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

SHOULDN’T YOU BE THINKING SPRING? When it comes to events, Blacktie definitely has its ear to the ground. Accordingly, we’ve got the greatest social calendar in the city. That’s why we know how early spring gets sprung — last week saw four spring events (and one summer event) added to our scene-setting social calendar. Does your organization have its spring calendar set? If not, now is definitely the time to pick your date and plan your fete. Here are some of the latest events:
* 3/7/2013 – Warren Village All-Star Breakfast
* 4/11/2013 – Celebrating Civic Leadership Luncheon
* 4/12/2013 – 19th Annual Damon Runyon Award Banquet
* 5/18/2013 – Man & Woman of the Year Gala benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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.

LATEST ‘CAPTURED EVENTS’ ON BLACKTIE
* October 24, 2012 – LIGHT: A Celebration of the McNichols Building
* October 24, 2012 – Young Artists Live Life to the Fullest with Aurora Mental Health Center

CABLELAND GETS A MAKEOVER TO BE A BETTER PLACE TO ENTERTAIN. Writes Suzanne Brown: “The pink baby grand is gone. So are the puffy sofas, the elephant sculptures and the conversation pit. To some, Cableland will always be the “mauve mansion” built in the late 1980s by businessman Bill Daniels. Now, though, the home’s decor has officially joined the 21st century.”

GOODWILL’S MIKE PRITCHARD on why the organization assists United Way: “Goodwill decided to be a part of this giving campaign in the spirit of giving back to our community and showing that it’s not all about Goodwill here at our headquarters. “

ARE YOU IN TELLURIDE? Today’s the deadline for Telluride Foundation grants.

GOOD FOR YOU: David Brown has been named vice president of information technology and business applications for the Daniels Fund. He previously served as a financial analyst and information technology manager for Land Title Guarantee Company.

ADVERTISER: NECRO NOCHE IS TONIGHT
What’s even better than a Halloween party at Linger? A Halloween party at Linger to support a good cause! Join us TONIGHT for Necro Noche, a spooky fundraiser, featuring:
~ The best in local restaurant fare from Linger, Cholon, Beast & Bottle, Twelve, Row14 and more
~ Complimentary cocktails
~ Killer entertainment
~ Interactive fun ‘n’ games
~ Costumes required (badass prize for the best costume)
~ $100 General Admission tickets include: heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and entertainment
~ $150 VIP tickets include: early access to cocktail hour at 6pm, a private party tent on the roof, and a $25 gift certificate to Linger
~ 100% of net proceeds benefit The GrowHaus.

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.

CHOOSE OUTDOORS, a nonprofit organization that promotes outdoor recreation on public lands, has announced plans to raise $25,000 to support restoration of forest areas damaged in the 2012 Waldo Canyon and High Park fires in Colorado.

GOOD FOR YOU: Kathryn Tobey, the Lockheed Martin vice president responsible for the company’s military-satellite program, which employs 700 scientists and engineers, was named Woman of the Year on Friday by the Women’sVision Foundation.

IN VAIL AREA, LOCAL CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM GOLF TOURNEY: SteamMasterGolf, the community volunteers from SteamMaster Restoration and Cleaning, raised more than $52,600 by hosting two events this year. Golf tournaments were held May 31 at Country Club of the Rockies, Arrowhead, and Sept. 26 at Adam’s Mountain Country Club, Eagle. The four beneficiaries of this year’s events, Vail Valley Charitable Fund, HomeCare and Hospice of the Valley, Matthews Family Education Fund and Ski-Snowboard Club Vail, each received net proceeds of $10,350.

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!
Tonight – The GrowHaus — Necro Noche
10/30/2012 – 10th Annual Partners for a Bold Future Breakfast
10/30/2012 – Friends of the Haven Annual Fundraiser and Dinner
10/30/2012 – Chefs 180 featuring Daniel Asher of Linger
10/31/2012 – CBCA’s 2012 Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture
10/31/2012 – Martian Sock Hop Halloween Ball Benefitting the Historic Elitch Theatre
11/1/2012 – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
11/1/2012 – Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation annual gala
11/2/2012 – Christ the King’s Fall Fest 2012
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 – The Denver Scholarship Foundation’s 2012 Ed Gala- Presented by DaVita and the Thiry O’Leary Foundation
11/8/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/8/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
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 – Energy Africa Conference
11/10/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/10/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/10/2012 – “Wine with Friends” Assumption 100 year Gala Event
11/10/2012 – CMF & RMCMA’s Feast for the Senses
11/13/2012 – CJPW’s Focus on Formal Networking
11/13/2012 – University of Colorado Depression Center Fall Fundraising Luncheon
11/13/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/14/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/15/2012 – CPGR Luncheon Program
11/15/2012 – Benefits 101
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
11/28/2012 – Capitol Rock
11/30/2012 – Introduction to Arts Integration

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

Andre van Hall, the popular CEO and general manager of the Denver Athletic Club who lost most of his eyesight, was dismissed by the board of directors Tuesday.

