America’s great, ain’t it?

The weather’s supposed to be cooling down, but really, how can it? The Colorado Firefighter Calendar is making its debut tonight. The big unveiling goes on Friday, Sept. 18 at City Hall Event Center (1144 Broadway), and if it’s anything like the judging event, it’ll be a raucous good time.

In March, this humble reporter helped out as a judge when the 15 firefighters for the 2010 calendar were selected. It was hard work, sitting there watching shirtless (mostly) firefighters parade for the judges and audience, but the fruits of our labor are worth the effort.

This year’s crop of hot firefighters is an eclectic one. The lone woman, Molly, from Denver, shows off her cut physique with the city skyline as a backdrop. The August model is 53-year-old Aurora firefighter Jim. He’s soaking wet in his photo, and proudly displaying his six-pack — or maybe eight-pack — abs. Denver firefighter Ronnie is the 2010 cover model. His look is smoldering, with ax in hand, ready to save the day.

Tempted yet? If not, there’s more: The calendar’s firefighters will be available to give autographs and chat at tonight’s party. They’re not just pretty faces, after all. VIP tickets to the party get you early entry at 6:30 p.m. Mix and mingle with the calendar’s stars, and pose for a hot photo of your own. The VIP treatment also includes two drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres, a gift bag and a 2010 calendar.

Advance VIP tickets are $50 at ticketswest.com and at King Soopers locations. At the door, VIP is $75.

The general admission route is just fine, too. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $35 at the door. A calendar is included in the ticket price, as well, though you might want to stock up on calendars for gifts — they’re $15 each and will be on sale. For the non-VIPs, the party starts at 8 p.m.

Event organizer Kirsten Hamling says that advance ticket sales have been “strong,” so expect a crowd of (mostly) ladies, ready to party. Lots of ticket sales are good news for another reason. The calendar is produced by Fired Up For Kids, a nonprofit organization that raises money for the burn center at Children’s Hospital.

A portion of every calendar and ticket sale goes to the burn center — so invite a gang of friends, and pick up a calendar or two for those who can’t come. They’ll thank you for it when Kendry, from Denver, is on their wall in 2010.

– EAT RIGHT –

Sick of the loud LoDo bar scene? Make a Zen escape at XO (1612 Wazee St.), the Jet Hotel’s new-ish restaurant. (It opened in June.) Touted as an Asian noodle bar, XO’s minimalist decor is most reminiscent of a high-end sushi restaurant, but booze is, of course, a big part of the mix.

The list of drinks is almost as long as the food menu. All the usual suspects are there — Japanese beer, sake, wine — plus an offering of unique, Asian-cuisine-inspired cocktails.
Most intriguing is the Spice of Life drink: Two kinds of rum, a little coconut milk, basil and red jalapeño. But at $9, it’s not a drink to order without careful consideration. Sometimes a beer just sounds better.

During the week, happy-hour drinks and food are served in the lounge-y hotel lobby. Wine, well drinks and beer, including tasty Asian brews, are two-for-one. Appetizers are half price, with a few styles of Asian cooking represented.

The food’s all right, but it’s not really why you’re at XO. You’re there to people-watch and, as the door reminds guests of the hotel’s nightlife offerings, because “it’s a lifestyle.”

– Kathleen St. John

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