Heading to the biggest animal party for humans now. Are you going?

Keystone hosted the largest travel blogging convention in history when roughly 700 travel bloggers gathered at the ski resort for the TBEX North America conference June 14-17.

As part of the event, Visit Denver organized the Great Denver to Keystone Road Rally where 60 writers traveled in 10 vans to experience three themes: beer, history and adventure.

The bloggers had to scan QR codes, solve clues, do tasks, air jordan 14 make videos, drink beer, take four roller coaster rides at Elitch’s before 9:30 a.m., pan for gold, ride a steam train and do a shot ski at two miles above sea level on top of Loveland Pass. I’m told the challenges were met with rave reviews.

For the TBEX speakers, Visit Denver treated them to a day in Denver that included visits to the Clyfford Still Museum, the new History Colorado Center and the Yves Saint Laurent show at the Denver Art Museum, a reception at the Brown Palace Hotel, a pedicab tour down the 16th Street Mall and dinner at The Kitchen.

Afterwards, they joined all the other TBEX early arrivals at the Wynkoop Brewing Co. for a Colorado beer tasting.

“Keystone hit a home run,” said city booster Rich Grant. “They had two parties – one on top of the mountain and one hosted by Expedia at the ranch. It’s good to be a travel blogger!”

Speakers included Chris Baker, Lowell Thomas Travel Writer of the Year 2008, and Spud Hilton, travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle.

“We chose Colorado for the TBEX travel writers’ conference because of its breathtaking landscape, exploding culinary scene, plentiful outdoor adventure, fresh air and a revitalized downtown Denver,” said founder of the TBEX events, Kim Mance. “Social media influencers sharing real-time discoveries need fuel for the fire to inspire their readers and the mountains of Colorado are a blazing inferno of awesome experiences.”

The convention is expected to ignite a roar of travel stories across the blogosphere about all the things there are to see and do in Colorado, according to Visit Denver.

Bad boys, bad boys, what you going to do?

Apparently Wes Welker, New England Patriots wide receiver, and several of his pals caused a scene with security guards during Welker’s pre-wedding celebration in Aspen last weekend, according to a story in the New York Post.

The story says that Welker and six friends “tussled with security when they tried to enter the Patron tequila-sponsored Summerology event Friday night, part of the weekend’s 30th annual Aspen Food & Wine Classic.”

Sources told the New York Post that Welker and his posse tried to crash the front door of the restaurant Above the Salt without checking in with party organizers.

“Security then physically restrained (Welker) and his group to break everything up,” according to the story.

The Patriots star player was in Aspen prepping for his air jordan 1 femmes wedding this weekend to fiancée Anna Burns, who holds the title of Miss Hooters International 2005.

The cops were called, but no arrests were made, according to the Post.

Celebrate 140 years

Jewish Family Service of Colorado is celebrating its 140th birthday during Celebrate JFS, a complimentary cocktail reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Palazzo Verdi, 6363 S. Fidddler’s Green Circle in Greenwood Village.

There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required by RSVP-ing to Lisa Mehl or online.

Big news

Last night at Elway’s Cherry Creek, Blacktie and I announced an agreement for me to write a new column — “Mile High Life” — for 300,000 readers of 17 Colorado Community Media newspapers stretching from Thornton to Castle Rock.

Many thanks to the entire team at CCM, especially publisher Jerry Healey who, along with Blacktie CEO Kenton Kuhn, was with me to make announcement.

Mile High Life, which starts next week, will be in addition to my three-times-a-week column here.

Eavesdropping on a woman to a man at the bar at Elway’s Cherry Creek: “Are you happily married?”

“No!”

“Are you unhappily married?”

“No, I’m happily unmarried.”

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.

First Lady Michelle Obama stayed at The Four Seasons Hotel Denver tonight during her campaign fundraising trip for the President, according to an insider.

The Secret Service was seen crawling over every nook and cranny in the place at 14th and Arapahoe, I’m told.

Right now at Elway’s Cherry Creek, I’m announcing I’ve reached an agreement to write a new column — “Mile High Life” — for 300,000 readers of 17 Colorado Community Media newspapers stretching from Thornton to Castle Rock.

Here’s the official press release, and I’ll have more information tomorrow and in the days to come. Many thanks to publisher Jerry Healey and the entire team at CCM!

Mile High Life will be in addition to my three-times-a-week column here at Blacktie Colorado.

Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker and fiance and country singing sensation Jessie James will add their celebrity status to this year’s SaddleUp! Foundation Denver Suitcase Party where guests show up with packed bags ready to leave on a jet plane the weekend of Aug. 17.

