Check Mail Compose Folders Addresses Search Options Help Desk Sign Out  Date:Thu, 7 Oct 1999 11:08:15 -0700 Subject:[Encina Update] Encina Update (74/79/89/homecoming party/rsvps/photos/nametags/email/fight song/staff/siblings/search/aol/michael solomon/lou decosta/internet/education/wealth/amazon/books/whats new) ENCINA ALUMNI, CLASS OF 74 Bob Goosmann 74 wrote: "Hi everyone, Have I got a deal for you. Free commemorative Class of '74 25-year reunion keychains! All you have to do is send a self-addressed stamped envelope (with two 33-cent stamps) to me and I'll send you a couple of key chains. Even if you already have one, you can take advantage of this special offer (please--they're cluttering up my house). Send to: Bob Goosmann, 1049 Bell Street (yes, THAT Bell Street), #11, Sacramento, 95825. Act quickly, this offer expires soon. And for those of you holding your breath in anticipation, the pictures from the reunion will be posted soon on the web site." CLASS OF 79 Laura Graff Allred 69, chair of the 79 reunion committee, wrote: "Hello, Our 20 year class reunion was on September 25, 1999. Of the 356 graduates our attendance was 140 people for dinner plus several others who came to visit after dinner. Great Reunions, Inc. has done over 2,000 reunions and they said that this was an exceptional turn out for our small class of graduates. All of the people who participated made this reunion very special. The room was buzzing with conversations so much that when the committee asked the participants for their attention some people could not stop visiting. The atmosphere in the room was warm and each classmate seemed to go from classmate to classmate visiting. Some of the classmates visited from the time they came until 4:00 am in a room hosted by Vada Dean and Bob Hookano. Thank you Vada and Bob! Mr. Carey one of our dearly remembered teachers was invited by Becky Hudson. The reunion was started off with a song sung by a quartet comprising of Joe Abreu, Dennis Gervin, Dave Robinson and Mr Carey. This song brought back fond memories of Encina school days. Thank you for your entertainment! Thank you again Mr. Carey for coming and visiting with us. Our classmate Tim Heintz who is a composer of music played our Fight Song and Alma Mater on a piano provided by the Hiton. While singing with Tim Heintz, Joe Abreu and the classmates memories of our rallies in the gymnasium flashed through my mind. The awards were: The married the longest award was given to Michelle (Grant) Bosch. She has been married 20 yes twenty years! Congratulations! The classmate who traveled the farthest was Cyndi (Parsons) Parrish from North Carolina. The classmate with the most children was Kathleen (O'Neil) Cabe. Seven children was the largest of the attendees at the reunion. The classmate who changed home addresses the most was Bob Hookano at 21 times. The door prize was under a chair and seating was randomly picked. Tom Edwards happened to sit in the selected chair and walked away the the $50 cash award. At the reunion was a table for memorabilia. Classmates placed various items. One of exceptional workmanship was a binder put together by Jeri (Deyo) McCue. Thank you for sharing your memories with the classmates. The reunion committee that offered suggestions for our reunion events and was a graciously welcoming each guest as they entered were: Chuck Stream, Joe Neiderberger, Vada Dean, Janet (Russel) Mason, Kathleen (O'Neil) Cabe, Tim Heintz, Sue (Jones) Durst, Tony Jenovino, Bob Hookano and Laura (Graff) Allred. This Committee thanked me for "making the reunion happen" with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I accept your gratitude and thank you. However, the real People who made the reunion a success and a blast are the 140 plus people who attended this event and made it all that it was by their presence. It was truly OUR REUNION! May God keep you safe until the next time we meet. Sincerely, Laura (Graff) Allred" CLASS OF 89 Vanessa Richey Nichols 89 sent me some of her digital photos from the 10 year reunion. I'll be adding more as time permits: http://www.encinahighschool.com/class89/reunion10/photos.htm HOMECOMING PARTY The Second Annual Encina Homecoming party on Friday, October 22, 1999 has reached critical mass and continues to grow. Almost 100 alumni have RSVPed so far and this does not include spouses or family!!! And my impression is that quite a few folks will just show up without RSVPing. If anyone has any connections to publicize the fact that Encina is having a homecoming party which spans the 40 year history of the school from 1959 to 1999, let