“It had been long coming,” van Hall told me Thursday. “There is a group wanting to do things very differently, so they pushed me out the door.”

Van Hall, who knew most of the 2,000 club members by name, was hired to run the 128-year-old Denver institution 10 years ago. Nearly four years ago, van Hall was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that took most of the sight in his left eye. Then late last year, the disease attacked the other eye, rendering him legally blind.

I profiled van Hall’s journey into near darkness in this story for The Denver Post: http://www.denverpost.com/fitness/ci_19888681.

What struck me most at the time was not only his upbeat attitude, but his agility in getting around the massive building on Glenarm with all its stairs, narrow hallways and tricky turns.

When it was apparent that his eyesight was permanently impaired, the board of directors approved the purchase of special equipment van Hall needed to do his job. This equipment included a 32-inch monitor with a machine that enlarges letters to 3-inch type that he can still read.

When I spoke with him on Thursday, van Hall was at the club cleaning out his office. He called the experience “heartbreaking.”

“They’re such a great group of people in this club, it’s a shame that a smaller group wants to do things their way,” he said. In the end, van Hall and the board of directors couldn’t agree on the direction of the club.

“They wanted me to eliminate staff and I didn’t think we should. They wanted the club to be more exclusive. I’m told they made some hurtful comments about my disability and ability to run the club. I was being undermined every step of the way.”

David Hague, the acting general manager and comptroller, answered my request for comment by saying, “First, I want to assure you that in no way is Andre’s current situation related to his eyesight. The club is dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity employment, and we do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, race, sexual orientation, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability or any other status protected by state or local law.

“The DAC is making a change because, in the best judgment of the board of directors, it needs to do so in order to ensure its continued viability.  In addition, the DAC and Andre are at an impasse regarding his rather onerous contract that was negotiated with Andre long before the current board and board president were involved.

“As we look to maintain the superior level of programs and services we offer our membership in the midst of a very difficult economic environment, it is essential that we evaluate every aspect of our budget.  It is imperative to ensure that the DAC is being managed in a manner consistent with these goals.  The board therefore voted to give Andre the 30-day notice required by his contract.

“It invited and expects ongoing discussion with Andre regarding either his ability to accept a revised contract that better suits the club’s current fiscal goals or if not, to receive a generous severance. Andre is currently on administrative leave while we continue to work through these details with him.

“Please know that we want what is best for our staff and our membership. We are proud of the community we have developed here at The Denver Athletic Club and need to constantly evaluate and make financial decisions to support our community. While Andre has been an important part of the club for the better part of a decade, the board hopes that it and Andre can work out the terms of a mutually agreeable arrangement.”

One long-time member, who asked not to be named, predicted a massive member exodus in the wake of van Hall’s firing.

“He’s one of the most popular GMs they’ve ever had,” the source said. “All of a sudden he loses his sight and they show him the door? That’s pretty bad.” The source added that there’s movement among the membership to potentially oust the board of directors.

But the future of the Denver Athletic Club is now out of van Hall’s hands. In his true fashion, the ousted CEO is staying positive about his future.

“I’m 58 and need to work another 10 or 12 years,” he said. “I’m very optimistic about the future and things are looking bright. I’m exploring a couple of opportunities.”

Sweet 16

Gene Tang, owner of 1515 Restaurant, has given himself the gift of a new executive chef as the celebrated LoDo restaurant turns 16 this month.  Newly appointed executive chef Garren Teich has been in the 1515 Restaurant kitchen for two and a half years, starting on the line and working his way up to sous chef prior to accepting Tang’s offer of the executive chef position as of today – 11 days after the restaurant turned sweet 16.

“Garren Teich is one of the most innovative chefs I have ever worked with,” Tang said.  “He knows molecular gastronomy.  His dad is a farmer. He will be continuing our mission in serving classic cuisine with our own unique twist.”

Under Chef Garren’s direction, 1515 Restaurant will continue to serve approachable and innovative food with fresh, local ingredients.  With its sous-vide certification and other cutting-edge kitchen technology, fans of 1515 Restaurant are accustomed to being wowed by presentation and flavors that come alive on the plate.

Chef Teich’s kitchen career began in Dresher, Pa., at the five-star Zagat restaurant Carambolas.

“My vision in the kitchen parallels Gene’s,” Teich said.  “We believe in using whole, unprocessed food.  I am very passionate about fresh ingredients, and through the tools we have in our kitchen, I can treat our guests to delicious fare with stunning presentations.”

Chef Teich is trained in the sous-vide process and touts the flavors that come from this precise process.

As a special thank you to 16 lucky guests “like” the 1515 Restaurant Facebook page and a winner will be picked for a complimentary appetizer every few days through Nov. 16. Keep checking back and liking. Go to www.1515restaurant.com to view the full menu and to make a reservation.

