Jessie Valenti speaks at NARAL Pro-Choice Gala

Posted: Jan McNutt

NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado’s 33rd Annual Gala & Silent Auction was a certified hit. Held at the Westin Hotel in downtown Denver it proved to be the event of the night. After all, the event and organization is about women. And, every one loves women.

With the fundraising season in full swing the event welcomed the hundreds of people who strive daily to make a difference for Pro-Choice Colorado. The turn-out was impressive. Honoring the battle cry for, “Women’s Equality Requires Freedom of Choice.” The program was designed not to push buttons but to bring awareness to unintended pregnancies.

Bringing the crises of unintended pregnancies to the forefront, Mayor Hancock praised NARAL for their outstanding work. Stating with pride, “Through their diligence, there has been a 60% decrease in unintended pregnancies in Denver and 40% throughout Colorado.” Sen Michael Bennet and Rep Diana DeGette noted the complicated bills they’re working on in Washington can be easily misinterpreted yet, both continue to fight for a woman’s choice.

The list of people who were there to support women were Denver’s Mayor Michael Hancock; U.S. Senator Michael Bennet; Congresswoman Diana DeGette; Speaker of the House, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst; State Representative Jonathan Singer and Jessie Danielson; Senate Majority Leader Morgan Carroll; State Representatives Steve Lebsock, Angela Williams, Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Rhonda Fields, and KC Becker; the Honorable Elbra Wedgeworth and the Honorable Mike Cerbo; Senator Rollie Heath and feminine movers and shakers such as Anne Murdaugh and Jessica Valenti.

Valenti, the keynote speaker, is the author of four books and was named in “a top 100 women,” by “The Guardian.” She’s been called an inspiration by Gloria Steinem for her work to bring the feminist movement online.

Folks congregated around the silent auction tables until they were shooed into the ballroom for dinner and the program. Lots of generous businesses and individuals assured an abundance of donated items from original art, custom jewelry, a wall of wine, a wall of beer as well, a trip to Hawaii, a power lunch with Speaker of the House, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst and Andrew Romanoff, Mark Ferrandino and Terrance Carroll. There was a heavenly week in Grand Lake open to the highest bidder, a weekend in a Denver Loft, and the ultimate, a South African Safari package for two.

For more information on NARAL Colorado, NARAL ProChoice Colorado, contact them at 303-394-1973 or visit 1905 Sherman Street, Suite 800, Denver 80203. www.prochoicecolorado.org

: Aaron Goldhamer, Nicola Huffstickler

: Beth Ganz, Mitch Phillips

: Rich Pelletier, Maria Handley

: Dr. Warren & Odalys Hern

: Meg Frolich, Melissa Johnsen

: Sue Longhini, Sheldon Drobot

: Beth Ganz, Karen Middleton, Exe. Dir. of NARAL

: Karen Middleton, Christian Overbey

: Karen Middleton, Mayor Michael Hancock

: L to R: Robert Hullinghorst, Colorado Speaker of the House, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, Odalys & Warren Hern

: Josh Miller, Craig Hughes

: L to R: U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, Jessica Valenti, Keynote Speaker, U.S. Congresswoman, Diana DeGette

: L to R: John Powers, Dr. Stephanie Teal, Janna Six

: Senator Michael Bennet, Tony Massaro

: State Representative, Jonathan Singer, Allison Barrett

: Andy Kabza & CO State Representative, Jessie Danielson

: Cory Nadler, Guido Handley

: Rep Diana DeGette speaking at the VIP get-together.

: Senate Majority Leader, Morgan Carroll, Mike Weissman

: L to R: Jessie Danielson, Diana DeGette, Dicky Lee Hullinghorst

: Chris Laughlin, Danielle Glover

: L to R: Mitch Phillips, Beth Ganz, Mayor Michael Hancock

: L to R: Michael McNeal, Melissa Johnsen, Rob Noel

: Stacy & Kyle Miller

: L to R: Dr. Perry Haney, Senator Andy Kerr, Terry Snyder

: State Representative Steve Lebsock, Representative Angela Williams

: Aaron Goldhamer, Norma Ruth Ryan

: L to R: Beverly Bishop, Maria De Cambra, Westminster City Council, Hilda Nucete

: L to R: Jim Hooton, State Rep Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Marshall Davert

: L to R: Roberta Greengard, Robert Frishman, Michele & Mike Frishman

: Kyle & Amanda Henderson

: Former Senator Evie Hudak, State Rep Rhonda Fields

: Hon. Elbra Wedgeworth, Kelli Fritts

: Gena Ozols, Chris Kennedy

: Dominique Jackson, Debi Hunter Holen

: L to R: Carissa Cerbo, Hon. Mike Cerbo, Jim & Rebecca McClellan

: Table after table of beautiful silent auction items.

