metro »

Akiva Hebrew Day School ’s
First Annual

Drilling For Oil from page 16

March 15, 2016

Hosted by:

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. (VIP 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m)

Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit
6600 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield

Extended

R.S.V.P. Date – March 9, 2016

$75 Designated Driver
(FOFSBM"ENJTTJPOt7*1

Prices are per person and include entry into the
Charcuterie Display, Scottish Fleadh and access
to the Bottle Auction.

First two tasting tickets included with every
General Admission and VIP ticket

Additional tasting tickets are $10.
Each Designated Driver ticket includes access to
the buffet and auction.
VIPs are invited to an exclusive
pre-tasting event at 6:30 p.m.

Be a Sponsor

(PME4QPOTPStPlatinum Sponsor $1,000

R.S.V.P. Alexandra Newman 248.386.1625 x303

or alexandra.newman@akiva.org
For more information and to reserve tickets, visit
www.akiva.org/scotchtasting

Catered & Sponsored by

*

(This event is for 21 and over)

2071680

18 March 3 • 2016

the church to do more. Some of
the speakers emphasized that
the permit had been submitted
properly, and that the DEQ had
already delayed approval past its
own deadline. They reminded the
audience that Word of Faith should
have the permission to use its min-
eral rights, which church members
called a gift and a blessing.
One of the church members
asked how much the state might
have to pay if it denied the permit
without adequate justification.
DEQ manager Fitch reported that
Michigan once had to pay $90
million for improperly denying a
permit to drill for oil.
Other speakers identified them-
selves as residents of Southfield but
not members of the church; these
speakers opposed drilling.
They spoke about the threat to
the quality of ground and surface
water in a neighborhood where
many houses get their water from
wells. Some spoke about the threat
to air quality. They noted the
chemicals that would be pumped
into the ground or released into
the air.
Some spoke about contemplated
damage to old-growth trees and
undisturbed forest, a habitat for
rare plants and wild animals. To
drill this exploratory well, Jordan
Development will have to destroy
the trees on 1½ acres of wooded
land.
Other speakers expressed fear
of the impact of a steady supply of
heavy equipment on the streets of
quiet residential neighborhoods
near the site. Some expressed skep-
ticism that the DEQ has “adequate
budget, staff, resources or resolve”
to monitor dangers from the drill-
ing operation. Many speakers
worried about the loss of property
values in the neighborhood.
The public comments lasted long
into the night. Geologist Lanigan
said the comments would have
little impact on the permit applica-
tion, though. He characterized the
comments as “mostly emotional.”
He explained, “We have to decide
based on the technical details.”
The DEQ gave no timetable for
when it would decide on whether
to approve the drilling permit.

YidKit for iPhones from page 17

through the apps on my phone
and thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great
to access resources for all prayer
needs in one app?’”
That’s how it began. The free app
currently holds the entire siddur
with morning, evening and night-
time prayers, along with Birkat
HaMazon (blessing after meals)
and other special prayers. It also
includes the Tanach with trope and
nekudot (vowels) so people can
practice or follow Torah reading
with all the necessary details.
App development isn’t Dani’s
only talent. He’s an entrepreneur
in the making. Just before his
brother’s bar mitzvah in November,
Dani bought 500 business cards
imprinted with the YidKit logo and
URL and placed them in all the
bentchers (small books contain-
ing the Birkat) at the bar mitzvah
party. And he sports a large YidKit
magnet on his Nissan Altima.
When asked about advice to pro-
spective developers, he said, “I’ve
seen TedTalks about 12-year-olds
making apps. Anyone can do it. It’s
not difficult; it just takes motiva-
tion and interest.” Dani encourages
young developers to tap into free
online resources for app develop-
ment.
What does the future hold for
Dani? Definitely more apps — and
a shot at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology — his dream school
where he already submitted his
college application.
Dani’s third app is already avail-
able — a scoreboard app to view
the schedule and scores of his
Akiva Pioneers Basketball Varsity
team. The app syncs with other
apps and devices to view sched-
ules, scores and stats. Gaming
would be another future project on
Dani’s list. He’s beginning to play
around with Apple’s framework for
making games.
But, mostly, Dani will continue
to enhance his hit app, YidKit,
by incorporating more Jewish
resources he finds useful.
“It’s cool to hear people in your
community and school using your
app,” Dani said.

*

To follow Dani’s accomplishments, visit
www.DaniSmithProductions.com. Malkie
Rosenbloom is director of communications
at Akiva Hebrew Day School in Southfield.