Posts Tagged ‘David Farr’

Boston-based physicist Stan Rosenthal is calling Barnes-Jewish/Siteman Cancer Center his home for now, while supervising the installation of a $20 million system that provides high-energy,optimal radiation therapy via high-energy proton beam for treating cancer. Created by Still River Systems, the equipment has high clinical advantages compared to conventional x-rays, explained Rosenthal, who is working with physicist Eric Klein of WashU Med School’s oncology department. Completion of the project is expected next spring and will be the seventh facility in the country to employ it. . .Vince Bommarito updated the possible move of Tony’s Restaurant to the Cheshire from downtown: “We’re presently looking at numbers for a parking area and a garage”. . .Emerson’s David Farr got an “A” from Fontbonne students whom he addressed the other day on building global relationships. Students from 16 nations were on hand. Farr shared his personal experiences from around the globe and then he joined the company’s Bob Cox to lead a tour of the Emerson Technology Cente, a donation of the company’s Network Power Data and showed how it has juiced the Fontbonne IT network for teaching and learning capabilities. The entire program was arranged by the university’s Linda Buhr. . .Political consultant and activist David Woodruff writes that he has been given access to “a short stack of the $1,000 tickets” and that they are available for $250 to attend President Barack Obama’s event Oct. 4 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel. . .Hair stylist Tymm Griffith has bowed Tymm’s Place in Ladue’s ClayPrice center. Her career began as a hairbender 25 years ago with Jim Cira.

Some Republicans don’t realize that the Ten Commandments aren’t multiple-choice. Arguably, that doesn’t apply to Sen. Richard Lugar of  Indiana, the third most senior senator and one who has notched up 98 percent attendance.  He is a hero to many, having called for a reversal of the Obama Administration’s de facto prohibition on new oil drills. Lugar will be in our town at a fundraiser for his reelection on March 20 at the Carrswold palazzo of Marilyn and Sam Fox.  Hosts: Roy Pfautch (if he’s not lobbying in Japan or China}; Lelia and David Farr; Don and Betsy Musick and Carol and Bert Walker.

Dennis Reagan, Jill McGuire, Michael Scully, Lisette Dennis, John Wright

The outline of downtown appeared like a bee in amber on late Wednesday afternoon, when the columnist popped into America’s Center to get an earful of song at the American International Choral Festival. During the reception, guests dripped with charisma and Emerson Electric Corp.’s senior veep of administration Robert M. Cox, Jr., was no exception.  Chatting with his pal, The Muny’s Dennis Reagan,  Cox said, “When I joined Emerson, the company had annual revenue of $1 billion and we expect to reach $25 billion this year.”  Turning to the city earnings tax controversy, Cox pointed out, “(Emerson ceo) David Farr and Civic Progress are looking into alternative solutions.” Beaucoup gemutlich surrounded the gathering with the Regional Arts Commission topper Jill McGuire helming the event. The native of Fulton, Mo., said the RAC paid $137,000 to host the 400 singers from far and wide to participate, including those from China, Croatia, South America and Canada to compete through Saturday in its first festival in the U.S.  She added, that the Doris Duke Foundation has given a grant to the RAC, whose budget is $5 million annually.  The ebullient, bouncy blond McGuire will be feted on her 25th anniversary as RAC topper on Dec. 6 at the St. Louis Club, hosted

Larry and Barbara Poger, James Bommarito, Judy and Jerry Pogger

by Donna Wilkinson.  Nearby was John Wright, an African American historian and author, who said his latest book is based upon the history of Carondelet.  He described it as tracing the area’s roots including the 18th century houses, the very first kindergarten and the Civil War gunboats.  On hand was the Convention & Visitors Commish’s John Bettag, who said that the First Robotics conclave of 25,000 will be here in April for another competition featuring kids four years-old and up. It was late when I left and was panhandled by a few hoods along the “shooting gallery” of Washington Avenue. But fortunately,

the people outnumbered the birds.  Bumped into a few AB InBev district managers in town for a meeting.  They enthused over the brewery’s 2011 launch of Shocktop Raspberry.  Then, a stop at Tony’s and joined boniface James Bommarito in congratulating insurance consultant Larry Poger and his wife, Barbara, on their 50th wedding anniversary.  They were accompanied by Larry’s bro, barrister Jerry Poger and his wife Judy.  Bumped into toxic litigator Tracy Cowan, who swooned over Vince Bommarito‘s care and feeding of

Dennis Reagan, Robert Cox

diners. “We had just moved our offices into this building and we called down to Tony’s to ask for a takeout,” he said. “We had no furniture yet, but Vince sent up our dinners on china.  My wife, Jeanne, and our 2 year-old daughter sat on the floor savoring the food and the restaurant has become our favorite ever since.”

