3/20/24 Eagle

Swim and water safety for all ages

BIRMINGHAM SEES CHANGES IN PARKING METERS

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham City Commission has approved multiple changes to the current on-street parking system in the city.

Two-hour meters

For a six-month pilot program, parking meters have been increased from one-hour zones to two-hour zones, excluding meters on Maple between Old Woodward and Chester, and on Old Woodward between Willits and Brown streets.

The meters in the excluded areas are remaining one-hour zones because those areas are typically busy and require a higher turnover of vehicles, officials said.

Birmingham uses CivicSmart LNG Smart Meters, and guests pay for parking through coins, credit cards and the ParkMo-

bile app. Depending on the time zone of the meter, guests have a maximum limit of parking for one hour, two hours, four hours or 12 hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The one-hour and two-hour zones are extended to four hours between 5 and 9 p.m.

See PARKING on page 28A

Cranbrook hockey solidifies unforgettable season with D3 State Championship

JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Whatever it takes to keep your mind right in the face of adversity, you think about it.

As East Grand Rapids scored the fastest goal ever recorded in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Ice Hockey State Finals against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in just 12 seconds, Cranbrook junior goaltender Garrett Dudlar reflected on a conversation he had with his mother just before the game.

“It’s actually funny, because right before

the game, my mom called me as I was on my way to the rink, and she said that earlier in the week, MSU (Michigan State University) was playing Wisconsin, and MSU let up a goal in the first minute, and they came back and won it,” Dudlar said. “After she told me that, I knew it didn’t mean much and that we could easily come back and win this game.”

Wisconsin’s goal 47 seconds into the first period against MSU March 1 wasn’t quite as quick as East Grand Rapids, but it kept Dudlar focused on the entirety of the game instead of dwelling on the past.

“I was sitting there in the net thinking,

See HOCKEY on page 21A

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood captains, from the left, Thomas Kiemel,Roman Cicco and Michael Horton accept the state championship trophy.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Make

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

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Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

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Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Call or go online today for more information

Call or go online today for more information

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Call or go online today for more information

Pre-match routine change leads to state title for Rice junior, wrestling team turns heads

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — For some athletes, their routine to prepare for a game or a meet means everything to them.

Maybe they eat certain foods, get a pregame nap in or do certain things that just seem to work.

Some call it superstitions, but who are we to put labels on what makes an athlete comfortable?

For Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice junior Ricardo Saenz, music is everything for his preparation before a match.

Normally, Saenz sticks to a certain playlist before each meet, but he said this year called for a change in routine.

“Normally, when I go to wrestling tournaments, I listen to more hype music and rap music to get me mean, but I figured out that listening to calm music

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

BIRMINGHAM — Don’t let the smell of perfume or the bright smiles fool you when you step into the gymnasium. These girls can wrestle.

Whether it’s facing the boys in a co-ed match or going headto-head with another girl, there’s nothing lady-like about the fierceness and competitiveness girls across the state of Michigan have displayed with their wrestling ability at the high school level.

Since the Michigan High School Athletic Association added a girls only wrestling division for the 2021-2022 season, numbers have grown exponentially for numerous high schools across the state.

Girls have been wrestling for decades at the high school level, in small numbers, but this was the first opportunity where girls were prioritized in the sport of wrestling.

In its first year, nearly 400 girls wrestled in the regional meet, which was split into just two regions prior to the state meet.

Now holding four regions consisting of nearly 800 wrestlers, and over 1,000 that competed this year in meets across the state, there’s hopes of potentially holding district meets — like the boys side does — next year because of the increasing numbers.

“It’s (numbers) almost tripled since last year,” Birmingham Groves wrestling coach Joseph Jones said. “It’s growing really, really fast.”

Photo provided by Ricardo Saenz

Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice junior Ricardo Saenz was crowned state champion in the 126-pound weight class at the MHSAA state finals March 2 at Ford Field.

Photo provided by Joseph Jones Birmingham Groves junior Sammie Koch competes during the MHSAA state finals.

Our Town Art Show and Sale returns for 39th year

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BIRMINGHAM — The 39th annual Our Town Art Show and Sale is a juried show that features a range of media forms by Michigan artists. The show is hosted by The Community House, 380 South Bates St., and will take place March 21-29.

The event is made possible by the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation.

This year, the show includes 121 Michigan-based artists and 331 pieces, which was an increase from last year. Juried work includes paintings, pastels, sculptures, glassworks, fiber works, photography, jewelry and mixed media.

“I think the nice thing about it is that there really is something for everybody,” Community House Foundation event coordinator Lindsey Brenz said. “Whether you’re looking for a piece for your kitchen, a nursery or your office, there’s so much variety in the mediums and also in what the pieces capture themselves.”

The artists in the show will see 65% of the art sales proceeds, with the remaining 35% going towards The Community House’s outreach programs.

One of the participating artists is Link Wachler, of LINK Jewelry Designs. Wachler specializes in custom jewelry design and has participated in the Our Town Art Show and Sale for several years.

LEFT: Link Wachler’s piece, “Valhalla,” is an imperial topaz ring that converts to a pendant. It is made of white gold, rose gold, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds. ABOVE: This ring, titled “I’m still Hungry!” by Link Wachler, was inspired by the 2023 Detroit Lions. Photos

Art show

from page 4A

Wachler said the Our Town Art Show and Sale allows him to share his work and engage with the community.

“By being able to tell my story to people and being involved in the community, people get to see what it is that I offer and what makes me different. I’m not a merchant. I’m an artist who creates the jewelry,” Wachler said.

Among the five pieces Wachler is showing this year is “Valhalla,” a 14-karat white and rose gold ring that converts into a pendant. He will also be showing a sculptural piece called “I’m still Hungry!” which is a silver lion ring inspired by the recent Detroit Lions season.

“I think the Our Town Art Show is just a tremendous mix of a lot of a lot of good art, but in all different areas,” Wachler said.

The show is juried by Barbara Heller, the director and conservator of special projects for The Detroit Institute of Arts, and Yuriko Jackall, the department head of European art and the Elizabeth and Allan Shelden curator of European paintings at the DIA.

“To be able to have both of our jurors from the DIA is so unique and wonderful and adds a whole new level of professional-

ism,” Brenz said.

For the show this year, The Community House is partnering with Friendship Circle and their Soul Studio program. This art studio program is for adults with special needs in West Bloomfield.

The Friendship Circle will retain 100% of the profit off of any pieces sold by the Friendship Circle artists.

“It is a great way to give a new platform to some of the artists from Friendship Circle that might not have gotten the opportunity to display their pieces to the audiences that typically come to Our Town,” Brenz said. “It also gives them awareness so that people know of the wonderful work that the people of our Friendship Circle are doing.”

To celebrate the show, there will be a ticketed Opening Night VIP Party March 21. Guests will have the opportunity to get a first look at pieces in the show.

On Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, the show will be free of charge. Everything will be available online to purchase March 22-29.

More information on the show and ticket reservations for Opening Night can be found at communityhouse.com/event/ourtown. People can also call The Community House at (248) 644-5832 to make reservations over the phone if they prefer.

Middle-school student reports suspicious incident with stranger

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Township Police Department is investigating an incident of stranger-danger involving a suspicious vehicle and a middle school student.

Police said a man in a silver or gray car approached a middle school student as she walked home from the bus stop in the area of Spruce and Woodbank March 5.

The man reportedly pulled up next to the student, rolled down his driver-side window and stuck his arm out toward the student, with his cellphone screen facing the student.

“Was he videotaping her? We don’t know that. But from what it sounds like, he was maybe trying to show her something on the phone,” said Officer Nick Soley of the Bloomfield Township Police Department. “There were no words spoken. The student immediately got spooked and just ran off to her home.”

The student reported the incident to her parents, who contacted the school. The incident was reported to police March 7.

The Bloomfield Township Police said they encourage parents to immediately report any concerns to officers.

“We’re trying to stress to the parents to report it to us right away. … Call the police right away and let us check the area,” Soley said.

The male suspect is described as an Hispanic man, 20-30 years old, with a black mustache, and he was wearing a hooded sweatshirt covering his head.

