Trump terrific
THE TRUMP INTERNATIONAL Hotel & Tower Chicago on North Wabash is a fabulous jewel that has settled down for good in the heart of this great city, and the shine is just blinding.
I attended the jam-packed ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Grand Ballroom on Monday. Media people and a classy set of hotel employees were smiling at the sight of the Trump family when they entered the room to a rousing round of applause.
(Tom Cruze/Sun-Times)
The Donald was joined by his three grown offsprings, Ivanka (who designed the elegant hotel uniforms), Eric, who flies in regularly from New York to keep an eye on the family's latest jewel, and of course, Donald Jr., being his usual congenial self.
The first person that Trump genuinely thanked for all of his help and assistance on this monumental project was Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd).
The Donald was excited and surprised to hear that the Conde Nast Traveler mag had named the luxury hotel one of the world's top new hotels in its 12th annual "Hot List."
The Donald mentioned that the new Sixteen restaurant, located on the 16th floor (of course), has been getting the greatest reviews and a tremendous response from Chicago and has been packed with diners since its opening. Trump also mentioned that the response to the hotel itself has been just spectacular.
For the actual ribbon-cutting, young and gorgeous models in black sexy dresses strutted up to the stage with aluminum attache cases (like the girls on "Deal or No Deal") with each bearing a big pair of scissors.
I didn't get a chance to tour the place ... but is that really necessary when the Trump name is on a piece of real estate? You know he does not play when it comes to fabulosity and excessive luxury. The P.R. firms of Wagstaff Worldwide and Taylor Johnson & Olesker did a great job of getting the word out.
The luxury hotel encompasses Floors 14-27 of the 92-story residential tower that is still being developed. The new luxurious spa and Rebar Lounge are open for business, and Philipp Posch is the classy director of Food & Beverage.
I asked Trump what he thought about all the senseless killings of kids in Our Town: "They've got to get very tough or it will only get worse," he said.
I GOT TO SAY IT: Rev. Jeremiah Wright ... you need to shut it up ... and let that black man run for president without all this controversy ... aren't you in retirement???
JUST IN: ROGER AND CHAZ EBERT have been named honorary chairs for the inaugural Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's "Medicine Ball" Sept. 6 at the Chicago History Museum. The evening will benefit the RIC's cancer rehab program. "Thanks to RIC, I was able to return to a high level of work and physical performance. It was a godsend," said Roger.
WMAQ-Channel 5's LeeAnn Trotter is hosting a fund-raiser on Monday at the Wild Hare with singer Julia Huff headlining. "Morning Due," a 13-minute film with an all-Chicago cast, has been selected to be screened in the Short Film Corner category at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival May 14-25. The money raised is to make it possible for the Chicago cast & crew to attend.
HANGIN' OUT: TV's Bill and Giuliana Rancic dined at Carlucci's in Downers Grove. .. .Comic Andrew Dice Clay dined at the Italian Village.At another table, the Sox' Ozzie Guillen and wife, Ibis. ... Actor Cole ("K-Ville") Hauser, in town filming the CBS pilot "The Tower," and director Davis ("24") Guggenheim stopped by the Tavern on Rush to say hello to the eatery's VIP host Scott Lindvall. .. . Magician David Blaine, after setting a world record for holding his breath underwater on the Oprah show, chowed down on fruit and steak at Nine Steakhouse. .. . Actor Timothy Spall, of the Harry Potter movies fame, dined at Harry Caray's.
WBBM-Channel 2's Mike Flannery moderates the State of the City luncheon sponsored by the League of Women Voters at the Union League Club on Friday. ... The Irv & Essee Kupcinet Leadership luncheon at the Palmer House today.
CONDOLENCES TO THE families of Robert Russell, who was 101, and Lonnie Hobson. They both will be sorely missed.
BIRTHDAY PEOPLE: Belated to journalist Laura Washington. On Friday: WGN-Channel 9's Larry Potash and the Millennium Knickerbocker 's Tony Kinnear. On Saturday: WGN radio's Wes Bleed and Bill Moller. On Sunday: WGN radio's Lou Manfredini, politicos Phil Rock, Neil Hartigan and retired Sen. Art Berman. On Monday: Ald. Richard Mell, Arny Granat and Theresa Fambro Hooks.
Well, that's Stella in the City!
