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The Charlotte Jewish News - September 2011 - Page 18 Community Mews You Don’t Have to Be a “Big Man” to Leave a Lasting Legacy By Phil Warshauer Executive Director of the Foundation for the Charlotte Jewish Community, New Jersey native, and fan of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band On the evening of June 18, my life was jolted by a text message informing me of the death of Clarenee Clemons, legendary sax ophonist and the mountain of Bruee Springsteen’s E Street Band, a week after he had suffered a stroke. Over that week I had pre pared myself for the worst but. was still stunned by the news. Deep down inside I’m still a New Jersey guy and a devoted (ok, borderline obsessed) fan of Bruee Springsteen and the E Street Band. My first exposure to the musie of Bruee Springsteen and the saxo phone of Clarenee Clemons dates ftee Ddi**'*’ A family owned pharmacy proudly serving the Jewish community for 30 years! 'PHARMACY your health first Services Include: Shingles and Flu Vaccines • Compliance Packaging • Auto Refills • Great Pricing Fast Service Home/Office Delivery Wishing everyone a very happy and heaithy New Year! Let Giant Genie grant your wish by giving you 50% off our entire store once a month when you become a new patient here Pharmacy Manager: Dr Bill Henning Lead Technician: Adriane Hirsch Giant Genie Pharmacy Matthews 1730 Matthews Township Pkwy Suite A1 Matthews, NC 28105 704-814-0154 www.giantgenie.com iwy © CALL US («) 704-814-0154 Providence aa Day School 5800 Sardis Road | Charlotte, North Carolina 28270 | 704.887.6000 | www.providenceday.org ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE DATES Tuesday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. | Sunday, November 6 at 2 p.m. | Wednesday, December 7 at 9:30 a.m. "The Big Man, ” Clarence Clemons, and The Boss. Photo credit: Guy Aceto/Backstreets back to 1975. The recently released Bom to Run album was on the turntable (you know that device with a needle that played a vinyl circle with a hole in the mid dle) and the song “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” was blaring through out the house with its forceful sax ophone introduction that was dis tinctively Clarence Clemons. Over the years the music and sound of Brace Springsteen and his legendary E Street Band has been a supportive friend, trusted companion and spiritual guide. Led by Springsteen, the band is a unique “band of brothers,” who have developed a special relation ship with each other and their fans. Their music and lyrics provide a special connection that links me with long time friends and is something I’ve shared with each of my four children. My wife and two older daughters have attended concert experiences with me and I regret that my younger son and daughter will not have that same experience of witnessing the orig inal legendary E Street Band. Featured in the majority of these songs and stage-right at each of those 20 plus concerts was the eas ily identified saxophone of Clarence “Big Man” Clemons. I was and continue to be saddened by the loss of this musical icon. Immediately following his death, while listening to my col lection of recorded songs and live concert performances, I read many tributes by fans and fellow artists from around the world. My thoughts moved from sadness about the void left behind to the incredible life Clarence fit into his 69 years and the legacy left behind. What a way to live your life. Wouldn’t each of us like to gain fame and fortune by doing something we love while provid ing comfort and pleasure to total strangers during our lifetimes and beyond? As William C. Rhoden stated in his New York Times col umn, “The Big Man is gone, but he leaves a rich and timeless lega cy.” Isn’t that something we each should strive for? What better time than during this reflective time of year to remember those who made a dif ference in our lives and ask our selves how we can make a differ ence in the lives of others. It is easier than you think. We each have the ability to create and leave a legacy of our own and inspire others to do the same. It may come in the form of a financial gift, as a dedicated lifelong volunteer or through the lessons passed down to your children. It can also be found in the organizations and programs that you helped to cre ate, worked to strengthen and assisted to sustain. “The quality of our lives is diminished every time we lose a great artist,” said fellow band member Steven Van Zandt. “It’s a different world without Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Curtis Mayfield, Brian Jones, and the rest. But like all of them, Clarence leaves us his work, which will continue to inspire us and motivate us, and future gener ations, forever.” As I listen to one of my favorite songs, “Jungleland,” I am once again inspired by that dramatic two minute and seventeen second saxophone solo that is the song’s most dramatic moment. It is Clarence’s reminder to me that we all have work to do, people to inspire and future generations to serve. For additional assistance in cre ating your own lasting legacy please contact Phil Warshauer at 704-973-4544 or pwarshauer@ charlottejewishfoundation.org. ^ (Foiiniiation rt'or thi; P "I harlot tc Jo wish ^^ACominuriitv Donating an Old Cell Phone Can Save a Life Our Temple, in conjunction with Shalom Bayit and United Family Services’ Victim Assistance Program, is collect ing cell phones for victims - or potential victims - of domestic violence. Unwanted cell phones will be reprogrammed to call 911 and used in the event of an emer gency. Simply bring the cell phone and battery charger (in a bag or box, if possible) and bring it by the office for collection. For more information check www.shalombayit-nc.org. ^
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 1, 2011, edition 1
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