The silver or gray vehicle is believed to be a Honda Civic, Accord, or similar style, bearing a white Michigan license plate with blue letters.

The incident comes a few weeks after a white male in a gray Ford van approached two middle school students as they walked home from the bus stop in the area of Peabody Drive and Tall Oaks Road Feb. 14. The male reportedly pulled up next to the students and asked if they had a phone. The students, who felt uncomfortable, immediately ran home without engaging with the male and reported the incident to their parents, who contacted police. Officers were dispatched to the area, but they were unable to locate the van. The male is described as white, 20-30 years old, and wearing a backward baseball hat. The van is an older Ford with rust spots, specifically on the grille. It appears to only have front driver and passenger windows.

Police are continuing to investigate both reports.

“We’re getting (stranger danger incidents) more and more often, and I think that’s a tribute to our students being more and more aware and reporting them,” Soley said. “We haven’t had any more incidents on the gray vehicle, or the van, or any stranger-dangers where kids feel threatened.”

Police said people should stay vigilant of their surroundings, not to engage anyone that approaches them or their children inappropriately, and to immediately call 911.

Parents are also asked to remind their children about stranger danger and to contact a trusted adult when something doesn’t feel right.

“I hope that it was someone that just didn’t realize this was a seventh grader and was asking for directions or something,” Solely said. “We don’t have any one way or another to know. There was no conversation, but she did the right thing. She immediately ran away.”

Anyone with any information on either incident should contact the Bloomfield Township School Resource Officer at (248) 433-7770.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

NEWS & NOTES

9A/ BIRMINGHAM-BLOOMFIELD EAGLE • MARCH 20, 2024

STORYTIME GUILD HOLDS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — The StoryTime Guild will host its annual spring tea and fundraiser luncheon 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills.

This year’s fundraiser will feature award-winning children’s author Rhonda Gowler Greene. She is the author of over 30 picture books, including “Barnyard Song,” “This Magical, Musical Night” and “No Pirates Allowed!”

The theme of this year’s event is pirates, and Victoria’s Tea Salon will cater tea sandwiches, scones and desserts for guests. There will be a silent auction, and Book Beat, a local independent bookstore, will be selling books. The StoryTime Guild will receive a portion of the book sale funds. This fundraiser aims to raise money to buy new books for libraries and classrooms in underserved schools.

Tickets can be purchased for $45 per person. More information can be found at storytimeguild.weebly.com.

DROP OFF PROM DRESSES AT LOCAL COMERICA BANKS

Comerica Bank, in support of Jackets for Jobs, will be accepting donations for the sixth annual Prom Dress Drive through April 12 at various locations, including two Bloomfield Hills locations.

The public is encouraged to drop off new or gently used dresses and accessories at participating Comerica locations. There are 10 drop-off locations throughout Metro Detroit. This year, Comerica is holding its longest donation period for the dress drive.

“Teaming up with Jackets for Jobs was incredibly successful last year. We appreciate the passion of Alison Vaughn and her team in their commitment to reach and positively impact our youth during this very impressionable and important time in their lives,” said Steve Davis, Comerica Bank Michigan market president. “Each year, we are truly grateful for the support we receive from our customers and communities throughout the Metro Detroit area during this effort. Their generosity makes our Prom Dress Drive possible.”

Bloomfield Hills donation locations are at 36440 Woodward Ave. and 3910 Telegraph Road, Ste. 100.

Cranbrook names artist-in-residence

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Cranbrook Academy of Art recently named Cooper Holoweski as the new artist-in-residence and head of the print media department.

Holoweski, a Detroit native, is an artist and designer who works specifically in print, video and sculpture. Prior to this role, he has been featured in many solo exhibitions and has held residencies nationally and internationally.

“After a long search that surfaced enormous talent from across the country, we determined that Cooper is the perfect fit to guide the Print Media department into the future,” Cranbrook Academy of Art Dean of Academic Affairs Lynn Tomaszewski said in a press release. “His work and practice bring a broad conceptual frame for the department and his strong technical skills in both traditional and new technologies align with the current needs of our students today. We look forward to how he will continue to implement his vision for the future of the department and Print Media.”

His official tenure begins in September.

Photos provided by the StoryTime Guild

Photos provided by Comerica Bank

BIRMINGHAM-BLOOMFIELD

Personalize your outdoor space in a creative way

in

BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — As winter comes to a close, outdoor spaces are open, and people are starting to enjoy the warmer weather.

Decorating a home to fit the personality of the occupant is a common practice, and outdoor spaces are just as important.

Backyard decorating began after World War II, according to the Smithsonian website, si.edu. Following World War II, people began to move to suburban developments that had their own private backyards.

People began working 40-hour work weeks and secured an increase of disposable income. The average family now had the ability to start creating their own do-it-yourself creations, resulting in personalized backyard spaces, according to the Smithsonian.

In the years following, people were looking to be different from their neighbors, and in an effort to bring more personality and comfortability to the space, many homeowners started to change up their outdoor decorating.

English Gardens Vice President of Store Operations and Merchandising Manager Dean Darin said that in the recent past, outdoor decorating included a table, chairs and an umbrella.

“Twenty years ago, a popular set was a wrought-iron metal set that wasn’t very comfortable,” he said. “Yeah, it was OK to dine on, but if you wanted to sit there for three or four hours to relax, it was not very comfortable.”

“Around 10 years ago, people started to transform their patio into more of an outdoor room rather than just a patio with a table on it,” he said.

Darin said that with new technology and furniture innovation, what once would be seen as indoor seating can now be put outside and survive the elements. All-weather wicker is a very popular look, he said, and ensures the longevity of outdoor furniture.

Shutterstock

Outdoor

from page 10A

Around 12 years ago, Darin said, fairy gardens or miniature gardens started to become a trend to bring more whimsy to outdoor spaces.

The first fairy garden or miniature garden was created by famous British engineer, author and gardener Annette Ashberry.

Ashberry began designing “out of the ordinary” window boxes, according to the Loughborough History and Heritage Network website, lboro-history-heritage.org.uk. Soon finding out that these tiny landscapes were a hot commodity, she began her own commercial venture in 1938.

People have been creating their own take on miniature gardens ever since.

Waterford resident Pam McCoy found that creating a fairy garden not only brought whimsy into her backyard space, but also provided a sense of peace to her as well.

“I wanted to get out of my own little head, so I slowly started purchasing a couple of items and creating my fairy garden,” she said.

Retrieving most of her items from Dollar Tree, and some from Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy, McCoy was able to escape into her own ideally created town of fairies.

“It allowed me to create and design something that was cute and whimsical,” she said. “Like I said, I have always wanted a fairy garden, and it allowed me to get into my creative side.”

English Gardens has miniature garden supplies, according to Darin, but he has noticed a downward trend in popularity over

the past few years.

“Most of the miniature gardening we do today and the supplies we have is for doing it indoors,” he said.

Fairy gardens are just one way to bring creativity to the outdoor space, according to Darin. There are plenty of other types of outdoor decor that bring just as much personality.

Pottery seems to be the most popular choice Darin has seen.

“People plant annuals, or sometimes even colorful plants, palm plants, in with annuals for color,” he said. “There are also different kinds of garden stakes, accents, wind chimes and wind spinners that come in a lot of different styles.”

Incorporating fountains into a backyard space for the sound of running water, or wind chimes for that soft tinkling sound, is also popular and promotes a calm environment.

“It’s all about sight, sound and feel,” he said.

Statues are another well-liked decorative choice for homeowners. According to Darin, utilizing statues in the garden and around the patio can help accomplish a specific theme or look.

English Gardens has year-round DIY outdoor decorating programs to assist people in creating their outdoor spaces. Darin also said that the business has a landscape company that can do all the work for you.

“Many people are investing in their backyards and landscape in their front yards because it adds value to the home,” he said. “We will do a design pretty much any time of the year. We have various different levels of a do-it-yourself program to get people started on their landscaping.”

Next holds second annual Birmingham’s Big Night Out

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BIRMINGHAM — After last year’s success, Birmingham Next will be holding another year of Birmingham’s Big Night Out at 7 p.m. April 4 at the Daxton Hotel, 298 S. Old Woodward Ave.

