By John G. Miller, DENVER DAILY NEWS
It’s time to pull your flapper dresses and zoot suits out of the attic. They’re partying down like old times once again in Union Station, only this time the revelry is about the past meeting the future.
The Union Station Advocates, a group devoted to the redevelopment and historical preservation of the venerable train station, is hosting a fundraiser tonight to benefit a recreation of the original Welcome/Mizpah arch that adorned the station from 1906 to 1931.
“A Night in Old Union Station” is a costume optional affair from 7-11 p.m. The $40 “Speakeasy” tickets are sold out, but $100 Main Dining Hall tickets and $200 Oyster Bar tickets are still available. So far, more than 850 people are scheduled to attend.
“It’s a big neighborhood rally,” said Dana Crawford, a co-chair of the Union Station Advocates Board of Directors.
Honorary chairmen of the gala event at Union Station, located at 17th and Wynkoop, are Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, his wife Helen Thorpe and District 9 Councilwoman Judy Montero. Other attending luminaries are District 10 Councilwoman Jeanne Robb and Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher.
Several disparate musical styles are provided to assist in dancing the night away, including Eohippus, a jazz, Latin, and funk outfit. The Denver Municipal Band is greeting guests as they arrive with their high-powered big band sound.
“We have an 11 singer a cappella group,” said Crawford. “They’re called the New Wizard Oil Combination, from when there were traveling medicine shows.”

Food and entertainment
Cuisine for the event is being donated by a number of prominent LoDo restaurants, including shrimp from McCormick’s Fish House, crab from Morton’s The Steakhouse, and gumbo from Gumbo’s Louisiana Style CafŽ. Oyster Bar ticketholders will have reserved seating on the mezzanine ala Grand Central Station, with wine provided by Dry Creek Vineyard. Main Dining Hall ticketholders will receive a gourmet dinner buffet, while Speakeasy tickets can enjoy free Coors and light dinner fare.
Entertainment includes troupes of mimes, contortionists and palm readers. Historic attire is encouraged, and there will be a prize for best costume. The evening will culminate in the Great Hall reception room, where its 65-foot ceiling will provide the backdrop to a finale planned by Al Kraizer, LoDo Jazz Fest creator, and Charlie Prideaux, producer of Times Square’s annual New Year’s Eve ball drop.
The original arch said “Welcome” on both sides, and with its 2,194 light bulbs the 70-ton structure stood outside of Union Station to greet newcomers to the city. It was christened on July 4, 1906 by then mayor Robert Speer declaring that it “is to stand here for ages as an expression of love, good wishes and kind feelings of our citizens to the stranger who enters our gates.”
After Denver hosted the 1908 Democratic convention, it was noticed that the arch was actually welcoming travelers to leave as well as arrive. The entrance to the station was replaced with the Hebrew word “mizpah,” the parting salutation found in Genesis 31:49: “The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.” The arch was demolished in 1931 when the city decided it was a traffic hazard. Tickets for “A Night in Old Union Station” can be purchased RSVP at www.blacktiecolorado.com with RSVP code USA10/15. Tickets are also available at King Soopers, The Oxford Hotel, or Kentwood City Properties across from Union Station. For more info, visit www.anightinoldunionstation.com or www.unionstationadvocates.org.

Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters

Source: Governor’s Office
ESPN columnist Rick Reilly talks to the media about his bad Rockies bet.

STATE BILL COLORADO
Columnist Rick Reilly of ESPN kept his word Tuesday and “washed” — or at least, touched — the Capitol dome with his tongue.
Early in the Colorado Rockies season, Reilly wrote that if the Rockies made the playoffs, he would wash the Capitol Dome with his tongue. The Rockies last week clinched the National League wild card by beating the Milwaukee Brewers.

