Bowling for dollars, Page-turners, In the closet, Short shorts …

Bowling for dollars

Miguel’s Rolling Strikers — comprised of Marin’s Steve Friedman, Michael Calder, Brian Calder, Bret Goldman and Gene Kaufman, plus team mascot and namesake 11-year old Miguel Friedman — bowled for dollars in late March for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marin and Sonoma Counties. Though Kaufman has been participating in this charity event for at least 22 years (but who’s counting), with a score of 110 this year, he admits that he’s far from the best bowler. But he is a primo fundraiser. Of the $1,246 raised by the team, he brought in more than half.

Page-turners

East Bay writer Lisa Alcalay Klug writes that her book “Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe” was named a National Jewish Book Award Finalist. And Marin mystery writer Rita Lakin’s amateur detective Gladdy Gold’s latest adventure in “Getting Old is a Disaster” was No. 1 in the Independent Booksellers Association list of top 10 bestsellers in January. Lakin is looking for funny anecdotes about aging or “something you’ve learned as a senior that would be helpful to others … personal, medical or whatever.” Send your stories or tips to her via her Web site http://www.ritalakin.com. You might find them in the next Gladdy Gold caper.

In the closet

Fancy clothes will remain closet-bound this spring as nonprofits adapt to the changing economy by eschewing dress-up galas in favor of more subdued events — kind of like the event version of a “stay-cation.”

Judith Goldkrand, president of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation’s Women’s Alliance, sent a recent letter noting that the annual Power of One will not be held — that leadership will direct its full attention to ensuring that “basic needs for food, work, shelter and other assistance” can be met.

The Bay Area Jewish Healing Center opted for a “new venue … the privacy of your own home,” along with a raffle, instead of its annual fundraising party. First prize in the raffle is a week in Squaw Valley and you can still buy tickets. Karyn DiGiorgio, Betsy Hausman and Debby Sagues are the event committee.

And Lee Battat and Jack Golan, both of Marin, are on the raffle committee for the Marin Symphony, which has also cancelled its spring event.

Short shorts …

Carlee Weiss proudly writes that her granddaughter Allie Weiss, a senior at Branson School in Ross, has an article on Forbes.com about waiting to hear from colleges headlined “What It’s Like To Be 17 And Waiting.” She writes: “The three-month wait between submitting my applications and receiving my decisions has felt excruciatingly long.” By the way, Allie got what she was waiting for — she will be attending Princeton … Walter Firestone of San Anselmo received a Coast Guard Commendation medal last month for helping save New York City from harm in 1943. He boarded a burning boat in the Hudson River filled with ammunition and fought the flames for 30 minutes … Anne Blumlein Lazarus was named executive director of Fort Mason Center … Former San Francisco Supervisor Carol Ruth Silver has joined Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a national organization dedicated to repealing repressive drug laws … Sonoma County’s Camp Chai received an honorable mention in the Bohemian weekly’s Best of 2009 Guide … Julie Ann Kodmur reports that Napa Congregation Beth Sholom Rabbi Oren Postrel was consecrated during Shabbat on March 20 and 21. According to synagogue president Ernie Weir, it’s customary to consecrate a rabbi when he/she arrives at a new position to seal the covenantal agreement made with the congregation.

This columnist can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).