Party on. For the first night of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sen. John McCain asked that speeches, receptions and parties take on a different tone in light of the new guest—and party crasher—Hurricane Gustav. The Distilled Spirits Council reception, “Spirits of Minnesota,” became ”Spirits of the Gulf Coast” and doubled as a fundraiser for the American Red Cross. One event, sponsored by National Restaurant Association, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America and Roll Call, needed no tinkering—the Friends of New Orleans’ fundraiser All-Star Jam-Balaya benefiting the Louisiana city and surrounding parishes. A similar event… Read More