The giant Joe Flacco photo hanging outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High (next to Peyton Manning‘s same-size photo) is creating a load of flak in Broncos Country.

What’s worse is that the Baltimore Ravens quarterback’s mug decorates much of downtown on banners that seem to be reproducing like rabbits. Make it stop, say fans on various websites and Facebook pages.

Flacco’s name and image are still sensitive subjects since the 2012 Super Bowl winners booted the Broncos out of the running when the Ravens beat the Broncos in double overtime during the playoffs last season. Flacco’s “Mile High Miracle” pass in the waning seconds of regulation sent the game into overtime. It still hurts.

But the agreement to plaster Flacco’s face all over the Mile High City was sealed between the NFL and the Broncos when the pro football honchos offered our city the coveted NFL season opener.

“The NFL equally promotes both teams as part of its annual Kickoff Game, and we are working closely with the league regarding our compliance to NFL guidelines for exterior signage and other promotional efforts for the game,” said Patrick Smyth, the Broncos executive director of media relations. “This is why fans may notice some promotional art outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High and around town that features both teams.”

That explanation is of little comfort to fans outraged by what they deem a “desecration” of our football field and downtown.

They took out their frustrations Tuesday all over websites, social media and on sports radio shows. One frustrated fan went so far as to craft a petition to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The petition was posted on Sports Illustrated Audibles:  http://nfl.si.com/2013/08/27/joe-flacco-banner-mile-high-denver-broncos/. It reads:

To: Roger Goodell, @nflcommish, National Football League

Take the Joe Flacco signage off my Mile High Stadium! Broncos Nation will not endure this detestable and audacious act. Who in their right mind thought that we would just let this fly?! We stand united against your unbearable Joe Flacco signage.

Sincerely, [Your name]

CBS4 sports anchor Vic Lombardi, a Denver-area native, went berserk, and crossed the line between objective reporting and acting on his passion for his hometown team. Lombardi was recorded on www.tout.com (ever heard of it?) vandalizing Flacco banners along the 16th Street Mall (http://www.tout.com/m/v3kkob?ref=tw3dl5di).

He used a Sharpie to draw mustaches on Flacco’s face, and then resorted to masking tape plastered across the offending banners.

“If you’re a Denver native, this is a crock of crap,” Lombardi told former Bronco Alfred “Big Al” Williams and Darren “D-Mac” McKee on The Drive radio show Tuesday afternoon on 104.3 The Fan. “The NFL is pushing us around. The mayor (Michael Hancock) is a big Broncos fan. He can’t be happy about this … come on!”

Lombardi’s boss, CBS4 news director Tim Wieland, said he was well aware of the sports anchor’s antics through posts on Twitter.

“If you know Vic, you know that he likes to get involved in the reporting,” Wieland said. “In this case, Vic’s intent was to have a little fun with a subject that’s clearly irritating to many Broncos fans.” But condoning vandalism? Really?

Even “Big Al” Williams couldn’t get on board with Lombardi’s actions.

“This is a bunch of nothing,” Williams said. “That stadium will be filled with 85 percent Broncos fans.” NBC is televising the season opener at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5 on 9News.

The Joe Flacco banner at Sports Authority Field at Mile High is drawing the ire of Broncos fans. (Sports Authority Field photo)

Fossil Trace GC gets top 10 nod in Forbes

Fossil Trace Golf Course in Golden is listed among the “10 most unusual U.S. golf courses,” according to “Forbes” magazine contributor Larry Olmsted.

The writer raves about course designer Jim Engh, calling him “one of my favorite golf architects and way underrated by the general public, though the industry holds him in high acclaim.”

Olmstead also notes Fossil Creek’s preservation of rustic mining equipment and the history lesson the course provides with prehistoric dinosaur tracks through holes 11 to 15 left some 64 million years ago. “Triceratops footprints have been well-marked next to the 12th green so golfers can take a look, and more fossils, plaster footprint casts, and ancient history are in the clubhouse,” Olmstead notes.

He forgets the great views the course offers from every direction, especially from holes No. 1 and 10, and the commune next to the 16^th tee box.

Read about all 10 courses and Fossil Trace here.

The approach to No. 12 at Fossil Trace Golf Course with an old mining crane in the background. (Fossil Trace photo)

PGA Tour is on the (golf) ball

The PGA Tour is not run by a slew of stooges.

Witness the television commercial already out touting the 2014 BMW Championships, part of the FedEx Cup playoff tournament series that will be played at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village.

The advertisement features four of Denver’s best-known sports figures, from the Broncos: John Elway, Peyton Manning and John Lynch and ex-Denver Nuggets star Chauncey Billups (now with the Detroit Pistons but a Denver resident and native).

So Todd Helton and Joe Sakic are chopped liver?

The BMW Championship is the next to the last tournament of the FedEx Cup series that narrows the field to the final 30 that play at The TOUR Championship the following week. Next year’s BMW Championship will be played Sept. 4-7 at Cherry Hills. Tickets are already available online for the 2014 BMW Championship.

Check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEeVNzcrYZU.

Steuben’s has something to crow about

Steuben’s, the feel-good restaurant at 523 E. 17th Ave., was recently selected as one of America’s best chicken and waffles spot by Travel + Leisure magazine.

“Despite being mile-high, there’s a down-home essence at Steuben’s, from the old diner décor to the super-friendly staff,” the article says. “And chicken and waffles don’t get more classic than chef Brandon Biederman’s version. The meat is brined in buttermilk and seasoning for a day, then dredged in seasoned flour and fried to order. The waffles are traditional Belgian, served with a red-eye gravy made from Jim Beam bourbon, coffee and bacon. Afterward, waddle next door to sister restaurant Ace, with plenty of Ping-Pong tables.”

Check out the story at http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-best-chicken-and-waffles/7.

Now for the rest of the story: Steuben’s only serves the chicken and waffles for brunch on Saturday and Sunday and as the Sunday dinner special. You can order Steuben’s popular fried chicken (with mashed potatoes gravy and a biscuit) any day of the week.

