Everything We Know About Denver

Last night I was eating dinner at California Pizza Kitchen in the Cherry Creek mall and saw Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan eating dinner a table away. It was my first celebrity spotting since I was seven years old and saw John Stamos in an airport in Hawaii. I would like to say that over the years I’ve matured and celebrity no longer holds any power over me – but I haven’t. I thought it was pretty cool. She was shorter than I expected, but according to wikipedia, she’s only 5’2” tall.

After doing a little internet research I realized that maybe my spotting wasn’t so rare – Michelle started going to the University of Denver in 2006. In my search I also turned up many of the accomplishments of the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history – and lots of strange trivia including: 

• Hallmark made a snowglobe with a figurine of her in it.
• Michelle suffers from claustrophobia.
• Her Chinese name is Kwan Wing Shan.
• Michelle has a dog, Ginseng, a teacup Malti-Poo. 

I have no idea how reliable the sources of this trivia are, or if in fact Michelle has a Malti-Poo and is claustrophobic, but I thought it was interesting.  And I wonder what kind of dog John Stamos has…

So this weekend was Derby Party ‘08 at the Denver Botanic Gardens and it was fabulous — fabulous in the way only a bunch of Denverites dressed up in seersucker suits and garden dresses can be.

It was my second time to go, and compared to last year’s festivities the weather was warmer, the hats were more impressive and the day went by even faster. I thought everyone stepped up their game when it came to their outfits and was impressed with the millinery creations. Next year I think I’ll do feathers, and Holly promised she’ll incorporate a bird’s nest somehow.

The horse I picked didn’t win and mint juleps were conspicuously absent (I may not have been trying the right bartenders.) Other than that the day was a success. The sold-out event benefited the Sean ‘Ranch’ Lough Memorial Scholarship Fund.

We hit up one of two official post parties at Max Gill and Grill, which provided shuttles to and from. While a departure from the fancier fare of the restaurant, I’m pretty sure I ate one of the best burritos I’ve ever had. Of course, I might need to verify this in the light and clarity of day sometime. But it was yummy.

If you get a chance to go to next year’s event, make sure you do it!

Real.Ideal says: I concur with Court, with some additions. First of all, I bet on horse 5 - sadly, Eight Belles was my horse who got put down. This was a definite downer on the event. All the same, the Derby was fabulous - and great weather which wasn’t expected. The highlight of the event for me was HB rolling down the grass hill in her derby dress. But that’s just me. While last year’s Derby was a unique experience due to the mojito’s and mint juleps (this year I have to say the wine was a little to bad to be drinking all day and the champagne ran out to quick) - the event was still fantastically put together. Loved the Derby themed music and the botanical gardens was a great venue once again. Kudos to the Sean Lough foundation once again for another successful Derby. Can’t wait for Derby Party 2009!