B I R M I N G H A M
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B L O O M F I E L D
AUGUST 2018
PLUS
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP
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Bloomfield Township | $9,900,000
City of Bloomfield Hills | $3,590,000
Bloomfield Township | $3,499,000
Contemporary Lakefront with Sunset Views
11,000 sq ft Fabulous for Entertaining
Bloomfield Hills Schools
City of Orchard Lake | $2,599,000
City of Orchard Lake | $1,649,000
West Bloomfield Township | $1,349,000
Recently Updated Historical Home
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City of Birmingham | $1,149,000
Franklin Village | $949,000
Bloomfield Township | $890,000
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Bloomfield Township | $889,000
Bloomfield Township | $765,000
Bloomfield Township | $689,000
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DAN GUTFREUND Top Producer
CANDICE RICH Fine Homes Specialist
KATHERINE SCHUERMAN Client Relations Manager
MICHELLE YURICH Fine Homes Specialist
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770 HANNA | BIRMINGHAM $1,124,500
1381 BUCKINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM $825,000
1055 LARCHLEA DRIVE | BIRMINGHAM $1,799,000
LAKE FRONT
937 MITCHELL COURT | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,299,000
3184 MIDDLEBELT | WEST BLOOMFIELD $1,995,000
654 SHEPARDBUSH | BIRMINGHAM $1,539,000 PENDING
31800 NOTTINGHAM | FRANKLIN $1,349,000 SOLD
710 KENNEBEC | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $1,000,000 SOLD
76776 THORNHOUSE | SOUTH HAVEN $4,999,000
925 STANFORD CIRCLE | ROCHESTER HILLS $520,000
928 W. ELEVEN MILE | ROYAL OAK $425,000 JUST LISTED
3151 W. SHORE DRIVE | ORCHARD LAKE $4,499,000 PENDING
734 WELLINGTON CIRCLE | ROCHESTER HILLS $999,900
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1127 LAKESIDE | BIRMINGHAM $2,499,000
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924 W. ELEVEN MILE | ROYAL OAK $425,000
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204 S GLENGARRY | BLOOMFIELD TWP. $749,000
NEW PRICE
780 HIDDEN PINE ROAD | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $625,000
SOLD
608 STANLEY | BIRMINGHAM $2,399,000
1885 WASHINGTON | BIRMINGHAM $499,000
19 $ P
10 $
COMING SOON
1515 LONE PINE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,799,000 NEW PRICE
839 RANDALL COURT | BIRMINGHAM $1,025,000
922 W. ELEVEN MILE | ROYAL OAK $425,000 PENDING
1743 WASHINGTON | BIRMINGHAM $999,000
385 FAIRFAX | BIRMINGHAM $1,995,000
3 $
NEW PRICE
580 W. FRANK STREET | BIRMINGHAM $1,799,000
5 $
610 SOUTHFIELD ROAD | BIRMINGHAM $749,000
1481 W. LINCOLN | BIRMINGHAM $499,000
SOLD
8521 MOUNT McSAUBA | CHARLEVOIX $699,900 PENDING
1919 LATHAM | BIRMINGHAM $1,088,000
1224 HIDDEN LAKE DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,099,000
926 W. ELEVEN MILE | ROYAL OAK $425,000
955 S. BATES | BIRMINGHAM $1,599,000
899 WOODLEA | BIRMINGHAM $1,589,000
PENDING
10445 ELGIN | HUNTINGTON WOODS $399,000
PENDING
384 W. BROWN STREET | BIRMINGHAM $549,000 SOLD
3453 MIDDLEBELT | WEST BLOOMFIELD $614,500 NEW PRICE
5525 LEEDS COURT | OAKLAND TWP. $1,099,000
VISIT US AT
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533 WILCOX | ROCHESTER $960,000
DAN@SIGNATURESOTHEBYS.COM 248.497.4646 415 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009
SOLD
4012 OAK GROVE DRIVE | ORCHARD LAKE $2,690,000 NEW PRICE
2426 VINSETTA BLVD. | ROYAL OAK $499,000
DOWNTOWN08.18
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The role of demographics in elections Politicians have long attempted to tap into ethic communities and religious groups to mine for votes at election time, and although the methodology may have changed, these still can be promising voting blocks for candidates.
LONGFORM
46
The state of Michigan has been under the gun due to problems with its foster care system, the topic of past negative audits, as well as a lawsuit that was designed to force officials to address the issues.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
16
The feared Orwellian shift of life in America extends beyond just the authoritarian threats from the current national administration and includes the invasion of our privacy thanks to high tech developments.
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL
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Michael Webber House Floor leadership rumors; a TSL spot for Michigan AG Bill Schuette; update on the race for campaign funding; added challenge for Mike Bishop; plus more.
CRIME LOCATOR
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A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format.
MUNICIPAL
71
Bloomfield sewer/water rate lawsuit ruling; consultant for major Birmingham parking/retail project; back to drawing board on city logo; restaurant okayed; plus more.
THE COVER Classic car from the Woodward Dream Cruise, considered the largest celebration of car history and culture, planned this year for Saturday, August 18.
B rand New Summer Styles
WHEN
UPSCALE GOES ON
SALE
DAY THE TOWN ON
SATURDAY • AUGUST 11 • 9 A.M. – 7 P.M. • FREE ALL DAY PARK ING
FREE PARKING ALL DAY Day On The Town is the biggest shopping day of the year in downtown Birmingham, and it draws thousands from near and far. This event is for people on the hunt for a good deal, and there are THU` KLHSZ [V IL MV\UK ([[LUKLLZ ^PSS ÄUK KPZJV\U[LK OPNO LUK TLYJOHUKPZL [OYV\NOV\[ KV^U[V^U )PYTPUNOHT >OL[OLY `V\»YL SVVRPUN MVY JSV[OPUN QL^LSY` HY[^VYR HU[PX\LZ KPZOLZ ]HZLZ VY [V`Z Birmingham is the place to be on August 11! W W W. A L L I N B I R M I N G H A M . C O M
BIRMINGHAM SHOPPING DISTRICT
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Bode Wilde
METRO INTELLIGENCER
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Writer/reporter Dana Casadei helps us bring back the popular feature – now called Metro Intelligencer – that provides quick takes on what is happening in the world of food and drink in the metro Detroit area.
SOCIAL LIGHTS
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Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.
ENDNOTE
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Why radon testing in schools should be required, not just recommended; plus we provide a Pocket Voter Guide to take to the polls.
FACES
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Bode Wilde Monica Schwanitz Royce "The Voice" Javan Anita Sudakin Jennifer Buck
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FROM THE PUBLISHER “The invention of print, however, made it easier to manipulate public opinion, and the film and the radio carried the process further. With the development of television, and the technical advance which made it possible to receive and transmit simultaneously on the same instrument, private life came to an end. Every citizen, or at least every citizen important enough to be worth watching, could be kept for twenty-four hours a day under the eyes of the police and in the sound of official propaganda, with all other channels of communication closed. The possibility of enforcing not only complete obedience to the will of the State, but complete uniformity of opinion on all subjects, now existed for the first time.” – 1984, George Orwell Much has been written in the last couple of years about the threat of a gradual shift this country is making towards a possible totalitarian state coming off the vitriolic presidential campaign leading into the 2016 election and the current administration in our nation’s capital. That frightening prospect is not the main topic of this month’s musings, but it does serve as a jumping off point about something equally disconcerting that is taking place in America and on a worldwide basis. Just to set the stage, I recently dusted off an old copy of the 1949 George Orwell dystopian novel, 1984, which foretold of a society marked by neverending war and governed by a structure that included official deception, manipulation of recorded history by the authoritarian state, a dumbing down of the official language to be replaced by an alternate language called “Newspeak” – complete thoughts reduced to the simplest of terms in hopes of limiting creative thinking – and “doublethink” which involved a calculated effort by the ruling class “telling carefully constructed lies.” All of this had one goal – to retain the caste system where a minority of the wealthy class controlled everything in society. The Orwellian prediction would only be complete if the government class had a means to continually monitor the middle class and those in the wealthy class. In his totalitarian state, not much attention was paid to the life of the “Proles,” as they were known, or lower class working people, because they lacked the education and the creative drive to change the world order painted so bleakly in 1984. But the ruling minority group knew that they had to control the thinking class, which they did with use of technology like Telescreens, or two-way television, and Thought Police. Step out of line and you would be eliminated. It was that simple. What may have seemed far-fetched when 1984 was first published has now made its way into our daily lives. I got my first inkling of this a few Christmas holidays in the past while talking with my sons about possible gift items for a family member. Within a matter of hours, the three of us began receiving targeted online advertising about items we had just discussed in our home. Yes, I know that urban legend has held for years that those controlling the bulk of internet traffic had the ability to monitor and commit to the mega data base of our private conversations. All of us, myself included, dismissed such talk as just that – conjecture. And anyone who truly believed activities in their domicile were being recorded had to be part of the tinfoil hat set. Of course, the couple of leading digital communication companies have denied monitoring our private lives beyond our history on the internet.
So it came as no surprise in the last month that one of those firms – Facebook – actually filed for patent protection for a software program that allows it to monitor “ambient sounds” – conversations and sounds within your home for purposes of tracking what items and topics are of interest to you. It’s like Shazam for your home, although it monitors sounds 24/7. We were given a preview of this personal privacy invasion as early as 2006, when the FBI was allowed to remotely turn on the microphone in a criminal’s cellphone to monitor conversations. At the same time, we are learning of recent major advances now being made in facial recognition software, an advanced version of what some countries, like China, use to continually monitor crowds. Surprisingly, one of the tech industry’s leading chieftains, Microsoft President Brad Smith, has just recently started the necessary public conversation on the possible abuses of facial recognition software and has called for government regulation of this developing field. Smith has suggested, as a starting point, a bi-partisan commission be appointed and tasked with developing rules before facial recognition gets an unbridled foothold in society. Smith has said that law enforcement regulations must be developed to restrict use of facial recognition. Further, he wants public notification of the use of facial recognition when it comes to gatherings in public spaces. I remember several years ago conversing with a member of the law enforcement community over concerns about tracking of members of the public and was reminded that the biggest violators of our privacy were the retailers and internet firms who were quickly developing tracking methodologies that would allow others to amass historical data on where we went on the internet, what we viewed, etc. This law enforcement officer expressed dismay that the public was not complaining about this oversight by those who controlled the digital highways who were free to sell that information to others. I did not think much of the argument then, but my perspective has changed dramatically in the last few years. We have disconnected the Amazon Alexa device in our home. Disallow tracking, whenever possible, when searching for things on the web, be it through a laptop, iPad or cellphone. I have resisted joining the lemming march toward two-way tv technology. I attempted about a year ago to discontinue my seldom-used personal Facebook account, only to be notified by Facebook that I had to maintain it if I wanted to continue with the separate account for the publishing group, but I may well pull the plug on that also. And I am watching with interest how the European Union is getting tough with the hi tech giants when it comes to invasion of privacy and the gathering information about our personal habits without our permission, hoping that someone picks up the gauntlet in our country to safeguard our personal information here. What was considered fantastical decades ago is the new reality. 1984 has arrived. We must elevate the conversation on this issue before it is too late. David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com
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PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody Anchill | Dana Casadei Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf Bill Seklar | Judith Harris Solomon | Julie Yolles PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent | Chris Ward Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in downtown Birmingham. For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.
INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK 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 written letters or electronic communication. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009. If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes. WEBSITE downtownpublications.com
FACEBOOK facebook.com/downtownpublications TWITTER twitter.com/downtownpubs OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL oaklandconfidential.com Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS
CINDY OBRON KAHN An Extraordinary Agent Providing Extraordinary Results Cindy Kahn, REALTOR Elaina Ryder, REALTOR® ®
2017 TOP PRODUCER at Hall & Hunter Realtors 248.568.7309 | Cindy@CindyKahn.com | CindyKahn.com
City of Bloomfield Hills | 1115 Country Club Road | $3,999,000
Bloomfield | 5735 Forman Drive | $3,900,000
Impressive traditional Georgian colonial on 2.4 acres boasts award-winning kitchen and retreat master suite with fireplace, balcony and dual baths.
Sleek, contemporary residence on double lot boasts spectacular Wing Lake views from almost every room. Extraordinary infinity edge pool.
