Energy Can Neither Be Created Nor Destroyed

I heard a quick mention of this, and went hunting for the whole story. Unfortunately, I confirmed it quickly, on his own website.

Don Herbert, a.k.a. Mr. Wizard, died of cancer on Tuesday, a month before what would have been his 90th birthday. Most of you guys are too young to remember him. I'm almost too young to remember him, except that, as the child of a single mother, the television was my babysitter. In the days before Josie and the Pussycats and Scooby-Do, Where Are You?, Satureday morning were about three things:

1) Fury

2) Watch Mr. Wizard

3) Bugs Bunny

All of that was over by about 10 am, and then, it was "go outside and play" time, until sundown. New shows in the Watch Mr. Wizard series were produced until '65, but I recall reruns going for some time after that, because I'm pretty sure I was nearly ten when I was still watching.

Because I'm late to this news, I will simply refer you to two other excellent articles on him -- His official obit in the NY Times, and Marty Kaplan's gushy-but-sweet tribute at Huffington Post.

Don Herbert represents a time in America's history (late 50s - early 60s) when being smart wasn't considered "elite," and being folksy-stupid wasn't considered "cute." It was a time when, as the "greatest country on Earth," we were expected to know stuff and act on it appropriately. Herbert, along with his brave little assistant, Timmy, embodied that. Even for those of us who never went into the sciences professionally, he sparked a curiousity in how things worked, why they did what they did, and how we could impact or preserve the process. He birthed an entire generation of science geeks -- both professional and amateur -- and many of us have moved on to pass the curiosity and love of science, biology and physics on to our children.

So, here's another farewell to Don Herbert, from someone who watched Mr. Wizard.

~A~

You Say You Want a Meh-Volution!

Behold the sketchy-type picture to your left. This is Sarah Harkness, artistic director and founder of Meh-Tropolis Dance Theatre (which I may have mentioned a time or two in the past... like here... and here.... and here... oh, and also here, too.). Sarah has magical powers. No, really, I swear. I can prove it.

She made me dance. On stage. In front of people. For several performances. Without having a nervous breakdown.

Let's be clear about this. I don't dance. Don't ask me. I have danced in the past. If you perform any type of musical theatre, prepare to have to move to music. It's a given. And while I can get from one end of the stage to another without falling into the orchestra pit, I... do... not... dance.... I "move well." (<-euphemism for a musical theater actor who can get from one end of the stage to the other without falling into the orchestra pit.) But it's not easy, and it's often not pretty. In the wrong hands, my dancing could mean the end of Western civilization as we know it.

And, still, Sarah Harkness made me dance. Such a miracle, had it been performed in 17th Century France, would surely have gotten her burned at the stake as a witch. But we're not in 17th Century France, by God. We're in 21st Century Los Angeles, and that makes us lucky. Why? Because next week, Sarah's dance company (where she and her fellow choreography witches use their magical powers on real live dancers) will be performing their annual repertory concert and silent auction, Meh-Volution.

The concert is a fundraiser, both to support the continuation of Meh-tropolis, but also, for the benefit of the National MS Society (a cause near and dear to my heart, as many of you know).

One of the best part of coming to the repertory concert is that you get a taste of a lot of different things that Meh-tropolis does. It's a very ecclectic dance company, which is not above mixing classical ballet and jazz, modern, martial arts and hip-hop ("Hammertime!") to make their statement. I have never -- and I mean, NEVER -- brought anyone to one of the shows who didn't leave absolutely raving. A good time is guaranteed for all.

What: Meh-Volution: Repertory Concert and Silent Auction for Meh-tropolis Dance Theatre
When: June 13 - June 16th (two shows on the 16th)
Where: The Strub Theatre (click here for map on campus)
Loyola Marymount University (click here for map to University)
1 LMU Dr.
Foley Building
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Tickets can be ordered by phone (310) 838-2236.

See you there.

~C~

P.S. To watch some videos of past performances, check out their MySpace here.