The event will be held in a private hangar at Mayo Aviation, air jordan 3 femmes Centennial Airport. Guests will walk the red carpet beginning at 6 p.m. and party hearty with drinks, dancing and food samplings from local restaurants and caterers.

James will be the featured entertainer for the summer soiree which raises money for the Parker-based charity that is dedicated to empowering individuals with special needs through equine assisted activities and therapies at a family friendly ranch. More information and tickets at www.saddleupfoundation.org.

Tickets are $125 for young professionals 35 years and younger, $150 for general admission and $250 for VIP, which includes a champagne greeting, access to the VIP lounge and discounts for Town and Country Limousine. Each ticket level includes one raffle ticket for drawing to win two seats on the six-seater plane. The five-star accommodations are provided by Inspirato, the luxury travel club.

Above: Decker and James are ready for takeoff.

Get ready to Rumba

La Rumba, the former home Oxygen, of one of Denver’s best GLBT club nights of its time, will host The Official Elitch’s Pride Day After-Party Monday featuring DJ Tatiana.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Monday, and there is a $5 cover charge. Patrons that present their Elitch’s ticket stub will receive a free house drink.

Patio party

I mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating: Elway’s Cherry Creek summer concert series returns Wednesday with live music, cocktails and a special menu.

Wednesday’s concerts kick-off band is Message in a Bottle, a terrific group that covers songs from The Police. The backyard opens at 5; bands play from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Check out the rest of the summer schedule at www.elways.com.

Wednesday wine day

Strings Restaurant, 1700 Humboldt, would also be worth a visit on Wednesday for The Tour de France premium dinner and wine pairing event presented by The Denver Chapter of the American Wine Society.

Four courses will be paired with wines from leading producers from the Loire Valley, Alsace, Burgundy and Cobieres. Guest speaker will be Jeff Lott, southwest regional manager, Pasternak Wine Imports.

The event is $55 for AWS members; $65 for non-members and guests. air jordan 4 femmes Tickets available at www.blacktie-colorado.com.

Restaurant worker wins 100 clams for dinner

Scott Morgan with Cool River in the Tech Center was the big winner at Tuesday’s Tailgate party, a “fun-raiser” for the Colorado Restaurant Association Mile High Chapter.

Morgan’s name was drawn from all those who went on to the Chapter’s Facebook page and “liked” us (he really likes us!). Congrats to the restaurant industry worker who gets to spend a $100 gift certificate good at any Mile High Chapter member.

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.

The 8th Annual Denver Food and Wine event is the party of the summer to benefit the Colorado Restaurant Association. It runs from Sept. 6-9 at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Here’s the drill:

* Thursday, Sept. 6, features a special wine dinner at Metro’s new Hospitality Learning Center.  Seating is limited to 34 people, and the dinner features wines and a “special guest” by Southern Wine and Spirits.  Evening will include cocktails and appetizers, tour of new venue, dinner by Denver chefs.

* Friday, Sept. 7, includes an industry/trade breakfast sponsored by the Colorado Hotel Lodging Association and Colorado Restaurant Association with speakers from the CH&LA and CRA.  The location will be the ballroom of the new Springfield Suites by Marriott. There’ll also be demos and seminars in the new Hospitality Learning Center as well as Riedel glass seminars. During the evening will be Restaurants Rock in the Springfield Suites and HLC Tastes, featuring live entertainment, tastes from Denver restaurants and spirits and wines from Southern Wine and Spirits.

* Saturday, Sept. 8, will be a “grand tasting” for the general public set up under tents in the quadrangle at 7th & Lawrence Way. It will feature tastes of more than 600 wines and spirits and food from over 40 restaurants. There’ll be a Tented VIP Plaza, a Pernod Ricard Lounge, a Beam Global Lounge, a Viking Culinary Stage with confirmed guest Chef Dario Cecchini, the Butcher of Panzano.

* Sunday, Sept. 9, there’s a special dinner at Panzano with Dario and Demo. The Denver Broncos play the Pittsburgh Steelers at 6:30 p.m.

A total of 5,000 people are expected for all the events.

Media sponsors are Entercom Radio Stations – KOSI, air jordan 4.5 femmes The Mountain, ALICE, KEZW; The Denver Post; 9News; Dining Out Magazine; Larimer Associates; Visit Denver; and The Denver Partnership. Beneficiaries are the Denver Post Community Foundation, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado Restaurant Association Education Foundation scholarship program.

More information:  www.denverfoodandwine.com

Hot Rocks rocks!

