Fort Collins has earned the dubious distinction of being named the fourth drunkest city in America, according to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bustle.com took the 2011 CDC data and created the top 10 rankings based on the drinking habits of residents in metropolitan areas based on their binge and heavy drinking rates.

According to the CDC findings, “At least 38 million adults in the United States drink too much.” But the good news is, “most are not alcoholics.”

What city took the top spot on the drunkest cities list? Fargo, N.D. Have you been to Fargo? If so, you’ll totally understand this ranking because – especially in the winter when temperatures plunge to negative numbers that should never be seen by human beings – there’s nothing else to do.

A heavy drinker is defined as a man who has more than two drinks a day and a woman who has more than one. Binge drinkers are defined as men who consume five or more drinks and women who guzzle more than four or more drinks on one occasion. Here’s the complete list:

10 Drunkest American Cities

1. Fargo, N.D.

2. Columbus, Neb.

3. Missoula, Mont.

4. Fort Collins, Colo.

5. Brookings, S.D.

6. Milwaukee, Wis.

7. Lawrence, Kan.

8. Tallahassee, Fla.

9. Bozeman, Mont.

10. Lincoln, Neb.
Read more: http://www.bustle.com/articles/12130-38-million-americans-have-a-problem-with-alcohol-the-10-drunkest-american-cities

A college town — home to Colorado State University — Fort Collins has a reputation as a beer-drinker’s paradise.

I guess chef/restaurant mogul Frank Bonanno needed something else to do.

It’s not enough that he’s stewarding his ever-increasing restaurant empire, which includes stand-outs such as Mizuna, Luca d’Italia, Osteria Marco, Bones, Lou’s Food Bar, etc.?

Now comes news that the super chef has landed his own television series, “Chef Driven,” on PBS affiliate, Colorado Public Television Channel 12.

“In the series, I’m hitting the road, cooking along the way, and meeting some of Colorado’s most notable farmers, ranchers, bakers, confectioners, brewers and distillers,” Bonanno said.

The journey begins at 6 p.m. MST on Sunday, Jan. 26 with “Stewards of the Land.” Starting Jan. 27, the series also will be available in high definition for free download on the “Chef Driven” website (www.chefdrivenshow.com) when it goes online. For a full show schedule and a list
of episodes, visit www.bonannoconcepts.com/chef-driven.

You can join Bonanno during for a watch party co-hosted by Seattle Fish Co. where the chef will prepare a seafood party and the show will loop throughout the night. The $30 per person price covered all food, featured cocktails, beer and wine.

Reservations are required by calling Lou’s at 303-458-0336.

Frank Bonanno is hosting his own TV show, ‘Chef Driven,’ on local PBS station, Colorado Public Television Channel 12. The show debuts on Sunday, Jan. 26. (Bonanno Concepts photo)

On Wednesday, a dozen faithful folks gathered in the Cowboy Bar at the National Western Stock Show to toast the late Lew Cady, our former fearless leader who led us on our annual trek through the uniquely Western venue.

This was the first year that the group was “Lew-less” since he died last year.

“Unlike when Cady was there to ride herd, there was no attempt to drink 108 beers: A few could still remember the time he’d urged the group to drink 100 beers (collectively) when the Stock Show turned 100,” said Westword founder and editor Patricia Calhoun.

“Otherwise, many traditions continued: The ceremonial smuggling in of cheese as a snack item to augment the peanuts in the bar; the official walking around (first clockwise, then counterclockwise) to look at all the booths with items being sold in the Coliseum. Some new (we think) items: waffle on a stick and bamboo pillows.

“Some of us stayed around to watch mutton bustin’, when 40 little kids were put on the backs of sheep, then sent out into the arena. This is a ‘sport’ that got its start at the National Western Stock Show three decades ago, is now part of rodeos and state fairs around the country – and just might be the most sadistic export ever to come out of Colorado,” Calhoun said. “We estimate the number of kids who left the arena crying at 37 percent.”

To check out the rodeo schedule, go to www.nationalwestern.com.

Lew Cady, who died last August, missed his first National Western Stock Show opening party last week. And those attended missed Lew.

Bourbon and bacon? Does it really get much better than that?

Congratulations to (so and so) who won two VIP tickets to Denver’s first Bourbon & Bacon Fest just for subscribing to this column (see how easy it is to be a subscription winner?). The event (which is already sold out, by the way!) takes place on Jan. 25 in the McNichols Civic Center Building with VIP entry from 2 to 2:30 p.m., and 2:30 to 5 p.m. for general admission.

