Central Michigan Life by Central Michigan Life

NIGHTCLUB | L-1 Bar & Grille plans to be open 24 hours, 3D

COMMUNITY Central Michigan Life

Section D

| Thursday, August 18, 2011

| cm-life.com

BE ON YOUR GUARD

Police plan extra patrols for ‘Welcome Weekend,’ 4C

Photos By Jeff sMith/PhoTo ediTor

Mount Pleasant resident Valerie Beavers laughs as she cleans the floors of the house she and volunteers through Habitat for Humanity are building for herself and her three daughters, located at 750 Crescent Drive. “We’ve always had to rent,” said Beavers, who is a hair stylist and single mother. “We’ve never really felt settled. It will be nice to have a place of our own so we can feel relaxed and accomplished.”

Community Collaboration Mount Pleasant High School partners with Habitat for Humanity to give family a new home

By Emily Grove | Metro Editor

alerie Beavers is anxiously awaiting the day she can finally call her new house a

second was very intense because it concerned finances, Beavers said. “The third was when they told me home. I got the home,” she said. “I cried.” Beavers and her three daughters Edwina Clark, office manager are the latest family to receive a for the Isabella County Habitat for house through the Isabella County Humanity said she hopes the famHabitat for Humanity program. ily can be moved into their house Her youngest daughter’s preby the end of this month or early school initially asked Beavers if she September. was interested in applying for the For the first time, Habitat partprogram. nered with Mount Pleasant High “I’m a single mom of three who School, 1155 S. Elizabeth St. to conalways rented, but it’s so expensive struct a house. to rent,” she said. “This is the first time we have After some consideration, Beadone this, but other habitats have,” vers decided to fill out the form. Clark said. “With a high school that After being selected as a finalist has a construction program we there were three interviews Beavers thought, ‘What better way to teach completed. kids about building safe and afThe first was easy going, while the fordable homes?’” A HABITAT | 2D

Community Colleges may soon offer four-year degrees CMU united with other universities against proposed legislation By Jordan Spence Senior Reporter

Community colleges in Michigan may soon have another tool for attracting students and competing with larger universities. A bill allowing Michigan community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees is being reviewed by the Senate’s Committee on Education, after passing through the House on June 23.

Valerie Beavers looks out of a window of her home after installing a screen on a secondfloor window.

Degree programs included in the bill are energy production, concrete technology, maritime technology, culinary arts and nursing. Matt Miller, public relations director for Mid Michigan Community College said this could be a positive change for community colleges. “Some of the degrees are not offered by any of the universities in the state,“ Miller said. “Some of the community colleges do offer associate degrees in a couple of these areas, but in order to get their bachelor’s they have to go someplace else, so it would be helpful to our students to have this option.” There is a big need for nurses

Degree programs w w w w w

Nursing Energy production Concrete technology Maritime technology Culinary arts

with a bachelor of science, and community colleges can help fill that need, Miller said. If community colleges offer the nursing program, they would most likely have to raise tuition to offset costs because nursing is one of the highest cost programs for colleges to fund, said Mike Boulus, president of the Council of State Universities of Michigan. MMCC does not have plans to offer any of the possible proA MMCC | 2D

Activists push to include LGBT in hate crime laws By Jessica Fecteau Senior Reporter

Anti-gay violence in Michigan has activists striving to make such acts regarded as official hate crimes by law. Nusrat Ventimiglia, Equality Michigan director of victim services, said 132 cases of violence against gay and transgender residents were reported to their organization in 2010. Equality Michigan offers support services to people who have been victims of anti-gay violence. These violent crimes have included assaults, threats, bullying and physical harm, she said. People who were simply perceived

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to be gay have also been harmed. It is the intent behind the act that makes it different from any other crime, Ventimiglia said. “The idea behind it is to hurt more than just an individual, but a whole group,” she said. “It is targeting someone for who they are and subjecting them to violence because of that.” Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said he has no knowledge of these crimes being reported to his individual department. This is good news for Isabella County since Michigan is an especially hostile environment right now

A HATE | 2D

2D || Thursday, August 18, 2011 || Central Michigan Life

cm-life.com/category/community

[COMMUNITY]

Bikers gather to raise funds for breast cancer awareness Third annual ride in Shepherd aids those in need

By Orrin Shawl Staff Reporter

Fifty-seven people on 40 motorcycles braved the rainy weather Saturday to show their support and participate in the third annual Breast Cancer Awareness Ride. The ride, with bikers from the Fire and Iron club, began at the Shepherd VFW, 8970 S. Shepherd Road, post 8215, and continued through Clare, Coleman, St. Louis, ending back at the Shepherd VFW. The biker club’s president Brad Doepker came up with the idea for the event in 2009 when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time. “That got brought up in one of our meetings, so we started the Breast Cancer Bash, and now we’re on to our third annual,” Doepker said. “We also try to support other community organizations like the Forgotten Eagles or the Morning Sun Ride Against Domestic Violence.”

