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City of Bloomfield East Coast Style Newer Construction Designed For Entertaining And Casual Living First Floor Owners Wing A GEM! $3,499,000

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Spectacular Newer Construction In Birmingham Large Living Spaces Finished Lower Level With Entertainment Amenities $1,795,000

City Of Bloomfield Hills Sprawling Home Perched On Endicott Lake With Sunset Views Rebuilt With Open Floor Plan And Multiple Gathering Areas $1,695,000

First Floor Master Suite Renovated Home Turnkey With Ideal Floor Plan Professional Gardens With Water Feature $1,249,000

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Charming Flowing Ranch With Multiple Living Areas On Almost 1.5 Acres Including Tennis Court Spectacular Street With Mature Trees $429,000

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DOWNTOWN08.13

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Gangs of Oakland County Thug Life. Goon Squad. Men of Blood. New World Order. 1st Enfantry. These are some of the gangs in Oakland County.

CRIME LOCATOR

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Picking a non-profit

Medical spa check-up

Before you donate to a nonprofit, you may want to know something about how your dollars are being spent.

Medical spas are one of the fastest growing segments in the cosmetic and medical industries.

BUSINESS MATTERS

113

A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format.

FACES

The UPS Store; Rococo; Pack & Ship PLUS; Ducati; one ten below; Flash Accessories; Illusionz; Modern Monogram.

AT THE TABLE

105: Alana & Melissa Kaselitz 109: Kristin Kane Novacek

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CITY/TOWNSHIP

SOCIAL LIGHTS

23: Vinnie Celani

37: Ryan Sarver

49: Weatherly Stroh

94: John P. Lauri

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L'uomo Vogue moving; new library director; charter change off ballot; Quarton Lake lily pads; tennis court lawsuit; Chen Chow closes; dispatch sharing plan fails; plus more.

EDUCATION

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DISTRIBUTION: Mailed monthly at no charge to homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies are distributed at high foot-traffic locations.

For those not residing in the free mail distribution area, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual fee.

Phone 248.792.6464 and request the Distribution department or go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order on-line or scan the QR Code here.

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Vintage automobile outside Kroger, Maple and Woodward. Woodward Dream Cruise wil take place Saturday, August 17, 2013. Downtown photo/Rachel Bechard.

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DOWNTOWN • WESTEND • BLACK BOOK • THE GUIDE 124 WEST MAPLE ROAD BIRMINGHAM MI 48009 P: 248.792.6464 downtownpublications.com facebook.com/downtownpublications • twitter.com/downtownpubs

Publisher: David Hohendorf Ad Manager: Jill Cesarz Ad Sales: Jacqueline Galvin Graphics/IT Manager: Chris Grammer News Editor: Lisa Brody

News Staff/Contributors: Allison Batdorff, Hayley Beitman, Hillary Brody, Kevin Elliott, Sally Gerak, Eleanor & Ray Heald, Austen Hohendorf, Garrett Hohendorf, Kathleen Meisner, Laurie Tennent

DOWNTOWN

Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.

ENDNOTE

THE COVER

Bloomfield Hills district restates policy on prayer in school and at school events.

The long awaited artisan brewhouse, Griffin Claw Brewing, has opened in Birmingham's Rail District.

More work is needed on multi-modal transportation plan to consider all users; explore all options for senior services before leveraging millage.

INCOMING: We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. The traditional Letters to the Editor in Downtown are published in our Incoming section, and can include traditional letters or electronic communication. Your opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com; or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI, 48009.

Letters must include your full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

08.13

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

G

overnment transparency.

Participatory democracy. Personal privacy. All are concepts we champion here at our publishing group. These concepts are at the heart of the current national debate over protection of personal privacy, highlighted with the leak by Edward J. Snowden of top-secret documents outlining the mass surveillance programs at home and abroad of the U.S. Government, as well as a number of smaller government surveillance programs once thought to be innocuous.

Surveillance Court (FISC), which routinely approves government surveillance efforts, has said that public debate on the issue is long overdue and has called for a privacy advocate to be present at the closed court hearings to serve as an adversarial voice to make the process more balanced in the future.

Congressional committees have also started to review the current surveillance programs and some members of congress are calling for the government to scale back the collection of phone and e-mail data.

Most everyone knows basic details of the Snowden story. A former employee of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Central Intelligence Agency, Snowden was employed by a private contractor working on the NSA surveillance program when he leaked to a reporter at The Guardian in London a trove of documents showing mass stockpiling of phone call and e-mail information on residents in the U.S., as well as similar information on residents in foreign countries. Snowden fled the country to Hong Kong and then Russia where he awaits the outcome of his push for asylum in some country where he will not be turned over to American authorities for prosecution.

Further, at least one author of the Patriot Act has said that congress never intended for mass collection of data like we are now seeing by the federal government. While the Patriot Act allows for “investigations” of suspected terrorists, because of the secret nature of the FISC, no one will discuss how the law has been interpreted to allow for blanket collection of data and the public is not allowed access to dozens of rulings (numbering 1,800 in just 2012) by members of the court.

The current conversation playing out nationally is whether Snowden is a hero or a traitor, an issue that may never be resolved. More importantly, Snowden has prompted a growing national debate over the post-9/11 role of the government in its attempt to prevent future terrorist attacks and how to strike a balance between national security and personal privacy.

Add to the NSA debate the use of cell phone tracking data by law enforcement agencies and the vehicle license plate reading programs currently in use in all states. On the latter, the Washington Post recently noted that Maryland alone in 2012 captured the locations of vehicles over 85 million times, and in the case of that state, records are kept by the government indefinitely. While some states do not retain vehicle location data on a long-term basis, there are no laws regulating the compilation and storage of this personal information.

The current Snowden saga is reminiscent of what took place nationally in the late 1960's and 1970's, including in Michigan, where local and state police logged information in the famed Red Squad Files on those opposed to the Vietnam War. That surveillance effort was ruled unconstitutional by the courts, the files were eventually destroyed and the surveillance effort halted.

Today, the public seems conflicted about the government's national monitoring program of phone calls and e-mail data. A Quinnipiac University poll in the past month shows that while 54 percent of respondents saw collection of data as necessary for the country's safety, 53 percent said there was “too much intrusion” into personal privacy with the current program.

Likewise, a former judge of the 11-member Foreign Intelligence

Yet the federal surveillance effort is just the most dramatic example of the potential loss of personal privacy nowadays.

Taken as a whole, one gets the sense that Orwellian predictions of government control could very well be coming true.

But that's where the concept of participatory democracy comes into play – the basic concept that citizen involvement and feedback to elected leaders helps preserve government transparency, and our personal privacy and freedoms before we wake up some day and realize that the government has clearly crossed the line.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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'Up North' omission Your article on "Up North" (July/Downtown) was a pleasure for a long time resident there but I was astounded at an omission.

In describing the communities around Little Traverse Bay (Harbor Point, Weque, Menonaqua Beach and L'Arbre Croche), the article completely missed the large summer community of Bay View on the edge of Petoskey.

A National Historic Landmark, it has existed as a Methodist camp and Chautauqua since 1875. Bay View has 440 "cottages", 2 hotels, 30 community buildings and has a full schedule of lectures, classes, concerts, theatrical productions, Sunday vespers, tennis, sailing races and beach events.

Leaving Bay View out of the article, while including some younger communities, was a shocking omission.

Pauline Mengebier, Bloomfield Hills

Jewel now eyesore Someone has to take responsibility for the unacceptable condition of Quarton Lake. The lake looks horrible with the amount of lily pads and scum on it. The entire shoreline is so overgrown with vegetation that you can't even see the lake from the pathway.

Speaking of the pathway, why doesn't the city maintain it? The edging on the gravel pathway is so ugly and the entire thing is covered in weeds. It looks totally neglected and ugly. The landing areas that were once so nice are also full of weeds and crumbling stone. I have called the city and never get to talk to anyone, nor have I gotten a call back. I've lived on this lake for 24 years and I can't believe how poorly managed it has been.

It was such a jewel and now it's an eyesore.

Elise Goldsmith Schostak, Birmingham

Offensive, divisive remarks Your article last month (Interview/July/Downtown) about Brooks Patterson was brought to my attention – largely because people downtownpublications.com

were offended by the insults Brooks hurled at me.

As both a judge and prosecutor, I have suffered many barbs and misstatements of fact by Brooks over the years. This usually occurs around election time. Most people consider the source and don’t pay much attention. But lately, he sounds like a bully on a rant. I teach students, when I speak in schools across our county, that you have to stand up to bullies.

Quite frankly, my credentials and the success rate of my office speak for themselves. I am essentially the managing partner of the second largest law firm in Oakland County.

I am not a political figurehead. My office is extraordinarily effective because we understand and work with the latest techniques and technologies in partnership with law enforcement.

Brooks boasts of his time as prosecutor. But he fails to mention that his time as Prosecutor was well before the turn of the century, 1973 – 1988. Things have changed in four decades.

Recently, Brooks has touted his advocacy on behalf of victims during his time as prosecutor. But this isn’t accurate. Brooks, as a matter of policy, required many women who were raped to take and pass polygraph tests before he would even consider charging a man with sexual assault. Women’s groups were so outraged, they sought and obtained changes in the law prohibiting a prosecutor from ever polygraphing a rape victim again. So, I guess, in a sense, he was responsible for improving victim’s rights.

During his time as prosecutor, D, N and A were three unrelated letters in the alphabet. My prosecutors must now address complicated DNA cases and the various protocols attached to each testing method. There are multitudes of new issues and technologies in which today’s prosecutors must be trained. Court decisions like Daubert and Crawford have changed the manner in which cases must now be prosecuted. It’s not the same

SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities.

Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.

While we don’t have a specific word limitation, we reserve the right to edit for length.

technology, it’s not the same law, and thankfully, it’s not the same office as it was back in Brooks’ day.

While having no first-hand knowledge about the murder of Robert Cipriano, a case described as one of the most heinous in Oakland County’s history, Brooks took to the airwaves to publicly advocate for a plea bargain that would have reduced first-degree murder charges against one of the killers, Tucker Cipriano. He made his pitch on the very eve of jury selection in that case. The judge, concerned about the difficulty of picking a fair and impartial jury in light of this publicity, issued a gag order for the witnesses and attorneys. But since it didn’t apply to Brooks, why should he worry about interfering with and endangering the orderly and fair administration of justice.

Last year, Brooks was involved in a near-fatal car crash. He suffered extremely serious head injuries in that collision. And we learned - months after the accident - that Brooks had actually been in a coma for weeks - a fact that came as a surprise, since his staff claimed to be consulting with him on a daily basis during that same time. One is left to wonder if other medical or mental consequences of this accident were hidden from public view.

At the time that we tried to prosecute the person who was responsible for causing the

DOWNTOWN

collision and the injuries to both Brooks and his driver, Brooks took great pains to conceal his medical records. In fact, the court had to dismiss the criminal charges because Brooks refused to release his records.

When Brooks became county executive, he wisely selected and put into place some very fine administrators who, in his absence, have demonstrated that the county functions perfectly well without him. So, in the twilight of his political career, it is time to say to Brooks, either step back and pipe down, or let someone else take up the reins.

Oakland County is not well served with a county executive who makes divisive and offensive public statements in a futile and sad attempt to stay relevant.

Jessica R. Cooper, Oakland County Prosecutor

Feathering pension nests I and most of my neighbors will vote no on any township proposal to issue bonds to cover pension shortfalls. We definitely do not need any more debt.

During a public meeting a few years ago, soon-to-be retired David Payne announced that his monthly pension would be “about as much as” his final monthly salary. This is why we have a shortfall.

Like federal senators and congresspeople, township officials and school superintendents have been feathering their pension nests for decades.

Perhaps you could use Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain the final monthly salaries and the retirement pensions of the top township officials, those who are at the top level in the schools, and also the road commission.

Prediction, if the (mid year, of course) vote is successful, the school district will also find a need to issue bonds to cover their own shortfalls.

Editors of local newspapers have moral obligations to be watch dogs, not lap dogs.

Richard Rosenbaum, Bloomfield Township 13

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CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through July 19, 2013.

Placement of codes is approximate.

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HERE IN THE HOOD

THE GANGS OF OAKLAND COUNTY

BY LISA BRODY

T

hug Life. Goon Squad. Almighty Latin King Nation. Men of Blood.

Money Over Everything. New World Order. 1st Enfantry.

You may have heard some, or all, of these names. They're the name of gangs, some of which operate all over the United States.

They all are entrenched in areas of Detroit.

And they, along with other gangs, all have a presence, to varying degrees, in Oakland County.

Yes, gangs exist in Oakland County, notably in Pontiac and in the southern Oakland County communities of Southfield and Oak Park, where the gang lifestyle, which revolves around money, violence, guns, illicit narcotic sales, retail fraud, and demanding respect, proliferate.

Communities abutting Pontiac, such as Bloomfield Township, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Auburn Hills, Sylvan Lake and Keego Harbor, encounter gang activity as spillover. Community borders do not exist for gangs. There may be a home invasion in a nearby city or township as gang members, needing goods and cash, pay no attention to municipal boundaries. Ditto with retail fraud.

There are substantially more stores with large goods in Bloomfield Township or West Bloomfield than in Pontiac, providing them the incentive to venture into our towns.

These are not the Jets and the Sharks taunting Officer Krupke from West Side Story.

Although most members of gangs are usually in their early teens to late 20s, they're not playing “gang”. They mean very serious business. Oakland County law enforcement recognizes and understands this better than regular civilians, many of us who are unaware of the gang activities happening in our midst.

In 2009, following a significant rise in gang-related crime in Oakland County, the FBI, in conjunction with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, Michigan State Police, Bloomfield Township Police Department, Auburn Hills Police Department, Waterford Police Department, (now defunct) Pontiac Police Department, Homeland Security, Michigan Department of Corrections, and Drug Enforcement Agency formed the Oakland County Violent Gang Task Force to identify and target for prosecution violent criminal enterprises that operate in and around the Oakland County area. The FBI emphasizes it is a “joint venture to enhance the effectiveness of federal, state, and local law enforcement resources through well coordinated initiatives seeking the most effective investigative and prosecutorial avenues by which to convict and incarcerate dangerous offenders.”

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Jeff Downey, FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent for Oakland County, noted, “We've been successful to date, but there's more work to do.

Gangs haven't gone away. We see gangs coming from Detroit, coming to Pontiac. There are a lot of gang crimes which are crimes of opportunity. Some are traditional violent crimes – involving guns, drugs, money, assaults. They're all about making money for the gangs and the individual.”

Google “Thug Life”, as an officer in the task force recommended, and you will be inundated with information on information on the late rapper Tupac Shakur, rap and hip-hop artists who quote the lyrics, gang members who have adopted his credo, and the prevalence of “thug life” in Oakland County. ccording to writer Bruce Poinsette, “THUG LIFE” was a movement created by Tupac, his stepfather Mutulu Shakur and godfather Geronimo Pratt, who all had ties to the Black Panther Party, in an effort to politicize gangs.

The men had come to believe the Black Panther Party was being misdirected towards oppressing the black community rather than defending it.

Tupac wrote in 1992, “I didn't create T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E., I diagnosed it,” when he helped get rival California gang members from the Crips and Bloods to sign the Code of THUG LIFE. The first principle of the code is that “All new Jacks must know: a) He's going to get rich. b) He's going to jail. c) He's going to die.”

THUG LIFE stands for “The Hate U Gave Lil” Infants Fucks Everyone”. The phrase is used to express pride in living the thug lifestyle, and while the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a thug as a “brutal ruffian or assassin”, Tupac defined a thug as “someone going through struggles, has gone through struggles, and continues to live day by day with nothing for them. That person is a thug, and the life they are living is the thug life. A thug is not a gangster. Look up gangster and gangsta. Not even close, my friend.”

However, members of gangs and law enforcement who track them likely disagree. In their efforts to be gangsta, members are often full on gangster – violent, disrespectful of authority other than the individual in charge of their gang, focused on money, drugs, and guns.

According to the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment released by the national Gang Intelligence Center, there are approximately 1.4 million gang members belonging to more than 33,000 gangs that were criminally active throughout the United States as of April 2011. The assessment was developed through analysis of available federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and corrections agency information, data from the 2010 NDIC National Threat Survey and open source information.

“The concept of a gang isn't inherently negative.

A group of people coming together under the common interests of protection and economic gain doesn't elicit crime and violence on its own.

However, when you factor in poverty, joblessness and a dependence on the black market drug trade, which has no regulations preventing the use of violence to solve disputes, then you have a recipe for disaster,” Poinsette wrote. “In fact, most gangs were not started to terrorize communities but to protect them.”

Detective/Sergeant Greg Moore of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Violent Gangs Task Force would disagree. “You Tube postings for Pontiac and Detroit feature the glorification of the gangster life style, with its glorification of dope, money, guns and cars. Women come last, because they are objectified

A

and disrespected. If you watch these You Tube videos on Pontiac, the gang members talk openly about videoing their thuggery. It's mind blowing.”

In 2008, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard authorized the formation of the Jail Gang Intelligence Unit because law enforcement had recognized that gang members being sent to jail did not stop their activities. “We started noticing which gangs were affiliating with each other, and with different gangs,” Moore said. “We began assembling statistics, which communities they were from, who they were connecting with.”

“Depending on which prison they go to, especially the much larger prisons, they can get affiliated with larger gangs and gang activity,” Downey said. “You get them off the streets, but there is gang activity in prisons. We try to use every tool we can to get them put away for a long time. The focus is to work long term criminal investigations to get them long term sentences.” Implicit in that statement is that those who receive shorter sentences can make other gang contacts in prison which can continue once they are released back onto the streets.

Moore said the reality is that gangs are everywhere, and different police departments have different problems with different kinds of criminal activities. “Southfield has different kinds of activities than Pontiac,” he said, declining to elaborate. “Each community is familiar with their own gangs.”

Southfield and other southern Oakland County communities have been infiltrated by gangs from Detroit who have established networks in those cities, not interested nor respectful of the change of boundaries. Pontiac gangs currently are mostly separate from Detroit's. But road access from one end of Oakland County is simple, with only a car needed to get from one municipality to another.

“We see gangs from Detroit coming into Pontiac,” said the FBI's Downey. “A lot of gang crimes are crimes of opportunity. Some are traditional gang crimes – guns, drugs, money. The violence is about respect, control, territory and influence. Then there are the killings. Sometimes they happen for mere robberies, for money. Money is extremely important.

Gangs are all about making money for the gangs and the individual. For most gangs, money and territory are the driving forces.”

Moore said that currently the Oakland County Violent Gangs Task Force has positively identified about 750 gang members, spread out between different gangs. “Some are gang members in name only. Some get to their late 20s and move on. There's a smaller proportion of the ones who are causing real problems.

“In Pontiac, to a large degree, there is a close arrangement of people attracted to the thug life, with its emphasis on guns, money and drugs,” Moore said. “Most Americans earn respect through their good name. They (gang members) believe respect is if no can look you in the eye. Most often the leader of the gang is the one who can instill the most fear (in others) through violence and intimidation.”

Moore said that unlike in some cities, Pontiac's gangs are disorganized in terms of organizational structure. “Typically in gangs, there is a strict structure where they have a definitive leader, a second-in-charge, and various shot callers who will tell individual guys what to do. There are usually five or six guys in their crew who do drug deals and car thefts,” he explained. “In Pontiac, there really is no organization.”

“Not all gangs are as hierarchical as national gangs. Some are loosely affiliated with national

gangs, and may take the name of a national gang without being really affiliated,” Downey said.

From intelligence briefs, many gangs in Detroit do have the typical gang leadership organization. It's unknown at this time if, as gangs move northward and infiltrate Pontiac, that organizational structure will change.

While the FBI and members of the Oakland County Violent Gangs Task Force do not want to specify exactly which gangs are in Oakland County, other sources confirm that the Goon Squad, Sur-13, NWO (New World Order), MOB (Men of Blood, their old acronym, but now Money Over Bitches), MOE (Money Over Everything), Latin Kings, a division of the Almighty Latin King Nation, Devil's Diciples, 8Balls, M-13, Pinewood Posse and 1st Enfantry.

In December 2011, members of the Goon Squad sprayed gunfire inside the Waterford Township Rolladium roller rink, striking five patrons. Waterford Township police learned that the shooting was the result of issues involving a rivalry between two Pontiac gangs, the Good Squad and 1st Enfantry.

“Some of the people shot were innocent bystanders, innocent skaters,” said Waterford Township Police Chief Dan McCaw. “The shooters had a mission at hand, to shoot an individual who they had shot before and were after again. Home invasions, larcenies, carjackings, and other small crimes are more popular among gang members.

Shootings come from disagreements over rivalries.”

McCaw said it doesn't matter what neighborhood or community people live in, “I see certain gangs in Waterford, and in Oakland County, in Birmingham, in Bloomfield, all over. I see evidence throughout the state.”

Bloomfield Township Police Chief Geof Gaudard concurred. Bloomfield Township has an officer assigned full time to the Oakland County Violent Gangs Task Force.

“Just as crime knows no boundary, neither do criminals. We see drugs, larcenies, home invasions, and violent crimes, so it makes sense for us to commit to the task force. Many times, this is how they fund their lifestyle,” Gaudard said.

“We see crime everywhere. In our northern end (of Bloomfield Township), we'll see more of these types of crimes committed by gangs that are in the southern and eastern ends of Pontiac. They do cross the boundaries and come here,” he explained. “The amount of crime these guys commit is shocking.”

“They will move into an area if an opportunity exists,” Moore said. “It's not due to an economic downturn – there's always gang activity. At times, it becomes more prolific. In 2008, there were 28 homicides, most due to gangs, in Pontiac. It was directly attributed to younger people carrying guns.

The problem is they didn't hit their target – they hit everyone around them.” audard said that there are usually less violent crimes, which he defined as crimes against a person, “because they don't live here,” but Bloomfield Township does see its share of larcenies, drug sales, and other crimes.

“They sell drugs here. It runs the gamut, marijuana, prescription drugs, heroin – whatever we see in this community and throughout Oakland County.”

This past May, teens affiliated with gangs posted threats on Twitter and Instagram against the Orchard Lake St. Mary's Festival right before it was held. A press release from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office stated that calls were made to the sheriff's office and to Orchard Lake Police after parents and others reportedly noticed someone posting threats on the social media sites.

“The threats consisted of several photos showing

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a handgun, an assault rifle and a photo of several fully loaded high-capacity magazines for a handgun,” the press release said. “Each of the photos made a reference to the Orchard Lake St. Mary's Festival.”

There was a photo of someone holding a gun with a message below stating, “We can't wait till st. marys fair.”

On May 24, the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office authorized and granted an arrest warrant against a 16-year-old Detroit teen for domestic terrorism, a 20-year felony. He was arrested in Detroit, and his case was assigned to an investigator in the FBI's Oakland County Violent Gangs Task Force. He allegedly admitted he had ties with Detroit gang members, and admitted to making one of the Twitter threats with the gun. Investigators would not identify which gang he may be a part of.

“We're part of the task force to aid and assist with legal issues, such as the writing of search warrants and helping (investigators) with what they need, with legal boundaries,” noted Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper. “The other reason we're active members of the task force is that the federal government does not have juvenile jurisdiction, so all those cases come to us. If a gang member is a juvenile, a local prosecutor will be involved. We work in conjunction with the feds.”

According to statute, all juvenile jurisdiction rests with the state, not with the federal government.

Cooper said there are occasional exceptions, such as with computer crimes, like child pornography.

“It's best to go federal then because the penalties may be more severe.”

The teen who bragged on Twitter and Instagram before the Orchard Lake St. Mary's Festival is hardly unique in today's era of social media. Gang members, after all, are primarily male, in their teens and early to mid 20s. They are proud of their gang affiliation, and they want others to know. Tagging, or marking with graffiti on old homes, road signs and railroad tracks, definitely is ongoing. “They mark their territories with colors using spray paint,” said West Bloomfield Police Lt. Curt Lawson of the Investigations Bureau, who said that West Bloomfield currently sees little gang activity, unlike a period from 1997-2000, when the township saw a three-year period of tagging of roads signs and other signs of the the gang Folk Nations in the northern part of the community. “They were white kids, usually 16 to 19 years old, and lot of them were in school, going to Walled Lake Schools. They were having gang wars. We didn't see the major violence, but definitely mischievous behavior. Our then chief sent four officers to Detroit to work with the Detroit Gang Squad – I was part of that – and we learned how to put it down.” loomfield Township's Gaudard said that while they don't get a lot of tagging on road signs, they do see it on abandoned and vacant buildings, and on train overpasses. “Where we see it is closer to our northern borders,” he said.

Some gangs still have color affiliations. They flash finger symbols to one another, which Lawson said is their way of saying which gang they're in.

“They're all little boys with AK 47s,” he said. Like other young adults, they also use Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Instagram, Whisper, and other social media.

“They're hugely active on social media,” Moore said. “MySpace used to be big. Now it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube. There's Whisper, where it's only up for a few minutes and then it disappears.

They take pictures and post them. They're proud.”

B

“On an individual basis, they're on Facebook bragging about what they do. A lot of crime you know they're doing, and usually we can find them and their friends on Facebook and Twitter,” Cooper said. She said they are often identifiable on Facebook by using their gang signs. “They also use other names on their social media pages. And they brag.”

In addition, tattooing is a way for them to identify with their gangs. It has also become a powerful identification tool for law enforcement.

The FBI has begun collecting tattoos gathered from police agencies around the U.S., private industry, and even academia in order to create a national database for law enforcement officers, which is part of the Generation of Identification program, a $1 billion program for the next step in biometrics and identification. It's designed to be used for investigative purposes, helping law enforcement explain what certain tattoo symbols mean and whether there are gang or other affiliations. While a tattoo is not as definitive an identifying mark as DNA or fingerprints, tattoos, or their photos and descriptions, can help investigators identify suspects as well as help prosecutors gain convictions.

Moore noted that identifying and matching tattoos is part of Bouchard's proactive approach to law enforcement. “Anyone arrested in Oakland County goes directly to the Oakland County Jail, regardless of where (which municipality) you are arrested in. That being the case, the best source of intelligence is our jail deputies, who have been trained to recognize, interpret and ask about tattoos,” Moore explained. They have compiled a computer database of anyone with a tattoo which can be accessed by description as well as body location. Law enforcement can find it useful when seeking a suspect whose name they don't know.

