9News traffic and weather reporter Amelia Earhart went national, appearing on the “Today Show” Friday.

Earhart appeared on the NBC morning show, “Today,” to talk about her planned plane flight around the world to re-create her namesake’s deadly trip taken in 1937.

Earhart appeared on “The Today Show” with Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Natalie Morales and guest host Carson Daly.

She is taking a two-week trip with Patrick Carter, starting in Oakland, Calif., with stops in Miami, Brazil, Africa, India, Australia and the southern Pacific islands (including Holland Island) before returning to Oakland.

“I’ve been having this conversation by entire life,” Earhart said of the round-the-world flight. “It always comes up. When I think about the best way to honor being a namesake of Amelia it’s about adventure. There’s not a lot of things we’re entitled to, but we’re entitled to developing our own adventure. This is my version of adventure and the best way to keep Amelia ‘s spirit alive.”

See the entire interview at  http://www.today.com/video/today/52651327/#52651327.

RIP

I am so sad to report that Lew Cady,  former advertising man and publisher/owner of “Little Kingdom Come,” the tongue-in-cheek newspaper about Central City and Blackhawk, died Sunday morning after a long illness.

I have written about Cady’s antics for years because the “kindly curmudgeon,” as I called him, had a thing about being first at new restaurants and other various establishments. It was his obsession and he kept a journal chronicling his accomplishments. Who’s on first? Lew Cady.

With the exception of this year, I would follow our fearless leader through our routine tour of the National Western Stock Show — with a precise route — that ended (always) in the Cowboy Bar. We’d eat peanuts in the shell that you throw on the floor, and Cady and company would drink Coors original.

I’ll never forget the year that the iconic Cowboy bar added cosmopolitans to the bar menu. I thought Cady would blow a gasket. Another tradition: Cady would smuggle in a beef stick or smoked sausage and cheese to share with his posse.

My heart is breaking for his wonderful wife, Leslie, and his children. The last time I saw Cady was at the Governor’s Mansion during a meeting of the Central City Press Club, a motley crew who just used the gatherings as an excuse to imbibe in adult beverages.

Cady and Gov. John Hickenlooper were the best of friends having attended a number of baseball games away and at home.

The good guv had this statement about Cady’s death: “Life today is not quite today what it was yesterday. In my wallet I carry a couple of yellow post-it notes. They are printed. At the bottom is the Railyard Ale logo, and above it, spread over six lines, is: Coming out,/ all beer is pretty/much/the same./ But going in,/ there is a difference. The whole post-it is double-boxed, and very elegant. Lew created a hundred such pads that he referred to as ‘restroom reminders,’ and we had our wait staff and bartenders “post them” in the rest rooms of our various LoDo competitors. I’ve been carrying them in one wallet or another for almost 20 years. They are pure Lew Cady. We will all miss him tremendously!”

I loved Lew and will miss him terribly. Funeral and/or memorial services are pending.

This sticky note is one that Lew Cady made for John Hickenlooper when he was a brewpub owner. Hickenlooper would leave the sticky notes advertising his Wynkoop Brewery at his rival restaurants. (Photo courtesy of Devany McNeill)

McIntosh makes it

Mark McIntosh, a long-time media personality and motivational speaker in Denver (see his talents at www.seekvictory.com) and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, posted and boasted (and rightly so) about an honor he’s been bestowed by his Missouri hometown school system on his Facebook page last week. Here’s the post:

“To all my Raytown South High School Alumni, the weekend of October 11-12 a new class of Hall of Fame members will be inducted into the Raytown Schools Alumni Hall of Fame. I’m honored to be one of the six inductees. Part of the festivities include attending the Ray-South/Raytown game on Friday October 11. I invite all of you to join me and cheer on the Cardinals as they kick the Blue Jays’ butts on the gridiron!”

Congrats, Mark!

Mark McIntosh will be inducted into the Raytown Schools Alumni Hall of Fame in October. (Photo courtesy of seekvictory.com)

Block party

Uptown, the hip neighborhood east of downtown Denver, will host its fourth annual Block Party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the park at Marion and Park Avenue.

The event is open to the public, and will feature food and live music, and it’s part of Denver Days, during which time Mayor Michael Hancock’s office is asking Denver neighborhoods to get involved with the communities by hosting block parties, organizing service projects and organizing neighborhood activities.

Proceeds from the Uptown Block Party will benefit MetroCareRing, an Uptown food bank.

Entertainment will be provided by Marty Jones and the Great Unknowns and Colfax Dub Allstars. Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel also will be making a special whiskey keg presentation. Food will be served by Steuben’s, Billy’s Gourmet Hot Dogs, Tony P’s Pizzeria, Taita Peruvian Café and Sweet Cow MooMobile.

For more information, go to www.uptownblockparty.org.

Fashion first

The first annual Urban Nights fashion show on Aug. 23 at Mile High Station is a benefit for Urban Peak, a non-profit organization that provides a full convergence of services for youths ages 15 to 25 who are homeless or at immediate risk of becoming homeless.

The fundraiser will feature a fashion show along Colorado’s longest urban runway showcasing the latest trends from local designers, entertainment by Grammy-nominated Deborah Cox, a silent auction and an after party with a headliner DJ.

The VIP party and silent auction begin at 6 p.m. and doors open for general admission at 7 p.m. The fashion show starts at 8:15 p.m. and the after party begins at 11 p.m.

