Archive for the ‘Faces in the Crowd’ Category

Mark, Karen, Ali and Mark Hoeman, Jr.

A block away at Anthony’s, Ira and Bill DeWitt, III dined at the bar with their eyes riveted to the screen and flinching as the Braves’ prowess.

Ira and Bill DeWitt, III

Nearby, Pulaski prez Tom Reeves was feted on his birthday by his wife, Kathy, and his offspring Katie, Brian and Danny Reeves, who confided he’s bought six Justin Bieber toothbrushes for gift-giving.

Ken Bollwerk, Ken Bollwerk, Jr. and Bob Frischmann

At Tony’s Louis andGiovanna Buck honored their son, Chris on his graduation.  Ditto for Tony’s matire de Ken Bollwerk, who fed his son, Ken Jr., on his graduation, while Lindenwood prof Bob Frischmann joined in the festivities.  In Tony’s party room, Beth Pollnow 

Beth Pollnow flanked by her twin brothers, Slade and Trask

tossed her own natal day celebration with her twin brothers, Slade and Trask Bradbury and a crowd of celebutantes. On Mom’s Day at the Ritz Carlton,

Brett Syberg, Abigail Lopez

Brett Syberg, with his best gal-pal, Abigail Lopez, explained how his family’s namesake restaurant chain is expanding:

Katie, Tom, Kathy, Danny and Brian Reeves

“We’re tearing an entire block on Gravois in Affton to create a Fast Eddie’s;  we’ll build two beer gardens at Syberg’s in Chesterfield; we’re exploring the construction of Syberg’s venues in Arnold and Fairview Heights, Illinois.”

Brett noted both his parents, three brothers and two sisters are involved in the company, where he is head chef.

Faces in the packed plant center included Clayco’s Kirk Warden and wife Ann, and volunteer project manager Rick Moeckel;  Patriot Machine’s Robert Burns and Judy Burns; gala committee co-chairs Jitka and Dr. David Olander andCeleste Vossmeyer and John Sandberg; Amy and Amrit Gill; Bill and Beacon editor Margaret Freivogel; veteran obstetrician Dr. Jean Thomas, a native of Haiti, and wife Mary; Burns McDonnell engineering topper Ron Jones and pro bono engineer Jennifer Rehg. Others: WashU Social Work Dean Eddie Lawlor; Kaldi’s founder and MFK Board member Suzanne Langlois; MFK board chair Marilyn Gannon and husband Sean; SLU law profs Tonie Fitzgibbon and Roger Goldman; barristers Steve Leyton and Howard Smotkin of Stone Leyton Gershman; Jerry Schlicter; Bryan Cave’s Jim Wyrsch; Korein Tillery’s Bob King; Glenda and Al Wiman; Business Journal publisher Ellen Sherberg and husband Dr. Jerry Rosenbloom; Rep. Rory Ellinger and wife/consultant Linda Locke; Rep. Susan Carlson; Rep. Sara Lampe, formerRep. Judy Baker; Missouri Health Department director Margaret Donnelly; former Sen. Wayne Goode and wife,Jane;UMSL’s Betty VanUum and husband Stanley Schecter; Charlie Brennan’s wife, Beth Stohr; Dr.Pat Ravens; lawyer Betty Simons; former SLU business school dean Neil Seitz, an MFK board member; Marilyn and Dr. Steve Teitelbaum; Sara and Fred Epstein; Dr. Ray Slavin and Harriet Baron; Dr. Peggy Guest and Frank Hamsher.

Brian Wahby and Jim Holloran

Sir Winston Churchill once said, “I have always found the Irish to be odd. They refuse to be English.” That quote can truly be applied to guitar/bass virtuoso Mike Wallace, who came to our town solely to perform through the month at Jim Holloran’s McGurk’s in Soulard. Wallace has been plying his talent to throngs of fans almost every year since 1978. He came from Limerick, Ireland with flute/pipe artist  Tommy Martin and guitartist Patsy O’Brien. 

Mike Wallace flanked by Patsy O'Brien and Tommy Martin

Wallace pointed to the McGurk sign and proclaimed, “This is the best bar in America – although I haven’t yet seen my tab!”  In a party room, Brian Wahby chatted about his upcoming run for St. Louis City Treasurer: “I have great support from the LGBT community, which consists of 10 percent of the city’s population. I also have more experience in parking and finance than any of the other candidates.”

Ronda Williams and James Rosemergy

Turning to Larry Williams, who currently holds the job: “They ought to give him a gold watch and name a park after him,” said Wahby. Viewing the New Hampshire vote on several screens, attendees shouted, “(Mitt) Romney is stealing the election!”

“(Ron) Paul will probably run as an independent!”  “Paul reminds me of Ross Perot!” Others in the room were: Jack Coatar; Joe Moser; Ronda Williams and James Rosemergy – all under the eagle eyes of Holloran.

