‘Jimmy Dunne Says’

The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”

‘An Old Shoe’

An “old shoe.”

Do you know what that is?

Being a Chicago guy, it’s about the greatest compliment you could possibly give a human being.

An old shoe is comfortable. Familiar. Feels good. Makes you all kinds of happy.

That’s an old shoe.

I ran into a great one on an evening stroll through town with my wife and dog, Louis.

It’s Palisadian Bo Hirsch. About 70, a 41-year-old smile, full of fun, smart and likes to pretend that he’s not the sentimental good-egg that he is.

Bo is a legend in the horse-racing world—and his dad, Clement Hirsch, is genuine horse-racing royalty.

Bo’s horse CeCe won a Breeders Cup race last year, on top of building exceptionally successful businesses along life’s way.

Bo and his absolutely fantastic wife Candy were having dessert with a couple old pals at Casa Nostra in town. My wife and I rudely plopped ourselves down at their table (with Louis crawling around under the seat hunting for crumbs.)

Bo told a great story that only old shoes know how to tell.

He started with a disclaimer about how even smart businessmen like his dad aren’t right all the time.

He said how his mom and dad (who have both passed away) got divorced, but still had a good enough relationship to pick up the phone and chat.

It was 1954. Bo’s mom was going to sell their fabulous home on a double lot with a stunning ocean view in the Huntington. For $75,000.

Can you imagine what that’s worth today?

A guy called his mom up with an offer. He said he’d give her the $75,000, but he’d like to do it in three buckets.

A third in cash, a third in a vacant lot, and a third in a big chunk of stock in his start-up jet company.

She called her divorced hubby with the offer for some sage business advice.

His dad laughed.

His dad said to her, “Maxine, you’re not sophisticated enough in the real estate business or in aircraft business.”

“I know jets. Everyone and their mother are trying to get in that business, and there are way more losers than winners.”

“By the way, Maxine. Where is this property?” he asked. He told her it’s surely something he just wants to dump.

“At the corner of Wilshire and Westwood Boulevard,” his mom said.

“Oh, my God,” his dad said. “You don’t want to buy a lot in a college town. College town lots are lousy investments.

“Who is this jet guy?” his dad asked.

“The guy’s name is Lear,” her mom said,

“Never heard of him,” his dad said.

“Take the cash.”

Bo smiled at all of us at the table and raised a toast, “To my dear old dad.”

We all smiled, looked at each other and took in the moment.

Just sitting around a town restaurant, listening to the music playing in the background, telling a story or two with terrific pals, folks walking by with a friendly wave.

Doesn’t get better than that.

Great old stories. When you think about it, they’re kind of like old shoes.

The more you wear ’em in, the better they get.

Jimmy Dunne is modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/ producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com.