Legendarily Ornery STL Bartender Mark Pollman Reportedly in ICU

I received the following e-mail today regarding Mark Pollman, the irrepressible Fox & Hounds Tavern bartender and liquor historian I profiled -- to much letters-to-the-editor-page hoo-hah -- back in April 2006.

I don't have any current word on Pollman's condition, but I know he'd take heart if you hoisted a cocktail today in his honor. The e-mail follows:

Dear friends and family of Mark Pollman,

This email is, unfortunately, not from Mark, but a friend who regrets to inform you that our dear friend was taken by ambulance to BJC Hospital in the early hours this past Sunday and remains there in the Coronary ICU on the 8th floor of Queeny Towers. He has been unconscious since late Sunday night and is in critical condition. Visitation is very limited in the ICU.

Please contact your "higher power" and ask if we might enjoy a few more of Mark's wonderful words of wisdom and wit. I apologize if you receive multiple copies of this email. As you may have guessed, Mark did not maintain the most organized address list (although, it is extensive!).

As Mark would close....

"Love ya!"

-Chad Garrison