me know. I wonder if we could get some media coverage and publicity for the website? Last week Patty Wohl 77 tracked down Laverne Gonzales and got his commitment to attend the pregame party and the game! Patty also talked with John Figenshu. Unfortunately John had plans to be in Palm Springs that weekend but if his plans fall through he'll come. Thanks Patty! Check out the list below to see who's RSVPed. If you haven't RSVPed and plan to go, please let me know so we have a reasonable headcount for the Candlerock. I've created a special mailing list for those interested in the homecoming game. Email to encinahomecoming@egroups.com will go to those who have signed up for the game. We've been using the homecoming mailing list this week. We're having a friendly competition between classes to see which class has the most alumni at the party and game. So far the class of 73 has shown the most school spirit! Here are some more details from organizer Rett Smart 73: Event: Homecoming - Alumni Party Date: October 22, 1999 Time: 5:00pm until Game time Where: Candlerock Lounge and Sportsbar 2600 Watt Ave Sacramento, CA 95821 916-483-4188 followed by -- Event: Encina homecoming game Opponent: Golden Sierra Time: JV 5:30pm Varsity 7:00pm Where: El Camino HS followed by -- Event: Postgame party Where: Candlerock Lounge Details: The Candlerock has graciously agreed to letting us hold our tailgate and post parties in the Lounge. BRING YOUR LETTER SWEATER, LETTER JACKET OR EVEN YOUR GYM SHIRT to the "ROCK" prior to the game. We will be in with the general population so ........behave HOMECOMING TAILGATE PARTY - The food will be pot luck. Please be sure to bring something to munch on such as a pizza, kfc wings, potstickers, chips and salsa, those little cocktail weenies or whatever else you feel like bringing. There is a snack bar on site but we want to make sure that we eat something before the game. The Candlerock has agreed to the pot luck as long as we don't bring in beverages. We will filter out to the game (7:00 start time) and return to the Candlerock or if folks want to head to another location after the game, just let me know and I will follow. GO APACHES!" HOMECOMING RSVP LIST Staff John Figenshu (Patty Wohl says has trip planned but will come if falls through) Laverne Gonzales Susan McGuire (she'll try) Christine Kojima JoAnne Smith (she'll try) Stephanie Woo (game only, supervising EBS students 1961 David Haynes (pregame) Linda Hoganson John Russell (says more are coming but haven't RSVPed yet) Carol Mills Russell Joan Seitz Barrett (pregame) 1962 Linda Weatherford Ballance 1965 Pamela Russell Scully 1969 Michael Brown 1971 Darell Baxter Nancy Cooper Manly Jim Mosier 1972 Carla Bee Bowden (probable) Lorna Cline Gragg Susan Kehoe Jacobson Darrell Mitchell Kerry Shearer Debbie Sprague Mitchell Stan Sedilko 1973 (in the lead) Rett Smart (organizer: irsmart@ix.netcom.com ) Eric Carleson Lucia Churches Lorna Cline Gragg Stephanie Dugas (maybe) Sally Enos Kelcey Hall Scott Harris Gary Henderson Mike Kelly Kathleen Ketcherside Arceo Harlan Lau Elliott Mandell Jolie Ostrow Nancy Patton Debbie Richmond Patty Russell Mosier Diane Schoenborn Kelly Carolyn Teel Rand Marla Tjoelker Loni Whalen Mellerup 1974 John Bain RaeLee Beglau Kingsley Dwight Hansen Terri Jurich Howard Kelly Kingsley Bruce Vanderford 1975 (coming on strong) Mark Andrews Bob Bingham Jim Bonnette Jack Dieterle (hopes to attend from San Diego!) Jeff Frei (thanks to Jeff for a major recruiting effort) Greg Grant Kate Grebitus (recruiting brothers and friends) Tim Lukehart Jay Michael Val Robichaud Sue Stegenga Ward 1976 Kim Culver Taylor Janice Patton Paul Stewart 1977 Suzzette Davison Shellooe Jim Field Ed Graff Sue Levy Joslin Pete Shellooe Patty Wohl (thanks to Patty for a contacting so many friends) 1978 Sharon Bordisso Patten (will try to take family to game) Bryan Evans (lives in LA, will try and make it! now that's spirit!) 