It was a blast from the past during an invite-only lunch Tuesday at the Pepsi Center when my Internet marketing  guru and man about town Bradley Joseph accompanied me to the unveiling of the new Pepsi Vision scoreboard at (where else?) the Pepsi Center.

Before the unveiling, a boffo buffet lunch was served and I had a deja vu moment walking down memory lane with Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic and famed former goalie and new Avalanche Coach Patrick Roy.

I covered those two during the hey days when I was working with my sidekick Dahlia Weinstein at The Rocky Mountain News. Those were the days, my friends, we thought they’d never end, but we were naïve.

It was good to catch up with my former Avalanche heroes, and I had the chance to tell Roy that he was and is my son’s sports hero.

Here are the facts about the new Pepsi Vision scoreboard, which is beyond impressive:

*  Largest surface area of any scoreboard in the NBA or NHL (more than 4,400 square feet)

* 27 x 48 feet lengthwise with 21 x 25 feet end screens

* Screen spans blue line to blue line in hockey and 3-point line to 3-point line in basketball

* Daktronics “black” package

* Full 1080p HD capabilities with no image distortion

* More than 8 million LEDs

* Weighs more than 70,000 pounds

* Installed over Summer 2013 without disrupting arena event schedule

* Almost eight times more video display viewing area than the old scorebaord

*  More than 2 million cans of 12-ounce Pepsis could fit inside

* Three levels of catwalks for service

* Built in Brookings, S.D.

The new Pepsi Vision scoreboard in Pepsi Center, home of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets. (Pepsi Center photo)

New sports sheriff

Ken Chin has been hired as the first executive director of the newly aligned Metro Denver Sports Commission (MDSC; now Denver Sports), which is now part of Visit Denver.  Chin comes to Denver with nearly 20 years of experience in sports business marketing.

Most recently, he served as vice president, business development and events, for the Atlanta Sports Council (ASC), the sports division of the Metro Atlanta Chamber.  In that position, he was part of the senior team that launched the first Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater, a made-for-television, celebrity-amateur golf event.

Chin also played a leading event role with ESPN College GameDay’s first appearance at the inaugural Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game (Alabama vs. Clemson) in 2008.  He oversaw production for the ASC’s Atlanta Sports Awards show from 2007-2013 and for the Naismith Awards hospitality events held in Atlanta during the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

“Ken Chin brings the perfect mix of experience in both managing major sports events, and in recruiting and creating these types of events for city destinations,” said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver. “We were particularly pleased with his experience in creating partnerships and outreach that involve an entire community in bringing major sporting events to the region.”

Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, and one of Denver’s biggest sports fans, helped create the alignment between Visit Denver and the Metro Denver Sports Commission that resulted in Denver Sports. “Denver is one of the great sports cities of America. In Ken, we have a phenomenal individual to lead Denver Sports and help bring major new sporting events to our region,” Mayor Hancock said. “The city looks forward to working with Ken and the Visit Denver team on the future of Denver Metro sporting events. Together, the future is bright for stimulating the regional economy and strengthening our national and international recognition.”

Chin said he was delighted to be joining a successful team in The Mile High City.  “Denver already has an outstanding reputation as Sports City U.S.A. and does an outstanding job hosting world-class sporting events. I look forward to working with Mayor Hancock, the Denver Sports Advisory Board and the Visit Denver team, to help elevate Denver’s sports image and bring even more world-class sports events to this area.

This girl’s got game

From my cancer surviving pal Cindy Atherton: “We’ve chatted about this already but I’m just getting to your column where you mention it.  The logo that was created for the floods last week, the big “C” with the umbrella in the shape of a heart, is 10 times more creative!  Although I wish it didn’t have to be created.”

A reader’s option for a new Colorado logo.

Winner winner

Lois Saul was the most recent winner in the subscription sweepstakes for two tickets to the “Clean Guys of Comedy” performance coming up. Thanks Lois, for subscribing, you rock. Pass it on for your peeps to subscribe to www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker. We will be giving away many valuable prizes!

Eavesdropping on a man at the Pepsi Center unveiling of the new electronic signage: “Wow, that sign is bigger than my townhouse, plus my neighbor’s townhouse.”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

It was a thrill to meet Frances Mayes, the bestselling author of “Under the Tuscan Sun,” during an invite-only party to introduce her Tuscan Sun Wines line with the support of her Denver-based partner Curious Cork Imports.

One of the fine wines by Tuscan Sun Wines. (Photo courtesy of Tuscan Sun Wines)

The wine line is composed of seven wines produced in Italy and around Tuscany and hand selected by Mayes herself. Each Tuscan Sun Wine embodies a different concept that touches on the Tuscan lifestyle.

The wines were launched in Cortona, Italy, in July and are making their U.S. debut this week.

“These wines bring to life a sense of wonder through simple joys that my life in Italy has given me,” Mayes said during Thursday’s event at the Denver Art Museum. “I hope that by bringing them home to the U.S. that everyone can share a taste of the many pleasures I’ve enjoyed in Italy.

The Tuscan Sun Wines include four reds and two whites. A Prosecco is scheduled to join the lineup next year.

“Creating this line of wines with Frances and bringing them to wine lovers in the U.S. has been one of the most rewarding experiences of our entire team’s professional careers,” said Danny Keefe, founder of Curious Cork Imports. “We’re proud and honored to have the opportunity to share these exceptional wines with fans of Frances, fans of Italy and wine lovers in general.”

For more information, go to www.tuscansunwines.com.

Wild about waffles?

The newest addition to the Waffle Brothers empire is a third location set to open this week in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood at 1707 Lafayette.

My condo BFF and I stopped by for a “test drive” on Saturday of the new savory additions to the menu. This Waffle Brothers branch (as soon as all the T’s are crossed by the city’s inspectors) will cater to late-night diners and restaurant industry workers by staying open and serving food until midnight.

During a trial run, we munched on fried chicken and (what else?) waffles with whipped cream and syrup as well as spicy chicken wings. I’ll let you know as soon as the joint gets a firm opening date.

‘Stache gets stashed

There’s not much that Sage Hospitality honcho Walter Isenberg won’t do to support his wife, Christie‘s, charity Concerts For Kids, which supports various children’s charities in Colorado.

So recently during the Concerts For Kids Celebrity Waiter Dinner at Ocean Prime, Isenberg submitted his “forever” mustache to the razor when Denver Mayor Michael Hancock lopped it off in the name of charity. Isenberg raised more than $40,000 to forfeit his facial hair.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, right, happily shaved off the famed mustache of Sage Hospitality CEO Walter Isenberg. (Photo courtesy of Concerts for Kids)

 

Transplant heroes

Tickets for the 4th Evening of Decadent Delights are $100 each for Sense of Security friends. That’s a savings of $25 per ticket! This event sells out fast, and is only two weeks away. It’s events like Evening of Decadent Delights, hosted by Penny Parker and friends, that make a difference in our community. Come out and support this great organization’s efforts, eat well, and enjoy.

Seven of Denver’s finest chefs will prepare a divine five-course meal accompanied by wine pairings. Chefs are: Lance Barto, Michael Bortz, Troy Guard, Alex Seidel, Tyler Wiard, Brian Laird and Sean Yontz. It’s a fabulous fall evening that includes a cocktail party, sponsored by Downslope Distilling, with live band, The Whitfields and Robert Eldridge on acoustic guitar during dinner. Emcee Les Shapiro is always spirited and fun.

