December 11-17, 2003

political notebook

by Mary F. Patel

The Party That Was

On Tue., Dec. 2, lobbying firm Hill Solutions -- along with Homeland Solutions, its newly created consulting spinoff -- hosted its holiday party at the Union League and, as usual, it was packed. Hill and Homeland principals are Eric Weinberg and Jack Thomas Tomarchio.

Hill associate Rebecca Shapiro, who went on leave to work for the Sam Katz campaign, is now leaving Hill to pursue other interests. She attended with her brother, Josh Shapiro, who is running for a state House seat in the 153rd District, which comprises Abington and Upper Dublin. This may be an open seat because incumbent Republican Ellen Bard is said to be leaving to run for U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel's seat. Hoeffel is vacating to run against U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in 2004. Josh Shapiro is Hoeffel's former chief of staff.

Others at the party included Jack Stollsteimer, who drew a crowd because he is a special assistant to U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Meehan. Also creating a scene was U.S. Army Lt. Col. Scott Rutter, who said he is "99-percent sure" he will run for Hoeffel's seat. Rutter, who retired from the Army last month, spent time fighting in Iraq and updating the nation on CNN. He will run as a Republican.

Weinberg and Tomarchio's new interest, Homeland Solutions, helps companies find ways to do business with the Department of Homeland Security and consults for the federal government. The firm is expanding to Washington.

Parties That Will Be

Lenny Klehr and his firm, Klehr Harrison, will hold their private party on Dec. 18 at the Ballroom at the Bellevue. Klehr, a huge financial supporter of Mayor John Street’s re-election campaign, can bask in the reflected glow of the mayor’s big win, at least for a while.

But if that party gets too wild, attorney Christy Adams will be having a more intimate gathering at the Ritz-Carlton that same night.

Biggest Parties of All

The Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan is the place to be this weekend for the Pennsylvania Society's 105th annual party and dinner. These invitation-only parties get started on Friday and go well into Saturday night, so if you haven't gotten your invites yet, chances are you aren't invited.

On Friday, the Commonwealth Luncheon will take place at the Pierre where the guest of honor will be President George W. Bush's chief of staff, Andrew Card. Next up, at 2 p.m. at the ESPN Zone on Broadway, there will be a party hosted by Klett Rooney Lieber & Schorling along with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Oscar's in the Waldorf, Tom Corbett is having a reception. Corbett, a Republican, is running for state Attorney General. Dan Onorato, the new Allegheny County chief-elect, is having a party in the Waldorf's Conrad Suite.

The popular Blank Rome party is on at the InterContinental -- the hotel next to the Waldorf -- beginning at 7 p.m. Two hours later, a hip happening hosted by lawyer and TV personality Gregg Melinson, developer Gary Silvi and lobbyists David Urban and Eric Weinberg begins back at the Waldorf. Melinson said that the group, which includes a slew of others, has dubbed itself the "Gov. Mifflin Society" after Thomas Mifflin, Pennsylvania's first governor. "Gov. Mifflin was elected as a nonpartisan," Melinson said. "Back then, there was cooperation between political parties. But I should say that Mifflin died penniless after his term ended and that's what we're going to be after hosting these parties."

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) party, usually a lavish affair held Friday night, is not on. (My Linh Nguyen, spokesperson for DRPA, said that the authority is having budget problems.)

Also not happening is the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Association (PMA) annual seminar and luncheon at the Metropolitan Club, usually held on Saturday. No word on why.

The early-bird special starts Saturday morning with Specter hosting a brunch and political discussion at the University Club on West 54th Street, in tribute to national GOP committeeman Herb Barness. Guest speakers include Gov. Ed Rendell and, get this, U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. Nothing really exciting happens until 4:30 p.m., when the law firm Buchanan Ingersoll hosts a party at the Waldorf. At the same time, Erie attorneys Tom Hagen and Roger W. Richards have another reception at the Waldorf Towers.

This leads into the Pennsylvania Society cocktail party in the east foyer of the grand ballroom featuring former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, who are expected to mingle and socialize before Daddy Bush accepts the Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement at the 7 p.m. formal dinner.

Later, the lobbying firm S.R. Wojdak & Associates will host a late-night party along with Ballard Spahr in a private room at the Waldorf to honor Rendell. The usual other late parties are expected, such as the Sunoco party and the Excalibur Insurance party, which always features a five-piece mini-orchestra.

Candidate Alert

Democrat Women of Philadelphia (DWP) is hosting a fundraiser for the Democratic Party on Friday at Swann Caterers at Front and Snyder in South Philly. For tickets, call DWP President Angela Cinquino at 215-465-6282.