1979 (where are all the folks who went to the reunion???) Terri Ferreira Scoggins (game, maybe party) Laura Gray Shay (game) 1981 Dale Patton Stephanie Bush Patton 1988 Jim Bain Stafford Boyd (postgame, has to supervise activities) Aaron Ford Bill Glaholt Kelly Horine 1989 (watch out for 89!) Cynthia Agurto Hannah (maybe) Yvonne Renee Altstatt Hernandez (pregame) Michelle Amyot Danny Amyot Janice Barnes (thanks to Janice for organizing 89) Shannon Bice Legion David Francis Julie Hill Hoang Ann Marie Hovie Randy Onstine David Otero Edward Shaffer Geoff Shumway 1991 Jennifer Palmer To tell you the truth, I was getting a little worried about the Candlerock being able to handle this rapidly growing crowd. But Lorna Cline 72/73 wrote: "The bar area can hold 100! Plus there is the little bar area and the whole rest of the bowling alley! They do have 6 pool tables and some dart boards in the area, they usually only have a few regulars in the bar at 5 on Friday nights. As to families showing up, From 3:30 to 5:30 they have glow-in-the-dark bowling, (you know strobe lights, black lights, glowing balls) it is fun, the music gets a little loud once in awhile. They also have Laser X for those with kids (or grown-ups) that want to play laser tag, and the arcade. Then at midnight starts glow bowling again. So I think that even if more than 100 show up, there will be enough room for all!!!!" See the homecoming pages for details about this year's party and a description of the First homecoming party last year: http://www.encinahighschool.com/homecoming.htm Please RSVP me if you plan to go so I can make sure we'll all fit in the Candlerock: http://www.encinahighschool.com/homecoming/homecoming_form.htm The homecoming party is going to be a major Encina happening. BE THERE! HOMECOMING PHOTOS I'm going to try and get each class to stand still for a group picture sometime during the evening. If someone from each class could bring their yearbook to hold up in the group picture that would be great. Plus it'll be fun to look at the yearbook pictures with classmates. HOMECOMING NAMETAGS I'm going to print up nametags for those who RSVP. They'll have the same Encina Alumni emblem as the homecoming clothes along with Homecoming 99 or something to that effect. This will be cool keepsakes to remember the evening. To show that you were at the Second Annual Encina Homecoming party! Spouses/significant others will have to make do with handwritten nametags. Those who DO NOT RSVP will also have to make do with plain, handwritten nametags. Cool or uncool, it's up to you... HOMECOMING CLOTHES Lorna found out this week that we must include 8.25% Los Angeles sales tax. I've updated the form to reflect this. Sorry for the inconvenience for those of you who have already sent your checks. There is a form you can use to order homecoming clothing: http://www.encinahighschool.com/homecoming/clothing_form.htm Thanks to Lorna Cline 72/73 for taking charge of this effort. And to David Knepprath 74 for giving us a good deal and waiving all his normal minimums and setup charges! If you will not be at the party/game to collect your order, please contact us before ordering to work out a delivery plan. HOMECOMING EMAIL Patty Wohl 77 wrote: "I spoke to Laverne Gonzales and he will be there. For sure for the preparty and the game, not so sure about the post party." FIGHT SONG Diane Schoenborn Kelly 73 and Debbie Dyer Peterson 70 wrote with corrections to the version of the Encina Fight song which Jeff Frei 75 wrote down from memory. Debbie Dyer Peterson 70 wrote: "I found the exact words to the Fight Song. It was almost right, except for the second and fourth lines which are "We have the will to win, it's do or die." "So come on boys let's win this game today, Rah! Rah!" I was a varsity cheerleader-school year 69-70. I have the 69 and 70 homecoming programs and game rosters, even my student i.d. cards, etc. These programs have several of our old Apache cheers." "Encina High Fight Song Apache Braves fight for Encina High, We have the will to win, it's do or die! For we are all behind you, lead the way, So come on boys let's win that game today! (Rah,Rah) We'll sweep the other team right off their feet, Show them the Apache spirit can't be beat! As gold and cardinal banners proudly fly, Cheer for Encina High!" Heddy Crowder sent me the words to the current Bulldog fight song: "O mighty Bulldogs fight for Encina High We've got the will to win, it's do or die. For we are all behind you, lead the way, So come on team let's win this game today, rah,rah! We'll sweep the other team right off their feet And show them that our spirit can't be beat As Gold and Cardinal banners proudly fly, For Encina High!!" If we have time, we can practice a few times at the pregame party so we don't mess it up during the game. INVITING STAFF I would like to invite some of the Encina staff who do not have email to the homecoming festivities. If you are interesting in calling let me know and I'll give you the phone number: Jack Bassett Ray Botello Jack Carey Eric Dahlin Bill Derderian (Diane Schoenborn Kelly 73 calling) Jack Dutton Evelyn Fedler Don Golden Sandy Hunt Rees Lee Joe Patitucci Larry Stallings Bob Trathen (Diane Schoenborn Kelly 73 calling) Cornelia Whitaker SIBLINGS Brian Bender 