There are plenty of stories about former Broncos who lived the high life only to crash and burn post their NFL career.

But former wide receiver Rod Smith has avoided slipping into the “fortune, fame then falling flat on his face” cycle. His story is told as part of an Oct. 31 Forbes story headlined, “Not broke: How NFL players stay financially stable after the game ends.” Read the whole story at http://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciajessop/2012/10/31/not-broke-how-nfl-players-stay-financially-stable-after-the-game-ends/.

In the story, Smith recounts being 10 years old and watching an episode of “Where Are They Now?” on HBO.

“There was a guy on the show who played in the NFL and then became homeless…When I saw that, I thought, ‘When I get into the NFL, there is no way I’m going broke,'” Smith told Forbes.

Forbes also cited a 2009 Sports Illustrated report that said within two years of retiring, 78 percent of NFL players face financial stress.

Smith hung onto his frugality throughout his 14-year NFL career in part because he joined the pros as an undrafted player in 1994. At his alma mater Missouri Southern State University, he completed three degrees in business, economics and finance, and marketing and management, the story said.

“I didn’t get drafted, so that helped me build financial stability,” Smith told Forbes. “I had a chance to be in the NFL, but not a chance to be in the NFL lifestyle, because I didn’t have the income for it.”

On the Broncos practice squad making $60,000 a year, Smith didn’t attempt to keep up with the financial luxuries of other players in the locker room.

Now in retirement, Smith has kept up a practice he started in the Broncos locker room under the leadership of former head coach Mike Shanahan of mentoring younger players about financial responsibility.

“I appreciate Shanahan because he let me teach a financial class to the rookies,” Smith said in the story. “Nobody was teaching me these principles. I learned them from watching people.”

Il Mondo Vecchio bids arrivederci

Il Mondo Vecchio, the much-lauded Denver salumi producer, will shut its doors on Nov. 30 due to increased regulatory requirements and pressures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The production facility at 1174 S. Cherokee St. famously produced salami, pepperoni, bresaola and other cured meats along with fresh sausages for local restaurants and markets as well as for eateries in out-of-state cities including San Francisco, Seattle and Houston.

Mark DeNittis and business partner Gennaro DeSantis have owned and operated Il Mondo Vecchio under the local USDA watchdog for three years. When a representative from the national USDA went on an inspection, the salumeria was abruptly put under more fierce scrutiny.

“Il Mondo Vecchio has had three solid years of uninterrupted business growth and has never had one instance of food safety violation, issue or complaint,” DeNittis said in a written statement. “In August, the USDA imposed additional requirements on Il Mondo Vecchio’s production methods. After two months of sharing information and collaboration back and forth between Il Mondo Vecchio and the USDA as well as various attempts to modify the production methods, Il Mondo Vecchio has determined that the impact of the regulatory requirements on dry cured sausage products was detrimental to the quality of the product and therefore, (we) are forced to close the doors.”

DeNittis said that his company and the USDA came to an impasse. “(We) could either change (our) methods to a process that has been validated by the USDA such as fermenting (cooking the product) or adding nitrites, nitrates, acids or copious amounts of salt, all resulting in what IMV believes to be an inferior product or stop production.”

They chose the latter.

For updates about any future endeavors, follow the website at www.ilmondovecchiosalumi.com. In the meantime, the public is still invited to attend the weekly Friday afternoon Loading Dock Friday product sales until the end of this month.

Ed gala

The Denver Scholarship Foundation is holding its fourth annual Ed Gala beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.

The evening’s keynote address will be delivered by Jim Clifton, the CEO of Gallup, a leader in organizational consulting and public opinion research, as well as the author of the book The Coming Jobs War.

Denver pediatrician Dean Prina is co-chairing the event for the fourth year, and he is joined on the leadership team by Libby Anschutz Brown, president of the Anschutz Foundation, and Zachary Neumeyer, chairman of Sage Hospitality.

Sponsorships and donations totaling $1.4 million have already been acquired, including a major commitment from DaVita and the Thiry O’Leary Foundation for the event’s title sponsorship.

“We are so pleased that DaVita has demonstrated its commitment to higher education with this lead sponsorship,” Prina said. “It is impressive for a company still relatively new to our community to step up in such a substantial and meaningful way. DaVita understands the important role of education for the development of its future workforce and the betterment of the city.”

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Denver Scholarship Foundation and its mission to inspire and empower Denver Public Schools students to achieve their quest for college.

For tickets, contact Abigail Whiteing at 303-640-6568 or e-mail awhiteing@denverscholarship.org. More information at www.denverscholarship.org.

Swap shop

The reuse, recycle and repurpose event the second annual Holiday Fashion Swap returns at The Streets at SouthGlenn’s Cantina Laredo from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

The event will also launch from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Cantina Laredo in Boulder.

The swap costs $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Attendees bring a medium-sized shopping bag filled with like-new holiday, casual or business fall/winter clothing, shoes, handbags or jewelry.

Guests will be given Holiday Fashion Swap Party shopping bags to fill during the swap. The ticket price includes one complimentary wine, beer, champagne or margarita, fashion show, access to personal stylists, and indie designer and retailer pop-up boutiques.

Cantina Laredo will donate 10 percent of the evenings proceeds to Smart-Girl Inc., a charity that works to empower teenage girls to make smart choices. Tickets can be purchased at http://holidayfashionswap.eventbrite.com or go to www.fashionswapshop.blogspot.com for more information.

He “otter” be a spokesmouth

Former Denver daily newspaper sports columnist and stand-up comedian Sam Adams is one of the new “spokesmouths” for the Samsung (get it?) OtterBox, the safety cover for the company’s smartphones.

“This holiday season, keep me safe in an OtterBox cuz I’m better than any wingman you’ve ever partied with,” Adams says under the post of his video pitch at www.otterbox.com/wrapme. Click on “above average Joe”.

Wiley Weil

Rockmount Ranch Wear owner Steve Weil never met a celebrity he didn’t like, especially if they buy and wear his shirts in concert.

So recently when rock icons Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler were on tour for two shows in Denver, Knopfler and the band stopped and shopped at Rockmount in LoDo.

The bass player (not pictured here) wore his Rockmount denim shirt (No. 640-DT, Weil tells me) at the show.

“This is one perk at Rockmount not knowing who is going to drop by unexpectedly,” Weil said.