“Many guys (gang members) have been trained to not deny they are a gang member when they're arrested and questioned, to tell us what their tattoos say and stand for. It's a sign of respect for them, that they're a gang member. They want it seen,” Moore said. While they will proudly acknowledge they are a member of a gang, and tell law enforcement which gang they are a member of, that's usually all they'll give up.

“Typically they have a culture of not wanting to rat the others out,” Moore said, explaining it's a mixture of both fear and pride in being part of the gang which drives that. “They have a lot of pride in their gang – and fear of what could happen to them.”

Law enforcement in Oakland County, by working together, is making serious inroads in combatting gang activity. Downey emphasizes the collaborative approach among the member agencies in the task force is the key to battling this kind of crime.

“This is a relatively new task force. It only started in 2009; it's only four years old. It takes a while to develop your intelligence to combat it,” Downey said.

He said that an ongoing investigation into the New World Order gang, which began in 2010, has led to a total of 70 people being arrested. “This year, so far, we've arrested seven,” he said. Most of the charges have been federal charges, anywhere from narcotics trafficking to gun charges. Nine were local arrests, possibly juveniles. He won't say.

“Ten years ago, all of us police departments operated on our own,” Waterford's McCaw said. “But criminals have no boundaries, so we have to work together in the 21st century. Our success in the 21st century is to forget about boundaries and work collectively to get these kids off the streets and

either rehabilitate them, if we can, or take them off the streets where they can't prey on innocent civilians. Some of them can be rehabilitated. Some are just lost and looking for something to belong to.”

What drives certain teens to gangs is usually their personal history. “If a child does not feel loved, or does not feel part of a family network, they are looking to be part of something. In a gang, even though it is criminal activity, they are part of something,” McCaw said. isa Kirsch Satawa, a juvenile defense attorney at Clark Hill PLC in Birmingham, agreed. “The most important thing is young people who get involved in a gang is it's a programming issue. It's in their brain, they have a need to belong,” she said. “You have to look at their family and ask, why do they need to belong to a gang. Is it stability? A connection to drugs? Is it money? Or is it simply low self-esteem and needing others to pick you up? It depends on the individual, but it all comes back to the family.”

She emphasized that a child who is going to join a gang is not getting the love, affection, stability, permanence or safety, “which is what every kid needs,” from their family.

“The parents could be checked out, there could be a single parent, absent parent, lots of parents of different kids of the same mom, financial struggles, too many children in the home, mom working a lot of jobs. Sometimes mom is trying really hard, but she may not have the tools to succeed,” Kirsch Satawa said.

She added peer pressure is powerful as well.

“Older siblings parenting younger siblings drives a lot of kids out of the house, too. Many kids don't feel they are getting anything out of watching other kids in the house, feeding babies, so they turn to gangs.”

“When you have 14 or 15 year olds with older siblings with $700 in cash in their pockets without a job, it impresses them,” said Moore.

Moore said a big objective of the gangs task force is in prevention. He urges parents to watch for warning signs their child may be involved in a gang, from admitting to “hanging out” with gang members, showing an unusual interest in one or two particular colors or a specific logo, using unusual hand signals to communicate with friends, or having specific drawings or gang symbols on their school books, clothes, walls, or tattoos. Other warning signs to recognize are unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry, if they come home with unexplained injuries, such as fight-related bruises, or injuries to their hands or knuckles, if they carry a weapon, and if they have been in trouble with the police.

Moore said to look for negative behavioral changes such as withdrawing from the family, declining school attendance, performance, and behavior, staying out late at night without a reason, displaying an unusual desire for secrecy, breaking rules consistently, showing signs of drug use, and speaking in gang-style slang.

“A lot of times people would say, oh, they're just wanna-be gang members. I said, there's no such thing. You then are a gang member,” West Bloomfield's Lawson said. “They're no less dangerous because they're trying to be part of that culture, and they're going to try to prove and impress the gangs, and that can make them more dangerous.”

“Oakland County is an affluent community. Know there are gangs here. Pay attention to your kids, and where your kids are going, and where they're going to party. If you see these signs, talk to them. Take some parental responsibility,” Moore advised.

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FACES Vinnie Celani

V

innie Celani, son of entrepreneur Tom Celani, has always looked up to his father as a role model. Continuing to follow in his footsteps, he recently moved home to Michigan to work in operations management for the newly reopened Freedom Hill Amphitheatre in Sterling Heights.

Celani grew up in Bloomfield Hills where he was a “lifer” at Detroit Country Day School until high school. “I guess I didn't really come out of my shell until I transferred to Brother Rice,” he said.

At Brother Rice, Celani excelled in sports, winning four state championships and a national championship in lacrosse.

“It was a very developmental time for me. Making new friends and playing lacrosse was the main reason I went.”

His father instilled in him the importance of hard work, and at the age of fifteen, he began working in his father's motorcycle dealership. “I loved doing work with my dad and watching him work (while I was) growing up. He really got me working at an early age which I'm very appreciative of,” he said.

With an interest in international business management, Celani attended Dickinson College in Pennsylvania to play lacrosse before transferring to Central Michigan University.

“Coming out of college, my first internship was for Warrior Lacrosse doing marketing for them. I'm glad I got the experience at a young age because my business career really blossomed early for me,” he said.

His event management career began when he started working for Joe Vicari and Andiamo's Restaurant Group, where he enjoyed and excelled in managing large events.

Having lived in Los Angeles for a period of time, Celani moved back to Bloomfield Hills about six months ago. “I got the call that (Tom Celani and Joe Vicari) were purchasing Freedom Hill and I wanted to expand my management career.

I had a great time working for Andiamo's and doing big events like that. It was really cool,” Celani said.

Since Freedom Hill reopened in June, Celani has been working in operations management, which includes everything from working with contractors and promoters to food vendors.

“It takes a lot to put on a rock show. I make sure it's a welloiled machine and everything flows smoothly.”

The Macomb County Stars and Stripes Festival the last weekend in June was a huge success for Celani and Freedom Hill. “It drove over 300,000 people for it,” he said. “This year we're expecting somewhere around 600,000 people just for music festivals alone, not including concerts.”

Celani said Freedom Hill is a very family-oriented operation, with his sister working in marketing and his younger brother working in concessions. “We're really a tightknit family, but as far as the social life goes it has sort of affected it a little bit because concerts are on the weekends.

I'm learning to balance it.”

Through all of his hard work, Celani makes time to spend with his family and takes pride in supporting his family's charity organizations. “I was just in New York for a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital event and I was representing my family there,” he said.

Since being back in Bloomfield Hills, Celani has continued to play lacrosse and has future plans to work in the gaming industry as a venture capitalist.

“I try to stay true to my roots from high school,” he said.

“This is home for me.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Aimée E. List

THE REAL DIFFERENCE IN REAL ESTATE Nanci J. Rands Associate Broker

248.701.9000 Meredith Colburn Associate Broker

248.762.5319

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Exquisite French Normandy architecturally designed home in Quarton Lake. Designer’s own renovated to perfection 2010-2012. Custom finishes and cabinetry. Sumptuous Master Suite.

Lower Level has Wine Cellar, Theatre and Exercise Room, 6th Bedroom, Bath. Private corner lot with extraordinary landscaping, new patio, gas fireplace, French fountain. Elevator.

Impressive contemporary estate on 2.28 acres. Over 6700 sq. ft. of living space. 4 Bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half Baths. Courtyard and pool. Flowing floor plan. Banquet-sized Dining Room overlooks Living Room. Luxurious Master Suite. All bedrooms are suites with balcony or deck.

Gourmet island Kitchen. Expansive Lower Level. Four car garage. Cabana and greenhouse.

Bloomfield $2,995,000

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On a private landscaped hilltop overlooking Wing Lake, this historic property was restored and expanded in 2001 to extraordinary elegance and functionality. Over 6,000 sq. ft. of quality and sophistication with an additional 4,000 sq. ft. in the beautifully finished Lower Level. Grand foyer with domed rotunda. 1st floor Master Suite. Cook’s Kitchen. Wine Cellar.

This distinguished Tudor is in the heart of Bloomfield Hills on a beautiful private acre. Over 6,000 sq. ft. of living space, with 5 Bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half Baths. The two-story Foyer opens to Library and Living Room. Cathedral ceilinged Great Room. Master Suite has fireplaced sitting area, his and her baths and huge closets. Finished walk-out.

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An incomparable Post Modern Masterpiece on 3.3 wooded acres. Over 10,000 sq. ft. of sophisticated and functional living spaces. Meticulous attention to textures and detail. Wide gallery halls. Living Room overlooks pool and tennis court.

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2004 built in-town home plus exceptional features. Over 6,800 sq. ft. of living space with an additional 2,900 square feet in finished Lower Level. 6 Bedrooms, 6 full and 2 half Baths plus private apartment over 3 car garage. Gourmet Island Kitchen. Breakfast Room with French doors to courtyard.

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Exceptional 2001 Tringali-designed English Tudor replica on 2.48 acres. Gated drive opens to pond, fountain and arched walkways. Over 10,000 sq. ft. of luxury. 4 Bedroom Suites.

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Birmingham $1,575,000

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Premiere location on one of Birmingham’s most sought after streets. Quality constructed with custom woodwork and finishes. Magnificent two-story Great Room with fireplace and French doors to terrace. Gourmet island Kitchen. First floor Master Suite. Three additional Bedroom Suites. Finished Lower Level has 5th Bedroom, Bath, Exercise Room. 3 car garage.

Landmark 1920’s French Norman estate on a spectacular wooded riverside site. Timeless appeal. Original hardware and Pewabic tile. Gorgeous paneled Living Room with limestone fireplace. Elegant Library opens to sunken garden and terrace. 1st floor Bedroom. Arched entries to Solarium-style Family Room. Cedar Shake roof. Perfect for renovation or expansion.

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Popular Birmingham neighborhood west of Woodward.

1,740 sq. ft. 3 Bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half Baths. Pergo floors. Main floor is bright and open with vaulted ceiling and skylights. Kitchen has stainless appliances. Large Master Bedroom and Bath. Brick paver path and porch. Large deck and hot tub. Move-in ready.

Outstanding opportunity to build your dream home on a 3.37 acre estate property in Franklin Village. Construction plans available for a Michael Willoughby designed New England-style cedar shake home. Existing 1920’s home, with over 4,000 sq. ft., has tremendous charm and is perfectly suited for renovation.

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Bloomfield listed at $1,249,000

Birmingham listed at $540,000

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Open floor plan in this 4 bedroom, 4.2 bath home. Updated kitchen opens to family room with fireplace. Library, dining room, butler’s pantry, living room. Finished lower level with full bath, entertainment area, bar and more. New roof and windows. 3 car attached side entry garage. 248.808.3112

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

442 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009

ELEGANT NORTHERN MICHIGAN PROPERTIES

Chris Edwards Associate Broker

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Kelly Small Realtor

248.631.8750

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14765 Boulder Ave., Charlevoix $1,195,000

Red Pine Point, Indian River $12,900,000

417 Michigan Ave., Charlevoix $1,250,000

Quintessential Earl Young Masterpiece. Beautiful Lake Michigan views from this landmark estate. Features include: Signature Boulder fireplace, good size newer kitchen, mini boulder children’s playhouse, separate guest apartment and 3-car garage.

Great Gatsby-esque gated mansion on 14 acres & 1,500'+ of Mullett Lake shoreline. This 10 bd/15 bath, 15,000 sq.ft. landmark estate features: 2-Stry, 1bd. gazebo, 1400' great room, huge kitchen, 2 storage bldgs.,131' veranda, prkg. for 10 cars. Co-listed w/ Pam Gray.

Stunning lakefront 5 BD residence. Walk to Downtown. Situated among some of Charlevoix's finest historic residences, this spacious, elegant home offers striking floor-to-ceiling windows in the main living room and huge lake views from most rooms. 100' of sandy beach!

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295 NE Mullett Lake Rd., Indian River $425,000 Unheard of 2 acre lakefront getaway on Mullett Lake. 30 minutes to Harbor Springs and Petoskey. Immaculate 3BD + den, with 2-car garage, walk out lower level, huge lake view deck, extra boat storage. 900' deep lot!

West Branch $699,000 20 acre lakefront estate on scenic, all-sports lake Clear Lake. 1999 custom-built cabin with nearly 2,800 sq.ft. plus huge finished basement, 2 large covered porches and 3,000 sq.ft. garage. Rare opportunity to own one of the largest lake parcels!

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8766 Carson Ave., Charlevoix $295,000 Gorgeous and architecturally distinctive Northern Michigan retreat!

Remodeled eat-in kitchen w/granite countertops. Highly upgraded 4BD in a pretty, forest setting. Walk to downtown Charlevoix, Mt. McSauba and Lake Michigan.

442 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Susan Hill

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Bloomfield $1,875,000

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Pristine 4 bedroom, 4 bath executive retreat in a private gated enclave. 7,000+ sq.ft. Formal living room with vaulted ceiling, grand entry center hall, paneled custom-detailed library. Renovated Millennium cherry kitchen opens to spacious family room. Beautifully finished walkout lower level with potential 5th bedroom. Paver terraces, expansive decks plus 4 fireplaces.

Immaculate, spacious family home on a gorgeous lot. 3,700 plus sq. ft. Sunny white kitchen and breakfast nook opens into family room with fireplace. Library with built-ins and additional fireplace plus “game” room and den on the main floor. Main floor laundry with spacious mudroom. 4 generously sized bedrooms, including a master with walk-in closet and updated bath.

Bloomfield Hills $1,189,000

Birmingham $399,000

Located at the end of a quiet lane, this serene estate setting offers privacy and elegance with over 6,000 sq.ft. of living space. Designed for easy family living and gracious entertaining with a 2-story foyer, oversized living and dining rooms and a renovated first floor master retreat with his/her baths, heated floors, oversized walk-in closet and more. 2nd floor children’s wing with playroom. Fully finished lower level is great teen/guest retreat with fireplace, wet bar, bedroom and bath.

Prime location! Walk to Downtown Birmingham from this 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch on a newly landscaped lot. The Rouge River and Linden Park are just steps from your front door. Large, sunny rooms, hardwood floors, fireplaces in both living room and family room. First floor master suite with walk-in closet. Third bedroom can also be used as a year-round sun room. Updates include newer roof, siding, windows, entry doors, appliances, mechanicals, paint and carpet.

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THE INTEGRITY OF HALL & HUNTER, THE POWER OF CHRISTIE’S

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S. Bloomfield Village $315,000 Charm and location! Wonderful deep corner lot with private treed setting. Remodeled ’06. Gourmet Tuscan-inspired Kitchen with stainless appliances, granite countertops, double basin farm sink and custom cabinetry with pull-out drawers and pantry. Flowing, open floor plan. Family Room with French doors to side courtyard. Great Room with marble fireplace and large picture window. High end finishes in baths. Generous bedroom space. Lower Level with custom built-in media cabinets.

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Sylvan/Otter Lake listed at $489,900

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azimmer@hallandhunter.com tglime@hallandhunter.com

Sophisticated in-town residence reflects a blend of European-influenced architecture and design enhanced by exquisite custom ironwork and superb construction. Open floor plan. Great Room, Dining Room and gourmet Kitchen open to terrace. The second floor is a grand Master Suite with fireplace, TV Room and terrace. Full Bath with walk-in shower. Third floor Home Office was designed to be an optional third Bedroom with full Bath. The fourth floor roof garden offers unrivaled views of the neighborhood. Lower Level with Family Room, fireplace, full Bath, Sauna and Wine Cave. Private backyard plus a 3-car garage.

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442 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, MI 48009

DOING THE MOST GOOD WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY GO WHEN YOU GIVE?

BY ALLISON BATDORFF

T

he “ask” takes many forms. The outdoor advocacy group touts a tote bag and a lifetime supply of personalized mailing labels. Giant, welling eyes of the plastic basset hound beg for change at the restaurant cash register.

Whether it’s late-night television pleas “for the children” or keeping the centerpiece at that glittery charity event, “the ask” is for your contribution, a requirement needed by many non-profit organizations to do the work needed in the communities they serve and that we live in. They ask; you give; they work (though, not necessarily in that order).

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DOWNTOWN

08.13

But how do you get the most “good” for your buck? What makes a “good” non-profit? Traditional definitions no longer fit (or foot) the bill, as non-profits change with the times, getting leaner, meaner and reflective of our current cultural approach to “the greater good.” ake the United Way of Southeastern Michigan. The ask these days might showcase a personal story from the graduating Class of 2013 of Detroit’s Cody High School. Formerly a high school “dropout factory” peopled with pick-an-issue students, the school is becoming a launch pad for higher education. The individual human stories of these students – inspirational, raw tales of turning blight into might – are gripping in their own right. The other part of the story is the numbers. Projected graduation rates, ACT scores, grant funding by pupil, teacher union contracts, corporate donations, and the numerous other factors that measure and account for the work. Everyone, from the students (graduating at 72-85 percent up from 57-78 percent in years prior) to the donors, loves data these days, said Doug Ferrick, United Way’s Vice President of Donor Relations.

“Show me the metrics,” Ferrick said. “We hear that a lot and say it a lot, too.”

The non-profit sector – an umbrella term that covers public charities, private foundations and non-charitable organizations – is evolving and growing, making up six to 10 percent of the economy.

The National Center for Charitable Statistics lists more than 2,000 nonprofit organizations in Oakland County alone. The amount of money involved is staggering; ranked by gross receipts, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan tops our county's list at $4.8 billion. The Kresge Foundation, one of 734 private foundations in the county, has $3 million in assets and grants more than $150,000 every year.

Statewide, the IRS lists more than 47,000 non-profit organizations. The vast majority - 31,000 - are public charities and private foundations, or 501(c)(3) non-profits. Private foundations (primarily grant makers) use investment earnings or are supported by a small group of large donors (often a family or a corporation). Public charities draw on a number of funding sources, like fees for program services, grants from foundations or the government and individual donors. Having 501(c)(3) status allows people to make taxdeductible donations to both types of organizations, as long as the mission is religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary or cultural.

These non-profits generate more than $108 billion each year in overall economic activity and directly employ more than 440,000 people, or ten percent of the Michigan workforce, according to the Michigan Association of Nonprofits.

That said, this sector is not often clearly understood, as many of the terms we use and expectations we have run counter to the realities non-profits face.

For one thing, “non-profit” is a misnomer. Non-profits can, and often do, make profits. Profits, if made in the service of the mission, cover expenses, pay salaries and operate the agency. But profits alone can’t be the main focus of the agency, nor can profits be divided up among shareholders like a business.

John Van Camp, a seasoned Detroit non-profit leader, offers this distinction, “Businesses manage to margin. A non-profit manages to mission and margin.

The business of a non-profit is the mission, but without a margin, a non-profit is out of business.”

People don’t always understand that non-profits can be as ”entrepreneurial as they can be” and are often even better at creating strategic partnerships than the business sector, Van Camp said.

“Whenever possible, we want to assist people,” Van Camp said of Southwest Solutions, a non-profit that tackles housing and provides counseling in Southwest Detroit. Van Camp, a Romeo native and social worker, has been with the agency 40 years, including many at the helm as president and CEO. “But we are able to help people because we have multiple revenue streams and a strategic plan.”

Another misnomer often attached to non-profits is “tax-exempt” organizations. Non-profits do pay taxes, but differently, depending on the type of organization and the regional rules where they are located.

According to Idealist.org, the original meaning of “exempt” is limited to federal corporate income taxes. 501(c)3 organizations – and other “501” groups - don’t pay taxes on their net income. Additionally, donations to such organizations are deductible from income taxes. Non-charitable organizations— like social clubs—are also tax exempt, but contributions to them are not deductible.

Non-profits still pay payroll taxes. Whether they are charged property taxes or sales tax depends on their locality. Also, private foundations pay an excise tax on their investment earnings and are subject to stricter rules about their operations than public charities. All non-profit groups must pay taxes on their

T

“related business” that falls outside their mission, after the first $1,000. The IRS tracks these activities through the Form 990, which all non-profits must file annually. The tax forms are open to the public and, in many cases, can be found online.

Nationally, the 501(c)3 side of the non-profit sector is growing rapidly, with numbers of registered organizations increasing 30 percent in the last 15 years, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics.

And while the idea of the folksy, grassroots organization that depends on your donation still exists, the national trend is towards bigger, wealthier organizations that bring in more dollars in fees for services than through donations. This trend is concentrated in larger nonprofit organizations, particularly in health care and education. A recent survey by Charity Navigator compared the largest non-profits in the 30 biggest cities, and found those markets generate 67 percent of the total revenue and 67 percent of the total spending nationwide.

The survey ranked Detroit charities 11th in terms of measuring finances, accountability and transparency, and gave the area a special mention due to its high percentage of funding devoted to programs. Above all, the study says, regional factors – like the cost of living and doing business – shape a charity’s ability to raise money, manage costs and adhere to good governance.

Many non-profit leaders agree, adding that “good” non-profits manage to pull all of the pieces together of running a financially viable organization while remaining true to its purpose.

Dierk Hall, president and CEO of Detroit City Connect, has worked with “hundreds” of nonprofits, from big, multi-million dollar organizations to tiny grassroots volunteer groups. Their current youth employment initiative brings together 60 non-profits, 10 businesses and $2.7 million. While actively working on problem solving, City Connect also helps non-profits become better organizations. This means adapting to the changing world and a more restrictive approach to funding left in the wake of the recession, Hall says.

“The shrinking of dollars means there’s more demand for services, and also more demand on the non-profits,” Hall said. “The money is out there, but it’s more tightly held.”

In Hall’s opinion, good non-profits start with a visionary leader who has a passion for the cause. This is true of any manager, any organization, and profit or non-profit alike, Hall added. Hall’s other top qualities include: an entrepreneurial approach and the ability to take calculated risks, the desire to collaborate with others, be client-driven and have the ability to engage in a broader community conversation. ood organizations are also outcomes-focused, he said. “If you’re not using data to make decisions, you’re not going to be around much longer,” Hall said. “You operate from show-me attitude. Show me what you’re doing with my dollars. Show me what my dollars mean to the community. Show me how you’re improving our communities.”

To get there, organizations are becoming more strategic in their approach to finding grants and building relationships, Hall noted.

“It’s not just trying to get money for the program anymore,” Halls said. “Or, no longer is it ‘there’s a problem and we’re going to fix it now’ and worry about the money later.”

Because smaller, more traditional organizations – picture the volunteer-only food pantry at the local parish – often suffer from a lack of staff or training to keep up with these expectations, organizations like City Connect convene groups together to share resources or provide the services outright.

About eight years ago, much of the Waterford Senior Center’s funding “fell away” with the recession, recalled Maureen Margraf, the center’s coordinator and program/nutrition supervisor. The agency was filling a gap in the community for older adults who needed assistance to stay independent as well as a fun, healthy way to connect with other people in the same situation.

Besides activities and referral services, the group serves 65,000 Meals on Wheels annually, and gas prices make a huge impact on the budget.

“Suddenly we found ourselves faced with the dreaded fund-raising,” Margraf quipped. “It was a lot of work but we had to do it.”

By mustering forces, the center’s fund-raising for Meals on Wheels went from $8,000 to $30,000 and their Specialized Senior Services went from $9,000 to $25,000. They rely heavily on a cadre of committed volunteers, Margraf said.

“For an organization like ours, the commitment of the volunteers will make or break you,” Margraf said.

Finding special staff members is also key as a lot of the payoff isn’t monetary, Margraf said. “We run with a very lean staff who depend on each other, so we try and find people who are deeply committed to this work.”

This often means hiring interns who experience working at the center and

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don’t leave. Margraf herself was one, as she went back to school at 48 years old to work in human services.

The center cultivates relationships with businesses, agencies and the community, and is even housed in a vacated elementary school. Location notwithstanding, the agency does not get millage funds, pays all of the bills and insurance, and writes their share of copy paper boxed-sized grant applications.

In general, there are more expectations placed on the non-profits these days in terms of reporting and access, which is understandable, Margraf said.

“The people who give you money want to see what you’re doing with it; they want to be able to come in, see how you’re doing and how it’s progressing,” Margraf said.

“Transparency is a word that gets tossed around a lot, but you have to mean it. On any given day, someone should be able to come in, see your operation and open your books. Only when you say that, can you really breathe easy.”

The alternative carries dire consequences. When there’s a lack of transparency or financial irresponsibility, people notice, and scandals in the non-profit world have long-felt ripple effects.

There have been executive spending scandals involving highly paid university presidents using organization money to hire a private chef and take jet-set getaways at lavish resorts. The “domestic funds” used for the author to fund his book tour instead of going to schools in Central Asia and Pakistan…all of this leaves people howling for more non-profit oversight.

Howls are usually directed at the IRS, as the agency reviews non-profit finances through Form 990s and other tax documents. Then again, the IRS recently suffered it’s own non-profit black eye after several non-profit groups (like the Tea Party) complained that they were unfairly singled out for audit.

The aftermath may bring a change in the wind for non-profit oversight.

Currently, the state’s attorney general has general oversight, but the sector is largely reliant on the vigilance of board members, donors and state agencies. The National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) keeps watch over charitable organizations and charitable solicitation in the United States. The Council of Better Business Bureaus has a governance and operations review branch through the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) offers a similar service for evangelical groups.

There are also organizations like the Association of Fundraising Professionals that require its members to adhere to a code of ethical standards and affirm to the Donor Bill of Rights.

Fund-raising can be a particularly sticky issue as there is no specific law governing how much money organizations should spend on fund-raising. A series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions barred setting statutory limits on the practice, though misleading people about fund-raising amounts can mean penalties for the organization.

Glittering fundraisers do serve a valuable purpose, said Ferrick of United Way. Often people don’t realize that those upfront costs can create an ongoing relationship that brings lifelong value to the organization.

“It’s hard to see that on a spreadsheet,” Ferrick said.

Also many organizations fall short without getting the full value out of the fund-raiser, said Ferrick.

“The most important part of the fund-raiser is when it ends. Too often that person’s name is on a list, they get a generic thank you letter, and every year, we’ll send them an invitation. It becomes a recurring cycle that doesn’t capitalize on that fact you captured someone’s interest. These events need to be an ‘on ramp’ to involvement.” nother misunderstood line item is a non-profit’s administration costs and compensation, often called overhead. Because these costs have long been considered an indicator of an agency’s efficiency, non-profits may shy away from investing in their own capacity, Hall explained. Most non-profits keep their expenses at or below 10 percent, which isn’t always good for the organization’s other goals.

