here to a PDF version of our latest newsletter

The Open Door
A look inside our Clubhouse
October 2016
www.howardlevinclubhouse.org
A Publication of the Howard Levin Clubhouse
Welcome to the HLC, Brant!
By Pat Tokar
Howard Levin Clubhouse
A Program of Jewish
Residential Services
2621 Murray Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 422-1850
Member Services is back in action with the addition of our new hire Brant Meehan.
We’ve been unstaffed for many months and now we have an enthusiastic, talented,
friendly, compassionate, and energetic new addition to our family. Brant has brought
a lot of excitement and fun to the daily work. He started at a very busy time… the
beginning of Bowl-A-Rama. Thankfully, Brant has had a lot of experience in
fundraising as he ran and organized the Homeless Art Show for Allegheny County
called ―Street Art.‖ Being such a talented artist he is
integrating his love of art and his Art Therapy degree
into our exciting theme for Bowl-A-Rama and
generating a lot of excitement with the members and
getting them engaged in the projects.
Newsletter Staff:
Deb Charochak
Jan H.
Mike Hogan
Sarah Hughes
David Kent
Thom M.
Brant Meehan
Susan O.
Francis Pesanka
Zara Sayles
Eric Sc.
Betsy S.
Ed Tipton
Pat Tokar
I knew Brant when I was in WPIC outpatient program.
I worked with him when he was a student at Carlow
and doing an internship at WPIC. He was able to relate
to me in a way many therapists couldn’t because of his
past struggles with depression and anxiety which he is
very open about. While he was living in New York City in 1998, he suffered a
breakdown. During his recovery he was introduced to art therapy and was hooked. It
helped him to express his feelings he couldn’t verbalize in other ways. I worked on
an art therapy project with Brant at WPIC and it made an immense change in my life.
While I worked with Brant he opened up new ways for me to express myself. I will
be forever grateful and I know he will help so many Clubhouse members with his
kind and empathetic manner.
Welcome to the HLC, Brant!
1
Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical
Gardens; Songs that Lift My Spirits
2
NAMI Experience
3
The Jewish Federation of Greater
Pittsburgh Annual Meeting
Let Us Love One Another; Pet
Therapy
4
You Gotta Keep Moving
6
Save The Date!
7
Labor Day at Camp Run
Labor Day at Camp Run continued; Labor Day Picnic at the Clubhouse
8
Bargain Bin Record Reviews
10
Cases of Books
11
5
9
Brant is a jack of all trades and master of many. Brant grew up in Ellwood City, PA.
When he was a kid, he owned and operated a lawn and gardening business. At 13, he
sold art and he started a clothing line at 16. His clothing was sold in a few stores by
1991/1992. In 1992 the small town boy moved to the big city of Pittsburgh where he
worked as a waiter. In 1994, Brant moved to New York City. To support himself
Brant worked as a waiter, a Macy’s elf, at the Empire State Building, and as a
cleaning person. He started a cleaning service and an art consultant business.
Several years later, Brant suffered his breakdown and began his struggle with
depression and anxiety. After working on his recovery and art therapy, he moved to
Ft. Lauderdale and managed a craft store. In 2001, he went back to school to pursue
a career in art therapy. He started out at Community College of Beaver County. In
2002 he started at Carlow University for art therapy and social work. In 2007, he
graduated from Carlow and started the master program at the University of
Pittsburgh in social work with a concentration in mental health. While he was at Pitt,
he interned at the Cancer Caring Center.
Brant currently owns/ operates three businesses. An art business ―Dusty Curtains,‖
M2 counseling and artful healing and Meehan Cleaning. How he can do all the
things he does and do them well is a testament to his character and work ethic and
love of people. We are truly fortunate to have Brant here at the HLC.
PAGE 2
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden
By Thom M.
The Biblical Botanical Garden at Rodef Shalom Temple is located in the Oakland section of
Pittsburgh. Several Clubhouse members took a tour of the garden on a hot, humid day in August. Our tour guide was Rabbi Walter Jacob. Rabbi Jacob was one
of the founders of the Garden in 1978. 2016’s summer special exhibit is the forests of Ancient Israel. Featuring small trees derived
from, or relating to, the trees of Israel in Biblical and modern
times.