80 wrote: Jenny Bender 75 Blake Bender 77 Brian Bender 80 Kathy Bender 86 Joan Seitz 61 wrote: Joan Seitz 61 Tom Seitz 63 Bev Scheeler 76 wrote: Tom Scheeler 70 Doug Scheeler 72 Brian Scheeler 74 Ken Scheeler 79 Keith Scheeler 81 Diane Scheeler 86 Dawna Spivey 85 wrote: Dawna Spivey 85 Michael Spivey 87 Dawna Spivey 85 is in contact with: Michele Campo 83 Ann Soule 84 Martha Soule 86 Kathy Soule 87 Mary Soule 88 Josh Soule 89? I couldn't find Josh Soule in my yearbook. Anyone know for sure if he was class of 89? Dona Lyn Jones 73 is in contact with the Dunn family: Chuck Dunn 69 Peggy Dunn 71 Pat Dunn 73 Sue Dunn 74 John Dunn ? David Dunn ? Matt Dunn ? Kelly Dunn 83 Niki Tanko 73 (step sister) Mike Crouthers (step brother) I couldn't find John, David or Matt Dunn in my yearbooks. Please let me know if they attended Encina. Lisa Puthuff 84 wrote: Lisa Puthuff 84 Mark Puthuff 87 ALUMNI SEARCH Mark Souza 73 Drama/math teacher Bill McElroy AOL PROBLEM Several AOL users have commented that they are unable to view jpeg attachments to my updates. Robin Reade 74 wrote: "I found out that when email is sent to an AOL user with a photo attachment, the messages get broken up into the address, the text, and the photo attachment, and packaged via MS MIME to a .mim file. AOL doesnt automatically convert it back to a regular email + attachment. So to read the .mim file, you must download, then unzip it. with winzip or whatever. such a bother! However, I have received photos with email in the past and they open right up, like the ones that use MSIE, and others that pull an application like MS Paint to open them. I will continue my investigation - perhaps the problem occurs only when email is sent from a certain type of mail system. I emailed AOL too. When I find out more, I'll pass it on." Anyone else with any insight into this problem? I am sending my mail with MS Outlook Express 4. MICHAEL SOLOMON 66 I saw this interesting bit about Michael Solomon 66, who is CEO of MTS, in Red Herring magazine. MTS CEO Michael Solomon Founded 1960 Employees 7700 West Sacramento CA www.towerrecords.com Market: Owns and operates 222 record, video and book stores in 17 countries, including Tower Records, Tower Books, and Tower Video, and sells similar products over the Internet. In 1995 launched an online music store on America Online's proprietary network. In 1996 luanched its own Web site, which sells CDs, MiniDiscs, LPs, DVDs, and videos. In June 1999 reduced prices, added exclusive promotions, and upgraded the search capabilities of its Web site, which also includes content from Pulse, the company's online and print magazine; digital downloads; "listening stations" (12 featured albums with streaming audio samples); custom CDs; and music trivia games. Ships all orders from its own warehouse; has 120,000 CDs available for same-day shipping. Through partnership with the Good Guys, a consumer electronics retailer, owns and operates 13 Wow Superstores. Other partners include America Online, SonicNet, and Snap. Competes with MusicLand, Wherehouse, Trans World Entertainment, CDnow, Virgin Megastores, and Amazon.com. Finance: Profitable. Revenues for 1998 were $1 billion, up 1.6% from the previous year. Net income for the year was $9.9 million, up 183% from 1997. CEO has been with the company since 1987 and was promoted from vice president and general counsel to current position in 1998. LOU DECOSTA 66 Lou DeCosta 66 wrote: "HARLAN-- Just in case you number, among your wide circle of friends, any Nielsen families, my latest show, "Love Chronicles" is premiering Saturday, Oct. 16th on A & E. The only time I know for sure is 7 p,m. on the East Coast. I have no idea yet if that means 4 p.m. here (the kiss of death) or if they'll hold it till 7 on the West Coast, tpp. It's a ten-part (one-hour each) series on, in case you haven't guessed, love. Love in the Old West, Love on the Internet, Sexual Chemistry, Obsession, etc. The first one's on Infidelity. The series is hosted by John Corbett, who used to play Chris the dj on "Northern Exposure," and who is an extremely cool guy. I wrote some of them and was Story Editor for the whole series. The network's already ordered another ten and the first one hasn't even aired yet, so that's a good thing. I've also been doing my regular bits for Guinness World Records Primetime, which will hit the air sometime this fall (mid-season replacement) on Fox." Congratulations Lou! Try and catch his series if you can. INTERNET If you are interested in buying watches, writing instruments, leather goods, fragrances or sunglasses on the internet, check out