Inside
the Fish Bowl
Over
the past six months or so we have gotten to know some really great
people who were here, in Saint Paul, planning the RNC. Some have
become regular diners, others friends even. One particular couple,
out of Los Angeles were more than fun to host and get to know.
They landed passes to the RNC for Russell and I saying "you
have been as much of the process in putting the whole thing together
as we were, go - enjoy the show".
So,
we did...
It
is a once in a lifetime experience for any of us proletariat to
visit a major party convention. Russell was heavily involved in
politics prior to culinary school. It was his passion for cooking
that outweighed his passion for politics.
At
first we were worried for the entire tone of the RNC due to the
fears Gustav was invoking of the worst possible scenario for New
Orleans. This image is from the first day of the RNC, which was
fairly subdued. It did give many convention goer's the opportunity
to look around Saint Paul and we were able to introduce Meritage
to a number of them before the convention picked up steam.
In
an effort to support the sentiment the Republican's were striving
for, and more to help however we could - Russell and I put together
a wine promotion to raise money for a contribution to the Red
Cross. It doesn't matter what side of the isle your on, helping
in whatever way you can is important. Plus, I was born in Biloxi,
Mississippi and still have family on the Gulf and East Texas -
so I know very well what they have faced due to the devastation
these storms can bring.
By
the last day of the Convention, the right was in full gear, and
the tensions continued
between the protestors and the police.
The Scene
We
didn't have any militant protests in front of our fish bowl. We
had a very strong police presence all around us.
When
we had one of our private gatherings we had police presence right
outside our doors.
Engagement
did happened all around us, a block away at 7th & St Peter
(protestors were tear gassed for violating their permits and refusing
to disperse), the other direction on 6th & Wabasha (a police
car was battered and I believe a small explosion happened that
blew out a window at Macy's). But, in truth, we were not direct
witnesses.
What
I can tell you is that all of the police, national guard, federal
officers, and all other types of service people we encountered
- they were all respectful and professional. We actually felt
very safe in our little fish bowl, and we felt like we were being
watched out for.
It
was a little disconcerting at first - we had SWAT teams peering
around corners - but, I understand the necessity and we appreciated
their presence.
The
Politico's
George
Stephanopoulos, of This Week on ABC and former Clinton advisor
was in daily - literally. It was a huge compliment, and he was
a really great guy. He liked to sit inconspicuously in a corner
table.
Before
he left I gave him a Meritage hat with the comment, "If you
ever have a bad hair day..."
he laughed and mentioned he likes to run every day and wears hats.
So, if anyone ever sees someone running around D.C. with a Meritage
hat on, it could very well be Mr. Stepanopoulos.
Chris
Matthews, of Hardball,
as well as Chris Wallace, of
Fox News, dropped in for lunch the second day of the convention
Russell's
step-mother Sherry, in New York, is a huge Hardball fan and mentioned
that of anybody who came in the restauarnt she wanted to know
if Chris Matthews had - and when he did Russell asked if he wouldn't
mind calling her. So, Sherry got a phone call from Mr. Matthews,
which she was absolutley delighted about.
He was SO great to do that!
The
former Govenor of New York, George
Pataki, dropped in the third night of the convention, which
Russell was thrilled about.
Being
a native New Yorker, Russell was delighted that so many people
enjoyed Meritage - even on a national stage.
It
was so fun to have guests from all over... and many became regulars
for the short time they were here.
We
ran into Rudy
Maxa, of Rudy Maxa's World
(a great travel show on public television) multiple times as he
hob-nobbed with the well connected. Apparently, we bacame known
for our Seafood Tower.
We
hosted
Tom Brokaw, whom was having a quiet morning to himself and
looked as though he needed the space and privacy our breakfast
hours offered him. We also saw Supreme Court nominee Harriet Meyer;
former Govenor Gray Davis; former House Majority Leader Tom Delay;
former ambassador, John Bolton, and many others. We saw Jon Stewart
walk by. Dammit.
I
will miss our new friends... a guy who came in daily by himself,
ate well, and just had to have our crab cakes before he was on
his way. There were a couple of delagates from Virginia that joined
us for every meal period, once for brunch, once for lunch, once
for dinner - they were delightful. We will miss the Mayor
of Tempe, Arizona - Hugh Hallman a great guy with great charisma
who suggests
Cafe Boa, if ever any of us St Paulite's venture to the Southwest.
So,
now that it is all said and done - we will say goodbye to the
red/white/blue everything. And, Saint Paul will settle back into
being the great little city it was before.
Outside
of the busses taking people from Saint Paul to Minneapolis, I
feel that Saint Paul proved that it could host an event of this
capacity. Maybe we can host the Olympics some day... 2012? London's
got that... 2016 anyone?
No
matter what side of the fence you're on, or whether you straddle
the fence or see no fence at all, St Paul had an opportunity to
host a national event & to have a national stage, and psst...
everyone we talked to said St Paul was prettier, more elegant,
and friendlier that our sister city. Here's to friendly competition
- Cheers!
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