Dylan has been to Rockmount and has many shirts including the one he wore when he received the medal of honor from President Barack Obama earlier this year.

Eavesdropping on comedian Deacon Gray’s Facebook post: “My girlfriend dumped me with a robocall. It said, ‘You can’t afford four more dates.'”

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.

Welcome to Blacktie-Colorado’s new periodic column for nonprofit organizations! If you have questions about this email, please write to Brett McCann-Lehl at brett@blacktie-llc.com. If you want to start getting Blacktie Bulletin emailed to you, sign up here.

BY BLACKTIE-COLORADO.COM

PITON FOUNDATION STEPS IN WITH MEMORIAL FOR SLAIN POLICE OFFICER: Five months after she was fatally wounded at City Park Jazz, Denver police Officer Celena Hollis will have a memorial created in an area she patrolled. The Piton Foundation is funding a memorial at the Holly Peace Mural Park at East 33rd Avenue and Holly Street in the Park Hill neighborhood.

GEORGE CLOONEY was recognized recently for his charity work at a star-studded gala in Los Angeles. Celebrities including Sidney Poitier, Julianne Hough, Jennie Garth, Carmen Electra and Nicollette Sheridan all turned out to see the Ocean’s Eleven star as he was honoured for his humanitarianism at the Carousel of Hope ball in Beverly Hills. The black-tie fundraiser pulls in money for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Colorado.

LATEST ‘CAPTURED EVENTS’ ON BLACKTIE
* November 02, 2012 – Museum after Dark: A Night in Pompeii
* November 01, 2012 – The 35th Starz Denver Film Festival
* November 03, 2012 – Cocktails & Karaoke

ASPEN ASKS FOR MONEY: A plethora of local nonprofits are staging, or in the midst of, multimillion-dollar capital campaign fundraising efforts, seeking charitable support from donors in post-recession Aspen.

VISIT DENVER, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, invites art lovers to create a “Denver Hearts the Arts” Pinterest board and start pinning artistic images from around the city. The Pinterest board that earns the most followers will receive a special prize – a year-long membership to five of Denver’s top cultural facilities: the Denver Art Museum; the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver; the Clyfford Still Museum; and the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.

TAKE NOTICE, GRANT WRITERS: In its sixth year of grantmaking, Roots & Branches Foundation, an initiative of Rose Community Foundation, will grant a total of $68,220 to nonprofit organizations serving Greater Denver and Boulder. Roots & Branches Foundation has established two funding priorities for the year: supporting access to high-quality integrated health services for low-income and uninsured people; and engaging Jewish people ages 21 to 40 in ongoing volunteer programs that promote social justice.

CHILI-LOVERS gathered for a cook-off Sunday to benefit victims of this year’s Colorado wildfires. The Hatch Foundation held its 7th Annual Meanest Chili Cook-off at Denver’s Oriental Theater to benefit The Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012.

BLACKTIE IS SPONSORING A FREE SEMINAR on how to use video to enhance your fundraising and events. It’s 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 E Tufts Ave. Register here.

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT on Blacktie-Colorado for just $150 a week. Email Brett McCann-Lehl at brett@blacktie-llc.com.

BEAT STREET PLUG PULLED: Following three years of discussion and restructuring with key partners, including the Town of Vail and Anheuser Busch, the Vail Valley Foundation has decided to bring down the final curtain on Bud Light Street Beat, retiring the 13-year-old free concert series from the nonprofit organization’s slate of entertainment events. “While it is hard for us to let Bud Light Street Beat go,” explained Ceil Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation, “we, as well as our partners, are convinced that it is the right thing to do. Street Beat was a great addition to Vail Village and really accomplished everything we had all hoped for when it was created.”

THE DENVER CSU ALUMNI NETWORK is looking for projects in the first half of 2013 to participate in as a volunteer group. Email: knpohly@yahoo.com

NEW ADVERTISER: HANDEL’S MESSIAH (PART 1: CHRISTMAS)
Saturday, December 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, 7:30 pm (Doors open at 6:15 pm)
Saint John’s Cathedral
1350 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80203

Please note that the first two rows of seats are reserved for patrons. For information on becoming a Patron, please contact Stephen Tappe at 303-577-7726. Please also note that your ticket guarantees you a seat within your chosen row only. The nursery is open for these performances.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH (ABOVE) IS USING EFFICIENT TICKETS. Consider Efficient Tickets, Blacktie’s sister company, for your next ticketed event. Online ticketing is inexpensive, consumer-friendly and provides your organization with valuable purchasing and entrance data. Contact Brett McCann-Lehl at 303-339-3819.

HAVING TROUBLE MANAGING DONATION REQUESTS? Blacktie can set up a website for your business or organization that makes it easy for you to be responsive to charity requests and carefully manage all aspects of the process. Here’s a request page we set up for a local company. For information about BT Donation Tracker, call Don Knox at 720-272-0961.

THE STORY BEHIND THOSE PINK PUMPKIN SEEDS: “For Carol Froese, an accidental discovery about five years ago in a pumpkin field east of Cheraw came as a blessing in disguise. Twelve years as a breast cancer survivor, Carol, co-owner of Colorado Seeds Inc., a business she operates alongside her husband David and sons Jacob and Josh, spotted what appeared to be a pink pumpkin. … In the five years since the pink pumpkin discovery, the Froese family, alongside their exclusive partner DP Seeds out of Yuma, Ariz., has cultivated the seed and has established a very deliberate goal when facing the effects of breast cancer.” — Bent County Democrat.

DID YOU KNOW? You can advertise your nonprofit event easily and affordably to 300,000 readers in the 17 Colorado Community Media newspapers from Thornton to Castle Rock? Blacktie offers discounted rates to organizations that have not previously advertised in the CCM publications. These publications include Arvada Press, Castle Rock News-Press, Centennial Citizen, Douglas County News-Press, Englewood Herald, Golden Transcript, Highlands Ranch Herald, Lakewood Sentinel, Littleton Independent, Lone Tree Voice, Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel, Parker Chronicle, Westminster Window, Westsider and Wheat Ridge Transcript. Call Brett McCann-Lehl or Don Knox at 303-832-2903 for more details!

COMING EVENTS ON BLACKTIE: DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER!