Another 9th Door

The Beauvallon building on Ninth and Lincoln has been a revolving door for restaurants since it opened. But that doesn’t seem to bother Bill Kennedy, owner of The 9th Door, 1808 Blake St., who will open another outpost in the eatery-challenged building.

The Spanish tapas restaurant is slated to open in October, according to a story on Westword.com. Check out the details:

http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2013/08/spanish_tapas_9th_door_opening_beauvallon.php.

Eavesdropping on a woman discussing the Flacco banners: “What if the Yankees put up a 40- foot picture of Big Papi (Red Sox slugger David Ortiz)? That would never happen.”

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 a bird, it’s a plane … you know the rest.

A Superman-type stunt will take wing between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Tuesday when the Red Bull Air Force base jumpers will take a dive from the 45th level rooftop of the Four Seasons Hotel Denver to the third-level outdoor pool at 1111 14th St. In other words, they will attempt the world’s biggest belly flop.

RBAF team members Jeff Provenzano from Arizona, and Miles Daisher from Idaho will be jumping. The RBAF is a team assembled from the most accomplished and experienced skydivers, base jumpers, wing-suit fliers and paraglider pilots on the planet.

With gold medals in virtually every discipline and numerous world records on their resumes, the team members combine for more than 100,000 skydives and 6,000 base jumps.

Throughout the year, they perform more than 50 demos including air shows, major sporting events, motorsport events as well as skydiving, base jumping and paragliding competitions in the U.S. and abroad. This is the first RBAF jump in Denver.

Guests attending the monthly poolside summer soiree from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday will have the opportunity to experience the base jumpers up close and personal. The poolside event is raising funds for the Colorado Scholarship Coalition. A $25 suggested cash donation is accepted upon entry into the event.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/223956597757305/?ref=22.

Miles Daisher, top, and Jeff Provenzano, below, will jump from the 45th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Denver onto the hotel’s third-floor pool, bottom. (Photos courtesy of RedBull.com and Four Seasons Hotel Denver)

They say it’s your birthday

Diamond dude Michael Pollak, owner of Hyde Park Jewelers, is celebrating the big 6-0 (he’s much older than I am since I don’t hit that number until December) Wednesday at Izakaya Den’s rooftop.

It’s a guys-only gathering orchestrated by Michael’s wife, Shereen. The festive evening includes drinks and dinner followed by dessert and cigars. In lieu of gifts, Pollak is asking his guests to make a donation to Denver Health Foundation. Izakaya Den is located at 1487-A S. Pearl St. in Denver.

Happy B-day, Michael, and let me know what 60 feels like.

Screen scene

LaLa’s Wine Bar + Pizzeria, 410 E. Seventh Ave., brings back its annual Movie Under The Moon event on Wednesday across the street at Governors Park.

This year’s movie is “Labyrinth” starring David Bowie. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m., but those attending the free event should show up early for prime seating, as well as pizzas, meat and cheese boxes and popcorn for sale.

Peroni and Svedka vodka are sponsors, and will set up bars in a beer garden in the park, with a featured Svedka cocktail available in the restaurant.

All food sales will benefit the Rocky Mountain Hyperbaric Association for brain injuries.

“The purpose of this event is to bring the community together for a night of fun, and to support a good cause,” said Eric To, Lala’s general manager.

Portable chairs will be allowed in the back of the park. The movie company will rope off the middle of the park where chairs will not be permitted. More information: www.lalaswinebar.com.

Culinary creativity

Who has the culinary chops to become “The Next Culinary Voice?” Find out when Pat “Gabby Gourmet” Miller and chef Michael Long host the competition, presented by JP Morgan Chase, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Mile High Station, a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Seattle Fish Company presents the VIP reception where guests will mingle with celebrity judges and competing chefs. Judges include Mark DeNittis, president and founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Meat; Jenna Johansen, competitor on Bravo’s “Around the World in 80 Plates” and recently named Innovation Chef at Epicurean Catering; Matt Selby, executive chef and owner of Corner House, and Elise Wiggins, executive chef at Panzano.

Each chef competitor will create a signature dish to be served to the judges and roughly 200 attendees who will cast their votes for their favorites.

Competing chefs include: Aaron Bernstein, sous chef at Panzano; Ian Chisholm, executive chef and owner of Amerigo; Jeff Kenser, executive chef at Vista at Applewood; Doug Mace, executive chef at BaReD; Sean McGaughey, executive chef Opus/ Aria and Thach Tran, sous chef ChoLon Bistro.

Attendees will receive a cookbook from the event with two personal recipes from each of the competing chefs and judges, as well as chocolate from Veree Chocolates.

Tickets are $125 for VIP, which includes a meet-and-greet session with judges and competing chefs; $75 for general admission. More information: 303-296-6610 or colorado@cff.org.

Patxi’s Pizza’s slice of the pie

“Inc. Magazine” has ranked Patxi’s Pizza No. 24 on its annual list of fastest growing food and beverage companies in 2013’s Inc. 5,000 – up from the No. 32 ranking in 2012.

The annual ranking system lists the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. Patxi’s Pizza, with Colorado locations in Cherry Hills Village and Cherry Creek, ranked 1,217th overall, making it in the top 25 percent of growth businesses this year, and the company has experienced 342 percent growing in the last three years.

Patxi’s owns and operates nine locations in the Bay Area and two in Denver with plans for expansion in both markets this year.

“Patxi’s Pizza is once again excited to be a part of such a legendary list,” said Patxi’s CEO William Freeman. “We have been working hard to grow our business and have been extremely well received in our newest markets in Denver and San Jose. Our fresh authentic pizza seems to speak for itself and we are looking forward to bringing it to even more new customers. We have expansion plans for Seattle and Southern California.”

More information atwww.patxispizza.com.

Eavesdropping on a woman at a 40^th high school reunion: “I’ve been seeing some of the football team and it looks like they traded in their six-pack abs for kegs.”

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.

