Scene Around

How sad I feel...

With the news that my very favorite comedian of all-time, Sid Caesar, has passed, I am truly devastated. As I get older I am more aware of my mortality and of my loved ones around me.

I felt grief when Frank Sinatra passed... and Mel Torme, Milton Berle... and most entertainers that I admired. But losing Sid Caesar really hit home.

And just a few days ago, Shirley Temple died. I must admit, I cried. I owned a Shirley Temple doll as a child... I can still picture it with its curly hair and dimples, just like the star herself. "On the good ship, Lollypop..." Oh well, death, after all, is part of life.

More about "Monuments Men"...

This comes directly from the very latest issue of the World Jewish Congress Digest under the title WJC prods Germany for faster return of looted art": "At the urging of the World Jewish Congress, German federal authorities say they will accelerate their investigation to return Nazi looted art discovered in a Munich apartment to Jewish owners. Bavarian officials had recently disclosed-belated-that they uncovered some 1,400 valuable works of art over a year and a half ago.

The delay raised a furor of indignation by Jewish leaders, most notably WJC president, Ambassador RONALD S. LAUDER, who reminded Germany that claimants are aging, a sore point for many hundreds of Jewish heirs whose cases for the return of stolen art have been in limbo for years.

German police authorities are creating a comprehensive online posting of the works to aid heirs in identifying art works that once graced Jewish homes and galleries in pre-WWII Germany and occupied areas."

Another "mensch" to pay tribute to...

NANCY LUDIN, executive director of the Jewish Pavilion keeps me informed about special people in our Jewish community. Here is her latest email: "The nicest thing you can do for an elderly individual is to visit. A smile and warm hug mean so much to an older person in a senior community.

A year ago, KAREN SELZNICK offered to visit weekly two residents at Oakmonte Village on behalf of the Jewish Pavilion.

Such close friendships were forged that Karen increased her visitation.

In buildings like Oakmonte and Cordoba, once other residents hear about a special visitor, word quickly travels around the building. Now when you ask Karen how many people she currently visits, she has lost count.

Karen visits almost every Jewish resident at Oakmonte and she always goes out of her way to make everyone feel special.

She is a beloved friend to Pavilion staff, volunteers and residents.

Karen Selznick has been active with the Jewish Pavilion for many years. She serves on the Friends of the Jewish Pavilion Board. Karen has also chaired "A Walk in the Park" and the Pavilion's Membership

Appeal."

(Thank you for caring as you do, Karen. The world needs more folks like you.)

Okay, okay, so I am a senior too...

The next Congregation Ohev Shalom Seniors Sunday meeting is scheduled for March 2 at the synagogue, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland.

The entertainment begins at 2 p.m. sharp as always and features a very talented group calling itself "Eastside." (Remember the song "Eastside, Westside, all around the town"? Well most New Yorkers do!)

"Eastside" is a trio of musicians that perform a very eclectic variety of music for your listening and dancing pleasure.

They have been entertaining audiences for almost 15 years in Central Florida.

The bandleader and keyboardist, JOE LUPIS, has been entertaining audiences for more than 25 years.

(I know Joe... he is very talented, indeed. I may have even gigged with him at one time.) Guitarist and lead vocalist, JIMMY VENTURA, has been playing music since he was a teenager, and female vocalist and percussionist, ROBIN VENTURA, is extremely talented as well.

The group "Eastside" performs for many local venues and nightspots as well as appearances at local churches, temples and community clubhouses. They always bring "fun time" to the guests.

After the show, refreshments will be served. All this for only the cost of $5, COS Senior members; $8 for all others. You are welcome to bring your friends.

There is also a fun raffle at each meeting. See BERNY RAFF about it and for any further information or directions, you can phone him at 407-767-6763.

How lucky we are here in Central Florida...

A much acclaimed Broadway offering is coming to Orlando!

"War Horse" will be opening at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and will run through Sunday, March 2.

The Florida Theatrical Association and Board of Trustees and the National Theatre of Great Britain and Bob Boyett are presenting "War Horse."

At the outbreak of World War I, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He is soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. The National's new epic is based on the celebrated novel by the British Children's Laureate (2003-05), Michael Morpurgo. Actors working with magnificent, life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet

Company lead us on a gripping journey through history. To purchase tickets, phone 1-800-430-8903. "War Horse" is a must see five-star event! Don't miss it!

Just a reminder...

This Sunday, Feb. 23 at the new time of 12:30 p.m., ALAN ROCK will be presenting PAT GULLATTA and the Jazz Train (MICHAEL KRAMER on piano, BEN KRAMER on bass and GREG PARNELL on drums) at the Altamonte Chapel. For directions and further information, phone 407-339-5208.

One for the road...

With all the cruise ships making the news these days I thought you might like this joke:

To avoid a catastrophe during a raging storm, the captain of the ship called (believe it or not) The Kosher Yenta, the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever launched, decided to dock at a small port on a Caribbean Island. But it was too far down to the dock below for the ship's standard gangplank to reach, so passengers who wanted to leave the ship were asked to use a makeshift narrow piece of wood as a passageway down to the dock.

All of a sudden, Sadie, aged 80, appeared at the top of the plank. The captain just stood there motionless, wondering whether she would make it down safely as there was no room for anyone to assist her. But to his great relief, Sadie edged along very slowly and eventually made it down to the dock. However, as soon as she got down, Sadie looked back up to the top of the plank and shouted, "It's okay Momma, you can come down now."