Sense of Security seeks to provide a sense of security from financial hardship and enhance the quality of life for Colorado breast cancer patients in treatment. As a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, Sense of Security has served more than 960 Colorado breast cancer patients while in treatment by providing nearly $1.5 million toward housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, COBRA or insurance premiums and other basic living expenses over the past 13 years. Sense of Security has served grantees from 48 Colorado counties.

Decadent Delights guests can participate in silent and live auctions plus complimentary winery tours. This fundraiser sold out last year, so don’t miss it – space is limited. Order your special discounted tickets today by going to www.blacktie-colorado.com. Use the discount code FRIENDS.

Tickets are $100 each through 5 p.m. Monday (today, so act fast!). Don’t forget the not-so-secret code FRIENDS.

Hazel in the house

Local vocal and Denver treasure Hazel Miller is teaming up with a few musical pals to headline a benefit concert for Inner City Health Center from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at The Infinity Park Event Center, 4400 E. Kentucky Ave.

Miller’s musical chums who will play during the event are Latin guitarist Manuel Molina, The Subdudes’ accordionist/pianist John Magnie and rhythmic/acoustic rock pioneer Dave Tamkin.

Tickets are available at www.jazzed.innercityhealth.org, or by calling Josh Hoffman at 720-833-5091. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Hazel Miller will perform at a benefit concert for Inner City Health Center Thursday at The Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale. (Blacktie-Colorado photo)

 

Subscribe and win

The latest giveaway incentive to subscribe to my column at www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker is two VIP tickets to “Clean Guys of Comedy,” a stand-up comedy show featuring performances by Jamie Kennedy, Dave Coulier, Heather McDonald, Andy Hendrickson and Ralph Harris for one night only at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Buell Theatre.

The “Clean Guys of Comedy” show marks the launch of a new comedy brand targeted toward audiences who enjoy adult but clean stand-up laughs. And, just in case you don’t win the random drawing, you can purchase tickets at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Clean-Guys-of-Comedy-tickets/artist/1897548?brand=none&tm_link=tm_homeA_rc_name1.

In the meantime, get all your friends to subscribe to my column for a chance to win. The winner will be drawn at 6 p.m. this evening and announced in my column on Wednesday. If you’re a long-time subscriber, first of all “thanks” and rest assured that you are equally eligible as my new friends in qualifying to win.

Eavesdropping on a woman on Facebook: “Been shopping for Lily today. I am starting a new consumer watchdog group. It will be called M.A.L.G.D.L.M.I.T.E. – Mothers Against Little Girls Dressing Like Madonna In The Eighties.”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

“Beverly Hills Cop” movie franchise actor and Fort Collins resident John Ashton is about as happy as it gets for someone who has chosen and endured a rather tortured profession.

As super model and “Project Runway” host  Heidi Klum says, “One day you’re in and the next day you’re out.”

Ashton has ridden the Hollywood roller coaster especially after finding fame in the Eddie Murphy vehicles “Beverly Hills Cop” and “Beverly Hills Cop II” playing the curmudgeonly Det. Sgt. John Taggart.

But the University of Southern California theater grad who aspired to be a stage actor didn’t love the Hollywood life. His IMBd resume shows his stripes as a tireless actor taking jobs on movies including “Midnight Run” with Robert DeNiro and on episodic TV series such as “Judging Amy,” “Fantasy Island” and “JAG.”

John Ashton is thrilled to be starring in the new film, ‘Uncle John.’ Ashton, best known for his role in the ‘Beverly Hills Cop” films, has been living in Fort Collins for several years. (Photo courtesy of John Ashton)

Ashton, who retreated to a relatively quiet life in Fort Collins years ago because Hollywood felt like an ill-fitting suit, is back in the movie game with “Uncle John,” an Indie film where he stars as the namesake character in this murder mystery set in Wisconsin and Chicago.

The movie will likely travel to the Sundance Film Festival or, if luck is on their side, first to producer/director David Lynch, who worked with “Uncle John” writer and producer Erik Crary on the film “Inland Empire” in 1996.

But Ashton, who earlier this week parted company with his agents, is most fired up about this movie, which, he says, has brought him back to his original journey to become an actor who does meaningful work.

“It’s the best script I’ve read in years,” Ashton told me during a phone interview. “It’s something I’ve been begging my agents for me to do. I read the script and said, ‘Man, I’m on board.’ I don’t think I’m going to work for anybody over 40 any more.”

Like I said, Ashton plays the title character who is a level-headed guy who helps out his neighbors with fix-it jobs in rural Wisconsin.

“He’s Uncle John,” Ashton said. “Everybody loves him. He fixes people’s water pipes and cabinet doors. The honesty of the character I loved.”

As for his future part with the “Beverly Hills Cop” franchise, Ashton is unclear. His Det. Taggart role was cut out of the proposed TV series pilot, which was nixed by CBS, but there’s still a chance for another “Beverly Hills Cop” movie.

“Whether they take my advice that Judge (Reinhold) and I should be in the movie, that’s up to the Hollywood gods,” Ashton said. “But doing ‘Uncle John’ refreshed my career. Working with energetic artistically minded kids was so refreshing for me. This is what I was trained to do.”

Have a ball

“The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd and Denver’s own nice rich guy David Mandarich, along with his wife, Bonnie, will be honored for their philanthropic work with the High Hopes Awards during The Children’s Diabetes Foundation Carousel Ball 2013 on Sept. 21 at the Denver Marriott City Center.

The Carousel Ball, founded in 1977 in Denver by Barbara Davis and her late husband Marvin Davis, raises money for programs for clinical care and research for more than 6,000 children and adults at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes.

The black-tie event, this year chaired by Charlie and Judy McNeil of NexGen Resources Corp., features entertainers Melissa Manchester and Chris Mann.

Manchester is a Grammy-Award-winning singer and songwriter and Mann is a singer-songwriter and finalist from NBC’s weekly competition series “The Voice.”

David Mandarich is president of MDC Holdings. He and his wife, Bonnie, are supporters of many local charities. For tickets, contact Kate Passaris at the Children’s Diabetes Foundation at 303-863-1200 or by e-mailing kate@childrensdiabetesfoundation.org.

Sherri Shepherd, co-host of ABC’s “The View,” will be honored Sept. 21 at the Children’s Diabetes Foundation Carousel Ball at the Denver Marriott City Center.

Melissa Manchester will entertain at the Children’s Diabetes Foundation Carousel Ball.

Spoiler alert!

If the most recent episode of Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” is still camping out on your DVR, skip this item.

But for those of you in the know who watched Wednesday’s competition, you saw Denver restaurant owner/chef Jennifer Jasinski and sous chef Jorel Pierce win both the quickfire contest and elimination challenge to bring home $15,000 for Jasinski’s chosen charity, Work Options for Women.

That makes a solid $30,000 for WOW, the Denver charity that trains impoverished women the skills to gain employment in the foodservice industry.

Jasinski, who was told to “pack her knives” a couple of weeks ago, sliced her way through the “last chance” competition to win a redemption spot on the reality TV series.

Her winning dish in the quickfire challenge was scallop with ketchup sauce, fermented black beans, avocados and blood orange.

For the elimination challenge, Jasinski’s winning dish was guajillo chile posole with shaved cabbage, lime, cilantro and queso fresco and shrimp, bass and scallop ceviche with papaya, mango, pineapple and plaintain crisp.

There are four chefs remaining in the competition with two episodes left to air (at 8 p.m. Wednesdays our time on Bravo). You go, Jen! Do this for Denver.

