Parker: 6-year-old daughter of 'Funniest Mom' gets the last laugh

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 10, 2006 at midnight

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Highlands Ranch mom Rubi Nicholas called her promise to her 6-year-old daughter a "mom-aly" - one of those phrases said in the moment when you're sure it will never happen.

"It was her idea for me to enter the contest," Nicholas said. "I told her if I win, I'd split the money with her."

Now Nicholas and her daughter are each $25,000 richer after Nicholas was crowned the Funniest Mom in America 2 during Tuesday's finale on Nick at Nite. The top prize includes hosting a Mother's Day marathon of shows on Nick at Nite and a sitcom development deal.

For Nicholas, an assistant vice president at a health-care company, entering the stand-up comedy competition was a lark - winning never occurred to her.

"In the corporate world, we have a reasonable goal and a stretch goal," she said. "For me, a reasonable goal was to just get on stage. My stretch goal was to make it into the finale. In my head, I said, 'Dude, what do I have to lose?' I reached my goal."

During her final performance, Nicholas, a married 36-year-old mother of two girls, won over the wowed crowd and judges with her offbeat humor from a Pakistani Muslim point of view.

"I married a white guy to improve my airport cred," she said in her routine. "And he had to marry me. You know what they say, once you go Pak . . . you'll never eat pork again."

Until the sitcom development details are worked out, Nicholas has resumed her health-care company job and status as a mom.

"On a daily basis, I'm still me," she said. "I get up at 6, go to my job. As far as a future and go-forward plan, I am so excited. This has been a subconscious dream for so many years."

MOM'S DAY: Most every restaurant you can think of is putting on the dog for Mother's Day on Sunday with bunches of brunches. (Make your reservation, Mr. Procrastinator - you know who you are.)

But for something completely different, the Denver Botanic Gardens is throwing open the gates with entertainment from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a presentation from the Denver Center Theatre Company's gospel musical Crowns.

You can preorder a picnic lunch, or bring your own good grub. No reservations, no shoes required. More info: www.botanicgardens.org.

• Think pink. Einstein Bros. Bagels is selling pink bagels on Mother's Day weekend to raise breast-cancer awareness. Einstein will donate 10 cents from each pink bagel sold nationwide to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in support of breast-cancer research.

PATIO POTENTIAL: Spring is in the air, and a young man's (and woman's) fancy turns to . . . patios. Several restaurants and watering holes are opening their patios to party people (weather permitting).

• Lime, 1424 Larimer St. This Mexican cantina has added Saturday and Sunday brunch to its patio possibilities, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Zengo, 1610 Little Raven St. The patio opens daily at 5 p.m. with new spring menu items, including dandy drinks and super seviche.

• Sketch, 250 Steele St. The below-ground patio premieres on Friday, and is open for drinks and din-din beginning at 4 p.m. daily.

• Aix, 719 E. 17th Ave. The patio opened last weekend for Saturday and Sunday brunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.

• Black Pearl, 1529 S. Pearl St. It's time to wine every Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the patio. $10 per person for six tastes of wine, along with some snacks.

• Bistro Vendome, 1424-H Larimer St. The flowers are a-bloomin' at what I consider Denver's prettiest patio. It's a veritable oasis from the hub and bub of Larimer Square. Chef Shawn Cubberley (named after my Palo Alto, Calif., high school, I'm sure) has taken over the kitchen with the change of ownership to Rioja gals Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch. Dinner Tuesday through Sunday; brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman at Chinook Tavern: "Mother, it looks like you drew your eyebrows on with a felt-tip marker."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Call her at 303-892-5224, or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.

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