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PENNY: Personal, political resolutions ring out

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 3, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Now that it appears he's not bound for the U.S. Senate, Mayor John Hickenlooper may be able to keep his New Year's resolutions. Hick, along with other bold-face names and Rocky readers, was kind enough to answer my request for 2009 goals.

Here they are:

* Hizzoner resolves to, "Spend more time with (son) Teddy. Buy local, eat local, drink local, bike local (and bike more). And find a way, even this year when it's hard, to give more."

* Food Network Challenge host and D-Bar Desserts owner Keegan Gerhard also has bike-riding on his resolution list. "My personal resolution is to find time to ride my bicycle in 2009. My constant resolution for this country is to focus on peace."

* Colorado's former first lady Frances Owens vows to do something for herself this year: "Take dance lessons." Her resolution for the state of Colorado? "Since Amendment 51 was not passed in November by the voters, I would hope the legislature would take a heartfelt stand on helping citizens with developmental disabilities to receive basic services."

* The state's former first daughter Monica Owens intends to travel outside of the United States this year. Her wish for the state: "I hope that my dad would consider running for office again because he is an amazing public servant."

* Pat "Gabby Gourmet" Miller said, "I will not eat out any more, but I will not eat out any less. For the city: I resolve to do my part so that everyone gets a good meal."

* Restaurant owner David Racine (Racines, Dixons) vows this year to participate in the Iron Butt Rally, a legendary motorcycle ride that takes place every two years where participants ride 11,000 or more miles in 11 days.

* Colorado Restaurant Association Big Cheese Pete Meersman's resolution focuses on job security. "I will eat in a restaurant at least once per day in 2009," he said.

* Power broker Steve Farber has high hopes for this country: "I hope that President- elect (Barack) Obama has the success in leading this nation to an economic recovery. My personal resolution is that I will continue with my resolve to make this world a better place."

* Panzano executive chef Elise Wiggins resolves to go green in 2009. "I'm going to try to not use my car for a year. This will limit me to mostly walking and riding my bike. If I have to go somewhere further away, I'm going to try and carpool or take a 'green' taxi. So the big picture is working on me getting into shape and thus helping the environment and local businesses since I won't be traveling very far."

And these from Rocky readers:

* A woman who will remain nameless writes, "I am a lady in her 60s, but I am determined to meet a gentleman in the same age bracket who loves ballroom dancing as much as I do. I know that might sound selfish, but I think there are some people reading this who know what I mean." If you know what she means, send me an e-mail, and I'll forward it to her.

* From hcaquatics: "I resolve to smile to at least three strangers every day and to keep smiling to friends and family."

* Joan Williams, whose husband is a dialysis patient, resolves to get more involved in helping seniors on fixed incomes sort through the health insurance maze.

* Dog lover Ann C. Bley says she promises to give her German shepherd her really expensive eye drops every day.

* Khristi McGill wants to stifle swear words this year. "I resolve to expand my vocabulary by curbing my use of foul language. I want to sound like the intelligent woman I am."

And my favorite:

* From Mike Enright, "Wag more, bark less."

EAVESDROPPING on a single woman at P.F. Chang's: "I'm not taking a death drive on New Year's Eve to be mercy kissed by somebody's husband."

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.