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Fashion designer Anne Fanganello (center) with models Jade Smith, Jennifer Tiedemann, Joey Smith and Amara Martin
Photo by Chris Hibner

By Scottie Taylor Iverson

Meet the designer. Anne Fanganello has worked in NYC’s garment district for 18 years leading companies like Zac Posen (COO) and Nanette Lepore (Head of Technical Design and Operations Team) to success. She has returned to her native Denver and believes in supporting the local market and economy as much as possible, maintaining a high quality product. The AnnaFesta (Italian for Anne’s Party) collection is designed with a desire to create beautifully fitting clothes for the woman with a few more curves. Focusing on fit for the fuller figure, the clothes are created with a fun, flirty attitude that inspires confidence in the women who wear them. All the clothing is made in Colorado and is available at ConneXions in Southwest Plaza. For more information: www.annafesta.com….

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Elise Marks-Gruitch, Vickie Dow, Lori Marks-Connors and Edie Marks

By Glory Weisberg

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The Hospice of Saint John brought its annual Mad Hatter Tea party to the incredibly elegant Kent Denver cafeteria, which has enough space to accommodate at least double attendance it attracted over last year.

Incredibly elegant cakes created by professional bakers and decorated in the theme of the Mad Hatter Tea Party with spades, hearts, clovers and diamond shapes made for a very live auction. There they were, Barb Reece bidding against good friend Martha Jentz. Among the battling bidders were Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons, Arlene and Don Johnson, and Mort Marks.

As the bidding war intensified, one person paid $475 for a cake that was topped with a ceramic tea pot. Other elegantly attired cakes went for $200, $250, two that went for $175 each and when totaled up the six cakes and one plate of cupcakes came to $1,575!

Edie Marks has mastered the art of mansion selling, once crowned the gatekeeper of Cherry Hills Village. In recent years, she’s also grabbed a mike to lead live auctions and here again Edie’s magic worked. Edie and her daughters, Elise Marks-Gruitch and Lori Marks-Connors, chaired the tea party.

The center of attention, standing guard at the door was the always attractive and cute Gayle Novak, who was the Queen of Hearts, gowned to her pretty tootsies and mouth shaped like a blood red heart. Holly Lieberman, a brand new University of Colorado grad, came as a Cheshire Cat. She had personally tie-dyed table napkins so pretty that last year guests took them home with them. Not this year, Edie warned, they need to keep them for next year.

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This Cheshire Cat cake and this
floral themed confection were just a couple of the sweet looking cakes
in the live auction.

Bill Thorpe came as event namesake, Mad Hatter.

Back with her annual collection of adorable tiny hat creations was Stephani Salazar. She was joined by Astral Mechaniks handmade scarves by Judy Lynn and a photo booth from Just ShutterUP.

Battling for attention amid all of this was a silent auction of baskets filled with stuff for kids, some wine baskets and one kid-size red truck we saw leaving the Kent Denver grounds loaded onto an SUV, being held by the child with the back door open. Steven Cooper is president and CEO of the hospice and wife Sharon handles their publicity. Of course, the couple was in the mix of all the happy mayhem.

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Mad Hatter, aka, Danielle Miller

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Keely Chacon and her grandmother, Gayle Novak, the Queen of Hearts

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Steve and Sharon Cooper with Cheshire Cat, aka, Holly Lieberman

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Julia and Erick Porterfield. Photos by Glory Weisberg

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Jane Tedeschi and Elder James Brown share a hug after their meeting, which was made possible by the Wish of a Lifetime.
Courtesy photo

93-year-old former civilian military pilot meets Tuskegee Airman

Submitted by Brookdale 

Jane Tedeschi has been passionate about flying her entire life. Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale, the 93-year-old former Women Airforce Service Pilot was recently granted her lifelong wish to meet and talk to a famed Tuskegee Airman. On May 17, Tedeschi and Elder James Brown had lunch at Wings Over the Rockies Museum and shared memories of their contributions to the Armed Forces during World War II. Tedeschi is a resident of Parkplace, a Brookdale retirement community in Denver.

“It was a dream come true,” said Tedeschi of the meeting with Brown.

The two shared a long embrace after recounting their experiences and memories from their respective times of service.

At the age of 11, Tedeschi went to see the film Wings with her aunt, and from that day on, she knew she wanted to be a pilot. In her early 20s, she independently earned her pilot’s license, something very rare during that time. Tedeschi joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots and was a part of the first group of civilian military women to fly American military aircraft. She continued to be very involved in the organization, becoming a WASP field representative and speaking at a number of events. Tedeschi was also an active supporter of the Women in Military Service memorial in Washington, D.C.

While she has an impressive background, Tedeschi’s Wish of a Lifetime honored an important group of U.S. military men, the Tuskegee Airmen. During her time as a WASP, she was stationed in Selma, Ala., only 20 miles outside Tuskegee, where the Tuskegee Airmen trained. She recalls hearing heroic stories about these men during her service time, and had longed for the chance to meet one of these men and thank him for everything he did for our country. She has always felt a strong connection to these men, and to have the chance to meet and exchange service stories with a soldier was an amazing experience for her.

In 2010, Brookdale and Wish of a Lifetime formed a partnership to provide a helping hand in making some of the dreams of Brookdale’s residents come true. To request a wish, residents fill out a wish application explaining an experience they would like to have fulfilled. Residents at Brookdale communities nationwide are invited to share and submit their wishes at www.seniorwish.org…. The fulfillment of wishes aligns with Brookdale’s Optimum Life platform, which cultivates whole-person wellness through six key dimensions: purposeful, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and intellectual. Since the partnership’s inception, more than 250 Brookdale seniors have had their wishes granted.

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A 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350S will be unveiled at this year’s Colorado Concours d’Elegance, June 9.

Annual event benefits Cerebral Palsy of Colorado

The 30th Annual Exotic Sports Car Show & Concours d’Elegance benefiting Cerebral Palsy of Colorado is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, at Arapahoe Community College. Gates open from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the gate and children 12 years old and younger are free.

Cerebral Palsy of Colorado announced the unveiling of the 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350S at this year’s Colorado Concours. This Shelby Mustang GT350S is the 1966 prototype supercharged GT350 and the first Shelby Mustang to be painted a color other than Wimbledon White. It is the only GT350S made by Shelby Mustang. It will be available to see at the Shelby American Collection Tent.