Jennifer Jasinski’s winning dish — Scallops with catsup sauce and fermented black beans, avocados and blood orange — in the Quickfire challenge of Wednesday’s episode of ‘Top Chef Masters.’ (Bravo TV photo)

Jasinski’s two winning dishes in the elimination challenge of Bravo network’s ‘Top Chef Masters.’ Top: Shrimp, bass and scallop ceviche with papaya, mango, pineapple and plaintain crisp. Above: Guajillo chile posole with shaved cabbage, lime cilantro and queso fresco. (Bravo TV photos)

Wine time

Metropolitan State University of Denver is hosting “An evening With the Masters” on Sunday, featuring a screening of the film “SOMM,” an insider’s look at the prestigious Master Sommelier examination.

With a 90 percent failure rate, there are fewer than 20 people who have been crowned as a Master Sommelier the past 40 years. During this event, at the SpringHill Suites Denver Downtown (1190 Auraria Parkway) you are invited to mingle with several of the world’s foremost wine experts contributing to Metro State’s evening of sensory celebration and entertainment.

The evening begins Sunday, Sept. 15 with a wine reception and silent auction from 5:30 to 7 p.m., followed by a screening of the movie at 7:15 p.m.

Other events are a four-course dinner with wine pairings prepared by executive chef Kevin Taylor and his son, Ryan Taylor; MSU Denver Hospitality, Tourism and Events student and Jay Fletcher with Southern Wine & Spirits of Colorado.

Also available are tickets to a guided wine tasting with either Bobby Stuckey, master sommelier and co-owner of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder or with master sommelier Brandon Tebbe with Synergy Fine Wines.

Proceeds from the event will benefit MSU Denver’s Hospitality, Tourism and Events Department and the Hospitality Learning Center. For tickets and more information, go to www.msudenver.edu/sommfilm/.

A winnah!

Tony’s Market executive chef Michael “Mick” Rosacci is the winner for two VIP tickets to Denver Beerathon on Saturday (tickets still available at www.denverbeerathon.com).

Here’s what he won: The VIP ticket directs beer lovers to check in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. is at Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant (1735 19th St.), and includes a VIP-only party with a buffet, prizes and giveaways and a $20 Uber car service pass plus a $25 day of event pass (new Uber users only),  Altitude Peak Fitness two-week unlimited pass, $99 room rate at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel among other goodies.

The link for $99 rooms at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel (regularly rooms are about $350) is:  https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/denverbeerathon. More information on the Beerathon at www.denverbeerathon.com.

But just because your name wasn’t drawn (from a list of new and veteran subscribers) doesn’t mean the party is over. Our new giveaway incentive to sign up at www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker is two VIP tickets to “Clean Guys of Comedy,” a stand-up show featuring performances by Jamie Kennedy, Dave Coulier, Heather McDonald, Andy Hendrickson and Ralph Harris for one night only at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Buell Theatre.

The “Clean Guys of Comedy” show marks the launch of a new comedy brand targeted toward audiences who enjoy adult but clean stand-up laughs. And, just in case you don’t win the random drawing, you can purchase tickets at www.fathomevents.com.

In the meantime, get all your friends to subscribe to my column for a chance to win. The winner will be drawn at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16 and announced in my column on Sept. 18.

Eavesdropping on a woman on Facebook: “Heaven help me, but I learned just how old I am today by watching a video on twerking and then actually trying to twerk. Luckily there is no one here to witness this frightening maneuver.”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

Trader Joe’s announcement Monday that it will open a fourth Colorado location on the Southwest corner of Seventh and Logan was the best thing to happen to Capitol Hill since the governor’s mansion moved into the ‘hood.

And since I live five blocks from the new TJ’s site, I was especially delighted to hear the news, although I’ll have to figure out how to transport a boatload of signature Trader Joe’s products.

Trader Joe’s spokeswomen Alison Mochizuki confirmed Monday’s Internet buzz. “Although we don’t disclose what goes into the decision-making processes of selecting a location, Denver is filled with foodies and we are looking forward to being part of this wonderful community,” Mochizuki said when I asked what drove TJ’s to secure a Cap Hill site. “Beyond this, we don’t have any additional comments.”

The space, directly across the street from the popular Govnr’s Park Tavern at 672 Logan St., is currently occupied by an empty Century Link warehouse. The Trader Joe’s store, which is slated to open next year, will be approximately 11,600 square feet.

It will not carry its famous Two Buck Chuck wine — nor any other liquor — because the one store with a liquor component will be the Eighth Avenue and Colorado Boulevard location in accordance with Colorado liquor laws that restrict retailers to one liquor license.

Other previously announced stores will be in Greenwood Village and Boulder, and also will open next year. The Monrovia, Calif.-based Trader Joe’s began in 1958 in the Los Angeles area, and since has grown to more than 390 stores in 35 states. More at www.traderjoes.com.

Well done

Denver James-Beard-Award-winning chef Jennifer Jasinski earned a chance for redemption when she returned to the “Top Chef Masters” competition last Wednesday on Bravo.

Viewers thought Jasinski, who owns Rioja, Bistro Vendome and Euclid Hall, was thrown out of the contest like some weeks-old leftovers, but she roared back in the online sous chef competition to win her reentry.

Last Wednesday’s elimination challenge was to create a fish dish, and Jasinski (paired with Douglas Keane, who had immunity) was victorious while winning $5,000 for her charity of choice, Work Options for Women, a Denver-based organization that teaches impoverished women skills to put them to work in the food service industry. That makes a respectable total of $15,000 that the Denver chef has won so far for WOW.

Chef Jennifer Jasinski’s winning John Dory dish (with fellow chef Douglas Keane) that netted $5,000 for Work Options for Women. (Bravo TV photo)

Only three episodes remain on “Top Chef Masters” (8 p.m. Wednesdays our time). Vote for Team Jasinski at www.bravotv.com/top-chef-masters.

Tix on sale today 

The Denver Film Society is honoring Denver’s legendary former concert promoter Barry Fey with a screening of “Under a Blood Red Sky,” with special performances by The Samples and Madam Sin, beginning at 6:45 p.m. Sept. 26 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, where the U2 concert was originally filmed.

Tickets are $20 (all fees included) and on sale beginning today at www.ticketswest.com, King Soopers stores or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT.

Tech Center tastes

The 13th annual Taste of the Tech Center, brought to you by The DTC|Greenwood Village chamber of Commerce, will tantalize taste buds on Sept. 18 at the XJet Hangar at Centennial Airport.

The event (from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. general admission or from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for VIPs) features tastes from more than 40 South Denver restaurants paired with wine samples.

For tickets call the DTC|Greenwood Village Chamber at 303-290-9922, e-mail admin@gvchamber.com or go to http://business.dtcchamber.com/events/details/13th-annual-taste-of-greenwood-village-7871.

Stand by for take off

Mariel, a women’s boutique at 3000 E. Third Ave., will feature evening wear for the fashion show finale at Flight to Luxury. (Photo courtesy of Mariel)

Fashion, jets, sports cars and luxury Cuvee Ventures villas will come together under one roof on Sept. 20 for the fourth annual Flight to Luxury event benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.

The evening’s goal is to raise $750,000. The Signature Flight Support private jet hangar at Centennial Airport will house the red-carpet event showcasing elite elements of high-end travel: Cuvee’s custom-couture villas in locations around the world, first-class private jets by Jet Linx and luxury sports cars by Ferrari of Denver and Sill-TerHar Motors.

