Science Camp Makes the World Their Classroom for 30 Days

At $2,795, Richard Boolootian’s 30-day summer science camp for kids between the ages of 9 and 13 seems a bit pricey.

Surprisingly, he says it took only a few weeks for the camp to fill up. It is even more surprising when you realize he doesn’t have any campgrounds.

The Sherman Oaks resident who teaches at the Mirman School for Gifted Children keeps moving his 28 campers around.

He doesn’t move them from city park to school playground, however. When he moves them, he puts them on a plane and they take off.

His campers this year will tour science facilities in Florida, Arizona and California, all with an eye toward a better understanding of how the universe works, Boolootian said.

In Florida, the kids, along with four adults, will visit the Kennedy Space Center, St. Cloud Reptile Center, the Gainesville sinkhole, the Suncoast Bird Sanctuary and then will swim with dolphins.

In Arizona, some of the places they will go include the Kitt Peak Observatory, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Biosphere II and the University of Arizona.

On a trip north, they will visit the linear accelerator at Stanford University, the San Francisco Exploratorium, the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory and then pan for gold.

This all happens between June 28 and July 31 with a couple of days here and there to stop off at home to say “hi” to the folks and to get clean clothes.

Boolootian said his idea for the summer science adventure came from his boss, Norman Mirman, who suggested that Boolootian expand the field trips he offers his students during the school year.

“I was an associate professor of zoology at UCLA and owned my own computer software company before I began teaching at Mirman, so I have a lot of contacts in the academic and scientific world,” Boolootian said.

Five years ago he decided to offer this monthlong summer program to all children. The program has become more far-reaching--and costly--since then.

Look Out! It’s Krav Maga Man

By day he’s a mild-mannered assistant district attorney for the city of Los Angeles.

But in the evening, Darren Levine, who was born, reared and still lives in the Valley, turns in his pin stripes for his commando outfit and becomes Krav Maga Man.

Krav Maga is a system of aggressive street fighting that is to karate what slam dancing is to ballet.

Developed for hand-to-hand combat for the Israeli army, it is easy to learn and can be learned by anyone of any age, Levine says.

Levine is licensed to teach the down-and-dirty art form by the Krav Maga Assn. of America and the Minister of Education in Israel.

He was taught by Imi Lichtenfeld, Krav Maga’s author, who has taught the skill to all Israeli law enforcement and armed service personnel.

Levine, a former student of karate, was hand-picked to introduce the fighting technique to people in the United States by Lichtenfeld when they met during Levine’s 1981 trip to Israel.

Levine says he has, in the past 10 years, instructed members of the Beverly Hills Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Drug Interdiction Unit of the U. S. Coast Guard in this form of hand-to-hand combat.

He also teaches classes to civilians. One is at the University of Judaism on Mulholland Drive and another is at Heschel Day School in Northridge. He also gives private lessons in the home.

Levine says the beauty of the discipline is that it teaches people to be aggressive, not just assertive.

“It doesn’t do any good if someone learns one of the martial arts, but freezes when it comes to having to use it,” he said. “We teach people to defend themselves by simulating street situations when we work out,” he said.

Patients Let Out on 1-Day Furlough

It may be a lot of trouble for the staff, but the results are worth it, says Dr. Lawrence Miller, medical director of rehabilitation services at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank.

Recently the medical staff took nine patients out of the unit for a picnic at Johnny Carson Park.

To do that it took four nurses, four therapists, two recreational therapists and three occupational therapists, as well as Miller and all the needed treatments for each patient.

The unit treats patients who are experiencing physical problems that interfere with their ability to perform daily tasks.

Stroke victim Sylvia Popkin became tearful: “This is the first day in a month I have been outside.”

In fact, the outing was considered such a success, that a July 4 event has been scheduled. This time patients from other units will be invited.

Getting Feedback

After the item ran about John Gurzenski, 10, of Palmdale giving his skateboard money to the medical fund of Matthew Getrost--a 4-year-old Palmdale boy who has brain and spinal cord cancer--many readers called to help.

Some wanted to give John a skateboard. His mother, Peggy Gurzenski, said she has taken care of that. Others wanted to donate to Matthew’s fund set up at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Inquiries may be made there.

The people at Pet Orphans Fund were happy with the response received from a recent item, particularly about one adoption. One of their hardest to place dogs was claimed.

“We had almost lost hope that she would ever find someone to love her,” said Diane Scripps, Pet Orphans founder. “We are thrilled that she found a good home.”

Overheard

“I guess you don’t get out much.”

Clerk at Oshman’s sporting goods store in Canoga Park to customer looking for ski pants on a near-100-degree Valley day.