Some time ago I wrote of the passing of Tokyo Theater for Children, an organization with a long history of exciting, well-staged performances for adults as well as children. My report, fortunately, was premature. It needed new people to take over, and they came, drawn by the enthusiasm of Jude Kaye who sent me periodic reports of their progress. Now their first performance, "Aladdin," is about to be staged. Jude wrote of the challenges of revitalization: One day when she was walking her dog in Arisugawa Park, it occurred to her that there must be a great source of talent among other dog walkers. She talked to them and to those who just stopped to pet the dogs and the idea took off, resulting in a multinational group of men and women working together to bring live theater in English to children in Japan.

Both professionals and amateurs are involved and amazing things have been accomplished. The props people, for example, have created a washing machine with controls (cold, hot and ouch!) that light up. There is a monkey, a dragon and a two-person camel costume. Many have given generously of their time and energy although at first they were told it was difficult to get people involved anymore. Jude says that although Tokyo has changed, it seems people are still willing to give up their time for children. Performances will be held Feb. 12 at 11 a.m., 2:30 and 5:30 p.m., and Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Tickets have been selling so well that some who want to attend will be disappointed, but they can sign up to work on the next performance or order tickets for it in advance. Call (03) 3746-3470 or (03) 5421-4990 for information. Noting one of those many changes in Tokyo, Jude said that in previous years, it wasn't hard to find women to help. Now many more women are working, but there is a great number of men whose wives are here professionally and who are taking a few years off from their own careers. They have provided a tremendous input of ideas and effort into "Aladdin."

"Starting Your Own Business" is a book for nonnative English-speaking young people reporting on how to approach entrepreneuring and how other people have launched successful careers with reports from Europe, Latin America and Asia. It could be very helpful to Japanese students of English who are now facing a tough job market and might even inspire young native speakers to focus more on their future. It could also provide some good ideas for teachers of English looking for something new to use in their classes. The book was produced by Mini-World, a company specializing in language-training publications and is one of a series of books promoting English studies (ISBN 4-87735-027-6 C0334), 1,200 yen, phone (03) 3266-0968. There is also a Mini-World Magazine that uses the 2,000 basic English words taught in junior high schools which is designed to help students learn to read and enjoy English through world-oriented articles.

Ready to help small businesses with their equipment is Anre Tomita's Hokuto Telecom System, a company offering bargains in office equipment such as copy machines and faxes as well as some innovative phone switches that will make your one-man enterprise seem like a well-staffed office by doubling the service of your one-line telephone. If you don't have a phone, he will help you get one without extra fees, or provide phone-call transfer service which sends your calls to your mobile phone. There is also a reasonable rental service. Actually, you should call Tomita-san and ask him to fax you information about how his services save you money. Many low-budget embassies have benefited from his reasonable approach to doing business. For more information, call (03) 3899-5772 or fax (03) 3857-4889. He also occasionally surprises customers by sending envelopes with name and address printed in English and Japanese.

Here is a service I would appreciate knowing about myself. A gentleman is looking for a professional organizer, someone who can come to his home office and help him get all the papers and files and past lectures, speeches and books organized. "Across the ocean, many people do this kind of work, but here?" he writes. Can anyone help?