How they chose their nicknames is anyone’s guess, but Paul “Salty Cat” Powers, Gregg “Splat Cat” Stone and Michael “Cat Daddy” Van Gilder may have had one thing in common at the fourth Country Showcase, a mechanical bull-riding hoedown held at LoDo’s Cowboy Lounge.
Maybe it was the sense that they’d need, at the very least, the nine lives that kitties are supposed to have in order to raise $20,000 for the host of area children’s charities supported by Walter and Christie Isenberg’s pet cause, Concerts For Kids.
Powers, a former state senator who is president of the Pauls Co., held on to the raging beast for 35.87 seconds to win the longest- ride title. The prominent developer also raised $2,820 in pledges. Stone, president and co-owner of Kuni Lexus, turned in the second-best time, staying aboard for 28.9 seconds. Mark “Pimp Daddy” Lynn of the Jet Cos. registered third with his 27.59 second ride.
CBS4’s Molly “Hit and Run” Hughes may not have had a winning ride, but with $3,015 in pledges, she was the evening’s top fundraiser. Insurance exec Van Gilder had the second highest amount of pledges, $2,840, while Powers, in addition to a champion ride, turned in $2,820.
About 175 supporters of the charity were at the Cowboy Lounge for an evening that also included a show by the Demented Divas and music by DJ Jesus. Pro rodeo announcer Skip Kallsen emceed, and clown Caine Hagger helped ease the fall as the riders were bucked about.
So many honors
Gov. Bill Ritter and Roz Duman are to receive the 2009 Civil Rights Award at a luncheon Tuesday put on by the Mountain States chapter of the Anti-Defamation League. … Liane and Robert Clasen, Susan and Ed Mueller and Meghan and Evan Zucker are the grand marshals for National Jewish Health’s annual Beaux Arts Ball. It’s set for Feb. 21 at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center. … FirstBank’s president and CEO, John Ikard, receives the 2009 National Human Relations Award at a March 26 dinner benefiting the Colorado chapter of the American Jewish Committee. … David and Bonnie Mandarich are the honorary chairs May 9 when Beacon Youth and Family Center stages its Cherish the Children Gala, the Red Hot Ruby Ball. Annabel Bowlen, Jamie Angelich, Gayle Novak, Pamela O’Neal, Christina Richardson, Nancy Sevo, Ryta Sondergard and Sharon Sweeney are planning the dinner gala that also marks the center’s 40th year of helping abused and neglected teens. … The Colorado I Have A Dream Foundation honors Rob Cohen at Breaking the Barriers of Poverty, a May 12 dinner at the Hyatt Regency Convention Center.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also,