: Chris Chiari, Aaron Silverstein

: Boulder City Councilwoman, Suzanne Jones, Susan Shepherd, Denver City Council

: Susan Shepherd, Doug Jeavons

: L to R: Danielle Glover, Jessica Bartels, Jennifer Jacobson

: Kara Fenzel, Anne Murdaugh, Chairman, Colorado Democratic Party

: Aris & Suzanne Sophocles

: Elise Jones, Boulder County Commissioner, State Rep KC Becker

: Jeff & Brenda Vaden

: L to R: Travis Leiker, Anne Murdaugh, Gail Marcus

: Beth McCann, Bill Holen

: Ellen Barnes, Marshall Davert

: Laura Chapin, Annette Butts

: Denise Maes, Arriana Belkin

: Ric Crawley, Halisi Vinson

: State Senator Rollie Heath, Dickey Lee Hullinghorst

: 33rd Annual Gala & Silent Auction

: Rich Pelletier, Travis Leiker, Board President

: Karen Middleton, Executive Director

30 Apr

JFS Hosts legend Archie Manning

Posted: Pam Cress

It’s evident that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree when looking at where Peyton and Eli Manning got their talent and initiative.

Their father Archie Manning, a football star and motivational speaker in his own rite, came to Denver for the 10th annual Jewish Family Service Executive Luncheon on Wednesday.

The sold out crowd enjoyed listening to the Manning family stories, including the fact that eldest brother Cooper was actually the most talented athletically (is that possible??) but had to retire from football because of health reasons. Archie took the stage to great applause, limping a little bit and told the crowd he’d be getting knee surgery soon. “My offensive line wasn’t as good as Peyton’s,” he quipped.

He had a poignant message that leadership and goals make all the difference in life, quoting several famous people who agreed with that sentiment. “If you don’t set goals, you can’t regret not reaching them,” Archie quoted Yogi Berra as saying.

Also talking about goals and working hard to make it in life was Veronica Huerta, who started out her young adult life full of drugs and bad habits. Through perseverance and a driving goal to be there for her twin boys, Veronica told of how Jewish Family Service helped her get back on her feet and pursue a successful career. She’s “living the dream” now, with a husband and family who loves her, a good job, her own house, and peace of mind.

Jewish Family Service believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live independently at home, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to those with developmental disabilities and other barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis.

: Gala Chairs John Keith and David friedman

: Gala Chairs John Keith and David Friedman flank Board Chairman Eric Pollock, center

: John Conn, left, Matt Arb, guest speaker Veronica Huerta (back row); in front: Jaimie Vela-Davis and Victoria Garduno

: Damian Guillot, left, Katerina Schload, Tyler and Natalie Tysdal

: Cathy Fleischmann, left, Terry Rubin, Julia Kalan

: JFS President and CEO Yana Vishnitsky with John Kayser, director of marketing

: Barbara Goldburg, left, Bob Rottman, ML Winfrey

: Jeff Olson, left, Laura Michaels, Beth Radetsky, Sandie Radetsky Banks

: Rabbi Julian Cook, left, and Don Kaufmann

: Jerry Berenstein, left, and Stan Marks

: Mike Opatowski with board member Jane Rosenbaum and Yana Vishnitsky

: Seymour Rubenstein, left, with Charlene Loup, Marsha Feuer, Jack Feuer, Stephanie Feuer

