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Mountain Mayhem: The 10th anniversary of Bella Sera

by May Selby / photos by Alice Koelle
Michael Franti leads the audience in singing happy birthday to Rose Jean Sharpe, Honoree Bob Sharpe’s mother.
Alice Koelle Photography, Inc. |

National Jewish Health, the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, honored Elaine and Marvin Rosenberg and Bob Sharpe on Aug. 8 at the 10th anniversary Bella Sera held at Belly Up. The Caribbean-themed celebration featured island cocktails, fabulous fare and entertainment from multi-platinum artist Michael Franti & Spearhead. Emmy- and Grammy-winning musician Randy Newman also sent his congratulations to the night’s honorees via a video message from his home in Pacific Palisades, California.

All three honorees received the National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award, each recognized for their significant civic and charitable contributions. Elaine and Marvin Rosenberg are known for their generosity and leadership in their hometown Cincinnati, where Marvin was a founding partner of Towne Properties and Elaine helped launch Cincinnati’s Cancer Support Community after her own fight against breast cancer. Today, they spend most of their time in Aspen. Sharpe is a leader in real estate and is currently developing Rancho Sahuarita, a 3,000-acre, master-planned community near Tucson, Arizona. In March 2015, he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma and underwent surgery and continues to receive chemotherapy treatments. He and his wife, Deborah, recently established the “Today is a Good Day” Foundation to help support charities that are near and dear to their hearts.

Nancy and Richard Rogers generously presented the event, which raised $330,000 for National Jewish Health. Co-chairs included Harris and Elaine Cahn, David Chazen and Lauren Rosen, Aaron and Barbara Fleck, Shelly and Golda Friedstein, David and Louise Gitlitz, Marc and Kristen Holtzman, Madeleine Larson, and Steven Shane and Clare Evert-Shane.



Shelly Friedstein also served as emcee while Dr. Michael Salem, National Jewish Health President and CEO, spoke about the impact of National Jewish Health in the Aspen Valley and worldwide.

Since 2003, National Jewish Health has been committed to helping Aspen Valley residents and addressing health issues specific to high-altitude living. Their specialists collaborate and consult with physicians in the Aspen Valley medical community to provide internationally recognized care for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, allergies and other respiratory and related conditions. When more specialized care is needed, Aspen Valley residents have easy access to the hospital – just a few hours away in Denver. National Jewish Health specialists have logged nearly 2,000 patient visits in the Aspen Valley since 2003. Since 2010, residents from the Aspen Valley have been seen at National Jewish Health in Denver more than 2,200 times. For more information, visit http://www.aspenbellasera.com.




Contact May with insights, invites or info: allthewaymaymay@hotmail.com

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