Photographs by Chris Malacarne
Choosing these 20 people was a lot like a first date: We had limited time and just a few facts, and the possibilities were infinite. Readers nominated hundreds of people, and 172 applied. So we asked as many questions as we could, and then we debated and agonized and finally took the leap. We were looking, not for perfection, but for qualities--different in each individual-- that would intrigue us enough for a second date. Visit www.stlmag.com after November 1 to read about some of the other applicants and you'll see just how tough the decision was. If you'd like to get in touch with someone on this list or on the website, e-mail your contact information to topsingles@stlmag.com and we'll forward the message.
rob thurman Graphic designer; marketing manager, Vital VOICE 34, never married ("This is Missouri, not Massachusetts, honey.") Shaw neighborhood
St. Louis resident for: 15 years (There was a year-or-so gap when I I moved to New York City to live it up and then back home to Kentucky to dry out.)
Celebrity dream date: drinks with Anderson Cooper, dinner with Dolly Parton and Clive Owen as dessert.
Who would play him in a movie: Parker Posey having a Boys Don't Cry moment--a little less bitter and a lot more glitter.
Craziest thing he's ever done: a night of bar-hopping with David Lee Roth.
Surrogate child: a Siamese cat named Varla, in honor of Tura Satana's character in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
A casual friend would never guess: that I get really bummed out when I miss The Charlie Rose Show or Yu-Gi-Oh!
Glad he did it, wouldn't do it again: Mardi Gras, New Orleans, 1992. My liver, my ankle and my memory have never been the same.
Wishes he could: play the guitar.
Favorite item of clothing: this month's new hat.
Ideal place for a first date: The City Museum. It's the ultimate personality litmus test.
Dream car: powder-blue Lotus Elan S2 (think Mrs. Peel of The Avengers).
Favorite fictional character: Martha Stewart.
Phobias: monkeys and hypocrites.
jacob laws Visual merchan-diser, Splash!; designer, FABRIk 23, never married, Soulard
St. Louis resident: since day one. Self-description: creat-ive, ambitious, generous.
Celebrity dream date: Tom Ford.
Craziest thing he's ever done: took a job as a camp counselor with some friends, but we quit early and took off to NYC for the summer instead.
First post-lottery-win purchase: a "classic seven" apartment in New York.
A casual friend would never guess: I love T.J. Maxx.
Would never: hold a snake.
Hopes to: own a home in Italy, something very Talented Mr. Ripley.
Glad he did it, wouldn't do it again: Go on a float trip. Eight miles equaled eight hours of my life I will never get back.
Good at: folding towels.
Wishes he were good at: poker.
Biggest pet peeve: narrow-minded people.
Favorite item of clothing: my Yankees hat.
Ideal place for a first date: The Chase Park Plaza. It has it all: a movie theater, restaurant, bar, beautiful patio, and, if things go well ... a hotel!
Real car: Audi A4.
Dream car: Bentley Continental GT.
Favorite drink: Maker's Mark, splash soda, lemon.
Necessary extravagance: trashy magazines.
dani apted General manager, St. Louis Aces 25, never married, Clayton
St. Louis resident for: 25 years.
Self-description: energetic, competitive, happy.
Favorite movie: The Natural.
Favorite book: The Little Prince (in French).
Celebrity dream date: Chris Noth (a.k.a. Mr. Big).
Who would play her in a movie: J. Lo, obviously.
Craziest thing she's ever done: Stolen 400 pumpkins and put them on my coach's yard in college. It was the best prank ever.
First post-lottery-win purchase: an island.
Sign: Aries. If that implies that I am strong-willed, independent and feisty, then it's right on.
A casual friend would never guess: When I really laugh hard, I sometimes snort. OK, it happens a lot.
Hopes to: go to the Greek islands, rent a house and live fabulously.
Good at: picking things up with my toes.
Biggest pet peeve: People who chew food loudly. In fact, mouth noises in general really freak me out.
Favorite drink: Grey Goose martini, up with a twist.
Favorite fictional character: Holly Golightly.
Phobia: falling in the shower and the paramedics finding me naked.
Dream vacation: Fiji.