At the start of the 21st century, Israel was one of the few countries
that entered the new century with an increase in forestry instead of
a decrease. Thanks to the Jewish National Fund and support from
Israel’s government, more than 240 million trees have been planted in both and new and previously existing forests. This year’s botanical garden features trees which are now grown in Israel.
There are some lovely small ponds in the Garden. After the tour we got a surprise - we were
privileged to go inside the Temple. Rabbi Jacob told us the history of the congregation. We
were awed by the beauty of the Temple. We all enjoyed the visit despite the humidity. There
was some shade, thankfully.
Songs That Lift My Spirits
By Susan O.
1. Cake by the Ocean—DNCE
2. Can’t Stop the Feeling! - Justin Timberlake
3. Celebration—Kool and The Gang
4. Check it Out—John Mellencamp
5. Eye in the Sky—The Alan Parsons Project
6. Eye of the Tiger—Survivor
7. Hold On—Wilson Philips
8. Hold the Line—Toto
9. Hysteria—Def Leppard
10. I’ll be There for You—The Rembrandts
11. Love Song—The Cure
12. Party in the U.S.A.—Miley Cyrus
13. Peace of Mind—Boston
14. 1999—Prince
15. September—Earth, Wind, and Fire
16. Caught up in You—38 Special
17. Two Princes—Spin Doctors
18. We Built This City—Jefferson Starship
19. Year of the Cat—Al Stewart
20. You’re the Inspiration—Chicago
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 3
NAMI Experience
By Betsy S.
Two women came to HLC representing NAMI wanting us to tell the story of our own lives and
symptoms of mental illness and present it to legislators. Betsy B. and I gave our testimonials. I
was hesitant at first but was told it would be just one on one. I thank God that most of the time I
feel fine because of taking my psych meds correctly every day. Also because of my many friends
and family support.
I have Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but my pills take the symptoms
away. The Clubhouse has also helped me over the years too. For example, fellow members and
staff whom showed me how to do tasks at the Clubhouse and my counselors helped me with personal problems that I may have had. Now I usually go the Clubhouse for yoga and for outings
that interest me, like our visit to Chatham University to see the whole campus.
I am sure that with all the help from everything from learning the reception desk to recording
daily notes on the computer, I have become a better person because of it. I volunteer now two
days a week with the elderly in a dining room and I like it very much. I get Social Security Disability Insurance which pays my rent because I have had many jobs in the past.
I have lived in my own one bedroom apartment for twenty-three years and love it. I do my own
cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping and driving. My father helps me with money matters, but I
am a very independent person. I have belonged to HLC for about twelve years and it is always
there if I need it.
After I wrote this article I tore my rotator cuff in my shoulder from a fall and I have a heel spur
which I do exercises for. I will get physical therapy for both them. I have been out of commission for a while going to doctors but still getting out some.
PAGE 4
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Annual Meeting
By: Mike Hogan
―See the Good.‖ That was the slogan of the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater
Pittsburgh (J-Fed) which was held on August 30th, 2016. Few organizations live up to their slogan to the extent that J-Fed of Pittsburgh does. Their annual meeting showed just how important this philanthropic group is to the Pittsburgh Jewish community.
Ms. Cynthia D. Shapira, the Chair of J-Fed, welcomed the guests warmly, then, the assembly
sang the national anthems of Israel and the USA. Cantor Michal Gray-Schaffer of Congregation
B’nai Abraham of Butler, PA gave the D’var Torah (blessing). Ms. Shapira then retook the rostrum to present the annual J-Fed report.
In the report, Ms. Shapira covered the many programs that J-Fed funds and guides. They ranged
from planting trees in Israel, to providing camps for Jewish youth, to aiding in the obtaining
visas for talented young men and women from around the globe. The list of programs demonstrated that J-Fed is integral to the success of most of the programs in the Squirrel Hill area.