Much has happened since last year’s Birmingham’s Big Night Out, including the purchase of the YMCA building as the new Next facility. Birmingham’s Big Night Out is a major fundraising event for Next and will help raise money for their transition into their new home.

“It’s just a really lovely community event that brings leaders together and residents as well as supporting Next and our future efforts to move into the Y and all that will entail as far as renovating that building,” Christine Braun, Next’s executive director, said.

Next board member Stuart Jeffares said they hope to encourage an overall sense of community through this event.

Musical guests will grace the audience with a fun night of exciting tunes. Mark Randisi, who performed last year, will return.

“We chose to bring him back again because he was so well received last year,” Braun said.

This year, they also decided to add a perfor-

mance from The Unforgettables to the night.

Birmingham’s Big Night Out will consist of an overall vibe of a 1930s-40s nightclub, with strolling appetizers and desserts, and special surprises.

After the first year of any event, it is common for organizers to fine tune it for the following years. In this second edition of Birmingham’s Big Night Out, Next will be making some minor changes, such as setting the venue up with smaller and more intimate tables.

“We’re adding some special surprises that may add to the excitement,” Braun said.

Jeffares said that after last year’s event, they reached out to people who went to the event and asked them what they thought went well and what could be improved.

“We’ve worked very hard on the things that people thought could be improved and fine-tuned the program,” Jeffares said.

For instance, this year there will be more opportunities to learn about Next’s services and programs.

Something that remains the same as last year is the venue: Daxton Hotel, which Jeffares said is a major sponsor of the event.

More information on the event and tickets can be found at birminghamnext.org.

Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 4981095.

Photos provided by Next

TOP: Birmingham’s Big Night Out is a fundraiser for Next, which supports the 50 and older local community. ABOVE: Mark Randisi will perform at Birmingham’s Big Night Out.

Cranbrook robotics advances to World Championships

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Cranbrook robotics teams recently competed in the state championships, where four out of eight Cranbrook Upper School robotics teams qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas in April. Only 16 teens were awarded world-qualifying spots.

In the state competition, Cranbrook’sTeam 39Y won the Gold Divisions Championship and earned the Tournament Finalists Award; Team 39K advanced to the finals of the Blue Division and earned the Tournament Semi-Finalists Award; Team 39H advanced to the finals of the Blue Division, earned the Tournament Semi-Finalists Award and won the Build Award; Team 39Z came in fifth in the robot skills competition and earned a qualifying spot to worlds from another team’s double qualification.

The Cranbrook robotics program includes students in grades 1-12, and programming for each age group varies. Students in grades 8-12 have the opportunity to participate in the Vex Robotics Competition, or VRC Robotics Program.

“Here at Cranbrook, we focus on encouraging kids to try different areas of interest and develop confidence in that area,” Head of Upper School Noël Dougherty said.

The Upper School has around 100 students participating in robotics. Within the program, students break into smaller groups

The Cranbrook robotics program provides an outlet for students interested in STEM to compete against other teams using a robot that they designed and built.

of about six-eight members. Eleven out of 14 Cranbrook teams made it to the state championships this year, four of which are moving on to worlds.

“We are very proud of our students for all of their very hard work and dedication to this program,” Robotics program manager Katherine Bis said.

Cranbrook students have access to a lab that is open seven days a week, and Bis said it is filled with students seven days a week. Dougherty described the lab as “a wonderful, supportive environment, and a safe space for kids.”

“We as a school have provided this opportunity that has fueled the passion for

See ROBOTICS on page 22A

Cranbrook students prepare to compete at the World Championships. Photos provided by Clayton Matthews

The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

Nothing transforms a property and makes it shine brighter than a fresh coat of paint. It’s simply the best and most cost-effective investment you can make for your home draped in the colors of yesterday.

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

“We specialize in just exterior painting, and the reason why we do that is we believe that repetition is the mother of all skill,” said owner Brian Scott. “For 20 years, that’s all we’ve been doing is outside work. When it comes to that, we do wood replacement and siding replacement. It makes us the perfect fit for homeowners who don’t want to re-side their whole house.”

The Exterior Painters replace damaged siding and boards as needed, but they’re not looking to push for a full siding replacement.

“It gets people by another 10 years and transforms the look of the house, bringing it to the next color trends of today,” Scott said.

“Another thing we do that makes us unique, we have a full-time color consultant,” Scott added. “For most people, that’s the hardest, most stressful part, choosing what color they want. Our consultant comes out and

meets with the homeowners and gives them an idea of what the new color trends are so they can make a good color choice that complements their landscaping, brickwork and architectural features.”

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

“A lot of younger people are buying houses. We’re taking it from grandma’s house of the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s and bringing it to that HGTV look,” Scott said.

Power washing the siding — and for an additional charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also make a big difference in terms of curb appeal.

charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also transformed through fresh paint,

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are transformed through fresh paint, siding repairs and much-needed washing.

you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.”

It’s a win for everyone, from the crews The Exterior Painters employ and pay well to the homeowners who see their neighborhoods transformed. The company paints 30 houses a week on average in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties, and boasts a five-star Google review average.

“With us you’re buying certainty. We don’t ask for a large deposit, and you don’t have to worry about anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said. “We stand by our work. We provide a warranty and proven results by taking care of everybody in the community. We’re Nextdoor’s No. 1 preferred contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s that certainty factor. You know what you’re going

“It’s the cheapest home improvement you can do without breaking the bank,” Scott said. “Compared to other home improvements,

“It’s the cheapest home

to get.”

The Exterior Painters are located at 2365 Avon Industrial Drive in Rochester Hills. To request a quote or for more information, call (248) 844-8888.

SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH

16A/MARCH 20, 2024/BIRMINGHAM-BLOOMFIELD EAGLE

JUST KEEP SWIMMING: A SPORT FOR ALL AGES

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Jumping into a pool or lake for a swim isn’t only fun, it offers many health benefits and is great for people of all ages.

With so many opportunities for water recreation in Michigan, the most important step is learning how to swim.

“Swim and water safety are really important topics because we all live in Michigan, so we all live really close to water recreation opportunities — whether that be pools or lakes or rivers. There’s lots of opportunities for residents to get in the water and recreate, but for a lot of people, if they don’t know how to swim, that can be a dangerous situation,” said Danielle Mauter, the chief of marketing and communications for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.

Although formal swim lessons may reduce the likelihood of drowning by 88%, studies show one of the biggest barriers to more people in the region learning to swim is the fees.

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working with partners to save lives by increasing access to free swim lessons and life-

saving water skills in underserved communities through the expansion of its Everyone in the Pool swim initiative. Through this fiveyear plan, the metroparks have committed to providing 6,000 free swim lessons each year for adults and children with support from existing and future partners and expand opportunities for lifeguard certification and staffing infrastructure. A fundraising goal of $1.5 million has been set to make this expansion possible.

Over the past three years, the metroparks have partnered with public and nonprofit organizations in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties to collaborate on free water safety and swim lessons for more than 4,600 students at various recreation centers and facilities. Most lessons start in early June, and registration is already open for some, with additional registration opportunities continuing to open over the next few weeks on the metroparks website, www.metroparks.com.

After learning how to swim, it’s important to keep practicing your skills in the water as you grow.

Michigan is known for its Great Lakes, but our state is also home to over 11,000

See SWIMMING on page 19A

Nowthere’shopefor hormonalhealthrecovery formenandwomen

Nowthere’shopefor hormonalhealthrecovery formenandwomen

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now offers to others at RenewMyWellness in downtown Birmingham.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now offers to others at RenewMyWellness in downtown Birmingham.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now ofers to others at Renew My Wellness located in Birmingham.

“After suffering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

“Afer sufering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded RenewMyWellness.

“After suffering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded RenewMyWellness.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certifed in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded Renew My Wellness.

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re offering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains.“Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re offering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains.“Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re ofering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains. “Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and

the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

RenewMyWellness also offers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and effective.

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

RenewMyWellness also offers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and effective.

