Westword, Volume XII

WESTWOOD – Steve’s life flashed before his eyes. He was dying and he knew it, right in front of everyone. He was 50, at the top of his game and his career. Much too soon, the reaper had entered the room, scythe in hand, headed for Steve.
 
Steve’s day had started out much better, of course. This was a big weekend for him, and his afternoon was spent schmoozing and shaking hands, watching months of work come to fruition. The prep was finished, and the party – well, one of the parties – had begun. In fact, just moments before, he had been sampling the delicious food and beverage offerings the guests would enjoy.
 
Once a highly successful businessman, now a philanthropist, Steve’s priorities had shifted in the wake of his success. And this particular weekend was a pinnacle of sorts for his charitable organization. The annual event drew influential board members, executives and celebrities – bigwigs with shared passions for fundraising, soirees, maybe a little golf.
 
None of that mattered now, though. Steve was dying, amid the very people that he had assembled. It appeared that he would collapse. It appeared that his life would flicker out, leaving his family and career behind. And that would have been a sad, tragic story. Except…that’s not the story. This…is the rest of the story.
 
Because you see, as the reaper closed in, an older man approached Steve and ascertained immediately what was happening. The man spoke no words. Steve spoke no words. The man put his arms around Steve’s middle and pulled up hard and fast.
 
Then the man did it again. Then the man did it a third time.
 
And that third time, lifting the 202-pound Steve off the ground, he dislodged a stuck piece of cheese that had been completely blocking Steve’s trachea. Glorious, precious air immediately resumed its normal flow. Stunned gatherers’ gasps turned into applause. Word began to spread of this heroic good deed. A very grateful Steve acknowledged that the man, a good friend of his as it turns out, had saved his life.
 
The weekend went off without a hitch afterwards. More than a weekend, really – a five-day extravaganza of fun and fundraising that takes place each year on California’s Monterey Peninsula. It included a pro-am golf tournament featuring well-known attendees such as Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Kurt Russell, Don Cheadle, and Phil Mickelson.
 
As for Steve John? Well, after dodging dairy demise, he has continued to serve as CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, working with top businessmen and women, partnering with the PGA Tour and many other organizations, all in service to those less fortunate.
 
Oh, and the man, Steve’s friend who saved him? He’s still acting, directing, producing, donating. Yes, the man who played the hero so many times in reel life played an even bigger part in real life. For when Steve was stricken and choking on that piece of cheese nine years ago, his life was saved by a Heimlich maneuver, executed perfectly by none other than fellow board member…83-year-old fellow board member…Clint Eastwood. Yes, THAT Clint Eastwood.
 
And now you know…the rest of the story!
 
(Paul Harvey, he of the timeless voice that first came through our airwaves during World War II, entertained and informed for over sixty years. Though forever silenced over a decade ago, his immortal legacy lives on. Thank you for allowing me to pay a little tribute – a true story and an attempt to mimic his style, which decades ago so inspired young listeners like this one.)
 
Westwood Living? No…thank YOU for living in Westwood. See you next month, and Iook forward to hearing from you any time at jayresha@comcast.net. Good day!