Linger at Linger

Everyone knows that Linger is a cool place and hard to get into.  It’s usually closed on Mondays, but the 29^th is different.  Linger will be turned into Necro Noche to benefit The GrowHaus.  More details here:  https://www.blacktie-colorado.com/calendar/event-detail.cfm?id=24374 and registration at Blacktie of course.

Eavesdropping on a Facebook post about a misspelling on a Washington state ballot stating President/Vice President of the “Untied States”): “I have an issue with my ballot – Mitt Romney is listed as an option.”

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

NEW BELGIUM’S ‘CLIPS OF FAITH’ traveling film festival raised $117,656 this year for nonprofits around the country. The third annual traveling film festival put on by the Fort Collins-based brewery hit 18 cities this summer and saw an estimated 16,400 people come out for the homemade films and handmade beers, New Belgium announced this week.

THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO’S student alumni association is hosting the eighth annual Nearly Naked Mile run and clothing drive on the Boulder campus Friday.

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.

LATEST ‘CAPTURED EVENTS’ ON BLACKTIE
* October 24, 2012 – LIGHT: A Celebration of the McNichols Building
* October 24, 2012 – Young Artists Live Life to the Fullest with Aurora Mental Health Center
* October 20, 2012 – Western Fantasy 2012: “Stars Over the Rockies, Legends of the West”

ADVERTISER: NECRO NOCHE
What’s even better than a Halloween party at Linger? A Halloween party at Linger to support a good cause! Join us for Necro Noche, a spooky fundraiser on October 29th, featuring:
~ The best in local restaurant fare from Linger, Cholon, Beast & Bottle, Twelve, Row14 and more
~ Complimentary cocktails
~ Killer entertainment
~ Interactive fun ‘n’ games
~ Costumes required (badass prize for the best costume)
~ $100 General Admission tickets include: heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and entertainment
~ $150 VIP tickets include: early access to cocktail hour at 6pm, a private party tent on the roof, and a $25 gift certificate to Linger
~ 100% of net proceeds benefit The GrowHaus.

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

VOLARE SYSTEMS is pleased to sponsor Colorado Give Camp in Colorado Springs this weekend.

DONOR ALLIANCE, the federally-designated, non-profit organ procurement organization and American Association of Tissue Banks accredited tissue bank serving Colorado and most of Wyoming, today announced its receipt of the Foothills Award from Rocky Mountain Performance Excellence, a nonprofit helping organizations improve performance and achieve results.

RICH PHILLIPS’ wife, Meg, and their daughters have followed through with his wish, and then some, by creating the Denver version of the Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk, one of Colorado’s most prominent memorial run/walks and fundraisers for research. The event – this year’s is Nov. 4 at Sloan’s Lake Park in Denver – started in New York and is named for the former chief executive officer of Cablevision, Marc Lustgarten, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at age 52.

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

BLACKTIE’S SISTER COMPANY, Efficient Tickets, is now selling tickets for the Halloween Masquerade Ball, an Oct. 26 Halloween party to raise money for the survivors of the Aurora and Columbine Tragedy. It’s hosted by Phoenix999 a non-profit charity created by the survivors of the Columbine Tragedy and by Friends of Humanity a local volunteer group that helps local charities raise money.

CONSIDER EFFICIENT TICKETS 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.

IMPROVING SCHOOL FOODS IS A HOT TOPIC: It’s one that School District 51 and LiveWell Colorado are taking seriously. Starting on Thursday, the two are partnering up for a two-day training class to teach food managers how to cook food in a healthier way.

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!
10/26/2012 – Circles of Change
10/26/2012 – Friends of Manual Breakfast
10/26/2012 – Logo Design Basics
10/26/2012 – Mapleton Education Foundation “Storybook Ball”
10/27/2012 – City Slicker Soiree to benefit Roundup River Ranch
10/29/2012 – The GrowHaus — Necro Noche
10/30/2012 – 10th Annual Partners for a Bold Future Breakfast
10/30/2012 – Friends of the Haven Annual Fundraiser and Dinner
10/30/2012 – Chefs 180 featuring Daniel Asher of Linger
10/31/2012 – CBCA’s 2012 Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture
10/31/2012 – Martian Sock Hop Halloween Ball Benefitting the Historic Elitch Theatre
11/1/2012 – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
11/1/2012 – Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation annual gala
11/2/2012 – Christ the King’s Fall Fest 2012
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 – The Denver Scholarship Foundation’s 2012 Ed Gala- Presented by DaVita and the Thiry O’Leary Foundation
11/8/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/8/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
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 – Energy Africa Conference
11/10/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/10/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/10/2012 – “Wine with Friends” Assumption 100 year Gala Event
11/10/2012 – CMF & RMCMA’s Feast for the Senses
11/13/2012 – CJPW’s Focus on Formal Networking
11/13/2012 – University of Colorado Depression Center Fall Fundraising Luncheon
11/13/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/14/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/15/2012 – CPGR Luncheon Program
11/15/2012 – Benefits 101
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
11/28/2012 – Capitol Rock
11/30/2012 – Introduction to Arts Integration

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

By Penny Parker
©2012 Blacktie Colorado

Andre van Hall, the popular CEO and general manager of the Denver Athletic Club who lost most of his eyesight, was dismissed by the board of directors Tuesday.

