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Elway joining line-up of competitors in Colorado Senior Open

John Elway, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Denver Broncos general manager and executive vice president, will get to re-create “The Drive,” this time on a golf course when he competes in the 15th annual HealthONE Colorado Senior Open May 28-30 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club.

The two-time Super Bowl Champion will compete against 155 other amateur and professional golfers in the three-day championship. Elway competed in the 2010 tournament and was low amateur after round one, made the 36-hole cut and finished in a tie for 52nd place.

Elway’s tee time is 8:05 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, and 1 p.m. Thursday, May 29. He will be paired with four-time Colorado Open/Colorado Senior Open champion Bill Loeffler of Castle Rock, and Meridian (Englewood) Golf Club head pro Paul Lobato.

Also joining Elway in the $50,000 event is defending champion Doug Rohrbaugh of Carbondale, who won the 2013 championship by a six-stroke margin, pocketing the $8,500 first place prize. Rohrbaugh’s feat was even more impressive due to the fact that he didn’t post higher than a five on any of the 54 holes over three days in difficult weather conditions. Rohrbaugh will tee off at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday and at 7:40 a.m. Thursday.

History is being made at this year’s championship as the first female competitor in a Colorado Senior Open will tee it up with the guys for the first time. Sherry Andonian, a teaching professional at Valley Country Club in Centennial, earned an exemption through the Colorado Section PGA.  Andonian was also eligible to play in the Colorado Open in July but has chosen not to compete, and she has a conflicting event keeping her from participating in the Colorado Women’s Open in August. Andonian’s tee times are 7:55 a.m.Wednesday and 12:50 p.m. Thursday.

Another new contestant in the field is Jim Chancey who played on the Champions Tour where he finished in the top-100 money list in 2006 and 2008.

Admission and parking are free to the public. Complete event details can be found at www.coloradoopen.com.

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Denver and Seattle zoos are going animal to animal over Super Bowl bet

January 31, 2014

Denver Zoo and Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle have agreed to a friendly wager between the two Super Bowl teams.

If the Broncos win the Vince Lombardi Trophy Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., a curator from Woodland Park Zoo will hand deliver a case of Washington apples to Denver Zoo’s Przewalski’s horses and spend a day working with the horses and elephants while wearing a Broncos jersey.

Should the Seahawks win, Denver Zoo Curator of Birds John Azua will take a case of trout to Woodland Park Zoo for its sea eagles and spend a day working with the zoo’s animals while sporting a Seahawks jersey.

“Game on! Really, this bet is a win either way for us. Accredited zoos and aquariums work closely together and the exchange would also give us a chance to talk shop and compare best practices. Still, I expect the Broncos to win and for us to welcome and host our fallen colleague here in Denver!” Azua said.

Denver Zoo has extended its half-off admission discount to Broncos fans wearing orange or their favorite Bronco wear through Saturday.

Denver Zoo also launched an online campaign. “Fanimals,” where guests can pick which animal fan they most closely relate to on Facebook. As ancient relatives of domestic horses Przewalski’s horses are the original broncos. The horses’ name in their native country Mongolia is “takhi,” meaning spirit.

No, that's not John Elway. That's one of the pzalski horses at Denver Zoo. Below, an orangutan shows off his Denver Broncos spirit. (Denver Zoo Facebook photos)

No, that’s not John Elway (just kidding!). That’s one of the Przewalski’s horses at Denver Zoo. Below, an orangutan shows off his Denver Broncos spirit. (Denver Zoo Facebook photos)Orangutan_Denver Zoo

 

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The other Wiard takes the front-line job at Elway’s Cherry Creek

January 29, 2014

Jennifer “Jen” Wiard, longtime Elway’s Cherry Creek director of sales (and wife of Elway’s culinary director Tyler Wiard), was just named general manager of Elway’s Cherry Creek by Tim Schmidt, co-owner of the restaurant along with Broncos great and Hall of Famer John Elway.