For more information, go to www.urbannightsdenver.org.

Sign of the times

Sent in by a reader: “I can still remember a sign I saw on a large ranch in Texas. It said: “Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be prosecuted.”

“YIKES! Needless to say, we didn’t enter the property!”

Eavesdropping on a driver and a passenger passing the Denver Dumb Friends League on Quebec Street:

Driver: “I see they’re advertising where you can buy two cats for $15.”

Passenger: “Must be having a sale where every cat must go! Last week, they were selling cats at one for $10 and before that it was one for $17. They keep marking ‘em down; pretty soon they’ll be paying you to take a cat!”

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.

I will confess that I love all things Bravo. I’m addicted to all the reality series, as well as to honcho Andy Cohen, who hosts “Watch What Happens Live” five nights a week (I’ve even got Mr. On the Town hooked on Andy’s show as well as “The Real Housewives of New Jersey”).

Most of those shows are train wrecks that you can’t take your eyes off of. So here comes the sixth season of “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,” where cast members Josh Altman (ick!), Josh Flagg and Madison Hildebrand compete fiercely for listings since the market has rebounded.

Inventory is low, according to a recent story on www.skicurbed.com, and the threesome are trying to find “sprawling estates for high-profile clients.”

So, unfortunately for Aspen, Altman calls Glamour Gulch his “second home”. Here’s part of the interview with Altman (see all of the interview at http://bit.ly/18V7lbp):

So, why Aspen?

We’ve been vacationing here for over eight years now. Matt (Josh’s brother) went to the University of Colorado in Boulder and after our family started visiting him out there, we fell in love with Colorado and especially Aspen. Our parents loved it so much, they ended up buying a place in Aspen as a vacation home. A few years later they made it their permanent home.

What are some of your favorite Aspen hangouts?

Most the time you’ll find us at The Caribou Club … we love to unwind on the comfortable couches. You’ll also see us at Pacifica, Jimmy’s and Cache Cache.

What’s your experience in the Aspen market?

We’ve done quite a few deals in Aspen and get a lot of calls. People know we are familiar with the area and have the best overseas reach to buyers through “Million Dollar Listing” and through Christie’s Great Estates. We consider it our second home, so love to co-list and co-market with local agents and are able to get them very high-profile clients.

What are your overall impressions of the real estate market in Aspen?

I feel the market keeps getting better and better and will continue to strengthen. Coming into the fourth quarter, we should see some good movement. I think it’s a great time to buy and invest here. Anyone who thinks other resort towns are hotter, obviously have never been to Aspen – in my opinion it’s the most beautiful place in the country.

Season six of “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” premieres on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. MDT on Bravo.

Josh Altman of the Bravo Network’s “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.” (Bravo Network photo)

Welcome to Actasana
Actasana is the latest addition to the entertainment scene in Denver. But what is Actasana?

According to www.Actasana.com, Actasana’s mission is “to unleash our imaginations and set the artist within us free through acting, yoga, comedy and theatre.”

Actasana is located at 1491 S. Holly St. in Denver will integrate its acting program with yoga into each class. The space includes a 27-seat black-box theater and is “set to have play productions on the Namastage, stand-up comedy nights, workshops, featured artists series” and a new filmmakers’ night.

Artistic Director Lea Marlene, a native Coloradan, earned a degree in journalism; broadcast news and television with a minor in theatre from Colorado State University. Marlene moved to Hollywood after college where she studied the Meisner technique with two of the nation’s best Meisner-certified teachers, Bill Alderson of Aldersonstudio.com and John Ruskin of Ruskinschool.com.

David Lauer is Actasana’s co-founder and has 20-plus years experience in the film industry. His visual effects credits include “Armageddon,” “The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” “Night at the Museum” and “The Incredible Hulk.” His most recent roles was as co-visual effects supervisor on the Academy Award-winning “Life of Pi.”

For more information, visit the website or call 720-638-2612

Pop-up place

For a limited time, Denver’s Curtis Hotel is offering a package with a one-night stay in a pop-up inflatable room that rises 22 feet in the air, thanks to a scissor lift on top of the van on which it sits.

The cost? Hang onto your checkbooks … it’s $50,000. There is a weight limit (yikes!), and no smoking allowed.

Architect Alex Schweder created the 5-foot-by-7-foot see-through room atop a van for the Biennial of the Americas festival, according to an Associated Press story.

The room has a chemical toilet, shower, sink, inflatable bed and couch and curtains. It is being driven to parking lots around town through Aug. 23.

The seen

On a sign (see below) posted by a homeowner on the Biltmore Golf Course in Arizona: “If you come through this door uninvited you will be killed.” The sign also carries a Spanish translation. Talk about need of anger management.

(Barb Simmons photo)

Eavesdropping on two women at The Palm discussing the merits of dating younger men: “Younger guys are smarter because they just got out of school and remember everything we forgot.”

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.

Lovebirds Randy Richmond and Theresa Blanding started feathering their nest in Boulder landmark McGuckin Hardware 12 years ago.

The couple spent so much time in the Boulder store, that they joked if they ever married, the nuptials would be cemented in the tools department.

On July 21, accompanied by a small band of well-dressed family members and close friends, Richmond and Blanding walked hand-in-hand down aisle 16 — in the Tools department — to hammer out their future together.

