OPTICAL ILLUSIONS

No story in nine years of reporting peaked my curiosity like this one.  I could not imagine how someone with a visual impairment would even want to put on a pair of skis, let alone get on and off a ski lift, and then try and navigate their way back down the mountain.  Several weeks ago, I ventured out to Pine Knob and my first look at the mountain had me even more curious.  There were orange vests everywhere and when I looked a little closer, I realized that those were blind people skiing along side someone that could see.  I immediately grabbed my skis and headed up on the lift.  When I got to the top, I just stood there and watched.  There they went, two by two, down the mountain.  Some fast.  Some slow.  But even so, they were skiing.  Blind people skiing?  Yes, I witnessed it and it was AMAZING!  For all the excuses they have to stay in the house during the winter months and not risk falling on the snow and ice, there they were, braving the weather elements and putting their life in someone else’s hands.  The guides call out just a few simple commands such as right, left, and stop.  When a skier can’t hear their guide, they must stop or fall.  I hope after watching this story that all of you will appreciate their ability to fully trust the sound of someone’s voice to keep them safe.  I know I did.  I’m so thankful that Pine Knob graciously donates all the ski time to the wonderful people who belong to Optical Illusions.  If you’d like more information on the club, go to the link below or send me an e-mail at khancock@wdiv.com.

http://www.opticalillusionsski.org

-Katrina Hancock

Yoga Children’s Book

About a year and a half ago I met artist Susie McColgan when she’d painted several portraits of former Michigan football players and former head coach Lloyd Carr that were hung in the lobby at U of M Hospital.  In September, Susie was comissioned to illustrate a new children’s book called Animals Do Yoga…and so do I!  Susie started the project in September and the book is now published in time for Christmas.  If you’d like to order the book, log onto this website:  www.animalsdoyoga.com

-Katrina Hancock

YOGA BENEFITS ALL OF US

I took my first yoga class nearly four years ago and I can honestly say that it changed my life.  Yoga immediately reduced my stress level, increased my flexibility, and allowed me time for myself.  Over the years, friends of mine have come to class with me and they’ve all enjoyed it.  The first thing to remember is that it’s not a competition and you can work at your own pace, meaning you can modify any pose to suit your body’s ability.  If I wouldn’t have started practicing yoga, I may not be doing what I’m doing today and working in television.  All of us have so much stress in our lives, but why can’t we counter that and slow down? I can tell you that my mind, body, and spirit benefits from me practicing yoga at least twice a week, if not more.  If you think you’re too old to practice, you’re not.  If you think you’re not flexible enough to get into poses, it’s not true.  Any good teacher will help you find a way to practice yoga that will benefit your body, no matter what ails you.   If you have any questions about yoga, feel free to send me an e-mail at khancock@wdiv.com. 

For more information on Rising Sun Yoga in Southgate check out this website:  www.risingsunyoga.com 

-Katrina Hancock

Give A Gift To Vista Maria

For the past year, I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful girls while volunteering at Vista Maria on Warren Avenue in Dearborn Heights. 

 This time of year is especially hard on some of them because the holidays could mean parents drinking, abandonment, or even abuse.  Every year, the wonderful staff at Vista Maria receives donations from the community for presents that they give the girls in their annual holiday party.   However, the girls want the basic items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, underwear, and pajamas, not just typical toys. 

  Below is a list of the other items that you can drop off for these 165 girls in need.  Thank you in advance for your donation:

-Pajamas for teenage girls and boys: Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL

-Socks: plain white socks and fun designs, sizes 5 to 11

-Spa Kits (bodywash, shower gel and lotions)

-Underwear for teenage girls: Women’s sizes 6 to 16 and plus sizes needed.

-Developmental toys for infants (stacking blocks, etc.)

-Journals (no wire bound)

-Age-appropriate games, books, and videos (PG or G Rated)

-Stuffed animals for boys and girls

-Art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils)

-Craft kits (modeling clay, jewelry making)  

Call Becky Hermann at 313-271-3050 to schedule your drop off on campus.

 Please deliver by Dec. 24, 2009. 

Vista Maria

20651 West Warren Avenue

Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

 -Katrina Hancock-

Synchronized Swimming

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a team like no other.  The Ann Arbor Aquarians bring grace, beauty, and poise into the swimming pool.  There are three different levels to compete at for girls ages six to 17.  They hold several fundraisers a year to be able to travel all over the United States and internationally.  Today, November 29th, this team is opening up their pool to anyone who’d like to try their sport.  It’s from 3:00-5:00 at Mack Open Pool located at 715 Brooks Street in Ann Arbor!  In case you missed the story on these lovely ladies this morning, you can catch it again before the end of the year on Sports Final Edition! 

Here is a link to the Ann Arbor Aquarians website: 

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=a2aquarians&s=htosports&t=c

-Katrina Hancock

How Can You Pay It Forward For The Holidays?

The University of  Michigan Marketing Department is dipping into their budget for a great cause!  Maize and Blue Basketball fans can go to the website listed below and submit an essay stating what they would do with $500 to benefit those in need.  Every person that submits an entry will receive two free tickets to the Michigan/University of Detroit basketball game on December 13th.  Two winners will be chosen that day and their plans to give the $500 back will be put into action on Christmas Day!  Get creative, think big, and give back!  Good luck!

http://www.mgoblue.com/promotions/pay-it-forward.html

-Katrina Hancock

Working Out At Athletic Republic

When it comes to sports, so many parents these days are looking for the edge for their children to compete in athletics.  No matter what sport they are playing, having a good trainer is key.  When I was in high school from 1991-1995, the only formal training I received outside of practice, was at 7:00 a.m. in the weight room with the football team.  Lift weights, get stronger, and hope for the best.  I think lifting did give me an edge over some athletes, but I definitely would have benefited from something more.  Nowadays, there are plenty of programs out there to give you an edge over the competition.  Last week, I did a tour of the Athletic Republic in Auburn Hills.  It’s a 20,000 square foot facility that houses a doctor’s office, a physical therapy clinic, and a sports training room that any professional athlete would salivate over.  There’s anything and everything to work out with and trainers there to maximize your full potential. 