7,592 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 6 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218015594
11,421 Total SF | 3 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218047366 Co-listed with Julie Sosin
Birmingham | 388 Greenwood Street | $2,500,000 +
Bloomfield | 4720 W. Wickford | $1,125,000
Spectacular home in desirable area. “City chic” interior spans 5700 SF of impeccable details and luxury. Additional 2647 SF of living space in LL.
Elegant estate home in the gated Hills of Lone Pine. Natural wooded setting with serene waterfall. Lower level walkout with stone paver patio.
5,758 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS#218008117
6,792 Total SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218057949
Co-listed with Julie Sosin
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City of Bloomfield Hills | 725 Vaughan Road | $2,750,000
Spectacular residence on one acre of beautifully landscaped gardens combines modern amenities, enviable privacy and timeless elegance. 6,671 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 3 Half Baths | MLS# 218048466
Stately estate beautifully nestled on 1.8 acres. Bright gourmet kitchen opens to outdoor space. Sparkling pool in amid serene, pastoral setting. 7,712 SF | 6 Bedrooms | 6 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218063706
Bloomfield | 3616 York Court | $829,000
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Light-filled condo in highly desirable Quarton Orchards. 1 floor master suite accesses library/study. Well-appointed kitchen. Lg. finished basement.
Sprawling ranch on picturesque lakefront lot. Entire back of home offers spectacular lake views. Spacious walkout lower level.
3,604 SF | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218054980
6,517 Total SF | 5 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218053683
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INCOMING Correct answer on roads Thank you for publishing the latest Voter Guide. We all should appreciate the fact that it serves as a very valuable tool in keeping your readers informed. Selfishly, my primary interest was the section dedicated to the eight candidates running to represent the State House 40th District in which I reside. I took particular note of the answers provided regarding our much-needed road repairs. I found that seven of the candidates provided the same empty-headed political answers based primarily upon needing more tax dollars to ensure improved roadways. Only one candidate had really done any meaningful research into the root cause of the problem – Michigan's 164,000 pound GVW overthe-road weight limit which is double that of the Federal Standard. Rest assured, those in charge have a laundry list of self-serving reasons of why and how this has no detrimental effect on our roadways and is an economic boon to Michigan's economy. However, until
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SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities. Although we do not have a fixed maximum length for letters sent to us, we recommend a maximum length of 175-200 words. We also reserve the right to edit letters for length if necessary. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.
we elect leaders that will properly educate themselves on the issues and stand up to lobbyists and Michigan's trucking industry magnates, no amount of money or effort is going to bring the long needed relief that our state's drivers and taxpayers deserve. Douglas R. Fehan Birmingham
False info from candidate I appreciated your Voter Guide in the July 2018 issue. This is in response to a statement made by one candidate in the state House 40th district. Paul Secrest stated that “Modern coal plants have eliminated 97 percent of carbon dioxide – I saw a power plant on the Ohio River and the only thing coming out the smokestacks was a little steam.” This statement is false. Virtually all of the carbon dioxide created in a modern fossil fuel power plant is exhausted directly into the atmosphere. As documented in a 2017 report by the Congressional Research Service titled Carbon Capture and Sequestration in the United States, there are only two large scale electric power plants operating in the world that capture a significant portion of the carbon dioxide that is generated by the combustion of a fossil fuel (coal) with air. These two facilities are employed mainly to produce both electricity and carbon dioxide gas that can be used to enhance oil production from oil fields in Canada and Texas. I recommend you publish this letter to correct the mistaken information written by a candidate for the Michigan State House. Mark Case Bloomfield Township 08.18
31st ANNUAL
Thursday, September 13, 2018 9:30am-3:30pm
Seven Exceptional Homes in Birmingham and Bloomfield neighborhoods Tickets: $40 in advance / $45 day of tour
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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine. We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklndConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential. The gossip column can be viewed at OaklandConfidential.com. RAISING THE ROOF: Fundraising is going through the roof for Michigan’s 8th, 9th and 11th Congressional Districts, where numerous candidates have already raised more than 2016 candidates did for that entire election cycle. Campaign finance reports for the latest quarter showed 11th District candidates, which winds its way from Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, part of Rochester Hills, into the west Oakland lakes area and parts of western Wayne County, raised a total of $6.3 million through June 30, more than any other district in the state. There are 10 candidates running in the 11th – five Democrats and five Republicans. Those in the 8th District, which covers Rochester, Rochester Hills, northern Oakland County, Livingston County, then over to Ingham County and Lansing, tallied the second highest, with $5.1 million; and those in the 9th District came in 5th place, with $2.1 million raised. The 9th District includes Bloomfield Township, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Warren, and southern Macomb County.
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SHOW ME THE MONEY (DEMOCRATS): A breakdown of the most recent fundraising; (total fundraising for the cycle) are provided below, along with the [amount of cash on hand] each candidate had as of June 30, indicating the rate at which each is burning through their funds. 11th District: Suneel Gupta: $406,981, including a $150,000 loan; ($1,341,492), [$799,563]; Tim Greimel: LIPTON $261,542, ($815,322), [$456,379]; Haley Stevens: $166,188, ($1,008,725), [$340,212]; and Fayrouz Saad $120,781, ($636,043),[$313,670]. Nancy Skinner did not report. 9th District: Ellen Lipton: $540,829, ($1,041,931), [$625,474]; Andy Levin: $353,098, ($864,025), [$430,747]; and Martin Brook: $8,291, ($32,059), [$17,207]. 8th District: LEVIN Elissa Slotkin, $1,151,612, ($2,858,182), [$2,248,276]; Christopher Smith, $46,072, ($123,257), [$42,139]. SHOW ME THE MONEY (REPUBLICANS): A breakdown of the most recent fundraising, (total fundraising for the cycle) are provided below, along with the [amount of cash on hand] each candidate had as of June 30, indicating the rate at which each is burning through their funds. 11th District: Klint Kesto: $166,440, ($428,556), [$19,863]; Lena Epstein: $142,973, ($1,629,009), KOWALL [$658,338]; Mike Kowall: $114,284, ($272,353), [$137,695]; Rocky Raczkowski: $23,855 including a $10,000 loan, ($218,175), [$144,556]; Kerry Bentivolio: $8,533, ($33,448), [$3,325]. 9th District: Candius Stearns: $80,867, ($108,610), [$72,748]. 8th District: Mike Bishop: $588,759, RACZKOWSKI ($2,150,441),[$1,687,943]. Lokesh Kumar did not report. FLOORED: Election season is still upon us, but that hasn’t stopped current House Republican leaders from speculating on their potential spots in the 2019 session, which is all hypothetical, because first they have to win and keep the House from flipping to the Dems. Speaker Pro Tem Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) allegedly had sewn the speaker position spot up by last Thanksgiving, and he’s continuing to fundraise like a crazy person, so he’s not facing any challenges if Republicans maintain their majority. Homeboy Michael Webber (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills) of the 45th District is one of two state reps that are up for Floor Leader, which is the second highest leadership position of the majority party, and word is he wants it. He’ll have to tango with Tristan Cole (R-Mancelona) to get to the big dance, with Chatfield and the Republican caucus hitting them up for more and more money. “If you don’t have a challenging election, it’s
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DOWNTOWN
08.18
/\XGYLJD &RXWXUH ZHOFRPHV \RX WR RXU QHZ ORFDWLRQ DW one thing. But if you give all your money away, who’s going to help you?� asked one former state representative. “I’ve never seen anything like that happen before.� SHIFTING OUTLOOK: The reliably Republican 8th Congressional District, currently represented by Congressman Mike Bishop (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills), may not be so reliable much longer. The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan elections forecaster, has slowly shifted its prognostication from “strongly Republican� to “leaning Republican� to, as of mid-July, a “toss up.� Presumed Democratic challenger Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) has not only consistently beaten Bishop in fundraising quarter after quarter, but Cook’s cited Slotkin’s “public service and strength of her campaign.� Slotkin picked up former U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s endorsement, noting her national security expertise. “Bishop supposedly is in the race of his life – and he does realize it,� said a former state Senator, noting Bishop is still smarting from his loss to Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper in 2012. Cook’s noted Bishop didn’t have a well-funded opponent in 2014 or 2016. Welcome to 2018, Congressman.
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HOUSE HUNTING: Oil heiress and Congressional 11th District Republican hopeful Lena Epstein isn’t the only one running in one district while living in another (Epstein lives in Bloomfield Township, which is in the 9th Congressional District). Two other MI-11 candidates, Democrat Nancy Skinner and Libertarian Leonard Schwartz live outside the district, which as we noted last month with Epstein, is permitted under the U.S. Constitution. Schwartz lives in the 14th, in Oak Park, while Skinner is currently in the 9th, in her parents’ condo in Bloomfield Hills. She told MIRS (Michigan Information & Research Service) she had moved in to care for her dying father, and was planning to sell the condo, after which she was planning to move to the 11th. VET FOR VETS: Stalwart Republican heads are shaking throughout state 40th District – Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and the western part of West Bloomfield – as it appears one of their own may have given some bucks to Democratic candidates in the past. Dirt dug up on Joe Zane, one of six bashing it out to run to replace fellow GOP and termlimited Rep. Mike McCready, shows that he gave over $1,000 to Democratic causes since 2007-2008 – including in 2017, ZANE when he gave $125 to four different Democrats running in races around the country. Zane, a former Marine, said he believes in supporting veterans – regardless of party, although at this time, “I am a conservative and will legislate that way. However, having veterans on both sides of the aisle helps the legislature come together to perform the basic functions of governance, which is critical to the future of our democracy.� As for his most recent contributions across the aisle, he said, “My perspective was that it was more important to have a veteran win a Democratic primary than a non-veteran.� TSL: Michigan Republican Attorney General and gubernatorial hopeful Bill Schuette makes the list this month for jumping on the bandwagon to file a legal brief with the Michigan Supreme Court in hopes of helping overturn a lower court decision that is allowing a gerrymandering proposal to appear on the November ballot. The citizen initiative by Voters Not Politicians is being contested by a group calling itself Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution (basically a front for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce). If approved by voters, the ballot issue would turn over to a special commission the task every 10 years of drawing new political districts rather than the current system of letting the party in power set district boundaries, which really becomes a self SCHUETTE preservation exercise for the majority party. As we went to press, Schuette was being given five minutes to argue before the Supremes that a revision of this nature should be up to a constitutional convention and not voters at the polls this fall. Not the first time Schuette was on the wrong side of an issue. downtownpublications.com
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FACES Bode Wilde ost people have certain days they will never forget, dates that are forever etched into their minds. June 23, 2018 will probably be one of those days for Bode Wilde. It was, after all, the day he got drafted – in the second round, 41st pick – to play in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders. “To get picked to a team like the Islanders is pretty incredible,” Wilde said. “There’s a lot of history there. They are a pretty good, young team, so I’m just really excited.” “Excited” was a word Wilde used often during our interview, but can you blame him? He’s now part of the NHL. No longer will he just be watching players like Seth Jones and Charlie McAvoy – two of his current favorites – but competing against them. “I mean, you watch these guys on TV making plays that you can’t even really imagine trying to pull off in a game,” he said. “Knowing you have to be the guy who has to defend that pretty soon is, I guess…there’s a bit of nerves there, but more than anything, I’m excited.” There it is again. Thankfully, Wilde, like many in the NHL, has been training for this since childhood. Spending the first 12 years of his life in Montreal, Wilde was put in skis before hockey skates – both of his parents were involved with coaching and instructing skiing. When he was three, though, his dad put him in ice skates for the first time and went to the local rink. “I think my first time on the ice I was like, ‘What is this?’ But every time after that he’d have to try and catch me to get me off the ice,” Wilde said. When Wilde was 12 the family moved to Birmingham, where he went to Derby Middle School and joined the Belle Tire hockey program, before hockey took him to Canton, followed by Chicago, then back to Michigan, when he joined USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. Since Wilde is originally from Canada he had the choice between playing for them and the U.S. But Michigan is home now. “Ultimately, I choose the U.S. because I felt like an American,” he said. “The program itself I thought was going to be very good for my development.” His two years in that program ended up being influential to his hockey success. They were also some of his favorite hockey memories to date. “Playing for the U.S. national team was probably the coolest thing I’ve ever had the chance to do,” he said. “There’s a lot of history behind that program and pride that comes with that jersey. That was really special.” Winning doesn’t hurt either. This year alone the team placed first at the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament in Plymouth in February, and was recently awarded silver at the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Men's World Championship, which was held in Russia this past April. Now though, the NHL is his main focus. During our interview he had just gotten back from development camp, a chance to meet the team and coaching staff. He was told it’s about to get a lot more grueling come September. Wilde didn’t seem to mind though. “The fact that I get to do this, until hopefully my body really doesn’t let me anymore, is honestly, the coolest thing ever, for me to really be in this position,” he said. “It’s not every day you get a chance at that.”
