Blog Archives

27 Apr

2023 Denver Mayor Runoff Election: Apres-Forum Reception

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Was The Aaron Harber Show’s production of the 2023 Mayoral Runoff Forum as wild as the spring weather that day? The PBS12 event taping with moderator Aaron Harber and candidates Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston ran 45 minutes over its scheduled two hours. After the final comment, many attendees may have been on idea-and-information overload and made a beeline to their comfy homes. But they left well-informed about the two candidates in the upcoming runoff election on June 6.

Forum moderator Aaron Harber, of PBS12’s “The Aaron Harber Show” (left), with Denver mayoral runoff candidate Mike Johnston

Idy Etuk and Denver mayoral runoff candidate Kelly Brough at the reception

On Tuesday, April 25, the hardiest of the Forum audience, including both candidates, gathered in the Spratlen Lounge atop the Leprino Family Atrium at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science–the adjacent Australian exhibit room was set up with an open bar as well. DMNS Catering served up its usual delicious buffet array, as guests discussed the evening and caught up with old friends over a cocktail.

“The Aaron Harber Show” provided the following information about the Forum:
From runoff candidate Kelly Brough: “Denver is at a crossroads and I’m running because I want to restore the promise of Denver. From coffee shops to living rooms, I’ve been all over this city hearing from Denverites who want a better future for their families. I’m looking forward to joining ‘The Aaron Harber Show’ to have a substantive conversation about the biggest problems that face our city.”

From runoff candidate Mike Johnston: “This runoff election is all about meeting voters in every neighborhood to talk about how we can work together to solve Denver’s toughest problems. I’m looking forward to joining ‘The Aaron Harber Show’ to continue those conversations and share my vision for Denver with folks across the entire city.”

George Sparks, DMNS President and CEO, said: “All of us at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are excited to work with Aaron to provide this nonpartisan public service opportunity to help inform the Denver residents deciding who the next Mayor will be–possibly for over a decade.”

Aaron Harber said, “I’m honored to moderate what probably will be the most in-depth conversation with these two outstanding candidates.” Watch “The Aaron Harber Show” on PBS12 (Denver) before and after the election, Fridays at 9pm and Sundays at noon.

 

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12 Mar

JFS 150-Year Anniversary Events Kick Off With Reception at History Colorado

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To Jewish Family Service (JFS), 2022 is extra special, something unique. It’s the group’s sesquicentennial, the 150th anniversary of its life-changing community service in Denver. Back in 1872, Denver was a whopping 14 years old, its train depot had welcomed rail travel for all of four years and the first dedicated fire station was just five years old. While today’s JFS annually holds a number of entertaining and noteworthy events, there’s a little added sparkle to all of them this year.

(l to r): Brent and Kitty Ohman, with Roxanne and Tom Miller-Freutel

On Thursday, March 10, supporters gathered at History Colorado for a spirited reception that featured a JFS traveling history exhibit, a mayoral appearance and a reading of the official JFS entrance into this year’s Congressional record. Guests all paused to peruse the exhibit as they chatted and indulged in passed hors d’oeuvres, buffet offerings and beverages. A short program featured remarks by: JFS Board Chair Aaron Hyatt; 150th Anniversary Chair Jane Rosenbaum; Denver Mayor Michael Hancock; Mile High United Way President & CEO Christine Benero; Ricardo Gutierrez, Constituent Advocate for Congressman Jason Crow; and JFS President and CEO Linda Foster. Remarks not only focused on the good works of JFS, but also about the organization’s upcoming lineup of stellar events: beginning with a luncheon featuring comedienne/actress Amy Schumer in April and concluding with a festive end-of-year gala in November. The evening ended with a toast celebrating 150 years of JFS.

Aaron Hyatt, Linda Foster (center) and Jane Rosenbaum toast to 150 years of JFS community service in Denver.

Jewish Family Service is a nonprofit human services organization that serves anyone in need – regardless of their circumstances or religious beliefs. The organization believes in a shared responsibility to support impactful changes throughout our community. JFS exists to fulfill one of the most important Jewish values: that of Tikkun Olam, the obligation to make the world a better place.

Founded 150 years ago, JFS currently offers more than 30 programs and services, including food security, housing stability, mental health counseling, aging care, employment support and disability services. JFS takes a holistic approach, assessing the various needs of the individual or family, and provides the appropriate services all from one organization. The organization continuously evaluates the evolving challenges of our community and adapts or develops programs that respond to the resulting needs. For more information, please visit: https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/ .