Yay, Jen! You go!

 

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Eat like a linebacker during Super Bowl brunch at Zengo

January 24, 2014

On Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 2,  Zengo at 1610 Little Raven St. will be running its $35 bottomless brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., which includes unlimited small plates, free flowing brunch cocktails and a live DJ.

Show your spirit on game day and cheers with an “Orange Crush” drink consisting of  vodka and orange crush soda to be included in the bottomless brunch options for $7 (John Elway‘s number) on the a la carte menu. Reservations are recommended by calling 720-904-0965.

 

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Penny Parker On The Town: Plenty of Broncos banter precedes Sunday’s win over Jacksonville

October 16, 2013

Because of a technical glitch, Monday’s column went out to subscribers with only a few lines from the first item.

What was supposed to happen was the launch of a new format that would give subscribers the top item, then direct them to click on the link to the Blacktie-Colorado website in order to drive more traffic there. Let’s hope it works today…

So, here’s what you missed on Monday:

Let’s rewind the clock to a few days before the Broncos victory over the Jaguars, who though winless, were certainly no pushovers in Sunday’s game.

Former Broncos tight end turned CBS Sports commentator Shannon Sharpe, in Denver Sunday to cover the Broncos-Jaguars game, was spotted at his former quarterback, John Elway‘s Cherry Creek steak house Saturday night.

But while he warmly greeted Elway and his wife, Paige, in the restaurant, was he also picking Elway’s pocket? During the “NFL Today” broadcast, Sharpe told fellow football prognosticators James Brown and Dan Marino that he had dined at Elway’s establishment Saturday night.

“I put dinner on John Elway’s tab,” Sharpe said, most likely joking. I can only confirm that Sharpe, joined by fellow former teammate Rod Smith, were there, but who paid is not known.

Meanwhile, back at “The Late Show With David Letterman” last week, lead guest Michael Strahan, star of “Live! With Kelly and Michael” and former New York Giants defensive end, and Letterman discussed Broncos QB Peyton Manning. Although Letterman will always favor his hometown Indianapolis Colts, he can’t “quit” Manning after all his years as the Colts QB.

Here’s the transcript from CBS.com:

Dave asks (Strahan) about Manning: “What’s all that barking he does at the line of scrimmage?  Peyton points and shouts and prances up and down the line yelling instructions to his linemen and backs. What’s he doing?”

Strahan: “It’s a lot of B.S.  Peyton Manning may be smart enough to understand all that yakking he’s doing, but the guys he’s yelling to? The linemen? The other guys on the team? They aren’t that smart. He’s doing it for show. The defense bark, ‘Just snap the ball!!'”

 

JustLikeUs1

Que bueno!

I took a neighbor to see “Just Like Us,” the play adapted from the book by Helen Thorpe, the estranged wife of Gov. John Hickenlooper, at the Stage Theatre last week.

We were the two mature women sitting in the first few rows with tears streaming down our faces. The story follows the plight of four young Latina women — two who are U.S. citizens and two who are illegal immigrants — as they struggle with their high school, college and post-college years.

At the urging of Kent Thompson, Denver Center Theatre Company’s producing artistic director, Thorpe agreed to let playwright Karen Zacarias transform her words onto the stage.

The result is a riveting performance, which no matter where you stand on immigration, will at least make you think. The cast is simply marvelous and the sets move around almost as fast as the teacup ride at Disneyland.

If you can go, go. “Just Like Us” plays at the Stage until Nov. 3. Tickets: 303-893-4100 or at www.denvercenter.org.

Helen Thorpe wrote 'Just Like Us," which was transformed into a stage play for the Denver Center for the Perming Arts. (Blacktie-Colorado photo)

Helen Thorpe wrote ‘Just Like Us,” which was transformed into a stage play for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. (Blacktie-Colorado photo)

 

Diamonds are this girl’s best friend

Call it the fickle finger of fate. Call it divine intervention. Or call it just plain luck.

