Update 5-11-04


Hey,

Details. Details. Another detail it seems I forgot, specifically about the Booker Gibson Music Award, but also about the Vince Tampio Theater Award.
     From Jay Kinder: To whom do I make the check out?

[Rich -- You make it out to me, then I deposit the collected checks in my account, and write a single check to each of the designated students at South. Anything else I forgot to tell you, please ask. My address again, just 'cause I like to see if I can still remember it, is: 23030 Dolorosa Street, Woodland Hills, California 91367. And my last name, currently, is Eisbrouch. It used to be Eisenbruke, probably, with an umlaut over the U, meaning it meant "Iron Bridge," a place name. But that was another country, and besides the wench has long since been paid off.]

More about the Music Award. The formal note of acceptance came from the Valley Stream Board of Ed a week ago, followed by three, quick, self-explanatory notes:
     From Anthony Iadevaio, president of the Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education: I am pleased to advise you that at its meeting on April 20, 2004, the Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the establishment of the Booker Gibson Music Scholarship in the amount of $5000.00 annually for ten years. The student will be selected by the South High School Awards Committee based on the following criteria: must be a music student in grades 11 or 12; has made a major contribution to the music program. Please accept the Board's sincere appreciation for providing this scholarship.

Almost immediately, from me to Liz King Giordano, South's secretary to Principal Lando, and my primary contact there: I just got the letter from Anthony Iadevaio on behalf of the Board of Education. It had a slight mistake in it about the Booker Gibson Music Award. It said the award was for five thousand dollars annually for ten years, when it's actually for five hundred dollars annually for ten years, which totals five thousand dollars. I'm hoping the mistake was just a typographical error, adding an extra zero -- that's why I've carefully written out the figures. Can you please find out where the misunderstanding happened and correct it? Thanks.

By return e-mail, from Liz: Wow -- somebody added a zero!?! I checked my memo to the Board of Education, and it's $500. I'll contact the district clerk who handles the correspondence and get back to you -- it's probably a typo. Also, I tried to pick up plaque samples on Saturday and the store closed early. I will definitely get you something this week. I will also e-mail you the names of the recipients.

By U.S. mail this past Saturday, from Kathleen A. Jensen, District Clerk for the Valley Stream Central High School District Board of Education: Dear Mr. Eisbrouch, Please accept my apology for the typographical error made on the letter sent to you on April 27, 2004, regarding the establishment of the Booker Gibson Music Scholarship. The amount of the scholarship should be $500.00 annually for ten years, not $5000.00. All the rest of the criteria are the same. Once again, I am very sorry for the error.

[Rich -- I lead such an exciting life.]

Other letters, first from Donald Faber: I was recently in touch with old friend and former writing partner of mine, Arthur Axelman, who was Buddy Hackett's agent for 10 years, and who passed along this reminiscence of Buddy to me. This falls into that old "6 degrees of separation" category, given our classmate Jerry Bittman and recent musings in your update. I didn't know Jerry at all well, but thought you could pass this along to him.
     “ … it was a ten year roller coaster representation and friendship as he was a panoply of neuroses, but when it was good (every morning a call and a new joke; his 60th birthday at the restricted Jonathan Club, where we sat with Cary Grant), it was wonderful. His personality was so strong (and his mind and interests so intense and diverse) I can't imagine how his kids and widow can continue without hearing his voice and being in his presence each day. He was 78, and he mostly burned the candle at both ends, so that was long for him, but his buddy Sinatra lasted to 82, and talk about candle burning!”


And just in case you want to buy long-burning candles, this consumer tip from Robert Fiveson: A great place to shop -- http://www.reemco.com/
     Their hard-hitting, if underpunctuated, online pitch: "For over one hundred and fifty years, Reemco has provided mankind with cutting edge, state of the art quality and technology. We have a long standing commitment to provide you with the highest quality products at the lowest price. Our easy to use online catalog is equipped to serve all of your needs in the comfort of your own home. No special club memberships or stipulations. All you need is a problem we can solve. Reemco is as fast as the future-we're constantly looking to expand and improve our catalog just as you're constantly looking to expand and improve your life. So check back with us often. And let us know your needs."

Also from Robert, part of an e-mail forward about the differences between 1973 and the present:
     1973: Moving to California because it's cool
     2003: Moving to California because it's warm
     1973: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
     2003: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

That's it for the week. Happy belated Mother's Day. Happy anticipated Father's Day. Donations for both the Booker Gibson and Vince Tampio awards happily accepted through June 1st.

The new home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65


Rich