Blog Archives

One thing we learned at Cableland Home Foundation’s First Spouses Recognition reception? Being a Denver Mayoral First Lady ain’t all glitz and glam. Instead, it’s a combination of hard work, a demanding schedule, providing constant, positive support for the mayor…and sometimes being on the receiving end of rude, unkind comments from the public. One thing we were impressed by? The unveiling of the sparkling new First Spouses Wall, a tribute to all of Denver’s First Ladies—with room for future First Gentlemen as well. The installation is made up of a plaque, biography and photo of each of the 42 Denver Mayoral Spouses. Smiling First Lady Mary Louise Lee was front and center to see her vision come to fruition.

Current Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (left), with former Mayor Wellington Webb

On Tuesday, June 20, about 100 invited supporters converged on Cableland, the official residence of the Mayor of Denver, to celebrate the unveiling of the historic First Spouses Wall. In a festive atmosphere, Two Sistahs Eats created a light buffet and passed hors d’oeurvres, as well as three commemorative cakes to honor the occasion. Reception music was provided by The Daniella Katzir Band, and guests received a special First Spouses coin as a keepsake, with a female silhouette on one side, male on the other…looking ahead to future First Gentlemen.

The event marked the first time five First Ladies have appeared at one event for a public audience. Those attending were: Ellen Hart Pena (Mayor Federico Pena, 1983-91), Wilma Webb (Mayor Wellington Webb, 1991-2003), Helen Thorpe (Mayor John Hickenlooper, 2003-11…current U.S. Senator), Gabriela Cornejo-Figueroa (Mayor Guillermo “Bill” Vida, 2011), and Mary Louise Lee (Mayor Michael Hancock, 2011-2023). Mayors Webb and Hancock also attended the celebration. Addressing the crowd: Jay Finesilver, Cableland Foundation board; LaTonya Lacy, Cableland Foundation board and Mayor’s Office Deputy Chief of Staff; Mayor Michael Hancock and Mary Louise Lee.

One side of the special, commemorative coin

The Cableland Home Foundation writes: “In our planning and discussions related to the City of Denver First Spousal Wall…we have tried to take a forward-thinking approach in terms of who might be a first spouse. We drafted logos which represented both genders, thinking at some point in Denver’s future, both might be represented as first spouses. We wanted to be completely mindful of the significant contributions of the service and profound impact of the first spouses to date, and we honor all their collective contributions to the growth and vibrancy of our great City…They all have made a huge difference, both during their terms, thereafter and historically. We salute and celebrate them all.”

This year’s Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (MPMSDC) Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony was held December 14 at the Studios at Overland Crossing in Denver. The MPMSDC’s mission is to support greater participation of minority business owners in partnership with the public and private sector.

Among those present were long-time supporters and event sponsors including: the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Xcel Energy, CenturyLink, Dell EMC & World Wide Technology, Molson Coors, and ConocoPhillips.

Market President Belinda Hooks served as emcee for the evening, encouraging and coaxing winners and the audience to sing their favorite Christmas carols. President/CEO Stan Sena and Board Chair Walt Jennings wished everyone happy holidays and shared the many organizational successes from 2017.

Special thanks and recognition went to volunteer organization leaders Mt. Plains Minority Supplier Development Council Board Chair Walt Jennings and Loretta Lovell, Chair of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC). Jennings, Lovell and many other volunteers have devoted hours of their own time to lead and support the organization’s outreach, mission and programs.

Also present were members of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center’s Executive Director Randy McCall and Business Consultant Marjorie Williams.

This year’s award winners are as follows:

Corporation of the Year
Kaiser Permanente

Minority Business Enterprise of the Year
Software Engineering Services

Suppliers of the Year
CKB Enterprises
Faison Office Products
NM Industrial Services
Street Source Marketing

Advocate of the Year
Clayton Mitchell of Kaiser Permanente

Mt Plains MSDC Champion of the Year
Vernon Howard

The mission of the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council is to provide corporations and government entities with greater access to the goods and services of minority-owned business to develop mutually beneficial business relationships. To join or participate in the Council’s programs, workshops or other events please visit their website at www.mpmsdc.org or call (303) 623-3037.

Dear 5280 AIR Society and National Jewish Health: You had us at “rooftop terrace.”

This year’s 5280 Party at Altitude definitely lived up to lofty expectations atop DaVita World Headquarters in downtown Denver. Organizers could have just served a few appetizers and wine along with the accompanying incredible view. But instead, they went above and beyond, with a handful of Denver’s trendiest restaurants serving up a top-notch lineup of tasty bites and beverages. Add some fun entertainment and great weather, and it was a terrific end-of-summer soiree.

CBS4 anchor Dominic Garcia presents a $20,000-plus check to Clem Connolly, NJH’s national events director.

On Saturday, Aug. 19, around 400 guests cooled off with a signature cocktail at registration before traveling up to the 14th floor, where festivities flowed seamlessly. The centrally located Sky Bar served up good spirits, food stations lined the space both inside and out, and Tone Play entertained musically before jazzed-up Soul X took the stage. In between, event co-chairs Brian Parks and Ross Chotin spoke about the evening’s beneficiary, Morgridge Academy at NJH, and group co-chair Daniel Feiner talked about the 5280 AIR Society. CBS4’s Dominic Garcia was on hand to present a $20,000 check to Clem Connolly, NJH National Director for Events (Western Region), from the news station for school computers and other necessities.