Also featured will be a couture fashion show from local Denver boutiques, cuisine and drinks from some of the Mile High City’s top eateries and a silent and live auction. CBS4 sports anchor Vic Lombardi will emcee the event.

For more information and tickets, go to www.flighttoluxury.com.

Swept

Le Grand Bistro and Oyster Bar, 1512 Curtis St., provided the winning chef and bartender, selected by a panel of judges, at the Art of the Cocktail Friday at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Denver.

Chef Brad Yard took the food category with his roasted tomato gazpacho with cucumber coulis, garlic breadcrumbs and Granata Farms purple basil.

The winning cocktail, created by Audrey Smith, was the Bangkok Rose made with Absolut cilantro lime vodka, house-made smoked hibiscus simple syrup, house-made grapefruit bitters, fresh lemon and lime juice, fresh basil and served up and garnished with hibiscus flower and basil.

Each first-place chef and bartender were awarded $500 cash, plus an overnight at The Ritz and breakfast at Elway’s Downtown.

People’s choice winners were Smith for her Bangkok Rose cocktail and Elway’s for its tacos.

Here are a few selected photos from Saturday’s ninth annual Denver Food and Wine, presented by US Foods:

These young ladies helped serve cocktails to the Denver Food and Wine crowd Saturday. Below, celebrity chef Brian Polcyn wows the crowd with his charcuterie knowledge at the Viking Culinary Chef Showcase. Bottom, Panzano chef Elise Wiggins also was a participant on the Viking Stage.(Photos by Stevie Crecilius)

Subscribe to my column and earn beer here

This evening at 6 p.m., the winning name will be drawn for two VIP tickets to Denver Beerathon. Anyone who’s a veteran or newbie subscriber to this column will be eligible to win. Sign up to subscribe (come on, it’s free!) at www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker and you will be eligible for this and future drawings.

The first Denver Beerathon, on Saturday, features a self-guided tour of 26 downtown-area bars, pubs, taverns and restaurants offering special deals for ticket holders.

The VIP ticket directs beer lovers to check in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. is at Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant (1735 19th St.), and includes a VIP-only party with a buffet, prizes and giveaways and a $20 Uber car service pass plus a $25 day of event pass (new Uber users only),  Altitude Peak Fitness two-week unlimited pass, $99 room rate at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel among other goodies.

The link for $99 rooms at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel (regularly rooms are about $350) is:  https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/denverbeerathon. More information on the Beerathon at www.denverbeerathon.com

Eavesdropping on two women at a bar: “I think I’ll get a Michelada.”

“Did you just say, ‘I’ll meet you later?'”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

Call it the long goodbye.

Pete Meersman, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Colorado Restaurant Association, recently submitted his six-year plan to terminate his duties as “chief cheese” of the trade organization that represents roughly 4,500 eatery members and more than 200 allied trade members that provide products and services to the food service industry.

Pete Meersman, President and CEO of the Colorado Restaurant Association. (Blacktie-Colorado photo)

In a recent email blast, Meersman said that, “The Colorado Restaurant Association (and I) have implemented a six-year leadership transition plan. This plan will provide for the orderly transfer of leadership responsibilities to a new president and chief executive officer. We will begin a search for a chief operating officer immediately.

“The plan is to hire a COO  by mid-October 2013, and then have that person become president and CEO on year later … I will remain as president and CEO until October 2014, and then I will continue to be employed by CRA as chief strategy officer until October 31, 2019.”

After a 31-year career with the CRA, Meersman’s transition into retirement isn’t surprising, albeit more methodical than most. With the hiring of the new COO, Meersman’s intent is to reduce work hours while training

the newcomer and facilitating introductions with key members, legislators and other government officials.

“The CRA officers and I determined this was the best course of action for (the) CRA, and for me, since I have worked for CRA for the past 31 years and have a huge investment in its continued success,” Meersman wrote.

When the COO takes over in October 2014, Meersman will work on special projects as needed. I, for one, will miss Pete’s position as the CRA leader. We have enjoyed a respectful relationship for roughly 20 years. Best of luck, Pete, and maybe you’ll finally have time to work on your golf game!

New brews at The Brown

The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and Wynkoop Brewing Company are sharing suds to create a series of special-edition traditional cask beers using the brew house’s know-how and ingredients from the hotel.

The first beer to debut in the Palace Caskcraft small-batch beer series is a version of Wynkoop’s London Calling IPA. Wynkoop head brewmaster Andy Brown incorporates lemon grass into the mix — a featured component of the hotel’s namesake spa line.

As the series continues, additional recipes will use honey from the hotel’s rooftop bees as well as water from The Brown Palace’s artesian well.

The cask beer tradition dates back several centuries to when beers were carbonated naturally in wooden barrels and at a slightly warmer temperature. As the process evolved, the beers were stored in stainless steel casks and served with old-fashioned hand pumps, also known as beer engines.

With the guidance of Marty Jones and his Wynkoop team, The Brown Palace purchased two beer engines for the hotel’s Ship Tavern to create its own house cask beers. More information: www.brownpalace.com or www.wynkoop.com.

The first beer to debut in the Brown Palace Caskcraft small-batch beer series is a version of Wynkoop’s London Calling IPA. (Brown Palace and Wynkoop Brewing photo)

Brown Palace bees growing buzz

The venerable Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver launched its rooftop beehive program to harvest honey, the buzz has grown to the point where the hotel added a fifth hive recently.

“The addition was indeed due to demand and the BP team wanting to expand on the hotel’s offerings made with rooftop honey,” said hotel spokeswoman Ashley Cothran.

Here are some of the “sweet” ways that The Brown uses the homegrown honey:

* Brown Palace Rooftop Honey Saison – the original summertime beer with the Wynkoop will return this fall in time for the Great American Beer Festival. The beer was created using 75 pounds of rooftop honey.

* Honey Infused Bourbon – a new barrel-aged honey infused bourbon created with Breckenridge Distillery.

* Cocktails – signature drinks such as the BP Bees’ Knees or the Honey Brut can be found in all of The Brown’s dining venues.

* Afternoon Tea – Rooftop honey is used during The Brown’s famed afternoon high tea.

* Queen Bee Body Scrub – a spa treatment that combines organic brown sugar and The Brown’s own “sugar” honey from the hotel’s bees.

* Bee Royalty Signature Products – The Brown Palace Spa Boutique is home to a line of products including lip balm and honey lavender soap.

The Brown Palace Hotel recently added a fifth hive to its rooftop honey production. (Brown Palace Hotel photo)

Marvin leads Poets for Change event

100 Thousand Poets for Change, the Denver event from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Oriental Theater, will feature former radio talk show anchor, poet, flash fiction writer, artist and progressive thinker Jay Marvin as the keynote speaker and poet as well as a FreespeechTV videotaping.

Other poets and performers include Tom “Wordwulf” Sterner; Roseanna Frechette; Adam Roufberg; Ken Greenley; Mike Romoth; Sonia “Mother Jones” Skakich-Scrima; Michael Annis, founder of Howling Dog Press, and the spirit of Gregory Greyhawk. Howling Dog Press is the acting host, and the roaring metal band Illicit Sects will provide musical entertainment. For more information, visit  www.100tpc.org.

Doors open at 44th & Tennyson at 10 a.m. There’s no admission charge. There will also be an exhibition of 100 Thousand Poets for Change posters from around the world at the venue.

