Last weekend the bold names were in Aspen for the annual Forstmann Little retreat, an annual off-the-record gathering of the rich, famous and powerful to discuss the pressing matters of the day.
The in-crowd included Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, Google boss Eric Schmidt, Yahoo chair Terry Semel, PBS and “60 Minutes” talker Charlie Rose, Saudi ambassador Prince Turki al-Faisal, Sen. John McCain, Gen. Colin Powell, Sen. Sam Nunn.
But what were they doing when not in some seminar like “New Media: What’s Next?” Playing tennis, hiking, golfing with the best in the business. And training their doggies.
On Friday afternoon, it was tennis with Monica Seles and Nick Bollettieri, short game clinic with Dave Pelz, long-game clinic with Jim Flick, hiking with Annabelle Bond – and a dog-training workshop with Cesar Millan, the “dog whisperer.”
Aspen is still discussing who will pay for all the extra security that Talabani required. He left Aspen for NYC on Sunday and, reports the New York Post, showed up at the trendy Circo for dinner, turning the street outside into a “frozen zone.” The NY Post breathlessly reports that Talabani got a standing ovation – but didn’t even notice that Woody Allen and wife Soon-Yi were at a nearby table. What kind of world leader is this guy?
Little people
I’m going to see Chelsea Handler at the Comedy Works this weekend because I like her TV show, her trampy chatter, and her book, “My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands.”
In a recent interview with the San Fran Chronicle, Handler says everyone always asks her about the midget. “This refers to an incident in Cabo San Lucas involving a little person, excessive tequila consumption, a blackout and subsequent awakening to the pitter-patter of little feet,” writes Jane Ganahi.
“I was so confused,” Handler writes in the book. “At first I thought, oh great, I had a baby …”
Eat up!
Mireille Guiliano, prexy and CEO of Clicquot, wrote the book “French Women Don’t Get Fat.” She’ll be testing that assertion Oct. 4 at Corridor 44 – when she hosts a $1,000-a-plate dinner for 10 prepared by chefs Carl Klein and Jennifer Jasinski, the courses paired with Veuve Clicquot Champagnes. Urp. 303-685-8128.
City spirit
Huey Lewis was at the Children’s Hospital Gala Saturday night, Prince Turki al-Faisal was in Aspen, I was at the Palm – and we all went to the same high school in New Jersey, Lawrenceville … You missed it! Tuesday was the official Talk Like a Pirate Day. Arrrrr … Marcus and Eva Camby host Cambyland at Neiman Marcus Sept. 28 – with Asian-inspired bling from Rosalina … Tonight’s the season finale for the Riverfront Park Wine & Fashion Series, hosted by Terena Grilly, Scott Thring, Kris Kenny and Douglas Kerbs, 5:30-9 p.m. … The 400 celebrates its designer sneaker success with a block party 7-10 p.m. Saturday at 1010 Bannock St. Bring some lightly used sneaks for kids at the Sewall Child Development Center … Sez who: “Anything awful makes me laugh.” Taylor Mead
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 303-954-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com.
