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Participation rate is one of the measures by which universities are ranked, with Princeton being at the top. That’s because they’ve been at the annual fundraising game for a long, long time, with generations of families attending, creating a strong bond with the institution. Their annual giving program is a powerful machine with a huge alumni base. Caltech is a tiny university in comparison to, well, to just about anywhere. Our alumni base is small, under 20,000, even though the school was established in 1891. Most of our students receive substantial financial aid and the frequency of generational attendance is small.

I’m glad to say we are ahead of our goal for this year as of the end of July. Our fiscal goal is 30%, and we’re nearly there. More to come on this subject, various types of direct mail appeals, and more. Thanks to my pal Noel for his guidance and advice, as well as the AGPN crew and my coworkers.

While the usual phrase is “confined to a wheelchair,” there isn’t anything that confines this witty Brit’s spirit. As she quips, “What I lack in movement, I make up for vocally!” At 36, Wood is living her dream of living in America and performing. She had quite the jet-set life in England with a fairytale marriage, quirky parents, siblings, and a hot job as production manager for the BBC.

Now, she is writing a new chapter of stories that will keep you “rolling with laughter,” sometimes through tears. Her story is an empowering, humorous, one-of-a-kind take on life, love and lingerie – with a little disability and love of firemen thrown in – that inspires others to live as large as Wood does on a daily basis. This girl won’t be kept down – she’s rolling on, and spreading the laughter with her. Hang on and enjoy the ride!

Following this World Premiere, Rolling with Laughter will continue on to London for the Fringe Festival press previews in July 2007, in preparation for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival August 5-27, New York in October, culminating in a one-night fund-raising event in London’s West End for The Jennifer Trust (a Spinal Muscular Atrophy support organization) in the spring of 2008.

So, here are the details:
The World Premiere of Natasha Wood’s one woman show Rolling With Laughter opens at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, CA, Monday, April 2, 2007. This tale of life from Wood’s unique vantage point is written by Ms. Wood and Beverly Sanders, with Cameron Watson directing. Performances are in the El Portal’s Forum Theatre at 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through May 8. Tickets are $20 previews (April 2, 3), $25 for regular performances April 9-May 8. For tickets and information, call 818-508-4200, or visit www.elportaltheatre.com. Check out her blog at www.rollingwithlaughter.com and her video at www.rollingwithlaughter.com/video/htm. If you enter the code “debslaughing,” you can purchase your tickets for $15. You’ll be glad you did!

Today, let me just alert you to proofread menus and signs. This can be a riot. One of my favorites was a sign in Koreatown near downtown L.A. A couple of letters had fallen off and the result was “1 HOUR HO .” I’m sure you can figure out the missing letters, but the fun is in what was left! And we can only wonder what kind of business the store got…