ARMITAGE COLLISION
THE NECESSARY BURDEN OF TEEN CAR INSURANCE
The Baldwin Public Library has been finding AI-generated books on Hoopla. It has been reported that public libraries have noticed low-quality AI-generated books infiltrating
Police crack down on distracted driving
Public libraries confronted with influx of AI-generated audiobooks
BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
BIRMINGHAM — Some Baldwin Public Library patrons may have been disappointed recently while using Hoopla, a free resource for library card holders to rent audiobooks, e-books, comics and more. Nationwide, public libraries that use Hoopla are seeing low-quality AI-generated books infiltrate their collection. This was brought to light by a 404 Media investigation.
On Hoopla, patrons are given a large selection of books to choose from. The recent issue that is arising is that there are
now AI-generated books that appear similar to other popular books.
However, they will say in small print, “summary.” Instead of being the full-length book a patron is expecting, it is a much shorter summary of it.
“(On these books) the cover art is not the cover art from the actual book. It’s just another illustration that is kind of similar, but not, so if you have never seen the book cover before, you wouldn’t know,” Baldwin Public Library Director Rebekah Craft said.
Adult Services Librarian Mick Howey said that after he
See AUDIOBOOKS on page 15A
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Many people nowadays feel the need to be constantly plugged in, but police say the consequences of doing so behind the wheel can be deadly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately nine people are killed, and more than 1,000 are injured, each day in crashes that reportedly involve a distracted driver in the United States.
“We ask everyone to do their part to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their fellow Americans when driving, and that includes avoiding distractions behind the wheel,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said in a statement. “Taking your eyes and mind off the road for even a second could have devastating consequences.”
Anytime you shift your attention from driving, you’re distracted — whether you’re using a cellphone, eating, drinking, or using in-car information or entertainment systems.
In Michigan, there are an alarming number of crashes and fatalities related to distracted driving, police say, making it one of the fastest-growing safety issues on the roads today.
In 2023, Michigan had 15,136 motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, which resulted in 5,889 injuries and 59 fatalities.
In support of April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, police agencies throughout
See DISTRACTED on page 15A
PAM STOLER
their collection.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Bloomfield Hills Schools Alum navigates illness as
she follows her dreams
BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Elana McEwen, a Bloomfield Hills High School graduate, is celebrating her graduation from Michigan State University and the beginning of her career in Atlanta.
McEwen has overcome health obstacles throughout her entire life due to primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD),
which is a rare lung disease.
PCD is a genetic condition that can lead to chronic respiratory infections due to cilia, which are hairlike structures in the body that are not able to properly clear out mucus and bacteria.
“When Elana was born, her first sound wasn’t a cry, it was a cough, and then she had a wheeze. And she’s coughed and wheezed basically every day since she has been born,”
See MCEWEN on page 18A
A REAL ID will soon be required for domestic air
travel
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Starting May 7, in order to board a domestic flight within the United States, a REAL ID or a compliant document will be required. C and G Newspapers recently explored some of the pertinent facts.
Why
Requiring that passengers have a REAL ID is based on a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, according to Jessica Mayle, who is the regional spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration.
“Identity verification is such an important part of TSA’s mission, knowing who is going through the checkpoints,” Mayle said. “With 50 states issuing 50 different (driver’s) licenses, we wanted one baseline set of security standards, so we knew that all (driver’s) licenses issued from any state met minimum security protocols.”
Who
According to the Transportation Security Administration’s website, only adults 18 and older are required to have a REAL ID when boarding a plane traveling within the United States. Passengers are encouraged to check with airlines about specific ID requirements for children, according to the site.
What
A REAL ID is a driver’s license that has an image of the state of ID holders, with a star in the middle. An Enhanced Driver’s License is automatically REAL-ID compliant, whether or not it displays the star, according to the Michigan Department of State website.
A REAL ID, or compliant documents, will also be re-
ABOVE: Elana McEwen has had over 70 surgeries in her life. This has caused her to frequently miss school.
Photo by Joshua Kreiter
RIGHT: McEwen is a recent Michigan State University graduate with a degree in accounting.
Photo provided by Elana McEwen
‘The Music Man’ shines the spotlight on young talent
BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com
BIRMINGHAM — Residents from Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Ferndale, Madison Heights, Berkley and Lathrup Village have come together for the Birmingham Village Players’ production of “The Music Man.” Among the talented cast is several local kids who are enthusiastic about theater at a young age.
The Birmingham Village Players production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” will open on May 2. Transport to River City, Iowa, and enjoy the story of Harold Hill in 1912. In addition to vibrant music, the show is filled with humor and romance.
Portraying a mother and child on the show is an actual mother-daughter duo, Jessica and Emmeline Gamarra, who are playing Mrs. Paroo and Winthrop Paroo, respectively. This is the first time they have performed together and Jessica’s first time back on stage in about 23 years.
Jessica said that Emmeline, who recently expressed an interest in participating in theater, encouraged her to audition for the same show as her. The duo both ended up landing roles in the show, giving them a chance to share the stage for the first time together.
To describe her role, Emmeline said Winthrop is very “shy and sweet” but eventually he opens up and becomes “really bright and excited for everything.”
Emmeline said her favorite parts of the show are the “Wells Fargo Wagon” scene and at the end when they play their instruments in their marching band outfits.
Jessica said her favorite part of the show is watching her daughter on stage. She added that her favorite song of the show is the first song, “Rock Island,” as it is a very exciting and energetic number.