The betrothed, being snapped by Blanding’s son, Lucian, strode in sync along the waxed floor lined with circular saws, which should not be misconstrued as a metaphor for their married life.

“McGuckin’s has been here forever and it’s so useful and practical,” Richmond said. “Marriage should be practical as well as romantic. We were in here every day for something anyway… rope or clips (TMI!).”

The couple have bought an array of items from the hardware store throughout the years, including Richmond’s favorite pair of overalls.

The groom is no densa, he’s a Mensa member who has excavated ancient Egyptian sites. “You’re not talking to a chimp here,” the University of Arizona Egyptologist and psychologist told McGuckin employee Steve Wilke. Richmond met Blanding 14 years ago in a class in Sedona, Ariz., and says that his future bride “hated him off the bat.”

She complained about him to her friend and obsessed over his antics for months. “I wore her down like water on a rock,” Richmond said. “Love and hate are tied very close together.”

Blanding, a mother of three, is a consultant and award-winning jewelry maker whose work is featured in an Arizona showroom, but her goal is to have a gallery of her own in Boulder.

“For me personally, I lived up at 8,500 feet in an old miner’s house as a single mom,” she said. “I was always coming to McGuckin’s to figure things out, and they were so helpful.”

Aaron Tye, a McGuckin automotive employee, made the celebratory announcement over the intercom system. Customers greeted the news with  resounding cheers and robust applause from all four corners of the store.

Not surprisingly, the couple requested McGuckin gift cards for wedding presents. The couple is planning a honeymoon in Paris.

“People need consistency in their lives,” Richmond said. “All roads lead to McGuckin.”

Theresa Blanding and Randy Richmond walk down the aisle — aisle 16 at McGuckin Hardware, in fact — during their July 21 wedding ceremony at the Boulder landmark.  (Photos courtesy of McGuckin Hardware)

Little Italy

Westword, Denver’s favorite snarky, alternative newspaper, has had a couple of stories recently worthy of repeating. Because I am a Capitol Hill dweller, any new restaurant news grabs my attention.

Westword restaurant critic Gretchen Kurtz recently reviewed the tiny restaurant DiFranco’s, a “tiny spot creating big buzz” in the long-suffering Beauvallon building at 955 Lincoln St. That space has represented revolving doors for retailers and restaurants alike ever since it was built.

But Kurtz says the little Italian spot that could is well worth a visit. On a recent Tuesday night, the place actually ran out of food, according to Kurtz’s review, even though there was a hungry mob waiting in a long line.

Hours are 11 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Phone: 720-253-1244 (just to make sure they haven’t run out of food).

Check out Kurtz’s review at www.westword.com/2013-07-25/restaurants/difrancos-restaurant-review/.

Also at Westword …

Music editor Dave Herrera discovered an obscure cable station MTVOther (who knew about MTVOther?), which features short pieces about lesser-known cool music enclaves including a short called “This is the place: Denver.”

Host Dave Hill introduces viewers to bands that I have never heard of (but then I’m old). No matter which way you 5280, it’s still good pub for our fair town. Check it out at http://mtvother.com/.

16th Street Mall garden block

Celebrate the grand opening of the Downtown Denver Garden Block during an afternoon event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7 featuring live music, giveaways, light snacks and drink specials from restaurants on the block. Come mingle in the lush garden and learn more about the importance of this project and its events planned this year.

The Downtown Denver Garden Block is an oasis on the 16th Street Mall bringing a unique environment to the block between Champa and Curtis streets. Installations of various small gardens, representative of those featured at Denver Botanic Gardens, create a pocket park on the 16th Street Mall by giving downtown visitors, residents and workers a beautiful place to meet, linger and enjoy the urban landscape.Sponsored by the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District, in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens, Bellco Credit Union and the Colorado Garden & Home Show, the Downtown Denver Garden Block will continue to showcase additional features throughout the summer, including more seating, a place to read and play games, weekly lunchtime performances and events, and downtown’s newest Wi-Fi hotspot provided by local internet company www.Forethought.net.

Giveaways include two tickets to a Park-to-Table dinner at Skyline Market on Friday, Aug. 9; two tickets to a Denver Botanic Gardens concert and four family-pack tickets to Denver Botanic Gardens.

Part of Denver’s Garden Block on the 16th Street Mall. (Photo courtesy of Downtown Denver Garden Block)

Eavesdropping on a woman at Zocalo: “We invest so much time in finding a new man only to end up hating him 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. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

Gordon Ramsay, the chef who puts the terror into every restaurant owner, returns for a sixth season as he treks across the  country to help struggling restaurants keep their businesses above water (and in some cases cockroaches, rats, etc).

When all seems to be in desperate despair, the restaurant owners turn to Ramsay and his team for one last hope before having to shut their doors. Many of these restaurants are beyond repair, leaving Ramsay to  face a nearly impossible task. Some will close their doors, others will  get back on their feet, but all are calling on Chef Ramsay to wake them  up from their “Kitchen Nightmares,” airing at 7 p.m. Mondays on Fox-31.

You’ll have chances to view local operations when Ramsay’s “Kitchen Nightmares” makes two stops in the Denver metro area this month. The kitchen commander will visit Pantaleone’s on Friday, and Old Neighborhood in Arvada Saturday through Tuesday. Be afraid, be very afraid!