Would like to be reincarnated as: A racehorse. You work two years and spend the rest of your life in a pasture and getting paid for your "services."
heather m. gentile Business manager/esthetician/makeup artist, La Prairie and Neiman Marcus 30, divorced, St. Louis Hills
St. Louis resident for: six years.
Self-description: sincere, honest and determined.
Favorite book: The Bridges of Madison County.
Celebrity dream date: Olivier Martinez.
Craziest thing she's ever done: climbed through a Taco Bell drive-thru window and prepared my own meal.
Would never: appear on Fear Factor.
Hopes to: obtain a patent for my invention.
Glad she did it, wouldn't do it again: move to Key West.
Ideal place for a first date: Harvest for dinner, followed by Bailey's Chocolate Bar.
Real car: Volkswagen Jetta.
Dream car: Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Roadster in Designo Mocha Black.
Necessary extravagance: monthly massages and Bissinger's chocolates weekly.
Favorite fictional character: little Charlie from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Phobia: venomous snakes and opossums.
Would like to be reincarnated as: a blue-and-gold macaw living on the island of St. Thomas.
crane durham Radio personality, Emmis Communications' 97.1 FM 33, never married, DeMun neighborhood
St. Louis resident for: most of my life.
Self-description: sincere, honest, passionate.
Favorite book: How to Argue and Win Every Time.
Celebrity dream date: Diane Lane.
First post-lottery-win purchase: whatever my mom and dad wanted.
Favorite saying: "To thine own self be true."
Hopes to: travel to Israel, Iraq and Lebanon.
Good at: tennis.
Wishes he were good at: golf.
Pet peeves: willful ignorance and smoking.
Favorite drink: Diet Sprite with a lime.
Phobia: loud people on cell phones in public places.
Dream vacation: with my brother and his family in Mill Valley, Calif.
Most proud of: my college/junior tennis coaching experience.
Would never date someone who: does not have ambition.
Guest list for the perfect dinner party: Presidents Washington and Lincoln, Arthur Ashe, Tony Robbins, Condi Rice.
chasley bradbury Director of sales, Wolfgang Puck Catering 34, never married, southwest St. Louis city
St. Louis resident for: most of my life.
Self-description: passionate, energetic, positive.
Favorite movie: Life Is Beautiful.
Favorite book: Me Talk Pretty One Day.
Celebrity dream date: Vince Vaughn.
A casual friend would never guess: that I once had a punk hairstyle.
Hopes to: visit all seven continents.
Glad she did it, wouldn't do it again: vacationed in Cuba.
Good at: entertaining.
Wishes she were good at: math.
Pet peeve: the words "classy" and "phone tag."
Ideal place for a first date: City Museum.
Favorite drink: mojito.
Favorite fictional character: Elizabeth Bennett [of Pride and Prejudice].
Phobia: running out of wine while hosting a fabulous dinner party.
Would never date someone who: doesn't have a spiritual sense.
Guest list for the perfect dinner party: Prince, Will Ferrell, James Beard, Michelangelo, my future husband.
michael henderson CEO, Executive Protection, The Phoenix Group 35, never married, two children, University City
St. Louis resident for: 29 years.
Self-description: driven, independent, silly.
Favorite movie: The Maltese Falcon.
Favorite book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
Celebrity dream date: Salma Hayek.
Who would play him in a movie: Will Smith.
Craziest thing he's ever done: scuba dive under a cruise ship.
Hopes to: own a villa in Italy.
Glad he did it, would never do again: volunteer to sell hot dogs for a church homeless program on the side of the Bastille bar in Soulard during Mardi Gras.
Good at: cooking.
Wishes he were good at: home repairs.
Pet peeve: incompetence.
Favorite outfit: blue pinstripe suit.
Ideal place for a first date: King Louie's.
Real car: 2004 Porsche GT3.
Dream car: Lamborghini Murcielago.
Favorite drink: Veuve Cliquot Champagne, Gentleman Jack.
Favorite fictional character: Batman.
Phobia: spiders.
Dream vacations: southern Italy, Netherlands and Australia.
susan mcbride Novelist 40, never married, Brentwood
St. Louis resident for: Nine years. My mom's side of the family is from here, though, going back six generations.
Self-description: happy, intelligent, passionate.
Celebrity dream date: Johnny Depp.
Sign: Libra. It describes me all too well. I want things to be fair and even, and life isn't often that way. I weigh decisions forever, even the littlest ones--in fact, the little ones more than the big ones.
