D. DENNISON S ' Bronx," says Linda Ruzan. "I al- ways talked like that. I'll tell you the truth, I never knew that that wasn't English. I never knew that I knew Yiddish until I met Mike." That was about eight years ago, when Robin introduced her com- panion the comedian to her moth- er. Faced with meeting her daugh- ter's gentile friend, Ms. Ruzan fo- cused on his face. "I looked at him and said, 'What agoyishepunim," recalls Linda Ruzan with a laugh. Mr. Myers enjoyed it. "He took it just the way it was meant," with affection, says Ms. Ruzan. "If you're a prejudiced person, you wouldn't say such a thing out loud." Mr. Myers, who hails from Toronto, was loud and clear about his own affection for Ms. Ruzan. "From early on in his relationship with Robin (they married two years ago) Mike would imitate me right to my face," says Ms. Ruzan. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that what he was do- ing out of fun could become such a character." But Linda Ruzan is somewhat of a character herself, claiming an irreverent look at life. "I laugh at myself before anyone else can." She is getting the last laugh. • Her gentile son-in-law, she says, may be helping perpetuate the rich beauty of the Yiddish lan- guage. "On buses, on trains, I hear non-Jews talking about being farklempt," says Ms. Ruzan. The language travels well — as does Ms. Ruzan. "I travel all over the country for work and hear everyone talking Yiddish." Did Mike Myers really make Yiddish more in vogue? "I don't know if what he's doing is re- sponsible for it," she says, adding with a laugh, "but it couldn't hurt." Linda Ruzan vigorously dis- agrees with any notion that the Linda Richnman characterization could be hurtful, enforcing stereo- types. "If I for one minute thought that was possible, I would tell Mike and he wouldn't do it," says Ms. Ruzan. As comical as Myers' character is, Ms. Ruzan takes the image se- riously. Linda Ruzan is also seri- ous about what matters most in life: Fun is fun, but family is for- ever. And so, it seems, is a good cup of coffee. "When Robin used to live at home, the first thing we did when we got up in the morning was go for the coffee," says Ms. Ruzan. Making coffee was no instant decision. "The night before we would put in the grounds and pre- pare it." And the coffee is chock full of caffeine. "Never decaf," says Lin- da Ruzan with a pheh! in her voice. "Decaf is like a sissy; regu- lar coffee is like a real person." Nu, so why does Linda Rich- man come off as such a real per- COFFEE LADY page R52 . FAMOUS SEAFOOD TAVERN Wish Their Friends and Customers A Healthy and Happy New Year ORCHARD LAKE ROAD AT 12 MILE • FARMINGTON HILLS • 553-7000 LAUREL PARK PLACE • SIX MILE AT 1-275 • LIVONIA • 464-9030 gea e0 Jack and Gary Cochran and The Staff Of Beau Jacks Food & Spirits Wish Their Friends and Customers A Healthy and Happy New Year 4108 W. Maple • Birmingham, MI • 1 block W. of Telegraph • 626-2630 SEAFOOD GRILL May the coming year be one filled with health, happiness and prosperity for all friends and family. fee G ei&i 30685 West 12 Mile Rd. (810) 442-2531 Farmington Hills 814u° STEAKS ON THE HEARTH May the coining year be filled with health and happiness for all our family, friends and customers. 24201 West 7 Mile Rd. at Telegraph • 538-4688 ITALIA ARRI RISTORANTE Wish Their Friends and Customers A Healthy and Happy New Year 6880 East 12 Mile Road, Warren (313) 573-8100 THE WORLD'S GREATEST GOURMET BURGER MAKER & MOST MASTERFUL MLYOLOGISTS'm kid 11 BURGER & SPIRITS EMPORIUMS Wish Their Friends and Customers A Healthy and Happy New Year Management Sr Staff 5656 West Maple, West Bloomfield 349-2220 Extends Wishes To Its Customers and Friends For A Very Healthy and Happy New Year The Sheraton Oaks Novi Across From Twelve Oaks Mall 810-348-5000 WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR Live Entertainment Thursday to Saturday I Exciting Selections of Desserts & Cappuccino & Espresso Chuck c , FINE DINING IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE TWELVE MILE & COOLIDGE • Berkley • Reservations 399-6750