Rocky Mountain News - September 27, 2008

PENNY: Elway engaged to ex-Raiderette

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 27, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

Is love lovelier the second time around? Broncos Hall-of-Famer John Elway is betting on it. He asked steady girlfriend Paige Green, a former Raiderette, to marry him while the couple was vacationing in Venice, Italy, last week.

"I'm very lucky to find Paige," Elway told me. "She's a great gal. I'm looking forward to a long life together."

The quarterback and the cheerleader met three years ago during a celebrity golf tournament in Los Angeles, which Green, an actress, called home. But it wasn't until seven months later when Elway spotted the lovely lady on an infomercial that he thought to contact her.

A year ago, she moved to Denver, where the two have made their nest in Elway's Cherry Hills Village home. Elway's first marriage, to Janet Elway, ended after 18 years and four children.

Craig Andrisen, one of Elway's best buds, said he knew the two would get engaged eventually; he just didn't know when.

"I'm ecstatic for the both of them," said Andrisen, who recently married for the second time, to Christy Luth. "At my wedding, he sat in the back row. Now he's moving up to the front."

Elway, 48, and Green, 41, haven't set their wedding date yet. For the Italy proposal, the former quarterback came prepared with diamond ring in tow. Did he make the surprise proposal romantic?

"I tried to, yeah," he said. "I think she said, 'Yes,' the third time I asked her."

FOODIE FODDER: Primebar, a new restaurant concept from operators in Chicago, will take over the old Palomino space on the 16th Street Mall in spring 2009 after a renovation. The new place will feature a wine wall and floor-to-ceiling windows. It'll serve small plates, lunch and dinner.

* 8 Rivers, a Caribbean eatery that's been operating in the Highland neighborhood, is closing that location on Sunday to consolidate in the recently opened LoDo space at 1515 Blake St.

* Jared Boller, a bartender at Ocean in Cherry Creek North, was one of three team USA members to snag second place at the 42BELOW Cocktail World Cup in Queenstown, New Zealand. Boller, along with teammates Charles Jolly, of Chicago, and Bill Norris, of Austin, Texas, created the cocktail Wisdom of the Ages, which contains fresh sage leaves, green chartreuse, 42BELOW vodka, New Zealand Carrick Sauvignon Blanc, chamomile syrup and white grapefruit juice served in a highball glass with a dash of lemon juice.

THE SEEN: Author Candace Bushnell, the original Carrie Bradshaw and Sex and the City creator, having her 'do done by lead stylist Todd Putman at Antoine Du Chez - The Spa at Cherry Creek, with makeup by Ashley Hawk on Thursday before a whirlwind day of press in Denver to promote her new novel, One Fifth Avenue.

Former San Diego Padres pitcher turned speaker Dave Dravecky dining at Siena in Castle Rock on Wednesday.

EAVESDROPPING on one of a group of friends at a 30th college reunion football game at the University of Northern Colorado: "My abs have entered the witness protection program."

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 park This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .