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The Open Door
A look inside our Clubhouse
August 2014
www.howardlevinclubhouse.org
A Publication of the Howard Levin Clubhouse
Howard Levin Clubhouse
A Program of Jewish
Residential Services
2621 Murray Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-1850
Newsletter Staff:
Hallie Foster
Mike Hogan
Sarah Hughes
Michael Kurland
Tom M.
Perry Myers
Jill Pawlowski
Francis Pesanka
Delaine S.
Eric Sc.
Arielle Seligson
Terrell Taylor
Virginia Wendt
A Plan to Make HLC Better
By Delaine S. and Jill Pawlowski
While we were in St. Louis, MO at Independence Center for Colleague
training, we spent much of our time developing an action plan to bring back
to the Clubhouse. The action plan is based on the international standards and
areas where our Clubhouse can make improvements to better meet these
targeted standards. The goals are meant to be challenging, but realistic and
achievable if we work together.
First of all, we hope to increase our young adult membership so that we can
enhance vibrancy and energy and ensure the future of our Clubhouse. We
also want to cultivate relationship building between members and staff so that
everyone feels needed, wanted, and expected, and people are treated as equal
colleagues. We plan to increase participation in our food service area in order
to further build relationships around the creation of meaningful work and
sharing of meals. In the employment area, we want to cross-train staff in our
Transitional Employment (TE) positions so that we can maintain
relationships with current TE employers and additionally create new TE and
Supported Employment (SE) positions. Under the education component of
our plan, we want to provide additional support to Clubhouse members
attending or interested in attending school. We also want to add two monthly
social events during evenings and weekends, during times when there is less
formal support for members. Finally, we aim to promote healthy lifestyles by
incorporating wellness into the work-ordered day and adding two wellness
activities each month as improved physical wellness of members will lead to
improved mental wellness and increased productivity. In general, we hope to
achieve our goals over the next year. In six months, the Clubhouse will
review our progress and make adjustments as needed.
A Plan to Make HLC Better
1
Summertime at the Garden
Summertime in Garden cont.;
Zucchini Cookie Recipe
2
The “Miracle” Pizza
4
The Week My Life Totally
Changed
5
Open Mic Night
6
Open Mic Night cont.
7
Getting Better All the Time;
Meaningful Work
8
Bargain Bin Record Reviews
9
Cases of Books
10
Classic Film Corner
11
3
In addition to coming up with an action plan, we learned many things that we,
as a Clubhouse, do really well. To start, our orientation process is very
thorough and informative for new members. And our reach-out efforts far
surpass those of many other clubhouses. We not only contact members who
we have not seen in a while, but go a step further by sending birthday,
anniversary, and get well cards, as well as calling members to let them know
of upcoming social events. The Howard Levin Clubhouse has both a busy
morning and afternoon, while other clubhouses struggle to come up with
things to do later in the day. Finally, our Clubhouse has strong TE placements
where members are valued for their work.
So, while we have goals to work towards, we also have current areas of
strength. By attending the Colleague training, the overall impression we got
was that the Howard Levin Clubhouse is a great place already, but we can
make it even better!
PAGE 2
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
Summertime at the Garden
by Terrell Taylor and Arielle Seligson
For this month‘s garden article, two regular garden-goers decided to interview each other.
We‘ve been enjoying our harvest of veggies and flowers this month, and are hopeful that our
tomatoes will start to ripen as the weather warms up!
Arielle: What do you like about going to the garden?
Terrell: It‘s really peaceful and quiet around there. Also, there are certain vegetables – like the
Paris carrots – that I‘ve never seen before.
I enjoyed the picnic that we had there on the Fourth of July, and I‘ve seen how much
preparation it takes to take care of a garden… weeding is really time consuming - you need time
to take care of a garden. It‘s really important to have good, fresh produce to eat.
A: What have you learned from going to the garden?
T: I‘ve learned that, when you‘re weeding, ―if in doubt, don‘t pull it out!‖
I‘ve never seen ground cherries before – today was my first time seeing them, and that was
pretty cool.
You can learn a lot about different fruits and vegetables from the garden!
Terrell: How long does it usually take for different plants to grow?
Arielle: Seed packets will tell you how long it takes for a plant to grow from its germination
date until it‘s mature. So, a package of spinach might say, ―50 days until maturity‖ on it, which
lets you know that it‘ll be ready to eat around 50 days after it sprouts out of the dirt.
T: How would you know if a fruit or vegetable is in season?
A: There are certain crops that will only grow when it‘s cool or when it‘s hot out. For example,
peas are one of the first vegetables that will be ready to harvest because they can be planted and
will grow when it‘s still cold outside. Something like melons need hot weather to mature, so
those will be ready later in the season.
T: How many crops do we have up in the garden?
A: I would say we have around 17 different crops, plus some herbs in the garden right now. We
have basil, ground cherries, kale, leeks, peppers, squash, carrots, beets, and lots of other stuff,
too!
T: We planted Brussels sprouts this year but nothing happened with them. Why didn‘t the
Brussels sprouts grow?
A: Well, I‘ve heard from friends that Brussels sprouts are difficult to grow, and I‘ve heard
rumors about needing to cut the tops of them off to encourage them to produce food. It might
be interesting to try them again, but for now, it‘s probably better that we pulled them out so that
we can use the space to grow something that we know will work, like spinach or beets.
continued on page 3
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 3
cont. from page 2
T: How did we grow the rainbow chard?
A: Some of our crops are started by putting the seeds directly into the garden, but other ones,
like the Swiss chard, are started at the Clubhouse. We put the seeds in dirt and put them under
grow lights, so they get the perfect amount of light and water every day. Once they grow into
seedlings, we move them into the windowsill, so that they get used to being a little bit colder
and having less direct sunlight – it‘s more similar to what their lives will be like once they‘re in
the garden. After a few weeks in the windowsill, we move the plants to the garden where
they‘ll – hopefully! – take root and prosper.
Ground cherries! A cousin of
the tomatillo and super sweet.
A bouquet of flowers from the garden – oregano that
has gone to flower and marigolds used in the garden
to repel insects and other hungry munchers!
Zucchini and Oatmeal Cookies
½ cup butter or margarine
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups zucchini, grated
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup cooking oats
1 cup granola
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, cream butter or margarine and sugar until
fluffy. Stir in egg and vanilla. Stir in zucchini. Sift together flour, baking soda and cinnamon.
Mix flour mixture into zucchini. Stir in oats, granola and chocolate chips. Drop mixture from
teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between
drops. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool before removing from
cookie sheet.
This recipe is just one of many featured in The Howard
Levin Clubhouse Cookbook. The cookbook is available for
$7 for Clubhouse members and $15 for supporters. Come
into the Clubhouse to buy one today!
PAGE 4
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
The “Miracle” Pizza
by Mike Hogan
The Clubhouse model posits two propositions: (1) that members and staff work side by side to
get the work done; and (2) that members work cooperatively to increase self-assurance and
dignity through labor. This July we saw a perfect example of both principles at work. It came
over a lunch of pizza and a side dish.
The Food & Horticulture Coordinator was out that day.
She left a recipe for a hand-made pizza which must have
been delicious. Unfortunately, there was not enough time
to fix it per the recipe.
Jill, the Director, and I discovered this problem about 10
o‘clock. She made an emergency management decision
not to follow the recipe; instead, she would buy
commercially available pizza shells. I was left to handle
the toppings and cheese. This represented a problem for
me, as I know nothing about food preparation.
Instead of making a mess of the toppings, I followed the time honored clubhouse tradition. I
recruited members to help me. Among them was Graham T. We didn‘t know it, but Graham
had extensive knowledge of food preparation. He instructed the other members how to clean
and chop the various ingredients to prepare for the meal.
We had such a good turnout to prepare the meal that I was free to perform other tasks. I set the
table for 15 diners while they chopped the various ingredients to make the pizza. However, we
still faced a problem. Jill had not returned from the store with the pizza shells. She had gotten
caught in traffic and it took her more than an hour to get down Murray Ave back to the
Clubhouse. We needed a solution to this problem—and fast.
Enter Annie, our part-time generalist staff member. She saw the problem, and quickly surmised
that items on hand would have to do. Veggie pizza quickly became cheese quesadillas. This
quick thinking saved the day. The chopped vegetables became the side dish.
This situation illustrates how things get done in a Clubhouse.
Members and staff take ownership of a problem, and devise a
solution. Other members are recruited to help. Those members‘
skill and knowledge are applied to the problem for the benefit of
all. Staff pitch in to help solve the problem and contribute their
expertise to come up with creative solutions. The end result was a
delicious lunch which looked effortless to the diner. This brings
up a question: was the ―miracle‖ the pizza, or was it the
Clubhouse model at work?
