for oiling of dusty, unpaved roads in the summer. "During World War II, our company even helped the war effort by turning the used oil over to the steel mills:' said Michael Usher. "Used oil was easi- ly converted into fuel for the huge blast furnaces, and that oil also lowered the viscosity of heavy residual oils!' The Usher Oil Co. came to Roselawn Avenue in 1946 and eventually erected 500,000-gallon storage tanks, attracting inde- pendent oil "peddlers" who col- lected their own used oil to sell to the Ushers. The company has gradually grown from a simple waste-oil transportation service into a full-fledged commercial oil recycling and reclamation busi- ness that includes two, 500,000- gallon storage tanks on 20 acres of land Downriver. "Our main customers now are the steel mills, asphalt compa- nies, auto plants and the City of Detroit:' said Matthew Usher. "We also collect crankcase oil from car dealerships and the quick oil and lube operations." Under stringent guidelines and inspections by local, state and federal authorities, water is sepa- rated from the waste in an on-site treatment plant and discharged through pipes to the Detroit Water and Sewage Dept. for many uses — other than drinking water. "We have our own compli- ance officer and many testing and monitoring procedures to make sure we get rid of any hazardous wastes:' said Matthew Usher. The Ushers say their biggest challenge is having to ride with the ups and downs of the area's cyclical economy — as they have done over the past 75 years. "If business is good for our cus- tomers, then they need more of our services, and our business is good:' Matthew pointed out. Usher Oil Co. has no effect on the current fluctuations in gas prices. "We're suffering along with any other business:' Matthew bemoaned. "It costs about $300 to fill one of our trucks with diesel fuel." The company employs two mechanics to do preventive maintenance on the trucks, which are all bought from American manufacturers. "We've come a long way since the days of my great-grandfather and grandfather:' said Matthew. "And we're committed to continue operating in a competitive, safe and environmentally sound man- ner." ❑ • Memos gm Oa' FunDays AT THE NEW DETROIT SCIENCE CENTER October 30 - Spooky Science Join us for a Halloween scavenger hunt, robotic pumpkin carving and fun science tricks and treats! Michael H. Traison, a principal at the Detroit law firm of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC, will discuss "Doing Business in Poland" Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. at Madonna University in Livonia. He will cover cultural and lan- guage differences and standards as well as American capitalism as a means of promoting stability and democracy. Receive complimentary General Admission to The New Detroit Science Center on Ford FREE FunDays. • 4 Visit our website for more details. Louis P. Rochkind of West Bloomfield, a partner in the Southfield office of Michigan- based Jaffe Raiff Heuer & Weiss PC, has been named in The Best Lawyers in America 2006. He concen- Rochkind trates his prac- tice on bankruptcy and insolven- cy law and represents lenders and other creditors in insolvency mat- ters. Alan M. Kanter of West Bloomfield, an attorney with the Bloomfield Hills firm of Strobl & Sharp PC, has been named chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Kanter State Bar of Michigan. He is a member of the American Arbitration Association's Regional Advisory Council and a universi- ty-level guest lecturer. •• • Ford Dr. Paul Ehrmann was one of 13 health care providers to be rec- ognized by the Michigan Surgeon General for outstanding perform- ance in promoting healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. He is with the Children's Health Initiative Program in Royal Oak. Dr. Bernard Miller of Dearborn, executive director of the Optometric Institute and Clinic of Detroit, has received a Keyperson Award of the Michigan Optometric Association. Miller was cited for his work with OICD and the Michigan Eyes on Diabetes program. OICD, which provides eye care for inner city citizens who otherwise might not be able to afford it, is located at 3044 W. Grand Blvd., Ste 1-253, in Detroit. • • cear Ford Free FunDays are made possible by Ford Motor Company. Media Support Provided By: -• mftroy:aTept .4tedl.'i' THE NEW c e CO CENTER The New Detroit Science Center 5020 John R Street • Detroit, MI 48202 www.detroitsciencecenter.org • 313.577.8400 Explore The Possibilities 1015920 Sanders Haagen Dazs 39 Flavors of Custard, Yogurt & Skinny Minnie Low Carb, Sugar Free! Ben & Jerry's Candy Dip Cones Alinosi's Guernsey Breyers Denali Stucchi's Bubbies r Frozen Bananas Ice Cream Cakes & Yogurt Pies Sanders Original Cakes Including Bumpy WE DO MORE THAN ICE CREAM... 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