How to Find a Better Assisted Living Solution LOOKING FOR assisted living for your loved one doesn't have to be difficult. As you research your options, look for these 3 features: I Honors individual lifestyles. At Renaissance Gardens, residents Jblive on their own terms, like at home. There is no set schedule Israel Bound because people should eat, rest, and engage in activities when they please. Granholm slates Mideast visit in hopes of luring business investment. Activities and socializing. At Renaissance Gardens, residents' Li schedules are based on their interests. Residents also have access to the 108-acre Fox Run campus. They can go for a swim in the all-season pool or grab a bite at one of three on-campus restaurants. Robert A. Sklar Q Access to health care. Licensed caregivers are on-site 24 hours a day at Renaissance Gardens, and the full-time Erickson HealthsM doctors only see residents of Fox Run. There's even a Medicare Advantage health insurance plan exclusively for Erickson residents. Editor G Call today for your personal tour at 1-888-445-3450 Rena. rssance 9ardens at FOX RIJN Near the junction of M-5 and 1-96, 275, and 696 Photo by David Debalko www.TheCareExperts.com 1376160 NOW BUYING GOLD AT PREMIUM PRICES Actual size. Tapper's Gold Buying Program With gold prices at record highs, that old jewelry you're holding onto may be worth a lot more than you think. For your convenience, Tapper's is proud to offer an easy gold purchasing service with two valuable options for you to choose from: • If you prefer to sell your jewelry, you will receive a check before you leave: • Special Promotion: If you decide to purchase merchandise before you leave the store, an additional 10% will be added to the amount you are paid on the gold credit. Please note that these purchases are final sale only and the credit may only be used the day it's issued. The time it takes to process your merchandise is dependent on the amount brought in and the amount of jewelry currently being assayed 12 Oaks Mall • Novi • 248.465.1800 • tappers.com Orchard Mall • West Bloomfield • 248.932.7700 _IAMONDS err FINE JEWELRY 1381. A36 April 24 • 2008 ov. Jennifer Granholm will visit Israel and Kuwait next week to meet with business leaders and encourage them to invest in Michigan, hopefully creating new jobs in the process and spur- ring the state's depressed economy. The trade mission runs April 30-May 8. It coincides with Israel's celebration of 60 years of statehood on May 8, Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day). "International invest- ment missions are part of our economic plan to go anywhere and do anything to bring jobs to Michigan," Granholm said. "In the last five years:' she added, "we have gone overseas to bring to Michigan new investment and jobs from global companies looking to expand their presence or open their doors in North America. Now, with a host of new business tools, combined with our world-renowned workforce, we have an even stronger case to make' Michigan has lost 400,000 manufac- turing jobs in recent years, she said. Israel and Kuwait were selected because the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) identified them as likely business part- ners. The sojourn will be the Democratic governor's sixth overseas investment mission since 2004. Republicans and other skeptics have branded such mis- sions publicity stunts or acts of desper- ation given Michigan's dark economic climate. But the governor's staff cites previ- ous job hunts to Germany, Austria, Japan and Sweden as having a positive impact: 37 companies announcing $818 million in new investment with more than 9,000 jobs created and retained. MEDC President and CEO James Epolito and other economic devel- opment officials will accompany Granholm on the mission. The MEDC will cover the travel cost. An official of the Chicago-based Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest also will be part of the travel contingent. While in Israel and Kuwait, Granholm will target companies in the technology sectors of advanced manu- facturing, alternative energy, homeland security, defense and water treatment. Meeting hosts will include gov- ernment and company officials. "News of Michigan's excit- ing transformation is reaching a global audience," Epolito said. "This mission will allow us to continue our concerted efforts to showcase our state as a growing high-tech hotspot and the best place in North America for international com- oim panies to do business." Following the governor's missions to Japan in 2005 and 2006, 21 compa- nies started their intent to expand in Michigan, including DENSO, Konica Minolta, Meiden American, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Tokai Rika. Total investment, according to the governor's office, was $339.4 million with 2,248 jobs created and retained. Granholm's investment-seeking sojourns to Germany in 2004 and to Germany and Austria in 2007 resulted in several companies announcing investments totaling $397 million with 4,532 jobs created and retained. Her trek to Sweden and Germany in 2007 netted $82 million in new investments with 2,397 jobs created and retained, according to her office. Granholm is one of six governors who will visit Israel this year. "Their visits acknowledge the impor- tance, centrality and contribution that Israel can make by way of exchanges between the State of Israel and the states of America," said Barukh Binah, Israel's Chicago-based consul general. Israel's economy has grown 4 per- cent. It boasts a gross domestic product (GDP) per person of $22,000 — $9,000 higher than 15 years ago. The GDP rep- resents the value of all final goods and services from a nation in a given year. "High tech brings in 55 percent of Israel's income Binah said. "We're doing quite well, at least economi- cally." 0