See MUSIC MAN on page 6A
LEFT: Emmeline and Jessica Gamarra, a local mother and daughter duo, play Winthrop and Mrs. Paroo in the Birmingham Village Players production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man.” Photo provided by Joseph Lease Photography
BELOW: Kristen Dittus will star as Marian, and Adam Grey as Professor Harold Hill, in “The Music Man.”
Photo provided by Paul Manoian Photograph
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REAL ID
quired for entrance into some federal buildings.
For a list of other compliant documents, visit www.tsa.gov/travel/securityscreening/identification.
When
Although May 7 is the date when the REAL ID requirement begins, Secretary of State offices will continue to issue REAL IDs moving forward, according to Mayle.
“Maybe you’re not traveling until June or July,” Mayle said. “That gives you a little more time.”
How
To schedule an appointment at a local Secretary of State office, call (888) 7676424 or visit https://dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/ TAP/_/.
The documents that are needed at an appointment include a driver’s license or state ID card, a birth certificate with a raised seal of stamp issued by a governmen-
Music Man
from page 4A
Being in “The Music Man” is a full circle experience for Jessica. In the 1990s she remembers seeing a production of “The Music Man” in Detroit when she was around Emmeline’s age.
“I remember watching it and saying, ‘This is it. I want theater to be a part of my life forever.’ So it is so amazing that my chance to come back to being in theater is with this show again. And now my daughter is 10 years old and is a big part of the show,” she said.
Other local kids in the show include Rosalie Ventamiglia, Clare Tamer, Elijah Zerwas, Brooklyn Brown, Maryanne Gjurashaj, Melody Goodman, London Hansen and Jeffrey Melton. Teens will also be in the show, including Stella Fenton as Zaneeta and Anthony Frederick as Tommy. Brooklyn Brown, who plays a River
tal agency, a valid unexpired U.S. passport or an approved citizenship or legal presence document.
According to the Secretary of State Michigan website, faxes or photocopies of these documents won’t be accepted.
Married women who have taken their husband’s last name should bring a marriage license or other supporting documentation to verify the name change, according to Mayle.
Sarah Webb is currently gathering the required documents for herself, along with helping her clients navigate the new requirements.
Webb is a certified dementia practitioner and care partner.
Although some effort is required to get a REAL ID, from her perspective, going to the Secretary of State is more convenient than it used to be.
“It is so much easier now that you can make appointments at the Secretary of State, rather than wait in line for an indefinite time,” Webb said.
Andy Howell owns a travel agency in Farmington Hills. He shared that only one client has asked about a REAL ID.
City kid, is 12 years old and has been in theater since she was around 4 years old. She has been in multiple shows with the Birmingham Village Players previously.
“It is always just a positive experience. I always walk in with a smile and I always exit with a smile,” Brown said.
One of her favorite songs in the show is “Iowa Stubborn.” As for her favorite scenes of the show, she said she enjoys the town meetings.
“I like a lot of the town meetings with all the characters. You can dive into the other characters and see their personalities as they all interact with each other in it,” Brown said. “I really find that amazing.”
To watch the kids on stage, along with the local adult cast, see the show during its run from May 2-18. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees will begin at 2 p.m.
To purchase an individual reserved ticket for $30, which includes a ticketing fee, call the box office at (248) -644-2075 or visit birminghamvillageplayers.com.
“Most of the people I deal with already have the REAL ID,” Howell said.
Howell advised his client as to what documents to take to a Secretary of State appointment.
Other Tips
Although domestic travelers may still be able to board a plane without a REAL ID, according to Mayle, those who don’t have one can expect delays, as they may have to sign identity-verifying documents.
According to Mayle, the TSA recom-
mends arriving two hours before a domestic flight when domestic travelers have a REAL ID or REAL ID-compliant documents. However, more time should be factored into travel plans when they don’t have those documents.
“(The) TSA is going to take a phased enforcement approach, but we don’t really know what that’s going to look like,” Mayle said. “It’s just important you take care of this before any trips you have planned after May 7. … This is something you need to get done sooner rather than later.”
NEWS & NOTES
LIBRARY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR MYERS SCHOLARSHIP
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — The Bloomfield Township Public Library is now accepting applications for the Jeanette P. Myers Memorial Scholarship through June 1.
The Myers Memorial Scholarship provides funds to encourage and support the post-secondary education of past or present employees of the Bloomfield Township Public Library, or persons who have some relationship with the library. A total amount of at least $500 will be awarded to one or more scholarship applicants to be used for books, tuition, or other relevant expenses to assist in working toward an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree, or for the pursuit of other higher education.
Scholarship guidelines and application forms are available at the library’s welcome desk and online at btpl.org/jeanette-p-myers-memorial-scholarship. For more information, call (248) 642-5800 or visit www.btpl.org.
High Schoolers perform ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’
BIRMINGHAM — The Groves Performing Arts Company’s production of a high school edition of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” will run April 24-27. The show centers around J.K. Rowling’s beloved character, Harry Potter. However, since it takes place over 19 years, it focuses on Harry and his son. The shows on Thursday through Saturday will be at 7 p.m. and the Sunday show will be at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students who show a valid school-issued identification. Tickets can be purchased now at grovesperformin gartscompany.ludus.com/index.php?sections=events.