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We all belong to something, whether it's a religious group, an ethnic category, or some kind of community. With the August 7 primary election right around the corner, and then the general election in November soon after, candidates of all stripes and persuasions are busy targeting and appealing to various groups, looking to coalesce a demographic base around themselves. Whether Catholic, Protestant, evangelical Christian, Jewish, Muslim, African American, Chaldean, Indian, Asian, Armenian, or some hybrid, candidates running for office as both Republicans and Democrats have focused, often with laser-eyed accuracy, on how to get you to vote for them. “To some extent, candidates for office have always looked for blocks of votes they could count on or take advantage of,” noted David Dulio, Oakland University professor and chair of the political science department. “Years ago, it would be their ethnicity, like Italian or Polish, and they'd know their ethnic group – like, 'Hey, I'm Italian, so they'll vote for me.' “Today, it's done on much more of a micro level with the ability of campaigns to micro-target,” he continued. “Where these different attributes and characteristics can be targeted through media and online media, whether through websites and Facebook ads that targeted individuals see, and are specialized just for them – think of your Kroger coupons, customized just for you.” The same thing happens with campaigns, he pointed out. “And the same things happen with ethnic groups in order to target their message. And, like Kroger coupons, we don't ever see it. It's done deep in the weeds of campaigns.” For decades, candidates have shown up during election time at churches to appeal to congregants, stressing the similarity in their backgrounds, values and morals, and that they would carry them forward when they got in office. Black churches have been a notable location for candidate appeals, from presidential to mayoral candidates, but they're not the sole target. It is widely believed that if Hillary Clinton had made more visits to the city of Detroit in 2016, notably to African American churches, she would have likely won the state of Michigan, rather than Donald Trump – who won the state by approximately 10,000 votes – because African American voters did not turn out for her as they had for Barack Obama in 2012. While Clinton won Wayne County, she won it with 66 percent of the vote – while Obama carried it with 80 percent over Romney in 2012, and the result was more than the 10,000 votes by which Trump took the state. "The Clinton machine relied so heavily on old relationships to deliver them a win ... They didn't realize there was a new set of voters out there with no loyalty to them," said Rev. Charles Williams, pastor of King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit and president of the National Action Network of Michigan in 2016. It's a lesson to politicians of both parties, to never rest on their laurels, and to never take any voter loyalty for granted. Similarly, when a candidate comes from a religious or ethnic community, there is a direct appeal to that group – to vote for “one of us.” “A politician who appeals to their religious group – it's easy for them because they can appeal directly,” said Rachel Bitecor, assistant director, Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University in Virginia. “It's easier to get your message across if you're attending mass or services.” “Any good candidate worth their salt will have a picture of themselves in their church or temple reaffirming their commitment to their community,” said Dennis Darnoi, a Republican political strategist and principal with Densar Consulting. “Many campaigns will have a grassroots manager or a coalition builder, a point person reaching out to different parts of the community, to different parts of the district, to connect. They'll have someone connecting to the Jewish community, to the Chaldean community, the Catholic community, to conservative women in the Republican Party. There is not one community that is powerful enough to ride it all the way in these larger (congressional) races.” But just because someone falls into a “box,” it can't be assumed they'll vote like the rest of their ethnic or religious group. “Not everyone with a shared background will vote for someone,” Dulio said. “Voters aren't dumb. They're very good at making the right choice for themselves. They can sort it out pretty well for themselves and/or their family. Just because someone has a clear ethnic or religious background, they may or may not align
with that district – like Fayrouz Saad, (a Democrat who is Muslim) or Lena Epstein (a Republican Jew),” each running to represent their party going forward to the general election in November for the 11th Congressional District, which includes Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, part of Rochester Hills and then meanders through the west Oakland area and into parts of western Wayne County. Dulio feels each woman is out-of-sync with the majority of their religious/ethnic community, and therefore may have trouble prevailing in their race, with Saad, of Northville but having grown up in Dearborn, running in a district with a much smaller percentage of Muslims than in her original home district. As for Epstein, her far right, pro-Trump alliance is out of sync with most Jews in the district, who trend Democratic, according to data. In 2016, American Jews voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump, 71 percent to 24 percent, according to the Brookings Institute, up from 2012, when Jews preferred Barack Obama over Mitt Romney, 69 percent to 30 percent. However, Obama captured 78 percent of the Jewish vote in 2008 over John McCain. Bitecor of the Wason Center for Public Policy said that nationally Jews are split 60/40 Democrat to Republican, “with the northeast more liberal. Within the Jewish faith, all Jews are proIsrael. There are some who are much more hardline; there's no compromising on a two-state issue. What drives Jews to be conservative is the hard line on Israel, not the social issues. It's all the West Bank and settlements.” Locally, both polling and anecdotal numbers indicate the split at closer to 80/20, with a majority of Jews falling into the Democrat camp, as they traditionally have since Woodrow Wilson and Al Smith ran for office early in the 20th century, and lined up solidly behind Franklin Delano Roosevelt's candidacy for governor and
FOR DECADES, CANDIDATES HAVE SHOWN UP DURING ELECTION TIME AT CHURCHES TO APPEAL TO CONGREGANTS, STRESSING THE SIMILARITY IN THEIR BACKGROUNDS, VALUES AND MORALS, AND THAT THEY WOULD CARRY THEM FORWARD WHEN THEY GOT IN OFFICE. BLACK CHURCHES HAVE BEEN A NOTABLE LOCATION FOR CANDIDATE APPEALS, BUT THEY'RE NOT THE SOLE TARGET. president, said Anna Greenberg of My Jewish Learning. Throughout the 1960s that support continued as a voting bloc, until Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign, “when American Jews deserted Jimmy Carter en masse, many voting for independent John Anderson and some even defecting to Republican Ronald Reagan...Only African Americans have remained as solidly in the Democratic camp as have Jewish Americans.” “The Jewish community doesn't vote a single way any longer, so it's hard to lump them all together,” noted Rabbi Mitchell Rocklin of Tikvah Fund in New York City. “Most Jewish support for Republicans was in the Orthodox communities, although clearly others are voting that way. “It's hard to know beyond the Orthodox, and some areas with Russian Jews, because it's hard to get good polling numbers,” Rocklin said, in large part due to the fact that Orthodox Jews tend to live together in similar areas and concentrated in certain precincts, while more secular Jews live in wider communities where polling is not broken down to religious data by precincts. “It's clear the Orthodox Jews are growing and having increasingly been voting Republican in presidential elections – but they are not voting as Republicans down ballot, at least not yet.” Rocklin said that is often because those races aren't competitive, or an incumbent is known. “Down ballot there's little question that you're seeing it stay Democrat,” he said, for a variety of reasons. “The Orthodox communities are concentrated in areas that are Democratic.” In metro Detroit, a majority of Orthodox Jews live in Oak Park and Southfield, longtime Democrat strongholds. While there are a variety of different subgroups and sects within Orthodox Jewry, adherents live a very conservative, traditional and
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observant lifestyle, with many choosing to live in areas together and some rejecting modern society. They tend to have a high birth rate. “When you have uncompetitive races, people will vote for the incumbent. They know the name, and maybe they've done something for them, versus someone they may not know at all,” Rocklin said, in a statement that can apply to any demographic group. “The real test is in a competitive race – then issues are important.” Rocklin explained that Orthodox Jews first began to veer more conservatively between 2000 and 2004 – because the Republican Party was seen as stronger on Israel and foreign policy. “They went from Gore to Bush” during that period of time, with 9/11 possibly playing a role. “That support only continued to grow over time, except for Donald Trump versus Romney, when it dipped.” He pointed out that there are three issues in general that have resonated with Orthodox Jews for the Republican Party – Israel, school choice and religious liberty, “which continues to grow as an issue, because the Orthodox feel it could be a threat to their ability to live their lives religiously.” The West Bank is sacred to Orthodox Jews, who identify the land as Biblical land given to the Jews, and therefore not negotiable with Palestinians in a two-state solution. The rest of the Jewish community, comprised of unaffiliated, Reform and Conservative Jews, “have not seen much change, and are Democrats,” Rocklin said. “They are changing, but slowly, as demographics change. We'll see a shift as the Orthodox become a greater proportion of the population,” perhaps in one generation, he said, against more secular Jews continuing to intermarry, be unaffiliated, and have zero population growth, or negative population growth. Catholics, Bitecor said, are generally split evenly between Democrat and Republican. “Kennedy was a Catholic, as we all know, and with the rise of the Kennedy dynasty, while they were not universally Democrat, but primarily. And they stayed that way until abortion became an issue in the 1970s through the 1990s. It took some time to really become political, in the '80s, with Reagan, and over time it sorted out, that Republicans are ideologically conservative and Democrats are ideologically liberal.” American Catholics voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016, 52 percent to 45 percent, a switch from 2012, when Obama prevailed over Romney, 50 percent to 48 percent. When the Catholic vote is broken down to white Catholics versus Hispanic Catholics in 2016, the results vary significantly – evidence of the role ethnicity plays in voter turnout and response. In 2016, white Catholics preferred Trump 60 percent to Clinton's 37 percent. However, Hispanic Catholics overwhelmingly chose Clinton, 67 percent to 26 percent for Trump. Hispanic Catholic voters were even more loyal to Obama in 2012, 75 percent to 21 percent for Romney, while white Catholics chose Romney, 59 percent to 40 percent for Obama. “Hispanics were pushed to the Democrats via the Republican hard line of immigration that started in 2006,” said Bitecor, noting that Hispanics were split 50/50 when George W. Bush ran for president in 2000 against Al Gore. “Bush ran on a platform of immigration reform, as did McCain. McCain had co-sponsored an immigration proposal. When he was getting ready to run for president, as the (Republican) party turned against immigration, he turned on his own immigration proposal. After his failed presidential run, he turned back to his original support of immigration reform.” Oakland University's Dulio noted that Hispanics are not a monolithic voting group. “Latinos are, by and large, Democrats, but Cubans are very conservative,” he pointed out, with a strong Republican voting record. “Within ethnic and religious groups, there are issues that can split those groups.” Bitecor noted that evangelical Christians “are very reliably Republican. There was a proportion that were horrified by kids in cages (with the separation of illegal immigrant children from their parents), but they prioritize abortion over everything else.” White, born-again/evangelical Christians voted for Trump overwhelmingly in 2016, 81 percent to 16 percent for Clinton. Bitecor said that Michigan has a reliably evangelical portion of the population.
