Hey, battah battah! Pitcher has a rubber arm!
Colorado is officially calling out Philadelphia with wagers on the outcome of the Major League Baseball playoff series between the Colorado Rockies and the Philadelphia Phillies.
We told you Wednesday about the bet between Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter in which the winner takes $2,000 to help the homeless.
But the piling-on keeps building with Denver City Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann and Philadelphia District 4 Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. making a “friendly” wager on the outcome of the series.
If the Rockies prevail, Councilman Jones will send two Philadelphia hoagies and a variety pack of Tastykakes to Councilwoman Lehmann. If it doesn’t go our way, Lehmann will send Jones a package of Colorado buffalo brats.
Meanwhile, the rivalry prompted Visit Denver, the city’s biggest booster, to collaborate with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. to issue a news release titled “A Tale of Two Cities,” comparing Denver with Philadelphia.
The release dissects population numbers, history, stadiums, attractions near stadiums, where to get a beer before the game, where to eat after the game and trivia. To see the entire list, go to .
Iconic.
The wildly popular Icon awards event — the oddest excuse to have a party — is moving next year from the Seawell Ballroom, where it’s been held for a decade, to the Ritz-Carlton Denver.
The event, which gives out awards to the people who plan, cater and decorate parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, anniversaries and other events, is a pricey proposition at $235 a head, with $75 going to a charity.
“It’s a very expensive party to do,” said Terry Vitale, owner and founder of Colorado Expression magazine, which puts on the event. “Everybody does it for practically nothing, and they give me great rates on things.”
This year’s theme is Putting on the Ritz, so expect extravagant glitz in the Ritz ballroom. The Icons, which take place March 11, will add a people’s choice award this year in addition to the judges’ decisions. Voting and ticket sales start next month at .
Felicidades!
Sharp and lovely Marcela de la Mar, executive director of Denver’s Mexican Cultural Center, can add American citizen to her attributes.
After living 30 years in the U.S., de la Mar, who’s also director of education and cultural affairs for the Mexican Consulate, took the oath and was sworn in Sept. 30 along with 90 other people from 39 countries.
“It feels wonderful,” de la Mar said. “I consider myself a bicultural citizen.”
De la Mar, who hails from Guadalajara, Mexico, will retain dual citizenship.
The seen.
Former state Sen. Peter Groff, who left his Senate seat to take a job in the Obama administration, lunching at M&D’s barbecue restaurant Tuesday.
Eavesdropping
on a man at Rioja: “My idea of sleeping with an underage girl is sleeping with one who is 40.”
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.
