Singles Scene Newsletter 4/03/00 issue 19 sing-@primenet.com In this issue: * Singles News Briefs * Singles Site of the Week * All Singles Dance Schedule * Arizona Date Ideas * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Singles News Briefs by Janet L. Jacobsen Wanted: Women desperate to marry. The marketing industry magazine Direct reports that Tom Arnold, famous in part for being the ex-husband of Rosanne, is looking for a bride via his web site. Next to a photo of Tom, www.marrytom.com announces, "Tom Arnold is searching for a bride. You could be the lucky lady." His requirements include that she: has to like him, is an adult single woman of child-bearing age, is willing to relocate, has some goal (even if it's being a wife and mother), and "is self-confident enough to wear a bathing suit on the beach." Applicants must send a photo. Next to the application form to marry Tom, is a form for Internet service provider DSL Advantages. The magazine calls the site "Arnold's oh-so-compatible marriage of self-promotion and greed at any cost." "Speed Dating" hurries love for Jewish singles. A recent New York Times article reports on SpeedDating, invented by Aish HaTorah, an international Jewish educational resource center in Los Angeles, "to discourage intermarriage and preserve Jewish heritage." They were looking for a way to help secular Jews meet each other. The SpeedDating sessions bring together twenty men and twenty women for a series of eight-minute one-to-one-conversations. After each "date" they complete a card on whether they'd like to see the person again. If both indicate interest, the coordinators provide each with the other's phone number within 48 hours. The "matchmaking" program has now spread to 15 cities and five countries and has a reported 50 percent success ratio: half find at least one match to date. Is marriage going out of style? The divorce rate has remained fairly stable but the marriage rate continues to fall, according to the March report from the National Center for Health Statistics. For the 12-month period ending with March, the divorce rate was 4.3 per thousand population in 1997 and '98, and just 4.2 for 1999. For the same period the marriage rate fell from 9.0 in 1997 to 8.8 in 1998 and 8.3 in 1999. More aid urged for children abducted by parents. The U.S. State Department estimates that more than 1000 children are abducted each year by a parent and taken to live in a foreign country. The General Accounting Office recently called on the federal government to take a more active role in helping American parents recover their children. Oklahoma applies welfare funds to promoting marriage. USA Today reports that the state of Oklahoma is assigning a significant portion of its federal welfare funds to promoting marriage. Oklahoma's governor has pledged to reduce the state's divorce rate by one-third by 2010. Among the plans: working with religious leaders to create marriage-strengthening programs; create a marriage resource center to provide information and support for marriages; skills-based marriage improvement courses; a marriage expert in residence for one year at Oklahoma State University; and a statewide marriage conference. Divorce more difficult for men. According to a recent report in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a study of the cause of death of 472,000 men and women between 1979 and 1989 found that being single or widowed had no impact on suicide rates. But men who are separated or divorced are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as men in relationships, regardless of age, income or education level. Divorce did not impact female suicide rates, however. Manners aren't what they used to be. A recent column in the New Yorker magazine reported on etiquette-related web sites. "Etiquette Hell" (www.thinds.com/jmh/ehell) collects wedding-related horror stories, including "the best man who accused the groom--his brother--of getting more women than him and then burst into tears." And then there's the groom "who passed out once and threw up three times--during the ceremony." Hooked on-line? If you're wondering where everyone is these days, maybe those free trial Internet discs that come in the mail regularly [note: they make nice coasters] are to blame. AOL, for instance, offers you 250 free hours, which have to be used within a month of sign-in. There's just 720 hours in a 30-day month; take out 160 hours for work, and 210 hours for sleep, and you have just 350 hours left in the month for everything else you do. If you used up your 250 hours . . . listen, you need to get out more. Quotable. "Do you know...that your fervent wishes can only find fulfillment if you succeed in attaining love and understanding of men, and animals, and plants, and stars, so that every joy becomes your joy and every pain your pain?" Albert Einstein. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Singles Site of the Week - "Welcome to the In-and-Out Club website! We are a free volunteer singles activities club located in Phoenix, AZ. It's a great way to meet new people while doing fun things. All you have to do is show up!" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALL SINGLES DANCE SHEDULE: APRIL Fri. 14 Scottsdale Radisson, 7171 N. Scotts. Rd. Fri. 21 Camelback Inn, 5402 E. Lincoln Dr. Call 480-949-8076 (press 1) for more info or see *********************** DATE IDEAS Tuesday 11 PRAISE & WORSHIP: Phoenix Afterdark. 7p.m. Chapel, N. Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave. Designed especially for single and young adults. Call Brent at 707-5724 for more info. DINNER: North Phoenix Singles, 6pm at Joey's Italian Restaurant, 7th St. & Bell. Call 602-788-7041. HAPPY HOUR: Ahwatukee-Foothills Single Professionals, 7pm at Tijuana Country Club, 3820 E. Ray Rd. Call 480-893-1985. RIM COUNTRY SINGLES: meeting at Mario's Restaurant, Payson. 6:30pm. Call 520-472-6472. TUCSON HAPPY HOUR: The Network Singles Group. Singles over 30. 5:30-7:30p.m. Bum Steer, 1910 N. Stone. Call 520-722-0172 for info. TUCSON SINGLES BRIDGE PARTY: Bridge Center, 3131 E. 1st St. 7p.m. Call Tom 520-885-8660 for more info. Wednesday 12 CARDS: Card Players, 5:30pm at JB's, 35th Ave. & Northern. Dinner and cards. Call 602-604-8470. KARAOKE: NW Singles Karaoke Club, 9pm at Copper Door, 13818 N. 51st Ave. Call 602-439-3436. BOCCE SINGLES: 7pm at 7509 N. 12th St. Will teach. Call 602-956-5104 or boc-@juno.com HAPPY HOUR: North Phoenix Singles, 5pm at Don Pablo's, 4731 E. Cactus. Call 602-569-0409. DINNER & GAMES: Fifty Plus Friendship Connection. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Three Brothers Restaurant, 3422 W. Glendale Ave. Call 602-482-1834 or 602-995-4910. DINNER: West Valley Singles, 7pm at Famous Sam's, 4343 W. Glendale. Call 602-230-4100. COFFEE TALK: Single Parents Association, 7pm at Coffee Plantation in Scottsdale, Shea and Scottsdale Rd. Call 480-614-0731. MEETING: Sunrise, support group for Divorced, Separated & Widowed. 6:30 p.m. Pastoral Ministry House of St. Jerome's, 3450 W. Desert Cove. Call 602-942-5555 for info TUCSON NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION AND RAP SESSION: Parents Without Partners, PWP Chapter Hall, 2447 N. Los Altos. 7p.m. 602-622-8120. Thursday 13 "TALK IT OVER": Illuminators Singles. 7:30p.m., Fireside Room, Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr. Call 991-6424 for more info SINGLES BALLROOM DANCE: MERRYMAKERS. Live music. 7:30p.m. Las Palmas, 215 N. Power, Mesa. $4, guests welcome! Proper attire: no shorts, jeans or t-shirts. Call 480-424-7681. HAPPY HOUR: Society for the Arts, 6pm at Handlebar J, 7116 E. Becker Ln. Call 602-230-8990. UNI-TENNIS: 7:30-9p.m. Ramada Valley Ho, Indian School & 68th St. Singles only. Call Stan 480-945-6321, ext. 7753. SQUARE DANCING: Valley Singles Squares: First Presbyterian Church, 161 N. Mesa Dr., Mesa. Rounds at 7:30p.m. Squares at 8p.m. $3 donation. Call 480-941-1421for more info. Friday 14 ALL SINGLES DANCE: Scottsdale Radisson Resort, 7171 N. Scottsdale Rd. $6.50, 8 pm. All singles welcome. Call 480-949-8076, press 1. PINOCHLE CLUB, NON-SMOKING: 7p.m. in members' homes. Please call Val 623-849-4956 for more info. SCOTTSDALE/EAST VALLEY PINOCHLE GROUP: 7:30p.m. Call Nancy 480-945-2399 for location and info. GATHERING/SOCIAL: Single Parents Association, 7pm at Mission Bell United Methodist Church, 4645 W. Bell. Call 602-335-1629. SINGLES TENNIS: Unstrung Raquets. Play at Radisson Resort, 7171 N. Scottsdale Rd. 6:30 pm. Singles mixed doubles. Call 480-632-4634 for more info. SUPPORT GROUP: A supportive place to talk about single life. Ahwatukee/Tempe area. 7pm. Call 480-893-8323. HAPPY HOUR: West Valley Singles. 