The Old Neighborhood has been an Arvada institution since 1980, serving a diverse menu of American, Mexican, Italian, French, Asian and even Cajun-inspired foods. Owners Alexa and Randy Kowalczyk are sure to be in for a test from Ramsay when it comes to Old Neighborhood’s gigantic menu.

Pantaleone’s is a pizza and pasta restaurant at 2120 South Holly in south Denver. Mr. On The Town and I visited Panteleone’s 10 years ago or so for a story he was writing on Denver’s best pizza and we left unimpressed. Still, many have raved about the pizza and pasta place owned by Pete and Paulette Fafalios.

Best of luck to both restaurants!

Owners of Arvada’s the Old Neighborhood restaurant, Randy and Alexa Kowalczyk, will get a visit from chef Gordon Ramsay for his Fox network reality series, “Kitchen Nightmares.” (Photo courtesy of oldneighborhoodrestaurant.net)

American Ninja

Am I the only weirdo who watched “American Ninja” on 9News on Monday? Why? Because they filmed the segment in Denver a few blocks from my condo, but I knew nothing about it.

The host is Matt Iseman, a Denver native. Iseman even talked about how happy he was to be back in his hometown during the show. The show is entertaining in the fact that it’s fiercely competitive while these folks compete in crazy stunts that defy all odds of gravity.

The show is continuing at 7 p.m. Mondays. Rich Grant, the spokesmodel for Visit Denver, told me that the crew filmed all through the night roughly five weeks ago.

The show was shot in Civic Center Park and really highlights downtown Denver in the dark.

One the tryout episodes for NBC’s reality series, “American Ninjas,” was shot in Denver’s Civic Center Park. (Stevie Crecilius photo)

Wicket and stick It

Denver’s premier croquet tournament returns to Cherry Creek on Aug. 2 when 60 teams compete on the outdoor plaza behind Elway’s restaurant.

Up for grabs is the Wicket and Stick It silver cup or in the individual categories which include best dressed, best hat and best wicket shot.

Professional croquet master Ron Eccles and his team of croquet referees will be on hand to provide instruction and insider tips. Prized categories include top three teams, best dressed team, best dressed male and female, best hat male and female and best wicket shot.

Players and spectators receive drink and food tickets for a variety of beverages to enjoy as well as morsels from restaurants including Brio Tuscan Grille, Opus Restaurant & Aria Wine Bar, California Pizza Kitchen, Kona Grill, Patxi’s and a goody bag.

Tournament time is from 2 to 9 p.m. Aug. 2 at 2500 E. First Ave. General admission is $35 in advance or $40 at the door, which includes two drink tickets and a goody bag.

VIP spectator tickets are $60 in advance or $70 at the door. The ticket includes unlimited drinks, VIP check-in, exclusive seating, personal beverage service and a goody bag.

To reserve tickets, go to http://ezregister.com/events/7380/.

This just in from EaterDenver

TAG Burger Bar is in the planning stages of a second location in northwest Denver, bordering the Highland neighborhood. The casual burger joint led by chef Troy Guard now operates in Congress Park at 12th and Madison. A second location is planned in the former Subway Tavern & Pizzeria Longo’s space  at 38th and Lipan (3759 Lipan Street).

The Larimer Associates, which owns TAG Burger Bar, acquired the family-owned restaurant in September when Longo’s closed its doors after 52 years in business. A massive remodel is planned for the 3,000 square foot space starting early September. Considering the age of the restaurant and lack of upgrades in recent years, Larimer Associates decided to gut it and start over with a remodel project that will likely take six months.

Eavesdropping on a group riding in rush-hour traffic in south Denver: “That guy is driving awful fast. Wonder what’s his hurry?”

“He probably wants to get home in time to watch ‘Jeopardy.’ ”

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. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

I have had the rare privilege of being asked to participate (a.k.a. play) in the Hyde Park Jewelers charity golf tournament for the 14 years that it’s been in existence.

But the night preceding the tourney can be even more of a reunion between  athletes  and journalists who gathered on Sunday at Elway’s Cherry Creek for an amazing dinner and event led by one of my favorite media personalities, Les Shapiro (host of radio and television).

Not only was the dinner amazing – I’m saying steak and crazy corn with guacamole and pepitas  – but our lovely “Table 26″ was filled with the might and right.

Kudos to Elway’s executive chef Tyler “Wizard” Wiard and his team for putting out a ton of food in a timely manner. You guys rock!

Game day

Because Les Shapiro is so good to me, I got to play as a “celebrity” fifth at Cherry Creek Country Club on Monday for the Hyde Park Jewelers Diamonds in the Rough golf tournament  (presented by Rolex, where’s mine?) to benefit Youth Biz,, Judi’s House and the Global Down syndrome.

My patient teammates were David Blake (from the Colorado state’s attorney’s office and son of Ernie Blake, a blessing to our Denver community for his fundraising efforts), who was the best stick in our fivesome. Also deserving kudos was Abby Perlmutter (daughter of Congressman Ed Perlmutter), who can hit a mile-long drive not Ed, but Abby.

And rounding out our fivesome were brothers Gary and Steve Pettit, who own and run Starwest Productions out of Arvada. Check them out at: www.estarwest.com.

Any way you slice it, we had a blast!

Jackson needs some love

Tim Jackson after his Rhode Island biking accident. (Courtesy of Tim Jackson’s Twitter account)

1515 special event

Save the date for some awesome cuisine when 1515 Restaurant at 1515 Market St. hosts a series of “1515 Test Kitchen” dinners featuring sous vide techniques and molecular gastronomy beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 4.

