New Denver Mayor Bill Vidal took the podium during the 26th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Business Social Responsibility Awards luncheon Friday at the Marriott City Center to welcome the sold-out crowd.
“During the winter, I’m usually in the Witness Protection Program, having been manager of Public Works all those years,” he said. “People ask me what it’s like being mayor. I tell them it’s only been three days, and after the third day of wearing a coat and tie, my wardrobe is already exhausted.”
The luncheon recognized six businesses and individuals for their commitment to the values of King. They were broadcast journalist Tamara Banks, Denver Water’s Laurie Billeter, MillerCoors’ Moses Brewer, Lewan & Associates’ Lloyd Lewan, RTL Networks’ Richard Lewis and rodeo promoter Lu Vason. Ruth Denny was given the fifth annual Trailblazer Award for her civil-rights activism.
Spotted among the sea of folks: the Urban League’s Landri Taylor, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, Sage Hospitality’s Walter Isenberg, Denver City Council members Michael Hancock and Carla Madison, Denver County Court Judge Dianne Briscoe, Downtown Denver Partnership poohbah Tami Door and Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce honcho Eric Lee.
Undercover.
Drew Olson, a restoration carpenter for the Belfor Denver office, plays a supporting role in Sunday’s episode of “Undercover Boss,” which airs at 8 p.m. on CBS4.
In this episode, Sheldon Yellen, Belfor’s CEO, on ladder at left, goes on the front lines of his disaster-relief company to answer calls from distressed homeowners who need emergency repairs.
In Denver, Yellen and Olson use power tools to install drywall, and Olson witnesses Yellen having a difficult time seeing the screws and drywall because the glasses he’s wearing aren’t prescription, and he can’t see.
Leftovers.
One of my favorite snippets from the OneRepublic concert at the Ogden during Gov. John Hickenlooper’s inaugural celebration Tuesday night happened backstage before the Colorado Springs-born band went on.
The good guv and lead singer Ryan Tedder were fast and furiously discussing joint-venture opportunities for the state’s nonprofit arts groups when Tedder stopped the conversation with the question: “So, what does a governor do, exactly? Govern?”
Hickenlooper answered, “You hire great people, and build the best team you can.”
Ski see.
Ski and snowboard industry players and Colorado artists will have their wares on display during The Art of Winter, a display of products from independent snowsport brands along with art created from recycled skis and snowboards starting today through Feb. 13 on Larimer Square between 14th and 15th streets.
The free display is part of Denver’s Mile High Snowfest, when the Mile High City hosts the Snowsports Industries America Snowshow for the second year.
Industry displays come from companies such as Icelantic Skis, Ski Logik, Never Summer Snowboards, Wagner Custom Skis 4-FRNT, Armada and Moment.
The artwork will be available for sale at an online auction.
Proceeds benefit the Larimer Arts District and help fund the Something Independent Entrepreneur Award, which goes to a Colorado-based company with a connection to the snowsports industry.
Colfax trends.
The Colfax Business Improvement District is hosting a free panel discussion among area real estate experts on Upper Colfax trends (Grant to Josephine streets) and the potential for growth from 5:30 to 7:30 Tuesday at the Renaissance Uptown Lofts, 517 E. Colfax Ave.
John Lucero, deputy director of the Denver Office of Economic Development, will moderate the panel, which will include Stockton Baker and Ray Rosado of Cassidy Turley Fuller Real Estate, Tony Giordano and Louis Lee of Dunton Commercial, Sam Leger and Tim Finholm of Unique Properties and Kyle Underwood of Legend Real Estate Group.
The event is free, but an RSVP is required by calling 303-832-2086 or e-mailing admin@colfaxave.com.
EAVESDROPPING
A woman to her boyfriend about her health coverage:
“The insurance company refused to let me have a PET scan, so I’m having a CAT scan instead.”
“Isn’t a CAT a PET?”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Hear her on “Caplis & Silverman” between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