This year’s event celebrates Porsche as the Featured Marque. It will be the 65th anniversary of Porsche, the 60th anniversary of the first Porsche club and the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the 911 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The 30th anniversary also celebrates Stimson Kennedy and Tom Scott, members of the Porsche Club, who created the event.

As he reflects on the past 30 years, event founder Stimson Kennedy said, “It’s a blessing to tie my hobby with raising funds for children and families served through this worthy nonprofit.”

Last year 12,000+ enthusiasts joined to see our nearly 500 exceptional cars. There is entertainment, food and fun for the whole family.

Sponsors this year include Dex, McDonald Audi, Arapahoe Community College and Jim N Nick’s.

The Colorado Concours event is a critical fundraiser benefiting Cerebral Palsy of Colorado’s Creative Options for Early Education Centers. Funds raised help four metro area centers provide early intervention and education services for 646 infants, toddlers and children and their families annually with a wide variety of abilities. Last year, CP of Colorado served more than 40,000 Coloradans.

Visit www.coloradoconcours.org… to learn more.

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Pamela Helm, Morgan Ruschmeyer, Debbie Raeder, Bryn and Henny Lasley

By Glory Weisberg

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Anna Leoni & Dr. Dianne Metcalf
Photos courtesy of Alyssa Hartman

The 2013 Le Bal de Ballet committee had its annual Mother Daughter Tea in honor of the 2013 Debutantes and their mothers.  The event was held at Cherokee Castle where tea was served on a collection of 80 antique teacups and tea plates, and a spectacular silver collection named in honor of Ginger Underwood, Debbie Raeder and the late Esther Kenny.

This year, the committee and debutante mothers donated silver serving pieces to establish a permanent collection of silver tea pieces. The silver collection was based on an initial gift of nine silver teapots donated by Raeder, honoring the former chairmen who are still  involved on the committee, including Debbi Tryon, 2002 chairman; Pam Gatz, 2003 chairman; Sue Hills, 2004 chairman; Ellen Bywaters, 2007 chairman; Pam Kelsall, 2008 chairman; and Ginger Underwood, 2010 chairman.

‘Natural Childbirth Exercises’ on sale now

Highlands Rancher Rhondda Evans Hartman just published her second book, Natural Childbirth Exercises. So where was she when I needed her back in “the good old days,” which I never thought were all that good anyway.

The mother of five and grandmother of nine is also an R.N. who specialized in public health nursing in Canada. Hartman has more credentials than we have space to print.

So all you about-to-be parents or grandparents should check this out. Visit naturalchildbirthexercises.com….

Ed Gala, Oct. 22

The Denver Scholarship Foundation has its Ed Gala, Oct. 22. That Ed is not an abbreviation, it’s the full name of the annual event. Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Maureen Dowd is keynote speaker, foundation co-founder Bernadette Marquez is gala chair, and Chauncey and Piper Billups are honorary co-chairs. For details, visit denverscholarship.org… or call 303-951-6562.

Women of Distinction to be honored Oct. 10

The Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Denver Metro Area Women of Distinction have been selected for the Oct. 10 Thin Mint Dinner. Denise Burgess, Michelle M. Lucero, Karen Nakandakare, Kristin Richardson, Christine Riordan, Mimi Roberson, Regina Rodriguez and Shari Shink are 2013 Women of Distinction. Call Amy Myers at 303-607-4896 for information.

Cherry Creek Arts Festival Gala, July 2

For those of you who have found an effective pollen antihistamine and welcoming the end of snow shoveling and the start of the ongoing groan of suburbia or the city, it’s almost time for the Cherry Creek Arts Festival that starts with the Opening Gala, July 2 at the J.W. Marriott in Cherry Creek North. The gala is a benefit for year-round education programs in local schools. For more info visit cherryarts.org…

Daniels Fund awards more grants

Organizations dedicated to improving the educational system, and others that serve seniors, the disabled, and the homeless are among the major recipients of $7 million in grants announced this week by the Daniels Fund.

Major grant recipients in Colorado include: Arc Working for a Purpose; Colorado League of Charter Schools; Community Food Share; Denver Hospice; Food Bank of the Rockies; The Career Building Academy; Lathrop Education and Training Center; Senior Hub; The Children’s Hospital (Auditory Equipment); USA Rugby Football National Championships; United States Olympic Committee – Warrior Games; Volunteers of America; and many others.

“The amount of good these organizations do on limited budgets is remarkable, and the services they provide to those in need are irreplaceable,” said Linda Childears, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund.

The Daniels Fund will award an estimated $33 million in grants in 2012.

Visit www.DanielsFund.org  for more information.

Janet’s Camp June 22

The annual summer fun Janet’s Camp benefit for the Denver YMCA Summer Day Camp is at jeweler Tom Shane’s home, June 22. Jane Buckley is Director of Camp Activities and Janet Elway is Head Camp Counselor. On their list of Camp Counselors are Vince Abrue, David Alexander, Megan Dietz, Kristi Fote, Staci Mantegazz, Stacey McDonald, Phil Ruschmeyer, Jr., Devon Masterson, Quinn Washington, Nancy Thompson and lots of others. Visit denverymca.org…

Cocktails for a Cause June 18

Cocktails for a Cause is June 18. This is a ladies-only quarterly event to collect items needed for certain selected nonprofits. This time it’s benefiting Girls on the Run of the Rockies that gets more than 2,000 participants at more than 170 program sites. Each year half of the girls receive scholarships to participate in the program.

Items the program needs include running shoes women’s sizes 5-8 and youth sizes 3-4. Also on their list are reusable water bottles and other items.

Call founder René Harding at 303-885-0497 or email events@cocktailsforacause.co.com….

Travel Etiquette: traffic

Boulevard Bullies are raising the blood pressure for others having to share the roads with them.

It’s good etiquette in Colorado to move over one lane from the right lane when you near on-ramp traffic that needs to merge. That advice is posted in California. It’s one idea we should adopt since we are getting their drivers now anyway.

Some days it seems that when you signal to change a lane to get off I-25 some guy makes it his mission to block you from moving over, right? Be sensitive to those sharing the asphalt and concrete with you and when you’re giving your newly 16-year-old driving lessons teach them proper road etiquette.

Keep the sound system at a level enabling you to pull over when an emergency vehicle comes up behind you, blaring sirens and flashing lights on. It’s the law.

