Update 11-5-13

 

Hi,

 

Some of you may already know about this from Facebook, but Ira Mitzner is not doing well.  He was diagnosed with bone cancer just about a year ago.  It was found as a result of hip discomfort that he thought was a bit of arthritis from too much boxing.  Later, it was determined that the origin of the cancer was his lung, and the disease had metastasized from his lung to his bone and was found in his liver and his brain.

    He's home now in Deale, looking out at the ocean and the birds from his hospital bed.  His wife, Rachael, writes:  "We would like to communicate through a web called Caring Bridge to decrease the phone calls and texts during this difficult time  I will update the site as often as possible and will try to do it daily."

    A CaringBridge site was created for Ira Mitzner.  It's a caring social network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a health event.  Visit Ira's site often to stay updated and to share messages of encouragement and compassion.  

    The site link:  caringbridge . org/visit/iramitzner  (please remove spaces)
    The site name: iramitzner

    You use the link to go to CaringBridge and quickly set up a free account.  Then you sign in, go to Ira and Rachael's site, read what Rachael has posted and add your note.  This is very important.  I just got a note from my sister, Marilyn, about an old family friend who's in about the same shape as Ira, though she's 90.  Her husband says, "No one visits.  No one calls.  They all don't know what to say."  And we went through this when my father had his strokes at 65 and lived another 7 years, and my partner and his family went through it when his father had his strokes at 70 and lived several more years.  All you have to do is sign in and say "Hello."  That's enough to make someone's day.  It's enough to let people know that other people are thinking about them.

 

Stu Borman also writes:  I'm interested in setting up a visit with Ira and Rachael for the weekend of November 9th, perhaps with some other South High people living in the DC area.  You don't have to be a member of the class of '65 to join us, and people are welcome to contact me about this.  301-246-0056 -- Google Voice.  301-571-8231 -- mobile phone.  Or sborman @ gmail . com (remove spaces)

 

Rachael wrote Stu:  We're not going anyplace, so pick your day and time.  Ira will be delighted to see you.

 

And Robin Seader Cottmeyer writes:  Ira was a bit better this morning -- Monday -- and actually slept for a good 5+ hours last evening.  He knows what's going on around him.  He just can't communicate.  He's still "in there," but so weak, I doubt he'll be able to get out of bed again.

    Ira and Rachael's address is:  731 Tyler Point Road, Deale, Maryland 20751, in case people prefer to send notes the old fashioned way.  Thankfully, I only live only 30 minutes away, so I can visit easily, and I'll be back there tonight.  As Rachael reminded me yesterday morning when we discussed visitors, Ira is ever the performer.  He's always loved being "on stage."  As such, interaction with his friends and classmates -- in person or online -- will force him to "perform," even if just for short periods of time.  If that serves to give him strength and boost his spirits for a few minutes, then indeed, it will be a very good thing.

 

[Rich -- it's hard to ease into any other news after that, but a few short notes.]

 

From Amy Miller Cohen:  I'm sending you another donation from the class of '63 for the Booker Gibson/Vince Tampio scholarships.  That will bring our total to just over $500.

 

[Rich -- Of course, on behalf of the present students from South, I thanked Amy and everyone who donated.  Because we've just extended the scholarships for at least the next 5 years, and the class of '63's donation is a one-time thing, I'm going to divide the money and use it as needed over the next several years to supplement our renewed spring fundraising.]

 

About charity, from Andy Dolich:  As we approach the holidays, the in-box fills up with requests asking us to give.  Today’s economy challenges all of us in allocating our philanthropy and community service.  I have a simple request:  We want the shirt off your back!

    The first year of “One Warm Shirt” was a huge success, and please join in again this year in growing this positive program.  We will be collecting as many sweatshirts and shirts as possible to assist the thousands that St. Anthony’s wraps its caring arms around.  My friends at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area are lending a huge hand in the effort to help top last years total.  Please send what you have in the bottom of your drawer, storeroom, irregular pile, misprinted logo bin, sizes too large or small, too ugly, inventory of traded player shirts, or colors that don’t match your eyes.  Please send or deliver your shirts by December 2nd to:  St. Anthony Foundation, One Warm Shirt Drive, ℅ Allan Shapiro, 150 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102.  Thanks.

 

And about comedy, from Barnet Kellman:  As you know, we’ve been building a one-of-a-kind comedy program here at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.  We announced its launch in November 2011 at the Comedy @ SCA Festival which featured visits by Steve Carrell, Paul Feig, Pete Segal, James Bobin, Ivan Reitman, Liz Meriwether, Nahnatchka Khan, Phil Rosenthal, Chelsea Peretti, Larry Wilmore, Mike Farah, Gabe Sachs and many others.

    Since then, we’ve built a curriculum and assembled an incredible faculty of professionals currently working in the comedy arena.  We’ve also expanded our students’ opportunities to interact with the best of comedy by bringing guests to campus for workshops, lectures, and special events.  This year alone, we’ve hosted Jim Brooks, Larry Moss, Jay Roach, the writers of Parks and Recreation and Funny or Die and many others.  Next weekend, we're presenting the COMEDY @ SCA FESTIVAL VOLUME 2  -- check out the line up:  cinema . usc.edu/events/event.cfm?id=13884   (remove spaces)
    It’s free to the public and will “sell out,” but if you’d like help in reserving seats, please let me know.  Best regards to all.

 

Other delayed notes next week.

 

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

 

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

 

 

Rich