But on Saturday during the annual Champagne and Diamonds gala to benefit Sense of Security, the evening’s last act was a random drawing from a glass bowl full of names who had purchased a chance to win a $12,000 diamond necklace donated by Hadley’s House of Diamonds.

Drum roll, please. The winner was Vicki Tosher, and the crowd gathered at the downtown Grand Hyatt went wild. Tosher founded the breast cancer patient financial support charity 13 years ago after a dear friend had been diagnosed. Tosher is a two-time survivor.

When her name was called, Tosher wobbled toward the dance floor and her prize in sheer shock. Then she fell to her knees.

“I’ve won two other things in my life,” she said after being helped to her feet. “One was a calculator.”

Congratulations, Vicki. There is no one more deserving. Sparkle on, girl!

Playing dress-up

It may be a bit premature for Halloween, but nevertheless, some of Denver’s fiercest supporters of The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will be modeling costumes from the Denver Center Theatre Company’s closet during Theatre Threads from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 in the Seawell Ballroom. Proceeds will benefit DCTC and its education programs.

From the looks of the get-ups modeled in the past, this event will upstage a Vegas floor show. This years models are Jeremy Anderson, Jamie Angelich, Fiona Baldwin, Murri Bishop, Keri Christiansen, Sharon Cooper, BJ Dyer, Terri Fisher, Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons, Alice Foster, Roger Hutson, Carmel Koeltzow, Gayle Novak, Stacy Ohlsson, Loretta Robinson, Jackie Rotole, Robyn Taylor and (dame) Judi Wolf.

But a would-be thespian also hinted that DCPA chairman and CEO Daniel Ritchie is expected to get into a get-up.

The event features the aforementioned fashion show and luncheon hosted by the Denver Center Alliance.

“I will always remember as a child going to the theatre and being swept away into this magical world filled with lively characters dressed in beautiful costumes,” said event chair Denise Bellucci. “It’s because of fundraising events like Theatre Threads that, not only can the Denver Center for the Performing Arts give a child this wonderful experience and love of the theatre, but they also help support the creation of it.”

Tickets are $100 per person. Reservations: 303-446-4815 or visit www.denvercenter.org/threads.

Judi Wolf will be one of many of Denver's finest citizen's

Judi Wolf will be one of many of Denver’s charitable citizens modeling Denver Center Theatre Company’s costumes at the Oct. 23 event, Theatre Threads, at the Seawell Ballroom. (Denver Center photo)

 

Wise wine guy

If you haven’t heard Marczyk Fine Foods and Fine Wines owner Pete Marczyk wax poetic about the perfection of wine and food pairings, you’ve missed seeing a showman at his grapey best.

Now’s your chance. Marczyk, along with colleague Maxine DiJulio, will present a selection of some of their favorite Italian holiday wines representing styles you may know but varietals you likely don’t during an event sponsored by The Denver Chapter of the American Wine Society, beginning at 6:30 p.m. today (Oct. 16) at Panzano, inside the Hotel Monaco at 909 17th St.

Each course, prepared by exceptional executive chef Elise Wiggins and her team, will be paired with two wines of similar styles but at different price points. Attendees will compare and contrast these wines and then pick a favorite. After the votes are counted (barring any hanging chads), the price of each will be revealed.

The event is $65 for AWS members and $75 for non-members and guests. Registration is online only by visiting https://www.blacktie-colorado.com/calendar/event-detail.cfm?id=26189.

Eavesdropping on a woman at a recent charity event: “I am growing out my bangs, it’s cheaper than Botox.”

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

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Penny Parker On The Town: Opening of Nancy P. Anschutz Center a celebration for Park Hill community

October 4, 2013

The opening of the new Nancy P. Anschutz Center Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday was a celebration despite a horrific shooting that occurred just 11 days earlier.

