James W. Taylor (left) and Greg Pflum (right) of BASF’s Wyandotte site, present a check for $1,500 to Norb Promo, deputy executive director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Michigan. Taylor, a leukemia survivor, is principal scientist, polymer colloids research, at the site, and Pflum is vice president and general manager. Promo said the donation will fund L&LS blood-cancer research and provide support services.
By Evelyn Cairns
Steve March Torme, the son of the legendary jazz crooner Mel Torme, will present a Valentine Day-themed concert featuring his late father’s favorite songs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center on the Wayne County Community College District Downriver campus in Taylor.
The concert, “Torme Sings Torme,” is sponsored by the WCCCD’s University Center. The singer, who will be accompanied by his jazz trio, has been a com-poser and performer since his first composition was sung by Desi Arnaz Jr. on a “Here’s Lucy” television-show episode.
He performs with big bands and symphony orchestras, as well as his trio, and records for a number of independent labels. His award-winning releases include “Torme Sings Torme” and “Inside/Out.”
“Steve Torme’s performances have such a warmth, with arrangements that are fun, engaging and are sure to spark a memory or two,” WCCCD Chancellor Curtis L. Ivery said. “We’re delighted that he’ll be on our stage … to help our audience create wonderful new Valentine’s Day memories.”
Mel Torme, who was known as “The Velvet Fog,” performed at clubs and concert halls from the 1940s to the 1990s. He died in June 1999.
Tickets, $35, are available by calling 734-374-3200. The college is at 21000 Northline Road.
BASF donates to L&LS
A check for $1,500 recently was presented to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Michigan on behalf of the BASF Wyandotte site by James W. Taylor, principal scientist, polymer colloids research, and Greg Pflum, vice president and general manager of the site.
The donation was accepted by Norb Promo, deputy executive director of the society, who said that the contribution will be used for live-saving blood-cancer research and to provide support services and information about the disease.
“All of the money raised in Michigan stays in the state,” he said.
Taylor, who received his doctorate in chemistry at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, has waged his own personal battle with leukemia.
“It’s exciting to support the important and inspiring work of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, he said. “The positive results of the society’s work are clearly close to my heart.
“People who go thorough these life-changing experiences have important stories to tell, and we won’t be finished until we find a cure for this disease.”
Save the date . . .
Feb. 7 — Downriver Arts & Crafts Guild meeting featuring portrait artist Robert Maniscalco; 6:30 p.m. at the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library, 14680 Dix-Toledo; open to the public at no charge; for addi-tional information, call Maureen Cassidy Keast at 734-777-6109 or email [email protected]
Feb. 8 — Illustrated lecture, “The Art & Life of John Singleton Copley”; 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wyandotte Arts Center, 81 Chestnut; Copley painted the heroes and villains of the American Revolution before becoming an expatriate and fleeing to England; $15 charge ($10 for DCA members); for more information or reservations, call 734-720-0671 or go to www.downriverarts.org.
Feb. 10 — Junior finals of the Southern Great Lakes Symphony’s Downriver Idol contest; 7:30 p.m. at the Flat Rock Community Auditorium, 28100 Aspen Drive; tickets, $5 ($10 for preferred seating); for more information, go to www.sgls.org.
Feb. 11 — Euchre tournament, “What a Card!” fundraiser for lighting at the Downriver Council for the Arts art gallery in the Wyandotte Arts Center; $20 entry fee; tourney prizes are $100, first place; $50, sec-ond; and $25, third; for more information, call 734-720-0671 or go to www.downriverarts.org.