Former CBS 4 News anchor Stephanie Riggs sat down for a one-on-one interview with Colorado former first lady Frances Owens during a show that debuted Saturday and repeats at 10:30 this morning and 7 p.m. Monday on Vista TV, a lifestyle network on Comcast Channel 19.
Owens discusses her post-public life as a single woman after 34 years of marriage to former Gov. Bill Owens, as a working woman as executive vice president of community affairs for Galloway Group, as a mother with three grown kids who occasionally boomerang back to the house and as a fundraiser for local charities as well as supporting an impoverished village in Nicaragua.
The Owens interview is the first in a series Riggs plans to shoot for Vista.
“Stephanie’s an awesome interviewer,” Owens said. “She’s very natural and goes with the flow. It took at least an hour to an hour and a half to get it just right.”
Owens said Riggs sent some questions in advance, but most of the conversation was off the cuff. The former first lady, whose marriage crumbled while Bill was governor, did not lay down any hard and fast rules.
Was any subject off limits?
“Not really,” she said. “I think a lot of times when you tape something, if there was something that came up, I could easily answer that I didn’t want to talk about that. I talked about what I’m doing now, my past, and I was very complimentary to Bill. I would never not be.”
Frances Owens, didn’t, however, drag up details of the marriage’s demise. “Sometimes things are better left not said,” she said. “If it’s not going to change anything, then why bring it up?”
She said she’s divorced emotionally, but not quite legally. “On paper, almost. There are some issues we haven’t been able to resolve.”
Frances says she’s open to letting love in her life but isn’t actively pursuing a partner. “I would rather it would just happen,” she said. “I’m not going online dating, I’m not going to bars. If it’s going to happen, it will.”
Future Riggs interviews on Vista include former Broncos quarterback Brian Griese talking about Judi’s House, the organization he dedicated to his mother, who died from cancer when Griese was young. Judi’s House offers counseling services for grieving children.
Foodie feast.
Eight of Denver’s top toques will gather inside Lola’s kitchen, 1575 Boulder St. in the Highland neighborhood, to whip up an eight-course feast paired with eight wines to raise money for Sense of Security, a Colorado-only breast cancer charity that helps pay non-medical bills for patients going through treatment. The date is Sept. 23.
It’s the charity I support with my annual golf tournament, which fell short of our fundraising goal in this sagging economic climate. We’re hoping to recoup some of our losses with this Evening of Decadent Delights. Tickets: $95 per person, or $125 for the VIP patio seating, after-party with the chefs and a goodie bag. Reservations: or 720-570-8686.
Lucy’s not juicy.
Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, 250 Josephine St., shut its doors for good before dinner service Thursday. The owner, who will keep operating the original Juicy Lucy’s in Glenwood Springs, said he couldn’t get the same concept to succeed in Denver.
That Cherry Creek North space has seen several eateries — including Papillon, Go Fish, Indigo and Tula — come and go.
Eavesdropping
on a woman to a man at Green Valley Ranch Golf Course: “I don’t want you to moan because we’re a threesome and the foursome in front of us is slow.”
“But that’s the only enjoyment I get on the golf course.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
