12/20/02

LC021220

VAL ZAVALA>> TONIGHT ON LIFE AND TIMES --

SHE’S NOT EXACTLY RICH, BUT THIS REAL-LIFE SANTA IS SPENDING BIG BUCKS ON TOYS FOR NEEDY KIDS.

SUNNY BLONSKY>> WE’RE NOT WEALTHY AT ALL. WE’RE COMFORTABLE. WE DON’T WANT FOR ANYTHING. I BASICALLY FEEL THAT, IF I COULD SPEND SO MUCH ON MYSELF FOR A VACATION, THEN I CAN CERTAINLY SPEND THAT TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

VAL>> A TEENAGER HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FINDS HER WAY AFTER DISCOVERING HER ROOTS IN ISLAM.

MAZOUZA ASSAF>> I USED TO TALK BACK TO MY TEACHERS. I USED TO GET KICKED OUT OF CLASS SO MANY TIMES. I USED TO GET INTO MANY FIGHTS AND ONE TIME, YOU KNOW, EVEN THE POLICE HAD TO BREAK UP ONE OF MY FIGHTS. THEN IT GOT SO BAD THAT I WAS KICKED OUT OF THE EIGHTH GRADE AND, WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THAT WAS WHEN I KNEW THAT I HAD TO CHANGE, THAT I COULDN’T STAY THE SAME PERSON.

VAL>> IT’S NO BAH HUMBUG, BUT PATT DOES HAVE A FEW PET PEEVES ABOUT ALL THE HOLIDAY HYPE.

PATT MORRISON>> A FEW CHRISTMAS BEEFS FROM A VEGETARIAN -- ON TONIGHT’S INFINITELY MORRISON.

VAL>> PLUS, WE’LL TAKE ANOTHER TRIP OUTSIDE THE STUDIO FOR MORE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON ON THE KCET PLAZA.

[MUSICAL PERFORMANCE]

VAL>> TONIGHT, CLASSIC HOLIDAY TUNES BY A HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER GROUP FROM ORANGE COUNTY. THESE YOUNGSTERS ARE OLD PROS. THEY’VE ALREADY BEEN IN A MOVIE.

IT’S ALL COMING UP NEXT ON TONIGHT’S LIFE AND TIMES.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

AND THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT
THE STATE'S LARGEST HEALTH FOUNDATION SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CALIFORNIA'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT, A PARTNER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

VAL>> GOOD EVENING, I’M VAL ZAVALA. JESS HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

CALL HER THE $10,000 WOMAN. SHE’S NOT RICH, BUT EACH CHRISTMAS, SUNNY BLONSKY TEARS THROUGH LOCAL TOY STORES LIKE A WHIRLING DERVISH. HER GOAL IS TO BUY AS MUCH AS SHE CAN FOR NEEDY KIDS IN VENTURA COUNTY AND, AS GAY YEE REPORTS, SUNNY ISN’T SATISFIED WITH JUST GIVING MONEY. SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THE CHILDREN GET SOMETHING REALLY NICE.

GAY YEE>> IT’S EIGHT IN THE MORNING ON A BRISK DAY IN THOUSAND OAKS AND ALREADY SUNNY BLONSKY IS MOVING INTO ACTION. A WEEK EARLIER, SHE HAD GATHERED $7,000 WORTH OF TOYS TO DONATE TO LOCAL CHILDREN FOR CHRISTMAS. SHE WASN’T READY TO STOP, BUT THE STORE RAN OUT OF TOYS.

SUNNY BLONSKY>> OH, AND YOU GOT SOME MORE OF THESE ARTIST SETS. OH, GOOD.

GAY YEE>> NOW SHE’S BACK TO BUYING MORE. SUNNY PLANS TO SPEND ANOTHER $3,000 TO GET TO HER GOAL OF $10,000 IN PRESENTS THIS YEAR. SHE BEGAN SHOPPING FOR CHILDREN A DECADE AGO AFTER HEARING REPORTS THAT HOLIDAY GIVING WAS DOWN.