“It had been long coming,” van Hall told me Thursday. “There is a group wanting to do things very differently, so they pushed me out the door.” Presley Askew, the newly installed board president, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Van Hall, who knew most of the 2,000 club members by name, was hired to run the 128-year-old Denver institution 10 years ago. Nearly four years ago, van Hall was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that took most of the sight in his left eye. Then late last year, the disease attacked the other eye, rendering him legally blind.

I profiled van Hall’s journey into near darkness in this story for The Denver Post: http://www.denverpost.com/fitness/ci_19888681.

What struck me most at the time was not only his upbeat attitude, but his agility in getting around the massive building on Glenarm with all its stairs, narrow hallways and tricky turns.

When it was apparent that his eyesight was permanently impaired, the board of directors approved the purchase of special equipment van Hall needed to do his job. Equipment including a 32-inch monitor with a machine that enlarges letters to 3-inch type that he can still read.

When I spoke with him on Thursday, van Hall was at the club cleaning out his office. He called the experience “heart breaking”.

“They’re such a great group of people in this club, it’s a shame that a smaller group wants to do things their way,” he said. In the end, van Hall and the board of directors couldn’t agree on the direction of the club.

“They wanted me to eliminate staff and I didn’t think we should. They wanted the club to be more exclusive. I’m told they made some hurtful commments about my disability and ability to run the club. I was being undermined every step of the way.”

One long-time member, who asked not to be named, predicted a massive member exodus in the wake of van Hall’s firing.

“He’s one of the most popular GMs they’ve ever had,” the source said. “All of a sudden he loses his sight and they show him the door? That’s pretty bad.” The source added that there’s movement among the membership to potentially oust the board of directors.

But the future of the Denver Athletic Club is now out of van Hall’s hands. In his true fashion, the ousted CEO is staying positive about his future.

“I’m 58 and need to work another 10 or 12 years,” he said. “I’m very optimistic about the future and things are looking bright. I’m exploring a couple of opportunities.”

Bar owner Jesse Morreale fought the law and the law won. You be the judge on this battle of the RockBar vs. the City of Denver.

In one corner is RockBar, the East Colfax 1970s style dive bar that at one time served food and dancing, but had its liquor and dancing license suspended on Oct. 8.

In the other corner is Denver as in the office of Tom Downey, the director of the Department of Excise and License, who yanked RockBar’s liquor license because of apparent several violations.

However, RockBar owner Morreale had every right to appeal the decision, except for the dancing permit which was denied outright, instead on Tuesday decided against fighting the legal battle.

RockBar will officially shut down at closing time Saturday. Morreale told me through tears that he didn’t want to continue to pay legal fees to fight Downey’s decision.

“The last weekend Denver will be able to enjoy this iconic nationally known Denver institution will be this Friday and Saturday, because despite Downey’s assumption that the business would appeal his outrageous decision, the damage already done to the business by the City is too deep,” Morreale said in a prepared statement. “The business cannot afford an appeal even thought they believe the facts and the law support their position.”

The prepared statement by Morreale went on to cite the funky bar’s participation in the 2008 Denver National Convention when it became a haven for Barack Obama-supporting celebrities including Susan Sarandon, Alan Cumming and Anne Hathaway.

Meanwhile, Morreale is battling the city on another front regarding the alleged “safety” of his First and Broadway building that houses El Diablo and Sketch restaurants, which were shut down suddenly for two weeks but have since reopened while the city’s issues with the 1906 building are resolved.

Downey, who was appointed the Director of Excise and License by Mayor Michael Hancock, responded to Morreale’s press release by saying, “The most clear-cut aspect of the hearing officer’s recommended decision was the finding of fact that Rockbar was not in compliance with the State Liquor Code’s requirement that 25 percent of a restaurant’s gross revenues come from the sale of food.

“In my Scheduling Order soliciting objections and comments on the recommended decision, I specifically suggested that RockBar submit records showing such compliance. They submitted no records by the Oct. 5 deadline, and I issued my Final Decision and Order on Oct. 8.”

Bottom line is that RockBar will cease to exist as of end of business on Saturday.

Truffle time

One of my favorite times of the year is truffle time at Barolo Grill.

I have missed owner Blair Taylor’s tour de force once in the dozen or so years he’s been putting on the special event that brings the coveted white and lesser expensive but equally as fabulous black truffles direct from Alba, Italy, where specially trained dogs (used to be pigs) dig them out.

