Posts Tagged ‘Vince Bommarito’
GOV. JAY NIXON GETS THUMBS DOWN
September 7th, 2010 | Author: Jerry Berger
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.
No Comments »
SIGHTEMS, SOUND BITES, STOPS
July 30th, 2010 | Author: Jerry Berger
A sight to behold: fervent Republican Donna Wilkinson and devoted Democrat Tom Green in an embrace. . .Ditto for Jamie and Jason Cohen, a strategist and Beltway/St. Louis commuter, charged with helping to craft the proposal for a Stl victory in the run for the convention… Soldier of fortune/physical fitness guru/mercenary Joe Adams and his better half, mortgage doyenne Diana Daugherty, plunked down $1.1 million for the Hampton Park manse from the late do-gooders Ruth and Dr. Walter Washington, according to their son, Kevin, who tub-thumped holding the convention here. . Mike Shannon arrived with his love, Quincy,IL travel agent Lori Bergman. . .KSDK reporter/co-anchor Mike Garrity telling Kara E. Bolin, press sect’y to Mayor Francis Slay, “I covered the team getting off the bus”. . .Then, it was onward to Tony’s to glad-hand former Cardinals football linebacker Jamie Rivers and his wife, Brenda, who marked their 45th wedding anniversary and toasted their four grandchildren. BTW – The winsome twosome own the McDonald’s on Lindell Boulevard. After a sampling of exec chef Vince Bommarito, Jr.’s soft shell crabs, stuffed with crab meat – another stop. Over at Cyrano’s, bossman Charlie Downs was vending real deal Lake Superior white fish and organic blueberry crumb pie with cinnamon ice cream.
No Comments »
BITES
February 19th, 2010 | Author: Jerry Berger
The best restaurant in town is a good one in which you are known to the owner; the second best is the one that serves consistently good food whether the owner knows you or not. That’s Leon Birnbaum at his new Chez Leon in Clayton all over. Is it a religious experience? Hell no! We’ve all been bored in church, temple or mosque. There’s nothing to be boring about. The classic French cuisine bourgeois prepared by chef Colby Erhart or the lounge lizards, who swoon over the interiors, created by Birnbaum and Dan Byrne. “It’s Selkirk chic!,” exclaimed hair stylist-to-the-stars Randall Jones of Larz Salon to his best pal, the stunning Elizabeth Danforth Sankey, heiress to Bill Danforth. “Yes, more urbane than urbane,” added Sanky. She informed the columnist that she and Elizabeth “Lydie” Wallace have bowed an estate jewelry buying and selling firm, Elizabeth’s Estate. A few tongues wagged about Trudy Busch’s 84th birthday on the day before and that she was much too ill to celebrate. Here ‘n there were Linda and Tony Karakas with Janet and Smith McGehee, who celebrated the birth of triplet grandchildren. Genya and Jim Human, along with Steve Anstey, were there praising the sales at the Janet McAfee real estate office. . .
Downtown at Tony’s, Kelly and Blues CEO Peter McLoughlin were bullish about the team and he lamented, “I wish Dave Checketts had bought the Rams.” Bryan Cave mouthpiece Harold Blatt with his charming Elaine graced a table with Marilyn and Bernard “Bunny” Edison, whose family empire, Edison Bros. Shoes, collapsed under the stewardship of Andy Newman and Martin Sneider, who had been teaching essentials of retailing at WashU (go figure!). Also at Tony’s, barrister Gerard Carmody and his wife, Susan, with their daughter Ryann, settled down after a retreat at the Four Seasons with his law firm, Carmody MacDonald. . .
Over at Beffa’s there was celebration over the upcoming nupts of Rachel Crocker (Eureka, Mo.’s Byrnes Hills Stables, LLC) and Robert Brake (Brake Landscaping and Lawncare, Inc.) with his uncle, former cop Ed Beffa. . .