SUNNY BLONSKY>> SO I TALKED TO MY HUSBAND AND WE DECIDED THEN THAT WE COULD DO SOMETHING. OVER THE YEARS, IT’S SIMPLY EVOLVED AND WE JUST FEEL LIKE WE JUST SIMPLY WANT TO GIVE MORE BECAUSE THAT MAKES US FEEL GOOD.

GAY YEE>> TODAY, SUNNY IS WELL ORGANIZED. THE STORE KNOWS SHE’S COMING, AS DOES THE VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH PICKS UP THE TOYS.

JOE LUNA>> THE FIRST TIME I ENCOUNTERED SUNNY BLONSKY, I WAS AT MY DESK. SHE SAID SHE HAD SOME TOYS TO GIVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I SAID, “WELL, TAKE THEM TO THE LOCAL FIRE STATION. WE COLLECT TOYS THERE.” SHE GOES, “NO, YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. I HAVE A LOT OF TOYS.”

SUNNY BLONSKY>> I SAID, “WELL, THERE ARE TOO MANY.” HE SAID, “WELL, WHAT DO YOU MEAN TOO MANY?” I SAID, “WE PROBABLY HAVE 800 OR 900 TOYS HERE.” THERE WAS DEAD SILENCE ON THE PHONE. HE SAID, “WHERE ARE YOU?” ABOUT HALF AN HOUR LATER, EIGHT OR NINE FIRE ENGINES PULLED UP. IT WAS VERY FUNNY.

GAY YEE>> BESIDES THE HOLIDAY TOYS, SUNNY AND HER HUSBAND DONATE $7,500 A YEAR TO A LOS ANGELES MISSION, BUT SHE INSISTS THEY’RE NOT AT ALL RICH. THE COUPLE LIVE IN A MODEST TOWNHOUSE IN NEARBY WESTLAKE. SHE’S A TRAVEL AGENT WITH AN OFFICE AT HOME. HE WORKS FOR A LOCAL HEATING CONTRACTOR.

SUNNY BLONSKY>> WE’RE NOT WEALTHY AT ALL. WE’RE COMFORTABLE. WE DON’T WANT FOR ANYTHING. I BASICALLY FEEL THAT, IF I COULD SPEND SO MUCH ON MYSELF FOR A VACATION, THEN I CAN CERTAINLY SPEND THAT TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE. I GET A LOT OF JOY OUT OF ACTUALLY SEEING THE TOYS AND PICKING THEM OUT. THESE DOLLS ARE JUST OUTRAGEOUS. THERE ARE THIRTY-FOUR PLUS THE SIX. A FABULOUS BUY, ONLY TEN DOLLARS. THEY WERE HUGE. CAN YOU IMAGINE A LITTLE GIRL’S FACE WHEN SHE GETS THAT? THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT GO THROUGH MY HEAD. THE FIRE TRUCKS, THE BUILDING BLOCKS, THE LEGOS.

GAY YEE>> SUNNY AND HER HUSBAND DO HAVE ONE RULE FOR THE TOYS THEY GIVE.

SUNNY BLONSKY>> NO GUNS, NO ARMY FIGURES, NONE OF THOSE KIND OF ACTION FIGURES, NOTHING TO DO WITH VIOLENCE.

GAY YEE>> SUNNY IS NOTHING IF NOT EFFICIENT. IN AN HOUR’S TIME, SHE MAKES HER PURCHASES AND IS ON HER WAY. BEFORE LONG, THE PRESENTS ARRIVE HERE IN VENTURA AT A SPECIAL TOY STORE RUN BY THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES AUXILIARY FOR THE COUNTY. PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN POVERTY AND FOSTER PARENTS CAN COME HERE IN THE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS TO PICK OUT PRESENTS FOR THEIR KIDS.

BARBARA JACOBS>> I THINK IT’S GREAT BECAUSE THEN YOU GET TO PICK FROM YOUR OWN CHILD’S PERSONALITY, WHETHER IT BE THE PUZZLES OR A BOOK OR ANY SPECIFIC TOY. MY CHILDREN LIKE ART. THESE ARE, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER, CARS.