: John Fiedler, left, Jeff Zinn and Jeffrey Robinson

: Suzi Muller chats with Cathy Summer

: Andy Levy with Phyllis Averch

: Harvey and Carol Karsh

: Josh Lozow, left, Len Vandermee and Bud Brown

: Amy Rasco, left, Lori Dresner and Paul Murchison

: Bruce Granger, left, Leif Olsen and Michael Williams

: Rhett Trees, left, and Peter Nemkov

: Scott Bemis, left, and Ed Greene

: Mike Marcotte, left, and Marcel Pitton

: Elise Zall and Rabbi Eliot Baskin

: Perry, Arlene and Arthur Moss

: Max and Elaine Appel, Jesse Ogas and Len Vandermere

: Susie Moss, left, chats with Ellen Finer

: Doug McKinnon, left, Judy Robins and Ed Barad

: Louise Schwartz with Rick Schepis and Doug Seserman of Jewish Colorado

: Jane and Gil Hermann

: Kevin Shaw, left, and Todd Bishop and Dan Baxter

: Ross Chotin, left, Robin Chotin and Whitney Chotin Wolz

: Elaine Asarch, Deborah Asarch and Susan Weinberger

: Joyce Zeff and her daughter Diana Anderson

: Ed Greene was the emcee this year

: Rabbi Eliot Baskin delivers the Ha-Motzi

: Steve Farber, left, and Adam Agron

: Vernoica Huerta tells the audience about her life journey

: Archie Manning, center, visits with table guests

: Mark Goodside, left, Marc Naiman, Nancy and David Kaufman

: Terry Halligan, left, Becky Coplan, Lezlie Goldberg and Jon Tandler

: Archie Manning talks about his days with the NFL

: Archie Manning had many stories about his kids–Cooper, Peyton and Eli Manning

: Archie Manning talks about leadership

: Archie Manning makes a point

: Archie Manning reflects on his life’s triumphs and challenges

: Past Board Chair Alan Mayer, left, with Dawn Richard and David Friedman

: Archie Manning posed for pictures after the event.

06 Feb

Anti-Defamation League Civil Rights Awards

Posted:

The 2014 Anti-Defamation League Civil Rights Awards ceremony took place at the Denver Art Museum on Thursday, February 6th. Guests arrived at 5:30 pm for a reception, followed by the award program at 6 pm. Guests were welcomed by Andrea Shpall, the board chair for the ADL Mountain States Region. Holly Stein Sollod, co-chair of the ADL Civil Rights Committee, then introduced past honorees and dignitaries. Scott Levin, ADL Mountain States Regional Director, addressed attendees with the Director’s Message, reflecting on the work the ADL has accomplished over the past year, but reminding guests that there remains work to be done. The first recipient of the 2014 Civil Rights Award, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Mark Ferrandino, was introduced by Co-Chair Daniel McKenzie for spearheading the passage of same sex civil unions in Colorado. Fran and Anna Simon then came to the podium with their son, Jeremy, to describe how Mark Ferrandino’s tireless efforts to secure the passage of civil unions affected their family. The second 2014 Civil Rights Award was Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) and its leadership, President Stephen M. Jordan and Board Chair Robert Cohen, introduced by Co-Chair Monica Rosenbluth. MSU and its leadership was recognized for providing a path for undocumented students who attended high school in Colorado to attend the University at a special tuition rate. Student Cesiah Guadarrama Trejo addressed the attendees with her personal story and how MSU has made it possible for her to follow her dreams of getting her college degree. For more information about ADL and how you can get involved, log on to http://denver.adl.org.

: Imagine a World Without Hate

: The Anti-Defamation League held its 2014 Civil Rights Awards on Thursday, February 6th at the Denver Art Museum

: Student artwork representing a number of different languages

: Daniel McKenzie, co-chair of the Civil Rights Committee, with honoree Mark Ferrandino, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives

: Monica Rosenbluth, left, with Daniel McKenzie, Mark Ferrandino, and Scott Levin, ADL Regional Director

: Monica Rosenbluth, left, with Daniel McKenzie, Mark Ferrandino, Holly Stein Sollod, and Scott Levin, ADL Regional Director

: Honoree Mark Ferrandino (left) with ADL Mountain States Regional Board Chair Andrea Shpall and ADL Mountain States Regional Director Scott Levin