Chaldeans, who are Iraqi Christian Catholics, are very Republican, Bitecor said, but Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce in Farmington Hills, said that is not completely accurate. “Chaldeans tend to vote on issues, versus a party, so we're not strictly Republican,” Manna said. “We talk about immigration, which neither party has dealt with. We have a lot of issues with social justice, which is more Democrat. We're conservative with regard to religious and family values, and more liberal when it comes to immigration and social justice values. “Historically, our community is defined by faith, family and food.” Klint Kesto, a Republican state Representative who has represented West Bloomfield and Commerce Township for the last six years, is currently running in the Republican primary to replace U.S. Rep. David Trott – and proudly is tapping into his Chaldean background for fundraising and community support. Dulio noted that is a smart strategy. “The Chaldean community, it can absolutely be targeted like any other religious group, Jewish or Catholic,” he said. “So, if a candidate has ties to that group, it potentially can be very profitable to that office.” Derek Dickow, of Steward Media, a consultant, power connector and Chaldean community leader, said regarding Kesto's campaign, “The Chaldean community has an $11 billion impact annually in Michigan's economy… Our pathway to success is retelling of the American Dream, which began similarly to other ethnic minorities: escaping our native homeland to avoid religious persecution and fleeing to America in pursuit of a better life.” He noted about half of Michigan's 160,000 Chaldeans live in Macomb County, the other half in Oakland County. “Although Rep. Kesto represents the 39th District, not a week passes without
CHALDEANS MAY LIVE IN WEST BLOOMFIELD, AND THE NORTHERN PART OF THE 11TH DISTRICT, BUT YOU DON'T SEE AS MANY CHALDEANS IN LIVONIA, OR REDFORD, OR CANTON...WHEN YOU HAVE A HUGE PRIMARY FIELD, A CANDIDATE CAN WIN WITH JUST 22, 23 PERCENT OF THE VOTES – AND THAT'S WHERE HAVING THE BACKING OF A COMMUNITY CAN REALLY HELP. someone from the Chaldean community calling on issues concerning general business, immigration, or other matters. Regardless of where Chaldeans live, they call on Rep. Kesto and say, 'He's Chaldean. He's one of ours.'” Dickow pointed out there are 30,000 registered Chaldean voters in the 11th District, with five Republicans and five Democrats running. Darnoi, the political strategist, said, “Obviously, in an area like West Bloomfield, they (Chaldeans) do hold a lot of influence. They band together to raise money for a favorite candidate. They typically hold fundraisers at Shenandoah (Country Club in West Bloomfield), so members of the community can meet the candidate and get to know them. In a state House or Senate race, where turnout is smaller and lower, it can have a sizable impact. “When you try to expand it out into a congressional race, it has impact – but it doesn't have the same effect,” Darnoi said. “Chaldeans may live in West Bloomfield, and the northern part of the 11th district, but you don't see as many Chaldeans in Livonia, or Redford, or Canton. It's an important building block, but I'm not sure it's sufficient to ride that community to overall victory.” Yet, he did note that “when you have a huge primary field (like in the 11th District), a candidate can win with just 22, 23 percent of the votes – and that's where having the backing of a community can really help.” Bernie Porn of EPIC MRA, said that Kesto's community will matter less in the general election or primary “because it will be more diluted. Special groups mean less in a presidential election, than in a gubernatorial election, then senatorial, then congressional.” Porn also noted that the gerrymandering of districts – where
boundaries are manipulated to favor one political party over another – “makes ethnic votes less meaningful. We call them 'stacking and packing' the districts, making a Republican district in the 54 to 55 percent (leaning) range, where they're more likely to prevail, and then it's just wasting votes. When it's an equal district, African Americans (or other ethnic groups) can impact the outcome of a general election, but when Republicans are strong enough that the only impact is in the primary election, then all demographic groups have less of a say in general elections.” Porn pointed out that “this is why when the Tea Party was really strong, proponents of the Tea Party were stronger in Michigan than their opponents and in other areas of the country, and they could really influence elections – and it's why the state legislature is how it currently is. Now the Tea Party has waned in power, but it still has impact – of 29 to 30 percent (in the general election), but it was 44 to 45 percent of overall voters. In the Republican primary, before, they had 65 percent, 70 percent. The problem is now that many in the state and state legislature still think the Tea Party has that kind of power and impact.” Dickow said Chaldean operatives have a simple strategy – “the expectation on turnout in the Republican primary is about 65,000 voters. Kesto has the most viable pathway to victory if the Chaldean community votes.” Some in the Muslim and Arab American community believe they are a classic swing vote, leaning neither Republican or Democratic but focusing on the candidate, but Wayne State University Professor Saeed Khan, of the Department of History and Near East and Asian Studies, points out that there has been extensive polling information done after the 2016 campaign by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Council of AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR), and Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS). “The problem, and the understanding, is that there are a number of different Muslim communities – there are Arab Muslims; southeast Asian Muslims; Hispanic Muslims; African Muslims, who are not African Americans; and there are Arabs who are not Muslims, like the Chaldeans, who are Iraqi Christians, and the Maronite Christians and Lebanese Christians,” Khan explained. He said that most Sunni Muslims – those from Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Syria, as well as southeast Asia, Africa and China – went primarily for Hillary Clinton and Democrats in 2016, “but the Chaldeans, Lebanese Christians and some Shiite Muslims (from Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon) voted for Trump, primarily because of the issue of Syria. “Some polls showed that 23 percent of all Michigan Muslims voted for Trump,” Khan said. “That would have been enough to have swung the vote in a state that went with him with 10,000 votes.” There is a slight history of Arab Americans voting Republican, when they briefly supported George W. Bush in 2000. “George W. Bush was initially more inclusive, so immigrant Arab Muslims went for him,” Khan said, “until after 9/11 – then they leaned Democratic, which clearly showed with the 2008 and 2012 elections of Obama. He said the Muslim travel immigration ban is not playing well with the Muslim and Arab American communities, nor with the Chaldean communities. “It is because of the recent Supreme Court ruling, there is now a greater sense of urgency to see if there is way to get legislation, as well as they are seeking to block the Kavanaugh appointment (as Supreme Court justice). “The community is very much now actively seeking their political literacy and political engagement, not just by running for office, but through understanding political nuance and the understanding of the concepts of checks and balances and the separation of power,” Khan said. Porn pointed out that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed “is appealing to Muslims, especially in an ad in The Muslim News. But it all comes down to the sophistication of the campaign,” he said. “It's all about micro targeting and number crunching in campaigns, and whether they're collecting data and targeting the right people with phone calls, mailings, emails. Others will do TV ads, direct mail and robocalls, but those are directed at big demographic groups, like all Democrats, or men or women, or older men and older women. Others have data on social media use and purchases.”
The Pew Research Center, a non-partisan fact-based think tank based in Washington D.C. that provides the public with information on social issues, public opinion and demographic trends, said that Muslim Americans are largely an immigrant population. “Roughly six-in-10 U.S. Muslims ages 18 and over (58 percent) were born outside the U.S., with origins spread throughout the world. The most common region of origin for Muslim immigrants is South Asia, where one-in-five U.S. Muslims were born, including nine percent who were born in Pakistan. An additional 13 percent of U.S. Muslims were born elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, including Iran, 14 percent in the Middle East or North Africa, and five percent in sub-Saharan Africa.” The Pew Center conducted a thorough religion study in 2015 of 35,000 Americans in all 50 states regarding their religious affiliations, beliefs and practices, and social and political views. It noted that the Christian share of the U.S. population is declining while the number of American adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing, and the trend is taking place across the country, and across all age groups. It is occurring “among whites, blacks and Latinos; among both college graduates and adults with only a high school education; and among women as well as men,” Pew noted. However, they noted that seven in 10 Americans still identify with some branch of the Christian faith, although it had dropped from 78.4 percent in 2007 to 70 percent in 2015. Those who identified as atheist, agnostic or “nothing at all” had jumped six points in that time period, from 16 percent to 22.8 percent. “And the share of Americans who identify with non-Christian faiths also has inched up, rising 1.2 percentage points, from 4.7 percent in 2007 to 5.9 percent in 2014. Growth has been especially great among Muslims and Hindus,” they reported.
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED IS APPEALING TO MUSLIMS, ESPECIALLY IN AN AD IN THE MUSLIM NEWS. BUT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE SOPHISTICATION OF THE CAMPAIGN. IT'S ALL ABOUT MICRO TARGETING AND NUMBER CRUNCHING, AND WHETHER THEY'RE COLLECTING DATA AND TARGETING THE RIGHT PEOPLE WITH PHONE CALLS, MAILINGS, EMAILS. According to the Pew report, currently in the U.S., Protestants make up 46.5 percent of the population; evangelicals, 25.4 percent; Catholics, 20.8 percent; Orthodox Christian, .5 percent; Mormons, 1.6 percent; Jehovah's Witness, .8 percent; Jews, 1.9 percent; Muslims, .9 percent; Buddhist, .7 percent; Hindus, .7 percent; other faiths and religions, 1.8 percent; unaffiliated, 22.8 percent. Each of the main religions saw drops, but Pew saw that at the same time, “American Christians – like the U.S. population as a whole – are becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. NonHispanic whites now account for smaller shares of evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants and Catholics than they did seven years earlier, while Hispanics have grown as a share of all three religious groups. Racial and ethnic minorities now make up 41 percent of Catholics – up from 35 percent in 2007 – 24 percent of evangelical Protestants, up from 19 percent; and 14 percent of mainline Protestants, up from 9 percent.” Pew did note that the size of the historically black Protestant tradition – including Baptists, African Methodist Episcopal Church, and others – has remained relatively stable, at about 16 million adults, with the evangelical Protestant tradition as a whole, having increased about 2 million adults, to a total of about 62 million adults in the U.S. “The African American population, and as a political force, has really plateaued,” said Bill Ballenger, a former Republican state Representative and Senator, and political pundit with The Ballenger Report, noting their influence has waned. “Catholics appear to be declining both as a percentage of the population and in absolute numbers,” Pew said, with about 51 million American Catholics today, about 3 million fewer than in 2007.
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Pew noted that in actual size, “unaffiliated are now second in size only to evangelical Protestants among major religious groups in the U.S,” with over 56 million self-identifying. The key question now is, how reliable are any of these groups as voter blocks? “The white voter is still the plurality, including Christians, Catholics and Jews,” stated Ballenger. “The white non-Jewish voters are still in the majority, but they're shrinking rapidly. The white middle class male feels endangered.” Ballenger said that many ethnic groups live in enclaves, like Jews in West Bloomfield, Oak Park, and Southfield; and Chaldeans in West Bloomfield and Sterling Heights; and Indians in Novi and Troy. “Each of the groups may be small, but collectively they have impact. Add them together, and they may mean something.” On the other hand, he said, “Jews, Muslims, Chaldeans, Indians, they may all cancel each other out. We could end up with a Jew and an Indian in the 11th Congressional District (Republican Lena Epstein and Democrat Suneel Gupta) – two ethnic candidates going forward. It's never happened before.” Ballenger marveled at the societal changes that may bring forth such a political earthquake. “The ethnic coloration of Oakland County is spilling over from just (ethnic) voters to candidates with a real chance to win – which is the most remarkable development in this election cycle,” he said. “They're changing the face of the candidacy of Oakland County more than any other place. Traditionally in Oakland County politics, dating back 20 years, there was a surge of African Americans from Wayne County into southern Oakland County, into Southfield and Oak Park. But now, we've moved way, way beyond that,” noting the ethnic and religious population growth of Indians Americans, Pakistani Americans, Asian Americans, Chaldeans, and Muslim Americans in Oakland County. “We're mixing ethnicities and religions. It's a rich stew of religious and ethnic identity that's really changing Oakland County politics and it's changing the face of elections for both parties,” Ballenger said. “Who is coming out to vote for these candidates, and who is running – from the top, in the governor's race to county offices – it's going to continue for years to come.” He pointed out the Michigan governor's race, where a Muslim American man from Bloomfield Hills, Abdul El-Sayed, and an Indian American immigrant from Ann Arbor, Shri Thanedar, are both running in the Democratic primary against Gretchen Whitmer, a woman from Lansing, as an example of the rich stew. “It's not just fringe candidates like in previous races and cycles. They have to be taken seriously,” he said. “They could win. “On August 7, we have to see if their ethnic brothers and sisters turn out, and how much of percentage make up from their districts,” Ballenger said. Thanedar, and Suneel Gupta, currently of Birmingham but who grew up in Novi, and who is running for the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 11th District to replace Rep. David Trott (R ), are not the first Indian American candidates to run for office in Michigan, but if they prevail, they will be one of the few to find political success. Two Jewish candidates, Andy Levin and Ellen Lipton, are facing off in the primary in the 9th Congressional race to replace retiring Congressman Sander Levin. A 2013 report by Global Detroit and Data Driven Detroit stated that of the immigrant groups in metro Detroit, the largest segment is the Indian population, and the Indian populations of Farmington Hills and Troy are among the 20 largest Indian communities in the U.S. As of 2006, the U.S. Census reported there were over 100,000 ethnic Asian Indians in Michigan, with the majority in metro Detroit. In addition to Farmington Hills and Troy, Canton, Novi, West Bloomfield and Sterling Heights have sizable Indian populations. A majority work in the information technology and medical sectors, and identify as Hindu, or to a smaller proportion, Sikh. “Asian Americans, roughly speaking favor Democrats by a twoone margin. Indians are the strongest Democratic-leaning, by a three-one, four-one ratio,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, professor of political science and public policy, University of California at Riverside. He said Chinese Americans and Vietnamese tend to be much more split. “Indians tend to be the most educated, the most affluent,” Ramakrishnan said in explaining their more liberal tendencies. He
also said there “has been a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment and racial conservatism that has leaned to explicit racism in the Republican Party,” driving away Indian Americans, “just like it's kept a lot of Jewish Americans away, as well as discrimination since 9/11, more than the Democrat Party.” One problem, however, with Indian Americans is that despite their higher incomes and higher levels of education, “Asian Americans have a lower voter turnout than African Americans nationally,” which could prove to be a poor bellwether for an Indian American candidate looking to his or her ethnic group, according to Ramakrishnan. Densar Consulting's Dennis Darnoi, concurred. “Generally speaking, politically, Indian Americans and Asian Americans, are not a group politicians seek out. They're more seen as business or medical groups. They don't run on being part of an identity.” Part of that is because Indian, as well as other Asian candidates, often are very successful individuals, “and they're more interested in their achievements as a business person than in their cultural identity.” Further, as a population, “They're better known as running for office than wielding influence.” “Vietnamese use to be Republican, but over the years, they have tended to move over to become more Democratic,” Ramakrishnan said. Ramakrishnan explained the reason Vietnamese Americans were Republican was because anti-Communism was the driving force of the Republican's foreign policy when they began coming in 1975, “and the Democrats were seen as weak, and the refugee experience was very important.” Over time, social services and health care became an increasing priority to the immigrant population. “Refugees needed,
ONE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, WITH INDIAN AMERICANS IS THAT DESPITE THEIR HIGHER INCOMES AND HIGHER LEVELS OF EDUCATION, ASIAN AMERICANS HAVE A LOWER VOTER TURNOUT THAN AFRICAN AMERICANS NATIONALLY, WHICH COULD PROVE TO BE A POOR BELLWETHER FOR AN INDIAN AMERICAN CANDIDATE LOOKING TO HIS OR HER ETHNIC GROUP. and got, social services,” he said, “and a growing American-born population became more Democratic.” In the state House race to replace term-limited Rep. Mike McCready (R), two young Armenians are dividing up that small community, with Mike Banerian battling in a crowded Republican primary to be his party's standard bearer in November, while Mari Manoogian is facing Nicole Bedi in the Democratic primary. Official data, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, puts the metro Detroit Armenian community at 13,877, while ArmeniaDiaspora.com in 2013 puts it closer to 60,000. Darnoi said, “It's not unheard of to have communities that are split (over candidates). Sometimes you see someone, or relatives, who gives to both, so they're still tapping the same donor source.” American Armenians have fluctuated between being supporters of Democrats and Republicans, based on support of recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The community widely supported Barack Obama for president – after supporting George W. Bush. Denis Papazian, founding director of University of Michigan's Center of American Studies, noted that a good portion of Armenian Americans consider a candidate's stance on Armenian issues and can be swayed by a pledge to support genocide recognition efforts. The Armenian American community felt betrayed first by Bush and then by Obama “who ran a campaign of high promises and higher expectations on Armenian issues, only to break every one of his pledges – most notably his commitment to recognize the Armenian Genocide,” said Sevan Kolejian, Armenia National Committee of American spokesperson. “He personally – and remarkably quickly – squandered generations of good will fostered by the hard work of Democrats dating back decades.”
