EncorE state, and California certainly has had its share of great ones. But former Detroiter Ben "Lefty" Gleaner still hasn't been considered by the Michigan Jew- ish Sports Hall of Fame, says Arthur Sweet. "He was one of the best ath- letes I ever played with," says Arthur, who remembers Benny from the Codd Field days ... with "Lefty" going on to play varsity baseball, basketball and football at Northern High, he recalls. "I played with all the good players. Nobody hit a baseball as hard as him," notes Arthur. "I know of only one major leaguer who hit a ball harder than "Lefty", George Brett of the Kansas City Royals. "Ben had to work, his parents had nine kids and his family was too poor for him to go on to col- lege. But he did play with Carl Bayer and Bobby Roth on Cincy Sach's Auto Club basketball stars and was on the Jewish Commu- . pity Center baseball teams that won championships every year." Benny moved to California in Oxford Inn has sites in Royal Oak, Novi. 1942 and has been winning championships ever since ... Only in still another sport ... Now 75, he took up handball when about 40 and has contin- ually been national champion in his age brackets ... "He is still a terrific tennis player, too," says Arthur. "Could always beat any- one in his age group." Seems like there is enough in- formation for an investigation by the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame ... And while they're at it, might not be a bad idea to look up the records of other local Jew- ish athletes like Carl Gussin, con- sidered by many to have been one of the best Jewish basketball players in this area; Argyle Shop's Harry Solomon, who was on the Northern High State bas- ketball champions of 1928 or 1929; wrestler Bert Ruby; Joe Ginsberg, former Detroit Tigers catcher; boxer Benny Goldberg, who decked many champions around these parts and became a Hollywood body guard; Eli Ka- plansky, All-City basketballer at Northern High; Harry Light, one of the top wrestling promoters this town has seen ... Some may not have the necessary creden- tials, but are worth an explo- ration. MICHIGAN CANCER Foun- dation Circle of Fellows lucked out with the weather and made very poor forecasters out of many who play with maps ... Predic- tions were for sleet and cold the evening of MCF Circle of Fellows' holiday bash at Gem Theatre ... The 130 who came saw a lively '60s Beehive musical and partook of a buffet dinner, open bar, pas- tries brought to their table dur- ing intermission and an ice cream sundae afterglow. JAKE WHO? ... If there is anyone whose name is being used for the new Jake's On The Lake restaurant, come forth and be heard ... It is scheduled to open this spring on the site of former Buster's Bay, Orchard T ake Road and Pontiac Trail, owned by Opus One bossfolks Jim Kokus and Ed Mandziara, and Mike and Marion Ditch of Little Cae- sars ... Emphasis will again be on seafood, with dinners only at the beginning. MAIL DEPT. ... From Hy Horenstein ... "In the 65 years I was in the restaurant business before retiring, 10 with Boesky's and 55 at my own delicatessens from Farmer and Monroe on, I never heard of such things that have gone on with health de- partment inspections. Mountains are being made out of nothing. You hit the nail on the head when you wrote that inspections should concern themselves only with the health of customers. "From Cass near downtown Detroit, to Six Mile and Santa Barbara, Dexter and Boston, Sev- en Mile and Livernois and 10 Mile and Coolidge for 25 years, health inspectors were only in- terested in health and nothing else. Nowadays, according to peo- ple I know in the restaurant busi- ness, they look for every little thing and most of it has no rea- soning where health is concerned. "One of the delicatessens I know of had points taken off for a couple of therrriometers being upside down from counters being moved and more points because the kitchen door didn't swing all the way. I have two sons who are now both attorneys and they also laugh at what has been going on." NOW THEY have two things in common ... Kathy Johnson and Tobie Kuppe ... a couple of gals who love the sales game ... Tobie was recently hired at The Jewish News as Kathy's person- al part-time sales assistant ... and both found out shortly after that they'll also be sharing can- dle-blowing chores ... Kathy and Tobie have birthdays on the same day, Oct. 3. HONEY TREE restaurant, with owner Tom Goulas, was one of those asked to stay when the former Hunter's Square reduced tenants ... and it has proven to be a very wise decision ... He brings customers into the shop- ping center, which is what the other tenants want ... Tom has been a big favorite there since 1981, on Orchard Lake Road south of 14 Mile ... Look for him and his excellent nine-year- kitchen gent, Jimmy Christo- pher, to open another Honey Tree. El presents Chicago City Limits Comedy & Improv Theatre Taking More Liberties in 95 Saturday, January 1 4 8:00 p.m. Jewish Community Center • Maple/Drake Building 6600 West Maple Road • West Bloomfield, Michigan Inner Circle Reserved Section: $25.00 General Admission: $18.00 Senior/Student: $12.00 This program is funded in part by the Manny and Natalie Charach Endowment fund of the JCC, The Irwin and Sadie Cohn Fund and the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation. Co-Sponsored by The Jewish News. For more information call (810) 661-7634. BruschettA ITALIAN F 0 0 D GOOD WIN E ALFRESCO DINING AT TRATTORIA BRUSCHETTA A Patio lovers can now enjoy the summer wind whistling through their salad greens or enjoy the taste of dinner by starlight. Patio patrons can order off the full Trattoria Bruschetta menu. Our popular Italian bistro enjoys a positive reputation for its captivating, authentic Italian cuisine as well as its friendly and attractive service. Reservations (810) 305-5210 27796 Novi Road at 12 Mile (in the Hotel Baronette) Novi FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL OUR INFO LINE 737-4-URC Moyds BruschettA ITALIAN T 0 0 • I I L L I I BrtischettA ITALIAN 000•.W I rz f + I 0 0 • 0000. WI PI