“Emerson stock has had a good run and (each share) is $5 away from its all-time high,”   enthused David Farr, ceo of Emerson and Variety Club’s “man of the year” at the 44th anniversary “Dinner with the Stars” at the Chase-Park Plaza on Saturday night. Farr, with his wife, Lelia, mentioned he teaches strategic planning and investments on a long time plan at WashU.  “Chuck Knight also teaches a semester and he’s brought in such guest speakers as Louis Gerstner (former ceo of IBM) and Jack Welch (former ceo of General Electric),” said Farr.  “We have about 150 students.”  Thelma and David Steward, prez of Variety and chairman of World Wide Technology turned to business, when he said, “We’re taking advantage of the latest in Cloud computing (Internet-based computing of shared resources, software and information on demand).”  Contemporary Productions founder Steve Schankman was on hand with Jake Gregory, 19, who, two years ago, fell off the edge of a rocky cliff in Augusta, Mo., and suffered severe head trauma and other injuries.  Now, the glamorous Gregory is looking forward to head for studies in Christian ministry at Lindenwood.  The evening’s emcee Bob Eubanks, a veteran of 32 years of television game shows, said he keynotes nowadays for “coporate America.” “The subject is ‘All About America,’” said a surly Eubanks.  Marilyn Fox, chairman of the dinner, sauntered in the room with her husband and staunch GOP’er Sam, who insisted, “Crazy people are now running the country!”

The columnist has made hundreds of New Year’s resolutions over the years – for himself and on behalf of many of you.  Some have taken: some have not.  For himself, the columnist vows better attention to health; more acceptance of the limits of medicine; greater patience with the pace of healing; and a more heartfelt gratitude to doctors, nurses, billing clerks, insurance companies, and (especially) to well-wishers.  He also vows greater attention to correct spelling, accurate timing, complete quoting, standard punctuation, organized note-taking, credible attribution, flattering photography, and graceful corrections.  Of course, that is an annual resolution, made with little real intention of doing anything about the habits of a lifetime gossipist. On your behalf, the columnist attributes (with no foundation and with relatively little malice) the following fantasy resolutions:

• From President Barack Obama: I’ll do my Christmas vacation next year with Claire, Joe, and their family in St. Louis, as long as Claire promises not to Tweet about it and Joe pays for the Pi.
• From Governor Jay Nixon:  I’ll ask Peter Kinder, who practically lives there, to tell Georganne the best places to eat, shop, and stay in St. Louis.
• From Archbishop Robert Carlson:  I’ll make more good news with Catholic Charities than bad.
• From SLU president the Rev. Larry Biondi:  I’ll commission a statue of a naked Rick Majerus for Bannister House if the Billikens make the NCAA Tournament.
• From Sen. Kit Bond:  I’ll use my final year to find jobs for all my staff.
• From County Executive Charlie Dooley:  I’ll ask the nice Greg Boyce for a couple of lumps of clean coal to put into a certain former staffer’s Christmas stocking.
• From Mayor Francis Slay:  I’ll give a Key to the City to Lady GaGa.
• From KMOV GM Alan Cohen:  I’ll do infomercials 24/7.
• From “Donnybrook” founder Martin Duggan:  I’ll start a blog. What’s a blog?
• From Emerson CEO David Farr and celebrated attorney Linda Martinez:  We had no idea we were named “man and woman of the year” by the Variety Club until we read it in Berger’s column. We hope he’ll be seated with us at the April 24th dinner.
• From Congressman Lacy Clay:  I’ll check “finally single”  on my Census form next year.
• From former GOP consultant Rod Jetton: I’ll use the hot air
• From the Robin  Carnahan campaign to fill a bouquet of green balloons.
• From Gateway Foundation donor M. Peter Fischer:  I think I’ll do another two blocks.
• From Build-A-Bear boss Maxine Clark:  I’ll stuff the first marketing person who suggests a children’s video on national health care reform, immigration, or gun control.
• From former Engineered Air’s Mike Shanahan:  Since that fancy country club in Naples, Fla., has blackballed me and sent me a check that bounced, I think I’ll remain at Old Warson.
• From the St. Louis Beacon’s Bob Duffy:  We now have our own space in the KETC-TV offices and hope we’ll open an Illinois bureau in Pontoon Beach.
• From television reporter Alex Fees:  Maybe I can get Donna Wilkinson to follow Steve Schankman on my “Conversations with. . .” in January on HEC-TV – if her stockings aren’t falling.
• From Congressman Russ Carnahan:  I’ll use my frequent flier miles to send mouthy Ed Martin on a long trip to country without the Internet.
• From Blues owner Dave Checketts:  I’ll play Ed Goltermann in goal for home games.
• From Gerard Craft:  I’ll open a Niche on every corner.
• From WashU chancellor Mark Wrighton:  I’ll get that Top 10 ranking back.
• From Chief Tim Fitch:  I’ll find a new badge for Floyd Warmann.
• From KSDK GM Lynn Beall:  I’ll retire or replace any face viewers might conceivably recognize.
• From Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom:  I’ll fire the coach if he blows our number one draft choice by actually winning another game.
• From Bob Baer:  I’ll ride the last Metro bus to Chesterfield if the County tax campaign fails in April.
• From would-be Rams owner Rush Limbaugh:  I’ll buy the Arch Rival Roller Girls instead.
• From north St. Louis developer Paul McKee:  I’ll mow all my yards and rake yours too.
• From entrepreneurs Mike and Steve Roberts: We’ll suggest changing the name of St. Louis City to Roberts St. Louis City.
• From Symphony music director David Robertson:  I’ll buy KFUO and program it with hip-hop, uh. . .classical music.
• From Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III:  I’ll change the name of Ballpark Village to Holliday Haven.
• From the Loop’s Joe Edwards:  I’ll open a successful venue on the actual Moon.
• From Lee CEO Mary Junck:  I’ll improve morale by signing a good contract with the Newspaper Guild.
• From AmerenUe officials:  I’ll use the phrase “a warm holiday glow” in our next filing with the Public Service Commission to soften them up on a nuclear power rate increase.
• From Art Museum honcho Brent Benjamin:  I’ll expand.
• From AB Inbev boss Carlos Britto: I’ll find out if Clydesdales go better with a little lime.
• From grocer Greg Dierberg:  I’ll open the most popular grocery in a decade and call it. . .Culinaria Too.
• From the Caseyville and Collinsville police:  Next time we hope we’ll get it right. (At Teezers Bar in Collinsville, a guy walked in with a silver handgun over the holidays and fired off a few rounds and marched out.  Police began looking for a 70 year-old man known to them and after much searching, they decided that the gunman they really needed to look for had the same name but was just 52.  Then, the Caseyville police gave their Collinsville counterparts an entirely different suspect’s name. The guy, who allegedly committed the explosive act, was none of the above: he had been hiding out all that time at Jessi’s Hideout in Collinsville.)
• From restaurateur Sam Kacar: I hope to open a third Trattoria Branica in Chesterfield Valley by mid-January and then focus on a fourth in the CWE or Webster Groves.
• From former airport director Dick Hrabko: I’m going to get those slots installed at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport.
• From Wind Capital exec Tom Carnahan:  I’ll use the hot air
• From the Roy Blunt campaign to generate electricity.
• From uber-flack Joan Quicksilver:  I’ll nominate Jerry Berger as Media Person of the Year.
• From affable CVC’s Kitty Ratcliffe:  I resolve I’ll ask for another convention center. (The woman has garnered kudos for signing such major confabs as the Church of God in Christ, that brought 40,000 here and has inked its convention for St. Louis in 2011 and 2012 – away From Memphis.
• From all of this column’s many sources: We’ll not turn a blind eye to any item that might amuse St. Louis in Jerry Berger’s website.

Caveat lector and Happy New Year!