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 5
The Week My Life Totally Changed
by Francis E. Pesanka
In the years 1974-1984, I was working at Datatel in Monaca, PA, which is in Beaver County. I was a
Pressman and used a 32 inch Schriber Web Press. The best part of working at Datatel was the time I
found an old coffee pot and cooked a bag of pierogies in it. The Vice President, Ray Rudek, said, ―That
smell is driving me crazy!‖ and I said, ―Grab a plate!‖ I was living with Tommy Sargeson working the 3
-11 shift. Before work, I was eating lunch at Celeste Tavern. You couldn‘t pass up on Mamma Celeste‘s
homemade meals! After lunch, I heard on the radio that Jack Lambert just retired! On December 25,
1981, Lil called and told me my father died. He died of Alzheimer‘s disease. Chuck Noll also had
Alzheimer‘s. In the same week, my brother called from Miami, Florida, and said, ―You‘re gonna be an
uncle!‖ Chuck Noll got hired by the Steelers to be head coach in 1969. That year, they were 1-13. Terry
Bradshaw was his number 1 pick in 1970. I was 17 years old then, and still in high school, and working
at Postal Instant Press.
I decided to go to Miami after my brother told me I would be an uncle, and found out I could get a job at
a nursery. I took my dog Count and two Camon alligators (in a container of water), loaded up my Ford
‘67 van, and was South bound with Chuck Nellie, my mechanic. I had a bad engine with two blown
valves. We got to South Miami in 23 hours, with four fill-ups and four quarts of oil, but we made it!
At the time, my brother was working at a nursery on Chrome Avenue, married to Terry who was 6
months pregnant with my nephew, Mickey. I was pulling weeds and fertilizing plants at the nursery, just
like I do now up at the garden! I needed a real job as printer and started working at Palmetto Printing.
The owner Stan Linden looked like Rodney Dangerfield. South Miami Hospital was hiring a press
operator to work 10-hour shifts, four days a week, with benefits! I got the job. Six years later, I got
Employee of the Month. There were 3,600 employees! What a great feeling!
All hospital employees received a newsletter called ―FYI.‖ The newsletter asked a question: ―What
would you do if you won a hot air balloon ride??‖ I said I would ask my girlfriend to marry me when we
were 1500 feet in the air. I won the contest and got the hot air balloon ride! Once we were at 1500 feet
up, I asked her to marry me and she said yes! The balloon pilot said I can marry you right now but I said,
―No, my cousin Father Nick is a priest in Pittsburgh, I am a Catholic!‖
I had a 3-bedroom apartment at Briarwood, but then my brother needed a place to live with 3-year-old
Mickey, so they moved in. We had a swimming pool and many neighbors. A woman named Maria T.
Saloni showed up in the pool and met Mickey. I asked Mickey to ask Maria out on a date for me, while
we were in the pool. She said yes, and that night we had our first date at Studio 54, dancing on Kendall
Drive. Three months later, she moved in with me to save rent.
I had a waterbed with a beautiful six-drawer frame and heater that could be adjusted
to any temperature up to 105 degrees, but Maria did not like it. She told me there
were termites eating the bedframe and that I had to get rid of it. I loved this waterbed
and moved it everywhere I lived from 1974-1988. Maria got super jealous when she
saw another woman in the house, in her bathing suit, looking at Salvador Dali prints.
This is why she tricked me into throwing out the waterbed. I dated Maria for six
months, which was not enough time to find love, only lust. I did not know Maria
anywhere near enough to marry her. Jack Lambert retiring marked this entire series
of events, and he hired Chuck Noll, who died of Alzheimer‘s, as did my father and Chuck Noll
Father Nick, so it really comes full circle here. Now I‘m back to my roots, living in 1954
Munhall.
PAGE 6
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
Open Mic Night
by Hallie Foster, Francis Pesanka, and Tom M.
Our monthly Social Event for June was an Open Mic Night held at the Clubhouse. Colleagues
were invited to participate by performing and/or being part of the audience.
We spent much time planning the event. Colleagues were involved in all aspects of planning
and facilitating. We made reach out calls to everyone, talked up the event, advertised in the
announcements and flyer, made signs (including a large one that served as a nice backdrop for
the stage), researched the cost of food, and determined the appropriate cover charge. We had
great food (who can say no to pizza and pop?) and almost 30 colleagues attended. We saw
some colleagues that we had not seen in a while and it was nice to get together, catch up, and
enjoy each other‘s company.
HLC colleagues have a wide variety of talents! Michael and Kirsten played guitar. Lina
impressed us with her talents as a violinist. Tom gave a dramatic rendering of ―Casey at the
Bat,‖ and Carmen inspired us with readings of quotes and affirmations. Delaine did a lively
hula-hoop dance routine. Wendell‘s voice filled the Clubhouse with tunes both familiar and
obscure: ―The Lady is a Tramp‖ and ―Wait ‗Til You See Her‖ by Rodgers and Hart. Melissa
had us laughing with her stand-up comedy act. Francis read ―Attitude‖ by Charles R. Swindle
and The Irish Blessing.
Francis and Hallie sang ―Behind Blue Eyes‖ by The Who, karaoke-style. When Francis and
Hallie decided to do ―Behind Blue Eyes,‖ they initially planned to change it to ―Behind Green
Eyes,‖ but later decided that Pete Townshend had it right the first time. Believe it or not, they
rehearsed quite a bit.
―I thought Open Mic Night was a great success,‖ said Tom. Others agree! There have already
been requests to hold another Open Mic Night. Sarah said, ―It was like everyone in the
Clubhouse had talents they may have been hiding. It was a pleasure to see everyone‘s talents!‖
Francis thinks the only downside was that there was no microphone. ―If there would have been
a microphone, there‘d be no stopping me.‖ Hallie thinks that nothing ever stops Francis.
To finish out the event, we had a large group sing-along of ―Imagine.‖ Francis said, ―I‘m sure
John Lennon would have been honored by that.‖
Two of the authors performing
―Behind Blue Eyes.‖
Lina performing on the violin.
THE OPEN DOOR
Carmen inspiring the crowd
PAGE 7
Melissa‘s stand-up comedy
Tom reading ―Casey at the Bat‖
Check out more photos from our first Open Mic Night!
We hope to see you at HLC for the next performances — soon
to be scheduled!
Wendell sings!
Michael singing and playing guitar.
Kirsten performing on the guitar.
Some of the ―Imagine‖ performers.
PAGE 8
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
Getting Better All the Time:
A Hard Day’s Night hits 50!
by Michael Kurland
The year was 1964. The Beatles had just finished conquering
America. The question was what would they do next? As
John Lennon said in a 1975 interview, ―You‘d go to see these
movies with Elvis or someone in it. People would be waiting
to see him, I‘d be waiting too, and they‘d all scream when he
came on the screen. So I thought, ‗that‘s a good job.‘‖ Right
after returning from America, John‘s statement would become
reality. With the combined efforts of producer Walter
Shenson, writer Alun Owen, and United Artists as the studio,
the Fab Four were about to become movie stars.
Of course, they needed to find the right director to work with. Once they had seen the work of
Richard Lester, they met up with him, got to know him (like the fact that he could play a bit of
jazz piano), and felt that he was the right choice. According to Richard Lester, ―Once I met up
with them and they had known about my work with Peter Sellers and the Goons, they felt I met
their expectations. And as they say, pathetically enough, ‗the rest is history.‘‖
However, the history they were creating would go down in history for many different reasons.
Film critic Roger Ebert described it as "one of the great life-affirming landmarks of the
movies." Beatle George Harrison said in a 1994 interview, ―In that way, I guess we sort of
invented MTV.‖
Now, 50 years later, the movie still is one of the most influential and important films in cinema
history. And with a new full restoration of the film being released on DVD and Blu-Ray, the
film literally is ―getting better all the time.‖
Meaningful Work
by L G
Like all mentally ill people, I am looking for meaningful work. I am trying to be realistic
concerning my future employment and it‘s difficult. Especially when you have a mental illness.
Trying to improve the Quality of your Life. There is hope. There are companies that do hire
mentally ill people. There are employees in Mercy Behavioral Health that will check up on you
and talk to you and the manager. To help prepare for employment it‘s wise to read the Job
Section in the Sunday Edition of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. There it tells you about what
type of work-related issues you will encounter during your employment. I‘d recommend being
honest with yourself about who and what you are about. Also remember when applying for a
position you have a right to ask your future employer what happen to the previous employee.
