PARKER: Kennedys try local eats

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 26, 2008 at 8:25 p.m.

Text size

Photo by Keith Bedford / Bloomberg News

Caroline Kennedy paid tribute to Uncle Teddy on Monday.

More News Columns & Blogs

More stories »

KENNEDY CLAN: It was enough to charm an Irishman's heart when the Kennedy clan, including Ted, Vicki, Caroline and Robert Kennedy Jr., descended on Strings, owned by Dubliner Noel Cunningham, for breakfast at 9 a.m. Tuesday. "Blue blazers and pearls aplenty!" said my spy. "Ted Kennedy seemed to be in good spirits after a visit to the hospital."

VIP guests included Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin and Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank.

Cunningham was moved to say, "An Irishman's dream is to cook for two people: The pope and a Kennedy. One out of two ain't bad."

HEY, BATTAH-BATTAH: North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler swings a mighty bat. The former NFL quarterback stepped up to the plate during batting practice Tuesday at Coors Field and smashed a home run over the left field fence. "He got a standing ovation from the crowd," my spy said.

ENTERING THE FRAY: The Flobots were the skedded headliners at Mayor John Hickenlooper's Monday night welcome party at his old stomping grounds The Wyn koop, sponsored by the American Wind Energy Association. But in the wee hours Tuesday morning, The Fray co-founders - lead singer Isaac Slade and guitarist Joe King - made a surprise appearance and performed several songs.

Comedian Mo Rocca filmed a field report for The Tonight Show, which aired Tuesday, but you can still catch it online. The Daily Show also shot a segment, which could air as early as tonight. Check the Comedy Central Web site.

MAKING TRACKS: Hair product czar John Paul Mitchell arrived in Denver in (what else?) style Tuesday, being towed by Amtrak into Union Station. Mitchell, inventor of Paul Mitchell hair lotions and potions, arrived inside the Patron Tequila Express, a refurbished 1947 luxury train car.

He'll use the decked-out digs to entertain guests through Thursday. You can't miss it - it's the big green car with the Patron Tequila on the side parked at Union Station.

MARKS HER WORDS: Staunch Republican Edie Marks was taking a respite from Denver's donkey den Tuesday to grab lunch at Cool River Cafe in the Tech Center. Who had the same idea? Fox News' conservative Bill O'Reilly.

"It was a moment of solitude for Republicans," Marks said. "To be able to talk to Bill O'Reilly was my way of keeping my sanity."

NO O'REILLY FAN: On the other hand . . . Adam Wise, a 12-year-old dining on the patio of Ruth's Chris Steak House with his parents, spotted John Scherer, aka the Video Professor, at the bar. Wise approached The Prof and asked him for his autograph. Scherer obliged then asked the youngster whether he had noticed any celebs walking by the patio outside.

"Yeah, when I was on my way in here to ask you for your autograph, Bill O'Reilly walked by," Wise said. Scherer asked, "Well, why did you pass up Mr. O'Reilly to get my autograph when you could have asked him for his?"

Wise, the wiseguy, answered, "Because you're worth it!"

WANDERING WALLET: Capital Grille server Ilan Baril has embraced the DNC green message by riding his bike to work this week. When he arrived at work Tuesday, he parked his bike in the storage space his employer provided, but when he went to reach for his wallet and keys, the wallet was AWOL.

"I realized it slipped out somewhere along the route," Baril said. "I jumped back on my bike and started chugging up the hill." But before he could retrace his route (starting near Steuben's on 17th Avenue), Baril got a call on his cell phone from a staff member for Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci.

"The executive assistant said the guy, Ryan, had found my wallet," Baril said. "I called him and he said he had a hectic schedule today and could I pick up the wallet at the Hilton Gardens front desk."

On Tuesday afternoon, Baril was planning to take a break to retrieve the wallet. "He's a fantastic dude," the server said about the Maine governor's aide.

HAIR AFFAIR: Matthew Morris, owner of Matthew Morris Salon, will pack up his curling iron, flat iron, Velcro rollers, blow dryer and countless bottles of product, and tote them to the hotels where the rich and famous staying her during the DNC. On his tresses sked: Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, Rosario Dawson, Wilmer Valderrama and Idina Menzel.

THE SEEN: Anne Hathaway, Tim Daly, Rachael Leigh Cook, Josh Lucas, Spike Lee, Richard Schiff and Matthew Modine lunching at LoDo's Bar & Grill on Monday.

Rocker Cyndi Lauper and hip-hopper Pharrell Williams dining at Capital Grille on Monday.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Rep. Dick Gephardt, former Sen. Gary Hart, Tatyana Ali, James Carville, Mark Shriver, Alfre Woodard, Jurnee Smollett, Rick Reilly, Craig Robinson and Marian Robinson-Michael dining at The Palm Monday.

On Tuesday at The Palm, Star "Skinny" Jones strolling in and out during lunch. "And I must say, great pair of gams!" my spy said.

Chevy Chase and James Taylor (not together) checking into The Magnolia Hotel Monday night. Musician Wyclef Jean (make that Wyclef Green) hopping onto the light rail that runs by The Magnolia at 16th and Stout Monday.

Also at The Magnolia on Tuesday, actress Jane Seymour sitting in the lobby waiting for a friend.

Oprah pal Gayle King lunching at the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery Tuesday.

OH NO, SHE DIDN'T: Political strategist Robin Leeds told the Rocky stylist Tobie Orr that Leeds has been a feminist since she was 15. "And then I became a fashionable feminist and started shaving my armpits at 30," she said.

EAVESDROPPING on two men at a DNC party: "Dude, you can't double dip."

"Yes I can, I don't know anybody here."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News