Nancy Pelosi to attend fund-raiser in Chicago

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Nancy Pelosi

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Updated: October 15, 2011 12:34AM

THE SCOOP: THE POLITICAL SPITFIRE in stiletto heels, U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who is also the Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, will be in the Windy (and I do mean windy) City on Friday for a fundraiser hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee at Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse on North State. Many of Our Town’s legal minds will be on hand, including Antonio Romanucci, Joe Power, Todd Smith, Kevin Conway and Keith Hebeisen, who are co-hosting this event.

MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL is set to speak July 26 at the Chicago Advertising Federation luncheon at the Hilton Chicago. His speech will focus on business and advertising growth initiatives. The mayor also attended the recent crowd-pleasing Bono/U2 concert at Soldier Field and later went backstage to visit with the philanthropic recording artist.

THAT HORRENDOUS discovery of the dismembered body of 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Wednesday, brought tears to my eyes. This innocent child got lost while walking home from a day camp on Monday and was approached by the suspect, Levi Aron, 35, who allegedly took him to his apartment and cut this baby up in pieces and dumped parts of the body in a Dumpster. The saddest part of this sadistic crime is that he will probably only get a life sentence in jail — and not the death penalty, which he definitely deserves. That is why the death penalty in Illinois should have been amended and not totally abolished, because crimes such as this one can happen anywhere to anybody, and the perp gets three hots and a cot. Can you imagine the unbearable pain Leiby’s parents will have to live with for the rest of their lives?

It is outrageous that vicious criminals are walking the streets with no fear of ever taking a dirt nap for their crimes.

STUFF TO DO: R&B Artist Jennifer Hudson at Ravinia Saturday and Sunday . . . The fabulous Patti LaBelle at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino Saturday . . . “West Side Story” opening at the Cadillac Palace July 20. . . .Macy’s super sexy “Glamorama” fashion extravaganza fashion show with the colorful pop star Cee Lo (“The Voice”) Green performing Aug. 12 at the Chicago Theatre. . . . The 9th annual PAWS “Beach Party” fundraiser is this evening at the Castaways restaurant (the kick off was held at Pomellato Boutique). . . . The opening of “Pinkalicious” at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower is Saturday.

THE SUN-TIMES’ Mary Mitchell will appear on WGN-Channel 9’s “People to People” program with host Micah Materre at 5:30 a.m. Saturday and repeated 9:30 p.m. Sunday on CLTV. She will discuss her insightful three-part series on the Chatham community that was featured in the Sun-Times. By the way, The Opus, a musical duo comprised of Mitchell’s son, Kevin Johnson, and Aaron Smith, will be performing at noon Saturday at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

I HAD A GREAT time at the 50th anniversary benefit celebration for the Better Boys Foundation at Carnivale Tuesday evening. The event was hosted by Jack Kellman, son of the late BBF founder, Joe Kellman. Joe’s lovely widow, LouAnne, was on hand along with many folks from the business/sports arenas. I sat with a team of very cool execs from Wal-Mart, which included Julie Murphy, senior vice prez/Midwest division, for the retail chain. Wal-Mart, which will soon open a neighborhood market in Auburn Gresham and an express store in Englewood (my old hood), was one of the major sponsors of the evening. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s delightful press secretary, Tarrah Cooper, was also a tablemate.

THE MIX: Billionaire hotelier George Maloof was in town recently for a private wine and tacos tasting with Mercadito’s Alfredo Sandoval and Larry Silver and Tippling Bros. Tad Carducci. . . . Educator Doris Odem is retiring as leadership coordinator at the University of Illinois Extension Urban Leadership Center. . . . WLS-Channel 7’s Charles Thomas emceeing the Illinois Judicial Council installation banquet at the Parkway Ballroom Saturday.

BIRTHDAYS: Robin Ventura. On Friday: Jonathon Brandmeier, Arianna Huffington, Maxine Leftwich, Samuel Mitchell and anniversary wishes to Billy Marovitz and Christie. On Saturday: Michael Flatley. On Sunday: Dr. Barry Kaufman, Dr. Carol Saffold, Alton Miller and WVON’s Santita Jackson. On Monday: Nelson Mandela, Chris Ruys, Dr. Cheryl Whitaker and anniversary greetings (19) to the Sun-Times’ Roger Ebert and Chaz.