Electronic Waste, Medication Disposal and Paper Shredding Drop-Off Day returns
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Electronic Waste Recycling, Medication Disposal and Paper Shredding Drop-Off Day will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 3. The event is an opportunity for township residents to jump into spring cleaning and responsibly dispose of unneeded electronic items, expired medications, and paperwork. Eligible electronic items include laptops, cellphones, outdated TVs and more.
Technological advances and the resulting increase in electronic equipment pose a unique situation in terms of waste disposal. While electronic waste, also known as e-waste, only represents a small portion
of the waste stream (about 1%), the potential impact on the environment is high.
FARMERS MARKET SEASON IS BACK
BIRMINGHAM — On Sunday, May 4, the Birmingham Farmers Market will kick off the 2025 season with its annual Opening Day Celebration. There will be live music, kids’ activities and free reusable tote bags.
The Birmingham Farmers Market will be downtown Birmingham every Sunday, from May 4-October 26. The market will be open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Public Parking Lot 6 at 660 North Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham.
There will be special events throughout the season, including the Strawberry Jam-Boree, Super Farmer Day, Harvest Festival and more. There will also be food trucks every week and a kids’ zone. For more information on the Birmingham Farmers Market, visit allinbirmingham.com.
SENIOR MEN’S CLUB HOSTS MAY LUNCHEONS
BIRMINGHAM — In May, The Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham will welcome speakers to its Friday luncheon meetings at the Iroquois Club, located at 43248 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Township.
On May 2 Oakland County Executive David Coulter will present, “Oakland County Update.”
On May 9, the founder of String Ventures, Dilip Dubey, will present, “AI: Tech That Will Change Everything.”
On May 16, Diane M. Hartmus, associate professor of political science at Oakland University, will present, “Our Changing Supreme Court.”
There will be no meeting on May 23 due to Memorial Day.
On May 30, Pavan Muzumdar, the COO of Automation Alley, will present, “The Future of Manufacturing.”
May 3
“We look forward to this event every year and know Township residents enjoy this opportunity to safely dispose of electronics,” Bloomfield Township Public Works Manager Adam Roose said in a statement.
On the day of the event, there will be two entrances — south onto Andover Road from Long Lake Road or west onto Andover Road from southbound Telegraph. Volunteers will unload everything from your vehicle. This event is open to township residents only, and proof of residency is required. Have your ID ready.
Bloomfield Hills students win national awards for art
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Bloomfield Hills seniors Dylan Psenka and Sage Booth earned 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Psenka earned three awards, including one gold medal for his piece, “Ecosystem Malfunction: System Regenerating,” which is a mixed-media sculpture. He also won two silver medals for the sculptures, “Deep Sea Sanctuary” and “Rewired Roots.”
Booth’s art portfolio, “Roots and Stems: Consequences of Growth” won a silver medal. Her portfolio included drawings, painting and prints.
These two students, along with other award recipients, will be recognized at Carnegie Hall in New York City during the 2025 National Ceremony on June 11.
Photo provided by the Birmingham Shopping District
CRIME WATCH
Jeans stolen from retail store
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately noon April 12, officers were dispatched to a retail store in the 600 block of North Old Woodward, where two men had just grabbed 10 pairs of jeans worth a total of $7,450 and ran out of the store without paying. An investigation is ongoing.
Birmingham man arrested for intoxicated driving
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 3:30 p.m. April 14, officers on patrol observed a man driving without a seat belt driving southbound on Pierce at Merrill.
They followed the vehicle while the driver put on his seat belt, stopped at a green light and failed to stop at a stop sign. Officers conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Edgewood and Southlawn and detected signs of intoxication from the driver, a 69-year-old Birmingham man.
After conducting field sobriety evaluations, officers arrested the man and charged him with operating under the influence.
Two vehicles stolen with golf clubs and more inside
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 5 p.m. April 13, officers were dispatched to a home in the 2200 block of Northlawn, where two vehicles were reported stolen. Both vehicles were unlocked with keys inside while parked on Golfview, near Northlawn,
between 3:30 and 5 p.m. as their owners watched TV inside the house.
A 54-year-old Northlawn resident reported that his vehicle contained golf equipment valued at nearly $2,500. The other vehicle’s owner, a 44-year-old Birmingham man, said his wallet, ID, credit cards and $500 in cash, as well as golf clubs worth approximately $1,000, were in his car. An investigation is ongoing.
Police remind residents to be aware of school bus safety
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — In recent weeks, Bloomfield Hills Schools and the Bloomfield Township Police Department have seen two serious incidents involving vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses. School resource officers have issued 28 school bus violation tickets this school year alone. Police say the violations put students at great risk and emphasize the need for increased awareness and compliance with traffic laws.
Michigan law states the operator of a vehicle overtaking or meeting a school bus that has stopped and is displaying two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level shall bring the vehicle to a full stop not less than 20 feet from the school bus and shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated.
Police urge all families and community members to remain vigilant when driving near school buses and be prepared to stop, understand and follow Michigan school bus stop laws and report violations to the Bloomfield Township Police Department to help keep
Close with
roads safe.
If you have any questions, call (248) 433-7755.
Resident’s vehicle stolen from driveway
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 10 a.m. April 9, officers were dispatched to a home in the 1200 block of Chesterfield for a reported stolen vehicle.
The 44-year-old male resident reported that his vehicle was taken from his driveway overnight. Both sets of keys were in the owner’s possession. An investigation is ongoing.
