The Michigan Daily - Friday, December 2, 1994 - 5 touise Flowers to close after 52 years U Bivouac to expand into vacant space on Jan. 1; will open doors 3 weeks later By AMY KLEIN Daily Staff Reporter After 52 years of serving students and Ann Arbor residents, Louise Flow- ers & Gifts will be closing its doors by Dec. 11. Neighboring clothing and camp- ing supply retailer Bivouac will ex- pand into the vacant space on State Street Jan. I and plans to open the addition three weeks later. Jessie Berkan and Denise Betke, e current owners of Louise Flowers & Gifts, are folding to a rent increase that takes effect with the new Dec. 31 lease. "The new rent price was just way out of our reach," Betke said. A liquidation sale is already under- way, and the owners are drastically reducing prices. The shop, while specializing in Osh and silk flowers, also sel Is stuffed animals, mugs, and other gifts. "I've been here since 1950 and this is very sad," Berkan said. "It's like losing a very good friend. How often do you find a wonderful job working with flowers?" Candidates for Housing director describe plans JUDITH PERKINS/Daily Louise Flowers & Gifts on State Street will close its doors by Dec. 11, after 52 years in business. During the last few years, business has declined for the flower shop, which depends on the patronage of the Uni- versity community. "I think the increase in University tuition has a lot to do with why our business has gone down," Betke said. Betke is the niece of the original owner, Louise, who passed away last March. Betke plans to relocate the shop to Virginia, where the rest of her family lives. "I don't think (Louise) would be disappointed that we closed. She'd want the best for me, rather than have me push myself and then possibly fail," Betke said. Berkan, who worked at the shop for more than 20 years, will not be follow- ing her partnerto Virginia. Instead, she will look for another part-time job in Ann Arbor. With the expansion into the flower shop's space, Bivouac will increase its current size by 12 percent. The store will begin renovating Jan. 3. Bivouac owner Ed Davidson said he will spread out his existing mer- chandise into the new space, and does not anticipate an increase in the amount of goods the store stocks. "We're doing OK right now. We're just out of space. The store is way too crowded and not consumer-friendly at all," Davidson said. "Currently a lot of things we carry are hidden behind other merchandise, and as a result customers don't see some things." Davidson, however, will miss the owners of Louise Flowers & Gifts. "They were very nice neighbors and have been there for a long time," Davidson said. While Bivouac plans the new addi- tion, Louise Flowers & Gifts leaves Ann Arbor with "mixed emotions," Beikec sa id.- "We really enjoyed our customers and the y oung people here. Everyone's been friendly, sweet and wonderful. It'll be hard to say good-bye," she said. By RONNIE GLASSBERG Daily Staff Reporter As the Division of Student Affairs enters the final stages of an eight-month search for a new Housing director, two of the four final candidates gave pre- sentations to the public yesterday. Chika Kenneth Nnamani, the di- rector of housing services at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst since July 1993, and Constance Foley, director of resi- dence services at Kent State Uni- versity since 1990, spoke to a group primarily composed of employees from Student Affairs. No students showed up for the public event. A 12-member committee chaired by Garry D. Brewer, dean of the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, selected the four candidates. On Tuesday, the two other candidates will speak in the Michigan League's Koessler Li- brary beginning at 2 p.m. During yesterday's public pre- sentations, each of the candidates presented their views on living- learning experiences, like the Pilot Program in Alice Lloyd and the 21st Century Program in Mary Markley and other aspects of the Housing Division. Nnamani, who moved to the United States from Nigeria in 1976, said that students come to the University for its academic reputation, and the Hous- ing Division must include education in the residence halls. "Nobody that ever went to college went based on how the residence hall looked," Nnamani said. "We've got to look at new ways of thinking. Housing services must cooperate with the aca- demic community." Foley, who earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the Uni- versity in 1970, said the campus