St. Louis Post-Dispatch Deb Peterson column: More than 30 lose their jobs in joining of Channels 2, 11

Oct 11, 2008 (St. Louis Post-Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- BUD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- TV TALK: About 30 people lost their jobs Friday between KTVI-TV (Channel 2) and KPLR-TV (Channel 11) as the stations combine newsrooms and share services. Spencer Koch, GM of KTVI, said Friday that once the dust settles, he will be in charge of both stations. Koch was at KPLR's offices near Page Avenue and Lindbergh, where he said he was trying to help the human relations department handle the firings. Bill Lanesey, who was VP and GM of KPLR until about a week ago, has been named GM of the FOX affiliate in Cincinnati, Koch added. Koch declined to say whether any more on-air personalities were let go. He said that Audrey Prywitch, who heads the news at KTVI, will take over that responsibility at both stations. Sheldon Ripson, who was the news director at KPLR, was fired. Koch also confirmed that headquarters for the combined stations will be at the KPLR studios, and that KTVI will vacate its offices on Berthold Avenue in St. Louis despite Mayor Francis Slay's efforts to keep them there.

STYLE SENSE: As St. Louis Fashion Week moves into the home stretch tonight with the Murphy Lee/Kyjuan U.C. Me runway show along Washington Avenue, it's time to reflect on highlights from the past few nights. The Humanity for All line had a show-stealing runway appearance Thursday by 3-year-old Brooklyn Davis of Columbia, Ill., who is the grandniece of the line's designer, Tammy Hotsenpiller. During the Skif International show on Wednesday, some of the models sported "Let Nader Debate" buttons, and, as part of Tuesday's Project Design, valiant steps were taken to "Go Green." The electricity used at the show was offset with renewable energy from Pure Power, secondhand clothing from Goodwill was featured, and drinks were served in glass rather than plastic. The only problem was that due to the crush of the crowd, much of the glassware was demolished. Guess that's one way to recycle. Some of the fashion heavies spotted over the week have included: Charles Poole, Jerry Talamantes, Tom Akers, Megan Christie, Andy and Kellie Trivers, Russ Carnahan, Kevin Farrell, Greg Lukeman, Diane Patershuk and her 13-year-old daughter, Alex Patershuk.

CHURCH PLAN: Tom Klein, whose catering company operates the popular party venues Windows On Washington and Windows Off Washington, has put forth a proposal to buy the historic St. John's United Methodist Church on Kingshighway. The empty church -- which was designated a National Historic Site in 1975 -- takes up most of the block on the west side of Kingshighway between Washington and Westminster places. Both of those streets are blocked to through traffic. Alderman Lyda Krewson sent neighbors a plan from Klein, saying: "He (Klein) would like to gain neighborhood approval of his concept, before he moves forward." Klein's proposal suggests renovating several areas within the church, including the sanctuary and chapel, and operating them as religious and wedding ceremony sites. He would also like to create two private banquet areas, renovate the existing kitchen to serve the dining rooms and get a liquor license for consumption of alcohol on the premises. Klein's proposal says the venue would be open mostly on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with some lunch events. Area residents were unhappy with a proposal last summer from Maebelle Reed, daughter of William H. Danforth, the former chancellor of Washington U., to turn the church into a concert venue.

CAN DO: Outgoing Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt will keynote this year's 33rd Annual "Yes, I Can" banquet on Oct. 23 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel. Blunt won the Educator of the Year award last year from the St. Louis Metro Sentinel Journal. The banquet is sponsored by AmerenUE and the Sentinel Journal. St. Louis Comptroller Darlene Green, Mayor Francis Slay, Treasurer Larry Williams, AmerenUE's Richard Mark, Anheuser-Busch's Johnny Furr Jr., Melanie Dileo, Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, and Aldermen April Ford-Griffin and Marlene Davis are chairing various awards committees. Robbie Montgomery, owner of Sweetie Pie's restaurants, will be honored as Businessperson of the Year; Paula D. Knight, executive director for curriculum and instruction for the St. Louis Public Schools, will be honored as Educator of the Year; and St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley and License Collector Mike McMillan will share the Public Servant of the Year award.

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