Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta will provide more than 200 pizzas for 1,000 competitors in the 10th Annual Kick-A-Ball Tournament beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Colorado Young Professionals Group.

Organizers hope to raise $500,000 that will be used to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The fundraiser capitalizes on what was once considered a child’s schoolyard game that is now popular among adults with adult leagues established around the country.

Anthony’s Pizza & Pasta has supported the Make-A-Wish Colorado Kick-A-Ball Tournament since 2009.  

Teams of 11 to 15 players (at least five players on each team must be female) will play a minimum of three games in the tournament. Each team pays a $500 minimum registration. Individuals also may register as “free agents” and will be assigned to a team.

To register, go to http://kickballwish.org/.

(Make A Wish Colorado photo)

Eavesdropping on a woman at True Food Kitchen in Cherry Creek: “I quit wearing mascara during the Ford administration.”

It’s hard to believe that the Hard Rock Cafe has been rocking the 16th Street Mall for 16 years.

And like many rock stars, there comes a time to inject new energy into the act. That’s what the Hard Rock Denver did recently when it unveiled a remodel, new menu items and all new memorabilia in gold frames (the only restaurant in the chain to do so as an homage to Colorado’s gold rush history).

My condo BFF and I were treated to a recent tour through the remodeled digs and massive memorabilia by John Lindsay, senior sales and marketing manager. Chairs throughout the bar and dining rooms sport a copper-toned fabric, there’s velvet and gold chain mail hanging over the bar, new LED lighting over the stage where national and local musicians perform and all the plaques labeling the memorabilia are mounted on frames with Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the background.

All of the rock n’ roll memorabilia have been switched out with the exception of the Beatles sled from the movie “Help”. The upstairs boasts a Red Rocks Room dedicated to artists who have played in those hallowed rock walls. There’s an original poster from The Beatles only Denver concert in 1964, Johnny Cash’s shoes, photos from Dave Matthews and The Fray, one of the first bands to play at Denver’s Hard Rock.

Also upstairs are framed blotter acid sheets (with the illicit drugs missing) from drug aficionado Timothy Leary.

New menu items, prepared under the direction of chef Ryan Mapes, include half-pound burgers (my favorite was the Fiesta Burger on a toasted brioche bun with roasted jalapenos, salsa, jack cheese, fresh guacamole and pico de gallo); a starter sampler with chicken wings, nachos, spinach artichoke dip and bruschetta; a grilled chicken arugula salad and desserts to share such as the apple cobbler and the brownie fudge sundae.

For more information, go to www.hardrock.com/cafes/denver/.

Above, appetizer sampler; below, apple cobbler, giant brownie fudge sundae and slider sampler. (Hard Rock Cafe photos)

How many times have both assistant golf coaches from the same university caddied for a former player in a U.S. Open in the same year? 

Nearly never. But that’s what Brent Franklin and Brandon White, assistants for the University of Colorado women’s and men’s golf teams, will do at this week’s U.S. Women’s Open.  Play begins Thursday in Pinehurst, N.C., on the same course the men completed their championship Sunday.

Both coaches will be caddying for former players they coached, Franklin for CU graduate Jessica Wallace and White for Northern Colorado’s Carleigh Silvers, whom he tutored when he was the Bears’ coach before joining Roy Edwards’ staff last summer.

Wallace and Silvers will be the first players from their alma maters to play in a U.S. Women’s Open.

Wallace, 23, a native of Vancouver, B.C., transferred to CU from Pepperdine before her junior season and credits Franklin as the major factor in her heading to Boulder.

She qualified on May 19 in Georgia, carding a 77-71—148 at Dunwoody Country Club; that was one off the lead in tying for second as she was one of three to advance from that site’s sectional.  Wallace also has competed in two LPGA events, both Canadian Opens. She missed the cut last year by two strokes.

There was little hesitation who Wallace wanted as her caddy for the most important tournament in her young career.

“Jess sent me a text right after she finished … something like, ‘I think I just qualified for the U.S. Open,’ and we spoke on the phone five minutes later,” Franklin said.

“It was an obvious decision, he’s been my swing coach ever since I transferred to Colorado,” Wallace said. “He was a big reason that I decided to come to Colorado.  He’s caddied for me before, and I trust his opinion so it made sense for me to have him on the bag.”

Franklin has extensive caddying experience, from local and regional to LPGA events across the nation and overseas in Japan.

“I caddied for my wife (Kristine) a few times when she was a professional, and caddied for (former Buff) Emily (Talley) a couple of weeks ago,” said Franklin, who just completed his 12th year as Anne Kelly’s assistant.  “I basically caddy almost every single day for the girls when you’re coaching them in a tournament.  You’re not carrying their clubs, but that’s what a coach does.  You’re mainly there to help them make good decisions.”

Talley, featured on Golf Channel’s “Big Break” last year, asked the longtime Buff assistant to be on her bag in the LPGA’s ShopRite Classic.

“There will definitely be a sense of comfort and familiarity in having Brent caddy for me,” Wallace said.  “Really, there has been nobody that has seen me play golf more than Brent, so there will be a calming factor having him out there with me.”

And while a first-timer is always a long shot, Wallace would join an exclusive CU club if she should win: Hale Irwin won three U.S. Opens (1974, 1979, 1990) and Steve Jones captured one (1996), giving the school four in all.

White, too, has a solid history of caddying, among those for his former roommate of three years, Kevin Stadler, a PGA Tour event winner.

