metro >> up front

Too Little Information

W

atson, come here. I want you."
Supposedly, it is with these words that
the first phone call was placed by Alexander

Graham Bell. I think that we have been going down hill ever
since.
While returning from a vacation,
my wife and I were in Los Angeles and
wanted to contact a cousin while we
were between planes. Our first mistake
was to have left the phone number at
home.
The LAX airport had phone books,
except that the ones that were not in
Spanish did not list our cousin's city.
I'll just call information, I thought.
I dialed the number. A recorded
Sy Manello
voice instructed me to insert the req-
Editorial
uisite coinage, which I did. Nothing
Assistant
happened. I hung up and pressed the
lever to regain my money; nothing
happened then either.
I dialed "0" to report my difficulty. The ethereal voice
identified itself as being an operator. I explained that I was
at a pay phone, that it had taken my money and that I need-
ed information. With no explanation, the operator switched
me to a voice that told me how to report a payphone prob-
lem. Several menu buttons later, I was still no closer to my
goal. I tried the operator again.
When I explained my original problem, I was immediate-
ly connected to the recording instructing me how to report
a problem with a payphone.
With a hint of steam coming from my ears, I hung up

.1111 CONTENTS

and tried the operator once again. I explained that I did not
care about the coins; I just wanted to get information for a
particular city.
The next voice I heard identified itself as "Information"
and asked which city I was seeking. I said, "Encino." "Thank
you:' said the voice. The thanks were then followed by a
loud dial tone; I had been disconnected.
Consider this: The system of tin cans and lots of string
may have been crude, but it worked! Bring back those good
old days!
Oh, by the way: "Hello, Cousin Pearl!" I I

SWEET CORN

EACH

WHOLE

SEEDLESS
WATERMELON

EACH

BLOOMING
HYDRANGEA

6.5 INCH POT

BEAUTIFUL

ONE DOZEN
ROSES

MEDIUM STEM
EACH

40—

'Is this the party to whom I am speaking?'

Lily Tomlin gets laughs as Ernestine the Operator.

\JEWISFINE S.

,

May 5-11, 2011 I 1-7 Iyar 5771 I Vol. CXXXIX, No. 13

;1 11

Shabbat Lights / Holidays

16
Around Town
49
Arts/Entertainment
Building Community. center
24
Calendar
58
Family Focus
54
Food
59
Lifecycles
61
Marketplace
3
Metro
69
Obituaries
42
Points Of View

Our JN Mission

Roundup
Sports
Staff Box/Phone List
Synagogue List
Torah Portion
World/Israel

5
45
5
46
48
34

Columnists

Sy Manello
Danny Raskin

3w
56

The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to
reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu-
ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity
and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi-
tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our
rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.

71

b

We're getting excited!

Shabbat: Friday, May 6, 8:19 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, May 7, 9:27 p.m.

Yom HaZikaron (Israel Remembrance Day):
Monday, May 9
Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day):
Tuesday, May 10

The weather is getting warmer, which

means Michigan produce season is

right around the corner.With fresh

produce being delivered to Busch's

from over 30 different farms, we've

got a lot to look forward to!

BUY MICHIGAN

Shabbat: Friday, May 13, 8:27 p.m.
Shabbat Ends: Saturday, May 14, 9:36 p.m.

Sale Items Good Through

Times according to Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
calendar.

Not all items available in all stores.

Sunday, May 15th, 2011.

On The Cover:

WEST BLOOMFIELD

Artwort and page design, Deborah Schultz

W. 14 Mile Road at Farmington
248-539-4581

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275 520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes
to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034.

-

® PHARMACY
248-855-1745

Visit us at www.buschs.com
to find all of our stores.

iN

May 5 • 2011

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