Crew Cuts

words by > Alex Miller

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson spent 30 years as an engineer with AT&T before “retiring” to the customer service counter at AirTran Airways in Denver. Her four-day work week enables her to get out and really enjoy the city she was born and raised in—something she says could be a full-time occupation given all that Denver has to offer. “I’m so proud of our city,” Robinson says. “I love its diverse nature and how it’s grown from a little cow town to this big, beautiful city. Many people think Denver is just about the Broncos and the nearby ski hills, but it’s so much more. There’s nothing like coming home to Denver.”

The Sound of Music

A big jazz fan, Robinson says people need to know how much great live music is going on in Denver these days, citing some local favorites like Hazel Miller and Dotsero. Robinson loves to take in the scene at clubs such as the Soiled Dove (www.soileddove.com). “People are there all the time—it’s packed,” she says. Another favorite is Denver’s legendary El Chapultepec (303-295-9126), which has hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett in its past, and whose burrito is nearly as famous as its musical lineup. “It’s an amazing place,” Robinson says. “You just walk in and see famous artists checking out the tunes, then they step up and play.” Other clubs she likes to visit include Dazzle (www.dazzlejazz.com), a restaurant and bar that also serves up live jazz; and Jazz@Jacks (www.jazzatjacks. com) in the Denver Pavilion.

Out and About

Denver has a wonderful zoo (www..denverzoo.org), and it’s a place Robinson goes to every couple of months. “I like to see the new babies,” she says. “You just walk around, see the new lions and monkeys and other new baby animals. It’s beautiful—you can’t go wrong strolling through the gorgeous park. It’s not far from the airport and easy to get to, so I tell passengers who are coming to town to try the zoo.” Another must-see is the newly rebuilt Denver Art Museum (www..denverartmuseum.org), with its stunning Daniel Libeskind-designed addition. For skiing, Robinson loves to hit the hills at Copper Mountain (www.coppercolorado. com). Even when the snow isn’t on the ground, one of her favorite diversions is packing the car with family or friends for long drives in the mountains.

Denver Dining

When it’s time for something a little different, Robinson loves to head over to the Rodizio Grill (www.rodiziogrill.com), a Brazilian steak house with a flair for dramatic food preparation. “It’s fantastic,” she says. “They put on a show for you, and you get served all kinds of different meat.” Another favorite is the seafood grill McCormick and Schmicks (www..mccormickandschmicks.com), and she also loves downtown’s Broker with its free bowls of shrimp (www.thebrokerrestaurant. com). When it’s time for something basic and tasty, though, Robinson heads to the M&D’s Bar-B-Que and Fish Palace (303-296-1760) on 28th Street. “It’s one of the older barbecues in town,” she says. “You go there for red beans and rice, peach cobbler to die for, and the best barbecued ribs. But don’t order the hot-hot unless you’re really up for it!”