The main event, with a few seats remaining, is Nov. 5 where chef Darrel Truett will deliver a seven-course feast for $275 per person, paired with wines by GM and wine director Ryan Fletter. But for those of you who aren’t willing to make that commitment, Truffle Festival runs Nov. 6 through 10 where you can create your own truffle courses off the menu.

“The truffles come from our direct source in Alba whose dogs pull them directly out of the ground,” said Barolo owner Taylor. “This year the truffles are really round and high quality and perfumed.”

If you want a reservation to the coveted Nov. 5 dinner, please call Jamie Patrick, events manager, at 303-393-1040.

Taylor says that Chef Truett has taken Barolo’s cuisine to a new level. “The kitchen has never been finer,” he said. For more information, go to www.barologrilldenver.com.

Open seating times are still available for most nights on the Truffle Festival – Tuesday through Saturday Nov. 6 -10.  This is an ala carte menu oft ruffles (white or black) or the five-course tasting menu with truffles is also available.   Open Table can take reservations for these nights at www.opentable.com.

Start spreading the news

Denver Restaurant Week(s), presented by Visit Denver, is set for Feb. 23-March 8. DRW will once again offer diners a multi-course dinner for two for the “Mile High’ fixed price of $52.80, not including tax or tip, for $26.40 for one.

All information can be found at www.denverrestaurantweek.com.

Sweet Basil creators create a new spot

From the creators of the legendary Sweet Basil in Vail, comes a new restaurant scheduled to open in December. For 35 years, Sweet Basil has created a standard for mountain dining and the new restaurant Mountain Standard will take a cue from its predecessor while establishing its own niche in a relaxed tavern atmosphere.

Mountain Standard will primarily feature food cooked over an open fire on a wood-burning grill and rotisserie.

The new restaurant will be in the heart of Vail Village along East Gore Creek Drive around the conrer from Sweet Basil. Mountain Standard will serve lunch, apres and dinner from 11:30 a.m. through 10 p.m. Reservations will be taken starting Nov. 1 by calling 970-476-0123 or at www.mtnstandard.com.

Eavesdropping on a man to a woman: “You want a Michelada?”

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

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 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

THE BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION has given $3.1 million to fund a Web-based school of higher education that’s opening its first branch in Denver and is ready to accept applicants, the Denver Business Journal reports. Its name is Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s, a nonprofit joint venture of Los Angeles-based Mount St. Mary’s College and the MyCollege Foundation, which is a grantee of the Gates Foundation.

THIS WEEK, the Flying W Ranch foundation is selling items to raise money to reclaim land burned by the Waldo Canyon fire.

LATEST ‘CAPTURED EVENTS’ ON BLACKTIE
* October 20, 2012 – Western Fantasy 2012: “Stars Over the Rockies, Legends of the West”
* October 20, 2012 – SafeHouse Denver’s Hope Gala: Celebrating the Women, Children and Youth of SafeHouse Denver

COLORADO LT. GOV. JOE GARCIA visited the Pueblo Monday to praise a training program that will hopefully bring and help retain teachers in classrooms across the San Luis Valley. The former president of Colorado State University-Pueblo said collaboration was key in helping at-risk students succeed and lessening the impacts they have on our communities if they fail to make it through school.

ADVERTISER: NECRO NOCHE
What’s even better than a Halloween party at Linger? A Halloween party at Linger to support a good cause! Join us for Necro Noche, a spooky fundraiser on October 29th, featuring:
~ The best in local restaurant fare from Linger, Cholon, Beast & Bottle, Twelve, Row14 and more
~ Complimentary cocktails
~ Killer entertainment
~ Interactive fun ‘n’ games
~ Costumes required (badass prize for the best costume)
~ $100 General Admission tickets include: heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and entertainment
~ $150 VIP tickets include: early access to cocktail hour at 6pm, a private party tent on the roof, and a $25 gift certificate to Linger
~ 100% of net proceeds benefit The GrowHaus.

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

BLACKTIE’S SISTER COMPANY, Efficient Tickets, is now selling tickets for the Halloween Masquerade Ball, an Oct. 26 Halloween party to raise money for the survivors of the Aurora and Columbine Tragedy. It’s hosted by Phoenix999 a non-profit charity created by the survivors of the Columbine Tragedy and by Friends of Humanity a local volunteer group that helps local charities raise money.

CONSIDER EFFICIENT TICKETS 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.

GOOD FOR YOU
* Dianne Reitan has joined the Diocese of Colorado Springs as development coordinator.
* The TREA Memorial Foundation, a charitable affiliate of TREA: The Enlisted Association, announced the selection of Larry C. Anderson of Colorado Springs as its national chairman.
* The Space Foundation announced the promotion of Charles P. “Chuck” Zimkas Jr. from chief operating officer to president, reporting to CEO Elliot H. Pulham.
* Hope & Home, a foster care and foster/adopt agency, has promoted Leonard Green to director of Kyndra’s Hope, the agency’s outreach program to engage the faith-based community in child abuse prevention efforts.