www.ashford.com . Very nice stuff... Imagine a service where people all over the world can send letters through the Internet to people who are not online. Confused? This new service turns email into snail-mail and delivers it anywhere in the world for just 99 cents. MAIL EXCHANGE - Letterpost.com http://www.letterpost.com/ EDUCATION Here's an excerpt from "The Education Source Newsletter" for Sept/Oct 1999. Becky Hudson 79 is the editor. We have selected our "Top Ten Teaching Sites for the 21st Century " using Harry Dent's vision as a guide. The Top Ten list features the best "Ask An Expert" sites and 21st century teaching sites. These innovative sites are on the forefront of education for the next century, providing innovative, informative and interactive tools to help teachers and parents design customized-education for children. * PITSCO'S ASK-AN-EXPERT (http://www.askanexpert.com) Pitsco is best known for its educational supply catalogs, but they have also top-rated ask-an-expert page. Find free advice for just about anything you want to know. Pitsco's experts are divided into the following categories: International/Cultural, health, Religion, Resources, Recreation/Entertainment, and Education/personal Development. * ASKERIC (http://www.askeric.org/Qa) AskEric is one of our favorite resources on the Internet. You can send any educational question you want to Ask Eric and you will receive a personal response in two days. For example, if you were trying to decide where to send your child to school, you could send an email asking for information about the types of schools available. Within two days you would receive a personal email filled with Internet resources and referrals to other sources of information. AskERIC cannot do all your research for you, but they can get you started in the right direction. * ASK THE INTERNET PUBLIC LIBRARY (http://www.ipl.org/ref/QUE/) The best place to start at IPL is by selecting (clicking on) "Frequently Asked Reference Questions." These questions are divided into six categories: Book and Libraries, Business and Consumers, History and the Future, People and Culture, Science (including Internet), and Words and Phrases. In these lists of FAQs you can find information on: Which books are considered "classics"?, How can I get a patent?, What are the seven wonders of the world?, How can I trace my genealogy?, and, How can I get help with my math homework?. You'll probably find your question on one of these lists, but if you don't you can fill out IPL's "Reference Form." IPL is run by volunteers and the response time in not great, but this is a terrific site for students to explore subjects that they are interested in. * TUTORNET.COM (http://www.tutornet.com) offers real-time tutoring with qualified teachers in those "tough" subjects such as, Math, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-calculas, Biology and Chemistry. When it comes to those really tough math questions that children have on their homework, or when a homeschooler wants to study Biology or Algebra, don't panic, go to Tutornet. Parents and teachers can schedule private Math and Science tutoring for children for $30 a month, (much less than an in-person tutor). Working on a real -time virtual "chalkboard" children (and parents) can type their questions and answers back and forth with a teacher. This site could easily become a parents favorite destination on the Internet. * HIGHWIRED.NET (http://www.highwired.net) your High School Online. Highwired.net helps high schools around the world create their own web pages, school newspapers, student activities and classroom projects online. Grandparents can check out their granddaughter's recent school project from anywhere their Winnebago travels. There is no fee for schools, and Highwired.net does an excellent job of helping schools communicate with each other around the world. * PBS TEACHER SOURCE (http://www.pbs.org/teachersource) is another top-notch educational resource from PBS. This site offers quality classroom resources free of charge to educators. PBS TeacherSource currently indexes more than a thousand lesson plans, online activities and teacher guides--all correlated to 46 sets of state and national curriculum standards. (PBS Mathline and Scienceline do require you to pay a subscription fee) * THE 21ST CENTURY TEACHERS NETWORK (http://www.21ct.org) is a great site for educators who are interested in turning their classroom into a classroom of the future. The 21st Century Teachers Network is a nationwide volunteer movement that encourages teachers to develop new skills for using