FOR THE
COLORADO BUFFALO LAVISKA SHENAULT JR.
COLORADO GENTLEMAN
COULD BE A FOOTBALL SUPERSTAR THE JAW-DROPPING
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LUXURY TRAVELS TO GRAND CAYMAN, VAIL AND CABO IS THE DENVER RESTAURANT SCENE
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REALLY THAT GREAT?
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@CHERRYCREEKSHOPPINGCENTER SIRANDSP ORT.COM
[ ON THE ] INSIDE
32 ON THE COVER: Hugo Boss White Jacket, $645; Hugo Boss Navy Jenno Button Down, $165; Hugo Boss Pirko Trousers, $245; Tom Ford Sunglasses, $445; Shinola Watch, $750 PHOTO BY Katie Bradshaw FASHIONS VIA Hugo Boss, Cherry Creek Shopping Center, hugoboss.com FEATURING Jeff Hendley, Founding Broker of Compass Denver
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F E AT U R E S [32]
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
BROKER JEFF HENDLEY WEIGHS IN ON DENVER REAL ESTATE
[46]
ESTATE OF THE UNION
MAKE WAY FOR BOLD FASHIONS AND VINTAGE SUMMER STYLE
[58]
BALLER
MEET CU SUPERSTAR LAVISKA SHENAULT JR.
[66]
46
GAMBLIN’ MAN
JIMMY VACCARO IS A VEGAS LEGEND
66 SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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[ ON THE ] INSIDE
80 75 [70]
LICENSE TO THRILL
INSIDE THE JAW-DROPPING JAMES BOND MUSEUM
[75]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
IS THE DENVER DINING SCENE REALLY THAT GREAT?
[80]
ISLAND PUNCH
THE CARIBBEAN JEWEL THAT IS GRAND CAYMAN
F E AT U R E S 70
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D E PA R T M E N T S 24
[14] FROM THE EDITOR [15] THE PROS [16] MAKING FASHION SHOOT BEHIND THE SCENES WITH SIR AND SPORT
[18] THE RUNDOWN HAUNTS AND HAPPENINGS FOR THE MAN ABOUT TOWN
[22] BIB + TUCKER JACK ELWAY’S MINT TRADITION
[24] CALL ME SIR MEET KENNETH MONFORT
[26] VIEW MASTER THE FILMS, BOOKS AND SITES INSPIRING US NOW
18
[30] BACK NINE THE TIGER WOODS MASTERS-PIECE
[36] BE WELL GETTING FIT WITH CHAD AND ESTHER PINTHER
[39] OUT OF OFFICE REPLY
[ ON THE ]
EXPLORING MONTAGE RESORT IN LOS CABOS, MEXICO
INSIDE
[42] THE BOARDROOM MAKING BUSINESS OUR BUSINESS
[86] WHEELMAN EASE THE SEAT BACK WITH THESE NEW RIDES
[88] SCENE SNAPSHOTS FOR THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN TOWN
[90] MEMORY LANE THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY TURNS 20
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D E PA R T M E N T S
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Stunning Mediterranean-Revival in the heart of Cherry Creek North 4 Cherry Hills Farm Court | Cherry Hills Village
2017 CUSTOM BUILD IN CHERRY HILLS FARM Offered at $3,850,000
Located in the Cherry Hills Farm community, on a private cul-de-sac is a very unique opportunity to own this one of a kind home. Denver’s own ‘Hampton’s inspired English Manor.’ On a generous acre site with extraordinary finishe\s you’ll find this remarkable home with approximately 9000 finished square feet. Thought out and designed by the Cornerstone Custom Home design team-nothing has been overlooked. From the Chef’s kitchen to the walk-out basement this grand home is light, bright and spacious.
ELEGANCE AND PRIVACY ABOUND The 2-story configuration is family friendly with 6 bedrooms and 9 baths including a multi-level great room, plus main-level den, OFFERED executive study and an un-compromised private guest suite.AT Once $4,500,000 you’ve entered the home you are welcomed by a full wall of retractable doors opening to a large deck overlooking the estate grounds an excellent design for the ‘must-have’ Colorado 5 Bedrooms | 8comfort Bathrooms | 7,094 Square Feetgarage, wide plank wood flooring Lifestyle of indoor to outdoor entertaining. Exuding and warmth this home has a 4-car and a multitude of personalization options. This incredible home is situated on a corner-lot and includes some of the finest architectural details ever imagined.
dramatic facadedetails pays homage the European villas that inspired the design. Hidden and privatelarge behind a wall of hedges, TheThe glorious designer of this to home are unparalleled with generous hallways and stairways, dining room, ship-lap siding, unique kitchen and lighting fixtures plus design elements not often seen in Denver or the Villages. Come and the ambiance of the grounds impress with a serene courtyard fountain and meticulously manicured landscaping. see this beautiful home for yourself. Meet with the professional on-site designer, who has chosen exquisite finishes but if you prefer the All the living spaces are immaculately designed around the European-inspired courtyard that truly becomes an extension of the buyer can have full design review and choose their own lighting, countertops, plumbing fixtures and custom colors throughout the living space; flow between dining, living, kitchen, andme family rooms. An in-home elevator ushersand youpreview. to every floor and home. Delivery is scheduled for late fall, so please contact soon for premier design accessibility upstairs the master suite includes an enormous walk-in closet reminiscent of any bespoke retailer. The lower level is built for The Landscaping plan,while at additional cost is completely approved andstrikingly in place with the architectural review board. Though entertaining a 3-car attached garage rounds out this impressive home. Within a quick stroll to theapproved, landscaping can still can be customized by buyer. city’s best shopping and dining options, this home is truly second to none.
For more information contact: Rochelle McNaughton | 303.929.9001 rmcnaughton@livsir.com livsothebysrealty.com
303.929.9001 rochelle.mcnaughton@sothebysrealty.com livsothebysrealty.com
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Dustin Miller PGA Teaching Instructor
720.982.4714 DustinMiller@pga.com
Black Bear Golf Club | Blackstone Country Club
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EDITOR IN CHIEF KEVIN MARR
PUBLISHER BETSY MARR
ART DIRECTOR CRAIG KORN
S E N I O R C O N T R I B U T I N G FA S H I O N E D I T O R CHELSEA MAGNESS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CURTIS BELL KEVIN HOLT
PHOTOGRAPHER KATIE BRADSHAW
REIGN MEDIA, LLC 2443 SOUTH UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD, SUITE 171 DENVER, COLORADO 80210 303.997.9749
For advertising inquiries, please contact KEVIN@SIRANDSPORT.COM
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Copyright 2019 by Reign Media, LLC, All rights reserved. Sir and Sport Magazine is published semi-annually. Reproduction without permission of the Publisher is prohibited. Reign Media, LLC and its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editor (Publisher) accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The Publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed companies and/or products that advertise in the publication or that are mentioned editorially. The Publisher assumes no responsibly for the claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective products or services advertised or promoted in Sir and Sport. Publisher neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser product, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein. Opinions expressed in the magazine and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher.
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[ FROM THE ] EDITOR
A
trip to Grand Cayman earlier this year ended up being a life changing event for me.
It wasn’t because I’d never been to a beach, or out of the country or had never eaten at fancy restaurants before, but, rather, because of the road of selfreflection it led me down. For whatever reason, this stretch of travel opened my eyes to how lucky I am. I think that the precise moment was sailing back from a little piece of paradise called Rum Point on a catamaran. The wind blowing through my hair. The smells of the sea air and suntan lotion wafting in the breeze. Bob Marley singing in the background. It was a day that many will never experience, and that notion was not lost on me. In that same vein, this issue features plenty of subjects going through life changing moments. Look at what Laviska Shenault Jr. is doing up in Boulder, Colorado, right now (page 58). Real estate agent Jeff Hendley previews monumental new change headed our way in the market (page 32), while Jack Elway continues his business journey in the fashion world to parts unknown (page 22). Chef Curtis Bell examines the current state of dining in Denver (page 75), and what could evolve from the excitement surrounding a restaurant scene that might be on the brink of something special.
Kenny Monfort hints at a groundbreaking project in downtown Denver that could reshape the neighborhood (page 24), while our resident Wheelman, Kevin Holt, showcases four new cars that continue to revolutionize the way we drive in the future (page 86). We highlight trips to Los Cabos, Vail, the aforementioned Cayman Islands, and the Alps of Austria for the James Bond museum that could all serve as catalysts for a life changing experience. We certainly know that travel has that remarkable power. In talking about a redirect in living, Chad and Esther Pinther walk us through a simplified method in nutrition and fitness that can easily make you see the light on a more seamless way in taking back your health (page 36). Despite the human behavior that we witness so often these days, none of us are owed anything. Life doesn’t care what our plans are, so when life does you a solid and presents you with a break or an insight or a springboard to something better, the juice is even sweeter when we realize it and acknowledge our good fortune. Here’s to life changing moments and all the possibilities that they deliver. As always, thanks for your support. That’s another element that’s not lost on me. Cheers,
Kevin Marr Editor-in-Chief
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[ THE ] PROS BETSY MARR As Reign Media’s Publisher and CoFounder, Betsy Marr has been at the forefront of Sir and Sport since its inception in 2015 and handles brand development and magazine operations across the company’s titles. A creator at heart and lover of all things colorful and classic, she was the tour de force behind our Estate of the Union fashion shoot (page 46). When she’s not penning an article or styling a photograph, Betsy can be found attempting to strike that everelusive balance between work life and mom life with 16-month-old (and very active) son, Langdon.
CHAD + ESTHER PINTHER Chad and Esther Pinther own CrossFit Colfax in downtown Denver. Esther is originally from California and, prior to her career in CrossFit, her athletic background was in swimming where she competed in the Olympic trials in the butterfly. Chad’s athletic background is in wrestling, track and cross country and when he isn’t coaching clients in the gym, he’s traveling the world as a television, print and fitness model. Chad and Esther are also proud parents of a 10-year-old daughter. Read their tips on page 36 and reach them via cfcolfax.com and on Instagram at @crossfitcolfaxdenver.
Betsy Marr Chad + Esther Pinther
GET SOCIAL WITH US
CURTIS BELL An experienced Private Chef and Culinary Educator, Curtis Bell is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America with an AOS degree in Culinary Arts. He grew up in Denver, Colorado, and returned after culinary school to pursue his career in his hometown. Over the past decade, he has worked in fine dining establishments across the country, from New York City to Vail, and has cooked in the homes of billionaires, politicians, and celebrities. For the past eight years he has worked as a private chef for clients in the Denver area. He has also worked on many film and media projects including a documentary about pho, aptly named The Phocumentary. He is currently the private chef to the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller. Read his take on Denver’s restaurant scene on page 75.
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@SIRANDSPORT
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[ THE ] FA S H I O N
THE INSPIRATION “We have always been drawn to the work of the late society photographer Slim Aarons. His images famously captured beautiful people in beautiful places doing beautiful things. When we saw the property at 4949 South Fairfax Street, we immediately knew that it had Slim
THE FASHION “WE LOVE BOLD, COLORFUL
Aarons written all over it. With that, our shoot unfolded, featuring vintage inspired looks and plenty of color for Summer.”” -BETSY MARR
PATTERNS AND THERE’S NO BETTER TIME TO BREAK THEM OUT THAN SUMMER.
THE Photographer
PREPPY PASTELS FROM BROOKS BROTHERS AND NAUTICAL HUES FROM HUGO BOSS WERE THE PERFECT BLEND, ALONG WITH A DASH OF PALM SPRINGS WHIMSY FROM MR. TURK. PLAIDS, PALM
Kevin Murphy Rough.Rider, $32
LEAFS AND LIGHT HUED TUXEDOS GAVE CHAD THE
“Is there any better backdrop than a stunning Cherry Hills backyard on a perfect Spring day? This shoot utilized natural sunlight to create a bright, retro vibe that worked well with the colorful fashions. Using the incredible estate as our guide, Chad and Holly were the perfect models to indulge in their surroundings, giving us that Slim Aarons look we wanted.” -KATIE BRADSHAW
Kevin Murphy Session.Spray, $30
THROWBACK LOOK WE WERE AIMING FOR.”
-Chelsea Magness
Reuzel Red Pomade, $15.50
secondnaturedenver.com
The Product “Our model Chad has fantastic hair – we just wanted to polish it up slightly to give it a bit of a vintage vibe. We used Reuzel Red Pomade, which has high sheen and hold for his classic looks and topped it off with Kevin Murphy Session.Spray to keep it in place. For his more casual, messier looks, we switched to Kevin Murphy Rough.Rider which added great texture and pliability.” -BRI MURRAY, Second Nature Denver
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Shot on location at 4949 South Fairfax Street, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
compass5280.com
09.13.19 s i g n at u r e f l i g h t s u p p o r t + m o d e r n av i at i o n at c e n t e n n i a l a i r p o r t
p ri vate j ets • exoti c cars • cocktails + cuisin e
• live e n terta inment
BENEFITING:
Flight to Luxury brings together Denver’s culture makers, movers-and-shakers, and philanthropists for a stunning collaboration for Colorado youth. The event raises millions of dollars for PIVOT, a high-impact nonprof it founded by John Elway, Larry Mueller, and George Solich to harness the power of doers and dollars to help Colorado’s NextGen succeed.
FOR TICKETS + SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, VISIT FLIGHTTOLUXURY.COM
|
PIVOTDENVER.ORG
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[ THE ] RUNDOWN
ELWAY’S NEW CHEF The Ritz-Carlton, Denver has named Michael Poompan Executive Chef of The Mile High City’s first and longest running AAA Five Diamond property. Managing a team of 35 culinarians, Chef Poompan will spearhead the food and beverage operations of the iconic luxury hotel and the property’s signature restaurant, ELWAY’S Downtown. With over 12 years of experience, he brings an accomplished skillset and a sincere mission to the table: simple food created with sustainable programming and ingredients that celebrate local farmers, artisans, anglers, and ranchers. Chef Poompan shares, “As I discover Colorado’s ingredients and seasonality, I am excited to craft menu favorites, new dishes and memorable events with fresh creativity.” In line with Marriott International’s Serve 360 efforts, he encourages his team to challenge one another to create new dishes inspired by local selections with sustainability in mind.
RUN FOR THE ROSES Run for the Roses at Dairy Block in downtown Denver is a new underground lair by Steven Waters, paying homage to the elegant cocktail clubs of yesteryear and serving classic libations in a cozy yet sociable setting with hints of superstition and luck found throughout. Located through the Dairy Block Alley just above 18th Street, you’ll find 52 classic cocktails, a selection of seasonal cocktails and rare and vintage spirits, along with parlor snacks. The name of the establishment comes from a mix of the history of the building, which was previously home to The Celtic, where they had off-track betting for horse and dog racing. It goes along with luck, superstitions and going to the track to bet on the horses. Since the winner of the Derby gets a rose garland, they coined the race the “Run for the Roses.” Waters adopted that that mentality with the space being downstairs and a bit harder to find than a normal bar. Once you get there, they hope that people have felt they’ve won in a way. Run for the Roses is open Thursday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. ›› MORE AT WWW.RFTRBAR.COM OR CALL 720.573.9155.
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HAPPY HOUR Chad Chisholm wants you drunk this summer – or at least navigating your time with a nice buzz. The food editor, photographer and Denver native has published an incomparable Colorado drinking guide that is appropriately titled Colorado Cocktail Cookbook. Ever wondered how to make the Old Fashioned from Green Russell or the White Cosmopolitan from The Little Nell? Featuring 58 recipes from around the state with vivid photography of each, you can try your hand at mixology or use the book as a guide to where to go for the region’s hottest cocktails. For Chisholm, the project was an easy decision. “I wanted to gather some of Colorado’s amazing recipes from throughout the state to showcase our amazing bartenders’ skills with spirits. In all honesty, a larger goal is to have a book for each state and continue the project across the nation or cocktail cookbooks with specific brands.” Having been shooting professionally since 2005 and commercial photography since about 2010, Chisholm studied some master classes in food and beverage as well as continuing his education and technique. “I really enjoy shooting cocktails as they lend themselves as a fun and festive subject. My studio specializes in the hospitality industry, which includes food and beverage imagery for marketing and advertising campaigns as well as editorially. I shot all these cocktails by recreating the recipes with actual alcohol (I feel the authenticity is important in my work. Actual alcohol shoots differently and has a viscosity that colored water doesn’t achieve). As far as standout shots for him are concerned, Chisholm reveals, “I guess I’d have to say photographically I really love the Gin Tauntaun-ic from Stoic & Genuine at Union Station because I’m such a Star Wars nut. The cover is also a favorite shot, where we composited four separate types of alcohol shots into the splashy Colorado flag. It made for a messy studio floor, but so worth it for the final shot.” ›› COLORADO COCKTAIL COOKBOOK IS AVAILABLE AT BARNES & NOBLE, AMAZON, ITUNES, AND CHISHOLM’S WEBSITE WWW.CREATIONIZE.COM.