The Bourbon & Bacon Fest will feature bacon-y treats from local chefs along with bourbons and unique whiskeys from distilleries both large and artisanal. For more information, go to www.bourbonandbaconfest.com.

Eavesdropping on a man: “One night of dancing at my age, and now I’ve got to file for Twerkman’s comp benefits.”

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning‘s “Bud Light” remark during a press conference after Sunday’s victory over the San Diego Chargers, apparently got Colorado’s craft breweries in a lather.

Many were “hoppy” mad, according to Internet reports, when Manning had this to say following a question about whether retirement was weighing on his mind.

“What’s weighing on my mind is how soon I can get a Bud Light into my mouth,” he told members of the press. “That’s priority No. 1.”

Gulp! In a state that prides itself on being arguably the largest producer of microbrews (not to mention Golden’s Molson Coors’ operations), that comment equated to an incomplete pass.

And while Strange Brewing Co. and Denver Brewing Co. honchos expressed their displeasure with the QB’s statement, Longmont’s Left Hand Brewing Company threw a Hail Mary by sending cases of its local suds to Sports Authority Field at Mile High along with this note:

“Re: Omaha

“Mr. Manning,

“Just like you , we decided to call an audible and change the play at the line to provide you with some Colorado craft beer from Left Hand Brewery. We feel it’s a better play call.

“We’ll be cheering you on against the Patriots! Go Broncos!”

Left Hand Brewing Company may not have been pleased with Peyton Manning’s comments about drinking a Bud Light after the Denver Broncos’ victory over San Diego, but the Longmont brewer sends Good JuJu his way anyhow. (Left Hand Brewing Company photo)

The Denver Post has compiled a list of 10 new eateries anticipated to open this year, which you should add to your “watch list” if you’re the type who likes being on the foodie forefront. They are:

* Ruth’s Chris Steak House – 700 15th St., Jan. 27

* Work and Class - 2500 Larimer St., Jan. 29

* Atticus – 1135 E. Evans Ave., late January

* Lowdown Brewery + Kitchen – 800 Lincoln St., early February

* Guard and Grace – 1801 California St., February

* Solitaire – 3927 W. 32nd Ave., spring

* Stoic & Genuine –  17th and Wynkoop streets, Union Station, July

* Mercantile Dining and Provision – 17th and Wynkoop streets, Union Station, July (read more about Mercantile here)

* Argyll Whisky Beer – 1035 E. 17th St., summer

* Sarto’s – 2900 W. 25th Ave., summer

Read more at http://www.denverpost.com/food/ci_24904811/big-restaurant-year-set-table-dozens-more-denver?source=nav.

The life and legacy of Dr. Marion Downs, founder of the Marion Downs Hearing Center with three locations in Aurora, Boulder and Lone Tree, will be lauded during her 100th birthday celebration Jan. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center.

Singer Donny Osmond is the headline entertainer with emcee duties performed by John Schneider from “Dukes of Hazzard.”

According to the Marion Downs website (www.mariondowns.org), Osmond family matriarch Olive Osmond is most commonly associated with her famous children, however she has another story. Virl and Tom, the two oldest Osmond brothers, were born deaf. Olive and her husband, George, could not afford hearing aids for them so they gathered their four other sons and traveled around performing to help raise the necessary funds to purchase hearing aids. This is how the Osmonds started their world-renowned entertainment careers which led to the “Osmond Brothers,” and eventually “Donny and Marie.”

The Jan. 26 gala will honor Olive and Marion’s legacy by raising funds to build a new facility to allow the MDHC to carry on with the vital work and passion of the two women.

The fundraiser begins at 4:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders, 5 p.m. for general admission. There will be a silent auction, live auction, cocktails, dinner and entertainment. Tickets: 720-848-3042 or at www.mariondowns.org.

(Photo courtesy of www.donny.com)

John Lehndorff, the Boulder-based pie poobah, award-winning newspaper journalist and my former colleague at The Rocky Mountain News, has just released the Colorado Pie Trail Calendar 2014, which includes sweet stories about the state’s pies and pie producers.

The calendar also provides a comprehensive directory of recommended pie shops, bakers and restaurants across the state. Another feature lets crust lovers plot their personal pie trail from place to place.

Pie guy Lehndorff is the founding executive director of the American Pie Council, head judge for the National Pie Championship, director of the Great American Pie Festival and founding editor of the “Pie Times” newsletter.

You can find him celebrating National Pie Day on Jan. 23, which was registered as a holiday in 1975 by Charlie Papazian of Boulder.

To buy the pie guide ($14.95), go to http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/688460.