has changed since she was here. "(Universities) are nolongeraprivi- lege. They are an expectation," Foley said. "We are getting students from all walks of life and that's good." Foley, who participated in the Pilot Program during her college years, also emphasized the role of living-learning programs. "I see myself as a student affairs administrator, which I think goesth yond the bounds of being a housioj administrator," she said. "We do nrot operate in , a vacuum." After leaving the University, Foley earned 4 .: master's degreelti guidance and coun- seling from Syra-. cuse University in 1977. In 1989, shi Foly earned a doctorate in higher and adult education from Arizona State Uni- versity. N n a m a ni earned a bach- elor's degree in mass communica- tion and political, science from Illi- nois State Univer, Nnamanl sity in 1980. He' earned master's degrees in political science and history from Illinois State in 1982 and 1984, respectively. Residence Hall Association Presi. dent Stacia Fejedelem, who met with both of the candidates, said both ap- peared to be very qualified. "I was impressed that they seem to want to get to know the students here on a direct level," Fejedelem. said. "They both seemed very posi, tive. They didn't seem to come to us with a set agenda. They seemed very open." Michigan Student Assembly Presi- dent Julie Neenan, a search committe& member, said she was impressed wit@ both candidates. "I thought Nnamani was really in, terested in getting involved with stu- dents and I liked that a lot," she said. "(Foley) has a lot of ideas. I think she would manage the whole divisi9A. pretty well." Former state rep. to work as iU ci yaison By NATE HURLEY Daily News Editor A former Democratic state repre- sentative will once again serving the community, but this time he'll be work- ing for the University. James A. Kosteva, who repre- sented the Canton Township area in the state House from 1985 to 1992, 1l1 be the University's new direc- Or of community relations, effec- tiye Dec. 19. Kosteva fills the position that was vacated earlier this year by Peter Pellerito. "There was obviously a tre- mendous vacuum in terms of relations with the local community," said Lisa Baker, associate vice president for University relations. Kosteva's duties will include: ® planning and developing activi- ties to increase understanding of the University's goals; * acting as a liaison with elected officials in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County; and, * expanding relationships with Detroit business leaders and govern- ment groups. "I was doing some of the liaison, but it's clear there needs to be a day-to- day person," said Baker, who headed the search to fill the position. Kosteva will be paid $65,000 a year in his University position. Baker said the opening was posted in August and about 200 people ap- plied for the position, 15 of whom she personally interviewed. Three finalists were interviewed by Baker and other University adminis- trators. No students were involved in the search. Kosteva, the director of central staff for the speaker of the state House, was in the Upper Peninsula last night to attend the funeral of long-time state Democratic leader Dominic Jacobetti of Negaunee and could not be reached for comment. Kosteva chaired the House's Eco- nomic Development and Energy Com- mittee and was vice chairman of the Committee on Taxation. He also served as commissioner on the Midwest Higher Education commission. City holds candlelight vigil to remember those who died of AIDS By JODI COHEN Daily Staff Reporter Wearing armbands with the names of people who have died of AIDS and marching to a steady drumbeat, more than 200 people with candles in hand walked through the Diag last night as part of World AIDS Day. The candlelight vigil was held in remembrance of those who died from AIDS, and to show support for those filing with the disease. Behind a banner that read "World AIDS Day," the participants traveled from the steps of the Michigan Union to the First Congressional Church, crossing the Diag and traveling down South State Street. World AIDS Day, observed annu- ally in 189 countries on Dec. 1, serves to strengthen the worldwide effort to promote AIDS awareness and educa- *n. The World Health Organization, which sponsors World AIDS Day, esti- mates that there are currently 4 million AIDS cases and 17 million people in- fected with the HIV virus worldwide. The University has tried to increase AIDS awareness this week by hosting about a dozen