Posts Tagged ‘Joan Quicksilver’

Lynn Davis, Amy Stegman, Dana Vedder, Megan Lynch

It should always be, as always, the most fruitful and self-indulgent time of the year and at first glance, it is. Even the Cardinals are doing well and might win it all. One soap opera has signed off and another about to become a victim of sagging ratings, while “Dirty Soap” is in the offing. Election campaigning is hitting fever pitch, Salvation Army belles will soon ring  bells over black kettles, the oompa loopas at Bissinger’s are poised for shipping chocolates, box stores that are every bit as distinctive as those in Poplar Bluff or Alton have begun festooning the counters with age-old, plastic, holiday decorations. Monsignor Sal Polizzi and his flock are celebrating the centennial of his

Susan Fadem, Ellen Futterman

beloved St. Roch Church. Crown Candy Kitchen continues to lure hundreds of people from the “neighborhood,” where residents once lived, loved and rejoiced. Plaza-Frontenac seemed like a good place to start over the weekend at an early hour when only scavengers and stockbrokers are awake. At Nieman-Marcus, the Press Club held a “Face the Nation” beauty event at which money was raised to support the club’s scholarship

Lenore Pepper, Germaine Gibbs, Joan Quicksilver

program. Experts from products provided tips for beauty and among the brands were the names of “Dermal Quench,” “Hollywood Glow” and “QuasarMD.” There was a cry from some guests: “But, I have no makeup on!” The program was helmed by Jennifer Blome, Aisha Sultan, Debra Bass, Amanda Cook and Alice Handelman. On the sidelines, Cary Schneithorst, with Molly Hyland Ittner, chirped, “My brother’s in rehab.” Margaret Gillerman seemed to know everyone there. Ellen Futterman spoke of the recent round of

Adele Zerman, Alice Handelman, Charlene Bry

departures from the Post-Dispatch, that have included Ron Cobb, Bill Coates, Matt Fernandez, and Lou Shucart. Joan Quicksilver swooned over son, Robert, who has just joined the ranks of Charter leadership. Charlene Bry, whose late ex-husband, Richie Bry, bought for her Tennis Press, which she parlayed into the Ladue News, touted her recent tome, “Ladue Found.” The dewy-eyed old-timers bonded well with the younger chic women.  Then, it was onward to dash off a few items.

Gina Galati, Cary Schneithorst, Molly Hyland Ittner

Bob Safron, Ellen and artist Dan Byrne and Norma Stern

It’s a given that Roberta Cohen is one of our town’s most successful fundraisers as evidenced by her chairmanship of Saturday night’s St. Louis Crisis Nursery Razzle-Dazzle Ball at the Sheraton West Port.  Money didn’t sleep with a whopping $400k raised at the gala (“sold out before invitations were printed,” she said). Maestro of all things charity, Chris Chadwick boosted the smiles of guests, who honored her for having founded the organization  25 years ago.  With her husband, David, Chris swept into the ballroom, where signs on the doors should’ve read, “All ye who enter should adjust

Ida Wolfolk and St. Louis License Collector Mike McMillan

expectations.”  Cohen’s husband Allan said that he has signed on anchors Vicki Newton and 25-year vet Larry Conners for two more years. Cohen has helmed Channel 4 for 31 years – “Half of my life,” he joshed.  Runway-worthy outfits that glowed were Joan Quicksilver‘s Italian import of crystal and feathers and Robin Smith‘s and Janet Conners‘ Indian imports – all new equations for womens’ modern dressing.  The ubiquitous Norma Stern on a cane, explained, “I fell and broke three ribs – and I was sober!”  Coca-Cola’s national sales manager Angela Owen hawked the rising success of Coke’s sports drink, Vitamin Water, (which is being sued by the Center for Science in Public Interest for violation of FDA guidelines).

Kim Hunter and Jason Harris

Joan Quicksilver and Norma Stern

Robin Smith, Roberta and Allan Cohen, Janet and Larry Conners

Ebonee Shaw, Daffney Moore, Taressa Hockaday, Judy Ferguson Shaw and Mary Elliott

Bryan Kaemmerer, Kim Wagner, Angela Owen, Jim Wagner.

The autumnal chill began Saturday night and clanking thoughts occurred to me as I drove aimfully, trying to zero in on the city I once thought I knew so well.  It wasn’t easy.  I attempted to commandeer my car around the construction along  I-64/40 , through more road work on detours and heavy pedestrian and traffic blockades around the Dome where the Gateway Classic was to begin.  A gorgeous mess in Action City? Then, finally I arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel, where cold shoulders of valets greeted me and the swells, who began opening their car windows and unlocking the doors from fear of driving through poor neighborhoods. The hotel has a certain dignified facade – a cock-eyed extravagance that once was the warm face of the city – a city now powered by members of Civic Progress, who know more about nuclear energy than the wards in the city.

