Ernie Bjorkman says he’s never had as much press as he’s had since he was yanked from Channel 2’s anchor desk.
The veteran newsman was featured in a front-page New York Times story in December on how highly paid local TV anchors are moving on. And he’s profiled Friday night on “20/20” by Elizabeth Vargas (9 p.m. on Ch. 7).
“It’s a story about everyday people who are losing their jobs, taking buyouts and turning around and doing new things, going from big salaries to little salaries,” he explains.
Bjorkman has been doing some freelance work, including hyping Clear Choice dental implants with commercial pro Trisha Springer. And he’s taking his national board exams to become a certified veterinary technician Friday.
When I talked to Bjorkman on Tuesday, it was his 58th birthday. And he said it was a happy birthday.
“Things are good. I’ve traded in my ties for scrubs and I’m loving it, and life goes on.”
Spread the word.
Widespread Panic had such a great time at the Pepsi Center on Dec. 30 and 31, they’re coming back. Often. Insiders say the band will be back for the next four years for New Year’s concerts at the Pepsi Center. Of course, a lot can happen between now and then.
“All I can say is, I can’t say anything,” says Panic promoter Bill Bass. And here’s a fun fact. We hear the band broke alcohol-sales records at the Pepsi Center both nights.
Norm!
Former Denver itemizer Norm Clarke signs his book “Vegas Confidential” at Tattered Cover LoDo 7:30 p.m. Monday. Pallies can meet up to toast the pirate 6-7 p.m. Monday at the Cruise Room.
Ride ’em.
Concerts for Kids’ annual bull-riding party is smartly moving to Cowboy Lounge on Wednesday — and starting things off with a concert by the Demented Divas and their country-Western drag-queen show. Nuclia Waste, one of the Divas, has often been a mechanical bull rider, but this is the first year the girls have put on a show. Riding the mechanical bull for charity bucks: Geoff McFarlane, Frank Schultz, Josh Hanfling, Peter Ore, Tyler Wiard, RD Sewald, Mark Lynn, Molly Hughes and Charlie Brown.
I’ll always remember what Brown said after riding the mechanical bull a few years ago: “I am walking like a man with a new suit of wooden underwear. That bull was a beast with a belly full of bedsprings.”
City spirit.
Former Post reporter/editor Bill Menezes is on “Jeopardy” today (6 p.m. Channel 7). “The deed is done,” he says. “My 30 minutes of fame were well spent and I didn’t embarrass the town or The Post.” . . . Sheila D’Anna of Littleton is on “The Price Is Right” (10 a.m. on Ch. 4 ). . . . Bravo restaurant and the Supreme Court in what was the Adams Mark and is now the Sheraton Denver are set to reopen as one HUGE Irish pub. . . . Club 303, formerly Polyester’s, throws a party Saturday night hosted by Onch from MTV’s “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF” . . . Sez who: “I think it’s important for girls to be confident. Believe in yourself and . . . everybody’s hot.” Paris Hilton
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 .