Matthew Moore and Samantha Rutishauser

From sunset till almost midnight, partygoers were able to mix, mingle and kick up their heels to celebrate summer’s end. The 2016 event raised $130,000, and this year’s party was predicted to top $165,000.

Soul X rocked the house.

One in four Americans suffers from a serious chronic or life-threatening respiratory disease. National Jewish Health is the only institution in the nation dedicated to researching and treating respiratory and related diseases, and continues to make groundbreaking discoveries. Located on the campus of National Jewish Health, Morgridge Academy is a unique, day-school program for approximately 90 students in grades K-8 who require medical assistance during the normal school day and cause frequent absences from regular schools. For many of these children, poverty and instability at home exacerbate an already-challenging medical situation. For more information, please visit http://njhstage.bluemodus.com/education-training/morgridge-academy/overview.

The 5280 AIR (Asthma, Immunology and Respiratory) Society is a group of young leaders in Denver invested in the National Jewish Health mission who want to make a difference. They represent a variety of industries and will lead the next generation of the institution’s philanthropy by sharing their ideas and vision to propel fundraising efforts, drive awareness, and pave the way for up-and-coming young leadership.

Members of the 5280 AIR Society pose for a group shot.

The 5280 AIR Society is modeled after the New York AIR Society, which started in 1991. Some of the members and their families had been treated for asthma, allergies and/or immune system disorders at National Jewish Health. Since the New York group’s inception, it has raised $4 million for the institution. Now, young leaders from across the country are coming together in their own communities to ensure that National Jewish Health is able to continue driving innovation that advances the treatment of respiratory and related diseases. Follow on social: #partyataltitude #5280AIRSociety #njhevents.

The Denver Auto Show Charity Preview Party has got to be one of the easiest fundraisers to attend. Step 1: Arrive. Step 2: Indulge in great food and beverages. Step 3: Check out the Denver Auto Show before anyone else. This year, an attack of April snow showers may have dampened a few guest outfits, but a little champagne lifted spirits before the ribbon-cutting opening ceremony.

Emcee Glenn Thayer leads a champagne toast to the opening of the 2017 Denver Auto Show.

On Tuesday, April 4, guests were revved up at the Colorado Convention Center to get a first look at the largest consumer show of its kind between Chicago and Los Angeles … 400,000 square feet of the latest car and truck models. Simultaneously, their attendance at the party helped out The Denver Post Foundation, Clear The Air Fund and National Jewish Health nonprofits. This year’s Car-nivale theme was carried out with the sights, sounds and flavors of a Latin Carnival party, including calypso music, samba dancing, gambling stations, a lavish buffet and Caribbean-inspired cocktails.

Ready for Car-nivale: Bruce and Linda Erley, with Diamond DeJaynes (center)

Glenn Thayer emceed a short pre-opening program that included remarks from: CADA president Tim Jackson; Paul Williamson, of title sponsor UMB Bank; and auto show chair Anthony Brownlee. This year’s VIP chair, Bronco great Rod Smith, told the crowd he was doubly excited about the honor—it was his first time at the show.

VIP chair and Denver Broncos Ring of Fame inductee Rod Smith

Since 1899, National Jewish Health has been at the forefront of research and medicine. We are known worldwide for treatment of patients with respiratory, cardiac, immune and related disorders, and for ground breaking medical research. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health remains the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to these disorders. For the past 20 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked National Jewish Health the #1 respiratory hospital in the nation. For 118 years, people have traveled to Denver, Colorado seeking our expertise. Learn more at nationaljewish.org

As Colorado’s media leader, The Denver Post strives each and every day to improve and enrich the quality of life in the community. The newsroom does this by telling timely, relevant stories about people, issues and events that impact the world we live in—educating us and helping us to be informed citizens in our community. Then it’s taken a step further. The Denver Post Community Foundation has invested a value of more than $6.5 million in local nonprofit organizations and events over the past year. Through the grants, sponsorships, in-kind advertising, signature events and volunteerism, the organization strives to make a significant difference in the community. Learn more at denverpostcommunity.com

Clear the Air Foundation (CTAF) represents the charitable and educational foundation created by Colorado’s new-car dealers. CTAF supports projects that include the removal of high-emitting, old vehicles from Colorado’s traffic ways to enable replacement with newer, cleaner, and more fuel-efficient cars. Additionally, CTAF is supporting charities dedicated to helping Colorado’s citizens who suffer from environment-related health issues such as asthma and breathing disorders. CTAF also supports educational efforts for students interested in working in the automotive and technology area. Learn more at cleartheairfoundation.org.

The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association was founded in 1933 by a small number of Colorado dealers organizing to protest a federal excise tax that would raise the price of vehicles for their customers and hurt what relatively few sales were present at that time. The association was officially incorporated in 1938 and has grown considerably since then. It now represents 260 new car and truck dealers throughout the state to their various publics, including: the United States Congress, the Colorado General Assembly, various federal and state regulatory agencies, city councils, the media, and the public. For more information, please visit: http://www.colorado.auto/.