IN BRIEF: Perelman featured in magazine

The magazine interview was a first for media-shy Perelman, who has never before granted a one-on-one question and answer session. Cigar Aficionado's publisher and editor Marvin Shanken conducted the interview, which focused on cigar smoking and the Consolidated Cigar Corporation -- a company Perelman owns. The article appears in the spring 1995 issue. Perelman, a University alumnus, also discussed why he enjoys cigars and thinks restaurants should not ban smoking. "It gives me a sense of relaxation that almost nothing else does -- except maybe a glass of wine," Perelman said in the interview. Perelman is the potential major donor for the Perelman Quadrangle. He originally pledged $10 million to build the Revlon Center, but those plans were scrapped earlier this semester in favor of the proposed Perelman Quad. University administrators are currently waiting for Perelman to decide whether he will donate the money to the new student center plan. -- Randi Feigenbaum U. to celebrate Purim The Steinhardt Jewish Heritage Program will be celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim tonight in the Bodek Lounge of Houston Hall. The events will begin with a Megillah Reading at 6:45 p.m., followed by a Philadelphia Mummers parade down Locust Walk. The festivities will conclude with "It's Purim?," a celebration featuring casino gambling and performances by several campus groups including Mask and Wig and Pennsylvania 6-5000. Proceeds from the event, which is co-sponsored by the Zeta Beta Tau, Tau Epsilon Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Alpha Mu fraternities, will go to the Ronald McDonald House in West Philadelphia and Children of Chernobyl. --Kara Blond