Fox 31 news anchor Ron Zappolo calls himself "a lucky survivor." And who could argue with a man who on Wednesday marked 30 years in the ever- changing broadcast biz in Denver?

"I'm completely beholden to the people of Colorado who have kept me on the air this long," Zappolo said. "I'm very fortunate that I've been able to survive, and that's the truth."

Zappolo, who never earned a college degree, said he set his sights on television when he was in high school. "I grew up in Boston, and I knew I was not going to play left field for the Red Sox," he said. "In my senior year in high school I started thinking about broadcasting, but I was very introverted."

He enrolled in public speaking, drama and creative writing classes to crawl out of his shell. "I quickly got on at a station in Washington, D.C., as a copy boy, the lowest rung on the ladder. I owe a huge debt to Maury Povich (who was an anchor there); he taught me the business."

Zappolo started in Denver as sports anchor on CBS 4 News, then was wooed with a better offer by 9News. In 2000, newbie Fox 31 came calling with the job as lead news anchor. "I knew I could do it, it was just a question of taking the same tools and preparing the same way with just a different subject matter," he said. "People ask me all the time, 'When will you go back (to sports)?' I miss the relationships that I forged over a long, long time, but I have no complaints. I'm very, very fortunate."

TAMBIEN'S A TREAT: It was a miraculous three-week makeover that metamorphosed Sketch, a fine dining restaurant at 250 Steele St., to Tambien, what one woman called, "Mezcal times two," in the same space.

Owner Jesse Morreale invited me, along with a few Mexican food fans, to preview the place Tuesday night and sample the menu from super chef Sean Yontz. We give the joint, which opens to the public at 11 a.m. Friday, eight thumbs up.

The private dining room with the wine wall has been converted to restaurant seating to accommodate 130 folks. The patio wall outside is emblazoned with a Tecate mural, and other artist Matt O'Neill-made murals deck the interior, as well.

Jerri Thiel, who does marketing for Morreale, created all the stained glass candleholders and the wall featuring Our Lady of Guadalupe. The menu is solid Mezcal (on East Colfax) meets Chama (in Belmar) with standouts including guac and chips, ceviche, shrimp cocktail, tamales, enchiladas, fajitas and killer green chili. Que bueno!

LAUGH LINE: Local comic Hippie-man, aka John Novosad, took a gentle jab at the mayor during his stand-up routine at Comedy Works on Tuesday: "It was so hot last week Mayor Hickenlooper was finally able to announce the snow was cleared from all side streets and alleys."

THE SEEN: Colorado Rapids midfielder Jovan Kirovski lunching at the California Pizza Kitchen in the Cherry Creek mall Tuesday.

The Wonder Years dad Dan Lauria hanging at The Hornet on Tuesday.

Country couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill shopping at Mariel in Larimer Square on Monday.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman at Tambien: "I think your green chili should be the official green chili of the Democratic National Convention."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.