Dr. Wadle said she founded RenewMyWellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confidence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

Renew My Wellness also ofers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and efective.

RenewMyWellness

is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in downtown Birmingham.

Dr. Wadle said she founded RenewMyWellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confidence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248-602-3177.

RenewMyWellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in downtown Birmingham.

To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248-602-3177.

Scan to receive more information & monthly newsletters.

Dr. Wadle said she founded Renew My Wellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confdence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

Renew My Wellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in Birmingham.

Scan to receive more information & monthly newsletters. 0357-2226

To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248602-3177. Or visit www.renewmywellness.com.

0357-2226

Huron-Clinton Metroparks is working with multiple partners throughout the year to offer free swim lessons at locations throughout southeast Michigan.

Photo provided by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Swimming

from page 16A

small inland lakes — and a host of private and public pools.

The Troy Community Center provides many opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the water year round — with both indoor and seasonal outdoor pools — including parent and tot classes, kiddie swim, swim lessons, open swim for all ages, water slides, lap swimming, water aerobics, a therapy pool and more.

From boosted heart health to muscle toning, experts say swimming and other water workouts offer many health benefits for children and adults.

“Research shows that swimming is good for your lungs,” said Troy Community Center Recreation Supervisor Morgan Thrasher. “You can swim, you can walk, you can move — there’s a bunch of different things that the water provides that you wouldn’t necessarily get on land.”

Swimming requires you to control your breathing, so it can strengthen your respiratory muscles, improve lung capacity and help build breath endurance. In fact, it’s often recommended that people with asthma pursue swimming to build their lung strength.

Swimming can also alleviate stress, boost your mood, improve flexibility, and even improve coordination, balance and posture.

The low-impact exercise offers resistance, providing muscle strengthening and toning to keep you strong and fit as you age.

The OPC Social and Activity Center in Rochester allows its members, ages 50 and older, to use a therapy pool for water exercise classes, relaxing and massaging achy muscles and joints, and a lap pool for water exercise and lap swimming.

Mandy Mullins, the fitness and aquat-

Children learn the beginner steps on how to dive by starting on their knees during a swim lesson provided free of charge by the HuronClinton Metroparks’ Everyone in the Pool initiative, a five-year action plan to support free water safety and swim lessons for thousands of students and adults annually.

ics manager at the OPC Social and Activity Center, said a wide range of seniors use the aquatic facility, including the center’s oldest active swimmer, age 92.

“Some are just coming out of a therapy or a surgery and they are using the therapy pool to continue their rehab, all the way up to our folks who are still practicing for swim competitions,” she said.

Competitive senior swimmers — including one who is 79 year old — use the OPC’s lap pool to train for Michigan Senior Olympics and U.S. Masters swim meets.

“Some have been swimming all their lives and have continued on with all their competitions, and some of them are just getting into it now as seniors — they found swimming and found a group of people who were athletes in some capacity before, and this has been a way for them to compete that’s not as hard on their bodies,” said Mullins.

“For the competitive swimmers, it’s kind of like having a club,” added Delaney Zaloga, a fitness and aquatics supervisor. “They all like swimming, and they all like pushing each other at their swim practice and getting better and better at all the meets.”

But not everybody has to swim to get the benefits of the water, Mullins explained.

“There are some doctors that will recommend the therapy and warm water pool type of class to just get started, especially if there are any balance issues involved. It’s a lot harder to fall over in the pool, so it’s a really great starting point,” she said. “We also have Aqua Zumba or other types of cardio classes that are in the pool where they aren’t necessarily swimming, but they are using that water resistance and the buoyancy and really getting their heart rate going in there without really having to do traditional swimming.”

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

Photo provided by the Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Hockey

from page 1A

‘Huh, this is funny,’” Dudlar said, reflecting on his conversation with his mother.

Dudlar had been the backbone of Cranbrook all season since joining the team in January, and he continued to be stellar as he stopped 53 shots in the championship game, which was the second-most in MHSAA state finals history.

As Dudlar kept them in the game through two overtime periods and Cranbrook and East Grand Rapids were deadlocked at 2-2 March 8 at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, an unlikely hero emerged as junior defenseman David Schmitt fired home the game-winning goal 3:34 into the third overtime, giving the Cranes the 3-2 Division 3 state championship win.

“He (Schmitt) had one goal the whole season and in the last two games of the season he gets three goals, and all of them were on the power play,” Cranbrook head coach John LaFontaine said. “He had three power play goals in two games. Good for him. He worked on getting that shot through all year, and it paid off.”

Schmitt also scored the game-tying goal in the second period while sophomore Kyle Braunscheidel opened up the scoring for the Cranes in the first period.

A defenseman only scoring one goal all year and tallying two in the state finals complemented a fitting story for a team that was counted out and overlooked throughout the state tournament.

Cranbrook struggled to find its foot-

ing throughout the beginning of the season, but the MIHL Showcase in the first week of February would spark a different side of Cranbrook.

Earning back-to-back wins over Traverse City Central and Grand Rapids Catholic Central, the Cranes rode the momentum of a three-game win streak into a 3-0 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, who was one of the top-ranked teams in the state at the time.

“Our guys, they saw that if we could just play as a team and defend well that it could be done against anybody,” LaFontaine said. “That (win streak) gave our guys some confidence. Of course we then go the next two weeks and play inconsistent and don’t really put anything together, but they just came together. They came together as a team, our captains came together, and you could just start to see things improving as a team with doing all the little things better.”

Cranbrook adds to a longstanding history of state championships, 19 to be exact, with the last one coming in 2021 and 10 to their credit since 2000.

If you walk inside Cranbrook Wallace Ice Arena and look above the ice, banner upon banner of state championship-winning seasons hang from both the boys and girls side.

That type of success can sometimes be stressed to players as a standard to abide by, but Cranbrook focuses more on their players writing their own history.

“It’s more of just knowing your legacy and knowing what Cranbrook has been and what the expectations are,” Dudlar said. “It’s

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood junior goalie Garrett Dudlar makes a save during the MHSAA Division 3 state finals March 8 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Robotics

from page 14A

these students to be able to explore robotics and STEM, and then on top of that, have the opportunity to compete at the state, national and world levels,” Bis said.

Bis described the preparation for the contest as an “iterative design process.” Each year’s competition consists of a different game, which is announced at the World Championships the year before. Once it’s revealed, students start thinking about their design so that by the next school year, they are ready to start developing their robot.

Bis said her background in engineering has helped her lead the teams at Cranbrook. She received a degree in mechanical engineering and child psychology at the University of Michigan and went on to work for Lionel Trains.

“We’re able to incorporate real-life engineering practices into our engineering process in high school, which really helps the kids to be more prepared as they go out and start looking at careers of their own,” Bis said.

After their success at the local and state levels, the teams from Cranbrook plan to bring a year’s worth of work to compete in the World Championships in April, which can be viewed at www.vexworlds.tv/#/chan nels/all.

Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.

Rice

from page 3A

helps me wrestle better,” Saenz said. “When I step on the mat, I’m more calm. I notice I wrestle a little bit better.”

After dominating the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 Wrestling Individual State Championships and becoming the first state champion in 32 years for Brother Rice, it’s safe to say his decision paid off in the long run.

On March 2 at Ford Field, Saenz took care of business in the 126-pound weight class, earning a 7-1 decision victory over Gaylord sophomore Jaron Bensinger, who was 38-2 on the year.

It was a storybook ending for the thirdyear wrestler who suffered a dislocated elbow back in June, fighting his way through the offseason to get back to full strength.

Saenz went through momentary injury issues throughout the season as well but said the injury allowed him to become better in other aspects of his craft.

“I watched a lot more videos just trying to learn more stuff as much as possible,” Saenz said. “Also, I emphasized speed and agility. I wasn’t able to lift a lot of weights this year, because over the offseason last year I dislocated my elbow. I wasn’t able to do a lot of my upper body training, so I really focused on my legs, my speed, my agility and my quickness.”

Saenz, an individual district and regional champion as well this year, was one of many Warriors to shine this season for head coach Scott Kolesky in efforts to soften the blow of injured 2023 state qualifier Joseph Hakim.