technology in their teaching and learning activities. The 21st Century Teachers Network is helping teachers help children prepare for the next century. * EDVENTURES.COM (http://edventures.com) is a hands-on learning program that helps students develop technical literacy, problem solving skills, and confidence as they complete projects and build online portfolios. (Chess lovers, be sure to check out their Chess tutor!) This site does charge a modest fee for its services ($7.95/month), but it offers some fun activities that would benefit both school students and homeschoolers. * HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES WEB SITE FOR K-12 TEACHERS (http://www.execpc.com/~dboals/boals.html) is a wonderful example of the type of site that will enable teachers and children to access specific subject-related information via the Internet. This site is filled with lesson plans, web links, teaching suggestions and clip art in 31 different areas of history and social studies. From archeology, genealogy, and humanities to news and current events, each area contains hundreds of informative and educational links. * ASK AN ASTRONAUT (http://www.askanastronaut.com) This site is the perfect example of Harry Dent's vision of children being able to consult with specialists via the Internet--the best specialists anywhere in the world and is this case out of this world. Buzz Aldrin, John Glen and other astronauts answer some of the really important questions kids have about space--- "how do astronauts go to the bathroom in space"? (it's sort of like camping), or "what kind of music cassettes did you listen do on Apollo 11"? (it wasn't fly me to the moon!) and other less important question like, "how much did the Apollo missions cost taxpayers"? or "what type of flight simulation software does NASA use"? This unique site gives children access to space and NASA that was unheard of before the creation of the Internet. WEALTH The recent Forbes 400 issue included a fascinating article called "The Billionaire Next Door" by Dinesh D'Souza. Below are some excerpts I thought you might find interesting. The complete article can be found at: http://www.forbes.com/Forbes/99/1011/6409050a.htm The New Class Structure Income Wealth Superrich $10 million+ $100 million+ Rich $1-10 million $10-100 million Upper-middle $75,000-1 million $500,000-10 million Middle $35,000-75,000 $55,000-500,000 Lower-middle $15,000-35,000 $10,000-55,000 Poor $0-15,000 $0-10,000 "So let's redraw the lines for the new class structure in America today. Making some allowance for differences in cost of living, you are poor if your household income is less than $15,000. Your net worth is close to zero. Approximately 20 million households, about a fifth of the population, are poor in this sense. If you earn between $15,000 and $35,000, you are in the lower-middle-class. Author Paul Fussell, in his book Class, calls you a "prole," meaning proletariat. You are one of a nonelite population of 29 million households. Your net worth is less than $55,000 (which is the median net worth today), virtually none of it in liquid assets. Americans who earn between $35,000 and $75,000 are middle class. Being middle class does not mean that you are at the midpoint of the income distribution; indeed the median income in this country, $37,000, comes in at the low end of the new middle class. Interestingly, most Americans think of themselves as middle class but only 34 million households, about a third of the population, belong to this group. Middle-class people have a net worth between $55,000 and $500,000, most of it in home equity and in retirement accounts. In most parts of the country, an income in excess of $75,000 allows you to claim that you are upper-middle-class. Around 17 million households, or a sixth of the population, fit into this category. In big cities, full of high-earning peers, the bar should be set somewhat higher. In those areas, your earnings should place you in the top 5% of the general population to be eligible for upper-middle status. That would mean you'd have to make at least $150,000 to qualify. What about net worth? To reinforce your upper-middle-class credentials, it helps to demonstrate a net worth that is at least impressive to people in the class right below you. For younger people that figure could be as low as $368,000--the level needed to place you in the top 10% of wealth owners in this country. If you're near retirement, you need at least $1 million and preferably close to $5 million to be assured of maintaining an upper-middle-class lifestyle for the rest of your life. Feel