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Several area parents may be expecting a new child this August, but just don't know it yet. Youth For Understanding, a nonprofit, inter-national education organization, is seeking homes for exchange sons or daughters from60 countries around theworld.

YouthForUnderstanding is cele-brating its 60th anniversary this year, is inviting area families to wel-come a high school exchange stu-

dents into the community.

"We are seeking host families who canprovide a typical family liv-ing experience---not a tourist or travel opportunity. Families pro-vide encouragement, guidance, love, a place to live, and meals for their new exchange son/daughter," said Michael Finnell, president of YouthForUnderstandingUSA. Families come in all shapes and sizes, with and without children of

all ages. They select a student who shares some family interests. The family lives their normal life, including their exchange child in it, he added.

The boys and girls (ages 15-18) come with their own spending money, health insurance, and the commitment to live according to the rules and values of your family and Youth for Understanding. They can share a roomwith a host sibling.

Exchange students attend the local high school in the community inwhich the host parents reside. "Youth For Understanding pro-vides life-changing opportunities for students to become informed, global citizens," said Finnell. "Youth exchange is just as, if not more, important today than when it was founded in 1951."

Youth For Understanding has been a leader in international stu-

dent exchange facilitating 250,000 exchanges among 60 nations over the past six decades, Finnell said. To learn more about hosting a high school exchange student or becoming a volunteer, contact the Youth For Understanding district office at (866) 493- 8872, founders@yfu.org or visit www.yfu-usa.org. Descriptions of the still available students are available on request.

The streets of downtown Plymouth will be red hot when the 16th Annual Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Motorcycle Showreturns this year.

Organizer Annette Horn said the event will take place from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., SundayOct. 9, this year.

She said the Chili Cook-off will feature a traditional Red Chili, a Green Chili and a Salsa competition. This portion of the cook-off is recognized by the International Chili Society and will follow all ICS rules. The winners in each category will advance to the 2012 World Championship Chili Cook-off next fall.

Those wishing to vie for the trophies and cash prizes pay an entry fee, including local businesses who are all welcome to enter in the Battle of the Businesses, Horn said. People's Choice Chili samples will be avail-able to the public at noon and other competi-tion samples at 1:30 and 3 p.m. for a $1 dona-tionper sample, she said.

The Great Lakes Regional Chili Bike Show is a ride-in show with 17 bike cate-gories including Harley and non-Harley classes, Horn said. There is a fee to enter a bike and all first place winners will receive a trophy with one lucky rider winning a best of showaward.

The “Chili” Bike Show will take place on Main Street at Kellogg Park from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., she added.

There are two official charity chili rides. The MotorCity Harley Davidson ride begins in Farmington Hills and Dick Scott's Classic Motorcycles ride begins in Livonia on PlymouthRoad just west of Levan. A fee per-rider will get participants V.I.P. parking at the event. Both rides are open to all bikes. The Restaurant Chili Challenge will be taking place from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Kellogg Park. More than a dozen restaurants will be vying for the prize of “Best Chili in Plymouth” award. Bowls of chili are a $4 donation or $1 donation per 2 ounce sample,

Hornnoted.

There will be live entertainment from noon until 5 p.m., dance team performances, a children's activity area and the Hottest Dog in the Coolest City costume contest which will be judged at 2 p.m. in the park.

Interested competitors in any of the cate-gories should contactHorn at (734) 776-9669. Event information/registration at www.GreatLakesChili.com

Chili Ride inquiries should be directed to Dick Scott's Classic Motorcycles (734) 542-8000 www.DickScott.com or MotorCity Harley Davidson (248) 473-7433 www.motorcityharley.com

All of these activities result in donating net proceeds to local charities. This year, the recipients are Western Wayne Habitat for Humanity and Penrickton Center for Blind Children!

Cooks like these 'nuclear chili' experts take their concoctions very seriously and are expect-ed to be out in full biohazard gear again this year to vie for the title of best chili in Plymouth.