Posts Tagged ‘Russ Carnahan’

An internal poll commissioned by the fourth-term Democrat Russ Carnahan and exclusively by Politico, he may just run for reelection in his newly-configured 2nd Congressional District and it shows Carnahan in virtual dead heat with Republicans Ann Wagner and Ed Martin. . .Richard Rodawald of the Dedicated Closing Agency in Collinsville, Ill., has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for falsifying and concealing inflated fees on residential refinancing, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.  The investigation was conducted by the the F.B.I. HUD and U.S. Attorney Michael Heap. . . In her new pageturner, Catherine Graves shares the bittersweet story of a woman tormented by a past for which she has no solution. Titled, “Checking Out: An In-depth Look at Losing Your Mind,” the book will be autographed by the author at 7 p.m., Sept. 8 at Left Bank Books.  She will also discuss the whys and wherefores. BTW Graves is the heiress of bon vivant David Charak.

All the county executive’s men and women will help Charlie Dooley blow out 63 candles on his natal celebration on Dec. 15 at Sugo’s. . .Where’s Charlie?  He’s been to attorney Bob Blitz‘s Christmas party at Cafe Napoli.  Others there were Gaming Comish general counsel Chris Hinkley, Mayor Francis Slay, Lt. Guv Peter Kinder, Judge John Ross, Judge Larry Mooney, Sarah Steelman and Ann and Ray Wagner.  FYI: Clients of Blitz’s Jeff City branch include firms that manufacture games for casinos. . . . .Guests at the St. Louis Hills holiday party saw Cong. Russ Carnahan show up and shake hands with his former opponent Ed Martin and his wife, Carol.  Carny got some ogling over his full leather jacket from Australia.  And, wife Debra was a no-show. . .The hoity-toity Plaza in Clayton condos is now home to some prominent bachelors and almost-bachelors.  Among them are Joe Buck, Sam Bradford, Steve Shankman and Stifel Financial’s ceo, chairman and prez Ron Kruszewski, whom friends say is calling off his marriage. . .Pioneer Bank’s Tom Brewster, Jr., is heading for some housecleaning at Reliance Bank. . .Soldier of Fortune and owner of the yesteryear American Athletic Club on Manchester, Joe Adams, 60, is celebrating his fourth year of marriage to Deanna Daughhetee, owner of American Equity Mortgage at their snazzy Hampton Park manse. But, that’s not the item. Adams is now heading Project Bluelight, an anti-terrorist intelligence operation in support of Homeland Security personnel in the field.  “We primarily report to Border Patrol Intelligence, but do assist agents in the field when called upon,” said Adams.  “Our mission SOP is to make no contact or be detected by anyone entering the United States illegally or involved in illegal activities.  The only time Project Bluelight wavers from the mission is for medical emergencies or the presence of children.  We report all movement and/or activity to federal authorities.”  Recalling the days, when he ran his physical fitness empire where he helped clients attain their physical fitness goals, he poo-poo’ed today’s personal trainers.  “Some charge up to $75 an hour and I charged $125 a-year to help members,” he said. . .Look for Erker Optical Co. to import the chic Mainbach glasses from the Bayern region of Germany.  Jack Erker was toasted on the family-owned business on its 130th anniversary at Herbie’s Vintage ’72 and the soon-to-debut Erker’s in the CWE on Maryland Avenue, which will replace McGinty’s in Ted Koplar‘s edifice, bringing to three stores in the Erker chain. . .Aloyse Heiss McShane is now enjoying the good life in Florida these days, according to her heiress Barbara Heiss, who was with her best friend, Steve Kay, at Protzel’s.  Aloyse, 83, was once married to the late Gordon Heiss, bossman of the Lenox and Mayfair Hotels and then to Edwin R. “Bill” Culver, III.  Meanwhile, deli lama Max Protzel and his wife, Rachel, became parents of Eli Alexander, who popped out at more than eight pounds. . .Susan Gray‘s MAC Meetings & Events is becoming a rising force when it comes to producing street festivals and public events.  The meeting and event planner has scored with some major festivals here:  “Tour De Grove” and the “Grovefest” as well as the “Soulard Oktober-fest.”  Expanded responsibilities will follow for the 2011 Oktober-fest event along with some other major happenings.

Our town’ barrister Michael Ocello, who reps sexually oriented businesses, has urged a Missouri judge “to temporarily block new restrictions on strip  clubs and adult bookstores,” according to reporter Susan Redden of The Joplin Globe.  Ocello, who has been documented as having contributed to  Carnahan‘s campaign coffers, argued that restrictions violate free speech and expression rights “and that legislators violated procedures when passing the law.”   The Missouri law requires sexually oriented businesses to close by midnight, ban full nudity, alcohol, minors and touching.

I felt on top of the world with the glow of youth and good Italian wine.  There was adulation in the air and as Voltaire might have said, “If Columbus Day celebration on The Hill hadn’t existed, it would have been necessary to invent it.” Cong. Russ Carnahan was in the parade as was his nemesis, candidate Ed Martin.  The diff?  Carnahan was there sans volunteers; Martin was surrounded by 130 volunteers some of whom wore Martin for Congress gear.  Not only that, but Martin was accompanied by Dem Derio Gambaro, former state rep, former state senate candidate and former Board of Elections chairman.  Derio walked the entire route and accompanied Martin around the picnic in Berra Park.  The Gambaro family owns Missouri Baking Co., a Hill landmark.

 Unless you’ve fallen into the arms of Ambien or Valium, you’d know that our town swings pretty hard during election campaigning.  At fundraisers, food is cooked with delicate precision and with plenty of ingredients to make the blood course through one’s arteriosclerotic veins. If there were any previous question about the loyalty of the St. Louis City political establishment to the candidacy of U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, it was put to the test at a pouring at Amsterdam Tavern.  Organized by the Board of Aldermen prez (and long-time Carnahan neighbor) Lewis Reed, the event packed the hipster lounge with politics’ most precious commodity: actual voters.  Carnahan was introduced by Mayor Francis Slay, who stressed the importance of holding the 3rd Congressional District for Dems, and feted by a quorum of aldermen, including former Carnahan staffer Kacie Starr Triplett and veteran Freeman Bosley, Sr.

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan will flex his political muscles with a fundraiser on Sept. 13 at Amsterdam Tavern.  Mayor Francis Slay, Ald. President Lewis Reed, Comptroller Darlene Green, and two former city mayors, all but two city aldermen (two aldermen named Fred – Heitert and Wessels – are MIA), an entire royal of labor officials, the city’s Democratic legislative delegation and enough lawyers to staff a midsized law firm anchor the host committee.

“Ed Martin will give Carnahan a run for his money. . .I like Ed,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay of Martin, who will duke it out with incumbent Cong. Russ Carnahan.  Slay also confided, that his brother Raymond Slay is in New Orleans to check out the bar scene.  “He wants to open a gay sports bar on Manchester in The Grove,”  continued hizzoner at the annual St. Nicholas Greek Festival.  Slay was there sans his wife, Kim, whom he said went on a cruise with her parents and were stalled in Nova Scotia due to Hurricane Earl.  Surrounded by County Exec Charley Dooley, The Evening Whirl’s Gentry Trotter, Sherry Wibbenmeyer and Lounge Concepts co-founder Pete Ferretti. Slay chowed down on lamb and as he sipped from a bottle of Mythos Beer, he quipped, “Like George W. Bush might say, ‘when in Greece, do as the Grecians do.”