And, at the Palladium party house on Fourteenth Street and Park Avenue, a sumptuous feedbag and cocktails were underway, when the columnist arrived to join in the launching of the EcoLifeSTL.com website and the honors awards presented to the City of St. Louis, AmerenUE’s PurePower and Sustainable St. Louis. They were chosen for significant contributions they make to promote and encourage Green living in the region. Said Mayor Francis Slay, “The greatest way to recycle in St. Louis is to save historic buildings like the one we’re in tonight. The Greenest building is one that already exists and also preserves history.” Cindy Bambini accepted the award on behalf of PurePower,AmerenUE’s voluntary renewable energy program, and she noted, “Currently, there are 6,000 residential and 200 businesses PurePower customers receiving 100 percent of their energy from the five wind farms in our area.” Emmis Broadcasting’s John Beck was front ‘n center getting plaudits on the broadcast chain of stations involvement in promoting the program. John Weber of Wells Fargo and his soon-to-marry Jennie Logan of KPNT, The Point radio station, chain smoked as Weber joshed about energy, “Before we left the house, I turned on all the lights, left the fridge door open, turned up the heat and turned on the microwave.”
SEE PHOTO GALLERY BELOW COLUMN AND CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE
WITH THE POLICE COMMISSION: St. Louis police commissioner Vince Bommarito, owner of the award-winning Tony’s restaurant downtown and shoo-in candidate for Best Uncle of the Year, now has a public relations agent to deal with the simmering (and sauteing?) controversy swirling around his Mardi Gras Get Our of Jail Free call to a St. Louis police supervisor. Savvy Peggy Lents, who also reps the Missouri Botanical Garden, is now speaking for him.
-
- Leon Birnbaum (seated) Randall Jones and Elizabeth Danforth Sanky
-
- Peter and Kelly McLoughlin
-
- Bernard Edison, Harold Blatt, Marilyn Edison and Elaine Blatt
-
- Tony and Linda Karakas (standing) Janet and Smith McGehee (seated)
-
- John Beck with Allison and Doug Collinger
No Comments »
TONY’S RESTAURANT IS THERE TO STAY
January 28th, 2010 | Author: Jerry Berger
While time and people may pass and fashions may change, the tables are always set at the venerable Tony’s. So it came as a shock to hear that the Bommarito family’s highly-touted restaurant may move to Clayton from downtown St. Louis. Not so fast! Scotch those rumors! As of Wednesday, Vince Bommarito, Sr., called a halt to negotiations with the management of the rising Centene Building in Clayton. Asked about the matter, Vince, Sr., would only confirm that it would have been a second location, “but the number didn’t work.” The cost of construction and common space costs would have made it difficult, offered a source close to the confab. Meanwhile, Vince and his sons turned to putting final touches on the menu for Sunday night, Feb. 14, when Tony’s will swing open the doors.
INFINITEMS
October 19th, 2009 | Author: Jerry Berger
Bommarito
At the hot spot, Lester’s, Martha and Vince Bommarito confided to boniface Lester Miller t’other day, that their Tony’s Restaurant’s customers are ordering 40 percent seafood. It was eatery day at Lester’s. Nearby were Chris Dorr, bosssman of Paddy O’s, and at another table, Mary and Al Baker of yesteryore’s Al Baker’s… Look for Leon Birnbaum, who has sold his CWE Chez Leon, to move his talents to the 7900 block of Forsyth in Clayton. . .The recession has hit at the 84 year-old Sam Light Loans (and pawn shop), on Jefferson at
Light
Olive. “Some customers are pawning stuff and can’t get the items out, because of unemployment,” offered Ron Light. . . Sam Kacar will bow a third Trattoria Branica restaurant in January at 138 Chesterfield Town Center (off Long Road) with Peppe Prosecar as GM…
No Comments »
Fred Weber, Inc., has closed on the purchase of Richland, Tex.,based Lone Star Aggregates
September 10th, 2009 | Author: Jerry Berger
William and Chris Haughey
EXIT: Stephanie Riven, executive director of the Center of Creative Arts, will retire from that august theater and dance organization on June 30, 2010, she said. “I wanted to do something on a national level and will be working with David Bury & Associates of New York, which represents the Merce Cunningham Legacy Project. I really don’t have to be in New York what with the internet, but I will commute occasionally.” Riven has helmed COCA for 23 years and over that time, she has been credited with raising more than $30 million. Insiders say that the board of directors had asked for her retirement several times.