The multi-course dinners, a collaboration between 1515 chefs Jonas Halstead and Garren Teich, will take place the first Sunday of every month and include molecular cooking demonstrations as well as Q&A sessions with the chefs .

Seats are $55 per person or $95 with wine pairings. Reservations can be made by calling 303-571-0011. The menu includes:

Amuse Bouche
“Fruit Salad” | strawberry juice, green apple foam and green tea powder
Wine pairing: Ca Del Sarto Prosecco, Friuli-Venezia Guilia, Italy

First Course:
Shrimp and corn “chowder” | house-made pancetta, red fish caviar and oyster crackers
Wine pairing: Dopff & Irion Pinot Grigio, Alsace, Germany

Second Course:
Compressed heirloom tomatoes | horseradish foam, tomato sheet and lotus chips
Wine pairing: Marchesi Guadagni, White Blend, Tuscany, Italy

Third Course:
Seared duck breast | molecular truffled gnocchi, pistachio encrusted cherries, Mandarin orange and duck constructed cream
Wine pairing: Louis Jadot Bourgogne (Pinot Noir), Burgundy, France

Fourth Course:
Sous-vide New York strip |crispy beef salad, sweet and sour tamarind demi, edamame sphere with sriracha salt, king trumpet mushrooms and sous-vide egg yolk
Wine pairing: Josh Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, California

Dessert:
Reconstructed apple pie | Granny Smith and Gala apples, “snicker doodle” caviar, apple puffs, caramel dippin’ dots and cinnamon powder
Wine pairing: Andrew Quady, California Orange Muscat NV.

For reservations call 303-571-0011.

Fore!

My dear friend Lisa Holste is debuting her women’s golf clothing line at a lunch at EDGE Restaurant and Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver on July 31.

It’s an active wear line for women who play golf or tennis and will be available to order at www.ellabelle.com. The health conscious menu for the fashion show, includes a mini lean and green smoothie, roasted tomato soup, watermelon frisee salad and a lemon cream fruit tart.

Ellabelle is an active wear line made in Los Angeles that focuses on apparel fit for the golf course, tennis court and beyond. Guests can register to win prizes including an ellabelle golf bag and two spots at the exclusive Double Cross Vodka dinner with LPGA player and two-time major championships winner, Cristie Kerr, at EDGE on Aug. 7. Reservations: 303-389-3050.

Eavesdropping on a man talking about the dessert at the Elway’s Cherry Creek dinner prior to the golf tournament: “It’s a chocolate brick.”

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. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

Wedding bells have been ringing overtime lately for two professional athletes who played for Colorado teams.

First player to the altar was Mitch Berger, former Broncos kicker and CU Boulder star athlete who married swimsuit model Bambi Lashell on July 13 in Vancouver, British Columbia. On Saturday, former Avalanche defenseman John-Michael Liles scored the winning goal by wedding Erin Johnson in Vail.

Berger found his way to wedded bliss after Bravo TV’s “Millionaire Matchmaker” Patti Stanger scored a touchdown for her team when she introduced the 16-year NFL punter to Lashell on Stanger’s show in March.

The twosome’s first date — horseback riding followed by Berger cooking Lashell dinner — was the spark that ignited the relationship. Stanger even mentioned the successful match last week on Andy Cohen‘s “Watch What Happens Live” (guess who was watching and taking notes?).

Stanger’s blog on March 12 said this about her millionaire client who parlayed his NFL career into a career as a venture capitalist in Canada: “(Berger’s) been on the road for so many years that he didn’t really have time to grow up and have an actual mature, evolved relationship. We call that the Peter Pan syndrome. He settled down in Vancouver, and now he’s ready for love, marriage and lots of babies.”

Mitch Berger and his bride, Bambi Lashell, at their July 13 wedding. The couple met on “Millionaire Matchmaker,” the Bravo Network series that stars matchmaker Patti Stanger. (Photo courtesy of Mitch Berger’s Twitter account)

Mitch Berger talks to Patti Stanger during his appearance on “Millionaire Matchmaker.” The episode, in which Berger met his eventual wife, Bambi Lashell, originally aired on Bravo in March. (Bravo Network photo)

The Super Bowl-winning groom (playing for the victorious Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009) tweeted on his wedding day: “So happy that I married @BambiLashell the love of my life! pic.twitter.com/wzYLPrvXA5.” Some wedding photos of the happy couple also are posted on his Twitter account @mitchberger17.

Berger’s lengthy football career – which took him to several different teams – ended after he signed with the Broncos during the last 10 games of the 2009 season and he retired in 2010.

Liles, who was a popular figure on and off the ice when he played for the Avalanche starting in 2003, was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2011.

Several of his former teammates – including Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene – attended the nuptials. For a picture of the couple – sandwiched between Maple Leafs teammate Tyler Bozak, check out http://bluetoro.ca/tag/john-michael-liles-girlfriend/.

John-Michael Liles, center, poses with his former Colorado Avalanche teammates, Paul Stastny, left, and Matt Duchene at Liles’  wedding last weekend in Vail. (Photo courtesy of Matt Duchene’s Twitter account)

Supermarket showdown

The Food Network is holding a nationwide search for chefs and professional cooks for a chance to win up to $20,000 in a new television series.