By Daniel Williams, DENVER DAILY NEWS
No Colorado Avalanche player will ever don the No. 19, because “19” belongs to Captain Joe Sakic.
And the club made the move official Thursday as Sakic’s No. 19 was raised to the rafters of the Pepsi Center in an elaborate hour-plus-long pregame retirement ceremony.
The ceremony featured a brilliant highlight film that featured a classic 21-year-old Sakic interview where he was sporting a jean jacket and talking about his hockey hopes and dreams.
Current Avalanche players all wore Sakic No. 19 jerseys, and all stood on and watched one of the great players in NHL history leave the game once and for all.
Team owner Stan Kroenke was on hand, as well as team president Pierre Lacroix — who both spoke graciously about Sakic’s career.
Finally, Sakic spoke before a sold-out crowd that erupted once he was announced.
“You always look forward to the home opener. I am kind of getting that itch,” Sakic told the sold-out Pepsi Center crowd, which went nuts at the thought of a Sakic comeback.
“Just kidding,” Sakic quickly added.
Sakic went on to thank Quebec and the Quebec Nordiques, Lacroix and Lacroix’s commitment to winning, Kroenke and every Colorado Avalanche fan in the packed-out Pepsi Center.
He also emotionally thanked his many teammates throughout his 20-plus years – and many of them were on hand in the press box.
“Enjoy every minute because it goes by way to quick,” Sakic sadly told some of the younger Avalanche players.
Sakic then concluded his speech before his No. 19 banner was raised, but before one crazy and very loud fan yelled down: “One more time, Joe!”
Sakic laughed, and quickly responded: “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
Moments later, Joe added: “Good night, everyone, and thank you so much.”
The crowd immediately rose to their feet for a five-minute standing ovation, which turned into chants of “Super Joe! Super Joe!” And Sakic then walked off the NHL ice for the last time.

Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters

With more than 200 patrons in attendance, the event featured 30 different beers from 15 Colorado breweries, paired with 23 menu items using food from five Colorado farms, and all prepared by 17 chefs from the Culinary School of the Rockies, The Colorado Statesman reports.

By Gene Davis, DENVER DAILY NEWS
For a city its size, Denver is a hotbed for burlesque dancing.
Between the Panties at the Bar shows at 3 Kings Tavern and the performances over at Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, fans of good ol’ fashioned adult entertainment have plenty of options.
And Mile High City’s infatuation with burlesque isn’t a fleeting affair; one of the scene’s centerpiece shows — Naughty Pierre’s Burlesque and Comedy Extravaganza — has been cracking up and stimulating audiences for three-and-a-half years.
“I think we’re one of the only cities outside of New York City and Los Angeles that has had two burlesque shows a week for three years now,” said Jefferson Arca, Naughty Pierre’s founder and emcee. “There’s definitely a supportive audience here. Denver definitely seems to enjoy its burlesque.”
As implied by its title, Naughty Pierre’s Burlesque and Comedy Extravaganza isn’t just ladies dancing evocatively. There’s a sense of humor to the show that broadens up its appeal. Arca, who stars as Pierre in the production, keeps the laughs rolling while playing the part of a sleazy European emcee.
A big surprise of the Naughty Pierre show is that about 80 percent of the audiences are female, according to Arca. In fact, bachelorette parties account for the majority of the show’s ticket sales, he said.
“Women in this community feel empowered and they feel like that could be them on stage,” he said. “They celebrate it.”
Arca spent years writing, doing comedy and producing theatre in Los Angeles, New York City and Europe. When Lannie’s Clocktower opened four years ago, he moved back to Denver — his hometown — to combine all of his different skills into one show.
He started the production as an open-mic night. But after seeing the positive reaction the audience gave the evening’s one burlesque dancer, Arca decided to book more and more of the entertainers. Finally, Arca revamped the show into what it is now.
“I think people are enjoying going back in time where you see something live and have that one-on-one connection with people,” he said. “They feel attached with a more innocent time…it’s very tastefully done.”