 

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28 Sep

2019 Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fundraiser

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Every year nearly 60,000 American adults will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer–which represents approximately 3% of all cancers but is among the most aggressive and deadly. Pancreatic cancer is often called a “silent” disease because symptoms do not show until the later stages when it is often too late to battle effectively. Pancreatic tumors are usually too small to cause symptoms, and later symptoms are often non-specific including:

• Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
• Significant weight loss and weakness
• Jaundice and pain in the upper abdomen

Board Member Dr. Sana Karam, Keynote Speaker Jeremy Poincenot, Founder Maureen A. Shul, and Board Member Jim Comerford.

To support education, research, and greater public awareness, Maureen A. Shul established the Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research foundation. More than 300 attended the 2019 Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research fundraiser held Saturday, Sept. 28 at Glenmoor Country Club in Cherry Hills Village. All proceeds benefit the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Shul greeted guests as they arrived to the outdoor cocktail reception on a beautiful but somewhat gusty day for the first weekend of autumn in Denver.

This year’s keynote speaker was Jeremy Poincenot, an inspirational speaker and coach who was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) which left him blind at an early age. The LHON disease affects only 100 people in the country each year with no treatment or cure available.

At first, Poincenot thought losing his sight meant forfeiting his life; however, he soon learned that with every challenge comes an opportunity for growth. By the age of 20, he had already won the World Blind Golf Championship, and, today travels the world, encouraging audiences to see life from a different perspective and to gain the clarity and confidence needed to see challenges as opportunities for success.

Keynote speaker Jeremy Poincenot with Wings of Hope Founder/Director Maureen A. Shul

The Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research is a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research and programs at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. A diagnosis of any cancer can cause an overwhelming, stressful and emotional reaction. Wings of Hope (WOH) provides information and resources to supplement a greater understanding of pancreatic cancer, diagnosis, treatment options, various procedures, statistics, and other information.

The WOH Board consists of several devoted and energetic members including: Jim Comerford, Colin Daugherty, Kathryn Haber, Dr. Sana Karam, Dr. Wells Messersmith, Stacy Ohlsson, and Courtney Walsh.

For more information or to donate please visit the web site at wingsofhopepcr.org or contact Maureen Shul at info@wingsofhopepcr.org

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Keynote Speaker Jeremy Poincenot with Wings of Hope Founder Maureen Shul

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05 Sep

The Park People 50th Anniversary Celebration

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“He that plants trees, loves others besides himself.” — Thomas Fuller, 18th century English physician and pastor

Of course, the folks at The Park People do more than just plant trees. After all, the esteemed tree is their logo and this year they celebrate their 50th Anniversary as a non-profit with a goal of preserving some of Denver’s most valuable and precious parks, landscapes and landmarks.

The Odessa Rose West band entertained throughout the cocktail reception

About 300 guests attended The Park People’s 50th Anniversary Celebration held September 5 at Denver’s City Park Pavilion. Musical entertainment during the West Garden cocktail reception was provided by the Odessa Rose West band. Debbie Scheer spearheaded the live auction and dinner was provided by Three Tomatoes Catering.

Executive Director Kim Yuan-Farrell and Board President Laurie Chahbandour thanked guests and sponsors for their continued support and year-round commitment.
The event was coordinated by Susan Eslick and Casey Oneslager with additional support by many other dedicated volunteers throughout the evening.

Heather Bays, Jan Delsie


Established in 1969, the Park People works to preserve, enhance, and advocate for Denver’s parks, recreation resources, open space and urban forest.
The organization pursues this mission by raising private funds for park enhancements and capital projects, like the reconstruction of the Cranmer Park Sundial & Plaza, and through four other ongoing programs including Denver Digs Trees, Mile High Champions, Community Forester, and the Park Legacy program.

The Park People would like to thank generous corporate and individual sponsors, small businesses and firms, non-profit partners, in-kind donors, event supporters, and numerous volunteers who made this year’s anniversary event possible:

Washington Park Sponsors:
Howard Lorton Furniture & Design Koelbel & Co / Koelbel Urban Homes The Patricia Crown Family, The Grant Family Katharine Kurtz

Cheesman Park Sponsors:
The Patten-Davis Foundation Cappy & Bob Shopneck

Sloan’s Lake Park Sponsors:
Xcel Energy, Great Outdoors Colorado, Living Room Real Estate, Tim & Edie Buchanan, Melissa Crowley, Kathryn & Gary Dudley, Chris & Beck Fisher, Sally Hooks & Sherry Reese, Joy Johnson & Elizabeth Meier, Johanna Kelly, Goldflower Counseling and Psychotherapy, Segall Bryant & Hamill, Jane King, Mark Lauriha & Larry Wiberg, Maggie & Mitch Morrissey, Michael & Amy Naes, Caroline & Joe Rassenfoss, Saipe Family, Susan Sweeney & Kirk Mueller.

