1967

In a recent profile headlined "Life in the Fast Lane," Burette's profiled Steve Shaffer and his new small-business investment company, Penny Lane Partners. (Yes, that is a nod to the Beatles.) It seems a change of rules at the S.B.A. now allows venture capital funds to leverage their money on a two-for-one basis and pay no interest until their investments mature. Steve and his partner have licensed their Princeton firm to start with a $32-million fund which will focus on high-potential small businesses. Their first investment was in a company which has patented the enzymatic process to convert A and Btype blood into universal donor O type blood. After Dartmouth and an M.B.A. from Cornell, Steve worked for commercial banks and managed funds for Founders Court Investments where he bought and sold companies, getting a return of more than 40 percent over ten vears on his investments.

One of the highlights of winter time in Hanover was a special screening of Marvin's Room, which Jerry Zaks attended. Jerry has had interesting things to say about the differences he found between directing his first film and his usual stage work. He talked of the ways in which he had to change his expectations without the longer rehearsal periods and the luxury of fine-tuning changes over time he is used to in the theater. At the same time, Jerry says the discovery of the possibilities of the film-editing process was a revelation to him. Anyone who has seen the film knows that once again Jerry has made quite some debut.

Have you made your reservations in Hanover for October 3-4 yet? Paul Killebrew and Rob Kugler report that the definite attendee list for our 30th Reunion is growing very long. It is a busy football weekend, so don't be disappointed. Book a room now. The theme of "Where do we go from here?" is of particular interest to me as I contemplate another career move. I look forward to hearing from some who have gone before on the same path.

Send me your news.

Jim Van Amburg,401 Walnut St., Englewood, NJ 07631

REUNION OCT. 2-5, 1997 Where do we go from here?