“You’ve just got to have administrative spending,” Hall said. “In this kind of work, your capacity dollars may achieve greater outcomes. This is mission and passion work, so you’re going to want to be able to hire the best professional people for the job.”

Three large non-profit clearinghouses - GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and BBB Wise Giving Alliance - took up this cause this spring with an “open letter to donors.”

The organizations, which provide objective ranking information for thousands of non-profits, denounced the practice of overhead efficiency, saying this creates a “non-profit starvation cycle.”

A

“This has starved some nonprofits from investing in themselves as enterprises," the letter said, along with an acknowledgement that all three sites provide this metric due to donor and funder requests.

For example, CharityNavigator will give its highest rating only to organizations that spend below 10 percent on fund-raising.

And while folks may have different expectations of non-profits, they still give to them in large amounts. The media is full of stories of generous Detroitarea donors. Recent headlines highlighted Jack White of the White Stripes swooping in with a $142,000 loan to keep Detroit’s Masonic Temple from going into foreclosure. Madonna, originally from Rochester, donates time, money and has adopted several children from Malawi, Africa’s poorest country. ichiganders contribute an average of 4.5 percent of discretionary income to charitable causes, placing us 13th in the nation. Oakland County is exceptionally generous and ranks number 23 out of the 3,115 counties nationwide in the Chronicle of Philanthropy survey, How America Gives. In 2008, the most recent year for which complete data was available, Oakland County residents donated a total of $833.3 million to non-profit causes.

Linda Wasserman, of Birmingham, is leader of trust and estates at the law firm of Honingman Miller Schwartz and Cohn.

“I work with people who donate anywhere from hundreds of millions of dollars a year to $10,000 or $5,000 a year,” Wasserman said. Her work includes navigating individual philanthropy, creating foundations and planned giving.

In general, people are becoming more strategic about giving, and thinking more in-depth about what specifically matters to them and investing in that, she said.

“Philanthropy ranges from answering the phone and writing a check to specifically investing in a community problem. These days, instead of writing 100 checks to 100 charities, people try and have greater impact with larger checks to fewer charities,” Wasserman said. “Other people look at how much they have, budget out what they’ll need for themselves and their children, and what’s left is for philanthropic spending for the year.”

That said, the old saying of “people give to people, not causes,” still holds true, Wasserman said.

“The connection to the organization is important,” Wasserman emphasized.

Ferrick, who works with large numbers of individual donors at United Way, agreed, saying that most people want an authentic relationship with the organizations they support.

In this day of social media networking, that should be easy, but non-profits struggle with new media along with everyone else, Ferrick said.

“Sending out a sporadic newsletter isn’t cutting it any longer,” he said.

“With all of the technology in our lives, we expect to connect in a meaningful way.”

It’s a challenge, as many homespun organizations don’t have the staffing or tend to communicate impulsively, but everyone is learning together, Ferrick said. United Way recently launched a Donor Recognition Taskforce to gather input from UW supporters to improve the agency’s practices.

“Our donors are critical partners, and we want to make sure we’re thanking them and communicating with them in a meaningful way. In the non-profit world, this is non-negotiable.”

Other industry trends like crowd funding, impact investment, mobile applications, inclusive demographic shifts and using data to drive decisions should all be on the non-profit radar for 2013, according to a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

But for Dennis Bernard, a dedicated donor and volunteer from Birmingham, the dollars come secondary to the experience of working with organizations that make a community difference, he noted.

Bernard currently volunteers with Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, JVS, JARC, Eton Academy, Yad Ezra, and Oakland County Community Mental Health, among others, and received the Governor’s Award for Volunteerism under former Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

“We choose these organizations because they are well run, well-managed and a high percentage of each contribution goes right into programs,” Bernard said. “We like where our money is going and want to get the most bang for our buck.”

But personal attachment also figures into the equations, as “the more you feel attached to something, the more you’re willing to give of yourself,” Bernard said.

“As a donor, it’s always a good idea to sit down and look at the organization closely. See what they’re doing and who you’re getting involved with,” Margraf advised.

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yan Sarver, who recently resigned as Director of Platform at Twitter to likely start his own business, credits his success to the values instilled in him while playing hockey at Cranbrook Schools and growing up in Birmingham.

“Since I was four years old, hockey was my life, so from four years old through college I played hockey every season and that was everything for many, many years,” he said.

Sarver went to Birmingham's Pierce, Covington and then Cranbrook, where he excelled in hockey and looked up to his hockey coach Andrew Weidenbach for support and guidance.

“It was really a meaningful part of my life, and a lot of great relationships came out of there.” Sarver said a particular point of interest at Cranbrook was meeting his friends’ parents and being introduced to the concept of entrepreneurship.

“When I first started programming stuff it was in early high school, around 1993 or 1994, and it came out of playing with video games. A buddy of mine and I played video games and learned how to hack into them and change them,” he said.

Sarver did a post-graduate year at the Tilton School in New Hampshire to play hockey and was recruited to Babson College in Massachusetts. “I was never a passionate student but I was never a terrible student. Once I started getting into programming and entrepreneurship suddenly there was a passion there that I hadn't found in academics. When I found a topic I really loved, I suddenly got deep into it.”

His freshman year, Sarver was programming from his dorm room and began working for a company in California. “I found myself loving that job and (I) wasn't loving the hockey program at the time and wasn't really loving the school.”

He left Babson to begin pursuing his professional career and took a job with Skyhook Wireless in Boston. “That one was probably the most impactful company until Twitter for me,” Sarver said. His job entailed pioneering Wi-Fi positioning.

“I was sitting in my office and got a call from Steve Jobs who found out about our technology and wanted to put it in his brand new iPhone. It was pretty crazy,” he said. “It was a really exciting time. We signed a huge deal with Apple and that really put us on the map.”

Through his job with Skyhook, Sarver began building a professional relationship with the Twitter team around 2007.

“One day, one of them sent me a direct message asking if this job were available would you be interested? It was a really exciting opportunity and I decided to pursue the conversation with him at least.”

Sarver accepted the position of Director of Platform of Twitter and moved to San Francisco with his now-wife.

“When I joined it was in June 2009, and the company had about 35 employees,” he said. “Twitter has 2,000 employees now and it was just an incredible ride in four years to see that growth in the company.”

Through Twitter, Sarver also became involved with the nonprofit “charity: water” and continues to be very supportive of their work.

In July, Sarver left Twitter and hopes to start a business from scratch. “I have no specific plans yet. I'm just taking the summer off to talk to entrepreneurs and see what's out there and the next thing I'd like to go build,” he said.

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Devon Biondi

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Medical spas, a hybrid of day spas and doctors' offices, are one of the fastest growing segments in both the cosmetic and medical industries.

According to the International Spa Association, there are currently 1,750 medical spas across the country, up from 471 in 2003. They are a segment of the medical/cosmetic industry generating billions of dollars in revenue each year, and often involve different groups of professionals, including doctors, cosmetologists, electrologists, aestheticians and nurses. The competition which has grown amongst these professionals for patients – also referred to as clients – provided by medical spas can be intense, and can pit medicallytrained providers against those with more dubious accreditation.

Medical spas typically offer Botox injections, facial peels, laser skin treatments, laser hair removal, and other minimally invasive cosmetic procedures along with more traditional day spa treatments, such as a variety of massages, facials, and manicures and pedicures. Some medical spas offer surgical procedures which have been traditionally performed by boardcertified plastic surgeons, like breast implants, tummy tucks and chin, face, brow and eyelid lifts, as well.

Board-certified plastic surgeons have long performed the difficult surgical procedures which have demanded extensive training and residencies. Most also do Botox and other injectables, laser skin treatments, and other clock reversal services, as well as reconstructive surgeries. They do not do manicures and pedicures. However, some have attached their names to medical spas, latching on to this lucrative segment of the market. lastic surgeons and dermatologists are the logical medical professionals to own and operate medical spas. But they are hardly the only physicians adding these services and amenities to their practices. There are also many doctors trained in completely unrelated specialties, from family practitioners, obstetricians/gynecologists, oral surgeons, even gastroenterologists, who are supplementing their incomes with these profitable procedures that are almost never covered by insurance. They are also often performed when the doctor is not present.

States around the country have individual regulations on beauty treatments and medical procedures at medical spas, with several states, such as Florida, Maryland and California, seeking to have tighter state regulations and greater medical oversight. In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs reported that spas and medical spas are not licensed by the health facilities division, but, according to Jeannie Vogel of the communications office, “Some of the items performed have to be performed under a licensed health professional who may have to appear at a location to perform the services.”

She explained, “The service is licensed, but not the location.” For example, in Michigan, lasers, for hair removal and skin treatments, must be performed by a licensed health professional. Where they are done, whether in a medical spa, a dermatologist's office, or a storefront, does not need to be licensed.

However, the technician performing the laser procedure may not be the one licensed – just the physician who owns the laser equipment.

According to Andrew Swain, author of “The Hidden Dangers of 'Medical' Spas”, the preferred business model and practice for medical spas is for a spa owner to form an alliance with a physician in order to obtain FDA-regulated devices and pharmaceuticals. “The physician then remains offsite and delegates the cosmetic procedures to non-physicians to administer to those seeking the services. The practice is not legal in all states, but the model generally describes the structure where a non-physician performs the procedures,” wrote Swain.

The International Spa Association views that as counter to their definition of a medical spa, which is a “facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, and offers traditional, complementary, and alternative health practices and treatments in a spa-like setting.” However, the reality is that in many instances technicians – albeit trained by physicians – are the ones using lasers, administering topical anesthetics, injecting Botox or other injectables, or administering treatments which patients (clients) assume the doctor at the medical spa would be providing.

Dangerous and even deadly reactions have occurred from improper or inappropriate supervision, usage or applications at medical spas around the country. The rise in medical spa usage, coupled with lagging government regulation in many states, has led to some terrible situations, and the correlating rise in lawsuits filed over botched spa treatments. Risks from procedures can include burns, scarring, infections and death. For example, a North Carolina woman died from a lidocaine overdose after she covered her legs with a gel to prepare for laser hair removal, as instructed by her local hair removal clinic. Another North Carolina woman was awarded $500,000 against

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a medical spa because she developed a serious blood infection from a procedure to reduce her stomach fat. Here in Michigan, a woman successfully sued a clinic after an unsupervised technician cut her face with a laser.

Dr. Ahmet Karaca, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Birmingham, shares space with Margot's European Day Spa on Townsend. While his 35-year-old practice is separate from Margot's Day Spa, “I provide lasers for Margot's. I do not watch them being used, but I make sure they're being used by trained personnel. She's (the laser technician) capable and trained,” he said.

Lasers and other intense pulsed light devises used for hair removal and other cosmetic procedures are classified as Class II medical lasers by the FDA, and therefore are considered prescription devices, which according to the Code of Federal Regulations, “is not safe except under the supervision of a practitioner licensed by law to direct the use of such device, and ...is to be sold only to or on the prescription or other order of such practitioner for use in the course of his professional practice.”

Those seeking to have work done on their faces or bodies need to be careful consumers. Reputable practitioners caution that there is a tendency for much of the public, viewing beautiful magazine advertisements and television commercials, much less seeing actresses and models who have clearly “had work done”, to view laser treatments, Botox and cosmetic filler injections as cosmetic rather than medical treatments. Physicians caution that the use of prescription drugs and devices is part of the practice of medicine, and physicians must be held to the same standards as they are for their routine medical practices, even if they're only denominated as “medical director.”

Karaca, who said 90 percent of his practice is surgical, a combination of body lifts, breast, tummy tucks, face lifts, forehead lifts, and eye lifts, also does Botox and other injectables for his patients and clients of Margot's interested in the fillers, as well as a machine called Coolsculpting for noninvasive spot reduction.

“Physicians are associating themselves with spas or starting spas because there's more money in a lot of procedures and there's minimal involvement, and they don't have to be around,” he noted.

“It is really buyer beware. There is bad Botox out there and tainted products. You, as the patient, the consumer, have to ask question,” advises Cassie Vasileff, business manager for Dr. William Vasileff, double boardcertified in plastic surgery and head and neck surgery, and for Orchid Day Medical Spa, both on Southfield Road in Birmingham. “Ninety percent of it is you have to be careful. Do your homework. There is no big government overseeing it (medical spas). The reality is, there is no regulation. If you have a medical license, you can do anything you want with it in your office. An M.D. (medical doctor) is a smart guy – but injecting Botox is not too difficult.”

While any licensed doctor can own and operate a medical spa – and there are 24 valid, acknowledged board-certified medical specialties, it is important to know and to recognize that there is no board certification in cosmetic surgery. It is not a subspecialty of plastic surgery, and is not recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), and should be a red flag for those seeking quality services. asileff acknowledged that a nurse at their office and medical spa does the injecting work for Botox, Restylane and other injectables used in their office. “She is more experienced than the doctor,” she said. “When the doctor does it, it makes money for them. But often, the nurse is better. As the government and insurance companies get tougher on reimbursements, it's making doctors turn to injections to make money, to match their previous incomes. It's why all these other specialties are looking to augment their income by doing these services. It's not illegal, and it's not being greedy. The only gatekeeper out there is hospitals for real surgical procedures, because only a board-certified surgeon in that specialty can perform that surgery.”

Once the provence of wealthy women who lead lives of leisure, according to the International Spa Association, their research indicates that there are now in excess of 111 million spa visits annually, with men comprising 30 percent of those visits, and teenagers increasingly incorporating visits as part of their lifestyle.

“With an increased emphasis on wellness, people are recognizing the health benefits of regular spa visits as a way to aid in treatment of health concerns and as a preventative measure as well,” the association reported.

“Proper pedicures can assist diabetics, massage treatments can reduce stress, facials can help those with acne and the simple act of going to the peaceful atmosphere of a spa can help everyone relax and unwind. Stress is at the center of many illnesses.”

In addition to a greater societal emphasis on health and wellness, aging employees are increasingly seeking an edge in competitive workplaces. The

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American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has seen an increase in plastic surgery procedures being done for business purposes. Last year, they reported, people age 35 to 50 had almost 4 million procedures, 43 percent of the total amount done nationwide. Following in their cosmetic enhancement footsteps are boomers aged 51 to 64, who had an additional 28 percent of the surgical procedures done. And that does not include the noninvasive, non-surgical procedures done in medical spas and doctors' offices, the injectables to smooth out wrinkles, plump up lines and lips, and hypothetically turn the clock back a few years.

“Cosmetic surgery for one's career is about self-esteem and optimizing who you are,” said Helen Perry, corporate and personal image consultant. “If you don't think you look good, you're not going to operate on all cylinders. Your chances of that kind of productivity and bringing your A-game to the table are slim if you're not pleased with the way you look.”

“The upper eye thing can make your eye look so tired and older,” Vasileff said. “Around their mid-50s to mid-70s, face lifts make a difference. It can give a leg up on Generation X. We really saw a lot of that during the downturn. For those in their late 30s through their 40s, there are noninvasive tissue tightening and fat dissolving procedures. They're not good surgical candidates yet, because they haven't lost enough tissue yet, but they notice some slacking along their jaw, or might have some spot fat, but not enough for liposuction. There is also no down time and they're reasonably priced.” omen are not the only ones seeking to look better – and younger – in the work place. ASAPS noted that in 2007, approximately 985,000 men underwent cosmetic surgery.

Lipoplasty (removal of fat from strategic areas of the body), rhinoplasty (nose job), blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), breast reduction, and face lifts were the top five procedures men sought. Plastic surgeons consistently are hearing that men are seeking cosmetic surgery because they are worried about Generation X and they want to look younger because of the competition.

“We're only seeing a little bit more men for surgery, but we are seeing them for injections, like Botox,” Vasileff said. “We're seeing them for business reasons, but also for self-esteem and pride. If you're divorced, and you're a 60year-old guy, you don't want to look 60 or 65.”

Additionally, older people are remaining in the workforce longer, but want

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to look younger than they are. Many don't want, or can't, take off weeks to recover from a face-lift, but can easily schedule an appointment at a medical spa for a lunch hour, late afternoon, or a Saturday, and receive an injectable treatment, laser treatment, as well as maybe a soothing and relaxing spa treatment, quietly and privately. Because so many have popped up in so many places, it's an easy, and often, confidential, option. There are medical spas in downtown areas, like Birmingham, in strip centers, and in medical buildings.

In Florida, the Board of Medicine has determined that a physician, physician's assistant under the supervision of a doctor, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner working under a protocol signed by a physician, can perform laser treatments, laser for hair removal, Botox injections, collagen injections, or any other noninvasive injection of materials used to treat patients. Bill Clarke and his wife, Rita Clarke, a physician's assistant, have opened a chain of medical spas in Florida in malls, offering Botox and other fillers. If anything goes wrong, they have a group of plastic surgeons available on call.

Clarke said the mall is the perfect environment because it's convenient and where women go for fun. “Our competition is Coach purses, Ann Taylor dresses, and Nordstrom shoes,” he said.

Yet, ultimately, each procedure is still a medical one. It's not a manicure, a massage, nor a hairstyle. The Medical Board of California warns physicians, “It's important for medical spa patients to remember that the physician's names on the door are ultimately responsible for the patients coming through the door. Legally, the 'clients' of the spa or salon are patients – the physician's patients, and that arrangement comes with all of the responsibility and liability that goes with any other doctor-patient relationship.”

Vasileff said that going forward, “the field of aesthetic surgery, as well as aesthetic treatments, will only get more crowded as you look at the field of medicine. I hope the state government will step up to regulate what kind of a doctor or place of business does what they say they do. California and about 20 other states are regulating that right now. Michigan needs to do it, and then they need enforcement. It's about patient education. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if it feels like an awkward question.

Advertising doesn't equal the quality of the medical care you are going to get.”

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Weatherly Stroh

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irmingham resident and animal portrait painter Weatherly Stroh explored a variety of career paths in her twenties. It wasn't until she was asked to paint a portrait of her friend's dog that she discovered a way to combine her twin passions for animals with painting.

“I grew up in Metamora and I grew up on a horse farm riding horses and around animals my whole life,” she said. “Showing competitively was one of my big focuses outside of school.”

As a Cranbrook student and relative of Impressionist painter Gari Melchers, Stroh was exposed to art at a young age and took drawing, painting and photography classes through high school.

She followed in the shoes of her half-brother and attended the University of Colorado. “I ended up declaring art as my major just so I could take some art classes and I ended up sticking with it,” she said. “I took one painting class that was not a great class and it kind of turned me away from painting for a while.”

Upon graduation, Stroh explored a variety of jobs, including professional mountain bike racing, working for a magazine, and teaching skiing at Beaver Creek. “I injured my back and decided I needed to find something less physical so I ended up going to graduate school,” she said.

After earning a masters degree in elementary education, Stroh taught third and fourth grade. “I was married at the time when I was teaching. I was going through a divorce and needed to completely reevaluate my life. I wanted to refocus my life and decided to give myself a year and really wanted to dedicate myself to my art.”

Stroh realized her ability to draw animals when her friend asked if she would paint a portrait of her dog Georgia. “I decided I would try it, and they were really pleased with it and it kind of snowballed from there. I was also getting back into riding horses, which I hadn't done in a long time, so that also fit with that element, too.”

Stroh primarily works with oil paints to create portraits of animals as well as painting landscapes all across the country. “I prefer to meet the animal and take the picture myself but sometimes people will e-mail me photos to work from,” she said.

“I try to stick to somewhat of a traditional schedule. I like the flexibility of being self-employed but sometimes it's a struggle. I try to get to the studio around 8 or 9 (a.m.) and stay throughout the day.” Stroh's studio is the top floor of her three-story home in Birmingham. “It is not a place where I ever imagined myself being in but I find it really fulfilling and being able to tie it into giving back to important causes I believe in.”

A portion of the proceeds of her painting sales goes to the Michigan Humane Society and she also supports many other animal-related charities.

Since moving back to Michigan from Colorado a year ago, Stroh has enjoyed living in Birmingham again. “I'm not one to sit around for very long.

It's been really fun rediscovering and getting to know the area again. I hadn't lived here for 20 years, so it has been really neat reconnecting with people from my past that I lost touch with.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP Birmingham sued over tennis bubble

By Lisa Brody

An Oakland County Circuit Court judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed in March against the city of Birmingham over failure to bid out the operation of the tennis facility at 1000 E. Lincoln can proceed to trial as long as the litigant can prove that the tennis operations are a public works that would be required under city charter to have competitive bidding.

Judge Leo Bowman ruled on June 12 that Birmingham may have violated its own city charter by not giving Center Court Tennis the opportunity to bid on the contract to operate and maintain the Birmingham Racquet Club, but that plaintiff Center Court Tennis would have to prove that allegation at trial. The charter requires the city to solicit bids for a lease agreement on public works contracts where the city will spend more than $12,000 per year on the lease.

The litigant also filed a similar suit, on the same day, against the city of Troy, with similar allegations, contending they were prevented from bidding on operations for the Troy Racquet Club. That suit was assigned to judge Denise Langford Morris and is still pending.

Birmingham city attorney Tim Currier countered that the city is not spending more than $12,000 a year, but earning more than $12,000 a year on the tennis facility contract, and does not need to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for bids for the management contract.

“Our contention is this is a misuse of the city charter,” Currier stated. “We can put it out to bid or not.”

Currier also said there is a pending question as to whether the Birmingham Racquet Club is considered a “public works” project covered by the charter bid requirement.

“The courts are public property, but when the city leases a public property, it is taxed to the person using it as if they were the owners. We receive taxes from them.”

In its suit, Center Court Tennis, LLC v. City of Birmingham, Center Court Tennis states that the initial contract to operate the racquet club was between William Saunders on behalf of Birmingham Racquet Club (BRC), for eight years, beginning September 24, 1998 to September 30, 2006, and was renewed for another seven years by the city commission, through the end of September 2013, at a rate of $3,500 a month, therefore “the guaranteed downtownpublications.com

Succo Fresco approved for Old Woodward

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he Birmingham City Commission unanimously approved a new casual restaurant to operate at 600 N. Old Woodward, at their meeting on Monday, June 24.

The eatery, Succo Fresco, is owned by Christopher Roumayah.

Located on the first floor of the commercial building filled with several medical offices just north of Parking Lot No. 6, where the Birmingham Farmer's Market is held each Sunday from May through October, Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker said the restaurant, which will not serve alcohol, will offer fresh vegetable and fruit smoothies, salads, sandwiches, and other fresh food. Designs show 18 indoor seats, and a patio will be built to accommodate 16 outdoor seats.

Anticipated hours, Ecker told commissioners, are daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., year round.

“It's designed to be a casual kind of place where you go up and order your food, pick it up and sit down,” Ecker said.

Currently, the area of the building slated for the restaurant is office space, so it will need to be gutted and completely rebuilt, and a kitchen/prep area put in, said building owner Brian Najor. “It should be a very nice amenity to this area of town, with fresh juices and coffees,” he said.

Ecker said that the facade of the building will primarily remain the same, other than fixed windows of the space will be replaced with bifold doors “to bring the outdoors in.”

Commissioners liked the proposal and plans, and unanimously approved the final site plan and special land use permit.

monthly payments exceeded the $12,000 per year threshold that triggered the bidding requirement.”

On May 13, 2002, Birmingham permitted the assignment of the contract from Saunders to Jeffrey Stassen of BRCA for the remainder of the initial contract, and on June 1, 2004, BRCA contracted with Baseline Tennis to manage the facility. The lawsuit points out that both BRCA and Baseline Tennis are owned by Stassen and James Fleming.

Further, the lawsuit contends that in late 2010 or early 2011, as former city manager Tom Markus was leaving Birmingham and new city manager Bob Bruner was beginning his job in Birmingham, BRCA offered to refurbish the Birmingham Racquet Club clubhouse in exchange for a new 10-year contract, which was executed in January 2011.

In November 2012, Center Court Tennis submitted a bid proposal to Birmingham for the tennis franchise, in what they termed was in accordance with the city charter. The lawsuit contends they did not hear back from the city until January 30, 2013, when the city told them that because BRCA's contract was extended until 2023, there would not be a need for a bid for “quite a while.”

“We looked at the charter in Birmingham, and in Troy (where a similar suit has been filed), and thought they were skirting the charter.

Judge Bowman agreed with us,” said attorney Ron Puzio, representing Center Court Tennis. “They (Center Court Tennis) may not have won the bid, but they'd have had the opportunity. That's all we're asking – just the opportunity.”

Currier stated, “At this point, we are not going to break the lease (with BRCA). The case is still pending from our point of view. They have to present proof that this is a public works. They have to prove their case.”

Joint dispatch deal appears dead

By Lisa Brody

The proposed dispatch consolidation deal between Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township is dead, at least for now, after a key component for Bloomfield Hills, a guarantee that two of their dispatchers would have positions with the Bloomfield Township Police Department, appears moot, according to Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens.

In May, Cravens received an offer to consolidate Bloomfield Hills' public service dispatch services with Bloomfield Township. Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie wrote in his letter to Cravens that the township needed to hire two new dispatchers in the next two months. “If the city and township were to

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consolidate dispatching services, we would hire two of your dispatchers and then handle all of Bloomfield Hills' dispatching services,” Savoie wrote.

Savoie said that while specifics would still need to be worked out, he anticipated the fee charged to Bloomfield Hills would be about $125,000 per year for dispatching services, with an increase expense provision provided for future years.

Savoie also said he was not concerned about the length of the contract, and wanted it to be a“a win/win for each municipality.”

Savoie said that he believed the consolidation of services would save each municipality considerable funds each year.

Bloomfield Hills commissioners contemplated the proposal and established a dispatch subcommittee to evaluate the pros and cons for the community.

At the time, both municipalities were in the midst of hiring new police chiefs. Bloomfield Township promoted Geof Gaudard to chief, while Bloomfield Hills went outside of its department and hired former Warren Police administrative captain David Hendrickson.

At their commission meeting on Tuesday, July 9, commissioners went into closed session with Hendrickson to discuss labor negotiations regarding dispatch, and came out of the session with two options to present to the public at their August meeting, to either do nothing, or to do a modified dispatch agreement with Bloomfield Township, per Hendrickson's recommendation, where the township would provide dispatch services to Bloomfield Hills daily from midnight to 8 a.m. Hendrickson told commissioners that the city typically receives six to eight calls a night, many of which are not emergency or direct police calls.