And to think I remember Andrew Hudson when he was a mere press secretary for Mayor Wellington Webb. Now the once-fledgling spokesmodel is all grown up and recently celebrated his rise to major mogul-dom with what started as a hobby.

Andrew Hudson is stunned at the success of his jobs list. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Hudson)

Last week, Hudson marked the fifth anniversary of AH Jobs List, the go-to online source for job seekers and job givers. Little did he know that in 2008, the country’s economy was on the precipice of collapse and his business model would be an invaluable to displaced workers struggling to recover from lost jobs.

So five years ago, Hudson took what began as a hobby producing a single page Xeroxed list and elevated it to the go-to jobs site with more than 25 million page views (www.ahjobslist.com).

“I had planned on giving the new site three months before making decisions about my future, but the response to the new site was so immediate and overwhelming, I quit my job in less than a week and haven’t looked back since,” Hudson said. “I also recognize how difficult and stressful job seeking can be to the unemployed. But I can also say that job seeking is one of life’s greatest journeys and adventures, and for all of us it’s important to stay true and focused to our passions, our dreams and to never settle for less than what we deserve.

“It is truly a joy and a privilege to connect job seekers with this list of positions each week. Daily, I am humbled to hear from job seekers and employers who share stories about job seeking success.”

Beerathon hops into Denver

From the City That Never Sleeps to the Mile High City comes the first Denver Beerathon, a sudsy festival that originated in the Big Apple for people who love beer.

This is the premier event for those whose enthusiasm for marathons extends to beer runs.  The Denver Beerathon will be held Saturday, Sept. 14 and takes participants on an all-day tasting journey through 26 bars (yikes!) located throughout Denver’s downtown and Highland neighborhood.

And the Beerathon is quaffing for a cause. A portion of proceeds will go to Excelsior Youth Center. Drinking craft beer has never felt this good.

Tickets are $55 per person or $70 for VIP, which includes early check-in and a VIP-only party at Fado Irish Pub with prizes and giveaways.

At one of four designated check-in locations, ticket holders will be carded, receive their laminate, Uber car service pass, Altitude Peak Fitness two-week unlimited pass, special room rates at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel among other goodies. For tickets, go to www.denverbeerathon.com.

Participating venues:  1515 Lounge, 16 Mix Lounge, Appaloosa Grill, The Celtic Tavern, Central Bistro & Bar, Churchill’s Public House, Delaney’s Cigar Bar & Lounge, The Drink, Euclid Hall, Fado Irish Pub, Giggling Grizzly, Howl at the Moon, Ignite, It’s Brothers Bar & Grill, LoDo’s Bar & Grill, LoLa, The Matchbox, Paramount Café, Rialto Café, Rio Grande Mexican, Rock Bottom Brewery, T|ACO, Tony P’s, The Uber Sausage, ViewHouse and The Walnut Room.

Colorado scenery earns raves

According to a poll by “Business Insider”, Colorado was voted to have “the best scenery.” Colorado earned 228 of 1,545 online votes (15 percent). Not surprisingly, neighbor state Kansas was voted to have “the worst scenery.”

Colorado ranked high for “best vacation spot,” “favorite state,” “nicest state” and “the most underrated.”

See results of the poll at www.businessinsider.com/poll-how-americans-feel-about-the-states-2013-8.

Punk Jews

Local community Jewish organization E-3 Events at MACC is selling tickets to Chai Life XI: PUNK, a combination film screening, rock show and street party beginning at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at The Elaine Wolf Theatre in the Jewish Community Center, 350 S. Dahlia St.

The new documentary “Punk Jews”, will screen at the event, followed by a punk rock-themed street party with food trucks, free beer and a performance by the NYC punk band Moshiach Oi.

Advance tickets are available online at http://e-3events.com.

Lawyer not warbler

Former Denver District Attorney Norm Early is known as a tough litigator not a sweet-sounding crooner. Nonetheless, the burly man with close-cropped graying hair gets teased about his likeness to the “King of Calypso.”

“I just got (called) Harry Belafonte again,” Early told me Wednesday at Elway’s Cherry Creek’s last summer concert. He responded in a proper “Belafonte-ish” manner by breaking into “Day O.”

“Daylight come and me wanna go home.”

Jazzed

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar in Glendale — the fourth location of the Big Red Restaurant Group brand — is offering diners a one-two munch with the launch of a Sunday Jazz Brunch and the opening of Hi Jax, the restaurant’s rooftop deck.

Sunday Jazz Brunch, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., features fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients and cocktails accompanied by live music from local group The Hot Club of Pearl Street Band.

Executive chef Sheila Lucero‘s dishes include a blue crab cake Benedict, lobster scramble and smoked salmon quiche.

Brunch cocktails include the Jax Bloody Mary with cucumber-infused vodka and the Thai chelada with Thai chile-infused vodka.

Hi Jax, the rooftop deck opens daily at 4 p.m. serving a variety of steamers, skewers and sandwiches. A happy hour menu is available from 4 until 6 p.m. daily.

For more information or to make reservations, go to www.jaxglendale.com or call 303-756-6449.

Eavesdropping on a woman who kept running into old friends during the last summer concert Wednesday at Elway’s Cherry Creek: “I know no one else than who’s at Elway’s tonight.”

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.

“There is no way this is the Grand Hyatt,” I said to myself as I walked into the party to celebrate the “old joint’s” sorely needed makeover.

The functional-not-fun space on 17th and Welton was tired, dated and sterile; the renovated hotel is simply spectacular. A $28 million makeover has bathed the place in the fountain of youth.

To celebrate the transformation, roughly 1,000 invited guests oohed and ahhed as we toured the lobby, guest rooms, the Grand Hyatt Conference Center and the iconic 38th floor Pinnacle Club.

I almost feel sorry for the first-time folks coming to the Grand because they will never understand the true transformation of the spiffy space.

In the lobby, there’s a bar built into the breathtaking far wall made of stone with two lineal fireplaces stacked on top of one another.

The 516 guest rooms and suites are sleek, modern and equipped with all the modern amenities that business travelers expect.

