around town

Hidden
Treasure

A Sweet Sweat

Discovered in Oakland County

Team Alex rides to
grant heroic wishes.

(—

Elegant estatejewelry and

Robert Sklar

beautiful one-of-a-kincl pieces can

Contributing Editor

be yours for less than y ou would imagine

Brooklyn, Mich.

T

his "sweet 16" year for Team Alex,
the largest group entrant in Make-A-
Wish Michigan's 2014 Wish-A-Mile
(WAM) benefit bicycle tour, not only raised
$325,000 of the statewide total of $2 million,
but also showcased eight multigenerational
Jewish families in the spirit of l'dor v'dor,
from generation to generation.
Brighton-based Make-A-Wish Michigan
bestows wishes to qualifying children with
life-threatening medical conditions. Team
Alex, 140 riders strong, will account for 54
of 500 wishes to be granted from the July
24-27 WAM.
Beth Brandvain of Farmington Hills, win-
ner of the 2014 WAM Inspiration Award,
captains Team Alex. The Oakland County-
based team memorializes Alexandra
Graham, daughter of 2014 WAM Leaders of
Joy Award winners Susie and Bill Graham
of West Bloomfield. Alex died in 1999 at age
17 from bone cancer. Her wish was to create
a public service announcement encouraging
able-bodied kids to smile, not stare, at other
kids who may look different because of a
medical condition or physical limitation.
Third-year Wish Hero Sophie Blumberg,
10, battling Familial Dysautonomia, an
inherited genetic disorder affecting the
development function of nerves, was at the
finish at Michigan International Speedway
(MIS) to award medals to her Team Alex
teammates, including her dad, Loren.
Riders chose either a 300-mile, three-
day course beginning in Traverse City or
a 50-mile day route from MIS. The two
courses drew 1,000 registrants.
For the last three years, Team Alex riders
have set out on their sweaty journey with a
string friendship bracelet made by Sophie
and her mom, Mindy.
Says Sophie, a fifth-grader who loves to
dance and swim: "Riders who are having
a hard time can look at their bracelets and
think of the Wish Kids!"
From the start, the bracelets were
meant as a smile reminiscent of Alex
wrapped up in a hug from Sophie — in
hopes of providing strength and motiva-
tion for the riders. ❑

Other Team Alex parent/offspring
WAM riders:
• 12-year WAM rider Jeff Surnow
of West Bloomfield and son Max of
Birmingham, a 4-year rider.

• 12-year WAM rider Rick Hyman
of West Bloomfield has ridden on a
tandem for 4 years with son Jared.

2-year WAM rider Loren Blumberg of
Farmington Hills finished with a hug
from daughter Sophie, a Wish Hero.

.4-• 11.911

‘..14

Jay Levinson of West Bloomfield,
flanked by stepsons Rob and Michael
Jurewicz, both of Miami, are all
1st-year WAM riders.

Ag

Estate Buyers

at David Wachler & Sons

R&R Jewelers -
Now located at
100 S. Old Woodward
Birmingham MI 48009
248.540- 4622

100 South Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI
248.540.4622

1888170

If you are not wearing it... sell it!...
or BORROW on it!

You can't enjoy jewelry if it's sitting in your safe

gist

3-year rider Dale Garber of Farmington
Hills rode for the first time in WAM

with daughters Jenna of Farmington
and Samantha of Oscoda.

deposit box. Sell or borrow on it for immediate cash.
We deal in jewelry, watches, diamonds and coins.

A Service to
Private Owners,
Banks & Estates

Contact Larry A

33700 Woodward Ave. • Between 14 Mile & Adams • Birmingham, MI

248-644-8565

Come in and experience great service and a relaxing environment!

JESSICA QUINN WELCOMES YOU!

5-year rider Steve Seidman of West
Bloomfield rode in WAM with sons
Danny of Royal Oak, a 1st-time rider,
and Aaron of Maine, a 3-year rider.

• 10-year WAM rider Mark Kuhn of
West Bloomfield and son Daniel of
Washington, D.C., a 2-year rider.

• 10-year WAM rider Norm Brandt
of Bloomfield Hills and sons Noah,
a 7-year rider, of Bloomfield Hills
and Ronnie, a 6-year rider, of San
Francisco.

=mau l;

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May be extra charge for
longer hair. New clients or
I
JESSICA ONLY
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With coupon, not valid with
I 6 months. With coupon, not valid I

$15

with other offers. Expires 9/4/14.

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6171 Haggerty Rd
West Bloomfield

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In Bloomfield Avenue Shoppes

248.669.1910

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other offers. Expires 9/4/14.

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$10

JESSICA ONLY

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after 6 months. With coupon,
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August 7 • 2014

31

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