11/7/2012 – Stout Street Foundation’s Annual Fall Luncheon and Silent Auction
11/7/2012 – AMTA-CO Chapter Community Service Massage Team Training
11/8/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/8/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
11/8/2012 – Alliance of Professional Women November Networking Luncheon
11/8/2012 – 21st Annual Civil Rights Awards
11/8/2012 – A Taste for Life benefiting Project Angel Heart
11/8/2012 – Energy Africa Conference
11/9/2012 – 2012 Statewide Sustainability Roundtable
11/9/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/9/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
11/9/2012 – Sport Sales Workshop
11/9/2012 – National Philanthropy Day in Colorado
11/9/2012 – Book Beat Luncheon with Joe McGowan
11/9/2012 – Energy Africa Conference
11/10/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/10/2012 – “Wine with Friends” Assumption 100 year Gala Event
11/10/2012 – CMF & RMCMA’s Feast for the Senses
11/13/2012 – Introduction to Program and Mission Related Investments
11/13/2012 – CJPW’s Focus on Formal Networking
11/13/2012 – University of Colorado Depression Center Fall Fundraising Luncheon
11/14/2012 – American Wine Society Explores the Wines of the French Southern Rhone Valley
11/15/2012 – Video Marketing can jump start your holiday giving campaign!
11/15/2012 – Cherry Creek Business Women’s Network November 2012 Luncheon
11/15/2012 – CPGR Luncheon Program
11/15/2012 – Benefits 101
11/15/2012 – CPGR Program in COS via Webinar
11/15/2012 – Bright Beginnings Goodnight Moon Gala
11/15/2012 – Rooting Down, Rising Up
11/17/2012 – KATA Foundation’s Bravehearts Hoot ‘N’ Holler
11/17/2012 – The Humane Society of the United States & Prairie Dog Coalition’s Annual Gala- Living on Burrowed Time
11/27/2012 – NCNRC November Monthly Nonprofit Networking Event
11/27/2012 – Let’s Talk – Conversations About Women’s Health
11/28/2012 – Capitol Rock
11/29/2012 – Glitter in the Galleries Wine Tasting Gala
11/30/2012 – Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award Yearend Celebration Luncheon
11/30/2012 – Practices in Arts Integration
12/1/2012 – Practices in Arts Integration
12/1/2012 – Raise the Arts with Peter Kudla & RedLine
12/4/2012 – iDE’s Second Annual Leaders in Their Fields Luncheon
12/4/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/5/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/5/2012 – Archway Housing & Services presents ‘The Sound of Music’
12/6/2012 – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
12/6/2012 – Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation Benefit Holiday Party
12/8/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/13/2012 – Alliance of Professional Women Holiday Networking Luncheon
12/15/2012 – Aurora Symphony Orchestra – Holiday Masterworks
12/16/2012 – Aurora Symphony Orchestra, Holiday Masterworks Concert
12/20/2012 – Benefits 101
12/31/2012 – Denver’s Grandest New Year’s Eve Party

DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR A FUTURE ISSUE OF BLACKTIE FOR BUSINESS? Send an email to the editor, Don Knox.

Do you live in a barn, grain silo, water tower, oil derrick, submarine, hollow tree, mausoleum, elevator shaft, post office or anything on wheels? Make that a former barn, grain silo, water tower, etc.

If so, AMS Pictures, the largest production company in the Southwest, wants to hear from you. The company is casting for homeowners in converted homes for the HGTV series You Live in What?, a light-hearted look at unique homes and their owners.

To be considered for the show, you must live in a “repurposed” house, be the homeowner or responsible party, have converted the house yourself, and have photographs or video of the conversion process.

Send your name, contact info, a description of the house and 5 by 10 photographs to: homecasting@amspictures.com.

If your abode is selected, AMS will conduct a one-day shoot at your home at a convenient time. Participants will receive an honorarium, a DVD of the show, and lots of attention from viewers.

More information: www.hgtv.com/you-live-in-what/show/index.html.

Tebow huddles up

The popular Page Six gossip column that runs in The New York Post ran an item Thursday that says Jets quarterback and former Broncos QB Tim Tebow is dating actress Camilla Belle.

According to the story, “Sources tell us the couple met at the Met Ball in May and have quietly been seeing each other ever since. We’re told Tebow, who lives in a storm-damaged part of New Jersey, and Belle avoided the wrath of Sandy by spending the weekend and the early part of this week in Jacksonville, Fla., where his parents have a place.

“They were spotted at Latitude 30 in Jacksonville on Tuesday night, where they bowled ‘and played arcade games ‘together, a spy tells us, adding, ‘They were very together and affectionate, until some young fans asked to take Tim’s picture, when Camilla politely stood aside.’

“They’ve also been spotted together at the beach and at restaurants in town. Belle, who has previously dated Joe Jonas, was raised in a strict Catholic household, and sources tell us she and Tebow have attended church together.”

Let it be

Pacific Edge Gallery at The Streets at SouthGlenn is featuring the complete exhibit of The Art of John Lennon, a collection of more than 120 artworks, including lithographs from the Bag One portfolio.

Each piece is signed by The Beatle, and there will be many rare works and new editions never before seen in the Denver area.

The three-day exhibit is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. More at www.lennonart.com.

Museum madness

A record 22 museums will open their doors for free during the six annual Denver’s Night at the Museums from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

“By staying open all evening on a Saturday night and offering all our museums for free, we create a special event that’s great for families, or a unique date night, or just a time to get out and see a new museum you have never experienced before,” said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver.

Free shuttle buses will make a continuous loop connecting downtown museums to several outlying ones. Many of the museums will have special events.

Night at the Museums is part of Denver Arts Week, a nine-day celebration of the arts in The Mile High City through Nov. 10. For more information on Denver’s Night at the Museums or Denver Arts Week, go to www.denverartsweek.com.

Christmas comes to Arvada

Arvada’s Grizzly Creek Framing welcomes Colorado artist Cheryl St. John from 5 to 8 tonight to celebrate her work Awaiting Spring that was recently named the official image of the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree.

St. John, whose talents in oil painting landed her this national recognition, will be the guest of honor at tonight’s reception at 5545 Olde Wadsworth.

Awaiting Spring will accompany the National Christmas Tree, which will be taken from the White River National Forest near Meeker, on a 22-city tour en route to Washington, D.C., for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 26. More information on the artist at www.cherylstjohn.com.

Caption: The White River National Forest and its nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors announced Cheryl St. John’s “Awaiting Spring” has been selected as the official artwork to represent the 2012 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. St. John is a Colorado-based artist.