Producers are looking for highly skilled chefs and professional cooks from all backgrounds and without regard to a particular style of cooking.

Whether you are an executive chef, sous chef, private chef or caterer and think you have the chops to slice and dice the competition, you may qualify.

This new series — from the producer’s of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” — will put talented chefs and professional cooks to the test in a supermarket-themed showdown. To navigate the aisles of this high-pressure competition, you’re going to need clever cooking solutions as supermarket savvy.

To apply, send an e-mail to grocerygames@rrstaff.com. Include your city and state in the subject line, and in the body of the e-mail include your name, phone number, photo, current occupation, a description of your culinary background and why you think you have what it takes to win.

Wing ding

Quaker Steak & Lube in Westminster, the wing fling home of flappers in 20 different sauces, celebrates National Chicken Wing Day with 55-cent wings all day on July 29.

The Westminster store — a festive spot with race cars suspended from the ceilings and motorcycles, Corvettes and gas station memorabilia — is located at 10392 Reed St., and is open on July 29 from 11 a.m. till midnight.

Quaker Steak boasts two of the world’s hottest wing sauces: the Atomic and the Triple Atomic weighing in at 150,000 Scoville Heat Units and 500,000 SHU respectively. The chain operates nearly 60 locations.

More information: www.quakersteakandlube.com. Follow the Westminster restaurant on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/pages/Quaker-Steak-Lube-Westminster-CO/137501156289209.

The heat is on

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire is a cigar dinner and barbecue benefit for The Friends of Denver Fire Department, beginning at 5:30 Wednesday at 1350 Shoshone.

Participants will receive two cigars, beer and cocktails, a barbecue dinner and two tickets for a prize drawing. You can meet Denver Fire Department Chief Eric Tade while munching down barbecue, quaffing a cocktail and puffing on a cigar. Tickets are $110.

The mission of the Friends of the Denver Fire Department is to support Denver’s Fire Department by providing public education, through efforts to improve firefighter safety and quality of life by furnishing direct resources to meet fire fighter needs thereby improving public safety in the City and County of Denver. Please visit www.fdfd.org for more information and to register for the dinner.

Table 6 talk: Scott not

After more than 10 years as head honcho of Table 6’s kitchen, executive chef Scott Parker is leaving the neighborhood eatery at Sixth and Corona to take over as chef at the under construction Breckenridge-Wynkoop concept in the old Izakaya Den space on South Pearl.

Carrie Shores, who has been sous chef at Table 6 the past six years. will take over Parker’s position on Aug. 5.

“We are so thankful for Scott’s run at Table 6 and wish him nothing but the best,” said owner Aaron Forman. “He’s been an integral part of Table 6, and we owe much of our success to the creativity and eccentricity of his menu.”

Shores is a Denver native who worked at San Francisco’s famed restaurant A16 before joining T6.

Eavesdropping on a girl to her ex-boyfriend at Starbucks: “I tweeted you, IM’d you, Facebooked you, Texted you, called you, e-mailed you, and for God’s sake, I even wrote you a letter, put a stamp on it and mailed it to you. If you didn’t ever want to see me again, why didn’t you just say so?”

“Look, I like you, but we just don’t communicate well.”

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. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

Denver dweller David Duval joined the ESPN telecast after his first-round 5-over-par 76 on Thursday during the first round of the British Open at Muirfield, which will declare a champ on Sunday.

Duval shot a second-round 79 to finish at 13-over 155 and missed the cut, so maybe we can expect to see more of him on the ESPN telecast this weekend.

Will this be a new line of work for one of my favorite pro golfers? Duval won the 2001 British Open at the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lytham St. Annes, England.

And although I have found him to be rather shy during my few encounters and interviews with him, he’s been downright chatty throughout his commentary. When he was relatively new to Denver, Duval and his girlfriend (now wife) caused quite a stir when they graciously attended my 50th birthday along with friends.

He met local gal Susan Persichitte in August 2003 at the Cherry Creek Grill while in town for The International tournament that used to be played at Castle Pines. They were married in 2004. The Duval duo have two children together: Brady, born in 2005; and Sienna, born in 2008. She has custody of her three older children – Deano, Nick and Shalene – from a prior marriage.

In his heyday, Duval was ranked the No. 1 golfer in the world.

Coverage of the British Open continues through Sunday on ESPN.

Eye on IKEA

IKEA in Centennial donated nearly $60,000 of products in comfort kits for families forced out of their homes during Colorado’s Black Forest fire in June. In all, 800 kits were created; 500 for adults and 300 for children.

“There really wasn’t a question of if we’d do something to help our neighbors, it was a question of what we’d do,” stated local marketing, PR and community outreach manager Annie Boeckman.

IKEA Centennial co-workers brainstormed product ideas to include in the kits. Each bag contained basic necessities focusing on eating, sleeping and hygiene.

“The products chosen for the bags were a team effort,” Boeckman said. “Our co-workers put themselves in the mindset of an evacuee and thought about what they’d need if they had to up and leave at a moment’s notice.”

Each IKEA bag contained a pillow, blanket, towel, water bottle, eating and writing utensils. The child kits also contained markers, paper and a soft toy to keep them entertained during a stressful situation.

IKEA Centennial realized firsthand results of their efforts in an e-mail from an IKEA visitor on July 2, “I want to thank you for the kind packages you sent to the Red Cross to help those in the Black Forest Fire! My sister lost everything, but had toys for her grandkids to play with because of your kindness.”

