A ‘Good’ story of radio, music, Disney and Dallas
BB Good of North Dallas had been the national midday host on Radio Disney for 10 years, but if you have a “tween” or “pre-tween” you already know that! Good was born and raised in Quincy, Mass. and grew up listening to Top 40 radio. She says she knew at a very early age that a job as a DJ would suit her. With the maiden name of Goodman, a nickname or stage name of BB Good seemed very appropriate. Good says, “My grandma’s name was Beatrice and everybody called her Bea. I liked that name and wanted to honor her memory, so I made up the name BB Good when I was starting out at the college radio station and it stuck!” 
Good graduated from Syracuse University’s prestigious Newhouse School of Public Communication in 1993 and has been doing radio since 1990. When the opportunity to work at Radio Disney happened in March 1998 she jumped at the chance to be a part of this exciting new medium. She moved from the Northeast here to Dallas and was subsequently moved again in 1999 to her own studio in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Five years in the vacation capital of the world flew by in a minute. “At WDW I was so lucky to be the ambassador to kids and their families from all over the U.S. and really the entire world.” Good interviewed celebrities for her daily midday show all the time — Julie Andrews, ’NSYNC, Gary Sinese, The Wiggles, and Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, to name a few. “Some of the most memorable moments happened outside my studio every afternoon with the families that would take time to visit; I would have the pleasure to get to meet our Radio Disney listeners face to face, and I am sure I am in lots of vacation scrapbooks.” After five years broadcasting in Walt Disney World, the Radio Disney studio was closed. The Disney Company invited
Good and her growing family back to Dallas to the ABC Radio Networks offices/studios. Good says she never thought she would be back in Dallas after the first go-round. “I just thought at the time that Dallas was a quick stop for me. Lucky for us that was not the case!”
Now this busy mother of four is looking forward to a real summer break with her family! “I have felt like a juggler for the past few years trying to balance the needs of our family, running our home, the work schedule, our community and life. I am so grateful for this little break to really figure out my/our next steps.” Good is involved with Make-A-Wish and continues to maintain relationships with some of the kids who have visited her over the years. “I was so lucky to know the staff and volunteers of Give Kids The World in Orlando (a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donates attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 85,000 families from all 50 states and over 60 countries). I plan to bring my own children back there for a visit when we are in Orlando this summer.”
So what’s next? For now BB is enjoying her family! This weekend, Good is joining Music Together of Dallas to host the Summer Dance Party, happening on Sunday, July 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the JCC, 7900 Northaven Road. This event promises to be the don’t-miss party of summer 2008. “I wanted to help out with this event for so many reasons … my kids, my husband and I all love music and of course having FUN together; we look for opportunities to make happy memories for our kids and this is a great way to get the whole family moving!” Local celebrities will help the festivities by sharing their favorite dance moves, and trained instructors will share their tips to beat the heat and keep our kids moving. “Just wait until you see my 3-year-old dance. He is so funny. He thinks he is one of the Doodlebops or maybe a Wiggle!”
BB Good lives in the North Dallas community with her wonderful husband Charles and their four sweet kids who LOVE to dance and have FUN!
JWV Bloom Post wants you!
Jerry Benjamin, a past Post Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of America, Dr. Harvey J. Bloom Post #256, is seeking members for this outstanding post that has received national recognition for the fine work that they perform at the VA Hospital. This post accepts Jewish men and women who have served in the U.S. armed services or the armed services of our allies (including Israeli IDF and others!). They also have a Patron membership for those who did not serve, but would nonetheless want to support the agenda of the JWV. Some of the deeds of lovingkindness that Post #256 has contributed to at the VA hospital in Dallas include: a new waiting room for the diabetes patients’ families, a new mini-golf course for the veterans, two covered bus stop stations at the hospital, serving dinners (to allow non-Jews time to be with their families during their holidays) and a presence at the DFW airport on a regular basis to meet and greet returning soldiers from Iraq (they actually will be doing that again this Sunday morning and welcome more volunteers!). Some rabbis may forget to mention, at the time of grief to families who have had a loss, the fact that in addition to the customary traditional Jewish funeral service, any deceased member of the JWV is entitled to a proper military funeral, performed in addition to the Jewish funeral (it takes about five minutes and three members of the post are in attendance, with a bugle, to play “Taps”). The JWVs pride themselves in displaying all the proper protocol befitting the honor and respect due our patriots who have served in the armed forces. Please mention this to your congregation as well. For further information, please contact PCC Jerry Benjamin, 214-368-5225.
Mazel tov to the Hersteins
Mazel tov to Jillian Herstein and Jacob Herstein for their recent achievements at the Levine Academy Middle School Awards assembly.
Jillian, who recently graduated from the Levine Academy, was the recipient of the Student of the Year Award for 2008. This award is given to the student who demonstrates exemplary leadership, outstanding scholarship and strong Jewish values. Jillian will attend high school at Yavneh Academy.
Jacob received the Mensch Award for the fifth grade. This honor is presented to a student for showing kindness and consideration to others throughout the year.
Jillian and Jacob previously attended the Fort Worth Hebrew Day School, where they received an early foundation for their secular and religious education. They’re the children of proud parents Bertta and Scott Herstein.