The $50,000 Question Meme

A philanthropist awards you $50,000 with the stipulation that you may use half of it for yourself and the other half you must use for the benefit of others. By “benefit of others” it can mean anything really, buying a gift for a family member or donating to a charity.

How do you spend the money on yourself?

I would go to Switzerland to study flute for a week with Sir James Galway in his annual Master Class.

Of course, with $25,000, I could take some extra time to see more of Europe, which would include Norway because I have always wanted to see my ancestral home.

How do you use the money for others? Please be detailed, so if you say “give X dollars to charity, let us know what charity and why you select that one.

I would give it all to Alzheimer’s Association because no family should ever have to experience “the long good-bye.”

If you were to spend part of your money to have a performer do a show for you, who would it be and why?

That’s a tough question because there are so many wonderful performers to choose from. I would have said Sir James had I not spent a whole day in Napa with him this past July. Having now had that opportunity, I guess I would probably book another James — Sweet Baby James Taylor, the coolest man on the planet. Every time I hear him sing, I marvel at how his voice ages like fine wine, growing richer, more nuanced, stronger over the years. He is an amazing musical talent. I would ask him to bring Bonnie Raitt with him.

If you were to use it on a new vehicle for yourself, what kind?

I have a very utilitarian, workmanlike attitude toward vehicles since I am the daughter of an auto mechanic. I demand solidly reliable transportation that is comfortable, but don’t view cars as collector’s or luxury items.

Since buying my husband’s new Toyota Tacoma pickup a couple of months ago, I have been threatening to get myself a new Camry. #1Son drives my ’96, so I would give him my ’04. Mattie-Boo will be 16 in November, so I would give him the ’96. We would then have four Toyotas. What would my father, who worked for a Chevrolet-Buick dealership prior to spending 27 years specializing in transmission work on Lincolns and Mercurys, say about the fact that I buy Toyotas, rather than cars made by American manufacturers? He would approve because he was the one who taught me to invest wisely and appreciate reliability.

If you spent part of it to go to a “fantasy” camp, what type would you choose? Is there a fantasy camp where you could just shop all day?

Broadway musical fantasy camp and we would perform, among others, “A Little Night Music.”

If you were to use it to buy season tickets for a sports team, what team would it be?

A few years ago, I would have been delighted to get Sacramento Kings season tickets, but now? Probably the 49ers. And then I would give them to friends because I would never actually make it to the games.

If you were to use it to go on a cruise (assuming you like cruises) where would you cruise to?

I’ve always wanted to cruise to Alaska.

If you were to use it to go to NYC to see a show (or shows) what would you see?

Oh, wow . . . I could go to a Broadway show every night of the week for many weeks before tiring of the experience. I would most likely see “Jersey Boys” again — saw it this past March and it was fabulous!

Totally off subject (but since Fall is coming) what is your favorite carnival food (I was watching “Big” while writing this and saw them at the carnival)?

A nice, cold beer. That’s not food? I don’t eat all that other junk they serve.