Kid Number One to be published in September!

Kid Number One: A story of heart, soul and business, featuring Alan Hassenfeld and Hasbro is
a compelling narrative through a culturally and socially relevant world that is rarely seen -- a world that will interest all, whether you are into history, biography, politics or the high-stakes businesses of toys, games, entertainment and Hollywood.

My 17th published book, Kid Number One is both prequel and sequel to my Toy Wars: The epic struggle between G.I. Joe, Barbie and the companies that make them, the bestselling and critically acclaimed tour-de-force of the toy and entertainment universe.

Visit the Kid Number One website to learn more, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

#KidNumberOne 
Summary

Having escaped religious persecution in Eastern Europe in 1903, Alan Hassenfeld’s grandfather and great-uncle arrived in America as penniless teenage immigrants – refugees who went from hawking rags on the streets of New York City to building what became the world’s largest toy company, Hasbro. Alan’s father, Merrill, brought Mr. Potato Head and G.I. Joe to consumers and his only brother, Stephen, made Hasbro a Fortune 500 company and Hollywood player. Alan was the free spirit who wanted to write novels, date beautiful women and travel the world. He never wanted to run Hasbro, and no one ever believed he would – or could.

Stephen and Alan Hassenfeld, in happy times.

And then Stephen died, tragically of AIDS. “Kid Number One,” as Alan liked to call himself, was suddenly chairman and CEO. Silencing the skeptics, he took the company to greater heights – and then almost killed it with a series of bad decisions including Hasbro’s acquisition of rights to POKéMON. Putting ego aside, Hassenfeld gave his long-time lieutenant Al Verrecchia command and set in motion a plan whereby he would leave the corner office. Verrecchia saved the company, and after renewed success, he himself retired, leaving Hasbro in the hands of current CEO and chairman Brian Goldner, so highly regarded that he was brought onto the board of CBS.

Alan Hassenfeld and Al Verrecchia, running Hasbro.

With his fortune, Hassenfeld could have sailed into the sunset on a yacht, but instead, he went to work expanding the long family tradition of Tikkun Olam – “repairing the world” – begun by his grandfather and great-uncle, who, grateful to have survived, tirelessly helped immigrants and needy citizens of their new country. Alan Hassenfeld’s philanthropy has helped build two children’s hospitals, establish numerous educational and health programs, train young doctors and scientists, resettle refugees, promote peace in the Mideast and more. For decades, he also has been a highly visible advocate for national political and ethics reform, despite personal threats and the scorn of crooked politicians.

Alan Hassenfeld at the Rhode Island State House.

Kid Number One: A story of heart, soul and business, featuring Alan Hassenfeld and Hasbro, weaves these stories into a seamless, dramatic narrative that begins with the slaughter of Jews in 1903 Poland and continues to today -- when in an era of unchecked narcissism and greed, Hassenfeld, like Bill Gates, serves as a model for what people of great wealth can do when they put self aside. Kid Number One also chronicles the history of American toys -- and not just such Hasbro classics as Monopoly, Transformers and Star Wars, but also Mattel’s timeless brands including Barbie and many lesser-known toys by companies large and small, many no longer in existence.

Hassenfeld in his family foundation headquarters.

Both prequel and sequel to Toy Wars: The epic struggle between G.I. Joe, Barbie and the companies that make them, the bestselling and critically acclaimed book, Kid Number One is a compelling narrative that will interest all.

Thanks to fellow author Raina C. Smith for the great web design!

Fr. Jared Costanza's homily at Jim Taricani's funeral, June 27, 2019

Fr. Jared Costanza celebrated Jim's funeral Mass at Christ the King Church in Kingston and delivered an extraordinary homily that was part of an extraordinary farewell to the wonderful person and journalist, Jim Taricani. The Mass was rich with remembrance, praise, music (the Beatles, no less!) and humor that Jim would so have appreciated in Father Costanza's words and remarks by federal judge William Smith.

Here is the text of Father Costanza's homily:

Late Friday night, a knock was heard at heaven's door.

St. Peter called out, "Who is it?"

