Dear Do-It Man: A close friend who is blind and depends on audio for entertainment and education is having a birthday. I am trying to locate for her a cassette or CD of soprano B.J. Ward's "Stand-Up Opera," from Dorchester Classics.
I have called a number of record stores ranging from locally owned ones to big chains and no one had heard of this recording nor did anyone offer to locate it for me.From reading your column for many years I know you are an expert at locating the impossible. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
- J.A.H., Salt Lake City
Dear J.A.H.: "Stand-Up Opera" is a new release distributed by Allegro Corp., in Portland, Ore. Because it's new, it may not be in stores yet. That may explain why no one you talked to in Salt Lake stores had heard of it.
It wasn't listed in the Schwann catalog we consulted, but Dorchester Classics was. The listing said that the label's releases were distributed by Allegro.
So we called Allegro at its toll-free number, 1-800-288-2007.
If Salt Lake stores don't get the CD soon, or won't order it for you, you may order one yourself by calling that number if you have a MasterCard or Visa.
The CD retails for $15.98 plus $4 for shipping. Or you can send a check or money order to Allegro Corp., 14134 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230.
B.J. Ward is a classically trained coloratura soprano who has also done stand-up comedy. In this recording, she apparently combines the two.
She has appeared on the TV series "Improv Comedy" and she was the voice of Betty Rubble in "The Flintstones."
Elderly neighbors
Ever ask your grandmother what it is she fears most? Chances are if she is honest with you, she'll tell you she worries about falling ill and being unable to get help.
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine says these fears are not unfounded.
According to lead researcher Jan Gurley of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the risk of a person over 65 becoming helpless or dying alone at home is 16 times higher than having a heart attack.
"Older people's fears are justified," she said. Over a 12-week period, Gurney and her colleagues at the University of California-San Francisco documented through paramedics 367 people who became helpless or died at home. The average age was 73, but a surprising number of younger black men with AIDS also were found helpless or dead.
Typically, the victims fell and were unable to get up, or they became too weak to get out of bed or up off the couch. Those who survived were discovered by neighbors, friends or their landlords.
Gurney's suggestions? If you are an adult child who lives in a remote city, set up a network of trusted neighbors or family friends who can check on your parent; call often. If you are a neighbor or a postman, keep an eye out for your elders. Report anything suspicious like newspapers or mail that have not been picked up.
- Maturity News Service