Bill Gates Retirement Parties in St. Louis?

Haven't posted here in quite a while, but I've come out of hiding to ask a "professional" question:

Does anyone who lives in the St. Louis area know of any Apple aficionados doing anything (hosting any parties, etc.) this July to commemorate/celebrate Bill Gates' stepping down as Microsoft's chairman?

The coolest thing, of course, would be if someone were hosting a party where people could go all Office Space on a PC or two, or pin the tail/other appendage on Bill Gates, or what have you—but I'm not all that picky. Almost any kind of Bill Gates retirement–related event would suffice.

The reason I ask—and the reason it's a "professional" question—is that I'm writing (or at least hoping to write) an article about this for one of our regional magazines. I checked with the gurus at the Galleria Apple store, and pinged the Gateway Area Mac Users Group, but so far I haven't gotten any leads.

Anyone heard of anything?

Edit: You can PM or IM me if you don't want to reply in-thread.

#499284

What would the purpose for the party be?

Bill has been "out of the picture" at MS for a while now. His company title of Chairman has been more of a formality than anything else.

It's Steve vs Steve now.

#499346

I don't get why people would be happy that Bill Gates were to officially retire (though, as RJ pointed out, he is essentially a figurehead). I'd pick Bill Gates over Steve Ballmer any day of the week. Now, Steve Ballmer, there's a real prick.

#499353

Mm. I agree he's little more than a figurehead at this point, and that it's a little difficult to imagine the typical Mac user caring particularly much about him stepping down. Basically, it would've been a cool excuse for a party where you smash things—who doesn't love a good smashy-smashy?

Oh, and there's another, less obvious reason one might be happy Bill Gates is stepping down: Very often, when a company's founder cedes leadership to underlings or newcomers, the company, well, founders. So anyone hoping for gains in Apple's market share would have good reason to welcome Gates' continued disengagement and ultimate departure.

#499364