JGA July-August 09 - The Jewish Georgian

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Page 38 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN July-August 2009 Schwartz on Sports A BY Jerry Schwartz few months ago, I ran into Bruce Weinstein at the MJCCA, and he updated me on one of my “Where Are They Now?” guys. Arnie Fielkow played in the Men’s Basketball League in the ‘90s and was a terrific player. He even tried out and made the United States basketball team that played in the World Maccabiah Games in Israel. During the time Arnie lived in Atlanta, he was commissioner of the Southern Baseball Association. Bruce told me that, when they fined players, the money was given to charities, and Arnie determined which ones. He designated a lot of that fine money to the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Bruce, at that time, was chairman of the MJCCA’s Health, Recreation, and Wellness Department, which benefited from those donations. I lost contact with Arnie when he left Atlanta, so I asked Bruce to fill me in. Arnie, who is a lawyer, moved to New Orleans in the late ‘90s and took a job as a high-level administrator with the New Orleans Saints. When Katrina hit, the Saints were playing out of town, and the organiza- tion had to decide whether they were going to return to New Orleans to play. The owner of the Saints did not want them to return, and Arnie did. As a consequence of their disagreement, Arnie lost his job. But public opinion was on Arnie’s side, and he became a hero in New Orleans for the position he took. As a result, he decided to run for public office, for president of the New Orleans City Council, in 2006. Bruce’s daughter, Brook Weinstein Berger, who went to law school in New Orleans and lived near Arnie, worked on his campaign. Even though Arnie was running against an incumbent who was heavily favored, he won a very close election. So, if you know Arnie and go to New Orleans, he probably won’t be able to get you Saints’ tickets, but he might arrange a tour of City Hall. While talking with Bruce, I told him that I wrote a column in December of 2008 about sports memorabilia and had interviewed Dean Zindler, who owns Zindler’s Sports Collectibles. I was also aware that Bruce had an extensive collection of baseball cards that he had collected in his youth, and I thought it would be interesting to follow up on that. Bruce grew up in Birmingham and started collecting baseball cards when he was about ten. From the period of 1956- 1962, he collected a card for every major league baseball player. He was one kid whose mother did not throw away his col- Bruce Weinstein and his priceless possessions lection, which remains intact today. He was adamant when he told me he would never sell his cards. His favorite is Mickey Mantle’s rookie year. No telling how much that would be worth today. Bruce keeps his cards in large, plasticcovered albums. Friends often ask if they can bring their kids over to see the collection. When they get there, the kids usually end up watching TV, and it’s the fathers who spend time going through the cards. Bruce also told me that, when he moved to Atlanta in 1971, he started collecting autographed baseballs and now has approximately 100. He was most interested in getting Hall of Famers and has attended the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony the last two years in Cooperstown, New York. He has autographed baseballs from Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Pete Rose, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, and Don Larsen. Of course, I asked Bruce about Hank Aaron, and he said he had an autographed ball from him, too. Bruce was at the game when Hank hit homer number 715 to pass Babe Ruth as the home-run king. He has a certificate proving he was there. He even went back to an Old Timers Game to get a ball signed by Al Downing, the Dodger pitcher who gave up home run 715 to Aaron. Bruce is a longtime Braves season ticket holder. Now, he needs to be certain to get autographed balls from Gregg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Chipper Jones, because they’ll all be in the Hall of Fame one day. ALTA COCKER SOFTBALL GAME #2. I heard from Gene Benator that the second annual Alta Cocker Softball Game is scheduled for June 28 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA). Once again, Marcus Katz has graciously offered to provide the refreshments for players, family, and friends. Gene is determined to have an even bigger tournament than last year, as evidence by his initial e-mail, sent out to about 60 guys encouraging them to recruit other guys who played in the Men’s Softball League from 1971 to 1992. Last year, the guys were divided into 4- to 15-man teams, and we played 2- to 3-inning games. This year, Gene has planned for more guys and even greater athletic ability to be showcased. He joked that they had planned a Home Run Derby Contest, but the MJCCA said they didn’t have enough time to set up the “Kid Pitch” fences. He also wanted to have a “jugs gun”—a radar gun that measures the speed of the pitch—but the gun didn’t register in the teens. I told Gene that I would be at the game this year solely as a reporter, rather than a participant. I survived last year’s game with only a torn pair of blue jeans, managed to field most of the grounders hit my way at shortstop, and got the ball to first base without any bounces. I also was able to hit the modified pitch every time up, even though I didn’t get the ball out of the infield. I am going to leave the game to the guys who are still actually playing, but I look forward to seeing everyone again, and I’ll cover it in the next “Schwartz on Sports.” REMEMBRANCE. I was saddened to hear that Larry Wolfe had died. He was probably the best catcher who ever played in the Men’s Softball League. Larry was a fiery competitor who had all the qualities of a great player. He could hit for power and run, and he had a great arm. I had the opportunity to play against him in many Center League and City League games.