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!
10/24/2012 – Happy Hour at McLoughlin’s Benefiting the YESS Institute
10/24/2012 – LIGHT | An Illuminated Celebration of the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park
10/24/2012 – AWS Pete Marczyk Battle Royale! New World vs. Old World Wines
10/25/2012 – Sustainability Dine-a-logue: Special Election Edition
10/25/2012 – The Brief
10/25/2012 – LOL: A Comedy Benefit for Think 360 Arts
10/26/2012 – Circles of Change
10/26/2012 – Friends of Manual Breakfast
10/26/2012 – Logo Design Basics
10/26/2012 – Mapleton Education Foundation “Storybook Ball”
10/27/2012 – City Slicker Soiree to benefit Roundup River Ranch
10/29/2012 – The GrowHaus — Necro Noche
10/30/2012 – 10th Annual Partners for a Bold Future Breakfast
10/30/2012 – Friends of the Haven Annual Fundraiser and Dinner
10/30/2012 – Chefs 180 featuring Daniel Asher of Linger
10/31/2012 – CBCA’s 2012 Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture
10/31/2012 – Martian Sock Hop Halloween Ball Benefitting the Historic Elitch Theatre
11/1/2012 – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
11/1/2012 – Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation annual gala
11/2/2012 – Christ the King’s Fall Fest 2012
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 – The Denver Scholarship Foundation’s 2012 Ed Gala- Presented by DaVita and the Thiry O’Leary Foundation
11/8/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/8/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
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 – Energy Africa Conference
11/10/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/10/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/10/2012 – “Wine with Friends” Assumption 100 year Gala Event
11/10/2012 – CMF & RMCMA’s Feast for the Senses
11/13/2012 – CJPW’s Focus on Formal Networking
11/13/2012 – University of Colorado Depression Center Fall Fundraising Luncheon
11/13/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/14/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/15/2012 – CPGR Luncheon Program
11/15/2012 – Benefits 101
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
11/28/2012 – Capitol Rock
11/30/2012 – Introduction to Arts Integration

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

I’m honored to be honored.

Sense of Security, a Colorado-based breast cancer charity that helps patients with non-medical expenses, has been a favorite charity of mine since I was diagnosed seven years ago.

In my own small way – with a ton of help from my friends – I have raised money for this unsung charity that lost some of its funding last year – a casualty of budget cuts.

On Saturday night, I was humbled by being given an award for my efforts during the annual Champagne and Diamonds fundraiser. The award reads: “With gratitude, Penny Parker. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients.”

Yes, I’m a survivor, but there are so many of us in this sorority that we never wanted to join. As I write this, tears are running down my face. It seems that October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – is the one time a year that my journey comes flooding back.

I was truly blessed to have such supportive people in my corner during that time – my darling husband, Greg Henry, and my BFF, Devany McNeill, who also accompanied me to the event.

I want to thank Rita McCoy, executive director of Sense of Security, Vicki Tosher, founder of the charity, and Regional Emmy Award winning doll face Chris Parente, co-host of FOX-31’s Everyday, who emceed.

I also want to give a shout out to the Embassy Suites in downtown Denver, which blew me away with their banquet service of perfectly cooked beef tenderloin (like buttah), crisp asparagus and a potato dish. Amazing.

Thanks to all who deemed me worth of such an honor. If you’d like to contribute to such a deserving organization, go to www.senseofsecurity.org. Since its inception in 2000, Sense of Security has provided more than $1.4 million in financial assistance to more than 860 breast cancer patients in Colorado.

Coohills restaurant turns one

Venerable restaurant couple Diane and Tom Coohill celebrate their namesake restaurant’s first anniversary on Nov. 3.  Join them at the restaurant at 1400 Wewatta between 5 and 9 p.m.. and enjoy a complimentary toast of Chandon Blanc de Noirs, an amuse bouche and bottles of the Jordan Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon for half price.

Make a reservation for dinner at www.coohills.com or take a seat in their beautiful bar for a more casual dining experience.  In addition to Coohills hosting my pet charity, Sense of Security, “Evening of Decadent Delights” chefs dinner, the owners are active givers in the Denver community.

Diane is the hostess with the mostest and Chef Tom prepares French-inspired food that is at once refined and comforting. Tip: Order the housemade country pate and chicken liver pate, major yum!

Macallan food, drink and cigar pairing at The Celtic Tavern

The Celtic Tavern and Delany’s Cigar Bar team up with Macallan scotch for a popular food and drink pairing dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday at 1801 Blake St.

The evening is a steal of a deal at $40 per person for Macallan tastings, a cigar and choice of steak, fish or chicken dinner. I’ve had friends who have attended some of these Celtic dinners and they talk about them with hedonistic pleasure.

Space is limited and reservations highly encouraged. Give the pub a call at 303-308-1795. For more information, go to www.theceltictavern.com.