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210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.928.4224
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5 Beds | 6.4 Bathrooms | 8,891 Sq. Ft. | $3,895,000
Outstanding hilltop beauty located in heart of the City of Bloomfield Hills. 2.31 acres of privacy & magnificent rolling terrain surround this impeccably maintained estate. Prepared to be awed by soaring ceilings, grand 2 story foyer & floor to ceiling architectural windows that highlight exquisite views from every room. Chef’s Kitchen adjoins judges paneled 2 story family room with French doors leading to tranquil patio. Well-appointed library with stunning mill work & fireplace across from unique service bar. Glamorous master suite with fireplace, dressing & vanity area. All bedrooms are en-suite, one with breakfast bar. Knock out lower level includes 500 sq ft home theater with fireplace, bar with 2nd full kitchen, 2 rec rooms, 1 full & 2 half baths, salon & exercise room with sauna. Additional amenities include: elevator, multi-level Blue Stone patios, 4 car garage, granite lined circular drive, whole house generator, 2017 Cedar roof. Suited for large scale entertaining, yet incredibly comfortable. A True statement property!
210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 Each office is independently owned & operated.
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460 MARTELL DRIVE | Bloomfield Hills 5 Bedrooms | 6.2 Baths | 6585 SF | 1 acre | $2,950,000 French-style estate privately nestled in the coveted Cranbrook neighborhood. Exquisite master suite gracing the 1st level boasts private terrace with spa, sitting area, H/H custom closets & luxurious bath. Unparalleled architectural design & appointments include 18' ceilings, crystal fixtures, plaster detail, marble floors, stone accents & exotic woodwork. Walk-out lower level w/family room, sleek grey kitchen & bar, billiard area, separate wet-bar, fitness rm, & bath w/infrared sauna. Secluded outdoor oasis w/pools & lush landscape.
4,121 Sq. Ft. | $ 4,121 Sq. Ft. | $
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5653 SHADOW LANE | Bloomfield Hills 7 Beds | 5.1 Baths | 7451 SF | 3.73 Acres | $2,795,000 History meets modern lifestyle in this 4 acre resort-like estate on Gilbert Lake in the heart of Bloomfield Hills. Lush trees privately surround the park-like grounds featuring salt water pools, tennis court, lake front & multiple entertaining spaces. Owners renovated every inch of this masterpiece including grounds, infrastructure & mechanicals to 21st century standards while preserving its classic architectural charm. 4 car garage, & 2 bedroom guest house with kitchen, living rm & full size bath.
4,150 Sq. Ft. | $ 4,150 Sq. Ft. | $
5420 LAUREN COURT | Bloomfield Twp 4 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths | 4000 SF | Nearly 1 Acre | $1,395,000 Nantucket style estate home in the heart of Bloomfield Hills set on nearly an acre of serene treed landscape. Every inch was renovated or added on in 2014 and only the highest quality of design throughout from the scraped walnut hardwoods, wood beam ceilings, custom built-ins, ultra chic lighting, tile & stone selections. A true master retreat upstairs, set apart from the rest of the home, features spa bath w/soaking tub, euro glass shower, separate vanities, his/hers WI closets,. Aggregate patios, ultra private landscape, & home generator complete.
210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.310.1414 Each office is independently owned & operated.
248.259.3544 mobile 248.590.0800 office erin@erinkdewald.com erinkdewald.com
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230 W. Big Beaver | Bloomfield Hills | $1,599,900
306 E. Farnum | Royal Oak | $839,900
4 Bed I 5.5 baths I 5800 Sq. ft.
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4 bed I 4.5 Baths I 2,800 Sq ft.
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31723 Waltham Ct. | Beverly Hills $559,900
650 W. Lincoln, Birmingham $509,900
1979 Sheffield | Birmingham $319,900
5 Bed I 3 Baths I 3,445 Sq. ft.
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3 bed I 2 bath I 1200 Sq. ft.
FACES
Monica Schwanitz usiness is starting to snowball for accidental entrepreneur and Bloomfield Township ski instructor Monica Schwanitz, who recently designed the new SkiRing that is gaining traction on slopes throughout the country. Schwanitz, who works as a professional landscape architect, spends part of the year as a ski instructor at the ski school at Pine Knob, as well as Mt. Holly and Mt. Bachelor, in Oregon. It was there that she noticed her students needed something to help keep the correct posture and form when learning to ski. "It took me about five years to play with the idea and perfect it," she said. "I had about four prototypes we went through. I used my fellow instructors at Pine Knob as guinea pigs. We would play with something and test it out, and I would get their opinions. We kept changing it until we got to something that was a winning concept." Schwanitz said beginning skiers need to make sure they are centering their weight over their skis, as opposed to leaning back, and must keep their hands forward. While ski poles keep their hands occupied, they often get left behind or are awkward for new students. The SkiRing, she said, acts as a steering wheel, of sorts, to keep hands in the correct position and energy focused down the hill. "If you're leaning back, you're not in the proper stance. You're out of balance," Schwanitz said. "It's a stance-balance issue, and you will never get your skis where they need to go. It's a technical problem I solved in a very simple way." Modern downhill skis, she said, are designed to put pressure on the front to force them to turn. When leaning and placing your weight too far
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back, a skier doesn't have control. By holding the SkiRing like you would a steering wheel, she said, students automatically assume the correct position. Since designing the SkiRing and securing a patent, Schwanitz formed her own marketing business, Lost Mitten LLC, to market the tool. It's now used in more than 30 ski school programs around the country, including those where she teaches, as well as at Mt. Brighton, Crystal Mountain, Nub's Nob, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands, Killington Resort (Vermont), and others. Schwantiz said the SkiRing can help new skiers and experienced racers because it helps them keep their hands forward and "literally drive hands down the hill to be more dynamic." While you don't actually use the SkiRing to steer, she said it looks like a steering wheel, which also gives beginners a sense of security. While Schwantiz has been a ski instructor or more than two decades, she said she didn't truly start skiing herself until after she finished college and started a family. "I grew up in Michigan, near Bay City, in Pinconning. I was a farm girl, and my family wasn't a ski family. We had one family in the whole school who knew how to ski, and we went after school and made our own school program. I fell in love with it," she said. "College came along and I didn't ski. I went to college in Texas and I didn't ski. When I moved back to Michigan and had a family, I decided to start. Technically, I learned as an adult. Now, our whole family does it." Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
FOSTER CARE REFORMING MICHIGAN'S PROGRAM WHICH HAS BEEN PROBLEM-RIDDEN BY KEVIN ELLIOTT
he case of seven-year-old Ricky Holland in Michigan gained national attention in 2005 when the boy's adoptive parents claimed he went missing from their Williamston home, near Lansing. The community spent months looking for Ricky, even landing the effort on an episode of "America's Most Wanted." In the end, it was his adoptive parents, Tim and Lisa Holland, who murdered Ricky, with the woman who was supposed to be his mother hitting him with a hammer and his adoptive father, Tim Holland, hiding the child's body in a swamp. Making matters worse, state records showed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) had been alerted to ongoing abuse that Ricky had been suffering, but failed to take any action. "Beginning at age three, Ricky endured five years of terror at the hands of foster parents who were approved by MDHHS, first as foster care providers and then as adoptive parents. He was denied food, tied to his bed, led around on a leash, locked in a basement, beaten with a hammer and ultimately killed by his adoptive mother," Cathy R. Crabtree wrote in a 2008 review of MDHS management. "Even though an allegation of abuse was called into MDHHS, Ricky's MDHHS caseworker 'never spoke with Ricky's therapist.' The caseworker had other cases and didn't have time. He later said he was getting four or five new cases a week and his ongoing caseload stood at more than 20. Had the worker met the therapist, he would have learned 'Ricky was opening up more.'.., talking about "Mr. Bloody Bones" who locked him in the basement for a time out. Then he told the therapist in a February 28 session that he was no longer being tied to the bed, saying, 'mom and I promised I will stay in bed and she won't tie me to it.'
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"Ricky was beaten to death by his adoptive mother when he was eight-years-old. His adoptive father threw Ricky's body in a pond. MDHHS failed this child by overlooking the severe and continued abuse that was right in front of them." Foster care systems are intended to remove children from abusive or neglectful homes until issues with birth parents can be addressed or those parents' rights are severed and an adoptive family can be located to raise the child in a stable and loving home. However, stories of reunification or placement of a child who was a victim of such circumstances are often overshadowed by heartbreaking stories of children being shuffled around from situations that go from bad to worse. Such tragic stories can lead adults both inside and outside of the foster care system to give up all together. In Michigan, Ricky's Holland's death and those of others before him were just one of the factors that led to a class action lawsuit against Michigan's DHHS and federal oversight of the state's foster care system, starting in 2008. While federal monitors say the state has made great improvements in the foster care system, issues remain. Further, some worry that the opioid crisis that is gripping the nation and the state may lead to more children entering the foster care system, which is still struggling to meet goals set out as a result of the court case. "I think there are always going to be issues. I don't think this is a system that will ever be totally fixed because we are dealing with humans," said Judy Wollack, president of the Association of Accredited Child and Family Agencies, which advocates at the state level for the needs of abused and neglected children. "As a side note, the opioid crisis is going to affect us greatly. We are already seeing more children coming in. If a child comes in for abuse, you can send a parent to therapy and training, and that may work. But opioid addiction isn't easily fixed." In Michigan, reforms in the foster care system have helped to reduce the number of children in foster care by reuniting them with their parents or by increasing the number of adoptions. For instance, from 2005 to 2016, the number of children in foster care in Michigan dropped from about 20,000 to just more than 11,000 in 2016, with reductions each year. However, that number is slowly increasing, with about 13,000 children currently in the foster care system. "My people are telling me we are seeing more children (from parents with opioid issues), especially younger children," Wollack said. "So that again, do we really want them caring for those children? We may need to think about how we have to deal with this opioid crisis. There are mandates on how long children can be in foster care, but if you have a drug addicted parent, then you don't want to send a child home. Then you need more addiction therapy." Adding to the challenge is the high turnover rate of caseworkers and supervisors in the child welfare system. She said providing appropriate funding is key to addressing those challenges. Children usually enter foster care because of Children Protective Services (CPS)
investigations that find it's not safe to leave a child in a home. The state and contracting agencies, such as Samaritas, Oakland Family Services and dozens of other contracted agencies, provide foster homes through volunteers or relatives. By its nature, foster care is intended to be temporary, while adoption is designed to be permanent. Foster parents are expected to work with the state or agency and birth parents in hopes that the family will be reunited. It's possible that many people who notice neglect or abusive situations are afraid to report such issues, whether due to retribution or fear that a child will be moved into a worse situation. However, Wollack said the vast majority of foster care parents, whether a relative or not, have a positive impact on a child's life. "I know many foster parents, and those that truly do it because in their heart are amazing people, and they change children's lives," Wollack said. "Don't you think if you had a niece or nephew that needed you, that you would do it?" Michelle Adams-Calloway, of northwest Detroit, said she became a foster parent nearly 40 years ago, something her own godmother had done and encouraged her to do. Since then, she has fostered nearly 100 children.
