Usti Our Excili11# New 5,000 sq. il. Space ;WS Sample Specialty teas & tisanes at our tea bar WINE BAR O rigirial Vintage Posters 1890's - present ILIA Gifts Photo by Krista Husa How a West Bloomfield runner stumbled into becoming host ofIVI)ON radio's "Katz "When you're in retail, you're dealing with the public," said Katz, who's been in the lumber business for 26 years. "I'm loose. I'm easy. I'm adaptable." Though he enjoyed doing informa- tive radio spots more than a decade ago, Katz had no plans for re-entering the scene until he stumbled upon WPON. His wife, Andi, and daughters Emily, 13, and Carly, 11, are still warming up to his Cousin Brucie image. The family is affiliated with Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield. An avid runner for a quarter of a cen- tury, Katz begins his ritual at 4:30 a.m. every day except Wednesdays, which he reserves for conducting his radio show. In more recent years he has focused his running on charitable goals by joining the team-in-training for Marathon Strides Against Multiple Sclerosis. It's been only weeks since Cousin Brucie spun his first do-op tune at WPON and already he's begun to act as a fill-in for other time slots. But Katz shrugs off any suggestions that hint at DJ-ing full time. "I'm out there to have fun, share the music and enjoy myself," he said. ❑ / -2 /— M ust°. Framing EL Exhibits 248.356.5454 ✓ w ✓ .everytt-ungart.corn 'e-mail ChezPG@7aol.com 29173 Northwestern, Southfield Excellent Thai Food As You Like It ... Extra Mild, Mild, Medium, Spicy and Extra Spicy • Rated *** by Detroit News Lunch Specials from $ 4 95 includes soup & I 1:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. ditv_ou.t 5 actetini rice (Available • emit-tails 8etvecl Hours: Mon.-Thurs., I I a.m.- I 0 p.m., Fri & Sat. I I a.m.-1 I p.m., Sun. 12-9 p.m. At The Mike gum oldies and interjecting talk centered on current events, weather, news, and of course, good ol' nostalgia. "At that hour, the expressways are packed with people," said Fotion. "We get 20 to .40 calls in any given hour for requests, so we have a good size audience out there." Listeners range from aging baby boomers reminiscing about a simpler era to 20-somethings yearning to embrace a less-complicated way of life. "We have information, music, every- thing," said Fotion. "You're never bored here." Katz may be a novice when it comes to playing tunes across the airwaves, but he certainly isn't a newcomer to radio. Having grown up in the family-owned lumber business that got its start on John R Road in Madison Heights, Katz proved to be a natural host for informa- tive home improvement shows more than a decade ago. The third-generation entrepreneur made his radio debut in the early '80s on Garden City-based WCAR-1090 AM, hosting a weekly, one-hour show for a year. He then spent a couple of years making guest appearances on Southfield-based WXYT-1270 AM, occasionally filling in for Glenn Haege, America's Master Handyman. N ome Accessories Bruce Katz is the newest Jewish per- sonality to air his talents on radio sta- tion WPON AM 1460, but he's not the only one. Rabbi Herschel Finman of Oak Park is in his second year as host of The Jewish Hour," which is broadcast from 3 to 4 p.m. on Fridays. Following Finrnan on Friday's 4 to 5 p.m. time slot is Rochelle Rosenthal of Birmingham, who began hosting her own "Spotlight on Musicals" six months ago. A veteran of the radio scene, Valerie Hilsen of Bloornfidd Township has been spinning tunes and interviewing celebrities at the Bloomfield Hills stu- dio on "Valerie's As You Like It" for an entire decade. She recently celebrated her 40th year in radio. You can catch her show from 11 a.m.-noon on Wednesdays. In a show aimed at seniors, Bloomfield Hills resident Ike Engelbaum furnishes listeners with tips for the golden years on "The Bright Side of Aging,' airing 11:30 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays. The former pharmacist is enjoying his second year on the air. Several radio personalities who got their start at the talk 'n' oldies station have since taken their shows to syndi- cation. — Rena Fulka 6635 Orchard Lake Road at Maple • Old Orchard Shopping Center • 626.6313 WANTED Local Authors with books published between 10/97 - 10/98 to market and sell your book at the JCC's Jewish Book Fair. Call 248-661-7649 E• YARD BAR.B Family Restaurant OPEN 7 DAYS —11 a.m. to 12 Mid. r 1111 MAL! Iv ri> 1 SLAB FOR 2 r BBQ CHICKEN FOR 2 $2 OFF $2 OFF Includes: 2 Potatoes, 2 Slaws & 2 Garlic Breads Includes: 2 Potatoes, 2 Slaws & 2 Garlic Breads • 1 Coupon Per Order • Dine In or Cany-Out • Expires 9-10-98 JN L • 1 Coupon Per Order • One In or Cany-Out • Expires 9-10-98 JN ORCHARD LAKE RD. SOUTH OF 94 • Farm. Hills • 851-7000 DETROIT JIM NEWS INTERNATIONAL NEWS PLUS 372 Oullette Avenue • Windsor, Canada 8/28 1998 Detroit Jewish News 89