The answer came: “It’s Jim Taricani."

Just then, every cardinal, priests and bishop up there yelled: “Everybody run! Hide! Don’t open that door!”

Of course, we know the Lord well enough to realize that his door is never locked –

it always opens when we knock.

Our God is a Father who sits and waits by that door, watching for us, keeping vigil,

until we all make it home safely –

especially after a journey like the one Jim took: long. Winding. Rocky. Steep. Tough.

But tough roads and tough journeys make for tough people, and that’s why so many people admired Jim:

he stayed the course in the face of adversity – he was tough; he was a fighter.

And for that reason, you always wanted him on your side …

and that’s exactly where Rhode Islanders found him: on their side... in their corner,

giving meaning to the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword.”

Jim had no fear.

He wasn’t afraid of the mob, he wasn’t afraid of the feds, he wasn’t afraid of judges or prisons;

he wasn’t afraid of the sacrifices – he wasn’t even afraid of dying.

He carried his crosses with courage – always with courage.

Professionally, fear would have cost Jim his reputation; personally, it would’ve cost him his life.

So for Jim, fear wasn’t even an option –

there was too much at stake; too many precious things would be lost, especially the trust that he built up.

Father Costanza

More than telling stories and breaking news, Jim used his passion to build trust –

his work and dedication allowed him to build relationships with the community, and it was a SACRED trust –

what a privilege that was for Jim – such an incredible opportunity ...

but such a great responsibility – a responsibility that Jim took so professionally, so seriously.

He knew his audience, and he trusted his audience.

We can think back to Jesus, who used parables to teach –

Jesus trusted his audience to look deeper, beyond the surface meaning of those stories, right?

Journalists inspire their audiences to look deeper into social issues and to grow; change; reform;

to become better, greater – more aware, more unified, and thus better equipped to work out our problems

and respond to the opportunities we get to make a difference,

contribute to the community, and advance the common good.

Jim’s many gifts, blessings, and talents, for which we give thanks at this Mass, were not used selfishly;

Jim used them in service to others –

so many others, who looked up to him as a guide, a teacher, a mentor, a big brother, an advocate –

because he challenged people to become more;

he inspired them to discover their own blessings and strengths,

and to engage them in order to reach their potential to be great.

Jim believed that journalism is a service industry: it’s a service to the community; it’s a service to the truth,

And, when it’s considered a privilege and used responsibly,

it has the power to bring about change for the better –

change to help common folks and the common good,

by uncovering the truth, which is so often beneath the surface, beyond the boundaries, and behind barriers,

but wherever it was, Jim wouldn’t quit until he found it, and his passion helped to form public opinion.

Of course, Jim had some opinions of his own, and he wasn’t afraid to let you know about them.

Scan his Twitter page, and you will come across gems like these:

(*) “The way many Rhode Islanders rush to get milk and bread at mention of a snowstorm

is THE most ridiculous thing I've seen in my 44 years in RI.”

              (*) “Why ANYONE would believe ANYTHING in ANY campaign ad is beyond me.”

              (*) Commenting on a story about how Rhode Island is ranked #1 in structurally deficient bridges,

Jim said: "At least we're #1 in something!"

              (*) And my favorite of Jim’s observations:

“The state should have let mob bookies run the [sports] gambling... they know how to make it

profitable.”

Surely, the many crosses that Jim carried through this world were made lighter by his sense of humor!

Then, on a more serious note, on August 22, last year, the 22nd anniversary of Jim's heart transplant, Jim said:

"Thank God for my organ donor."

Jim was very humbled and thankful that his life was saved and very much extended –

far beyond the time that he was told that he would have – and that overwhelmed him; it humbled him.

It began with a young man named Alvaro (AL-vah-ro) Leveron,

whose parents allowed his heart to be harvested and given to Jim.

Because of that spirit of thoughtfulness, selflessness, and generosity,

the tragedy that took Alvaro’s life was not the end of him – it wasn’t the end of his story.

Instead, his spirit would live on, his story could be told and retold in the new lease on life that Jim received.

