A group of Alaskans including Revenue Commissioner Angela Rodell, University regent Kirk Wickersham, and Bering Straits Native Corporation President and chair of the state’s retirement fund Gail Schubert, were seen earlier this week in New York City, where they were spotted following former general and CIA Chief David Petraeus into a banquet room, and were never seen again. (Ha!) Petraeus is now the chairman of the recently created KKR Global Institute, a subsidiary of the giant KKR private equity firm. Chances are the Alaskans were all at an investment conference where the former general was wooing them in hopes of securing state investment dollars for future KKR investments and leverage-buyout deals.

Meanwhile, later in the week in the Big Apple, a trio of other Alaskans were seen on Broadway, in “Kinky Boots.” If you’re wondering, quit: It’s a very popular Tony Award-winning musical.

On Friday, as far away from anything to do with kinky boots, the hot political event in Soldotna was a Parnell – Sullivan campaign fundraiser at the home of David and Linda Hutchings. About 50 showed. Among those spotted: Rep. Kurt and Barbara Olson, Rep. Mike Chenault, Sen. Peter Micciche and his daughter, Sophia (who presented the First Lady with a homemade necklace), Sue Carter, Dr. Jason and Anna Lattin, Soldotna City Manager Mark Dixson, ASHNHA’s Dennis Murray, James and Renee Duncan, Challenger Learning Center CEO Marnie Olcott and her husband Greg, Regina Daniels of Davis Block & Concrete, Kelli Brewer, Gary and Helen Knopp of G & H Contracting, Chad Schaefer of Cruz Companies, McDonald’s proprietor Scott Cunningham, and Dick & Stephanie Erkeneff. 

This year’s Alaska Women’s Summit was a real hit, even if talk show host Dave Stieren thought that it was a book club. Organizer and founder of the Summit, Sen. Lesil McGuire, deserves kudos for a job well done. Summit emcee, Mary Sattler, got great reviews too. Sattler’s exposure at such a high profile event, according to folks who know a whole lot more than I do about such things, will likely help jump start her new lobbying and consulting business.

October 18 was Alaska Day and Bristol Palin’s 24^th birthday. Has anyone heard how she celebrated? Did she wear kinky boots? Did she punch some poor sap in the face 24 times? If you’ve heard anything, please share.

There’s something really nice about a weekend brunch fundraiser, I’ve decided, particularly if Nancy Groszek, defense lawyer and longtime advocate for the under-privileged, is going to be in charge. At brunch, it’s acceptable to sip champagne and eat dessert before noon. (In this case, sweet rolls and red velvet cake galore.) At a brunch fundraiser, you can sip that champagne and eat the cake and still think that the whole day is still ahead of you,  even as the bottle begins to empty, even as the frosting begins to glop. At brunch, everything is still possible. Every candidate should try it. On Saturday, about 30 people crammed into Groszek’s small Turnagain home to show support for House candidate Laurie Hummel and Senate candidate Clare Ross. Spotted: Reps. Les Gara and Harriet Drummond, Paula Delaiarro, Della Colver, Margie Mock, Bob Dole and Diane DeSanto

And while Clare Ross was brunching for dollars, her Republican opponent Mia Costello, was door knocking in the same precinct going door-to-door with Sen. Anna Fairclough.

Sen. Peter Micciche, Speaker Mike Chenault, Rep. Kurt Olson. City of Kenai Mayor Pat Porter and Borough Mayor Mike Navarre hosted a lunchtime BBQ Meet and Greet with Gov. Sean Parnell on Saturday at the Kenai Visitors Center.  About 150 people showed for the event. It was Mayor Porter’s birthday and she was presented a bouquet of roses.

Juneau Republican state Senate candidate Tom Williams is running a rather unorthodox campaign to unseat, Sen. Dennis Egan, his Democratic opponent. Apparently, he’s decided to run the last leg of his race, first from Uganda then on to South Africa, because getting the Zulu vote requires an intense ground game. For those who donated to Williams, including the Republican Party who gave $6,000—fear not! He’ll continue to have radio, print and web ads. A mailer too.  Boosting these efforts, he’s arranged for his house and cat sitter to post statements on Facebook and his website while he’s roaming the political haunts of South Africa.

As long as we’re talking Southeast Alaska politics, the House District 35 race which centers in Sitka might be turning into a race. Republican candidate, Steve Samuelson from Petersburg, had an Alaska Day Pig Roast in Sitka and more than 150 people showed up thanks to support from Sen. Bert Stedman:

Then again, this is a pretty impressive crowd for Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins — AKA “the kid”– gathered for the Alaska Day parade in Sitka:

The Alaska Outdoor Council’s annual dinner was held Saturday evening at Evangelo’s in Wasilla. I can’t tell you how many were there, but, the room couldn’t have held one more person. It was a sold out crowd of outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the folks spotted in the room: Pete and Maryanne Probasco, Bruce Knowles, Carl Nelson, little and big Tom Anderson, AOC lobbyist Jeff Logan, Dave Cruz, Wayne and Marilyn Kubat, Bill and Pam Iverson, and Kenny Barber. The politicians, as you can imagine, turned out in force too.  Why Democrats weren’t among them is anybody’s guess. The pols included: Tom Wright, Parnell’s campaign manager; Rep. Bill Stoltze; Gov. Sean and Sandy Parnell; Senate president Charlie and Becky Huggins; Rep. Wes and Gayle Kellor; Rep. Lynn Gattis and husband Rick; state House candidate Cathy Tilton and husband Berkley; Rep. Mark and Adele Neuman; and, Rep. Shelley Hughes and husband Rock. The only member of the Mat-Su legislative delegation not in attendance was Sen. Mike Dunleavy who was at an NRA banquet in Delta.

Contact Amanda Coyne at amandamcoyne@yahoo.com