cost imuran now
imuran online overseas
without a prescription
can i buy imuran online
imuran
medication
imuran online without rx
imuran 50mg
generic name
imuran overnight delivery
a imuran without prescription
imuran in the uk
clonazepam without prescription
Thom and Jane Sehnert
GALA:
“I’m dating Bob Tucker, an attorney with a Jewish firm on Clayton Road,” exclaimed Deb Kersting, Missouri executive director of the March of Dimes. Kersting orchestrated the Signature Chefs Auction and Dinner Wednesday night at the Ritz-Carlton ballroom. Kersting also fielded some questions about criticism of MOD for animal experiments in research funded by MOD. She explained, “PETA was upset because of a rogue researcher on cats. But we go by federal guidelines.” Unfortunately, the MOD has received two out of four stars by the Charity Navigator. Kersting also noted, that “the Catholic church wants us to be pro-life, but our mission is to make every baby happy.”The MOD focuses on serving mothers and prevent premature birth defects and infant mortaliy. Among the faces in the crowd was Annie Harman, who boasted her son “Doc” is an assistant editor on “Glee”, and assistant editor on the movie “Eat, Pray and Love,” produced by Brad Pitt. The evening featured an auction by J. Kim Tucci, a spread of signature dishes by our town’s leading restaurateurs and a rousing toast to its stalwart, Thom Sehnert. At the podium, Sehnert hailed fellow-eatery owner Vince Bommarito and praised his wife, Jane, and son, Liam. “Thom tells everyone he’s Irish, but there’s Scandinavian in him,” joked Joe Buck on tape. Jerry Clinton said, “Why he’s an outstanding guy? He drinks a lot. “His nickname, “Smokey” and it freaks him out,” said Dan Dierdorf. More than 700 guests showed up, bringing to more than $240,000 to benefit MOD. The usual clashing of dishes and silverware raised a question. Do they count silverware? “We don’t count silverware, however some accidentally goes in the garbage and some are taken by guests,” informed server Kristin Dodson.
Drs. Phillip E. Korenblat and Jeffrey P. Tillinghast, both Certified Physician Investigators who head The Clinical Research Center
DEM BONES:
St. Louis City Dems will gather at Carpenters Hall on Saturday afternoon to attempt to select their nominee to fill the 4th Senate District seat from which Jeff Smith recently ejected. Reading the tea leaves, local politicos point out that only Joe Keaveany – a Central West End committeeman who can vote for himself – was spotted working the VIP crowd at the start of Monday’s Labor Day parade. He was accompanied by labor princess Mary Ellen Ponder, now chief lobbyist for St. Louis mayor Francis G. Slay, Jr.…
Members of Gina Galati's New Opera St. Louis troupe, who will present a performance, "Deceptions and Disguise in Venice."