And Jim wanted to honor Alvaro by being honorable and living honorably because he felt so greatly blessed.

It reminds me of the story of a boy who was swimming at the beach,

got caught up in the riptide and began to drown.

After his friends hadn’t seen him surface, they became to scream and shout for the lifeguard.

The lifeguard jumped from his chair, ran across the beach, and swam as fast as he could to reach the child.

He found him, carried him back to shore, and performed CPR until the boy was revived.

After the child came to, he caught his breath, and wiped his tears away, and finally looked up at the lifeguard and said, “Mister, how can I repay you, you saved my life!”

The lifeguard said, “It’s okay kid. Just make sure your life was worth saving.”

Jim made sure his life was worthy of being saved – worthy of another’s sacrifice and goodness.

What honor Jim brought to his donor by living an honorable life.

Today, we give thanks to the God who has given us a heart to live and to love; to forgive and let live.

We remember that our heavenly Father is the divine donor who gives us a mind to think; a body to act…

passions to inspire us; He gave us a mouth to speak and pass on blessings and encouragement to others;

He gave us eyes to see, to notice the needs of others; ears to hear the cry of the poor and marginalized;

He gave us a conscience to follow.

What honor we bring to our Creator when we use those gifts He has given to us for the benefit of others.

Jim’s priorities often centered around others.

And Jim was always able to recognize the goodness in people – he could spot a con artist, for sure –

he once referred to his “con artist antennas,”

like radar I guess for con artists… and… artists of a… similar kind, we might say.

But more importantly, he could also spot the goodness in people; in the community; in you.

Even when, sometimes, you couldn’t see it in yourself, Jim could see it and bring out the best in you.

And all that goodness he saw inspired him to hold out hope –

even in the darkness, brokenness, and confusion of our world, there’s always light.

There needs to be more, and Jim did his part to shine the sunlight where it needed to go,

in more ways than one.

Ask him how he was feeling, even on his most difficult days, and he’d say: “Good!” “Great!”
That’s how grateful he was to be living:

his experience gave him a fierce determination to live and to make the best out of life, and to enjoy life.

And when life is good, you have no room or time to complain about your struggles, and he didn’t.

There’s no use cursing the darkness when you can light a lamp and be light for others in the darkness.

As a light himself, Jim was certainly very grateful for the many honors, award, and recognitions he received for his work,

but he was more interested in honoring the work of others:

congratulating you for your accomplishments, stories, awards, and hard work in those news rooms –

“Great scoop!” he’d say… “Great insight!” “Great instincts!” –

And if you were a journalist? And you heard that from Jim?

That meant everything to you; it inspired you, because you knew Jim was legit –

you don’t become a legend like Jim without having experienced what it takes –

the risks, the hours, the sacrifices, the commitment, the patience …

staying the course even when others doubt you or discourage you.

Jim acknowledged and appreciated this when he saw it in others; he was so quick and generous to offer praise

to those whose work was truly solid and inspiring and changed things for the better:

especially teachers, veterans, nurses, firefighters and EMTs…

He praised organ donors, ALL of you… journalists, MOST of you... politicians, SOME of you…

and clergy … okay, NONE of us! But he was fair, he was honest…

Nothing was personal, but no one was above the fray or beyond reproach,

and this is why he’s being remembered the way he is, and why we respected him:

he had a job to do, people to serve, and a truth to uncover,

and he would stop at nothing to serve that truth –

he would have given his life for free speech and a free press,

and if he had, he would have joined some 34 journalists who were murdered throughout the world in 2018.

Another 60 were killed on the job, having put their lives in danger covering violence, corruption, and war.

More than 250 are sitting in jails today, just for doing their duty.

People have the right to the truth; and it’s a journalist’s obligation to find and report it.

We take that for granted – even here at home,

where we see them belittled, demeaned, dismissed and targeted

by those whose power is threatened by honesty and transparency.

“Keep digging!” Jim would say, “Keep digging!” and the legal protections will come, freedom will prevail,

truth will prevail, and your work will continue to bear fruit for the world; it will speak for itself.