Kolesky, who finished up his fifth season with Brother Rice, led the Warriors to snap

a decade-long drought by bringing home a team district championship in his first season at the helm and followed that up with winning a regional championship and advancing to team states in 2022 for the first time in 32 years.

Kolesky credits his team’s ability to buy into the Brother Rice culture and their commitment to working for each other.

“It’s remarkable what’s happened, and I think it’s amazing what can take place with ordinary people when they commit to a worthy cause,” Kolesky said. “They just offer up a worthy effort, commit to each other and the program, and they compete for one another. They have each other’s backs. We really don’t compete for championships or trophies. We just bleed and sweat and compete for each other every day in that room, and that’s kind of the culture we’re building.”

With another team regional championship to its name this year, Brother Rice has made three-consecutive team states.

Only issue: Lowell High School continues to stand in Brother Rice’s way. For threeconsecutive years, Lowell has eliminated the Warriors out of the team state finals, but if the Warriors have shown anything recently it’s that they’re perfecting the art of ending droughts.

“We’re just trying to get over that hurdle where we can consistently bring home championships,” Kolesky said. “It’s kind of a unique team where we have some elite athletes, and then we have some guys coming into their own and quite a few novice wrestlers that battle and compete.”

For as strong of a squad as Brother Rice fielded this year, there’s no shortage of youth on Kolesky’s team with sophomores Richard Davis, Owen Stropoli, Deacon MacNeill and Caleb Steele all qualifying for individual regionals. Davis, who was a district and region-

Bloomfield Hills

al champion, and Steele, a district champion, both qualified for the MHSAA state finals this year, with Davis earning all-State honors, placing fifth. MacNeill was also a district champion for Brother Rice.

Add freshmen Grant Sarris and Emmanuel Shango, who both put together impressive seasons as first-year varsity wrestlers, to the mix, and the future of Brother Rice’s wrestling program is shining as bright.

Sarris, who compiled a 28-13 record this season, suffered an injury at districts but continued to battle.

“He proved to us that he’s one tough kid and a tough competitor,” Kolesky said. “We really thought he was going to be competing at the individual state tournament this year. That was disappointing to see him sidelined.”

Other key contributors for Brother Rice were senior Sebastian Abro, a regional qualifier; junior Alex Rabban, a state quali-

Village of Beverly Hills Village Council Meeting

fier; junior Mateo Pesaros; and junior Grant Cummins.

Graduating only three seniors, Brother Rice will look to be contenders in the team state finals once again along with some key players on the individual side as well.

With a slew of returning state finals qualifiers and young talent looking to take the next step, Saenz and Davis will be expected to continue being the leaders for Brother Rice.

“It’s good to have guys like that in the lineup, because you can count on them more times than not that they’re going to get the job done,” Kolesky said. “More importantly, they’re going to do what we ask of them to do in any particular dual meet, whether it’s to bump up or down a weight, do it with confidence, and execute it. They’re a tremendous asset that instill confidence in the rest of the team.”

4/16/2024

Public notice is hereby given that at its April 16, 2024, meeting the Village of Beverly Hills Village Council will hold a public hearing on a request to consider the relinquishment of a 12-foot-wide easement for “Electric and Communications Utilities” located in the rear yard of the parcel of land located at 32300 Plumwood Lane (Parcel ID 24-03-177-012) within the “Cranbrook Woods No. 1” platted subdivision.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers of the Village of Beverly Hills municipal offces located at 18500 W 13 Mile Rd, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.

Interested parties may comment on the request in person at the scheduled hearing. Written comments may be submitted in person or by mail to The Village of Beverly Hills, Village Council, 18500 W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025. Comments may also be submitted via email to krutkowski@villagebeverlyhills.com by 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing. The application may be reviewed at the Village Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Kristin Rutkowski Village Clerk

Published: Birmingham-Bloomfeld Eagle 03/20/2024

Village of Beverly Hills Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting 4/8/2024

0278-2412

Public Notice is hereby given that The Village of Beverly Hills Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 7:30 pm at the Village of Beverly Hills Offce at 18500 W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.

The following case will be heard:

Case #1416: The applicant is seeking a variance from Section 22.08.150.B.1.b. of Chapter 22 “Zoning” prohibiting fences within side yards to permit the installation of four (4) foot tall fencing in the eastern and western side yards of the property located at 18617 Walmer Lane, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.

Interested parties may comment on the request in person at the scheduled hearing. Written comments may be submitted in person or by mail to

The Village of Beverly Hills, Zoning Board of Appeals, 18500 W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025. Comments may also be submitted via email to krutkowski@villagebeverlyhills.com by 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing. The application may be reviewed at the Village Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Kristin Rutkowski Village Clerk

Published: Birmingham-Bloomfeld Eagle 03/20/2024

Village

of Bingham Farms Planning Commission NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE

0441-2412

The Village of Bingham Farms Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on April 8, 2024, beginning at 7:30 pm or as soon thereafter as the agenda will permit. The hearing will be conducted at the Bingham Farms offces, 24255 Thirteen Mile Road, Suite 190 Bingham Farms, MI 48025. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on proposed amendments to the Bingham Farms Zoning Ordinance.

Amendments are proposed to Sections 157-2.2, 157-3.12.A, 157-3.16, 157-3.5.E – R-4, 157-3.6.E – R-5, 157-3.21.F.2.c, 157-3.21.F.3.a, 157-6.1.B.15, 157-6.1.E.3, 157-6.1.F.1, 157-6.4.D.2, 157-6.4.F.3.

Proposed amendment drafts are available for review at the village offces, 9 am-4:30 pm Monday-Thursday, 9 am-4 pm Friday. Written comment may be submitted prior to the meeting mailed to the address above, or emailed to kmarten@binghamfarms.org. Oral comment will be heard at the public hearing.

Notice is published pursuant to requirements of Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended.

Ken Marten

Village Manager & Clerk

Published: Birmingham-Bloomfeld Eagle 03/20/24

0484-2412

Photo provided by Ricardo Saenz

Brother Rice junior Ricardo Saenz wrestles during the MHSAA state finals.

Wrestling

from page 3A

Jones and Groves hosted the first tricounty all-girls wrestling meet as schools from Wayne, Macomb and Oakland County went head-to-head. Local all-girls tournaments are becoming more and more popular in the surrounding counties whereas past years saw teams traveling two or three hours in order to compete.

The majority are learning the sport in high school. Some have seen siblings compete, but the one thing they all share is the love and passion for it.

As all-girls tournaments become more common, longtime coaches such as Warren Mott’s Paul Salyers, an assistant coach on the boys side and Mott’s girls head coach this past year, are still getting used to the environment.

“You go into a wrestling gym where a boys tournament is being held, and oh, my God does it stink,” Salyers said. “There’s BO (body odor) everywhere. You go into a girls tournament and it’s a cacophony of perfume. It’s hilarious to me. The girls will get down after beating the crap out of another girl, and with boys they’ll get done and they’re strutting around like they’re the king, but the girls will get done, get their hand raised, and go over and hug the girl they just beat up on and go, ‘Honey, this is what you need to do next time because I was able to do this because you were doing this wrong.’ It’s just funny. You don’t see that with the boys.”

As more girls continue to join, local teams are wishing upon a star that the popularity of wrestling and the success of their current girls wrestlers is only a sign of more wrestlers to come.

Birmingham Groves

A former Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout is making waves for Groves, and she’s bringing a plethora of girls on board with her.

Junior Sammie Koch was fully entrenched in martial arts, and she felt wrestling would only strengthen her jiu-jitsu background.

So, she came home and pitched the idea to her parents.

“One day I just came home from school and told my mom and dad I wanted to wrestle,” Koch said. “They were a little bit shocked. They were like, ‘What? Why?’”

Now a three-time state qualifier and earning fifth at the state finals this year, Koch is the veteran leader coach Joseph Jones is blessed to have on a girls side with 10 wrestlers to its name, which is one of the bigger female rosters in the surrounding counties.

Koch is Jones’ recruiter and poster child

that at all.”

While Groves already sports one of the bigger teams around, Koch and her recruiting skills will be put to work one last time as she enters her senior season.

