Nixon ‘Secrets’: He Played Piano, and Media, by Ear

Former President Richard M. Nixon had more than matters of state on his mind during his years in the White House. “FROM: The President, Richard Nixon’s Secret Files,” edited by Bruce Oudes and published by Harper & Row, includes Nixon memorandums on many subjects. On June 16, 1969, Nixon wrote Domestic Affairs Adviser John D. Ehrlichman to ask for a list of reporters’ names so he could prepare for an upcoming press conference. “I intend to start . . . calling on those pressmen who are not anti rather than constantly calling on those who are trying to give us the hook,” he noted. On July 24, 1972, Nixon wrote to daughters Tricia and Julie concerning questions from the media: “On a personal side, you might mention some of our Christmas parties when I played the piano for group singing, etc., always by ear.” Memos from Nixon’s aides include one of Feb. 9, 1971, from Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman to Alexander P. Butterfield: “In seating at State Dinners, the President feels that Henry (Kissinger) should not always be put next to the most glamorous woman present.”

--In some ways, Balamurali Ambati seems like any other 11-year-old--he enjoys collecting stamps, basketball and video games. But the youngster is already a senior at Baltimore City College High School and intends to become the world’s youngest physician. The boy, nicknamed Bala, was born in India and moved with his family to the United States when he was 3. By the time his son was 4, his father, Ambati Murali, said, Bala had mastered multiplication and was beginning to learn basic calculus. “In my free time, I like the challenge of solving mathematical problems, inventing new phenomena and new problems,” Bala said. In addition to his high school courses, he takes two classes at Towson State University and participates in the Gifted Math Program correspondence course through the State University of New York in Buffalo. Bala expects to enter college next fall with about 70 university credits. The record for being the youngest physician is held by an Italian who completed medical school at the age of 18 years and 3 months.