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Swimming across America for a cure
DETROIT — At press time, swimmers and volunteers were preparing for the fifth annual Swim Across America-Motor City Mile scheduled for July 7 on Belle Isle in the Detroit River. A 2-mile swim, a 1-mile swim and a half-mile swim were scheduled.
SAA-Motor City Mile benefits cancer research at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, where roughly 500 researchers are working to prevent cancer, improve outcomes for patients, and improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.
One participant, Julie Brabbs — pictured right with her husband, Steve — is the chief administrative officer at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. Brabbs also is a cancer patient and currently has raised $14,232 for cancer research, with more donations expected. Brabbs, 56, of Ann Arbor, is currently being treated with Keytruda, which is an immunotherapy cancer treatment that was funded and created in a Swim Across America lab at Johns Hopkins University.
For more information about Swim Across America, visit swimacrossamerica.org.
Mayor seeks help for poor air quality
WARREN — In two June 30 letters, Mayor James Fouts implored Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and President Joe Biden to help reduce the residual pollutants from the Canadian wildfires that have been plaguing Warren and the state of Michigan.
“Detroit has been determined to be the most polluted city in the world due to the Canadian forest fires,” Fouts stated in a letter to the president. “People in Michigan are in direct line of these toxic smoke clouds. Outdoor activities are being cancelled or they become a health threat for Michigan residents.”
Fouts referred to Michigan’s air quality numbers as “through the roof” and requested that American troops be sent to fight the raging fires.
“Please send American troops to this disaster area in order to prevent a real disaster from taking place in Michigan and other states in the direct eye of the storm,” stated Fouts in his letter. “Our government has sent troops for humanitarian purposes to other countries such as Haiti. Why not assist Canadian troops with American troops and equipment to better suppress a raging firestorm?”
In his letter to the governor, he said little has been done to stop the fires and sought guidance about how to keep the public safe.
“We are ground zero for the heavy pollution coming from the burning Canadian forest fires. This Canadian inferno has been going on for nearly two months,” said Fouts. “So far, little has been done to contain it.”
Fouts suggested utilizing the National Guard and volunteer firefighters to control the fires.
“I urge you to deputize the Michigan National Guard and send many volunteer guard members along with volunteer firefighters to Canada to assist Canada in stopping the inferno that threatens the safety of us all,” said Fouts.
To learn more about air quality readings, trends and potential health implications, visit airnow.gov.
MORE semester begins July 21
MACOMB COUNTY — Registration is open for Macomb Community College’s summer Macomb Organization for Retiree Enrichment (MORE) classes. Each course is taught by subject matter experts and lasts approximately two hours with up to 30 minutes reserved for a question-and-answer period. MORE members can choose from two class packages: three classes and/or excursions for $27 or five classes and/or excursions for $45. There are additional fees for three of the excursions. Classes include “A Tribute to Edsel and Eleanor Clay Ford,” on July 24; “Al Kaline’s Last Bat Boy,” on July 27; “Electric Vehicles, Why and Why Not,” on July 31; “Isle Royale: Island Wilderness,” on Aug. 1; and “Michigan Beer: A Heady History,” on Aug. 4. Classes begin at 10 a.m. Excursions include the “Eleanor and Edsel Ford House Tour,” at 1 p.m. on July 25; a “Fire Training and Academy Tour and Nature Hike,” at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3; and the “Belle Isle Tour and Picnic,” at 10 a.m. on Aug. 7. All courses will be held at the Lorenzo Cultural Center on the Center Campus of Macomb Community College in Clinton Township at 44575 Garfield Road. The excursions will be on-site. For additional information or to register, email MORE@macomb.edu.
