Bills Partyline April 5th, 2002
PEOPLE
Barry Bergmann of United Airlines brought his 18-year-old son Brett, a senior at the American School in Japan who has been accepted at Purdue University and wants to become a pilot. As his mom, Kathy, told me a few days later, “He’s a good guy.”
Congratulations to Tracy Alloway, editor-in-chief of the Sacred Heart newspaper New International. It’s informative and looking good, but I’m sure some of the models are not happy about a couple of comments I made during an interview on modeling in Japan by Tracy for the publication. Oh well, gotta tell it the way it is.
Tracy will be graduated soon from Sacred Heart and has been accepted by the London School of Economics and Political Sciences. To help this exceptional young lady celebrate, her mother Jutta who works at the Austrian Embassy, took her to Bali for a week of sun, fun and prime time together.
Hilton Tokyo restaurant Twenty One chef Mark Steven Hehir. “Rock and Roll Chef to the Stars” Jaime Laurila enjoyed his meal at Twenty-One so much, he asked Mark to prepare a menu for Aerosmith and their VIP Entertainment lounge backstage for both Tokyo shows. Aerosmith will be back in late June, and Mark is looking forward to working with them again.
PARTIES
Congratulations to Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, his wife Yasmina, Taj Enterprises and jewelry designer Kazuo Ogawa on the charity sale of Ogawa’s “Queens of Egypt” collection at the embassy. Proceeds of the sale went to the Tharwat Orphanage Centre in Cairo. Ogawa keeps busy; he just finished a collection inspired by Tunisia and another by India.
It was another busy evening of interesting people and excellent food at the Austrian Embassy. The occasion was a reception hosted by Austrian Ambassador Hans Dietmar Schweisgut and his wife Kaoru in honor of visiting State Secretary for Art and Media, Austrian Federal Chancellery, Franz Morak. I got there a bit late so missed longtime Austrian Japan resident and noted harp teacher Josef Molnar receiving a decoration from State Secretary Morak and Ambassador Schweisgut. I enjoyed talking with Seiko Chairman Reijiro Hattori and am really happy he’s recovered from some recent health problems.
Kudos (big ones) to Kudos on their very busy, very interesting and very informative Travel Fair at the Tokyo American Club on Saturday, Feb. 23. Exhibitors included Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, Continental and Virgin Atlantic Airways, Radisson Hotels, Le Mcrcdian, Arai Resort, Hertz, Nikko Hotels and Saipan’s Pacific Islands Club, all offering a full line of accommodations and services. Hertz Rent-a-Car was well represented by its top man here, Aaron Medina. They have some great packages just about anywhere you travel. Several countries, including the USA, Australia, UK, Thailand, the Philippines, India and Egypt, had exhibitions and pamphlets about their own tourist attractions.
Everyone knows what a heavy and, I’m sure sometimes, hectic schedule U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker and his wife Nancy have kept up since their arrival in July of last year. It’s really nice when they can take a break from time to time to just relax and enjoy themselves. They did just that when they and a group of their key staff members attended a special screening of “Ocean’s 11,” set up by Warner Brothers top man-in-Japan Bill Ireton.
PLACES
Thanks to the guys at Marubeni gas station (opposite Dr. Eugene Aksenoffs International Clinic) for their time, consideration and VIP treatment over the years. Hope the Marubeni execs know what a good group of guys they have there.
Hyatt Regency Tokyo General Manager Xavier Destribats who took time out of his busy schedule to show me the hightech and futuristic scale model, video and site and construction of the huge new Mori development ( offices, residences, boutiques, restaurants, a Virgin Cineplex, a 390-room Hyatt Regency Hotel and other structures). Jim Merk was with me and, with his technical know-how, was even more in awe than I.
If you’re into antiques and unusual art, jewelry and the like from around the world, I strongly recommend you drop by Le Marche antique shop on the second floor of the Roi Building in Roppongi. The hard-working personable shop owner Saeid Moazzami goes all-out to find interesting and unusual merchandise for his shop. The European glassware and ceramics are collector’s items. There’s also an interesting variety of jewelry that includes old classic watches.
One of my all-time favorite countries, Tunisia, has a big promotion planned for this month, Apr. 19-25 at the Hilton Tokyo. Ambassador Salah Hannachi, his wife Lynn and the embassy staff are working with Taj Enterprise and Infinity Creations on the special event titled “Breeze From Tunisia.”
*First published at the Tokyo Weekender