I felt like a character in an Antonioni film walking through endless lobbies and passageways, rising in a sterilized elevator to a ballroom, where the Miriam Foundation Celestial Centennial Gala was in full swing.  The organization provides material support and mental and social stimulation of its members, focusing on children with developmental disabilities through its school.  Judy and Dr. Ira Gall supported the party with $100,000 as sponsors. Dr. Gall, a co-founder of Medicine Shoppes, said he pocketed $350 million on the sale of the company to Cardinal Health.  Gotrocks Bettie Gershman (Gershman Mortgage) could only afford $1,000, although she paid four times as much for her “Just Because” luncheon at Westwood C.C. for 140 nearest-and-dearest. Eighty year-old Joan Quicksilver had enough energy to muscle in between Peggy and Jerry Ritter at their dinner table.

“This year, we presented $600,000 in scholarships,” raved the party’s chairwoman Judi Scissors, who was escorted by her husband, Phil.  Here ‘n there were: Anita and Howard Tishler;  Kim and Steve Goldenberg;  Leslie and Ron Becker; Merle and Greg Fox, prez of Harbour Group; Maury and Shirley Zimring; Phil and Judy Kaplan and the endearing and enduring Lucy Lopata. Some women were dressed to the teeth, albeit, capped teeth.

Halos on street lamps over empty sidewalks that knew the tread of feet long ago. So I say hail to a long stretch of Manchester, from McCausland to Big Bend.  As the city grows away from itself, it grows more deeply into itself, perhaps in self-protection.  But it is the last of the constants, where one can hardly find the mythical faubourg on a map. It gets high marks in the minds of night crawlers, columnists and real estate agents. In sum, it is a point of view that points to itself with pride. One of the jewels on the avenue is the born-again Monarch Restaurant, which held a private pouring Saturday night before its opening on Monday. The National Chidlren’s Cancer Society (NCCS) benefited from the event, helmed by Donna Wilkinson. Bob and Carol Jones, heiress to the late oil exec Sam Goldstein, were front ‘n center.  Mary Deverman and David Steward, II, of Nicene Brands announced they will aisle walk Nov. 23 in Chicago.  Steward is the heir of David Steward of World Wide Technology fame. The grand dame of flowers and landscaping, Martha Tobin of St. Louis Blooms, arrived with her son-in-law, Mike Mertz.  She recalled an incident years ago, when she worked for the late Jon Prel. “My daughter asked Prel what his function was at his flower shop.”  According to Martha, Prel shot back, “To kick little girls like you out of the store.” Columnist Deb Peterson diligently worked the room, while lights impinged on her dazzler, given by her new husband, Dr. Tom Steinberg. Peggy and Andy Newman were toasted on their eight grandchildren. Food maven Catherine Neville, with her partner, Jennifer Schoemehl, confided to pals, that copies of her new  publication, Feast, went through the roof.  Asked what her favorite restaurant is, Neville replied, “the Persian restaurant, Cafe Natasha.” Robust wine bar owners Stanley and Arlene Browne were there as were: the Beacon’s Bob Duffy with Marty Kaplan; Marilyn and Dr. Steve Teitelbaum, whose son, Aaron, is partnered at Monarch with Jeff Orbin; Stephanie Arndt with Steve Cox and  Joan Quicksilver, who wore what one bitchy guest described, “Mother Teresa is wearing a practical peasant dress.” Past the new modern American dining room and into the kitchen, the columnist cornered celebrated chef Josh Galliano, while he prepared house specialties: crawfish etouffee, lima bean hummus and grilled spicy steak with onions.

But, the highlight of the evening was Donna Wilkinson‘s tip, that Goldie Hawn has been signed to highlight NCCS’s Oct. 30 gala at the Ballpark Hilton.  Wilkinson also added, that at the event, the organization will unveil a new toy, “Laffy-A-Lot,” that emits 20 different laughs and is capable of recording children and their parents’ messages.

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!

Across the street from Tony’s, the ballroom in the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark was teeming with do-gooders, who plunked down a total of about $60,000 at the Snow Ball Dinner and gala to further the work of Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri (MIA). “We aid veterans coming back and their families,” said Ron Moitzfield, chairman of MIA, who attended with his wife Gwen. With artist Cindy Tower, gallery owner Bruno David touted Wash U’s Buzz Spector exhibit beginning Jan. 22. Joan Quicksilver, requisitely gentle and cool, orchestrated the event at which KMOV anchor Larry Conners served as emcee. Cornered with his glamorous wife of five years, Janet, I asked Conners if she gives him news tips from having served three hospitals over the years in PR. “She doesn’t give me shit!,” he exclaimed. Janet was also on the planning committee for the evening. A live auction was held presided over by Howard Meyer, who owns the Complex. He said he’ll close on the sale of the midtown club this week, when the new owners will begin transitioning it into an “upscale nightclub.” The legendary bombshell Norma Stern co-chaired the gambol with Ralph Komlos. Here ‘n there were one of Glendale’s Finest Matt Pappert, Drew Wojcik, Daniel Byrne, Judy Brilliant, Ellen Fercho and Mark Utterback, A few of the guests were vexed over a no-show by Sen, Kit Bond, who was to be presented with the Silver Bell Award.