Diaper bag stolen from unlocked car, recovered later by police
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — On
April 5, the Bloomfield Township Police Department took a larceny from an automobile report.
The victim stated they left their silver 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe unlocked and parked
in the street in the 6000 block of Darramoor Road for a few hours. When they returned to their car, they found it had been rummaged through and their $160 Freshly Picked diaper bag was stolen. A short time later, the diaper bag was found on the side of the road. Police are investigating.
Items stolen from cars
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Between April 8-9, the Bloomfield Township Police Department took four reports of larceny from vehicles. All vehicles were left unlocked at the time of the incidents. Approximately $560 was stolen, as well as wallets containing credit cards, a bag and a stethoscope. The Bloomfield Township Police Department urges residents to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables. Police are investigating. Anyone with information is urged to call Bloomfield Township at (248) 433-7755.
— Mary Genson and Mary Beth Almond
ON KIDS
THE NECESSARY BURDEN OF TEEN CAR INSURANCE
terms of costs for insuring a
College Choice Counseling takes the stress out of college applications
Preparing a college application can be a daunting, stressful, confusing and time-consuming process for both parents and students.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
College Choice Counseling takes a team approach to helping students reach the campus of their dreams through the experience and expertise of their counselors and tutors.
“We specialize in helping students get admitted to college or graduate school. We work with families as they plan for college and we help students complete applications,” said Barbara Connolly, JD, CEP. “We assist students with their college essays. We have a particular focus on the University of Michigan because we are in Birmingham and there is an interest locally. We also tutor all academic subjects, and we do SAT and ACT prep.”
As a mom and an attorney, Connolly learned everything she could about the college application process by helping her four children successfully apply to Ivy League schools. She took that even further by becoming a certified educational planner and going to work in the Michigan’s Ross admission’s office.
At College Choice Counseling, the team
Connolly has assembled leverages its collective experience to examine the application process at a granular level for maximum effect and the results their clients want.
On May 22, College Choice Counseling will host a free online info session through Meetup and Zoom. They will also host a weeklong college application class at Birmingham’s Baldwin Public Library June 23-27.
To set up a consultation, call (248) 294-0099 or email barbara@collegecc.com.
BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT— Obtaining a driver’s license is one of the major milestones in life but also can become a liability very quickly.
“Statistics show that young drivers are involved in more car accidents, and many companies consider them a greater risk,” a fact sheet shared at michigan.gov states. “As a result, automobile insurance will be one of the most expensive costs teens will face in relation to obtaining their driver’s license and earning the privilege to drive.”
To help ensure that young drivers and their parents don’t find themselves in a sticky situation with a car accident, parents must take action to put their child on car insurance as soon as the child gets their learner’s permit.
“People are mostly nervous about the fact that their car insurance for teen drivers does rake their prices up pretty high,” said Azaila Powell, of Powell Insurance Agency. “In the event of an accident, your child needs to be listed on your own insurance, because it can cause voiding their insurance and your own.”
In terms of costs for insuring a teenager, every company is different, according to Sue Crowe, an insurance agent with State Farm in St. Clair Shores.
Crowe said that at State Farm, it is nearly impossible to predict the general cost of insurance after adding a teen because of an algorithm they use to give families coverage that makes sense based on their personal situations.
“You can’t even guestimate anymore. Thirty or 40 years ago, I could tell you exactly what it would be. Now, all of us insurance companies have our secret algorithms, and
In
teenager, every company is different, according to Sue Crowe, an insurance agent with State Farm in St. Clair Shores.
Shutterstock photo
Insurance
for me to spit out the cost, I can’t even do that anymore,” Crowe said. “It used to be so easy. I think insurance companies are better at matching a risk to the price now… you need to find a good, reputable company with a good agent that can help guide you when you are making the choices to pick out the discounts.”
Every state is different when it comes to insurance policies. In Michigan, a teen has to be 18 or older to be able to purchase their own car insurance, according to Powell. The teen driver must be put onto their parent’s insurance policy as soon as they receive their learner’s permit.
Michigan is a no-fault state, and the law requires people to have no-fault insurance on all cars. If you have an accident, no-fault insurance will pay for the injuries to the people involved and for the damages your car does to other people’s property, according to michigan.gov.
“It is against the law to drive, or let your car be driven, without no-fault insurance. If you are caught driving without insurance, you could be fined $500, sentenced to jail
time, and have your license revoked,” according to michigan.gov.
“If you don’t notify your car insurance company of a new driver and they are the cause of an accident while they are driving, the insurance may not cover your teens medical bills,” Powell said. “They also may not be able to sue the at-fault driver who caused an accident if they are not listed, even if your teenager wasn’t found guilty or at fault, even if they suffered an injury. Putting off adding your child to your car insurance policy is definitely not a good call.”
To help parents navigate saving money on car insurance, Crowe said it is important to find a trustworthy insurance agent who can help find all of the discounts that the company has to offer.
“Take advantage of every discount that an insurance company has to offer. You need to find a good, reputable company with a good agent that can help guide you when you are making the choices to pick out the discounts.” Crowe said. “For example, we (State Farm) have a good student discount that has a very good effect on the cost… Bottom line, buy a safer car, because with a safer car, the less extreme injuries can happen, and therefore the cost of the insurance is reflective.”
Making sure that new drivers are prac-
ticing safe driving is another major suggestion that both Crowe and Powell emphasized to help avoid accidents in the first place.