Texting while driving is bad etiquette and illegal, so let’s teach our kids to do one thing at a time, drive or text, not at the same time

New videos show that moms with kids in the back seats are more distracted than they believe. Pull over to settle problems on a side street where it’s safe and tend to them. Playing I Spy can keep young ones busy at least until hormones kick in. Ear buds with music or hand held video games also help with our extended family members.

Emily Post reminds us that passengers should not distract the driver. Watching the bumper of the auto in front of you is the pits but keep your mind on the traffic flow which goes from 65 mph to 12 mph in an instant. Taking your eyes off the road can result in a rear end collision. If the car ahead of you has passenger seats almost right up against the back of the car such an accident can cause tragic injury.

I once glimpsed a grown man reading the financial page of the Wall Street Journal while driving 65 mph on I-25 barreling along toward town. I wonder if he’s still alive or how many rear end collisions he’s caused.

gloryweisberg@comcast.net…

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Mary and Kevin McNicholas with their framed Papal Blessing

By Glory Weisberg

Cherry Hills Villagers Mary and Kevin McNicholas accepted the honor of receiving a Papal Blessing at the Little Sisters of the Poor 95^th Anniversary Gala at the History Colorado Center.

They were also honored with a plaque that read, “With our Prayerful Gratitude, Little Sisters of the Poor.” This couple just keeps on being honored by many grateful nonprofits in our community and they were our 2005 Villagers of the Year as well.

The Diamonds & Denim benefit celebrated “95 years of Joy and Gratitude, Love and Service to the Elderly From The Little Sisters of the Poor – Mullen Home for the Aged.”

The home is a residence for the elderly of every race and religion in Denver. The religious order was started in France in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan, gathering those elderly needing help and establishing a warm, loving home for them. The Mullen home in Denver opened its doors in 1917.

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Sr. Therese, Sr. Joseph Marie and Sr. Mary Emilie

The Little Sisters of the Poor now operates 31 facilities in the U.S. alone and as one of the Sisters noted at the gala, there is “never a dull moment at Mullen Home.” Residents have live entertainment, some of it by the residents themselves, nutritious meals, exercise and other amenities. Their video showed so many activities and services for its residents that guests smile from start to finish while watching.

This gala served to raise funds for the Mullen Home where a grocery list type of support is needed.

Among gala sponsors were the Archdiocese of Denver, K-M Concessions, Spero Winery, 24/7 networks, the Weckbaugh Foundation, the J K Mullen Foundation, Regis University, the Saeman Family Foundation and Horan & McConaty.

Among guests enjoying a chicken and corn on the cob dinner were Peter Doherty, board members Steve and Sharon Cooper, Dr. William Earley, Msgr. Leo Horrigan, Azantha and Henry Middleton, Mike and Priscella O’Leary, Judge Leonard Plank, Deacon Rob Rinne, Sheila and Eric Sevier, emcee Bertha Lynn and her husband, Judge Larry Naves, and Mary Louise and Vince White-Petteruti.

To access the “WeShare” online giving system, visit www.littlesistersofthepoordenver.weshareonline.org….

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J K Mullen’s great-granddaughter Sheila Sevier and son Derek Sevier with Dick and Dorothy Campbell
Photos by Glory Weisberg

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Brother Anthony with
A.J. Nixon

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Wally and Janice Weckbaugh

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Mary and Kevin McNicholas

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Steve Cooper, Amanda Anderson and Father Tim Kremen

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Debutantes and Young Men of Distinction with bal chair, Debbie Raeder. Photos by Glory Weisberg

By Glory Weisberg

When honorees for the 2013 Le Bal de Ballet Debutante Ball were presented June 8, they entered the presentation stage with a backdrop of The Secret Garden, the title of a 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnettt which is now a ballet.

Debbie Raeder chaired the ball and Hillary Adams was co-chair and she will chair the 2014 ball. Ellen Bywaters was honorary 2013 chair and Susan Struna is Denver Ballet Guild president. They were in the official receiving line as Dr. Toby Cole emceed the presentation at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Following the presentation ceremony honorees, escorts, parents and guests dined and danced at the Denver Downtown Sheraton Hotel.

The following is the roster of debutantes, their parents’ names and the high schools the honorees attended before their recent graduation.

Please note that the families of two honorees requested their names not be made public.

Katherine Elizabeth Armstrong, daughter of Jean and Hugh Patrick Armstrong, St. Mary’s Academy; Caroline Virginia Campbell, daughter of Nancy and Robert Logan Campbell, Cherry Creek High School; Nicole Marie Campbell, daughter of Sue and Colin Cammack Campbell, Kent Denver; Devon Leigh Case, daughter of Donna and Jeffrey Michael Case, J.K. Mullen High School; Courtney McKnight Ergen, daughter of Candy and Charles William Krasny Ergen, Colorado Academy; Cordelia Elizabeth Fraker, daughter of Beth and Kevin Bryce Fraker, Littleton High School; Katherine Bailey Fritzinger, daughter of Gail and Peter Bailey Fritzinger, Colorado Academy; Grace Helen Gau, daughter of Tracey and Dr. David Gau, St. Mary’s Academy; Allison Nicole Hibben, daughter of Mary Lou and John Brickman Hibben, Valor Christian High School.

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Bal co-chair Hillary Adams, husband Roger Adams and daughter McKenna Adams

Haeley Christine Hutchison, daughter of Christine and Heath Christian Hutchison, Kent Denver;  Ingrid Hill Ingebretsen, daughter of Anne and Kirk Ingebretsen, Colorado Academy; Courtney Anne Kolberg, daughter of Dr. Michaela McDonnell Kolberg, Kent Denver; Hallie Anne Kurtz, daughter of Dr. Susan and Stephen William Kurtz, Littleton High School; Bryn Alaina Lasley, daughter of Henny and Bert Alan Lasley, Cherry Creek High School; Anna Renee Leoni, daughter of Dr. Dianne Renee Metcalf and Dr. Christopher Joseph Leoni, Kent Denver; Victoria Marie Link, daughter of Sharon and Robert Neil Link, Cherry Creek High School.