A casual friend would never guess: I say my prayers every night and haven't missed a night since I was a kid. I'm more spiritual than religious, so I don't believe many people know this.
Hopes to: hit the New York Times bestseller list.
Necessary extravagance: Shoes. I honestly believe you can never have too many shoes.
Favorite fictional character: Scarlett O'Hara.
Dream vacation: Maine.
Guest list for the perfect dinner party: Albert Einstein, Claude Monet, Joe Elliott (lead singer of Def Leppard--sorry, can't help myself!), Joe Meisel Jr. (my grandfather), Clark Gable.
beverly field-whittington Vocal-music specialist, Ames Visual and Performing Arts School, St. Louis Public Schools 56, divorced, two daughters, Lafayette Square
St. Louis resident for: 15 years.
Self- description: complex, secure, accomplished.
Celebrity dream date: Ed Bradley or Robert De Niro.
Craziest thing she's ever done: won a blueberry pie-eating contest without using my hands.
First post-lottery-win action: open my own business, Sweets Only, selling homemade and healthy desserts.
Would never: dine with the television on, forget to write a thank-you note, smoke.
Good at: Listening. Silence is often the best answer.
Pet peeve: having to wait and wait and wait on the phone.
Favorite drink: vanilla milkshakes from Crown Candy Kitchen.
Necessary extravagances: the sharpest white Cheddar, aged four or more years, with crusty bread.
Favorite fictional characters: Betty Boop and Minnie Mouse.
Dream vacations: Africa for two months, Monaco and Bali for two weeks each.
Would like to be reincarnated as: a fountain pen.
mary noel george Resident in dermatology, Saint Louis University 29, never married, Kirkwood
St. Louis resident for: my entire life, except for my wonderful undergrad years at Davidson College in North Carolina.
Self-description: thoughtful, intelligent, energetic.
Favorite book: A Room With a View.
Celebrity dream date: Jude Law.
First post-lottery-win purchase: the remainder of my brother's college tuition and a maid for my mom.
Favorite sayings: "Do what you love and be good at it" and "Everything happens for a reason."
Hopes to: Learn how to scuba dive and dive in places like Bonaire, Fiji and Belize.
Good at: swimming. I was an NCAA Division I swimmer throughout college and held some records.
Wishes she could: cook.
Pet peeve: poor grammar.
Necessary extravagances: my Audi A4, delicious cheeses and a great bottle of red wine.
Favorite fictional character: Amelie, because she flutters around the streets and cafes of Paris with an angelic smile, bestowing good works on those most in need of a kind and charitable act.
Would never date someone who: is thoughtless, disrespectful, obese and smokes.
steve farnen Senior account director, Express Scripts Inc. 36, never married, University City
St. Louis resident for: two-and-a-half years.
Self-description: funny, loyal, irreverent.
Favorite movie: To Kill a Mockingbird.
Favorite book: In Cold Blood.
Craziest thing he's ever done: When I was 16, I accepted a dare to burst into a biker bar in Mexico, Mo., and hurl fistfuls of cooked spaghetti on all of the patrons. Surprisingly, I lived to tell about it.
Sign: Taurus. Family and home are very important to me, I am loyal to a fault, and I tend to be a little stubborn.
A casual friend would never guess: My boxers always match my outfit.
Hopes to: write and publish my first novel.
Favorite item of clothing: well-worn blue cashmere sweater.
Ideal place for a first date: Jimmy's on the Park.
Real car: Saab 9-3.
Dream car: 1962 Austin Healey 3000.
Necessary extravagance: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.
Favorite fictional character: Estella from Great Expectations--she's so misunderstood.
kelly bertha Proposal management, SBC Communications Inc. 27, never married, Ballwin
St. Louis resident for: 20 years (not consecutive).
Self-description: loyal, independent, genuine.
Favorite book: Green Eggs and Ham.
Celebrity dream date: Jude Law or Paul Walker--or both. Together.
A casual friend would never guess: Sometimes I drink milk right out of the carton.
Would never: compromise my integrity for money.
Hopes to: retire early--very early.
Favorite item of clothing: my long-sleeved backless floor-length Laundry black dress that I hardly ever wear.
