Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 25

The Detroit News lteifftf.tiifiiii.Liit Th Detroit Newt (Mint httpoetnews com currentwayne (313) 561-9063 7 Tomorrow in Wayne Water fix Canton plans to replace leaking 30-year-old pipes in township. Bob Pavich. Wayne editor Page 3B I Sunday, February 20, 2000 till wl FIJI LfU SIMM nnno Briefly First Citizen Plymouth office enlists of people to help build a record number homes for the needy. How to help Habitat for Humanity in Plymouth is at 638 Starkweather in the Old Village neighborhood. For details about qualifications and volunteerism, call (734) 459-7744.

"People who are comfortable, with a nxf over their heads, realize others have the same needs," said Colleen SidwelL a Plymouth Habitat volunteer. The Plymouth organization plans to build sLx houses for lower-income people this year. The group last year built three. Much of thefunding comes from the membership. Habitat for Humanity was started in 1976 by millionaire Millard Fuller.

The group has since built housing in 1,500 cities nationwide and in 60 other countries. About people have been helped by the program. But the program has had image problems in recent years. The Detroit chapter last summer reported that 14 Habitat homeowners were delinquent in no-interest mortgage payments. All but three have since made their payments current, Habitat spokesman Michael Crook said.

"Overall the program is very strong," he said. Those seeking to qualify for a Habitat house outside Detroit are sent through the Plymouth office. Most candidates come through church organizations. About 150 families are expected to qualify for housing through the Plymouth office this year An average three-bedroom house costs about $55000 to build. And that" when construction supplies are donated at cost The volunteers handle a variety of chores from fund-raising to painting duties.

teers in Plymouth, according to Habitat officials. Ken Bensea Habitat of Michigan president, said the Plymouth office statewide has one of the higher volunteer rosters. About 100,000 state residents are active members, he said. "People apparently want to help," said Sheila Crayne Friedrich, director of the Ply- fPSf 1,. TO -j IIUI'MI HIH- mn Ol Aft 7--Vi(W I wJi ft Tf nominees sought Livonia Candidates are sought for the community's First Citizen award.

Nominees should be active in civic, school, church and other community organizations. A.winner will be announced April 6 at the Livonia Italian American Club. Submission deadline is March 7. Call the city's Chamber of Commerce for details at (734) 427-2122. Canton police get new pistols Canton Township The township's 70-member police force will get new, 40-caliber Clock pistols.

Officers for several years had used the Sig Sauer hand-guaGlockisoffering the weapons as an even swap for the Sig Sauer police officials must buy leather holsters and pay for training. New handguns may cost up to $900 each, police said. District suspends 2 honor students Plymouth Plymouth-Canton school officials have suspended indefinitely two horior students who allegedly bought and shared alcohol with others during a school fittU trip. Nine others were handed five-day suspensions for drinking. The alleged violations occurred during a Jan.

21 trip to Chicago. The pair are being offered the option of finishing high school in neighboring school districts. Clerical workers to hold union vote Plymouth Township Township clerical workers will vote March 3 whether to become members of a labor union. About 35 township workers are expected to vote. A representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees will oversee the vote at Township Hall.

A majority either wy decides the vote. Recall petition wording rejected Westland The wording of recall petition has been ruled unclear by Wayne County election officials. Organizers wanted to recall Councihvoman Sharon Scott for her role in the firing of former City Clerk Patricia Gibbons. Organizers are vowing to resubmit the petitions with new recall wording. By Craig Garrett The Detroit News PLYMOUTH A record number of volunteers from the western Wayne County area about 1,500 enlisted to help Habitat for Humanity, an international charity with an office in Pry-mouth, build homes for the needy.

The group started four years ago with only a handful of volun- Thong bather sues again By David Shepardson The Detroit News DEARBORN HEIGHTS A 30-year-old Dearborn man Is cliarg-ing harassment because he was forced to stand while wearing a thong bathing suit in Hines Park. David Guerriro filed a lawsuit in US. District Court late last week charging the incident violated his civil rights. He is seeking more than $25,000 from Wayne County because on Aug. 7, 1997, a sheriff's deputy who has since retired cited him for indecent exposure.