In Michigan, there are about 13,691 children in the state's foster care system as of May 2018, including about 2,019 children with a long-term goal of adoption.
"I started being a foster parent when my children were small. The world was a lot different. It was the 1980s, and I wanted to be selective in who my kids played with. I had two children at the time, and I wanted to give back. I saw so many children suffering. The main problem was neglect, and as the 80's progressed, you saw more kids addicted to drugs at birth. I got involved and said that if I was going to be a foster parent, I was going to be involved with things and truly advocate for children." During her time as a foster parent, she has continued to work with the same agency, Lutheran Social Services, now renamed as Samaritas, and has served on the Foster Care Association of Michigan, Wayne County's foster Care Review Board, and has helped mentor other foster parents. While she said many children stay temporarily and are reunited with their parents, she has also had long-term stays, adopting eight children over the years. "I'm currently a legal guardian to one child that is in foster care who has special needs. She just turned 17. And then two sisters, one is five – she's having a birthday party today – and one is six; a nine-year-old who will be 10 in August. So, three foster children, and a guardianship, and I have a 12-year-old I adopted," she said.
Adams-Calloway admits that being a foster parent may not be for everyone, as it's hard for the children in the system as well as the adults serving as foster parents, too. "You can't be doing it for the money because you only get $17 a day. I have a full-time job, my husband has a full-time job, and we both work," Adams-Calloway said, who holds an administrative position for the Wayne County Health Authority. "It costs money to expose kids to positive things." Many children have never left the neighborhood from which they were raised, she said, recalling a young girl who had never even been to a mall before. To expose children to new experiences, she and other family members often take children on special trips, including Cedar Point and Disney World. Other times, children discover new worlds because they are exposed to something as basic as different foods. "It's not easy. I don't want anyone to think it's a piece of cake. There was things I had to experience that I didn't have to with my birth children, like running up to the school because of their behavior," she said. "But it's not really their behavior – they are carrying big baggage that they don't share, and they can't, and they don't understand. Some have been in multiple homes, so they hate you when they come in the door. I'm still learning. You have to be adjustable and be willing to make that adjustment for children. You don't know their past, and lot of times you don't get their history. "Many times, you know more than the case worker, and you will need to tell them what is happening. We had an emergency one time, and I found out he needed a medication, and his sister had to tell me he took it. Another time we found out a child was with the wrong agency, and they were re-entering the system for a second time," she said. "You have to be aware and know when you can ask questions of a child, and when you can't. When they are comfortable, they will open up. We send a mixed message to children because we tell them about stranger danger – then you are the stranger and ask them to fit in. "It's hard for the child and the foster parent. Everyone can't be a foster parent, and everyone can't be a parent. You do make personal sacrifices. I've had friends that might ask, 'Don't you think you've done enough?' I'm African American, and we are basically a race of people that sometimes don't seem to look out for each other. As long as there's a need, and God keeps me healthy, I plan to continue." Lena Wilson, vice president of child and family services with Samaritas, said the agency serves over 800 children throughout the state, with about 3,000 individuals in the agency's preservation program, which aims to keep families together. She said about 74 percent of families working with Samaritas are reunited within 12 months. Most of the cases – about 1,500 per year – are referred to the agency by Children's Protective Services. "Most of the time, it's neglect and families not having what they need at the time, and that can turn into an abusive situation," Wilson said. "Also, there are underlying mental illnesses that are untreated because those in poverty don't have the resources to seek services. The same is true with drugs.
"Our goal is to reunify a family within 12 months or less. Usually, we are able to do that." Nationally, there were about 437,465 children in foster care systems in 2016, with figures slowly dropping from about 500,000 in the mid-2000s to under 400,000 in 2013. Since then, there has been a national trending upwards of children in foster care systems. While major reforms in Michigan helped drop the state's number from more than 20,000 children, the number of children entering the system has grown in recent years. In Michigan, there are about 13,691 children in the state's foster care system as of May 2018, according to MDHHS. That includes about 2,019 children that have a long-term goal of adoption. Those figures are down from about 20,000 in 2006, when the number of children waiting to be adopted was about 7,000 children. The high number of children waiting to be adopted, along with high profile deaths of children in foster care or who were to be monitored by the state lead to a class action suit being filed against the state's MDHHS in 2006 by Children's Rights Inc, a nonprofit organization that has won landmark cases on behalf of children in several states. "There was a line in 2006 of more than 7,000 children long whose parents' rights were legally terminated, but they weren't adopted – that's really extraordinary. Likewise for children who could be reunified with their birth parents, so there was something really profound happening," said Samantha Bartosz, deputy director of litigation strategy for Children's Rights Inc. "Then, there were some real concerns with the safety of children once they were removed from parental care. ... When we brought the suit, there was a number of child fatalities that occurred, but the rate of maltreatment in foster care was very high. The rate reported to the federal government by the state wasn't (high), but we learned later that the data system was out of date. They had a terrible system, and it was concealing the safety issue to some degree." Issues in the state's foster care system were well known years before Children's Rights filed the class action. A 2005 assessment of the then-Michigan's Department of Human Services (DHS) and the agencies it contracted with found several serious issues, including a failure to sufficiently conduct criminal history background checks before and during placing children in potentially unsuitable foster homes; not ensuring caseworkers performed and documented required visits with children in foster care; failed to conform with federal requirements; a lack of training for case workers and supervisors; and other shortcomings. The audit followed the death of two Michigan foster children who died in the spring of 2003, who died from injuries they received at the hands of their foster parents. In both cases, two fouryear-old boys died after being beaten by foster parents in unrelated cases, with both children previously suffering from psychological trauma. The Michigan's Auditor General's Report, published in August of 2005, cited recurring problems that had been cited in earlier performance audits. For instance, auditors had previously noted in 2002 that DHS caseworkers weren't conducting or documenting visits with children in foster care and their parents. "WE AGAIN RECOMMEND THAT DHS
ENSURE THAT CASEWORKERS PERFORM AND DOCUMENT REQUIRED VISITS WITH FOSTER CHILDREN, THEIR PARENTS AND THEIR FOSTER PARENTS AND FACILITATE VISITS BETWEEN CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS," auditors noted in all capitals in one portion of the report. Additional findings in the 2005 audit report showed that DHS didn't ensure foster care children received required minimum basic healthcare services and that caseworkers didn't document the services received in foster care files. Anyone applying to foster or adopt must be licensed and meet basic requirements or qualifications, including a criminal background check. In terms of criminal background checks, auditors in 2005 got criminal history reports from the Michigan State Police for all 12,900 foster care providers and adult household members in licensed homes, then narrowed down those with disqualifying or potentially disqualifying criminal convictions between December 1998 and December 2003, identifying 321 licensed providers and 32 unlicensed adult household members with disqualifying criminal convictions during a five-year period. Auditors further found
Auditors in 2005 got criminal reports identifying 321 licensed providers and 32 unlicensed adult household members with disqualifying criminal convictions.
16 relatives serving as foster care providers who DHS couldn't provide documentation that any criminal history checks were done. Those convictions included drug-related convictions, domestic violence, and felony and misdemeanor assault charges. Further, the audit found another two adults living in foster homes with criminal sexual conduct convictions, including one with a child, and three with domestic violence convictions. A main factor in the issues within DHS's management of the state's foster care program was a lack of staffing, with existing staff being so overwhelmed with cases that many were unable to perform their required amount of work. A 2006 annual report by the Michigan Foster Care Review Board asserted the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS) had an inadequate workforce that was "a substantial factor of the abuse and death of children in the foster care system." The abundance of newly hired and untrained staff trying to provide services in the foster care system was noted by one senior staff in an email between a MDHS manager and an auditing worker: "The senior staff at one location has three months on the job and the senior staff at the other location has only six weeks. None of their
staff has had CWI training yet. This continues to be a big problem throughout the agencies," she wrote. "It all adds up to a formula for disaster if continued along this track." "There was a spate of annual reports and nothing was moving. We got involved and brought the lawsuit, and we did a real deep dive into the system," Bartosz said. "Once you file a lawsuit, you have formal discovery and we found a number of structural failures in the system that needed to be addressed." In 2008, DHS and Children's Rights reached a settlement agreement upon in federal court that required the system to undergo a number of reforms to improve the system. That same year, a management review of DHS published by Cathy Crabtree took into account testimony from the court case, performance audits, annual reports and additional information. Borrowing from the 2006 email noted in the program's 2006 annual report, the review was titled "Formula For Disaster." Among the specific disasters cited in the report was the death of Isaac Lethbridge, who was removed from his birth parents when he was just one-year-old and shuffled to three different homes in 11 months before being killed in August of 2006. "In 2005, one-year-old Isaac was placed in a foster home. He died at age two, the victim of horrendous abuse in the home. According to the MDHS Protective Services Investigation Summary, there were a total of nine separate complaints about the foster home dating back as far as 1999. Despite numerous reports detailing ongoing harm and dangers in the home, MDHS failed to take minimally necessary safety measures and continued to place children in the home year after year. The children survived somehow; but baby Isaac did not," Crabtree wrote in the report. "After Isaac's death, MDHS discovered his caseworker had not seen Isaac or his birth or foster parents as required, had not completed Isaac's service plans on time, and had not provided a medical exam for Isaac. His caseworker was carrying as many as 46 cases at the time of Isaac's death. The caseworker had received a directive from his employer not to visit foster homes except in an emergency so case reports could be kept up to date. This can only be described as a travesty of child welfare practice when paperwork is the priority over child safety. "The file on Isaac's tragic death included the report that "once the child arrived at the hospital, he was discovered to have second degree burns to his chest and abdomen area, a fresh bruise on the forehead and right ear, old bruises on his chin and left shoulder, and three old bruises on his left upper arm, left thigh and right tibia. MDHS abandoned Isaac to this foster parent and left him completely unprotected." Failures cited in the review include an unstable, disjointed and inefficient organizational structure; excessive caseloads that exceeded recognized standards by more than twice the normal standard; inadequate staff training; nonexistent data management; non-existent quality assurance; poor contract monitoring; poor licensing compliance; inadequate supervision and support of relative foster homes; inadequate service delivery to children; poor permanency planning practices; and inadequate placement arrays.