Subscribe to my column and earn beer here

From today through Wednesday at 6 p.m., anyone who’s a veteran or newbie subscriber to this column will be entered in a drawing to win two Denver Beerathon VIP tickets. The first Denver Beerathon, on Sept. 14, features a self-guided tour of 26 downtown-area bars, pubs, taverns and restaurants offering special deals for ticketholders.

The VIP ticket directs beer lovers to check in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. is at Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant (1735 19th St.), and includes a VIP-only party with a buffet, prizes and giveaways and a $20 Uber car service pass plus a $25 day of event pass (new Uber users only),  Altitude Peak Fitness two-week unlimited pass, $99 room rate at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel among other goodies.

The link for $99 rooms at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel (regularly rooms are about $350) is:  https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/denverbeerathon. More information on the Beerathon at www.denverbeerathon.com.

Eavesdropping on Twitter feed of Lindsay Jones (former Denver Post Broncos beat writer now at USA Today) on an interview with Broncos TE Julius Thomas: “He said it would sink in once he talked to his parents.”

(Jones asked): “Have you checked your phone?”

JT: “I haven’t even put on my pants.”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

Bob Brenner, the “Extreme Weight Loss” record breaker on the hit ABC television series, was so transformed by his experience on the show that he has announced plans to become a certified life coach to help others realize weight loss success.

To achieve his life coach certification, Brenner is partnering with the Colorado-based school Coach Training Alliance to become a credentialed coach. He is expected to earn his life coach certification in November.

During his year-long journey on “Extreme Weight Loss” season three (season four is being filmed at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in Aurora), Brenner lost a record 253 pounds – or 56 percent of his body weight – through a commitment to healthy eating, regular exercise and mental perseverance.

His next extreme transformation is a total career makeover – going from Milwaukee undercover cop to national life coach. Brenner also remains good friends with “Extreme Weight Loss” host Chris Powell. Both guys will be in Denver together this weekend.

Bob Brenner, before his 253-pound weight loss for the ABC reality series, ‘Extreme Weight Loss.’ (Photo courtesy of Bob Brenner, iCoach Transformation)

Bob Brenner bikes and runs as part of his fitness regimen. Below, Brenner and his son. (Photos courtesy of Bob Brenner, iCoach Transformation)

Shooting down brain diseases

Local comedian and former Rocky Mountain News sports columnist Sam Adams will attempt to surpass the career scoring record belonging to NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the span of 24 hours on Saturday at the Hyatt Denver Tech Center.

“Poppin4PSP” is a one-man Pop-A-Shot basketball marathon fundraiser being staged to heighten the public’s awareness of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and related neurodegenerative brain diseases.

Starting at 7 a.m. in the Hyatt DTC atrium, Adams will play Pop-A-Shot basketball for 24 hours, hoping to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s career record of 38,387 points throughout his 20-year NBA career.

To achieve his goal, Adams needs to average 54 points per game, playing an average of 30 games per hour and attempting 1,300 shots per hour for 24 consecutive hours on a Pop-A-Shot basketball machine.

To donate and support Adams’ goal, go to http://poppin4psp.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1081450&lis=1&kntae1081450=513D98B09F98458B8DDC46565D3578D9&supId=389720211.

Former Rocky Mountain News columnist Sam Adams is testing his shooting aim with a 24-hour Pop-A-Shot marathon on Saturday. Adams, who now is a professional comedian, is raising awareness and money for  Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and related neurodegenerative brain diseases. (Photo courtesy of Sam Adams’ Facebook page)

Volunteer here

For the first time since the initiative’s inception, Xcel Energy employees will be joined by community members in the third annual Xcel Energy Day of Service, in partnership with CBS4, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

There are nine volunteer projects, and community participation from across the state is welcome. This year should be Xcel Energy’s biggest Day of Service with 1,300 employees and 1,000 community participants.

View the list of project opportunities and sign up to volunteer by visiting www.xcelenergy.ivolunteer.com.

Open wide for “Im-burger-amo”

Take a bite of the “Im-burger-amo” at TAG Burger Bar (1222 Madison) through the month of September and $1 per burger will go to Work Options for Women, an organization that trains impoverished women culinary skills to gain employment.

This great veggie burger, named for Denver restaurant consultant and vegetarian John Imbergamo, combines black beans, garbanzo beans, corn, fire-roasted jalapeños, panko, cotija cheese and tomatillo salsa. It’s topped with guacamole, crispy fried zucchini chips, Sriracha aioli and cilantro slaw, and served on a toasted bun with a side of fries and a house made pickle.

The Im-burger-amo at TAG Burger Bar in Congress Park is a tribute to veteran restaurant guru, John Imbergamo. For every veggie burger sold, $1 will go to Imbergamo’s pet charity, Work Options for Women. 

Domestic violence center fundraiser

The movie “Havana 57,” from the novels of Harlan Abrahams, will be shown during a fundraiser for the Rose Andom Center, a facility that will house a myriad of agencies set up to help those dealing with domestic violence, at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Wolf Theater, Mizel Arts and Culture Center, on the campus of the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 Dahlia St.

“Havana 57″ is the first full-length English-language feature film shot entirely on location in Cuba since the revolution is 1959. The movie was inspired by “Col. Carlo” novels written by Abrahams.

Special guests Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey will share some new news about the Andom Center. Donations requested. Checks should be made payable to “The Denver Justice Center”, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.

Tickets for the movie are free, but an RSVP is required by sending an e-mail to havana57movie@gmail.com. Tickets will be sent via e-mail and collected at the door.

Food and wine time

There’s still time to get in on the Denver Food and Wine action today, Saturday and Sunday. Tonight, Art of the Cocktail from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Denver, 1881 Curtis St., will pit chefs and bartenders against each other in competitions to win $500 cash plus an overnight at The Ritz and breakfast at Elway’s in the hotel.

Tickets to the lively and tasty event are $50 at www.denverfoodandwine.com.

On Saturday, the Grand Tasting, the granddaddy of Denver food fests with an expected 4,500 food and wine fans, will serve bites from 35 local restaurant and 600 wines and spirts from Southern Wine & Spirits of Colorado from noon the 4 p.m. under a tent pitched on the grounds of the Metropolitan State University campus. The Grand Tasting is presented by US Foods.

Tickets are $95 at www.denverfoodandwine.com.

On Sunday, the DFW weekend wraps with a wine pairing dinner, beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday at Panzano Restaurant, 909 17th St., featuring Panzano executive chef Elise Wiggins, and Denver restaurant chefs Paul C. Reilly of Beast + Bottle, Bob Blair of Fuel, Aaron Whitcomb of Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro and featuring award-winning chef/author and restaurant owner Brian Polcyn. Reservations: 303-296-3525.

Denver Food and Wine is a fundraiser that benefits The Denver Post Community Foundation, Colorado Restaurant Association Education Foundation and the Metropolitan State University of Denver Hospitality Learning Center.

Light the night

I told you earlier this week that Denver’s City and County building is bathed in teal light this month in honor of ovarian cancer and prostate cancer awareness.

That prompted me to ask Mayor Hancock’s office what other colors, months and diseases make the City and County building glow throughout the year.

Here’s the answer:

* January – holiday lights (through the end of the Stock Show);

* February – red for heart awareness;

* March – blue and pink for the March of Dimes’ premature baby awareness;

* April 1 only – light blue for autism awareness;

* June 4th and 5th – teal for the ovarian cancer walk;

* September – teal for ovarian and prostate cancer awareness;

* October – pink for breast cancer awareness;

* November – purple for Alzheimer’s awareness;

* December – holiday lights.

We’ve got a winner!