That day, Guerriro was reading a book and sunbathing on a blanket while wearing a thong. Sheriffs Deputy Michael Miklosi approached Guerriro and ordered him to stand. Guerriro asked permission to put on more clothes before he stood. But the deputy issued him a ticket for indecent exposure. He was ordered to walk 25 yards to his car to produce his identifica-tioa "(Miklosi) investigated and determined that (Guerriro's) genitals were not exposed and that he would not be likely to stand without adding a pair of shorts to his attire," Guerriro's lawsuit said.

In December 1997, the 20th District Court threw out Guerriro's indecent-exposure ticket The court noted that the park's posted rules contain no clothing restrictions and that Guerriro was not nude. In his lawsuit, Guerriro said he was the target of "police harassment because the area of the park where he was located was known to be a gay area" Guerriro's first lawsuit, filed in 1998, was tossed out because a judge cited the government's immunity to most civil lawsuits. Before his first lawsuit was tossed out a mediation panel said Guerriro should have been awarded $12,223.56, primarily to cover his expenses in fighting his ticket, said his attorney Rudy Sena. The park division has asked us to keep the park a family-friendly place, and that's what we were trying to do," said Wayne County Sheriff Robert Ficano. Looking ahead Photos by Rkardo Thomas The Detroit News The Plymouth Gems Youth Team practice Its synchronized skating techniques.

Compuware is hosting a national tournament next week. .4 Skaters prep for nationals Plymouth Township hosts U.S. figure skating tournament "Preparing (teams) Is difficult when you feel like you're at home." Carrie Brown. Plymouth club coach SERVICE, INC. (800 954-5CS3 I it: What's next Adult tickets for the national synchronized figure skating championships are $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

Package tickets are available for the all-day events, which start March Senior discounts are available. Compuware Arena is at 14900 Beck Road In Plymouth Township. Call the arena at (734) 453-6400 for details. Brown agreed that a hotel stay would improve the team's chances of earning top honors. "Preparing (teams) is difficult when you feel like you're at home," she said.

Synchronized skating is a sport similar to watching geese in flight. The best teams move in absolute precision. The Plymouth club, which merged with the Ann Arbor fV ir-i 1 pft. it 1 mouth Habitat group. Friedrich said Plymouth residents are particularly active in the group, with about 500 volunteers enlisting from the community of about 8,000 residents.

can l-aoo .1 MI' ftCMlClllil If Ashley Meyer, 14, goes into a pose after a recent performance. expected at the championships. Plymouth club coach Carrie Things to do Today Livonia: Richard Paul will present a Wacky, Wild and Wonderful ventriloquism show at 1 p.m. today at Livonia Mall. The show is part of the family series by the mall, which run Sundays until March 19.

Detroit: Introduction to the Classics with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and narrator Bonnie Grice will introduce audiences to the differences and similarities in Mendelssohn and Duke Ellington's musical styles. The program begins at 3 p.m. today at Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward. Tickets are $30, $22. Call (313) 576-5120 for information.

Monday Grosse Pointe: Take a visit down under. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of Australia and New Zealand by way of 35 mm slides, during a Grosse Pointe Cinema League travelogue. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Admission is $4 adults, $2 students.

Call (810) 774-9471 for information. By Craig Garrett The Detroit News PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP The girls in a local skating club agree that room service is an important part of their training. Actually, organizers say the girls members of the Plymouth Figure Skating Club are used to competing on the road, and that hotel stays foster comraderie. They plan to lodge some of the girls in local hotels during a national synchronized figure skating tournament headed to town next week, even though most of the girls live near the Beck Road rink. 'It makes it more of an adventure," said Canton Township's Karen Lippert, whose daughter, Lauren, is competing in the nationals beginning March 1.

The five-day U.S. Figure Skating Association tour-' nament is at Compuware Arena in Plymouth About 2,500 youngsters and thousands of spectators are hockey games. Compuware is the home ice for the Ontario Hockey League Plymouth Whalers. Arena officials are adding bleachers to accommodate the skating fans. They're also repainting under the ice sur- -face, and removing the protective arena glass.

Rzepecki said playing at Compuware may serve the team well. "Like Dorothy said there's no place like home," he said. Chris Pacini of Farming-ton Hills said the March 1-5 championship will be her daughter's first national com- 'I petition. Marie Pacini, 14, skates on the club's Novice squad. "This is unbelievable for her," Chris Pacini said.

bilia and Collectibles Show at the Mall. The show will feature comics, Beanie Babies, coins, stamps, racing and magic. The show runs Friday through Sunday, Feb. 27. Former Detroit Tiger Mickey Lolich will sign autographs from 6-8 p.m.