Hate| continued from 1D

for gay and transgender citizens, said Michael Gregor, director of communications for Equality Michigan. “There have been attacks by legislators and radical conservatives out to deny gay and transgender people (participation) in society in Michigan,” he said. “A lot of other states are understanding fairness and equality, unlike Michigan.” Gregor said legislators do not understand the challenges both gay and transgender residents face because they are unwilling to

MMCC|

continued from 1D

grams, Miller said. “If it passes it will have significant applications,” Boulus said. “I am unequivocally opposed — I do not like it at all.” The relationship between universities and smaller community colleges is supposed

habitat | continued from 1D

The high school has an interior design class, electrical and plumbing class, and building class that worked on the home. Beavers’ daughters were especially happy to work with the interior design class. “They could tell them what they liked,” she said. “Then the class made them boards with swatches and color schemes for their rooms.” The family also got to pick the floor plan, light fixtures, floor and almost everything else, said Beavers. Although the family was

The bike show, where people could go and check out some of the bikes going on the road, started at 10 a.m. Registration started at 11 a.m., and the bikers took off on their trip at 1 p.m. “The goal for us today is to deal with breast cancer,” said club member Joe Grizinger. “We ride about 110 miles today and we give the recipients the money.” Every year, the biker gang selects two people diagnosed with cancer and donates the money raised to them. This year, they selected Clare resident Arlene Bauman and Breckenridge resident Rich Tupica. “It’s the emotional support that I really appreciate,” Tupica said. “What I’m hoping to do from the rally is to pay some hospital bills and get additional physical therapy.” Bauman said she was unaware of the motorcycle event until one of her nurses gave the club her name and she was chosen. “I’ve been so thankful for all of them,” Bauman said. “Just knowing that people care and they’re out there to give you that extra boost. Those types of things are what make life a

lot more fun.” Bauman said battling cancer is easier when she tries to find something to laugh about, as well as not feeling sorry for herself and not being afraid. “I was diagnosed with cancer a year ago last February,” Bauman said. “I’ve had my chemo, and as of right now, I don’t have any cancer.” After the bikers got back, 50/50 drawings began. Prizes for the drawings were donated by local businesses, who could also participate as sponsors. The biker club originally started with three members, and currently has 26 members. One of the original three members, Shepherd resident Mike Pung, said he is proud the event helps the people they select, as well as making it as fun as possible. “We worked all year to put on this event,” said Pung, the club’s treasurer. Pung said because of the bad economy some people do not have the finances to pay for their treatment. “We’re here for a good cause,” he said.

learn about them. “They only welcome people in Michigan who are like them, act like them, look the same way — anyone who doesn’t, doesn’t get the benefits of a citizen,” he said. Ventimiglia said people cannot be discriminated against under the Ethnic Intimidation Act based on race, color, national origin, religion and sex, but it does not include gender expression or sexual orientation. She said the most common problem is discrimination, especially in housing and employment. “In Michigan it is perfectly okay for private employers to discriminate on gender expression and even fire people

because of it,” she said. Unmarried gay and transgender partners can even be denied health care benefits by employers, though it is determined on a case-by-case basis, Gregor said. “Most public universities, state employees, school districts and city government do provide these benefits to them and I believe Central Michigan University does,” Gregor said. Gregor said students facing or who have faced this type of violence should report it to Equality Michigan. It is important for the organization to keep track of LGBT hate crime statistics in Michigan, he said.

to be about collaboration, not duplication, he said. “All this does is bring unnecessary competition between universities and community colleges,” Boulus said. “All 15 public universities and the smaller private colleges are united against this bill.” Central Michigan University is among the universities that does not support the legislation, said Kathy Wilbur,

vice president of Development and External Relations. She said the university has not had discussions about what it will do, if anything, if the legislation is signed into law. Wilbur said CMU has spoken with Gov. Rick Snyder’s office about CMU’s issues with the legislation.

heavily involved in design aspects, helping with construction was difficult, because of the school’s liability, volunteers couldn’t work with students. Instead, Beavers and her daughters would sweep after the students finished working or do things like mow the lawn. When school was done for the summer the family was able to paint and put up dry wall. Even though the tasks were small, Beavers said the work had a big impact. “I think it makes you appreciate your house a bit more,” she said. Clark said she hopes to con-

tinue to partner with the high school, but with some tweaks. In the future Habitat hopes to allow the students to work on the home during the week and let other volunteers come in to finish up larger projects on the weekends, Clark said. Beavers and her daughters have been living with her parents since October 2010. She is thankful for all their help, but is ready to move into her new home. “I can’t wait to have a place of my own,” she said. “This is the first time ever my kids will have a room of their own and it’s just really exciting for them.”

Above: Motorcycles leave the Veteran of Foreign Wars post at 8970 S. Shepherd Road in Shepherd Saturday afternoon for the first leg of the third annual Breast Cancer Awareness Ride. Left: Arlene C. Bauman of Clare, a breast cancer survivor, was one of the individuals the motorcycle ride honored. “Fear is one of the worst things with cancer. It can make you a disabled person because you’re so afraid, and I haven’t been afraid,” Bauman said. “Just knowing that people care and that they’re out there, gives you that extra boost.” Photos By Andrew /Assistant Photo editor

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Central Michigan Life || Thursday, August 18, 2011 || 3D

[COMMUNITY]

CMU alumna opens online business specializing in nutrition By Emily Grove Metro Editor

Jeff Smith /Photo Editor

Kerry Chahil, project manager at the new L-1 Bar and Grille, stands outside the business located at 1705 S. Mission St. The owner hopes to have the bar offer affordable pricing and give a new nightlife attraction.

L-1 Bar & Grille to offer affordable entertainment, food, and nightlife Business owner hopes to open on Aug. 24 By Orrin Shawl Staff Reporter

Kerry Chahil’s plans of opening a unique restaurant have been two years in the making, and in a few weeks Mount Pleasant residents will have the chance to experience the many different aspects his business offers. L-1 Bar & Grille, 1705 S. Mission St., previously R & R Laundromat, will be a restaurant by day and turn into a nightclub from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. “When we open this restaurant, we want it to be something that will be more

of a classy and gourmet restaurant, but at the same time make it affordable,” Chahil, the restaurant’s project manager, said. “We will be open 24 hours, so we’ll have breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Items the restaurant hopes to specialize in include the omelette, turkey avocado sandwich and steak. “There are not a lot of items on our menu,” Chahil said. “But the food we have will be top of the line.” The opening of the new business has students excited for the newest nightlife attraction. “It’s good that it can compete with Wayside because that seems like it’s the only club in town,” Greenville sophomore Jared Kellum said. “It’s nice to have something different with a little more va-

“It’s nice to have something different with a little more variety in town.” Jared Kellum, sophomore

riety in town.” Three Rivers sophomore Hillary Karbowski agreed the restaurant will be seen as a positive for college students. “I would like to go just because I like to help out new businesses,” Karbowski said. “It’s a great addition because it gives more options as a college student to try and enjoy the night life.” Once finished, the restaurant will have 18 TVs, along with a bar and a 20-foot by 20foot dance floor. There will also be space above the bar for VIPs and private parties. Right now the restaurant has not hired a staff, but has received 125 applications. The restaurant is looking to hire 20-25 wait staff, five hostesses, nine cooks and four dishwashers. “I’m hoping the restaurant will be open by Aug. 24,” Chahil said. “It will be open no later than Sept. 2.”

When Kati Mora tells her sons to eat their vegetables, she’s not just doing her motherly duties. Mora is a registered dietitian who graduated from CMU in December 2010 with a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. She started her business, Mora Nutrition, last September. Unlike traditional businesses, Mora largely utilizes the internet to create a following and attract clientele. “We provide a wide array of online nutrition services that allow our clients to interact with a registered dietitian right from the comfort of their own home and on their own schedule,” Mora said. “We also offer food journals and meal planning tools on our website which allow for people to eat healthy,

happy and in style.” Mora also has a blog, Around the Plate, that she runs with three dietetic students from CMU. The blog focuses on hot topics to talk about each week, she said. “We also feature other food and nutrition bloggers and host giveaways from time to time,” Mora said. “It’s a lot of fun and a great place to talk about nutrition.” Alpena senior Jennifer Lamb works as an intern for “Around the Plate.” When Mora came to speak to the Student Dietetics Association, Lamb could relate to the members’ shared career goals. Lamb also hopes to complete her master’s degree and open a private clinic. With not knowing where she would like to live in the future, Lamb said establishing herself online is a good first step.

“I like how she did her setup with the website, and her blogs have gathered a lot of attention,” Lamb said. “I want to start with technology and networking, using Facebook and Twitter to generate attention.” In-person consultations are also available. These are by appointment because Mora currently does not have office space. Most consults are for medical-based conditions, where she works with a client to modify habits. Diabetes and weight management are most of her referrals. “If someone has a nutrition concern or just wants to eat healthier, we can meet one-onone to achieve their goals,” Mora said. “I also work with people who have a medical condition that requires special dieting.” metro@cm-life.com

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[COMMUNITY]

Photos By Jeff Smith/Photo editor

Pastry Chef Breanne Byl of Mount Pleasant works on a dessert for a new menu as Jim Holton, owner of Mountain Town Station watches Monday morning in the restaurant’s kitchen. Holton is in the process of expanding his business and will be opening the new addition by October.

Mountain Town, Brass Cafe expanding services this fall By Jordan Spence Senior Reporter

Two restaurants are expanding with new ventures this fall in hopes of offering their clients variety, while a new credit union will also be opening with a similar objective. In order to fill a void for fine dining in Mount Pleasant, Jim Holton, owner of Mountain Town Station, 506 W. Broadway St., began an addition to the business for a new restaurant venture in May. The focus will be on the plate, including organic and fresh food. The menu will be seasonal, but the typical menu categories will stay the same, Holton said. “We are using locally grown food,” Holton said. “We know where our ingredients are coming from.” The concept for the new restaurant is a high-end experience and will be reservation only. The atmosphere will be much quieter than the current

restaurant, decorated with an elegant and modern feel. People who want to make reservations for one of the 48 seats can do so online or over the phone. “Construction is about 70 percent finished,” he said. “It should be done at the end of September (or) early October.” Susan Paton and Emma Currie, owners of The Brass Cafe, 128 S. Main St., plan to open a market and take-out deli in the vacant space that was previously The Mole Hole, S. 120 Main St. Paton said they will stock their shelves with creative carry-out options including Brass Cafe favorites like meats, cheeses, breads and olives. “We also are planning a small demonstration kitchen,” she said. “A place where we can showcase interesting items — customers can sample them as they shop. They can then see one of our chefs demonstrate different uses for

hard to find products.” Only take-out items will be available in the market and it will hopefully open sometime in the fall, Paton said. A Mount Pleasant branch of Members First Credit Union, 2290 E. Bluegrass Rd. will also be opening in the fall. The look of the building will be very different, with a lot of glass on the front, said Carrie Iafrate, vice president of development. “We broke ground later than we had hoped,” Iafrate said. “It was delayed to take a new building approach, (and) it will be finished sometime in January or February.” Another unique aspect of the credit union is the elimination of traditional teller lines, instead having dialogue stations where members can walk up to the counter and an employee will help them with whatever they need. It will be less formal and more personable, Iafrate said.

Top: Coleman resident Gary Sych, construction manager, right, and wood detailer Al Martin of Mount Pleasant walk Monday down the entrance to the new addition of Mountain Town Station, 506 W. Broadway St. Bottom: Pastry Chef Breanne Byl makes a no-flour chocolate cake with a raspberry sauce Monday in the kitchen at Mountain Town Station.

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City police prepare for increased crime rates, ‘Welcome Weekend’ Larcenies increase as students return for fall semester By Orrin Shawl Staff Reporter

Although Central Michigan University students are not solely responsible for the crime rate in Mount Pleasant, they do play a significant role, said Isabella County Sheriff Department Undersheriff John Tellis. Tellis said the number of crimes will go up exponentially as soon as the fall semester begins. “Anytime you have an increase in population, the volume of crime goes up,” Tellis said. “When the students come back, there is a lot of theft that is reported.” There are more opportunities for theft with computers and other valuables returning to the area, therefore more crime will surface, he said. One of the more significant periods of time during the year when crimes are committed is during “Welcome Weekend.” CMU Police Lt. Cameron Wassman said during “Welcome Weekend,” police activity levels pick up considerably. “(During) 2010 ‘Welcome Weekend’ the CMU Police Department took 35 criminal reports, the majority being either larcenies (primarily bicycles) or destruction of properties (primarily vehicles),” Wassman said. Trends also show the majority of criminal acts com-

mitted on “Welcome Weekend” involve alcohol, he said. “On these type of weekends, we as a police unit take a zero-tolerance type of approach,” Wassman said. “We’re going to have extra staff, extra officers and extra foot patrols.” Aside from “Welcome Weekend” activity, the number of crimes committed in Mount Pleasant remains largely the same. Frequent crimes include things such as malicious de-

struction of properties, aggravated assaults and larcenies. According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, there were 298 incidents of malicious destruction of properties in 2010, 259 in 2009, and 290 in 2008. There were 37 aggravated assaults in 2010, 52 in 2009 and 43 in 2008. Larcenies were also abundant with 200 in 2010, 193 in 2009 and 210 in 2008. metro@cm-life.com

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Central Michigan Life || Thursday, August 18, 2011 || 5D

[Summer in review]

Exchange program students Mount Pleasant Speedway help with accuracy for exhibit offers fast dirt track thrills By Kirsten Kearse Staff Reporter

A few weeks ago the Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum received some special cultural perspective and advice regarding one of its future exhibits. The museum has already decided what exhibits it will feature when it opens, including an interactive area about Japanese culture. “The exhibit has different sections like calligraphy, origami, and a tea house where kids can play,” said Chieko Marshall, museum board member. “The traditional ideas of Japan.” The museum’s advisory board held a meeting to discuss the authenticity of a Japanese exhibit. Coincidentally the board was informed that six Japanese high school students from Mount Pleasant’s

sister city, Okaya, would be visiting the area. The coordinator of the exchange program, Kathy Methner, arranged for the students to meet with the advisory board Aug. 4. Marshall interviewed three of the students, asking the differences and similarities of life in Japan from the United States. “We wanted to know what their life was like in Okaya, like what kinds of places they go to try and find a similarity with Mount Pleasant,” she said. The students’ first impression of Mount Pleasant was that everything was big, including the streets, houses, and food, she said. “Everything is intricate and small in Japan,” Marshall said. “They’re not used to seeing big horizons and

fields of land, which is what you see in Mount Pleasant.” Marshall said the exhibit will showcase what the current life is like for students in Japan. “The kids can learn what same-aged kids’ life is like in Japan,” said museum board member Andy Marks. “All features of the exhibit should be exact and make sense.” While exhibit planning is an important part of the process, the museum is still working on its fundraising efforts to make the museum a reality. “Even though fundraising is expected to be further down the road, schematic drawings have already been planned out for the exhibits,” Marks said. “Construction is progressing with planning.”

Drivers come from across state to compete in races By David Oltean Senior Reporter

Thunderous engine roars rumble throughout the northern side of Mount Pleasant every Friday. The Mount Pleasant Speedway, 4658 E. River Road, hosts dirt racing action as drivers from all over Michigan compete on the three-eighths mile track for the points lead in the 2011 season. The races, separated by the type of car, begin each night at 7:45. The action at the speedway is continuous, and every race is immediately followed by another. There are some

delays, however, as cars frequently find their way off the track when drivers attempt to drift around turns or when collisions occur. Midland street stock driver Tom Hodges Jr. has raced at the speedway for 11 years. Hodges, who came in second for total points last year, has seen improvements in its quality in recent years. “I like coming up here to race. The track really improved a few years ago,” Hodges said. “The track used to have a lot of holes and could get very tacky.” Hundreds of fans attend the races every week, but their cheers are easily drowned out by the growls of the engines. Even the loudspeaker is sometimes silenced by the track’s most heated action. Midland fan Dave Wil-

lett attends a few nights every season with his wife and grandchildren. Willett said the races can provide entertainment for the whole family. “I come out here with my family for around three nights a season,” Willett said. “My grandchildren love it.” Remus Automotive Stock Mini driver Bob Wright Jr., a first-year driver, enjoys racing at the Mount Pleasant Speedway as a rookie. “It’s all about just going out and having fun,” Wright said. “The track and the fans are great beginner entertainment.” Races will continue every Friday until Sept. 2, where the final points leaders will be determined. metro@cm-life.com

