I have followed Denver-based fashion designer Mondo Guerra since his first appearance on “Project Runway,” the design-competition show with host Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn.

Mr. On the Town and I (yes, real men do watch “Project Runway”), were crushed when Guerra was denied a well-deserved win. But he popped up again in “Project Runway All Stars Season 1″ and took home top prize.

Ever since, Guerra and Gunn have formed a bond that has hooked up the two for charity events – most notably the sold-out fashion show last week to benefit Goodwill Colorado.

On Tuesday, I finally got to meet the dapper designer during the Rags Consignments Street Style Off competition. The high-end consignment store is in Cherry Creek North.

Judges Jim Guttau from The Four Seasons Hotel Denver, designer Mona Lucero and Guerra declared the team from Dandizette Magazine – Tracy Bozarth, model Jenny McGlincy and Stephanie Richards – the winners with the outfit that included green tweed shorts with the words “not my problem” cut out at the hem, a black top, black leather and faux fur jacket and booties.

Runner-up was Ariana Dufour from Denver Style Magazine with a print skirt, black crop top, jacket and boots.

Rags Consignments, open since 1995, sells mall and boutique-brand women’s clothing and accessories. Rags is selective about what it consigns – choosing more than 250 items every day to put out on the sales floor. The store is focused on a shopping and consigning experience that is well organized, well curated, well staffed, professional, trustworthy and friendly.

Rags has three locations: Boulder (3129 28^th St.), Highlands (2027 W. 32^nd Ave.) and Cherry Creek (201 N. University Blvd.) and offers mobile consignment.

Beginning March 19, on the third Thursday of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Rags will offer complimentary styling at the Cherry Creek location. In April, Rags will celebrate its 20^th Anniversary; stay tuned for information about a sale and celebration on April 8.

As for my new pal, Guerra, he has his sights set on the bright lights and big city of Los Angeles. Family issues are keeping him in Denver for now, but look for Guerra in La-La-Land some time this year.

For more information on Rags, go to www.iloverags.com.

(Photos by Dan Schrock, Ambient Life Photography)

More than 300 guests attended the grand opening of Centura Health’s $177 million St. Anthony North Health Campus in Westminster on Thursday.

The 350,000-square-foot facility, which opens to patients on Tuesday, was concepted, designed and built with an emphasis on wellness, prevention and advanced medical care for residents of north metro Denver.

The new health campus is sponsored by Catholic Health Initiatives and is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading hospital and health care network delivering advanced care to more than half a million people each year.

The new St. Anthony North Health Campus, at 144th Avenue and I-25, will provide 92 inpatient rooms, including a 20-room intensive care unit; inpatient and outpatient surgery; a 12-room Birthing Center; diagnostics and imaging and an emergency room that operates 24 hours a day. The facility will employ about 1,350 people.

“St. Anthony North Health Campus is the future of health care,” said CEO Carole Peet. “The campus meets the immediate and future needs of our neighbors in north-metro Denver, with a focus on health and wellness. We are bringing care previously unavailable in north Denver to our customers with unparalleled service and convenience.”

The use of natural stone, woods, floor-to-ceiling windows and an aspen grove in the lobby atrium give the facility the look of a Colorado resort.

St. Anthony North Health Campus is a centerpiece of Centura Health’s new neighborhood health approach that aligns with larger trends of moving care outside of traditional hospital walls. Not only will the health campus offer inpatient and outpatient services in the same location, but also it is in close proximity to a network of connected neighborhood health centers.

One of the campus’ main features is the new Orchard Neighborhood Health Center, located within the hospital and home to more than 50 primary and specialty care medical practices. Those medical practitioners and their patients will have direct access to diagnostics, outpatient surgery, pharmacy and wellness classes.

Nearby, Centura Health’s Dacono and Thornton Neighborhood Health Centers recently opened. These freestanding outpatient clinics are two of 11 that are or soon to open in the Centura Health network. These centers offer family medicine and women’s health care services, including routine physicals, immunizations, prenatal care and well-baby care.

The new health campus will offer a range of amenities that provide convenience and aid wellness. These include drop-in childcare for patients; an on-site pharmacy; private discharge elevators and exits for patients; a demonstration kitchen with classes on healthy cooking; and a walking path and three gardens – community, healing and prayer.

“We designed the health campus directly in response to community feedback,” Peet said. “When we began planning, the community told us they wanted a beautiful, relaxing environment with services to keep them healthy as well as to treat them when they are sick. When they think of health, they focus on wellness, convenience and outstanding service – and that is what we have provided.”