Opening

The owners of ChoLon will open Gather, a new cafe and lounge inside the Rocky Mountain Bank Note building on 1062 Delaware St., under the same roof as Galvanize, a Denver-based digital startup hub, co-owned by ChoLon partner Jim Deters.

Breakfast, lunch, snacks and happy hour will be served from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. ChoLon chef Lon Symensma will create the menu. More at www.gatherdenver.com.

Open

Tony Pasquini returns to Uptown with Pasquini’s 17th opening today inside the old JR’s space on 17th and Clarkson.

The restaurant will feature the traditional Italian family recipes made famous at Pasquini’s Highland, Pasquini’s Lone Tree and at Tony P’s in Cherry Creek plus they have enhanced the menu with an added focus on healthier options.

“We craft our Italian family recipes with an eye toward healthy eating, promote local food producers and keep our prices affordable,” Pasquini said. “We offer many low-calorie, gluten-free and vegetarian options, and have added Napolitana style pizzas to our extensive menu.  We are excited  for the opportunity to participate in our family of shared values – community, acceptance and love of good food and hospitality. ”

Judy “Mama” Pasquini, the Italian family’s matriarch, will meet and greet guests.

The kitchen in the 17th Avenue location will satisfy late-night diners by staying open until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and till 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. There are two “Happier Hours” from 4 to 6 p.m., and from 9 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. More info at www.tonypasquini.com.

* True Food Kitchen, 2800 E. Second Ave., opened Monday serving healthy global cuisine including several vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

The concept was developed by best-selling author Dr. Andrew Weil in partnership with Fox Restaurant Concepts, owner of North in Cherry Creek North.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. More at www.foxrc.com.

* Jelly, the darling breakfast and lunch spot at 13th and Pearl streets opened a second location Thursday at 1700 E. Evans Ave. The sure-to-be hot spot will open seven days a week.

Closed

Fleur Bistro, the tiny Capitol Hill restaurant at 1225 Logan, closed Sunday. The owners reportedly plan to keep their other restaurant Zydeco’s open at 17th and Wynkoop.

Raise the roof at Raise The Arts

Metropolitan Homes honcho (and a real character) Peter Kudla and RedLine gallery and event center invite you to Raise the Arts, a celebration to benefit RedLine educational and community development, beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at 2350 Arapahoe St.

Tickets are $200 and may be purchased online at www.blacktie-colorado.com. Enter event code “redline121″. More information: www.redlineart.org or by calling 303-296-4448.

Eavesdropping on a man posting on Facebook: “What the heck?  I was watching TV tonight and right in the middle of my political ads, a television show came on!  What is that about?”

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.

Welcome to Blacktie-Colorado’s new periodic column for nonprofit organizations! If you have questions about this email, please write to Brett McCann-Lehl at brett@blacktie-llc.com. If you want to start getting Blacktie Bulletin emailed to you, sign up here.

BLACKTIE-COLORADO.COM

A BOULDER-BASED STARTUP developed out of the University of Colorado received a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CU officials announced Thursday. Mobile Assay Inc. — a company developing technology that integrates mobile devices, test strips, geo-tagging and cloud computing to assess effects from seed-borne pathogens — was the winner of the Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Exploration Round 9 grants. More than 80 of the $100,000 grants were awarded Thursday.

SPRINT FOUNDATION’S 2012 grant recipients are Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, awarded $25,000, Denver Kids, Inc., $15,000, and Denver Museum of Nature & Science, $10,000.

THE ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB FOUNDATION is making a difference for troubled teens. The Foundation donated $80,000 to The Second Wind Fund, which aims to decrease the number of teen suicides by giving them access to counselors and treatments. According to Barb Lutz, the foundation’s secretary, the money is raised through an annual golf tournament and gala event that is held at the country club.

LATEST ‘CAPTURED EVENTS’ ON BLACKTIE
* October 29, 2012 – ArtReach Dine & D’art Kickoff
* October 24, 2012 – Young Artists Live Life to the Fullest with Aurora Mental Health Center
* October 27, 2012 – City Slicker Soiree 2012

BLACKTIE IS SPONSORING A FREE SEMINAR on how to use video to enhance your fundraising and events. It’s 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 E Tufts Ave. Register here.

THE PUKSTA FOUNDATION made grants totaling $160,000 as part of its Puksta Scholar program. The money funds 44 scholarships for the 2012-13 school year at the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver and Colorado State University.

ST. THOMAS MORE HEALTH FOUNDATION has given the Canon City Police Department two automatic external defibrillators, which are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest.

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OF DENVER/BOULDER said Thursday it has begun publishing the details of complaints against businesses and nonprofits in their entirety on its website.

GOOD NEWS: Colorado is experiencing a decline in economic insecurity as household resources begin to stabilize in many parts of the country, according to a report released Thursday by the Rockefeller Foundation and Yale University professor Jacob Hacker .

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT on Blacktie-Colorado for just $150 a week. Email Brett McCann-Lehl at brett@blacktie-llc.com.

THE DENVER CSU ALUMNI NETWORK is looking for projects in the first half of 2013 to participate in as a volunteer group. Email: knpohly@yahoo.com

NEW ADVERTISER: HANDEL’S MESSIAH (PART 1: CHRISTMAS)
Saturday, December 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, 7:30 pm (Doors open at 6:15 pm)
Saint John’s Cathedral
1350 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80203

Please note that the first two rows of seats are reserved for patrons. For information on becoming a Patron, please contact Stephen Tappe at 303-577-7726. Please also note that your ticket guarantees you a seat within your chosen row only. The nursery is open for these performances.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH (ABOVE) IS USING EFFICIENT TICKETS. Consider Efficient Tickets, Blacktie’s sister company, for your next ticketed event. Online ticketing is inexpensive, consumer-friendly and provides your organization with valuable purchasing and entrance data. Contact Brett McCann-Lehl at 303-339-3819.

HAVING TROUBLE MANAGING DONATION REQUESTS? Blacktie can set up a website for your business or organization that makes it easy for you to be responsive to charity requests and carefully manage all aspects of the process. Here’s a request page we set up for a local company. For information about BT Donation Tracker, call Don Knox at 720-272-0961.