PATRICIA HUNT>> I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT. THEY STILL NEED TO HAVE CHRISTMAS. THESE KIDS STILL NEED TO KNOW THEY’RE LOVED. THEY STILL NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY GET JUST AS MANY THINGS AS ANYBODY ELSE, THAT JUST BECAUSE THEY’RE IN FOSTER CARE DOESN’T MEAN THAT SOMEBODY DOESN’T CARE ABOUT THEM.

IGNACIO GODINEZ>> FOR MY KIDS WHEN THEY’RE GROWING UP, YOU KNOW, THEIR FRIENDS COME OVER WITH THE NEW TOYS AND EVERYTHING AND YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE THEM FEEL LEFT OUT. YOU KNOW, MY NEIGHBOR’S GOT A DOLL AND I DON’T GET ANYTHING.

GAY YEE>> BESIDES TOY DONATIONS, THE STORE ALSO RECEIVES CASH GIFTS, SOME SMALL, SOME LARGE. THIS YEAR, ONE DONOR GAVE $18,000.

JOAN GENDREAU-HERBERT>> I’M THE SHOPPER. I DO ALL THE BUYING FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT CALL AND SAY COULD MY CHILD HAVE A CD PLAYER OR COULD MY CHILD GET THIS? THEY WOULD LIKE A BIKE, AND I GO OUT AND BUY IT.

GAY YEE>> THE TOY STORE STARTED IN JOAN GENDREAU-HERBERT’S GARAGE TWENTY-THREE YEARS AGO. SHE AND HER FRIEND REFURBISHED OLD TOYS, BUT TODAY ALL THE TOYS ARE NEW. THERE ARE BUSINESSES AS WELL AS THE INDIVIDUAL DONORS. MARY MOORE MAKES SURE THE EMPLOYEES AT HER COMPANY CONTRIBUTE. SHE WAS ONCE A FOSTER CHILD AND REMEMBERS WHEN SHE WAS FIFTEEN AND DREAMED OF GETTING A CURLING IRON.

MARY MOORE>> MY FOSTER MOM HAD US FILL OUT A CARD OF WHAT WE WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS AND THEN THEY WERE PLACED AT A GIVING TREE IN THE MALL. SOMEONE WOULD PICK YOUR NAME AND PURCHASE WHAT WAS ON THERE AND I WAS REALLY SURPRISED WHEN SOMEONE PURCHASED MY CURLING IRON. IT’S WHAT I REALLY, REALLY WANTED AND I STILL HAVE IT. MY DAUGHTER USES IT NOW AND SHE’S TWELVE.

GAY YEE>> THE AUXILIARY VOLUNTEERS SAY THERE ARE REWARDS FOR THEM AS WELL.

LINDA SONERSON>> OH, EVERY DAY THAT YOU COME IN, THERE’S ALWAYS ONE SPECIAL STORY OR ONE SPECIAL PERSON THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO GET UP AND COME THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE WE DO WORK LONG HOURS DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. TODAY WE HAD A REAL SPECIAL ONE. A LADY STOOD IN LINE FOR ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES AND SHE HAD TWO CHILDREN WITH HER. SHE COULD NOT COME IN BECAUSE WE DON’T WANT THE CHILDREN IN. SHE STARTED TO TURN AWAY AND, INSTEAD, I KIND OF FOLLOWED HER TO HER CAR AND I TOLD HER THAT I WOULD WATCH HER CHILDREN, IF SHE TRUSTED ME WITH THEM, WHILE SHE WENT IN AND SHOPPED. SO SHE CAME IN AND SHOPPED AND THEN, WHEN SHE CAME OUT, SHE WAS, YOU KNOW, CRYING AND THAT WAS MY ONE STORY TO KEEP ME THROUGH FOR TODAY BECAUSE WE WORK ABOUT TWELVE HOURS A DAY HERE.

GAY YEE>> AND EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS LIKE A CLICHÉ, EVERYONE HERE SAYS IT’S TRUE. THE REAL JOY OF CHRISTMAS IS IN THE GIVING.