5 pm at Ramada Inn, 12027 N. 28th Dr. Dancing after. Call 602-230-4100. Saturday 15 SINGLES DANCE: Bethany Community Church, 6240 S. Price Rd, Tempe, $5, 7pm. Call 480-456-0499. "TIME OUT": Central Singles, Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave, Phoenix. 5:30pm. Call 602-258-1207. SPRING FLING: North Phoenix Singles, 6:30pm at Ramada Inn Dining Room, 502 W. Camelback. Call 602-788-7041. DINNER THEATER: West Valley Singles, 5pm at The Ridge, 12215 W. Bell, Surprise. Dinner and show. RSVP to 623-486-4866. JIM HENRY SHOW: West Valley Singles, 6:15pm at The Ridge, 12215 W. Bell in Surprise. Reservations required. Call 623-486-4866. SPRING PARTY: Society for the Arts, "Puttin' on the Ritz." Cocktail dress requested, at Marshall Arts Gallery, 4168 N. Marshall Way. $30. Call 602-230-8990. PINOCLE: Gilbert/Mesa/Ahwatukee area. 6:30pm. Call 480-821-5332. GOLF: Singles Golf Assoc. Seeking new experienced golfers to play golf at various golf courses around Valley. Call 480-423-9378. Sunday 16 SINGLES BIBLE & DISCUSSION: Central Singles' ABCD's, 9am, Rm. 207, Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Call 602-258-1207. SINGLES DISCUSSION GROUP: 12:30pm Scottsdale Senior Center, 7375 E. Second S t. (SW Corner 2nd St. & Civic Center Blvd). Age 45+. Adjourn at 1:30 p.m. for lunch & conversation. Call Sue, 480-948-2894 or Chuck, 480-585-0273. ROLLERBLADING: In-Out Singles, 10am in Scottsdale Green Belt. Meet at Albertson's parking lot Hayden and Indian Bend. Contact mi-@in-out.org SINGLES STUDY CLASS: Valley Presbyterian Church, 11a.m. Small group discussion, 6947 E. McDonald Dr. Call 991-6424. PICNIC/HIKE: Single Parents Association, 10am at Cave Creek Recreation area, 37904 N. Cave Creek Parkway. RSVP to 602-867-1701. KARAOKE: NW Singles Karaoke Club, 9pm at Backtracks, 4920 W. Thunderbird. Call 602-504-9701. SINGLES TENNIS: Unstrung Raquets. Play at Radisson Resort, 7171 N. Scottsdale Rd. 1:30 pm. Singles mixed doubles. Call 480-632-4634 for more info. SINGLES STUDY GROUP: First Christian Singles. 10:30a.m. First Christian Church, 6750 N. 7th Ave., Phx. Call 602-246-9206 for more info. CLUB MEETING: North Phoenix Singles, 1pm at 802 E. Vogel. Call 602-627-5072. UNI-TENNIS: 7:30-9p.m. Ramada Valley Ho, Indian School & 68th St. Singles only. Call Stan 480-945-6321, ext. 7753. Bible Study: Dayspring Singles Network, 9am at Dayspring United Methodist Church, 1365 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe. Call 480-838-1446. CROSS ROADS: 10:30a.m. Rm. I-3 at Price Plaza near Bethany Community Church, 6270 S. Price Rd., Tempe. For ages 22-27. Call 480-831-1453 for info. SINGLE ADULTS LEARNING TOGETHER (S.A.L.T.): Meets 9a.m. K-1, Bethany Community Church, Tempe. Ages 40+. Call 480-831-1453 for more info. SINGLE IMPACT: A Christian Singles Ministry. Meets 10:30a.m. K-1, Bethany Community Church, Tempe. Ages 28-40. Call 480-831-1453 for more info. MEETING: Jewish Baby Boomers, 7pm at Java Centrale, Metrocenter. Call 623-934-7587. 500 FOR SINGLES: (500 is a bidding card game). No charge & no dues. Call Val 623-849-4956 for info and location. MEETING: RISK. 7:30p.m. Scottsdale United Methodist Church, 4140 N. Miller Rd. Nondenominational group, 45 years old and over. Call Chuck at 480-970-5837, or 480-945-8003 for more info. SQUARE DANCING: Tucson Swingin' Singles, Rounds at 7pm, Squares at 7:30pm Call 520-319-8142.. Monday 17 DINNER AT CHUY'S: West Valley Singles, 5:15pm at Chuy's, Cave Creek and Cactus. Easter Pageant after. Call 623-934-1900. SPIRITUAL/SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Escape Singles Group, 7pm at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 7901 N. Central, Phoenix. Call 602-944-1524. POTLUCK DINNER: Singles At Large, at Central Christian Church, 933 N. Lindsay, Mesa. Call 480-924-4946. SINGLE DESERT VOICES TOASTMASTERS CLUB: Learn the art of public speaking. Guest participation optional. 7:30-9:00 p.m. Phoenix Public Library, 1221 N. Central, Phoenix, Conference Room B. Call Beth 623-623-939-4828 for info. TUCSON MIXED DOUBLES TENNIS: The Network Singles Group. 6pm. Hummel Park. Call 520-629-0188. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE ---------------------------------------------- If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or business associates. Thanks so much! To unsubscribe to this newsletter, send a blank email to singlesphx--@topica.com If a friend would like to subscribe, have them send a blank email to singlesphx-@topica.com