Posts Tagged ‘Peter Kinder’

There was little Christian love for Mo. Guv Jay Nixon last Sunday in the historic Hill nabe.  In what may, arguably, believe is the heart of the Democratic Party, the area was shaken off its foundation during the 25th Giro della Montagna race.  Race officials had invited Lt. Guv Peter Kinder, a Republican and also former chairman of Tour Missouri, to start a cycling race.  With a backdrop of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, the event brought out hundreds of spectators, volunteers and participants. Before Kinder greeted area cyclists, several spectators yelled, “Impeach Nixon” and “Vote Nixon Out.”  Kinder didn’t miss a beat,  while never acknowledging the Nixon foes, who were angry bike fans.  Kinder merely cracked a smile and said, “If I have anything to do with it (pause), we’ll have the Tour Missouri next year.”  The crowd roared with glee, while a startled Monsignor Vince Bommarito returned to his nearby, beloved church.  The church pushed back its 12 noon Mass an hour earlier so that The Giro della Montagna race could have its six-hour event.  Nixon had rejected funding this year for the Tour Missouri, a statewide professional cycling race, which brought hundreds of international participants and thousands of tourists to Missouri and our town for one week.

Mo. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder got high-fives from a gaggle of the 71,000 participants in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  Kinder, a Republican, ran in the 5K section.  Overdupois Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon also competed.  (Maybe his weight gain can be attributed to his recent visit at Sweetie Pie’s.)  Slim Mayor Francis Slay kicked off the ceremonies in his Polo shirt – sans his usual natty suit.  Juan Carlos Antolinez was on hand as was his wife, Mo. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, a breast cancer survivor, who tagged along.  Her bro, Cong. Russ Carnahan, made a cameo. Some women oggled over State Rep Chris Carter‘s buffed torso as he made it through the finish line with his adorable Naomi West. Martin Casas, prez of the Young Democrats, was raced, while his soul mate, Katie Casas cooled her jets at home with their newborn Sophie Ann.

Ann Wagner

She came a long way from Ballwin, Mo., to become U.S. Ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and previously co-chair of the Republican National Committee for four years.  That’s Ann Wagner, who dined Tuesday night on a bone-in veal chop at Il Bel Lago with members of her family. The Cor Jesu Academy grad – once a  state director for the re-election of President George H.W. Bush and Veep Dan Quayle – confided she might run for U.S. senator or governor of Missouri in 2012.  “It depends on what (Lt. Guv.) Peter Kinder will do,” she said.  “We need more balance in power.”  As for the health care reform bill, she said it’s too expensive for the U.S.  “In socialized Europe, I have seen what happens when a government is pervasive in business, politics and education,” Wagner continued.  “They don’t have ownership of their full freedom.”  As for same-sex marriage, Wagner opined, “I’m a proponent of rights to any human being. But for now, our number one priority is supporting Roy Blunt‘s race for the U.S. Senate.”  Does she miss Luxembourg?  “Not at all,” she concluded. Wagner raised a toast to her mom, Ruth Truesdale, on her 70th birthday. Dad Earl and Ann‘s daughter, Mary Ruth Wagner, also joined in the celebration. Ann’s hub, Ray Wagner, a veep with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, was unable to attend.

Matt Lieberman, the super fund-raiser whose client list includes such high-powered pols as St. Louis mayor Francis Slay, state auditor Susan Montee and county council member Steve Stanger – and who is widely credited with helping former mayor Vince Schoemehl fill the war chest that powered St. Louis County’s Prop A to victory – will wed legal assistant Erin Marie Luecke in June. . . Mo. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will present the Lieutenant Governor’s  Senior  Service Award to Art Osseck, 85, of St.Charles.  Ossock volunteers with Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service driving the charity’s van five times a week to pick up donated food from grocery stores.  Sources say that Kinder plans a series of awards in the region. . .Kudos to the cast of the musical, “Legally Blonde” who booked an extra performance at Chuey Arzola’s after Friday night’s Fox gig.  The burlesque program, “Risque Cabaret”, raised big bucks for the Saint Louis Effort for AIDS and Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS. . . Miss Aimee B’s Tea Room & Upstairs Market Place is releasing their “Cookbook of Divine Cuisine III” this month. Owners Judy Howell and Sherry Pfaender debut some of their featured recipes at Dierbergs School of Cooking then the cookbooks will hit the shelves at the St. Charles First Capitol Tea Room.

