Best Hobnobbers

What can you do when the feds have indicted you on 139 counts of conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and filing false tax returns? Party on, of course.

by Mary F. Patel

There wasn't exactly a dearth of politicos last Wednesday night at Philadelphia magazine's party commemorating its annual Best of Philly issue. This year's schmoozy boozy confab was held at Rae in Cira Centre.

The main attraction was a tent in the parking lot that had been transformed into a plush exotic lair, which ended up being the scene of choice for state Sen. Vincent Fumo and Wolf Block partner Alan Kessler. Fumo appeared as if he was having the time of his life. What can you do when the feds have indicted you on 139 counts of conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and filing false tax returns? Party on, of course, so Fumo flitted about and chatted with various guests, which made it seem as if the federal scrutiny has only enhanced his social status.

Kessler, meanwhile, is dealing with a crisis of his own. He is vice chairman of the governing board of the U.S. Postal Service, which is facing a decline in mail volume due to competition in electronic mail, including online bill-paying. Despite the country's burgeoning population and suburban sprawl, first-class mail is no longer growing and standard mail, which subsidizes first-class mail, compromises volume. What could happen, according to Kessler's testimony to the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service, in Washington, D.C., last month, is that some mail delivery may have to be contracted out, like the Pony Express once was. (Postal workers comprise 80 percent of their whole budget.) In all, the Postal Service anticipates a $5.7 billion loss by the fiscal year's end.

Meanwhile, even though elected officials are rarely acknowledged for anything unless they do something wrong or nefarious, it was interesting to see state Rep. Josh Shapiro recognized as best Harrisburg legislator. The magazine credited Shapiro for having balls, not being ethically challenged and helping to oust John Perzel from his House speaker's seat.

Mothers' Days

Stay-at-home moms, take note: Don't let baby talk and strained apricots dominate your conversation when attending a cocktail party. You will be boring and your husbands may eventually lose interest.

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Recognizing a need to get moms out of their condos and back in the cultural swing, two female friends with political backgrounds have hooked up to run this city's version of Metropolitan Moms. Holly Maher, former legislative aide to City Councilman Jack Kelly, and Kristin Fairweather, former program analysis director for the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, surmised that Met Moms would work here after seeing the company's New York founder, Molly Snyder, on a national TV talk show.

So Maher and Fairweather quit their day jobs to start the savvy mom deal (www.metropolitanmoms.com). Moms who sign on will have private daytime outings with their kids to various art institutions that will enhance and broaden their social repartee. Other offerings include culinary lessons, art gallery and museum tours and ghost walks in the fall. A lecture series is in the works as are weekend trips with fathers. All events are stroller-friendly.

"New moms often feel isolated and alone, and this is an outlet," says Maher. "Stay-at-home dads are welcome, too. There are a lot out there."

This and That

Dan Anders started his new job as a Common Pleas Court judge earlier this month and has been assigned to Family Court.

Anders made news when he became the state's first openly gay appointed judge. He was running for one of the openings on Common Pleas Court in last May's primary when Gov. Ed Rendell appointed him to fill the vacancy created by Common Pleas Court Judge Jim Fitzgerald; the Senate confirmed. Fitzgerald was also appointed by Rendell and achieved Senate confirmation. He is filling a vacancy on the state Supreme Court created when Justice Sandra Schultz Newman retired early.

Kevin Greenberg, the former chief deputy city solicitor for economic development and investments in the city's Law Department, has a new gig. He has joined the law firm of Flaster/Greenberg in their Philadelphia office.

Greenberg will focus on regulatory issues relating to wireless technology, among other things.

(rcpatel@aol.com)