In terms of sheer bellow-ability, dudes’ duds store owner Craig Andrisen is proof that big things come in small packages.
“Did you know his nickname is Dr. Loud?” a green-jacketed Castle Pines Golf Club member whispered to me while Andrisen climbed on a chair and cranked up the mike to start the live auction during Thursday’s evening festivities at the Jack A. Vickers Invitational golf tournament.
Standing next to Andrisen, co-owner of Andrisen Morton men’s clothing boutique in Cherry Creek, was Hall of Famer John Elway, co-host of the golf tournament that benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Elway, too, held a mike but never got a word in edgewise once Andrisen was on a roll.
“We’re not leaving tonight until we get 50 grand,” Andrisen barked. “Bid up these items, and if you don’t raise your hand, you won’t be invited back.”
Andrisen worked the crowd like a pro, calling out names of players, badgering them to bid.
“C’mon, Griese,” he said, setting his sites on former Broncos quarterback Brian Griese. “You’ve got that signing bonus left over in your checking account.”
“Alex Ringsby, spend some of your inheritance, let’s go,” Andrisen ordered the young commercial real estate firm owner.
In the end, the clothier coaxed $63,000 from the deep-pocket good-natured guys who snapped up a golf trip for two to Pebble Beach, a four-night stay at a five-star resort, a South African safari and a wine collection that included a bottle worth $100 or more from each of the 68 players.
Andrisen promised the high bidder on the wine that Elway would sign the bottle he donated. “He’s a Hall of Fame linebacker,” Andrisen said, cracking up the crowd. “I mean quarterback. He plays golf like a linebacker.”
Sassy shareholder.
Shareholder-rights activist Jerry Armstrong delights in needling corporate executives about their hefty paychecks. He did not disappoint last week at Xcel Energy’s annual meeting in Denver.
Caught in Armstrong’s cross hairs was Xcel CEO Dick Kelly and his 2009 salary of $1,175,000, which when combined with stock options and other benefits comes to a tidy $11.34 million.
Armstrong noted that famed billionaire investor Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway draws a salary of only $100,000 a year.
“If (Buffett) can get by on $100,000, so can Mr. Kelly,” Armstrong said during public comments at the meeting. “I’d even be willing to give him a little more if he really needs it.”
Rock star treatment.
In honor of Denver Day of Rock, a free day of music downtown with 20 bands on four stages on Saturday, the Brown Palace Hotel is offering a rock-star-status package that will get you behind the velvet ropes.
The VIP treatment includes overnight stay in the Beatles Suite, a red carpet/Dom Perignon Champagne check-in, 24-hour personal butler service, 24-hour limo transportation, a private party in the Red Rocks room at Hard Rock Cafe (food only) for up to 70 members of your entourage, backstage tour of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, two tickets to Crosby, Stills & Nash June 2 at Red Rocks, two tickets to Sting June 9 at Red Rocks, two tickets to KOOL Koncert 2010 with REO Speedwagon, a Gretsch Custom Shop USA six-string electric guitar from Drum City Guitar Land, complimentary valet parking and an all-day spa package with lunch. The tab? $15,500.
Reservations: 800-321-2599 or 303-297-3111. Denver Day of Rock is hosted by Concerts For Kids, a local organization that benefits children’s charities.
Price reduced.
Right after my Tuesday column about the new marketing campaign to sell Kiki and Peggy Vandegeghe’s Petrikin Estate next to the Denver Botanic Gardens, Peggy lopped the price another million. The new, improved asking price? $5.9 million.
Eavesdropping
on two men at the Vickers- Elway golf tournament dinner: “How’s business?”
“Slow in the morning, tapering off in the afternoon.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Hear her on the Caplis & 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.
