Cook County Republican Ed ”Hang `Em” Vrdolyak is dispatching 30,000 letters to local police and firefighters to rally them around himself and fellow GOPer candidates on the November ballot. EV`s issue: the death penalty- which, of course, has absolutely nothing to do with the Circuit Court clerk`s office he`s seeking. But how did the Edster get the home addresses of police and firefighters? Just a week ago, police union chief John Dineen and fire fighters` union prez Martin Holland attacked Mayor Gene Sawyer because city officials gave such addresses to business solicitors for American Express. But they`re mum on the Edster.
SOME ENCHANTED EVENING . . .
George Bush`s aides have told him to be a little open about personal stuff, so he felt compelled to share a tale of a romantic encounter with wife Barbara. The scene: Monday dinner Los Angeles. ”I don`t want to use the word `romantic` but I looked over at her and said, `Bar, you mean a lot to me.`
” said Mr. Heart Throb. And-the sharing continues here-”Bar” turned to George and said: ”Fish spilled on your red tie.” Are you blushing yet over this passionate encounter? There`s more: ”I`m talking emotion,” Bush confided. ”We`re talking family values here. . . . It was a special moment there. . . . And it ended about 6:45 (p.m.). We were asleep by 7:15 (p.m.). Once in a while you luck into something like that on the campaign trail, family values like this.” And to think, some folks call this guy a wimp.
HOW PRESIDENTIAL . . .
– The ”bug” sweep at Mike Dukakis` Illinois campaign headquarters was postponed a day. There must be bigger things bugging them than alleged electronic eavesdropping.
– George Bush heads to Rockford Friday-for an appearance before the Illinois Federation of Republican Women-and then on to Peoria, where one Midwest poll shows his popularity slipping.
RIBFEST UPDATE . . .
The answers to the most frequently asked questions about INC.`s Ribfest
`88: It`s Sunday in Grant Park`s Hutchinson Field. More than 500 contestants will compete for the bragging rights to this year`s pork-master title. Spectators are more than welcome-feel free to boogie to a full afternoon of music while sauciers tend to the grills. And, yes, ribs will be for sale.
CITY DITTIES . . .
– Buying time: Mercury Stainless Steel Corp.`s Diedrich Gross is forking over big bucks for a five-minute weekly radio spiel on behalf of Cook County Republicans. The first will air Thursday at 10:55 p.m. on WGN-AM. Your host:
Ed Vrdolyak`s media manipulator, Joe Novak.
– The Illinois Education Association plans to give a ”passing grade”
for Michael Dukakis Thursday-the same day the National Education Association endorses him in Washington.
DETAILS, DETAILS . . .
Newsweek`s Sept. 12 review of ”Eight Men Out” identifies Chicago`s Studs Terkel, who plays a sportswriter, only as a ”Chicago newspaperman.”
Over his long life, Studs has been a radio actor, a pioneering network TV star (”Studs` Place”), author of about five best-selling books, host of a nationally syndicated radio interview show for more than 30 years, a jazz and folk music authority, literary critic, political activist and social crusader. But one thing he has never been is a newspaperman-except in this movie. And these New York writers think Chicagoans are provincial?
STAR TRACKS . . .
Paul Anka`s 14,000-square-foot house in Pebble Beach is for sale: a steal at $4,990,000-the high-priced equivalent of $4.99. . . . A much slimmer Oprah Winfrey, vacationing with honey Stedman Graham, was spotted last week jogging on the beach in Maui-and spending a bundle on exercise togs and running shoes in a Kapalua shop. . . . George ”I Want Your Sex” Michael wanted and got some Gaultier duds for beaucoup bucks while shopping at Russo on Halsted Street Wednesday.
INC.LINGS . . .
Thursday birthdays: Jimmy Rodgers, 55; Frankie Avalon, 48; Sid Caesar, 66; Freddie Mercury, 42; Heather Thomas, 31; Gene Reineke, 32. . . . Paying patrons for Lily Tomlin`s canceled Tuesday and Wednesday night shows at the Shubert can get refunds or tickets for another night where they bought the tickets.