Where: Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
When: Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Cost: Starting at $20
Information: 303-293-0075, Lannies.com

Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters

By Mark Knudson, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Dear Sonny Lubick,
It was a day that made you proud to be a CSU Ram: The unveiling of the brand new $20 million academic center and indoor football and basketball practice facility right there on campus, just across the street from the dorms I lived in all those years ago.
The place is state of the art. No longer does CSU trail its Mountain West Conference rivals (or its in-state rival for that matter) in facilities and amenities for coaches and student athletes. This ain’t no stinkin’ bubble. This place is awesome, and will be a huge advantage for recruiting an even better class of athlete to Fort Collins. The future is looking bright.
It was a beautiful day, and a large sun-baked crowd got to see and hear from some of the legends of CSU football. Current players wandered over for practice with big grins on their faces. Former players shook their heads in amazement. A gentleman named Frank Faucett, who played for Colorado A&M way back when the football team played at Christensen Field over on College Avenue, was there too, talking about when he played in the Raisin Bowl. Really. CSU administrators thanked everyone who had contributed for being there and pitching in, while the green and gold balloons rose to the sky. Cool stuff.

Where were you?
There was just one thing missing: You.
Listen, we all know things didn’t end like they should have for you at CSU. In a perfect world, you would have gone out on your terms, to the pomp and circumstance that you deserved. You built CSU into a nationally recognized football program … you put us on the map with old fashioned hard work and dedication.
In a smaller sense, I can relate to your feelings. My dismissal from the Colorado Rockies during the inaugural season wasn’t exactly how I envisioned ending my baseball playing career. Heck, I had flown home during the all star break one July and spent two days campaigning for the vote to build Coors Field. Later, I turned down two other free agent offers to sign with the expansion Rockies, knowing full well what I was getting into … just because I wanted to be a Rockie. After I left the team – on their terms, not mine – I was upset for a time, but after awhile, I decided it would better for me to move forward and do what I could to help the franchise that meant a lot to me. Jerry McMorris put me back to work in community relations a few weeks later.
Obviously, my importance to the Rockies pales in comparison to your importance to CSU. In more than a century of playing the game, no one person has meant more to Colorado State Rams football than Sonny Lubick. Everyone associated with the school wishes it could have ended better. But it didn’t. Nothing anyone can do to change that now. What’s done is done.

Stay a part of CSU
What should not be done, however, is Sonny Lubick’s association with Colorado State. You mean way too much to all of us to stay detached like this. We need you back. I know you were invited to the ceremony, and despite the lingering feelings, it would have been fantastic if you would have accepted and been there. Of all the ovations that afternoon, there’s no doubt the largest one would have been for you. It would have been a standing O.
I know that hard feelings are hard to move on from most times. No one blames you for the way you’ve felt. I’m just saying that maybe it’s time now to finally put all of that stuff behind you … let go and start anew. You could still help make CSU a better place, and help a lot of people that hold you in very high esteem. Steve Fairchild, a coach who honed his craft under your tutelage and who would love to continue to honor your legacy, is a Sonny Lubick guy, right? He brought back Larry Kerr, who was such an important part of your staff. Your son Marc is on the coaching staff. Heck, a whole lot of these kids that have jumped out to a 3-0 start are guys you recruited. Think they’d like to have you around, even if it was just a little bit?
They all play their games on Sonny Lubick Field, for Pete’s sake.
Please think about it. Maybe it’d be OK to let bygones be bygones. From top to bottom, everyone wants you back as part of the CSU family, sooner rather than later.
I have to amend one earlier statement. There were two people missing at the ceremony … Rich Bircumshaw would have loved it, too. It’s a shame we don’t get to hear him describe the new buildings in a way only he could have.
I feel pretty safe in saying that Rich would have wanted you to be there, too.

Mark Knudson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and member of the 1993 Colorado Rockies. He writes sports column for the Denver Daily News. Respond to this column at editor@thedenverdailynews.com.

Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters

Source: camscat16 via YouTube.com

By Daniel Williams, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Shannon Sharpe never does anything quietly. Sunday, the former Denver Broncos tight end entered Invesco Field by parachute, skydiving his way on the Broncos’ Ring of Fame as the Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns 27-6.
The Broncos improved to 2-0, and they did it in impressive fashion late in what was a close game — but Denver’s new Orange Crush-lite defense led by Elvis Dumervil’s record four sacks wasn’t going to be denied.
“I think we did a good job today of managing the game and not turning the ball over,” said Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. “We didn’t force things and force the ball down field because it wasn’t there.”
Peyton Hillis fumbled the game’s kickoff, but Denver’s defense held the Browns to a field goal.
Two possessions later, Denver’s defense again came up big, forcing a fumble deep in Browns’ territory.
“We had the offense’s back,” said defensive lineman Kenny Peterson. “We have to keep grinding, and the offense has to keep moving the ball up and down the field.”
Three plays later, Kyle Orton found tight end Tony Scheffler for a two-yard touchdown, giving Denver a 7-3 lead.
Browns quarterback Brady Quinn then took Cleveland down field on an 11-play, 51-yard drive, but Denver held the Browns to a Phil Dawson 47-yard field goal.
Early in the second quarter, Orton engineered an ugly 13-play drive that Matt Prater capped off with a field goal, giving Denver a 10-6 lead.
Both club’s offenses sputtered the rest of the first half, until the 2:32 mark when Denver got the ball back and attempted to go down field and build on their lead.
Orton, who struggled again in the first half but still never turned the ball over, dinked and dunked the Broncos down field on a long 17-play drive.
“We moved the ball pretty effectively, and we did some good things out there today,” Orton said. “We took what was there and we didn’t turn the ball over, which is the most important thing.”
However, Prater missed his first field goal of the season wide left, and the Broncos failed to generate points in a close game before the half.
Orton struggled at times in the first half, throwing multiple balls away and into the dirt, completing only 11 of 27 balls thrown — but Denver still controlled the game.
Denver’s running game didn’t produce early, gaining only 53 first-half yards. But Denver’s running backs were also only given 13 attempts to do so — compared to Orton’s 27 passing attempts.
To start the second half, Dumervil forced a fumble on the third play from scrimmage, and Brian Dawkins recovered it.
“We are a cohesive unit — you do not see a lot of selfish guys on this side of the ball,” Dawkins said of the defense. “The front seven is playing well right now, and the secondary is doing the same. I wouldn’t trade playing with these guys for anything.”
Brandon Marshall, who was sparingly used throughout the game and who didn’t look very happy about it on the sideline, finally made his first game impact in two weeks.
Marshall caught a 15-yard Orton pass that set up a Prater 38-yard field goal, but again was taken out of the game shortly after.
The following drive Denver’s defense forced the Browns into a three-and-out, and Orton led the Broncos on a nine-play drive.

Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters

RingOfFame

Photo: University of Colorado

By Peter Rossi, LAW WEEK COLORADO
DENVER — Although it’s widely believed that the recent 10-year football contract between the University of Colorado and Colorado State University is a done deal, the paperwork is still missing the signatures of top school officials as final details are hammered out.
But don’t expect the deal to collapse, representatives for the schools said last week. Both sides have indicated they are happy with the agreement, which was announced Aug. 31. But “the contracts aren’t executed yet, and we’re still finalizing it,” said Elvie Henderson, CU’s senior associate general counsel. The final piece is determining ticket prices, which CU Assistant Athletic Director Tom McGrath expects within 30 days.
In all, three agreements govern the extension of the so-called “Rocky Mountain Showdown” for 10 years at Invesco Field at Mile High. The game was played this year at Boulder’s Folsom Field, where stadium capacity and revenues are lower.
The first agreement is between the two universities to continue playing football for the next decade. Both sides said that there weren’t any contractual holdups and that they both wanted to have the series in Denver. “All parties involved are satisfied with the arrangements,” CSU Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk said.
That agreement allots 55 percent of the tickets to CU and 45 percent to CSU. “The reason why that’s important is that every ticket that we sell out of those 55 percent of seats, the money stays in our athletic department,” McGrath said.
McGrath said CU officials did not want the fans thinking that for every dollar they spent on a ticket, 45 cents would go to CSU. “It might come out the same, but clearly schools are motivated to sell their own tickets because when you sell your own tickets through your own ticket office, then you keep 100 percent of the revenue,” he said.
The “foremost issue was ticket sales,” Henderson agreed.
The second agreement is between the schools and the Metro Denver Sports Commission, which is tasked with marketing the game in Denver. That agreement includes both schools providing the commission with promotional tickets. Neither McGrath nor Kowalczyk would disclose the financial agreement reached with the commission.
The sports commission is a nonprofit organization charged with bringing sporting events to the Denver area. Similar agreements with the commission were in place the past three years the game was played at Invesco.
“They’re a third party that will go out and try to sell sponsorships and promote the game in Denver,” McGrath said. “Both schools are looking at a greater presence in the Denver market.”
The third agreement is between both schools and Invesco Field to play the game at that location for the next 10 years.
Television rights for the game are determined by whoever the home team is, and referees will be assigned from the conference the home team is from. The home squad will also coordinate all credentials for the schools, officials, dignitaries and the media.
The main reason there wasn’t a significant contract holdup in negotiations is because both schools financially benefit tremendously. “For us, it’s minimally an additional $600,000 to $800,000 in revenue” a year, Kowalczyk said. “Of course, it’s money we can use and put back into our program for the benefit of our student athletes.”
McGrath said, “There’s a lot more seats down in Denver for both schools, which benefits ours sponsors and our fan base. The financial model really works.”
Revenues from the games will go into the athletic departments, which will help fund scholarships. Last year, CSU’s scholarship tab for all student-athletes was $6.4 million, and CU’s bill was $8 million.