THIS & THATTA: A close reading of the names of the students who passed the most recent iteration of the Missouri Bar exam reveals the name of Michael Owens, the KSDK (Channel 5) reporter. Owens, if memory serves, graduated from Saint Louis University Law School ten years ago … Roger Dierberg has temporarily laid down his golf clubs while he recovers from a triple-bypass under the eagle eye of his ever-lovin’ Barbara … Spotted at Bartolino’s South were Terry Scarfino with wife, Michelle Mantia-Scarfino, heiress to Toni and Dick Mantia, a founder of PRIDE (the labor group, not the parade committee) … The former Mary Thele and her hub Art Lottes are back in Clayton for a visit from their home in Naples, FL … Eleanor Willibrand, with husband Jim, was all smiles at Paul Manno’s. Credit the smile to son, William, the celebrated tooth-puller … Skip Joseph is training to be a divorce mediator – though he and happy spouse Rachelle L’Ecuyer, the town crier of Maplewood, seem unlikely to need one soon. The pair are collecting a menagerie of pets, big and small … Over at Pumpernickel’s, Maury and Nicki Zimring were welcomed to our town from their Palm Springs digs by Geri and Mel Rich … Erstwhile Boatman’s Bank drumbeater Larry Bayliss exchanged “I do’s” with the former Peggy Hudson – ceremony at 9th Street Abbey, followed by a pouring at Greenbriar CC … David Kay — yesteryear chief of 9-0-5 Liquors and current partner in Blue Agave — and partner El Viejito — a classic Mexican tequila company (Patron Silver) — have intro’d “another lousy sunset in paradise” … If the Bonneville International team in town recently recommends the purchase of KMOX (1120 AM), will that mean a strong local signal to broadcast the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? (And did you know that KMOX daytime stalwart Rush Limbaugh once worked for Bonneville?) … Meanwhile, that station’s John Carney has been dubbed “octo-pop” with word that his wife is expecting another boyby in a couple of weeks, bringing the couple’s count to half-an-octave … Post-Dispatch op-ed columnist (and Donnybrook regular) Colleen Carroll Cambell is infanticipaing twins … St.Louis City Disability commish David Newburger is not impressed with the durability of the City’s new ADA-compliant signals. Expect angry letters… Dominic Galati and his daughter, Gina, are teaming up on Sept. 23 to offer a special evening of food and song, titled, “Opera Nights on the Hill.” Guests at Dominic’s on the Hill will enjoy a four-course dinner and be entertained by members of Gina’s New Opera St. Louis troupe, who will present a performance, “Deceptions and Disguise in Venice.” The reservation-only event begins at 7 p.m.
***
Maury and Nicki Zimring were welcomed to our town from their Palm Springs digs by Geri and Mel Rich
SPORTS NOTES OF A SORT: The late wrestling promoter Sam Muchnick’s protégé and former announcer for “Wrestling at the Chase” Larry Matysik has scribed his third page-turner, “Drawing Heat the Hard Way: How Wrestling Really Works ” due to hit the stalls this week. There’s a 7 pm book-signing on Oct. 16 at the Sunset Hills Borders store. The tome, says its publicist, reveals comparisons between Muchnick and current WWE boss Vince McMahon …The St. Louis Browns Fan Club (www.thestlbrowns.com) is alive and well, celebrating its 25th anni with a dinner Oct. 8 at the Missouri Athletic Club. “We’re working hard to re-introduce the Knot Hole Gang,”‘ said William Rogers. Players expected to attend are: Roy Sievers; Ned Garver; Ed Mickelson; Bud Thomas, Bill Jennings and J.W. Porter. Mike Veeck, son of legendary Bill Veeck, the last owner of the team, is expected to appear as a special guest … Our Town’s mixed martial arts fighter Tyron Woodly, who was the undercard at the recent Scottrade Center event, has signed a six-bout contract with Showtime …
***
LOOKING BACK: It was in the shadow of the Gateway Arch, where a limo passed the Old Cathedral and the late CBS’er Walter Cronkite read the Latin emboldened on the facade of the treasure, winked at me, and asked them, “Hmm, do you know the translation of Sancti Ludovici.” Others in the limo struggled for an answer and had no idea. Nearby, in the bowels of One Memorial Drive, I showed an outdoor billboard campaign to the late Robert Hyland at KMOX. He stood back with hands on hips and sternly asked, “But, Jerry, will the little people understand it?” A few steps away in the old days at the Rock House on the levee there was Rock House Annie, whose claim to fame was emulating Josephine Baker and picking up silver dollars from the bar with her unmentionable body part. There was jazz on a paddlewheeler. Across the river in East St. Louis, one couldn’t miss the prostitutes leaning out windows of the tenements in “the valley,” out-shouting each to pitch their talents at bargain prices, (“Great