We’ll be amazed by what we find when we “keep digging” through life, as Jim did.

We will find the strength to overcome obstacles.

We will find a deep appreciation for the people in our lives and the freedoms we enjoy.

We will discover and rediscover our meaning and purpose in this world,

and learn to be satisfied and at peace with who we are, what we have, and where we’re going.

We will experience the support of so many good people in the community we share.

We will learn to appreciate the value of life and the time we have left in this world.

We don’t know how long we’ll have, so we’ve gotta make it count,

and embrace every day, every opportunity, with Jim’s attitude and courageous spirit –

a spirit too powerful, too pure to be bound inside of a box or a grave.

Open the door, Lord God, and let the spirit of your servant Jim abide with you, and rest in you,

for you are the way, the truth, and the life.

Amen.

Afterward, some of Jim's friends, Providence Journal staffers past and present, members of a many-media honor guard, gathered to chat. If I may (with a single, over-used word) describe everyone's reaction to the service it would be: Wow. Thanks, Jim, for all you did for so many.

History Starts Here award from the Newport Historical Society

On June 20, 2019, Story in the Public Square co-host and co-producer Jim Lude and I were honored to receive the inaugural History Starts Here award in historic Colony House in Newport, R.I. The award from the Newport Historical Society "will be offered annually to an individual or organization who is making history now or making opportunities for thinking about how history is important to today," according to the society.

We were selected on a vote of the center staff! Folks, it does not get any better than this.

These were my remarks on accepting from society executive director Ruth S. Taylor and Paul McGreevy, president of the board of directors. Jim also spoke.

Paul, Jim, Ruth and me.

Thank you, Ruth. Thank you, Paul. And thank you Newport Historical Society for this amazing honor. Jim Ludes and I were surprised – maybe “shocked” is a better word – when we learned we would be receiving it. And so, with humility, we accept.

My first connection to the Historical Society was in 1983, when I was assigned to The Providence Journal’s old Newport bureau, over there on Thames Street. We were writing stories about the 20th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy and your archives were an invaluable resource to me. That time was but the first of many hours I have since passed researching stories and books at NHS. What a treasure you are.

This being a celebration of history, let me relate a bit of Story in the Public Square’s own.
Seven years ago this February, in a shop that was literally just around the corner here, I joined Jim for a conversation over coffee. We had met the previous October, when the Pell Center hosted the launch party for my biography of Claiborne Pell, “An Uncommon Man.”

On that winter day – February 23, 2012, to be precise -- Jim discussed his ideas for making the Pell Center the robust place it has become. I, in turn, discussed my desire to extend my storytelling into the academic world. 

And so, Story in the Public Square was born. How strange – or maybe not – that our own history began a stone’s throw from Colony House and the Newport Historical Society.

Within a few months, Jim and I had formed a partnership between the Pell Center and The Providence Journal. I was named a visiting fellow and director of Story in the Public Square, and with Teresa Haas, Mia Lupo, and some Salve students, we got to work.

A year later, we staged our first major event: a day-long conference during which we awarded Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dana Priest the inaugural Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square. The next year, 2014, we staged our second Story conference, with Emmy-winning actor, screenwriter, producer and hit show Empire creator Danny Strong, recipient of the second annual Pell Prize.

And in June 2015, Lisa Genova, best-selling author of “Still Alice” and other novels, received the third annual Prize. Jim and I had the bright idea that interviewing her would make for a good TV show, and so we built a set at the Pell Center and rolled the cameras.

The production qualities were, in a word, terrible.

Mercifully, the world will never see that tape.

But sometime later, Jim had another idea – and this one actually was bright. Why not record at a real TV studio – namely, Rhode Island PBS? So we did, producing eight monthly episodes broadcast in 2016 as part of the show White House Chronicle. Llewellyn and Linda are here today and thank you.
And then, one more idea: Why not our own weekly program?

Rhode Island PBS was enthusiastic, so we had a set designed and built, and in January 2017 we taped our first two shows: Naval War College professor and author Tom Nichols, and Loren Spears, director of the Tomaquag Museum, Rhode Island’s Native American history and culture center, and Christian Hopkins, a Standing Rock activist.