Cancer treatment takes a major toll on a patient’s mind, body and spirit. This is especially true for the young patients of Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. This spring, the Colorado Rockies have teamed up with the hospital to provide a much needed respite for kids battling cancer and rare blood disorders.

All-star shortstop and friend of Children’s Colorado, Troy Tulowitzki, will underwrite an all-expense paid trip to the Colorado Rockies spring training camp for more than 20 patients and their medical caregivers. While in Scottsdale, Ariz., the children will enjoy a spring training camp game, meet-and-greet sessions with players and coaches and even some one-on-one downtime with the players.

More than just a vacation, this trip will be the first time that many of the travelers have been away from home without their parents, fostering a sense of independence that is scarce when one battles a life-threatening disease. The teens can wear what they want, listen to their favorite music and soak in the Arizona sun. While their medical caregivers will be present when needed, the teens also will be in the company of their peers, establishing life-long friendships and support systems.

For kids like cancer survivor Josh Morkert of Sterling, the upcoming trip is a welcome escape.

“I’m really just looking forward to meeting new people,” Morkert said. “For the better part of last year I was stuck in a hospital bed or at home, so I’m just looking forward to connecting with others like me.”

In April 2013, the then 16-year old Morkert went to his local hospital complaining of knee pain. He admits to having procrastinated on seeking help. Over the course of several months, a tenderness in his knee joint evolved into severe pain and an inability to support his weight. After returning from the hospital, Morkert’s family got a call saying that they “saw something strange” on his x-ray and referred him to Children’s Colorado.

That something strange was a large tumor on his knee. Doctors at Children’s Coloradoexplained his illness and treatment plan, which would eventually lead to amputation.

Morkert underwent the Van Ness rotationplasty surgery to remove the tumor from his knee and salvage as much of the healthy bone structure as possible. His shine bone was rotated 180 degrees and reattached to his femur and the ankle joint now acts as a knee while his backwards-facing foot fits into a prosthetic and powers his motion. In addition to surgery, Morkert endured chemotherapy for eight months.

“I’m not going to lie, chemo is miserable, but I made it through it,” Morkert said.

Although Morkert missed his junior year of high school, he was determined to move forward with his education. He recently earned his GED and will start college this fall.

“I’m getting back on track,” he said.

Looking out at Colorado’s snowy landscape, Josh says the escape to Arizona sunshine is perfectly timed. “I’m just so grateful for this opportunity and I hope the Rockies can continue to extend this trip to other kids. I know I’m not the only one in need of something like this.”

Gayle Novak, one half of the restaurant couple with her husband, Ed, recently sold the Cork House Restaurant at 4900 E. Colfax. Gayle posted this on her Facebook page:

“Meet the new owner of The Red Octave Kitchen & Bar. He just purchased the Cork House restaurant from me. Phil Long, will be opening his doors in June, after the renovation. Fabulous food by chef David Burton Sanchez. Nightly entertainment.”

From left, Ed and Gayle Novak, Phil Long and David Burton Sanchez. The latter two bought the Cork House from the Novaks. (Gayle Novak Facebook photo)

Due to popular demand, Luca d’ Italia, chef-owner Frank Bonanno’s upscale Italian eatery at 711 Grant St., has added a happy hour menu.

Starting Tuesday, Luca will offer a happy hour menu from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Happy hour items include the signature burrata ($6 during happy hour);  housemade chef’s salumi plate with crispy gnocco fritto ($7 during happy hour); several pastas (pappardelle bolognese, wild mushroom fusilli and pasta carbonara for six dollars each), featured wines by the glass and specialty cocktails.

For more information, go to www.lucadenver.com.

Eavesdropping on a woman on a flight out of DIA: “What is this, Gorgeous Guy Fly Day? I have never ever seen so any good-looking guys in the airport and on my flight. Did ‘GQ’ have a convention?”

Christel Dikeman, vice president and general manager of Neiman Marcus Denver, has announced that she will retire from her 29-year stint with the luxury retailer on March 6.

Dikeman has spent 23 of her her 29 NM years at the Denver store. Dikeman began her career with Neiman Marcus in 1986 as the merchandise manager at the Prestonwood store in Dallas, Texas. In 1991, she moved to Denver for a sister position, which she held until 1995. That September she was promoted to vice president/general manager, a position she has held for 20 years.

During her retirement, Dikeman said she plans to pursue personal interests.