The first giveaway winner in the www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker subscription drive is Terri Alexander, client services manager for Project Angel Heart, a charitable organization that provides nutritious meals free of charge for people with life-threatening illnesses.

Alexander won two VIP tickets to Saturday’s Denver Food and Wine Grand Tasting on the grounds of Metropolitan State University (a $500 value).

But wait, there’s more. From today through Wednesday at 6 p.m., anyone who’s a veteran or newbie subscriber will be entered in a drawing to win two Denver Beerathon VIP tickets. The first Denver Beerathon, on Sept. 14, features a self-guided tour of 26 downtown-area bars, pubs, taverns and restaurants offering special deals for ticketholders.

The VIP ticket directs beer lovers to check in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. is at Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant (1735 19th St.), and includes a VIP-only party with a buffet, prizes and giveaways and a $20 Uber car service pass plus a $25 day of event pass (new Uber users only),  Altitude Peak Fitness two week unlimited pass, $99 room rate at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel among other goodies.

The link for $99 rooms at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel (regularly rooms are about $350) is:  https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/denverbeerathon. More information on the Beerathon at www.denverbeerathon.com.

Eavesdropping on a signature taker to a male voter at a library on Parker Road and Florida: “Are you a Colorado voter?”

“No, Denver.”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

Hotel honcho Walter Isenberg is known for his mustachioed face as much as he is known for turning Denver dirt into high-end hotels.

Behind every deal – the JW Marriott, The Oxford Hotel, The Courtyard by Marriott and the upcoming Union Station Hotel – there’s been Isenberg’s iconic moustache.

But there’s not much he won’t do for charity – especially when it’s his wife, Christie Isenberg‘s pet charity, Concerts for Kids, an organization that raises funds for children’s charities.

In an attempt to raise $100,000 for the Concerts for Kids’ Celebrity Waiter event on Saturday at Ocean Prime on Larimer Square, Isenberg will (reluctantly) submit his lip fuzz to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock‘s razor during the event.

“I’ve done many a crazy thing in my day, but this is a first,” Isenberg wrote in his pledge plea e-mail. “I’m hoping I can convince 100 people to kick in a grand each to see this happen. Now I know for a fact none of you have (including my wife) has ever seen me without a mustache. Why? Because from the moment I could actually grow one, I did and it’s been floating above my upper lip ever since.”

A few local notables weighed in on Isenberg’s facial hairlessness decision. (I can’t vouch for the authenticity of these quotes, however):

“It’s about time one of Denver’s longest running mysteries will be solved — and no DNA will have to be tested this time,” said Denver DA Mitch Morrissey.

“I can’t wait to put that straight edge to work and slice off that little caterpillar … revealing the real Walter. I’m not even going to practice … hope my hand is steady,” Mayor Hancock said.

“I wish he had done this 25 years ago. That mustache has always made him look sketchy and it certainly didn’t help me attract a better clientele,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper referring to his early days at the Wynkoop Brewing Co.

To help Isenberg reach his fundraising goal (he’s raised $35,000 so far), e-mail a pledge to Rebecca@concertsforkids.org.

For tickets to the celebrity waiter dinner (reservations are being accepted from 5 to 9:30 p.m.), call Ocean Prime restaurant at 303-825-3663. Check out the celebrity waiter lineup at www.concertsforkids.org.

Sage Hospitality CEO Walter Isenberg will have his trademark mustache shaved off if $100,000 can be raised for his wife Christie’s charity, Concerts for Kids.

Light show

The Denver City and County Building in Civic Center Park changes colors from time to time throughout the year. For September, the lighting color is teal in observance of Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.

One in 71 women will get ovarian cancer in her lifetime, and there is no screening test. The most frequent symptoms are two weeks or more worth of bloating, pain in the abdomen, urinary urgency or frequency and feeling full quickly when eating. Getting diagnosed early can save your life.

Next up: The City and County Building will be bathed in pink lights in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

The Denver City and County Building will be lit up in teal to observe Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in September. (Denver City and County photo)

Dining for a cause

Work Options for Women is Parallel Seventeen’s Dining for a Cause partner for the month of September. All month, mention Work Options for Women and 10 percent of your food purchase will go toward WOW’s mission of helping impoverished women gain skills to get out of poverty and to gain employment in the food service industry.

Kick off Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. this afternoon at Parallel Seventeen, 1600 E. 17th Avenue. More information: http://workoptionsforwomen.wordpress.com/

Let go my logo!

When Colorado’s new logo and tagline were unveiled Thursday at The Colorado Innovation Network Summit, Facebook comments lit up the Internet like the City and County building during the holidays.

I asked readers of this column to weigh in on their opinions of the state’s new marketing symbol.

Some said our state’s new symbol reminded them of a hazmat warning. No one who contacted me supported the decision to deviate from the time-honored version of our state flag.

Candice Pulliam wrote, “In my opinion, the new logo design is 1. a waste of money;  2. not very artful;  3.  doesn’t say ‘Colorado’ to me; 4. doesn’t make a strong enough visual to be used in large format … I could go on.

“But mostly, to my knowledge, Denver people weren’t given a choice … To me, this is not an image that identifies Colorado in an interesting or recognizable way. I can, however see it as a tattoo.”

From reader Jules Dworak: “This is an atrocity! Pretty sure the biohazard bag is where they dumped the only logo Colorado should ever have!”

Claire Walter weighed in, “Like the (other) naysayer, it reminded me of Sugarloaf’s long-time logo all in a blah monotone. Bring back this one.”

Gala Grant

One nonprofit will be awarded the first Gala Grant Denver worth an estimated $121,000 in in-kind donations from local industry experts and proceeds to be acquired at the special event through ticket sales and auction items.

Application deadline is Thursday. A major fundraising event will be held to benefit the winner of the Gala Grant Denver award in February, which will tap the resources of some of Denver’s best event specialists.

“The Gala Grant Denver is made possible by a group of presenting partners who decided that giving back to their community together was more powerful than giving individually,” said Shelly St. John, lead auctioneer with The Auction Divas.

These Denver event specialists have come together to offer nonprofits a change at bolstering their fundraising efforts. The Gala Grant presenting partners are:

* The Auction Divas

* Blacktie Colorado

* Bolder Events

* The Hazel Miller Band

* John Tobey Events

* Relish Catering

* The McNichols Building

* Up and Up Creative

Applicants can go to www.facebook.com/galagrantdenver for more information and to apply.

Root Down takes off

Root Down, the lower Highland favorite fresh eatery, opened Monday (Labor Day) in Concourse C of Denver International Airport. The restaurant is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and features a brunch and dinner menu in addition to cocktails, Colorado beers and wine.

Subscribe!

Do you know folks who aren’t subscribing to my Blacktie-Colorado column? Say what?

How ’bout if we give them some incentive to sign up. This evening, one lucky subscriber will win two VIP tickets to Denver Food and Wine, the most fun you can have under a tent, from 11 a.m. (VIPs get early admission) till 4 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus.

Here’s the catch: To be eligible to win the tickets, you MUST be a subscriber. This evening, Blacktie’s accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCooper (see, just like the Academy Awards … hee hee), will draw the name of the winner, who will be notified and announced in my Friday column.

To subscribe, go to www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker. Click on my icon, then click on “subscribe.” VIPs at Denver Food and Wine get a respite from the heat with umbrella-clad tables, fancy fare from The Brown Palace and fine wines in a private area. Ticket value: $500.

