J.R. Moehringer is about to begin a new chapter. A very big new chapter.
The Denver-based L.A. Times correspondent, Pulitzer Prize winner and former Rocky cub reporter is bracing for the release next month of his memoir, “The Tender Bar.” The story of Moehringer’s fatherless boyhood on Long Island, it’s also the quirky tale of how Moehringer sought father substitutes among the regulars in his hometown’s favorite saloon. The colorful barflies – Colt, Bobo, Goose, Smelly, Joey D, et al. – took Moehringer under their drunken wings and taught him to fly.
Thus far, “The Tender Bar” is getting more buzz than Paris Hilton at a free champagne bar. Hyperion editor-in-chief Will Schwalbe recently called it “one of the most moving, wonderful, joyous books I have ever read.”
Serial rights have been sold to Details mag, which will run an excerpt in its September issue. And Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, asked what he was reading this summer, told Women’s Wear Daily: “I am in the thick of J.R. Moehringer’s supremely great new memoir ‘The Tender Bar,’ which has me laughing out loud in parts.”
The book’s jacket blurbs include praise from literary lions David Halberstam, Richard Russo, and Aspen resident James Salter: “Simply a wonderful book about a heaven of a life that had everything going against it except intense love…”
Pretty good for a 40-year-old who used to write 12-inch brights for the Rocky about frog rodeos, dog shows and the opening of Sniagrab at Gart Bros. Because of his Denver connections, Moehringer will kick off his nationwide book tour (which includes a spot on “Today”) right here, at Tattered Cover Cherry Creek, where he sat many nights in the coffee shop, editing his final draft.
ACTION
Thursday found developer/restaurateur Jim Sullivan and his 10-year-old granddaughter Mackenzie in a small town outside of Albuquerque, N.M., method acting.
Sullivan is pals with Hollywood producer Gary Goodman, who arranged for Grandpappy Sullivan and Mac to be extras in a scene for his ABC Family series “Wildfire.” It’s a story of a sexy, rebellious teenaged girl and a horse she bonds with while doing time in a juvie detention center. Jim and Mac are in a diner eating burgers and fries, the show’s stars seated nearby. “Wildfire” airs at 6 Monday nights, so stay tuned.
Silly rabbit
Cherry Creek North should change its name to Watership Down. The neighborhood is awash with rabbits. Everytime I take a walk through CCN, I see bunnies darting everywhere.
Neighborhood rep Christina Brickley was unaware of the warren but admits she’s always trying to keep things hopping in the ‘hood.
City spirit
Put him in, coach: Jim Burris, one-time general manager of the Denver Bears and longtime local baseball official, recovering from quadruple bypass surgery two weeks ago. He turns 83 in October … Sightem: Gen. Wesley Clark in for dinner at Del Frisco’s Wednesday night … Whip It X snaps to it Aug. 5 at Rock Island, celebrating 10 years of fetish fashion … Sez who: “No sane man will dance.” Cicero
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears on Fox 31 News. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
