my funny Valentine | mom joel dad carol

Unlike my prompt father, I got around to Valentine's Day—that extremely meaningful Jewish holiday—late.

I celebrated last Tuesday by taking my most beloved Valentines—my parents—out for dinner, and then taking my mom to see Ellen Snortland's one-woman show about HER midwestern mom. (For more about that show, see my previous comments at "go see theater.") Ellen was doing a repeat fund-raising performance at the offices of Ms. Magazine, raising money to take her show to the United Nations Conference on Women. This location put us squarely in Beverly Hills.

So where could I take my folks to dine? Nate & Al's, of course.

Not having been to Nate & Al's for 15 years, I was shocked at how good the food really was (their whitefish salad ROCKED, and even their coleslaw!!!). Until then I would have argued that the best Jewish deli in Southern California was Brent's in Northridge. Now Brent's takes a close second.

But I digress.

While we chowed down, who should sit down in the booth directly behind me? Carol Burnett and Joel Grey.

Living in Southern California has meant constant celebrity spottings. After a while, they become a big yawn. But I grew up on a combination of Star Trek and The Carol Burnett Show as a kid, and who wasn't blown away by Joel Grey in Cabaret?

Anyway, I was sitting with my back to two real childhood heroes of mine. If I threw my head backwards, I would knock skulls with Carol Burnett! So I called the waitress over and whispered to her to bring two Doctor Brown's Cream Sodas to the table directly behind me, and put it on my bill.

A few minutes later I hear murmers behind me. "But there must be some mistake.... We didn't order these....."

And a moment after that, Ms. Burnett leans backwards, twists around, and thanks us. To which I replied "Actually, thank you, for all you have ever done all these years."

My funny Valentine.