July-August 2009 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 39 Thought You’d Like to Know By Jonathan Barach STIMULATING SUMMER. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) is offering a number of summer programs for mature adults. Film Club: Enjoy contemporary and classic films and participate in a lively discussion, July 26, 6:00 p.m.; admission is $8 for non-members, $5 for members. Edgewise Thursday: Leaders from the Atlanta area will speak on their particular areas of expertise and lead group discussions, Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon; admission is $5 for non-members, free for members. For information on these and other programs, visit www.atlantajcc.org. ON THEIR OWN. On July 29, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Jewish Family & Career Services’ Tools for Independence program will host a free Transition Workshop for families of transition-age young adults with developmental disabilities. Topics will include transitioning from high school to adult services, as well as transitioning from living with parents to living independently. The workshop facilitator is Cheryl Rhodes, a licensed marriage and family therapist and mother of a young adult who has recently transitioned to adult services. The workshop will take place at JF&CS, 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. RSVP to Brenda Revere at revere@jfcs-atlanta.org. THEY’LL SHOP ‘TIL THEY DROP. Another Sunday Afternoon At Loehmann’s, a new comedy by Peachtree Battle playwrights John Gibson and Anthony Morris, is being held over through August 30 at the Ansley Park Playhouse, 1545 Peachtree Street, Peachtree Pointe Building, in Midtown Atlanta. Performances are Thursday- Saturday, at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $26.00, including tax; group rates and gift certificates are available. Call the Box Office at 404-875-1193, or visit www.AnsleyParkPlayhouse.com. ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE. The next City Wide Blood Drive, sponsored by Jewish War Veterans Atlanta Post #112, is August 2, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue N.W. Appointments can be made at https://www.givelife.org/index.cfm?Sponsor =jwv; use code JWV. Walk–ins are always welcome, but donors with appointments are given priority. Bring a picture ID. For questions about eligibility, contact the American Red Cross at 1-866-562-7156. SENSORY-SENSITIVE MOVIES. The MJCCA is presenting Sensory-Sensitive Movies for children with autism at Zaban Park, one Sunday each month at the Morris and Rae Frank Theatre. The next screening is August 9. Children with autism or sensory issues can now enjoy the movie theater experience. These screenings are free to both members and non-members. For more information, contact Sammy Rosenberg at 678- 812-4092, e-mail sammy.rosenberg@atlantajcc.org, or visit atlantajcc.org. VOLUNTEER WITH JF&CS. JF&CS is offering free Volunteer Orientation sessions August 19 and October 20, 6:00 p.m., and September 16 and November 18, 12:00 noon. The orientation will provide a brief overview of the agency and volunteer opportunities. Sessions will take place at JF&CS, 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. RSVP to volunteer@jfcs-atlanta.org. CHANGING TIMES. The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce Professional Committee will present “Economic and Political Changes: Effects on U.S.-Israel Business,” a seminar for legal, accounting, financial, and real estate professionals, August 27, 7:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. This event takes place at the Selig Center, 1440 Spring Street, Midtown. For details, visit www.aiccse.org/Event/EventInfo.aspx?Even tID=485. HIGH HOLY DAYS STUDY INSTITUTE. An evening of study to prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur will take place September 1, 7:00 p.m., at Congregation Etz Chaim. Participants can attend two classes, 7:15-8:15 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m. Chabad of Cobb, Congregation Etz Chaim, Temple Kol Emeth, Temple Beth Tikvah, and Temple Kehillat Chaim will join with the MJCCA’s Lisa Brill Institute to explore themes, prayers, and customs of the High Holy Days. The rabbis and cantors of the participating synagogues will lead study sessions. For more information, call Institute Chair Rabbi Paul Kerbel, 770-973-0137. Registration is $10.00 per person. FIGHTING HUNGER. The Atlanta Rabbinical Association is hosting Hunger 101, September 2, at Temple Sinai, 6:00-9:00 p.m. This workshop will address the urgent need to fight hunger locally, nationally, and internationally. Atlanta Community Food Bank Executive Director Bill Bolling and Mazon President Dr. Eric Schockman will deliver the keynote addresses. For more information, call Temple Sinai, 404-252- 3073. RELAX, REFLECT, CELEBRATE. LimmudFest is Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7, at Tumbling Waters Retreat & Conference Center at Ramah Darom, Clayton, Georgia. At LimmudFest, Jews of all ages can take a step in their personal Jewish journeys, explore their connections to See THOUGHT, page 41
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