Congrats on your B-Day. I read in your column that you are still getting around (if you know what I mean). I don’t know if you got to the AIM HIGH! web site yet but I want to encourage literacy and clear thinking as well. See www.aimhigh101tipsforteens.com Please let me know how and where I can mail the book to you - there is a contact on the web site Thank you and many more healthy and happy B-days. Also perhaps one day you can write some stories about President Johnson.

Superman - just kidding (maybe) Happy April Fools’ Day

Mugsy I appreciate what you feel and thank you for your advice.

Liz as an avid reader of your column for many years I know that you are an advocate for literacy and you really work at it. I have written a book for teenagers AIM HIGH! 101 Tips For Teens. The book is so easy that even teenage boys read it. I had a survey done on the book and the results and comments are posted at www.aimhigh101tipsforteens.com I am looking for a foundation or corporation to distribute the book each year to 7th graders. The web site explains what I am trying to do. I’ve written to many foundations that are interested in education and have sent the book to them. I need help since I don’t know people at foundations and I do not know if the book ever gets to the appropriate decision maker. There is absolutely no book similar to AIM HIGH! on the market for teens. 95% of the teens and parents surveyed said the book was easy to read and understand. The book is the most cost efficient and easiest way to improve the life of each teenager. Please look at the web site, there are sample pagers from the book. I urge all the wowowow participants to look at the web site and perhaps someone knows somebody that can help. I think that many people at foundations are so used to giving out grants, that they fail to realize AIM HIGH! is an elixir for teens since it is coming to them as a completed book that is so simple. Liz I’d like to send you the book so that you and the other founders of this group can see it for yourselves. I have a contact for myself on the web site so if you can please send me an address where the book can be sent I would be grateful. The tips are easily translated into French or Spanish. I think Mary Wells should look at the book as a marketing tool for a corporation as I suggest in the web site. A corporation like Gillette or a cell phone company can hook the teenagers with the book having the corporate name on the covers. The corporation will be doing something good that no other corporation is doing and customers appreciate that and the corporation gains goodwill. You want to get people to read and all teenagers can read AIM HIGH! and learn. Thank you, Brad

All wowowow participants are welcome to read “By George” www.bygeorgescreenplay.com

Hi Whoopi I have a screenplay that is a social commentary wrapped in a romantic screwball comedy. The conflicts involve men and women and Black and White people, it is very topical. I hope you can read it - thanks www.bygeorgescreenplay.com

I am a man thank you. I am considering Mugsy’s request and that of Amanda to leave this site to women. I don’t want to cause hard feelings. This is the first time I’ve gotten involved in this type of woman’s discussions and please consider me still in spring training. If the women who participate in this site really want to be without men I understand, but then the internet may not be the right venue for these discussions. It reminds me of when I was a teenager and the guys went to Nathans (a restaurant hot dog deli place, quite large and busy) after a movie. We noticed Buddy Hackett and Jerry Vale sitting with their wives munching on hot dogs and fries. We went over politely and asked for autographs whereupon Mrs. Hackett said “Boys please don’t bother us we want to be alone.” Nathans was not the right place to be if they wanted to be alone. Similarly if women want a private group discussion perhaps the internet is not the place. Just a thought. By the way one of the differences between men and women is that when I tell men that I shook hands with Moe and Larry (of the 3 Stooges) men are in awe, whereas when I relate this event to women I get the “so what” look. “Viva la difference” I think the date on this post could be wrong.

I didn’t get the impression that this was not for men. If it is not for men then that policy should be stated on the home page. I think the women on the web slogan emanates from the women who own the site. If they don’t want to hear from men they should say it loud and clear. Otherwise just skip my post. I mean to enlighten not offend, after all we have to share the planet together. But that was a cute message you posted and I don’t take offense, we all have bad days. Do any of you ladies watch the program “Snapped” on the Oxygen network? It is all about women who kill men - very interesting.

My daughter’s name is Amanda. I’m staying and even though you may not care it is good for a man to participate. THanks for letting me know.

“I’ll going to the supermarket, be back soon.” My ex-wife when she left for good.

Very sexist question. You could have included at least one woman. Stuff like this does not help the cause of sex equality. It is basically angry name calling. How about trying to avoid this kind of high school attitude in the future.

Most children are off from school this week as are mine. It is always important to guide children and this is a good week for positive thoughts. Try www.aimhigh101tipsforteens.com This book should be given to all teens for free -it is a good start.

Jules Feiffer is a national treasure. I received the “The Great Comic Book Heroes” as a birthday present for my 17th birthday and still have on my bookshelf. Liz you’re not bad yourself and you can stand along side of him as the successor to Earl Wilson and well “that’s earl…” Best of health in your 85th year.

This is the best topic yet that is bringing out the humor in responses. The humor and reality of money are often the same. We are not a people who save. I used to be the great consumer. As you get older you start thinking about the things you’ve bought and what a waste of money. Things that were interesting at the time you bought them are now in boxes taking up space. Americans’ consumerism is a double edged sword: it keeps the economy going while the individual consumer is often left in debt. Why should you buy a new car unless your old car is ready to be junked? Why should a person have 20 pairs of shoes? The questions that aren’t asked should be asked by people before they buy. I’ve learned to walk the mall without buying and to garbage catalogues without even flipping through the pages. It is time for consumers to think before they buy. If you put off today what you can buy tomorrow, you may avoid buying many items you would otherwise buy. Then people might have money to invest. Where to invest at this time silver or gold or their etfs or perhaps euros. With little savings people should be very cautious - who knows what industry will be next to lay off workers. Banks don’t give much interest these days and will probably even give less tomorrow but they are safe up $100,000 as are CDs. If you are fortunate enough to have savings I would keep enough liquid for at least one year of living. Who knows with the economy going downhill and the President and candidates not having solutions to the problems we are headed no place good. Be safe rather than sorry. There are also other problems that might arise such as the bird flu if it mutates. Schools, businesses and regular activities would be severely curtailed. It is good to think ahead for what many perceive to be the difficult economic times that are coming. Do you really believe the President that everything is really okay? One thing you can be assured of - the government will only bail out the rich not the middle class or poor.

I guess I’m odd man out - I think of spirits as a mood. Keep your spirits up.