The seen

Pop star and teen heartthrob Justin Bieber and entourage was spotted by Facebook posters on Monday who said they saw him at Beta nightclub, 1909 Blake St., and at Chloe Discotheque on 14th and Market.

Spotted on the snowless slopes, “Today Show” fourth-hour host Hoda Kotb with a “new (male) friend” hiking in Colorado’s mountains during Labor Day weekend.

“We did a 2-mile hike straight up a mountain,” Kotb told co-host Kathie Lee Gifford during Tuesday’s show. “You can’t breathe and your chest is about to explode because of the (lack of) air.”

“He has the nicest smile,” Gifford interjected. “What does he see in you?”

On Kotb’s return flight to NYC, she chatted and posed for pictures with singer Aaron Neville who performed during Denver’s Taste of Colorado at Civic Center Park.

Eavesdropping on one male golfer commenting on another man’s watch on the deck enjoying a beer after golf at Fossil Trace: “That’s a nice watch … is it a Rolodex?”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

High-res images

As a vendor for the “Denver Voice,” Aaron Godfrey is easily recognizable as the soft-spoken kind-faced man who stands in front of Walgreens on the 16th Street Mall hawking the newspaper dedicated to Denver’s homeless population.

But to many passersby, Godfrey is invisible. The unseen. He who shall be ignored.

When photographer Stephen Bostwick was challenged by a friend to take a photo of someone he didn’t know, he shot a portrait of a Denver Business Improvement District employee dressed in a purple shirt, purple hat, purple coat with a purple bike standing next to a purple trash can on the 16th Street Mall.

“I gave him the picture,” Bostwick said about the beginning of a project that would end up in the sold-out book “Not Invisible.”

If “every picture tells a story,” the one on the book’s cover of a buttoned-up business man averting his eyes from Godfrey selling papers from his post as the man breezes by speaks loud and clear. I know the feeling. I’ve done it.

“If you just acknowledge them with a smile, it does a lot for their self-esteem and for making their day,” Bostwick said. “This project has been very rewarding for me.”

Bostwick’s portraits of homelessness are posted in an exhibit (through Friday) at Café Options, 1650 Curtis St., a casual eatery staffed by trainees in Work Options for Women, a welfare to work program that trains women skills for employment in the hospitality industry.

“One thing I always did was that I remembered their names and always brought them a copy of the picture,” Bostwick said about the subjects he captures with his camera. “Through my pictures, I’m able to humanize homeless people. They are not bums. Some of them are not (homeless) or their own volition. They’ve lost jobs or (acquired) bad habits that made them hit rock bottom. It’s rewarding to see those who are pulling themselves out of it.”

Stephen Bostwick’s pictures of  vendors of the homeless newspaper, the Denver Voice, are featured in a photo exhibit at Cafe Options in downtown Denver. (Stephen Bostwick  photos)

Let go my logo!

When Colorado’s new logo and tagline were unveiled Thursday at The Colorado Innovation Network Summit, Facebook comments lit up the Internet like the City and County building during the holidays.

Denver City Council candidate Roger Sherman posted the new logo on his Facebook and invited comments, most of which were overwhelmingly opposed. Some said our state’s new symbol reminded them of a hazmat warning.

One poster said, “(I’m) quite underwhelmed. Chemical warning label. All it needs are flames on the top and a red strike though it.”

Another said, “I’m disappointed.  As a former CDOT employee, I will be sad to see the iconic logo changed on all the trucks :(.”

And a third naysayer said, “Hate it.  I am quite angry that the history of this state has been overlooked … Now we are reduced to be a warning sign for carbon monoxide.  By the way I think we are stealing from Sugarloaf.  Really really disappointed.  Considering ‘egging’ it whenever I see it.”

Tami Door, an eternal optimist and head city booster for The Downtown Denver Partnership countered the pooh-poohers, “OK … I will continue my mantra here … I like it. I like the concept of the brand. I like the look and I believe that if implemented correctly it will be an awesome new tool.”

What do you think? Email me at penny@blacktie-llc.com.

Foxy

Chinook Tavern, 6380 S. Fiddlers Green Circle in the Regis University building in Greenwood Village off I-25 and Arapahoe, is the new venue for this year’s edition of “The John Fox Show” debuting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on 7News.

For the first show (head coach Fox will appear via a taped interview because of the Broncos schedule), Broncos Ring-of-Famer and all-time leading wide receiver Rod Smith will join host 7Sports anchor Lionel Bienvenu live from the restaurant.

Each week, different football guests will join Bienvenu and fans will have the opportunity to be a part of the live show.

“Everybody knows the Broncos have an incredible hold on the heart of our city, and this is an exciting way for Chinook and our guests to go ‘inside the huddle’ this season, which could be a very memorable one for Broncos fans,” said Clemens Georg, Chinook general manager.

Ample free parking with convenient access to Chinook is provided at a large attached parking garage.

“The John Fox Show,” featuring the Denver Broncos coach, debuts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on 7News. The show is shot live at Chinook Tavern in Greenwood Village.

Valley girls and guys?

Colorado is fast encroaching on Silicon Valley’s crown as the king of incubators for tech startup companies, according to entrepreneur.com (www.entrepreneur.com/article/227829).

According to the story posted last week, “Four of the top 10 metro regions in the U.S. with the most tech startups are in Colorado: Boulder, Fort Collins-Loveland, Denver and Colorado Springs. That’s according to a report released (recently) by technology policy coalition engine and entrepreneurship research association the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.”

The research defines high-tech startups as “new businesses with a concentration of employees in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.”

Here’s how Colorado cities stacked up in terms of metro regions with the highest ratio of tech startups compared to the national average:

1. Boulder

2. Fort Collins-Loveland

3. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. (aka Silicon Valley)

4. Cambridge-New-Framingham, Mass.

5. Seattle

6. Denver

7. San Francisco.

8. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va. Md.

9. Colorado Springs

10. Cheyenne, Wyo.

Subscription drive

Do you know folks who aren’t subscribing to my Blacktie-Colorado column? Say what?

How ’bout if we give them some incentive to sign up. On Wednesday, one lucky subscriber will win two VIP tickets to Denver Food and Wine, the most fun you can have under a tent, from 11 a.m. (VIPs get early admission) till 4 p.m. Sept. 7 on the grounds of the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus.

Here’s the catch: To be eligible to win the tickets, you MUST be a subscriber. On Wednesday, Blacktie’s accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCooper (see, just like the Academy Awards … hee hee), will draw the name of the winner, who will be notified and announced in my Sept. 6 column.

To subscribe, go to www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker. Click on my icon, then click on “subscribe.” VIPs at Denver Food and Wine get a respite from the heat with umbrella-clad tables, fancy fare from The Brown Palace and fine wines in a private area. Ticket value: $250.

The seen

According to a Twitter post on Sunday, Jesse Luken, Colorado Springs native and one of the stars of the film “42” was spotted at the CU-CSU game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High sitting in section 136 wearing a CSU shirt.

Luken is a 2006 CSU grad and has appeared in several popular TV series, including “Justified,” “The Mentalist,” “Last Resort,” “Glee” and “NCIS.” Most recently he played the role of second-baseman Eddie Stanky in the movie “42,” chronicling the life and story of Jackie Robinson.

Actor Jesse Luken, a 2006 Colorado State graduate, was seen at Sunday’s CSU-CU game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Luken appeared as second baseman Eddie Stanky in the film about Jackie Robinson, “42.” (Warner Bros.-Legendary Pictures/D. Stevens photo)

Eavesdropping on a CultureHaus board member to the CultureHaus chairperson: “My water broke, so I won’t be able to make it to tonight’s meeting.”
“Oh, the joys of home ownership!”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

It’s not often (or ever) that I get invited to two ground-breaking events in one day.

