and passports to Jews living in Raoul Wallenber„,a's safe houses. Basch was eventually cap- tured and sent to Buchenwald and Dachau. The 2004 recipi- ent of the Raoul Basch Wallenberg Medal, Basch delivered the Wallenberg Lecture on Oct. 28 at the University of Michigan's Rackham Auditorium in Ann Arbor. The medal is named after the Swedish citizen who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1935. Wallenberg saved 100,000 Jewish lives before disappearing. Past recipients of the medal include the Dalai Lama, Elie Wiesel and Miep Gies, who hid Anne Frank and her family. The Wallenberg Lecture and Medal ceremony is co-sponsored by the Wallenberg Endowment, the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and U-M Hillel. For information, call (734) 615- 2133. — Sharon Luckernzan Meditation Center T he Ahavat Shalom Retreat Center of Traverse City, the only Jewish retreat and medi- tation center in the Midwest, will announce its new name and direc- tion at a retreat with author Rabbi Rami Shapiro Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at Northport Bay Retreat. The new Hebrew name, Or Tzafon, meaning both "northern light" and "light of the hidden," is in keeping with the center's empha- sis on Northern Michigan beauty and deep spiritual practice, says Rabbi Stacie Bahle, director of the center and rabbi of Congregation Ahavat Shalom of Traverse City. The center, a project of Ahavat Shalom, has served participants, both Jewish and non-Jewish, from across the Great Lakes region for three years. The retreat, "Spacious Heart, Spacious Mind," offers teachings from Jewish mysticism. For information, call Congregation Ahavat Shalom at (231) 929-4330. —Sharon Luckernzan An Election Rarity In Oak Park ALAN HITSKY Associate Editor No Extra Charge for heavily soiled carpet or high traffic areas. Many 0 ak Park's mayor, Gerald Naftaly, is doing something Tuesday that he hasn't done in 12 years: He's facing an election opponent. Naftaly, 51, and a 50-year resident of the same house on Kenosha Avenue, is opposed by a write-in candidate who filed and began campaigning just in the last few weeks. Many cities are holding local elections on Nov. 4. Charles Robinson, Naftaly says, has been selected by the Oak Park police officers union to run against him because the officers don't like the city's overtime and performance evaluation policies. "I just want to continue doing what we've been doing for the last 12 years," Naftaly says. "That's bringing residents and busi- nesses together." Property values con- tinue to grow in the city, but revenues Naftaly are capped and Naftaly is con- cerned about state and federal funding cuts. Naftaly is a vice president-invest- ments with the Robert W. Baird firm in West Bloomfield. Robinson, 54, lives Robinson on Oneida and has been an Oak Park resident for 18 years. He's worked for the state for 24 years as a fish and game officer and now as an environmental investigator — which explains his support from police officers. "I filed late," Robinson says, "because when I was approached to run, the deadline had passed." He believes Oak Park government and city jobs need change, new ideas and diversity. Robinson states that Oak Park needs to look at its relationship with local businesses and encourage owners to improve their buildings. The city also needs "more open discussion," he says, about the recent annexation of parts of Royal Oak Township, how the annexa- tion came about and the impact on city services. cleaners charge more for "dirty" carpet! No Extra Charge for stain removal'''. We'll send our chemist to your home at No Extra Charge! No Extra Charge for weekend cleanings. We'll come out to your home 7 days a week for your convenience at No Extra Charge! * Stairs & Halls priced separately. Rooms over 250 sq. ft. & loose cushions slightly higher. Some other restrictions apply. Excludes Furniture, Oriental & Area rugs, discoloration & carbon stains. Call within 3 days of carpet cleaning to schedule a chemist Expect the best...Expect the Purple truck! The Original Since 1939 HAGOPIAN CLEANING SERVICES Call us 7 days a week! 1-800-HAGOPIAN (424-67' Drop Off Rug Care Centers Area Rug Cleaning Special Oak Park Birmingham 8 Mile W / Coolidge Old Woodward & Lincoln Ann Arbor Novi The Courtyard Shops 12 Mile & Novi Rd Tare also offer Pick Up & Delivery service! Bring your oriental or area rub to any of our Rug Care Cent' and we'll clean eve Wedding And Party Specialists Flowers For All Occasions S I OF NATURE TATE T FLOWERS (248) 559-5424 (888) 202-4466 Fax: (248) 559-5426 29115 Greenfield, Southfield, MI 48076 V 634370 safes unlimited No need for a safety deposit box! Wall Safes Floor Safes Jewelry Safes Keep your valuables safely stored, right at home, with no monthly fee. 248-738-1500 3375 Orchard Lake Rd., North of Pontiac Trail Keego Harbor I 10/31 2003 15