It took just five days to pull more than 10,000 products, set up an assembly line on the store’s receiving dock and have co-workers assemble the bags. Many IKEA employees came in early or stayed late knowing time was of the essence for the evacuees.

The New Jersey IKEA transport team, in charge of setting up trucks for product delivery to and from distribution centers, quickly contracted a 53-foot trailer to transport the bags to Colorado Springs. The kits were delivered to the American Red Cross Disaster Assistance Center on June 21 and distributed by Red Cross volunteers the following week.

We all scream for ice cream!

Denverites will be able to use their smartphones to summon ice cream trucks on demand today,  and to request a delivery of ice cream and summer treats compliments of Uber, the on-demand driving service.

This is a world-wide promotion that Uber is running in 33 cities and 11 countries on the same day. The company’s regular Uber service – a smartphone app that lets riders connect with safe, stylish, and efficient transportation options – will still be running. This is an added bonus for Denverites on a (scorching) summer day.

Readers of this column are eligible for a special discount with the promotional code ICECREAM for $20 off the first ride. To snag the special offer, go to http://uber.com/go/icecream to sign up.

You can also follow Uber Denver’s twitter account @Uber_Denver and the hashtag #UBERICECREAM for live updates on the promotion throughout the day on Friday.

Music please at Tony P’s

Tony P’s place at 17th Avenue and Clarkson features music every Friday and Saturday night from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the lounge upstairs “We have a beautiful room with upholstered banquettes, sectioned seating areas and a large balcony overlooking vibrant 17th Avenue,” said owner Tony Pasquini.

Playing this and most weekends is the seven-piece Rod Buckner Funkenjazz Band.  Buckner has played, taught trumpet, and been a treasured fixture in the Denver music scene for more than 30 years.

“He used to play down at the Blu Luna room and has compiled a group of some of the finest musicians I’ve ever heard in Denver,” Pasquini said. “Not only is Rod a great musician, he is great showman that fills the room with his positivity, warmth and charisma. He truly is one of this city’s great treasures and is simply not to be missed. We’re excited to see you, reconnect, fill our lives with the joy that exquisite live music can bring. I hope you can make this weekend or a weekend sometime soon.”

There’s a $7 cover charge.

Buckner Funken Jazz will perform at Tony P’s on 17th Avenue and Clarkson Street on Friday and Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Buckner Funken Jazz)

Wine time

Again Balstreri Vineyards is teaming up with Dream Italia for their annual movie night, but this time the event is scheduled on two nights beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 19 or Saturday, July 20.

The evenings include wine, dinner and light-hearted films under the big movie tent. Chairs and a tent will be provided. Friday night’s film is “A Good Year” and Saturday night’s film is “Letters to Juliet.” The film starts at 9 p.m. outside under the movie tent.

Balistreri Vineyards is located at 1946 E. 66th Ave., Denver  80229; tickets are $49 per person, which include movie menu, a glass of Balistreri wine and the film. Additional wine by the glass or bottle will be available for purchase. Tickets and more information at www.balistreriwine.com.

“A Good Year,” starring Russell Crowe, is the first movie featured Friday at Balistreri Vineyards in north Denver.

Summer soiree

Tickets are still available for a special summer wine and food soiree, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday at The Washington Park Boathouse (on Exposition between Downing and Franklin, a benefit for Sense of Security, a Colorado breast cancer charity that helps patients receive the financial assistance they need while undergoing treatment (www.senseofsecurity.org).

The event will be catered by Footers Catering, with a bruschetta bar, beef tenderloin skewers, Chevre-stuffed strawberries, lamb skewers and more. Mayfair Liquors has selected more than 30 summer wines to pair with the tasty treats.

Cost is $65 per person and tickets can be ordered at www.blacktie-colorado.com.

Sweet soiree

August Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is hosting its first Sugar Rush Challenge where a select group of six student participants will bring their skills and pastry precision to the arena for a chance to win prizes, bragging rights and recognition in The Sugar Rush Challenge Winner’s Circle.

The public is welcome to witness the culinary competition from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Escoffier Boulder, 637 S. Broadway, Suite H. Phone: 720-220-2789.

Judges include Christina Hong of The Four Seasons Hotel Denver, Lauren Siebert of Linger and Nina Acosta of The Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center.

Eavesdropping on two women talking about whether to get an iPhone: “I just don’t like the way the iPhone operates.”

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you will get used to it. I hate it! You’ll just get used to hating it.”

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. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.

Elise Wiggins, executive chef of Panzano in Denver, will represent Colorado at the Great American Seafood Cook Off in New Orleans on Aug. 3. One of the most prestigious culinary competitions in the United States, The Great American Seafood Cook Off emphasizes the importance of cooking with domestic and sustainable seafood.

In New Orleans, Wiggins will compete against more than a dozen top seafood chefs from across the country for the title of “King” or “Queen” of American Seafood. The chefs will prepare dishes that showcase sustainable fish. Garrett Wiggins, Elise’s younger brother, will act as her sous chef at the event. Interestingly, Wiggins grew up in West Monroe, La., and moved to Colorado to pursue her cooking career.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return to Louisiana and represent Colorado at the Cook Off in New Orleans,” said Wiggins, whose restaurant, Panzano has a Four Diamond rating from AAA. “I look forward to meeting chefs from other states as we help spread the word about the importance of sustainability.”

