How hot was the recent Denver Men’s Event at Morton’s in LoDo? So hot that Charlie Walling nearly burst into flame.
Walling, general manager at Robinson Dairy, was posing for a picture when he backed into one of the candle lamps on a tabletop and inadvertently dipped his coattail into the flame.
“It burned all the way through my jacket,” he said about the destroyed silk business attire. “There were flames, and you could smell it in the whole restaurant.”
Walling, who’s been known to take the heat as the member of various boards of directors, quickly removed the jacket, dropped it on the floor and stomped out the fire that burned clear through the lining but didn’t touch his skin.
As word of the incident spread like (ahem) wildfire throughout the tony crowd gathered to support the AMC Cancer Fund, emcee Les Shapiro called Walling to the podium to show the group the crispy clothing.
“It was my favorite jacket,” Walling wailed. “I guess this brings a new meaning to a hot event.”
Pizza power.
Naked Pizza, a national franchise that pushes a “good for you” angle, will open its first Denver location at 2207 E. Colfax Ave. at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Healthy pizza? How’s that possible? Metro-area franchisee Gay Burke says she wants pizza lovers to eat her pies “because they taste good and they’re delivered quickly when they’re hot. As people start to eat our pizza, we hope to dialogue more about the 10-grain crust and probiotics. It’s not a message people are used to hearing about pizza.”
According to the company website, , the pizza’s crust has 10 grains and seeds, probiotics (much like healthful bacteria in yogurt) and agave-plant fiber. The calorie count depends on the toppings and pizza size.
What makes it naked?
“It’s naked of preservatives and chemicals and anything you wouldn’t want in your pizza,” Burke said.
Burke, who holds the franchise rights to five metro-area counties, says she wants to eventually build the business into 10 stores. A separate franchisee operates the Boulder branch at 1629 28th St.
While the pizza may be “naked,” the employees are not.
“You can order over the phone, but please don’t Skype us,” she said.
Light the night.
Nearly 90,000 lights from Union Station to the City and County Building will light up downtown Denver beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25.
The grand illumination starts at Union Station and ends at the City and County Building. The free Southwest Rink at Skyline Park (16th and Arapahoe streets) will open at 10 a.m.
Steak escape.
The doors open at 10 a.m. Thursday at Colorado’s first Steak ‘n Shake in the Quebec Village Center at 8271 S. Quebec St. The franchise restaurant has hired 120 people, said Connie Caruso, who owns the place with her husband, Tom. Food fanatics have been circling the restaurant for days.
“I thought it would be popular, but I had no idea of the loyal following,” she said.
EAVESDROPPING
Two men walking past the Denver City and County Building:
“Oh, look, that’s City Hall. That’s where the governor’s office is.”
“No, I think it’s the mayor’s.”
“Are you sure?”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