Ashley Marie May, daughter of Denise and Edward Joseph May, Valor Christian High School; Audrey Elise Meany, daughter of Cindy and Edward Michael Meany, J.K. Mullen High School; Vaiare Helen Overhardt, daughter of Mrs. Cindy Overhardt and Kurt Overhardt, Cherry Creek High School; Taylor Lauren Rabb, daughter of Colleen and Dr. Craig Hinson Rabb, Colorado Academy; Vivian Mae Reeves, daughter of Dr. Diana Reeves and Mr. Dan Reeves, Kent Denver; Courtney McLane Reifsnider, daughter of Kim and Robert John Reifsnider, Arapahoe High School;  Emma Blair Rosenblum, daughter of Judi and Gregory Schwayder Rosenblum, Colorado Academy; Morgan Elayne Ruschmeyer, daughter of Pamela and Corey Helm and Phillip J. Ruschmeyer, Jr., Cherry Creek High School; Ariana Melis Savci, daughter of Kay and Dr. Gultekin Savci, Colorado Academy.

Madeline Elise Schrader, daughter of Erin and Andrew John Schrader, Evergreen High School; Katherine Anne Slucky, daughter of Anne and Dr. Alex Slucky, J.K. Mullen High School; Regan Grace Smith, daughter of Maureen and Reynolds Gates Cannon and Scott Allen Smith, Cherry Creek High School; Halley Jane Stennes, daughter of Lisa and James Stennes, St. Mary’s Academy; Torell Alexa Stewart, daughter of Kari and Daryl Richard Stewart, Mountain Vista High School;  Molly Elizabeth Struna, daughter of Susan and Stephen Michael Struna, Regis Jesuit High School; Elizabeth Thompson Talbot, daughter of Mary and Bradford Cole Talbot, St. Mary’s Academy.

Erika Malin Torvik, daughter of Lisa and Scott Blaine Torvik, Cherry Creek High School; Gianna Marie Vecchiarelli, daughter of Gina and Daniel Vecchiarelli, Colorado Academy; Karlee Hunter Wolach, daughter of Jean and Patrick Lee Wolach, Regis Jesuit High School; Alexandra Lee Younkes, daughter of Suellyn and William Edward Younkes, Arapahoe High School, and Elisabeth Ann Younkes, daughter of Suellen and William Edward Younkes, Arapahoe High School.

The following is the list of 2013 Young Men of Distinction, the names of their parents and the schools they attend:

Cameron S. Akhavan, son of Jana and Reza Akhavan, Cherry Creek High School; Julian Hall Allen, son of Maureen and Michael Hall Allen, Littleton High School; Aaron Jacob Archuleta, son of Ms. Donna Joan Rodden and Joseph James Archuleta, Regis Jesuit High School; Logan Reid Arlen, son of Patty and Mark Dale Arlen, Cherry Creek High School; Brendan Crosby Barclay, son of Ms. Margaret Kent Crosby Barclay and Marnie and Ian Douglas Barclay, Regis Jesuit High School;  John Patrick Giblin, son of Mary and Christopher Francis Giblin, Regis Jesuit High School; Max Presley Greenwald, son of Rachel and Bradley Jonathan Greenwald, Kent Denver; Jackson Winton Ingalls, son of Barb and Dr. Gregory Kent Ingalls, Regis Jesuit High School.

Brice William Jonassen, son of Rosemary and Dr. E. Andrew Jonassen, Denver School of Science and Technology; Kai Andrew Jonassen, son of Rosemary and Dr. E. Andrew Jonassen, Denver School of Science and Technology;  Brannon Maurice Jones, son of Denise and Darryl Maurice Jones, Kent Denver; Zachary Kraemer McDaniel, son of Erica and Eric Richard McDaniel, Columbine High School; Gifford Waring Mellick, son of Liz and Orville Waring Mellick, Jr., Cherry Creek High School; Trent Jacob Moskowitz, son of Hallie and David Keith Moskowitz, Colorado Academy; Brandt Constantine Nelson, son of Drs. Helen and Steve Nelson, Cherry Creek High School; Tyler Montgomery Padgett, son of Karen and Todd Padgett, Kent Denver; David Ian Peterson, son of Cici and David Swan Peterson, Colorado Academy.

Clark Davidson Reid, son of Christian and Craig Alan Reid, Kent Denver; Michael Thomas Roitman, son of Julie and Steven A. Roitman, Cherry Creek High School; Ryan Jackson Sachar, son of Kim and Dr. Kavi Sachar, Colorado Academy; Jeremy Daniel Singer, son of Stacey and John Charles Singer, Cherry Creek High School; Ryan J. Stewart, son of Terri and Jeffrey Ross Stewart, Rock Canyon High School; Theodore Fenner Stolberg, son of Ms. Missy Stolberg and Earl Theodore Stolberg, Kent Denver; Tyler Jeffry Strauss, son of Susan and Jeffry Stanley Burton Strauss, Colorado Academy; Christopher Taylor Tryba, son of Stephanie and David Owen Tryba, Regis Jesuit High School; Christopher David Williams, son of Dana and David Robert Williams, Kent Denver; and William James Younkes, son of Suellyn and William Edward Younkes, Arapahoe High School.

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Steve and Susan Struna with John and Ellen Bywaters

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Debutantes Holley Stennes, Grace Gau, Audrey Meany and Katie Slucky. Photos by Glory Weisberg

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Debbie and John Raeder, Jr.

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Young Men of Distinction Brannon Jones, Gifford Mellick, Brandt Nelson and Zaq McDaniel

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Young Men of Distinction Tyler Padgett, Clark Reid, Chris Williams and Theodore Stolberg

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Le Bal ushers Riley Scannell, Allison May, Colin Meagher,
Gia Pizzchini, John Raeder III and Mackenzie Reininger

New focus: supporting loved ones of soldiers who took their own lives

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Headliner Michael Martin Murphy and TAPS Founder Bonnie Carroll

By Peter Jones

The eighth annual Colorado Celebrity Classic to benefit TAPS was a major success, says co-organizer Lynne Cottrell. The two-day entertainment and golf event, June 21-22, raised nearly $300,000 to support the families of fallen military.

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Lynn and Bo Cottrell
Photo by Dave Gill

Washington, D.C.-based TAPS, or Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, describes itself as the “24/7 tragedy-assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstance of the death.”

This year, the focus was on the challenges faced by military families whose loved ones have committed suicide – a growing problem that has long been stigmatized and has only recently received significant attention.

