Article Published: Thursday, July 08, 2004

By Bill Husted
Denver Post Columnist

City spirit

Yes, they still have fun in Boulder. The 23rd Almost-Annual Matt Armbruster Memorial Big Wheel Rally rolls down the Pearl Street Mall on Saturday night. Nothing quite like seeing costumed grown-ups on plastic mini-bikes careening from bar to bar. It starts at 8 p.m. at West End Tavern. Event founder Captain Obvious explains the reason for the event: "There is none. Forget it. I came up with it, but don't ask me why. I don't know." ...

Marne Davis Kellogg signs her new book "Priceless" at the Tattered Cover Cherry Creek at 7:30 tonight - and goes on CBS' "The Early Show" with her pal Harry Smith on July 16 ... Hyland Hills Water World Annual Belly Flop Contest noon today ...

Colorado Premium Vodka debuted Wednesday night at the Broker downtown ... Sez who: "I'd rather be called sleazy than to be identified as intelligent." Phil Donahue

Lawn chair team ready to sit a spell

After 21 years, the Vail Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team lives on. But its members are ready to fold it up and hand it over to a new generation.

The baker's dozen of beer-lovin' chair snappers wanted to retire last year, says captain Richard Carnes. "But nobody offered to step in. We're talking about passing the chairs over the course of the next year. It would be cool to do it at the parade."

He means Vail's the July Fourth Parade, where the boys debuted their routine and march every year. They were last in line Sunday, as always.

Among the highlights of the team's history are performing in Washington, D.C., at Bill Clinton's 1993 Inaugural Parade and George W. Bush's 2001 Inaugural Parade. This summer, they'll be in the movie "The Surfer King," to be filmed at Hyland Hills Water World in August.

As for next year's retirement, Carnes says some guys remain reluctant. "They say they'll give up their chairs when they pry them from their cold, sober fingers. But we're too old to be doing this anymore."

We'll Always Have Paris

Lannie Garrett is wearing yet another hat - Parisian chanteuse with the Gypsy Swing Revue. She and the band (two guitars, a violin and stand-up bass) are taking over the ballroom at the Lumber Baron Inn on July 21, Aug. 18 and Sept. 22. For $35, you get dinner and the show.

"I wanted to create a nice evening for grown-ups," Garrett says. "No televisions in sight, my pet peeve at all the bars, and early enough to get to work the next day."

Call 303-477-8205.

Kona

The Kona Grill opened Wednesday where Roy's stood, at the entrance to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. And it's gonna be a hit. Listen to Kahuna Husted - try the macadamia nut chicken. Wash it down with a woo woo.

Wallet watchers will be happy to learn happy hour is 3-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 p.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday, and 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, with drink specials ($3 martini) and half-priced appetizers, pizzas and sushi rolls. For about $7, you can stuff yourself with huge portions of potstickers and chicken satay.

Bill Husted's column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Husted also appears on Fox 31 News. You can reach him at 303-820-1486 or at bhusted@denverpost.com .