AMAZON IN DENVER Amazon will be expanding its footprint in Denver, creating 400 high-tech jobs in fields that include software and hardware engineering, cloud computing and advertising. On the heels of having opened a new office in Boulder last fall, the latest office will settle into downtown Denver to accommodate new and future employees. The 98,000-square-foot office will be in Invesco’s 1515 Wynkoop LEED Platinum building in Lower Downtown. “We have a terrific workforce that continues to attract the ideas and businesses that thrive in a knowledge-based economy and we are a great place to do business,” Colorado Governor Jared Polis explained. “Amazon’s current Colorado presence spans from distribution centers to robotics, corporate and operations. It’s wonderful to see their continued investment in our community.” Amazon said it has created more than 3,500 full-time jobs in Colorado over the past three years, investing more than $1.5 billion into the state.
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SOPRANOS PREQUEL
MOUNTAIN TOP A Sopranos prequel is headed our way. Ba-da-bing! Ba-da-boom! Titled “The Many Saints of Newark,” the Warner Bros. movie is slated for release on September 25, 2020. Written by Sopranos creator David Chase and directed by Alan Taylor, the story is set in 1960s Newark amidst riots between the city’s African-American and Italian communities. Alessandro Nivola is leading the cast as Dickie Moltisanti, the father of Tony Soprano’s protégé Christopher (Michael Imperioli). Chase confirmed in January that a young version of Tony will appear in the film. James Gandolfini famously played Tony in the HBO series and his son, Michael, will appear as a younger Tony. The groundbreaking television series picked up 21 Emmys and five Golden Globes during its run and Chase is ready for the new chapter, telling Deadline, “I was interested in Newark and life in Newark at that time (of the show). I used to go down there every Saturday night for dinner with my grandparents. But the thing that interested me most was Tony’s boyhood. I was interested in exploring that. The movie will deal with the tensions between the blacks and whites at the time, and Tony Soprano will be part of this, but as a kid.” “The Many Saints of Newark” is also set to star Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, and Billy Magnussen.
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It was the cherry cobbler that did it. It was literally the cherry on top of this unforgettable weekend in Vail, Colorado. South of the Mason-Dixon line, you could throw a rock and hit a cobbler, but here in this mountain resort town? Color me surprised, and also suddenly starving. Not only did Hotel Talisa pastry chef Maria Ines Moujan go the road less traveled on the cobbler, she also nailed it. What can I say? I love good food, and when it’s alive and well at Gessner, the hotel’s signature restaurant, then there’s an undeniable peace of mind knowing that every meal is going to be marvelous. With the restaurant modeled after the Alpine town of Zermatt, Switzerland, Executive Chef Jay Spickelmier and his team have assembled a fantastic menu that showcases authentic flavors from the Colorado Rockies and the European Alps. Farm-to-table, handcrafted ingredients ranged from Colorado lamb shank and flatiron steak to bucatini bolognese, charcuterie and fresh salads. Chef Moujan’s desserts, in addition to that cobbler, include beignets, apple strudel and chocolate cake. Fireside Lounge is a show stopper upon arrival with floor-to-ceiling mountain views and our favorite place for a few cocktails and live
music. The property sits on our favorite plot of real estate in the world-famous town, right smack on Gore Creek, kissing the first ascending steps of Vail Mountain, all of which served as a stunning backdrop from our room’s south facing perch. And, if for one reason or another, you can’t summon the energy to leave your room for Vail’s outdoor allure, no one would blame you. Hotel Talisa’s room décor immediately provided an inviting, upscale yet cozy tone, with its luxurious bathroom amenities with soaking tubs and an oversized-glass rainfall shower – welcomed therapies after a long day or an ideal beginning to a new one. From your guest quarters, you’ll want to relocate to The Spa at Hotel Talisa. We can’t acknowledge a trip to the mountains without coupling in a spa day – steam, sauna, whirlpool, a
massage, facial, mani/pedi or other treatment to reboot and treat ourselves to a much deserved addressing of health and wellness. Hotel Talisa is just minutes from the old world charm of Vail Village and all of its shopping, restaurants and bars. If you’re in town to witness one of the most phenomenal outdoor playgrounds anywhere on the planet, then the resort is right in the middle of it all, including the property’s neighboring Chairlift 20 during ski season, serving as a true ski-in/ski-out hotel. It’s no wonder that Hotel Talisa has been nominated as a “Top Hotel & Resort” in Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. It comes with the territory when you’re on top of the mountain. ›› MORE AT HOTELTALISA.COM OR CALL 970.476.7111
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[ BIB + ]
MINT TRADITION
TUCKER
Jack Elway was completely surrounded. Dozens of trucks and cars were closing in on him and he desperately needed an escape route. Mind you, Elway wasn’t in any physical danger. All the vehicles were parked at the Toyota dealership that he was working at out in Ontario, California, however he knew after four years in the business that he was destined for a different calling and it was time to move on.
sipping coffee on a Tuesday afternoon. “I’ve always been a more creative side. Since second grade, I’ve always been into drawing and design, and the goal after college was to find something closer to my passion.” The car dealership tenure stemmed from a chance to learn one of the family businesses that his father John has created, and his experience in Southern California was invaluable. However, as Jack puts it, “It wasn’t feeding my soul in the right way.” Now that’s something an artist would say.
Present day finds Jack as the co-founder of Mint Tradition, a luxury hat and apparel company based out of Denver that, in its third year, has him learning the ropes like a true entrepreneur, replete with trial-anderror moments, countless business decisions, marketing strategies and adhering to a budget. And do you know what? Elway wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’ve always known that I wanted to run my own company and do something creative,” he begins, while
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Elway was itching to get into the fashion world, but he didn’t know where to begin. His research pointed to occupying a new market that hadn’t yet been diluted. With his longstanding love for hats, a noticeable void in that luxury genre, and a subsequent meeting with business partner Geoff Muller, the future became much clearer. “Jack and I met through a mutual acquaintance
who knew that we were both working on starting hat companies,” Muller begins. “When we met, we realized that we were both on the same page with what we wanted to do in the apparel industry. We both liked the same brands and we both had similar ideas on creating high-end apparel and accessories. We decided that it would be best to team up and bring our skill sets together to create what Mint Tradition is now.” One look at Mint Tradition and you’ll note that the immediate difference is in the quality and the material. One glance at the black leather lid that Jack was donning made it clear that Mint Tradition was all about the ingredients. The full grain calf skin from Europe. Python accents from California. Florida, Denver and New York are also represented in creating a brand that Elway is proud to say is made in America.
“We don’t cut corners on any aspect,” he explains. “The clothing market is so saturated right now that Geoff and I went the leather and luxury route because it’s a way to stand out and not get lost in the background. It’s a way to do something special and so the goal was to go all out.” Muller’s creative process goes all out as well. “Most of my inspiration comes from color and texture. I love working with leather because it’s great for finding different textures. I also like combing through old photos and movies for color schemes. Whether it’s from Steve McQueen’s Le Mans that has pops of red, white and blue line work, or a 17th century Baroque period painting that incorporates dark reds, shades of black and golds, there’s usually something unique that can be brought back to life and used in different collections of our products.” So what does a Mint Tradition hat cost? Depending on your style and the materials involved, headwear can run anywhere from $45 to $610. No one would think twice about seeing Mint Tradition featured in fashion shows,
photo shoots or showcased on the domes of style hounds in Hollywood and professional sports. And reaching this demographic is Elway and Muller’s next action item. Elway, in a very admirable mindset, wants to succeed with Mint Tradition on his own merits and feels uncomfortable using his Denver Bronco connections for what he fears would be obligatory support. Meanwhile, he hints at a potential breakthrough with a big celebrity who would prove to be groundbreaking to Mint Tradition. “Without this kind of opportunity, a brand is just another unknown company,” he concedes. With brand momentum excelling across the country with various stylists and boutiques, Mint Tradition’s marketing push continues with social media exposure through
Instagram and Facebook. They’ve also released a beautiful new Spring Collection. In addition to his Mint tradition duties, Elway also works as a website designer at a local Denver agency. “I know I can do this,” he says with a confident, unrelenting look. “It is so difficult. How do I get people interested in a $300 hat that they aren’t even thinking about wanting or wearing? This calling is my new ‘football.” His ‘new football’ refers to his former years as a high school quarterback and his time on the Arizona State football team before he made the bravest and biggest decision of his life by walking away from the sport. “I quit football,” he explains in a matter-of-fact tone before promising, “I’m never going to quit anything again. I am so dedicated to this and it’s a way to derive meaning out of life for me. It is a huge challenge, but it has given me a light at the end of the tunnel.” More at minttradition.com @minttradition SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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KENNY MONFORT
[ CALL ME ] SIR
“Some of my earliest memories are grocery shopping around the holidays for folks that I didn’t know and asking the question, ‘Why are we doing this?’ and getting grabbed by the collar by my dad who was not happy with my sass at the time. I learned very quickly that it’s not about not understanding why, but that it’s the right thing to do.” Kenny Monfort took that childhood lesson that he learned years ago from his father and has turned that caring mentality into a life mission. The fifth-generation Coloradan finds himself involved in an extensive list of charities and organizations, while overseeing the Monfort Companies as owner and director, investing in ventures to develop commercial properties that serve as economic drivers and growth engines for rural and urban communities. Monfort’s priorities for 2019 have understandably filled his calendar to the brim, blending a thorough mix of both professional and philanthropic engagements that, as he puts it, “require blocking off time so that people can count on me.”.
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On the business front, the 26-year-old has his eyes set on a substantial project that meshes two core industries that the Monfort family possesses under their investment umbrella, real estate and the Colorado Rockies. “A recent acquisition in the Ballpark Neighborhood District in downtown Denver has me shifting my professional focus from our traditional core business to rejuvenating and graduating some of the parcels that surround Coors Field,” Monfort shares. “There are a lot of good examples across the country of stadiums and cities that have created a very special district around a sports venue and I think Denver has the unique opportunity to do the same thing. Coors Field is really well located and there are a number of parking lots that should no longer be parking lots and underserviced buildings that can be upgraded, which will bring more traffic to the area and, subsequently, sales taxes and job growth comes with that. That’s a focus for Denver and capitalizing on an opportunity that sits there in that neighborhood.” The scope of this deal alone would keep anyone busy, butthen you factor in Monfort’s dedication to giving back to the community, and the commitments continue to expand. To Monfort, it’s just what he’s about. “Outside my professional focus, I’m spending more and more time with the Denver Active 20-30 Foundation and executing on some of the lofty missions and goals that we’ve collectively set forth for the organization as a membership. Some of those are growing from $1.5 million a year in dollars raised to $2 million-to-$4 million annual goals.”
“A recent acquisition in the Ballpark Neighborhood District in downtown Denver has me shifting my professional focus from our traditional core business to rejuvenating and graduating some of the parcels that surround Coors Field.”
Regarding these goals with 20-30, Kenneth adeptly points out that you can only have so many events and sell so many tickets. A lot of it is getting creative with memberships with other passionate parties to seek out matching grant organizations nationally and worldwide. “It’s a special group at 20-30,” he says. “It’s hard to have 100 people aligned with anything, but here you have everyone committed to raise money. We pull these things off because we have strong collective passion.” Monfort’s passion with the Denver Active 20-30 and the foundation’s structure of contributing to the betterment and welfare of the children in the local community, extends to other organizations and causes as well, including board member roles with The Colorado Restaurant Association and the University of Denver Advancement Committee, and deep involvement with the National Western Stock Show, the Denver Energy Network, Colorado Concern, the Downtown Denver Partnership, the Denver Ballpark Neighborhood and the Denver Athletic Club. It all traces back to his roots and what was instilled in him at an early age. “Greeley and Eaton, Colorado, are made up of hard working families and are blue collar communities,” Monfort begins. “There’s something about that small town where you have “Bring Your Tractor To School Day,” and everybody drives their grandpa’s truck and stuff like that. I have fond memories of all of that.” And now he’s paying it forward and trying to create fond memories for others.
, The Denver Polo Classic tion. r Active 20-30 Founda nve De the by red nso spo
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[ VIEW ]
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e are constantly buried in books, Instagram, TV and movies for our information, inspiration and entertainment. Here’s a look at what has left a mark on us recently.
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BOOKS AN ARABIAN JOURNEY Starting in September 2017, in a city in Northern Syria, a stone’s throw away from Turkey and amidst the deadliest war of the twenty-first century, British explorer Levison Wood set forth on a 5,000-mile trek through the most contested region on the planet. He moved through the Middle East for six months, from ISIS-occupied Iraq through Kuwait and along the jagged coastlines of the Emirates and Oman; across a civil-war-torn Yemen and on to Saudia Arabia, Jordan, and Israel, before ending on the shores of the Mediterranean in Lebanon. Like his predecessors, Wood travelled through some of the harshest and most beautiful environments on earth, seeking to challenge our perceptions of this often-misunderstood part of the world. Through the relationships he forges along the way and the personal histories and local mythologies that his companions share, Wood examines how the region has changed over thousands of years and reveals a side of the Middle East we don’t often see in the media. RATSNAKES Vincent A. Cefalu spent 30 years as an ATF undercover operative in assignments ranging from the Symbionese Liberation Army to Asian organized crime. He has infiltrated notorious outlaw motorcycle gangs as well as splinter groups of the Ku Klux Klan, and in RatSnakes he provides a transparent look at the organization and the operatives with whom he risked his life. Part field guide, part heart-pounding thrill-ride, Cefalu takes readers on a tour of what it’s like to confront death on a daily basis. En route, he gives us a look at the on-the-job techniques of kicking in doors, orchestrating “street theater” to ensnare criminals, and making high-stakes gun buys. His irreverent, explicit stories from the inside are a mix of danger and unexpected hilarity that will have readers laughing one minute and then biting their nails when things break bad.
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The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley Academy Award winner Alex Gibney directs this HBO documentary investigating the rise and fall of Theranos, the one-time multibillion-dollar healthcare company founded by Elizabeth Holmes. Drawing on extraordinary access to never-beforeseen footage and testimony from key insiders, Gibney tells a Silicon Valley tale that was too good to be true. With all the drama of a reallife heist film, the documentary examines how this could have happened and who is responsible, while exploring the psychology of deception. The Dirt If you’re a fan of the Crue, then you already know how foul and over-the-line their reputation is. This Netflix feature documents the book with the same name, chronicling the beginning and nearly the end of one of rock’s most notorious bands. Countless sexual exploits, death defying drug abuse and the music that made this Los Angeles quartet infamous all are in attendance for this jaw-dropping tale. If you blush easy, then skip it. If Motley Crue has a special place in your heart for their stamina and perseverance to travel to hell and back, then enjoy the ride.
THESTYLEDOGMA A MEN’S FASHION HOMAGE THAT GETS IT. SHARP. CLEAN. TRADITIONAL. CLASSY. IT’S AN IDEAL GUIDE TO AN UPDATED WARDROBE WITH GLORIOUS REMINDERS OF STYLE, TEXTURE AND COLOR FOR THAT PERFECT OCCASION OR FOR EVERY DAY ENSEMBLES.
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VSOETRAIN LITTLE DID WE KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE A FANCY, STYLISH TRAIN CAR. THIS IS A FUN ADVENTURE IN EXPERIENCING THE LUXURIES OF RIDING THE RAILS, BOTH IN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT, WITH THOUGHTFUL DÉCOR AND INTERIORS THAT HAVE US CHECKING TRAIN SCHEDULES FOR A CHANCE TO ESCAPE TO JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.