The renowned Pinnacle Club, used for events and meetings, have cherry wood and crystal appointments. But you can’t improve on the view with windows that look out at miles of cityscape and the Rocky Mountains.

The party was a perfect complement to the new jazzy digs. Each of the three floors were rocking with entertainment and lavish food stations and premium bars.

The kitchen created 800 sliders, 950 street tacos, 13 strip loins, 1,200 shrimp, 800 crab claws, 450 lamb chops and countless desserts. And that’s only the half of it.

For more information on the remarkable redesign, go to www.grandhyattdenverredesign.com.

The fireside bar and lobby is just one of the makeovers to the remodeled Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver.  Below, a glorious view from the Pinnacle Club on the 38th floor. (Photos courtesy of Hyatt hotels) 

Bittersweet

For General Manager Greg Leonard, the renovation celebration also served as his goodbye party. Leonard, who’s been at the Grand Hyatt for five years and at the Hyatt Tech Center before that, is going to the Hyatt Regency San Antonio on the Riverwalk and across the street from the Alamo.

“Although my family and I will sorely miss our experience and the friends we formed in Denver, we are looking forward to a new adventure in San Antonio,” Leonard said. “I want to thank the people of Denver for making us feel so welcome during our time here. Denver is a special place.”

The new general manager of the Grand Hyatt Denver is Mark Stiebeling who is moving here from the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. Hyatt began his career with Hyatt in 1992.

Greg Leonard is leaving the Grand Hyatt Denver after five years as general manager. (Photo courtesy of Hyatt hotels)

Snack attack

Capitol Hill will be the site of Snack Attack, a food truck festival from noon to 7:24 p.m. (huh?) Saturday in the Saint John’s Cathedral/Argonaut parking lot (on Colfax and Washington).

The event will have a wide selection of Denver food trucks along with live local music and beer from MillerCoors. Participating tasty trucks include Caveman Cafeteria, Crazy Good Food, Capt’n Crabby, Barbed Wire Reef, Little India, The Panna Cotta Peddler, The Bistro Bus, Crock Spot and Hey PB & J.

Snack Attack is produced by Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods Inc. (CHUN). Find Snack Attack on Facebook at snackattack2012 for event information and updates.

Barbed Wire Reef is one of the food trucks coming to Saturday’s Snack Attack in the St. John’s Cathedral/Argonaut parking lot.

More than one kind of draft at Taverns

The Tavern group of neighborhood restaurants is running a fantasy football draft party through Sept. 5.

For $100 per party, draft parties at each neighborhood Tavern will receive unlimited draft beer for a two-hour period for up to 12 people. The promotion is not valid after 4 p.m. Fridays and reservations must be made in advance. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available at all locations.

“We always love it when people choose one of our neighborhood locations as their football headquarters,” said Tavern owner Frank Schultz. Each location is adorned with numerous HDTVs. “It creates such a great energy when we’ve got groups of guests rooting on their favorite teams. Our draft party special is just a great way for us to welcome in the football season.”

For Fantasy Football Draft Party reservations, call 303-226-1555. For location and other information, go to www.tavernhg.com.

Think drink

The Corner Office at 1401 Curtis St. recently launched a new cocktail menu including Tini Tuesdays featuring half-priced signature martinis from 6 to 9 p.m.

New martinis include: Flower Child (Bombay Sapphire gin, elderflower, green chartreuse, Crème de Viollete, Sauvignon Blanc and lemon); The Riddling Fig (fig infused vodka, Benedictine, Angostura Bitters, honey and lemon) and Sidecar (cognac, lemon, orange liqueur.

New cocktails include: Just Another Goat Rodeo (Milagro Blanco tequila, liquor 43, pepper, honey and lime); Life’s a Peach (Seagram’s vodka, peach, lemon, cardamom and soda water) and Johnny Boy (Laphroig 10-year-old scotch and jalapeno caramel).

More information at www.thecornerofficedenver.com.

Colorado lands two on top towns list

Two Colorado towns, Carbondale and Fort Collins, were mentioned in a list of Outside magazine’s 18 best towns to live in.

Carbondale, 30 miles north of ski mecca Aspen, was named to list because of its “killer farmers markets on Wednesdays, its quick access to adventure” and plenty of trails for hiking and mountain biking. Outside, an active-lifestyle and adventure-travel magazine, also touted the 44-mile paved Rio Grande Trail runs from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, with a spur up the Crystal River and also noted how residents can visitor has easy access to world-class biking, fly-fishing, rock-climbing, kayaking, and running at Carbondale’s doorstep. Read more about Carbondale at http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/north-america/united-states/Best-Towns-2013-Carbondale-Colorado.html

As for Fort Collins, the magazine wrote how the beer culture helped support the biking community, particularly mention New Belgium Brewing Co. Fort Collins earned its spot on the list also because of closeness to backcountry terrain (like 10,276-foot Cameron Pass) and prime location on the brown-trout-filled Cache La Poudre River. Read more about Fort Collins at http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/north-america/united-states/Editors-Choice-Fort-Collins-Colorado.html.

Eavesdropping sent in by a reader: “If FedEx and UPS ever merged companies, would it be called Fed Up Services?”

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.

When the Beatles brought its British invasion to Red Rocks in August of 1964, Denver native Cindi McCutchen – barely a teenager – suffered an invasion of her own when she was nearly trampled by the stampede of rabid girls racing for seats.

McCutchen, a golfing gal pal of mine, was reminded of that scary scene when I told her about “1964: The Tribute” coming to Red Rocks beginning at 8 p.m. Friday (gates open at 6:30).

This concert billed as “The No. 1 Beatles Show in the World”  benefits Colorado Public Television 12. But even at the low ticket price of $30 (plus service charges), McCutchen still has her ticket stub souvenir showing what she paid for the show.

“My girlfriend and I stood in line at the old Mammoth Gardens, I believe, to get tickets which were (dare I say it) $6.60 each.

“The day of the concert, my dad took us up to Red Rocks very early in the morning and dropped us off about a mile from the amphitheater.  A few hours before the concert, we were allowed to move up closer to Red Rocks and form two lines.  My girlfriend and I took off running and when we turned around, thousands of people were running too.