Favorite drink: chocolate-espresso martini at J. Buck's.
Favorite fictional character: Santa Claus.
Phobia: dying lonely.
Dream vacation: Europe or Fiji.
Would never date: A lazy, selfish, unmotivated person who smokes and has no firm opinion about anything. Oh, and he has to be taller than me: 5-foot-10 without heels.
Guest list for the perfect dinner party: Frank Sinatra, so he could sing to me; Robin Williams, so he could make me laugh; Jude Law, so I'd have some eye candy; Oprah Winfrey, so she could teach me how to be successful; God, because that would just be cool.
fernando bermudez Lawyer, Green Schaaf & Jacobson 37, never married, Central West End
St. Louis resident for: 16 years.
Self-description: unconventional but responsible.
Craziest thing he's ever done: graduate from law school and immediately move out to Utah to ski for a year.
A casual friend would never guess: I was on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, but I screwed up at $8,000 and went back to $1,000, so I told very few people. It just wasn't my day.
Hopes to: travel to most countries in the world.
Glad he did it, wouldn't do it again: crawl through a mine in Potosi, Bolivia, to see the working conditions.
Drives: a 10-year-old purple truck referred to as the "Purple People Eater" or "Barneymobile" by my friends.
Necessary extravagance: cordovan-leather shoes from Alden.
Favorite fictional character: Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. He's fictional, isn't he?
Would never date someone who: Is fastidious. You have to take it as it comes.
Would like to be reincarnated as: Paris Hilton's dog. You get to go to all of the parties, and since you are a dog, you can pretty much do what you want.
naretha hopson Sales and leasing consultant, Plaza Motors 27, never married, one son, O'Fallon, Mo. (Winghaven)
St. Louis resident for: most of my life.
Self-description: charismatic, kind, negotiator.
Favorite movie: Love Jones.
Favorite book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
Who would play her in a movie: Brandy.
Favorite saying: "In the province of the mind, what one believes to be true either is true or becomes true."--John Lilly.
Glad she did it, wouldn't do it again: whirlpool speedboating in Niagara Falls.
Good at: problem-solving.
Wishes she were good at: organization.
Pet peeve: ignorance.
Favorite item of clothing: cream cashmere turtleneck.
Real car: Lexus RX 330.
Dream car: Mercedes-Benz SLK 350.
Favorite drink: Bellini from Brio.
Phobia: very deep water.
Dream vacation: Bora Bora.
jeremy nolle Application engineer, Exegy Inc. 24, never married, University City
St. Louis resident for: 24 years.
Self-description: articulate, perceptive, compas-sionate.
Favorite movie: The Motorcycle Diaries.
Favorite book: Neuromancer.
Celebrity dream date: Shakira.
Who would play him in a movie: Vince Vaughn.
Craziest thing he's ever done: Last year I vacationed in Beijing on a whim--too many stories to tell.
First post-lottery-win purchase: a Ducati Monster S4R motorcycle.
Something you'd never do: Work for the government.
A casual friend would never guess: Both my nipples are pierced.
Hopes to: run with the bulls in Pamplona.
Good at: movie quotes and hip-hop lyrics.
Biggest pet peeve: impatience.
Favorite item of clothing: Lucky Brand jeans.
Ideal place for a first date: Forest Park Boathouse.
Favorite drink: Tanqueray and tonic.
Favorite fictional character: Bo Duke.
Dream vacation: Rio de Janeiro.
What you're most proud of: the way my parents talk about me.
Would never date someone who: is intolerant of other cultures/ways of life.
eric vanderhoef Healthcare consultant 41, divorced, University City
St. Louis resident for: 10 years.
Self-description: full of life.
Favorite movie: Dune.
Favorite book: The Tipping Point.
First post-lottery-win purchase: Another lottery ticket! I am on a roll!
A casual friend would never guess: I have classical vocal training.
Would never: bungee-jump.
Hopes to: visit every state in the U.S. ... only seven missing right now.
Glad he did it, wouldn't do it again: Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Good at: dealing with chaos.
Pet peeve: people who are totally reliant on others.
Favorite item of clothing: Birkenstocks.
Ideal place for a first date: Blueberry Hill.
Favorite drink: iced tea before 5 p.m., wine after 5 p.m.