Light the night

The Civic Center Conservancy and Arts & Venues Denver presents Light, an illuminated celebration of the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Featuring light-based art installations on the interior and exterior of the building, music and food and drink stations from several of Denver’s favorite restaurants, Light will re-introduce the historic Carnegie Library to the Denver community as a vibrant cultural center and unique venue for special event rentals, temporary exhibitions and community gatherings.

Tickets are $75 each with a special $50 young professionals rate for people ages 21-35. For tickets, go to www.civiccenterconservancy.org.

Super chef Asher at Cafe 180

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

COLORADO FURNITURE MAGNATE JAKE JABS is behind a group called American Tradition Partnership, reports The Center for Public Integrity, which calls the organization “a secretive pro-energy nonprofit,” The Denver Business Journal reports. Known throughout Colorado for his American Furniture Warehouse chain of stores and the commercials he does for them, Jabs pledged $300,000 in seed money to the organization. The Center for Public Integrity said Jabs couldn’t be reached for comment. The center’s piece is here.

ON 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF LIVESTRONG FOUNDATION, Lance Armstrong said he has been through a “difficult couple of weeks” and urged supporters of his cancer-fighting charity to stand behind its mission.

DESIGNATED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK: Denver’s Civic Center.

IT TURNS OUT WALDO’S EVERYWHERE: Dressed in classic red and white striped shirts, cap and black-rimmed glasses, more than a thousand people participated in the Waldo Waldo Run/Walk 5K on Sunday.

NEW ADVERTISER: NECRO NOCHE
What’s even better than a Halloween party at Linger? A Halloween party at Linger to support a good cause! Join us for Necro Noche, a spooky fundraiser on October 29th, featuring:
~ The best in local restaurant fare from Linger, Cholon, Beast & Bottle, Twelve, Row14 and more
~ Complimentary cocktails
~ Killer entertainment
~ Interactive fun ‘n’ games
~ Costumes required (badass prize for the best costume)
~ $100 General Admission tickets include: heavy hors d’oeuvres, open bar and entertainment
~ $150 VIP tickets include: early access to cocktail hour at 6pm, a private party tent on the roof, and a $25 gift certificate to Linger
~ 100% of net proceeds benefit The GrowHaus.

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

THE GLOBAL CARE FOUNDATION, a non-profit 501c3 subsidiary of Global Communications Group, Inc. will hold a winter coat collection drive on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the lobby of its headquarters located at 10333 East Dry Creek Road.

CU’S LEEDS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS has teamed up with the nonprofit organization Exceler8s to host a fundraising skiing event in Winter Park this February.

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

LATEST ‘CAPTURED EVENTS’ ON BLACKTIE
October 20, 2012 – Future for Families 5th Annual Gala
October 19, 2012 – Boys & Girls Club Halloween 5K Scream Scram
October 18, 2012 – Inner City Health Gets Jazzed
October 17, 2012 – Parkinson Association of the Rockies presents Dazzle & Delight

A LAWSUIT is postponing plans by University of Wyoming Foundation and Colorado State University Research Foundation to sell a ranch they jointly own in southeast Wyoming.

BLACKTIE’S SISTER COMPANY, Efficient Tickets, is now selling tickets for the Halloween Masquerade Ball, an Oct. 26 Halloween party to raise money for the survivors of the Aurora and Columbine Tragedy. It’s hosted by Phoenix999 a non-profit charity created by the survivors of the Columbine Tragedy and by Friends of Humanity a local volunteer group that helps local charities raise money.

CONSIDER EFFICIENT TICKETS 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.

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!
10/22/2012 – Excelsior Youth Center’s Chef and Wine Dinner at Venice Ristorante
10/23/2012 – NCNRC October Nonprofit Monthly Networking Event
10/23/2012 – United Nations Association Denver presents United Nations Trivia Night
10/24/2012 – Happy Hour at McLoughlin’s Benefiting the YESS Institute
10/24/2012 – LIGHT | An Illuminated Celebration of the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park
10/24/2012 – AWS Pete Marczyk Battle Royale! New World vs. Old World Wines
10/25/2012 – Sustainability Dine-a-logue: Special Election Edition
10/25/2012 – The Brief
10/25/2012 – LOL: A Comedy Benefit for Think 360 Arts
10/26/2012 – Circles of Change
10/26/2012 – Friends of Manual Breakfast
10/26/2012 – Logo Design Basics
10/26/2012 – Mapleton Education Foundation “Storybook Ball”
10/27/2012 – City Slicker Soiree to benefit Roundup River Ranch
10/29/2012 – The GrowHaus — Necro Noche
10/30/2012 – 10th Annual Partners for a Bold Future Breakfast
10/30/2012 – Friends of the Haven Annual Fundraiser and Dinner
10/30/2012 – Chefs 180 featuring Daniel Asher of Linger
10/31/2012 – CBCA’s 2012 Economic Activity Study of Metro Denver Culture
10/31/2012 – Martian Sock Hop Halloween Ball Benefitting the Historic Elitch Theatre
11/1/2012 – Denver Republican 1st Thursday Breakfast
11/1/2012 – Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation annual gala
11/2/2012 – Christ the King’s Fall Fest 2012
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 – The Denver Scholarship Foundation’s 2012 Ed Gala- Presented by DaVita and the Thiry O’Leary Foundation
11/8/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/8/2012 – Aurora Mental Health Center Mental Health First Aid
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 – Energy Africa Conference
11/10/2012 – CASN 2012 Fall Conference
11/10/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/10/2012 – “Wine with Friends” Assumption 100 year Gala Event
11/10/2012 – CMF & RMCMA’s Feast for the Senses
11/13/2012 – CJPW’s Focus on Formal Networking
11/13/2012 – University of Colorado Depression Center Fall Fundraising Luncheon
11/13/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/14/2012 – Meet the Women With A Cause WE Scholars
11/15/2012 – CPGR Luncheon Program
11/15/2012 – Benefits 101
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
11/28/2012 – Capitol Rock
11/30/2012 – Introduction to Arts Integration