for convention business,” enthused a manager at the long-gone Jefferson Hotel.) East St. Louis was wide open: gambling joints like Hyde Park, Buster Wortman’s Paddock Lounge (where people swooned over meeting a real-life gangster), Bush’s Steakhouse and Johnny Perkins’ Paladium was where smooth music by big bands was a house specialty. From the old Broadview Hotel, Marty Alpern broadcast interviews with “big names.” Ever onward, across the Eads Bridge to St. Louis. Then, the beautiful morning was ruined, when alongside was a sheriff’s van filled with prisoners on their way to a penitentiary. Further along the Great Divide – the Express Highway (now I-64) – we popped into Forest Park Highlands amusement park for a few dips on the dance floor to the music of Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey or Orin Tucker. A quick stop at Medart’s on Skinker Boulevard for a pick-me-upper and perhaps a few cups of coffee at Town Hall. The St. Louis phone book is now minus some of our town’s true leaders: David Calhoun, Buck Persons, Gussie Busch, Jim Hickok, Harry Harrington, Buster May, Howard Baer, Leif Sverdrup – all urbane and worldly, never giving up their vows to build a bigger and better city—and maybe they did. Nevertheless, they were the people upon whom we rested our hopes and half-aspirations.
No Comments »
A CHAIN OF FRESTA & TUCCI’S PIZZERIA & BAR, CHEAPO DEPOT AND DIERBERGS MAY BE COMING TO A NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR YOU
September 2nd, 2009 | Author: Jerry Berger
Sharon and Kim Tucci
SCOOPLETTES: Re-development of the former Raffie Vending Co. warehouse on the north side of Forest Park Parkway between Spring and Grand – proposed by the St. John-based Sasak Corp. to be a relatively low-end Holiday Inn Express – has hit an important, likely fatal roadblock. St. Louis University prez Larry Biondi, whose views regarding construction around the perimeter of his midtown campus are highly regarded around City Hall, is withholding his figurative “nihil obstat”… Keep your ears open for more corruption indictments, where something is brewing on the ninth floor of the county government center (not Chaz Dooley)… Mike Reap has done such an outstanding job as acting U.S. Attorney seven months into Prez Obama’s term, insiders are wondering if U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill would show her independence by nominating a career prosecutor for the permanent position. . .The Covalence Ethical Ranking attempts to measure the ethical reputations of 541 multinational companies based in 45 different criteria, including labor practices and product social utility.
Stelli Siteman's role in a touring production, "Unbelievable," about cancer and written by a cancer survivor.
The 2009 rankings were great news for some St. Louis titans, bad news for others. Large St. Louis employers Boeing Co. at number 40 and Anheuser-Busch InBev at number 56 appeared near the top of the reputation list, ahead of Emerson Electric at number 374 and Peabody Energy at number 396. Firmly anchoring the bottom of the list was Creve Coeur-based Monsanto. which finished at 541st… A former St. Louis priest moves up in the church hierarchy in an unusual shake-up of the Scranton, Pa., diocese in which its bishop is suddenly stepping down because a number of controversies. Msgr. Joseph Bambera has been tapped as administrator of the diocese, taking the reins immediately. Who tapped him for the post? Another former St. Louis Catholic cleric, Justin Rigali, who as Philadelphia’s Cardinal is the top church official in Pennsylvania… Fred Teutenberg has been frozen out of the Dirt Cheap stores despite his 25 percent interest in the shops. So, he has turned around to launch another chain – Cheapo Depot – which will bow soon in metro-east… Downtown, some grumblers note that planning details for the revitalization of the Kiel Opera House have slowed to a snail’s pace as its developers re-examine their financing… Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey (@jack) rarely travels unnoticed. Like millions of other users of his popular micro-blogging service, the Bishop DuBourg alumn takes the time to tell the world – in 140 characters or less – what he is doing at any given moment. Dorsey, who now lives in San Francisco (but is apartment hunting in Manhattan), has made private trips to St. Louis in the past. Later this month, however, Dorsey will make an even more public visit to his hometown with stops on the pitcher’s mound at Busch Stadium to throw out the first pitch at a Cards/Cubs contest, at a gathering of social media experts at Webster U. – and, reportedly, at City Hall to visit with tweeting Mayor Francis Slay (@mayorslay)…. Some residents in Lake St. Louis are wondering when Dierbergs is going to build a store on the vast plot of land it owns.