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Murder Mountain An American true crime documentary television series on Netflix that covers an area of Northern California’s Humboldt County, including the local marijuana industry, and multiple disappearances and murders that have occurred in the surrounding mountain range. Much of the show follows the case of 29-year-old Garret Rodriguez, a cannabis grower who was found murdered in the region in 2013.
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A TIME WARP TO CLASSIC INTERVIEWS AND FEATURES OF SPORT’S BIGGEST STARS, WITH A NOSTALGIC TAKE ON RELEVANT ISSUES AND MILESTONES THAT HARKEN BACK TO AN AGE WHEN SPORTS WEREN’T SO MULTI-LAYERED WITH DISTRACTIONS, UNNECESSARY DRAMA, CELL PHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
CLASSICCARSREBELLIOUS THIS PAGE DIDN’T INVENT THE WHEEL, BUT THEY SURE KNOW HOW TO CELEBRATE IT, WHETHER IT’S A VINTAGE LAND ROVER, CLASSIC PORSCHE SPEEDSTER OR EVEN A GORGEOUS DUCATI RACING BIKE. WE CAN MORE THAN APPRECIATE AN ORGANIZED PHOTO SHOOT THAT POSITIONS THESE WHEELED WORKS OF ART IN THE FINEST OF SURROUNDINGS.
Escobar Maduro Premium Cigars are a hand-crafted, medium-bodied cigar with a perfectly smooth draw and a long lingering finish. They are a blend of three vintage sun-grown and aged Habano tobaccos grown specifically in the rich Volcanic soil of Nicaragua. These blended and balanced flavors are dominated by chocolate, black pepper, dry coffee and firewood that sticks strongly to the palate with delicious density. These flavors combine to provide complexity, thanks to fermentation and aging that is achieved only by Puros Privados and generations of skilled Cuban cigar makers.
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Becoming “Colorado’s Mountain Club” “From the beginning we structured our initiation and dues to be in line with today’s club atmosphere and demand,” said Mike Gibbs, Frost Creek’s President and General Manager.
Since its launch in Spring 2015, Frost Creek’s reputation as an innovator in the club industry has grown almost as quickly as its membership. Just as it eschews the words “country club” or “golf club” in its name, Frost Creek continues to break from many of the norms of traditional clubs. It’s a path that has caught the attention of roughly 251 members in just a few seasons of operation and made Frost Creek one of Colorado’s fastest growing clubs. “The golf and country club industry has been going through a lot of change in recent years,” said Chad Brue, Frost Creek’s owner. “When we acquired the club, we knew we had a tremendous asset and opportunity, but we also knew that to make our vision of Frost Creek a reality we’d have to change the game—stand the old club model on its head.” Frost Creek did just that. The first “game changer” was to make what was formerly an extremely exclusive club model more approachable and, more importantly, desirable to a new generation of club members.
The club’s membership program was also simplified. If you own property in Eagle County, Colorado you are a local member. If not, you are a national member. Both member categories offer social and full membership options. Today the majority of National Members live on Colorado’s Front Range. “With the membership piece in place, we focused our attention on what made Frost Creek stand apart from other clubs in the Vail Valley, Gibbs added. Approachable World-class Golf Typically, excellent golf outings can be categorized by great courses or great experiences. Tom Weiskopf ’s design at Frost Creek is both. The course is magnificent, the greens are immaculate, and the changing seasons make it a different round every time you’re out. Tucked away and secluded from any hustle and bustle, the course has two distinct feels. The front nine is ranch-style with big views and great vistas and the back nine meanders around Brush Creek, perfectly complementing the creek and wetlands. It’s a memorable round every time you play.
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“We have a world class Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, but great golf is implied,” Gibbs added. “What would keep entire families engaged and using the club?”
the way members approach the game. The “Pool House” doubles as a kids activities room with foosball, ping pong, shuffleboard and a variety of board games for indoor fun.
Creek in the summer of 2017. Adams grew up camping and fishing at nearby Sylvan Lake. He knew the Brush Creek Valley where Frost Creek is located and had many fond memories.
So much more
The club even purchased a fully outfitted member Jeep, complete with Frost Creek logo, to be used by members for a 4x4 adventure to any of the surrounding high alpine attractions.
“I’ve always loved the area and I liked the vision for the club and friends raved about the course,” Adams said. “two summers ago we came up to check it out and I knew I wanted to join the minute we came through the gate.”
To complement the Weiskopf-designed golf course, 40,000 square foot clubhouse, pool, tennis and sport courts, Frost Creek cultivated additional amenities endemic to living and recreating in the mountains. The club bought several stand up paddleboards (SUP) and designated a specific pond on site for their use. A deck and swimming platform were also added to that pond. Other ponds were stocked with trout for angling. Frost Creek has great fishing for all skill levels and disciplines. Stocked fishing ponds provide a fun and unintimidating way for children and rookies to learn the craft. Fly fishers can also explore Frost Creek’s private 2.5 miles of Brush Creek, a classic Eagle County fishery with ample wild trout. The club record trout is 27 inches. Next was the addition of a fleet of bicycles, electric scooters, fishing rods and tackle, a disc golf course, an archery range, over 5.5 miles of new soft surface mountain biking, and trail running and hiking trails.” If that’s not enough to keep members busy bocce ball, croquet, slacklining, electric fat bikes are also available. Frost Creek also offers Golf Skate Caddies, electronic golf skateboards that change
Winter finds the golf course converted to 10km of groomed track for Nordic skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing. Frost Creek’s tennis court is flooded for ice skating and pick-up games of hockey. The warming fire is home to s’mores and great conversations and Frost Creek’s own sledding hill is rumored to be, “really, really fast.” Member Cabins, a “Home Away from Home” While many members are choosing to buy and build their own home at Frost Creek, the club’s 10 Member cabins and two “glamour camping yurts” remain extremely popular for National Members because they allow them to utilize the club for days on end without the need to own real estate at Frost Creek or stay in a hotel. Frost Creek also has the ability to add more member cabins. Gibbs said this ensures that as membership grows, Frost Creek will still be able to deliver the experience of waking up on site to its growing National Membership. Jeff Adams, a Denver-area resident, joined Frost
The Adams family did join Frost Creek and have utilized the member cabins and yurts several times since. They even visit Frost Creek in the winter and use it as base camp to ski Beaver Creek. Available Real Estate For those who wish to own a home at Frost Creek, the club offers a variety of available 1-6-acre homesites for purchase priced from $250,000 to $650,000. Social membership is included in the price of homesites. Innovation building community “When it comes right down to it, innovation and questioning the ‘old model’ is what built Frost Creek’s community. We’ve created a place for families to escape, make memories and have new and exciting experiences with people who share their passion for great golf and the mountain lifestyle,” Gibbs said. “That’s what’s makes Frost Creek ‘Colorado’s Mountain Club’.”
094 Frost Creek Drive Eagle, Colorado 81631 | 970.328.2326 | frostcreek.com
[ BACK ] NINE
JORDAN ON TIGER It’s generally not easy to impress Michael Jordan, but the greatest basketball player of all time is decidedly awestruck from Tiger’s Masters accomplishment, telling The Athletic’s David Aldridge, “I took two years off to play baseball, but nothing like that. I’m pretty sure he questioned himself whether he could get it back, and he had to put a lot of work in. But he took it head-on. He had to change his game. He had to change his perspective a little bit. To me, it was the greatest comeback I’ve ever seen. I never thought he’d get back physically. He didn’t think he’d get back physically. But he did it. No one expected him to be back the way he is now. He’s probably the only person who believed he could get back. To me, that’s a major accomplishment. To me, it’s unbelievable. Mentally, you always think you can. But you can’t answer to what your body has to deal with. His confidence is only going to build from here.”
RORY ON TIGER
THE TIGER MASTERS-PIECE HE’S BACK…AND EVERYBODY K N O W S I T. H E R E A R E S O M E OF THE AFTERSHOCKS FROM A U G U S TA . TIGER MASTERS BET When he captured his fifth Masters title, the betting line on Woods’ chances of winning it all was listed among the top tier of contenders, closing at around 12-1. A bettor at a William Hill U.S. sportsbook at SLS Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, placed an $85,000 bet on Woods to win at 14-1 odds. It was the first bet ever placed by the customer at William Hill and it paid out $1.19 million, the largest single golf ticket in the company’s history in the U.S. “Pretty good first bet,” William Hill U.S. director of trading Nick Bogdanovich told ESPN.
On one of their Golf Channel podcasts, Rory McIlroy and co-host Carson Daly were discussing Woods’ Masters victory when Daly noted that Woods was already standing on the green while Francesco Molinari played his third shot into the par-3 12th on Sunday. Daly asked McIlroy if he thought that was intentional. “Does he do little things like that?” McIlroy explained, “Just sorta having that little glimpse of red in your eye? A hundred percent. I mean, he knows that he intimidates people and it’s like, ‘I’m going to make you feel my presence.” McIlroy also suggested that Woods’ Sunday fashion choice may have subconsciously aided his confidence by hearkening back to memories of past dominance. “One of the things that helped this whole thing is that mock-neck turtleneck thing that he came back with, people correlate that with that ’05 Masters win.”
TIGER & BUBBA During a recent appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Bubba Watson revealed that, while he has Woods’s phone number, the 15-time major champion only receives his messages half of the time. “He’s probably blocked me before,” Watson said. “He changes his number quite a bit.” Bubba has a tendency to inundate Tiger with unnecessary, random messages. “I send him so many text messages, just random stuff like ‘Look at this, it’s a bottle of water. Oh, here’s this.’ So that might be why he blocked me. But for that one week when we’re on the team together, I love to just send him random stuff. And he’s like ‘Can you please stop?”
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Rory McIlroy
Michael Jordan
Bubba Watson
ELEVATE YOUR GAME at Eagle Vail Golf Club
Take in spectacular Rocky Mountain views between Vail and Beaver Creek as you play the challenging 18-hole Championship course or the Par 3 course. Enjoy a well-deserved meal at the Whiskey Hill Golf Grill afterwards. Call us to reserve your group outing today.
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PHOTO BY KATIE BRADSHAW
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CHANGE of ADDRESS THERE ARE PROFOUND CHANGES COMING TO THE REAL ESTATE WORLD. WHAT ARE THEY AND WHEN IS THE SHIFT? BROKER JEFF HENDLEY WEIGHS IN…
“I’m from the South where almost everyone is courteous, kind and thoughtful. No one wants to hurt anyone else’s feelings and everyone wants to get along.” It’s not that way in real estate.
“I’ve had to learn the hard way that you have to fight for presence, fight for what’s yours and, unfortunately, trust is not automatic.” Jeff Hendley has seen everything in his 15 years as a real estate agent, and his track record more than speaks for itself with his average sales price exceeding $3 million, one of the top averages in the industry and the highest average sales price in Denver. So, when one of the best in the business warns of an industry-changing shift that will reshape the way homes are bought and sold, we have to hear more.
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In the next few years, there’s a change in the way people will buy homes and the role that an agent will play in that decision. What is that change and why is it happening? The real estate industry is experiencing monumental change - and it’s just the beginning. The bellwether industry that’s been around for a hundred years is seeing such rapid shifts in the direction of the real estate that some major players are having whiplash-like symptoms due to the unexpected magnitude of such events. And the central theme to all of this change is technology. For decades, “real estate” has become a household topic of conversation, whether it’s around the dinner table, cocktail hour, workplace chatter and now on social media. It seems that everyone talks about it and, with the advancement in technology, consumers are more educated than ever before. This is a driver that’s contributing to just a fraction of the rush to gain momentum through the use of technology. Companies are rushing to develop the latest technology that’s all geared towards simplifying the home buying and selling experience. And then you have other companies in a race to gain market share through massive consolidation. Never before have so many real estate brokers been offered so many options to conduct their businesses, whether it’s moving from one residential brokerage to another, using technology to help create their own brokerages, or joining forces with companies who are masters in technology that provide brokers near-instant information and tools that help them gain momentum in an already-crowded space. The speed at which change is happening is absolutely mind-blowing. With investor capital floating around in abundance, consumer capital is at some of the greatest levels in decades and the quest for change is at an all-time high. The real estate revolution has many experts questioning where this is all going to lead, and what the landscape is going to look like when it’s all said and done.
4850 S. Franklin, sold for $4.4M
1 Haystack Row, sold for $5.5M
“Major companies are moving to Denver and this carries with it an economic thrust which should keep the market stable, or increasing, in the near future.”
Is there any truth to the rumor that, in some situations, real estate brokers will have a decreased role in a transaction? This is a topic that’s discussed a lot in the brokerage circles. While no one knows for sure what the next five, 10 or 20 years look like, one thing for certain is there will always be a large percentage of the consumer public that chooses to work with real estate brokers. The industry itself and its economic impact are so large that there must be checks and balances on how real estate is transacted. While there may be some real estate transactions that are relatively simple and straightforward, an overwhelming majority require a high level of knowledge and attention. Without the assistance of a real estate broker or advisor, the likelihood of missteps increases dramatically. And the consequences for such missteps could be financially devastating, and in some cases - dire. I do believe that there is a market for those do-it-youselfers or iBuyers. These are folks who see their situations or transactions as very matter-of-fact and would rather engage via a more technology-oriented perspective. This would be akin to the “For Sale by Owners” or what some refer to as “Sign Callers,” - buyers who contact the listing brokers directly, versus engaging a real estate broker. These tend to be educated individuals whom have the time and resources to devote to the transaction. I, for one, welcome them and, as I said, there’s room for everyone. What I do worry about is putting too much control in the hands of under-qualified or unknowledgeable people with so much money on the line. Once someone loses a large chunk of their net worth on a real estate deal gone bad, there could be an abundance of legal back-and-forths, and then no one wins.
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333 Milwaukee St., sold for $7M — the highest ever sale in Cherry Creek
Are there any other misnomers and myths that you can dispel about the future of home real estate? The first one that comes to mind is the perception that real estate brokers have a cushy job and that we get paid way too much money for the work that we do. I would invite anyone to witness one of my transactions from start to finish, and they would be amazed at just how difficult some of these can be. Any number of my transactions can involve hundreds of emails, texts and calls with clients, not to mention the title companies, the broker on the other side, inspectors, contractors, bankers, attorneys and mortgage brokers. It’s literally an exercise in extraordinary organization, communication, and attention to detail. Admittedly, not every deal requires that level of attention, but when the complexities of a transaction are significant, there really needs to be someone overseeing it all.
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“I think it’s important for us to spend the time on the forefront of selling houses rather than waiting for the
4949 South Fairfax, listed at $9.95M
phone to ring.” With regards to Denver, which continues to be a hot spot nationally, what is the current landscape and where is it headed? Denver is continuously mentioned by publications, local and national, as one of the best places to live. Having lived here for over 20 years, I can certainly vouch for that. The climate, quality of life, location, ease of access and thriving economy are just some of the reasons so many choose Denver as their home. We’ve experienced an incredible run in real estate since the market downturn early in the decade and the consumer sentiment continues to show signs of stability. Like any other industry that ebbs and flows, we will see a slowdown at some point in the future. But the overall outlook is overwhelmingly positive. Major companies are moving to Denver and this carries with it an economic thrust which should keep the market stable, or increasing, in the near future.
Being loyal and trustworthy are two of your most important characteristics. Talk about those qualities and how they translate into what you do for a living.
PHOTO BY KATIE BRADSHAW
You bring up something that I’m very passionate about. Selling real estate in a major market for over 15 years, I’ve pretty much seen or heard it all. The stories of the good, the bad and the really bad – they run the gamut. At the end of the day and in almost every circumstance, it comes down to character. I’m a believer that one’s character can and will dictate the transaction. Whether it’s a corporate executive, a baby-boomer, a veteran real estate broker or a young athlete who just signed a life-changing contract, everything comes down to character. A person’s character is deep within and, in my mind, cannot be changed. You’re either kind or you’re not. You either have an ego or you don’t. The real estate business is tough. It’s competitive and full of varying personalities and motivations. And one thing is for certain, most people know more than one real estate broker. And most brokers are quick to claim “ownership” of clients, whether they’re actual clients or not. You have to always be on-guard and never ever become complacent, as there is always another real estate broker with antennas up, waiting for you to drop the ball, so they can embrace your client. It’s competitive and that’s the world we live in. So, I try to always stay inventive, over communicate, and do the right thing, letting my results speak for themselves.