“A lot of parents don’t talk to their teens about driving safety. There are times it seems that they may have left it up to the drivers training school to kind of help, but it’s important for parents to be involved in that process,” Powell said. “Distracted driving is
Editor:
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Reporters:
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a very serious issue that goes on within our community. It is important for teen drivers to have guidance when it comes to driving and understand the importance of not being on their phones.”
For more information about teen car insurance in Michigan, visit michigan.gov. Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.
For retail ad rates: Pam Tassoni | (248) 821-6210 | ptassoni@candgnews.com Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100 Automotive Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com
Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
Main Office: 13650 E. 11 Mile Road Warren, MI 48089 (586) 498-8000
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Distracted
the state are teaming up with the Office of Highway Safety Planning for added enforcement.
To help keep everyone safe, officers are reminding drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, while enforcing Michigan’s Hands-Free Law. In 2023, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill into law, making it illegal to manually use a cellphone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads. Under the law, a driver can’t hold or support a phone or other device with any part of their hands, arms, or shoulders. Even if a cellphone or other device is mounted on your dashboard or connected to your vehicle’s built-in system, the law says you cannot use your hands to operate it, beyond a single touch.
Drivers who are pulled over for distracted driving face a civil infraction, which includes a fine, usually starting at $100. That price goes up for repeat offenders.
Locally, the Bloomfield Township Police Department is stepping up its distracted driving enforcement efforts for the
month of April.
“Our officers are out there enforcing the law,” said Heather Glowacz, a community relations officer with the Bloomfield Township Police Department. “It doesn’t always mean someone’s getting a ticket. It can be an educational piece, just to let people know (that) if you’re at a light looking at your phone, it’s still against the law.”
The goal of the initiative is to reduce traffic crashes caused by distracted drivers, ultimately preventing injuries and deaths.
“Many people think that if they are just talking on the phone, holding it, it’s OK because you are not technically looking at it, but that’s still against the law. You can’t have your handheld device in your hand at all — even for GPS or anything like that. It must be affixed to your car,” Glowacz explained.
Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, she said, long enough to cover a football field while driving 55 mph.
“There’s definitely been times where people crash their car because of it,” she added.
For more information about Michigan’s Hands-Free Law, visit www.michigan. gov/DistractedDriving.
Audiobooks
from page 1A
was notified about this issue, he went looking for these summaries and found about 400 of them on the first try.
“They didn’t check out much, but every checkout was a patron not getting what they thought they were getting, and then the library getting charged for it,” Howey said.
The impact of the issue
This problem is an issue for libraries because it causes them to be charged for books that patrons did not intend to check out.
When patrons rent a book from Hoopla, the library is charged a varying amount. The Baldwin Public Library offers 20 credits a month to each patron.
Other than being an annoyance to patrons who accidentally check out these books, it also wastes one of their credits.
Moving forward
A couple days after beginning the process of manually suppressing certain books so they do not show up for their patrons,
Hoopla sent out an email stating that they removed thousands of AI books. Howey said he has noticed a difference in the number of AI content they are seeing.
“The problem has been greatly diminished,” Howey said.
However, it is still possible that a patron could encounter an AI-generated title.
“It’s at the stage now where Hoopla asked us and other libraries that if we see any of them, to let them know about it,” Howey said.
He said Hoopla is now trying to get publishers to either not include any AI books or mark that the book was created by AI.
Since AI-generated books could still be on the platform, Howey offered some advice in identifying if a book was created by AI. He said it is important to check the length and make sure it is a reasonable amount of time for the size of the book. He also said patrons should look up the cover of the book they intend to check out and make sure the cover they see on Hoopla is comparable.
In the Birmingham City Manager Report for March 2025, the library also thanked substitute librarians Julia Eisenstein and Amber Davis for helping identify and flag these books.
FAR LEFT: This mangave in the center paired with angelonia — the white flowers — and an ornamental oregano are an example of a thriller, filler and spiller that can coexist in a pot together.
NEAR LEFT: When choosing a tomato or other vegetables to grow in a container, Lindsey Kerr, of MSU Extension, advises gardeners to look for keywords like “patio,” “baby,” “bush” or “dwarf.”
CONTAINER GARDENING 101:
TIPS TO HAVE THRIVING PLANTS IN SMALL SPACES
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Not all gardens need to be grown in the ground.
According to Lindsey Kerr, the Wayne County consumer horticulture educator for Michigan State University Extension, container gardening is a great option for those who want to enjoy gardening without the need to dig holes in their backyards or for aspiring gardeners who do not have backyards at all.
“Container gardening is great for people who live in smaller spaces, maybe in a condo or an apartment,” Kerr said. “But even homeowners that have maybe a deck or a patio, container gardening can be great because you might not have to bend over as much.”
would want a dwarf or a bush-type squash plant. It’s not going to vine. Squash, like zucchini, can get huge. They bred ones that the plant is smaller, but the produce is the same size,” Kerr said.
She added that, ultimately, one would want a bigger pot, around 18 inches across, for things like tomatoes, because they can grow tall. Wind could cause them to topple over in a smaller pot, and the plant might dry out faster in a smaller pot.
Kerr added that gardeners should also be careful not to put young, small plants in a pot that is too big to avoid rotting. Instead, she encourages container gardeners to start small with a 4- or 6-inch pot and gradually work up to the 18-inch pot as the plant grows.
Kerr advised beginner container gardeners to keep an eye out for keywords like “patio,” “baby,” “bush” or “dwarf” when purchasing fruits and vegetables.
