Dr. Kim Eagle

Alfred Taubman

Rabbi Joseph Krakoff Dr. Peter
Lichtenberg

Getting Older

New documentary helps men
embrace aging.

A

s the United States continues
to proportionately get older,
more people are looking for
ways to prolong their youth, age with
dignity, maintain their health and, over-
all, embrace aging.
Ten-time Michigan Emmy award-
winning director/producer Keith Famie
of Novi seeks to answer some of these
questions in his new three-part docu-
mentary series, beginning with The
Embrace of Aging: The Male Perspective
of Growing Old.
On Sunday, Feb. 24, hundreds will
gather at Shriners Silver Garden Event
Center in Southfield for the documen-
tary premiere, as well as a healthy meal
and advice from experts and a long cast
of "characters" on how men deal with
the trials and tribulations of aging.
Chuck Gaidica of WDIV will serve as
the emcee for the dinner/film screen-
ing; and Stewart Francke, also featured
in the film, will perform. Comedian Bill
Mihalic, who has written for Jay Leno,
will share his thoughts on the aging
man.
The evening will conclude with a
sneak preview of the second in Famie's
series, The Embrace of Aging: The
Female Perspective of Growing Old, cur-
rently in production, that will feature
Dr. Eve Feldman, a genetics researcher
at the University of Michigan, who
is working with stem cells, and Lola
Taubman, a Holocaust survivor.
The Embrace of Aging follows the lat-
est progressive teachings; well-known

16 February 21 • 2013

medical universities; and the advice of
health gurus, spiritual leaders, psycholo-
gists and men of all walks of life from
vastly different environments, all facing
the inevitability of growing old.
The film focuses on topics ranging
from heart disease and prostate cancer
to diabetes and Alzheimer's disease to
arthritis and the importance of exercise.
The Embrace of Aging also follows the
personal stories of men at various ages
and stages of their lives and takes a look
at senior living neighborhoods and hos-
pice centers.
Several men from Metro Detroit's
Jewish community will be featured,
including philanthropist and busi-
nessman Alfred Taubman, Rabbi
Joseph Krakoff of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, Dr.
Peter Lichtenberg from Wayne State
University's Gerontology department,
and Dr. Kim Eagle, professor of internal
medicine at the University of Michigan
Cardiovascular Center in Ann Arbor.
Tickets are $75 each, and can be
purchased by calling (248) 869-0096.
Doors open at 5 p.m. The Embrace of
Aging: The Male Perspective of Growing
Old series also is slated to air on Detroit
Public Television as a special seven-part
series, including footage not seen in the
film premiere. Dates and times soon to
be announced.
For more information on The Embrace
of Aging, including the trailer, photos
and stories of elements in production,
visit www.embraceofaging.com . ❑

Mat Other Tax

Myles Hoffert

It's also the time of year to review
your property tax assessment.

Ryan Fishman

Special to the Jewish News

T

his month your attention
might be focused on your
income taxes, but experts say
it's also time to review and perhaps
dispute your annual property tax
assessment. To better understand these
issues, the Jewish News sat down with
Myles Hoffert, president of Hoffert
& Associates in Farmington Hills, to
answer some potential questions.

JN: When it comes to this year's
property tax assessment, what
makes 2013 special?
MH: The economy has changed
and home prices are going up, but not
enough to match what the assessed
value of your home might be. The
property tax cap ensures this year's
value can't increase over last year's by
more than 5 percent or the increase
in cost of living. Because cost of living
hasn't increased, if you can secure a
lower assessment and taxable value for
this year, the succeeding year is subject
to those limits.

JN: What's the most common
mistake people make with their

Donate Wool Socks
To Keep People Warm

Warm Toes Detroit is collecting
warm socks for Metro Detroiters in
need. People wishing to contribute
can drop off new wool/wool blend
socks or other warm socks at the
participating collection points listed
at WarmToesDetroit.org . All sock

assessment?
MH: If you have a legitimate case
to dispute the assessed value of your
home, then you should be requesting
an appeal before the Michigan Tax
Tribunal. Often, people file in small
claims because there is no filing fee
— but also no judge or discovery of
the facts specific to your case. The
person adjudicating your appeal
won't have a lot of experience. You
are more equipped to challenge the
assessment with a lawyer in front of
the tribunal.

JN: When should you see a lawyer
and what documents should you
bring with you?
MH: The notice of your assessment
comes out sometime in February
or March, and from a technical
standpoint, you have 14 days to file a
residential appeal with the local board
of review. If you miss that deadline,
there is nothing you can do but wait
for next year. When you meet with
your lawyer, be sure to bring the
current notice of assessment and any
appraisals.

❑

For more information, visit www.hoffertlaw.

corn.

donations will be distributed to local
shelters in Metro Detroit.
Many local people spend long hours
and even nights in extreme weather
conditions, at risk of infection,
frostbite, hypothermia and even
death. Unlike cotton socks, wool
socks insulate even when wet.