Boldfaced names like Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Phil and Nancy Anschutz, John and Paige Elway and Jack A. Vickers celebrated the opening of the new center at the Jack A. Vickers Boys & Girls Club.

Denver politicos and movers and shakers joined the celebration of a new Park Hill community center that replaced a shopping area that was torched by a gang in 2008.

Boys and Girls Club President and CEO John Aragoni held the sentiments of many in attendance when he said: “The community here had gone through its ups and downs. But we want to recognize its past with an eye on its future.”

‘Mythbusters’ visit Denver

Local pizza place, Patxi’s, is helping the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in preparation for a new exhibit coming to the Denver facility by hosting stars of the Discovery Channel series, “Mythbusters.”

Two of the show’s hosts, Tory Belleci and Kari Byron, will be at the opening party from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Patxi’s Cherry Creek location, 185 Steele Street. Call 303-331-1000 for more information.

Guests are invited to stop by Patxi’s for dinner and the chance to meet Tory and Kari, who will be greeting dinner guests from 6 to 8 p.m. The duo will be making the rounds, saying hello to dining guests that evening.

The exhibit, MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibition, is on display at the museum Oct. 11-Jan. 5, 2014. Museum visitors can watch live demonstrations by their MythBusting facilitators and peruse props and gadgets from the show.

To celebrate the exhibit, Patxi’s will give guests the chance to “bust” a common myth: Liquor before beer in the clear? Try it and find out! Add a shot of Jim Beam to any draft beer for just $6.50. Offer available at both Patxi’s locations on Oct. 11-17.

Tory Belleci, left, and Kari Byron will be at Patxi's on Wednesday to celebrate the new "Mythbusters" exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. (Discovery Channel photo)

Tory Belleci, left, and Kari Byron will be at Patxi’s on Wednesday to celebrate the new “Mythbusters” exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. (Discovery Channel photo)

 

Go Peru!

Taita Peruvia Cuisine turns 1 and is celebrating for one week beginning on Monday, Oct. 7 and continuing until Sunday, Oct. 13.  There will be a prix fixe menu featuring the most traditional Peruvian dishes from the Taita menu.  The price is $29 per person and happy hour drink specials will be available all week open to close.  Live music will be featured on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Oct. 10-12).

Taita Peruvian Cuisine, located at 1521 Marion St. (just north of Colfax Avenue), opened in the fall of 2012 and features a traditional Peruvian menu with a touch of American influence in an upscale and cozy atmosphere.

The menu, inspired from a wide selection of Peruvian delicacies, is Jose “Chef Pepito” Aparicio’s pride: a culmination of over 20 years of cooking experience.

For more information about the first birthday celebration, menu, hours and more, visit www.taitadenver.com or call 720-708-6486.

38th Cider Days this weekend in Lakewood

The 38th annual Cider Days returns to the Lakewood Cultural Center this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6.

The center is at 801 S. Yarrow St. in Lakewood. Admission each day is $7 for adults and $4 for children, 3-12 years old. Saturday’s event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday will be from noon-4 p.m.

This fun event celebrates Lakewood’s agricultural heritage and offers live entertainment, demonstrations, cider tastings and food.

On Sunday, Oct. 6, the event will host a cider tasting at noon, sponsored by the newly formed Rocky Mountain Cider Association. There will be 20 ciders available at the tasting, including 14 from Colorado producers, which will be the largest collection of state-made ciders gathered in one place. Tickets for groups of four 2.5-ounce tasters of cider can be purchased for $5. Other ciders will be from producers in Montana, England, France, Spain and New Zealand.

For more details, visit www.lakewood.org/CiderDays/.

Sign of the times – on a South Havana storefront: “I broke up with my gym. We were not working out.”

Eavesdropping on a driver seeing the name of a South Colorado Boulevard business: “Chin Massage? Sounds like this place has a limited business model.”