MR. NITELIFE: “We are going to introduce a new concept from our Pasta House Company in St. Charles,” said J. Kim Tucci, “and it will be called Fresta and Tucci’s Pizzeria and Bar.” His partner in the new venture and also in PHC is Joe Fresta. When boniface Vince Bommarito stopped by to laud Tucci and his wife, Sharon, on their wedding anniversary. Kim tipped that he is supporting state rep Rachel Storch (D-64th Dist.) to fill the seat previously held by beleaguered Jeff Smith. Kim is also taxi commissioner for our town and said, “We’ll allow no taxi on the streets more than six years.” Nearby were psychologist Mitch Alvey with his wife, Yael, who also were toasted on their wedding anniversary. Turning to anxieties, Alvey said that “We use cognitive therapy.. “Some people are afraid to get on an airplane; others afraid of crashing. I usually tell them to change their perspective and it changes how they feel.” Making the rounds in the room, many were spotted dining on Tony’s new creation: cold lobster with white peaches, artichokes and citrus vinaigrette. Famed thoracic surgeon Dr. Nick Kouchoukos and his wife, Judy, pulled up steaks, while colon/rectal surgeon Dr. Ira Kodner with his wife, Barbara, were toasted on their special wedding anniversary. Dr. Kodner, also a WashU Med School prof, tipped that he is closing the school’s Center for the Study of Ethics and Human Values of which he has been the director. . .Over at Chez Leon, Alvin and Ruth Siteman, benefactors of the Siteman Cancer Center, enthused about their daughter/actress Stelli Siteman’s role in a touring production, “Unbelievable,” about cancer and written by a cancer survivor. The show hits the boards on Oct. 16 at Westport Playhouse.
Susan Bonano with her boyfriend, Dennis Geoghegan
Bossman at Chez Leon, Leon Bierbaum said, “If the sale of the restaurant (to Gerard Craft) is a done-deal, I will scout for a location in Clayton.” And, at Truffles, Peggy and Jerry Ritter lamented that a repeat of the BMW Golf Tournament at Bellerive C.C. is not in the future. “The members don’t want it,” said Jerry. Also seen there were Lenny Landsbaum with his wife and heiress to Moog Industries, Donna Moog Landsbaum, said they commute between Phoenix and their condo in a high-rise on Hanley Road. “Laura Orthwein lives there,” chuckled Donna. “It’s time for creativity,” said Paul Chesterton of his switch from attorney to real estater. With Paul was his glammy wife, Beth. And, other faces in the crowd were those of Susan Bonano with her boyfriend, Dennis Geoghegan, who were waiting for the Dolph Busches.