You have won awards and have garnered national attention for your creative and aggressive marketing style. Talk about this indispensable element and what it means to your business. I have always been extremely interested in marketing and am fascinated by the creativity that goes into conveying a message to a potential purchaser in order to complete a sale. To really get to the heart of branding, you must get inside the psyche of your target buyer. Once you do that, you can begin to understand what the buyer wants and needs and then you can establish your message and branding techniques based on that. Ever wonder why certain colors are located in certain places on certain packaging? There’s a reason for that. Ever wonder why certain words are used in the connotation of certain messages that one is trying to deliver? There’s a reason for that too. Similarly, the same applies to real estate. Most brokers don’t have the slightest clue about branding and what goes into getting your message across. Most brokers don’t go that in depth because it takes an incredible amount of time and effort, but we get paid a lot of money to do just that, so I think it’s important for us to spend the time on the forefront of selling houses rather than waiting for the phone to ring. Many years ago and I started to see a lot of similarities with other brokers’ marketing that resembled some of my own. Then I began to get inquiries from other brokers into why and how I created marketing pieces. It was then that I realized what effect my marketing was having on real estate sales, but also with other brokers who were emulating some of the same ideas. I have to admit that when I first saw my marketing with other brokers’ names on it, it really bothered me. But then I realized I should look at it as flattery and a compliment versus getting angry. And, in fact, it challenged me to become more creative and to think differently. I look at successful advertising agencies in places like New York and Paris, and I recognize that their reputations are so powerful because they’re capable of creating an amazing marketing piece that packs a powerful punch, with the difference being a multi-million dollar idea compared to that of a mediocre marketing strategy which has little to no impact. When you look at the roles and responsibilities of a real estate agent between showing houses, negotiating contracts and constantly on the phone texting and chatting to clients, I spend a significant portion of my time on marketing because I feel it’s that important.
Jeff Hendley is an award-winning Colorado real estate broker and Founding Agent of Compass Denver. Reach him via: jeff.hendley@compass.com | 303.877.6767 | compass5280.com | @jeffhendley
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PERFECT FIT By Chad and Esther Pinther
I want to take my shirt off, but I can’t. It’s the beach. Or the lake. Or a pool party. The weather is sizzling. I want to get some color. But I’d have to take my shirt off. And that ain’t happening.
When it comes to nutrition, everywhere you look there are “experts” telling you to eat this or that food, eat at this time and in this quantity to get the results you want.
It’s tough to lose weight. It requires focus, discipline and commitment. It also requires a change in diet and exercise. How badly do you want it?
Is it three or five meals a day or, more recently, skipping meals altogether? Low carb? Low or high fat? How much protein? It’s no wonder that people struggle to make changes they can maintain given the information we are inundated with every day.
Chad and Esther Pinther, owners of CrossFit Colfax in Denver, simplify everything it takes to feel good and look good to the degree that the daunting task seems manageable for anyone. Here’s what the professionals have to say… The what, why and how of dieting and exercise is a daunting task for anyone seeking to change the course of their life and make healthier choices.
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And then there’s exercise. Cardio or weights? How many days a week should you workout and for how long? This is further complicated with how busy we all are, with many of us having little time to prepare meals, let alone workout. Fortunately, there are some simple rules that you can follow when it comes to nutrition and exercise. After all, if it’s not simple then it’s unlikely that you will stick with it.
[ BE ] WELL
“
Is it three or five meals a day or, more recently, skipping meals altogether? Low carb? Low or high fat?
How much protein? It’s no wonder that people struggle to make changes they can maintain given the information we are inundated with every day.”
For nutrition, follow these eight basic principles: • Eat real, natural foods (no processed, packaged food...think the perimeter of the grocery store) • Not too much • Mostly plants • Quality, unprocessed meats (grass-fed beef/ pasture raised chicken and eggs) *vegetarian and vegan options • Nuts and seeds • Some fruit • Little starch (potatoes, rice, pasta) • No sugar
With exercise, just like nutrition, there is an endless list of methodologies to choose from, each extolling their own virtues. Cutting through it all, if you’re interested in losing weight and building lean, functional muscle in the shortest amount of time then the most effective method of fitness is to focus on performing natural movements such as picking things up and carrying them, pushing, pulling, and squatting. Varying the intensity and duration of these movements will eliminate boredom and plateauing that can occur with fitness regiments that involve a single movement (such as running or biking). These types of movements make you stronger in your daily life and pay big dividends for vitality as you age. Finally, the single most important factor discovered in nearly every study on diet and fitness routines and their relative success levels is community. Having friends, family members and coworkers supporting and encouraging you vastly increases the likelihood that you will succeed and stick with the changes you make. ›› MORE AT CFCOLFAX.COM
If you follow these principles then most of the work is done. Adhering to these guidelines eliminates having to follow a complicated program that is hard to understand and/or maintain. Digging a little deeper, one area of particular importance next to eating sugar and processed foods is that most of us simply eat too much for our activity levels which leads to excessive weight gain. A great practice and something that you can do on your own is to complete a food log of everything you eat and drink for two weeks and track it using an app such as MyFitnessPal. Just creating the awareness of what and how much you are eating is often enough to discover patterns of overconsumption and quality of food issues. If understanding what and how much to eat is an area of concern for you, then meeting with a nutritionist may be helpful to jump start your progress and get you on the right track. The overarching principle when it comes to nutrition is to eat in a way that you can sustain for your lifetime rather than a crash or fad diet that you give up after a short time.
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Out of Office Reply: Montage
Los Cabos BY KEVIN MARR
T
he glossy black Escalade hummed across the snaking desert highway towards the Sea of Cortez until the endless green blur of surrounding shrub and cacti gave way to the booming majestic blue of the coast.
Inside the Cadillac, tinted windows shielded the leather interior from the 94 degree mid-day sun, while moist lemon-scented towelettes and chilled water made a day of travel from Denver to Los Cabos, passing through customs, and our embarrassingly broken Spanish a distant memory. As we headed south towards Cabo San Lucas, a renewed energy was brewing in restless anticipation of experiencing the newest Montage seaside paradise south of the border. Having already been pampered Montage-style over the years by its Laguna Beach, Beverly Hills and Deer Valley resorts, Montage Los Cabos had been a long-awaited daydream after the rumors swirled that the company was launching a new masterpiece down in Cabo. The coastal drive down Federal Highway 1 is always an entertaining tour of what hotels are moving in, who bought what, and there’s George Clooney’s old neighborhood or Sammy Hagar’s home. This time around, fittingly appropriate coming from Denver, there was talk about Peyton Manning’s favorite spot to escape. As we enter the gates, you immediately notice the cactus-lined drive that serves as a prelude to a desert-themed landscape. With the resort now in view, earth tones, wood and stone greet us in a stunningly modern lobby appropriately dressed with floor-to-ceiling glass. A welcoming Antonio is there upon our arrival with an engaging “Welcome Home,” while bearing the ultimate gift – a heavenly blend of hibiscus water and mezcal with lime juice, basil and rimmed with a to-die-for Tajin powder.
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With a second glass of liquid awesomeness for the walk to our room, we’re reminded immediately of Montage’s commitment to unmatched customer service and hospitality. Every staff member within eye sight stops, smiles and delivers the most sincere and warmest of receptions that the “Welcome Home” mentality really starts to sink in. The room transcends its Mexican roots with a very contemporary style coupled with custom-made floor tile throughout the entire floorplan, including the en suite bathroom and outdoor shower. The mango puree in a coconut shell was a delicious in-room welcome gift, making for a spectacular nosh on the balcony overlooking the multi-level pools and Sea of Cortez. One of our favorite parts of a trip like this is, when we’re done unpacking and getting situated in the room, grabbing the Tom Ford sunnies, a beachy pair of shorts and a splash of Zents cologne while heading out to critique the pool situation, locate the bar and breathe in the view that makes a destination so magical. In the case with Montage Los Cabos, it’s a long gaze out across Santa Maria Bay which, for all intents and purposes, is front and center serving as the resort’s personal beachfront. We were on a John Daly kick at the time – an Arnold Palmer with vodka – and so a couple of Dalys while dining at Marea for a late lunch paired with the view of the water was absolutely sublime. The pastor tacos with guajillo pepper marinated pork loin, pineapple Spanish onions and cilantro is a meal that we still salivate over. Chef Victor Valencia’s Marea menu covered plenty of dishes, making for difficult decisions. It’s Cabo, so the fish is plentiful and beyond fresh. The Baja Bouillabaisse, which goes great with beer like Pacifico, features fish, shrimp, shellfish, fennel, potato confit, spicy tomato saffron broth and grilled ciabatta bread. Guerrero Negro oysters, charred avocado and lobster, yellow fin tuna, and sea bass ceviche are other can’t-miss dishes. Brick oven pizzas are also at your beck and call, while Marea also has menu items by nutritionist
by Chef Alexis Palacios. The Chef’s Tasting allowed us to get busy with a little bit of everything – crispy striped bass, octopus tempura taco, suckling pig al pibil and a wagyu strip loin. Mezcal is also your place for breakfast, featuring the likes of pancakes with banana, cajeta, strawberry syrup, pecans and whipped cream; avocado toast, an array of egg and omelet dishes, pastries, cinnamon dusted French Toast and the meal we had on both mornings – Motulenos, which consisted of an incredible combination of eggs over easy, black beans, smoked ham, Chihuahua cheese, peas, fried plantains and Epazote salsa motulena all on a crispy tortilla. This meal alone is deserving of a flight down to Cabo. As delicious as all the food is, the hands down star of Montage Los Cabos is Spa Montage. We’ve encountered only a few very special occasions in our travels where we discovered what we’ll call “an escape within an escape.” The resort in itself is an experience like no other, and then there’s the private pool at the spa that changes everything. It’s an inner sanctuary that oozes relaxation with its cabanas, chaise lounges and parasols, and poolside service for a bite to eat or a mango margarita for a sun soaked interlude. It’s an adult pool sans children, so the peace and quiet will have you feeling royal. and celebrity coach Kelly Le Veque, offering seasonal options for guests to stay on-plan and maintain a healthy regiment while traveling like butter lettucewrapped shrimp tacos and Greek Chicken Salad. For dinner, Marea brings out the heavyweights for an evening to remember, including Wagyu rib eye, strip loin and skirt steak; lobster risotto, cavatelli and a 15 ounce lobster tail. Our double smoked pork chop paired with a few glasses of pinot noir and capped off with the tres leche cake was well worth hitting the elliptical machine the following morning for some calorie combat. Dinner can also be savored at the other property’s mouth-watering source, Mezcal, which is the resort’s signature restaurant and modern Mexican kitchen
Of course you’re at Spa Montage for an unforgettable massage or another out-of-this-world treatment. We were beyond impressed with the men’s lounge and spa area prior to our 90-minute appointment. Extensive in size and leaving you wanting for nothing, the whirlpool, sauna, steam room, sitting areas and lockers were thoughtfully spread out to take advantage of the vast space, while attendants are there for any and all assistance. It’s another flawless creation where anything is possible, and probable, when Montage has a say in it. MORE AT MONTAGEHOTELS.COM/LOSCABOS
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APPLE IS HEADED BACK TO AUSTIN Apple is back to building in the heart of Texas with a $1 billion campus slated for Austin. The Texas capital city currently hosts Apple’s second-largest office in the U.S., handling customer service agents and some manufacturing facilities. The new campus will be located less than a mile from its existing facilities. The 133-acre campus will initially accommodate 5,000 additional employees, with the capacity to grow to 15,000, and is expected to make Apple the largest private employer in Austin. “Apple is among the world’s most innovative companies and an avid creator of jobs in Texas and across the country,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “Their decision to expand operations in our state is a testament to the high-quality workforce and unmatched economic environment that Texas offers. I thank Apple for this tremendous investment in Texas, and I look forward to building upon our strong partnership to create an even brighter future for the Lone Star State.” Jobs created at the new campus will include a broad range of functions including engineering, R&D, operations, finance, sales and customer support. At 6,200 people, Austin already represents the largest population of Apple employees outside its Cupertino, California, headquarters.
NIKE WINS BIG WITH TIGER The value of Tiger Woods’ fifth Masters title for Nike is roughly $22,540,000, according to Apex Marketing. This number is equivalent to the brand value that the athletic apparel company received from Woods’ oncamera exposure during the Final Round of the Masters broadcast on CBS, the firm said. The iconic Nike swoosh was featured on Woods’ hat, shirt, pants and shoes. By that Sunday afternoon of The Masters, some of the Tiger Woods-branded apparel and accessories for men on Nike’s website were sold out. Meanwhile, shortly after Woods’ victory was declared on Sunday afternoon, Nike dropped a video on its social media channels starring the golfer. It said: “It’s crazy to think a 43-year-old who has experienced every high and every low and has just won his 15th major is chasing the same dream as a 3-year-old.”
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THE WORLD’S LARGEST PLANE TAKES FLIGHT A gigantic, six-engine mega jet with the wingspan of an American football field has officially taken flight and is in the next stages of graduating to its intended purpose after years of development in the desert north of Los Angeles. Stratolaunch, the company founded in 2011 by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, conducted the first test flight of the world’s largest plane. In simple terms, the Stratolaunch aircraft is a giant flying launch pad, designed to hurtle satellites into low Earth orbit. It aims to offer the military, private companies and even NASA itself a more economical way to get into space. The company’s business model calls for getting satellites into space “as easy as booking an airline flight.” The aircraft’s wingspan measures 385 feet -- wider than any airplane on the planet. From tip to tail, it’s 238 feet long. It weighs half a million pounds. It’s so big, it has two cockpits, one in each fuselage (but only one is used to fly the plane.) Here’s how Stratolaunch is supposed to work once the plane is fully tested and certified: The jet, carrying a rocket loaded with a satellite, will take off from Mojave and climb to an altitude of 35,000 feet. There, pilots will launch the rocket from the plane on a trajectory toward space. The plane then will land safety back at Mojave, while the rocket carries the satellite into an orbit ranging from about 300 miles to 1,200 miles above Earth. The rocket deploys the satellite before eventually falling back to Earth, burning up in the sky like a meteor.
THE UBER IPO Uber Technologies Inc has decided it will seek to sell around $10 billion worth of stock in its initial public offering with an IPO of this size making Uber one of the biggest technology IPOs of all time, and the largest since that of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd in 2014. Uber is seeking a valuation of between $90 billion and $100 billion, influenced by the poor performance of smaller rival Lyft Inc’s shares following its IPO, sources said. Investment bankers previously told Uber it could be worth as much as $120 billion. Uber most recently was valued at $76 billion in the private fundraising market. Most of the shares sold would be issued by the company, while a smaller portion would be owned by Uber investors cashing out, one of the sources said. SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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MCDONALD’S $300 MILLION ACQUISITION In its largest acquisition in 20 years, McDonald’s has purchased a tech company for a whopping $300 million. The golden arches have reached an agreement to acquire Dynamic Yield, an Israeli startup that specializes in “decision logic” technology. This tech uses data acquired from previous purchases to recommend additional purchases. McDonald’s stated it will use its new technology to provide more personalized customer experiences. For example, the company has tested digital drive-thru screens that show food based on various factors, including time of day, weather, and trending menu items. Additionally, the technology can instantly suggest and display items customers might want, based on their current selections. The move continues McDonald’s recent track record of investing heavily in technology by bringing stores up-to-date with self-serve kiosks, building a very popular mobile app, and even partnering with Uber Eats to provide delivery. The acquisition of Dynamic Yield will further serve McDonald’s overall strategy as a tech innovator. “What we hadn’t done is begun to connect the technology together, and get the various pieces talking to each other,” McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook told Wired in a recent interview. “How do you transition from mass marketing to mass personalization? To do that, you’ve really got to unlock the data within that ecosystem in a way that’s useful to a customer.”