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

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Penny Parker On The Town: NFL catches flak from Broncos fans over Joe Flacco banners

August 28, 2013

The giant Joe Flacco photo hanging outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High (next to Peyton Manning‘s same-size photo) is creating a load of flak in Broncos Country.

What’s worse is that the Baltimore Ravens quarterback’s mug decorates much of downtown on banners that seem to be reproducing like rabbits. Make it stop, say fans on various websites and Facebook pages.

Flacco’s name and image are still sensitive subjects since the 2012 Super Bowl winners booted the Broncos out of the running when the Ravens beat the Broncos in double overtime during the playoffs last season. Flacco’s “Mile High Miracle” pass in the waning seconds of regulation sent the game into overtime. It still hurts.

But the agreement to plaster Flacco’s face all over the Mile High City was sealed between the NFL and the Broncos when the pro football honchos offered our city the coveted NFL season opener.

“The NFL equally promotes both teams as part of its annual Kickoff Game, and we are working closely with the league regarding our compliance to NFL guidelines for exterior signage and other promotional efforts for the game,” said Patrick Smyth, the Broncos executive director of media relations. “This is why fans may notice some promotional art outside Sports Authority Field at Mile High and around town that features both teams.”

That explanation is of little comfort to fans outraged by what they deem a “desecration” of our football field and downtown.

They took out their frustrations Tuesday all over websites, social media and on sports radio shows. One frustrated fan went so far as to craft a petition to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The petition was posted on Sports Illustrated Audibles:  http://nfl.si.com/2013/08/27/joe-flacco-banner-mile-high-denver-broncos/. It reads:

To: Roger Goodell, @nflcommish, National Football League

Take the Joe Flacco signage off my Mile High Stadium! Broncos Nation will not endure this detestable and audacious act. Who in their right mind thought that we would just let this fly?! We stand united against your unbearable Joe Flacco signage.

Sincerely, [Your name]

CBS4 sports anchor Vic Lombardi, a Denver-area native, went berserk, and crossed the line between objective reporting and acting on his passion for his hometown team. Lombardi was recorded on www.tout.com (ever heard of it?) vandalizing Flacco banners along the 16th Street Mall (http://www.tout.com/m/v3kkob?ref=tw3dl5di).

He used a Sharpie to draw mustaches on Flacco’s face, and then resorted to masking tape plastered across the offending banners.

“If you’re a Denver native, this is a crock of crap,” Lombardi told former Bronco Alfred “Big Al” Williams and Darren “D-Mac” McKee on The Drive radio show Tuesday afternoon on 104.3 The Fan. “The NFL is pushing us around. The mayor (Michael Hancock) is a big Broncos fan. He can’t be happy about this … come on!”

Lombardi’s boss, CBS4 news director Tim Wieland, said he was well aware of the sports anchor’s antics through posts on Twitter.

“If you know Vic, you know that he likes to get involved in the reporting,” Wieland said. “In this case, Vic’s intent was to have a little fun with a subject that’s clearly irritating to many Broncos fans.” But condoning vandalism? Really?

Even “Big Al” Williams couldn’t get on board with Lombardi’s actions.

“This is a bunch of nothing,” Williams said. “That stadium will be filled with 85 percent Broncos fans.” NBC is televising the season opener at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5 on 9News.

The Joe Flacco banner at Sports Authority Field at Mile High is drawing the ire of Broncos fans. (Sports Authority Field photo)

The Joe Flacco banner at Sports Authority Field at Mile High is drawing the ire of Broncos fans. (Sports Authority Field photo)

 

Fossil Trace GC gets top 10 nod in Forbes

Fossil Trace Golf Course in Golden is listed among the “10 most unusual U.S. golf courses,” according to “Forbes” magazine contributor Larry Olmsted.

The writer raves about course designer Jim Engh, calling him “one of my favorite golf architects and way underrated by the general public, though the industry holds him in high acclaim.”

