Update 6-28-05

Hi,

One of those good news and bad news weeks. But so much news, I'll have to save some of it for next week.

First, the most heartening note, from Barnet Kellman, who's already mentioned that, because of scheduling problems, he can't make the reunion: Here's a check to keep up the tradition of Valley Stream South reunions. And please say "hi" to everyone for me.

[Rich -- Like Alan Finder, Carol Ewig Duran, and Robin Singer Taylor, Barnet sent the money he would have spent had he been free to come to the parties. The reason this is especially nice is there's a group of us who've already agreed to split the deficit because, as Barnet says, we believe in the tradition of South reunions. The money we kick in will comp the teachers. And anyone's welcome to contribute.]

Related, from Carol Ewig Duran: You acknowledged my recent message about not being able to attend the reunion, but I am still included on the list. That probably does not help the numbers. Sorry.

[Rich -- Ya, well, in addition to math, I used to be good at reading, too. But I think I've got this clear now.]

And from Barbara Zingman Braunstein: Sorry I won't be attending the reunion, but my husband and I will be on vacation in South America during first 19 days of August. We're going to the Galapagos Islands; Macchu Picchu; Quito, Ecuador; and Lima, Peru.

[Rich -- Oh, sure, you go to the Galapagos, and we go to Huntington.]

And while people are traveling, from Jerry Bittman: Please do me a favor. I'll be coming out to California and Nevada sometime in the next 10 days. I will be out there several months so hopefully we can connect. I have already spoken to Paul Zegler and will be meeting up with him and also will get in contact with Barnet Kellman. If there is anybody else from our class living in either California or Nevada who wants to join up with us, then e-mail ASAP to crazygeronimo@yahoo.com.

On money matters, from Dennis Shapiro: I noticed that you have Sherry Finkel down as attending the reunion. I have not received any money from her.

[Rich -- Sherry's one of those people we're comping, along with her piano player, Booker Gibson. It's a case of asking them to sing for their suppers.]

Also from Dennis: I don't believe anything has been done about inviting teachers, because we were waiting to see about the money. And Paul DeMartino is away in Italy and is returning tomorrow, and I am going away until Sunday.

[Rich -- Everyone's traveling but me. As for our former teachers: Hey, all you teachers, you're invited to our party. And you can bring a husband, wife, or guest. And please pass the word along -- and RSVP, soon. Thanks. (We'll figure out how to do a more formal follow-up as soon as Dennis and Paul get home.)]

Speaking of Mr. DeMartino, a note from him: Basically, I can tell you that things are slowly picking up. Other classes have been responsive, though one comment I'm hearing from them is regarding who is attending from their particular class. I wish I knew that answer and have gently suggested that they contact as many from their class as possible and have them spread the word. I've e-mailed or faxed the reunion flyer to several people and have asked them to send it on. Right now, I'm hoping for a last minute rush to get us over the top.

A different kind of rush; a report on the irritating morals of Hollywood, from Robert Fiveson:
Ever get tired of the big guys trampling on the little guys? Ever want to poke the eye out of some smarmy bastard with billions and an army of lawyers who thinks they make the rules? This is your chance!
   On July 22nd, DreamWorks is releasing the film The Island, directed by Michael (Armageddon) Bay and starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. Anyone who has seen the trailer or a sneak preview and has also seen the film Clonus -- which appeared on CBS, the SciFi Channel, and Mystery Science Theater 2000 -- knows that the plots are way too similar to be mere coincidence.
Clonus tells the story of Richard, a resident of a contained utopian facility. Like all of the inhabitants of this carefully controlled environment, Richard hopes to be chosen to go to America, where everyone is happy. But Richard soon discovers that everything about his existence is a lie. He and all his friends are actually clones whose only purpose is to provide "spare parts" for their original human counterparts. Realizing it's only a matter of time before he is harvested, he and a beautiful fellow resident named Lena plot an escape to the outside world they've never known. Relentlessly pursued by the forces of the sinister institute that once housed him, Richard engages in a race for his life to literally meet his makers. Compare that with the summary for The Island on imdb.com!
   It seems the main difference is the budget: The Island exceeded $100 million. That is 400 times the final budget of Clonus. Of course, the big-budget film will have lots of chases and a happy ending tacked on -- you don't gamble that much money on a downer -- but that doesn't disguise its true origins. And many others have made note of this: if you Google Clonus and The Island together, you get around 11,000 hits, most commenting on the extraordinary similarity. Further, on imdb.com -- considered the definitive source for information about films -- if you click "Movie Connections" for The Island, it even says "Remake of Clonus," and if you click on "Movie Connections" for Clonus, it says "Remade as The Island."
   Yet, amazingly, the original makers of Clonus (director Robert S.Fiveson, producer Myrl A. Schreibman, and screenwriters Bob Sullivan and Ron Smith) have been completely shut out, receiving no credit, no compensation, no anything, including not even being asked if the film could be remade.
   How can you help? How can you stick a fistful of money up the arrogant noses of overpaid ‘talent’ and lawyers? Simple -- unlock the real power of the Internet (no, not porn!) Pass this e-mail on to as many people as you know who love movies, especially anyone from DreamWorks, any entertainment attorneys, and any critics who might be reviewing The Island. They may be able to give the originators the credit they deserve.
   Do it for films! Do it for fairness! Do it because it will feel really good!

Finally, the sad news, from Paul Zegler: Just wanted to update you. First off, it's 14 weeks since my surgery, and I've lost over 65 pounds. Shrinking every day. Still do not walk very well, but finally showing some improvement. Also, my father passed away on June 21st. He had been in declining health for over a year. It was very peaceful.
   Although, I could not go to the funeral, which was in Boston, a number of school mates knew him, so I'd like to share that information. Also I'd like to share a section of the eulogy that I wrote that was read at the funeral. This is a true story.
   Manny Zegler was many things. An artist, teacher, humanitarian, religious and family man. I just want to focus on the humanitarian. He cared deeply about people, especially oppressed Jews, and when he had the chance, he did something to help. During the Cold War with Russia, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra was invited to play a number of concerts in Moscow. It was the first American orchestra ever to play behind the Iron Curtain. During this time period, the Jews in Russia were constantly being harassed for practicing their religion. They were not allowed to print prayer books or make prayer shawls (talaism). My father came up with an ingenious plan to help them. He decided, at great risk, to smuggle new prayer books and talaism into the country. He asked members of the orchestra, both Jews and non-Jews, if each would take two prayer books and one prayer shawl and hide them in their instrument cases. Fortunately, the Russian government did not check these cases upon their entering the country. The members of the orchestra all knew they were being watched carefully by informants, yet one by one, they entered the synagogue, sat down, and lay their gifts on a bench to be picked up by a member of the congregation. It worked! With his inspiration and leadership, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra had defeated the Russian government. The members of the congregation hugged my father and kissed him and cried with gratitude for his help. How proud of him I was when I heard this story. And I will forever be proud to Manny Zegler's son.

The reunion information:
When: August 5th, 6th, 7th (Friday night through Sunday noon)
Where: Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, New York, 11747
Cost: $100 per person
Reunion Package Includes:
Friday night cocktail party with snacks and cash bar (7:00 PM -- Midnight)
Saturday night buffet with open bar & DJ (7:00 PM -- Midnight; Dinner at 8:00)
Lobby area with cash bar available both nights to continue parties
Former teachers comped for both parties, and we're trying to attract as many of
our former teachers as possible.
NOTE: If you just want to come to the Friday night party, a $25 contribution per person is
requested.
SEND: Checks to Dennis Shapiro. 495 Wateredge Avenue, Baldwin, New York, 11510. Please make them out to: VSS 40th Reunion.
Also: Since there are a limited number of Friday night hotel rooms being held, please e-mail Dennis Shapiro when you've made your reservations so he can lobby for more. His e-mail address is: dshapiro@optonline.net The hotel's Phone Number is: 631-845-1000. Ask for the Reservations Desk and mention our class reunion discount. Hotel rooms should be $129/night.
The home page: http://hometown.aol.com/vssouth65

Rich