Oyster News--May, 2004

OYSTER NEWS MAY 2004 George Klein and his wife Helga are moving from Geneva to New Delhi, where Helga will run a human-rights project on behalf of the Academy for Educational Development, a Washington-based Non-Governmental Organization. Her task is to assist groups working against human trafficking, exploitation of children and migrants, and abuse of women, to empower themselves through more effective use of international forums, the press and the judicial system. Because they’re moving not long before our banquet date, George will blow a long-distance kiss to Montreal.
Ed Marks and his wife Vera celebrated his 93^rd birthday on April 22 with — what else? — an oyster dinner at a restaurant near their home in Mill Valley, California. Ed recently completed his memoir, which will be published by Hamilton Books in the Fall. Look for it on Amazon. It’s called “Still Counting: Achievements and Follies of a Nonagenarian.” It relates his longstanding work on behalf of refugees in Vietnam, Biafra and elsewhere. The book also includes Eddie’s articles from The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, and of course the piece from Playboy that he read at our 2002 meeting in Paris. He wants members of The Oyster Foundation to know, “It’s with great regret that at the present time I cannot cross the continent to be with you in Montreal.”
File photo	John Meeks is president of the Foundation Schools for emotionally-disturbed youngsters, which this month inaugurates a splendid new facility in Prince George's County, Md. The 60,000 square foot site incorporates a gymnasium named for Anita and John (let’s remember that John was a champion basketballer in Arkansas), a state-of-the-art media room, two computer labs, and well-equipped art and music areas. The dedication ceremony features speeches by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer and other Maryland bigwigs.
Who’s hobnobbing with Oyster Chieftain Stephen Banker in Washington social circles? Why, Their Excellencies French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte and Italian Ambassador Sergio Vento. Both want dibs on next year’s Oyster celebration. Maybe the issue can be settled diplomatically.

Second reel: We all remember Elliott Jones Halberstam’s star-struck encounter with Frenchman Jean-Claude Hamel at her late husband’s college reunion. (Harvard presciently roomed them together, thinking that Elliott was a guy’s name.) Talk about “meeting cute” — the plot is perfect for Meg Ryan. The latest skinny is that Elliott entertained her new friend in Washington in April. He turns out to be quiet, sympathique, and “a great dancer,” an Yves Montand type. Stay tuned.