Eat, Drink and Be Charitable

There are thousands upon thousands of abandoned animals holed up in shelters throughout Colorado, including the MaxFund, a Denver-based no-kill sanctuary that not only provides pet-adoption services, but also a no-cost spay and neuter van that travels up and down the I-25 corridor, stopping at police stations, trailer parks and other locations to help prevent unwanted animals from giving birth to more of them. And tonight, at the nonprofit’s annual Chili Cook-off at the Celtic Tavern, 1801 Blake Street, you can do your part to ensure that the MaxFund can continue its mission — for a measly ten-buck admission fee.

The fundraising event, which starts wagging at 1 p.m., will feature twenty different chili tastings from amateurs as well as restaurant chefs, plus a silent auction and kick-ass beer specials. “It’s a great way to support our animals, knock back a few beers and warm up to some great chili,” says MaxFund executive director Tricia Cominsky. The cook-off, which includes three cash prizes for the top contenders, will be judged by patrons, who will receive a tasting kit — cup, spoon and ballot — and, says Cominsky, “some silly stuff, like Tums and mouthwash.” The MaxFund adoption van will also be on site in case you want to take a furry friend home. For more info or to purchase tickets, go to www.maxfund.org or call 303-595-4917.

Sun., Feb. 20, 1 p.m., 2011