: Guests enjoyed ahi tuna tartar crisps, mushroom rissoto, grilled cheese skewers and spinich spanicopita

: Lisa Soicher (left) with Holly Stein Sollod, Andrea Shpall, and Monica Rosenbluth

: Salvador Carrera (left) with Monica Rosenbluth and Nathan Woodliff-Stanley

: Peter Dierks (left) and Herzl Melmed

: Eric Walters (left) with Ruth and Dr. Stephen Jordan

: Joseph Goldhammer and Katherine Goldberg

: Moira Cullen (left) with Blaca Trejo

: Cesiah Guadarrama Trejo (left) with Bricelda Trejo and Sheila Dierks

: Metropolitan State University board members Dr. Percy Morehouse (left), Carolyn Wollard, and Dr. Luis Torres

: Joshua Epel (left) and Ken Toltz

: Bruce DeBoskey (left) with Joshua Epel and Ken Toltz

: Guests mingled and enjoyed buffet appetizers during the ADL Civil Rights Awards reception

: Judi Diaz Bonacquisti (left) with Michelle Lucero

: ADL Mountain States Regional Board Chair Andrea Shpall welcomed guests

: The 2014 ADL Civil Rights Awards ceremony was held at the Denver Art Museum, and included the presentation of awards to Mark Ferrandino, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, and Metropolitan State University of Denver, represented by President Stephen M Jordan

: Holly Stein Sollod, co-chair of the ADL Civil Rights Committee, recognized prior recipients of the award

: Scott Levin delivered the Director’s Message

: Event Co-Chair Daniel McKenzie introduced award recipient Mark Ferrandino

: The Simon family, Fran, Anna and Jeremy, told guests of the personal impact that Speaker Mark Ferrantino had on their family through his support of same sex civil unions in Colorado

: Mark Ferrandino receives the 2014 ADL Civil Rights Award

: Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, Mark Ferrandino, discusses the struggle to achieve same sex civil unions in Colorado, thanking colleagues in the House of Representatives who made it possible

: ADL Regional Director Scott Levin congratulates Speaker Mark Ferrandino for receiving the ADL’s 2014 Civil Rights Award

: Co-Chair Monica Rosenbluth introduced the Metropolitan State University of Denver as a 2014 Civil Rights Award recipient

: Metro State student Cesiah Guadarrama Trejo told guests about her struggle to attend college as an undocumented student, and how Metropolitan State University’s adoption of a policy allowing undocumented students to attend the University impacted her

: Metropolitan State University of Denver President Stephen Jordan greets student Cesiah Guadarrama Trejo

: Monica Rosenbluth presents the 2014 Civil Rights Award to Dr. Stephen Jordan

: Dr. Stephen Jordan, President of Metropolitan State University of Denver, accepts the 2014 Civil Rights Award on behalf of the University and its leadership

: Scott Levin (left), ADL Regional Director, with Metropolitan State University student Cesiah Guadarrama Trejo, University President Dr. Stephen Jordan, and event Co-Chair Monica Rosenbluth

: Greg Wertsch (left) and husband Mark Ferrandino, recipient of the 2014 ADL Civil Rights Award

: Mark Ferrandino poses with the Simon family, Fran (left), Anna and Jeremy (front)

: Patricia Barela Rivera, past recipient of the ADL Civil Rights Award, with David Burnett

: Scott Levin, ADL Regional Director (left) with Bruce Deboskey and Bill Cohen, former recipient of the ADL Civil Rights Award

: Brandon Rattiner with Roz Duman, prior recipient of the ADL Civil Rights Award

: Civil Rights Award recipients Mark Ferrandino, recognized for his role in securing same sex civil unions in the Colorado House of Representatives, and Metropolitan State University of Denver President Stephen Jordan, recognized for estabishing a policy to allow undocumented students to attend the University at a special tuition rate

: Scott Levin (center) poses with 2014 ADL Civil Rights Award recipients Mark Ferrandino and Stephen M Jordan

: Scott Levin, ADL Regional Director, with Metropolitan State University of Denver President Stephen M Jordan

: Dr. Stephen M Jordan with his wife, Ruth Jordan

: Rabbi Bernard Gerson and Sue Parker Gerson