activities. Last night's ceremony began at the Union's Art Lounge with six speakers including Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid B. Sheldon, City Councilman Chris Kolb, activists Dana and Richard Nichols, and Rev. Sterling Sangoma. A I DS"I think that the Awareness Week speakers showed a Nov. 28 - Dec. 2 diverse group of people. I think that is good because it shows that all types of people are af- fected by AIDS," said LSA sopho- more Adrienne More. Sheldon said, "Tonight is a moment of remembrance, a time to share and reflect on those we have lost." Joseph Martinez, a volunteer at the HIV/AIDS Resource Center in Ypsilanti, agreed with Sheldon. "For a lot of people the vigil is important as a way of remembrance and a way to raise awareness in the community." 'AIDS is not a one-day event. It's 365 days a year.' - Chris Kolb Ann Arbor city councilman Kolb's speech stressed that every day should be AIDS awareness day. "AIDS is not a one-day event. It's 365 days a year," he said. "Don't think you are invincible. AIDS is here." After listening to the speakers, par- ticipants moved to the steps of the Union to light their candles and begin the march. Last night's ceremony was spon- sored by volunteers of the HIV/AIDS Resource Center which serves Livingston, Lenawee, Jackson and Washtenaw counties. The majority of the participants, however, were not from the Univer- sity. "It's scary that there are so few people here. Most are from the Ann Arbor community, not the University," said RC sophomore Patience Atkin. Student organizer of the event and Public Health student Brian Meyer, said he was not disappointed with stu- dent participation. "I thought there would be more people, but overall I think it's a good turnout considering we were moving into exams," he said. HIV/AIDS Resource Center ad- ministrator Larry LaFerte believes that the vigil is an effective means of in- creasing awareness. "The vigil contin- ues awareness. It allows people to re- member those who have died. (World AIDS Day) brings the pandemic to many people's minds," he said. Some participants believe the Uni- versity is an especially appropriate place to hold the vigil. "A lot of growing AIDS cases are in college-age people and that is a reason why we bring awareness to colleges," Martinez said. The candlelight vigil is one of the University's primary events during this week, and Meyer said it is an integral activity. "I think it brings a focus to the week. It's one of the most visible events that can be done in the community, and I think it makes people stop and no- tice," he said. LSA and Art School junior Kevin McGrath said it is important for th University community to see studerti4 participating in such events. "If other people see such a large interest in' al cause, than maybe they will start to become interested in the cause," he said There was a closing ceremony .at the First Congressional Church of Anr Arbor, the final destination of the. marchers. At the church, participants sat silently as people spoke the names, of friends, brothers, uncles and other loved ones who had died from AIDS. Rev. Terry Smith made closing re- U gU D OPENING 34 S. State Street - 4 doors South of Liberty - 998-3480 77 } 4 41 th a' F - {_ F It Friday Q Birthday Concert for William Albright, Rackhan'Auditorium, 8 p.m., 764-0594 U "Haiti: What's Really Happen- ing," Rackham, Fourth Floor Amphitheater, 7-9 p.m., 971- 8582 "Modern Resources for Tra- ditional Religions," Guild house, 802 Monroe, 7:30 p.m., 761-1137 U "Poincare's Conventionalism and the Logical Positivists," Administrative Services Build- ing, 4 p.m., 764-6285 Saturday QI African Staffs, Rods and Scep- ters, lecture followed by a public display Angell Hall, Auditorium B, 8 p.m., 747-2063 [ Author Sarah Weeks Reads Her Work, Borders Books and Mu- sic, 612 E. Liberty, 11 a.m., 668- 7553 " Optimal Motion Workshop, Ann Arbor YMCA, 2:15-4:15 p.m., 663-0536 a Shabbat Lunch, Hillel, 12:30 p.m. " Reform Chavurah Havdalah Service, Hillel, 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. U "Creating Spiritual Commu- nity," Guild House, 802 Mon- roe, 5 p.m., 662-5189 [ "Is a Mulitracial Category a Good Idea,' Mary Markley Li- brary, 7:30 p.m., 764-1128 U Percussion Ensemble Perfor- mance, School of Music, McIn- tosh Theatre, 4 p.m., 764-0594 QJ Staff Selection Information Meeting, Michigan Union, Ballroom, 2-4 p.m., 747-3785 Qf Virtual Reality LSAT, Kaplan Building, 337 E. Liberty, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., 764-0557 F it I