What I heard from a couple of professional athletes, the facility director, and the doctor that helped create the facility, was that this program is in place to help athletes PREVENT injuries.  How many times will someone get hurt and wish that they had stronger hamstrings or shoulder muscles?  All the time!  Preventative medicine  occurs everywhere else except when it comes to orthopedics.  Dr. John Samani and Dr. Thomas Perkins have 10 children between the two of them and both realize that prevention is the key to success.  They would rather their children and the athletes that they treat, go through a preventive program like the one at Athletic Republic, before they cut open a knee or a shoulder. 

If you or your child would like more information on this facility, check out their website:

http://www.unleveltheplayingfield.com/

-Katrina Hancock

THE TRADITION CONTINUES-SPARTAN FOOTBALL

Constantine Demos, author of a brand new 600 page book about the Spartan Football program that dates all the way back to 1884, is on sale now for the upcoming holiday season.  The history, tradition, and stories about the past Spartan Football teams will be something any Michigan State fan would love.  For more information, go to www.msufpatraditionsbook.com or call 1-(800)-541-3789 to order your copy!   

-Katrina Hancock

Best Pitch I Have Seen In Years

Last night in Anaheim, the New York Yankees were on the verge of winning their first ALCS (American League Championship Series) title since 2003.  Up 3-1 in the series against the Anaheim Angels, it looked grim from the home team.  The Angels came out with all guns a blazin’ and scored four runs in the first inning.  Shutout through six innings by John Lackey, it wasn’t until the seventh that the Yankees offense found their mojo.  The bats came uncorked (no pun intended) and they rallied six runs off Lackey and Darren Oliver.  As the game went on, the cameras kept panning around to fans in the stands.  One lady was holding a rally monkey in front of her face.  Another man had his hands folded and yet another buried his face in his arms and could not bear the thought of a watching a loss.  The tides turned in the bottom of the seventh when Vladimir Guerrero tied the game with a single to centerfield and Kendry Morales singled in Torri Hunter for the go-ahead run, putting the Angels up 7-6.  The score would stay that way heading into the top of the 9th.  Brian Fuentes took the mound for Anaheim.   Johnny Damon lined out to first.  Mark Teixeira flied out to right.  Two outs for the Yankees and new life for the Angels, but wait.  Alex Rodriguez was intentionally walked, Hideki Matsui walked, and Robinson Cano was hit by a pitch.  New ballgame.  Bases loaded with Yankees, two outs, in the top of the 9th.  One hit and the series is over.  One great pitch and the series continues.  Nick Swisher steps to the plate.  He fouls off a couple of pitches and is thrown three balls.  Full count.  Swisher steps out of  the batter’s box to take a deep breath.  Fuentes looks intently at the sign from Jeff Mathis.  One wrong pitch and the series is over.  One right pitch and it goes back to New York for game six.  Fuentes delivers and Swisher pops it up, Fuentes pumps his fist, Erick Aybar is under it, squeezes the baseball, and the series continues!  Fuentes clutch pitch was one of the best I have seen in years!  The crowd roared, Fuentes breathed a sigh of relief, and the ALCS is far from over!

-Katrina Hancock

Are Allegations Against Michigan Football Program Legit?

When Michael Rosenberg and Mark Snyder’s article in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press came out it over the weekend it took me be surprise.  First of all, because it takes a lot of guts to speak out about a program and a head coach as big as Michigan and Rich Rodriguez and secondly because you never hear of this type of story, EVER.  After attending Rich Rodriguez’s weekly press conference this morning in Ann Arbor, I have to admit, I feel like I know more of the story.  Rodriguez stands by the fact the he, his staff, and everyone involved in the Michigan Football program have abided by all the rules and complied with all NCAA hourly requirements.  He spoke fondly of his long-time strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis.  Rodriguez said Barwis will open up Schembechler Hall for players that want a little extra time in the gym any day of the week.  He also said that Barwis goes to church with some of the players on Sundays.  Rodriguez spoke about the allegations for more than 15 minutes, but in the middle of his press conference, he broke down in tears.  He said how he loved his players like his family and that he would do anything to see them succeed in the classroom, more so than on the football field.  He pointed out that under his staff, this team has the highest GPA (grade point average) than any other Michigan football team has ever had.  His players have been fantastic in summer workouts, in study halls, and meetings.  Rodriguez also mentioned the fact that two freshman had come to his office asking if what they said to these reporters was wrong.  Rodriguez said, “No.”  The freshman told their coach that they just told reporters they were working hard and wondering why it was being misconstrued.  Rodriguez told his team to put this negative bump in the road behind them and focus on Saturday’s game against Western Michigan.  The football players that spoke today said they want to win this season and that they are working hard with and without the coaches to get this program back to greatness.  The University of Michigan is doing their own internal investigation on the allegations and once all the evidence is collected, they will turn it over to the NCAA.

-Katrina Hancock