“As a player, playing in the U.S. Open was always a goal, so being in it even as a caddy is going to be a lot a fun,” White said.  He advanced to the sectional qualifying on a couple of occasions.

Silvers, also 23, graduated from UNC in 2013 and has since, “dedicated herself 100 percent to professional golf,” according to White.  “For her to qualify for the U.S. Open in her first year as a pro is nothing short of an amazing accomplishment.  She’s had a tremendous year … she’s made the cut in every event she’s played in this season, about 15 events between the Cactus Tour in Arizona and the Symetra Tour.”

This is the first time that the same course is hosting both the men’s and women’s U.S. Open tournaments in back-to-back weeks.  Germany’s Martin Kaymer was the wire-to-wire winner of the men’s U.S. Open on Sunday, finishing with a 9-under 271 to win by eight strokes.

Salt & Grinder, 3609 W. 32nd Ave., the newest restaurant from Frank “Energizer Bunny” Bonanno, opened last week serving deli fare.

On Wednesday, Bonanno will host a celebration at the new deli, gifting the first 100 people through the door at 11 a.m. $50 S&G gift cards. Salt & Grinder is the 11th restaurant to join the Bonanno Concepts family. As Bonanno described in a recent guest column in The Denver Post, Salt & Grinder represents — and is a tribute to — some of his earliest childhood memories.

“Salt & Grinder is something that’s been in my head for a while, ever since I moved to Denver to attend college … I get to bring a piece of my New Jersey boyhood to Denver,” Bonanno said. “As someone who grew up in New Jersey, walking to the neighborhood deli was often part of my routine with friends or family. Simple, straightforward and always dependable – that was our deli. Not fancy, just a great sandwich. I’ve always wanted to create that kind of spot, and the Highlands Square neighborhood is perfect for that.”

Salt & Grinder is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, serving both morning and afternoon deli fare, including New Jersey classics and original Bonanno creations.

Frank Bonanno opened his 11th restaurant, Salt & Grinder last Wednesday.(Bonanno Concepts photo)

How did someone who started out as a hard-news reporter wind up on the society beat?  Joanne Davidson, society editor of “The Denver Post” since November 1985 will answer that question and more as guest speaker during a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Maggiano’s in the Denver Pavilions. The event is sponsored by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

She came to Colorado from her native San Francisco, where she had spent seven years working as bureau chief for U.S. News & World Report.  Davidson will indulge in topics including how society reporting in Denver has evolved, is there such a thing as “society” anymore, and the debutante balls: the event everyone loves to hate.

Davidson is a journalism graduate from San Francisco State University and has won awards for feature writing, news writing and news editing. She lives in Denver with her husband, John, a retired newspaperman, and their four dogs.

Tickets are $28 for CWCC members and $38 for non-members. To register, go to www.thevx.com/members/event/146.

Eavesdropping on meeting planners at a conference sitting in a catered cabana at Trump Las Vegas. The host introduced his younger boyfriend to the group: “I am not a cougar, I’m a cou-gay!”

A tasty time was on the menu during the sixth annual Hot Rocks Griller Challenge Wednesday on the patio next to Elway’s Cherry Creek.

Seventeen of Denver’s greatest grillers fired up interpretations of sliders and sides to benefit the Denver Health Foundation. Winners were chosen by tokens cast in boxes. Here are the winners:

People’s Choice – 

First: Tyler Wiard and Aniedra Nichols of Elway’s Cherry Creek.

Slider:   Barbacoa torta, onion-radish slaw, grilled Oaxaca cheese, creamy avocado.

Side:    Frijoles borrachos.

Wine:    Chloe Valdadige DOC Pinot Grigio.

Second: Adam Branz of Bistro Vendôme.

Slider:   Pork belly, apricot compote, camembert, sourdough.

Side:    “Lyonnaise” potato chips.

Wine:   Chloe Sonoma Chardonnay.

Third: Felice Price of Continental Sausage/Deli.

Slider: Jackalope sausage in Wimberger’s pretzel bun with apricot mustard and grilled citrus red cabbage.

Side: German-style potato salad

Wine: Chloe Valdadige DOC Pinot Grigio.

First: Branz of Bistro Vendôme

First place desserts? Michael Bortz of City Bakery (the only dessert purveyor). A sweet end to a sweet time.

Attendees munched on juicy sliders and hearty side dishes paired with wine, live music by Chris Daniels and the Kings, a friendly competition of Pop-a-Shot and a silent auction.  And the best part?  It all helped raise awareness and funds for Denver Health Foundation’s men’s health programs.

Justin Brunson of Old Major, left, and Kevin Grossi of Lola. Below, smoked sausage with pimento cheese spread and braised collards on a Parker roll. Bottom, desserts from Michael Bortz of City Bakery.

Wacky for the World Cup?

Looking to hang out with like-minded folks?

Know the difference between futbol and football?

I can think of at least one former Denver Post colleague who’s going nuts now. (He roots for Spain, where his roots are).

Thrillist.com, the national website expert on all things hip in the food and drink world, has compiled a list of places to watch the World Cup in Denver.

The website says, “Every four years, Americans become increasingly interested in a kind of football that doesn’t involve any Manning brothers. Because the World Cup is fantastic! And even if you aren’t into it, finding excuses to go to bars at odd times of day is something we can all agree on. Here are the best places to do just that.”

Check out the places where the cool kids watch the World Cup at www.thrillist.com/drink/denver/places-to-watch-world-cup-2014-in-denver-things-to-do-in-denver.