L ie . I NI IN . You never get a sec- ond chance to make a first impression. With today's competitive job market and challenging social scene, it is im- perative you look and feel confident. Dr. John Kazanows- ki has been perfecting smiles since 1979, and provides his patients with outstanding corn- prehensive and cos-. metic dental care that is unsurpassed. Dr. Kazanowski uses the State-of-the-Art diagnostic equip- ment and the latest technological cos- metic advances. Dr. Kaz & his team are very personable, and work diligently to ensure that each and every patient is comfortable while under his care. If you haven't been to he dentist in some- time you will be pleasantly surprised to know that dentistry today can be virtu- ally pain-free. Highly educated and experienced, Dr. Kaz graduated with honors from the University of Detroit Dental School and studied oral implantology at Harvard. He specializes in implants, whitening, bonding and porcelain veneers, and views his work as an oppor- tunity to express him- self creatively. Every patient's smile by Dr. Kaz is truly a "work of art." Health & Fitness INCLUSIVE SPORTS League from page 59 7 rafiPrr - , There are many places in the Detroit metro- politan area where one can get a good cup of coffee, but only one place to get a beautiful smile by "Dr. Kaz." Call to schedule an appointment and gain the confidence you need to make your best first impression. Located at 31700 Telegraph, Ste. 100, Bingham Farms, 248 433 6000 or visit the web- site at www.drkazdds.com - - r NEW PATIENT SPECIAL $ 1 00 .00 Toward Your First Dental Treatment w/coupon www.drkazdds.com Ems . 11/30/10j Phil and Estelle Elkus came to watch a floor hockey game in the gym they made possible. _ - - --a-niiittrrot Team assignments were based solely on ability and skill level, unlike some programs, where volunteers are paired with children who have disabilities. Each team consists of members who have special needs and those who do not, playing side-by- side as equals. "There are no superstars on this league Krass said. "It is a group of kids, working together, learning the same techniques and functioning as a team. Too often in our society, children with special needs are thrust onto the fringes of the community. They are considered too slow to run, too disruptive for a team and too 'dif- ferent' to fit in. Well, not this time." Participants are asked to wear gym shoes and comfortable clothes. Friendship Circle provides the rest of the equipment: sticks, pucks, goalie masks and gloves, and jerseys imprinted with team names and indi- vidual player numbers. The program is structured to encourage even the most inexpe- rienced or apprehensive players to participate. There is no scorekeeping, and the atmosphere is supportive rather than competitive. Fun is the only goal that counts. "The point is that they're playing and that makes them all winners," Krass said. Generational Ties Robi Brooks, 10, was reluctant to play at first because he was afraid of get- ting hurt, according to his mother, Julie Brooks of Livonia. Friendship Circle staff members Yarden Blumstein and Tzvi Schectman reassured him until he agreed to give it a try. . 42 mo. lease, 10,000 mVyr. allowed with 250 over limit. $2495 total due at signing plus tax & fees. On approved credit. 60 November 18 • 2010 iN "Now he loves it," said Brooks. An added bonus for Krass is that many of the parents whose children participate in the program are former students from his days as a public school teacher. Elise Otis of West Bloomfield, mother of 9-year-old Ryan, played floor hockey at Leonhard Elementary under Krass' tutelage. She approaches the coach as the game ends and Ryan and his teammates leave the rink to put away their equipment. "Can I tell you how much he is enjoying this?" she asks. It is a rhetorical question; the smile on Ryan's face is the only answer she needs. On this particular day, three gener- ations of one family are represented, as 10-year-old Lexi Atler is cheered on by her mother, Cindy Atler of Farmington Hills, Cindy's brother, Andrew Chaffkin, and their mother, Barrie Chaffkin. Cindy and her broth- er are also former Leonhard students in Southfield with fond memories of their former gym teacher. "Everybody loved Mr. Krass; they all loved gym class:' said Barrie Chaffkin of Commerce Township. "To see my granddaughter with Ed, there are no words. It's a complete circle, just amazing:' Andrew, who resides in Bloomfield Hills, said it was "kind of surreal" to see his niece learning floor hockey from his former teacher of 40 years ago. "This is Lexi's favorite thing to do:' said Cindy, who learned about the league through her 13-year-old daughter, Ally, who has special needs and participates in several other Friendship Circle programs.