Mizel annual dinner draws a crowd.(Spotlight)

Byline: Dahlia Jean Weinstein, Rocky Mountain News

Among the many names of distinguished guests read aloud at the 2006 Mizel Museum Annual Dinner was that of President George W. Bush.

"I just wanted to make sure you're all still listening," said dinner co- chairman and emcee Gary Levine. The crowd of more than 1,750 chuckled at his joke about the tedious reading of nearly 150 national and local government, military, religious, educational and community leaders on hand.

Bush wasn't there, but it seemed as if every other politico was.

"This segment of the program has been recorded and you can purchase it on CD as you leave the building," joked dinner co-chairman and emcee Don Kortz, who shared the dinner's hosting duties with his wife, Mary Lou, and Levine's wife, Connie.

Kidding aside, it's always impressive how many distinguished guests Mizel Museum founder Larry Mizel attracts to the annual dinner, which benefits current educational programs and future projects sponsored by the museum.

Mizel proudly announced the museum's accomplishments over the past year, including its involvement in Denver's Babi Yar Park, which is dedicated to the estimated 200,000 Jews, Ukrainians and others who died at the hands of Hitler at the ravine known as Babi Yar, outside Kiev, Russia.

Mizel also talked about the CELL, the Center for Education, Learning and Life Change, a new "social laboratory" in the Museum Residences at the Denver Art Museum, near Civic Center Park.

It will expose visitors to pressing world issues and allow them to explore their beliefs and values. The first exhibition will deal with terrorism when the CELL opens in late fall.

The annual dinner is also a tribute to a person who supports education, learning and life change, such as Ray Baker, who was given the 2006 Community Cultural Enrichment Award.

Baker was recognized for his contributions to Colorado's kids through his Gold Crown Foundation and for his business contributions to ensure the construction of Invesco Field at Mile High and Coors Field.

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and Colorado Rockies owners Charlie and Dick Monfort paid tribute to Baker the businessman, while Tawny Dennis, a member of the Lakewood High School softball team, sang Baker's praises as a man and softball coach.

Other team members on hand to salute their favorite coach included Jody Hosier, Christina Tricarico, Amy Hosier, Katie Clark, Jen Mikkelsen, Nicole Dante Lyles, Kira Brester, Kimmie Calaway and Teann Mefford.

Gov. Bill Owens, U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar, Mayor John Hickenlooper, Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer and Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder served as the dinner's honorary co-chairmen.

For more information about supporting the Mizel Museum, call museum Executive Director Ellen Premack, 303-394-9993, ext. 1, or visit www.mizelmuseum.org.

CAPTION(S):

Photo (4)

Dinner co- chair- men Don Kortz and his wife, Mary Lou, celebrate at the yearly fundraiser for the museum. PHOTOS BY STEVE PETERSON / QL>SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

CAPTION: Mizel Museum supporters at the museum's annual dinner include, from left, Evan Makovsky, Rick Sapkin, Dick Robinson, museum founder Larry Mizel and Bob Malone.

CAPTION: The Levine family gathers for the museum's annual dinner. Dinner co-chairmen Connie, left, and Gary Levine are joined by their daughters, Whitney, center left, and Amy.

CAPTION: Community Cultural Enrichment Award winner Ray Baker is joined by his wife, Fran, and their son, Matt, at the dinner, held at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.Mizel Museum supporters at the museum's annual dinner include, from left, Evan Makovsky, Rick Sapkin, Dick Robinson, museum founder Larry Mizel and Bob Malone.

Mizel annual dinner draws a crowd.(Spotlight)

Byline: Dahlia Jean Weinstein, Rocky Mountain News

Among the many names of distinguished guests read aloud at the 2006 Mizel Museum Annual Dinner was that of President George W. Bush.

"I just wanted to make sure you're all still listening," said dinner co- chairman and emcee Gary Levine. The crowd of more than 1,750 chuckled at his joke about the tedious reading of nearly 150 national and local government, military, religious, educational and community leaders on hand.

Bush wasn't there, but it seemed as if every other politico was.

"This segment of the program has been recorded and you can purchase it on CD as you leave the building," joked dinner co-chairman and emcee Don Kortz, who shared the dinner's hosting duties with his wife, Mary Lou, and Levine's wife, Connie.

Kidding aside, it's always impressive how many distinguished guests Mizel Museum founder Larry Mizel attracts to the annual dinner, which benefits current educational programs and future projects sponsored by the museum.

Mizel proudly announced the museum's accomplishments over the past year, including its involvement in Denver's Babi Yar Park, which is dedicated to the estimated 200,000 Jews, Ukrainians and others who died at the hands of Hitler at the ravine known as Babi Yar, outside Kiev, Russia.

Mizel also talked about the CELL, the Center for Education, Learning and Life Change, a new "social laboratory" in the Museum Residences at the Denver Art Museum, near Civic Center Park.

It will expose visitors to pressing world issues and allow them to explore their beliefs and values. The first exhibition will deal with terrorism when the CELL opens in late fall.

The annual dinner is also a tribute to a person who supports education, learning and life change, such as Ray Baker, who was given the 2006 Community Cultural Enrichment Award.

Baker was recognized for his contributions to Colorado's kids through his Gold Crown Foundation and for his business contributions to ensure the construction of Invesco Field at Mile High and Coors Field.

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and Colorado Rockies owners Charlie and Dick Monfort paid tribute to Baker the businessman, while Tawny Dennis, a member of the Lakewood High School softball team, sang Baker's praises as a man and softball coach.

Other team members on hand to salute their favorite coach included Jody Hosier, Christina Tricarico, Amy Hosier, Katie Clark, Jen Mikkelsen, Nicole Dante Lyles, Kira Brester, Kimmie Calaway and Teann Mefford.

Gov. Bill Owens, U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar, Mayor John Hickenlooper, Aurora Mayor Ed Tauer and Lakewood Mayor Steve Burkholder served as the dinner's honorary co-chairmen.

For more information about supporting the Mizel Museum, call museum Executive Director Ellen Premack, 303-394-9993, ext. 1, or visit www.mizelmuseum.org.

CAPTION(S):

Photo (4)

Dinner co- chair- men Don Kortz and his wife, Mary Lou, celebrate at the yearly fundraiser for the museum. PHOTOS BY STEVE PETERSON / QL>SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

CAPTION: Mizel Museum supporters at the museum's annual dinner include, from left, Evan Makovsky, Rick Sapkin, Dick Robinson, museum founder Larry Mizel and Bob Malone.

CAPTION: The Levine family gathers for the museum's annual dinner. Dinner co-chairmen Connie, left, and Gary Levine are joined by their daughters, Whitney, center left, and Amy.

CAPTION: Community Cultural Enrichment Award winner Ray Baker is joined by his wife, Fran, and their son, Matt, at the dinner, held at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.Mizel Museum supporters at the museum's annual dinner include, from left, Evan Makovsky, Rick Sapkin, Dick Robinson, museum founder Larry Mizel and Bob Malone.