But on Wednesday I found myself at 250 Columbine in Cherry Creek North where representatives from Western Development Group (headed by Phil’s son Christian Anschutz) and Denver dignitaries followed by a preview party for Washington Park Station, which recently broke ground at Louisiana Avenue and Washington Street adjacent to the light-rail station.

The two construction projects are very different: 250 Columbine is a mixed-use development with retail, residential and office spaces, and Washington Park Station is a five-story apartment building from Zakhem brothers John and Mike along with former hockey super turned star investor Peter Forsberg and Taco Bell franchisee Rob Alvarado.

Both projects, however, indicate a healthy economic recovery for Denver’s commercial real estate sector.

250 Columbine will encompass an 80,000-square-foot office building (ready for tenant improvements in the late fourth quarter of 2014), 70 condominium residences (ready for occupation late first quarter of 2015) and roughly 30,000 square feet of retail space all over two levels of underground parking.

Denver-based PCL Construction is the general contractor for the project, and OZ Architecture, also of Denver, is the architect.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock waxed nostalgic about his formative  years spent late-night at Village Inn, which has been reduced to a pile of scrap metal.

“Christian and I grew up in this great city,” Hancock said. “(Village Inn)  is the place where we came to sober up before we went home to our parents. We came to soak up the ‘water’ we drank with pancakes.”

David Steel, a partner in Western Development, took advantage of the mayor’s and four city council members’ presence to plead his case for angled parking along that block, which has yet to gain Council approval.

“It’s very cagey to invite the mayor and four City Council people then announce you need city approval for angled parking,” teased Jeanne Robb, City Councilwoman whose District 10 includes Cherry Creek North.

Across town at Hanson’s Grill & Tavern in the South Pearl neighborhood, Zakhem and Zakhem, brothers and business partners, hosted a celebration of the start of construction on the five-story 32-unit apartment building with 2,800 square feet of retail space.

The brothers bought the land six years ago, but more recently acquired the key corner spot that completed the plot.

“The zoning allows for mixed use and due to it being so close to the light rail station, we thought a for-rent product would be an ideal fit for this wonderful neighborhood,” John said. Rent will vary from $1,100 for a one-bedroom to $2,000 for a two-bedroom unit. “We have incorporated some great design features, including garage doors in the living spaces that will allow the units to have an indoor/outdoor feel and spaciousness.”

For more information on 250 Columbine visit www.250columbine.com; for Washington Park Station, call 303-532-5511.

Marvelous Mayes

Denver-based Curious Cork, importer of Tuscan Sun Wines, is bringing in bestselling author, cook and designer Frances Mayes for an evening that includes a four-course dinner and wine tasting beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Pizza Republica in the Colorado Convention Center, 890 14th St.

Mayes, author of the romantic “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Bella Tuscany” draws on her long connection to Cortona, Italy, in Tuscany and her friendships with noted winemakers throughout the country.

Guests will enjoy the dinner paired with the six Tuscan Sun blends, and get to meet Mayes. The evening begins with cocktails, bruschetta, pizza and misto bars.

The four-course dinner features poached pear salad; pesto, porcini and parmesan pasta; osso bucco with herb polenta, olive oil poached tomato, Milanese sauce and rosemary and cantucci with vin santo semi fredo or ice cream with spun sugar.

The Tattered Cover Book Store will be on hand to sell all of Mayes’ books including her recent cookbook “The Tuscan Sun Cookbook.” Mayes will also be signing books.

Tickets for the event are $110, and can be purchased at https://www.blacktie-colorado.com.

Delightful

The fourth edition of Penny Parker Presents The Fourth Evening of Decadent Delights on Sept. 30 will take your taste buds on a culinary adventure while supporting Sense of Security, the Colorado nonprofit that covers non medical expenses for breast cancer patients (www.senseofsecurity.org).

The enchanting evening begins at 6 p.m. at Balistreri Vineyards (66th and Washington) with a cocktail party sponsored by Downslope Distilling followed by a multi-course dinner at 7. Some of Denver’s finest chefs who will blow your culinary mind are: Troy Guard (TAG, TAG Raw Bar, TAG Burger Bar), Tyler Wiard (culinary director for Elway’s restaurants), Michael Bortz (City Bakery), Alex Seidel (Fruition), Brian Laird (Sarto’s), Sean Yontz (formerly with El Diablo) and Lance Barto (The Social).

Robert Eldridge is back for the fourth year performing acoustic guitar during dinner. Emcee Les Shapiro is sure to get the party rolling and pump up the live auction.

Tickets are limited and available at www.blacktie-colorado.com. Enter event code SOS930.

Our friends at Uber are providing $40 off one ride for new users. To claim your discounted ride, sign up for an Uber account by downloading the app to your iPhone or Android and enter the code DDELIGHTS under “promotions” or sign up at www.uber.com/go/ddelights.

For more information, contact event manager Trisha Lindeman at 720-985-6947 or at trilind@hotmail.com.

Seasonal cessation

The summer dining season of the Highland’s Garden Café, 3297 W. 32nd Ave., will close on Saturday following the restaurant’s traditional seasonal schedule.

Chef/owner Patricia Perry, who opened the Café in 1994, said, “We have had a wonderful summer season and I ‘d like to thank everyone who made this happen, especially our hard-working staff and amazing guests.”

The Café will reopen in April for guests to enjoy the spring tulips forsythia, lilacs and roses that have drawn diners to Highland’s Garden Café for nearly two decades.

If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, contact Perry at patperrychef@comcast.net.

Subscription drive

Do you know folks who aren’t subscribing to my Blacktie-Colorado column? Say what?

How ’bout if we give them some incentive to sign up. On Wednesday, one lucky subscriber will win two VIP tickets to Denver Food and Wine, the most fun you can have under a tent, from 11 a.m. (VIPs get early admission) till 4 p.m. Sept. 7 on the grounds of the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus.

Here’s the catch: To be eligible to win the tickets, you MUST be a subscriber. On Wednesday, Blacktie’s accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCooper (see, just like the Academy Awards … hee hee), will draw the name of the winner, who will be notified and announced in my Sept. 6 column.

To subscribe, go to www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker. Click on my icon, then click on “subscribe.” VIPs at Denver Food and Wine get a respite from the heat with umbrella-clad tables, fancy fare from The Brown Palace and fine wines in a private area. Ticket value: $250.

The seen

Actor Kurt Russell and a group taste-testing his GoGi wine line at Elway’s Cherry Creek on Wednesday. He’s named the Chardonnay “Goldie” after forever girlfriend Goldie Hawn.

The Viognier is called LuLu after his mom. And the Pinot Noir is called Bosty Boy in honor or his son, Boston. Read more about GoGi wines at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kurt-Russell-Wines-Gogi/202104946484539.

Meanwhile in downtown Denver, former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, in town Wednesday for a Denver Botanic Gardens concert with local vocal Hazel Miller, was spotted sipping cocktails in the bar at Panzano inside the Hotel Monaco.

Kurt Russell dips the signature wax to one of the bottles of his GoGi wines, a Pinot Noir, Bosty Boy named after his son, Boston. The wine’s name, Gogi, is Russell’s nickname.

Eavesdropping on a man at the 250 Columbine ground breaking ceremony: “Another parking lot disappears.”

Did you hear that I have a new 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. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.