SPRINGS FUNDRAISING EFFORT LAUNCHES: Thursday at midnight, the 2012 Indy GiVE! campaign website went online. The project is coordinated by the Pikes Peak Community Foundation and the Colorado Springs Independent. Donors tripled their contributions in the previous three campaigns from $198,234 in 2009 to $699,823 in 2011.

MONEY FOR HOUSING: Fort Collins-based nonprofit Funding Partners will handle loan originations for all mortgages for Loveland Habitat for Humanity.

DID YOU KNOW? You can advertise your nonprofit event easily and affordably to 300,000 readers in the 17 Colorado Community Media newspapers from Thornton to Castle Rock? Blacktie offers discounted rates to organizations that have not previously advertised in the CCM publications. These publications include Arvada Press, Castle Rock News-Press, Centennial Citizen, Douglas County News-Press, Englewood Herald, Golden Transcript, Highlands Ranch Herald, Lakewood Sentinel, Littleton Independent, Lone Tree Voice, Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel, Parker Chronicle, Westminster Window, Westsider and Wheat Ridge Transcript. Call Brett McCann-Lehl or Don Knox at 303-832-2903 for more details!

COMING EVENTS ON BLACKTIE: DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER!

Tomorrow – Broomfield Early Childhood Summit – DIRECTOR’S BREAKFAST
Tomorrow – Broomfield Early Childhood Summit
11/5/2012 – Denver Business Forum: Latin America presented by the MSU Denver School of Business
11/7/2012 – Stout Street Foundation’s Annual Fall Luncheon and Silent Auction
11/7/2012 – AMTA-CO Chapter Community Service Massage Team Training
11/8/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/8/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
11/8/2012 – Alliance of Professional Women November Networking Luncheon
11/8/2012 – 21st Annual Civil Rights Awards
11/8/2012 – A Taste for Life benefiting Project Angel Heart
11/8/2012 – Energy Africa Conference
11/9/2012 – 2012 Statewide Sustainability Roundtable
11/9/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/9/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
11/9/2012 – Sport Sales Workshop
11/9/2012 – National Philanthropy Day in Colorado
11/9/2012 – Book Beat Luncheon with Joe McGowan
11/9/2012 – Energy Africa Conference
11/10/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/10/2012 – “Wine with Friends” Assumption 100 year Gala Event
11/10/2012 – CMF & RMCMA’s Feast for the Senses
11/13/2012 – Introduction to Program and Mission Related Investments
11/13/2012 – CJPW’s Focus on Formal Networking
11/13/2012 – University of Colorado Depression Center Fall Fundraising Luncheon
11/14/2012 – American Wine Society Explores the Wines of the French Southern Rhone Valley
11/15/2012 – Video Marketing can jump start your holiday giving campaign!
11/15/2012 – Cherry Creek Business Women’s Network November 2012 Luncheon
11/15/2012 – CPGR Luncheon Program
11/15/2012 – Benefits 101
11/15/2012 – CPGR Program in COS via Webinar
11/15/2012 – Bright Beginnings Goodnight Moon Gala
11/15/2012 – Rooting Down, Rising Up
11/17/2012 – KATA Foundation’s Bravehearts Hoot ‘N’ Holler
11/17/2012 – The Humane Society of the United States & Prairie Dog Coalition’s Annual Gala- Living on Burrowed Time
11/27/2012 – NCNRC November Monthly Nonprofit Networking Event
11/27/2012 – Let’s Talk – Conversations About Women’s Health
11/28/2012 – Capitol Rock
11/29/2012 – Glitter in the Galleries Wine Tasting Gala
11/30/2012 – Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award Yearend Celebration Luncheon
11/30/2012 – Practices in Arts Integration
12/1/2012 – Practices in Arts Integration
12/1/2012 – Raise the Arts with Peter Kudla & RedLine
12/4/2012 – iDE’s Second Annual Leaders in Their Fields Luncheon
12/4/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/5/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/5/2012 – Archway Housing & Services presents ‘The Sound of Music’
12/6/2012 – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
12/6/2012 – Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation Benefit Holiday Party
12/8/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/13/2012 – Alliance of Professional Women Holiday Networking Luncheon
12/15/2012 – Aurora Symphony Orchestra – Holiday Masterworks
12/16/2012 – Aurora Symphony Orchestra, Holiday Masterworks Concert
12/20/2012 – Benefits 101
12/31/2012 – Denver’s Grandest New Year’s Eve Party

DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR A FUTURE ISSUE OF BLACKTIE FOR BUSINESS? Send an email to the editor, Don Knox.

Only the annual Children’s Hospital Gala would sell out of individual tickets more than two weeks out.

Denver denizens dress in their fancy black-tie finery and come out in droves to support such a worthy cause – this time for the 35th year.

Some attendees come for the entertainment – this year comedian Craig Ferguson of CBS’ The Late Late Show – others show up because the gala is among the top events of the season, and then the majority of the gala goers come to support such a great cause.

The event, from 5:30 to 11:45 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center, includes a live auction with a trip to the 55th annual Grammy Awards and a five-night Hawaiian vacation, a silent auction, dinner and dancing.

Table sponsorships are still available. For more information, go to www.childrenscoloradofoundation.org/gala or call 720-777-1768.

For 35 years, the Rocky Mountain community has contributed more than $25 million to Children’s Hospital Colorado through the Children’s Gala, and the event continues to be one of the largest annual fundraising events for the hospital.

Liquor license approved

Denver’s first Trader Joe’s grocery store at 790 N. Colorado Blvd. has received approval from Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses for the only liquor license the state will allow the chain.

The applicant, Trader Joe’s Company, was represented by attorney Brian C. Proffitt, of the firm of Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP.  The licensing authority was represented by assistant city attorney Dan Douglas.  No parties appeared in protest to the proposed application.

The liquor license application approval is tentative until final inspections.

Bonanno taking Lancer Lounge space

Chef/proprietor Frank Bonanno has added Vesper Lounge, in the recently shuttered Lancer Lounge space at 233 E. Seventh Ave., to the Bonanno Concepts restaurant group.

“Over two weeks ago, Becky Conda, longtime neighbor and owner of the Lancer Lounge, acceded to personal financial pressures and shuttered the neighborhood staple,” Bonanno said in a prepared statement. “I’ve been part of this neighborhood with Becky for over 11 years, and the transition hasn’t been easy to witness. It’s been especially strange on the weekends, walking by a patio eerily void of guests, Becky and her dog.

