Summer, 2025

News Geezers

Hi everyone...

When I started the News Geezers in 2010 alongside Joel Tator and the late Michael Conley and Jack Terry, I never thought about the eventual day I’d be writing to tell you I am stepping down as the group’s driving force. But that day arrived on July 22, 2025.

I am into my 80’s now and a proud cancer survivor. But the planning, work and energy that goes into the News Geezers is at an end, at least for me. I am hopeful (but far from certain) someone in the group may want to take the reins. Hopefully, the Geezers (named all those years ago by the great Bob Long) will continue to generate new friendships and refresh long-ago professional relationships.

Our March 22nd lunch (during which we heard from the LA Wildfire victims among our group) and the May 31st gathering were my last as leader. The video highlights of the May 31 lunch can be viewed at:

https://youtu.be/7UDcmAX1BDk
Running time is 36 minutes.

No other lunches are scheduled. Encouragement and kind words from so many of you during the past 15 years has meant so much to me… no more so than during my illness and recovery. Thanks to all of you – especially those who faithfully attended our lunches at Victorios.

Some very special mentions:

To Joel Tator, my friend and colleague since the mid-60’s at KTLA, thank you for helping to power the Geezers with your grace, wisdom and wit.

To Steve Skootsky for pouring countless hours into helping produce some of the best programs we’ve done (from honoring Tom Snyder to the 50th anniversary salute to the Eyewitness News format to the News Choppers and Weathercasters).

To Bill Dawson, who managed the technical side, thank you for your audio-visual/television expertise and never give up attitude.

To Bruce Kerr and Andrew Lucero, thumbs up for helping make our gatherings shine.

To Vince Mack who—for many years—shot the head-on camera and to Robert Penfold, and others, who shot the B-Roll.

To Bonnie Burrow… who, in recent times at the reception table, welcomed each of you to our lunches.

And, of course, a mighty shoutout to Chef Robert and his super crew at Victorios in North Hollywood, which has been our venue for most of the Geezers run.

Finally, thanks to my wife Barbara for her constant support… and to son David for photographic and technical assistance and daughter Amanda for graphic design.

The hardest role of the News Geezers has been to bid farewell to our friends and industry greats who have passed away. That’s taken a toll on us. I am grateful we’ve been able to publicly salute them in the manner they deserve.

I will continue to maintain the mailing list, passing along happy or sad news as I hear it.   And this website  will live on, for now. Click on the Videos tab above to find links video highlights of some of our most recent programs. Don't forget to keep supporting the 8 Ball Emergency Fund for Journalists (www.8BallJournalists.org) where I continue as a board member.

To the person (or persons) who may decide to take over the News Geezers, I will do what’s practical to assist (although that will be on a limited basis).

I don’t want to prolong what’s already a sad moment. So I’ll just say thanks everyone… and see you along the way.   Oh, and don’t forget to return your name tags.

Cheers,
Bob Tarlau

bob.tarlau@gmail.com

A personal note to the News Geezers

from Bob Tarlau