“This is a huge issue now,” Cottrell said. “There’s honor in dying in battle, but when someone dies by suicide, it’s horrible for the families. It’s much harder on them because there’s no closure and there’s guilt. TAPS is really having to step up and work with these families.”

Money raised at the weekend event will help support the upcoming Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors in Fort Carson, where about 1,000 suicide family survivors will gather for the kind of peer-based emotional support that TAPS has long provided to families of those killed in combat.

The TAPS event that will help make it possible kicked off with a Friday evening of live music from the likes of Michael Martin Murphy and Gary Morris and comedy from Gary Mule Deer at Steve Grove’s Ranch at Cherry Creek in Centennial.

“And of course, Coors Chuckwagon Cowboys came up from Amarillo, Texas, again to cook their legendary prime rib,” Cottrell added.

The festivities continued on Saturday at the Eisenhower Golf Club at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The day of golf was followed by the “Saluting Our Fallen Heroes” dinner show.

The TAPS fundraiser saw some changes this year. Instead of two nights of entertainment bookending a full day of golf, the event was compressed into one Friday night of music and comedy followed by Saturday’s golf.

Cottrell said the reason for the change was simple.

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Event chairs Sue and Eric Siph

“People were getting tired,” she said. “They’d go to the songwriter show on Friday, then get up and play golf early in the morning and come to a big show at the ranch on Saturday night, and they were pooped. People raved about the new format,” she said.

In the last seven years, the TAPS Colorado Celebrity Classic has raised more than $2 million to help military families. The event has become the largest outside fundraiser for TAPS.

Since 1994, TAPS has provided such comprehensive services as peer-based emotional support, casework assistance, connections to community-based care and a range of grief and
trauma resources.

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Volunteers Jewell Hargrave, Connie Digiallonardo
and Jill Cullis
Photos courtesy of
Blacktie Colorado

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Bo Vickers, Eddie Johnson and Natalie Vickers

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Selly and John Sieber

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Maj. Gen. (ret.) Mark and Carol Graham, Jill and Gen. (ret.) Gene Renuart

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Kay and Bud Issacs

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Selly and John Sieber

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Sheri and Buz Koelbel

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Kyle Burk, board chairman Denny O’Malley, Mashenka Lundberg, Pat Green and Ana Bowie. Photos by Glory Weisberg

By Glory Weisberg

A whopping 3,000 adults spent the evening of June 20 indulging in food from 60 eateries at the Do at the Zoo, amid the sounds of mating zebras, fine feathered peacocks and free roaming bunnies.

VIP humans were sipping signature drinks at the Toyota Elephant Passage, likely toasting to Mimi, Denver’s long-beloved elephant who passed last year.

Katie Magner chaired the Do at the Zoo and her husband Joe Magner served on the event corporate committee. When regular ticket buyers arrived they enjoyed a variety of alcoholic beverages that were doing a land office business. Among those spots with the cooling drinks were Wyncoop Brewing Company, Svedka Vodka, Agave Alley Specialty Liquor and Great Divide Brewing, The Candy Shop Specialty Liquor, MillerCoors and Pepsi Beverages Company. Some of the tiny sips were so pretty it would have made for a Technicolor dreamscape.

Five areas of the zoo participated in the Zoo Do and among the eateries doling out delicious bites were The Truffle Cheese Shop, Jing, India Tavern, Oceanaire Seafood Room, McCormick’s Fish House, Happy Cakes Bakeshop and Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant and Patxi’s Pizza.

Virtually the entire zoo is now involved at the successful Do, continually growing the popularity of this annual summer delight.

Meredith Coors is chairing the 2014 Zoo Do.

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Katie and Joe Wagner

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David Kenney and Kelly Brough

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Meredith and Peter Coors

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Kendra Skemp serves a selection of pizza from Patxi’s.

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Janet McFarland Burlile and Donna Driscoll

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Aurora Paraschiv admires this adorable tamandua, a species of anteater.

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Aaron Miller serves green eggs and ham hors d’oeuvres from Edge Restaurant.

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Alissa West, Michele Falivene, Lyn Schaffer and Rachel Kodanaz

By Glory Weisber

Denise Snyder’s Mariel shop was at capacity when the University of Colorado Hospital Foundation had its kickoff for the Sept. 17 Save the Males event, raising money for and awareness of prostate cancer.

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University of Colorado Hospital CEO Bruce Schroffel, Sue Goss and Gail Johnson

This is a women’s get together, an effort to alert their men to the need for prostate cancer detection. According to the foundation, women make 80 percent of the health care decisions for their families. In my own opinion, that is likely one reason married men live longer than bachelors. And when it comes to skin cancer, we ladies also literally have our men’s backs, as in constantly watching out for signs of suspicious growths.

Sue Goss is once again co-chairing Save the Males and this year Gail Johnson is her co-chair.

The whole idea was fostered by an editorial Villager Publisher Bob Sweeney wrote about prostate cancer in one of his weekly columns a few years ago. After reading that editorial, Sharon Magness Blake was motivated to start this annual ladies night out gathering.

On the agenda is a whopper of a silent auction of elegant purses and this year former Excelsior Youth Center Triumphant Woman, Lannie Garrett will do her fun Patsy DeCline act.

For information on Save the Males, visit www.savethemales
denver.org… or call 720-848-7772.

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Sharon Magness Blake with prostate cancer researcher,
Dr. Tom Flaig
Photos by Glory Weisberg

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Mary Krugman joyously shops at Mariel.

Central City Opera Summer Festival

Central City Opera’s 2014 Summer Festival has its opening night June 28. On the season’s marquee will be Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; and Jake Heggie’s opera Dead Man Walking. It is based on the true story written by Sister Helen Prejean about her relationship with Louisiana death row inmate Joseph De Rocher which was also an award-winning movie. The third opera is Rodgers and Hammerstein II’s glorious musical The Sound of Music.

For more information, visit www.centralcityopera.org….

Hospice of Saint John suspends admissions to its inpatient Unit

The Hospice of Saint John, in Lakewood has closed its Inpatient Unit. However, the Hospice is maintaining its Home Care Program.

The cost of caring for those in an Inpatient Unit have far exceeded reimbursement, which can be slow, their sources said.

The Hospice is continuing to offer home hospice services for those who want to stay in their own homes, in nursing homes or in assisted living residences.

As their spokesperson, Sharon Cooper said, “It may become even harder for Denver’s uninsured and underinsured to get good care, as they can no longer count on the Hospice of Saint John’s Inpatient Unit as a place of peace during their final moments.”