SUNNY BLONSKY>> IT’S IMPORTANT TO GIVE. IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEART AND IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL. IT’S GOOD FOR MY SOUL.

VAL>> WE’RE TOLD THAT THE AUXILIARY’S CHRISTMAS STORE SOMETIMES HAS A FEW TOYS LEFT OVER. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE ITEMS ARE GIVEN TO NEEDY YOUNGSTERS AS BIRTHDAY PRESENTS. THE AUXILIARY AND MANY OTHER LOCAL GROUPS GLADLY WOULD ACCEPT YOUR HELP, BUT AS FOR SUNNY, SHE’S HAPPY TO SPEND HER OWN MONEY AND SHE DOESN’T ACCEPT DONATIONS.

MONDAY ON LIFE AND TIMES, A SPECIAL PROGRAM THAT WILL DEFINITELY GET YOU INTO THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND FOR THE HOLIDAYS. IT’S OUR MUSICAL SPECIAL ON THE KCET PLAZA.

[MUSICAL PERFORMANCE]

VAL>> SOUNDS OF THE SEASON FEATURING TALENTED LOCAL PERFORMERS AND SOME SONGS THAT YOU’LL REMEMBER. THAT’S MONDAY ON LIFE AND TIMES.

SHE WAS CAUSING TROUBLE FOR HER TEACHERS, GETTING INTO FIGHTS WITH ROOMMATES AND HAVING RUN-INS WITH THE POLICE, BUT THEN LIFE TOOK A MAJOR TURN FOR A GIRL NAMED MAZOUZA ASSAF. SHE’S ONE OF THE TEENAGERS PROFILED IN THE NEW DOCUMENTARY CALLED “WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?” AND, IN MAZOUZA’S CASE, THE ANSWER TO HER TROUBLES WAS GETTING IN TOUCH WITH ISLAM, A RELIGION SHE SPENT MUCH OF HER LIFE IGNORING.

MAZOUZA ASSAF>> I GUESS AT FIRST I WAS VERY, VERY AFRAID TO WEAR THE VEIL. I WAS AFRAID OF WHAT MY FRIENDS WOULD THINK OF ME. I WAS AFRAID OF WHAT PEOPLE -- THE WAY THEY WOULD LOOK AT ME AND THEY WOULD CALL ME WEIRD AND PEOPLE WOULDN’T WANT TO HANG OUT WITH ME, BUT I WAS SO STUPID BECAUSE IT’S NOT LIKE THAT. BECAUSE I FELT THAT WAY WHEN I DID. I CHANGED. YOU KNOW, I BECAME THE PERSON THAT I WANTED TO BE.

I USED TO TALK BACK TO MY TEACHERS. I USED TO GET KICKED OUT OF CLASS SO MANY TIMES. I USED TO GET INTO MANY FIGHTS. ONE TIME, YOU KNOW, EVEN THE POLICE HAD TO BREAK UP ONE OF MY FIGHTS. THEN IT GO SO BAD THAT I WAS KICKED OUT OF THE EIGHTH GRADE AND, WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THAT WAS WHEN I KNEW THAT I HAD TO CHANGE, THAT I COULDN’T STAY THE SAME PERSON. YOU KNOW, I WAS ACTING JUST LIKE ANY OTHER GIRL AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A MUSLIM.

I’M THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT NEEDED SOMETHING NOT A HUMAN, SOMETHING BIGGER, SOMETHING THAT I CAN’T SEE, BUT I CAN ONLY BELIEVE IN. GOD IS THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN CHANGE. YOU HAVE TO GIVE ALL YOUR HEART, ALL YOUR SOUL, TO THIS PRAYING. YOU HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH GOD. YOU HAVE TO FEEL LIKE HE’S RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU, LIKE YOU’RE TALKING TO HIM.