Favorite fictional character: Capt. Jack Sparrow.
Dream vacation: northern Italy.
Would like to be reincarnated as: a dolphin.
arash amini CEO, Amini's Home, Rugs & Game Room 31, divorced, Clayton
St. Louis resident for: six months.
Self-description: genuine, strong-willed, witty.
Celebrity dream date: Angelina Jolie.
Craziest thing he's ever done: Got lost in the air when I was working on my pilot's license. I had to radio the airport and ask them where it was. They sent a search team after me.
Sign: Pisces, but I don't believe it's accurate. I'm more serious and structured than free-spirited. I love having fun--and probably have too much of it--but not without regard to priorities
A casual friend would never guess: I TiVo The Young and the Restless.
Would never: do drugs or intentionally inflict pain on another.
Glad he did it, wouldn't do it again: build two stores in two different cities at exactly the same time.
Wishes he could: play the piano.
Biggest pet peeve: people eating while they are on the phone with me.
Real car: Cadillac Escalade.
Dream car: convertible red Ferrari.
Phobia: Freaking spiders. I look at each corner of the ceiling before I turn the lights off and go to sleep, just in case there's one chillin' out in the room.
shimmy gray Women's basketball coach, Saint Louis University 32, never married, Tower Grove East
St. Louis resident for: three months.
Self-description: passionate, competitive, energetic.
Favorite book: Tuesdays with Morrie.
Celebrity dream date: Big Bird. He's actually taller than me.
Craziest thing she's ever done: backpack in Europe alone.
A casual friend would never guess: I don't own a television.
Good at: trivia games.
Wishes she were good at: singing.
Pet peeve: short people who wear high-waters.
Favorite item of clothing: A pair of Buckle jeans. I bought them without realizing they were $100. I wore them every day for two months to get my money's worth.
Dream car: 1967 Mustang.
Necessary extravagance: shoes--all 65 pairs of them.
Favorite fictional character: Stewie Griffin from The Family Guy.
Phobia: coprostasophobia.
Dream vacation: Africa--learning and teaching.
Guest list for the perfect dinner party: Jesus, Judas, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac and my father.
nora bresnahan Marketing coordinator, Geotechnology Inc. 26, never married, University City
St. Louis resident for: 19 years if you don't count college, 14 if you do ... and, yes, that's five years.
Self-description: subtle, idealistic, loyal.
Celebrity dream date: Tom Cruise. Just kidding--he's craaazy!
Would never: pierce my nose and my ear and connect the holes with a chain, not that it's not cool ... it just doesn't complement my face shape.
Hopes to: sky-dive.
Glad she did it, wouldn't do it again: spend a day on a sailboat.
Wishes she were good at: singing--and tap dancing.
Favorite item of clothing: pajama pants--or, for sentimental reasons, a vintage knee-length brown suede coat from my mom.
Favorite drink: Love a frosty beer followed by a nice bottle ... glass ... of wine and a chocolate martini.
Necessary extravagance: hair products.
Would never date someone who: takes longer to get ready than I do ... or has committed a felony.
Would like to be reincarnated as: A Secret Service agent with great hair. And I don't want watch-the-ex-president's-cousin's-dog duty--I want White House duty.
randall thomas Senior consultant, SBS Creatix 29, never married, downtown
St. Louis resident for: eight years.
Self-description: tenacious, eclectic, intriguing.
Favorite movie: The Boondock Saints.
Favorite book: Beyond Good and Evil.
Celebrity dream date: Bettie Page.
First post-lottery-win purchase: A good law firm. I hear there are several to choose from in Clayton.
Sign: Leo. Sadly, it does accurately describe me. As a staunch rational, it always gets a little under my skin when anything vaguely related to pop psychology seems to hold more truth than it should.
Cats or dogs? As a foodstuff, neither, but if we're talking pets, why pick just one? Cats for attitude, dogs for loyalty.
Favorite saying: "He who endures, conquers."--Persius.
A casual friend would never guess: I was a classically trained pianist.
Hopes to: live in the south of France or northern Italy.
Glad he did it, wouldn't do it again: read a book by James Michener.
Good at: Procrastination. I'll tell you why some other time.
Dream car: that Delorean from Back to the Future ... but it would have to be a working time machine.
Would never date someone who: doesn't read.