In terms of caseloads, the review included an assessment of caseloads of workers in the tricounty metro Detroit area conducted in 2007. The assessment found that 22 of 24 caseworkers (92 percent) in Oakland County had more than the maximum nationally recommended number of cases, which was 15, with nine workers having 30 or more cases, and at least one caseworker having 60 cases to work at one time. In Wayne County, 118 of 196 caseworkers (61 percent) had more than the recommended 15 cases, with 24 of those having more than 30 cases. In Macomb County, 29 of 33 caseworkers (88 percent) had case numbers exceeding the national recommendation, with 18 working more than 30 cases. The assessment, which was conducted by the Children's Research Center, concluded at least 348 additional foster care workers were required at the time to attain acceptable levels within the agency. However, MDHS did nothing to implement the finding. The report also found that assumptions that children are safe simply because they are with relatives may lead to deadly consequences, as cited in the case of a girl who killed herself while in a relative foster care placement. "Heather entered care at age 15 in June of 2002 after her mother stabbed her. When she was placed in a relative’s home in 2002, MDHS knew that there were 11 people living in the home and that some were sleeping in the living room. MDHS also knew that a home study had not been done. Six months passed before MDHS completed a home study," the report stated. "The MDHS foster care worker found that: There were 17 people living in a four bedroom home; there were three sets of bunk beds crowded into one bedroom and four individual beds in another bedroom; one person slept in a bed in the living room; walls and floors of the home were 'very dirty;' A two year old child in the home was 'very dirty;' Heather's uncle had an 'explosive' temper and was uncooperative in allowing visits by the caseworker; and the home was 'not environmentally safe.' "In addition, Heather was diagnosed as in need of psychotropic medication to control a bipolar condition and mental health counseling for emotional disturbance. The relatives discontinued counseling for her health and stopped her medication. Demonstrating a complete lack of judgement, MDHS failed to remove Heather even when her uncle became verbally aggressive with the caseworker and had what was described as a 'fit.' MDHS left Heather with these relatives, subjecting her to further harm after she had already experienced a violent attack at the hands of her own mother. "After being removed from the home to a residential facility, Heather ran away to live with another relative. She received no education, no medical care or dental care. MDHS essentially abandoned Heather at the home of this unfit relative, where, in November 2004, Heather hanged herself." Following the class action suit filed by Children's Rights Inc., the state entered into a consent agreement in 2008, putting the system under the federal oversight of U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds for the Eastern District of Michigan. The initial agreement, which was signed in
October of 2008, has been modified several times, set out goals for DHHS to meet. The agreement was modified in 2016 and an Implementation, Sustainability and Exit Plan (ISEP) was entered by DHHS and Children's Rights. The ISEP required the implementation of a comprehensive child welfare data and tracking system, with the goal of improving DHHS' ability to account for and manage its work with vulnerable children; established benchmarks and performance standards the state committed to meet in order to sustain reforms; and provided a path for DHHS to exit court oversight. To monitor progress, the court appointed two monitors from Public Catalyst to monitor changes and assess the state's performance. The latest monitoring report was issued in May of 2018. The monitoring report included a mix of accomplishments and continued areas of improvements, as well as commitments regarding children's safety that haven't yet taken hold. Monitors found DHHS made improvements in assisting youth who age out of foster care transition into adulthood, although some of those improvements haven't been sustained; and significant reductions in the number of caseloads
The latest monitoring report in May of 2018 included a mix of accomplishments and commitments regarding children's safety that haven't yet taken hold.
by Children's Protective Services and foster care related caseworkers. Federal monitors also found DHHS had "significantly undercounted" the number of children in its child welfare custody who were abused or neglected in its care in 2016, with the department unable to accurately report on the number of children who were maltreated. Monitors also said 79.3 percent of relative homes in which children were placed in the latest monitoring period didn't meet safety standards or have a timely home study completed as required. Additionally, the monitors found issues in the previous monitoring period were inappropriately screened out for CPS investigation, and found similar concerns in the latest monitoring period. "Definitely, there is work that still needs to be done, and areas that remain that scream out for more attention," Bartosz, with Children's Rights, said of the latest monitoring report. "That is happening. We are working with the state on that assistance. We have about a 10-year run now of implementing the reform, and many things have been fundamentally transformed. Unfortunately, there is a way to go." Bob Wheaton, spokesman for MDHHS, said reductions in the number of children in foster care was achieved, in part, by expanding family
planning and reunification services focused on addressing barriers that may otherwise be left to out-of-home placement, and promoting a safe return home for children who are placed in-outof-home care. MDHHS also developed and implemented a centralized intake system for all reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children. The 24/7 call center replaced 83 individual county-driven intake processes, resulting in a more consistent and efficient response to reported allegations. He said MDHHS also established a Division of Continuous Quality Improvement to evaluate child welfare practice, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the goal of making more targeted improvements and providing additional resources and training opportunities. The division also allowed for development of data reports that enable better tracking of performance and compliance. Additionally, Wheaton said MDHHS implemented the Teaming, Engagement, Assessment and Mentoring (MiTEAM) practice model for child welfare cases, which represents a shift in the way public and private child welfare staff approach casework. "Child safety goals have been and will continue to be a top priority. In the last court hearing, the department outlined efforts to reduce maltreatment of children who are in care," Wheaton said. Those efforts, he said, include ongoing training or foster parents with university partnerships; revising forms to clarify distinctions between safety factors and licensing issues; utilizing regional resource teams to recruit, support and develop foster families to meet annual non-relative licensing goals, retain a higher percentage of foster families, preparing families for meeting challenges and developing foster-family skills; supportive visitation contracts to offer support to biological parents during visits to help improve safety for children; and utilizing a safety team to examine data of recurrence patterns to recommend policy changes. While still having room for improvement, Bartosz said the state agreed the state's improvements are light years beyond where it was when the suit was filed more than a decade earlier, particularly when addressing permanency. "Oh my gosh, that was a phenomenal job," she said. "That number of 7,000-plus waiting for adoptive parents has been brought down to under 3,000. That is really admirable." Bartosz said MDHHS' computer system is still being implemented, and as of yet, there have been issues in completing the work. That, she said, leads to other problems, as noted safety issues, with some progress sliding back. She also said the state has a way to go in terms of updating medical passports for children in foster care, which provides a full medical history. The state legislature passed laws requiring the passport to be completed, but its implementation has been stalled due to the lack of an electronic data system. "There are many achievements for people working in the child welfare system to be proud of," she said. "But, we need to pay and give laser focus to be confident it is going to get there."
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TOTAL SALES VOLUME ALL RESIDENTIAL AND CONDO SALES
PRICE: $2,000,000+ 150
140
130
120
38.4% 110
100
$ in Millions
90
80
70
60
50 Mkt 13.5%
40 Mkt 10.6%
30
20
Mkt 5.8%
10
Mkt 3.1% Mkt 2.3%
Mkt 2.2%
Mkt 1.8%
Mkt 1.7%
Mkt 1.5%
RE/MAX New Trend
Bailey Schmidt Inc
Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Hwwb
0 Signature Sotheby’s International Realty
Max Broock Realtors® Birmingham
Keller Williams Domain Birmingham
Hall & Hunter Birmingham
Max Broock Realtors® Bloomfield Hills
Shain Park Realtors®
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel Birmingham
This statistical information has been obtained from Realcomp II Ltd and actual sales. These statistics are derived from data believed to be reliable. This information is not to be reproduced, redistributed, or combined with data from other sources without expressed permission from Realcomp. Date: 1/17/18
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RENOVATION
26900 Crestwood Drive Franklin Village - $545,000 Spectacular “Sanctuary-like” 1.41 acre parcel available in Estate section of Franklin Village. A Topographical survey and soil boring tests are available. The lot is surrounded by mature trees, woods and tall pines offering total privacy. Plans to build a 3300 Square foot French Tudor, with a full walkout basement and a four car garage with portico (total foot print over 4800 sq ft) have been developed and may be included with the sale. The possibilities are endless here Build your grand estate or retirement walk-out ranch - We have a builder and architect very familiar with the lot or you can use your own. This beautiful lot is prepped and ready to go with a strong Artesian well (water tested) and the septic field pumped and removed. One of the best lots in Franklin!
1600 Hillwood Drive Bloomfield Hills - $575,000 You'll be entranced the moment you walk this beautiful property and imagine your dream home here! The approach offers a lot of privacy with a rolling hill, wooded views and a picturesque pond with tons of wildlife to the North. With nearly 3 acres of land and mature trees, this lot feels like you are Up North. The existing home is also quite charming and very well constructed with solid bones and a bit of mid-century flair for those who want to renovate. Beautiful hardwood flooring and wood windows, built in cabinetry, a finished walk out LL with rec room and two additional bedrooms. When you walk the property you will fall in love with the ambiance and expansiveness. Plus there is a private road leading to multi million dollar homes and a charming cul-de-sac at the top of the hill. The views are fabulous from every window, the location is ideal to be in Birmingham in minutes and just imagine the private sanctuary you can create here. Our custom builder is available for private consultations!
31400 Kennoway Court Beverly Hills Village - $775,000 Live the private retreat lifestyle in a country atmosphere on nearly one acre right in the heart of Beverly Hills! With graciously sized rooms, a gourmet chef's kitchen and exquisite decor, this sprawling ranch like home lends itself to comfortable living and entertaining many. All will love the door walls from the kitchen, dining, family and master to the expansive rear patio, pool and grounds surrounded by mature trees and landscaping. High end appliances, three fireplaces, Anderson windows, custom tray ceilings, brand new roof and best of all, a 4 season glass enclosed Solarium! Cherry, bamboo, Padauk, cork and commercial grade ceramic flooring, whole house generator, large storage room above the garage, city water with well water sprinkler system and all within a one mile radius of award winning Birmingham Schools! This is a must see home!
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Mid-Century Modern 4 Bedroom Colonial completely secluded within trees including your very own private drive!
34300 Lyncroft Street Farmington Hills - $649,000
Eva Morrow Associate Broker 248-320-9100
30800 Rosemond Lane Franklin Village
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
eva@signaturesothebys.com | www.MichiganHomes.net
Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 | japap@signaturesothebys.com
www. johnapap.com 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
Top Producing Agent
1080 Pleasant Street
4525 Lakeview Court
Birmingham - $1,695,000
Bloomfield Hills - $1,349,900
7106 Old Mill Road
695 Shepardbush Street
Bloomfield Hills - $1,297,888
Birmingham - $1,249,900
3423 Chickering Lane
1090 Puritan Avenue
Bloomfield Hills - $1,150,000
Birmingham - $1,149,000
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Lynn Wiand
Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division
Vice President | Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS # 394920
Lynn.Wiand@ChemicalBank.com
248-228-4805 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084
Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 | japap@signaturesothebys.com
www. johnapap.com 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
Top Producing Agent
895 Puritan Avenue
275 Barden Road
Birmingham - $1,099,000
Bloomfield Hills
32630 Bingham Road
140 Hamilton Road
Bingham Farms Village - $999,900
Bloomfield Village - $975,000 on
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1580 Tottenham Road
1219 Quarton Road
Bloomfield Village - $939,900
Birmingham
248-644-1200 248-644-1201 (f) 36400 Woodward Ave, Suite 122 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Ken Mascia NMLS #135323
kmascia@primecapitalmortgage.com
Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 | japap@signaturesothebys.com
www. johnapap.com 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
Top Producing Agent
2670 Covington Place
2993 Heron Place
672 Bloomfield Court
Bloomfield Village - $1,239,000
Bloomfield Hills - $1,199,900
Birmingham - $1,049,900
915 Chester Street
1099 Glenhurst Drive
3231 Bloomfield Crossing
Birmingham - $949,000
Birmingham - $749,000
Bloomfield Hills - $649,900
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521 N Kenwood Avenue
1011 Westwood Drive
760 Kennebec Court
Royal Oak - $574,900
Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills
Lara J. Forte Senior Loan Officer NMLS # 1169665
Lara.Forte@ChemicalBank.com
Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division
248-284-5178 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084
Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 | japap@signaturesothebys.com
www. johnapap.com 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
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Quintessential designer built family cottage. 5600+ square feet of high-end luxury on picturesque Mullett Lake! Call for details.