 It was game on. Jim and I sometimes say we did not have a clue what we were doing – and to an extent still don’t! -- but the awesome crew at RI PBS does. Thanks to them and an incredible roster of guests – more than 120 storytellers to date, from the worlds of books, film, academia, journalism, still photography, politics, art and more – we were able to go national in September 2018. Today, the program is carried in 43 of the top 50 markets in America, with more than 450 total broadcasts weekly – plus weekly audio on SiriusXM Radio.

With Salve Regina University Sr. Jane Gerety, a supporter from day one!

Over the last few weeks, we have been busy recording our National Season Three, which kicks off July 8 with Lisa Genova, who, despite the debacle of 2015, graciously agreed to return. Following Lisa will be Pulitzer-Prize winning editorial cartoonist Adam Zyglis, the brilliant poet Maggie Smith, and Danny Strong. And many more through the end of the year.

In closing, let me again thank the Newport Historical Society – and the Rhode Island PBS crew, our many great guests, Salve Regina University, and The Providence Journal.
And finally, of course, my partner Jim. Who knew where that conversation seven years ago would lead?

We didn’t... but history sure can be funny that way, I think you’ll agree.

This is an actual transcript of a live chat I had recently with a firm that is supposed to reimburse me for out-of-pocket payments for acupuncture, which is covered by this firm. 

I present this as a public service. 

[Customer Service Representative]: Thank you for contacting [firm's] Customer Service. My name is [CSR]: How may I help you today?

 G Miller: Why was only $23.09 paid to me directly for the 4/30/19 acupuncture? Total of service was $85, which has always been paid directly to me, now I see $61.91 was "paid back to account." I don't know what that means or why

[CSR]: Good day, I can definitely check that for you. One moment while I access your account.

 [CSR]: Your Pay Me Back claim was applied towards your unverified card transactions. Unverified card transactions were cleared by applying your valid claim against the unverified balance. You can still be reimbursed for your original card transactions by filing those transactions as a Pay Me Back claim.

 [CSR]: If you click that claim for $85.00 we can be able to see what transaction we need to submit and once it's approved you will get that amount as a reimbrusement.

 G Miller: I have no idea what you just wrote and i have been a professional journalist for 41 years. Can you please try again?

 G Miller: I have that claim up now and there is no indication of what "we need to submit"

 G Miller: Can you please put a supervisor on?

 [CSR]: Okay, so you have this unverified transaction that is asking for us to submit an itemized receipt that was way back on 1/10/19. If we did not submit a receipt for 90 days and once we submit a pay me back, automatically the payment for that will be applied on your unverified card transactions.

 [CSR]: For you to be reimbrused by the full amount, we need to submit the itemized receipt of that specific transaction.

 [CSR]: Kindly go to claims and activity and click the claims for the status that was paid back to acocunt.

 [CSR]: And on the lower part, under Claim Line Item Payment Accounting. Please click the Card ID number:

XXXXXXXXX.

 G Miller: There is no way to click that Card ID number. It's just a number, with no link

 G Miller: I have the itemized receipt, how can I get it to you?

 [CSR]: Kindly submit that as a pay me back.

 G Miller: where do I find a "pay me back"?

 [CSR]: That card ID turns into color blue if we click it.

 [CSR]: Just submit that receipt under dashboard there's an option for submit receipt or claim.

 [CSR]: Same as with what you did for the $85.00

 [CSR]: This unverified transaction is from "YYY” for $61.91.

 [CSR]: Are you still with me? I'd be happy to assist you further.

 [CSR]: I am entering the info now

 [CSR]: Okay. Thank you. Once it's submitted. 2-3 business days for the processing of approval

.

 [CSR]: Is there anything else for me?

 G Miller: no and thank you.

 [CSR]: I'm so pleased to have assisted you today.

 [CSR]: Thank you for using WageWorks Chat Support. Have a wonderful day.

 [CSR]: has disconnected.