Socrates (born c. 470 bce, Athens, Greece—died 399 bc, Athens), Greek philosopher whose way of life, character, and thought exerted a profound influence on ancient and modern philosophy. Viewed by many as the founding figure of Western philosophy, He grew up during the golden age of Pericles’ Athens, served with distinction as a soldier, but became best known as a questioner of everything and everyone. His style of teaching—immortalized as the Socratic method—involved not conveying knowledge, but rather asking question after clarifying question until his students arrived at their own understanding. He wrote nothing himself, so all that is known about him is filtered through the writings of a few contemporaries and followers, most notably his student Plato. Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens and sentenced to death. Choosing not to flee, he spent his final days in the company of his friends before drinking the executioner’s cup of poisonous hemlock.

May 2020
Sweetheart Photo Of The Month
Seattle, Washington
Heather Gordon (née Shanahan)

Heather grew up dancing in Washington State at Debbi’s Dance Etc, then under the Directorship of Founder, Debbi Halfhill. She’s had a full, and exciting relationship with I LOVE DANCE. She was a four-time National Sweetheart and first ever chosen Wolff Fording costume catalog model two years in a row. Before what would be her final Sweetheart performance, her group “Sparkle X 3” received a call from Star Search and they went on to become Star Search winners and semi-finalists. Heather’s professional career allowed her to travel the world; on cruise ships, to Off Broadway in New York City, televised performances in Los Angeles and multiple shows in Las Vegas. She was featured in EFX starring Michael Crawford, Viva Las Vegas and Folies Bergere as an Acro/Dancer. She was also promoted to Line Captain for several years. Now that Heather has three dancing daughters of her own and is retired from the stage, she continues her passion for dance and shares her vast knowledge at her popular Las Vegas Dance Studio - Heather's Dance Life.

FYI: Miss Heather was scheduled to judge I LOVE DANCE in Los Angeles - now postponed to March 21, 2021. Debbi’s Dance Etc continues to operate with Andrea Patton and Michelle Hager, Directors, who both continue to turn out Sweethearts at ILD in the Pacific Northwest. Debbi Halfhill resides in Las Vegas and actually is on Teaching Staff at Heather’s Dance Life (lucky Miss Heather and students!) along with other fabulous former Sweethearts - Shelley DeBoer and Leslie Edwards.

Pictured: Kim McKimmie and Heather Gordon.

May 2020

Celebrity Photo of the Month

Chaim Topol - known as “Topol” with Kim McKimmie.

His brief bio: Topol, (born September 9, 1935), is an Israeli actor, singer, comedian, voice artist, film producer, author, and illustrator. He is best known for his portrayal of Tevye, the lead role in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, on both stage and screen, having performed this role more than 3,500 times in shows and revivals from the late 1960s through to 2009. Topol went on to appear in more than 30 films in Israel and the United States, including Galileo (1975), Flash Gordon (1980) and For Your Eyes Only (1981). He is described as Israel's only internationally recognized entertainer from the 1960s through the 1980s. He won a Golden Globe for Best Actor and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his 1971 film portrayal of Tevye, and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in 1991 for the Broadway revival. He is a founder of Variety Israel, an organization serving children with special needs, and Jordan River Village, a year-round camp for Arab and Jewish children with life-threatening illnesses, for which he serves as chairman of the board. In 2015, he was awarded the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement.

In a Times article, the writer mentioned that he is trim, graceful and clean shaven and that he bears little resemblance to the bearded, burly persona of his signature role.

Now, 84 years old, he and his wife, Galia Finkelstein (married since 1956) have one son, two daughters and reside in Tel Aviv.

Miss Kim says, “Topol is a legendary actor and human being. I was very privileged to meet him in 2005 after one of the most memorable and enjoyable theatrical performances I’ve ever seen. Do yourself a favor and watch the 1971 movie, Fiddler on the Roof, again or for the first time.”