A Weekend In The Mall in to see the likes of Elie states, a lot of the work is Wiesel, Elmo, Harvard throw-it- at-the-wall-and- University Professor Cor- see-if-it-sticks. But when nel West, actor-comedian you're working the inau- Whoopi Goldberg, feminist gural, everything sticks to author Betty Friedan, al- the wall. It's satisfying be- ternative rock group Better cause you know when you Than Ezra, Mikhail communicate your con- Baryshnikov and jazz sax- cept, its message gets out. ophonist Maceo Parker. That's not to say it gets "It was wonderful. The out unfiltered, but it gets weather on Saturday was out," Mr. Gordon said. JULIE EDGAR SENIOR WRITER a little colder than the "It really says some- weather higher powers had thing about the president, ichael Gordon talks like the dawn of the 21st century and promised us, but the pavil- that he wanted to have a guy who's been around we need to take a look back at our ions on the Mall were all these open public activi- Washington a while — heritage as we move forward," he heated, and there was plen- ties as part of the inau- and he's only 31. said last week before the throngs ty of activity to warm every- gural," he added. "He was Five years can be a long time descended on Washington. one's heart. The weather the first president to do it. when you're on the inside. Mr. Gordon did not have a didn't deter the crowds at It shows how inclusive he Mr. Gordon, a Detroit Country hand in choosing the weekend's all," Mr. Gordon said. wants to be and how re- Michael Gordon at last summer's Democratic Cony ention. Day grad, just finished out his talent, which was considerable, The Smithsonian's Arts ceptive the public is." short but significant tenure as but offered an opinion or comment and Industries Building and the turned to New York to practice But Mr. Gordon can see the press secretary for Inaugural Mall at brainstorming sessions. His job Holocaust Memorial Museum also law for a year and a half before Events — his fourth appointed was fielding phone calls, and to participated in the inaugural, pre- Washington beckoned him again. writing on the wall. The next pres- position since he landed in Wash- that end he was armed with three senting their own lectures and He assumed a job in the admin- ident won't be Clinton and might even be a Republican. When all ington in 1991. He plans to stay different telephone numbers. Last tours to the public. istration working on education this is over, Mr. Gordon hopes to with the Clinton administration week, Mr. Gordon said, it wasn't Mr. Gordon hopped on the Clin- policy until he was picked to be in some capacity as soon as the unusual to leave his desk for an ton train after he graduated with the press secretary for the presi- move into the area of political con- sulting. hoopla dies down. hour and return to 30 new mes- a joint law/master's of business dential campaign in Michigan. "I find [working in the White Part of Mr. Gordon's job as sages on his voice mail. administration degree from Co- Then he was tapped by the com- House] challenging, exciting and press secretary for the 53rd Pres- "I'm talking to folks all over the lumbia University. After devoting munications director of inaugur- idential Inaugural was develop- country, and it's been a lot of fun," himself full time to the first pres- al events to serve as top media engaging. A friend of mine once told me to do the rare thing first. ing and communicating the he said. idential campaign, he worked in liaison for Inaugural Mall Events. I know we're not going to have a themes that set the tone for the The weekend featured two days the White House's "vetting oper- The job was huge and much dif- Democratic president forever, and president's second term. of events on the Mall, many of ation," which reviewed Cabinet ferent than his last. so this opportunity is here now "The last inaugural focused which took place in seven pavil- and sub-Cabinet candidates. Mr. 'Working on the campaign in and I want to take advantage of more on the celebration, and right- ions. Hundreds of thousands of Gordon, whose parents, Merrill one of the states, albeit one of the ly so. This time, we're sitting at visitors piled in or lined up to get and Dolores, live in Florida, re- two or three most important it," he said. ❑ A West Bloomfield native made sure a good time was had by all at the inaugural events in D.C. M Dion's World of Watches Shelled *Ma'Jacket is Michigan's authorized Sales & Service Dealer for GUCCI USA. Produced in Accordance with Patagonia's Commitment to Quality. Large Selection of watch bands, crystals, crowns, bezels, colored bezels & straps. You no longer have to send your GUCCI watch out for service! THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS • 12 the yachtsman 4316 N. Woodward Ave South of 14 Mile Road (810) 549-5070 Dion's World of Wcitches HAVE YOUR WATCH PRESSURE-PROOFED "The Store To Watch" 4301 Orchard Lake Road (810) 539-1181 Inside Crosswinds Mall Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10-6, Thurs. & Fri. 10-9, Sat. 10-6 • BLOOM and BLOOM • • Registered Eli ctrologists • By Appointment Only — Ask For Debby Near 12 Mile Road between Evergreen and Southfield 810-559-1969