By John G. Miller, DENVER DAILY NEWS
The Denver Beer Fest kicks off its 10-day-long celebration of all things beer with two long-running festivals and a variety of beer-related events throughout the Denver Metro area and beyond.
Mayor John Hickenlooper Thursday raised a toast to officially open the festivities.
“One of the best things about being mayor is you get to make proclamations,” said Hickenlooper to the assembly at the Wynkoop Brewing Company, of which he was once a partner. “I hereby proclaim Sept. 18-27 as Denver Beer Fest Week.”
The Denver Beer Fest is the brainchild of Rich Grant, Visit Denver’s communications director.
“Anyone with $10 can be a beer connoisseur,” Grant said.
“There are 150 new beer-related events,” Grant continued. “There are fine dining beer-paired dinners available at restaurants throughout Denver. Beer has become a big part of the culinary scene. There are beer tastings, beer tappings, ‘meet the brewers’ nights. One company will take you fly fishing, and then take you to have a beer afterwards.”
“Any city would love to have an event like this,’ said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver, the convention and visitor’s bureau for Denver. “All of the downtown hotels are filled up. It’s a great opportunity to showcase what’s happening in the city.”
Here are some of the more noteworthy beer-related events upcoming:

Oktoberfest
The first is the 40th annual Oktoberfest Denver, being held on September 18-20 and 25-27 on Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd streets. Established in 1969 at Larimer Square by homesick German immigrant Hertha Thomas-Zagari and her husband, Fred Thomas, the event now attracts more than 250,000 to revel in beer, bratwurst and live music.
Besides the thousands of beers and brats ready to be dispensed, Oktoberfest Denver will also feature the annual Long Dog Derby wiener dog race; a Mr. Oktoberfest contest; and a 5k and 10k race dubbed “Das Hustlehoff” in deference to Germany’s favorite ’80s television star David Hasselhoff.
This may be the final year of Oktoberfest Denver, as its organizer, Larimer Associates, has decided to end its production of the event and is attempting to sell it.
“We are a real estate company,” said spokeswoman Margaret Ebeling. “We felt we needed to focus on that. It was a business decision. “There’s a lot of people who feel very passionately about the festival, and we thought it would be best to be as transparent as possible.”

GABF
Another big beer-related event comes at the end of next week — The Great American Beer Festival, which is in its 27th year and has become a Denver staple. More than 450 breweries from all over the country will be represented at the Colorado Convention Center Sept. 24-26, with 1,900 beers on tap in what is recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest display of beers on tap in the world.
“It’s an opportunity to convene the brewer’s community and make new friends and share beers,” said Charlie Papazian, president of the Brewer’s Association, a festival sponsor. “And it’s a great way to get Denver’s name out there for national and international recognition.”
The event is a competition to determine the best beers produced by U.S. breweries. The event is sold out for the third year in a row with 31,000 tickets sold. More than 100 of the breweries come from Colorado.
“We already are the Napa Valley of beer,” said Hickenlooper. “It’s the universal meeting place of so many people.”
Richard Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver, the convention and visitor’s bureau for Denver, agreed that Denver is a beer Mecca.
“I think to be known as a great craft-beer city adds to our standing as a national and international city,” said “We are known for our outdoors activities, our scenic beauty, our fine restaurants and for the DNC. This is one more cog that people will think of when they think of Denver.”