MIT PROFESSORS SUE FORD According to three Massachusetts Institute of Technology professors who say they invented the enhancements, the most-popular vehicle in the U.S. - the F-Series truck - is among the many Ford Motor Co. products using stolen technologies to run its newest fuel-efficient engines. With Ford selling two trucks every minute and generating about $42 billion in revenue last year from the F-Series alone, the MIT inventors are demanding an unspecified share of the proceeds. In a lawsuit filed Jan. 30th, they say their patented dual port- and direct-injection technology were added to the company’s EcoBoost engines in recent years without permission. The dispute marks a split in the long collaboration between MIT and Ford, which created a joint energy-research program in 2007 to focus on powertrain, fuel and energy technologies. A separate MIT Energy Initiative paired Ford personnel with university researchers. Chairman Bill Ford, great-grandson of the automaker’s founder Henry Ford, received a masters degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 1984. But by 2015, the company suggested the professors were “greedy inventors” and refused offers to negotiate exclusive rights to license the patents, the lawsuit alleges. MIT professors Leslie Bromberg, Daniel R. Cohn and John B. Heywood, who have been working for decades on improvements to internal-combustion engines, say they invented dualinjection technologies that allow for better fuel-and-air mixing and combustion stability than direct injection, with less engine knock. “Revolutionary throughout the industry,” is how MIT describes the technologies, which have been cited by more than 115 other patents, including dozens by Ford, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware.
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A DAVID HOCKNEY PAINTING MAKES HISTORY Joe Lewis’ painting by David Hockney, “Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures),” recently sold for $90.3 million at Christie’s, dethroning Jeff Koons as the most expensive living artist at auction. Koons, 63, held the title since 2013, when his orange balloon dog sold for $58.4 million. The highest price paid for an artist in a private sale belongs to Jasper Johns, whose “Flag” sold to hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen for about $110 million in 2010. The Hockney had been estimated at an already-staggering $80 million. Lewis declined a guarantee despite offers of about $80 million, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because the details are private. He was so confident the Hockney would sell for more that he opted to offer it without a reserve, a minimum price at which the work can be hammered down. “The strategy was new to everyone, including us,” said Loic Gouzer, Christie’s chairman of postwar and contemporary art. At least seven parties vied for the Hockney, with a starting bid of $18 million. The final price of $90.3 million includes a $10.3 million buyer’s premium. The purchaser was a client of Marc Porter, chairman of Christie’s Americas. Lewis, whose collection includes pieces by Picasso, Klimt and Degas, bought the Hockney from fellow billionaire collector David Geffen in 1995.
TRIBECA CRACKS AMERICA’S RICHEST TOP 5 ZIP CODES The New York City neighborhood of Tribeca has landed a coveted spot on Bloomberg’s annual ranking of America’s richest zip codes. “It’s very subtle wealth. You don’t know who is behind which door in Tribeca,” according to Darren Sukenik, director of luxury sales at Douglas Elliman. “It’s not like Park Avenue or Madison Avenue. There’s not a Ferrari sitting outside.” One Manhattan real estate professional was surprised to hear that Tribeca’s southern code, 10007, made the list ahead of its northern neighbor 10013, which he calls “prime Tribeca” and considers to have far more valuable listings. “When you have a really expensive zip code like 10013 where all the real estate is so valuable, you’re going to have migration into neighboring zip codes because developers will go to this area and buyers will follow,” said Jeremy Stein, real estate advisor at Sotheby’s International Realty. Stein pointed out that new developments in 10007, like 30 Park Place, which is home to the Four Seasons private residences, have “extraordinarily expensive” apartments. Last year, the 80th floor penthouse sold for $32.6 million, the building’s highest sale yet. Still available is Penthouse 82 -- with three bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms -- listed at $30 million, according to the building website. Miami’s Fisher Island took the richest spot again this year with $2.2 million in average annual income. Two zip codes in Silicon Valley -- 94027 and 94301 -ranked number 2 and number 3 and Palm Beach, Florida’s 33480, home to President Donald Trump’s weekend retreat Mar-a-Lago, took number 4. SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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A fashionable couple unwinds in their palatial abode. Mornings on the terrace
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P h o t o s b y K a t i e B r a d s h a w, K B D i g i t a l D e s i g n s Styling by Betsy Marr and Chelsea Magness Hair and Makeup by Amie Belden, Ever Good and Bri Murray – Second Nature Salon Shot on location at 4949 South Fairfax Street
the
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and af ternoon frolics in the pool make for a color ful life in the lap of luxur y. SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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P R E V I O U S PA G E S
On the lady: Trina Turk Kaleidoscope Dress, $448 On the gentleman: Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Evening Suit in a Linen Silk Blend; $1,195; Hugo Boss Tailored Slim-Fit Shirt with Textured Front Panel, $348
T H I S PA G E
On the lady: Brooks Brothers Checked Boucle Sheath Dress, $428; Saint Laurent Tribute Patent Sandals, $895 On the gentleman: Brooks Brothers Regent Fit Brooks Cool Check Sport Coat, $498; Brooks Brothers Madison Fit Stripe Irish Linen Sport Shirt, $105; Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Clark Fit Supima Chinos, $98
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On the lady: Trina Turk Deco Dress, $248 On the gentleman: Brooks Brothers Seersucker Sport Coat, $448; Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton Stripe T-Shirt, $49.50; Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Jeans in BCI Stretch Denim, $198
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On the lady: Brooks Brothers Porcelain-Print Cotton Sateen Shirt Dress, $228 On the gentleman: Mr. Turk Louie Blazer, $398; Brooks Brothers Supima Cotton T-Shirt, $49.50; Mr. Turk Clyde Slim Trouser, $248; Hugo Boss Tennis Style Sneakers in Brushed Leather, $398
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On the lady: H&M Push-Up Bikini Top, $19.99; H&M Bikini High Waist Bottoms, $17.99 On the gentleman: Mr. Turk Quiberon Short Trunk, $158
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On the lady: Johnny Was Bonian Kimono, $378; Johnny Was Sofia Flounce One Piece, $238 On the gentleman: Mr. Turk Felix Shirt, $198; Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Jeans in BCI Stretch Denim, $198
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On the lady: H&M Push-Up Bikini Top, $19.99; H&M Scrunch Bikini Bottoms, $14.99 On the gentleman: Mr. Turk South Shore Swim Trunk, $178
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T H I S PA G E
On the lady: H&M Scalloped-Edge Bikini Top, $19.99 On the gentleman: Mr. Turk Kent Swim Trunk, $198
N E X T PA G E
Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Jacket with AMF Stitching, $795; Hugo Boss Slim-Fit T-Shirt in Creamy-Touch Mouliné Cotton, $98; Hugo Boss Slim-Fit Pants, $198
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FA S H I O N S V I A Brooks Brothers Cherry Creek Shopping Center 303.355.0069 brooksbrothers.com
Trina Turk // trinaturk.com Mr. Turk // mrturk.com Johnny Was // johnnywas.com Mignonne Gavigan // mignonnegavigan.com
4949 South Fairfax Street, Cherry Hills Village is offered at $9,950,000 5 bedrooms, 7.25 bathrooms 17, 841 square feet, 2.31 acre lot
Hugo Boss Cherry Creek Shopping Center 720.945.1101 hugoboss.com
Featuring Shooter McGavin the Great Dane
Learn more from broker Jeff Hendley via compass5280.com or at 303.877.6767 SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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SPONSORED CONTENT
A Refreshing Approach to Real Estate IN A BROKER-RICH LANDSCAPE, INDUSTRY VETERAN ANN KERR STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD
the type of staying power that can only be achieved through In a market rich with realtors, Ann Kerr stands out from honesty, integrity and unrelenting authenticity. the pack. And while her sales record speaks for itself, (Ann is recognized as one of Denver’s top producers and has What’s more, when you hire Ann, you get Ann. “I answer been named to the Who’s Who of Luxury Real Estate) she’s phone calls and emails directly. It’s extremely important to anything but a salesperson, believing instead in the power of me that I take responsibility for knowing every detail of every relationships. “I’m not very good at ‘selling’ per se – my view transaction,” she attests. A notion that may seem simple, on brokerage is that my role is to help my client make but in a thriving market such as Denver’s, one that is the best buying or selling decision relying on my far too often not the case. “There are so many expertise, which may or may not result in a sale ‘experts’ in the media providing misleading in the short term,” the long time Cherry Hills I’M IN IT FOR THE information which cannot be universally Village resident reveals. “I’m in it for the LONG HAUL AND AS A applied across the board to every home long haul and as a friend and neighbor to FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR TO sale,” she explains. “A broker who has many of my clients, I value these personal MANY OF MY CLIENTS, experience in your area and has been relationships.” Indeed, her more than I VALUE THESE selling real estate through many market twenty-year tenure in the industry reflects PERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS.
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I ANSWER PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS DIRECTLY.
Ann most definitely walks the walk, enlisting a wide variety of tools and programs for both IMPORTANT TO ME THAT I buyers and sellers. “No two clients and no TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR two homes are alike. I like to approach each KNOWING EVERY DETAIL listing from a fresh perspective, engaging my It’s this type of honesty and expertise OF EVERY TRANSACTION. wide network of contacts and a wide variety of that has made Ann not only a real estate strategies – whether it’s a wine tasting event leader, but a community leader as well. at a new listing or an article in a local publication In fact, she has served on countless boards – to sell a home.” This creativity, coupled with tried-andand committees including the Cherry Hills Village true knowledge and a stellar reputation, serves her clients Planning and Zoning Commission, The John Lynch extremely well. Foundation, University of Oklahoma Alumni Association, Swim Across America, the Cherry Hills Village Elementary School “To be successful in any kind of real estate market, you must Accountability Committee, the Colorado Lacrosse Foundation, start with the needs of your clients, always be committed to those US Lacrosse and the University of Denver Lacrosse, and the needs and utilize your experience to the maximum,” she finishes. Denver Ballet Guild. cycles can give the best advice on selling your home to the right buyer for the right price.”
IT’S EXTREMELY
ANNKERR
4949 South Niagara Street, Suite 400 Denver, Colorado 80237
Tel: 303.818.8668 akerr@kentwood.com annkerr.com SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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Laviska Shenault Jr. is Ready to Make Football History with the Colorado Buffaloes
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ne of the elite wide receivers in all of college football is on the rare receiving end of a verbal smack down...and it’s all going down on his home turf in Boulder, Colorado.
“He’s lazy,” the accusation begins. “He doesn’t clean up after himself.” Ask any defense that’s had the Saturday misfortune of trying to contain the Colorado Buffaloes’ Laviska Shenault Jr., and cleaning up after himself is what the DeSoto, Texas, native does best. The 6’2, 225 pound junior exhibits such an unstoppable repertoire of size, speed, physicality and intelligence, that college football pundits are considering him as a serious contender in Heisman Trophy, Biletnikoff Award and first round NFL draft projections. No one is more attuned to Laviska’s football gifts than the man who recruited him for two-and-a-half years before getting him to the flatirons of Boulder. “He’s a special talent. You don’t get many Laviska Shenaults every year. He’s once every 10 or 15 years,” says wide receivers coach Darrin Chiaverini. So who is the brave and bold Shenault critic who has chosen to challenge the Buffs’ star player and point out alleged laziness? It’s none other than Laviska’s roommate, fellow wide receiver and best friend since the seventh grade, K.D. Nixon. Apparently, while you can often find Laviska in the end zone, he’s noticeably absentee in the kitchen cleaning his dishes. Finding the dish soap and the scrubber appears to be just one of the countless responsibilities for a young man who is expected to do something historical, not the least of which is helping turn around a squad that has gone 5-7 for two straight years. “My expectations are to go out every day and be the best player on the field and help the team get where we need to get,” Shenault explains, garbed in a CU Football hoodie, sweats and a gorgeous pair of Air Jordan 11s, while sitting on a bench in CU’s empty indoor practice facility. His signature dreadlocks peak out of the gray hoodie as its quietly reserved owner continues, “I need to show up and show out when my number is called. I have to do what’s asked of me and do all the things the right way.” Shenault’s self-accountability in all facets screams of his new head coach Mel Tucker. The former Georgia Bulldog defensive coordinator and his coaching staff were brought in to clean up two messy basement finishes in the Pac 12 South, three years removed from what looked like a program-turning 10-3 season that brought home a Pac 12 South Championship and bowl game under former head coach Mike MacIntyre. When asked about Coach Tucker and the new regime, Shenault flashes that million-dollar smile before switching to a stern tone. “It’s strictly business,” he begins. And then to ensure that nothing gets lost in translation, “Business. Business. Business.” Message received. “I feel like we’re going to take it and run with it and we’re going to do big things. They’re big on discipline and doing the little things right. I can definitely tell you that they are a special group of coaches that just came in.” While his teammates and coaches know that Shenault is the ultimate weapon on offense, so does every opponent on Colorado’s schedule. The rare talent to line up as a wide out, in the slot, at tight end, running back and in the “Wildcat” quarterback formation is more than just unfair to anyone on the other side of the ball, it’s cruel and unusual punishment. “Even the best cornerbacks in the Pac 12 can’t guard Viska,” Buffalo quarterback Steven Montez states matter-of-factly. “I don’t care who you are. His combination of size, strength and speed is crazy. He’s 225 pounds and he freakin’ moves.”
Chiaverini Nixon
Montez
Montez remembers the exact moment when he realized there was something ridiculously special wearing the number 2 jersey. “It was our first game last year against Colorado State,” he says with a grin. “I knew he was special when he turned that ‘hop-conversion-hitch’ play into an 89-yard touchdown and he put a stiff arm on that safety. Oh yeah. This kid is a little bit different than what we’ve had here.” The other superhuman display that sunk in with Montez was the toughness and pure strength of Laviska. In a play against USC, he caught a pass and collided with Trojan linebacker Palaie Gaoteote, who stands at 6’2 and 250 pounds. Palaie was steamrolled by the lighter Shenault, while Viska just shook it off and was ready for the next play. His quarterback was left amazed…again. Laviska’s strength will ultimately go down in Buffalo lore. Coach Chiaverini notes that the receiver lifts weights with his offensive linemen and, pound for pound, is probably the strongest player on the team. To give an idea of how his strength translates on game day, out of 108 touches last season, Shenault was tackled by just one player only 24 times. Nixon shares a story from high school that forecasted everything that is seen today with Viska. “I knew he was a savage when he ran a deep ball in practice at DeSoto and ran into a bleacher, hit his head and got right back up.” Shenault knows all too well how to get back up after getting knocked down. He witnessed his father pass away in a freak traffic accident. In part because of that traumatic experience, he was shy and didn’t talk much. “I like to stay in my own world because I’m just going to do me,” he shares. “That way, I don’t have to get involved with anyone else but myself.” SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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are to go out every day and be the best player on the
“
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My expectations
field and help the team get where we need to get.
Another challenge he faced in high school was where he found himself on the football pecking order on an extremely talented football team. “I started off the hard way. I was on the B Team in ninth grade. I finally made varsity my junior year.” What was the chain of events that propelled him from an unknown player to a rising talent? In his sophomore year, Laviska was on the scout team that regularly scrimmaged against the varsity’s defense. He got better against, what was initially, superior competition. He worked tirelessly on his game and he was listening to the right people and did what he was supposed to do. The next step presented itself to Shenault rather naturally. “It got to a point in practice against the varsity defense where I was just clownin’ them sometimes,” he says with a chuckle. “From there, I was like, ‘OK. It’s time to get serious.” While he’s talking about the chip on his shoulder of not making varsity right away and putting the required time and focus into improving his game, it’s difficult to not look at the Jordans that Shenault is wearing and remember a certain Laney High School sophomore in Wilmington, North Carolina, who didn’t make varsity basketball the first time he tried either. So how does Colorado snag a beast like Shenault and beat out all other interested parties? Credit the trust and relationship built by Coach Chiaverini. “I recruited K.D. Nixon and Laviska when I was at Texas Tech,” the coach discloses. “They were both sophomores at DeSoto and, when I got the Colorado job, I kept recruiting them. What people don’t know is that K.D. was the better high school player and he’s a really good football player too. Laviska was a tweener in high school so he was playing some tight end and playing some slot receiver. Just by his movement skills, I could tell that he was going to be an elite college receiver. He had excellent ball skills. I could tell right away that he had a high ceiling. Relationships got them both to Colorado and, at the end of the day, you take the logos away and it really comes down to, ‘Do they trust you?’ I earned their trust.” Nixon was offered the first scholarship and then was asked who else CU should be looking at and he recommended Shenault. “Viska and I came to CU to be different. We wanted to bring it back. Nobody knew about Colorado and now everybody knows about Colorado.” For Laviska, Boulder checked off a lot of boxes. “I wanted to get far from home. I wanted to go somewhere that was different. Coach Chiaverini was there. I loved the campus. The mountains definitely got me and I wanted four seasons with the weather.” And despite his more reserved nature and personality, Laviska is an undoubted leader. “I’m more outspoken than I used to be, but I’m more likely to show up every day and lead by example.” Chiaverini calls him one of the hardest workers on the team in the weight room and on the practice field, while QB1 has equally high praise. “As a teammate, he’s extremely laid back and quiet. You wouldn’t even know that he’s as good as he is by the way he conducts himself. He’s very smart, very personable and he gets along with everyone and always has a smile on his face,” Montez explains. After last season’s toe injury that severely limited Laviska and, subsequently, the Buff’s offense, the overwhelming consensus is that the only thing that will stop him this year is another injury. If he stays healthy, then it’s going to be non-stop Showtime. Montez, for one, is ready for an incredible season from his number one target. “I expect him to go crazy. I expect him have a year and make his way to the NFL draft,” he predicts. Chiaverini speaks it straight with his expectations as well. “I think that if he takes care of his body a little bit better this year, then he can have one of the best seasons anyone has ever had at Colorado. He should be the best player in the country. He should be the best player in the country, hands down.” DeSoto, Texas, is watching. Colorado is watching. The NFL is watching. And, in a very unique situation, all three are watching through one superstar athlete who’s just down Highway 36 in Denver. Future NFL Hall of Famer Von Miller got his start in the same Texas town – a fellow DeSoto High School Eagle whom Shenault can count as one of his biggest supporters.
