Glo to fade from Denver media scene

Say it ain’t so, Glo!

Gloria Neal, a fixture in Denver radio and television, is leaving our fair city to take a job as the morning news anchor at CBS-affiliate WGCL in Atlanta.

On April 7, Neal posted on her Facebook page: “Where do I begin? I have always said that time brings change and to go against time … is like going against life. There are no words Colorado. With ears full of tears, a heavy heart and a strong spirit, I fly ….”

After making her mark on local radio, Neal was hired “temporarily” in 2008 as a morning news correspondent on CBS4.

In a message to the staff, CBS4 News Director Tim Wieland said: “Back in 2008, I asked Gloria Neal if she might be interested in doing a daily segment for CBS4 Morning News on some of the stories surrounding the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Three or four weeks only. An ‘experiment’ to see how she liked working on morning television.Three or four weeks turned into eight years at CBS4 — a wonderful ‘experiment’ that led to so many memorable interviews, stories and news segments.”

By phone from Atlanta, Glo said, “Man plans and God laughs.” She was “stunned when they called me. I love Colorado, it’s going to be so hard … (leaving) but it’s also a great opportunity. (Atlanta) is a huge market. I’ve been here many times (where her husband has clients).”

Her last day on the air in Denver will be mid-late May.

Hate to see you go, Glo, but best of luck in Hotlanta.

Caddie wins Evans scholarship

Geovani Castillo has caddied at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club the past three seasons. Starting in golf through The First Tee program at GVR opened his eyes to the benefits of playing the game and the life lessons it teaches.

But he never imagined the summer job would also lead to the opportunity of a lifetime — the chance to earn a full scholarship to the University of Colorado in Boulder.

“When I found out about the Evans Scholarship, I just got even more excited about caddying,” he said. “The day I received my award letter, I was so proud. This is a huge weight off my parents’ shoulders, not having to worry about me. I’m just really happy that I made them happy.”

Castillo is one of 11 awardees of the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship — a full, four-year tuition and housing college scholarship awarded to golf caddies — and will begin college as an Evans Scholar at the University of Colorado this fall.

Hemingway to speak at gala

Oscar-nominated actress and author Mariel Hemingway will provide the keynote address at Shine On, the Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network’s 60th anniversary dinner celebration on Oct. 14 at the Grand Hyatt Downtown Denver.

Hemingway has spoken openly about her family’s history of mental illness, addiction and suicide.

About her book, “Out Came the Sun,” released recently, Hemingway said, “My family — my father, my mother, my two sisters and myself — is the kind of family that in today’s era of euphemism and doublespeak, gets called ‘dysfunctional.'”

Proceeds from the event support suicide prevention services and mental health crisis care. For more information, go to Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network website.

Coors Field a hit on Thrillist

Thrillist.com, the national web arbiter of all that’s hip and cool, has amassed its ranking of every Major League Baseball stadium based on its food and drink in honor of the new season

Here’s what the site said: “In honor of opening day, we took it upon ourselves to rank all the MLB stadiums based on food and drink. We awarded extra points for local-centric foods, creativity, and craft beer dominance. We deducted points for weird-for-the-sake-of-weird Frankenfoods. Ready? Play ball…”

Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies, registered a respectable No. 9.

The Rockies played their home opener on April 10. See how the rest of the ballparks ranked at Thrillist.

Denver Silent Film Festival comin

The Denver Silent Film Festival has announced its 2015 event scheduled for April 24 through 26.

The 2015 DSFF will be held in a new location: Davis Auditorium, Sturm Hall on the University of Denver campus, 2000 E. Asbury Ave.

This year’s event begins at 7:30 p.m. April 24 with a centennial celebration of Denver’s own Douglas Fairbanks in “The Thief of Bagdad” (1924), directed by Raoul Walsh and co-starring Julanne Johnston as the princess.

Ticket prices range from $ 5 to $ 12 per film. Weekend festival passes available. For complete film schedule and prices, visit www.denversilentfilmfest.org. 

OverheardEavesdropping on a woman signing up for a GHIN handicap card at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club: “I’d rather have a vodka card than a GHIN card.”

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 penny@blacktie-llc.com or at 303-619-5209.

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