Koch said her typical recruiting pitch is something along the lines of, “You should wrestle. I love wrestling.” As simple as it is, it’s clearly been somewhat effective, but Koch said she just wants to share her love and passion for wrestling with all of the new girls.

“It’s felt really good to bring other girls into the sport,” Koch said. “I remember my freshman year, there were three girls on my

for why girls throughout Groves High School should give wrestling a try.

“I think it’s just girls wanting to try something different,” Jones said. “They see my one girl Sammie, who’s been doing it for a while, and they see the success she’s having, and they want to try something different. They feel like they can compete and do the sport too.”

Koch punched her state finals ticket with a third-place performance at regionals and followed it up with a 3-2 record at the state finals to take fifth March 2 at Ford Field.

Last year’s state finals trip didn’t turn out the way Koch had hoped after a referee error landed Koch a DQ in the blood round, and she said there was unfinished business left on the table.

“There definitely was,” Koch said. “Last year going into states, everybody had high hopes in me placing. That happening took a toll on me and definitely prompted me to work harder in the offseason.”

Groves and Jones have been big proponents of all-girl tournaments, hosting the TriCounty all-girls and the Groves Lady Falcons tournaments this year, and Koch said that’s been fun to watch and take part in.

“I feel like when I go to girls tournaments, it’s a lot more friendly,” Koch said. “There’s people in my bracket that will wrestle against each other and then end up being friends later on. Even at states, there was a girl I wrestled who I ended up becoming super good friends with the next day, whereas when I go to boys tournaments, it’s not like

team, and we were all first-year wrestlers. The next year I became a captain, and I thought it was just super cool to go up and see these new girls joining the team and see them fall in love with wrestling the way I fell in love with wrestling. It’s kind of amazing to be a part of it.”

Groves also earned contributions on the girls side from Avery Betts, Isabel De DemoChoi, Kennedy Schindler, Sarah Alexander — who was the Macomb County champion in the 235-pound weight class — Amari Cochran-McKay, Semaya Jackson, Zora Wise and Induvari Hettiarachchi.

2244

SYNOPSIS

SOUTHFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING ON MARCH 12, 2024

Board meeting was held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Supervisor O’Reilly Chaired the Meeting.

Following members were Present: O’Reilly, Harryvan, Nelson, Chalifoux, Cook, Newitt.

Absent: Oen.

Board approved Agenda, as presented.

Board approved, as amended, the January 9, 2024 regular Board meeting minutes.

Board approved, the February 6, 2024 special Board meeting minutes.

Board approved the list of authorized institutions for ACH transactions.

Public hearing for the fscal year 2024-2025 budget started at 7:21 p.m. and ended at 7:22 p.m.

0019-2306

Board approved fscal year 2024-2025 budget and adoption of General/Special Appropriations Act for 2024-2025.

Board approved resolution to transfer funds within Capital Improvements Funds to amend 2023-2024 budget.

Board approved resolution adopting Oakland County Hazard mitigation plan.

Board discussed an inquiry regarding a possible citizen initiative to provide for a single marijuana establishment in the township.

Board approved January General Fund expenditures in the amount of $75,258.44.

Board approved February General Fund expenditures in the amount of $73,295.67.

Eileen Harryvan

Southfeld Township Clerk

Published: Birmingham-Bloomfeld Eagle 03/20/2024

0468-2412

Photo provided by Joseph Jones

Birmingham Groves junior Sammie Koch earns fifth at the MHSAA individual wrestling state finals March 2 at Ford Field.

CRIME WATCH

Woman accused of stealing $11K in beauty products from Ulta

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police are searching for a woman who allegedly stole $11,000 in beauty items from Ulta Beauty in Bloomfield Township.

Bloomfield Township police were dispatched to Ulta Beauty, located at 2161 Telegraph Road, for a retail fraud March 3. The store manager told police that upon reviewing March 1 surveillance tapes, staff saw a woman removing several items from the shelves and placing them into a pouch in the front of her skirt at 7:15 p.m.

The woman then left the store with the basket, failing to pay for any items. The manager was able to determine that at least 127 total items were stolen totaling more than $11,000.

The case is currently being investigated by the Bloomfield Township Investigations Unit. Anyone with information should contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at (248) 433-7755.

Steaks, chicken wings stolen from Kroger

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police were dispatched to Kroger, at 4099 Telegraph Road, for a retail fraud that had just occurred at approximately 11 a.m. March 3. The store manager reported that a man — described in the police report as Black, 2535 years old, with brown hair in dreadlocks, a beard and a mustache — stole $215 worth of ribeye steaks and chicken wings. The case is currently being investigated. Anyone with information should contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at (248) 4337755.

Suspect breaks into Subway only to find empty cash register

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — At approximately 8 a.m. March 3, police were dispatched to Subway, 1619 S. Opdyke Road, for a burglary that occurred early that morning at approximately 5:30 a.m. The unknown suspect smashed the glass door and is seen on video surveillance removing the cash register from the counter.

The register opened in the suspect’s hands, and coupons fell out. There was no cash in the register.

The suspect left the cash register on the ground and fled. The case is currently being investigated by the Bloomfield Township Investigations Unit. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at (248) 433-7755.

Mother leaves 3-year-old alone in unlocked car to steal Stanley cups with brother, boyfriend

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police were dispatched to the parking lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods at 2105 S. Telegraph Road for a report of a small child left unattended in a parked vehicle at approximately 2 p.m. March 2.

Officers located the vehicle and child, a 3-year-old girl. Shortly after, the mother returned to the car and admitted to leaving the child in the unlocked vehicle while she went into the store with her brother and boyfriend.

During the officer’s interaction with the mother, the reporting party advised that he had witnessed the brother and boyfriend exit the store carrying a backpack and place it behind a parked SUV in an attempt to conceal it. The backpack was recovered and determined to have been stolen from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Inside the backpack were four stolen Stanley mugs.

A search of the vehicle recovered 10 additional stolen Stanley mugs.

Dick’s Sporting Goods was able to confirm that all of the recovered items were the property of the store. The suspects were all identified and released from the scene. Charges are currently pending.

Intoxicated driver denies alcohol usage

BIRMINGHAM — On March 3, at approximately 1 a.m., officers were dispatched to South Old Woodward and Brown Street regarding a vehicle accident. The victim, a 43-year-old man, stated that while he was in a nearby business, he was alerted that his vehicle was struck by another vehicle.

The suspect, a 20-year-old Farmington Hills man, had struck the victim’s vehicle and was attempting to leave the scene, but was stopped. The suspect stated that they were illegally parked and they were attempting to move their vehicle when they backed into the victim’s parked vehicle.

Officers identified odors of intoxication on the suspect, who denied drinking. Inside of the suspect’s vehicle was a bottle of tequila, and police found a marijuana pen on the suspect’s person. The suspect failed a

Continued on page 27A

BUSINESS CLIP

The Golden Fig Gallery of Fine Art and Antiques celebrates 30th anniversary

Ron Povlich, owner of the Golden Fig Gallery inside Adams Square in Birmingham, started his fine art and antique gallery in 1994 in Troy and Royal Oak and moved to Adams Square in 2012.

With many years of experience with fine art and antiques, Povlich provides his clients with insight and history on the items that they purchase from his store.

The focus at the intimate gallery is on vintage artwork from the mid-19th century through the mid-20th century. Vintage and custom jewelry is also displayed along with antique decorative objects. Celebrate the gallery’s anniversary month through the end of April. Located at

CRIME WATCH

Continued from page 26A

sobriety evaluation and was arrested. He was given a citation for operating while intoxicated.

School-issued laptop stolen from vehicle

BIRMINGHAM — On Feb. 29, at approximately 10 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Birmingham Police Department lobby for a larceny report.

A 55-year-old male resident stated that his daughter’s school-issued laptop was stolen from his vehicle overnight. His vehicle was unlocked at the time. An investigation is ongoing.

Purse stolen from outside of residence

BIRMINGHAM — A 62-year-old male resident told police Feb. 29 that he was planning to return a purse valued at approximately $2,600 to the store. He had placed

the purse outside his front door. Sometime after, the purse was stolen. An investigation is ongoing.

