It’s all over but the crying – but they’re not teary at all. The Mask Project has shut down its auction, where it raised more than $800,000 for the Hospice of Metro Denver. Some highlights: Ch. 9’s Kyle Dyer’s mug went for $1,400. Denver Zoo rhino Mishindi’s mask sold at $800. Asia the circus elephant’s mask drew $410.
Husted’s mask by Lisa Olsen went home with GBLSCHAEF1 for a measly $140 – more than Sugar Pie and Shopgirl were willing to cough up.
The party April 22 at the Cherry Creek Shopping Center featured an Elvis wedding chapel vignette; 350 people got mock married, including Frontier Airlines’ Mr. Potato Head mask to drag queen Nuclia Waste’s Ms. Potato Head mask. Huh boy.
The live auction of Jay Leno’s mask – paired with Las Vegas columnist Norm Clarke’s mask and a Vespa – went for $20,000 after Clarke threw in one of his famous “Norm Tours” of LV.
So that’s it for this year. But organizer Lisa Herzlich says it’s likely to be back in 2008.
Got mustache?
Denverite mom Robin Seabar is the first non-celebrity to appear in one of those “Got milk?” mustache ads – and you can see her today on a full page in USA Today.
She got the gig for losing 46 pounds drinking lotsa low-fat milk. Go Mom!
Ace is the place
Colorado boy Ace Young, who made it to No. 7 in “American Idol,” just roared through town. He was on Alice radio Friday morning as well at Fox 31 News’ “Good Day Colorado.” He went to Children’s Hospital to give them some money raised by his fan club, the High Rollers, and sing to the kids. He finished the night at Tabu nightclub with a private party in the VIP room and a few a cappella songs.
“I’m feeling amazing,” he told Steve Kelley at Fox 31. “I haven’t had a day off since I was voted off. But getting back to Colorado was what I wanted from day one. I’m working on an album. … It’s a blessing that I didn’t win.”
And he says he’ll sing the national anthem and perform a halftime show at the Crush’s home playoff game Memorial Day weekend.
City spirit
As of today, Rioja chef/owner Jen Jasinski and GM/owner Beth Gruitch are the new owners of Bistro Vendome, just across the street in Larimer Square. Same name, same concept, the menu will get some tweeking, making a great place greater … Local bluegrass band Halden Wofford & The Hi-Beams were on “A Prairie Home Companion” Saturday in the broadcast from the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland … Need a date next weekend? Check out the “Way Out West” Barbie Doll at barbiecollector.com. She’s all dressed up for a retro dude ranch. Only $39.98 … Cry Baby Ranch on Larimer Square moves into the Ann Taylor space across the street next month … Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young have added a second show to their Denver visit, July 17-18 at the Pepsi Center, tix on sale … After a seven-hour hearing, Regas Christou got an initial thumbs-up to get a liquor and dance cabaret license for his Salty Dog and The Living Room bars at 865 Lincoln. Final hearing is June 14 … “CSI-NY” star Carmine Giovinazzo in town Tuesday to schmooze the press … Sez who: “May is a pious fraud of the almanac.” James R. Lowell
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