“We finally just came to rest on a big rock in the parking lot and that is where the cops told everyone else to line up.  So, we were first in line and first in the stadium.”

But during the foot race to get in the gates, McCutchen had dropped her glasses, stepped out of her shoes while running and dropped her lunch. But the two fierce fans sat in the middle of row two.

“As I recall, the concert didn’t last very long by today’s standards and I had to keep yelling at these stupid girls to quit screaming in my ear so I could hear the Beatles!  Stupid teeny-boppers! But it was something I’ll never forget for sure.”

Tickets for the tribute concert are available on www.ticketmaster.com or www.cpt12.org, or to charge by phone, call 1-800-745-3000.

I think McCutchen will take a pass this time.

’64: The Tribute’ comes to Red Rocks on Friday, Aug.23. The Beatles (the real band) played Red Rocks in 1964 in the band’s lone appearance in Colorado. (Photo courtesy of ’64: The Tribute’)

‘Talent’ tour

Fans of the NBC hit TV show “America’s Got Talent” will have an opportunity to experience their favorite season eight acts (including the yet-to-be-announced season eight winner) when the “America’s Got Talent Live” tour comes to the Paramount Theatre on Oct. 16.

Tickets for the live tour are on sale now through www.tickethorse.com or by calling 1-866-461-6556.

The show will feature an array of performers from singers and dancers to comedians and novelty acts. The TV series airs at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on KUSA-Channel 9.

Think global, eat local

Charcoal, the 43 W. Ninth Ave. eatery which is no stranger to local media “best lists,” is holding a chef’s dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday featuring fare from chef Greg Lucero.

This month’s meal emphasizes local ingredients from Rocky Ford melons to house-made ricotta starring in a five course feast.

Cost is $50 per person or $70 with wine pairings. More information at www.charcoaldining.com or by calling 303-454-0000.

And speaking of fine fare…

A handful of Vail’s most celebrated chefs held the Second Annual Vail Harvest Dinner last week to showcase summer dishes for the media.

The chefs (generously) schlepped down the mountain to hold the event at The Four Seasons Hotel Denver. Representing the famed ski town were chefs from La Tour, Mountain Standard, Flame Restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Vail and Game Creek Club & Restaurant.

If you’re planning a trip over Vail Pass this summer, I highly recommend you check out any of these restaurants.

Douglas County’s taste bud tickler

The CenturyLink Taste of Douglas County, the largest food sampling event in Douglas County takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Douglas County Events Center on the grounds of the Douglas County Fair in Castle Rock.

The air-conditioned facility offers plenty of free parking. The Taste will offer nibbles from local nosheries including the Old Stone Church, Outback Steakhouse, John Holly’s Asian Bistro, LoDo’s Bar & Grill, Pegasus on the Square, Black Eyed Pea and Siena Italian Bistro among the 50 participating establishments.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $20 at the door at www.tasteofdouglascounty.com. For more information, call restaurant radio host Mike Boyle at 303-903-0017.

Designer discounts

Denver native  and fashion designer Ann Fanganello who recently opened a space inside ConneXions Boutique in Southwest Plaza Mall (8501 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton) is holding the first sample sale ever for her AnnaFesta line of clothing designed for curvier women.

The sale (up to 70 percent off) of mostly pieces from her spring line (to make room for new fall clothes) takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Check out her pieces at www.annafesta.com.

Eavesdropping on a customer who just had his back waxed at GQ Barber Lounge:

“I can really feel that numbing stuff you put on my back. … Well I can’t feel it, but I know it’s numb.”

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.

The accolades keep coming for Colorado, especially for two suburban Denver cities.

Money magazine ranked its “best places to live” and Louisville (ranked No. 2) and Parker (12th) were cited for their economic success and excellent housing.

Louisville previously had been ranked No. 1 twice on the Money list in the past. The northwest Denver suburb that lies just east of Boulder is noted for “its place in the technology-rich Denver-Boulder corridor” that “has kept the job outlook solid.” Money also said that Louisville is a “great place to raise a family, with well-regarded schools and a safe community. Read more about Louisville here.

Parker was noted for its performing-arts center (particularly its 500-seat theater and outdoor amphitheater) and the H2O’Brien Pool water park. You can read more about Parker here. Money says Parker has rebounded nicely from the housing downtown, citing increased new construction and its 30-minute drive to downtown Denver.

Let the chips fall where they may

As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Especially if it’s free publicity.

Boulder Canyon’s potato chips got a plug on cable TV’s “Breaking Bad” Sunday night when a character in the AMC network series is shown munching on a bag of Boulder Canyon’s sea salt and cracked pepper chips.

In Sunday’s mid-season premiere, Hank Schrader (played by actor Dean Morris), a Drug Enforcement Agency agent and brother-in-law of Walter White, the series’ chemistry teacher turned crystal meth maker – is digging into a bag Boulder Canyon’s chips.

How did Boulder Canyon take the news that its product was featured on a hit cable series about cancer-stricken high school teacher (played by Bryan Cranston) turned drug kingpin?

On its Twitter feed (@BoulderCanyon), the company wrote:

“Now we know Hank’s got good taste in his snacks! We wonder what flavor Walt would like…?” and “Eating our chips clearly helps in the investigative process.”

Boulder Canyon said it did not pay for product placement on the show.

The Boulder Camera first reported the story and you can read it here.

Actor Dean Morris plays the character Hank Schrader, who was munching on Boulder Canyon chips on AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” (AMC network photo)

Telluride rates No. 8 friendliest city

Conde Nast Traveler recently rated “the friendliest and unfriendliest cities in the U.S.” Telluride, one of the most quaint towns in Colorado came in at No. 8. The magazine’s website gave Telluride an 82.9 score and here’s what they wrote:

“Already popular with in-the-know skiers who admire its ‘fantastic’ terrain, Telluride, Colorado, is also lauded for its friendly people. Wonderful restaurants and great live music options add to its charms, and longtime fans also urge new visitors to check out the summer festivals that this “overlooked gem” has to offer. The temperatures might be cold in sophisticated but not pretentious Telluride, but the locals certainly aren’t.”

