Author: Joanne Davidson Special to Colorado Politics

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA COLORADO Denver News: When it came time to decide on a successor to Western Fantasy, which for 30 years had been the signature fundraiser for Volunteers of America Colorado, plenty of good ideas were proposed, considered and eventually tossed aside. After all, what possibly could take the place of this dress-Western event…

PORTER-BILLUPS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Denver News: Charles Barkley, who spent 16 seasons as a power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, will be the speaker when the Porter-Billups Leadership Academy (PBLA) hosts its annual fundraising gala on…

DENVER BALLET GUILD Denver News: Stage decor is an important element for Le Bal de Ballet, Denver Ballet Guild’s annual presentation of debutantes and Young Men of Distinction. In previous years it has included elaborate floral displays, ethereal chiffon draping and painted backdrops worthy of an award-winning dance production or Broadway play. This year’s theme…

OWL CLUB OF DENVER Denver News: The honors and achievements that each of the 13 Owl Club debutantes earned during their high school years could fill a book. Their subsequent chapters will focus on positioning them to help make the world a better place. Debutante Asha Gidden, for example, will spend her freshman year at…

COLORADO BLACK WOMEN FOR POLITICAL ACTION Denver News: Three trailblazing Black women will share their stories at the June 8 Biz Ladies Brunch that is hosted by Colorado Black Women for Political Action and held in conjunction with the B.E.S.T. Success Summit & Expo. The 11 a.m. brunch will be held at the Doubletree by…

ROSE ANDOM CENTER Denver News: Whitney Woods, whose 20 years of leadership experience includes key roles in the nonprofit, for-profit and government sectors, has been appointed executive director of the Rose Andom Center. “Whitney’s background and skillset will be invaluable in navigating the Rose Andom Center through the complex challenges facing nonprofits today,” said Alana…

WOMEN+FILM Denver News: Julia Stiles is best known as an actress, especially for her roles in such popular films as “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Save the Last Dance,” and the five “Bourne” action thrillers. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominee is “One of the most fearless and…

TEPEYAC COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER Denver News: On June 30, when former Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia retires as chancellor of the Colorado Community College System, he will still carry a title of which he can be proud: Tepeyac Community Health Center’s 2025 Tortilla Titan. Garcia was one of 12 nonprofit, business and media celebrities competing for…

BERGEN SPAY & NEUTER ALLIANCE Denver News: Consider this: A female dog can have up to three litters in a year with an average litter size of seven puppies. And, a female cat can have two litters a year with an average litter size of eight surviving kittens. If you do the math, that means…

GIRLS INC. OF METRO DENVER Denver News: Perhaps it was coincidence, and everyone would have given generously anyway. But it was hard not to notice how quickly bid cards were raised – and stayed up — during the special appeal at My Bold Future, the May 14 fundraising luncheon for Girls Inc. Of Metro Denver.…