Missourians for Haiti held their first fundraiser in the Forest Park Vistors Center.  Those who attended the Radio One pouring learned how “Peanut Butter Medicine” has helped to prevent malnutrition forf thousands of Haiti children.  Mo. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder and FOX2′s Shirley Washington co-hosted the event and informational segment.  Dr. Patricia B.Wolff, ;prof of clinical pediatrics at WashU School oif Med., was lauded for her brainchild, Meds & Food For Kids.  Kinder hailed that he had previously arranged a Sabreliner corporate jet for Dr. Wolff and her colleagues to go to Haiti.  Guests later learned that Kinder’s pop, the late Dr. Jim Kinder, practiced pediatrics for 52 years in Cape Girardeau. On hand were:  Charles Bryson; Steve Taviner; Creston Waters; Paul Kindl; Daraisha Cosby; Dr. Tim Rice; Janae of HOT 104.1 and DeAmon White.

Mitt Romney will be in our town April 24 to headline a fundraiser for Tom Schweich‘s run for state auditor. Romney, seen as a front runner for the GOP nomination for president in the 2012 Presidential Election, is among the Schweich boosters, that include: Jack Danforth; Sam Fox; Peter Kinder; Bert Walker and John Bolton.  Schweich served as Bolton’s chief-of-staff, while he was in the U.N., reminded Tom over lunch with his wife, Kathy, at Schneithorst’s. . .

Look for the yoga and workout apparel vendor, LuLuLemon, to bow at Plaza Frontenac in April. . .

Kathy and gem stone dealer Phil Samuels were  huddled with Premiere Rentals’ Bill Miller at Protzel’s Deli on Saturday. That’s where Phil casually drew an envelope from his pocket exhibiting a sapphire and an emerald with a total retail value of $750,000.  “Bill’s going to buy one,” whispered Samuels.. .

And, kudos to Jennifer and Drew Sterling on the 15th anniversary of their  St. Louis Rotisserie, where the wood-fired ovens are aglow on Thursdays for their memorable barbecued spareribs.

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!

St. Vincent Home for Children got a $45,000 boost the other night from donors at the Four Seasons Hotel.  That’s where hosts Jeanne and Rex Sinquefeld,  Rachel and Travis Brown of Pelopidas and Laura Slay of Slay and Associates plied hundreds of guests with a dinner and music by a Motown-sound band (Arvell & Company).  Sinquefeld and his brother, Jerry, lived at St. Vincent in the 1950s, after their family fell on hard financial times following the death of their father. Rex said to guests, “This organization has an important job.  And, with families struggling in a down economy, our task becomes even more urgent.  The children who come through the center need every bit of tender loving care, and every second of recreational, social, emotional therapeutic and spiritual help we can give them.”  Donors on hand included: Mayor Francis Slay; County Exec Charlie Dooley; Lt. Gov. Kinder; Vince Mannino of R.G.Construction and his wife, Patti; Charlie Brennan of KMOX; Diana Bourisaw of Midwest Charter Solutions; Mark Carlie of Stone Carlie & Co.; Dan Mehan of the Mo. Chamber of Commerce; Sam Fox of the Harbour Group and his wife, Marilyn; Lauren Herring of IMPACT Group; Bob Duffy of The St. Louis Beacon; Antonio Segovia of Monsanto and Guy McCormack of the University of Missouri-Columbia and his wife, Norma.