Cravens said that while the board did not vote when it came out of closed session, commissioners all agreed to have him send Savoie a letter asking him to come up with a cost for the modified dispatch services. “Assuming it would be one-third of the services, I assume it would be one-third of $125,000,” he said.

However, later in the week, following a phone call with Savoie, he discovered the township had pending offers to township dispatch candidates, and said, “What made this whole offer more palatable was having them guarantee our dispatchers employment. If the offer is going to two others, it makes it unworkable to us.

This will have to wait for another time.

We'll have to look at other cost saving measures now.”

51

City to approach owners on via signs

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham city commissioners, by a vote of 6-1, approved a motion on June 24 to support wayfinding signage for alleys and passageways, and to direct staff to negotiate with property owners adjacent to the Willits Alley and the Social and Commonwealth Passageways in downtown Birmingham to place the signs on their buildings and utilize minimal electricity to light the via signs.

Commissioners objected to the initial resolution, which was to approve the fabrication of the wayfaring signs by Universal Sign Systems, for a cost of $20,842, for the alley and passageways, and then enter into a contract to install the signs on the Comerica Bank building at 220 Hamilton Row, buildings adjacent to the Commonwealth Passageway, by Commonwealth Cafe and across the street in the Social Passageway, between Social Kitchen and Bar and Jos. A. Banks, as well as with Richard Astrein, who owns the building at 138 W. Maple, abutting the Willits Alley, and the owners of Crowley Willits Retail, for a sign on the rear of the building at 117 Willits, and at 275 N. Old Woodward, abutting the Willits Alley.

Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker said construction drawings for the signage had been done by Ron & Roman architects and designers in Birmingham, who had initially done the pro bono critical drawings of the via signs.

“Don't you think this is the cart?

Shouldn't we be going to the building owners first to see if they'll allow these on their buildings, and accept what we're paying them, and how much it will cost them in electricity?” asked commissioner Stuart Sherman.

Ecker said she was fast-tracking the process because $25,000 had been budgeted to passageways in the 20122013 fiscal year budget, “and the end of our fiscal year is coming up. But yes, we still have to negotiate with them.”

“I have a real problem with this.

This takes wayfinding to a whole new level that I never envisioned. I think this is wayfinding run amok. I haven't seen too many people lost (in downtown)”, said commissioner Tom McDaniel. “I'm not terribly excited about encouraging people to explore these alleys.”

Mayor George Dilgard responded that “the goal is to have people explore 52

New site for men's store approved

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inal site plan and rezoning for the former bank site at 4145 W. Maple Road in Bloomfield Township, proposed for the L'uomo Vogue men's store, was approved by a vote of 4-2 on Monday, June 24, at the township board of trustees meeting after a great deal of discussion among trustees as to whether the property should be rezoned for a tenant's use.

The parcel received zoning approval recommendation at a public hearing at the Bloomfield Township Planning Commission meeting on June 3, to be rezoned from office to B-2, consistent with the rest of the Bloomfield Plaza shopping center, to which it is attached. A 1962 consent decree between the owners of the shopping center and the township established the zoning and the land uses, noted Patti Voelker, township planning, building, and ordinance director, and at that time, the parcel was to be used solely for office or multifamily purposes. However, the 2007 township master plan recommends the property be used for commercial purposes.

Since the shopping plaza was built in 1962, the township has built a fire station between the plaza and the Birmingham Farms subdivision to its west.

Menswear store L'uomo Vogue has signed a 10-year lease to move from the front of the plaza to the former bank location. Voelker noted that designated parking for theater and Great Lakes coffee shop only patrons would have to be changed, as well as removing the handicapped parking spots. Otherwise, she assured trustees there was adequate parking at the plaza to accommodate the low car volume the men's store would generate.

Township clerk Jan Roncelli raised concerns about the rezoning, saying, “When we rezone for a tenant, we do so for the wrong reason. I do not take this lightly that we are rezoning for a tenant that may move. I don't think we should rezone for a tenant which can come and go, when residents (adjacent) are there for 40 to 50 years. I think there are many offices you could approach to fill that space.”

At the planning meeting, the president of adjacent neighborhood Birmingham Farms spoke at the public hearing, assuring the commission that the neighborhood was “100 percent in favor of the rezoning.” Roncelli, however, said she went door to door over seven streets in the subdivision, “and no residents in the association had known the association president had spoken on their behalf. I am not in favor of this. I wasn't at the design review board (meeting), and I am not changing my vote tonight.”

Township attorney Bill Hampton suggested rezoning a majority of the property to B-2, leaving a portion of the property along its setbacks as O1 office. Trustee Brian Kepes said of the rezoning, “It is only affecting one home other than the fire department.”

Trustees voted 4-2 to approve the rezoning and final site plan, with Roncelli and treasurer Dan Devine opposing the motion, and trustee Corinne Khederian absent.

the alleys.” McDaniel said, “This doesn't do it.”

Commissioner Mark Nickita noted, “I think we have a very strong downtown with some gaps, and this (the signage) fills one of the gaps. This is something we've studied. It's a good plan – let's move forward. We have to continue to invest in our downtown. It's one of the assets that bring people to town.”

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff said, “I think we have to initiate a conversation with these property owners before we start fabricating the signs.” Sherman concurred, and said the sign companies also needed to be more properly vetted, as did the electrical issues of how to properly light up the signs on the

buildings, and how much it would cost the building owners, which the city would reimburse.

City manager Bob Bruner said he would be more comfortable if the city first negotiated contracts with building owners, and then came back to the commission for approval of the exact placement and for the signage's fabrication. Commissioners agreed, approving a motion to do that, 6-1, with McDaniel voting against.

Rojo Mexican Bistro coming to city Rojo Mexican Bistro, a contemporary upscale Mexican

DOWNTOWN

restaurant has plans to go into the former Max & Erma's restaurant location at 250 E. Merrill in Birmingham.

The restaurant was recommended for approval at the Birmingham Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, July 24, for final site plan and special land use, but will need to go before the city commission, likely in a month or so, for final approval as any establishment with a liquor license requires commission approval.

Max & Erma's closed the end of December 2012, with Stony Creek Steakhouse approved to open in the location in the spring. However, the corporate parent reconsidered that decision and the site has been vacant since the first of the year.

Rojo, which has locations in Rochester, Novi, St. Clair Shores and Partridge Creek Mall, is open for lunch and dinner with a wide range of tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, tableside guacamole, and other favorites.

In their proposal to the Birmingham Planning Commission, Rojo requested renovating the exterior facade, installing a new canopy and signage, and adding outdoor dining to the west of the main entrance. They are also asking to move the existing entry door to the west, and would like to construct the door with new wood and glass doors. They told the planning commission that they are not planning to make dramatic changes to the interior of the restaurant, keeping the bar in its current location.

Rojo officials say they hope to be open 10 to 11 weeks after they receive final approvals.

Subway, medical offices approved The owner of a mixed use building at 37000 Woodward in Bloomfield Township received unanimous approval Monday, June 24, from township trustees on a final site plan and special land use to put in a Subway restaurant on its first floor, and two medical offices in the third floor of the building.

Ordinances in the township require tenants in a mixed use building to be approved. Patti Voelker, township planning, building and ordinance director, said in representing the building's owner, 08.13

Birmingham approves senior services plan

By Lisa Brody

Frank Simon, that the Subway would be strictly a walk-in establishment without a drive thru. It is slated to go in a first floor space facing Big Beaver, within an underneath parking area with signage on the building on the Big Beaver side of the building.

The building also houses the Eddie Merlot's steak house.

“It is anticipated to accommodate the lunch and maybe evening needs of office tenants in the area,” Voelker said.

A review of the parking analysis showed no problems because of overlapping hours for the two medical offices desiring to inhabit the third floor other than for a short period of time after 5 p.m., where there would be a constraint of about 15 parking spaces, Voelker said.

Simon went to the township's zoning board of appeals, she explained, where it was determined that the offices could utilize the drive through spaces of Level One's bank, which closes at 5 p.m.

“That will alleviate the parking congestion after hours,” she said, while still providing operational access to the ATMs. She said there was also a parking plan approved with the valets for Eddie Merlot's. If necessary, a remote parking lot at an adjacent building could be accessed in the evening.

Trustees unanimously approved the final site plan and special land use for both proposals, 6-0, with trustee Corinne Khederian absent.

City looking at lake’s lily pads Residents have expressed concerns over a proliferation of lily pads and a film over Quarton Lake but the city of Birmingham has responded that they are a part of a natural process important to maintain a balanced ecosystem.

Lauren Wood, director of the Birmingham's Department of Public Services (DPS), said, “It's a healthy issue. Nutrients need to be worked out. There are more water lilies this year because of a lack of a frost this year and last year. Some people look at it as beautiful, ecological and pretty. Others don't. We're looking into an action plan on how we're going to handle it over time.”

Lily pads, also known as water lilies, are beneficial plants that tend to grow in shallow areas, according to the city of Birmingham. The growth of moderate levels of aquatic plants and algae are important to natural processes that occur in lakes and impoundments to maintain a balanced ecosystem. However, excessive aquatic nuisance vegetation growth has been present in the lake periodically since 2005 due to low flow conditions and improved water clarity. Special conditions such as warm waters and temperatures, a lack of deep freezeups, and/or droughts are factors that increase the amount of lily pads on water bodies. Nuisance vegetation has grown significantly worse over the last two years, a press release from Wood contends.

According to the department of ecology, the water lily is a fragrant aquatic perennial herb that grows rooted in mucky or silty sediments in water up to six or seven feet deep. It prefers quiet waters such as ponds, lake margins and slow streams, and grows in acidic or alkaline waters. If unmanaged, they can become dense and cover acres of water, preventing wind mixing and extensive areas of low oxygen can develop under the water lily beds. When properly managed to form a patchy distribution interspersed with open water, however, water lilies can provide an excellent habitat for fish, deer, beaver and other wildlife.

“Water lilies are generally there from May to September. Light gets through to the bottom of the lake. It's important to note that they do not represent harm to the water or environment, or to the fish habitat or Quarton Lake,” said Wood.

However, nearby resident Stuart Stoller disagrees. “Quarton Lake is disgusting. It is overrun by scum and water lilies, especially since the lake was dredged,” he said. He said he has spoken to Wood and other officials in the city, and feels he has not received satisfactory answers.

Wood said DPS has consulted with experts and is in the process of determining the best and most cost effective way to provide corrective action to control and manage the problem.

B

irmingham city commissioners on Monday, July 8, unanimously approved a resolution accepting the final recommendations from the Joint Senior Services Committee for a two-phase process to improve the way senior services are funded and provided in the municipalities of Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Southfield Township and Franklin.

Renee Cortwright, executive director of Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council (BASCC), which was established in 1978, along with Greg Burry, chairman of the Joint Senior Services Committee, presented the results of the commission's study of senior services in the communities.

Cortwright said that the coming Silver Tsunami “is about to hit,” noting that “10,000 (people are) turning 65 each day in the United States.” She noted that there are now more seniors than school aged children in the local communities, with the number of children decreasing as seniors grow demographically.

BASCC currently utilizes the former Midvale School, owned by Birmingham Public Schools. BASCC receives 53 percent of its current funding from the school district in in-kind services, but the school district has a facility review this summer, and will hopefully make a decision before the end of the summer on district needs for Midvale, according to Cortwright. The rest of BASCC's funding comes from transportation services, 12 percent; 8 percent from fundraising; 7 percent from municipal contributions; 5 percent in membership; 6 percent from donations; and 1 percent from programs. The group currently has an 8 percent shortfall in its budget.

The committee sought to gather information on what other local communities were doing for their seniors; see what seniors wanted in terms of programs and services; and prepare policy recommendations. The committee observed that people tend to view senior centers as an activity center providing a broad range of activities, and must be centrally located.

Midvale meets that criteria, but that it is an outdated building, without air conditioning and outmoded facilities.

The committee learned that 65 percent of seniors would welcome day care services; 65 percent would support low cost exercise and fitness programs; 64 percent would support the growth of senior programs; and 63 percent would support a millage, if necessary, to implement greater senior services.

Four neighboring communities have comprehensive senior centers, which the committee visited. They are the Bloomfield Township Senior Services, Royal Oak Senior Center, Rochester Older Persons Center, and Troy Community Center. Bloomfield Township and Rochester each built their centers in the early 2000s in order to serve their growing and diverse 50plus population with extensive health and fitness facilities, and are supported by a .25 millage, program fees, fundraising, and transportation grants. Rochester's facility is open six days a week for 82 hours; Bloomfield Township is open six days a week for 75 hours. BASCC is only open five days a week for a total of 35 hours.

In order to move forward for the communities BASCC serves, the committee recommended moving in two phases, the first phase being an increase in services and hours to 51 hours, adding evening and weekend hours and adding exercise equipment. It could be implemented immediately, the report said.

Phase two would likely require a bond or millage to fund a new or upgraded facility with 50 percent more space than currently utilized. The committee said the millage would replace both municipal and school district contributions.

Commissioners enthusiastically supported the committee's recommendations. Commissioner Tom McDaniel said, “To me this is a call to arms for our community and our other communities. The need is there.

We have 13 renovated buildings for our students, and one unairconditioned building for our seniors. It's untenable. We have an excellent staff and program at BASCC. There's just not enough staff or time.”

Commissioner Scott Moore agreed. “We've known for a long time that BASCC is not sustainable. Phase I is really a transition to phase 2. The demographics are real; the need is now. They (seniors) spend 96 percent of each dollar in their communities. We need their dollars here. We need their wisdom and their skill sets in our communities.”

Commissioners voted 7-0 to accept the committee's recommendations.

Birmingham staff receives salary raises After a five-year pay freeze, Birmingham city commissioners on June 24 unanimously approved a 2 percent pay raise for all Birmingham full-time and part-time employees, as well as increasing their out-of-pocket health care costs.

In a memo drafted to city manager Bob Bruner and commissioners, assistant city manager/human resources director Joe Valentine detailed that Birmingham management and administrative staff is comprised of 12 department heads and 21 supervisory staff and professional positions, who had all received a 2 percent pay cut in July 2010, which was reinstated in July 2012. Save that, they had not received a pay increase since 2008 due to the economic downturn.

In addition to the city's full-time workers, there are also 45 non-union part-time employees eligible for raises, according to the memo. The city recently completed negotiations with all of its collective bargaining unions,

which include 2 percent raises, effective July 1. Valentine wrote that it was recommended that all department heads, management, and administrative staff also receive 2 percent raises, effective July 1, for a total annual cost of approximately $110,000.

Funds for the wage adjustments are available in the fiscal 2013-2014 budget.

Further, these employees will be required to pay higher health care deductibles for the calendar year. For an individual, the deductible will increase from $400 to $450, and for a family, from $800 to $900. Out-ofpocket maximum caps are also to be increased, both in and out of the health care network. Within the network, an individual will pay $800, from $600; out-of-network, $1,500 from $1,000. A family will pay $1,600, versus $1,200 in network, and out-of-network, $2,500, up from $2,000.

Pharmacy co-pays, both at a pharmacy or by mail, will change from $25 to $40 for name brand drugs.

Commissioners agreed that department heads, supervisory staff

and administrative staff all deserved the wage increases, and unanimously approved both the salary increases and the health care cost increases.

Altered landscaping plan approved Mex, a new restaurant currently under construction at the site of the former Big Boy restaurant at 6675 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township, had revised landscaping plans and updated plans for a rear retaining wall unanimously approved at the township board meeting on Monday, June 24.

Planning, building and ordinance director Patti Voelker told trustees that the contemporary, trendy Mexican restaurant, to be called Mex, planned for the northeast corner of Country Club Drive and Telegraph Road, had proposed landscaping revisions which had been addressed by the township landscaping contractor, Michael Dul, in six different areas, including a new way to reinforce and maintain the existing retaining wall at the rear of the property.

Modifications on the landscaping plan include maintaining the lawn area

of the property along the greenbelts on the northern property line, Telegraph Road, and Country Club Drive, instead of adding shrubbery, as was initially approved; adding ornamental grasses around the generator to blend with the existing shrubbery; substituting the previously approved concrete-poured retaining wall along the northern edge of the property line with a new dry-laid retaining wall; repairing the masonry screen wall; and providing a mutuallyapproved landscaping plan for the adjacent property of Lisa Longe on Country Club Drive, on the other side of the retaining wall.

The only request not agreed to was one to remove three trees, which Dul wanted to keep in place.

Township treasurer Dan Devine requested that the property owner, Garrett Van Horn, and the restaurant owners, James Bellinson and Zackary Sklar, sign the landscaping agreement with Longe, “because otherwise she has no standing in the future.” Longe has already signed the agreement. The trustees then approved the revised landscaping plan 6-0, with trustee Corinne Khederian absent.

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DOWNTOWN

08.13

MARKET OFFERINGS AUGUST 2013

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Bloomfield Hills $2,900,000 Beautifully maintained and renovated home within walking distance to Cranbrook schools and gardens! Over one acre of lush landscaping, stone patios and fountain. Newer additions include; kitchen with breakfast room, family room with fireplaces, and bright Florida room. Addition above has a large master suite with his and her baths and walk in closets. Three car attached garage with one separate garage. Four bedrooms with 5.3 baths. 213053164

Bloomfield Hills $1,285,000 Custom built home by Oberti. Over $1 million in renovations since 2003! New kitchen, master suite, terrace room, new hardwood floors, custom trim work and windows. First and second floor laundry. Limestone and marble floors. Walnut paneled den, family room with hardwood floors. Large room sizes. Birmingham Schools. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 213057907

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Franklin $1,350,000 Exceptional estate home located on a prime lot in the Heart of Franklin. Updated gourmet kitchen, designed by John Morgan. Gracious floor plan that has been seamlessly added onto through the years. Spectacular grounds with in-ground pool. Hardwoods, beamed ceilings, thick crown and built-ins.

Mechanically updated and well maintained. All this located on over two acres. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. Co-listor Cindy Obron Kahn 213042626

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Bloomfield Hills $465,000

West Beverly Village $399,900

Meticulously maintained Colonial on an oversized manicured lot.

Boasting four bedrooms, 2.5 baths this home is move in ready. Generous room sizes, stylish decor and fantastic location are just the start. Granite kitchen, huge mudroom, 3 season room and finished lower level. Home has been loved and it shows. Park like setting make this home hard to resist. A must see! 213066610

Charming home located in the coveted West Beverly neighborhood.

Beautifully manicured large yard, classic curb appeal and countless updates. Home also boasts a cozy fireplace, hardwood floors, sun porch and den. Kitchen has stainless appliances and gorgeous backsplash.

Updated powder bath with vessel sink. Exterior offers cement board siding and newer windows. Run, don't walk to this gem! Three bedrooms with 2.5 baths. 213060566

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Bloomfield Hills $2,450,000 Wonderful in every way describes this spacious and beautifully appointed two story European style home. All the sought after luxury features include; recent designer kitchen with premium everything i.e. pair of 36" Sub-Zeros. Beautifully manicured grounds with pool, gardens, privacy and lovely patio areas. Fabulous lower level with wine cellar, pool bath and full kitchen to facilitate outside dining. Full host of recent updates.

Five bedrooms with 6.2 baths. 213045037

Oakland Township $2,250,000 Beautifully tucked within 7+ acres of Oakland Township grandeur. This spacious European Country House with premium appointments and high-end detailing throughout. Lovely guest quarters is complete with chefs kitchen. Nature, wildlife and ultimate tranquility are hallmarks of this magnificent estate. Beautifully developed outdoor areas with gorgeous porch and patios. Full complement of sophisticated mechanical/electrical componentry including elevator and 100KW generator. Six bedroooms with 9.3 baths. 213060920

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Pine Lake Frontage $1,350,000 Spectacular 5,000 square foot lakefront home on Pine Lake! Open and bright floor plan with floor to ceiling window views of a magnificent private lake, tiered deck and lush landscape. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite island and new cabinetry adjoining huge and bright breakfast room. Master suite with two walk in closets, gorgeous marble spa bath with steam shower and private balcony. Additional four bedrooms complete the second floor plus third floor bonus area. Private neighborhood park with swings and baseball diamond! 213049967

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Bloomfield $2,499,000 Stately Colonial on large cul-de-sac lot redone to perfection by Dan Clancy in 2012. Wonderful family home with flowing floor plan boasts 9000 square feet of living space. Built with the highest quality materials. Six bedroom suites and master suite retreat with sitting room. Amazing estate-sized corner yard with extensive landscaping. Fabulous salt water pool and large play area. Finished lower level with second full gourmet kitchen, 1.1 bath, recreation room and private entrance. Three car garage. 213064639

Birmingham $1,799,000

Birmingham $1,499,000

Newly renovated to absolute perfection to recreate a European look and feel with plaster style walls and light hardwood floors. Top of the line cooks kitchen with breakfast nook flows into living room and all season sun room.

Beautiful master suite with balcony, stunning master bath and his/hers walkin closet. In-door sports/basketball court (24.5 x 19.5), three fireplaces, salt water in-ground pool surrounded by manicured grounds. Three car garage, three newer HVAC units. Five bedrooms with five baths. 213057597

This custom built home by The Deneweth Company is a gracious central entrance colonial situated on a wonderful private corner lot. Boasts flowing and open floor plan with superb features including soaring ceilings, bright gourmet cook’s kitchen, and great room with fireplace. Magnificent lower level with full kitchen and spectacular entertainment /media area.

An entertainer’s dream! Over 4,600 square foot home with four bedrooms, 4.2 baths in Quarton Lake estates on one of the best streets! 213045309

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Lake Angelus Frontage $2,975,000 Fabulous Lake Angelus Estate on 8+ acres. Custom built with over 10,000 square feet of living space. Spectacular views of pristine Lake Angelus from every room. Eleven foot ceilings, hardwood floors, custom cabinetry and custom granite throughout. Mature trees, orchard and gardens. One of four vintage boathouses with full plumbing and electrical plus 1 bedroom apartment. A truly unique property reminiscent of the older estates on the east coast. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 213047830.

Lake Angelus Frontage $2,900,000

Oxford $1,249,900

Beautiful French Norman Estate on Pristine Lake Angelus. Four bedrooms, four baths, 2+3 Car garage, 5,500 square feet on 4.5 acres and over 250' of lake frontage. Fabulous master suite in its own wing of the home. One of the original Summer Estates on Lake Angelus Shores Drive.

Boathouse can be set up as an in-law apartment. Park like setting with fabulous views. 213060158.

Spectacular Post and Beam home with 75 rolling, open, wooded acres.

Designer perfect kitchen with Bosch Sub Zero, five star appliances, granite and maple floors. Two and half story great room with massive Fieldstone fireplace.

First floor master, library, finished lower level with fireplace, bar, exercise room, sauna, in-ground pool, heated pool house and cabana. Six car garage, dog kennel, beautiful Morton barn, caretakers home, dairy barn and out buildings. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. Co-lister David Busch 212107747.

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Birmingham $1,399,000 Recently updated in-town Contemporary home featuring a 1st floor master suite, large master bath with separate shower and deep soaker tub and walk in closet. Grand foyer with a cantilevered staircase, ebony finished with wrought iron railings. Gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, separate butler kitchen with sub zero refrigerator. 10' ceilings, open floor plan with lots of windows and natural light. Located on double lot.

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213059325

Bloomfield $599,000 Welcome home! Character describes this spacious home with Bloomfield Hills schools. Walk into the light filled open foyer, living room with vaulted ceilings, separate dining room, large kitchen opens to the family room. Walkout to the backyard deck that is nestled in the lush gardens. All bedrooms are large, first floor laundry, three car attached garage. Circular driveway. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213063154

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Birmingham $1,800,000 Prime location on Birmingham's most prestigious street. This attractive brick home was renovated and expanded in 1997. Tiimeless white kitchen with granite, first and second floor laundry rooms, family room and adjacent billiards room lead to fabulous back yard. Very large bonus room over three car garage offers multiple possibilities. Generator that powers entire home. Exterior features include in-ground pool, beautiful landscaping and more. Move right in and enjoy. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 213063163

Birmingham $499,000 In town living! Inviting front porch welcomes you to a home overflowing with charm and original detail combined with modern updates added in 1998.

Stainless Viking kitchen appliances. Wood floors on first floor. Family room addition with fireplace is carpeted. First floor laundry/mud room. Spacious master suite with vaulted ceiling, wonderful closet and large bath. Basement is consistent with 1913 era construction. Fenced yard. Many possibilities!

Three bedrooms 2.1 baths. 213053299

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Orchard Lake Frontage $3,900,000 First time on the Market. Stunning lakefront home with over 8,700 square feet of living space. Bosco Built in 2000, this French Country Estate inspired with impeccable details and craftsmanship. Custom built with the finest materials and finishes. Private Orchard Lake Front with 110 feet of sandy frontage on one acre with private sanctuary. Full lower level kitchen. Limestone exterior with Slate roof and Copper Eves.

Four bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 213060432

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Bruce Township $5,299,900 Beautiful 100 acre private gated estate. 16,000+ square feet of finished living space designed by architect Dominick Tringali. State of the art custom kitchen featured on cover of Dream Kitchen Magazine. Nine seat movie theater. Five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, three powder rooms, each bedroom has it's own private full bathroom. Wine cellar with adjoining wine tasting lounge. Elevator servicing all three floors. Too many amenities to list!

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Metamora $2,695,000 Magnificent Country Estate with 138 acres in the Heart of Hunt Country. Spectacular 10,000 square foot Country French Manor home. Luxurious first floor master suite, Chef 's kitchen, large keeping room with fireplace, dining room, library and living room. Walk out lower level. Exceptional landscaping. Pond and Caretakers Cottage. Five bedrooms with 7.1 baths. 211053323 Presented by Lee Embrey & David Busch

Lake Oakland Frontage $1,395,000 1.64 acre, very private Waterfront Estate on Lake Oakland, 187 foot frontage. Two story great room, granite counters in large open custom kitchen and all baths, two master bed suites, three fireplaces, finished lower level with family room, fully appointed 10-stool wet bar and exercise room. Wrap around porch leading to in-ground pool, professionally landscaped (250k) with lakefront waterfall, loaded with limestone ledge rock and paver. Six car 37x57 heated garage, generator and wild-life. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213051566 Presented by RW Watson

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Bloomfield Hills $3,899,900 History, grace, grandeur and beauty! A feeling of solidity, strength and impeccable English country style surrounds you throughout every step of this home.