“If you want to grow squash in a pot, then you
“I tell people to only plant one tomato plant or one pepper plant or one eggplant in a pot. I don’t think it’s a good idea to put other things in a pot with them. It’s just too much competition,” Kerr said.
Photo provided by Caitlin Splawski
Photo provided by Lindsey Kerr See
Gardening
from page 16A
MSU Extension Greenhouse and Floriculture Extension Educator Caitlin Splawski, who is based in Oakland County, shared how to ensure success for co-inhabiting plants in a container.
“The rule of thumb is to have a thriller, a filler and a spiller in a container so that you kind of mix and match those different height levels within the container,” Splawski said.
Splawski said a thriller is the center or the tallest plant. The fillers spread out under the thriller to cover the soil, and the spillers trail over the sides of the container.
She shared that a combination of plants in a sunny spot could have a mangave as the thriller, since they have fibrous tissue with a high water-holding capacity, paired with angelonia as the filler and an ornamental oregano as the spiller.
“Those two plants (angelonia and ornamental oregano) are going to use up a little more moisture, which is fine when you’re combining it with one that doesn’t use quite as much moisture, but they can all tolerate full sunshine, and that will make them flower more,” Splawski said.
She added that most plants need attention on a weekly basis, so tools like selfwaterers can help to keep the moisture level consistent, and some pots have water reservoirs to allow the plant to access additional water if needed.
“You can use little tricks like that to kind of help keep those pots maintained, and just knowing your preferences as a gardener is important,” Splawski said.
She explained that gardeners who don’t want to have to worry about checking on their plants so much might prefer plants that require part shade since they can do well with only six hours or less of sun.
She shared an example of some partially shaded plants that could coexist in a container and combine different textures, including alocasia as the thriller, Persian shield as the spiller and euphorbia as a filler.
Splawski encouraged gardeners to combine herbs with flowers, if they’d like, but advised gardeners to be careful when using pesticides on ornamental plants that are combined with edible plants.
“You can combine all sorts of flowers with herbs. You just want to make sure that you know you’re treating them in a way that is going to be safe for you to eat. So, steer clear from putting any pesticides on those containers. If you are someone that uses those chemicals, you’re going to want to keep in mind that you’ve got edible things in the pot,” she said.
Lettuce can be grown around this time of year for eager gardeners who have a case of spring fever. Pictured is lettuce grown in an aluminum lasagna pan.
Splawski added that gardeners pulling out their containers for the new growth season might be pleasantly surprised to find some perennial herbs that survived the Michigan winter.
“When you are rehabbing your containers for the season, you might have some perennial herbs that can last in those containers for you over the winter. And all you have to do is build in some annuals around them, and it gives you a nice start,” Splawski said.
Both Kerr and Splawski warned Michigan gardeners who have a case of spring fever to hold off on planting just yet, with some exceptions for hearty plants such as kale, lettuce, snap peas and pansies. Otherwise, Kerr said to keep a watchful eye on the weather, and it is usually safe to plant around Memorial Day.
“We can plant those kinds of things in pots and have them outside, and they’ll be OK. If it’s going to get below freezing, then I would just cover those pots. You can cover them with blankets or old towels or bedsheets, and that helps hold in the heat overnight, and then you take those covers off in the morning. But I would wait till late May to plant anything like tomatoes and eggplant and peppers and cucumbers, melons, squash, beans — those things like to be hot,” Kerr said.
Gardeners are encouraged to reach out to the MSU Extension with any questions at www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening. The MSU Extension gardening hotline, (888) 678-3464, operates from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
“It’s a free resource that Michigan State University Extension provides to everybody in Michigan. So we just want people to know that so we can fulfill our mission of serving the people of Michigan,” Kerr said.
Call Staff Writer Kathryn Pentiuk at (586) 498-1070.
Photo provided by Lindsey Kerr
McEwen
from page 3A
her mom, Karen McEwen, said.
After she was born, Karen McEwen said that her daughter constantly had wheezing in her lungs. Her first hospitalization after birth was at 3 months old when she had her first case of pneumonia.
“The doctors just continuously tested her for a variety of things and could not find anything,” Karen McEwen said.
When she was 3 years old, the doctors said that Elana could have either a laryngeal cleft, which is a hole in the larynx, or primary ciliary dyskinesia.
Boston Children’s Hospital was considered the leader in finding and repairing laryngeal clefts, and after an appointment was set up, it was discovered that Elana did have a laryngeal cleft. At that time, the medical team said that this answered all of her symptoms and that once the larynx was surgically repaired, her symptoms would improve.
However, Karen McEwen said she had mother’s intuition and knew that there could be more to the issue than her laryngeal cleft.
“Elana did have her larynx repaired and continued to wheeze even after that. The doctors were saying it would take time (and) as she got older, she would get better. But they kept reassuring me that there was absolutely no way that she could have these two rare conditions,” Karen McEwen said.
After having testing done at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a leader in PCD research, Elana was diagnosed with PCD shortly after turning 4 years old.
Marc Barry Hershenson, a medical doctor with C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, has been by her side since she was 2 years old.
She has had more than 70 surgeries and 20 sets of ear tubes. In high school, she had to get hearing aids due to eardrum damage.
Growing up
Elana McEwen went to Conant Elementary School as a child and Bloomfield Hills Middle School, now known as South Hills Middle School. She said she was not able to go to preschool because she was too sick, so her first school experience was going half days in kindergarten.