“After 40 years in the retail community, deciding to retire was a very thoughtful decision,” Dikeman said. “The decision was a culmination of several factors, but the main reason was the flexibility to travel and to spend time with my family – especially with my dad – which is now more important to me than ever before. This is also a great time to pass the torch to someone new – someone who will continue to take the Denver store to the next level of success. This is not the next chapter in my life, I’m writing a new book!”

What Dikeman said she will miss most about the job is the daily interactions with associates and customers.

Her fondest NM memory?

“The memories of our store and community events from the last 25 years are incredible,” she said. “From appearances by key fashion designers, to special fashion shows like Western Fantasy, to hosting Sarah, the Duchess of York, or Stanley Marcus himself – those are experiences you don’t often have. How do you forget those things? They’re imbedded in my memory.”

The Board of Trustees of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts has named Scott Shiller as its new president and chief executive officer. Daniel Ritchie, who has served as both CEO and chairman of the board of trustees since 2007, will continue as chairman.

Shiller comes to the DCPA from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami where he served as executive vice president since 2007. At the Arsht Center, he oversaw major programming and marketing initiatives, which in his first year, led to a $3.3 million turnaround with a growth in average ticket sales from 43 to 70 percent and a 76 percent increase in attendance. Under his leadership, the Center’s programming continued to experience broad growth and now includes more than 500 public performances, nearly 900 ancillary events and more than 500,000 guests each year. He is committed to the creation of new work and has presented 12 world premiere plays and musicals at the Arsht Center.

As CEO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Shiller will work collaboratively to achieve the DCPA’s mission — to be the most engaging theater organization in the nation. At the core of this goal is a renewed focus on all of the DCPA’s audiences. “The community’s appetite for and support of theater makes Denver audiences among the best in the country,” Shiller said. “I am extremely excited to be a part of, learn from and contribute to the DCPA’s next evolution as it connects artists and audiences together.

“I’m excited to join such a robust arts community. The NEA recently ranked Colorado first in the nation in theater, concert hall and museum attendance, and the DCPA plays a major part in that success. Its reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent arts organizations coupled with its commitment to new works and national tour launches makes Denver and Colorado the envy of writers, directors and artists around the country. I’m excited to add fuel to the engine as the DCPA cements its position as a national leader.”

“Scott joins us at a pivotal time in the DCPA’s history,” Ritchie said. “Following an extensive analysis of our priorities, our emphasis will be on deepening and enriching relationships with our entire community. Scott’s leadership will enable me to focus on board matters and reauthorization of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District in 2016.”

Prior to the Arsht Center, Shiller presented and produced shows in major cities across the country, serving as vice president of programming at The Chicago Theatre and LA’s Kodak Theatre, director of programming and engagement manager at Boston’s On the Line Company, and as theater and Marketing manager for Broadway in Boston. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emerson College in 1997 and was named to the prestigious 40 Under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal. His civic involvement has been considerable: he’s served as chairman of The Carbonell Awards and The Rosie Herrera Committee; served as an active member of The Broadway League, Tony Awards, Sylvester Cancer Gala and Edinburgh Fringe Festival and supported a number of local and national charities.

“The DCPA leadership has created a strong foundation for continued artistic success,” Shiller said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

A complete biography may be found at www.denvercenter.org/scott-shiller.

The 33rd Avenue and Navajo Street piece of land that used to house Pagliacci’s, a longtime Denver eatery, will be redeveloped as Lumina, a 70,000-square-foot mixed-use development in the Lower Highlands neighborhood, according to a story in The Denver Business Journal.

The first occupants will take up residence on March 1.

Lumina, a 70,000-square-foot mixed-use development in Denver’s Lower Highlands neighborhood, will get its first occupants March 1 on a site well-known to longtime Denverites.

The site used to be home to Pagliacci’s, which closed in 2012 after 66 years in business. The building was sold and torn down to make way for the Lumina project.

“Lumina includes 6,000 square feet of retail space and 61 apartments that range in size from 550 to 1,250 square feet,” The Business Journal story said. “Base Coat Nail Salon and There Bar, both Colorado-owned businesses, will open in the retail space, with a third tenant being considered.

“The project was built by Treehouse Brokerage & Development and Cavaliere Enterprises, both based in Denver.

“The namesake Pagliacci’s sign has been converted into a garden box inside the lobby of the Lumina project, according to Denver’based Tres Birds Workshop, the architect on the project. Lumina also reuses neon lights that used to hang at Pagliacci’s.”