If an Aspen trip is part of your plan, The St. Regis Aspen Resort and Garrison Brothers Distillery invite the public to an evening of cocktail creation, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. Guests will witness the “Making of a Barrel-Batched Manhattan” and will be treated to live music, passed appetizers and samples of Garrison Brothers’ straight bourbon whiskey.

Garrison Brothers Distillery will create a barrel-aged Manhattan using its Texas straight whiskey bourbon. The drink will age and ripen to be enjoyed by guests at the New Year’s Eve celebration at The St. Regis Aspen Resort on Dec. 31.

Charlie Garrison of Garrison Brothers Distillery will discuss the vision and concept behind Garrison Brothers’ micro bourbon and the process of making the Manhattan at the Friday event. Garrison will then unveil the empty barrel to be batched with a classic Manhattan.

The event is complimentary and open the public. For further information, please visit www.stregis.com/aspenresort or call 970-920-3300.

Eavesdropping on Facebook: “So I made my husband go play Barbie dolls with our 4-year-old granddaughter while I wrapped presents. His quote: ‘I’m playing dolls. And I’m winning!'”

Our website apparently was hacked, which made it impossible for many of our subscribers to read my entire column on Wednesday (how awful!). So, we are re-running the column in its entirety today for your reading pleasure. Cheers!

Denver Union Station will hold its first New Year’s Eve event since the historic building’s $54 million renovation.  The New Year’s Eve Bootlegger Ball will take place beginning at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 and will feature three floors of entertainment with two different access levels.

“We’re going to change the way Denver does New Year’s Eve,” said Joe Vostrejs, of the Union Station Alliance.  “Union Station is an amazing venue in the heart of the city, we’re planning an exciting night of surprises and a party that really takes it up a notch.”

The Bootlegger Ball will feature live music, a DJ, complimentary drinks and bubbles, a private speakeasy and a countdown to midnight that no other venue can produce.  The event will only be accessible to ticket holders, tickets are sold on two levels at www.unionstationindenver.com.

Denver Union Station general admission with access to the Speakeasy – $150 per person:

• Includes access to the Terminal Bar and Great Hall;
• Exclusive access to the underground Speakeasy;
• Appetizers and desserts;
• Three drink tickets including wine and beer, additional cash bar;
• Complimentary bubbles toast at midnight;
• New Year’s gear;
• Live band, DJ and dancing.

Countdown at the Cooper – includes exclusive access to The Cooper Lounge and admission to the Great Hall and Speakeasy – $475 per couple/two people:

• Includes access to The Cooper Lounge;
• Access to the Great Hall party, Terminal Bar and underground Speakeasy;
• Open bar all night with top shelf choices;
• Creative culinary options for an exciting meal, including appetizers and desserts;
• New Year’s gear;
• Live band, DJ and dancing;
• Champagne toast at midnight.

Both admission levels can be combined with a stay at The Crawford Hotel at Denver Union Station. The New Year’s packages that evening include two tickets to the celebration, late checkout and discounted rates two days before and after New Year’s for an extended stay. The Countdown at the Cooper package also includes breakfast in the Cooper Lounge on New Year’s Day.  Find the Bootlegger’s Ball package at www.thecrawfordhotel.com or call 720-460-3700.

Tickets to attend the Bootlegger Ball at Denver Union Station can be purchased at www.unionstationindenver.com, capacity is limited.  RTD Denver will provide their annual service of free light rail and bus transportation from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Visit www.rtd-denver.com for more details.

The Street Boutique, a fashion truck focused exclusively on women’s fashions, apparel and accessories, has announced the launch of its first fashion truck for the Denver area. Bringing current and trendy yet moderately priced East and West Coast fashions directly to the Colorado market, The Street Boutique is available for personal consultations, fashion parties and pop-up browsing at locations around Denver.

“The Street Boutique is Denver’s only true women’s boutique in a truck, and we’re very excited to be bringing current styles and brands directly to the fashionable lady on the move,” said Lindsey Trees, founder and owner of The Street Boutique. “Our clothing appeals to women of all ages as we stock the latest trends in addition to simple classic styles, great basics, quality jewelry and fun grab-and-go accessories. We capture a broad variety of styles, and many brands you won’t find locally.”

According to Trees, The Street Boutique works directly with the fashion markets of Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York, and brings a variety of current styles and trends directly to Denver. Brands include Glam, Ya Los Angeles, Blu Pepper, Daniel Rainn, Sugarhill Boutique, Poppy Lux, Areve, RD Style, DownEast Basics, See U Soon, Velvet Heart and more.

Originally a fashion merchandising major in college, Trees spent several years in other industries rounding out her business experience before pursuing her passion in fashion. “I wanted to help other women realize that high fashion doesn’t have to come at a high price. Most of our designs are in the $40 to $80 range, and very few items cross the $100 threshold,” Trees said.

The Street Boutique notifies followers of its daily locations and upcoming events via social media, and is available for daytime office and salon stops.  The Street Boutique also facilitates group parties, turning book or wine clubs into a fashion night complete with individual consultations.

For more information or to schedule a fashion consultation or party, go to www.denverstreetboutique.com/ or call 720-233-6942. Follow The Street Boutique on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DenverStreetBoutique or on Twitter at @DenStreetBoutiq.

When Kathleen Nevin’s Big Fat Cupcake business was severely hit by the Cherry Creek North construction, she decided not to fade away without a fight.

Nevin wrote to her e-mail list with a crowdfunding rewards program to inject new capital into the sweet business. Here’s what she said:

“…We have set up a crowdfunding rewards program with GoFundMe/BigFatCupcake. If you are not aware BFC has been crushed by the re-development of Cherry Creek North. We were scheduled to close this past Saturday but our loyal fan base would not have it. I have reduced our hours in Cherry Creek to Tuesday – Saturday 9-5 and Denver Place Tuesday through Friday 10-4. We are far from out of the woods. If you can help in any way small or large (wow) it will be greatly appreciated.”