After the report, several awards were presented. The Emanuel Spector Memorial Award was
presented to Stephen Halpern. A video tribute was made to JRS’s recently retired Executive
Director, Debbie Friedman, among others. The video was overwhelmingly well received by the
highly appreciative crowd. Numerous other awards and recognitions were presented to prominent members and volunteers of the Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Community. The assembly gave
all the recipients warm applause and appreciation for their selfless devotion to the Jewish community.
After the meeting, the J-Fed held a reception outside the grand ballroom of Rodef Shalom temple. Along with the camaraderie, the Federation provided a dessert spread that was bound to
give everyone toothaches. There were cookies, fudge candy, and chocolate-covered cake lollypops—enough for everyone to get ―next-day a bellyache!‖ Fortunately, the whole audience was
willing to say ―L’ chaim!‖ to life —and the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Shalom.
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 5
Let Us Love One Another
By Deb Charochak
Sometimes we (me included) are in the storm, the darkness of life and we remain there for a
while – much longer than we want to do so. We then need to, in my mind, somehow pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and continue on in a positive direction. Things that can be helpful
are‖ saying a prayer or a mantra (I recite the ―Our Father Prayer‖). Also, we can have something pleasurable to look forward to. The head of my treatment team, Suzanne, encourages me
to formulate a schedule daily by writing it out the night before (it can be flexible). Then we can
see what we are getting up to and what we need to say and do the following day. It is very good
and pleasant to know what is coming our way the next day. Also, it is good to call a close
friend(s) during the day.
Coming to the Clubhouse is amazing and awesome. Just being here among colleagues can be
helpful. Participating in the work-ordered day is also good. Getting up at the same time and
going to bed at the same time assist in proper circadian rhythm. If one needs a nap, they should
fall asleep in a chair and not in a bed – I learned this from my doctor and it helps my mom and
me immensely. Going to church, synagogue, or another place of worship is a very good thing; I
begin my day in this regard. A good breakfast is a winner. Taking medication with food, unless
otherwise noted, can also be helpful; and taking medications the same time every day is an
awesome thing. Getting together with friends and family is very nice. Spending time alone and
in silence is also rewarding. Going to the doctor’s on a regular basis is important as well. Getting some r & r, rest and relaxation, is wonderful. Participating in interests and hobbies is also
nice. Favorite pastimes are favorites of mine. Let us conquer the darkness and try to the utmost
to live in the light. Let us do our best, it’s worth it. We are extremely worth it – each individual
is precious and special.
Pet Therapy
By Jan H.
It was a Sunday afternoon, July 31st, an Open Sunday at Clubhouse. I had forgotten that we
were having a therapy dog until I looked through the door as I knocked. As I waited to be let
in, I saw this large dog with the most beautiful white hair. The door opened and the dog and I
locked eyes: it was love at first sight for me and for Chloe. I knew that we were meant to
spend some time together that afternoon. I sat in the chair and she came right to me. It felt so
good petting and interacting with her. Her hair was wonderful, very soft. She was incredibly
gentle and just ate up the attention, as did I. I don’t have pets, nor have I ever wanted one.
However, dogs typically immediately take to me. I’m not sure
why, most of the time I love talking to them as I watch their
tails wag while looking at me. Petting this dog was so good for
me that day. I finally got down on the floor so that I could
bury my face into her fur. Hugging her felt so good, so right
and just like it was supposed to be. It was truly therapeutic. I
want her to come back. And I anticipate a repeat of that special day.
PAGE 6
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
You Gotta Keep Moving
By Ed Tipton
Don’t stop believin’/Hold on to the feelin’-the band Journey, from the album ―Escape‖ (1981),
writers, Johnathan Cain; Steve Perry; Neal Schon
We all go through something. I am going through something big as I write this. Will this
change for the better or worse? I’m hoping for the better, but right now any change is good.
One thing that I know about
myself as I am on this journey
(unintentional pun) of life is
that I have held stuff both
good and bad in me for too
long. Don’t do that for yourself! I know a long time ago I
had an article about ―talk it
out,‖ but in this case I say, at
least acknowledge it.
