Pujols’ Partner of the Year

The Clarkson Eyecare Foundation received the Partner of the Year award from the Pujols Family Foundation at “O Night Divine,” an annual Christmas event at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel benefiting the Pujols Family Foundation. Bill Jehling (pictured), Clarkson Eyecare Foundation founder, accepted the award for the Foundation’s recent efforts during a February 2008 mission trip to the Dominican Republic in conjunction with the Pujols Family Foundation.

A team of 20 people that included doctors, opticians, translators, helpers, and Albert and Deidre Pujols traveled to the Dominican Republic where they saw more than 1,800 people and provided 211 pairs of glasses. The Clarkson Eyecare Foundation donated the equipment, eyeglasses, volunteer time and supplies.

People

Autohaus BMW has announced the additions of Booker Wade and Jerry Hitt to its sales team.

The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter has announced the appointment of Cynthia Erickson as chief executive officer.

Kevin Robinson, of Kirkwood, has joined WARH 106.5 The Arch as program director.

The Arts and Education Council has announced the appointment of Patricia M. Rusch as its vice president of development.

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra has announced to appointments of two new members to its executive staff: Bret Dorhout, vice president for artistic administration, and Timothy Case, vice president for development.

Places

Arcade Amusements Plus, a shop carrying video games, pinball machines, vintage juke boxes and die cast cars, has opened at 118 W. Jefferson in Kirkwood. The business is owned by Kirkwood resident Bill Striler.

Nella’s, a shop featuring unique jewelry, clothing, purses and gift items, has opened at 249 N. Kirkwood Road, at the intersection of Kirkwood and Adams. The shop is owned by Patti Allen.

The Market at Busch’s Grove, a gourmet grocery store, opened on Dec. 13 at 9160 Clayton Road in Ladue.

Awards & Honors

The Clayton Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner honoring Business Person of the Year Pam Nicholson (Enterprise Rent-A-Car), Excellence in Retail/Service Award winner Kaldi’s Coffeehouse, and Cornerstone Award winners Ben Uchitelle and Susan Uchitelle, is from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 5 at The Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. Call (314) 726-3033 or visit claytoncommerce.com.

Jennifer Etling, of Creve Coeur, was among 1,189 initiates worldwide who became Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) during convocation ceremonies at the College’s 94th annual Clinical Congress in San Francisco last month. Etling received a medical doctorate degree in 1997 from Washington University School of Medicine and currently is practicing at Benrus Surgical Associates, Inc. in St. Peters.

Meetings & Networking

“Marketing Your Small Business in a Bad Economy” is the topic of a Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce seminar from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Fri., Feb. 27 at National City Bank, 333 S. Kirkwood Road, Suite 100. Admission is $25 for Chamber members and for National City Bank clients and $35 for others. For reservations, call 821-4161.