Here’s the scoop on the rewards for donations. No expiration.

* $10 – A flight of BFC cupcakes (three);
* $25 – Six BFC cupcakes;
* $50 – One dozen BFC cupcakes;
* $100 – A vintage homemade apron made by Nevin.
* $250 – A baking class for five children (12 years old plus) baking cupcakes and making butter cream for three hours on a Saturday afternoon in 2015;
* $500 – Six months of Cupcake of the Month Club delivered in greater Denver;
* $1,000 – Your child as an intern for one week (12 years old plus) summer 2015;
* $5,000 – Lifetime cupcake award hung in Cherry Creek Store with your photo and free cupcakes for one year. Six cupcakes a week for 52 weeks;
* $10,000 – Platinum card and cupcake award hung in Cherry Creek Store with your photo. Free cupcakes for the rest of your life. Six cupcakes per week. Super hero status by every Big Fat Cupcake loving adult and child in the U.S. A cupcake superhero cape made by Nevin.

For more information, contact Nevin at Kathleen@bigfatcupcake.com.

Seven Colorado wineries earned a total of 28 medals from the 15th annual Jefferson Cup Invitational, the only competition that honors the best of the best among wineries from all of America’s wine regions. Each year Doug Frost, M.S., M.W., selects great wines from across America.

“What we are doing is following Mr. Jefferson’s example and allowing every quality wine-producing region in America a place at our table,” said Frost. “Each year we select great wines from across America; the 2014 competition included wines from 25 states.”

The two-day competition, Nov. 20 and 21 in Kansas City, Mo., culminated with the awarding of 38 Jefferson Cup Awards to 11 white wines, 20 red wines and seven dessert wines. Jefferson Cups were awarded to wines made from both Vitis vinifera vines (a European species responsible for wines such as Chardonnay and Merlot) and non-vinifera vines, which flourish in the more extreme climates in the center portion of the U.S. Colorado was represented in this top category for the sixth year in a row.

This year, Bookcliff Vineyards took home its fourth Jefferson Cup for its 2013 Malbec and The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey earned its first Jefferson Cup for its 2012 Merlot Reserve. Both Bookcliff Vineyards and The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey were also represented in the 2014 Colorado Governor’s Cup Case for their Malbec and Merlot, respectively. Other Colorado wineries that were invited and garnered awards were Anemoi, Boulder Creek Winery, Canyon Wind Cellars, Grand River Vineyards, and Whitewater Hill Vineyards.

The Jefferson Cup Invitational is a 15-year-old competition founded by Frost, one of only four individuals in the world to have achieved the titles of Master Sommelier and Master of Wine. In many national competitions California represents a majority of the entries and as a result usually captures most of the honors. The Jefferson Cup is a different, in that it is an invitational in which wines are pre-selected which exemplify top viticulture and winemaking throughout all wine-producing regions throughout the United States of America.

“Colorado wines, with a total of 28 Jefferson Cup medals, take a prominent seat at the table of outstanding wines from all over the nation. Congratulations to Bookcliff Vineyards in Boulder and The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City for garnering the top accolade and to our other excellent Colorado wineries that won awards,” said Doug Caskey, the executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board.

Block and Larder, the newest venture from the Forgy brothers, Jason, Aaron and chef Lucas, who opened Freshcraf in 2010 in downtown Denver, marked its official opening Wednesday at 4000 Tennyson St.

Block & Larder is a modern take on a chophouse, placing emphasis a variety of proteins. These meats, along with salads, snacks and soups will be offered on the menu. Named for a butcher’s block and the medieval term for a well-stocked pantry, a larder, the 2,800-square-foot restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner.

Brunch service will be added later. Block & Larder will seat just under 100 in a rustic space accented with wood, iron and stainless steel elements.

“My brothers and I originally opened Freshcraft with the intention of creating the kind of restaurant we’d like to visit, and are developing Block & Larder with the same mentality,” said Jason Forgy, Block & Larder partner and owner.  “Block & Larder will have more of an emphasis on in-house butchery and using other interesting ingredients to create some fun, delicious meals.”

Block & Larder’s hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. The restaurant is the latest development from Gravitas Development Group, a local real estate development firm specializing in projects that embrace and enhance neighborhood identity.

For more information, visit www.blockandlarder.com or follow at facebook.com/blockandlarder.

The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical “Jersey Boys,”, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, returns to The Buell Theatre through Sunday only. Tickets are on sale now at www.Denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.

I saw this musical on opening night Wednesday, and it was a knock-out – especially for those of us of a certain age. What a treat of a trip down Memory Lane.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. through Sunday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

“Jersey Boys” is the winner of the 2006 Best Musical Tony Award, the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the 2010 Helpmann Award for Best Musical (Australia).

This is the true story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.  They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30. The show features all their hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What A Night,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “Working My Way Back To You.”

“Jersey Boys” opened at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway to critical acclaim on November 6, 2005. The first national tour opened to rave reviews in San Francisco on December 1, 2006, played a record-breaking run in Los Angeles and is still breaking house records in cities across North America. “Jersey Boys” is currently playing in New York; Las Vegas; London; and in cities across North America and the U.K . on National Tours.

Single tickets for JERSEY BOYS start at $35. To charge by phone, call Denver Center Ticketing Services at 303-893-4100 (TTY: 303.893.9582). Groups of 10 or more: 303.446.4829. Purchase in person at The Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at www.denvercenter.org.