Passionate poker people tell me Lederer is Texas hold 'em's version of The Boss. And the poker pro is coming to Colorado to share secrets, take on local gamers and host a tournament.

Lederer, a two-time 2003 World Poker Tour winner, and poker pal Matt Savage, tournament director of the World Series of Poker seen on ESPN, will hold a weekend's worth of events Jan. 28-29.

The big ticket ($1,495) includes drinks, dinner and dessert in a private room at Del Frisco's with Lederer, Savage and local sports figures from 7 to 11 p.m. Jan. 28.

After dinner, Lederer and Savage will break out the cards and serve up a friendly game of poker along with tips from the pros.

The ticket also includes the Jan. 29 lineup, starting with a Texas hold 'em seminar led by Lederer and Savage (2 to 4 p.m.), followed by dinner (4 to 5:30 p.m.) and a seat in a charity poker game at the Wildlife Experience in Lone Tree.

A $350 ticket gets you into all of the Jan. 29 events, or you can pay $100 for the seminar alone. Prizes will be awarded to the top 20 finishers at the Saturday tournament.

Local lawyer Marc Schtul (organizing the event along with sportster Les Shapiro) said he hopes to get plenty of participation from women.

"In poker, gender doesn't matter," he said. "I know there are a lot of good women poker players out there."

Tickets and more info: www.colopok erseries.com.

SOMEONE'S IN THE KITCHEN: Based on last year's dining success (at least there were no known reports of food poisoning), James Morgese, president and general manager of Rocky Mountain PBS, will again cook lunch today for nearly 100 KRMA employees.

Senior management members will serve lunch and help clean up after the meal.

Sticking to his Italian roots, Morgese will make lasagna, salad and garlic bread.

"This was such a hit last year that we decided to do it again," he said.

"I really enjoy the family-like aspect of this event, and the staff says it's great fun to get together and mangia, mangia some Italian chow."

GOING TO THE CHAPEL: The irony wasn't lost on local lovely Karen Hullinger on Wednesday night when a dozen gal pals opted to throw her bachelorette party at Elway's Steakhouse.

Hullinger dated the Hall of Famer before she met and fell in love with Mike Long, COO of Arrow Electronics. On Saturday, Hullinger and Long will tie the knot at the Colorado Community Church.

The couple will be blending families (each have two kids) in their Glenmoor home.

"It's the best thing that's ever happened to me," Hullinger said about her impending nuptials.

The gal gaggle gathered in a private room in the Cherry Creek eatery for sipping, steak eating and girl gabbing.

THE SEEN: Super singer Chris Isaak taking a lunch break at Wolfgang Puck's on Wednesday after autographing his new Christmas album downstairs at Virgin Records.

Also at Puck's: former Rocky Mountain News dining critic and world traveler Thom Wise, sporting his signature red shoes, presiding at the front of the house through next week before he heads to parts west and south.

EAVESDROPPING on two women at the Breckenridge Brewery: "My husband is not going to be very happy tonight. We're having leftover TV dinners for dinner."

If you go

• What: The Inaugural Colorado Poker Series®Event

• When: Saturday, Jan. 29

• Where: The Great Hall at the Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Lone Tree

• Highlights: Two-time 2003 World Poker Tour winner Howard Lederer will teach the basics of playing No-Limit Hold 'Em and discuss how to spot an opponent's "tells." Participants also will learn how not to be dominated, when to fold and how to figure hand "outs."