Editor’s Note: Penny Parker’s “Mile High Life” column is new this week in the newspapers and on the websites of Colorado Community Media. Parker, formerly a columnist with The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News, will give insights into the best events, restaurants, businesses, parties and people throughout the metro area. Penny can be reached at parkerp1953@gmail.com or 303-619-5209.

Bronco and betrothed will add celebrity

shine to charity event

Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker and fiancee, along with country singing sensation Jessie James, will add their celebrity status to this year’s SaddleUp Foundation Denver Suitcase Party, where guests show up with packed bags ready to leave on a jet plane the weekend of Aug. 17.

The event will be in a private hangar at Mayo Aviation at Centennial Airport. Guests will walk the red carpet beginning at 6 p.m. and party hearty with drinks, dancing and food samplings from local restaurants and caterers. For a minimum bid of $6,000, luxury travel club Inspirato is donating the use of one of its vacation homes. James will be the featured entertainer for the soiree, which raises money for the Parker-based charity dedicated to empowering individuals with special needs through equine-assisted activities and therapies at a family-friendly ranch. Information: www.saddleupfoundation.org.

Tickets are $125 for young professionals 35 or younger, $150 for general admission and $250 for VIP, which includes a champagne greeting, access to a VIP lounge and discounts for Town and Country Limousine. Each ticket level includes one raffle ticket for the drawing to win two seats on the six-seater plane.

You’re a good sport, Guv

Gov. John Hickenlooper, Colorado’s 42nd state leader, good-naturedly guffawed his way through this year’s Denver Stories, Curious Theatre Co.’s homage to local movers and shakers, staged one night only last week.

Prior to curtain, attendees who coughed up $1,000 a ticket dined on buffets by Occasions Caterers and sipped cocktails (including the signature sip “The Looper” made of tequila, mint, lime, simple syrup and soda).

Before the premiere of the play “Riding on a River of Beer: The Life and Times of the Hon. John Hickenlooper,” Curious artistic director and co-founder Chip Walton told the crowd that the theater had just finished a record-breaking 14th season for ticket sales.

“Writing a play about the governor was quite an experience,” Walton said. “It could have been a six-hour, four-act play, but fortunately for you it’s not.”

The plot followed Hizzoner’s journey to Colorado as a laid-off geologist who ended up a microbrewery pioneer.

High-profile locals received cameos, including drama’s grand dame Judi Wolf, power-broker lawyer Steve Farber, Hick’s chief of staff Roxane White, money man Blair Richardson, jobs guru Andrew Hudson and Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries.

Each offered advice that would land Hickenlooper in the mayor’s office and, eventually, the governor’s seat.

Several needled him about his famously frumpy attire.

After the governor wowed the crowd with a little ditty on the banjo, the Curious cast closed with its rendition of the OneRepublic hit “Good Life.”

OneRepublic, a national act with roots in Colorado Springs, played Hickenlooper’s inauguration party.

“Thank you all, this was so much better than I thought it was going to be,” the governor told the audience.

During the after-play party, Curious officials revealed that Chuck Morris, president and CEO of the Rocky Mountain region of entertainment giant AEG, will be the 2013 subject.

Bling’s the thing

Fred Meyer Jewelers, the nation’s third-largest jewelry retailer, will open a 1,300-square-foot store this week inside the new King Soopers at 15051 E. 104th Ave. in Commerce City.

On opening day, the first 100 Fred Meyer Jewelers customers will each receive a free six-piece, freshwater pearl bracelet gift set valued at $65.

The bracelet set features six different-colored, cultured freshwater pearls set on a stretch cord.

Customers can also enter to win a Sitara diamond pendant valued at $2,395.

The jeweler will have grand-opening savings on jewelry, free watch batteries, complimentary jewelry cleaning and double King Soopers fuel points.

Fabulous Fourth

Like most Fourth of July-celebrating folks, you probably have your favorite spot to take in the light show.

But if you’re looking to venture outside of your norm, here are three alternative venues to celebrate the good ol’ US of A.

The “really big shoe” is Independence Eve presented by Anadarko, a free concert by The Colorado Symphony and fireworks display beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Denver’s Civic Center Park.

Lawn seating is first-come, first-served; early arrival is encouraged. Blankets or low-rise beach chairs are allowed.

At the eastern Denver city limits, there will be a free July 4 community concert by the band The Julius Show and fireworks presented by Oakwood Homes at Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater.

The concert is 7-8:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks show choreographed to music.

The summer concert series continues on Wednesdays, July 11 through Aug. 1. For a schedule and directions to the amphitheater, visit www.skylineusa.com/oakwood.htm.

Aurora’s fireworks show is spectacular, especially when you’re watching from a seat on the grounds of Aurora Hills Golf Course.

Tin Cup owner Cindy Jones puts on a heck of a party where you bring your own meat to grill, pay a small fee for Jones’ homemade sides, and enjoy the free light show that starts at dark.