In-Kind Supporters & Volunteers:
The Park People, Denver Parks and Recreation, Devil’s Food Bakery, Crazy Mountain Brewery, Bottle Shop 33, The Family Jones Spirit House, Carboy Winery, Odessa Rose West Band.

For more information or to donate visit: theparkpeople.org

 

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29 Nov

J. McLaughlin's raises funds for Denver Art Museum CultureHaus

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As part of its annual holiday event fundraiser, this year J. McLaughlin‘s retailer raised funds for the Denver Art Museum’s CultureHaus with some 60 guests at the store on Wednesday, November 29. The annual event called—“Sip, Shop and Celebrate the Holidays” raises funds for local non-profit organizations in service to communities nationwide, according Jack Lynch, J. McLaughlin Director of Business Development, who flew in from New York to support the Denver store.

This year’s fundraising hosts included Mia Olney, Serena Robinson, and Cille Williams, who —with store manager Rosy Taubr–oversaw the annual event at the Cherry Creek Store, 2701 E 3rd Ave in Cherry Creek. The store donated 15% of sales to support CultureHaus, the Denver Art Museum’s young philanthropist group, which inspires and cultivates the next generation of arts patrons.

CultureHaus creates educational and social programs targeted toward young philanthropist demographic and helps foster growth of DAM activities and programming by raising money for the Legacy Fund. In addition, the group offers members monthly “talk-of-the-town” events including the annual Signature Event, DAM-hosted private events and tours, and non-art-specific events at Denver hotspots.

Philanthropists Cille and Ron Williams are well-known and long-time benefactors of various community-based non-profits in the Denver metro area including healthcare and educational institutions. For more information on J. McLaughlin in Cherry Creek please call 303-209-0019. The next CultureHaus Signature Event–“Art of the Figure“—provides a preview of the 2018 exhibition, “Degas: A Passion for Perfection.” The event will be held 7pm to 11pm at the DAM Hamilton Building on Saturday, February 17, 2018. To buy tickets and learn more about the Denver Art Museum’s CultureHaus please visit:
www.culturehaus.denverartmuseum.org.

 

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10 Mar

Visionary Photos Are Meaningful at Circle of Light Exhibit

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The photos are stunning, no doubt about it. But the annual Circle of Light photo project and exhibit surpasses artistic achievement and becomes extraordinary when you learn about the photographers. Each and every one was blind and now able to see as the result of a cornea transplant. For the fifth year, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank asked cornea recipients to simply photograph something they were grateful to now see. The result is a collection of photos that covers subjects such as landscapes, animals and activities with a fresh, new viewpoint.

Photographer-exhibitor Ray Catalano

On Friday, March 10, around 250 guests gathered at Artwork Network in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe, and enjoyed music by DJ Philip G, delicious passed hors d’oeuvres by Footers Catering & Events, and a variety of craft beers as they strolled through the gallery. Event organizers drove home the need for tissue donors with a hands-on experience that demonstrated how the simplest tasks become monumental for those with corneal blindness.The festive reception atmosphere became especially poignant at times when guests had the chance to meet donor family members who attended. The exhibit is open to the public until March 15.

Participating at the hands-on corneal-blindness experience

As the nonprofit organization responsible for the recovery and transplantation of donated eye tissues in Colorado (all 64 counties) for the past 33 years, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank is the nonprofit organization that carries out the promise of eye donors in Colorado and Wyoming to help others overcome blindness. The eye bank has carried out this wish for more than 41,000 eye donors in Colorado and Wyoming by facilitating more than 40,000 sight-restorative transplants locally, domestically and throughout the world. RMLEB never turns away anyone needing a transplant, and either discounts or waives its reimbursement fee 60 percent of the time.

RMLEB is very proud to also increase eye, organ and tissue-donor awareness, engage in advocacy, and secure and provide resources for anyone to “Share the Circle of Light” through eye donation. For more information, please visit: www.corneas.org.

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26 Oct

Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation fundraiser at J. McLaughlin's

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Dozens of Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHC) Foundation donors and supporters attended an informal fundraiser at J. McLaughlin, 2701 E 3rd Ave in Cherry Creek Wednesday, October 26 in support of hospital programs.

Thanks to hosts Cille Williams and Serena Robinson, Special Projects Manager for the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation, the get together provided a weekday break for a very good cause.

