Cautionary Tale

When I was a kid, my dad scooped me up every night when he got home from work, and I loved the gasoline scent on his flight suit and his prickly, day-old stubble. When I was a teenager, he invited me on his weekly Corvette cruise, where we would drum up awkward small talk. As adults, we've said exactly nothing to each other. The last time we spoke, my hair hung past my shoulders and the World Trade Center still ruled the Manhattan skyline.

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More About

• Father's Day
• Elitch Gardens
• Chevrolet Corvette
• Muscular Dystrophies
• Muscle and Skeletal Health

Although I meant to see him before moving across the country, excuses piled up like the boxes in my apartment. Now I'm here waiting tables, and I can imagine the disappointment in his voice. As a shining example of a hubris-clogged father-son relationship (or lack thereof), you can look me up anytime.

Better yet, forget about me and get out there and have some fun with your dad this Father's Day. Starting at 11:30 a.m., the Dave & Busters at 2000 South Colorado Boulevard is hosting a Father's Day BBQ that benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Highlights include a BBQ buffet with beef brisket, BBQ chicken quarters, potato salad and hickory-smoked beans; a $10 Power Card for each guest; and an on-site golf expert from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Admission is $25.99 for adults and $20.99 for kids, and reservations are recommended. For more information, call 303-759-1515 or visit www.blacktie-colorado.com.

For those of you looking for something a little more fast-paced, Elitch Gardens, 2000 Elitch Circle, will host its annual Father's Day Musical Chairs starting at noon. According to spokeswoman Brooke Gabbert, "We wanted to do something that went along with the amusement park theme, something silly, something the kids would enjoy — and since dads are competitive, we wanted something with a competitive edge." Thus the world's largest musical-chairs event was born. Fifty dads, who pre-qualified for the event through radio station KOSI 101, will compete for prizes, including Elitch Gardens season passes for the whole family, golf packages, sports tickets and CDs. Spectators can enjoy the fun for the price of admission; for details, go to www.elitchgardens.com/ccalendar.php.
Sun., June 17, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.