We hide stuff from ourselves
and others. It’s a great thing to
talk to others but sometimes
you have to talk to yourself. Not always out loud either but within the confines of your mind.
We’re always too busy either trying to do this or that, or worse yet, trying to put a smile on the
pain and confusion inside that we never begin to realize who we are both good and bad.
Down the journey (intentional pun this time) of your path, no matter what happens, keep moving. That’s my general advice of the day. The road gets rough, the road gets smooth, the road
gets rough, the road gets smooth … and so forth. I know that there is a poem or essay (I forget
which) entitled ―Things I Learned in Kindergarten,‖ which you can look up for yourself online
or wherever, that essentially state the basic children’s truths and rules we forgot as adults that
would help make us better human beings. So when I state the obvious here, it’s not to insult
you or degrade me. It’s just to say the truths we forget.
So acknowledge the truth about yourself. Don’t hide it from you first and don’t hide it from
others second. Life brings joy and pain and happiness and sorrow. And sometimes a lot at one
time. Be honest and walk the best you can. Get the supports you need including here from
members and staff, and, on a personal note, thank you all for caring.
No matter what happens, do what you can and don’t stop believing in yourself (hey, I had to tie
the lyrics in somehow), but what I am saying is true. Believe in yourself no matter what and
care about yourself no matter what. Let it out as best you can. Thank you all for caring.
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 7
Save The Date!
It’s that time again! The Howard Levin Clubhouse
is excited to announce the date for our
BOWL-A-RAMA
Fundraiser!
When: Sunday, November 27th, 2016
Where: Forward Lanes in Squirrel Hill
Participants will receive:
A reserved space in a lane to bowl in for an hour and a half
A brightly colored commemorative T-shirt
A raffle ticket, with the chance to win great prizes
Delicious Kosher munchies!
Clubhouse members bowl for free (in HLC lanes)
If you have any questions, please contact the
Howard Levin Clubhouse at 412-422-1850
Clubhouse members: If you would like to be a part of the Bowl-A-Rama planning process, please join us on Wednesdays at 1:30 PM at the Clubhouse as
we discuss the event!
Specific area meetings also take place on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings
at 11:00 AM in the Business and Member Services
Areas, respectively!
Baking for Bowl-A-Rama occurs every Monday afternoon after the touch base
meeting. Canvassing for Bowl-A-Rama occurs every Thursday after the touch
base meeting.
Come in and get involved in planning our big fundraiser!
PAGE 8
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
Labor Day at Camp Run
By Francis Pesanka
Larry and Pat picked me up after breakfast on Saturday, Sept 3rd, before Labor Day. We left
about 9:00 am to Bear Run campground and took the Parkway to 79 north to 279 to Erie, north
of Youngstown. At mile 80/Porterville we took exit 488. It took one hour to get there. We
stopped at a gas station to pick up lunch. The chicken smelled great for dinner. Larry got out to
stretch his legs, since we had been sitting in the car for almost two hours. I showed him a picture of me and him shoveling snow last year. Pat said she will put it on the refrigerator. In the
picture, the hat I had on was of the Steelers and had a white tassel. Some girl stole that one
from me in Miami three years ago.
It took us two hours to get to camp. After she parked the car, I got out to help Pat. Larry can’t
walk up steps too good. He walks with a cane to balance himself. I put all the cushions on the
chairs and went looking for small twigs for the fire while Pat started lunch, lunch was hot dogs
and hamburger – they were delicious! Then, we
went to the pool area. There was a band playing,
and Larry bought me some ice cream in a cup chocolate chip. The band was Eugene and the
Hermits.
It was a beautiful weekend! Larry and I sat on
two chairs at the pool. Then Pat showed up, and
we went to the other side. The pool temperature
was 81 degrees – just a slight chill in the water.
Pat sprayed Larry’s arms and my arms with sunscreen. ―Wrong steps,‖ Pat told me. Then the
owner gave Larry and me a ride in his golf cart.