Wiggins didn’t disclose her recipe for the competition, but did reveal its name: Colorado Kokanee Salmon Celebration. The fish comes from the Blue Mesa in Colorado. Wiggins is a graduate of the Colorado Institute of Art and she was named Colorado Chef of the Year in 2005.

“I am pleased that Chef Elise is bringing a taste of Colorado to the Tenth Annual Great American Seafood Cook Off,” said Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, which produces the cookoff. “Each year we bring a new and diverse group of America’s most talented chefs to New Orleans, and it is fast becoming apparent that 2013 will be the most exciting year yet.”

Earlier this year, organizers of The Great American Seafood Cook Off encouraged states to hold a qualifying round or appoint a chef to compete in the event.  There are currently 16 chefs registered representing such states as Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina.

John Besh won the first The Great American Seafood Cook-Off in 2004 with a dish of pan-roasted Louisiana blackfish with corn, crab and caviar. The 2012 Cook-Off Crown went to Chef Gregory Gourdet of Departure Restaurant in Portland, Ore. Chef Gourdet prepared a dish of slow-cooked Oregon Chinook Salmon featuring butter clams, bacon dashi, porcini, roasted heirloom tomato and crispy sea greens.

The Great American Seafood Cook Off will take place on Aug. 3 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans during the Louisiana Foodservice Expo. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service is the chief sponsor of the event.  More information is available at www.GreatAmericanSeafoodCookoff.com.

“I know it seems crazy for a chef from a landlocked state like Colorado to compete in a national seafood competition but I’m getting these great Kokanee salmon from Blue Mesa, caught by fishing guide Robby Richardson from Sport Fish Colorado.  I can’t wait to get back to Louisiana and win this thing,” Wiggins added.

Elise Wiggins of Panzano will compete in the Great American Seafood Cook Off on Aug. 3. (Photo courtesy of Hotel Monaco/Panzano restaurant)

Wine time

It’s almost getting old, but Wine Spectator magazine gave Boulder restaurant Flagstaff House its Grand Award for the 30^th straight year.

The Grand Award is Wine Spectator’s highest honor, awarded to restaurants that demonstrate passion and commitment to their wine programs.

Wine Spectator also gave a Grand Award to Aspen’s Element 47 based on its wine selections from the regions and countries of Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Italy and Germany.

Seventy-three restaurants around the world earned the Wine Spectator Grand Award. All of the wine winners will be announced in the magazine’s August 31 issue, which hits newsstands on July 23.

Twenty-eight Colorado restaurants earned Best of Award of Excellence and 68 were mentioned for Award of Excellence.

For more information, visit www.winespectator.com/restaurants/search.

Baby steps

Ella Quinn Wiard was born at 1:44 p.m. Tuesday. The second child for Elway’s Cherry Creek chef Tyler Wiard and his wife, Jen (events manager at Elway’s) was 7 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. Daddy Tyler says, “Crazy story to this delivery, short version … (Jen) was in pain last night from 11 p.m. until now. Came to hospital at approximately 7 a.m., complaining of major cramp in right side, they gave her meds, blood work and  an ultrasound.”

“Gall bladder has to be removed in the very near future. Got an epidural, broke my water, baby’s heart rate dropped, got rushed to surgery. We had a C-section,” Jen reports.  “Baby is in special room for extra oxygen. I am in recovery. Phew!!”

I adore this couple and am so happy for their addition! Congrats, folks.

Jen and Tyler Wiard welcome their second child into the world. Daughter Ella Quinn Wiard was born at 1:44 p.m. Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of the Wiards)

Chanteuse

Pam Savage will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 19 at Dazzle. Her crew includes Randy Chavez on guitar, Bob Rebholz on sax, Eric Gunnison on keys, Bijoux Barbosa on bass and Mike Marlier  on drums.

The  local R&B/jazz songstress returns to the stage at the Capitol Hill nightspot after taking time off from her live performances to focus on raising her family and helping to develop and operate her and her husband’s chain of Lime restaurants.

Savage has stayed busy in the studio and behind the scenes in the music business. She made her name performing live in Denver and throughout the Midwest. She and her  band will perform new songs as well as many of her old favorites.

Dazzle Jazz is located at 930 Lincoln St. Call 303-839-5100 for more information.

Way to go, dude!

Former Denver Post reporter Mark Obmascik‘s second book, “Halfway to Heaven,” has been chosen by the city of Wheat Ridge for its One City/One Book program.

Here’s Obmascik’s Facebook post on Monday:

“Woo hoo! Honored and grateful to have my second book, Halfway to Heaven, selected by Wheat Ridge, CO for its One City / One Book program. I’ll be giving a series of talks and slide shows about the book (how to climb — or how not to climb — all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains in a summer) in September.”

Obmascik’s first book, “The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession,” was a best seller and was turned into a feature film starring Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson.

For more information, visit http://jefferson.lib.co.us/press-room/press-releases/wheat-ridge-reads-feature-fourteener-memoir.

Mark Obmascik’s latest book, “Halfway to Heaven.”

Eavesdropping on Facebook: “Being a grownup means wearing sensible shoes to a New Kids on the Block/Boyz II Men concert.”

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. I’m now the social-media liaison for the Mile High Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association, so read my latest restaurant news there. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com.