Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Roxanne’s was the place to see and be seen at this year’s first Party in the Park Wednesday evening. Roger Spearman, chief  party sponsor and topper of  A-1 Private Investigations, was spotted holding court on Roxanne’s newly expanded patio, while sampling the product of co-sponsor Purus Vodka with its exec Mike Hopson and his wife, Courtney Hennessey Hopson. Languishing on Roxy’s patio were Kelly Davis and Matt Thomason of Commerce Bank; Elco Chevrolet’s Jim McCormich; CBC ball coash Bob McCormack; ESPN’s Jay Bilas; Carolina Watkins; Krueger’s mixologist Shelby Leistler; classic car maven Daniel Schmitt; insurer Ned McLain, IV; Riverbend’s Sam Kogos; steady as they go Grant and Michelle Williams; attorney Cynthia Howlett; barrister David Gregory; Farmer’s Insurance’s John Snyder and Myra Lynch, who recently ankled her post as GM of Barrister’s. Next door on Miso’s patio, Rick Berg sampled sushi with his family and host Brad Beracha, while just a block away Ladue Mayor Tony Bommarito snorfed down pizza with barolo at Sam and Vito Racanelli’s Mad Tomato. Quoth Hizzoner:  ”I’m not waiting in line for wine that isn’t served in a plastic cup – this is much better!”  At I Fratellini, Connor Dunlop of Tad Edwards’ investment firm canoodled at the bar with his love, Laura Beuttenmuller of LuLu Lemon clothing.

A gaggle of baseball fans have filed a class-action lawsuit against Major League Baseball alleging the deals between MLB and Comcast and DirecTV need to be reviewed as a violation of antitrust laws. . .A puzzled but patient Ray Hartmann calmly and clearly battled a caller on Donnybrook who kept insisting that approving gay marriage would automatically sanction pedophilia and polygamy  “according to the Constitution”. . .Flak Ginger Fletcher might have felt that she “dodged a bullet” a few years back, leaving her post at Riverview Gardens before huge controversies there over superintendent Hank Williams.  This week, however, as spokeswoman for Kirkwood schools, she’s been swamped responding to media and parents about the just-suspended six teachers there.  Meanwhile, state education commissioner Dr. Chris Nicastro must be pleased that her department is able to offer more grant money for special education to more districts this year than last. . .Not all’s well on this Mother’s Day.  In the “Social Q’s” column by Philip Galanes in the New York Times, an expectant St. Louis mom named Meghan gripes about baby names.  She told office colleagues her son will be called Benjamin, then months later, her pregnant assistant announced that she too chose the Benjamin (because its “cute.”) Galanes urges the distraught Megan to “let this go with as much grace as possible”. . .For one St. Louis mom, this weekend will be quite the celebration.  Besides marking Mother’s Day on Sunday, Gertrude Maring of Oakville will also be feted on Saturday for her 102nd birthday.

David Brooks quips on the New York Times “College Dot Com” website: “Did you see today’s paper that Washington University in St. Louis is offering a U.S. law degree for foreign lawyers over the Web?  This could help solve the incredible U.S. lawyer shortage that so many have been complaining about”. . . In his National Catholic Reporter column, veteran Vatican correspondent John Allen handicaps possible candidates when Pope Benedict passes on.  Not surprisingly, an American is listed as one of four “long shots” – St. Louis native Cardinal Timothy Dolan.  One upside, Allen notes, is a leadership style “that’s relaxed rather than angst-ridden: confident rather than in retreat; able to speak the language of the street and to laugh at itself.” And one downside: “some cardinals may regard the boisterous, exuberant Dolan as just too much of a shock to the system – well suited in New York, perhaps, but not so much the papacy”. . .While there’s a momentum toward gay marriage, many churches still refuse to ordain women.  Ready for a chuckle on this subject?  Check out “Ten Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained Ministers” by Dr. David M. Scholer in Sojourners magazine.  (“6.) Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors.  Their conduct at football and basketball games demonstrates this. . .”)

“TOMORROW OBAMA HAPPENS TO HAVE A FUNDRAISING DINNER AT GEORGE CLOONEY’S HOUSE. VERY INTERESTING.  I THINK THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED” – JIMMY KIMMEL

“THE WOMEN KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS.  NOW, ALL THE GOOD ONES WILL BE MARRIED AND GAY” – JAY LENO

Mary Hostetter holds up the 18-apple pie

The courageous and late Seven-Up heiress, Luciana Gladney Ross, left an indelible footprint on Kimmswick, which remains a scene of never-ending joy for so many. The magic lives on, particularly with the proprietors whom the columnist found to be pleasant, gracious and relaxed. Some are much too intelligent to say anything astounding.  Now watch some spoilsport come along and turn the town into high camp. That won’t happen as long as Mary Hostetter is there.

Mary Hostetter flanked by Michael Fischer and Kyle Klahs

Requisitely gentle and cool, never losing her poise, wearing the requisite powder blue uniform at her Blue Owl, she lamented Luciana’s death and mentioned that she had given a eulogy at the funeral service of the 96 year-old. Hostetter greeted us holding her bakery’s 18-apple pie “reminiscent of the levee in the ’93 flood,” she exclaimed. Oprah Winfrey’s“Favorite list of things” included Blue Owl’s caramel, pecan apple pie and gave it a lift on the OWN network.  Having run out of space, Blue Owl will have a grand opening on May 20 of its new production facility and later another sweet shop in Festus. . . Hostetter said, “I’m now writing a cookbook.”

