Update 1-29-13

 

Hi,

 

A series of notes.

 

First, one that should have been included last week, from Barbara Blitfield Pech:  I don't usually share anything religious, but I had to stick my proverbial two cents in as Valerie Nelson Gillen reminded me of the
beginnings of my Hebrew school education.

    When we lived in Gibson, which was a predominantly non-Jewish area, shortly after a play date with my neighbor and friend, Linda Passaro, who was showing me her beautiful white dress and veil for her first holy communion and likely going into great detail about it, I immediately went home and asked my father "who my patron saint was."  I don't think forty-eight hours had even passed before I was on the school bus heading to Temple Gates of Zion to find out.

 

Next, a note from Judy Hartstone about something that happened earlier this month:  Rich, you can't stop freeway driving, or we'll have to suspend our quarterly lunches.

    Speaking of which, you forgot to mention that we had a swell time in Ventura a couple of weeks ago, even though our regular haunt had gone out of business.  We ended up trying a new place that was architecturally quite interesting, a landmark building, I think, or at least very old.  It had once been a bank, built in 1927, back in the days when banks were impressive institutions.  Wish I'd taken some pictures of the murals and architectural features.  The historical explanation in the menu made it all seem very interesting.

    Still, next time, let's try a different restaurant because, honestly, my lunch was as bad as yours was good.  But it's fun to try new places, and Ventura's old town offers quite a variety.  See you in April, if not before.

 

[Rich -- Yep, I look forward to seeing Judy, and, sometimes, her dog and the mellower one of mine join us for lunch.  That was the advantage of Tutti's Off Main.  It had a patio.]

Then, in order they arrived:

 

From Emily Kleinman-Schreiber:  Just as I was thinking that we haven't communicated in a while, I read your note about my "Rappin' Tappin'..." posts on Facebook.  Yes, I was surprised!  Have you ever signed on at the South Alumni page?

     I'm glad that autumn is over, since it was so difficult here on Long Island.  On top of Mother Nature's strikes, I had sciatica for three months.  Seeing an acupuncturist has helped, and on Saturday, I'll be flying to Mexico for the first time.  Puerto Vallarta is my destination.  It should be warmer than here.

     Regarding the Alumni Association -- we'll be meeting next on February 21st, in the usual place -- the library at South -- at 7:15.  New members are desperately needed, so please encourage younger people to get involved.

    That's all for now.  Enjoy your wonderfully warm weather  in Los Angeles.  There's snow on the ground here!  Love to all.

 

From Marc Jonas:  Speaking of Interstates -- how can there be an Interstate on Hawaii?  Makes one ponder.

 

From Steve Gootzeit:  My favorite Burma Shave slogan is:

    Within this vale

    Of toil and sin

    Your head grows bald

    But not your chin

    Burma Shave

 

From Barnet Kellman:  Ditto on having the same Stan Musial baseball glove!  What's up with that?  Some marketing genius in 1956?
    And bravo, Jerry Bittman, for all your volunteer work.

 

Finally, Mary Sipp-Green forwarded an article from the online Jewish Journal about Paulinda Schimmel Babbini's's good work.

    The Mensch List:  Paulinda Schimmel Babbini -- Raising Ovarian Cancer Awareness

        by Kylie Jane Wakefield
    Often, when someone is coping with an extraordinary loss, the feelings can be all-encompassing.  When Paulinda Schimmel Babbini’s daughter, Robin, died of ovarian cancer at the age of 20, instead of letting the
tragic death immobilize her, Babbini made it her mission that no one else should go through what she had.
    Babbini is the founder and president of The Ovarian Cancer Circle, a foundation she started in 2010 in memory of her daughter.  In 2004, Robin, at age 16, was homecoming queen and co-captain of the
cheerleading squad at Pacific Hills High School. That same year she also started complaining of cramps. Doctors brushed it off, saying it was her menstrual cycle. The symptoms persisted, however, and a year
later, she was diagnosed with stage-three ovarian cancer.  Robin underwent a hysterectomy and chemotherapy treatments and was able to enter into her first year of college at University of California,
Santa Barbara.  Six months later, the cancer recurred.  She lost her tumultuous battle in 2006.
    Since its founding, the nonprofit Ovarian Cancer Circle, which includes twelve members, has raised more than $35,000 to fight ovarian cancer.  “My focus for starting The Circle is to give ovarian cancer a higher public profile; to support research, educate, heighten awareness to the signs and symptoms of this cancer; and to raise funds for an early-detection test, which does not yet exist,” Babbini said.  “So many lives are saved by mammograms, Pap smears and PSA tests [for prostate cancer].  But ovarian cancer is a stealth cancer, almost hidden, with few, and random, symptoms.  They are abdominal pressure, bloating, nausea, indigestion, feeling full but eating less, urinary frequency and constipation, she said.  “Knowledge is critically
important.  I encourage women to pay attention to their bodies, know the symptoms and go to the gynecologist.”
    Her group holds fundraisers twice a year and participates in numerous health fairs.  They’ve hosted events at Hamburger Mary’s, featuring drag-queen bingo, along with a stand-up show at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood that showcased Sinbad as the headliner. On February 21st, The Ovarian Cancer Circle is putting together a luncheon at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Woodland Hills.  The group will donate one hundred percent of the proceeds to ovarian cancer research.  On the Web site, theovariancancercircle . org, donations can also be made by purchasing bracelets, scarves, and necklaces in teal -- the color designated to represent ovarian cancer --  at Robin’s Store.
    Dalia Hayon, a friend, said she admires Paulinda for her strength and giving demeanor.  “As a mother and grandmother, I would not have been able to bear the pain.  It takes a special person and a mensch to be
able to put aside her suffering, [to] be such an advocate for her girl and make sure other people are aware of it and know more about what to expect.  She wasn’t expecting to get, but to give.  She is a very giving
person.”
    For her part, Babbini said everything she does is in memory of her daughter.  “Robin is my inspiration, motivation and strength.  Her spirit inspires me to stay focused and, with steadfast determination, make a difference.”

 

If you're in or near Los Angeles, and you'd like to attend the coming fundraiser:

    The Ovarian Cancer Circle  “Take a Bite out of Ovarian Cancer”  Charitable Lunch    Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard (in the Promenade Mall) Woodland Hills, CA
    Thursday, February 21st, 11:30 to 1:30
    Tickets: $40 -- which includes a raffle ticket.  

    RSVP by February 18th to:  theovariancancercircle . org   (remove spaces) or call:  323-842-8100    No tickets sold at the door

 

The South '65 e-mail addresses: reunionclass65 . blogspot . com

 

The South '65 photo site: picasaweb . google . com / SouthHS65

 

 

Rich