It’s getting crowded in here:
If three’s a crowd, then five major events on the same night are what? An inadvertent boo-boo in scheduling? A sign that the economy has recovered sufficiently to support so many causes at the same time?
It appears to be the latter, as everyone claims that ticket sales are going great guns for the quintet of benefits taking place Feb. 25: the University of Denver Founder’s Day Gala; Artma, an art show and sale benefiting the Morgan Adams/Tanner Seebaum Foundation to benefit pediatric oncology research; Winter Fantasy, the Colorado Symphony Guild’s annual dinner-dance; the Hispanic Annual Salute; and Rendezvous in Rio, the National Jewish Medical and Research Center’s Beaux Arts Ball.
National Jewish, in fact, is reporting that the goal of having the ball raise $1 million is fast becoming reality. Already, $675,000 is in the bank with $150,000 coming from several of the Grand Marshals being honored at the annual masquerade held at the new Hyatt Regency Denver.
Joel and Carol Farkas of Gateway American Properties made the lead donation of $50,000 – a move that inspired fellow honorees Mariner and Megan Kemper (UMB Bank) and Dick Saunders (Saunders Construction) to put up equal amounts.
The University of Denver, meanwhile, is counting on such popular honorees as Tom Marsico (Professional Achievement), Moses Brewer (Community Service), Joe Docksey (Distinguished Service to the University), Veronica Caropreso (Young Alumni Achievement) and William Kurtz (Evans Award) to attract a sell-out crowd to its dinner at the Marriott City Center.
Artma appeals to a younger crowd of art lovers who appreciate works by both up-and-comers and established painters, sculptors and jewelry makers. The benefit, held at the huge Denver Studio Complex at 241 S. Cherokee St., also appeals to those with no intention or need to buy art because it’s also a food-and-wine tasting with goodies supplied by a host of the area’s top restaurants and wineries.
Colorado’s Latin community always turns out in force for the Hispanic Annual Salute, a dinner that awards college scholarships and pays tribute to the “unsung heroes” selected for their volunteer achievements by a committee headed by Olivia Mendoza of Arrupe Jesuit High School. An increase in fundraising is enabling the Hispanic Annual Salute organization to award 10 “basic scholarships” of $2,500 each this year, a 25 percent jump over 2005. Also, a new four-year $8,000 category has been established and four at that level are being given. Festivities will be at the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom.
The symphony guild also is counting on big names to help fill the tables at Cherry Hills Country Club. President Mary Raine says that CBS 4 weather anchor Ed Greene will emcee this benefit for the CSO youth education programs; honorary chairs are LaFawn Biddle, Erna Butler, Electra and Dr. Constantine Falliers, Carol Gossard, Steve and Elizabeth Holtze, Judi Newman and Arnold Wegher, Colorado’s honorary counsul for Austria.
Going, going, gone!
Money certainly didn’t seem to be an object at the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions, one of the most popular features of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. The first eight of the 90 animals sold brought a record $250,000; 20 percent of that total goes to the National Western Scholarship Trust, with the remainder banked by the youngsters who raised the prize-winning steers, lambs and hogs.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse scored a relative bargain by bidding $75,000 for Husker, the grand champion steer raised by 15-year-old Stetson Copus of Texas. Last year, owner Dee Lincoln and general manager Marc Steron had paid $110,000.
Emil-Lene’s Steakhouse bid $40,000 for the reserve champion steer, while the grand champion lamb fetched $28,000. Friends of Stan Sours were the high bidders on it. Queen Bee, the grand champion hog, brought $29,000 for 15-year-old Cody McNally of Guthrie, Okla. Trans-west Trucks placed the winning bid.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