Unsurpassed workmanship, detail and quality are everywhere, awaiting your discovery. A few of the many updates include new wiring, heating, electrical and a spare no expense kitchen done to breathtaking detail by The Kennebec Company and will surpass every expectation. Generously sized rooms, sun light, storage, irreplaceable finishes, two swimming pools and a world class spa retreat. An Estate for the most discerning! 213059957 Presented by Mike Sbrocca

Lake Angelus Frontage $1,899,900 Fabulous views from every room from this Beautiful Hidden Gem on the South Shore. One plus acres with 100'+ lake frontage with almost 7,000 square feet of living space. This newer construction has a five car heated garage, finished walkout with 13' ceilings. Full deck and patio across the lakeside of home. Sandy frontage with permanent dock to park all of your toys. Cedar and Stone with custom cedar roof. Paved Road. Six bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 213039803 Presented by Lee Embrey

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Birmingham $1,349,000 2012 Detroit Home Design Award winner, designed but AZD Associates and Jeffrey King Interior Design and Selections. Exterior features include Arriscraft stone veneer, commercial brick, Kawneer commercial windows and exterior doors, and light fixtures imported from Germany. Two story living room with a floating fireplace, one of a kind custom staircase supported by glass wall and custom railing, radiant heat flooring, state of the art kitchen with Downsview cabinetry and Miele appliances. Master suite with glass floor and two way fireplace, and a finished lower level with exercise room and full bath. 213061850 Presented by Mia Bardy

Birmingham $1,097,500 Expanded to generous 3,400 square feet of living space while maintaining original charm of the front. Stunning 5/6 bedrooms, 4.1 bath home with intricate architectural details including arched doorways, cove ceilings, leaded glass doors. Stately cherry kitchen hosts sumptuous granite counters, superb stainless appliances and large center island. Stately library conveys the utmost class with judge's paneling. Master suite boasts sitting area with fireplace and custom bath with spa tub and separate Euro Shower. 213058592 Presented by Kathy Lyons

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Birmingham $1,479,900 Custom family home in Quarton Lake. Kitchen with Wood-Mode cabinets, walk-in pantry, wet bar, subzero refrigerator-freezer, Themador and granite.

Wonderful family room with built-ins and fieldstone fireplace overlooking backyard. Hardwood floors and new carpet. Stunning entry foyer overlooking two story winding staircase and back staircase. Great first floor laundry and mud room. Huge master suite with his/hers walk in closets and custom cabinets. Pella windows. Extensive use of crown molding and wainscot. Super finished basement. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 213067332 Presented by Mike Sbrocca

Bloomfield Hills $999,000 Enjoy breathtaking views from this mini estate complete with shared lake lot across Franklin with deeded boat dock and lake privileges! Total renovation in 2002 includes custom moldings, hardwood floors, magnificent chef 's kitchen with oversized island and breakfast room overlooking patio and manicured grounds. Master suite with fireplace, elegant foyer, paneled library, spa room with sauna and jacuzzi! The 2,000 plus square foot lower level a has kitchen, bedroom, living area, full bath and recreation room! Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213062441 Presented by Renee Lossia Acho & Cindy Obron Kahn

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West Bloomfield $995,000 Exquisite Contemporary on the 18th hole of Wabeek Golf Course. Home is situated on a hilltop at the end of a cul-de-sac. Updated kitchen with granite counter tops. Spectacular natural lighting with picturesque views. Wonderful walk-out basement with wet bar and complete kitchen. Great for entertaining.

Huge master bedroom suite on the first floor. Court yard with fountain and lots of privacy with a deck along the back of the house. Six bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 213030771 Presented by Dawn Williams & Maria Constante

West Bloomfield $699,000 Beautiful West Bloomfield home great for a family! 4,000 square feet of open living space with 2,005 square feet of finished basement. Gorgeous brick paver deck with stainless steel BBQ unit and kitchen outside! Great curb appeal. Three car attached garage. A must see! Four bedrooms, 4.2 baths. 213061736 Presented by Sandra Treboldi

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Birmingham $935,000 Welcome home to this beautifully updated, 3,500 square foot in-town home. Completely updated to include a gourmet kitchen, large family room, large bedrooms with a first floor guest suite. Master bedroom has a walk-in closet with a beautifully appointed Carrera white marble bath, separate shower and deep soaker tub. This home has an extended two car attached garage with a large bonus room above. Close to downtown, Quarton Lake, Booth Park and Holy Name. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213058789 Presented by Dan Gutreund

Bloomfield Hills $899,000 2007 Custom-built all brick Colonial by Maplewood Homes. Located on over seven acres adjacent to stream and small pond. Quality amenities, hardwood floors, crown moldings, granite and millwork throughout. Gourmet kitchen with huge granite island, high-end appliances. First floor master suite and laundry.

Great room with soaring ceiling and fireplace. Ten foot basement with five large daylight windows. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213059497 Presented by Bill Tracy

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Bloomfield Hills $649,900 Outstanding Contemporary with scenic views of Orange Lake situated on approximately one acre with Bloomfield Hills schools. State-of-the-Art kitchen/granite and newer master suite, wrap-around balconies to take in extremely scenic view from most locations throughout the home. Attention to detail in every aspect of the home. Energy efficient with passive heating, an absolute GEM! Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213054827 Presented by Susan Johnson

Bloomfield Hills $649,000 Contemporary Ranch with Birmingham schools, Southern exposure, four car garage and circular driveway. Renovation and addition with premium upgrades and amenities including; exquisite decor, luxurious master suite with jetted tub, all bedrooms are suites with walk in closets. Gourmet kitchen with high-end stainless steel appliances and granite. Several skylights for abundance natural lighting. Wired for sound system, cable and satellites. Egress window, 9 ft ceiling and finished bath in lower level. Dual furnaces, air conditioning and four season sun room. Four bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 213061854 Presented by Rosa Lau

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Franklin Village $995,000 Wonderful Tobocman Contemporary on almost one acre offers boundless natural light and expansive open floor plan. Situated on a large lot with a beautiful setting with lovely pond at entrance. New roof in 2013. Never on the market before! Three bedrooms with 2.2 baths. 213055213 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

Birmingham $680,000 Classic French Tudor sitting on a beautifully manicured double lot within walking distance to Seaholm High School. Charm and character abounds. Coved ceilings, wet plaster walls, hardwood floors, limestone fireplace, secluded back yard with pergola, bluestone patio and Tudor style garden house. 2010 kitchen

by Richard's Renovations. Stainless steel high end appliances, granite counters, cherry cabinets. Second stairway leads to private in-law quarters. Breakfast nook being used as seating area. Five bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 213057237 Presented by Jenny Turner & Kris Barich

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Fenton $849,000 Beautiful custom built log lodge home on 13.44 wooded acres. Two story great room with custom stone fireplace, large country kitchen with granite.

Finished lower level with recreation room with stone fireplace and exercise room. Stunning indoor pool with vaulted ceiling and door walls to 3,000 square foot deck that overlooks a large stocked pond. Three car garage, 40 x 60 Pole Barn and separate three car garage. Possible au pair or in-law suite on second floor. Four bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 212110689 Presented by Jim Casey

Square Lake Frontage $629,000 Looking for the perfect lakefront property, here it is. Built in 2006 on Square Lake in Lake Orion, it has all the things to enjoy the water, great views and a beautiful home to relax and entertain. Colonial with three bedrooms and three half baths, formal dining room, great room with high ceilings and fireplace, hardwood floors, granite kitchen, stainless steel appliances, butlers pantry. First floor study, finished lower level walkout full kitchen.

Second floor laundry. Full house generator. 213066112 Presented by Donna Barlow

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West Bloomfield $599,000 Highly coveted Chelsea Park Subdivision. One of the larger homes in the subdivision located in "The Reserve" on a fantastic private lot with circular drive. House has been maintained like new. Great floor plan with front and rear staircase, two powder rooms on first floor, two story family room with bridge, three full baths upstairs, and huge kitchen open to family room. Subdivision has tennis courts, sidewalks and playground.

Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 213062351 Presented by Kathy Manoogian

Lake Orion $499,500 Nestled in the prestigious St Andrews Estates overlooking the 15th hole on the "New Course" at Indianwood Country Club. Home exudes custom features including coffered ceiling in library, 2-story foyer, three fireplaces, first floor master suite, plantation shutters, jetted tub, walk in closets, dual staircases, lower level wine cellar and phenomenal bar, pool room, work-out room. Striking views overlook pond and private wooded yard from most rooms throughout the home. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213056483 Presented by Susan Johnson

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Birmingham $899,000 Landmark Birmingham home! This lovely 1928 Colonial has original details from top to bottom including wood paneled foyer with beautiful staircase, library with fireplace, gorgeous solarium, stunning wide plank flooring. Large open Mackenzie Childs tiled kitchen, seven spacious and bright bedrooms, daylight lower level, beautiful yard with gardens, patios and decks. Wonderful home for those who appreciate historic architecture. 7,000 square feet home on 1/2 acre.

213057662 Presented by Cindy Obron Kahn

Bloomfield $775,000

Independence Township $309,900

The epitome of Sophistication! Outstanding Bauhaus style Contemporary home freshly redone top to bottom including beautiful white Scavolini kitchen with quartz counters and new Miele stainless appliances, bamboo flooring, redone baths with custom cabinets and marble. Features include bedrooms with direct access to full bathrooms and private baloneys, entry level laundry room. Large private yard backing to pond and Walnut Lake privileges.

Three bedrooms with three baths. 213066810 Presented by Chris Johnson

Last new construction on prestigious Pine Knob Golf Course. Enjoy breathtaking views from your balcony or walk out patio. Customized your unit with high-end standard options. Blue ribbon Clarkston Schools, Easy access to I-75, close to parks, lakes, skiing, minutes to Great Lakes shopping and world class concerts and sport venues. Village of Clarkston lifestyle. Pre-construction prices and 1year free golf. Different models to choose from. 213041580 Presented by Carmen Mollicone

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Rochester Hills $489,900 Style and sophistication graces this beautiful home. Former model deluxe with many custom features. Study and family room have traditionally timeless architectural paneling. Family room with wet bar and custom bookcases. Kitchen with granite, Jenn-Air 4-6 burner cook top, double ovens, wine fridge and trash compactor. Master suite with 12 x 7 bonus space, master bath with jetted tub, shower and double sinks. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths.

213046010 Presented by Susan Lozano

West Bloomfield $398,000

Troy $314,900

Beautifully remodeled! This home has two large master suites (one on the entry level). An open staircase with a bridge overlooking a lovely great room with cathedral ceilings and dramatic floor to ceiling fireplace that opens to both the great room and huge kitchen. Move in perfect home with three car attached garage and a large bright walk-out basement with fifth bedroom. Lovely deck overlooking woods & stream. Perfect setting for this home. 213065328 Presented by Candice Cuyler

Custom newer built Ranch on over half acre in Troy! Spacious four bedrooms and three full baths. Open floor plan meticulously maintained. Marble foyer, spacious closets, cathedral ceilings, kitchen with two islands. All appliances included. Attached 3.5 car garage and another 2.5 detached car garage.

Sprinkler system. One year home warranty for buyer. Too many amenities to list. A must See! 213066835 Presented by Erin Keating Dewald

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Hummer Lake Frontage $689,000 Enjoy your own private fishing and golf on this 42 acre retreat. Brick two level Ranch with 5,500 square feet of living space including a private guest wing. Twelve acre private lake (great fishing), two par three golf holes. Two master suites and two great rooms with full wall fireplaces. Walkout lower level, terraced gardens and 30' x 50' Pole Barn. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 213040917 Presented by Beverly McCotter

Bloomfield $679,900

Berkley $329,000

Completely renovated Ranch with premium upgrades and amenities throughout. Former builder's personal home. Exquisite decor, luxurious master suite with separate spa and shower, fireplace and custom millwork.

Gourmet kitchen with Viking stove, granite and custom tile work. Almost an acre treed lot with partial lake views. Located in the family friendly Meadow Lake Subdivision. Great curb appeal. Birmingham schools.

Don't miss this one! 213037767 Presented by Bill Tracy

This home has it all. Newer kitchen with stainless steel appliances, beautiful master bedroom and bath with jetted tub and walk in closet.

The entire home has been updated with Anderson Windows, sprinkler system, also Man Cave. Front load washer/dryer. Over 3 car garage with heat, insulation, drywall and cable. Close to award winning Berkley Schools and Parks. Five bedrooms with three baths. 213061029 Presented by Joanne McGuire

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West Bloomfield $298,000 Spacious home with large rooms and a nice, functional floor plan. Two story foyer. Kitchen with maple cabinets, gas cook top and double ovens. Island with extra sink and snack bar. Breakfast room overlooks private yard with brick patio, living room with vaulted ceiling. Hardwood floors in living and dining rooms. Large first floor laundry/mud room. Family room with fireplace. Master suite walk in closet, gas fireplace, master bath with jetted tub and separate shower. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213067679 Presented by Kay Hartwell

Birmingham $269,500

Birmingham $240,000

Beautiful Birmingham Ranch, updated and ready for new owners to move in and enjoy! Living room opens to dinning area and the new, stunning kitchen with white wood cabinets, granite, glass tiles back splash, stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar. New light fixtures, paint, blinds, refinished hardwood floors, updated bath and lavatory. Family room in lower level, bath and laundry. Gorgeous yard, deep and private, paver patio and two car garage.

Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213067139 Presented by Silvia Stan

Charming Bungalow close to downtown Birmingham. Spacious open floor plan with kitchen opening to dining area. Stainless steel kitchen appliances. Hardwood floors throughout. Master suite with full bath and large closets. Basement finished and perfect for entertaining. Beautifully landscaped with patio and pergola. One year home warranty for buyer.

Three bedrooms with two baths. 213067440 Presented by Erin Keating Dewald

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP New township library director chosen After a national search, the Bloomfield Township Public Library discovered their next library director right at home, choosing assistant director Carol Mueller to replace retiring director Karen Kotulis-Carter, the Bloomfield Township Public Library Board of Trustees announced at its mid-June meeting.

Mueller will assume her new role August 1, following Kotulis-Carter's retirement July 31.

Mueller was one of four finalists for the director position. Kotulis-Carter announced she was retiring earlier this year, and let it be known then of her preference for her assistant director to assume her position. Kotulis-Carter said at the time that Mueller â&#x20AC;&#x153;is very seriously considering applying for the position, and that's a good thing.â&#x20AC;?

The position for library director was posted widely with the Michigan Library Association and the American Library Association, and the library received applications from around the country. A search committee narrowed

Chen Chow permanently closed

By Lisa Brody

I

t appears another Birmingham party spot has bit the dust, as the Chen Chow Brasserie has closed for business earlier in July, following fellow Dali Group restaurant and bars Barrio Tacos + Tequila and Hamilton Room which both closed earlier this year.

Chen Chow, at 260 N. Old Woodward, was a Japanese fusion restaurant with a lively bar scene that often overshadowed the restaurant. Eric Doelle, president and CEO of the Dali Group, did not return phone calls, and his public relations company responded that they had resigned three months ago, after he closed Barrio.

An anonymous news tip to Downtown stated that the sender was friends with many people from the restaurant, who were informed that they were closed, and ownership had not given any reason.

Everyone allegedly was laid off at the end of a shift.

Currently, there is no sign on the door, but the outdoor seating has been cleared away, and the interior remains dark and uninhabited.

down their search to four qualified candidates, with public interviews held on June 17.

Library Board president Judy Lindstrom said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;After discussion, it was unanimously agreed to offer the position of library director to Carol Mueller. The trustees felt Carol was an extremely strong, competent and

enthusiastic candidate. Carol is familiar with the library and community and has worked well with the library board of trustees, Friends of the Library and library staff. The trustees were impressed with her style of management and technologic interests and believe Carol will be an excellent director for the library. The

trustees felt Carol would allow for a smooth transition, which is critical to the library moving forward after the departure of Karen Kotulis-Carter, who has been an outstanding director. â&#x20AC;&#x153; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very honored to have been selected as the next Bloomfield Township Public Library Director,â&#x20AC;?

Mueller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This library has always enjoyed a great reputation for strong public service, knowledgeable and professional staff and in-depth collections and I am so proud to be a part of this tradition of excellent service. I look forward to working more closely with the library board, staff and residents to lead this wonderful library into the future.â&#x20AC;?

Mueller has been assistant library director since October 2008, where she has coordinated strategic planning, implemented a new brand for the library and assisted in the redesign of the website. Prior to coming to the Bloomfield Township Public Library, she worked as deputy city librarian at the Southfield Public Library. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very confident that Carolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skills and love for our library will assure her success and the continued success of the library,â&#x20AC;? stated Kotulis-Carter.

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08.13

Residents get stop signs for Northlawn

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham city commissioners approved a resolution on June 24 to install two new stop signs on west bound Northlawn and east bound Northlawn at Pleasant Street after residents requested them.

Assistant Police Chief Mark Clemence told commissioners that “our position is that it is not necessary.

The citizens came to us and said that the speeds and volume on Northlawn have been excessive, especially since Lincoln Road was reconstructed. They believe that when that road was redone, people found a new traffic pattern, and stuck to that. We did a traffic study and determined that an overwhelming proportion of the speeds on Northlawn are between 29 to 31 mph. That means that 85 percent of the traffic is 29 mph or less, which is absolutely tolerable.”

Clemence also said the volume of traffic is not only not excessive, the road is underutilized based on design of the roadway. “Northlawn was

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designed to carry 2,200 cars a day.

Right now, the study says the road is carrying 1,350 cars a day. So we believe the stops signs are not warranted based upon the traffic flow.”

Clemence went on to say that even if there was excessive speeding on Northlawn, stop signs would not be the appropriate response because traffic studies show that people speed between stop signs.

A meeting was held at Seaholm High School prior to the city commission meeting between neighborhood activists, led by resident Malcolm Hendy, and the police department, city engineering department and traffic engineers. “We discussed many traffic calming devices for the street, at great length,” Clemence said. He said they provided pricing to residents for the measures, because “Northlawn is an unimproved road, so any costs would be born by all of the residents.”

Despite what Clemence called “scientific and engineering evidence” from experts, “we agreed to disagree at the meeting,” he said.

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff noted

that while she had never noticed a problem with traffic on Northlawn, and she respects the police department, she feels it is her responsibility to respond to citizen requests. Commissioner Scott Moore disagreed, saying that to respond when the stop signs are not warranted “is not good government.”

Commissioners approved the resolution to install two new stop signs, one on the west side of Northlawn and east side of Northlawn, by a vote of 4-3, with commissioners Moore, Stuart Sherman and mayor George Dilgard dissenting.

Charter amendment no longer necessary In a change of course, at their meeting on June 24, Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved a resolution that their elections be consistent with all provisions of Michigan election law according to the Home Rule City Act, amending an ordinance in their city code regarding the filing deadline for nominating petitions, which no

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longer necessitates the city having a charter amendment on the November ballot.

In March, the commission approved a resolution to place a charter amendment on the November ballot to make the city's charter consistent with Michigan election law regarding candidate filing deadlines. The state's attorney general's office reviewed the information and informed the city that several changes would need to be made. However, they pointed out that the Home Rule City Act allows the city to adopt, by resolution, any necessary changes to election provisions in the city charter.

“Therefore, a charter amendment is not necessary,” city clerk Laura Broski told commissioners.

The Home Rule City Act provides for the incorporation of cities and for revising and amending the charter, and to provide the city with certain powers, including levying taxes.

Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution, eliminating the need to have a charter amendment on the ballot.

89

Cindy Obron Kahn

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utstanding Bloomfield Hills Estate Stunning Landmark Residence Ideally situated on over 2 beautifully manicured acres in Bloomfield Hills sits this magnificent slate roof and stucco English cottage originally built in 1922. This extraordinary home was designed and expanded by award-winning designer and architect Ron Rea in 2008. The architecture lends itself to either contemporary or traditional lifestyles. Connecting the original home to the exquisite addition is an expansive rotunda with large floor to ceiling windows offering beautiful natural light. The master suite offers luxurious private bath with dual vanities, soaking tub adorned with custom tiles, steam shower, fireplace, walk in closets/dressing room and sitting area.

A fabulous gourmet kitchen with professional quality stainless appliances, prep island and wonderful white statuario marble countertops, spire integrated systems, an elevator, sound proof music room, 3 car heated garage, overlooking breathtaking groundsâ&#x20AC;Ś AII the amenities of today's modern lifestyle. Every detail represents outstanding design and quality and makes this a one-of-a-kind home. $3,225,000

248.568.7309 cindykahn.com 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

EDUCATION Prayer must stay outside of school

By Lisa Brody

Prayer is not an acceptable practice at school or during school activities, Bloomfield Hills Schools officials made clear on July 2, after the district was told of alleged coachled prayer sessions on the football field at Lahser High School this previous school year.

The issue came to the forefront after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sent a letter in February to district Superintendent Rob Glass and Lahser principal Charlie Hollerith, emphasizing their concerns about a football coach leading school players in Christian prayers on the field at the end of home games. The ACLU has said that a student's complaint to the ACLU prompted the letter.

Shira Good, Bloomfield Hills Schools' spokesperson, said upon investigation they discovered that students were leading the prayers,

not the football coach. However, according to the district and the ACLU, that is still unacceptable as the game is a school-sponsored function. She said the district has not banned prayer in schools, and that students are always welcome to pray on their own time during the school day without disrupting any school activity.

“If a teacher is teaching and a student wants to pray, the student cannot do that during class,” she said.

Glass agreed. “Our students should feel comfortable in their environment and we respect their freedom to pray or not pray. However, Bloomfield Hills Schools is a public school district and, therefore, prayer must be conducted so as not to conflict with instruction time, other students, or school sponsored activities. If students desire to pray, it cannot be incorporated into classroom instruction, official meetings, etc.”

Glass noted that as soon as it was brought to their attention, the district

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acted to end the practice. “When the ACLU brought to us some very serious allegations regarding coachled prayer on the football field, we took immediate action in thoroughly investigating the matter. Our investigation found that while the coach did not lead the students in prayer, he was present when studentled prayers were held,” Glass said.

“The coach was reminded of our board regulation, 5605.1, which states that “ceremonies, prayer or references of any religious nature are prohibited at school-sponsored events such as banquets, commencement, assemblies and programs.”

DCDS names new lower school head Jennifer A. Bullock has been named the new director of Detroit Country Day School's (DCDS) Lower School, effective in July, according to Detroit Country Day Headmaster Glen Shilling.

Bullock has been with the school as DCDS Junior School dean of

students. She has also worked as a classroom teacher, both for Country Day and in the Sacramento, California Schools. She has an expertise in curriculum design and review, and has transitioned into administrative positions.

As lower school director, Bullock will be a key member of the administration. Her duties will include managing the lower school’s faculty and administrative personnel, as well as the interactions among students in grades Pre-K through 2, developing and executing the curriculum for grades Pre-K through 2, and directing the admissions, among many other administrative responsibilities.

Bullock holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Arts degree in curriculum and teaching from Michigan State University. She has been a representative to independent school professional organizations, Association of Independent Michigan Schools and Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

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5575 SHADOW LN BLOOMFIELD HILLS Spectacular acre lot on Gilbert Lake.Large eat-in kitchen w/granite counters & center island. Elevated deck and finished walkout lower level. Bloomfield schools. $1,399,900

137 DOURDAN BLOOMFIELD HILLS Home to be built. An exclusive development of million dollar plus homes. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 1st floor master, 3 car garage. $1,199,000

836 LAKEVIEW BIRMINGHAM Located on a great street, this home was expanded and renovated in 1997. Four bedroom and 2.2 baths. $719,900

602 RIVERSIDE BIRMINGHAM Fabulous lot backing to woods. Private community in heart of Birmingham. Design your dream home. Lot Price. $699,900

2022 HAZEL BIRMINGHAM 2005 built condo, one of the largest units in Eton Street Station. Commercial space option on main level. Two car side by side attached garage. $574,900

691 WALLACE BIRMINGHAM Beautifully renovated in-town colonial.

3 Bedroom, 2.1 baths. Updated kitchen and baths.

Two car garage. Great master suite. Rec room in basement. Coming soon.

1407 COLE ST BIRMINGHAM To be built by HM Homes. Three bedrooms and 2.1 baths. Two car garage. High end finishes and quality throughout. Call for more details. $499,900

22491 N. NOTTINGHAM BEVERLY HILLS Wonderful Nottingham Forest colonial. Beautiful lot with an inground pool. Newer kitchen. Great room addition. $499,900

1376 HUMPHREY BIRMINGHAM To be built by HM Homes. Three bedrooms and 2.1 baths. Two car garage. High end finishes and quality throughout. Call for more details. $489,900

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1823 YORKSHIRE BIRMINGHAM Four bedroom colonial on a great 80 foot wide lot in Birmingham Estates. Two car attached garage.

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2350 SCOTCH PINE WEST BLOOMFIELD Three bedroom, 2 bath ranch with Bloomfield schools. Pine Lake priveleges includes boat slip option. Finished basement. $349,900 or $2,500/mo

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FACES

John P. Lauri

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otion picture director, cinematographer and producer John P. Lauri grew up in Grosse Pointe Woods. After owning a retail store in Birmingham for 16 years, the Bloomfield Hills resident opened J. Lauri Filmworks on Belle Isle.

“I was pretty lucky. I had great parents who were very supportive of my vision and what I wanted to do with my future,” Lauri said. He began bagging potatoes at his father's Detroit grocery store when he was only five years old.

“I spent a lot of time in the city of Detroit, working at that grocery store, seeing all the good and bad that the city had,” he said. “I was working all the time. I've always worked. I've never known what it's like to be unemployed.”

Attending University of Liggett in Grosse Pointe, Lauri recognized his storytelling ability early on. “I always loved telling stories. Stories are really my passion.”

After attending Northwood University, Lauri opened J. Lauri Jewelers and Gemologists in Birmingham, which he ran for 16 years.

“I saw the jewelry business as going away and I didn't want to be a pawn broker. The idea is to buy someone's property and precious metals for the least amount of money as they can at the time they need the money most,” he said. Instead, “The idea of motion pictures really fulfilled that artistic expression better than anything else.”

Laurie went to school for filmmaking and spent time studying with the National Association of Broadcasters. “I've also really been lucky to have the best mentors and teachers,” he said.

Lauri produced his first short film about “all things diamond” and invested in buying equipment needed to produce a motion picture.

