Barbara Bayer, Editor
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEREAN — Gerean Rudnick recently celebrated her 80th birthday at Village Shalom. The family hosted a reception for her, sending very few invites via email and posting a notice on her online care page. Gerean’s daughter Melynn Sight reports that “200 friends and family came to honor her for her birthday, for her care and the way she has embraced so many people in this city for her whole life.” Through the years Gerean’s passion has been Children’s Mercy Hospital. “She has made loads of donations to various areas of the hospital. We have donated new toys to the hospital in her honor. Her birthday was no exception. She was honored by dozens of donations to the Gerean Rudnick fund at CMH.” Gerean was surprised when Jane Lampo, managing director of philanthropic gift planning and regional giving at CMH, presented her with a certificate of appreciation for her years of grants to the hospital. Lampo said, “Gerean is one of our most loyal and enthusiastic supporters and advocates. For over 30 years, she has shown her dedication to the children and families we serve in the same way she has approached life: with a smile on her face and a genuine and determined desire to help others. Gerean is one of a kind, and we love her!”
MAZEL TOV ALEXANDERS — This week on our Celebrations pages, you will see engagement announcements for Edward and Cheryl Alexander’s two daughters, Michelle and Shana. Michelle is getting married on May 25 and Shana is getting married on Aug. 31. We don’t generally deviate from the way these announcements are written, but we wanted to share with you a little of Ed Alexander’s humor. He writes: “G-d does have a sense of humor — he is giving us two sons in one year at our age!” May they all be blessed with good health, happiness and easy wedding planning!
SO LONG GEOFF — It was fun while it lasted, having a Jewish player on the Kansas City Chiefs roster. Last week offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz signed a four-year deal with the New York Giants. Yahoo.com reported he signed a four-year deal guaranteed at $6.2 million and could be worth up to $16.8 million. Just a few days before he officially became a Giant, he married his sweetheart in a beach ceremony. Shalom Geoff, and mazel tov on your marriage!
JEWS AT THE GEM — In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the world-renowned Newport Jazz Festival® (Aug. 1-3), the “Newport Jazz Festival®: Now 60” Tour makes a stop at “Jammin’ at the Gem” at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Kansas City’s Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th Street. Publicist Phil Hermanson tells us that both clarinetist/saxophonist Anat Cohen, bassist Larry Grenadier, are Jewish. They will be featured with vocalist/pianist and former KC resident Karrin Allyson, pianist Peter Martin, guitarist Mark Whitfield, trumpeter Randy Brecker and drummer Clarence Penn. The band has been receiving rave reviews since it kicked off a 17-city tour on Feb. 8 in Atlanta. The first leg of the tour winds down March 30 in St. Louis and will continue with more dates during June, July and August in North America and Europe (including a set at its namesake festival on Aug. 2). For tickets and information, call 816-474-6262 or visit www.americanjazzmuseum.org or www.ticketmaster.com.