THE KORAN IS YOUR ANSWER GUIDE AND YOU HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS IN IT. IT’S LIKE YOUR CHEAT SHEET. JUST FOLLOW THIS BOOK AND YOU WILL PASS YOUR TEST. YOU WILL GET AN “A” AND YOU’LL MAKE IT TO THE AFTER-LIFE, YOU KNOW. IT’S YOUR TEST, YOU KNOW. IF YOU PASS THE TEST, YOU WILL GO TO HEAVEN. IF YOU DON’T, YOU’LL GO TO HELL.

THE KORAN TALKS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN’T DO, WHAT IS AGAINST ISLAM. IT TALKS ABOUT HOW DRINKING ALCOHOL IS AGAINST ISLAM, EATING PORK IS AGAINST ISLAM, ABOUT HOW A GIRL HAS TO COVER UP, ABOUT HOW YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO RAISE YOUR KIDS. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ISLAM IS IN THERE.

ISLAM REALLY PROTECTS WOMEN A LOT. YOU KNOW, ISLAM IS SO AFRAID FOR A WOMAN. THEY DON’T WANT ANYTHING BAD TO HAPPEN TO HER. YOU KNOW, IF YOU STUDY ISLAM, THEY TALK ABOUT A WOMAN AS THIS PRECIOUS THING AND SHE SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. SHE SHOULDN’T BE HURT, YOU KNOW, NOBODY SHOULD HURT HER.

I USED TO WEAR THE TIGHT JEANS AND THE TIGHT SHIRTS, YOU KNOW, WHAT EVERY OTHER GIRL WEARS AND I DID GET A LOT OF ATTENTION. WHEN I WOULD WALK DOWN THE STREET, A LOT OF GUYS WOULD BE ATTRACTED TO ME. A LOT OF GUYS WOULD LOOK AT ME. YOU KNOW, I WOULD MAKE HEADS TURN. WHEN I COVERED UP, I STARTED FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE. I STARTED FEELING LIKE I CAN, YOU KNOW, GO INTO A ROOM FULL OF GUYS. I WON’T FEEL LIKE THEY’RE LOOKING AT ME FOR WHAT I’M WEARING OR THEY WON’T LOOK AT ME AS IF THEY’RE ATTRACTED TO ME. THEY’LL JUST LOOK AT ME WITH RESPECT AND JUST LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.

I DON’T THINK HAVING A CRUSH ON A GUY IS A SIN. I THINK THAT’S HUMAN, YOU KNOW. EVERY HUMAN IS LIKE THAT AND IT’S SOMETHING IN YOU THAT YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE A CRUSH ON A GUY. IT’S SOMETHING IN YOU THAT YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE. YOU’RE GOING TO BE ATTRACTED TO A GUY AND YOU’RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT HIM AND YOU’RE GOING TO LIKE SAY, OH, HE’S SO CUTE. THAT’S NORMAL. I DON’T THINK THAT’S A SIN JUST AS LONG AS YOU KEEP YOUR LIMITS, YOU KNOW? IF YOU STAY WITHIN YOUR LIMITS AND IF YOU’RE A MUSLIM, YOUR LIMITS ARE TALK, BUT YOU CANNOT FLIRT. YOU CANNOT GO TO ANOTHER STEP WITH THIS GUY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO AMERICA AND THEY FORGET WHERE THEY COME FROM. THEY FORGET THE VALUES OF THEIR RELIGION AND THEIR CULTURE. I LOVE THE FACT THAT PEOPLE LOOK AT ME AND THEY SAY, WELL, WOW, YOU KNOW, THIS GIRL IS SO YOUNG AND SHE’S IN AMERICA AND YET SHE STILL FOLLOWS HER RELIGION.

[FILM CLIP]

IF I WASN’T A MUSLIM, I THINK MY LIFE WOULD BE A LOT DIFFERENT. WHEN I HAVE ISLAM, I FEEL LIKE I’M WORTH SOMETHING. I LOVE THE FACT THAT I’M A MUSLIM. I LOVE THE FACT THAT I HAVE THIS BOOK, THE KORAN. I LOVE THE FACT -- YOU KNOW, I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT ISLAM AND, WITHOUT IT, I THINK I WOULD BE LOST KIND OF BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT’S LIKE I’VE FOUND MY PLACE IN THIS LIFE.