When we got back from the pool, I got my camera and went out and took a picture of the camper. When I showed Pat the picture, she said she’ll take a better one at sunset. Pat told me to sit
on the porch, but I went in to get dressed. She gave me two quarters to go down to take a shower. After the shower, it was dinner time! We had chicken and potatoes. Larry gave me a beer. I
drank it and gave him a magazine from Post-Gazette, and it was all about the Steelers and Big
Ben!
After it got dark, Larry went outside and started a fire. I went out to put another log on the fire.
When it was cooking great, Pat went over and got little skinny sticks and put marshmallows on
the skinny sticks. I stuck them in the fire to melt them. She put hers in and sizzled them black. I
put mine in and it came out light brown and melted on the inside. I don’t like blackness on my
marshmallows. It was a great fire then, so Pat put more marshmallows on a stick. She was the
chef. She put the crackers on the bottom, a piece of chocolate next, then the marshmallow, then
another graham cracker on top. she told me to ―smoosh‖ it together, I ate four of them! Then
she said, ―That’s it; no more.‖
Continued on Page 9
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 9
Continued from Page 8
At 9:30 pm we went over to talk to their neighbors. It was a nice conversation with those people. During that, the car race was on the TV. Larry was watching the race then. A great conversation was going on with the neighbor woman.
Her mother was a schoolteacher and her mom was
67 years when she started teaching. I thought that
was quite an accomplishment for someone that
age. Her husband gave me a beer. He had a fire on
his campsite.
At 10:00pm we went to bed. I put my radio on low
till 3 am. The front door opened at 7:00 am, and I
got dressed. Larry gave me a protein bar, and I ate
it with a cup of coffee. I helped pack everything
that was upstairs. There were cushions that Larry
was taking off the furniture and passing to me to
put in the storage area. I had helped him put them
out when we got there. I also took the trash down
to the gate.
We left a little before noon, and we got back to the
Pittsburgh area around 2ish. They got me back to McKeesport in time for Labor Day dinner at
Quiet Ridge. We had hamburgers, hotdogs, and potato salad and Bush’s baked beans and a glass
of Pepsi cola. I said to all my people friends, ―HAPPY LABOR DAY EVERONE!‖
Labor Day Picnic at The Clubhouse
By David K.
My friend and I arrived at the garden for the Howard Levin Clubhouse’s Labor
Day picnic. Then, we thought maybe it was cancelled because no one was there.
So, we went to the Clubhouse, lo and behold, people were getting aboard the van
for the picnic. Well, there was picnic food to eat, and
lots of it! We had kosher hot dogs, macaroni salad, and
homemade coleslaw. Then we also had egg salad wraps
and plenty of succulent watermelon.
For entertainment, we played ladder ball and bocce
ball. Since I’m the competitive type, bocce ball was
right up my alley, so to speak! Bran, Sue, and I had
some fun with playing that underrated game. It was a perfect day weather-wise,
and nobody left the picnic hungry.
PAGE 10
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
Bargain Bin Record Reviews
By Mike Hogan
Recently, I profiled the rise and fall of ragtime music. Much of it was written and arranged for
the piano. Likewise, the piano has been an integral component of jazz from the dawn of its creation. This month I would like to profile some of the early jazz pianists.
No one knows who was the first jazz pianist, but it is easy to speculate that the piano was a part
of most jazz groups in New Orleans. Bars and brothels usually had a piano and the early jazz
groups undoubtedly took advantage of
them. The first pianist who we can say
with certainty who played jazz was Fate
Marable. We know this because he gave
Louis Armstrong his first gig in the early
twentieth century. Marable played mainly
on riverboats.
In the 1920s, Louis Armstrong employed
his wife, Lil Harden Armstrong, on his
famous Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings. These songs were mainly blues. Lil
was a decent pianist, but not great. Bessie Smith also employed several pianists to accompany
her on her early blues songs. The real breakthrough in Jazz piano came in 1929 when Earl
Hines accompanied Louis Armstrong on two extraordinary songs—‖West End Blues‖ and
―Weather Bird.‖ These two songs pointed the direction that jazz musicians would follow for
decades to come.