Moore posted on his Facebook page this tidbit about an upcoming Aug. 29 show:

“Joey McIntyre — yep, the kid from New Kids on the Block — is coming to the Galleria Theatre to workshop his new one-man theatrical musical, called, yep, ‘The Kid,’ Aug. 29 through Sept. 15. It is billed as a ‘deeply personal coming-of-age story.’ McIntyre takes the audience from his hometown of Boston to sold-out stadium tours, as three generations of family drama becomes three decades of stage dreams. … Hmmm … A NKOTB getting all theatrical in the intimacy of the Galleria Theatre? You gotta go see this, right? … Right?”

Tickets are on sale at www.denvercenter.org or by calling 303-893-4100.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Randy Couture will host a new reality series, “Gym Rescue,” on Spike TV and the show is looking at Denver gyms to rehabilitate.

The show is based on the hit Spike TV show, “Bar Rescue,” in which host and bar/restaurant expert Jon Taffer brings a team to a failing bar and turns it around. Taffer came to Denver recently to help Zanzibar Billiards  in downtown Denver and Kazbah Lounge in Aurora.

Casting Producer Scott Hiller told Fightline.com that Couture “figures out what the core problem is and with his team of experts, whips that gym back into shape. Gyms can be of any type: fighting or fitness, climbing, gymnastics or yoga. The problems are of any kind and combination, too, such as failing marketing strategies, equipment in disrepair, staffing issues, poor management. A generous gym makeover is usually part of the show.”

Hiller added that production is expected to start later this fall and he is currently looking at Colorado, the Philadelphia/New York City/New Jersey area and Minneapolis for gyms to work with, but “is not limited to those regions.”

The seen

Famous drag queen RuPaul having brunch at Panzano on Sunday. “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Taylor Armstrong and her attorney/boyfriend John Bluher brunching Sunday at Rioja. She was also seen hanging out in the EDGE restaurant at The Four Seasons on Tuesday night.

I’m such a big fan of all the “Real Housewives” shows that I had a star-struck moment chatting with Armstrong, who couldn’t be more charming!

Taylor Armstrong of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” (Bravo TV photo)

 

Beer here

New Belgium Brewing, as well as Odell Brewing Co, Avery Brewing Company and Oskar Blues Brewery were named in the top 15 craft breweries in the USA. Read the full story at: http://www.9news.com/news/article/349835/339/4-Colo-craft-breweries-listed-as-top-15-in-the-US

“A Taste of Colorado” is just around the corner and the popular downtown food, music and entertainment festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The Labor Day weekend festival sponsored by the Downtown Denver Partnership is scheduled Aug. 30-Sept. 2, in Denver’s Civic Center Park. The free festival includes entertainment for all ages with music, carnival rides, games, educational exhibits and selection of food.

The state’s largest free-admission outdoor event, A Taste of Colorado draws more than 500,000 visitors annually and is produced by and benefits Downtown Denver’s Events, Inc., the Partnership’s community events non-profit organization.

Six entertainment stages include national, local and ethnic music in a variety of genres, children’s performers, chef demonstrations and more. Kids can combine learning with fun as they enter the KidZone, a family-friendly area with play equipment and many free activities for children of all ages. The Comfort Denver KidzStage presented by radio station MIX 100 will entertain kids with music, magic, clowns and puppets, and other shows.

One of my favorite musicians from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Aaron Neville, will perform at the Main Stage on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. The Neville Brothers, featuring Aaron Neville, have been a traditional closing act for the New Orleans Jazz Fest for decades.

Festival attendees also can journey back to the roots of Colorado and learn about the state’s pioneer past, nature and environment. Artisans will demonstrate Navajo weaving and culture, spinning, rug braiding, lace crocheting and more in the Festival of Mountain and Plain area.

The Raptor Education Foundation will have a booth where families can learn about the natural world while being surrounded by non-releasable eagles, hawks, falcons and owls.

More than 50 of Colorado’s restaurants and food establishments will prepare small portions to full meals. Kid-friendly vendors near the KidZone will sell hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and more.

A Taste of Colorado needs volunteers who are willing to take a three- to four-hour shift during the four-day festival. If you’re interested in volunteering, email volunteers@downtowndenver.com. If you cannot volunteer this year but want to work other events, email that address to be added to the volunteer mailing list. For more information, contact Lauren Laramee at 303-534-6161.

Festival hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, and from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 2. For more information, visit www.atasteofcolorado.com or call 303-295-6330.

Aaron Neville will perform at the Main Stage on Aug. 31 during A Taste of Colorado at Civic Center park in downtown Denver. (Photo courtesy of A Taste of Colorado)

CU-Boulder best college town according to online poll

The website Livability has chosen America’s best college towns to live and visit. The University of Colorado in Boulder snagged the No. 1 pick of top 10 college towns in 2013.

Here what Livability wrote about CU and Boulder:

“You have to wonder how college students in Boulder, CO, find the motivation to get themselves to class. With so many other things to do, from rock climbing, skiing and hiking to sampling microbrews and checking out the latest museum exhibits, it has to be hard to hit the books.

“But Boulder is a city of innovative thinkers, environmentalists and researchers who work as hard as they play. Home to the University of Colorado and a collection of national laboratories, residents place a high value on the city’s diverse perspectives. Breathtaking natural beauty, a sense of cultural freedom and a highly educated population combine to deliver a wildly creative atmosphere where both students and residents flourish.

“Through CU-Boulder’s Volunteer Resource Center, approximately 1,200 students help the city and neighboring communities each year. The VRC collaborates with more than 250 community organizations in the Denver/Boulder area. Outreach efforts extend into course work for many students. A group of environmental design students recently collaborated with the city of Boulder to design and build an outdoor classroom and arboretum in a local park. Leeds School of Business students help low-income families prepare tax filings and teach a semester-long course in finance to middle-school students.”

