Yes, Virginia, there is going to be life outside the Pepsi Center walls before, during and after the Democratic National Convention. Here’s what I’m talkin’ about:
• Jeweler John Atencio pours the bubbly Wednesday evening when Mental Health America of Colorado announces Citywide Banks is to be honored at its 2008 Tribute Dinner. Committee members and bank representatives are to gather at 5:30 p.m. at Atencio’s Denver home to learn more about the annual benefit.
• Cancer League of Colorado is off and running with plans for the 12th Race for Research to be held Aug. 24 at Washington Park. Advance registration is $20, with sign-ups accepted at Running Wild in Highlands Ranch, any Denver-area Runner’s Roost store, or online at . Same-day registration is $25 and begins at 7 a.m. at the park. Both fees include a pancake breakfast.
• Scoot the Vote, an election- themed benefit for Denver’s Road Home, begins with a motorscooter parade at 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at Erico Motorsports, 2855 Walnut St. There’ll be music by the Clam Daddys and prizes for best political T-shirt and most creatively decorated scooter. Tickets are $10 at the door.
• Congregation Emanuel, 51 Grape St., is the setting Sept. 4 for A Taste of Asia, a silent auction and dinner benefiting the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. Ding-Wen Hsu, who chairs the festival board, says festivities begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. and that there’ll be a special thank-you to the 2008 festival’s honorary chair, Ved Nanda, and honorary patrons, Leo and Linda Goto.
• Three thousand people are expected for the 11th annual Brew at the Zoo, a beer and wine tasting to benefit the Red Apple Fund for Lifelong Learning. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5 and the cost of admission includes a mug with which to enjoy samples from some 40 vendors; hors d’oeuvres and music for dancing by Angie Stevens and the Beautiful Wreck. Buy tickets at .
• The 21st AIDS Walk Colorado comes down Sept. 6 at Denver’s Cheesman Park. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. with the opening ceremony to follow at 10. Proceeds go to the Colorado AIDS Project’s education, outreach and patient-service programs.
• Tennis, anyone? Blacktie-Colorado, Josh Hanfling and Loan Vo are the hosts for Tennis with the Stars, a celebrity-studded tournament benefiting the Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation. It begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 7 at Gates Tennis Center in Cherry Creek. Mayor John Hickenlooper, District Attorney Mitch Morrissey, City Councilman Ryan Frazier and columnist Al Lewis are scheduled to take part, as are tennis pros Jeff Salzenstein, Andy Zodin, Cory Ross, Randy Ross and Peter Braun. The fee, $75 per player or $25 per spectator, includes an after party. Sign up at blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, .