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Photo: Denver broncos/gabriel christus
“I’m very familiar with his game and what he’s able to do,” Miller explains from Denver Bronco headquarters. “He can play receiver, running back and H-back, so whenever you’re that versatile then you’re going to have success. Laviska is that guy.”
The DeSoto connection has yielded far more than merely an appreciation from afar. Nixon puts it all into perspective when he explains, “Von is our brother. We won state and Von started following us on Instagram and, as soon as we got here, we went to his house. He showed us love – same high school, same neighborhood, same goals. He’s the number one dude in the NFL. Being around him is amazing. That’s somewhere Laviska and I are trying to get to. We didn’t have any family at home, so he’s taking us in. The door is always open and he’s always looking out for us, giving us advice, telling us to be the best no matter what. It’s just a lovely relationship.” What advice does Von have for Nixon and Shenault? “Take care of your body,” Nixon answers. “Be the best at everything that you do, respect your elders and never forget about your family.” Laviska adds, “Grind. From everyone we talk to who’s older, that’s the message. What are you doing when no one is looking?”
It’s no wonder that the NFL players that Shenault respects and tries to emulate are two receivers who are true professionals at their craft - the Atlanta Falcons’ Julio Jones and the Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald. “They’re both low-key,” Laviska starts. “They handle their business and do what they’re supposed to do. On the field, Julio is tall at 6’4, he catches the ball deep, he’s got good speed, he’s going to catch it and make people miss and I just feel that I can do the same thing. I’m obviously not as good as him yet, but hopefully one day I will be. With Larry Fitzgerald, he has unlimited toughness, he leads by example, he doesn’t do a lot of talking, and he shows up.” Everyone knows Laviska shows up, but not everyone knows a secret to his a pre-game tradition that ensures that he’s ready at kick-off. “Before each game, K.D. and I like to get live and dance and have that energy to get ready to go. Sometimes you just need that confidence and that little boost to get you going.” Nixon is back to revealing even more about his best friend. “Laviska doesn’t have a personality. He feeds off me,” the junior wide receiver says without a hint of sarcasm. “He never used to dance and now he dances. He loves Migos. I don’t know why. He calls himself Huncho because it’s rapper Quavo’s nickname. That’s his favorite rapper. He knows every song. That’s like his twin. That’s probably who he’s going to hang out with when he makes it.” And when Laviska Shenault does make it, he’ll continue his role of cleaning up on the field while, more than likely, he’ll have someone else cleaning up around the house and getting those dishes done.
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WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Who better to get the lowdown on Laviska than from a couple of former NFL pros and Colorado Buffalo legends, as well as an NFL Insider right in Shenault’s backyard of Denver?
MIKE PRITCHARD
COLORADO BUFFALO (1987-1990) – 1990 National Championship MVP, 1st team All-Big 8 Wide Receiver (1990)
PLAYED NINE YEARS IN THE NFL I think you’re born with the talent that Laviska has, but he has enhanced it. He trains with offensive linemen. He prides himself on being strong. He’s fast. He’s cat-like quick. He wants the football. He projects confidence. He’s a Heisman trophy candidate now. He’s on everybody’s watch list. I think he’ll be one of the most exciting players in college football this year providing that he stays healthy. I think the sky’s the limit for the guy. He’s a great teammate and a guy that everybody looks up to. Everyone knows that when he’s on the field, they have a chance to win. He can play any position. He can play running back, wide receiver, tight end, quarterback. How will he be utilized this year with some changes on offense and how does he project to the NFL? If he’s projected as a playmaker, he’s a sure fire first rounder. It’s hard to pull kids like Laviska out of the state of Texas to come to Colorado. DeSoto, Texas, is a football hotbed. To be able to take athletes out of Texas and bring them up to Colorado and then win, that could be everything for CU. You want to know why guys left Texas to play at CU. What does Boulder have that the Longhorns don’t have or Texas A&M or Houston? Anytime your best players are coachable then that’s a great example for everybody else. His enthusiasm comes out on the field with his teammates. I love kids who don’t think they know too much and that they can’t receive instruction.
CHAD BROWN
COLORADO BUFFALO (1988-1992) – 1990 National Champion, 2nd Team All-American Linebacker (1992)
PLAYED 15 YEARS IN THE NFL He’s that special kind of athlete where there are 1) plays designed to make him look great, 2) he’s so great that he makes the play look great and 3) here’s a play designed because he is great. And he excels at all three of those. If he stays healthy, I expect him to be one of the top three receivers in college football. With a new staff at CU, there’s a renewed optimism and they need to take advantage of Laviska’s ability to dictate defensive schemes and defensive coverages to be successful. He’s humble. When you play for as long as I did, you have an appreciation for that because I’ve been around great players who are humble people and it sets the tone for a good locker room. You can never have too many humble superstars. As a younger player in college, you don’t always recognize that your health, in some ways, is up to you – what you do in the off season, how you take care of yourself, how you sleep – but even during the game, when is the play over? When have I pushed this play as far as my body will allow me to go? There’s a sign in the New England Patriots’ training room that says, “Your best ability is your availability.” His availability is critical for the Buffs this year.
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I’ve played with some great Buff receivers, both Mike Pritchard (13th overall pick in 1991) and Michael Westbrook (4th overall pick in 1995) were early first round draft picks. They were amazingly dominant college players. Laviska has size, physical ability and mental ability. That’s an early top 10 first round draft pick and that solidifies you as one of the all-time great Buffs.
CECIL LAMMEY
DIGITAL TALENT OF 1043THEFAN.COM/NFL INSIDER What makes him such a special player is that he attacks the ball when it’s in the air. Scouts call it “My Ball Mentality,” so when it’s in the air, there’s no doubt that it’s his. If he shows better route running this year, we’re talking about a first round draft pick and we’re talking about perhaps the closest thing we’ve seen since Julio Jones in terms of that physical skillset – not as big as Julio, but certainly that type of presence. People should be excited about him in the NFL Draft.
I think quiet and soft-spoken can mean that you’re listening all the time. That’s a positive when it comes to coachability and a guy who’s not being brash or saying, “Throw me the damn ball,” but a guy who’s listening to what his coach wants, what his position coach wants and what his team needs from him. He shows that killer instinct on the field. It’s almost like a Supermanthing where he’s Clark Kent behind-the-scenes, but then he’s on the field and that “S” is on his chest.
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MAN BY K E V I N M A R R
“People bet blindly on Tiger Woods because they still like to bet on him. I never root for him because he kicked our butts so many times in the late 90s. I couldn’t care less. I hope he loses every match he’s in.” Jimmy Vaccaro doesn’t mince words. Unfortunately, in this instance, Tiger Woods doesn’t miss shots – at least not this year at The Masters where he added a fifth green jacket to his wardrobe.
While it’s Woods’ job to win at golf, it’s Vaccaro’s job to set the betting line at a number that Tiger doesn’t turn into a financial windfall for the betting public and a financial hit for Vaccaro’s casino, which now is back in his hometown at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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The 73-year-old Vaccaro has seen it all, with the epicenter originating in one of the only settings on the globe where one can see it all…Vegas, baby. In early January of 1975, with the help of $130 that he borrowed from his mother, Vaccaro arrived in Sin City with one thing on his mind - to begin a career in the gambling industry. It was an activity that came natural and easy to him back in western Pennsylvania, where he won some and he lost some. Without a doubt, he was a man with a plan. “I wanted to be inside looking out and learn a lot more a lot quicker,” he reveals. “So, I went to dealer school to become a blackjack dealer.” His big break came rather immediately when he caught the eye of casino owner, operator and business mogul Michael Gaughn. He was entrusted early on at Gaughn’s Royal Inn Casino and, within a year, Vaccaro was approached with an offer he couldn’t refuse. Gaughn asked, “Do you know how to run a sportsbook?” Vaccaro answered, “No.” Gaughn replied, “Good. Neither do I.” The rest is history. Vaccaro became the boss at the Royal Inn Casino when, at that time, there were only four Las Vegas hotels in the sporting business. Little did Jimmy and Gaughn know at the time that, within the next five years, there would be another 40 sportsbooks in the southern part of the state. And Jimmy Vaccaro would go down in history as the architect to some of the most famous sports gambling establishments on the Strip. “After my start at Royal Inn, things really started to pop about three years later when we opened the Barbary Coast,” Vaccaro explains. “My life changed dramatically. Kirk Kerkorian (real estate and movie studio mogul) asked me to go across the street and open up his first race and sportsbook at the original
MGM. Then I received the famous call from a guy named Steve Wynn, who had just announced that he was building a huge hotel called The Golden Nugget. But the big trust that Wynn had for me was opening The Mirage in 1989, which became a staple for the future of sports betting in Nevada.” With Jimmy so nonchalantly using the term “wise guys” on more than one occasion during our conversation, I have to ask, without having any clue how open his response will be, “What was it like working with the mob back in the day?” Vaccaro, with a big laugh, explains, “The mob was just starting to disintegrate when I came to town. In 1975, Lefty Rosenthal ran The Stardust. We know Lefty’s background – good, bad, or indifferent – but he was a great bookmaker. He was the one that changed the scene from sawdust on the floor, spitting and guys swearing. He revolutionized the way the books looked at The Stardust. He changed everything. He had electronic boards and nice areas where people could sit down and places to eat near the book. It was a big time winner. I give that to Lefty.” For you movie buffs, Martin Scorsese’s 1995 crime drama, Casino, is largely based on Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal’s time in Vegas through Robert De Niro’s character, Sam “Ace” Rothstein. SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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“I welcomed the wise guys,” Vaccaro continues. “They were considered friends. We all knew that they tried to beat us and that I was trying to beat them. But there’s a middle ground that I’ve always said where there are a few percentage points that are going to win, so I might as well utilize them as well. If I thought that their opinion was worth it, then I’d put myself in a better position to understand what they were doing and why they were doing it. I’ve dealt with every big guy and every outfit in the world and it was nothing but good karma for both of us. They knew me. I knew them.” So, what goes in to setting a betting line? How has Jimmy Vaccaro established that the Vikings are 5-point favorites at home against the Lions? It’s a combination of sources including players’ agents, the media and team officials. Then there’s 25 percent of what Jimmy channels in setting a line that is from the old school – it’s that instinct and feel, that element of human touch. Vaccaro has always contended that the first big bet on any type of event is the staple – it’s what he said it should be and it’s also what someone else said it should be. Since it’s early and only the first or second bet during the course of the week, it is then up to Jimmy to grasp from the inside out what the bettor saw that Jimmy didn’t see. It’s all an exercise in adjustments.
Vegas to its core, and bringing half of Hollywood with it. “There are no big fights anymore,” he explains in a regretful tone.” I know that we’ve got the MMA and the UFC, but that’s a different type of crowd. With boxing, when Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler were fighting or Larry Holmes or Mike Tyson, it was like Oscar Night every time. I can’t even begin to tell you how many people came up to introduce themselves. The big fights attracted the celebrities and I hate to say it, but boxing is gone. They can keep trying to prop it up all they can, but it doesn’t work anymore. You have Floyd Mayweather who does big action on fights, but half are betting for him to win while the other half are betting against him because they can’t stand him. That’s the type of fight we’re getting.”
“I’ve said this since 1976,” Vaccaro begins, “my opinion might be worth one bet, and what I mean by that is if someone comes in and bets $3,000, I might move the game a full point. If I have a Carl Icahn (billionaire businessman) come in and bet $500,000 on a game, I might not even move it. It depends on who did it, when they did it and figuring out why they did it.”
These days, one notable addition to the sports betting industry that serves as a familiar face from the world of college football is Brent Musberger, who has made the jump with his own Las Vegas sports gambling show.
Technology has transformed his job into something much more seamless than when he first started out. Computer tracking has made setting lines so sophisticated and advanced that everything is initially calculated months ahead of the games. For instance, if you wanted to bet a teaser for an NFL game back in the 70s and 80s then you had to wait until August. Now it’s year round. “Long gone are the days when little Jimmy was home at night with his pencil behind his ear, trying to get all the scores that he can to understand what went on the previous night,” Vaccaro says with a laugh.
Anyone who listened to Musberger at the end of his football broadcasts knew that gambling was in his blood with comments like, “Oh! That final touchdown just hurt a lot of people!” The friendship between the two dates back to Jimmy’s days at The Mirage where Musberger would visit during football’s off-season. Brent was a sponge when it came to learning about various pointers and tips from gamblers and guys like Vaccaro, and he was brilliant in retaining it all. Years into their friendship, there was a day when the discussion came up about what Musberger wanted to do five years into the future. The longtime sportscaster confided in Vaccaro, “Jimmy, the tough thing that I do is the traveling. Maybe one of these days I’d like to do a gambling show.” With the help of Michael Gaughn and the construction of a state-of-the-art studio at South Point Hotel Casino & Spa, it all became a reality.
While he appreciates the absence of some of the older and less convenient methods to sports betting that he broke in with, an aspect that Vaccaro does seem to miss is a sports phenomenon that was synonymous with the city and gambling, electrifying
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And Jimmy made it happen.
From rubbing shoulders with movie stars to his close friendship with the iconic Musberger, Vaccaro is certainly no stranger to the rich and famous. In fact, he has his own claim to fame in the entertainment world as a historical guest appearance on the legendary television show, The Simpsons. As Vaccaro explains it, “Alan Feldman was the Director of Marketing at the Mirage and he says to me, ‘Jimmy, they want you to be the first human (with no animation) ever featured on The Simpsons.” “I had two questions for Alan,” Jimmy continues. “Who and what are The Simpsons? How would I know who the hell The Simpsons were? I didn’t have a clue, so when I went home that night, I asked my kids. Well, they knew all about The Simpsons because they watched the show, so I agreed to do it and all I did was make odds on who shot J.R. or someone like that.” That’s priceless. For the record, he was setting odds on who shot Montgomery Burns, but we like the “Dallas” J.R. Ewing reference much more. All of this from a guy with a dream who took a gamble on himself back in 1975, and won big. Jimmy Vaccaro beat the odds, and then became a legend in setting them.
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Daniel Craig’s James Bond character nearly died here in Sölden, Austria.
THE JAMES BOND MUSEUM IN THE ALPS OF AUSTRIA IS AN ABSOLUTE CLIFFHANGER Photos courtesy of: Kristopher Grunert/007 Elements and Christoph Nosig/007 Elements
Then again, 007 almost dies just about everywhere. In Spectre, the 24th installment of Bond movies that was released in 2015, he foiled a kidnapping attempt in the Austrian Alps with the help of a snow plane and his Walther PPK/S. Unbeknownst at the time, this quintessential Bond action scene ended up inspiring one of the most remarkable and astounding settings for a museum compound anywhere on the planet. The mind-blowing British Secret Agent dreamworld is appropriately named 007 ELEMENTS. The masterplan originated between the ears of Jakob Falkner, the Managing Director of the cable car company Bergbahnen Sölden, which is one of the leading ski lift companies in the Alps. Falkner was inspired to create a unique visitor experience in the heart of the Tyrol region to showcase the film-making of Spectre that took place in Sölden. The layout is nothing shy of utterly spectacular.
