Some schools send parents out to sell gift-wrapping paper, coupon books and candy to make money for the classrooms or maybe a class trip. I usually decline, not caring if a co-worker’s daughter gets to play the glockenspiel with her marching band at Disney World. I’m more interested in saving the planet.
But swanky Graland Country Day School has some mighty tempting items in its upcoming annual school auction, May 3, at the school’s fieldhouse, where “smart casual attire” is recommended. Yes, it helps to have well-connected parents.
Up for big-bucks bidding: a private jet trip to play golf at the legendary Southern Hills Golf Course in Tulsa, Okla., home of three U.S. Opens; seven days in a Exclusive Resorts house in Costa Rica and Cabo San Lucas; wine from Scott Reiman’s personal cellar to wash down dinner cooked at your house by Mizuna’s Frank Bonanno; dinner for eight in a private room at Elway’s; a watercolor by William Matthews; wine from Fred Hamilton’s stash; catered dinner for 12 at the Navarre and a tour of Phil Anschutz’s collection of Western art; golf and dinner for a dozen at Cherry Hills Country Club; golf at Castle Pines; golf at Denver Country Club (two words: be-have!); 40-yard-line, field-level season tix to the Broncos; and — this is a big one — four tickets to the “American Idol Finals” and a hotel stay in L.A.
Supporting Aspen.
Speaking of big bucks, Aspen Institute’s three-day Aspen Environment Forum wrapped up Saturday. It would have been fun — at $1,700 a ticket.
And Vince Gill and Amy Grant will headline the Challenge America benefit in Washington, D.C., on June 17. Monies raised go to Challenge Aspen’s programs to provide recreation for disabled veterans. Honorary chairmen include President Bush, former President Jimmy Carter, former Veep Al Gore, former Secretary of State and retired Gen. Colin Powell, former Sen. Bill Frist and Bob Woodruff of ABC News. Tickets are $5,000 each.
The wild Westword.
The wildest items in Westword’s Best of Denver issue include the readers’ choice for best French fries. Bistro Vendome won after 24 consecutive wins by McDonald’s. And there are four categories for local cupcake shops, including a shout-out to Happy Cakes, which goes on “The Martha Stewart Show” Monday.
City spirit.
Did you catch Denver’s John W. Scherer (a.k.a. The Video Professor) on “Fox & Friends” Thursday? . . . Denver Post design columnist Marni Jameson signs her book “The House Always Wins” at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Denver Woman’s Press Club and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Tattered Cover LoDo . . . Irene Zarlengo‘s grandson, Tony Zarlengo-Reyther (a.k.a. T.Z. Synn) plays guitar with the break out heavy-metal band Phoenix Rising. “I’ve got a rocker for a grandson instead of a lawyer!” . . . Sez who: “Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.” H. L. Mencken
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at blogs. husted.