“Our landlord approached me about assuming the Lancer lease last week. We’ve shared a real estate footprint — the Lancer neatly situated beneath the Bonanno Concepts office and among Mizuna, Luca and Bones — and although I never set out on this particular course (I’m more of a restaurant guy, for sure), I’m honored to announce that the Lancer will be reopening, under a different name, and under my ownership.

“I’ll keep it a neighborhood spot — a nice, clean little bar with inexpensive drinks, a couple of televisions, and maybe a few more beers on draft. We’ll also implement a small bar menu, and I’ve toyed around with the idea of offering brunch on Fridays and Saturdays. I haven’t worked through the entire concept yet, but Vesper Lounge will be opening as soon as my colleagues and I can wrap our heads firmly around the undertaking — a homage to over 40 years of drinking done under the same roof and in a neighborhood for which I care deeply.”

Vesper Lounge will be one of two new additions to Bonanno Concepts, which already includes Mizuna, Luca d’Italia, Osteria Marco, Bones, Green Russell, Wednesday’s Pie, Lou’s Food Bar and Russell’s Smokehouse. Bonanno announced plans for Bonanno Brother’s Pizzeria earlier this month, which will open at The Vistas at Park Meadows in Lone Tree, early 2013.

An opening date for Vesper Lounge has not been announced, but the bar will likely open before the end of the year. Follow @FrankBonanno on Twitter for concepts updates.

Perfect pair

Pairsine (pronounced pair-ZEEN) is a chef and wine pairing from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Grand Hyatt Denver (1750 Welton St.) during The Denver International Wine Festival.

Nine wine-savvy chefs will compete to make 20 dishes paired with award-winning wines. Chefs are provided sample bottles of wine to taste and develop their paired dishes.

A panel of local food and wine critics will taste each culinary creation with its assigned wine and will select the Best Chef and Most Creative Chef winners. Event attendees will geet to cast their votes for the People’s Choice award.

Competing chefs are Tom Coohill, of Coohills, Lon Symensma of ChoLon, Jensen Cummings of Row 14, Sergio Romero of Le Grand Bistro, Patrick Hartnett of Kachina Grill, Jay Leandro of Pub 17 on Welton, Ryan Leinonen of Trillium, Samir Mohammad of Lala’s Wine Bar + Pizzeria and David Harker of The Meritage Restaurant in the Omni Interlocken Resort.

Tickets are $100 (but there’s a $20 discount with the code eatsip20 by Nov. 2) at http://denverwinefest.eventbrite.com/.

Product placement

The Today show’s fourth-hour hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are known for famously sipping cocktails or wine during their show (at 11 a.m. locally on 9News), but on Tuesday – booze day – they switched things up.

During “The Guy Show”, where they examined the male intellect while chilling out on overstuffed recliner chairs, the goofy gals slugged down Golden’s own Coors Light nestled in Koozies. That’s one for the home team!

Eavesdropping on a man talking about Halloween: “There is no fun in ‘fun-sized’ candy.”

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.

Welcome to Blacktie-Colorado’s new periodic column for nonprofit organizations! If you have questions about this email, please write to Brett McCann-Lehl at brett@blacktie-llc.com. If you want to start getting Blacktie for Business emailed to you, sign up here.

BLACKTIE-COLORADO.COM

A CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE STUDY, due for release in the first quarter of 2013, will count nonprofits in El Paso and Teller counties (not including churches); show distribution of those nonprofits by type and size; provide detailed summaries of revenues and expenditures; estimate numbers of employees; show salaries and benefits; measure goods and services; calculate a total economic impact; and give a peek at the industry’s “social return on investment.”

DON’T SELL THE RANCH: The University of Wyoming Faculty Senate agrees with a Denver philanthropist that the family ranch she donated shouldn’t be sold, but that’s not likely to stop the sale, The Associated Press reports.

LATEST ‘CAPTURED EVENTS’ ON BLACKTIE
* October 26, 2012 – Circles of Change Honors Tolerance and Friendship

GOING DIGITAL: The nonprofit Wheeler Opera House, in Aspen, is using local tax funds to convert its projection system.

BLACKTIE IS SPONSORING A FREE SEMINAR on how to use video to enhance your fundraising and events. It’s 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 at Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, 7800 E Tufts Ave. Register here.

IN BOULDER, more than 340 adults and children attended the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in our Jewish Community event featuring keynote speaker Temple Grandin at Congregation Har HaShem last Thursday night, despite snowy weather and cancellations.

REST IN PEACE: Booger — the heart, soul and sturdy foundation of a streetside act that brought together dog, cat and rat for performances that amused millions (if you count online) — has died.

DEC. 4 IS COLORADO GIVES DAY — a day where each community member can “give where they live.”

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT on Blacktie-Colorado for just $150 a week. Email Brett McCann-Lehl at brett@blacktie-llc.com.

THE DENVER CSU ALUMNI NETWORK is looking for projects in the first half of 2013 to participate in as a volunteer group. Email: knpohly@yahoo.com

NEW ADVERTISER: HANDEL’S MESSIAH (PART 1: CHRISTMAS)
Saturday, December 8, and Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, 7:30 pm (Doors open at 6:15 pm)
Saint John’s Cathedral
1350 Washington Street
Denver, CO 80203

Please note that the first two rows of seats are reserved for patrons. For information on becoming a Patron, please contact Stephen Tappe at 303-577-7726. Please also note that your ticket guarantees you a seat within your chosen row only. The nursery is open for these performances.

HANDEL’S MESSIAH (ABOVE) IS USING EFFICIENT TICKETS. Consider Efficient Tickets, Blacktie’s sister company, for your next ticketed event. Online ticketing is inexpensive, consumer-friendly and provides your organization with valuable purchasing and entrance data. Contact Brett McCann-Lehl at 303-339-3819.

KEEPING ‘EM ROLLING: Officials at the nonprofit B-cycle bike share system program in Boulder have decided to keep the program rolling along throughout the winter.

GOOD FOR YOU: Chuck Murphy, who served briefly The Denver Post as a metro columnist for the paper before taking on a different position amid a series of cost-cutting moves, is leaving the paper to work for an unnamed nonprofit.

GOOD FOR YOU II: Via, a nonprofit organization that serves Boulder County, hired Nicole Cavalino as director of customer and community services. Cavalino, who recently moved to Louisville from Los Angeles, will oversee Via’s quality assurance program, safety, customer service, client advocacy, service development and mobility management. viacolorado.org.