“The Detroit Yacht Club in 2009 asked me to produce some things for

them and they invited me to stay. Having Detroit as a foundation for location work, as well as the city of Detroit, is really incredible.”

Through J. Lauri Filmworks, which he originally opened in Warren and moved to Belle Isle, Lauri has won many awards, including the Spirit of Detroit award in 2011. He is also a member of the American Film Institute, Detroit Film Center and the International Documentary Association.

Lauri is currently focused on producing and directing “Sirens of Chrome”, a docudrama inspired by a book written by Margery Krevsky about the enduring allure of auto show models.

“You're really only as good as your latest project and whatever I'm working on now is what I'm always most proud of,” he said. He's filmed in 20 cities and seven countries for the movie so far, and still has a few to visit before it premieres in 2014.

After living in Birmingham for over 20 years, Lauri and his wife Beverly moved to Bloomfield Hills a few years ago for its quiet and solitude.

“It's been incredible. I could not do it without my wife and the cast that I've put together and also the incredible support from Margery's company,” he said.

Still involved with projects for the Detroit Yacht Club, Lauri hopes to continue to be engaged with challenging films.

“I'm very lucky that I only work on projects that I like, so I'm very fortunate.

I'm very fortunate my wife gets to work with me as a photographer. We celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary in May, so we have a great partnership and work very well together.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Celebrating Home

Michigan home prices are on the rise. Your home might be worth more than you think!

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Wallace Frost masterpiece... ...has been exquisitely renovated and enhanced by it’s third owner. Sits on an acre overlooking the scenic Rouge River in Birmingham, yet a short walk to town. Stunning gourmet kitchen with tumbled limestone back splash, exotic granite counters, nine foot center island, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf stove, wine refrigerator. Open floor plan and spectacular views to striking pool and outdoor living spaces. A true oasis — master bedroom suite with his and hers baths, sauna and more. $3,200,000 (213061934)

Jen Zachary

C: 248-212-4416 | jzachary@cbwm.com

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Extraordinary in-town Birmingham residence... ...designed by famed architect David Lubin. Built in 2007 and redecorated by Wallace Consulting in 2011. Exceptional features include: custom full marble and granite slabs throughout, Brazilian cherry floors, custom milled wainscoting and moldings, spectacular chef’s kitchen, four onyx and limestone fireplaces, powder room by renowned artist Revok, stone and onyx floors and bath’s, exquisite new landscaping, walk-out lower level with heated marble floors, and heated drive. $2,850,000 (213064777)

Robert Dundon

C: 248-224-6236 | rdundon@cbwm.com

WEIR MANUEL

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Luxury, style and sophistication... ...all unite in this Bloomfield Hills contemporary residence gently nestled on undulating grounds. This home offers amenities galore from a private gym and indoor spa to a gracefully handcrafted spiral staircase. You will be wowed at every turn by the soaring architecture, unique design and the finest finishes bathed in natural light from enormous cathedral windows. Everything you’ve been looking for in a phenomenal location! $1,765,000 (213060096)

Kevin Cristbrook C: 248-417-7682 | kcristbrook@cbwm.com

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Fabulous, top quality custom construction... ...in Birmingham with 10’ high ceilings and Brazilian cherry floors on first level, tons of natural light, gorgeous moldings and details throughout. Stunning cooks kitchen opens to spacious great room, judges paneled library with coffered ceiling and fireplace, gorgeous formal dining room, exquisite staircase, awesome bedroom’s include gracious master suite with stunning bath, amazing finished lower level with second kitchen, and one bedroom, one bath finished area above garage (450 square feet), generator. No detail has been overlooked, absolutely special! $1,098,000 (213061789)

Rebecca Meisner C: 248-408-2212 | rmeisner@cbwm.com

WEIR MANUEL

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Estate section of Bloomfield Village.

Fabulous expanded and remodeled on almost an acre with spectacular gardens and privacy. Views from every window. Large rooms, great flow, unbelievable first floor master (21X18) with fireplace and heated floor in master bath. Huge finished lower level.

Generator. Three-car garage. 4,651 square feet. Home Warranty. Barrier free. One of a kind, don’t miss this beauty! $1,000,000 (213064667)

Helen Butler

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Are you looking for your dream home... ...your journey ends here. This magnificent 4,000 square foot home is nestled on a beautiful, hilltop setting in sought after Bloomfield Hills neighborhood. Comfortable and well appointed, this home offers the perfect setting for elegant entertaining and family gatherings. Stunning Master suite with fireplace, spa bath,heated floors, and two walk-in closets. Professionally finished lower level. Three-car heated garage and heated driveway. $950,000 (213068310)

Janine Toundaian 248-563-2095 jtoundaian@cbwm.com

Gorgeous 1.3 acres... ...in the City of Bloomfield Hills. Prestigious Rudgate sub and custom home with higher ceilings on first floor and family room in walk-out. Open plan with many updates including: roof, windows, two furnaces, three designer baths, and more. Kitchen has Sub-Zero, Gagganau, Bosch. Tasteful with pride of ownership and neutral décor.

Land alone could be worth the price. Gorgeous pool with wooded setting.

Rosalee Hill 248-408-1552 rhill@cbwm.com

Quarton lake Tudor... ...with five bedrooms on large lot in Birmingham. Charm of the 1920’s but updated with today’s comfort amenities.

Newer kitchen with gourmet appliances, granite and large eating island. Large formal living and dining rooms, library, sun room and large family rooms round out the first floor.

All three full baths are well-updated and spacious. Private lot, over-sized garage and more. Many recent interior and exterior updates. $849,000 (213061912)

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Celebrating Home

In-town and fabulously renovated... ...throughout this Birmingham home. Spectacular landscaping and private grounds; deep lot with fire pit, Koi ponds, patio areas, room for a pool. Large living room, separate dining room, gourmet kitchen and family room with views of rear yard. Exquisite master suite with walk-in closet, dressing area, and luxurious bath. Third floor bedroom suite. Rec Room. 653 finished square feet over three-car attached garage - included in total square footage. $749,000 (213063060)

Move right in.. ... to this special Birmingham home combining charm and quality of the 1930’s with the open/modern concept of today, on a fabulous double lot landscaped to perfection! Features include: hardwood floors, plaster walls, and crown moldings, sweeping two-story staircase, super-cool family room with three-sided fireplace and sky-light ceiling, updated kitchen opens to breakfast room and family room; lovely master suite, lots of custom details. $769,900 (213066604)

Rebecca Meisner 248-408-2212 rmeisner@cbwm.com

Spacious rooms... ...with great flow make for easy entertaining in this Bloomfield Hills stunner. Beautifully updated kitchen with island (granite and Sub-Zero) opens to family room with fireplace and two door walls to patio. Formal dining and living rooms off foyer (French doors between living room and family room). Exposed hardwood floors throughout both levels. Powder and family baths updated (granite/jetted tub).

Upper level laundry off master suite. $750,000 (213068658)

Karen Thomas 248-505-3066 kthomas@cbwm.com

Think you can’t move? Think again!

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WEIR MANUEL

877-826-2152 cbwm.com

Entertainer’s delight.

Custom built home is perfect for entertaining and family living. Over 4300 square feet with handsome decorator touches. Large Family Room, Great Room and granite kitchen overlook gorgeous heated pool. Library could be 6th bedroom. Too much to list. Three-car garage Court location in much-loved Vernor Estates. Convenient to Country Clubs, golf courses, upscale shopping, restaurants and the best public and private schools. Way Elem. $679,000

Rosalee Hill 248-408-1552 rhill@cbwm.com

2005 built Birmingham home...

...has great curb appeal. The charming front porch, quality materials and great floor plan will impress you. There is a nice foyer, library, great room, formal dining room, and butlers pantry. Granite counters, two laundry rooms (first and second floor), and a three-car (tandem) garage are among the other features. A short walk to Whole Foods, restaurants and more. $649,000 (213057928)

Margie Duncan 248-752-8118 mduncan@cbwm.com

Enjoy the feeling of country living... ...and yet be five minutes from downtown Birmingham.

2.11 luscious acres for activities or for those quiet moments.

Wonderful home with flexible floor plan, inviting entrance, large rooms throughout. Huge kitchen breakfast area with bayed window overlooking grounds. Possible fifth bedroom/ great room/office with half bath and a private entrance. Back interior stairs. Separate master suite, second floor laundry.

Lots of gleaming hardwood floors. $549,000 (213063856)

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Celebrating Home

Tick-Tock!

An opportunity you simply can’t afford to miss. Tomorrow may be too late! Enjoy the peace and serenity of this sprawling Bloomfield residence situated on a 0.54 acre lot. Just minutes away from everywhere you want to be.

Spacious and inviting floor plan is just waiting for your personal touches. Create the lifestyle of your dreams; priced to sell, this “diamond in the rough” offers unbelievable potential. So don’t delay -- call today! $599,499 (213045474)

Kevin Cristbrook 248-417-7682 kcristbrook@cbwm.com

Step into this fabulous... ...1999 Built Birmingham Beauty and you’ll be impressed!

Cedar siding, nine foot ceilings and hardwood on first floor, great open plan with large rooms, granite kitchen, extensive moldings and Andersen windows. Family room has fireplace and wet bar. Glamorous bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower in Master suite. Super lower level has Great Room with high ceilings, fireplace, wet bar and half bath. “Walk to town” location on great street. $575,000

Rosalee Hill 248-408-1552 rhill@cbwm.com

Custom Birmingham home.. ...with deep crown moldings and exterior detailing.

Hardwood floors on entry level, gourmet kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel high-end appliances. Open floor plan with great room, master suite with luxurious details includes: fireplace, master bath with jetted tub and Euro shower. Second floor laundry, two guest bedroom’s and hall bath. Professional landscaping, deck, patio, sprinklers and two-car garage. $525,000 (213058942)

Think you can’t move? Think again!

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877-826-2152 cbwm.com

FACES

Alana and Melissa Kaselitz

A

fter growing up in Bloomfield Hills, sisters Alana and Melissa Kaselitz founded a professional services firm called Echo Lane in San Francisco.

The name of the company they founded and sold, Echo Lane, was once the street they grew up on in Bloomfield Hills.

“We're true sort of midwest girls,” Melissa said. “We did grow up in a family with a long history of small business entrepreneurs and that's what we learned growing up. That's all we really knew as far as what people did as careers.”

After graduating from Detroit County Day School, Melissa attended the University of Vermont to compete in gymnastics and Alana attended the University of Pennsylvania to play tennis.

“I always wanted to be a university professor and teach short fiction and writing. That's what I thought I was going to do. Starting a business is also very creative in a different way and that's also kind of what we were drawn to,” Melissa said.

Wanting to explore and travel, Melissa moved to Steamboat Springs and then back to Bloomfield Hills before joining her sister in California.

“I moved out to San Francisco. It's kind of a hub for technology and I just started looking for jobs and basically fell into a technology company called NextCard back in 2001, and I was on their e-commerce team doing online credit card distribution,” Alana said. She worked for SBC Communications (which is now AT&T) before taking a job with Salesforce.com.

“I got this idea that maybe I should leave sales and branch out and start a company,” Alana said.

“I didn't like being pigeonholed. I think I always knew I wanted to have my own business even when I was at AT&T, I just didn't know what it was

going to be. I left Salesforce.com on a good note, but was still kind of working with them indirectly.”

Working for USWeb and a startup company, Melissa took a similar path before they co-founded Echo Lane.

The consulting firm they founded, Echo Lane, works to bridge the gap between business processes and technology by providing services, including data and system migration, custom development, training, support and maintenance. It has since delivered over 700 client implementations and is one of the top Salesforce.com consulting partners.

They grew the company to nearly 35 employees before selling it in 2010 to a publicly traded company headquartered in China. “We held together our team there for two years, exited and were ready to do something different,” Melissa said.

They are now in the process of starting another business called Art Unplugged. “What we’re hoping to do is build a platform where famous musicians can showcase all of the things they do outside of music,” Alana said. “We want to incorporate a charity aspect and are hoping we can supply underprivileged schools with art supplies and musical instruments.”

Both sisters reside in San Francisco, but are able to visit Michigan at least once a year.

“I think the confidence that it instilled in both of us and our risk taking ability, there's a lot of that in Bloomfield and Birmingham,” Melissa said. “It comes from where you grew up, what you were taught, what you saw and what you were willing to risk and that's what brought us to where we are now. It's always home.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Jose Morales

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FACES

Kristin Kane Novacek

K

ristin Kane Novacek, anchor and reporter for Central Florida News 13, has already lived and worked in five states at her current age of 28.

Though she resides in Orlando, Kane said she will always call Bloomfield Hills home.

Kane was born in St. Louis and moved to Bloomfield Hills at a young age.

“My childhood and everything that I remember is from Bloomfield Hills.”

Kane attended Detroit Country Day School for three years before switching to Bloomfield Hills Middle School and Andover. “I needed a little bit more flexibility with after school activities. They had a heavy emphasis on sports and I was into performing arts, so that was really a struggle,” she said.

Classical ballet was her main focus growing up. “That was my entire life.

I did it six to seven days a week for hours,” she said. “I was training from the time I can remember walking until the time I was 16 to be a professional ballet dancer.”

Unexpectedly twisting her ankle and having a change of heart, Kane started working for the Bloomfield Hills community radio station and joined Joe Cornell, where she met Fox-2 anchor Murray Feldman. “It planted the bug a little bit,” she said. “This was something that was always in the back of my mind.”

The summer going into her junior year, Kane moved to New York City to attend a small performing arts high school. She appeared in a few commercials and soap operas, including All My Children, and graduated a year early.

“At home, I started working part-time at Franklin Racquet Club and at

Powerhouse Gym,” while she applied to colleges. “I never felt like a regular kid until that year just doing regular stuff.”

Putting dance and performing on the back burner, Kane went to Columbia University to study American history. “I said my priority for the next four years has to be my education and school.” She stayed involved with dance as a member of the university's dance team.

She did an internship with CBS and eventually began working full-time for WCBS and News 12 in Westchester, New York. “I would work from two or three in the morning until ten in the morning and drive right back to the city and drive to WCBS and work until 6 p.m.”

It wasn't long before she was hired by WICU/WSEE in Erie, PA, WSFL in Miami, KRIV in Houston, and finally her current job at News 13 in Orlando.

Kane works around the clock covering major news. “We go live at any point in time because were a 24/7 broadcast station. When there's breaking news, we're on it,” she said. “It's like a mini CNN.” When she isn't working, Kane is planning for her fall wedding to her college sweetheart. “My life right now is work, wedding planning, I work out twice a day, and I sleep. That's it,” she said.

Kane currently lives in Orlando but makes a point to visit Bloomfield Hills as often as she can. “If I could get a job in the Detroit market one day, I would totally move back home,” she said. “I have moved around every two years, so I don't want to keep moving. I see myself settled somewhere in the northeast or possibly Michigan and I'd love to be a morning weekday anchor for a great local TV station.”

Story: Hayley Beitman

Photo: Katharine Landmeier

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BUSINESS MATTERS UPS on the move The UPS Store at 330 East Maple Road moved to 33717 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham in July. “We’re supposed to be moving by July 31.

Right now I don’t have a definite answer because of construction but we’re going to be open around the end of July,” assistant manager Brandon DeView said. “The reason for the move is mainly we have a big complaint about parking because it’s really tough for customers to get in here. That’s our main concern.”

DeView said the new space will have ample parking, with 40 spots in the back and additional spots in the front.

“They can drive right up and walk in,” he said. The new 1,433 square foot space will have a new layout with state-of-the-art equipment. “It will have all new equipment.

Everything is going to be brand new.

It’s going to be high tech and have a lot of stuff in there,” he said. “We’re going to have excellent equipment, the best equipment to use for everything. Everything is going to be pretty new.” The independent franchise, owned by Jennifer Midkiff, will offer the same services as the Maple location, including printing services, packing, mailbox and shipping services.

Ducati dealership opens Michigan’s first Ducati dealership opened in the Auto Europe location in Birmingham at 33826 Woodward in July. Steven Badgero and Robert Badgero of Colliers International, a

take up about 7,000 square feet. “Auto Europe is going to retain about 1,000 square feet just to have a Woodward presence,” Bagdero said. “They’re going to be Michigan’s exclusive Ducati dealership. We were very limited to maybe two or three buildings that could have worked for us. Given that the building had an automotive reputation, it made a lot of sense.”

Store branches out Rococo, the clothing store located in the basement of Complex at 168 W. Maple Road will be moving to 327 Hamilton Row and was scheduled to open Thursday, August 1. “We are fun and affordable fashion. We try to keep all of our prices under $50.

Accessories and jewelry are between $12 and $30, tops are between $25 and $40, and dresses are under $50,” owner Tricia Hurches said. Rococo has another location in downtown Northville that has been open for about eight years. “We just wanted to continue to brand ourselves as our own store. We came to Complex and it went really well so we decided to go ahead and expand on our own. It was a great place for us to start and we found where our clientele would be out here. We just wanted a little more exposure and to build Rococo outside of Complex. It’s got front and back entrance parking right in front and back which is huge,” she said.

“All of the merchandise is the same, we just want to be a little bit more accessible to our customers and with the parking, we’re hoping we will be.”

Pack & Ship PLUS

commercial real estate service company, represented Ducati Detroit in selecting the site. “We’ve been looking for about a year. Ducati corporation wanted to make it a point to be in the city of Birmingham because they have a high end brand and they wanted to be in a high end city,” associate vice president of Colliers International Steven Bagdero said. “After the first six months and getting in front of the (Birmingham) city commission, they decided they wanted to try and focus on the east side of Woodward.” The former Auto Europe space is about 8,000 square feet total and the Ducati dealership will downtownpublications.com

Pack & Ship PLUS opened at the old Twisted Fruit location at 3630 W. Maple Road in Bloomfield Township in June. Owner Mickey Erman said a soft opening was held on June 17 and a grand opening and ribbon cutting was held on June 19. “I opened this because I felt there was a need for a local mailing center for the Bloomfield area and I did some research and wanted to find a company or franchise where I could offer more than just one carrier. That is what is unique about my location versus some of the other major franchises. We ship with the major carriers and not just one.” Pack & Ship PLUS specializes in mailing and shipping needs and serves as a copy center where customers can copy black and white or color copies. The Maple location also offers notary services, greeting cards, affordable gifts and exclusive pens. “We also

pack and ship the packages for our customers, or they can package it themselves and we will just do the shipping for them,” Erman said. “I’m hoping that we can continue to provide services to our clients. We have a suggestion box for people if they want something that we don’t offer and obviously we will create that new service for our customers.”

Pack & Ship PLUS also rents mailboxes with 24/7 access and provides fax services. “We like to say we are your local home office,” Erman added.

Furniture store staying Farbman Group, a Southfield real estate company, announced that Ethan Allen Design Center has renewed the lease at 275 N. Old Woodward Avenue and Willits Street in downtown Birmingham. “The Farbman Group is the real estate property manager for the site and we’ve been their landlord for their entire time they’ve been there. We put them into the space and are looking forward to the next ten years with them,” president Andy Gutman said. “We’re big fans of Birmingham.

Birmingham is one of the great cities in Michigan and has stood through a really tough recession. It has all of the downtown amenities that anyone could ask for.” The Ethan Allen Design Center, a national interior design company and manufacturer and retailer of home furnishings, has been located on Woodward in Birmingham for more than 14 years. “At Farbman Group, we greatly value long-term tenant relationships, like the one we have with the Ethan Allen team,” CEO Andrew V. Farbman said.

Couture clothier opens Flash Accessories at 110 South Old Woodward has closed its Birmingham location and one ten below opened on Saturday, July 20.

“Flash was accessories and some clothes. We’re selling more couture

high-end Italian and French lines as well as couture regular affordable stuff,” owner Martin Khemmoro said. He said one ten below may

DOWNTOWN

start selling men’s clothing in the next few months after opening. The 1,100 square foot boutique will have a grand opening and strolling fashion show around the city this summer or fall. “There will be models cat-walking around the city and photographers. I’m working on the celebrity host right now for the after party which will be held in the store and maybe a Victoria’s Secret model,” he said. Khemmoro’s clothing line, Roul Sabaya, will be sold in the store beginning in August. “We always wanted to be in Birmingham. It’s a great opportunity, great location and I love this city.”

Kelli Feldman Rosenzweig, the owner of Flash, said she will be operating her business, Flash Accessories, online and working out of her home. “I closed not because I had to close. I recently just got married and we travel a ton and I’m looking to open up a salon,” she said. Rosenzweig said the salon she is hoping to open would offer salon services and sell accessories. “Flash Accessories is still alive. It would never be bought out or sold. Flash is still open and operating,” she said.

Store closures Illusionz, a smoke shop that opened at 142 South Old Woodward in the old Churchill’s of Birmingham location on September 10, has closed. The store sold tobacco and smoking accessories.

Owner Gus Shamoon could not be reached for comment. Modern Monogram, a gift store that opened in 2010 at 798 North Old Woodward in Birmingham, has closed. “No longer open. Thanks for three wonderful years!” the store’s Facebook page says.

Modern Monogram offered custom embroidery, personalization and gifts.

The owner could not be reached for comment. Yak Academy at 620 North Old Woodward, Suite 101 in Birmingham has closed. The playbased immersion programs were first opened in Birmingham as EarlyBirds Learning in 2004. The owner could not be reached for comment. Avalon Salon & Spa at 34657 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham closed. The salon and spa offered beauty products and spa services. The owner could not be reached for comment.

Business Matters for the BirminghamBloomfield area are reported by Hayley Beitman. Send items for consideration to HayleyBeitman@downtownpublications.com.

Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

113

Photo by Jade Albert

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Jill Beshouri Focusing On Families A Birmingham resident for nearly 20 years, Jill knows first hand what the city has to offer. Jill and her husband chose to raise their family in Birmingham because of its hometown feel a beautiful downtown, quaint neighborhoods, close knit community life, great schools, a wonderful place to raise a family. Jills family has put down their roots. It's about quality of life.

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PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.

220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.2150.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.865.9300.

Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.792.3579 Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.499.6867.

Beau Jacks: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday; Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078.

Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor.

245 South Eaton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.8880.

Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.645.6879.

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Alcohol. No reservations. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township.

248.642.4000.

Cafe Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.8800 Cameron’s Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

China Village: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer.

downtownpublications.com

Royal Oak's

877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220.

Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766.

Cosi: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9200.

Deli Unique of Bloomfield Hills: Deli.

Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923.

Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.1135.

Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Alcohol. Reservations. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.9888. Also 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.258.9939.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.2420.

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road,

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117

FOCUS ON WINE Stolpman: An Original Rhone Ranger shows experience

By Eleanor and Ray Heald

A

fter Peter Stolpman, 31, graduated from Georgetown University and gained winemaking experience in Australia and Italy, he joined his parents as partner and general manager at Stolpman Vineyards in Ballard Canyon. His story embodies the California wine spirit.

Unlike most valleys in Calif., Santa Ynez Valley (SYV) in Santa Barbara County, runs east from the Pacific Ocean. The coolest growing region in SYV is near the ocean and known as Santa Rita Hills, ideal for chardonnay and pinot noir. Moving inland from the ocean, the climate warms. Ballard Canyon is located in cental SYV, but is too warm for chardonnay and pinot noir, too cool for cabernet sauvignon and merlot, but perfectly suited to growing Rhone varieties like syrah, grenache, viognier and roussanne.

New AVA has much to offer Ballard Canyon will soon be the newest American Viticulural Area (AVA). Of its 600 vineyard acres, half are planted to syrah and 75 percent to Rhone varieties. “We are excited about the new AVA,” says Stolpman, “because in the SYV the Santa Rita Hills AVA is known for Burgundy varietals and the Ballard Canyon AVA will be known for Rhone varietals.

“For those interested in vineyard nitty-gritty, our syrah budwood comes from Sonoma’s Durell Vineyard and Paso Robles’ Estrella River Vineyard. Our syrah wines include the 2010 Stolpman Estate Syrah $28, and the 2010 Stolpman Estate Angeli Syrah $77, harvested from our original planting.” If comparing this wine to those of France, think of the Cornas appellation located south of Cote Rotie in the northern Rhone Valley.

According to Stolpman, Stephen Tanzer awarded this wine 95 points in his “International Wine Cellar” and said it reminded him of Guigal’s La Landonne, one of the greatest syrah based wines in the world.

Other varietal wines Sangiovese, a Tuscan variety, also grows well because of the limestone soil, unirrigated vineyards and 30 months aging in seasoned oak barrels. “Our 2008 Stolpman Estate Sangiovese $37, is varietally correct and reminiscent of a Chianti Classico Reserva,” explains Stolpman. “Since 2001, we have also made a wine

Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134.

Forest Grill: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400.

Fox Grill: American. Lunch, Monday through Friday; Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch.

Reservations. Liquor. 39556 Woodward

118

named La Croce that is a cofermented blend of sangiovese and syrah.”

Roussanne is a late ripening white Rhone variety that grows successfully on limestone soils. “We wait until November to harvest roussanne, after it has developed a rust red color, but still maintains enough acid to make a balanced wine,” Stolpman continues. In our experience, the world’s benchmark roussanne is produced by Chateau de Beaucastel in the southern Rhone, but the 2009 Stolpman L’Avion Roussanne $47, has similar weight and opulence. The 2010 Stolpman Golden Point White $19, is two-thirds roussanne blended with chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. A real find at the price.

Every winegrower needs a lot of help tending the vines during the growing season and at harvest. This usually means hiring migrant labor.

Stolpman, on the other hand, is truly a leader in that they maintain a fulltime crew throughout the year. This means training their workers in the vineyards, but also in cellar techniques. Each year ‘the crew’ or Cuadrilla is given a two-acre vineyard plot to call their own. They prune the vineyard, harvest the fruit, make a wine and pocket the profit. The 2010 Stolpman La Cuadrilla $26, is their wine (a blend of syrah, grenache, petite sirah and viognier). At the end-of-harvest-party each worker receives his bonus check. How great is that!

A dozen vibrant wines for summer 2012 Top value: Dry Creek Chenin Blanc $12 2012 Dry Creek Fumé Blanc $14 2012 Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc $16 – incredibly refreshing 2011 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay $22 – value!