“I have missed a lot of school throughout life just due to being in the hospital and not being able to go,” Elana McEwen said.
“Luckily, the schools have always been accommodating.”
She said kindergarten was a challenge because it was hard making friends at first, but eventually she made a bunch of friends who have been very supportive.
“No one ever really picked on me for
having a disability,” she said.
When she got hearing aids, she was worried that the kids at school would not be kind, but she said her friends were very supportive when she told them.
However, she said sometimes it was hard to keep up with academics, sports and career planning.
“The harder I work, the more it wears down my body and the more I get sick. Since I’m at half the lung capacity that everyone else has, it’s harder for me to keep going and do all these things without getting sick,” Elana McEwen said.
She has always been very involved. When she was a kid she took part in dance, gymnastics and piano. When she got older, she played tennis and soccer and was on the poms team.
Once the pandemic hit, she and her family had to be extra careful. Her senior year of high school, she only went to school in person for one day.
Going off to college
Elana McEwen said going off to college was very exciting, but she knew it was scary for her parents. She said when she was little, they were told that she might not be able to live on her own or go to college.
“It was a big moment for me to go to college and live on my own and be in the dorm,” she said.
When she went to college as a freshman in 2021 the pandemic was still going on. They were advised by her doctors not to have her go away to school since she was at high risk of getting the virus.
Karen McEwen said that even though she knew Elana had the skill set to live on her own, she was worried about sending her to college because of the pandemic. However, she was proud of her because “she was determined to live her life, not let the disease hold her back, and just to go forward and meet her goals.”
The first week of school, she got sick and her mother drove an hour and a half to pick her up. After doing so, she immediately brought her to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
After that, they made arrangements to get her a car on campus so her roommate would be able to drive her to the hospital if there was another emergency.
As she adjusted to her surroundings, she was doing better and getting sick less, especially during her sophomore year. Her junior year, she was going out more and socializing, along with fulfilling internship responsibilities, which led to her getting sick more.
“After adjusting my senior year, I haven’t gotten sick at all,” she said. “I’m actually at the best health that I have been in a while, thankfully, and I’m still able to manage doing what everyone else is doing.”
As an accounting major, she has been successful in leadership during her time in college. During her senior year, she has been the internal vice president for the Women in Business Students’ Association.
Post college
Elana McEwen is set to move to Atlanta soon and take part in an internship this summer. She will be attending Georgia State University for her master’s degree and pursue a career as a CPA at the same time. She has a full-time job offer that she said will start in 2026.
Even though she knows her daughter knows how to advocate for herself if she gets sick, Karen McEwen said she is not looking forward to Elana McEwen moving away.
“I thought her moving away an hour and a half was stressful. I can’t even wrap my head around her being that far away,” Karen McEwen said.
Elana McEwen has a bronchoscopy procedure every year to clear everything out. Her next one is in May, before she makes her big move to Georgia.
Photo provided by Elana McEwen
Elana McEwen spent much of her childhood in hospitals receiving treatment for primary ciliary dyskinesia.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
19A/ BIRMINGHAM-BLOOMFIELD EAGLE • APRIL 23, 2025
APRIL 24
Jewish Community Resources for the Dementia Journey: All welcome to hear experts, 6:30-8 p.m., Jewish Federation of Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Hills, free but registration preferred, (248) 592-2313, jlive.app/events/10962
APRIL 26
Loving Earth - Loving All: Earth Day event includes free pollinator-friendly perennials and seeds, tour of deer resistant garden, information on invasive species, planting and pollinators, kids activities, and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nativity Episcopal Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road in Bloomfield Township, (248) 646-4100, vicar@nativityepiscopalchurch.org
Farmington Chorus fundraiser: Includes Italian meal, musical entertainment, silent auction, 50-50 and artist table, 7 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1800 W. Maple Road in Birmingham, RSVP to Sally at (248) 613-2623 or saflayer@comcast.net
APRIL 26-27
Operation Clean Sweep: Designated weekend for community members to pick up litter along roadways and subdivisions, get bags and trash supplies from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 23-24 at Bloomfield Township Department of Public Works, 4200 Telegraph Road, (248) 594-2800, road@bloomfieldtwp.org, sign-up preferred but not required, get form at bloomfieldtwp. org, read story at candgnews.com
APRIL 27
Whimsical Woodlands: Find fairy houses and gnome homes along trails in woods, also themed crafts, storytelling, activities, face painting, animals, climbing tower, vendors and treats, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Johnson Nature Center, 3325 Franklin Road in Bloomfield Hills, johnsonnaturecenter.org/whimsicalwoodlands
Steinway piano recital: Julia Siciliano performs music honoring Clara Schumann on same 1929 concert grand piano played by Leonard Bernstein, 3-4 p.m., Cranbrook House & Gardens, 380 Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills, register at housegardens.cranbrook.edu
APRIL 29
‘Working With, Not Against, Your Garden’: Lecture by master gardener Louise Sloan, 7 p.m., Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, registration required, (248) 642-5800, btpl.org
APRIL 30
Spring Fling Concert Series: Hear pianist and singer Matthew Ball (aka “Boogie Woogie Kid”) perform music from “Great American Songbook,” 1:30-2:30 p.m., Bloomfield Township Senior Center, 4315 Andover Road, also hear singer Vanessa Carr May 29, register at bloomfieldseniors.org
MAY 1
Oakland Youth Orchestras spring concert: Final show of 50th anniversary season, includes world pre-
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that during their regular meeting, the Village of Beverly Hills Village Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. to review and receive comments on the proposed special assessment roll for sidewalk slab replacements to be added to the 2026 taxes for the Village of Beverly Hills. Copies of this roll are available at the Village Office for review. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers located at 18500 W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025. A remote participation option is available via Zoom (Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83818096628, Meeting ID: 838 1809 6628, Dial In: 1-646-876-9923) Written comments may be submitted prior to the meeting to 18500 W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025 or via email to: cbrown@villagebeverlyhills.com.