GOOD FOR YOU III: WOW! Children’s Museum, in Lafayette, selected a new executive director, Jennifer Hinderliter, to succeed the founding director effective Oct. 1. Hinderliter has more than 10 years experience with a variety of nonprofits, most recently as development director for Family Star Montessori school in Denver. wowchildrensmuseum.org.

HAVING TROUBLE MANAGING DONATION REQUESTS? Blacktie can set up a website for your business or organization that makes it easy for you to be responsive to charity requests and carefully manage all aspects of the process. Here’s a request page we set up for a local company. For information about BT Donation Tracker, call Don Knox at 720-272-0961.

DID YOU KNOW? You can advertise your nonprofit event easily and affordably to 300,000 readers in the 17 Colorado Community Media newspapers from Thornton to Castle Rock? Blacktie offers discounted rates to organizations that have not previously advertised in the CCM publications. These publications include Arvada Press, Castle Rock News-Press, Centennial Citizen, Douglas County News-Press, Englewood Herald, Golden Transcript, Highlands Ranch Herald, Lakewood Sentinel, Littleton Independent, Lone Tree Voice, Northglenn-Thornton Sentinel, Parker Chronicle, Westminster Window, Westsider and Wheat Ridge Transcript. Call Brett McCann-Lehl or Don Knox at 303-832-2903 for more details!

COMING EVENTS ON BLACKTIE: DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER!
Tomorrow – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
Tomorrow – Fashion Group International Denver presents A Night At The Movies: “Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel”
11/2/2012 – Christ the King’s Fall Fest 2012
11/3/2012 – Broomfield Early Childhood Summit – DIRECTOR’S BREAKFAST
11/3/2012 – Broomfield Early Childhood Summit
11/5/2012 – Denver Business Forum: Latin America presented by the MSU Denver School of Business
11/7/2012 – Stout Street Foundation’s Annual Fall Luncheon and Silent Auction
11/7/2012 – AMTA-CO Chapter Community Service Massage Team Training
11/8/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/8/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
11/8/2012 – Alliance of Professional Women November Networking Luncheon
11/8/2012 – 21st Annual Civil Rights Awards
11/8/2012 – A Taste for Life benefiting Project Angel Heart
11/8/2012 – Energy Africa Conference
11/9/2012 – 2012 Statewide Sustainability Roundtable
11/9/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/9/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
11/9/2012 – Sport Sales Workshop
11/9/2012 – National Philanthropy Day in Colorado
11/9/2012 – Book Beat Luncheon with Joe McGowan
11/9/2012 – Energy Africa Conference
11/10/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/10/2012 – “Wine with Friends” Assumption 100 year Gala Event
11/10/2012 – CMF & RMCMA’s Feast for the Senses
11/13/2012 – Introduction to Program and Mission Related Investments
11/13/2012 – CJPW’s Focus on Formal Networking
11/13/2012 – University of Colorado Depression Center Fall Fundraising Luncheon
11/14/2012 – American Wine Society Explores the Wines of the French Southern Rhone Valley
11/15/2012 – Video Marketing can jump start your holiday giving campaign!
11/15/2012 – Cherry Creek Business Women’s Network November 2012 Luncheon
11/15/2012 – CPGR Luncheon Program
11/15/2012 – Benefits 101
11/15/2012 – CPGR Program in COS via Webinar
11/15/2012 – Bright Beginnings Goodnight Moon Gala
11/15/2012 – Rooting Down, Rising Up
11/17/2012 – KATA Foundation’s Bravehearts Hoot ‘N’ Holler
11/17/2012 – The Humane Society of the United States & Prairie Dog Coalition’s Annual Gala- Living on Burrowed Time
11/27/2012 – NCNRC November Monthly Nonprofit Networking Event
11/27/2012 – Let’s Talk – Conversations About Women’s Health
11/28/2012 – Capitol Rock
11/29/2012 – Glitter in the Galleries Wine Tasting Gala
11/30/2012 – Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award Yearend Celebration Luncheon
11/30/2012 – Practices in Arts Integration
12/1/2012 – Practices in Arts Integration
12/1/2012 – Raise the Arts with Peter Kudla & RedLine
12/4/2012 – iDE’s Second Annual Leaders in Their Fields Luncheon
12/4/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/5/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/5/2012 – Archway Housing & Services presents ‘The Sound of Music’
12/6/2012 – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
12/6/2012 – Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation Benefit Holiday Party
12/8/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
12/13/2012 – Alliance of Professional Women Holiday Networking Luncheon
12/15/2012 – Aurora Symphony Orchestra – Holiday Masterworks
12/16/2012 – Aurora Symphony Orchestra, Holiday Masterworks Concert
12/20/2012 – Benefits 101
12/31/2012 – Denver’s Grandest New Year’s Eve Party

DO YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR A FUTURE ISSUE OF BLACKTIE FOR BUSINESS? Send an email to the editor, Don Knox.

Chef/proprietor Frank Bonanno has added Vesper Lounge, in the recently shuttered Lancer Lounge space at 233 E. Seventh Ave., to the Bonanno Concepts restaurant group.

“Over two weeks ago, Becky Conda, longtime neighbor and owner of the Lancer Lounge, acceded to personal financial pressures and shuttered the neighborhood staple,” Bonanno said in a prepared statement. “I’ve been part of this neighborhood with Becky for over 11 years, and the transition hasn’t been easy to witness. It’s been especially strange on the weekends, walking by a patio eerily void of guests, Becky and her dog.

“Our landlord approached me about assuming the Lancer lease last week. We’ve shared a real estate footprint — the Lancer neatly situated beneath the Bonanno Concepts office and among Mizuna, Luca and Bones — and although I never set out on this particular course (I’m more of a restaurant guy, for sure), I’m honored to announce that the Lancer will be reopening, under a different name, and under my ownership.

“I’ll keep it a neighborhood spot — a nice, clean little bar with inexpensive drinks, a couple of televisions, and maybe a few more beers on draft. We’ll also implement a small bar menu, and I’ve toyed around with the idea of offering brunch on Fridays and Saturdays. I haven’t worked through the entire concept yet, but Vesper Lounge will be opening as soon as my colleagues and I can wrap our heads firmly around the undertaking — a homage to over 40 years of drinking done under the same roof and in a neighborhood for which I care deeply.”