2012 Franciscan Napa Valley Equilibrium (white blend) $23 – outstanding 2011 Morgan Highland Chardonnay $27 – outstanding 2011 Jordan Russian River Chardonnay $30 - outstanding 2011 Franciscan Napa Valley Cuvee Sauvage Chardonnay $40 2009 Grgich Hills Napa Valley Zinfandel $35 2009 Franciscan Napa Valley Magnificat $50 (Bordeaux varietal blend) 2009 Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $53 2011 Morgan Double L Pinot Noir $54 Eleanor & Ray Heald have contributed to numerous international publications including the Quarterly Review of Wines. Contact them by e-mail at focusonwine@aol.com.

Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.

248.792.6109.

Fuddrucker’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Beer & wine.

42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.333.2400.

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222.

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Liquor. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch &

Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050.

Hogan’s Restaurant: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6450 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.1800.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3633 W. Maple Rd, Bloomfield, MI 48301. 248.203.9111.

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch &

DOWNTOWN

Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.4369.

IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.1166.

La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.5800.

Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707.

Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568.

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.647.3400.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing.

No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.3663.

Mountain King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.2913.

New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Breakfast, Monday-Thursday; Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. 183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2181.

Northern Lakes Seafood Co.: Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7900.

Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Also 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.5775.

Panera Bread: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966. Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.253.9877.

Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.5222.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.3122.

Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.6999.

Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue,

08.13

Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941.

Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.874.1876 Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977.

Sanders: American. Lunch, daily. No reservations. 167 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.3215.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

Stacked Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Delivery available. No reservations. 233 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.5300.

Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301.

248.932.0800.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123.

Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887.

Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830.

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner.

Monday-Saturday.

Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.731.7066.

The Corner Bar: American. Dinner.

Wednesday-Saturday.

Reservations.

Liquor.

100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958.

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.

The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor.

100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278.

Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881.

Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241.

Village Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7964.

What Crepe?: French. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Breakfast & Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 172 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.5634.

Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.566.3566

AT THE TABLE Artisan brewhouse opens in Birmingham's Rail District

By Eleanor Heald

G

riffin Claw Brewing Company is the new home for Big Rock Chophouse’s award-winning beers and its Brewmaster, Dan Rogers, who oversees all brewing, distributing and operations of the 12,000-square-foot, stateof-the-art facility.

Located in the heart of Birmingham’s Rail District, Griffin Claw Brewing Company features a taproom, appropriately dubbed “Claw,” seating approximately 100 people. Oversized garage doors open to a traditional German-style biergarten and outdoor patio in a gravelcovered yard seating 75 guests at mostly imported German picnic-style communal tables. Atmosphere is enlivened in cool weather by seven gas-fired heaters.

Opened July 18, Griffin Claw Brewing Company is owned by Bonnie LePage and Mary Nicholson who are married to Norman LePage and Ray Nicholson, owners of Birmingham’s popular Big Rock Chophouse, Got Rocks Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge and The Reserve.

Griffin, a winged lion with eagle-like features, is a symbol of courage, boldness and intelligence – so appropriate when one considers that the owners are 70 years old, their beers have no peers and their brewmaster is a wiz kid! “No taste of Kool-Aid here,” Rogers emphasizes.

and made part of the modern structure by Birminghambased Ron & Roman Designer Architects, LLC. Kelly Building and Development, also based in Birmingham, oversaw construction.

Here’s a peek at some of Claw’s current offerings at by-the-glass prices.

• Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA, $6, the 2010 World Beer Cup Gold award-winning brew, is a full-bodied ale brewed with a variety of American hops to balance the malt and alcohol. At 80 International Bittering Units, it’s not for the wimpy palate and is best with spicy dishes.

• El Rojo Red Ale, $5, is brewed with dark caramel malts and a touch of roasted barley, to give it a rich ruby red color. After fermentation it is dry-hopped with East-Kent Goldings, a traditional hop from England. This malty ale goes well with salmon or pork.

• Grind Line Pale Ale, $5, is a well-balanced American Ale brewed two-row malt, caramel malt, Cascades and Centennial hops. Gold award winner at the Great American Beer Festival.

• Tripel Lemon Shandy, $6, is a perfect summer beer.

A selection of Griffin Claw’s beers, will also be distributed through Powers and available for purchase at a variety of local restaurants, bars and specialty outlets. The brewery will also include a distillery for making high-end vodka, gin and other liquors with a martini bar scheduled to open late fall 2013.

On the menu It’s a brewery, so you’re thinking bar food.

Stop! Read the top of the menu: We solemnly swear that it’s all about the beer.

Cashing in on winning If you’re unsure what to Originally, the owners match with your chosen were considering adding beer, ask your server or another set of condos to pick a favorite among the Artisan beer and baked bean skillet. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent the District Lofts their myriad food selections: husbands built next door to Big Rock. Then, Rogers starters $6-9; local favorites $8-15; desserts $6-10. entered some of his Big Rock brews in the 2010 World Award-winning Executive Chef Brian Henson overCup of Beer competition in Chicago. India Pale Ale, sees Claw’s menu, including a variety of casual food dubbed Norm’s Raggedy Ass I.P.A., won a gold award items matching 12 seasonal and specialty brews. Chef and Bonnie’s Raggedy Ass Imperial I.P.A. took a silver.

Henson’s Big Rock prime steaks, chops and fish selecNorm LePage became energized when he took notice of tion talents are rediscovered at Claw in a less formal and how seriously Miller Coors LLC took its gold award in pleasing, delicious presentation of American flavors. the standard pilsner category.

Pound of Fries, Clam Strips, Nifty’s Burrito, Chicken The Griffin Claw facility has the capacity to produce Quesadilla, Claw Burgers and Baked Bean Skillet with up to 15,000 barrels of beer annually. Of that, 13,000 will smoky bacon only scratch the top of numerous offerings. be sold to retail outlets around the state through Powers Save room for the Stout Float dessert. You’ll thank me.

Distributing, Inc., based in Orion Township.

Michigan craft beer is in high demand and growing.

Griffin Claw Brewing Company, 575 S. Eton Street, Given this and the originality of the Claw brewhouse as Birmingham (248) 712.4050, 180 parking spaces at a Birmingham neighborhood gathering spot, LePage and adjacent lot. Tuesday-Thursday 3 to 11 p.m., Fridays 3 partner have another hit. p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturdays noon to 1 a.m., Sundays noon to 9 p.m. and closed Mondays.

Embracing Michigan made Eleanor Heald is a nationally published writer who also writes The owners focused on using Michigan made prodthe wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for ucts and companies when designing and constructing.

Downtown. Suggestions for Quick Bites section can be e-mailed Custom-made brewery equipment was crafted and purto QuickBites@downtownpublications.com. chased from Craftwerk Brewing Systems in Lake Orion

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213042862. $94,900

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213029013. $89,900

Rich yet comfortable. 2 story great room w/wall of windows overlooking private woods. Granite kitchen, relaxing family room. 1st floor master suite. 4 fireplaces, 3 car garage.

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Two bedroom two bath . Two swimming pools, exercise room and 24 hour security. 213033933. $33,000

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Home is a very open concept floor plan which is light & bright throughout.

Massive great room w/stone fireplace & wet bar. 2 deck areas for outside enjoyment. 213069383. $439,900

Unique quad home looking for new owners. Lovely family room & finished bsmt. Large master. 2.5 car garage.

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Large two story home, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, partially finished basement. Large front porch. 213055720. $100,000

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

Make A Change, Naturally

TCH Block Party Supports Michigan Sustainability As a non-profit that is all about community, TCH works hard to provide programs that help people help themselves. This is how strong communities are built and sustained. We do this through fund raising community events, classes and mentoring programs. Our upcoming Farm to Table Block Party on Saturday, September 7th (4-8 p.m.) is all about sustaining Michigan through growing and buying local. You will enjoy fabulous chef’s tastings from up to 25 restaurants such as Northern Lakes Seafood Restaurant, Commonwealth Café, Forest Grill, Fox Grill, Gastronomy, Peabody’s, The Root, Townhouse Bistro, and Try it Raw - all using agricultural products grown

by Michigan farmers. Chefs will explain how they’ve used their ingredients which you can purchase from the very farmers who will be selling their “harvests” right at the Block Party. Help sustain Michigan by purchasing delicious Michigan made treats from vendors such as Camille Jayne Cooper Street Cookies, Great Harvest Bread Co., Imerman Cake Co., Marcia’s Munchies, Peteet’s Famous Cheesecake, Schakolad, Slow Jams, and The Spice & Tea Exchange, just to name a few. All the streets surrounding TCH will be blocked off for this family fun event.

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Sustaining Those Who Have Nowhere Else To Turn: “Farm to Table” doubles as an important fund raising event for our “Feed Your Family’s Future” mentoring outreach program. This program targets young parents in the area who need help sustaining their families, and getting a “break” going forward in the working world.

In southeastern Michigan, young families living in economically insecure environments have encountered multiple disadvantages that have created significant physical and mental health concerns. That is why TCH has developed the mentoring program called “Feed Your Family’s Future.” Our community needs to help.

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“Feed Your Family’s Future”: Talmer Bank is generously helping to support our program that teaches parents not only the “soft skills” of the business world and life such as family budgeting, financial literacy, writing a resume, job interviewing and proper business etiquette, but also nutritional family meal instruction, family fun exercising and nutrition through our iCount™/KidsCount wellness program, and coping with stress. Parents will receive healthy food to take home. And while parents are in the mentoring sessions, their young children will be cared for in our 5 Star Early Childhood Center, enjoying learning through our HighScope program.

Join In The Fun and Help “Feed” Others: Bring your family to our “Farm to Table Block Party” and be part of sustaining our community! Your $25 ($10 per child under 12) includes the chefs’ tastings and one drink ticket. Enjoy beverages such as Michigan made brews by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and North Peak Brewing Company, as well as Michigan wines. There will be a petting area with farm animals from Bowers Farm, and live music.

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We thank our sponsors Attorneys Title Agency, Beaumont Health Systems, ChildSafe, and Mills Pharmacy + Apothecary; and our partners “edible WOW” magazine, the Principal Shopping District and Baldwin Library. Have a great time on a Saturday afternoon with your family and friends to help sustain Michigan farmers, chefs and vendors - all while knowing you are helping TCH to “feed and sustain” families in need through “Feed Your Family’s Future.” Don’t worry if it rains…we’ll take the “block party” inside TCH! • TCH Dance Academy Season Starts Its 49th Year: We are now incorporating the nationally renowned Leap N Learn Dance syllabus into our early childhood curriculum, introducing children to basic dance movements while engaging their imagination. Also, sign up for the TCH Ballet Ensemble dance auditions (ages 8-18).

Auditions for the second Annual Nutcracker Ballet (ages 5 and older) are on August 24th. Students do not have to be members of the TCH Dance Academy. Contact Renee Wood at renew@tchserves.org or 248.594.6415.

• AMAZING Summer Camps: Sign up for the last month of summer camps for kids of all ages!

• Register for the above: www.tchserves.org or call 248.644.5832.

Camille Jayne is President & CEO of TCH. downtownpublications.com

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene.

Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Suite Dreams Project’s Hats Off Luncheon

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1. Event chair David McKnight (center) of Farmington Hills with Kathie Reid (left) of Pontiac and her sister / SDP cofounder Kris Appleby of Bloomfield. 2. Emcee WXYZ’s Ronnie Dahl (left) of Keego Harbor and her twin sister SDP co-founder Kay Ponicall of Bloomfield. 3. Crisi Bethards (left) of Birmingham and Sheri Boos of Bloomfield.

4. Emma Ponicall (left) Bailey Burkart and Avery and Maccall Appleby of Bloomfield. 5. Donna Yost (center) with Carol Shaya (left) and her daughter Julie Sosa of Bloomfield. 6. Melissa Mitchell (left) and Danyelle Burkart of Bloomfie ld with Monica Jackson of Farmington Hills.

7. Beth Singer (left) of Franklin and Lucy Earl of Bloomfield.

8. Heather Ruppel (left) and Susan Margulis of Bloomfield.

9. Robin Eickenberry (left) and Jackie Albertie of Birmingham. 10 Carla Aho (left) and Dana Sherrod of Birmingham with Jennifer Heckman, Elizabeth Johnson and Cindy of Bloomfield. 11. Patti Prowse (left) of Bloomfield, Kathy Broock Ballard of Orchard Lake and Diana Johnson of Hilton Head, SC. 12. Jennifer Holman (left) and Amy Kanarios of Bloomfield. 13. Jennifer Ghesquiere (left) of Bloomfield and Katie Hinnant of Franklin.

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Suite Dreams Project’s Hats Off Luncheon More than 350 people, a few guys but mostly women and most wearing quite wonderful hats, flocked to Meadow Brook Hall to celebrate 13 years of Sally Gerak creating joyful room environments for 100s of children dealing with serious medical conditions. They socialized, sipped and perused the Chinese raffle display of 12 packages in the Christopher Wren dining room on their way to lunch in the festival tent. Program emcee WXYZ’s Ronnie Dahl, twin sister of SDP co-founder Kay Ponicall, introduced event chair Emerald City Designs owner David McKnight. He was introduced to SDP 12 years ago by his friend Kathleen Reid, sister of co-founder Kris Appleby, and has been the design talent behind every SDP event for 12 years. He confessed that chairing the event was the most fun because “…I can do what I want to do.”

Before dessert, Kay and Kris introduced a video that presented a new initiative for Suite Dreams. From it guests learned that when Jon Boos and Dave Bethards returned from a water project for the Pokot region of Kenya they told their wives Sheri and Crisi about another tragic situation there – the genital mutilation of 10 to 13 year-old girls. Pastor Yousif, from a local orphanage told them he could save these girls from this tragedy and provide them with an education if he had a dormitory for them. The SDP committee had been looking for a new endeavor, they heard about this need and the ball started rolling, so to speak. Guests were asked to ante up for the dormitory. The Suite Dreams Project raised $60,000 on a call to action for the dorm which was then matched by the Boos and Bethards. The dorm is going to start construction next week and enough funds were raised to support the girls for one year until the organization NoChild.org can get each girl sponsored. All other funds raised at the event will stay here locally to support the mission of the Suite Dreams Project. A sweet dream, indeed!

MCLO Enchanted Evening Motor City Lyric Opera’s founder and artistic director Mary Callaghan Lynch thanked a lot of people at the 10th anniversary soiree Dr. Mary Fisher chaired to benefit the MCLO Opera on Wheels program. But everyone we interviewed seemed grateful to Callaghan Lynch for sharing the glorious singing of her daughter, soprano Caitin Lynch, and Caitlin’s husband, baritone Jonathan Lasch. Their concert in the ballroom at the Detroit Athletic Club was preceded by a cocktail hour and followed by dessert. The enchantment occurred in between. “I was so happy for them I had tears in my eyes,” said Rochelle Forester, who sang with Mary at MOT and at NYC’s Village Gate many years ago. And Caitlin’s Marian-Rice Players director Lu Smela couldn’t get over the fact that on the occasion of Caitlin’s spring Metropolitan Opera main stage debut she told an NPR interviewer, “Lu Smela is the reason I’m at the Met.” Before the couple sang three groups of songs, Lasch told the audience of 200 that when he heard Caitlin sing a French love song in Seattle in 2006 “…it was love at first hearing and sight” and that their wedding reception in 2010 “…was here in this room.” One of the song groups was for Brody, their eightmonth old son. Violinist Sonia Lee also performed a powerful solo and Callaghan Lynch and some other MCLO performers did a scene from “”The Billy Goats Gruff”.

It was the very popular spring 2013 performance at schools where its anti-bullying message prompted valuable post-performance dialogues with the kids. The Enchanted Evening raised approximately $200,000 for the program. It has brought, free of charge, music and, judging from some of the kids’ thank you letters displayed on the cocktail tables, dreams to 100,000 children.

DPTV Antiques Roadshow events Not since PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” filmed its first year in1996, has it done so in Detroit. Until this summer. Because it “…leads the pack,” as DPTV’s Dan Alpert told the guests at the luncheon hosted by U.S. Trust at The Townsend, his local PBS station staged two donor events. The luncheon was an opportunity to salute DPTV “ambassador” Lois Shaevsky (in absentia), and learn about current price trends in

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK MCLO Enchanted Evening

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1. Jonathan Lasch and Caitlin Lynch of Ypsilanti with their baby Brody. 2. MCLO founder Mary Callaghan Lynch (left) of Bloomfield and pianist Jean Schneider of Ypsilanti. 3. Event chair Dr. Mary Fisher (left) of Bloomfield and Pam Good of Birmingham.

4. Rochelle Forester and her husband Randy of Birmingham.

5. MCLO board member Pat McQueen with his daughter Molly of Bloomfield. 6. Cathy McQueen (right) of Bloomfield with school days friends Judy Chauvin (left) of Grosse Pointe and Judy Anderson of Davis, CA. 7. Loretta Higgins Brown (left), Madelin Rourke and Janet Francis of Birmingham. 8. Mary Heston (left) and Larry Powe of Birmingham and Dorothy Perrotta of Bloomfield.

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JARC’s SpringElation!

The 15th annual SpringElation! chaired by Dani Gillman and Julie Hertzberg attracted 2,000 to a private evening at the Detroit Zoo. Activities included a picnic dinner, access to zoo exhibits, rides on the Carousel and Tauber Family Railroad, arts and crafts activities for kids, dancing, live entertainment by StarTrax and, new this year, a barrier breaking golf exhibit from the Simple World of Golf. The winners of JARC’s first annual SpringElation art contest for students pre-school through sixth grade were also recognized.

Quicken Loans, Title Source, Gilbert Films and Bienenstock Nationwide Court Reporting & Video were the official presenting sponsors. More than 80 area businesses and 400 families also supported the event. It raised more than $250,000 for services for children with disabilities and their families served by JARC’s Merle and Shirley Harris Children and Family Division.

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DPTV Antiques Roadshow events

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1. Patty Finnegan Sharf (left) of Bloomfield with event sponsor U.S. Trust’s Robert Moore of Birmingham and Catherine LaPlante of Chicago. 2. Florine Ministrelli (left) of W. Bloomfield with Harriett Fuller of Bloomfield. 3. Sally Marx (left) and Frannie Greenebaum of Bloomfield. 4. Steve (left) and Phyllis Strome of Bloomfield with DPTV’s Dave Deveaux of Birmingham.

5. Helaine and Dr. Bob Wolf of Bloomfield.

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fine jewelry from AR appraiser Heritage Auctions’ Kate Waterhouse. It was also a chance for Patty Finnegan to accept best wishes for her marriage to longtime friend Steve Sharf 17 days previous.

That evening, some donors with admission tickets to the Saturday filming of appraisals gathered at the Detroit Historical Museum for a reception, also hosted by U.S. Trust. AR host Mark Wahlberg and executive producer Marsha Bemko shared inside info with them and answered questions. All got a folding chair in a bag to make the long lines at Cobo Center more comfortable.

They would be in a crowd of nearly 6,000 who could each bring two items for appraisal, 52 of which will be in the three AR Detroit episodes that will be broadcast during the 2014 season.

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Belle Isle Conservancy’s Grand Prixmiere DTE Energy’s Town Hall, the centerpiece of the company’s revitalization, according to Joyce Giles, proved to be a grand venue for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix preview gala. It attracted 370 Detroit and Belle Isle boosters the evening before the two days of racing. Before dinner, conservancy chair Sarah Earley announced that the BI aquarium is now open on Saturdays, thanks to volunteers, that Michele Hodges has been hired as the first president of the conservancy, and that 4,500 volunteers helped clean up the island. She also declared that regardless of who manages the island, be it city or state, “Belle Isle will exist now and forever...The reality is it’s (a 08.13

matter of) dollars and cents.” Bud Denker got applause when he mentioned that this year the Penske Corporation has spent $2 million on island improvements, including getting the beautiful Scott Fountain working.

ESPN reporter Jaime Little conducted a conversation with some of the drivers who were quite candid. Following dinner there was an auction of the painting that artist Bill Patterson had been working on while people dined.

Together with generous sponsorships and ticket sales it helped make the event proceeds more than $260,000.

Yatooma Foundation Dinner / Auction The 10th anniversary Champions for the Kids two-part fundraiser kicked off with nearly 350 supporters gathering at The Townsend amid sparkling silver and white accents and Simone Vitale’s music. During the cocktail hour the silent auction garnered bids totaling $28,633. In the program that followed dinner a video captured evidence that the foundation treats the whole family affected by a parents’ death. Kim Newburg, an early beneficiary, is now a foundation contributor and volunteer and her son Jamal has become an accomplished co-emcee at the event.

But the program highlight was founder Norman Yatooma’s tribute to his mother Andrea, who held the family together after her husband was murdered. The foundation is a memorial to him. A brief live auction of super packages then inspired spirited bidding and raised $52,250 before many headed to the dance floor. Thanks to sponsors like Conway MacKenzie, the Sunday evening soiree raised nearly $300,000.

The second part of the fundraiser is the Golf Tournament Monday, Sept. 16 at Orchard Lake Country Club. Playing spots and sponsorships are available.

Call (888) 987-KIDS. Kids Kicking Cancer Benefit More than 170 people experienced the legendary “Hermelin hospitality” at a Kids Kicking Cancer benefit organized

by Bluma Schechter at Doreen Hermelin’s Bingham Farms home.

They socialized in her art-filled home and gardens before savoring Matt Prentice’s cuisine served buffet style.

Dinner tables were set over the indoor pool. The setting provided a good view of a video, which showed the amazing power of the program that teaches kids with cancer to manage the pain of their treatments, and the demonstration narrated by KKC founder Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg. In it, a black belt martial downtownpublications.com

Belle Isle Conservancy’s Grand Prixmiere

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7 1. GM’s Mark (left) and Kim Reuss of Bloomfield with Peggy Daitch and Peter Remington of Birmingham. 2 Roger Penske (left) of Birmingham and Keith Crain of Grosse Pointe. 3. Sarah Earley (left) of Bloomfield, Michele Hodges of Grosse Pointe and DTE’s Joyce Giles of Detroit. 4. Patricia Mooradian (left) of Bloomfield with Paul Huxley and Cindy Pasky of Detroit. 5. Ed Fernandez (left) and Lila Lazarus of Orchard Lake with Tom and Vicki Celani of Bloomfield.

6. Maggie and Bob Allesee of Bloomfield. 7.

Dick (left) and Dawn Rassel of Bloomfield with Ruth Glancy of Grosse Pointe. 8. Chip (left) and Sarah McClure and Ric DeVore of Bloomfield. 9. Tom (left) and Mary Beth Howe of Birmingham and David Lochner of W. Bloomfield. 10. Diane (left) and Doug Dossin of Grosse Pointe with Nancy and Larry Bluth of Bloomfield. 11. Rob and Kate Beebe of Birmingham. 12. Dick (left) and Eleanor Gabrys of Bloomfield with Shauna and Douglas Diggs of Grosse Pointe.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK artist coached the kids to punch out the pain, breathe in the light and take control with the mantra “Power, Peace, Purpose”. Actually, the breathing method would benefit everybody in stressful situations. At the conclusion of the demonstration, Schechter and Hermelin both received their own karate jackets. Shechter was also surprised with a serenade and a birthday cake. The evening, which included a small silent auction ($8,500), raised more than $125,000 to help offset a loss of public funds for the non-profit organization.

Yatooma Foundation Dinner / Auction

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1. Foundation founder Norman Yatooma (left) with event chairs Sandy and Tom Pierce of Northville. 2. Tammi Alberts (center) with Kim and emcee Paul W. Smith of Bloomfield. 3. Rachel and Pete Smidt of Bloomfield.

4. Cheri (left) and Don Bailey and Ron and Terri Hughes of Bloomfield. 5. Nicole Yatooma (left) of Bloomfield.

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Freedom Hill Amphitheatre Reception “Even (Oakland County Executive) Brooks Patterson is here,” noted Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel at the VIP reception on opening night of the Freedom Hill Amphitheater in Sterling Heights. It was hosted by the new Freedom Hill ownership group headed by Tom Celani and Joe Vicari. Both spoke briefly before cutting the traditional ribbon. Vicari mentioned that he and Celani are very old friends and Celani praised Hackel and Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte for “…stepping up to the plate.” The several hundred reception guests devoured buffet fare from Vicari’s Andiamo eatery and fine wines from the Celani Family Vineyards before strolling across the handsome new plaza to the concert by Huey Lewis & The News. Vicki Celani was pleased that “...we do give a portion of our concessions (proceeds) to charity for every event.” This reporter recommends that anyone heading to Freedom Hill on a work day allow lots of travel time during the rush hour. Or rent a helicopter.

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Kids Kicking Cancer Benefit

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1. KKC founder/director Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg of Southfield and event chair Bluma Schechter of Bloomfield.

2. Event hostess Doreen Hermelin of Bingham Farms.

3. Julie Herman (left) and Sheridan Snell of Birmingham and Pat Wasson of Bloomfield. 4. Jim and Carolyn Bellinson of Bloomfield. 5. Karen (left) and Jeff Schoenberg of Birmingham, Rachel Zimmerman of Huntington Woods and Barbara and Chuck Sachse of Bloomfield.

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Freedom Hill Amphitheatre Reception

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1. Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson with event co-host Tom Celani of Bloomfield. 2. Vicki Celani of Bloomfield and Sterling Heights mayor Richard Notte. 3. FH partner Joe Vicari and his wife Rosalie of Clinton Twp. 4. Tom and Nan Grobbel of Birmingham. 5. Steve Cole (left) and Jennifer Collard of Birmingham and Jim Rein of Bloomfield. 6. Trevor Hewes of Birmingham and Ursula Torp of Troy.

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Music Hall’s Cars and Stars You would expect the production values for an event supporting performing arts education to be first rate and Music Hall’s Cars and Stars did not disappoint. It attracted 180 VIPs ($600ticket) and 100 Supporters ($125-ticket).

The vintage Under the Big Top theme inspired not only eye catching costumes, but even head-turning make-up like Emerald City Design’s Roberta Meloche’s bearded lady and David McKnight’s vintage clown. During the cocktail hour socializing, midway games and goodies in the Jazz Café and a Cracker Jack Box raffle offered diversion. Following dinner (VIP’s on the stage, Supporters in the Bassett Lounge), Ringmaster Vince Paul directed a sensational show that was a tribute to the late choreographer/director 08.13

Bob Bowyer and featured a cameo role for 88-year-old Elaine Stritch. Charles Wickins then conducted a short (five items) live auct,dancing both on the stage and the rooftop and watching the fireworks from Comerica Park. Thanks also to generous sponsors Ford, Quicken Loans, Rock Ventures and DTE Energy, the 12th annual gala raised more than $75,000.

