What was the quality of our town, that had transformed fur merchants’ dreams into a nationally–renowned city? What outlandish dreams and ambitions enabled those early St. Louisans to build so grandly and so well? Even the old-timers who knew the magic, were no longer sure what it was. Rubbing their chins and watery eyes, they’d say, it was smaller and friendlier. Lots of wonderful saloons, cheap food, cheap wine and it was like a party going on all the time. St. Louis was the City That Was. Reruns of MGM’s “Meet Me In St. Louis” remind us of the gaiety surrounding the 1904 World’s Fair, celebrating the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. There remains unquenchable enthusiasm for structures that remain intact such as the elegant houses in Lafayette Square, the Eugene Field House, Bevo Mill and the Bissell House Mansion. There was a youngster from Ohio, who grew to become a physicist and Nobel laureate – Arthur Holly Compton – who helped take over a program to develop the atomic bomb. He was also chancellor of WashU, when it became the last university in the nation to desegregate students. Who would’ve thought of same-sex marriage in those days? That brings us to opinion researcher and career strategist Anna Navarro and marketing exec Harriet Blickenstaff, who legally tied the knot last month in Iowa. Who could guess then of a dermatologist, let alone one who would focus on itch? That’s right. Leading skin specialist Dr. Lynn Cornelius is hoping to establish an itch center within her practice at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where she serves as WashU prof and chief of the division of dermatology. (Itches are normally caused by infections, kidney and liver diseases,) A female lawyer in the early 20th century? Now we have women on the Supreme Court and some of the best lawyers in America are women, including our town’s esteemed barrister Jessica Liss of Rabbitt Pitzer & Snodgrass, who is slated to become prez of the Women’s Lawyers Association.

Fleishman-Hillard has been tapped to develop an integral marketing and PR campaign to support the U.S. launch of Chevy Cruze. Built in the U.S., the Cruze has already been launched and proven in more than 60 countries and soon will arrive at U.S. dealerships. FYI for those who came in late, that the,Cruze is a compact car that offers amenities more commonly found in upscale vehicles, including Bluetooth, USB port, navigation, and numerous safety features, such as 10 standard airbags. It also offers segment-leading fuel economy and the spaciousness and amenities of a mid-size car. In support of the launch, Fleishman-Hillard has created a program that fuses the social and traditional media strategies with consumer marketing and grassroots capabilities.

“We have broken ground on a new Carol House in Valley Park,” spewed Brook Dubman, bossman of the furniture and accessory giant “where you like nice things.” A familiar face on television via the company’s blitz of commercials, Dubman, with his wife,

Brook and Melissa Dubman

Melissa, fawned over their children, Garrett, 5 and Eliana, 3, at the KPLR, Channel 11 fall preview launch party at Dierdorf & Hart’s Westport Plaza eatery. Beginning Sept. 20, the station’s Patrick Clark will headline a new 4 o’clock news block, that will feature the arts and entertainment, according to Channel 11 and KTVI FOX 2’s leader, Spencer Koch, who hails from Staten Island, and later recalled his five years as production assistant with the Mets. He turned to the print media and opined, “It’s going away with the era of tech. And now, you can read newspapers online with Google. Some day, you’ll have to pay for it.” Jenny and Rich Wolkowitz were on hand and got kudos on their 5-unit Car Credit City independent dealerships – “The largest in the area,” hyped Rich, who confirmed he’s given up political aspirations. As for buying time on KMOX radio for Cardinal baseball, Wolkowitz said, “It’s not my mix, but I do buy a great deal of advertising on cable.” Creative advertising maven Bob Kochan got backpats on landing the Pulaski Bank account and ad exec Ben Turec waxed on about his Golden Oak Lending and Casino Queen accounts. Kochan also mentioned, that his daughter, Emily, now serves Laclede’s Landing as exec director. Turec pointed out, that even KTRS, whose broadcasts of Cards games will end this year, did a salute that day to KMOX for snagging the rights. Then it was onward for rounds at Herbie’s Vintage ‘72 for a chat with twosome David Charak and his steady, Diane Zebell, who lamented the passing of the popular Redel’s. Nearby were Nestle-Purina’s James Kristol and Matt Kurusz with Patty Abel, toasting Matt’s 27th birthday dinner, amiably served by Herbie’s star waiter, Charlie Manns.

Miami University soph Jacob Pleban, son of our town’s high-profiled barrister Chet Pleban, was observed by police officers on bike patrol, reportedly staggering in an alley behind Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, Ohio. According to the police report, an officer followed Pleban, 19, to a corridor leading to the church’s back door, where the student proceeded to urinate on the building. The officer reportedly identified himself as a cop and asked if Pleban knew he was urinating on the Methodist church. The officer wrote, “It appeared Pleban did not know what he was doing, but he replied, ‘I’m Catholic.’” Pleban was charged with public urination, disorderly conduct and underage intoxication. Jacob is a St. Louis University High alum.

Carnahan finally served her long-awaited jury duty. According to a south St. Louis neighbor, Cong. Russ Carnahan’s wife showed up for her stint on Monday and when she returned on Tuesday, she wore the same clothes. She was overheard to say, “I have no clothes here.”