Let all of us give a good example of people with a mental illness can do. Let us surprise
managers and the people we work with.
Remember that to work is one way of praying.
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 9
Bargain Bin Record Reviews
by Mike Hogan
Last month, I wrote about the changes recording techniques made to the practice of jazz
singing. I pointed out that the progression from the acoustic recording process to the electric
technique gave rise to the cool sound we know today. Then, the introduction of high fidelity
and stereo made it possible for singers to give up on the large orchestra, and backing singers
and front small groups. This allowed the singer to become one of the instruments of the band.
Several musicians, such as Mel Torme, and Bobby McFerrin took advantage of this.
This month, I would like to focus on some contemporary singers who have built on the success
of earlier vocalists. The first is Diana Krall. She has an agreeable alto
which she uses to bring a personal touch to her songs. On When I Look
Into Your Eyes, Diana recasts several familiar standards to her musical
specifications. ―Let‘s Fall in Love,‖ ―Let‘s Face the Music and Dance,‖
and ―Our Love is Here to Stay‖ are all evergreens of long and
distinguished pedigree. Krall recasts them as ballads and uses unusual
tempos and shading to make them her own. All in all, it is a delightful
CD.
Diana Krall
Similarly, Nora Jones, pop vocalist and piano player, does jazz
inflected music on Feels Like Home. It is mostly original material with a homebound theme.
My favorite cut is called ―Creepin‘ In‖ It is a duet by Jones with Dolly Parton. Its really cute.
Overall, it is a pleasant album to listen to.
Now I‘d like to unveil my absolute favorite piece in my collection. It is the debut recording of
Sheila Jordan, called Portrait of Sheila. I‘ve been listening to it since the early 1970‘s, and I
still think it is the best album of Jazz vocals that I have ever heard.
Ms. Jordan brings a true jazz sensibility to several familiar songs, like
―Let‘s Face the Music and Dance.‖ (Also covered by Diana Krall).
She also sings some far less familiar songs like Bobby Timmon‘s
―Dat Dere.‖ I have several of Jordan‘s albums and I consider all of
them to be great jazz albums.
So there you have it. Adult quality popular and jazz singing is alive
and well in the jazz racks of your favorite music store. Why don‘t you
“Pick Yourself Up” (also sung by Diana Krall) and you give this
music a chance?
Shelia Jordan
AS ALWAYS:
KEEP ON SINGING!
PAGE 10
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
Cases of Books
by eric the redologist
In this article I will be reviewing the critical study of the Chinese poet Li Ho, written by Kuo-Ch‘ing Tu.
In this volume, the works of the ambitious yet unfortunate Tang dynasty poet, Li Ho, are examined. The
book is divided into a handful of distinct parts. The first is a biographical sketch detailing the events of his
brief life, in which he sought a position as an official but was denied the opportunity to even take the
examination for it. In China at this time, becoming an official meant that you had to be very literate. And
so the more literate, and perhaps original, you were, the greater the chance you would secure a position
that gained you wealth, status, and power. The book recounts tales of Li Ho‘s promising youth and his
unique talent. The author admits that such tales of precocious children can be somewhat exaggerated, and
are often commonplace. However, Li Ho‘s fame did in fact spread early on in life, and in fact becase of
this, led to his misfortune. The author says that this is because envious students spread negative rumors
about him. One asserted that since the title of the position Li Ho was applying for (chin-shih), contained
part of Ho‘s father‘s name (Chin), and because it is taboo for a child to speak his father‘s given name, Ho
should not be allowed to even attempt to take the examination upon which, if successful, he would become
―chin-shih.‖
This rejection led Li Ho to feel depressed, but it did not discourage him from composing praised poetry.
His sadness, however, was reflected in some of his poems. Li Ho was noted for creating bleak images of
the supernatural. One of his most famous poems personifies, and sympathizes with, a statue that has been
commanded by a new emperor to be transported from its original site at Chang‘an to the new capital at
Hsu-Chang. Other poems lament the ceaseless passage of time, and how it waits for no man. Li Ho also
wrote many poems lamenting the fate of beautiful women. These women were initially fortunate to receive
a high position in life, becoming palace beauties, but then neglected for the remainder of their life, leading
a lonely, unfulfilled existence.
