Corner House has closed until dinner service on Tuesday, Dec.3.

For more, go to http://culinary-colorado.com/2013/11/26/big-questions-about-the-corner-house/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+culinary-colorado+%28CulinaryColorado%29.

Eavesdropping on myself while trying to make side dishes on Thanksgiving eve: “Dogs are such turkeys!”