Carissa Brown Village Clerk
To view more Community Calendar and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise an event, call (586) 498-8000.
miere of “Elemental Powers” featuring each of OYO’s four orchestras (comprising nearly 350 students from 100-plus local schools and 30 districts), 6:30-9 p.m., Seligman Performing Arts Center at Detroit Country Day School, 22305 W. 13 Mile Road in Beverly Hills, oyomi.org/concerts
MAY 2
Spectrum Orchestra season finale: BirminghamBloomfield’s community orchestra performs with Detroit Symphony Orchestra cellist Jeremy Crosmer, 7:30 p.m., Bloomfield Hills High School, 4200 Andover Road in Bloomfield Township, spectrumorchestra.org
MAY 3
Electronic Waste Day: Also medication disposal and paper shredding, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Bloomfield Township campus, enter south onto Andover Road from Long Lake Road or west onto Andover Road from southbound Telegraph, for residents only (ID required), see list of acceptable items at bloomfieldtwp.org
Murder-mystery dinner: Features Kentucky Derbythemed food, costumes encouraged, 6-9 p.m., Franklin Community Church, 26425 Wellington Road, RSVP by April 25 to s1diaczok@att.net or (248) 891-1672
Hear Miró Quartet: Also guests Joseph Parrish on bass/baritone and clarinetist David Shifrin, show includes tribute to 1938 collaboration between Benny Goodman and Budapest String Quartet, 7:30-9 p.m., Seligman Performing Arts Center at Detroit Country Day School, 22305 W. 13 Mile Road in Beverly Hills, chambermusicdetroit.org
MAY 4
Author talk: Hear from Lou Kasischke about “After the Wind: 1996 Everest Tragedy—One Survivor’s Story,” 6 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1800 W. Maple Road in Birmingham, (248) 644-4010, lcrchurch.com
MAY 6
Author talk: Reception at 5:30 p.m., buffet dinner at 6 p.m. and hear from retired judge Gerald E. Rosen about “Grand Bargain: The Inside Story of Detroit’s Dramatic Journey from Bankruptcy to Rebirth” at 7:15 p.m., The Village Club, 190 E. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, registration required, (248) 6443450, thevillageclub.org
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Village of Beverly Hills, the Village Council finds it reasonable and necessary to establish a moratorium hereby declared effective April 15, 2025, and effective for 90 days, concluding at midnight on July 13, 2025. This Resolution shall be published in the Eagle, a newspaper circulated within the village, and on the village’s website. If it is found that the ordinance process cannot be completed in 90 days, the Village Council may extend the moratorium one time by Resolution for a period not to exceed 90 days.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that during the effective period of this moratorium any aggrieved property owner shall be entitled to hearing for the purpose of attempting to demonstrate to the Village Council the temporary moratorium pronounced in this Resolution will result in the unnecessary interference with the use of their property or otherwise violates applicable provisions of state or federal constitutional law. Such hearing shall be conducted on an expedited basis before the Village Council. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Village Council shall make findings and conclusions with respect to whether the Petitioner has demonstrated this moratorium has unreasonably affected the use of their property and/or this moratorium on its face or applied contains a violation of applicable law. If it is found and demonstrated that the deferral has the effect or precluding use of property or that it violates law or constitutional provision, the Village Council shall grant relief from the deferral to the degree necessary to cure the contravention. A complete copy of the resolution is available on www.villagebeverlyhills.com
Published: Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle 04/23/2025
Village of Beverly Hills Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting 5/12/2025
Notice is hereby given that the Village of Beverly Hills Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 7:00 pm at the Village of Beverly Hills Office at 18500 W. 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025. Public Hearings will be held on the following cases:
Case #1428: In order to construct an addition, the property owner of the existing home located at 16989 W. 14 Mile Road (24-01-127-001) is requesting a variance from Section 46-275, Schedule of Regulations, Chapter 46 Zoning, which requires a rear open space setback of 30 feet in the R-2A Single Family zoning district.
Case #1430: In order to construct an addition, the property owner of the existing home located at 15701 Birwood Avenue (24-01-228-010) is requesting a variance from Section 46-275, Schedule of Regulations, Chapter 46 Zoning, which requires a front open space setback of 40 feet in the R-2B Single Family zoning district.
Case #1431: In order to construct a detached accessory building, the property owner of the existing home located at 25 Riverbank Drive (24-10102-045) is requesting a variance from Section 46-170(b), Accessory buildings, structures and uses in residential zone districts, Chapter 46 Zoning. Interested parties may comment on the above listed cases in-person at the scheduled meeting. 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 sstec@villagebeverlyhills.com by 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing; please note the case in the subject line. The applications may be reviewed at the Village Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
0113-2517
Published: Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle 04/23/2025
Carissa Brown Village Clerk
