Time management dating

Modern-day matchmaker hosts '15 first dates'

LEISAH NAMM
Managing Editor

Busy singles who don't have time to devote an evening to one blind date have another option: Go on 15 blind dates in one night instead.

Earlier this summer, modern-day matchmaker Jamie Marks founded 15 First Dates, a dating service that introduces 15 men to 15 women for 15 three-minute dates. Singles register online, at www.15firstdates.com, then attend events at local restaurants or lounges.

"If you go on one bad blind date, that is an entire evening," Marks says. "You don't have time for that - this gives you an opportunity to meet 15 people in one night."

The company launched its dating service on June 2 and its fourth "date" is scheduled for July 11.

On June 27, she co-sponsored an event with the Jewish Association of Singles Services (JASS).

This is how it works.

Singles select an event from the Web site, register, pay and then show up. No awkward phone conversations beforehand and no trying to agree on a meeting time or place.

Marks' advice to participants? "Be yourself, relax. There is nothing to be nervous about or intimidated about."

She even provides icebreaker questions on the table to get the conversation going. Examples are "Where have you traveled outside of the United States?" and "Share your favorite thing to do."

After three minutes, daters have one minute to write their impressions of their date on a "score card" before they move on to the next date.

The "score card" is a carbon copy - one copy goes home with the individual, the other with Marks. If both parties want to meet each other, they'll each receive contact information via e-mail within 24-48 hours. "Both participants have to say yes to the match," she says. Then it's up to the individuals to contact one another.

A Scottsdale native - or at least since age 5, when she moved here from New York - Marks started 15 First Dates because she thinks "it's a great way for busy single professionals to meet one another."

She says she enjoys introducing people to one another - her friends call her the social coordinator - and since most of her friends are married, she wanted to help other singles meet.

During the day, Marks is an elementary school teacher and also teaches at a college level.

She grew up in Scottsdale - she became a bat mitzvah at Temple Chai - and says she knows that it can be difficult here for people to meet a nice, quality person and she wanted to make it fun and easy for singles to meet new people.

After doing some research, she learned that this type of dating is very popular in other cities and felt that it's a great concept for a single professional who doesn't want to go to the bars anymore.

"All their friends are married, now having kids. Who's that person supposed to go out with? This is a great way for them to be able to meet people."

The events are based on age. The next sessions, one for ages 40-plus and a second for ages 24-39, are Sunday, July 11.

Cost is $35.

Call 602-625-4848, e-mail info@15firstdates.com or visit www.15firstdates.com.

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