Paul Manno, Jr. and Paul Manno, Sr.

Back in Chesterfield, Paul Manno’s Cafe is targeted for an expansion in the neighboring former drug store space. Good news for the crowds who’ve been hankering for more tables in the intimate dining room, where rack of lamb is its signature dish as prepared by either bossman Paul Manno, Sr. or Jr. Construction should be complete by July’s end.

Mike Sansone, Nicole and Joe Genevese

On hand for the victuals were Nicole and Joe Genevese, owners of Mike Genevesi Jewelry, with Joe’s assistant, Mike Sansone.

Forest Hills Country Club’s board of directors said phase one of the extensive $2.8 million renovation and construction project, which includes a championship golf course, swimming pools and dining facilities, has been completed. The project was supervised by Murray “Ken” Butler, gm and COO of the club.  The McMahon Group developed the overall master plan with guidance from the board’s leadership and past prez C.B. “Bud” Sinnett and prez Phil Daniels. Phase two will begin in the summer when ballrooms will be refurbished by Chick Construction. . .Criticism has erupted on the WashU campus over the honorary degree to be bestowed upon Richard Mahoney, retired chair and CEO of Monsanto. Amanda Wolff writes: “Along with several other companies, Monsanto is responsible for the disaster that has come from our global agricultural system.  If Wash. U. awards honorary degrees to ‘distinguished men and women who have made outstanding contributions to their fields,’ then the University has incorrectly selected Mahoney as a recipient”. . .Following Anderson Cooper’s party last weekend given in honor of pal and our town’s Andy Cohen’s just-released tome, “Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture,” Cohen, an innovative Bravo exec, will appear at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) night at the St. Louis County Library for a book-signing.  Anderson’s bash was held at the CNN anchor’s restored farm house in Greenwich Village and was attended by a bevy of Cohen’s friends including Sarah Jessica Parker. . .Sightem:  St. Louis Rams’ Darian Stewart and Jerome Murphy having fun while selecting Moms’ Day greeting cards at CVS in west county. . .Expatriates Zach Hyatt and Jonny Umansky are celebrating in Hollywood over ABC Family’s development deal to bring their script, “The Keys,” into a pilot.  Zach is the son of Mark and Debbie Small Hyatt; Jon is the heir of Jay and Peggy Umansky - both screenwriters are alums of Parkway Central High. . .Is conservative talk show host McGraw Milhaven becoming a liberal?  He argued on air that overweight people should have to pay more for their health insurance than slender ones. . .Not trying to rekindle an ancient debate, but this month marks the 30th anniversary of “Twain,” Richard Serra’s work of art that sits between the court building and the popular CityGarden.

That was U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill on the Colbert Report blasting anonymous campaign contributions. . .Ed Martin, who’s challenging Mo. AG Chris Koster, seems to be attacking with more desperation.  Koster apparently once paid political consultant Nick Baldick who also worked for prez hopeful John Edwards.  In a news release, Martin claims Koster is “just like Edwards”. . .Responding to a recent column by Nicholas Kristof about Native American reservations, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s North American president Luiz Edmond fires back in a letter to the editor of the N.Y. Times and denies that the firm has “a business model based on violating tribal rules.”

“The Avengers” has grossed a whopping $700 million worldwide in just two weeks of release. . .AMC Theaters may have a new owner with the Wanda Group of China thisclose to purchasing the second largest movie theater chain in the U.S., which is valued at $1.5 billion. . .FOX News has launched  streaming live on smartphones and tablets and the sale of ads on live streams is in the works.  The streaming is for customers of AT&T, DirecTV and U-verse. . .In an op ed in today’s N.Y. Times, Professor Janet Davis notes President Obama ‘s recent admission that he ate dog meat years ago.  She claims that in the U.S., “dog-eating has been a longstanding flashpoint for anxieties about race and citizenship” and cites the well-known 1904 World’s Fair incident in which “a group of scantily clad Philippine Igorots from the Luzon highlands reenacted a daily “Bow Wow Feast” at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.  Loosely based on the custom of sumang, in which a dog was sacrificed and eaten after a military victory, the dog-eating spectacle was a sensation”. . .A new exhibit at K.C.’s Nelson-Atkins art museum just opened, titled “Inventing the Modern World: Decorative arts at the World’s Fairs 1851-1939,” World’s Fairs curators say, “became the first platform for introducing new styles, manufacturing techniques, and consumer goods on a global state.”  The exhibit features popular products first presented at a World’s Fair, including mayonnaise, Cracker Jacks, the sewing machine, the telephone and the prototype Herman Miller plexiglass chair will make any design-lover swoon. . . On the hairbending beat, it’s congrats to Ginger Bay Salon owners Laura Ortmann and Jeffrey Evenson.  Their biz was just named “Salon of the Year” by SALON TODAY magazine. . .Jerry Dial, Bonni Gogel and Lois Bryant have arrived at be Salon.

Mo. Attorney Gen. Chris Koster obtains $15 million for Missouri in the second Medicaid fraud settlement with Abbott Laboratories over allegations of illegal off-label marketing of its drug Depakote, which is used for treatment of seizure disorders, mania associated with bipolar disorder, and prevention of migraines.
However, Abbott marketed the drug for treating other conditions resulting in false claims to Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs.