To Life! SPORTS E ven before they bought their charming Cape Cod-style home, Neal Alpiner figured his wife, Tobye Stein, was already visualizing the transformation of ugly under-utilized space into a library of perfect proportion. "A library wasn't a must have," she recalled, "but it was something that would be nice to have." "Nice" understates the quality of the space the couple now enjoy after a phone call to Gittleman Construction got them going on their home improvement project. Meeting directly with Scott Gittleman, Tobye shared her goals, among them, "It had to look like a real library and it needed more light." And her design criteria, "I got hooked on an idea of a castle." Scott came through with well-lit, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves plus dramatic castle-like arch accents in a room that exceeds the couple's expectations yet stayed within their budget. "We really liked their workmanship," said Neal. "They came when they said and when you called them, they called you right back." As to future projects, Neal's certain there will be more, and Gittleman's number is nearby. So next time you're dreaming of turning unattractive, under used space into something spectacular, turn to Gittleman for help from start to finish. JUST ASK NEAL ALPINER AND TOBYE STEIN. GITTLEMAN Bear Of A Season Berkley wants more than a division championship. Steve Stein Special to the Jewish News B ack in 1998, Todd Weiner was a starting senior guard on the Oakland Activities Association Division II champion Berkley High boys basketball team. It's taken eight seasons and a new Weiner for the Bears to win another league title. CONSTRUCTION inc 28580 ORCHARD LAKE RD., SUITE 102 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334 248.538.5400 www.gittleman.net CUSTOM RENOVATIONS 1054250 Each of these fabulous purses are hand-crafted by skilled artisans. Stylish, exquisite and very classy. Eli Weiner FINE FURNITURE • ACCESSORIES • GIFTS Aud708 22 March 9 • 2006 6644 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD JUST S. OF MAPLE WEST BLOOMFIELD • 248 855.1600 MONJ & THUR 10-9 • TUE-WED-FM-SAT 10-6 • SUN 11-4 www.sheRvoocistudiosinc.corn COMPLIMENTARY GIFT WRAPPING 10900q0 .1N Senior Eli Weiner, Todd's brother, starts at guard for this year's Berkley team, which went undefeated (12-0) in OAA Division IV. The Bears finished the regular season with an 18-2 record, one of the best in school history. Todd Weiner now attends school in Jerusalem. He and his brother have talked often on the phone this season. "Todd has been bugging me all year about matching what he did in 1998:' Eli Weiner said. The current Bears matched their 1998 predecessors because of their speed, up-tempo offense, defensive intensity and team chemistry. They've needed those qualities because their tallest player is 6-foot-2. Eli Weiner has provided a major ele- ment of the chemistry. Berkley coach Andy Brodi calls his contributions to the team nothing short of amazing. "Eli was our main man last season, our go-to guy. He averaged about 18 points per game Brodi said. "But we needed him to accept a lesser scoring role this season. We needed more balanced scoring to be successful. He's responded to the chal- lenge by giving us great leadership, and more rebounding and defense. He's also provided a lot of energy, even in practice. He's been so unselfish!" In his third year as a starter, Eli Weiner is averaging 13 points and five rebounds per game. Berkley was expected to make waves this season. Nine players, including seven seniors, returned from last year's 11-10 team, and there was plenty of talent on the roster. Plus, the Bears had a chip on their shoulder. They felt they should have won more games last season. But Berkley's opener was disap- pointing. The Bears didn't play well in losing to Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse. Berkley regrouped to capture the Holiday Classic tournament at Ferndale, beating the host Eagles in the title game. Eli Weiner says winning that championship turned out to be the turning point of the season. Eli Weiner hopes to play basketball in college, but baseball also is an option. The 5-foot-11 Huntington Woods resident plays shortstop and centerfield for Berkley, and last sum- mer he did well in American Legion ball. More Hoops The Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit boys basketball team split two games last week. Levi Stewart scored 21 points to lead the Cougars past Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 60- 46. Andy Perlow's three consecutive 3- pointers broke open a 33-33 tie early in the fourth quarter. The academy fought back from an 11-point halftime deficit to tie Grosse Pointe University Liggett, but it lost 48-47. Stewart's off-balance jumper with two seconds left could have won the game, but the shot rimmed out. 1-1 Please send sports news to sports@thejewishnews.com.