Vesper Lounge will be one of two new additions to Bonanno Concepts, which already includes Mizuna, Luca d’Italia, Osteria Marco, Bones, Green Russell, Wednesday’s Pie, Lou’s Food Bar and Russell’s Smokehouse. Bonanno announced plans for Bonanno Brother’s Pizzeria earlier this month, which will open at The Vistas at Park Meadows in Lone Tree, early 2013.

An opening date for Vesper Lounge has not been announced, but the bar will likely open before the end of the year. Follow @FrankBonanno on Twitter for concepts updates.

Denver’s first Trader Joe’s grocery store at 790 N. Colorado Blvd. has received approval from Denver’s Department of Excise and Licenses for the only liquor license the state will allow the chain.

The applicant, Trader Joe’s Company, was represented by attorney Brian C. Proffitt, of the firm of Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP.  The Licensing Authority was represented by assistant city attorney Dan Douglas.  No parties appeared in protest to the proposed application.

The liquor license application approval is tentative until final inspections.

Pat “Gabby Gourmet” Miller won’t talk trash about restaurants.

In her 27th edition of the Gabby Gourmet Restaurant Guide, which just hit bookstores, select restaurants and cooking stores, Gabs continues that tradition.

“I try to give people an idea of the place, and do not write up negative reviews,” she said.

Instead, she bestows “pig” ratings on restaurants. To die for, the highest rating possible, means, “An absolutely divine experience, and we believe they are Colorado’s over-the-top spots for dining.”

Five pigs: “This is the creme de la creme for the very best restaurants in the area.”

Four pigs: “Some deliciously top-notch eating places.”

Three pigs: “Fun places to dine.”

NR or no rating: “Restaurants are too new to rate or are markets.”

And she tosses in a half pig for restaurants who are in between a solid number of pigs.

Making the coveted to die for cut this year were: Barolo Grill, D-Bar Desserts (which also serves savory fare), Elway’s Cherry Creek, Elway’s in The Ritz-Carlton Denver, Frasca Food & Wine, Fruition, L’Atelier, Linger, Mizuna, Rioja, Root Down and Shanahan’s.

For the second year, Gabby includes a “Gabalicious” list, “highlights of her favorite selection of dishes from the best and brightest of the area’s culinary creators.”

At Solera, for example, she recommends the Thai style calamari. At Z Cuisine, the duck cassoulet is simply Gabalicious.

What keeps her from putting the pigs out to pasture after all these years?

“Because things change so much, and I think having a book to give you the location, hours, reservations, cross streets, price, etc., is a special thing to have all in one place,” she said. “I hope people like the reviews, but the information is super anyway.”

Ambria auction

Ambria, the restaurant that recently closed on 16th Street and Larimer, will auction off about a third of its equipment in an online only bidding process, beginning at 5 p.m. today.

An inspection of the merchandise will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the former restaurant, 1201 16th St.

Principal owner Steve Halliday is in negotiations to lease a new smaller space with parking. He plans to reopen Ambria when the lease is signed.

“We’re only selling one-third of the stuff, and all of the kitchen equipment, if possible,” Halliday said. “I don’t want to do another build-out. I am looking for a restaurant where the owner has had enough.”

More details on the auction at  http://www.rollerauction.com/auction/41216_AmbriaInternetOnlyAuctionbrfon.asp.

Follow the bouncing ball

Do you have what it takes to be Denver’s Top Table Tennis Champ?

Starting Tuesday, Ace, the ping-pong parlor from the owners of Vesta Dipping Grill and Steuben’s, will host a weekly Table Tennis Tournament from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

All matches will be singles, and registration will begin at 6 p.m. at Ace, 501 E. 17th Ave. Tournaments will be limited to 16 participants, and prizes for the weekly winner may include bar tabs, gift cards, swag and more.

Dates, times and prizes may vary, so check the Ace website, www.acedenver.com, or call the restaurant at 303-800-7705 for further details.

24-hour diner dining

Tom’s Urban 24, the 24-hour diner on the corner of 15th and Larimer, opens Wednesday, but I got a sneak peek during a press luncheon last Friday.

The Semple Brown-designed space is ’60s funky with round booths reminiscent of Snooze further down the street on Larimer and 22nd.

Tom’s menu is eclectic with everything from pizza to burritos to pho. LoDo’s only 24-hour eatery was the brainchild of founder Tom Ryan, who also started the Smashburger chain.

The restaurant serves breakfast from 5 to 11 a.m. (till noon weekends), lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (noon to 4 on weekends), dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. and late night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Reservations are available at www.opentable.com, and valet will be offered at the Capital Grille valet stand.

More information: www.tomsurban24.com.

Scary shot

Kind of scary that I didn’t know this, but I was recently informed that Halloween originated in Ireland as a pagan festival celebrated by Celts, who called it “Samhain”, Gaelic for “end of Summer”.

Since that’s where all of the ghoulish craziness began, why not start your merriment at The Celtic Tavern with a JagerMonster? The $3.50 shot is Jagermeister with a RZO floater.  RZO, pronounced “rizzo”, is a Kava-based relaxation drink that is naturally orange in color, fittingly making the shot black and orange.  The Celtic Tavern has two locations, one in LoDo at 18^th and Blake and one in Littleton at Riverside Downs on Belleview.

Mad for Mondo

Mondo Guerra, the Denver designer who reached national acclaim as the winner of the first Project Runway All-Stars, will be the attraction during a special wine hour with him from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at Hotel Monaco.

Mondo will be available to mingle and take pictures with guests or discuss the latest fashion trends.

In addition the hotel is offering a Monaco Loves Mondo package for one night only on Nov. 2. It includes a deluxe guest room, valet parking and an exclusive Mondo tote bag filled with a pair of Mondo’s Sock it to Me socks along with a couple of his favorite Colorado-made products

In support of Mondo’s favorite charity, Denver Colorado Aids Project will receive a $10 donation for every room night booked. The package can be booked at: www.monaco-denver.com.mondmn_specials.html by using the code MONDO. RSVPs for the wine event only can be sent to sales@monaco-denver.com.

Sign of the Times

At a Conoco station on York Street and Sixth  Avenue: “You need a flat tire like a hole in the tread.”

Eavesdropping on Facebook after Saturday’s Oregon-CU game: “In what bizarre-o, rock-paper-scissors world does duck beat buffalo … 70-14?”

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.