like catering a small party at your apartment or leasing that new Lexus or flying first-class to Paris for your wedding anniversary? Being upper-middle-class means that you can do these things. But you cannot do them all at the same time. Money remains a constraint. Being rich means being able to do, within reason, whatever you want. In his book Money, Andrew Hacker estimates that to be rich you need an annual income of at least $1 million a year, which seems about right. In Arkansas and West Virginia, $500,000 or even $300,000 a year may be enough. But in the places where most rich people want to live, a million dollars is the minimum. Still, a seven-figure annual income doesn't capture the significance of being rich today. Being rich means you don't have to work. That's why in ancient times the affluent class was the landed aristocracy; they lived off the income generated by their estates. It was considered disreputable to work. Work carries no stigma today, but being rich still should mean being able to maintain a very comfortable standard of living without working. What does it take? If you are a respectable but not brilliant investor you ought to be able to earn 5% on your portfolio, net of income taxes and allowance for inflation. (In 1900, when prices were stable and Form 1040 did not exist, you could spend the whole coupon you got from a bond. Not today.) So a net worth of $10 million can generate perhaps $500,000 in spendable income. That's about as good as a $1 million salary and qualifies you as being rich today. Even rich folk have their limits, however. They can fly first class, but they cannot own their own Gulfstream. They can have two homes, but not five. They can eat in fine restaurants, but they can't, as one Las Vegas tycoon reportedly did, fly in world-famous chef Wolfgang Puck and his staff to cook for a private party. In short, rich people can do whatever they want within reason, but they cannot do whatever they want, period. That honor belongs to the super-rich, a category that scarcely existed in 1980. To be superrich you need at least $100 million in assets and $10 million in annual income. Don't like the kind of music you hear on the radio? Then follow author Stephen King's example and buy the radio station. Worried about asteroids flying too close to earth? Pump in a hundred grand, like Infoseek founder Steven Kirsch reportedly did, to identify and track them. Looking for other similar thrills? Join the few dozen rich and intrepid souls, including software tycoon Richard Garriott, who paid a hefty deposit to sign up for the first commercial ride into space. Superrich people are limited in what they can do only by their imagination. " AMAZON.COM Several of you support the Encina website by linking your purchases to the Encina store. Please write me if you are one of these people. I would like to describe an easy way for you to triple the commission the Encina website receives from 5 to 15% the next time you place an order! BOOKS I just finished reading the third book of a new series I discovered by Lee Child. If you like adventure/thrillers with cool heroes, check out this excellent series. Killing Floor: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0399142533/encinahighschool Die Trying: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0515125024/encinahighschool Tripwire: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0399144676/encinahighschool Really good stuff! WHAT'S NEW 10/6/99: Gina Hood 80, Ann Soule 84, Kathy Soule 87, Mary Soule 88 10/5/99: Dawn Meckfessel 85, Starlene Smith 74, Lisa Puthuff 84, Chuck Dunn 69, Peggy Dunn 71, Pat Dunn 73, Sue Dunn 74, Kelly Dunn 83, Cheri Zumwalt 80/bio 10/4/99: Tom Scheeler 70, Doug Scheeler 72, Brian Scheeler 74, Beverly Scheeler 76, Ken Scheeler 79, Keith Scheeler 81, Diane Scheeler 86, Darelyn Kuehn 66, Lex Anne Lester 70, Dave Haynes 61, Joan Seitz 61, Tom Seitz 63, Dawna Spivey 85/bio, Michael Spivey 87, Michele Campo 83, Martha Soule Heeb 86, Steve Knowlton 87, Diana Allen 68 update, Pat Busby 73, Hollie Satter 73 update, Sue Stegenga 75 10/3/99: Class of 1989: added Vanessa Richey 89's photos from 10 year reunion Homecoming: updated Homecoming 99 10/1/99: Terri Sparks 74 bio, Mark Repesha 74, Dawn Repesha 77, Sharon Berkenpas 74, Joe Bordisso 77, Blake Bender 77, Diane Jones 84, Leonard Jones 74, Kelvin Jones 75, Melvin Jones 76, Audrey Smith 96/bio, Alberto Castro 94/bio, Carole Farrington 96 Have a good weekend and spread the word about the homecoming festivities on October 22nd! Harlan Lau 73 Encina webmaster www.encinahighschool.com harlan@rambus.com