My husband, Mr. On The Town, had to take issue with the poll. His school, the University of Missouri in Columbia, ranked fourth in the poll. For people who care about these things, and my hubby sure does, five of the 10 schools in the poll are from the Southeastern Conference (including good ol’ Mizzou).

Here’s the link to the story: www.livability.com/top-10/top-10-college-towns-2013/boulder/co.

Tony’s goes from bistro to burgers

Tony’s Bistro Capitol Hill location at 950 Broadway is now Tony’s Burgers serving all natural patties.

A new chef was hired, its menu and name have been changed. The menu’s most popular items — burgers, pizzas and salads — are the focus of the renamed eatery inside Tony’s Market.

The burgers are ground fresh in-house from all-natural local meats. You have the choice of 100 percent grass-fed beef, Kobe-style Wagyu beef, Colorado free-range bison or boneless natural chicken breasts. You also can choose from premium all natural cheeses, plus fresh baked brioche rolls and all toppings are made fresh in house.

The pizzas: The dough is handmade and aged for flavor. Baked at 650 degrees in a stone oven, the dough is crisp and chewy. There’s a selection of classic pizzas and each serves one to two people.

The salads: New entree salads are tossed fresh and include a homemade garlic knot roll. There are an array salad choices, including  chicken Caesar, steakhouse, Italian, Napa or quinoa and kale. Small side salads also are available.

Tony’s still has a selection of beers on tap and in bottles, as well as four wines by the glass.  Plus, you can enjoy an adult beverage while grocery shopping. You also can pour your own fountain drink or choose your drinks in the market.

Hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  Private parties, room rental and banquet events by appointment. More information at www.tonysmarket.com.

Eavesdropping on a woman talking to a man after the woman found out that her stepmom has terminal cancer:  The man said: “Why can’t cancer get cancer and just die?”

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.

Bertha Lynn has been one of my favorite on-air personalities since I arrived in Denver in 1993. She is the sweetest, most generous human being.

Now that she’s leaving Denver’s 7, Denver is losing a truly wonderful asset on the air. But good for her! She’s been able to reinvent herself in a new occupation.

After reporting the news for more than 30 years for KMGH-Channel 7, Lynn is leaving the newsroom to become executive director of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation at Denver.

“To be tapped by Barbara Davis and the Board of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation to carry on their work helping sick children is a dream come true – allowing me to meet new challenges while continuing to serve in Colorado.  I have much to look forward to and much to look back on when assessing my career.  It has been a privilege to collaborate with such skillful and caring journalism professionals,” says Lynn in a press release. “The people of Denver and Colorado have been very kind and generous to me as they watched me grow up.  Colorado remains my home and I look forward to engaging with the community for even greater support in our battle against life-threatening diabetes.”

“We have been honored to work with Bertha,” says 7News News Director, Jeff Harris. “She is a true icon in journalism and for Denver viewers.  Her career at 7News is an inspiration to so many.  But, more than anything else, Bertha has worked tirelessly to improve our community.  For this, we are grateful and not a bit surprised in her decision to lead this wonderful organization.” 

Lynn, one of Denver’s most recognized and honored broadcast journalists, has been reporting news to Coloradans since 1976 when she began with KBTV (now KUSA-Channel 9) as an anchor and reporter.  In 1984, she moved to 7News where she has anchored and reported for nearly every station newscast.  Last year, Bertha was inducted into the Denver Press Club Hall of Fame, and in 2010, she also was inducted into the Broadcast Professionals Hall of Fame.  In 2006, she was a Silver Circle Inductee in the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Heartland Chapter.  Bertha served six years on the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Board and on the board of the Colorado Women’s Foundation. She has also served as Director of the Boards for the Cherry Creek Arts Festival (which named its Legacy Award for her), the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Denver, Mayor’s Commission on Art Culture and Film, Children’s Museum, National Jewish Hospital, Denver Symphony Association, Safehouse for Battered Women, KCFR Public Radio, and Nation Conference of Christians and Jews. Bertha has also served as a trustee for Regis University and is a member of the Denver Art Museum’s African American Outreach Task Force.

Lynn’s s list of honors include numerous Emmy Awards, The President’s Award, Journalist of the Year, and Grace Under Fire Award from the Colorado Association of Black Journalists.  Lynn will sign off the air Aug. 9 at 11 a.m, on 7News.

When I asked Lynn for a quote or two, she obliged

“I’m writing a new chapter,” Lynn said via email. “I’m so grateful to my past and present colleagues. I’ve loved bringing home the news to the people of Colorado since 1976 and now I’m ready to apply, in a different arena, the skills I’ve learned as a communicator and in the board rooms of the many non-profit organizations I’ve served over the years. I’ll be working with a wonderful group of people at a respected organization. I’m thrilled!”

Bertha Lynn is leaving 7News for a job in the nonprofit sector. (7News photo)

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Rioja chef Jennifer Jasinski took home the big prize Wednesday night with a Dead Duck dish on the third episode of Bravo’s popular “Top Chef Masters.” Her seared duck breast and citrus duck sausage, fregola celery salad, smoky blood orange sauce, olive-orange puree won $10,000 for local non-profit Work Options for Women. Chef Jen is competing as a team with Euclid Hall’s Jorel Pierce.

Jennifer Jasinski’s winning dish: seared duck breast and citrus duck sausage with fregola and celery salad. (Bravo TV photo)

The elimination challenge was entitled “Sex, Murder and Greed,” with each chef was asked to create a dish befitting one of the themes. The cast of long-running soap opera “Days of our Lives” were celebrity judges along with Curtis Stone, Gail Simmons, Leslie Suter and Ruth Reichl.

The competition began with 13 teams and is now down to nine.

Viewers can add to the WOW bounty by voting for Team Jasinski online each Wednesday night during the season at http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef-masters. As of late Thursday night, Team Jasinski was in third place. You can vote up to 40 times when you submit a phone number (don’t worry they won’t spam or call).