Resident sends scammer bitcoin

BIRMINGHAM — A 68-year-old female resident told police that her computer froze and a pop-up displayed a phone number to call to fix her computer Feb. 27. The scammer asked the victim to send $10,000 worth of bitcoin. The victim sent the scammer the money. An investigation is ongoing.

Merchandise stolen from business

BIRMINGHAM — On March 4, at approximately noon, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East Maple, where a business reported retail fraud. The business owner stated that after doing inventory, they identified approximately $14,000 worth of merchandise had been stolen.

A few days prior, witnesses identified an unknown male and two unknown females entering the store together. The male was seen trying on a jacket that was stolen and shortly after he was seen wearing his original jacket, zipped up. None of the individuals purchased anything from the store before

leaving. An investigation is ongoing.

Resident reports stolen money from vehicle

BIRMINGHAM — Officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Buckingham Road regarding a report of larceny Feb. 28.

The victim, a 56-year-old male resident, stated that someone had stolen money from his vehicle. Witnesses were able to identify an unknown suspect attempting to open car doors in the area. The victim’s vehicle was unlocked. An investigation is ongoing.

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Parking from page 1A

The changes were prompted based on feedback from the community.

Aaron Ford, the city’s parking systems manager, said in the meeting that, “based on the feedback we’ve received from the BSD, the Birmingham Shopping District, the average stay of patrons in Birmingham is approximately two hours.”

He added that feedback has shown that guests think one-hour is not enough time to enjoy the businesses downtown, such as restaurants, workout facilities and hair salons. Once a patron reaches the maximum limit, they are not able to add time to the same spot.

“That’s done intentionally to keep patrons from overstaying their welcome and creating turnovers so those spots are made available to somebody else within the city,” Ford said in the meeting.

While there is no way of measuring the success of this pilot, the city plans to observe usage and patterns of these parking spaces.

Commissioners Andrew Haig and Clinton Baller voted against the measure.

“I think we want the meters to be for people who are staying less than two hours so that there’s turnover, and if you’re going to stay for more than two hours, we should, with our wayfinding, encourage them to go to the decks and give them decks that are inviting,” Baller said. “I’m actually glad to see us making some adjustments,” he later added. “Just wishing that they were adjustments that achieved our purposes, and I’m just concerned.”

15-minute short-term parking pilot program

The commission unanimously decided to expand a 15-minute short-term pilot

All one-hour parking meters in downtown Birmingham have been changed to two-hour zones, except those on Maple between Old Woodward and Chester, and those on Old Woodward between Willits and Brown.

program throughout downtown, between Brown Street and Harmon, and Woodward and Chester, on 16 designated parking spaces for a six-month pilot program.

The 15-minute short-term parking pilot program originally began at four parking meters when Brown Street was renovated in 2023. Due to the success of the program, they decided to expand it downtown.

Due to road improvements on both Maple and Old Woodward and the increase in pickup and delivery orders that have followed the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has experienced issues with guests parking illegally in Americans with Disabilities Act spaces, the hashed areas next to ADA spaces, moped parking spaces, and in the left-hand turn lanes.

“I would say, with an aging population, with the spring and summer coming up, with people wanting to be out and about and walking short distances, and ADA compliance, etc., we can all name surrounding communities that struggle with parking,” Mayor Elaine McLain said. “Under no circumstances do we want to be parking-unfriendly to our own citizens, to people visiting, to seniors, to people that are challenged in any mobility way. We need to be flexible and responsible and consumer-oriented that way.”

The success of this pilot program will be measured by comparing the number of citations written in these spaces during and before the trial. The City Commission unanimously approved expanding the 15-minute short-term pilot program through downtown, between Brown Street and Harmon, and Woodward and Chester, on the designated 16 parking spaces to include the parking meters for six months.

Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

leaders off the ice.

from page 21A

not something we mention a lot, but times like this, it’s nice to say that we continued the legacy.”

In regards to leaving a legacy, Cranbrook’s four seniors — Thomas Kiemel, Roman Cicco, Michael Horton and Rento Saijo — will forever be remembered in Cranbrook history, not just for the impact they made during their tenure on the ice, but for the immeasurable impact they made as veteran

Editor:

Reporters:

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Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com

“The seniors were our leaders, and they were our true leaders,” LaFontaine said. “They led on the ice and off the ice. Those guys coming together as the captaincy and for Rento Saijo, because Rento was unbelievable. He didn’t wear a ‘C,’ but he certainly exemplified it with his demeanor and the way he goes about his business being so organized, focused and team-oriented. With those seniors, if you don’t have that, then, normally, the season doesn’t end well. They didn’t care about who got the credit. All that mattered is it got done at the end of the day.”

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Bloomfield

Cranbrook Kingswood celebrates after junior defenseman David Schmitt fired home the gamewinning goal 3:34 into the third overtime, giving the Cranes the 3-2 Division 3 state championship win.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

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MARCH 21-29

OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale: VIP party 6-9 p.m. March 21, open to public 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 22-23, view online March 22-29, 35% of art sale proceeds support outreach programs for adults and children, The Community House, 380 S. Bates in Birmingham, communityhouse.com/event/our-town

MARCH 22-24

‘The Cemetery Club’: Story of three Jewish women who make monthly visits to graves of husbands only for one woman to spark romance with man visiting deceased wife, presented by Birmingham Village Players, 8 p.m. March 22-23 and 2 p.m. March 24, 34660 Woodward Ave., (248) 644-2075, birminghamvillageplayers.com

MARCH 23

Geneaology workshop: 30-minute consultations with Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution chapters, 1-3 p.m., Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, registration encouraged, pietyhillregistrar@gmail.com, btpl.org

Chamber Music Detroit: Hear pianist Richard Goode play late Beethoven, 8-9:30 p.m., Seligman Performing Arts Center, 22305 W. 13 Mile Road in Beverly Hills, cmdetroit.org/2023-24/goode

MARCH 25

Author talk: Curtis Chin discusses his book “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant,” 7 p.m., Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, registration required, (248) 642-5800, btpl.org

MARCH 26

Rosie the Riveter history talk: Also learn about their legacy in Detroit, 7 p.m. Franklin Public Library, 32455 Franklin Road, franklin.lib.mi.us, (248) 851-2254

MARCH 29

Concert: Hear duo Kaleigh Wilder and Ben Hall create “Afro-diasporic excavation” using instruments native to Ghana and Brazil, 7-8:30 p.m., Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, (248) 642-5800, btpl.org

MARCH 31

Egg hunt and petting zoo: 10 a.m., Kirk in he Hills, 1340 W. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, kirkinthehills.org, (248) 626-2515

APRIL 8

View solar eclipse: Also astronomy-themed activities, “Michigan Sky Tonight” program at planetarium and more, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave, in Bloomfield Hills, science. cranbrook.edu/visit/events

APRIL 9

Birdwatching vs. Birding: 7 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 32455 Franklin Road, franklin.lib.mi.us, (248) 851-2254

APRIL 14

Folk songs from around the world: Performance by Birmingham Concert Band, 3-5 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1800 W. Maple Road in Birmingham, free but donations appreciated, birminghamconcertband.com

APRIL 18

StoryTime Guild Tea and Fundraiser: Pirate-themed luncheon featuring Michigan author Rhonda Gowler Greene, proceeds help purchase new books for libraries and classrooms in underserved schools, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, RSVP to Marcia at (248) 202-0441 by April 6, storytimeguild.weebly.com

APRIL 20

Junction Trio in concert: Hear Detroit debut of pianist Conrad Tao, violinist Stefan Jackiw and cellist Jay Campbell, 8-9:30 p.m., Seligman Performing Arts Center, 22305 W. 13 Mile Road in Beverly Hills, chambermusicdetroit. org/2023-24/junction-trio

APRIL 22

DIA in the Garden: Learn meaning behind flowers and plants in select works with representative from Detroit Institute of Arts, 10-11 a.m., Bloomfield Township Senior Services, 4315 Andover Road, registration required, (248) 723-3500, bloomfieldseniors.org