Friday, former Tiger Jason Thompson will be there from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, and NHL Hall of Famer Edgar Laprade will be there from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Redford: Starliters, ballroom dancing will take place Friday. Come and dance to live bands from 9 p.m.

to midnight, Friday at the Northwest YWCA, 25940 W. Grand River and Beech Daly. Guest admission is $4 and includes refreshments. Dance lessons by Shirley Blair run from p.m. for $2.

Call Betty at (734) 422-2887 for information. Feb. 27 Allen Parle Red Fawn Hall is hosting a craft show. Show hours are 10 am to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb.

27. Admission is $2. Red Fawn Hall is at 6600 Allen. Call (313) 291-6129 for information. Figure Skating Club in 1998, was formed in 1973.

The club had ranked well in Midwestern states, but mostly served as a recreational outlet for younger girls. That's changed in recent years. Three of the club's six teams each called Gems on Ice have qualified for the national championships. There are 135 club members. Brown said bringing a national skating championship to suburban Detroit was considered a coup.

Metro Detroit's 12 figure skating clubs co-sponsor the event. "It's a really long process. We're very excited," she said. Plymouth Figure Skating Club President Bob Rzepecki said Compuware officials have agreed to prepare for the national tournament between tions, dancing and a raffle. The ball will benefit lifesaving cardiovascular research and community education programs.

Call (800) 968-1793. ext. 451 for information. Livonia: Livonia Mall will host a Sports Cards, Memora i Chemist will stand trial in death of estranged wife Your coverage Tomorrow Classrooms: Look for the Student of the Week profile in our comprehensive report about your schools that also includes features on parents and make a difference. TCtSDAY What's selling: Details of a recent home sale in your community, plus other sales information about the neighborhood.

Libraries: Listing of library -events in your community. WEDNESDAY Profile: Local person in the news. Lawmakers: Listing of state antf federal lawmakers' phone numbers. On Monday, look for update on key state legislative issues and hearings weekly Capital Report, THURSDAY On the Web: List of Internet fWghborhood Watch: List of ciSjmes in your Upcoming meetings: List of civic events in your community. Friday Oiitdoor activities: A Hst of park.

eients, including bike paths, hiking trails and lakes. a few days later, they found remnants of blood on the basement floor, police said. Tracy Islam had returned to her native England to live in August. But she came back to visit her husband and two teenage children in December. She was reported missing in late December by her sister, after failing to return to England by Dec.

25. Impact: Azizul Islam faces up to life in prison if found guilty of the first-degree murder charge. Mutilation of a body is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Prosecutors said Azizul Islam is the only person with a motive to kill his wife. But Azizul Islam's attorney, Michael Schwartz, called the prosecutors case "thin" in part because a cause of death has yet to be established.

Coming up: Azizul Islam is scheduled to be arraigned in Circuit Court in Dettoit on March t. Status: A Plymouth biochemist will stand trial on mur-der and body mutilation for allegedly killing and dismembering his estranged wife. Update: Judge Ronald Lowe of Plymouth's 35th District Court ruled there was probable cause to charge Azizul Islam, 50, with first-degree murder and mutilation of a body. Islam, a Plymouth resident with a doctorate in biochemistry, was arrested in January. On Dec.

22 of last year, the limbs of a woman that turned out to be his wife, Tracy Islam, 35, were found in a grease container outside a Dearborn restaurant. On Dec. 31, a female torso wrapped tightly in prbage bags was found in a field outside Toledo, Ohio. Tests proved the remains were that of Tracy Islam. On Jan.

4, Dearborn police went to Islams home in Plymouth and recovered a toothbrush of Tracy Islam. When detectives returned to the home Ballroom dancing to live music will be from 9 p.m. to midnight Friday at the Northwest YWCA, on Grand River at Beech Daly. Guest admission is $4. Chllne: How about dinner and aTnovie? Detroit News Online dettra restaurant reviews by name or by location.

Check trie movie reviews, then ffrid today's showtimes for theaters near you, at hkpidetnews.corncurrenV entertainment Friday Dearborn: The American Heart Association will host a Heart Ball on Friday. Reception at 6:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Ritz-Carlton. The evening also will include live and silent auc.