I have been an unabashed fan of John Elway’s since I moved to Denver in 1993. I never take a close encounter with him for granted. So last night at the Hot Rocks Griller Challenge was special because I got to sidle up to the NFL Hall of Famer and have my picture snapped. It never gets old.

Thanks, John. I adore you and will always be proud to call you a friend. You rock my world!

Muy caliente!

Hot Rocks Griller Challenge pitted super chefs against each other in heated competition to raise money for Denver Health Medical Center Men’s Health Department.

There were two competitions for Best Slider. People’s Choice winners were:

1. Tyler Wiard, Aniedra Nichols of Elway’s Cherry Creek

2. Troy Guard, TAG, TAG Raw Bar and Madison Street Grill

3. Simon Purvis, EDGE Restaurant

In the Chefs’ Choice competition:

A tie between Troy Guard and Paul Reilly of Encore.

Eavesdropping on a woman in a Suburban who backed into a Toyota Prius and then became defiant with the owner of the Prius about the accident:  She claimed that the accident wasn’t her fault because she was on her phone, backing up and the Prius was so small she couldn’t see it.

At that point the Arapahoe County sheriff said to her, “How are you going to air jordan 5 femmes xplain to your insurance company that it wasn’t your fault when the vehicle you hit was parked and there was no driver in it?”

The woman had nothing more to say.

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.

In my opinion, CBS4 news anchor Jim Benemann has the best ties on TV.

And with Father’s Day – the tribute to ties – just days away, I asked Benemann about his necktie knowledge. Oddly, he says he has never received a tie on Dad’s Day, air jordan 6 femmes but his kids have given him a snappy pocket square or two.

“Thanks for noticing the ties,” Benemann told me. “I’d guess I have about a hundred of them. And to keep the traffic moving I made a promise to myself to throw out the same number of the new ones I buy. If not I’d have hundreds and most would be collecting dust in the closet.

“I pick them out myself and gravitate towards vivid colors or rich-looking conservative colors and patterns. I will say it’s easier being an anchorman than an anchorwoman. The guys just have to wear a conservative suit and dress it up with a great tie and you’re ready to roll. I think viewers are much more critical of the women’s attire. And in general women’s fashion changes more quickly and dramatically than men’s.  Now where’s that navy suit??”

Check out Benemann’s ties that bind viewers to CBS4 week nights.

Mark your calendars

Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill is bringing its Cultivate Food, Ideas & Music Festival Oct. 6 to the Meadow at City Park. The free one-day festival will include cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, live music, food artisans and other activities emphasizing fresh and affordable food made with sustainable ingredients.

“These events give our customers an opportunity to experience Chipotle in a new way and to learn something about issues in food, develop a deeper appreciation for farmers and food artisans who are changing food culture for the better, and enjoy some great music,” said Mark Crumpacker, chief marketing officer at Chipotle.

Celeb chefs conducting food demos are Richard Blais, winner of Top Chef All-Stars and owner of Flip Burger Boutique in Atlanta; Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, owners of Animal and Son of a Gun in Los Angeles; and Amanda Freitag from Food Network’s Chopped and Iron Chef America.

Other chefs joining the Denver event are Michael Chiarello, TV chef and owner of Chiarello Family Vineyards in Napa Valley and Boulder’s Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine. For more information, go to chipotle.com/cultivate.

A taste of Italy

Denver-based chef Jenna Johansen is a foodie rock star. She’s still a partner in Dish! restaurant in Edwards, but is spending most of her time in the metro-area to be a personal chef and fiancee to Mark DeNittis, the chef at salumi purveyor Il Mondo Vecchio.

Johansen’s most recent claim to fame is as a contestant on Bravo’s Around the World in 80 Plates, an Amazing Race meets Top Chef show airing Wednesday nights.

You can meet the worldly chef from 6 to 8 p.m. June 24 during the Heart of Italy evening – a five-course Italian dining experience – for $99 per person not including tax and tip at Pizza Republica, 5375 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village.

Each of the five courses is paired with wine. For reservations, call 720-489-5156 or go to www.pizzarepublica.com.

A horse of course

Horse lovers and admirers are invited to the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center, 5530 E. Highway 86, Franktown, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to take a guided tour, enjoy food and refreshments and see horses available for adoption.

The Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center is not a sanctuary or a rescue facility and does not accept owner-relinquished horses. It is for horses, ponies, air jordan 11 femmes donkeys and mules that have been removed from owners by law enforcement authorities. For more information, go to ddfl.org/equine or call 303-751-5772.

Eavesdropping on a man at the Denver Botanic Gardens: “I’m going to get a bobblehead made of myself.”

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.