Jennifer Jasinski with fellow ‘Top Chef Masters’ chefs Sang Yoon and Odette Fada. (Bravo TV photo)

Colorado rocks it!

Forbes Magazine on Thursday announced its 15th annual ranking of Best Places for Business and Careers, and Denver and Fort Collins made the top 10 cities.

Denver was ranked sixth and Fort Collins seventh.

However, what the writer left out is that the standard pretzel bread with honey mustard rocks the house! The best ever.

“And about The Squeaky Bean: Denver’s much-loved Squeaky Bean shut down in 2011, only to be reincarnated last year in a new, bigger space. The look is both industrial (exposed pipes and beams) and old-school fancy (chandeliers). But things really get interesting on the wide-ranging four-course prix fixe, with offbeat dishes like congee and leg of Colorado lamb.

“On the Menu: Brandade espuma; offal fritto; Mr. Green Jeans (Spring 44 gin, celery, cucumber, black pepper, lemon, sugar).

“We also love: he Farrah Fawcett shrine, replete with candles and her visage, which made the move from the old space to the new one. (Photograph by Adam Larkey)

A mixologist pours one of the famed drinks at The Squeaky Bean. (Photo by Adam Larkey)

Eavesdropping on a woman talking about the recent Bruno Mars concert at Red Rocks during the Rally for the Cure tournament at Aurora Hills Golf Course: : “The concert was like watching the newest and greatest Jackson 5.”

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.

Thrillist.com, a digital lifestyle website for men with local features on 21 cities (including Denver), rated its top 10 swankiest, tastiest, booziest bowling alleys in America and our fair city’s Punch Bowl Social was named to the list.

Punch Bowl Social, located in the hot SoBo district, is a hip eater-tainment establishment at 65 Broadway and offers great eats, drinks, bowling and more.

Here’s what Thrilllist had to say about Punch Bowl Social:

“Combining every great old-man game (bowling, shuffleboard, telling dirty jokes to 22-year-old girls) and young-man game (arcade games, karaoke, telling dirty jokes to 72-year-old girls) under one gigantic roof, this enormous man cave rocks gastropub-style food (think buffalo meatloaf & duck pastrami) in addition to craft cocktails from multiple bars, including a rotating selection of punch served up in huge bowls (see, it’s not just a clever name).”

Punch Bowl Social on Broadway was named one of the top 10 “swankiest, tastiest and booziest bowling alleys in America” by Thrillist.com (Punch Bowl Social photo)

A Denver public library … on wheels

Denver Public Library is coming to you … on a specially made tricycle.

DPL has developed a new service — DPL Connect — a pedal-powered mobile library and wi-fi hotspot.

DPL Connect launches its inaugural ride on Wednesday, August 7 on the 16th Street Mall. The trike provides free wireless internet access and will be stocked with a rotating collection of books tailored to the bike’s location (i.e. cookbooks and urban farming for farmer’s markets, bike repair and Denver maps for bike trails, etc).

The librarian riding DPL Connect also can provide traditional library services, including help with digital downloads (eBooks, audio books, and digital magazines), reading suggestions, assisting with research and registering new customers for library cards.

Here’s a schedule for DPL Connect in the upcoming weeks:

August 7, 4:30-6:30 p.m. | 16th Street Mall Garden Block (between Curtis and Champa)

August 8, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Civic Center Eats (among the food trucks – Broadway & 14th Street)

August 11, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m | VIVA Streets (Berkeley Regis Neighborhood – Tennyson St. & W 46th Ave.)

September 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Tour de Fat (City Park)

September 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bike-in Movie series at Civic Center Park

The DPL Connect pedal-powered mobile library. (Photo courtesy of Denver Public Library’s Facebook page)

‘Football On Your Phone’ rap by the Mannings

You’ve probably already seen the Mannings — Denver Broncos QB Peyton and his younger brother, the Giants’ Eli — in the “rap video” promoting DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket for NFL game coverage.

But just in case you were under a rock on Tuesday, here’s the link the Manning brothers’ “Football On Your Phone” rap.

Personally, I think Eli got a lot of the better lines and the Mannings’ dad, Archie, makes a cameo on the video that was filmed in New Orleans, the Mannings’ hometown.

Peyton, left, and Eli Manning performed an outlandish ‘rap video’ to promote DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket. (Photo by DirecTV)

Trader Joe’s to add a third store in Colorado

One Trader Joe’s coming to Colorado was fantastic news for this California girl. Two put me over the moon, especially since it was announced No. 2 would be located on 8th and Colorado near my Capitol Hill abode.

Now, the California-based specialty grocery store I grew up on is adding a third store in Greenwood Village.

The Denver Post reported Trader Joe’s has signed a lease at the Cherry Hills Marketplace at 5901 S. University Blvd. on the corner of East Orchard Road.The first two stores — in Denver and on Boulder’s Twenty Ninth Street mall are scheduled to open in 2014 as will the Greenwood Village store.

Chipotle coming to a Farmers’ Market near you

Chipotle Mexican Grill is already on every corner in Denver – or so it seems – but now the Colorado-bred chain is  participating in National Farmers’ Market Week.

Chipotle will conduct salsa-making demonstrations, give scavenger-hunt activity books to the kids and encourage shoppers to buy locally from their community farmers’ markets with $10 currency tokens that are redeemable for food at that market location).

Shoppers also will receive buy-one-get-one deals they can redeem at any Colorado Chipotle location. The coupon is valid for a burrito, burrito bowl or order of tacos.

Here are the markets Chipotle will visit this week (they’ve already hit the Broomfield and Lowry Farmers Markets): Aspen Grove Farmers Market, Wednesday, August 7; Highland Farmers Market, Southwest Plaza Farmers Market, Colorado Farm and Art Market and Larimer County Farmers Market, all on Saturday, August 10.

Eavesdropping on 9News’ Facebook page:

9News executive producer to Kim Christiansen: “A study for the fire-eating Kim, ‘Your love of spicy foods means you’re a risk-taker!'”

Kim: “I love it except the fact I would never bungee jump, sky dive, etc . Too scary.”

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.