••■■ • Summer Session! • JUNE 11TH AUG. 18TH ENROLL TODAY! *Cet*Pf.e. Splash Bash Camp (4-6 yrs of age) Batya Herdman and Taja Sevelle take a quick break from planting. "For the next two months, the teach- ers read and told stories about how plants grow," Herdman said. By April, the plants were ready for the outdoors. "We all took a field trip to a vacant lot in a very poor neighborhood in the city of Detroit, with tons of the parents driving carpools and participating in the planting:' Herdman said. "The kids all worked with little, colorful trowels, planting vegetables like toma- toes, zucchini, carrots, cucumbers and peppers. "There is a sign on the land where we planted that says people with food insecurities can take what they need;' Herdman said. "It's a community garden." Food that is not taken will be donat- ed to Yad Ezra, Michigan's kosher food pantry in Berkley. Joining in the work was Urban Farming founder Taja Sevelle, who now serves as executive director of the group. It has garden sites also in New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Hawaii, Jamaica and St. Louis. Sevelle, who began the agency in 2005, pulled on her gardening gloves, grabbed a shovel and worked alongside the Akiva families in planting the new crop on a cul-de-sac off Ardmore and Tyler streets, near Grand River. Neighboring residents near Grand Aviva Gardin of Southfield and her daughter Zahava, 3, don't mind getting a little muddy planting vegetables. River Avenue in northwest Detroit do what they can to help sustain the crops, loaning shovels to workers and allowing use of their water, receiving reimbursement from Urban Farming. Herdman, Raz and other Akiva staff and parents, including Herdman's husband Netanel, will continue the upkeep. "Parents who went with us thought planting the garden was just great:' Herdman said. With school adminis- tration thrilled at the success of the first-time Akiva program, Raz said, "We hope to continue our relation- ship with the Urban Farming project and expand the scope of students that participate in the project in the corn- ing years. Added Herdman, "This was such a chesed (act of kindness) project. We learned there are other ways to give tzedakah than money." For information on how to involve a synagogue, school, youth group or senior living facility in Urban Farming, to make a monetary or farming or gardening equipment donation or to volunteer to till the land or create rainwater pre- serves and composts for Urban Farming gardens, call (248) 388- 4749, or access the Web site at: urbanfarming.org . Each day includes a 45 minute swim lesson and a themed activity (crafts. games, outdoor activities. and more!) this Summer, let Goldfish teach your child how to Swim oldfish s wim scho ol 0_74- i3r.,!NY- ii?risyc 'fros24- soi;ourijamtf=iii) Call 248.644.1914 or visit www.GoldfishSwimSchool.com 2388 COLE ST. SUITE# 101 • BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 Big Kahuna Camp (7.10 yrs of age) Each day includes a 45 minute swim lesson. water sports (water polo, water volleyball. water basketball). and water safety skills. - IP Mon-Thurs: gam-12pm & 4pm-7:30pm Finish off the summer with a group of swim lessons. The clinic consists of four 30 minute lessons in 4 consecutive days. *August 20th - August 23rd August 27th - August 30th E LEGANT BAR MITZVAH AND BAT MITZVAH CELEBRATIONS IN THE REFINED AMBIENCE OF THE SKYLINE CLUB Just north of downtown Detroit, The Skyline Club is a premier luxury location for sophisticated, once-in-a-lifetime events. Exquisitely situated on the 28th floor of Tower 2000 in Southfield Town Center, the club offers alluring metropolitan views and an extensive slate of services, including event planning, luxury embellishments, custom menus, and anything else you may require. Simply reserve a private room, communicate your desires to our staff, relax, and enjoy this precious moment. You'll be proud to host family and friends in such posh ambience. SKVIJNE CLUB Stine Grand of Huntington Woods and Adva Levy, 5, of Southfield dig a hole for planting. Emanuel Nachshoni, 6, of Southfield concentrates on the task at hand. Contact Bryn Kerekes, Private Events Director, at 248.350.9898 for information. The Skyline Club • 2000 Town Center, Ste. 2800 • Southfield, MI 48075 www.TheSkylineClub.corn • Fax: 248.350.1191 June 21 . 2007 31