Happy birthday, Maggiano's

Maggiano's in the Denver Pavilions turns ten this week, and its is a real reason to celebrate. Unlike so many corporate-concept restaurants, this Maggiano's -- a link in a Chicago-based chain -- pays attention to the community in which it is located, doing innumerable good works even while it serves good food.

It's even run by good sports, who hosted a millionth meatball ceremony seven years ago -- and then rolled with the punches when I threw a curveball in my "Blowing Boeing" column.

For the record, over the past decade, Maggiano's claims to have served up 61.5 tons of meatballs; 185,000 pounds of spaghetti; 450,000 pounds of lasagna and 910,000 carryout bags -- those portions are huge.

So happy birthday, Maggiano's. Here's to many more -- birthdays, and meatballs. -- Patricia Calhoun