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Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine consultant Joel Lanphear will begin work as CMED’s fifth associate dean after Labor Day. Ernest Yoder, CMED dean, told CMU Board of Trustees members during the July 13 CMED committee meeting Lanphear is critical to operations because of his previous experience and familiarity with developing and implementing medical curriculum “similar to ours.” Lanphear will be senior associate dean for educational programs. Yoder said the position was created for him, though Lanphear was unavailable until after Labor Day to begin full-time work. He will work on a two-year contract to see the university

through Liason Committee on Medical Education accreditation. University President George Ross said it is his understanding that Lanphear’s role will “sunset” after the program is accredited and his contract expires. Yoder said Lanphear’s qualifications and those of newly hired Associate Dean of Medical Education Dr. Linda Perkowski’s are complementary, which is why the college created the position for him. “What Joel brings to the table is an architected curriculum model virtually identical to ours,” Yoder said. Previous plans for the College of Medicine called for the employment of at least four associate deans, though there were no plans to hire more at the time. Perkowski will assume all

responsibilities for which former Associate Dean of Medical Education Dr. Nehad ElSawi was responsible. She will also begin after Labor Day, and her husband, Dr. W. Robert Fleischmann, began work July 1 as a professor teaching biomedical science. Steve Smith, director of public relations, said the university does not typically announce faculty or temporary hires like that of Lanphear’s, who is considered a consultant. The University of Minnesota Medical College announced Perkowski and Fleischmann’s departure from its program July 1. Fleischmann was hired after an open and ongoing search, Yoder said. Both his and Perkowski’s applications were received around the time El-Sawi resigned. metro@cm-life.com

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[SUMMEr IN rEvIEw]

CMU hosts 40th year of summer games By David Oltean Senior Reporter

More than 2,400 athletes competed for the gold at the Special Olympics 2011 State Summer games in June on Central Michigan University’s campus. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the games at CMU and thousands were in attendance to see athletes compete in more than 20 different sports. CMU has been a home for Special Olympics Michigan since 1971, and hosted the Special Olympics World Games in 1975. Competitions took place across the Student Activity Center, the Indoor Athletic Complex and outdoor athletic fields on campus.

Ron Green, SOMI director of Area Management, worked the summer games for his 35th year in a row, and was pleased to see how many young volunteers were in attendance. “What we’re seeing now is a lot more high school students and youth groups volunteering together, and Central students have really become the backbone of the volunteers,” Green said. “It’s great because us older folks can’t do this forever.” Hundreds of volunteers could be seen in matching yellow T-shirts for the 40th anniversary celebration. Their ranks included former NFL player T.J. Duckett and Miss Michigan 2010 Katie LaRoche. Yale graduate student Lia Nagy was one of the volunteers for the 2011 SOMI summer

games. Nagy, who volunteered once before with SOMI, said helping with the games is a very humbling experience. “I loved it so much that I volunteered a second time,” Nagy said. “It’s great to see the excitement the athletes get out of it.” Hot summer weather did not stop the competitors from giving it their all, including Muskegon athlete Jason Reinhold. Reinhold took gold in the 800-meter dash and silver in the running long jump. He has won 68 medals over his 23 years of competition, but sees a new role in his future. “About four years from now, it will probably be my last year as an athlete,” Reinhold said. “I’m going to become a coach and teach others

with my experience.” Many of the volunteers who came together to make the games happen as well as those who competed joined hands, sang, and danced along to “We Are the World” at the closing ceremony. “That song and the circle has always been my favorite part of the entire thing,” said Mount Pleasant resident and SOMI volunteer Terry Opperman. Opperman said he enjoys the games because they offer a way for people to see each other. He said many of the same volunteers and athletes come back to the games each year, which is one of the things he likes best about SOMI. “I remember people who compete at the games,” Opperman said.

fiLe Photo By eriCA KeArns /sTAFF PhoToGrAPher

Megan Kotalak of South Lyon raises her arms in celebration as she wins first in the women’s 100 meter dash at Bennett Track during the Special Olympics 2011 Summer Games.

“The other day I went into a McDonald’s nowhere around Mount Pleasant, and one of the athletes was working there. He remembered me and I remembered him. That to me is amazing, and why I

volunteer at this event.” metro@cm-life.com

— Staff Reporter Morgan Yuncker contributed to this report

Fire Up Chips! weekend ideas Friday, August 19

Procrastinator’s Guide to Podcasting

12:00 PM | Park Library: 413

Saturday, August 20

Life Beyond the Classroom Walls

CMU Museum: 1:00 PM

Sunday, August 21

MAINSTAGE!

3:00 PM | Near Rose Ponds

Friday, August 26

American Red Cross Blood Drive

11:00 AM | Kulhavi: room 142

Jazz & Community

3:00 PM | Off-campus: Broadway Theater

Friday, September 2

Coffee and Collaborative Learning Strategies

9:00 AM | Park Library: 413

Wednesday, September 7

WARES FAIR! 6: PM | Finch Fieldhouse

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