Animal Rescue League’s Yappy Hour The fourth annual cocktail party to which dogs are invited moved to the rock garden at Meadow Brook Hall this year and attracted an all time high of 342 guests ($75). That’s two-legged guests, plus an uncounted number of their best friends. Many of the best friends had on party clothes; i.e. bows in their hair and tutus. Some perused the display of 100 silent auction items which raised $11,500. Buffet offerings included a yummy mac and lobster dish that was irresistible. There were also vendors offering doggie treats and a streaming video starring appealing MARL dogs available for adoption.

One, a pit bull named Charlotte, found a new home. The event raised $85,000 for the rescue mission. Among the guests were Connie Hogan and Yvonne McCready, who are chairing the next MARL fundraiser, Hoof and Woof. It is Friday, Oct. 4 at Oakland Hills Country Club.

DSO Volunteer Council Musical Feast I committed to attending Hats Off to Lunch in the Garden because it would be in the former home of Bud and the late Jacquie Mularoni who entertained frequently during the years they raised their family in the charming old Tudor in Franklin. The inclement weather that morning made me smile. “If Jacquie still lived there she’d be placing a religious statue at the window facing the garden and praying for sunshine,” I thought. The rain did stop in a timely manner and when I arrived and shared my thoughts with the host Marija Grahovac, she said, “That explains the five statues we found buried in the garden when we did some landscaping.”

Jacquie would be pleased to know that Marija and her husband Ian Lytle are carrying on the Mularoni tradition of warm hospitality. The two physicians are the youngest of all the 2013 Musical Feasts hosts. Their diligent preparations really impressed Marija’s parents Jure and Lidija Grahovac. The senior Grahovacs co-hosted the party along with Marija’s former high school music class friend, hat designer Luke Song. downtownpublications.com

Music Hall’s Cars and Stars

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1. Celebrity guest Elaine Stritch (center) of Birmingham with Bob and committee member Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield. 2. Jim (left) and Patti Prowse and Sandy Duncan of Bloomfield with Sue Carey of Chicago. 3. Rita Dunker and Tim Shepherd of Birmingham. 4. Roy (left) and Maureen Roberts of Bloomfield with Ron and committee member Ann Hall of Detroit. 5. Ale Woerner (left) of Birmingham with Detroit Flyhouse stiltwalker Shawn Mac of Trenton. 6. Noah Eisenberg (left) and his mother Sue Ellen of Bloomfield and her niece Laura Mazor of Detroit.7. Bonnie Jobe and Larry Walsh of Bloomfield. 8. Dana Sorensen of Bloomfield with auctioneer Charles Wickins of Birmingham.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Eighteen guests paid $110 each to savor Kruse and Muer cuisine and Debussy music by a string quartet. To learn if space is available at any of the wide variety of eight remaining Musical Feasts which resume Oct. 5, call the VC office at (313) 576-5154.

Animal Rescue League’s Yappy Hour

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TCH Young Professional Network Launch The newly formed YPN is The Community House sponsored group that offers young professionals, ages 22-39, opportunities to build new friendships, network with other professionals, develop leadership skills, take part in social events and develop an appreciation for philanthropy. More than 100 attended its recent gathering on the Van Dusen Terrace at TCH. They networked, sipped wine and heard from Dean of the Wayne State University Law School, Jocelyn Benson, and Flint mayor Dayne Walling.

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DIA Founders Junior Council’s celebration Bernadette Lussier, Tony Saunders, David Massaron and Amy Zimmer chaired the two-part FJC gathering that began at the Detroit Institute of Arts with the annual meeting conducted by outgoing president Trish Dewald. It was highlighted by recognition of the FJC’s $500,000 commitment to the DIA, the largest gift ever by one of the museum’s associate groups.

Shinola creative director Daniel Caudill also spoke about how groups like the FJC influenced his company’s decision to headquarter in Detroit. The group of 50 moved on to the social part of the evening at the Fountain Bistro in Campus Martius where they were joined by 50 more young DIA advocates. Most will be on hand for the FJC’s annual Fash Bash fundraiser Aug. 15 at the DIA. For details, go to www.dia.org/fjc/.

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1. Event co-chairs Kara Krupa (left) of Rochester Hils, Sue Luther of Rochester (with Nikko) and Nichole Gabridge of Sterling Hgts. 2. John Henke (left) and his wife Leslie Craigie (with Daisy Marie and Lilly) and Jan McDonald with Mighty Dog and her husband Dennis Lane of Birmingham. 3. Tony holding Furby and Kirsten Roby of Birmingham.

4. Yvonne McCready (left) holding Coco and Sue Spangler of Bloomfield holding Sam. 5. Louise (left) McCready and her dad, Mike of Bloomfield with sponsors Susan and Tim Lucken of Birmingham. 6.

Connie Hogan (left) of Bloomfield and Susan Bucreth of Pontiac holding Joey. 7. Sponsors Susan and Tim Lucken of Birmingham.

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DSO Volunteer Council Musical Feast

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1. Event host Dr. Marija Grahovac of Franklin and MF cochair Marlene Bihlmeyer of Bloomfield. 2. Event co-host Dr. Jura Grahovac (left) of Bloomfield with immediate past VC president Janet and Norm Ankers of Beverly Hills. 3. Event host Dr. Ian Lytle (left) of Franklin with violist Hai-Xin Wu of Ann Arbor and cellist Paul Wingert of Farmington Hills. 4. Linda Golumbia (left) of Farmington Hills and event co-host Lidija Grahovac of Bloomfield.

5. Violinist Laurie Goldman (left) and co-host Luke Song of Birmingham and Yao-Fen You of Detroit.

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The Garden Party More than 700 guests (at $150 & up) were greeted in the Great Hall at Meadow Brook by models wearing garden party hats who ushered them to the terrace where culinary students served champagne. Just beyond was an exhibition of more than 30 classic cars that included a 1968 custom 880 Dodge and a sleek 1955 Chevy. But the main raison d’etre lay ahead in the white festival tent – great cuisine from 28 restaurants and great wines for tasting. The latter, all available for purchase at Plum Market, ranged from a French rose at $11.97 to Joseph Phelps Insignia at $164.97. Our favorite was Celani Family Vineyards’ Tenacious at $49.97 per bot08.13

tle. The restaurants tempted guests with such fare as John D Bistro’s roasted lamb sliders, The Lark’s salt-baked shrimp, Roast’s fried soft shell crabs, Joe Muer’s oysters on the half shell, OCC Culinary Studies Institute grilled flat iron steak with pesto, and Red Crown’s pulled pork sliders. The latter is the newest in Mindy and Rick Lopus’ Silver Pig Restaurant Group which includes Tallulah. Another tent set up in the garden had lounge seating groups for savoring desserts and coffees. The Sunday afternoon event was absolutely superb and raised more than $200,000. It will be shared by the Children’s Leukemia Foundation, The Children’s Tumor Foundation and the Oakland Community College Culinary Institute.

Franklin Garden Club Walk and Picnic The 28th annual tour of splendid gardens staged by the Franklin Branch of the Women’s National Farm & Garden Association offered something for each of the 1,000-plus tour goers, beginning on the Franklin Village Green. An outdoor artists market there, accented with music by Song and Spirit Institute for Peace musicians, and a kids’ art exhibit in the Community Church provided a colorful tour launch.

Due to a new health department edict, the club’s traditional salad luncheon was replaced with box lunches graciously provided at the last minute by the Market Basket of Franklin. The seven gardens each offered inspiration in their own way. Jack Krasula’s four acre park-like haven of tranquility and Marc Whitefield’s ode to his 600-plus hostas (each one with a label) shaded by 60 varieties of Japanese maples are large and serene. Mary Sue and Paul Ewing’s is also large but filled with color, structures and activity, the latter personified by the enthusiastic host eager to answer questions and share information. “He’s a lovely human being,” observed one visitor after a conversation with Paul. Other generous homeowners who welcomed tourists were Rissa Winkleman, Marshall Lasser, Pat Hamburg and Nick Siringas. Proceeds ($12,000) from ticket sales will benefit the club’s educational and philanthropic projects.

Two days after the tour, many of the club’s 75 members attended the annual picnic meeting hosted by Sharon Wolf at her art, artifact and orchid-filled home. The physician, an energetic septuagenarian, said she takes a swim most mornings in the pond at the foot of her sloping lawn and still sees patients downtownpublications.com

The Garden Party

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1. Event founders Syd (left) and Elizabeth Ross with Sarah and Joseph Saker of Bloomfield. 2. Bailey Seklar of Bloomfield and her dad Bill. 3. Maria (left) and Bill Roberts with Denise Abrash of Bloomfield. 4. Nicole and Norman Yatooma of Bloomfield. 5. Mark and Stacey Rogers of Birmingham. 6. Norm and Bonnie LePage of W. Bloomfield. 7. Dan (left) and Lisa Dancsok of Novi with Tom and Janis Anderson of Bloomfield. 8. Maureen D’Avanzo (left) of Bloomfield with Marie Remboulis and Linda Orlans of Birmingham. 9. Luanne and Joe Campbell of Bloomfield. 10. Judy Welch-Ioannou (left) of Bloomfield, Rick and Mindy Lopus of Grosse Pointe and Lynn Perenic of Franklin.

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Franklin Garden Club Walk

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1. Ticket chairs Pat Ciagne (left) and Joyce Pippel of Bloomfield. 2. Tina Prevas (left) and vendor Diane Bert of Bloomfield. 3. Garden owners Mary Sue and Paul Ewing of Franklin.

4. Garden club members Sue Ruby (left) and Mary Cafferty of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK several days a week. The walk cochairs Shirlee Kipp and Barbara Bordon, praised their committee: Elizabeth Simko, Laura Miller, Karen Belmonte, Pat Ciagne, Joyce Pipple, Cindy Schiano, Mary Jane Majors, Gloria Hsu, Cindy Lovett, Susan Chambers, Judy Adelman, Peggy Dufaylt and Teri Tietmeyer. Outgoing president Cindy Chelovich passed the job to Molly Hammerle.

Franklin Garden Club Picnic

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1. Tina Scheiwe (left) and club president Cindy Chelovich of Bloomfield. 2. Walk co-chair Shirlee Kipp (left) of Bloomfield, luncheon chair Lavon Cook of Franklin and Karen Belmont of W. Bloomfield. 3. Gennie Hunter (left) of Bloomfield and luncheon host Dr. Sharon Wolf of W. Bloomfield.

4. Young Kim (left), garden walk co-chair Barbara Borden with Inga Bricio of Bloomfield. 5. Mary Repucci (left) of Bloomfield, Shally Williams of Troy and Terry Stacy of W. Bloomfield.

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1. TCH board member Debby Sloan (back) and nonagenarian Lucille Hardgrove of Bloomfield. 2. Nonagenarians Julie Candler and Jack Keenan of Bloomfield.

3. Nonagenarian Peter Badalamenti with his daughter-in-law Cathie Badalamenti of Birmingham. 4. Nonagenarian Marion Wyatt with TCH CEO Camille Jayne of Bloomfield.

5. Nonagenarian Jeanne Hackett (left) of Bloomfield with Janette Engelhard of Birmingham.

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Bench & Bar Culinary Challenge

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1. Event host Ralph McDowell (left) of Huntington Woods with Ven Johnson and Ed Sosnick and Linda Hallmark of Bloomfield. 2. Denise Alexander (left) of Birmingham and event co-chair Lavinia Biasell of Rochester Hills. 3. Chefs Wendy Potts (left) of Birmingham and Colleen O’Brien. 4. Julie Fershtman (left) of Franklin, referee and committee member Evanne Dietz and Jorin Rubin of Birmingham.

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TCH 90 & Beyond Luncheon More than 100 nonagenarians and two centurions were in the crowd of 202 at the second annual 90 & Beyond luncheon hosted by The Community House. Nonagenarians were guests of the Bank of Birmingham. They were each introduced by TCH CEO Camile Jayne as their Then and Now photos played on a video screen and Ali Darin took keepsake photos of each. Senior Men’s Club members Al Bosley and Martin Rowell get credit for the luncheon highlight – the Cars and Stars slideshow featuring cars from each decade since 1900 and the famous people who owned them. In addition to memories evoked by the show, the nonagenarians also received gifts courtesy of Next Steps 4 Seniors —TCH ball caps for the men and TCH note cards for the ladies.

Bench & Bar Culinary Challenge Attorneys Nancy Glen and Ralph McDowell hosted the sixth annual culinary competition between lawyers and judges in the back yard of their Huntington Woods home. It was chaired by Lavinia Biasell and Valerie Newman and attracted the best turnout yet, 225-plus. They sampled fare prepared by attorneys Gilbert Gugni (soft tacos), Ven R. Johnson and Stephen Hnat (lamb chops) and Kurt and Rebecca Schnelz (chicken shish tawook) plus judges Wendy Potts (chicken sliders), Mark and Jodi Debbrecht Switalski (bistecca a la fiorentina) and Christopher Murray (grilled vegetables and eggplant tapenade). For the fifth year the lawyers won, based on votes cast with purchased tickets. Individual honors went to judge Linda Hallmark (best dessert – blondies) and attorney Jeffrey Raphelson (beat appetizer - curried chicken empanadas). The real winners are actually Alternatives for Girls, Crossroads for Youth and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation Scholarship Fund. They will share the $15,000 net proceeds from the most enjoyable event.

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DSO Heroes Gala “I’m so overwhelmed I think I’m going to cry,” said DSO 2013 Hero Barbara Van Dusen from center stage at Orchestra Hall. She had just finished conducting the DSO in “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” She also heard them play a repertoire she had selected and heard warm tributes from her daughter Amanda and others, including DSO board chair Phillip Fisher and chair emeritus Peter Cummings. The latter shared an anecdote about Barbara’s ever sunny disposition by quoting her reaction to hearing some especially scathing gossip about someone: “I guess that person is less than wonderful.” Barbara then told the audience of 1,250 that she had embraced the DSO family for 40 years because “…music gives me great joy…makes our brains sing …and a great city needs great music and art.” Of course she got a standing ovation and the energy continued throughout the night as 320 of the concert goers proceeded to the gala dinner in the Music Box at the MAX. There was quite a bit of friendly table hopping, especially among the honoree’s family and her walking group gal pals. Some guests visited the Churchill’s cigar lounge set up in front of the MAX entrance. Many enjoyed swing dancing in the atrium and most took home a cup of terrific freshly squeezed lemonade. The third annual Heroes Gala was among the most successful DSO fundraisers of all time, bringing in more than $700,000. It was established to honor remarkable people who impact the success of the DSO. Previous honorees are Jim Nicholson and Lloyd Reuss.

Sunset at the Zoo Sunset at the Zoo, which began years ago as a modest social ($15 tickets) for Detroit Zoological Society members, has evolved into the zoo’s major fundraiser. This summer it netted a record amount ($450,228) and set an attendance record (2,344 at $150 & up). Some 450 of them ($750benefactors, $300-patrons) arrived early for the VIP reception near the Warchol Beaver habitat where event co-chairs Kelle Ilitch and Ashley Crain headed up a most welcome contingent of youthful supporters.

There was some speculation that the very pregnant Ashley might make history by going into labor at the Boardwalk Bash theme party.

However, “the little angel” Alexandra Mary Crain waited two more weeks downtownpublications.com

DSO Heroes Gala

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2 1. DSO Musical Director Leonard Slatkin of Bloomfield and Hero Barbara Van Dusan of Birmingham. 2. DSO Board chair Phillip Fisher of Bloomfield with his daughters Abigail (left) and Amanda. 3.

Sid (standing left) and Maddie Forbes with Gene and Marcia Applebaum of Bloomfield. 4. Ellen Kahn (center) of Franklin with Brigitte and Mort Harris of Bloomfield. 5. Coco Siewert (left) of Birmingham, Jeanette Kermedjian of Orchard Lake and Deborah Savoie of Bloomfield. 6. Graham and Sally Orley of Bloomfield. 7. Kenny and Frances Eisenberg of Bloomfield. 8. Bonnie Larson (center) of Bloomfield with Ann and 2011 DSO Hero Jim Nicholson of Grosse Pointe. 9. Julie Fisher Cummings (left) of Birmingham and Margie Fisher and Lauren Fisher of Bloomfield. 10. Judy Doyle (center) of Birmingham with Dr. Cassandra Klyman and Julie Flynn of Bloomfield. 11. Roger (left) and Rosette Ajluni with Ruth Frank of Bloomfield. 12. Diana (left) and Theodore Golden of Bloomfield and Cathy Kapatos of Birmingham.

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Sunset at the Zoo

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before making her entrance. The party featured dining on the stroll at 40 restaurant stations, the most innovative of which may have been Wally’s Frozen Custard’s fire truck; live entertainment by Detroit Flyhouse talents; the MotorCity Casino Midway with a Ferris wheel and boardwalk games; dancing to the Jerry Ross Band; a silent auction ($17,490), the Sunset Key raffle and a live auction. The latter raised $97,750, including the $12,500 that two bidders each paid for a zoo dinner party for 12. Sunset at the Zoo 2013 is history but the zoo’s Wild Summer Nights Wednesday concert series runs through the end of August. The concerts are free with zoo admission, which is $6 after 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in July and August. Check out the featured musicians at detroitzoo.org/events/wildsummernights.

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1. KC and event co-chair Ashley Crain of Bloomfield. 2. Chris (left) and event co-chair Kelle Ilitch with Nedda Shayota and Stephan Huber of Bloomfield. 3. Past event chairs Ken (left) and Marilyn Way with Garry and Nancy Carley of Bloomfield.

4. Danialle Karmanos (left) of Orchard Lake with Lauren Rakolta Fitzgerald and Marisa Stutz of Birmingham. 5. Laura Segal (left) of Franklin, Mike and Carol Segal Ziecik and Mert Segal of Bloomfield. 6. Lisa (left) and Stuart Stoller and DZS board member Linda and Joseph Aviv of Birmingham. 7. Judy Malburg (left) with Scott and Ann Tappan of Birmingham.

8. Mike Schenden (left) with Melissa and Joe Campanelli of Bloomfield. 9. Alex and Lilly Stotland of Birmingham.

10. Renee Axt (left) of Bloomfield with Tricia Keith, Tammy Carnrike and Anne Mervenne of Royal Oak.

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Rattlesnake Club’s 25th Anniversary

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1. Ellen Rogers (left) of Bloomfield, event host John Stroh, III of Grosse Pointe with Adele and Mike Acheson of W. Bloomfield. 2. Laura Trudeau (left) of Birmingham and Denise Abrash of Bloomfield. 3. Sonia and Tom Pastore of Bloomfield. 4. Gleaners’ Suzette Hohendorf (left) of Birmingham with Betty Bright of Bloomfield.

5. Bryan Becker and his wife Colleen Burcar of Bloomfield. 6. Sally Soberman (left) of Bloomfield and Dulcie Rosenberg of Bloomfield. 7. Birmingham florists Blossoms’ Dale Morgan (left) and Norm Silk.

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Rattlesnake Club’s 25th Anniversary Jimmy Schmidt, who was the youngest chef in the storied history of the old London Chop House, founded the Rattlesnake Club restaurant in 1988 in Detroit’s Stroh River Place.

Schmidt moved west after his landlord (the Stroh Companies) bought the restaurant in 2010 but many of his menu creations remain. And Stroh CEO John Stroh, III was all smiles as host of the splendid 25th anniversary party where 500 invited guests were treated royally. They dined on passed hors d’oeuvres on the Garden Terrace, in the art and live music-accented Main Dining Room and in the Atrium.

All the presentations were creatively sauced. During a brief program the new owner thanked the crowd “…for helping us celebrate,” and saluted the Rattlesnake team for “…always keeping a fine dining standard during good times and bad.” Then, like Schmidt, who started the Taste of the Nation culinary benefit to fight hunger, Stroh said that he considers hunger “…a most important problem to solve.”

Whereupon he presented a check for $20,000 to Gleaners president W. DeWayne Wells to help fund the food banks’ summer HungerFree program.

Guests also got take home gift boxes containing yummy white chocolate ravioli and a card for return visits to the legendary eatery. It is well poised for the next 25 years.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390.

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ENDNOTE

Multi-modal plan for city still out of balance

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or several months, the Birmingham Planning Commission has been working with consultants from Greenway Collaborative to develop a comprehensive multi-modal transportation plan for the city. Its intent is to create a master plan for multi-modal transportation which planners believe will transform the future usage of streets, sidewalks, rail, busses, bicycles, and other forms of movement in the city for all users, and to be a blueprint for 21st century Birmingham neighborhood streets and roads.

Multi-modal was initially referred to in Birmingham as Complete Streets, a federal initiative adopted by Birmingham in August 2011, one of 50 communities at that time in Michigan to have adopted it. Complete Streets' policies are designed and operated to enable safe access to streets for all users. It is an enterprise that results in roadways which are designed and operated to enable safe and comfortable access and travel for all users of all ages and abilities. A goal of Complete Streets is that as roads and streets are repaired and redeveloped, they will be looked at, analyzed and redesigned with more than just cars in mind. Birmingham now refers to the plan as multi-modal because it's a transportation plan which takes into account all modes of transportation.

As drafts of the plan have been making their way through public hearings of the city commission and planning commission, feedback has been mixed.

Some of the chief objectives of the plan have focused on adding 3.7 miles of bike lanes, including buffered bike lanes; four-to-three lane conversions on areas of Maple Road; two-and-a-half miles of additional sidewalks along major roadways; 18 road crossings; nine road crossing islands; 42 curb

extensions shortening the distance for pedestrians to cross roads; neighborhood connectors using local roadways combined with wayfinding to link up with new and existing pathways; transit facility enhancements; and secure bicycle parking in the downtown parking decks, among other recommendations.

Some planning commissioners and city commissioners have complained that the plan has had an over-emphasis on bike transportation over motorized vehicle transportation, which remains the primary means of travel into and around Birmingham both for those who live here and those from other areas who visit the city. Others point to the future, that there will be more bike riders commuting in decades to come. Residents at a recent public hearing unanimously protested the plan to reduce Maple Road between Southfield and Cranbrook from four lanes to three, creating one lane of traffic in each direction, a center turn lane, and bike lanes on either side. Consultants call this a “road diet”, slowing traffic and reducing the frequency of crashes. But residents, rightly so we believe, are very concerned about the impact and congestion which would be caused by the lane reduction. There was also a recommendation to remove the light at Lake Park and Maple, which residents on both sides of Maple responded would severely impact their ability to turn out of their streets. We also think this is ill-advised.

We believe there needs to be a compromise between advancing the social agenda of the city of creating a new transportation plan with visions of how people may travel in future decades, with the impact upon their current travel needs. Residents and visitors are not going to give up cars and other

motorized vehicles en masse any time soon, so if Maple is reduced there, and possibly between Woodward and Adams, traffic will shift someplace else, most likely into neighborhoods or areas, such as Quarton or Lincoln roads, that will avoid the city.

Birmingham's downtown is a model for a walkable city, but we have to remember that the walkability was done in order to enhance the business and retail community – in order to invite people into the downtown area to work, shop, live and play. The multi-model plan, in its efforts to be visionary and futuristic, cannot undermine the hard work of city planners and the business community in past years. We must all remember what supports Birmingham, which is it's nucleus – the downtown, and the impact this plan can have on the business district.

The multi-modal transportation plan, in its efforts to create usage for all transportation users, must account for the fact that most people come into downtown Birmingham by car. Marketing studies repeatedly show that shoppers, diners, and others find traffic and parking to be the number one problem with Birmingham. If revising roads makes traveling around Birmingham and visiting the downtown area more onerous, people will opt out of coming here, choosing to head to the Somerset Collection or other shopping destinations.

The next public hearing of the planning commission is September 11, so there is still time to let the city know what you think.

As for officials and community leaders, let's not rush to a decision on this until it is certain that all modes of transportation are taken into consideration in this plan, with a sensitivity about the impact on the future vitality of the downtown area.

Consider all options before funding millage

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he seniors in our communities are valued and respected, and deserve to have services which meet most of their needs at this juncture of their lives. Further, research recognizes that the “Silver Tsunami” is hitting the shores, with over 10,000 people turning 65 each day in the United States. As the baby boomers continue to hit that significant marker, that means many more senior citizens than youths in our communities. As a matter of fact, there are now more seniors than school aged children in the local communities, with the number of children decreasing as seniors grow demographically.

Recently, Birmingham, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills and Southfield Township, working together as the Joint Senior Services Committee, presented the results of the commission's study of senior services in the communities to the Birmingham City Commission, along with Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinating Council (BASCC), which was established in 1978. BASCC has been operating out of the former Midvale School, which is outmoded and not airconditioned, and offers 35 hours of

services and programming to area seniors, of which 52 percent come from Birmingham. The committee found that some neighboring communities offer more services, with dedicated millages, and a survey, conducted by Mitchell Benchmark in November 2011, found that 63 percent of Birmingham seniors would support a .25 mill millage.

According to Renee Cortright, executive director of BASCC, the group currently has about 1,100 members, 550 which come from Birmingham.

Additional residents receive assistance from Meals on Wheels, transportation services, Medicare and Medicaid counseling, minor home repair and other services. Sixty-five percent of seniors in the survey said they would welcome day care and low cost exercise and fitness programs. Current programming includes movies, outings, Bingo, knitting and quilting groups, stamp and coin clubs, book clubs, and golf leagues at Lincoln Hills and Springdale golf courses.

There is no denying the importance of services for seniors in all of our communities; Bloomfield Township implemented a dedicated senior services

millage and built a senior services facility over the last 10 years with state-of-the-art fitness facilities and other services. Birmingham's demographics are smaller than the township's, currently with 2,600 residents 65 and older. Before a tax increase in the form of a millage is placed before voters, more options need to be explored for those who may – or may not – utilize a senior center facility.

Currently, only 550 of the 2,600 seniors belong to BASCC. The Community House offers programming for seniors, and is well-attended. Many local seniors belong to private country clubs and fitness facilities, and will continue to choose that option. Some seniors prefer the company of younger individuals. The Birmingham YMCA upgraded their fitness facilities recently; perhaps BASCC could explore a shared services relationship with them, or with a neighboring community, before Birmingham undertakes the enormous expense of a building and staff whose usage is uncertain.

More questions need to be asked, explored and answered, before the possibility of a tax increase for the entire population is put on the ballot.

20

Years

Luke Marton

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