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007 ELEMENTS is located nearly 1.9 miles above sea level and can only be reached via the Gaislachkoglbahn cable car. The concept for the installation was designed and developed by James Bond Art Director Neal Callow (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre) together with Tino Schaedler (Head of Design), and the team at Optimist Inc., a leading creative agency represented at four locations in the USA and Europe. Neal, Tino and the wider Optimist team collaborated with architect Johann Obermoser to design the entire project simultaneously. The bespoke building was created specifically to house the concept.
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The building is designed as a Bond-like environment, so visitors feel as though they are walking through the world of 007. Obermoser constructed the building within the summit of the Gaislachkogl mountaintop and the imposing angles of the architecture frame the breathtaking mountain panorama. With nearly 14,000 square feet of property, the majority of the installation is inside the mountain. Once complete, rock and ice were replaced around the edges and on top of the building, which completely encapsulated it within the mountaintop, leaving only the entrance, exit, two projected windows and the
Plaza exposed, resulting in a low visual impact. A reduced palette of architectural materials of concrete, steel and glass is used throughout the museum in keeping with the modern brand identity of 007. The galleries within the building explore the legacy of the making of 007 movies with a special focus on Spectre. The large windows frame views over the Ă–tztal Alps and locations used in the making of the movie. It is a purposebuilt, next-generation experience that places visitors inside the world of 007 while also revealing how that world is created.
Visitors are taken on a multi-sensory journey, with emotive soundscapes, dramatic programmed lighting and high-quality visual projections. The structure of the storytelling, the rhythm of the spaces within the building and the movement between light and shadow was designed to give visitors an experience closer to a movie than a traditional museum. It’s a bucket list experience to be sure, and we’re expecting guests will feel both shaken and stirred from the encounter. 007elements.com
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— A D e n v e r, C o l o r a d o Based Hair Salon —
303.803.0938 — 3658 Navajo Street Denver, Colorado 80211 — secondnaturedenver.com
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Food for for Thought HOW GOOD IS THE DINING IN DENVER? By Curtis Bell
C
urtis Bell eats out a lot. As a Colorado native, he’s been frequenting Denver restaurants for decades. He’s also an
accomplished chef and currently is the private hire of the Denver Broncos’ Von Miller, so Chef Bell and his CIA diploma know a thing or two about delicious food, epic dining experiences and creative fare. A lot of people these days contend that Denver is playing with the big boys when it comes to top tier cuisine. Is that true? Chef Bell wanted to find out, so he walks us through what the Mile High City restaurant scene has transformed into, while addressing whether the city deserves inclusion with the best dining destinations in the country. He also notes who is currently turning heads and tantalizing our taste buds in taking our expectations to the next level. SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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Alon Shaya Photo: Rush Jagoe
Denver, Colorado. Formerly the home of hearty steak and potatoes, O.G. Mexican food, and your friendly neighborhood red sauce joint. It’s known for the Denver omelette and Rocky Mountain oysters. So maybe the region wasn’t an incomparable food mecca, but there was a lot to enjoy here back in the day. Now, the city’s dining scene is unrecognizable from its past with an array of talented chefs, flavor infusions, modern techniques and numerous dishes from around the globe. Trendy restaurants and bars have popped up on every available corner, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. This boom has subsequently led many to labeling our town as a “food destination.” Although vast progress has been made in the level of cuisine, is that title truly deserved? As the late Anthony Bourdain once said about Denver, “I came through here on my book tour and found myself hungry. What I saw was not inspiring and I said so, repeatedly, frankly insulting the city.” As someone who grew up in the suburb of Lakewood on the west side of town, I remember this city quite fondly as a kid. I spent a lot of time eating out with my Pops. “Change into dress pants, we’re going out tonight,” he would say. There were countless meals at many old Denver staples, which no longer exist, such as Strings, The Pearl Street Grill, and Fourth Story. Some of my fondest memories were eating French fried lobster and Grand Marnier soufflés at the Trinity Grille (now home to La Loma). It was there, chatting with the longtime executive chef, Micah, that I ultimately decided that I would attend The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and become a chef. I was only 10-years-old. The first revolution in Denver dining was during the 80s and 90s where the Contemporary American restaurants came to rise. Places like Aubergine, Zenith, Strings and the like flourished. They were doing new things with flavor combinations and giving a fresh look to the art of plating for that time period. Now, here we are in the current era. Shall we call it the green era? Maybe the rise of the hipster neighborhood? Gentrification? Whatever you might want to call it, Denver is experiencing a rebirth, and, therefore, a completely new identity.
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The Highlands, as well as many other neighborhoods rich in history, are being reborn. The RiNo District was formerly the industrial hub of Denver, including most of the city’s meat packing plants. East Colfax used to be a main vein of Denver, then the decline of tourism and business led the area to become overrun with poverty and crime. Now, Q House, a restaurant along the same corridor, has been nominated for a James Beard Award for the best new restaurant in the country, a sure sign of the area’s vast progression. And then there’s SOBO…this one is even new to me. The South Broadway area has had its own rebirth rich in restaurants, bars, and venues. I only recall this area being known as Antique Row, because there are a ton of antique shops in the area. It would be foolish to say that this growth has only closed restaurants. So many more doors have opened than have closed. Chad Chisolm, a fellow Denver native and esteemed food writer and travel photographer explains, “We had 230 restaurants open last year, and 247 opened the year before. That’s almost 500 restaurants over a two-year span. And a lot of them have also gone out of business. You can swing a cat around and you’ll hit a new restaurant opening here every week, as well as one closing.” Is this boom in food sustainable? Considering the general population growth, maybe. However, there are other constricting factors, such as the nationwide shortage of hands to staff the food service industry. With this large binge in restaurants opening all over Denver, there could be a significant purge. Nearly 100 closed their doors in 2018. How many will close in 2019? One thing is for sure, not all will survive. So, natural selection should lead to the survival of the fittest. Or will it? Do restaurants still succeed based on whether they are truly good, or just good enough for the Yelp Elite?
“Now, the city’s dining scene is unrecognizable from its past with an array of talented chefs, I would like to think that the influx of competition around town will lend itself to higher quality chefs emerging in Denver. Perhaps there will be James Beard nods for more than the same few chefs and iconic restaurants around town. There are hints of this already, with the likes Alon Shaya of Safta bringing his craft, along with awards in his back pocket. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this old cow town attract a few more talents of that caliber, as well as create a few more of its own.
flavor infusions,
For Chef Saya, it was an easy decision launching a new restaurant in the Rockies. “My wife Emily and I have always loved spending time in Colorado and enjoying its many natural treasures,” the James Beard nominee and Eater New Orleans “Chef of the Year” explains. “We’ve also fallen in love with the culture of optimism and health out here. When we thought about a place where we’d want to open another business and spend time within the community, there was no question where we wanted to go. Denver.”
around the globe.”
modern techniques and numerous options from
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“I really love the dining scene here. My favorite bagels in the world are made here at Rosenberg’s.”
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As far as the town living up to its surging potential as a legitimate contender in national culinary circles, Saya is a definite fan of the range of options that soothes his taste buds. “I really love the dining scene here. My favorite bagels in the world are made here at Rosenberg’s. I love eating Japanese at Sushi Den and Chinese at Q House or Star Kitchen. I get Syrian food and Central American food from Comal Kitchen and fill up on pasta at Tavernetta. I think the food scene is diverse, authentic and just plain delicious.” There is definitely some amazing talent here and there always has been. Names like Max Mackissock, Frank Bonanno, Troy Guard, Jennifer Jasinski, Toshi Kizaki, Lon Symensma, Justin Cucci, Kevin Taylor, and Alex Seidel have been household names for a while. Their restaurants are known and loved by all, and each of these chef/restaurateurs has spawned new talented chefs who will be the ones leading the next generation of great dining experiences in Denver. Chef Seidel, known for his highly-acclaimed restaurant Fruition, as well as his farm-to-table success with Mercantile, sees Denver ascending. “I certainly think that we’re becoming a food destination. Denver is growing. Tastes are growing. It was pretty much a meat and potatoes town when I moved here, but now there’s more of a sophisticated palate and a younger generation of eaters, so a lot has evolved in Denver.”
Nationwide, people don’t appear to be talking about our world class dining. As Chisolm puts it, “If I were to visit with a New York fashion designer or an Art Basel Miami art collector while saying that Denver was on the cutting edge of the fashion or art industries, I would definitely get a quizzical look. That’s not to discount that great work is happening in those industries in Denver, but, as with restaurants and the food scene, I think Denverites have to be very careful with culinary claims and where our locale stands in the bigger picture.”
Alex Seidel As far as where the city compares to a New York or a Chicago, while he’s never compared who is doing what, Seidel has noticed some recent setbacks with the more renowned food destinations. “Quite honestly, I’ve been really disappointed with New York over the last couple of years. It doesn’t have the same quality and you don’t find the same inspired meals. There are a lot of people who can’t afford to live there and they’ve moved to smaller cities where they’ve discovered they can produce good food there as well. And Chicago was one of my favorite food cities in the country a few years ago, but I think that they’ve seen a struggle with labor and the quality has fallen a little bit there as well.” Stressing the need to create an industry in Colorado that a food hub can be centered around through strengthening the agricultural scene and building a foundation, Seidel also cautions that getting bigger isn’t necessarily better. “When you talk about quality and what’s coming out with more restaurants in Denver, if there are more restaurants then there are fewer cooks in each restaurant. What does that do for the quality? The labor market has been a challenge in every city across America according to chefs and restaurateurs that I’ve talked to. Ultimately, there’s no cook that I know who can run a kitchen by themselves. Growth isn’t always the best thing.” So, is our city worth a special journey for its cuisine? Hop Alley and Uncle restaurateur, Tommy Lee, isn’t so sure. “I wouldn’t say Denver is a true dining destination, yet. Do we have really good restaurants? Absolutely. But, are we doing anything drastically different than other cities in the U.S.? Not really. We have a solid base of restaurants, but I wouldn’t say there are too many unique restaurants that you’d only find in Denver. If someone were doing research and development on restaurants here, I wouldn’t say Denver is near the top of the list of places to visit.”
What’s next? How does the dining scene continue to progress and stand out on its own? In becoming the best food destination that Denver has the potential of being, there will need to be a clear definition to the new identity of the town. Some fresh leaders will have to emerge, and the current industry leaders will need to continue their already stellar path. I have always felt that when restaurants do just one thing really well (think Omakase or a chef’s tasting), then they are going to succeed far more than places who are trying to please everyone with dishes from all over the world or with concepts that the public isn’t ready for yet. Chisolm raises the valid question, “Are we becoming a downhill catchall of New York, Chicago, and these other big places, or are we going to try to preserve some of our local food culture?” With that said, maybe we need to see a continued focus on what it means to live in Colorado. We don’t have year-round local accessibility to produce like San Francisco, so let’s not try to act like we do. Progressive style, genuine intention, real seasonality, and sound execution will lead us to fulfill our potential to join the club of elite food cities. So Denver isn’t what it used to be, and here we are asking what it means to dine in Colorado’s capital city. Though it’s still figuring itself out, one thing is certain - the community here is strong. Even if you have worked at just a couple of restaurants in town, you will have made some close friends. But, really, we are more than friends. We are family. In Denver, we take care of each other. We take care of our community too. This closeness of Denver’s service industry staff will undoubtedly be the strongest point for continual growth, development of a defined identity, and truly worldclass food. Someday, I believe this beautiful place you and I call home will be a proud host to those who have made a special journey, purely for our exceptional cuisine.
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stand in the gap In Colorado, 36% of children under 18 live in poverty. Colorado’s high school graduation rates for low-income (62%) and disabled (53%) students trail national averages. Approximately 10,000 children in Colorado experience abuse annually. Join the members of Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation as we stand in the gap to transform the lives of Colorado’s at-risk and disadvantaged children.
The Caribbean Jewel That is Grand Cayman Photos Courtesy of The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
How much rum was in these things? I didn’t think that I’d had that much punch on the maiden flight from Denver to Grand Cayman on Cayman Airways, but now I’m beginning to wonder. Having just touched down on the island 272 miles south of Cuba, I noticed that traffic was traveling in the wrong lanes. Wonderful. Tripping on a trip. And, come to think of it, did I really see Miss Cayman Islands Universe, Caitlin Tyson, wearing both her crown and her headphones heading to her airplane seat? As it turns out, this slice of tropical heaven is under British rule, meaning the Queen’s motorcade in London was driving on the same side of the street as they were here in George Town. It shows what I knew of this otherworldly paradise, other than what I learned through Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman in the 1993 movie version of John Grisham’s novel, The Firm. And, yes, as it turns out, Miss Cayman Islands was two rows in front of me on the flight.
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The following morning would begin a mind-blowing day in my history of travels, going down as arguably the most spectacular sequence of activities ever assembled. Anytime you wake up to Seven Mile Beach, you should count your blessings. Grand Cayman’s world renowned stretch of sand and mesmerizing blue waters are a constant occupant on acclaimed travel lists as one of the top beaches on the planet. In this case, beauty isn’t just skin deep because underneath lies a magical kingdom that had me absolutely speechless, while stamping me with an indelible grin from ear-to-ear. Snorkeling that morning was life changing. The mode of transportation was equally invigorating – gliding across the Caribbean Sea on a wave runner, full throttle, going 50 miles per hour. One reason for the speed was to keep up with my guide, Melvin, a Nicaraguan guide with a penchant for circus tricks on his water sled that made me wonder if his calling wasn’t with the X Games. I myself was trying to stay close while, more importantly, looking to avoid an L3/L4 spinal issue off the coast of this island Shangri-La. Upon arrival to our intended spot, Melvin was off the wave runner and, following a quick splash, had transformed into a freaking mermaid. To watch him dance with the fish was something out of a Disney movie. The morning light illuminated the shallow sea floor to such a mythical degree, that it did feel like an out-of-body animated encounter. Colors popped from glowing coral and schools of fish, from blue and orange to yellow and purple. A nurse shark kept close to the floor while a 20-pound barracuda, thankfully minding its own business, passed through on its way to another party. Yellow tail and blue runner made casual appearances as well. Had the trip ended there, after a mere few hours, and it was time to go home, I would have considered the experience a privilege. However, brunch at Luca was calling.
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Located at the posh Caribbean Club on Seven Mile Beach, this Cayman dream just kept getting better. Luca is one of these restaurants that, for brunch, if they’re not featuring it then the food item simply doesn’t exist. While in line, I had flashbacks of Belushi’s cafeteria scene in Animal House. So many options, so few arms and hands to accompany more plates for my post-snorkel feeding. I felt like a waiter going back and forth to my table with dish after dish. Regardless of the dining room spectacle, my eggs benedict, fresh fruit, scalloped potatoes, bacon, side salad and mini croissants all paired famously with a few glasses of Prosecco. My ensuing food coma and early afternoon daze nearly cost me a pair of Tom Fords that I originally left behind at the table upon my exit. A vigilant waiter earned a big tip in American currency when he chased me down with the luxury shades. After a mid-day feast like that, a strategically planned 80-minute massage back at Westin Grand Cayman’s Hibiscus Spa seemed apropos. The treatment was unforgettable as well as timely, having acquired a bit of soreness from screaming across the water at what seemed like Mach 10 earlier that morning. With some time to kill before dinner, a self-guided tour of the Westin property was in order. A sparkling pool with a swim-up bar served as the obvious centerpiece, flanked by hot tubs, dining and relaxation areas before touching the sand with cabanas and lounges that begin flirting with the Caribbean Sea. You also have the heartbeat for all water activities with Red Sail Sports, whose organized and engaging staff sets up everything from wave runners, stand up paddle boards and snorkeling to scuba diving, boat tours and fishing. SIRANDSP ORT.COM
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Dinner at Blue Cilantro ended up being a meal that still ranks as one of the stellar eating experiences that we’ve had anywhere, and a return to Grand Cayman would warrant a return to the restaurant “where East and West unite in taste.” That’s because Chef Vidyadhara Shetty, originally from Mumbai, India, has created so many scrumptious flavors and pairings that leave you wanting another seating as soon as humanly possible. Imagine every possible fish, fresh from that day, and accompanied with the most incredible sauces you may or may not have ever conceived possible. Chicken, lamb, duck, Angus beef cuts and hand-made pasta also highlight the experience. For me, it was like choosing one donut. So I didn’t. I went for a dozen. We dove into the spring rolls with goat cheese, corn, mushroom, baby spinach and plum sauce. A thorough investigation was done of Pork Two Ways – pulled baby back ribs and braised pork belly – which were guava marinated with ginger apple chutney, crackling and Vindaloo sauce. The dish was guilty of being nothing short of amazing. Lobster ravioli with boursin cheese, truffle oil and pumpkin chorizo sauce seduced us into a third Cayman Lemonade – Ketel One, light rum, peach tree, fresh lime juice and cranberry juice. All the while, nan flatbread stuffed with black forest ham or roasted garlic or pepper jack cheese with dipping options like mango chutney, jalapeno or plum sauce had us ordering seconds and thirds. There is zero possibility of us having a better meal than what went down at Blue Cilantro. And the wine list was an all-star in its own right. Sleep was a lay-up that evening. Sightseeing is highly encouraged on an island that is just 76 square miles, 22 miles long and an average of four miles wide. Whether it’s an exhibition to the region’s famous Crystal Caves, the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park or adjacent Blue Iguana Habitat, there’s no shortage of local cultural attractions. The Atlantis Submarine Dive, whether during the day or at night, reveals an underwater world of shipwrecks, fish life, coral reefs and beauty that’s a rare and fascinating discovery that most of the world will never experience.