Gold for a Kid Golf Tournament

Dani’s Foundation is inviting the Colorado golfing community to join them at the second annual Golf for a Kid Golf Tournament, Aug. 5 at Meridian Golf Club.  One hundred player slots will be open for this tournament. Information is available by email to martha@danisfoundation.org….

Denverites are ‘Going Over the Edge’ to fight cancer

Pedestrian traffic on the 16^th Street Mall comes to a halt every year as many people watch 150 people rappel from the 31st floor of 1600 Glenarm Place July 12 and 13. Once again this year local TV and radio personalities, sports figures, and other well-known Coloradoans will participate along with adrenalin junkies and people who want to raise awareness and money to fight cancer here in Colorado. Cancer league of Colorado’s Over the Edge is in its fifth year and last year the event raised over $280,000 and more than 120 people participated.

Sheri and Jason Kaiser are 2013 co-chairs and together they said, “We are honored to chair this exciting fundraising event for Cancer League of Colorado.  There is often fear around heights but our philosophy is that the fear that cancer patients face is far greater and this is the least that we can do to contribute to cancer research in our community.”

There are still a few spots available for those brave of heart and generous in spirit.  To register or for information, go to www.cancerleague.org… and click on Over the Edge.

gloryweisberg@comcast.net…

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Team Stay Fit at Hyatt is honored for surpassing $1 million in cumulative fundraising during the Newmont Bike MS, presented by Point B awards ceremony. Audrey Blank, MS Champion; Bike MS Hyatt team captain and Grand Hyatt Denver General Manager Greg Leonard; Amanda Leonard; Chapter President Carrie Nolan; and ceremony emcee CBS4 anchor Karen Leigh.
Courtesy photo

Bike MS Team Stay Fit at Hyatt surpassed the $1 million mark in cumulative fundraising last weekend during the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Newmont Bike MS, presented by Point B, becoming the second corporate team to reach this milestone in the ride’s 28-year history.

“This is a remarkable Bike MS team,” said Carrie Nolan, president of the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, National MS Society as she stood at the finish line welcoming riders completing this year’s ride.  “Team Hyatt started with just three team members in 2000 and steadily doubled participants and funds raised each year.  Team Hyatt was the largest of the 207 Bike MS teams this year, fielding more than 200 cyclists with a goal to raise  $200,000.

“Team Hyatt is an inspiration – they show that every team has the capacity to grow, connect and involve more supporters,” Nolan said.

During an awards ceremony at CSU, the Chapter recognized the team and its exemplary captain, Grand Hyatt Denver General Manager Greg Leonard.

“Greg always keeps the mission – why people ride – at the forefront when recruiting team members.  He also keeps the team connected throughout the year by holding events that include a popular silent auction and golf tournament to grow awareness, support and team camaraderie,” Nolan said.

“This has been a Hyatt Hotel of Colorado team effort and is the result of many years of work and commitment,” said Leonard.  “We’re excited and have a sense of satisfaction that the fruits of our efforts are meaningful to a lot of people   We work day in and day out to make a difference and with this it’s been rewarding to see the benefits, including the breakthroughs in treatments now available.”

In addition to the Colorado Bike MS ride, Hyatt now fields Bike MS teams in California, Illinois and Missouri to support the work of the society.  This fall the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center will be the site of the Society’s National Leadership Conference, where more than 1,000 top volunteer leaders from throughout the county will gather to learn about research and treatment advancements, and skills to be great ambassadors.

Team Stay Fit at Hyatt joins corporate team Great-West Life and friends and family teams Sugar Bee and Raw Hinies as Bike MS teams that have surpassed $1 million in cumulative fundraising.

Newmont Bike MS, presented by Point B is one of the Chapter’s signature fundraising events.  The two-day, 150 mile ride that follows a course from Front Range Community College in Westminster to CSU in Fort Collins and back.  This year the ride’s 3,000 cyclists rode with a target of raising $3.6 million, which supports Chapter programs, resources and Society research.

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More than 250 residents from The Villager’s distribution area will ride in the Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Courage Classic bicycle tour in an effort to raise much-needed funds for the hospital. From July 20-22, these local residents will cruise the 155 miles trek through Summit County on teams such as Crazy Cajun Cruzers, Team Courage and Wheels of Justice with teammates that include doctors, nurses, current and former patients and other hospital supporters.

Children’s Hospital Colorado once again has been ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals in the U.S. News & World Report 2013-14 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. Funds raised through the Courage Classic help Children’s Colorado achieve its mission to improve the health of children in our region through high-quality, coordinated programs of patient care, education, research and advocacy.

The Courage Classic, in its 24th year, has earned recognition as one of the state’s premier cycling events. The Villager community is encouraged to support its Courage Classic cyclists by donating online. To learn more about your local riders, their teams and tour details, visit www.couragetours.com….

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American Bison by Dolan Geiman
Photos by Glory Weisberg

By Glory Weisberg

The first Cherry Creek Arts Festival was held in 1991 and even though it’s 22 years old, the event continues growing and attracting 350,000 potential art buyers each July.

This edition expanded east to west and included streets from Columbine to Steele on Second and Third Avenue and even then crowds were as dense as pottery clay. In the first few hours, we saw many strolling art buyers holding paintings and ceramics.

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Little artist Lily Hertner’s multi-media creation

Creation Station is a staple and a magnet for families with young children. It was there we met 4-year-old Lily Hertner of Colorado Springs. She was busy creating a mixed media work that her parents Courtney and George Hertner said will be the first art they will hang in their Black Forest home when it’s rebuilt in about a year, as the present house was so completely burned that even Passports and other crucial papers kept in their home vault were destroyed, the vault itself disintegrating in the 2,000+ degree fire.

Also creating their own art were Janus shareholders who were attending an art instruction class at the Art Lab. Representatives from 24 schools benefited from the Janus Student Art Buying Program. Janus is a 12-year Festival sponsor and this was the third year for this art buying program. According to Festival information, about 29,000 children attend public schools that don’t have any formal arts education due to decreased funds for arts classes. Campus Middle School was among those selected for the 2013 Art Buying Program. If you know of a school that would like to apply for the 2014 program email visualarts@cherryarts.org….

