Celebrities take turns as servers for Denver fundraiser

Well-known Denverites will don costumes and do goofy things during the Celebrity Waiter 2015 dinner on Sept. 19 at Ocean Prime Restaurant, 1465 Larimer St.

This annual fundraiser and silent auction combines a night of great food, novice servers (who should all keep their day jobs) and an entertaining atmosphere for a great cause. You are guaranteed to laugh while being waited on by some of Denver’s favorite local celebrities.

This year’s lineup includes Walter Isenberg, Will McCollum, Sam Adams, John Reimers, Jim Holder, RD Sewald, Molly Hughes, Josh Hanfling, Joshua Phair, Collon Kennedy, Pete Turner, Jeff Kaufman, Michael Dunn, Kasia Iwaniczko MacLeod, Bill Myers, Jamie Van Leeuwan and Walt DeHaven. More bold names will be added to the evening’s staff.

For reservations (5-9 p.m.), call 303-825-3663.

Sad news

It grieves me to my very soul to have to report the death of Michael “Mike” Gaughan, chairman and co-founder of MGA Communications, one of the primo PR firms in Denver. He died Sept. 1 from complications from surgery. He was 77.

Mike, who has been with his life and business partner Jeff Julin forever, was a beloved friend of mine. Mike, Jeff and a guest and I would go to dinner quarterly at Barolo Grill, and have such a great time eating numerous courses and drinking vodka.

He had had some health scares, but always roared back. This time he lost the battle. I am so sad.

From his official obituary:

“Mike will tell you his career really began when he was hired at the age of 15 as a marquee boy for the Dundee Theatre in Omaha. From that humble beginning, Mike rose in the ranks of the theater chain until he was promoted and became responsible for all advertising and marketing for the circuit. In the mid-’80s Mike founded his own public relations firm which has morphed into MGA Communications.”

Coda Coffee opening in Edgewater

Coda Coffee, a certified B Corp company that focuses on social responsibility and sustainable business practices, will open its first retail location this month at 5224 W. 25th Ave. in Edgewater.

Coda Coffee, which brothers Tim and Tommy Thwaites started in 2005, is a local, wholesale coffee company fueled by a passion for great coffee and worldly do-gooding.

“Our dreams are becoming reality and we’re so excited to open our very first storefront. It will give people an easy way to learn more about us and the farmers who produce our coffee,” Tim said. “It’ll also help bring a craft feel to the world of coffee because, just like beer, the world of coffee has a very unique art to it that we’re passionate about and look forward to sharing.”

Coda Coffee’s grand opening takes place from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 18.  The first 25 people through the door receive a Coda Coffee travel mug and a $ 75 gift card for drinks at Coda’s coffee shop, drawings to win a French press and Coda Coffee swag, including travel mugs and tumblers.

For more information about Coda Coffee, visit www.CodaCoffee.com.

Ridgefest returns Sept. 12

Ridge at 38 is gearing up for Ridgefest 2015, a full day of fun for the whole family, which will be held from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the heart of the Ridge at 38 district. Ridgefest is an event highlighting the agricultural heritage and handmade/homemade appeal of Ridge at 38 and the entire Wheat Ridge community.

Presented in partnership with the Colorado Folk Art Council’s International Festival, Ridgefest will kick off a day of eclectic musical performances with bluegrass bands taking center stage at 5 p.m. through the close of the event. Ridgefest welcomes more than 25 artisan and food vendors from Wheat Ridge and surrounding communities, and will feature the same local brews available in nearby Wheat Ridge breweries and restaurants.

Thunder and Rain is the headlining band, with Doctor Harlan’s Amazing Bluegrass Tonic performing just before them. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket to throw over straw-bale seating or on the ground to enjoy the performances.

For more information about Ridgefest 2015, visit www.ridgeat38.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/Ridgeat38 or contact Carolyn Doran at Wheat Ridge 2020 (720-259-1030 or email cdoran@wheatridge2020.org).

Overheard

Eavesdropping on Facebook: “My bank just called to ask if I had, indeed, spent $ 36 on Rockies tickets last week. I guess they couldn’t believe someone would pay for them, either.”

Penny Parker’s “Mile High Life” column gives insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Parker also writes for Blacktie-Colorado.com. You can subscribe and read her columns (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) at www.blacktie-colorado.com/pennyparker. She can be reached at parkerp1953@gmail.com or at 303-619-5209.

 

 

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