VAL>> “WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?” IS PRODUCED BY FILMMAKER, SARAH FEINBLOOM. YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FULL DOCUMENTARY BY LOGGING ONTO THE WEBSITE WHATDOYOUBELIEVE.ORG.

LIFEANDTIMES@KCET.ORG
WWW.KCET.ORG
LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT
4401 SUNSET BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
(323) 953-5555

VAL>> ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, BUT PATT SAYS SOME THINGS ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS ARE REALLY STARTING TO GET ON HER NERVES, AND THAT’S TONIGHT’S INFINITELY MORRISON.

PATT MORRISON>> JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, I’D LIKE TO VENT ON MY BEHALF AND YOURS WITH SEASONABLE UNFAVORITES CULLED FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY. FIRST, WHATEVER BECAME OF BEING TOLD “THANK YOU” BY SALES CLERKS? YOU SPEND MONEY, MAYBE A LOT OF MONEY, AND THE CLERK SHOVES YOUR RECEIPT AT YOU AND UTTERS THE MINDLESS EXHORTATION “HAVE A NICE DAY”. YOU’VE JUST BOLSTERED SOMEONE’S JOB SECURITY BY YOUR PURCHASE AND YOU’RE NOT BEING THANKED. YOU’RE BEING ORDERED TO DO SOMETHING. IT REMINDS ME OF WAITERS WHO SET DOWN YOUR FOOD AND SAY “ENJOY”. OR WHAT? WHAT’LL HAPPEN IF I DON’T ENJOY IT?

NEXT, PEOPLE IN LONG LINES IN STORES. THE WAIT MAY BE TWENTY MINUTES, BUT IT’S THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU WHO ALWAYS WAITS UNTIL THE SALE HAS BEEN RUNG UP TO REALIZE “GUESS I GOT TO PAY FOR THIS” AND ONLY THEN BEGINS FUMBLING FOR THE WALLET OR THE CHECKBOOK. I ALSO HATE THE FACT THAT STARBUCKS IS CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS. IT SHOULD BE FORCED TO STAY OPEN FOR EMERGENCIES LIKE FIRE STATIONS AND HOSPITALS.

AND THOSE TV COMMERCIALS FOR DIAMOND JEWELRY. YOU’D ASSUME FROM WATCHING THEM THAT THE ONLY WAY MEN CAN GET CONJUGAL RELATIONS IS BY GIVING THEIR WIVES JEWELRY. THIS IS INSULTING TO WIVES AND UNFAIR TO HUSBANDS. NOW THE REAL UNSPOKEN DIALOG IN THESE ADS GOES LIKE THIS: IF YOU GIVE THE GIFT THE GEMS, YOUR WIFE WILL SAY, “OH, HONEY, DIAMOND EARRINGS. LET ME SLIP INTO SOMETHING BLACK AND SLINKY.” IF YOU GIVE THE GIFT OF CHEAP FAKES, YOUR WIFE WILL SAY, “OH, HONEY, A CUBIC ZIRCONIUM. LET ME GO SLIP INTO A DIRTY OLD BATHROBE AND GYM SOCKS.”

LAST AND BIGGEST GIFT COMPLAINT: PEOPLE WHO GIVE PETS AS CASUALLY AS THEY GIVE A NECKTIE, WITHOUT THINKING OF THE CONSEQUENCES. IS THIS PET WANTED? WILL IT BE LOVED AND CARED FOR OR TIED OUT BACK OR DUMPED AT THE POUND? AS SOMEONE SAID, YOU’RE NOT GIVING A GIFT. YOU’RE GIVING A LIFE AND A LIFETIME COMMITMENT.

AS FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE, LET’S LIST SHOOTING GUNS IN THE AIR AS THE DUMBEST WAY OF CELEBRATING SINCE THE DEVIL’S NIGHT ARSONS IN DETROIT. YOU CAN MAKE FESTIVE NOISES WITHOUT RAINING LEAD ON YOUR NEIGHBORS. I DON’T KNOW WHY THEY CALL RANDOM GUNFIRE A CULTURAL TRADITION. IT IS COMPLETELY DEVOID OF ANYTHING RESEMBLING CULTURE.