Artist Dolan Geisman created American Bison, a collage work that was a magnet for shoppers, getting up close and personal to inspect each fleck of material. Other similar pieces got tons of attention just as the festival opened.

Down the road a piece Diane Hardy of Frisco was displaying and selling hats so creative they would be winners for the next Denver Center Alliance Hattitude luncheon. Nnamdi Okonkwo of Nigeria was offering Damsel, a stunning sculpture priced at $35,000.

A succession of musical entertainment took center stage on Fillmore Plaza and the Culinary Avenue Demo Stage presented a Kids Cooking Demo daily and each of the three-days of the festival presented cooking experts showing off their skills for note-taking audience members.

The Cherry Creek Arts Festival fed each of our five senses, filling them with delight and we can’t wait for the 2014 edition.

gloryweisberg@comcast.net…

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Damsel, created by Nnamdi Okonkwo, is more than three feet tall.

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Hats by Diane Hardy
of Frisco.

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Multiple art glass pieces by Scott Gamble

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Steve Palmer created this red and yellow glass piece.

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“Duck, Duck Goose” by Amy Flynn

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Jennifer McCurdy created this gilded magrittes butterfly.

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Jeweled rabbit mixed media
was by Betsy Youngquist

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Mike and Clarissa Crozier and Barbara and Matthew Crozier renew their vows in Hawaii.

Makena, Maui, was the location for the renewal of 40 years of marriage for Mike and Clarissa Crozier of Littleton, June 17, and completion of wedding vows for their son Matthew Crozier and his wife Barbara Claude Crozier.

Mike and Clarissa were married in 1973 in Fort Morgan at the United Methodist Church. They also have a daughter, Michal Anne Crozier. Both of their children graduated from Arapahoe High School.

Clarissa grew up in Fort Morgan, the daughter of Lois and Chester Fithian. Mike graduated from Arapahoe High School and is the son of Jackie and Carl Crozier of Littleton. Both of their fathers have passed away.

The couple met while Clarissa was student teaching at Arapahoe High School. Their early relationship was a classic case of opposites attract but their common values resulted in a solid commitment.

Mike is an electrical foreman with Choice Electric. Clarissa taught at Heritage and Arapahoe high schools before becoming an adjunct professor at Colorado State University and Colorado Christian University. She also contributes stories to The Villager and is a Brand Partner with Nerium International.

Matt and Barb reside in Loveland. Barb is the daughter of Kenneth and Cherie Claude of Delavan, Minn. She works as a pharmacy technician with Banner Health and graduated from Ridgewater College in Minnesota. Matt is a field engineer with Glacier Construction and a graduate of Colorado State University.

The younger Croziers were married in December 2012 at Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. A hike on snowshoes took the couple and close friends to their destination and completion of their marriage license. Snow and a cold wind shortened the stop at the lake and vows were not recited. This ceremony in Maui completed their marriage.

The Rev. Kevin Rebelo sang a traditional Hawaiian marriage song and then presented vows to each couple.

The couples honeymooned at Ka’anapali north of Lahaina on Maui.

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Nancy Doty, Arapahoe County Commissioner District 1, and Wayne L. Brady, CEO and president, SunShine Paper Company, LLC, Aurora, were married July 5 at the home of Robert and Amy Morland in Cherry Hills Village.

18^th Judicial District Chief Judge William Sylvester officiated the ceremony, which also included scripture readings by Devon and Camryn Kodra, Nancy’s grandchildren. Attendants were Debbie Kodra, Nancy’s daughter and Wayne’s sons, Chad and Matt Brady.

Wedding reception for family and friends followed the ceremony at the Perfect Landing Restaurant at Centennial Airport. Tony David and Wildefire provided music.

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Join The Denver Brass at 8 p.m. in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts on July 14 for a Celtic extravaganza, Mini Megalomania. Get an insider’s peek at the most famed Denver Brass show with bagpipes and dancers as they kick off the Rafael Mendéz Brass Institute.

Grown right here at home, The Denver Brass is a style-melding band of 14 professional musicians. They are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Colorado audiences by presenting fresh and exhilarating shows that feature all musical styles. One of just a few professional large brass ensembles in the world, The Denver Brass enjoys a success directly linked to its universal appeal.

Then on July 18, the Denver Municipal Band will be joined by Summit Brass soloists for a free concert, open to the general public. The concert will be held in the Gates Concert Hall of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Founded in Denver in the late 1860s, the Denver Municipal Band is the oldest professional concert band in the continental United States. Gerald Endsley, the current conductor of the band is a native of Denver who first heard the band in the 1950s.

For the big finale, on July 20 at 7:30 p.m., the renowned Summit Brass will conclude the Institute in the best way possible–with lots of brass music. Summit Brass is the first and only truly American brass ensemble to represent the United States. Touring in America and throughout the world, the ensemble consists of some of the nation’s leading trumpet, horn, trombone and tuba soloists and chamber and orchestral musicians. They have recorded numerous albums, been the feature of many television and radio programs, and commissioned many works for brass.

The Rafael Mendez Brass Institute is the world’s leading performance and career development seminar for brass musicians and educators. This weeklong educational conference is designed for dedicated brass players ages 18 and older. For more information, concert schedule and ticket sales, call 303-832-4676 or visit www.MendezBrassInstitute.com…. Tickets are general admission for $19 or combo pack tickets for just $32.

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The traditional father-daughter waltz of the Central City Opera Opening Night Yellow Rose Ball.
Photos by Stefan Krusze

By Glory Weisberg

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Escort Joseph Logan and Flower Girl Alannah Gates

A bell ringing and blast of dynamite that shook the ground in front of the Central City Opera House, June 29, officially started the 2013 Central City Opera Festival with the Opening Night Yellow Rose Ball and the first opera of the festival, The Barber of Seville.

The historic mining town comes alive each summer with the opera season. High school junior class women are presented each opening night as they give out nosegays to patrons. So much has changed since then but the women presented at the Opening Night Ball generally come from families that trace their lineage back perhaps a century ago in Colorado.

Reed Gibson is a sixth generation Coloradan and is the great, great, great granddaughter of John Routt, the last territorial governor of Colorado, appointed to the position by none other than Ulysses S. Grant. Reed’s escort and cousin Jackson Ingalls is also a Routt descendant.

Morgan McGonagle is a fifth generation Coloradan and she follows in the footsteps of her older sisters, Caitlin and Erin, who were also flower girls. Their mother Anne McGonagle is a past Opera Guild president.