Another must-do excursion is a catamaran ride with Red Sail Sports to Rum Point Beach. Tanning, lounging, lunch, snorkeling and unmatched beauty await at this quintessential paradise haven, surrounded by million-dollar beach front homes, sailboats, yachts and the cool ocean breeze as a steady and welcomed companion. A lunch spot that is definitely worth the drive while out for a day of exploring is Over the Edge Restaurant in the Old Man Bay section of Grand Cayman. Think sleepy waterfront roadhouse with an outside deck that inhales the stunning ocean views while joined by a gift of garlic shrimp, Cajun chicken, black beans, rice, plantains and two big ice cold glasses of Caybrew. For dinner, our time at The Brasserie was so intoxicating, both literally and figuratively, that our group managed to lose track of time and we ended up closing the place. That’s probably the best compliment that you could give a restaurant. It felt like home, but with much better food. I’m the guy who gets a grilled cheese for an appetizer with soft brie, white truffle and local guava jam before my New York Strip comes in with guns blazing and a remarkable poached egg and carrot top salsa verde on top. It was another unbelievable meal from the award-winning Chef Dean Max, who’s also an author and Food Network veteran. With links to the finest local growers, their own kitchen garden, and their very own deep sea fishing boat that keeps things fresh every day, it’s a must-visit in George Town. Time for some shopping? You bet. And Camana Bay is your destination. High end retailers, bars and restaurants comprise this gorgeous waterfront entertainment district. The neighborhood also features townhomes, condos and duplexes for when you fall in love with the island and might want a place of your own. Camana Bay also puts you in touch with Agua, a fantastic seafood restaurant rooted in Italian tradition and inspired by Peruvian cuisine, showcasing the kind of menu that requires multiple visits to try everything that caught my eye. We feasted on Thai ceviche with the fresh catch of the day, chili, coconut lemon grass, cilantro crispy calamari and plantains as well as the burrata with soft cow’s milk cheese, marinated tomato, balsamic, basil and grilled bread. Then it was time for pappardelle, made in-house, with lamb Bolognese and ricotta salata. A fusilli and cheese gratin with herbed bread crumbs was their incredible version of a mac and cheese that went superbly with our pinot noir. I sure didn’t leave Grand Cayman hungry. And I returned to Denver with a tan that was the envy of all those stuck in the winter Colorado snow globe. One other thing that’s for certain? I’ll be back. With my appetite. Swim trunks. Sunscreen. And Tom Ford shades.
Photo Courtesy of Crystal Caves
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And I’ll be ready for whichever way the traffic is moving.
Through the Editor’s Eye Photos by Kevin Marr
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Wheelman BY KEVIN HOLT
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02 Who: Toyota What: GR Supra When: 2020 How: Starting at $50,000
01 Toyota brings back a classic. Porsche prepares to release another EV of both substance and style. We’re introduced to an electric pickup truck backed by the richest man in the world, and Sweden is the epicenter for a supercar that needs to be seen to be believed. Our resident wheelman, Kevin Holt, gets behind the wheel and checks the rearview before putting the pedal to the metal in four new rides that continue the theme of automotive excellence from around the globe.
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Who: Koenigsegg What: Jesko When: Now How: $3 million Christian von Koenigsegg looks like a hypercar mastermind straight from Hollywood’s central casting. He’s a tall, strapping, bald Swede with piercing blue eyes and a charming, quick-to-smile personality. But behind that smile is a man driven to hand-build 1000+ hp megacars in an isolated hangar on a de-commissioned military based in Sweden. Does this not sound like a Marvel movie character yet? Then let me tell you about his next creation – the Koenigsegg Jesko. The Jesko is named after Christian’s father and has been called the “spiritual successor” to the pavement eating, record-holding Koenigsegg Agera RS. Unveiled recently at the Geneva International Motor Show, the vehicle’s carbon fiber chassis with advance aerodynamics offers 1000kg of downforce. You will need all that downforce when you realize the 5.0 liter, twin-turbo, V8 engine produces 1,280 horsepower on standard 93 octane gasoline and 1,600 on E85 biofuel. It also includes Koenigsegg’s own Light Speed Transmission (LST) which is a multi-clutch transmission that Koenigsegg builds in house. What LST offers is nine forward gears with multi-disc clutches. The system allows for upward and downward gear changes at near light speed due to the simultaneous opening and closing of clutches for completely seamless acceleration. Koenigsegg’s are rare, powerful and incredibly pricey. But, when it comes to hypercars, these Swedish monsters are incomparable.
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Let’s address the elephant in the room. It took Toyota over 20 years to bring the Supra back. Growing up in Los Angeles, the last generation Supra was on my bucket list in the 90s. With the Supra’s twin turbos and an exhaust full of anger, it was part of the Japanese coupe wars that included the Nissan 300ZX and Mazda RX8 and defined a generation of automotive enthusiasts. All three would slowly go out of production. Toyota has brought Supra back and in a big way. But this time it has returned as a BMW Z4-shared, fun-to-drive six cylinder generating 335 horsepower with 365 ft-lb torque and manufactured in Austria. The eightspeed paddle shift, automatic has a top speed of 155 and 0-60 of 4.1 seconds. Welcome to the auto industry of the 21st century. Instead of spending hundreds of millions developing a coupe from scratch, have your CEO reach out to his friends in Bavaria to work off the new Z4 to create a new Supra. Traditionalists will balk at the endeavor and roll their eyes that it’s just a rebadged Z4. But,Toyota’s racing team, Gazoo Racing, hence the “GR”, has made the required tweaks to suspension, handling and tuning to provide a truly amazing and unique experience. Though I have not driven the product, several insiders have told me first hand that it honors the name of its predecessor.
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03 Who: Rivian What: R1T When: 2020 How: Starting at $61,500 The average person has probably not heard of Plymouth, Michigan-based Rivian, but they are a serious force within the burgeoning EV market. The company burst from obscurity as they finished a round of investments totaling $700 million in February 2019, with help from a giant among giants in Jeff Bezos and Amazon. The U.S.-based automotive manufacturer and technology company is delivering several of the most highly anticipated products in short order. The Rivian R1T is the company’s fullyelectric pickup offering. The R1T is a fivepassenger pickup using four electric motors. They each have a 147kW power capacity for 200+ mile range with the optional upgrade to 300kW and 562kW motors. Those power options align with the different batteries offered and translate to an impressive 300+ and 400+ mile range, respectively. The technology built into the vehicle provides “Level 3” (hands-off wheel and eyes off road) autonomy for highway operation. Benefitting from Amazon’s ownership of the autonomous vehicle startup, Aurora Innovation, Rivian has packed the R1T with a plethora of sensors including “camera, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radar, ultrasonic and a high precision GPS coupled with high definition maps.” The R1T has the capability you expect in a truck and the always torque-rich electric motors deliver. The Rivian has 14 inches of ground clearance and rumored 0 to 60 mph time of 2.8 seconds. Its design has smooth, futuristic lines, but also has a unique lockable Gear Tunnel right behind the cab. The gear tunnel runs across the chassis from one side to the other, allowing storage of skis, golf bags, etc. The storage continues with another lockable area under the trunk bed and even the hood. That extra storage is another benefit of not having the engine space and drivetrain needs of a traditional internal combustion configuration. The Rivian R1T is a game changer in many ways. The US pickup market better get ready. It may not be a sale volume leader, but the technology is ready for prime time.
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Now, the folks in Stuttgart have a new target, EVs. Launching an all-new, fully-electric, four-door sports car, America soon will welcome the 2020 Porsche Taycan to an open highway or a 220W outlet near you.”
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04 Who: Porsche What: Taycan When: 2020 How: Starting at $75,000 When Porsche decides to do something, they execute with a degree of precision you’ve come to expect from the automobile titan. Remember, when the German performance stalwart decided to build their first-ever SUV in 2002, it delivered Cayenne. Then, in 2009, they decided to develop a sedan – blasphemy – yet, the Panamera was another hit. Porsche even launched a hybrid hypercar in 2013, the 918 Spyder, that left most car aficionados drooling. Now, the folks in Stuttgart have a new target, EVs. Launching an all-new, fully-electric, four-door sports car, Porsche has teased their incoming EV for years, which was developed under the Mission E moniker. America soon will welcome the 2020 Porsche Taycan to an open highway or a 220W outlet near you. Porsche states that Taycan means “lively young horse,” an ode to the horse found in their company crest. There is no lack of curiosity around the performance expectation of the newest horse in a stable of proven thoroughbreds. The Taycan comes with three years of free charging via Electrify America’s nationwide public stations. The estimated 310-mile range comes from two permanently synchronous motors with 600 horsepower (440kW), producing a 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds. The bad news is you are already too late if you have interest in being an early owner as all 20,000 units are already spoken for. And we won’t see the final production version until the Frankfurt Motor Show this September and you won’t even see one on the streets until January 2020.
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[ THE ] SCENE
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PHOTOS BY JENSEN SUTTA
PIVOT’S FLIGHT TO LUXURY LAUNCH PARTY A stellar crowd descended on Cherry Creek North’s latest jewel, The Jacquard Hotel, to kick off the 10th Annual Flight to Luxury event. Benefiting PIVOT, a newly launched foundation that enhances the life of the whole child in Colorado. Trustees Larry Mueller, George Solich, John Elway, Walt Rakowich and Navin Dimond took to the stage as they welcomed the organization’s new CEO, Mimi Roberson. Flight to Luxury will take place September 13th and will boast a decadent cocktail hour featuring the city’s finest restaurants and the world’s most esteemed spirits, followed by live auction and stunning fashion show. 1. Martell Dyles, Shawn White 2. Navin Dimond, Rita Dimond, Sonja Dimond, Brad Busse 3. Candy Bhappu, George Solich, Ross Bhappu, Carol Solich 4. Christa Weaving, Laura McGetrick, Stefanie Jones, Holly Sprague 5. Kim and Mark Guenther 6. Walt Rakowich, Sue Rakowich, Katie Day, Marcus Day 7. John Elway, Walt Rakowich, Navin Dimond, Kristin Kirkpatrick, Mimi Roberson, Dr. Shelly Smith-Acuna, Dave Ryan, Carol Bowar, Larry Mueller, George Solich 8. Save The Date for PIVOT’s Flight To Luxury – Sept 13, 2019 9. Sir and Sport’s Kevin Marr, Modern Aviation’s Kyle Quinn with Natalie Baltizar
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BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO DENVER ANNUAL GALA More than 1,000 kindhearted guests took to the Hyatt’s stunning ballroom on April 6th for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver annual gala. With a “Be Bright. Be Bold” theme, the Boys & Girls Clubs pulled out all the stops to create a memorable evening as it celebrated its 2019 Youth of the Year Winners – the top honor going to Rachael Haynes. Presenting Sponsor RBC Wealth Management was among the generous donors who helped ensure the night was the BGCMD’s most successful to date, raising more than $1.1 million for Colorado’s youth! Dining, dancing, a silent disco and plenty of fundraising were enjoyed by all.
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1. Flobot Stephen Brackett 2. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, CEO Erin Porteous 3. Youth of the Year winners, from left to right: Devenney Martinez, Rachael Haynes, Sierra Leinberger, Larissa Montano, Bryant Jimenez, Alynna Sotam, Zyeria Turner, Johnson,Shaleeyah Mariney, Anai Alvarado, Miguel Aguirre, Arath Dominguez, Michelle Vasquez, Luis Angel Armenta, Hadamarys Martinez-Loya 4. Tiana Nelson and Ben Cornali 5. Lovely ladies enjoying the after party 6. Emcee Louis Ray and Auctioneer Reggie Rivers 7. Mayor Michael Hancock 8. Gala greeters from the Club welcome Kristin Weber and Kieffer Williams 9. Emcee Louis Ray 10. Billy Draper, Trey Douglass, Jared Lewis, Matt Beck, Rob Statton
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“I always thought it would be better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody.”
THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY TURNS 20
-Tom Ripley Twenty years later, The Talented Mr. Ripley continues to evoke an emotional flood of intense feelings, with its cold-blooded plot making the film an all-time favorite in our collection. What a cast. What a wonderful adaptation from Patricia Highsmith’s novel. And what a stunning cinematography masterpiece on an absolute eyepopping Italian canvas. To refresh your memory, the late 1950s in New York found Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), a young underachiever, sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures. How is it that “extreme measures” doesn’t even seem to do Ripley’s diabolical activity justice? The film was nominated for five Oscars including Best Supporting Actor (Jude Law), Best Art Direction, Best Music – Original Score, Best Costume Design, and Best Writing – Screenplay and, yet somehow, it went home empty handed. How cinematographer John Seale wasn’t even nominated for an Academy Award is still a tragic mystery. The film is fashion-licious. The wardrobe that Dickie dons on a daily basis is inspiring and enviable on so many levels, hence the Oscar nomination, that we ponder why men would dress any other way.
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And then there’s Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s character, Freddie Miles. Once a scene stealer, always a scene stealer. Seymour Hoffman comes in, wins the audience immediately, and you instantly want to see a spin-off concentrated solely on the adventures of Freddie. The movie is yet another reminder of what a special talent was lost with Phillip’s sudden passing. Furthermore, here are some fun facts from the movie classic: • Matt Damon lost 30 pounds for his title role. • Director Anthony Minghella originally wanted Tom Cruise for the role of Ripley but after seeing Good Will Hunting (1997), he decided to cast Damon. • Dickie’s favorite men’s tailor in Rome, Battistoni, is a real tailoring shop founded in 1946. It is housed in the inner-court of 61a Via Condotti. • The store Ripley visits to have his wallet embossed with Dickie’s initials is the Gucci boutique on Via Condotti. • The film cast includes four Oscar winners: Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting), Cate Blanchett (The Aviator, Blue Jasmine), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote), and Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love). It also includes one Oscar nominee: Jude Law (Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr. Ripley). • Jude Law fell backwards and broke a rib while filming the murder scene on the boat.
Stay Exquisite Experience The St. Regis Aspen Resort, ideally located at the base of the majestic Aspen Mountain and within steps of this historic town. From the crisp mountain air to sophisticated shopping, hiking, biking & white water rapids – there are endless ways to live exquisitely in Aspen during the summer.
Š2016 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort 315 East Dean Street Aspen, Colorado t. +1 970 920 3300 stregisaspen.com @stregisaspen
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SHOW UP SHOW OFF SHOW STOP We are Sky High where boundaries are limitless and abundance runs wild. A modern day chalet confidently settled slope-side on Aspen Mountain, W Aspen and The Sky Residences at W Aspen features 83 guest rooms, 5 suites and 11 shared ownership residences. See and be seen at the WET Deck, an all-weather rooftop retreat with unparalleled 360° views of the Aspen skyline featuring a live DJ, heated pool, hot tub, and a fire pit to keep it hot!
For reservations waspenhotel.com 970 431 0800
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©2016 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. W and its logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.
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