Olmstead also notes Fossil Creek’s preservation of rustic mining equipment and the history lesson the course provides with prehistoric dinosaur tracks through holes 11 to 15 left some 64 million years ago. “Triceratops footprints have been well-marked next to the 12th green so golfers can take a look, and more fossils, plaster footprint casts, and ancient history are in the clubhouse,” Olmstead notes.

He forgets the great views the course offers from every direction, especially from holes No. 1 and 10, and the commune next to the 16th tee box.

Read about all 10 courses and Fossil Trace here.

The approach to No. 12 at Fossil Trace Golf Course with an old mining crane in the background. (Fossil Trace photo)

The approach to No. 12 at Fossil Trace Golf Course with an old mining crane in the background. (Fossil Trace photo)

 

PGA Tour is on the (golf) ball

The PGA Tour is not run by a slew of stooges.

Witness the television commercial already out touting the 2014 BMW Championships, part of the FedEx Cup playoff tournament series that will be played at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village.

The advertisement features four of Denver’s best-known sports figures, from the Broncos: John Elway, Peyton Manning and John Lynch and ex-Denver Nuggets star Chauncey Billups (now with the Detroit Pistons but a Denver resident and native).

So Todd Helton and Joe Sakic are chopped liver?

The BMW Championship is the next to the last tournament of the FedEx Cup series that narrows the field to the final 30 that play at The TOUR Championship the following week. Next year’s BMW Championship will be played Sept. 4-7 at Cherry Hills. Tickets are already available online for the 2014 BMW Championship.

Check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEeVNzcrYZU.

Steuben’s has something to crow about

Steuben’s, the feel-good restaurant at 523 E. 17th Ave., was recently selected as one of America’s best chicken and waffles spot by Travel + Leisure magazine.

“Despite being mile-high, there’s a down-home essence at Steuben’s, from the old diner décor to the super-friendly staff,” the article says. “And chicken and waffles don’t get more classic than chef Brandon Biederman’s version. The meat is brined in buttermilk and seasoning for a day, then dredged in seasoned flour and fried to order. The waffles are traditional Belgian, served with a red-eye gravy made from Jim Beam bourbon, coffee and bacon. Afterward, waddle next door to sister restaurant Ace, with plenty of Ping-Pong tables.”

Check out the story at http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-best-chicken-and-waffles/7.

Now for the rest of the story: Steuben’s only serves the chicken and waffles for brunch on Saturday and Sunday and as the Sunday dinner special. You can order Steuben’s popular fried chicken (with mashed potatoes gravy and a biscuit) any day of the week.

Another 9th Door

The Beauvallon building on Ninth and Lincoln has been a revolving door for restaurants since it opened. But that doesn’t seem to bother Bill Kennedy, owner of The 9th Door, 1808 Blake St., who will open another outpost in the eatery-challenged building.

The Spanish tapas restaurant is slated to open in October, according to a story on Westword.com. Check out the details:

http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2013/08/spanish_tapas_9th_door_opening_beauvallon.php.

Eavesdropping on a woman discussing the Flacco banners: “What if the Yankees put up a 40- foot picture of Big Papi (Red Sox slugger David Ortiz)? That would never happen.”

Did you hear that I have a new column, “Mile High Life,” in Colorado Community Media’s 17 weekly newspapers circling Denver? Be sure to like my Facebook page! Also, here’s where you go to get my column emailed to you Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. My email: penny@blacktie-llc.com. Want to advertise your business here? Contact Trisha at trilind@hotmail.com.

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Penny Parker’s On The Town: Hearty summer parties coming up

June 15, 2012

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.

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Penny Parker’s On The Town: Elephant waltzes into downtown Denver

Hey, there’s an elephant on my street; how he got there I’ll never know.

If you’re in the vicinity of Curtis and 18th streets on Saturday, don’t be surprised to see an elephant lumbering toward The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Denver.

The elephant entry signifies the third and final air jordan spizike wedding ceremony between an East Indian doctor and his American wife. Three ceremonies are planned with the last being an Indian tradition of having the bride arrive at the reception location aboard an elephant being trucked in from California for the occasion.