Since Chinese poetry is characterized by economy of expression, in many cases nearly every object is a
metaphor, rather than just ambiance. In the sections of the book in which the author provides samples of
Li‘s poems, he follows them with his interpretation and often the findings or viewpoints of other scholars.
In reading Li‘s poetry, one must see how the lines are related or follow from one another to grasp the
sometimes odd images. This reading between the lines benefits from asking questions about the context of
objects and what they might represent. The cloaked meaning of one line may only be revealed in a line a
little further down. Reexamining the previous lines will then be beneficial, as a mundane occurrence may
represent a supernatural feat. On the surface, much of Li‘s and Chinese poetry may seem similar because
of resorting to describing common objects. However, since these objects are metaphorical or symbolic,
there is instead a rich diversity.
More difficult to unravel for the English reader are the allusions, often to historical figures, or sometimes
ones contemporary to Li Ho. Here an English reader is dependent on a commentator like Tu providing
lucid explanation of unfamiliar customs, culture, and famous personages. Otherwise the difficulty of
understanding would be twofold, consisting of unraveling the meaning, and also having a pre-existing
familiarity with the customs and history alluded to.
I would recommend this study because its focal poet was one who did not adhere to stringent standards,
and preferred to compose much of his poetry in the ―ancient‖ style, where more flexibility was possible to
suit his imagination. It is also a good springboard to read more poetry, and its commentary and
interpretations will allow the reader to here and there pick up pieces of another culture and largely
independent parallel history.
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 11
Classic Film Corner
by Perry Myers
The Women (1939, MGM)
Starring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Joan Fontaine,
Paulette Goddard, Mary Boland, Marjorie Main, Phyllis Povah
Screenplay Anita Loos and Jane Murfin
Based on the Broadway play by Claire Booth Luce
Directed by George Cukor
“There is a name for you, ladies, but it isn't used
in high society — outside of a kennel.‖ — Crystal Allen
The Oxford English Dictionary defines chick flick as a slang term for a film genre mainly
dealing with love and romance, and designed to appeal to a largely female target audience. The
term is a fairly recent invention, but the ultimate chick flick, The Women, was released in 1939.
I‘ve labeled it the ―ultimate‖ because it boasts an all-female cast of MGM‘s brightest stars.
While men don‘t appear in the flesh, they are the major topic of conversation.
The action begins when Sylvia Fowler (Rosalind Russell) learns from a gabby manicurist that
Steven Haines, the husband of her good friend Mary, is having an affair with a shop girl. Soon
all Mary‘s friends know the awful truth and cattily enjoy making remarks behind her back.
Meanwhile, Mary (Norma Shearer), who thinks she has a perfect life, is oblivious of the
situation until she finds out from the same gabby manicurist.
Mary‘s competition for Steven‘s affections is perfume saleswoman Crystal Allen (Joan
Crawford), who is a top-flight gold digger. After Crystal bags her man when Mary and Steven
divorce, she no longer is interested in anything about him but his money. Crystal won the battle
but ultimately loses the war when her two-timing ways are revealed and Mary reclaims her
husband.
That sums up the plot, but it‘s not nearly as interesting
as the manner in which it plays out. An excellent cast,
led by good girl Shearer and bad girl Crawford, make
sparks fly with their terrific delivery of some of the
wittiest and most bitchy dialogue ever heard in film.
And the fact that Shearer and Crawford despised each
other in real life adds spice to this heady brew.
Paulette Goddard and Mary Boland offered plenty of
Joan Crawford (left) and Norma
laughs as the fellow future divorcees whom Mary
Shearer (right) face off in The Women.
meets on the train to Reno.
But for my money, Russell stole the show as Sylvia, a nonstop talking machine whose
seemingly ceaseless activity and penchant for stirring up trouble while wearing haute couture
that nearly hurts your eyes is almost a force of nature.
The attitudes and mores on display are extremely dated, which often comes with the territory
when watching classic films. But that‘s certainly no reason not to dish dirt with The Women.
attention!
date change!
The date for HLC’s Bowl-a-Rama
has been changed to
Sunday October 19, 2014
Please mark your calendar because
we hope to see you there!
We need your support so stop in soon!
PERMIT NO 34
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
JEWISH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES INC.
2621 MURRAY AVENUE
PITTSBURGH, PA 15217
PITTSBURGH PA
PAID
US POSTAGE
NON-PROFIT ORG.