metro Detroit Doctor Jewish guests abound on new tell-all health talk show on WADL. Lynne Meredith Golodner Special to the Jewish News I f there's one message viewers and guests alike will take away from the cutting-edge, conversational new health TV talk show, Ask Dr. Nandi, it's that "you have to be an advocate for your own care." That's the premise behind Ask Dr. Nandi, a new talk show air- ing Wednesdays at 11 a.m. on WADL. The first episodes, focusing on topics like yoga, Celiac disease and childhood obesity and featuring Dr. Partha Detroit-based physician Nandi Dr. Partha Nandi, aired in California to wide acclaim. The show debuted in his hometown on May 16. "I want patients to know the truth about their care;' Nandi says. "If you feel you're not being heard, please get another opin- ion. Be an advocate for your own care; this includes fighting for appropriate care from your insurance plan." Every episode of Ask Dr. Nandi focuses JTS Alumni Set Competition Michigan alumni of the Jewish Theological Seminary will compete for the title of "JTS Maven" at this year's citywide dinner scheduled for Monday, June 4, 5:30 p.m. at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. This year's program will pit rabbis, can- tors, Jewish educators and lay leaders who are graduates of JTS's five schools. Diverse and challenging questions from the Bible, Jewish history, as well as popular culture and sports, will try to stump the competi- tion. Competing will be graduates from the joint JTS List College/Columbia University program Robin Rubenstein, Hy Safran and Yoni Nadiv; Cantors Sam Greenbaum, Daniel Gross and Zachary Mondrow; Rabbis Jonathan Berger, Aaron Bergman, Robert Gamer, Joseph Krakoff, Jason Miller, David Nelson, Elliot Pachter, Steven Rubenstein and Herbert Yoskowitz. Dinner chair this year is Stuart Logan with synagogue chairs including Steven and Jeri Fishman, Dave and Fran Stark Hundiak, Lee and Ellen Michaels, Glen and Wendy Pickover, Jeffrey and Joyce Weingarten, Harvey and Anita Zalesin, and Marvin and Renee Zucker. The Metro Detroit JTS cabinet is chaired by Robert Goodman with Sandy Glazier and Paul Magy serving as associate chairpersons. 20 May 31 . 2012 on a single health problem. "We talk about a problem in detail for people so they understand it and know how to resolve it;' Nandi says. "This show offers real solutions. We like to say, 'We'll go there' and we will! We are not afraid to tell the truth." Local guests on the first show included Julie Silver of Acupuncture Healthcare Associates of Michigan, fitness guru Nikki Fayne, dermatologist Dr. Wendy Sadoff, cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn and patient Cheryl Grossman, among other guests. "I was asked to come on the show to share my story of physical transforma- tion," says Fayne, who was obese as a child and is now a fit, healthy woman who teaches fitness classes and helps others get fit. "I loved being on the set and filming the show. Dr. Nandi has a gentle approach that is authentic. He is a brilliant man yet so very open in mind and heart." Silver says, "It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Nandi, talking about acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. His combined expertise and interest on a vari- ety of subjects as well as his compassion and interest in the human spirit make him the perfect talk show host. It is very excit- ing to have his show in the Detroit area and, as important, to feature the wonder- ful local skills and talent in our area." Nandi practices in Metro Detroit. Born in Calcutta, India, he immigrated to the United States as a child and completed high school by age 16. He attended Ohio State University on a full scholarship, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in chemistry and classical Greek civilization. Nandi was both the Rhodes scholar representative and homecoming king. "I became a physician because I want to be there when someone's world stops — I want to help people when they are most vulnerable and help them recover fully;' he says. "I always tell the truth about a medical condition and work hard to ensure my patients fully understand their problem. My goal with this TV show is to eliminate intimidation and fear from health care and put the power in the hands of the patients." Nandi obtained his medical degree from Wayne State University, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and graduated in the top of Cost for the dinner is $180 per person; 40 years and younger, $118; and students at $54. To reserve online go to www.jtsa. edu/DetroitDinner2012 or call (248) 258- 0055. Camps. The weeklong summer camps will run again this year, from June 25–Aug. 24 for grades 1-8. These weekly camps offer a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) experience for all lev- els to create with LEGO bricks, as well as explore robotics, gears, motors and related computer programming skills. More information can be found at www. therobotgarage.com or (248) 723-9100. Free Family Event At The Robot Garage June 1 The Robot Garage is turning one and celebrating with a free birthday party — packed with fun, educational activities for the whole family. Building enthusiasts and the community-at-large will have a chance to experience, explore and play at this "geeky but cool" family hotspot in the Birmingham Rail District Friday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Drop-in open building with LEGO, LaQ and DUPLO building materials will be free for the whole day. In addition, other free activities include robotics demonstrations, hands-on "Sumo" robot competitions, a community LEGO mosaic, and various displays built with LEGO, Makedo and LaQ. Treat Dreams, the Ferndale micro ice creamery, will be on site with its ice cream truck selling frozen goodies at the First Birthday Party. Motor City Franks will also be on-site, selling classic Detroit and Chicago-style hot dogs, Faygo and Better Made potato chips. The Birthday Party will also offer a preview of the Robot Garage Summer JFS Offers Help Through Its Cancer Connection Facing a cancer diagnosis can be frighten- ing and overwhelming. For many people, it can be an isolating time, dealing with many concerns and emotions that even the most devoted family and friends may not understand. Helping a loved one through a cancer diagnosis also can bring many unique challenges that can be hard to talk about with others who are not in the same situ- ation. Cancer Connection at Jewish Family Service is the address for Jewish Detroiters in need of support, resources and informa- tion relating to cancer. In addition to our resource center and educational programs, our peer support program offers telephone support to individuals facing their own or a loved one's cancer diagnosis. Our trained volunteers are all cancer survivors or individuals who have cared his class. His internal medicine training took place at Wayne, where he was intern of the year; he completed his gastroen- terology fellowship at the University of Michigan. "I want to leave a bigger footprint on this Earth, and really help people;' says Nandi, who would one day like to open an urban medical clinic offering care to any- one who walks through the door. Nandi speaks nationally about health and medicine, educating physicians and patients, and serving as a patient advo- cate, promoting empathy in care and comprehensive, integrated treatment. Nandi is married to Kali Nandi (a registered nurse) and the father of two children; they live in Sterling Heights. His approach is widely known as "hon- est medicine;' offering straight talk with patients so they have all the information they need to make informed decisions about their health. For more information, visit www. askdrnandi.com or email askdrnandi@ gmail.com. Lynne Meredith Golodner is a writer, publicist and owner of Your People LLC. for a loved one through a cancer diagnosis. Matches are made based on the specific needs of each individual. There is some- thing unique about talking to someone who understands the specific challenges of a cancer diagnosis. To learn more about Cancer Connection or to volunteer as a peer supporter, contact Shira at (248) 592-3963 or cancerresources@jfsdetroit.org . As Spring Winds Down, Franklin Gets 'Wined Up' Wind down spring's end in historic Franklin at the village's first annual Summer Wined Up on Thursday, June 14. Retailers will extend shopping hours beyond the traditional 5 p.m. closing to 8 p.m. and will add Beaujolais and Chardonnay to the inventories of hand- crafted jewelry, flavorful spices and cool summer wear. Shoppers will be able to enter to win a basket filled with a sampling of products from Franklin's merchants. "We're really excited to celebrate the start of summer," said volunteer Maureen Movold of Main Street Franklin, which is sponsoring the festivities. "We want to focus on promoting our one-of-a-kind merchants and charming downtown and host an event that fosters a relaxed sense of community in today's harried social climate."