AARP THE MAGAZINE
Michael J. Fox Says
‘My Ship Will Come In’

ICHAEL J. FOX, 44, was honored at the annual AARP The Magazine awards luncheon for his efforts in behalf of Parkinson’s research. He wondered where the time went – it was only yesterday he was getting the Teen Beat award. "For many people," he said, "I’ve become the public face of Parkinson’s. I fully believe our ship will come in."

Editor Steven Slon presented the AARP The Magazine Impact Awards to ten individuals whose innovative thinking and activity improved the world. CNN personality Paula Zahn emceed the program at the New York Public Library.

Jane Kaczmarek, 50, known for her role as the angst-ridden mom on Fox’s Malcolm in the Middle, remarked, "Unlike Paula who has a while to reach her semi-centennial, I will reach it in a couple of weeks." Congrats! By the way, Paula will be 50 on February 24.

Harry Belafonte, 78, was thrilled to have been the cover recently of AARP The Magazine. "That served to dispel rumors of my death," he said. "What you’ve done to validate me is driving Bill O’Reilly nuts."

Nancy Barry, 56, president of Women’s World Bank that makes loans to poor women, said, "When I turned 55 I received a totally welcome invitation to join AARP. Many of the women who receive our loans are in their 60s and 70s."

Health crusader Gov. Mike Huckabee, 50, of Arkansas, said he feels as out of place as Russell Crowe in a cellphone store. He figured out why AARP is honoring him: "By following my advice to be active and extend your lifespan by 13 years, their membership will grow."

Singer Naomi Judd, 60, poverty fighter, skipped the luncheon so could rush home to be with her mother who became seriously ill.

John Rosenwald, vice chairman of Bear Stearns, accepted on behalf of Alan Reich who died a month before the luncheon at age 75. Reich broke his neck while diving at age 32, and subsequently became a disability activist. "I’m not going to comment on my age," Rosenwald said, "but the underwear I’m wearing might qualify for membership."

Marylen Mann, 68, of OASIS that helps people in retirement; Dr. Norman McSwain, 57, of Tulane University School of Medicine, who helped Louisiana hurricane victims, and pollution fighter Margie E. Richard, 64, also received 2006 Impact Awards.