Cherry Creek retailer J. McLaughlin donated 15% of sales to support the Children’s Hospital Colorado, a part of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals–a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for children’s hospitals nationwide.

Philanthropists Cille and Ron Williams are well-known and long-time benefactors of various community-based non-profits in the Denver metro area including healthcare and educational institutions. Serena Robinson manages logistics and coordinates CHC Signature Events year-round including third party community-based events such as the annual Children’s Gala and Courage Classic Bicycle Tour. Among other CCH Foundation fundraising events coming up in November are:

Creating Ties Dinner / November 4, 2016
9th annual auction and fundraiser benefiting the Burn Camps Program.

Costume Craze / November 5, 2016
Themed costume party

Extra Life / November 5, 2016
A day of gaming

Merry Miracles Fun Shoot / Dec 3, 2016
Clays fun shoot and toy drive

To make a donation, volunteer or learn more about how you can help CHC please call 720-777-1700 or email info@childrenscoloradofoundation.org

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06 Oct

Passion and Philanthropy at 2016 Libations for Life

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Like a favorite cocktail, this year’s Libations for Life had the perfect blend of ingredients for a delicious girls’ night out. On Thursday, Oct. 6, more than 150 guests met up for a variety of fun beverages, tasty buffet tidbits and inspiring speakers at Mile High Station. In its sixth year (formerly known as Cocktails for a Cure), the event attracts supporters of University of Colorado Cancer Center, all determined to help fund its efforts to wipe out women’s cancers in this lifetime.

Sampling a Paloma from Table 6 Restaurant

Sampling a Paloma from Table 6 Restaurant

The evening began with tunes by DJ G Funk, a silent auction, tasty treats from Relish, and an array of beverages and specialty cocktails served up by five of Denver’s hottest bartenders—all donated their time to the event. Event co-chairs Jessica Channell and Emily Jordan addressed the crowd, and 9News anchor and honorary chair Kim Christiansen emceed a program full of passion and inspiration. Virginia Borges, M.D., talked in detail about CU Cancer Center’s successes based on its research, teamwork and individual attention for patients. She, representing the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Translational Program, and Dohun Pyeon, M.D., of ChemoKine-Based Immunotherapy for Cervical Cancer, were honored as this year’s funding recipients.

Julie Clark smiles at guests as she autographs "Cancer Assassin" t-shirts and her children's book, "You are the Best Medicine."

Julie Clark smiles at guests as she autographs “Cancer Assassin” t-shirts and her children’s book, “You are the Best Medicine.”

Julie Aigner Clark, two-time cancer survivor (who told the crowd she prefers “cancer assassin” as a descriptor), had the room riveted to her story from the very first moment as she began her talk reading from her children’s book “You’re the Best Medicine.” When Christiansen initiated a call for donations, Clark was first to hold up a paddle with a $10,000 pledge … followed up by numerous others donating varying amounts. At program’s end, Clark took time to autograph her book, as well as “Cancer Assassin” t-shirts.

Julie Clark recognizes her daughters Sierra (left) and Aspen from the stage.

Julie Clark recognizes her daughters Sierra (left) and Aspen from the stage.

Organizers write: Proceeds from Libations for Life support research and treatment programs at the CU Cancer Center for women’s cancers. Funds raised have significant local impact on clinical programs that will benefit hundreds of Coloradans. In addition, the scientific achievements supported will have national reach, as bold breakthroughs made here affect protocols nationwide. The CU Cancer Center imagines a world in which we celebrate survival moving forward with new research and technology, a world when the cancers prevented outnumber the new diagnoses. A world where cancer is a chronic disease, not a fatal one. Please visit http://supportcuanschutz.ucdenver.edu/libations-for-life/.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute- designated comprehensive cancer center serving Colorado, and one of just 41 in the United States. The CU Cancer Center is also one of 25 elite members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, setting the gold standard in terms of national and international guidelines for clinical practice in oncology. The CU Cancer Center’s scientists and cancer clinicians work at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Health (which includes University of Colorado Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Poudre Valley Hospital, and Medical Center of the Rockies), Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Denver Health, National Jewish Health, and Kaiser Permanente. This consortium structure has made a significant impact on cancer treatment and survivorship locally, such as higher 5-year survival rates than statewide and national averages for several cancer types, including cancers of the prostate, breast and lung. Although the funds raised have significant local impact and the clinical programs benefit hundreds of Colorado residents, the scientific achievements have a national reach and move the scientific community closer and closer to finding a cure for cancer. For more information, please visit: https://www.uchealth.org/pages/services/colorado-cancer-center.aspx .

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Blacktie Colorado
Blacktie Colorado
Blacktie Colorado