Elizabeth Francis is a fifth generation Coloradan and many of her elders have been Flower Girls. Elizabeth’s Escort William Mattson O’Donnell is another John Routt descendant and part of the above noted Gibson family.

Flower Girl Carrie Deline is a fourth generation resident of the state and her mother Meg Deline was this year’s ball co-chair and she will chair the 2014 Yellow Rose Ball.

Katie Wilkins chaired the 2013 ball, Nancy Parker is Central City Opera House Association board president, and many other women served on the ball committee.

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Flower Girls Hanna Johnson and Mary Ragan Anthony

The following is the list of Flower Girls and the names of their parents. Mary Ragan Anthony, daughter of Anita and Wes Anthony; Catherine Fallert Atkinson, daughter of Bill and Louise Atkinson; Julie Anne Austin, daughter of Bob and Christie Austin’ Carrie Belle Deline, daughter of Tom and Meg Deline; Early Stone Ferguson, daughter of Alexander Dawson and Sally Truitt; Sophia Ann Fox, daughter of Jack and Nathalie Fox; Elizabeth Emily Francis, daughter of Sandy and Carolyn Francis; Allanah Paige Gates, daughter of Mark and Diana Gates.

Anna Reed Gibson, daughter of Chan and Kathy Gibson; Rachel Brooke Hanley, daughter of John and Michelle Hanley; Morgan Blakely Hutchison, daughter of Blake and Lora Hutchison; Hannah Elise Johnson, daughter of Irnie and Deborah Johnson; Elise Johnson, daughter of Lisa Johnson; Rachel Meredith Manning, daughter of Michael and Kim Manning; Morgan Claire McGonagle, daughter of Tom and Anne McGonagle; Paige Emma O’Hagan, daughter of Desmond and Carole O’Hagan; Katie Lynn Ray, daughter of Peter and Lisa Ray; Hanna Rose Reedy, daughter of Frank and Julie Reedy; Emily Marie Seby, daughter of Paul and Kristin Seby and Nicole Elizabeth Welty, daughter of Russ and Betsy Welty.

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Betsy, Nicole and Russell Welty

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Tom and Anne McGonagle, daughter Morgan McGonagle, Escort Mark Siegel and grandparents

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Flower Girl Rachel Hanley and Escort
Matt Hanley

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Flower Girl Catherine Atkinson, her father Bill Atkinson and

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Flower Girl Carrie Deline and Escort Owen Brown

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Committee members Susan Warner-McCann,
Edie Bell and
Kathy Tyree

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Flower Girls Anna Gibson
and Sophie Fox flank Escort
Jack Ingalls

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Bruce Proctor and Ashley Ricketson rappell nearly side-by-side

By Glory Weisberg

When Courtney Mizel was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer four years ago, it was a life changing development for her. Among the changes in her life was her getting involved with Cancer League of Colorado.

“I’m so involved with Cancer League, it’s really amazing,” she said.

And when deciding whether to get active with a nonprofit, she said she always looks at their overhead first.

With no overhead, no offices or staff, Courtney decided this was a good match for her. She was first told about CLC by Gary Reece, who is a past CFO of Richmond/MDC Holdings. Courtney’s father Larry Mizel is chairman and CEO of MDC Holdings.

Fast forward, Courtney said at the Over the Edge patron party, “As a cancer patient you face your fears,” so she decided to rappel down the side of the downtown Denver skyscraper, 1600 Glenarm.

But she didn’t just rappel, she gathered $33,000 in support for her effort. That’s amazing in itself, but daughter Zoe joined the family effort and collected $2,000 for her junior rappelling effort.

Skies were clear July 12 when the first descenders were outfitted with safety gear and started walking down the building. Watching from the building’s third floor patron party, eyes were peeled to the top of the building, as the two-day event got under way. But by late afternoon skies darkened and weather turned too dangerous for rappelling. Not missing a beat, with all hands off-deck so to speak, formalities were lead by this year’s co-chairs Sheri and Jason Kaiser.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center, which receives much of the nearly $1 million CLC collects for in-state, unduplicated, early stage cancer research, was recently named as one of the 23 National Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the U.S.

For information, visit www.cancerleague.org….

gloryweisberg@comcast.net…

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Zoe Mizel gets instructions on going down three stories in the Junior OTE.

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Courtney, Isabelle and Zoe Mizel

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Volunteers Mary Hencmann and Kaye Music

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Catrina Linhard, second half of “Dumb and Dummer” twosome, ready to rappel

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Bill Merritt in costume as half of the “Dumb and Dummer” team, and Hollie Krell, a cancer survivor

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Fashion Group International of Denver’s RISING STAR co-chairs Nathalia Faribault,
Emmy and Telly award-winning Tommy Collier and Regional Director-elect Sharlene Douthit
Photos by Scottie Taylor Iverson

By Scottie Taylor Iverson

From clothing and accessories to interior design and retail experience, Fashion Group International of Denver will celebrate Colorado’s cutting edge design in the fashion business at its RISING STAR runway gala on Friday, Sept. 6, at the McNichols Civic Center Building. For more information: www.blacktie-colorado.com… or www.risingstardenver.org….

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Donna Deteau, executive director – Dress For Success Denver (collaborating for this event), with FGI Denver Regional Director Carol Engel-Enright

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Stephanie Swimmer, Denver Mart’s trade show producer, garnered the mart sponsorship and goodie bags to kickoff RISING STAR 2013.

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Paulina Szafranski of hosting venue ViewHouse, Cheeky Aprons model Brianna Makowka and Cheeky Aprons designer Ashlee Coln

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FGI board members Katie Van Horne (program chair-elect) of the Wilhelmina Denver agency and Jenny Baker-Strasburg (PR chair), JBS Consulting – A La Mode

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RISING STAR Logistics Chair Lisa Elstun with husband Bruce

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Goldyn owner Vanessa Barcus with her Director of Web Operations Whitney Weis

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Anna Festa creator Anne Fanganello with model Jennifer Tiedemman

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Melissa Oster of Oster Jewelers

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Active/Outdoor designer Jan Erickson/Janska

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Pam Kelker, Castles Home Décor, and Lori Baird Eaton, W by Worth

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Salon owner/rock star stylist Ergün Tercan (center) with his wife Pembe (left) and iPad mini door prize winner Luis Tavel (right)