Health & Fitness
IN MEMORIAM
WELLNESS
Court Gesture
Seeking Control
Handball group remembers
a very special player.
Henry Ford hospital luncheon
helps in fight against cancer.
he Michigan Handball
Association dedicated a
court on Detroit's Belle Isle
in memory of Sheldon Sonkin, a
West Bloomfield dentist and hand-
ball enthusiast who died in 2006 at
age 75.
"Shel was a fine handball player
who epitomized the thousands of
players who love the game as well as
the camaraderie of the other play-
ers," said dose friend Joel Tauber of
Tauber Enterprises, Southfield.
Handball is challenging and com-
petitive, but players remain friendly
and fraternal. "No matter where one
travels in the United States," Tauber
said, "if your have your shorts, gym
shoes and gloves, you can find a
game by simply going to the courts
and being the next one up"
Tauber added, "Shel went even one
step further. If he heard of a new
player in town or someone looking
for a game, he would invite them to
join the group."
Tauber played singles and doubles
with Sonkin for more than 40 years.
"He was a competitive tiger on the
court, using the crowding or 'a little
push' style of play to gain an advan-
tage Tauber said. "Off the court, he
was a total gentleman — friendly
and kind to everyone."
Handball has lost a real stalwart.
he fifth annual Mothers,
Daughters, Sisters & Friends
luncheon drew more than
700 people recently at Shenandoah
Golf, Banquet & Country Club in West
Bloomfield.
Keynote speaker Nancy G. Brinker,
goodwill ambassador for cancer control
for the United Nations' World Health
Organization, spoke about founding
Susan G. Komen for the Cure in her
sister's memory. The foundation started
with $200 in a shoebox and now has a
"Shel was a dedicated and true hand-
ball player of the highest quality and
one of those fantastic everyday play-
ers:' Tauber said.
Botsford Earns
Green Certification
The Botsford Hospital Cancer Center
has been certified at the LEED Silver
level by the U.S. Green Building
Council. This is the first Council/LEED
Silver certified health-care facility in
southeast Michigan.
Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) is
an internationally recognized green
building certification system pro-
vides third-party verification that a
building is designed and built using
sustainable site solutions, water
efficiency, energy and atmosphere
optimization, materials and finishes,
improved indoor environmental qual-
ity, and stewardship of resources and
sensitivity to their impacts.
The $18 million cancer center
was designed and built by Chralotte,
N.C.-based Cogdell Spencer Erdman,
a health-care real estate facilities com-
pany, working with Botsford's staff
and physicians. The 30,000-square-
foot facility houses the Botsford
Radiation Oncology Department and
includes space for two medical oncol-
ogy practices.
A highlight of the project is the
healing garden designed to bring
beauty and serenity to the cancer cen-
ter. Healing gardens are a vital aspect
of the care environment.
The garden is accessible through
the campus and the center, provid-
ing a place of respite for users and
a sanctuary for patients and their
families.
T
34
October 22 • 2009
BELLE ISLE
HANDBALL COURT
IMPROVEMENTS
- in memory of
Sheldon Sonkin
Handball Player, Friend
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The dedication plaque
T
presence in 50 countries. It has invested
more than $1.3 billion into research
and outreach programs.
Ambassador Brinker was recently
awarded the Presidential Medal of
Freedom by President Barack Obama
for her work.
Over the past five years, Mothers,
Daughters, Sisters & Friends has raised
more than $1 million to benefit the
Francee and Benson Ford Jr. Breast
Care and Wellness Center at Henry Ford
West Bloomfield Hospital. O
Suzy
Farbman
of Franklin,
Ambassador
Nancy G.
Brinker and
Linda Zlotoff
of Bloomfield
Hills
Joel Tauber and Sydelle Sonkin at the
dedication
Karen and
Dr. Brent
Davidson and
Dr. Deborah
Portney, all
of Bloomfield
Hills
Ambassador
Brinker and
retired Judge
Deborah
Tyner of
Franklin