ONGOING

Art lectures: Hear sound artist, designer and electronic musician Yuri Suzuki (March 21), Rice University Associate Professor Lisa Lapinski (March 26) and Heller Chief Executive Officer and President John Edelman (April 4), 6-7:30 p.m., Cranbrook Academy of Art, 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, cranbrookart.edu/events/list

Free days at Cranbrook: Every first Friday at Cranbrook Institute of Science, and every third Thursday at Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, science.cranbrook. edu, cranbrookartmuseum.org

Birmingham Metropolitan Women’s Club: Meets 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. every second Tuesday of month, Iroquois Club, 43248 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Township, RSVP two weeks prior to each event, chriswludyka@outlook. com, (248) 303-7339, thebirminghammetropolitanwomensclub.weebly.com

Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham: Speakers and luncheon 10:30 a.m. every Friday, Iroquois Club, 43248 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Township, also on Zoom, RSVP by previous Monday, seniormensclubbirmingham.com

Movie discussion club: Meets 7 p.m. every first Thursday of month, Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, (248) 642-5800, btpl. org

Second Saturday Book sales: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, (248) 642-5800, btpl.org

Birmingham & Ferndale Stamp Club: Meets 6-8 p.m. every first and third Tuesday of month, fellowship at 5:30 p.m., NEXT Senior Center, 2121 Midvale St. in Birmingham, birminghamstamp.club

Book club: Meets 10 a.m. every fourth Thursday of month, Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, (248) 642-5800, btpl.org

Caregiver support group: 10-11 a.m. every third Thursday of month through May, Bloomfield Township Senior Services, 4315 Andover Road, (248) 7233500, bloomfieldseniors.org

Art exhibits: “Visions” by Robert Beras, “Eidetic Recipes” by Roscoe Hall II and “Roar” by Heather A. Kelly, on display 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays until April 18, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook in Birmingham, bbartcenter.org/ exhibitions-2

• “Patterns Patterns Everywhere,” solo art exhibit by Birmingham resident and co-founding member of Lawrence Street Gallery Laura Whitesides Host, work on display 1-5 p.m. Sundays and noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays until March 29, Lawrence Street Gallery, 22620 Woodward Ave., Suite A, in Ferndale, lawrencestreetgallery.com

Health workshops: For chronic pain, high blood pressure and more, hosted by Corewell Health, free and virtual, beaumonthealth.digitalsignup.com

ADHD meetings: Hosted by CHADD of Eastern Oakland County, for adults and parents, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Zoom, see schedule on www.chadd.net/ chapter-events/527

Lupus support groups: 10 a.m. every second Tuesday of month and 7 p.m. every last Wednesday, Zoom, (248) 901-7299, milupus.org/support-groups

citation to appear in court.

Minnesota food stamps used fraudulently at Novi Sam’s Club

NOVI — A Minnesota woman contacted Novi police Feb. 16 after her food stamp purchases kept getting declined and she was unable to purchase her groceries. She discovered upon reading her statement that her card had been used at Sam’s Club in Novi. A person used her $659.82 worth of food stamps and also took out $10 cash, as the card doubles as a debit card. The person had previously attempted to take out $1,253.76 from the account but was declined due to insufficient funds.

The Minnesota woman was given a case number and was advised to report the fraud in her jurisdiction of Minnesota. Novi police told her to contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and that she would likely be reimbursed for the fraudulent charges made on her account. The case was closed in Novi.

Dirt bike reportedly causes lawn damage

WEST BLOOMFIELD — On Feb. 9, a West Bloomfield police officer was dispatched to a location on Walnut Lake Road for a malicious destruction of property report.

It was reported that on multiple occasions, an unknown person has ridden a dirt bike across a lawn and caused damage.

No further information was provided.

Man threatens Kroger employees during robbery

16 additional items in his cart that were valued at $80.52 When confronted by police and the store’s asset protection staff, the man said he had paid for the items in a previous transaction. However, after viewing the CCTV footage, it was discovered that the items never left the man’s cart and there was no previous transaction.

The officer noted that one of the plush toys the man stole did not have a price tag and asked him how he supposedly paid for that item. He said he just moved the items over the scanner and assumed they were rung up. He said he didn’t listen for the “beep,” according to the report.

One item, a roll of paper towels, was unpaid for and was added to the cart by the man’s female companion. However, his story was contradicted by the footage of him scanning the items he did pay for, which shows him meticulously scanning each item to make sure the scanner beeped. Police had the store check to see if any of the items the man stole had indeed been purchased that day. Only one of the items, a popular bottle of Clorox spray, had been purchased at all that day. This confirmed that the man had stolen the items, according to the report. The man was then arrested for

BIRMINGHAM — On Feb. 24 at 9:47 p.m., a Kroger employee called police about an armed robbery at their Maple and Woodward location. It was reported that a 35-year-old male suspect had stolen a prepaid cellphone and pulled a pistol from his waistband, threatening to harm employees when he was confronted.

According to a press release, he exited the store and walked toward Woodward through the rear parking lot.

A Birmingham sergeant, who was already on foot patrol, saw the suspect and shared his path of travel with other officers. Officers found the suspect in the bushes along the brick wall on the east side of the Flagstar Bank parking lot. After obstructing and resisting officers, he was taken into custody.

An airsoft pistol and the stolen cellphone were found in the bushes where he had been hiding. He was to remain in custody until his arraignment.

Woman accused of threatening man with boxcutter in road rage incident

FARMINGTON — Around 11 a.m. Feb. 13, officers

Halsted Road for a fight in progress. Officers arrived and found a man and a woman in a verbal argument that had stemmed from a road rage argument on M-5. Officers learned that the 29-year-old woman had obtained a box cutter and swung it at the man in an attempt to injure him. She was arrested for felonious assault and was lodged for arraignment. The man did not suffer any injuries. The case was forwarded on to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Officer for a warrant request.

Drunken driver crashes

HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, a 50-year-old Warren man drove a gray 2013 Chevy Traverse off the roadway at John R and Sonoma roads at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 27, striking a building. The driver had a blood alcohol content level of 0.157. He was taken to a hospital and issued citations for operating while intoxicated.

The investigation was ongoing.

Man defrauded of nearly $16,000

BERKLEY — A 69-year-old Berkley man was the victim of thousands of dollars of fraud.

In an incident reported to police at 12:20 p.m. Feb. 28, the man told police that on Feb. 26, a screen appeared on his computer that said he had a virus and to contact Microsoft at the number listed. A representative on the phone asked for the man’s credit union information and said that Microsoft would contact the fraud department for the man because the man’s computer and bank information had been breached.

The man said a person who claimed to work with Vibe Credit Union said his account was showing fraudulent activity and that he needed to work with federal marshals to find the scammers. He was advised to take out $15,900 from the credit union and deposit it into two different bitcoin machines. The man did so and the person who claimed to work for the credit union asked that he remain quiet about the matter for the time being.

The suspect called again the next day and asked the Berkley man to buy a $100 Apple gift card so he could clean his phones of any viruses. It was at this point where the victim realized that he was being scammed. The fraud was reported to both the credit union and police.

Attempted Jeep theft caught on camera

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — Deputies responded to the 100 block of Birchhill Drive in reference to an attempted auto theft in progress at 6:25 a.m. Feb. 15.

A 63-year-old man from Oakland Township said there was someone visible on a security camera

The suspect, a man, fled prior to the deputies arriving. Deputies met with the complainant, who stated his daughter saw a man on their cameras with the hood up on the Jeep in the driveway, attempting to start the vehicle.

The man fled down the driveway while the complainant was still on the line with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

There was a rear side window broken out that appears to be how the suspect gained entry to the vehicle.

The owner of the Jeep had a sophisticated security system on the vehicle that thwarted the attempts to start the Jeep, according to reports. Police were investigating.

Man’s boss arrested after reportedly breaking into employee’s home, assaulting him

ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the 100 block of Fontainbleau Court for an assault and home invasion at 7:47 a.m. Feb. 4. A man told police he had texted his boss, who pays a portion of his rent directly out of his landscaping paycheck, to let the boss know there was a text about owing the rent. The boss

Suspect