Jack Coator, Joe Moser, Brian Wahby, Dan Frenzia, Ian Simmons

Elisabeth Ottolini‘s brilliant Japanese-American menu: Carolyn Clarke, former SLAM chief curator and show

Annie Schlafly, Aimee Whitelaw, and Carolyn Clarke

narrator Michael Shapiro missus, Lisa, in from Atlanta; Hope and Julian Edison; Boo and Chuck Cook; Willie Herndon and Francesca Herndon Consagra; Wesley Fordyce and his gorgeous daughter, Fiona; Beacon editor Margie Freivogel; Karen Kalish; glamorous honorary chair Jane Shapleigh, with daughters Tina and Jan, and grandson John; Beacon g.m. Nicole Hudson; Kitty Drescher on the arm of her daughter Ann‘s dad-in-law, Taylor Desloge: the artful Susan Barrett with hub Chris Poehler and a lively group of friends; Sue McCollum; Alison and John    Ferring; Lynda Morrison and Steve Lawler; Bill Donius and Jay Perez; Carolyn and Arthur Perry; Lynda Morrison and Steve

Trish and David Schlafly

Lawler; Heather Woofter and Sung Ho Kim; Ross Brewer; Dorothy Carpenter; Cheri Hoffman; Carol and Bert Walker; Harriet Blickenstaff with her partner, Anna Navaro; May Reay, sans co-chair Chip Reay,    who was sent to bed with a cold. Faces in the crowd included: Trish and David Schlafly; Ed and Mary Bryant; Joan Hall and Mark Weil

Edward and Mary Bryant

with their son, Alex; Immanuel, Audi and Richard Baron; Justin Sailer with Nick Julian; Matt and Mary Pentecose; Tim and Dr. Austin Hake and Alan and Joanne Kohn. Some revelers must have thought Sunday    was New Year’s Eve, staying as they did ’til the witching hour.

Mark Weil, Joan Hall and son Alex

Immanuel, Richard and Audi Baron

Justin Sailer, Nick Julian, Jay Perez and Bill Donius

 

Tim and Dr. Austin Hake

 

Media relations wizard Scott Charton of Charton Communications fame: “I’m advising St. Louis clients to make any bad news announcements today – it’ll never get daily media attention amid the Pu-nami of Albert the Angel coverage.” Albert Pujols’ defection to the Angels got a ho-hum reaction from some guests Thursday night at the Covenant House fundraiser in the Khorassan Room of the Chase.  “The Cardinals could get three good players with the money offered to Pujols,” opined City Hall’s Jeff Rainford.  Red Schoendienst: “Don’t know why he left. He won’t get our town’s atmosphere there.” Jeff Aboussie, exec secretary/treasurer Building and Construction Trades Council: “The Cardinals’ should take the money it would have paid Pujols and start Ballpark Village tomorrow, putting to work 1,000 construction workers.” Other voices: “I wouldn’t run for office until 2016,” insisted former U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway, partner in the Ashcroft Group law firm. As for the firm’s business, she offered, “It’s too good!” Jack Martorelli, mainstay of Guns ‘n Hoses: “The recent event will bring in more than $300,000 for BackStoppers.”  Rex and Jean Sinquefield hosted the party of which Jean giggled and pointed out, “We’re giving the party and guests have to pay.”

Covenant House's Diane Compardo, Paul Kindl, Sue Wagener

Pay they did for Covenant House of Missouri, whose exec director Sue Wagener said that 5,300 youth were served last year. The non-profit agency empowers homeless, runaway and at -risk youth to become independent and contributing members of the community. With Wagener were board chairman Paul Kindl, finance chief Diane Compado.

Rex Sinquefield was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for his promotion of chess.(a sport?) Gillian and James Harris were front and center.

Sharon and Kim Tucci with music maker Al Oxenhandler

Then, it was onward to Tucci & Fresta’s Trattoria & Bar in Clayton, where we found co-owner Kim Tucci coochie-cooing with diners including Barbara and Barry Beracha. former exec with Sara Lee (their son,Brad, owns nearby Araka Restaurant).

Barbara and Barry Beracha

Later, we learned that Lambert Airport director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge is no longer considered as a candidate to succeed Dick Fleming at the RCGA. On another note, St. Louis Ald. and mayoral hopeful Lewis Reed has just bought a new car, raising eyebrows at City Hall.

Ray Wagner and State Rep. Tim Jones

AT&T prez John Sondag and John TemporitiRay Wagner and State Rep. Tim Jones

Bob, Susan and Mike Kelley with Donna Wilkinson

U.S. Banks’ Joe Imbs, iii., The Boeing Co.’s Craig Saddler, Bryan Cave’s James Nouss and Wells Fargo Advisors’ Raschelle Burton have earned stripes as the newest  members of the Symph’s Board of Trustees.

St. Louis Symphony's Fred Bronstein, Donna Wilkinson, Science Center's Bert Vescolani

Of the  13,000 full-time students at WashU, Chancellor Mark Wrighton lamented that many cannot find work during this looming recession. On a personal note, Wrighton enthused about the move of his 2 year-old granddaughter, Alycia, and her move to University City from Seattle with her parents,  Alicia and James Wrighton. “James will be joining the Brown Group,” said Wrighton.