THITHER & YAWN:Heartland Banks’ Larry Schiffer is telling friends, that he’s bought a dude ranch in Colorado for his grandchildren and “It was expensive,” declared Shiffer to pals… Memo to mouthy mourners:: If you don’t want to spend $50 for a $20 per-person catered buffet at the visitation, don’t write a check and don’t complain to me, but to Peggy Ross, Barbara Smith or superflack Joan Quicksilver, *whom I’ve known since the Boer War, which she handled. . .How’s this for a paper chase? Left-leaning pundits at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch complain that the charming righty Colleen Carroll Campbell is paid more than twice the column rate of her colleagues. . .Gossips at the paper-less St. Louis Beacon wonder about the disposition of a 5,000-word probe submitted by scribe John McGuire two weeks before he died. Spiked is the word.. .Retired Maritz exec Philip Moses – one l, really – who works for the BBB and his wife, Pat, of the Ladue Galleries are beaming – and nervous. Their offspring are stars, Mark Moses, who has been in “Desperate Housewives” and “Mad Men” for the last two years: Burke Moses was in the original Broadway cast of “Beauty and the Beast” as Gaston. “It’s a scary ‘mom’ thing’ – and they’re always looking for jobs,” said Pat. . .Employees of The Shoe Box in South County Center recently found themselves in a kind of show business. Owner Dave Kaplan confirmed that – yes, a young, blonde woman had a double wardrobe malfunction while leaning over during a shoe fitting and no, he’s not enough of a heel (or has too much sole?) to give up the name of the buxom beauty.
PLAYING THE NAME GAME: One favorite: the St. Louis telephone directory contains a Hitler (and a bunch of Hittlers), a
Peggy and Jerry Ritter
Tojo two Roosevelts, 12 Churchills, nine Trumans.. There are also eight Schmucks and 11 Dierbergs. (That’s not a food fight, not a World War.). . .Cindy Lieber, the better half of entrepreneur Lester Miller’s household, confirmed that Lester “has traded in his Rolls-Royce for two Bentleys,” she said. Lester is owner of the popular Lester’s eateries. . .Expatriates Mary and Allyn Glaub were spotted at Beffa Bros. cafeteria and Mary and Al Baker of yesteryear’s leading restaurant, Al Baker’s, were doing the Miss Sheri’s thing..
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Over the years, many big egos have trod the boards at the fabulous Fox Theatre – though, for sheer chutzpah, few of them have rivaled the megalomaniacs above the stage in the owners’ box. That box is a little less heavy these nights after co-owner Harvey Harris was unceremoniously dropped from the partnership by Mary Strauss.
HOUSE PROUD: Triple-murder suspect Christopher Coleman was so closely tied to televangelist Joyce Meyer that he was the only person not named “Meyer” to get a home free of charge from the televangelist’s ministry. It was only after an investigation into the federally-banned setup that paid all living expenses for Coleman, his wife Sheri, and their two sons, that Coleman had to go out and buy his own home . Coleman went to Columbia, Ill., to buy the new home – the scene of the ghastly murder of Coleman’s family. Coleman is alleged to have killed them to avoid being fired for getting a divorce. Joyce Meyer has been known to fire workers who have decided to get divorces. Coleman had hoped to pin the murders on someone who hated Joyce Meyer so badly, that the person would kill his entire family. His plan was to then marry one of Sheri’s friends – a dancer with whom Coleman hung out with while out-of-town at Joyce Meyer’s conferences. In addition, Meyer was the first on the scene of the crime in Columbia, Ill., the morning that police found the strangled bodies of Coleman’s wife and two sons.
Alvin and Ruth Siteman, benefactors of the Siteman Cancer Center
JUST SKIP IT?: If it were possible to combine bad timing with worse timing, you’d have to tip your hat to former state senator Maida Coleman for a fund-raising letter arriving in some west St. Louis county mailboxes over the weekend. Coleman, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last April against St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, is asking for $55, $155 or $255 contributions to help settle a tremendous campaign debt. The bad timing of the letter – months after her losing campaign – is compounded by the worse timing missive appearing the same week that former senior Coleman advisor Milton “Skip” Ohlsen made political news.. .And I won’t skip the Sept. 17th fete at the Top of the Met in honor of Jim Cloar’s retirement after eight years atop the Partnership for Downtown St. Louis. Cloar, who arrived in our town from Tampa, is credited with untangling the financial and administrative messes he found at the then Downtown St. Louis Partnership. He plans to return to the Sunshine State.
No Comments »