LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, March 22, 2000- 5 Speakers, art exhibits brighten week for young patients By Lindsey Alpert Daily Staff Reporter There will be more laughter and smiles at Mott Children's Hospital this week in celebra- tion of National Children and Healthcare Week. The nationally acknowledged week, started the Association for the Care of Children's ealth, includes special visitors, artistic exhibits and special activities at the hospital. "We really concentrate on making it a spe- cial week for patients and their families," said Karen Larson, development officer for children and family life at Mott Children's Hospital. The special week at the hospital includes vis- its from Huron Valley Ambulance paramedics, the Ann Arbor Fire Department, the Michigan Marching Band and Michigan athletes. "The highlight of the week is on Friday," Lar- son said. "Children dress up like doctors and give the doctors and nurses orders on 'If I were a doctor' day." Larson said the activity should be empowering and fun for the patients because they can give directions to their caretakers. Since the ACCH no longer exists, many local companies have picked up where the group left off by donating activities, crafts and food to the hospital. "We thought is was very important to contin- ue the tradition of children's health week," Lar- son said. "We really appreciate the support of the community." National Children and Healthcare Week will also take place at the University Comprehen- sive Cancer Center, an outpatient program for children and teens. The Cancer Center is spon- soring an exhibit titled "Creative Hands and Hearts," which will run through March 31. More than 40 patients and families submit- ted artwork, poetry and stories to the exhibit. "These pieces focus on their medical experi- ences, perception of their care givers and any other things," said Sheila Morris, a child life specialist at the Cancer Center. "We invited both patients and families to submit their work." The works focus on the effects of cancer on patients and their families as well as patients' own experiences with blood transfusions, hair loss and the hope of complete recovery. The writing and artwork also proved to be therapeutic in some cases. "A lot of families worked together as a family unit and the fami- lies were pleased to see the feelings of the sib. lings of the ill child," Morris said. One mother and daughter wrote separate poems about the 13-year-old's battle with can- cer. "At 13, to be told you have cancer wher you hardly know what it means, is like telling a child the world is theirs, and then taking away all of their dreams, the daughter wrote. The mother described her gratitude for each day she spends with her daughter. "I say good- night and go downstairs, thanking God for this day, I crawl in bed and close my eyes, then I begin to pray." AAPD Continued from Page 1 Heatley said. He said the office will have the same functions as Oe main office at city hall. "We can take any police report at (the new station)," Heatley said. The station opened ahead of schedule and officers are still waiting for the delivery of furniture and a few renovations to the space. A grand opening is expected in May. Heatley said the office would be used for foot, bicy- cle and car patrol officers. The department has three other such district offices, located on the north, south- @st and west sides of the city. Officer Terry McNally will supervise the new office and said local business have greeted the addition with positive sentiments. Ali Hijazi, the owner of Shahrayar Restaurant and the adjoining market, located next door to the office at 328 Maynard St., said his customers are sometimes. harassed by people on the street. KNOW OF NEWS? CALL 76-DAILYI Judge grants bench trial to mother of school shooter SAM HOLLENSHEAD/Daily The new Ann Arbor Police Department Station opened yesterday underneath the Maynard Street Parking Structure. The station opened ahead of schedule. "We hope people will feel safer when they pass through Maynard, because it's becoming a deserted street," Hijazi said. But Hijazi is cautious about making an assessment until the station has been open for a few weeks. "We will wait and see," he said. FLINT (AP) - A woman accused of leaving her 6- year-old son in a "flophouse" where police say he got a gun used to kill a classmate will stand trial on a child neglect charge, a judge ruled yesterday. Tamara Owens asked for a non-jury trial, which will determine if she will regain custody of the boy, her 8- year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. The Family Independence Agency brought the neglect complaint and challenged her custody of the children after the Feb. 29 shooting of 6-year-old Kayla Rolland at Buell Elementary School. Owens' sister was given temporary custody and will keep the three children until the trial, which was set for May 3. If the court is given jurisdiction, the agency could seek to terminate Owens' parental rights. Prosecutor Arthur Busch wants the court to be able to direct evaluations and counseling for the boy. "I think the serious matter here is helping this little boy and his little brother and sister. We were hoping the mother would work with us,' Busch said after yesterday's hearing. "They want their dirty laundry hung out there for all the public to see and we'll do that." Owens and her husband, Dedric Owens, who is in jail on an unrelated probation violation, were charged with child neglect after the shooting. A date for him was not set because he is in jail. The Family Independence Agency petition alleges that the mother allowed her sons to live in a "dangerous environ- ment" by taking them to her brother's residence. Police have said the residence was used for drug dealing. r. ,a 5. iI . ,.. . ,, .,', g Are you thinking of taking the GRE? r" The Psychology Peer Advisors Present Preparing for the GRE General Test and Psychology Subject Test Wednesday, March 22, from 7-8:30 PM 4th Floor Terrace of East Hall Featuring:. A Representative from The Princeton Revie A Psychology Student Who Successfully Completed the Exam Who do you support for President? Let us know vote vOtE VOTE In LSA Student Government Elections at www.umich.edu/~vote March 22 and March 23 SW I 1J1 qp eL. u a F 6 /W T A I We in the Wolverine Party stand for change. For too long MSA has been rife with partisan divisions and paralyzed by apathy. The Wolverine Party is made up of enthusiastic and fun students who want to bring the Assembly back to life! VP, Rory Diamond & .Marcy Greenberger MSA President and Vice-President LSA Chris Frye Teresa Bess Burke Raine Jessica Cash Doug Tietz Steve Roach Adi Neuman Jessica Chamberlain James McIntyre Engineering Matt Robinson Ashoo Jain Rishi Narayan LSA-SG President and Vice-President B.J. Orandi & Erin Reese Business Barb Lambert Pete Lisowsky Law Tony Roehl Representatives John Alexander Mike Panetta Anne Weakly David Hodge Julie Han