I’ve been told that there will be street closures and off-duty police officers along the route. “I understand they’ve taken out tons of (city) permits,” said a source. Representatives from the mayor’s office could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

Get your grill on

It’ll be a hot time in the old town when a slew of chefs fire up their grills and serve up sliders during the fourth annual Hot Rocks Griller Challenge, a fundraiser for the Denver Health Foundation’s men’s health programs, from 6 to 9 p.m. June 13 at Elway’s Cherry Creek.

Roughly 16 of the top local chefs will get their grill on to compete for top honors in the slider competition where the winner is determined by popular vote. Attendees can purchase chips (votes) from $5 to $100, and flip chips into the receptacles on their favorite chefs’ tables. Each chef will concoct a creative slider plus a side dish that will be paired with a wine.

The heated competition represents some of Denver’s best culinary talent including: Steve Ballas (Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs), Robert Bogart (Elway’s Downtown), Michael Bortz (City Bakery), Jamey Fader (Lola, Big Red F Restaurant Group), Troy Guard (TAG, TAG Raw Bar, Madison Grill), Jennifer Jasinski (Rioja, Bistro Vendome, Euclid Hall), Simon Purvis (EDGE Restaurant), Paul Reilly (formerly of Encore), Matt Selby and Brandon Biederman (Vesta Dipping Grill, Steuben’s), Goose Sorensen (Solera), Darrel Truett (Barolo Grill), Tyler Wiard and Aniedra Nichols (Elway’s Cherry Creek), Elise Wiggins (Panzano) and Sean Yontz (El Diablo).

Denver’s own Chris Daniels and the Kings will provide musical entertainment. Guests can also “pay to play” the Hyde Park Jewelers High Striker test of skills game. Event chairs Michael Pollak (Hyde Park) and John Elway (Broncos, Hall of Fame) will fan the fun.

Tickets are $100 apiece or $250 for early admission and entrance to the VIP Lounge. Purchase them at denverhealthfoundation.org.

In memoriam

Hank Dire, owner of the iconic Bonnie Brae Tavern, died Monday at age 84. Hank had worked at the family restaurant since he was 5 years old.

Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 3959 E. Iliff Ave., will be the location for a memorial service at 10 a.m. Monday.

Another long-time Colorado restaurateur Timothy Lee Galloway died last November, but the current issue of  issue of Golf Digest tells the touching story of how his son, Winn, took his dad for a round of golf at Pebble Beach where Tim scored a hole in one.

Tim worked at Boulder restaurants including Flagstaff House, adidas neo Red Lion Inn, Potter’s, the restaurants at the Boulderado Hotel and Cork n’ Cleaver.

Check out the Golf Digest story (have your hanky nearby) here.

Dad’s day

Four local men may be captains of industry and pillars in the community, but they are most proud of being a dad.

Walt DeHaven, vice president and general manager of CBS4; Steve Erkenbrack, president and CEO of Rocky Mountain Health Plans; Greg Feasel, executive vice president and COO of the Colorado Rockies and Jeff Jones, co-president and CFO of Vail Resorts, were lauded Wednesday night during the Father of the Year Awards, a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association.

The ballroom at the Grand Hyatt was packed with supporters who were treated to touching video tributes from children of the honored fathers.

Evening emcee CBS4 anchor Jim Benemann warmed up the crowd with some of his own “dad-isms”.

“I remember my dad fondly for the things he taught me such as, ‘Oh, I’ll give you something to cry about.’ Or, ‘Because I said so, that’s why.'”

Speaking of dear old dad

Are you tardy to the dad’s day party? There’s still time to make Father’s Day brunch or dinner reservations. Go to opentable.com to see a list of special Father’s Day feasts.

Eavesdropping on a man watching The View: “They should just call this,’ We All Talk at the Same Time.'”

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.

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