NOW THAT WE’VE DISPENSED WITH ALL THAT, LET ME SAY, “HAVE A NICE HOLIDAY -- OR ELSE.”

VAL>> ALL THIS WEEK, WE’VE BEEN INDULGING IN THE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON. LOCAL PERFORMERS HAVE BEEN BRINGING THEIR TALENTS TO THE KCET STUDIO RIGHT HERE IN HOLLYWOOD AND TONIGHT THAT HOLIDAY SPIRIT CONTINUES WITH THE ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS. THEY’RE YOUNG, BUT THEY’VE ALREADY BEEN IN A MOVIE. HERE’S THEIR STORY WITH OUR OLD FRIEND, KPCC PUBLIC RADIO HOST, KITTY FELDE.

KITTY FELDE>> HI, I’M KITTY FELDE. IF YOU LOOK AROUND AND YOU’RE GETTING, YOU KNOW, SORT OF FLASHBACKS, YOU TOO WERE A SURVIVOR OF EITHER A CHURCH CHOIR OR A HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR, BUT WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR THIS. THIS IS A WONDERFUL GROUP OF SINGERS. IT’S THE ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS AND THEY HAVE SUNG IN CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL AND IN NOTRE DAME. BUT YOU MIGHT KNOW THEM BEST AS THE GROUP THAT GOT BEAT BY WHOOPI GOLDBERG’S SINGERS IN “SISTER ACT 2”. MICHAEL SHORT IS THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND THEY’RE GOING TO START US OFF WITH “CAROL OF THE BELLS”. ALL RIGHT, TAKE IT AWAY, MICHAEL, AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

[MUSICAL PERFORMANCE]

KITTY FELDE>> MICHAEL SHORT, OF COURSE, IS THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR. WELL, TELL ME ABOUT THE WHOOPI GOLDBERG CONNECTION, HOW THIS HAPPENED AND HOW YOU HAD TO LOSE EVERY SINGLE TAKE IN THAT MOVIE.

MICHAEL SHORT>> WELL, WILLIAM HALL FROM CHAPMAN COLLEGE WAS PUT IN CHARGE OF PUTTING TOGETHER A CHOIR AND HIS GROUP WAS HALF OF THE CHOIR AND MY GROUP WAS THE OTHER HALF. SO WE GOT A CALL ONE SUMMER DAY THAT SAID COME ON DOWN AND BRING YOUR BEST SINGERS AND THAT’S WHAT WE DID.

[FILM CLIP]

KITTY FELDE>> WHY DON’T YOU MAYBE SEND US OUT WITH ONE MORE SONG?

MICHAEL SHORT>> OKAY. HOW ABOUT “JINGLE BELLS”.

KITTY FELDE>> ALL RIGHT. THE WONDERFUL ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS, MICHAEL SHORT CONDUCTING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, HAVE A WONDERFUL SING.

[MUSICAL PERFORMANCE]

VAL>> OUR SPECIAL THANKS TO KITTY FELDE AT KPCC PUBLIC RADIO. AND IF YOU MISSED SOME OF THE FINE PERFORMANCES THAT YOU’VE SEEN ALL THIS WEEK, YOU CAN CATCH THEM ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PROGRAM NEXT MONDAY. WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A SPECIAL MUSICAL EDITION OF LIFE AND TIMES JUST FOR THE HOLIDAYS. AND ALWAYS, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT KCET.ORG.

NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT LIFE AND TIMES, HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

AND THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT
THE STATE'S LARGEST HEALTH FOUNDATION SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CALIFORNIA'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT, A PARTNER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

TO REACH US AT LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT, CALL 323-953-5555. SEND US AN E-MAIL TO LIFEANDTIMES@KCET.ORG OR LOG ONTO OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.KCET.ORG TO SEND MESSAGES OR DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPTS OF TONIGHT’S PROGRAM.