MORE ON ‘MEET THE PRESS’ — Last week in a blurb about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s interview aired on “Meet the Press,” (Sunday, Sept. 16), I mentioned that host David Gregory referred to Netanyahu as the “leader of the Jewish people.” However a reader has pointed out to me that later that same day Gregory clarified his earlier description of the Israeli prime minister on Twitter. He said it is better to say Netanyahu is the leader of the Jewish state.
HELZBERG PENGUIN PLAZA — For the first time ever the Kansas City Zoo will house a penguin exhibit and some of that is due to Barnett and Shirley Helzberg. A major gift was presented to the zoo in memory of the late Barnett C. Helzberg Sr. so the area will be called the Helzberg Penguin Plaza. It will open in late 2013 and will feature a 100,000 gallon cool pool for cold water penguins and a 25,000 gallon warm wet area laced with sand for warm water penguins. Zoo officials say each exhibit will provide child-friendly and magnificent views showcasing these extraordinary black and white birds in a recreated natural environment even including snow for the cold water feathered friends. The Friends of the Zoo raised $4.1 million for the project.
QUALITY HILL’S NEW SEASON — Quality Hill Playhouse opened its 2012-2013 season last week “On the Sunny Side of the Street: Music That Made the Depression Great,” a cabaret revue of high-spirited songs written to cheer up Americans during the Great Depression. Songwriters such as George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Dorothy Fields and Fats Waller helped Americans escape their reality by celebrating the brighter side of life through songs with lively rhythms, upbeat tempos and subjects of love and care-free living. Vocalists Julie O’Rourke Kaul, Kathryn Long and Ken Remmert will be joined by pianist/emcee J. Kent Barnhart, drummer Julian Goff and bassist Brian Wilson on more than two dozen “feel good” classics, including “Get Happy,” “Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It” and more. “On the Sunny Side of the Street” runs through October at Quality Hill Playhouse. For tickets, call 816-421-1700 or visit www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE — Know a Jewish teen who is making a real difference in the world and could put $36,000 to good use? The Helen Diller Family Foundation is expanding the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, issuing a national call-for-nominations to identify Jewish teens whose volunteer service projects demonstrate a determined commitment to make the world a better place. Up to 10 teens, five from California and five from other communities across the country, will each be acknowledged for their visionary actions with an award of $36,000 to be used to further their philanthropic work or their education. Deadline for nominations is Jan. 6.
What started as a simple idea for Bay Area Philanthropist Helen Diller in 2007 has grown tremendously over the last six years. The Helen Diller Family Foundation has given more than 1 million dollars to 30 teens to further their vision of tikkun olam — a central precept of Judaism meaning repair of the world.
Teens can be nominated by teachers, community leaders, rabbis, or anyone who knows the value of their volunteer service and commitment. Nominations made by family members will not be accepted. However, young Jewish teens may also nominate themselves.
To enter, complete the online nomination form at 222.jewishfed.org/teenawards/process. For more information visit www.jewishfed.org/diller/teenawards; call 415-512-6437 or email .