ness associates while he worked in advertising. As the author reflect- ed on the Clinton pres- idency, he tried to relive each year through recollections triggered by reviewing his calen- dars, notes and articles Self-Deprecating Humor about the times. Before Former President Bill the book was released, "I wanted the book to Clinton, with author the White House communicate what it is like Mark Katz, will speak humorist touched base inside the mind of a come- with the people he dy writer and what it is like at ORrs Visions of Hope Dinner. mentions and sent full to have the out-of-body copies to those who feelings in the rarefied helped him most directly. places I came to know — the Oval "I'm enjoying the public speaking; Office, the West Wing and the cen- sharing my experiences and finding ters where the president speaks," says Katz, 40, who began his nation- the universal things that people respond to," says Katz, continuing al political career with former presi- with a freelance career through his dential candidate Michael Dukakis one-man Sound Bite Institute. and continues writing for others, "I want to go on writing, generat- although keeping some speakers' ing humor and connecting with peo- identities confidential. "I wanted to take people inside the ple in that way. I'm fascinated with the language of humor and think it's mind of a person who understands a special and underutilized aspect of the world in•a slightly skewed and funny way and actually take them on our culture." Katz is especially glad to speak a tour of the spots I have been able about Clinton because he doesn't to infiltrate." think the presidential campaign While Katz escorts readers through between George W. Bush and the inner corridors of the White House for minute-to-minute details of Democrat John Kerry has as large a place for lumor. completing a speech with humor, he "I think this is a pretty serious also reveals his own life and the effects election," he says. "I think there will it had on his approach to writing. be some of the silliness and hoopla "I think I would characterize my that comes with a campaign, but the humor as Jewish humor," says Katz, issues are pretty serious. whose bar mitzvah joking explained "I hear a mean pitch in Bush's how he used horseradish as bait to jokes, and I don't think he's given to catch gefilte fish. being self-effacing. I think he's smart "One chapter of which I'm especially enough to do the kind of jokes he proud has to do with self-deprecating humor and how it comes naturally only needs to do, but only because it would occur to someone else to to the most skillful practitioners of arrive at them. public power — and your average Jew. "I'm a partisan Democrat and have "I think that's one of the contribu- friends connected to the Kerry cam- tions my people have made to paign. I think Kerry is going to find American culture, and now it's infil- that humor is a great way to connect trating our American political cul- to people. I hope before it's over I ture. I think self-effacing humor is a cultural tendency for outsiders every- will have a chance to help. I am list- ed and waiting by the phone." ❑ where, and Jews historically have been outsiders in most everyplace they have lived except for Israel." culture through multimedia projects. Heading up the event are co-chairs Dana Burnstein and Linda Sahn with Penny Blumenstein as chair of the Honorary Committee. . Bush Vs. Kerry Katz, who has traveled throughout Israel, fills his pages with personal anecdotes involving the celebrities who were part of his day-to-day interactions — Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, George Stephanopoulos. There also are stories about his family, friends, romantic interests and busi- Former President Bill Clinton and author Mark Katz speak as part of ORT's Visions of Hope Dinner, which begins 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. $180 for individu- als/$250 per couple. (248) 723-8860. • Homemade Soups & Salads • Coney Specials • Greek Specialties • Omelettes • Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials • Homemade Sandwiches Vail .20catio#14 64(4 Detroit Comerica Park Stadium Birmingham 154 S. Woodward Ave. Farmington Hills 30985 Orchard Lake Rd. (between 13 & 14 Mile Rd.) Millennium Park (Middlebelt & 1-96) Laurel Park Mall (37622 6 Mile Rd.) West Bloomfield Plymouth 6527 Telegraph Rd. Canton 1735 Canton Center Rd. 4763 Haggerty Rd. (Pontiac Trail & Haggerty Rd.) Ann Arbor 1235 S. University Pontiac 3999 Center Point Parkway Dearborn Heights 26540 Ford Rd. (The Heights Plaza) Commerce Farmington Hills 37580 W. 12. Mile Rd (Halstead Village) 9845 Telegraph Rd. Livonia Livonia Bloomfield Twp. Taylor 15131 Sheldon Rd. (Sheldon at 5 Mile Rd.) Southfield 15647 W. 9 Mile at Greenfield Rd. Novi Commerce & Carrol Lk. Rd. 47830 Grand River Ave. (Grand River & Beck Rd.) Milford Royal Oak 512 N. Main Royal Oak 13 Mile Rd. & Woodward Ave. Northwood Plaza Main Street Downtown Royal Oak Hercules Family Restaurant 33292 W. 12. Mile Rd. • Farmington Hills % TOTAL BILL OFF With This Coupon Expires 05/31/04. Not good with any other offers. THE ORIGINAL _ RESTAURANT VOTED BEST GREEK RESTAURANT BY METRO DETROIT! • PRIVATE PARTIES FOR 55 IN OUR DINING ROOM • PARTY TRAYS •ALL MENU ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR CARRY OUT •GREEK & AMERICAN CUISINE OFF TOTAL FOOD BILL •CHEF'S SPECIALS DAILY • FULL BAR Expires 05/31/04. 1 coupon per table. Not good with any other offers. 5/ 7 2004 4301 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield • crosswinds Plaza 248-538-6000 FAX: 248-538-0932 837520 49