Would your business be willing to donate $10,000 to Denver’s Road Home if your poobahs could wear PJs?
Greenberg Traurig’s managing partner, Dave Palmer, has thrown down the blankie to challenge other local firms or businesses to donate $10,000 to Mayor John Hickenlooper’s initiative to end homelessness during the poshest pajama party, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Residence Inn Denver City Center.
Palmer, who donated the initial 10 grand, wants to initiate at least nine other firms into the “exclusive” Pinstripe PJ Club. Members, who so far include Hogan & Hartson; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, will be given a pair of club-logoed pinstripe PJs, plus take part in a thank-you lunch Wednesday at Capital Grille.
“As a corporate citizen, we believe it is important to contribute to the issues that Denver has made high priorities,” Palmer said. “Unfortunately, city budget cuts have reduced available funds for dealing with homelessness by $1 million in 2010. We hope that the contribution made by the joined efforts of the Pinstripe Pajama Club members will help tip the needle in the right direction.”
Paul’s a doll.
If you go to the world premiere of “When Tang Met Laika” in The Space Theatre, be prepared to fall in love with the four-legged star. Paul, a 1-year-old Chihuahua stray, was found wandering Denver’s streets and was taken to the Maxfund no-kill animal shelter where he was put up for adoption and discovered by Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
Paul auditioned and landed the part of Laika, a Soviet stray who was sent into space in 1957 inside Sputnik 2 to test the effects of space on animals with no way to get her back to Earth. Scientists eventually discovered she died within a couple hours of launching.
The play, commissioned by the DCPA, is a love story about an American astronaut and Russian cosmonaut.
A short time after he was discovered, Paul was adopted by Patrick Schaetzel from The Celtic Tavern.
In Paul and Laika’s honor, Maxfund will set up a mobile dog- adoption unit Saturdays Jan. 23- Feb. 27, and Feb. 7 at 14th and Curtis streets. The play runs through Feb. 27.
Bull business.
It’s such a kick in the chaps to see normally buttoned-up business types going cowboy during an annual charity bull-ride fundraiser for Concerts For Kids, the Christie Isenberg– run charity that raises money for local children’s organizations.
On Wednesday, bluejeaned and booted cowboys and cowgirls faced the demonic Widow-Maker, the mechanical bull inside The Grizzly Rose, to hang on as long as possible. The 20 brave bull riders raised pledges to contribute their wild ride to charity. When all were dumped and left counting their bruises, Colorado Concern’s Janice Sinden was the top fundraiser at $4,360. Kristopher Klain of The Capital Grille claimed longest ride at 50.1 seconds. After-competition entertainment featured Angie Stevens, Coles Whalen and Reckless Kelly. All told, the event grossed more than $27,000.
Frank’s funnies.
The funny Frank Schuchat — who one could argue has two amusing jobs, as a Denver lawyer and stand-up comedian — sends along topical jokes from time to time.
Here’s his latest thoughts on businesses and the economy.
• The Supreme Court has ruled that corporations are entitled to First Amendment rights. That makes sense since we already know they are eligible for welfare.
• The treasury secretary says some banks are too big to fail. Wrong. The only thing too big to fail is a 300-pound offensive lineman at the University of Colorado.
• If bankers want bonuses this year, I say let’s give them toasters.
Eavesdropping
on a woman watching the Concerts For Kids bull-riding contest at The Grizzly Rose: “That bull has red eyes just like that awful blue horse.”
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.