The pianist had secured his/her place in jazz by the end of the 1920s. But, there was another
movement in jazz going on. In Harlem and Kansas City a new form of music was being played.
It was called ―Stride.‖
The stride pianists were very flashy. They employed a strong left hand to handle the rhythm,
while doing outlandish chords and runs with their right hand. There is little recorded music of
the stride style, but Willie “The Lion” Smith and James P. Johnson were recorded. These records are hard to find, but the search is worthwhile. One of my favorite records in my collection
has Smith teaching the stride style of playing to his protégé Michael Lipskin. While stride has
gone out of fashion, it was highly influential. Both Thomas “Fats” Waller and Art Tatum
started out as stride-style pianists.
So there you have it. Pianists, like guitarists, have a long and honorable position in the development of jazz. Out of the two streams of jazz piano—blues and stride—developed the modern
jazz style. Today’s pianists still honor their forbears in the modern jazz styles of pianists such as
Keith Jarrett and McCoy Tyner. The past always lives on in jazz.
AS ALWAYS
KEEP ON SWINGING!
THE OPEN DOOR
PAGE 11
Cases of Books
by Eric the Redologist
In this article, I will be reviewing book three of the poem Aeneid, by Virgil. This part of the
epic details the sea-bound journey from the fallen city of Troy to a land that the Trojans think
will offer a foundation for a new, and eventually prosperous, country. What is intriguing about
this part of the tale is how the Trojans turn to the gods for advice, but are unsure how to interpret their omens. Leaping to conclusions based on primitive assumptions, the Trojans meet
near disaster before they realize the error of their ways. Before they become rigidly convinced
of the gods’ true meaning, Aeneus and his people first sail to Crete, an island under the auspices of Jupiter himself, but later find disastrous circumstances that force their departure, causing
them to reinterpret the prophetic words issued to them on a broader basis.
Throughout this epic, it is interesting that though the gods are able to harness power inaccessible to men, they still need the cooperation of men. The Trojans become convinced of their
course only when it appears that the gods are favoring it. While the men have willpower, there
are many things out of their control that they attribute to the doings of the gods. This stolid belief that disaster is due to divine will also prevents any thoughts of mutiny, and there is never
any questioning of Aeneus’s leadership in this
book. Aeneus, perhaps because of his semi-divine
heritage, is also subservient to the gods, but at
many places he appears just as out of the loop of
their intentions as his men.
Strongly sprinkled throughout the poem are encounters with mythological creatures, and this
book features both harpies and cyclops creatures.
The encounter with harpies serves to indicate an
errant landing on evil-infested shores, while at the
same time forebodes their future revenge on the
men for disturbing them, once and should the Trojans ever settle down in their proper lands. As
for the pack of the cyclops creatures, a band of men manages to blind one, leaving it thrashing
about in the waters, but the comrades of this wounded wight overwhelm the hindering humans,
again forcing a retreat.
The language of this section of the poem is filled with the names of the lands the Trojans temporarily tread in, as a part of their ongoing quest to find the land that is fit, and fated, for them
to settle in. As they thread about the spots of terrain in the sea, they also find danger in the sudden volcanic action of Etna in the land of the cyclops creatures, as well as sea creatures that
induce dangerous waves and aquatic maelstroms.
As this section winds to its end, it leaves the Trojans at their divined point of debarkation on
shipwrecked sands. This book of the epic actually is a retelling of their ordeals, at a decadent
feast provided by the matriarch Dido. Aeneus’s recollection influences his hostess, and sets the
stage for some of the dire events to come.
HOWARD LEVIN CLUBHOUSE
JEWISH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES INC.
2621 MURRAY AVENUE
PITTSBURGH, PA 15217
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
PITTSBURGH PA
PERMIT NO 34
Save the Date! Our Bowl-A-Rama
fundraiser will take place on
Sunday, November 27,
2016 at Forward Lanes
in Squirrel Hill