100-Year-Old Man Has Class--Two of Them, Actually

Philip Zivetz is not a believer in the old adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Zivetz, who celebrated his 100th birthday Feb. 1, is still learning.

He attends two classes a week at the nonprofit organization, Older Adult Service and Information System, in the Fairfax District, despite some difficulty with his hearing and sight.

Zivetz has a special interest in world politics and religion, and this semester he is taking “How to End World Hunger” and “Global Futures.”

“The thing that I find so exciting is that he’s interested in the world,” said Tamar Freeman, activity coordinator for OASIS. “And he gets excited about learning.

“I’m so impressed with his memory,” Freeman said. “He’s a remarkable man.”

Known as “Poppa” to family members, Zivetz arrived in the United States from Lithuania in 1905 and has lived in the Los Angeles area for the last 40 years. For many years, he worked in the rain gear business.

“My life was a busy one, and I was always working with many local Jewish charities,” said Zivetz. He attributes his long life to observing the Ten Commandments. “I especially honored the Fifth Commandment, which is to honor your parents,” he said. “That’s why I have lived so long.”

Robert Gabriel has been reelected chairman of the board of trustees at Santa Monica Hospital for 1991.

Other Westside residents who were elected to the board include Donald Hromadka, vice chairman; Lawrence Goodman, treasurer; Mary Anne Chalker, secretary; Richard Ratkovic, assistant secretary, and Babette Heimbuch, assistant secretary.

Several local high school students were named semifinalists in the Music Center Spotlight Awards competition.

They include: Aimee Joy Slutske of Los Angeles, in the jazz-pop vocal category; Esther Dirnberger of Malibu, Tony Jones of Los Angeles, Benjamin Lee of Santa Monica in the classical vocal-opera category; Samuel Karam of Malibu in the jazz-pop instrumental music category, and Anne Yen of Beverly Hills in the classical instrumental music category.

Students will participate in master classes hosted by the Music Center resident company professionals and other performers. After completion of these classes, two finalists in each category will be chosen in February. The final spotlight performance and gala celebration will be March 18.

Dr. James Klinenberg, senior vice president for medical affairs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, was elected chairman of the national Arthritis Foundation.

He will be responsible for leading the nationwide organization of volunteers and staff in policy. Klinenberg has been active with the Arthritis Foundation’s Southern California Chapter for more than 20 years and is a past chapter president. In 1987, he received the foundation’s Charles B. Harding Award for Distinguished Service.

He is a resident of Beverly Hills.