Among the many events on tap this week:
• Shelby’s Bar and Grill, located at 519 18th St., plans their 10th annual “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” celebration tonight that includes corned beef and cabbage, a team of bagpipers, $2 green Budweiser and $1 green Jell-O shots. Call 303-295-9597 for more information.
• Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret will have a variety of beers from Avery’s Brewery, brats, and a burlesque and comedy revue Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $25 a person. Call 303-293-0075 for more information.
• Katie Mullen’s Irish Restaurant and Pub is celebrating the 250th anniversary of Arthur Guinness’ birthday. Enjoy authentic Celtic music and $2.50 Guinness 250 Special Brews. This event runs from Sept. 24-27. Call 303-573-0336 for more information.
• Denver Microbrew Tour is a two-hour guided tour of LoDo’s brewpubs, microbreweries and tap houses. There will be plenty of samples offered, of course. Cost is $20 a person, and the event runs Sept. 25-26. Call 303-249-6838 for more information.
• Brown Palace Hotel will serve “Prohibition style beer” in a teapot, the way the hotel used to disguise beer during the Prohibition era. That event runs today through Set. 27. For more information, call 303-297-3111.
For a full listing of events, times and dates, visit www.denverbeerfest.com.

Distributed by Colorado Capitol Reporters

By Gene Davis, DENVER DAILY NEWS
Jane Seymour’s resume isn’t as much impressive as it is awe-inspiring.
Maybe you know her from playing a Bond Girl and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, or from creating the immensely popular “open hearts” design series, or from one of her beloved books or paintings. In short, unless you’ve successfully secluded yourself from pop culture for the past three decades, chances are that you’re familiar with Seymour in some way.
“There’s never enough time for the things I want to do,” she told the Denver Daily News. “ Every day I can think of things I want to get better at; I think that’s part of the joy in life, discovering and creating new things.”
Seymour has never been short of motivation. As a child she wanted to become a ballerina, but her family couldn’t afford the shoes or tuition for classes. But instead of giving up or moving on, she successfully applied and got a grant to ballet school.
And several years later, while her friends were running lemonade stands, she successfully started and maintained her own clothing company.
“I’ve never understood the word bored,” she laughed.

Near-death experiences
Three near-death experiences, one of which caused her to leave her body, caused Seymour to look at life differently, she said.
“I’m so grateful to be able to have more time on earth,” she said. “I made a pact that I want to help other people and try and make a difference in the world.”
Seymour’s “open heart” philosophy is her most notable attempt to make that difference.What started as a series of original watercolor and oil paintings of two open hearts linked together has morphed into a universal symbol for love and hope. Seymour got the idea for the design from her mother’s advice: “If your heart is open, love will always find its way in.”
“It’s about being able to open your heart enough to let go of Tuesday, because Tuesday is done, and be receptive to the possibility of being aware of the moment you have now,” she said. “It’s a way of dealing with the challenges in life.”

Book
The Golden Globe and Emmy-award winning actress last year released a book to accompany her “open hearts” series. The collection of love-related stories, poems and quotes is an ideal gift for anyone going through a hard time or period of transition, Seymour said.
This Friday and Saturday, Seymour will present her artwork in person at Jared The Galleria of Jewelry at Centennial Promenade. Following an introduction from The Madden Museum of Art, Seymour will paint with children from ArtReach Denver, as well as pose for photos and host a brief autograph session featuring her “Open Hearts” book.
“It’s amazing to get to meet people face to face and hear their stories,” she said. “They’re the unsung heroes, as far as I’m concerned.”

Where: Jared The Galleria of Jewelry at Centennial Promenade, 9535 East County Line Road in Englewood
When: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Information: JaneSeymour.com