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

Steve Halliday, the owner of Ambria on 16th Street Mall and Larimer, sent this e-mail to me today:

“On Saturday at 11p.m., Ambria – voted Westword’s People’s Choice Best New Restaurant 2012, will close its 16th Street Mall location in anticipation of moving to a more accessible location. Because the new space is still in negotiations, details are not being released. But, you can be sure the new site will have street access, as well as plenty of neighborhood parking. Ambria wants to thank its many loyal downtown customers – join them for ‘Last Hurrah’ specials and stay tuned.”

Steve added, “The space is too large…want a more intimate space.”

I will let you know where Ambria ends up as soon as I know.

Think pink for charity

The 9^th Door, the sexy tapas bar on Blake Street in LoDo, is donating proceeds from its Pink Coyote cocktail to Sense of Security during October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  You know this charity is near and dear to my heart and, let’s face it, this could be the most fun you’ll ever have while donating to a worthy cause.  See you there! For more information, go to www.senseofsecurity.org.

Historic Landmark status

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar designated Denver’s Civic Center as a National Historic Landmark on Wednesday, marking it as the City and County of Denver’s first NHL and one of two Civic Centers in the country to achieve this prestigious recognition, announced Historic Denver Ind., the Denver nonprofit that submitted the NHL nomination.

Celebrations to honor this historic moment will take place in Denver’s Civic Center in 2013.

Four Seasons GM is jammin’

Thierry Kennel, general manager of The Four Seasons Hotel Denver, has been promoted to regional vice president, effective Monday. Kennel will continue to serve as general manager of The Four Seasons Hotel Denver while assuming additional responsibilities for three additional Four Seasons properties.

Kennel will oversee Four Seasons Hotel Palo Alto (my hometown), Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City and Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis in addition to the Denver property.

Prior to arriving in Denver nearly three years ago, Kennel served as general manager of Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. He recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Conde Nast readers vote on top hotels

Conde Nast Traveler readers have spoken and they have chosen the top 10 hotels in the West – meaning in Colorado and Utah.

No. 1 is The Oxford Hotel in LoDo.

No. 3 is the St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder.

No. 4 is the Hotel Teatro downtown.

No. 5 is The Brown Palace.

No. 6 is The Four Seasons Hotel Denver.

No. 7 is The Ritz-Carlton Denver

No. 9 if The JW Marriott Denver

and No. 10 is The Curtis – a Doubletree by Hilton.

In the same survey, The Westin Riverfront was named the No. 1 resort in the “Top 40 Resorts in the West” category. For more information, go to www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/united-states/top-40-resorts-west-usa or www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards/united-states/top-10-hotels-west-usa.

“We’re so excited to once again see the JW Marriott Denver, The Oxford and the Curtis earn a spot on this prestigious list,” said Walter Isenberg, president and CEO of Denver’s Sage Hospitality. “This award factors in real feedback from discerning guests, so it’s a testament to how well each of these hotels delivers a unique travel experience.”

Say what?

If you live in a converted house, call AMS Pictures, the largest production company in the Southwest, which is casting for converted homes for You Live in What?, a fun, light-hearted look at unique homes and their owners for HGTV.

To be considered for the show, you must live in a converted 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 five to 10 photographs to homecasting@amspictures.com. More information: www.hgtv.co/you-live-in-what/show/index.html.

The seen

Green Bay Packer great Jerry Kramer, having dinner at Elway’s Cherry Creek on Wednesday wearing his multiple Super Bowl rings (the Packers won the first two). In this age of specialization in the NFL, it’s hard to imagine that this guy was a five-time All Pro at guard and also was the Packer’s placekicker in 1962, 1963 and part of 1968.

Eavesdropping on a woman: “Hanky panky is always good, as long as there’s more hanky than panky.”

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.