Extraordinary Homes
1080 Pilgrim Avenue
1186 Westwood Drive
Birmingham - $2,795,000
Birmingham - $2,395,000
1298 Brookwood Street
885 Redding Road
887 Redding Road
Birmingham - $2,395,000
Birmingham - $1,249,000 - Price reflects one Townhome
Birmingham - $1,249,000 - Price reflects one Townhome
248-228-4805 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084
Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division
Lynn Wiand
Vice President | Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS # 394920
Lynn.Wiand@ChemicalBank.com
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FACES
Royce "The Voice" Javan ocal crooner Royce "The Voice" Javan has come a long way since mimicking television commercial jingles as a child growing up in Brevard, North Carolina. "I knew I could sing when I was a kid, about four or five years old. I found that out from responses by my family who could hear me sing," Javan said. "We would watch Sunday TV and gather around the TV in the living room. One habit I developed, I had instant memory of commercials. I would jump off the floor and run into the kitchen and someone knew to follow me. I would open the fridge, and that was my spotlight, and recite what I just heard. When it was over, I would do it again, as if it was a musical." After singing in his school and church choirs, Javan studied music at Brevard College, where he was a walk-on running back on the football team. By his third year, he was on the road with the great Duke Ellington Orchestra, eventually becoming lead singer under the late Mercer Ellington's leadership. It was during that time Javan roomed with the late great Marcus Belgrave, who would take him out after shows for impromptu jam sessions with local bands wherever they played. The ability to sit in with other musicians served as part of Javan's training after college when he moved to the Detroit area to pursue a music career. He first joined the Lyman Woodard Organization – the organ player who helped define Detroit's jazz-funk sound – as lead singer, then with Norma Jean Bell and the All Stars, the house band at Detroit's Axles Lounge, on 8 Mile Road. "I got real exposure in Detroit," Javan said. "We would go to Axles on Sunday night for jam sessions, and I would sit in there before I became a
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member. I got to sing a few songs and showcase myself. Eventually, they hired me as the lead singer." Now living and working in Birmingham and the surrounding area, Javan can be seen with the Royce and Jenn Band, featuring his longtime musical partner Jennifer Christiansen. Keeping a busy calendar of local gigs, Javan also devotes time to recording originals and performing with other musicians. For those who haven't heard Javan sing live, chances are you've heard his voice on television or the radio, as he has served as the National Anthem Singer for the NBA Detroit Pistons during the team's Bad Boy era. He also revisited his childhood singing, recording his own jingles and voiceover work on dozens of commercials, including President Tuxedo, Buick, Pontiac, White Castle, and several metro-Detroit malls. He's also done commercial voiceover work as Louie Armstrong and James Brown, and even body-doubled as Barry Sanders. With more than three decades in the music business, Javan has sung with many of musical greats, including Peabo Bryson, Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls, and has opened for artists like Al Green, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka and others, including his distant cousin, Roberta Flack. And it's, perhaps, from his family where Javan gained his signature singing style. "My mom was a first soprano, and her brother was a professional recoding artist in his prime. He was the first to give me lessons on singing, primarily how to hold long notes," he said. "I was determined to hold a note longer than him. That's one of my trademarks now." Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
Sal Impastato, REALTOR Mark L. Bess, REALTOR
248.763.2223
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simpastato@hallandhunter.com
248.425.3778
salandmark.com
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mbess@hallandhunter.com
Birmingham | 463 Golf View Boulevard | $550,000 Sophisticated complete remodel for this Colonial boasting great curb appeal on large private lot. Center entrance foyer greets you with open paneled staircase. Generous living room with fireplace and built-in bookcases has French door to glassed library/sunroom with heated floor. Exquisite kitchen has white cabinetry, Calcutta marble counters, glass backsplash and stainless appliances (including Viking gas range), as well as a bayed breakfast area leading to paver patio. Master bedroom features paneled wall and dual closets. One of three upstairs bedrooms includes a French door to 2nd balcony. Hardwood floors, extensive use of recessed lighting and custom millwork throughout. This low maintenance home has all new windows, Hardie Board siding, new drive, new landscape, brick paver patio, full basement and 2-car garage. All you have to do is move in! 1,916 Square Feet | 3 Bedrooms | 1 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218064235
Birmingham | 511 Hanna Street | $985,000 In-town Dutch Colonial blends charm & character with updates for today’s lifestyle. Exceptional covered front porch with blue stone. Updated white kitchen opens to family room & side deck with pergola. Spacious master has amazing new stone bath. Attached 2-car garage. 3,037 SF | 4 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218040954
Bloomfield Hills | 799 E. Long Lake Road | $299,900
Birmingham | 35300 Woodward Avenue | $299,900
Penthouse views from this sophisticated Poppleton Place Extraordinary opportunity to own the former Briggs Estate top-floor remodel with premium upgrades & prime SW Stable Master’s home. Set on 1.3 rolling wooded acres, this exposure. New white island kitchen by Designs Unlimited. charming English cottage features 2 fireplaces & walkout lower level. Kitchen opens to dining room with access to Open living room & dining room has new flooring and balcony overlooking downtown. Assoc. fee includes heat and water. large wraparound balcony with custom built-in barbecue. 993 SF | 2 BR | 2 Full Baths | MLS# 218040954 1,569 Total SF | 2 BR | 1 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218035053
Pleasant Ridge | 18 Ridge Road | $1,195,000 Stately Arts & Crafts inspired 1913 French Manor landmark home sited deep on a beautifully manicured lot. Gracious rooms with 9’ ceilings. Extensive use of leaded glass adds to the authenticity of this 1913 gem. Absolutely stunning new island kitchen features exceptional amenities. Private all-new master suite includes sitting room with built-ins. New boiler 2018, and dual zoned A/C. 3,841 SF | 5 BR | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218044273
442 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009 248.644.3500
Profit from Our Experience
MUNICIPAL Split decision in water, sewer suit
Consultant, attorney hired for development By Lisa Brody
By Lisa Brody
A class action suit against Bloomfield Township filed in April 2016 by the law firm Hanley Kickham, which has been largely successful suing municipalities for excessive water and sewer fees, received a mixed ruling from Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Dan O'Brien on Thursday, July 12, ruling for the township in some instances, and for the plaintiff class in others. Hanley Kickham lawyers argued that Bloomfield Township, like other municipalities, had raised taxes in violation of the Headlee Tax Limitation amendment. O’Brien did not award any damages and urged the opposing parties to continue negotiating. Bloomfield Township residents who had paid the township for water and sewer services since March 31, 2010, had been included in the Oakland County Circuit County suit, Youmans v. Charter Township Bloomfield, which challenged Bloomfield Township's imposition of water and sewer charges as a tax in excess of rates imposed by Southeast Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA), which resells water to Bloomfield Township from the city of Detroit, and Oakland County Water Resources Commission, which provides sewer services for the township. The case was tried before O'Brien for the full month of February 2018, who took the case under advisement until July 12. He then read his verdict out loud, over a period of approximately four hours, to the court room, with the ruling not released n writing as some rulings have not yet been determined. “There were seven issues that were made by the plaintiff, over how the township sewer and water department levies its rates,” said Bloomfield Township Attorney Bill Hampton. “The biggest issue was, should the water and sewer rates be paid to the water and sewer fund or to the general fund, which is funded by taxpayer property taxes. One issue under contention in the lawsuit was the way the township prepares and utilizes its water and sewer charges, and whether it violates the Headlee Amendment by constituting a tax, out of the general fund, or a fee, by being paid out of the water and sewer fund. downtownpublications.com
irmingham city commissioners unanimously approved hiring Jones Lang LaSalle to provide development consultant services for the proposed Woodward Bates project on Old Wodward, as well as engaging attorney Joe Fazio of the Miller Canfield law firm, to serve as development attorney and bond counsel, at their meeting on Monday, June 25. Assistant city manager Tiffany Gunter explained that after city commissioners approved continuing discussions with development group Waldbridge/Woodward Bates Partners to redevelop the N. Old Woodward parking lot with more parking, an extension of Bates Street, a liner of retail along the new street, a mixed use building comprising residential and office space, and a park at their meeting on June 4, staff quickly determined that they needed expertise beyond their development capabilities. She said that on June 13, they issued a request for qualifications for the development consultant component, receiving back responses from three firms, with a variety of price quotations. “Plante Moran came in the lowest, but when we looked at the hours, we realized we also wanted to include more, including having report negotiations,” Gunter said. Staff determined that Jones Lang LaSalle had the best response, as well as excellent references. “$91,240 will take us through negotiations with the development attorney and bond counsel and environmental services,” Gunter said. She said the city attorney, Tim Currier, recommended they work with Joe Fazio of Miller Canfield as the development attorney and bond counsel for the city. Fazio said his rate is $450 per hour, “I will be working with a team of younger associates which will keep the costs down.” “From our process, this is the logical next step to get to the final plans. This is the team we are proposing to go forward with,” city manager Joe Valentine said. “Your guidance is very critical at this point in case the developer cannot fulfill their concept,” said commissioner Pierre Boutros. Commissioners approved the two hires, voting 6-0, with commissioner Mark Nickita not in attendance.
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“If something benefits water and sewer customers, it generally is charged to the water and sewer fund,” Hampton said, explaining that water and sewer are user charges, “so you wouldn't want it paid out of the general fund.” He said there are also about 210 tax exempt water and sewer properties in the township – such as schools, religious institutions – “but they consume water, but they are tax exempt users because they're not paying into it.” Judge O'Brien ruled in favor of Bloomfield Township, that there was no violation of the Headlee Amendment, “that none of the various issues were a fee,” Hampton reported. Regarding the stormwater charge in the lawsuit, where the plaintiff was requesting $475,000, asserting that the township had overcharged water and sewer customers over the years on pass through fees levied by the
Oakland County, O'Brien ruled in favor of Bloomfield Township. On other counts, such as other post employment benefits, known as OPEB, which are medical expenses for retirees, the plaintiffs requested a judgement of $1.058 million, and while the judge found in favor of the plaintiff class, they were not awarded any damages, but were ordered an unspecified remedy. For rent of a township water and sewer facility, which is in a separate building which pays Bloomfield Township rent, similar to the 48th District Court, the plaintiff requested $1.75 million; the judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff class, but again, did not award damages, but did order a remedy. For water that is used to fight fires in the township, the “public fire protection remedy,” which the plaintiff asserted was money water and sewer customers should not have
DOWNTOWN
been paying, they requested $8.4 million for The Maine Curve analysis theory, which deals with stormwater management hydrology and floodwater control, based on population. Judge O'Brien rejected this analysis, ruling for the township. In a second part of public fire protection remedy, the plaintiff class requested $3.7 million based on a violation of the Revenue Bond Act of 1933, which permits bonding for public improvements. Judge O'Brien ruled in favor of the plaintiff, but did not award damages but did order an unspecified remedy. In the lost water category, which was broken down into three categories, the court found in favor of the plaintiff for tap water, but ordered no damages. They were seeking $3.5 million. For leaks and breaks in water lines, O'Brien told the court he was awarding the plaintiff damages, but that he was leaving it up to the two sides to come up with what the damages, if any, should be. Approximately 350 township residents are on wells, and are seweronly customers. The plaintiff sought a claim of damages of $2.1 million for those customers, which O'Brien did not rule out, but did not rule in favor of either. Once again, he told lawyers of both sides it was up to them to work it out. The last claim, on non-rate revenue, which includes interest and penalties, the plaintiffs requests $2.9 million, calculations the court rejected. However, once again, O'Brien did not rule for either party, and did not rule on what damages could, or couldn't be, saying at one point, “They could be as low as $1,” if the plaintiff prevailed. “Until I get the transcript, it doesn't appear the judge ordered a dime against the township,” Hampton said. “But I believe the judge felt there needed to be more transparency in laying out the (water and sewer) rate memos, more clarity and more detail in how the rates are formulated. In those instances where he is ordering a remedy but no damages, I believe he is ordering more transparency in how the township develops its water and sewer rates.” Hampton said it is not a final judgement yet, and there will not be an appeal until a final judgement is given, which could be several months yet. 71
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on a regular basis, in our Septembet issue. • SCHOOL LUNCHES AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS Ad deadline Friday, August 10.
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BULLIES • LOCAL RECYLCING Office: EFFORTS • CHANGING ROLE OF LIBRARIES • COLLAPSE 248.792.6464 ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@DowntownPublications.com
OF OAKLAND STUDIO • TRIANGLE DISTRICT NEW FRONTIER • BIRMINGHAM NIGHTLIFE PROBLEMS • TROY TRANSIT CENTER • GOVERNMENT MEETING RULES •
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NEW LIFE FOR CITY ALLEYS • RAIL DISTRICT REVIVAL • CABLE TV WARS • PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOL CRIME • WHO IS WATCHING THE CHILDREN? • CONCERNS OVER STYRENE • COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM • STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSIONS • WHO OWNS DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM • HOMELESS IN OAKLAND COUNTY • MUNICIPAL, SCHOOL LEGAL FEES • FUTURE OF CITY GOLF COURSES • OPENING UP GOVERNMENT FILES • MUNICIPAL ETHICS GUIDELINES
Tactical Asset Allocation Strategies We use a series of technical and rules-based indicators that assist in putting offensive and defensive playbooks together for our 6 tactical strategies. What is your game-plan when it comes to managing your money?
Chris C. DeWolfe Managing Partner | PIM Portfolio Manager | Senior Financial Advisor cdewolfe@theicg.com | www.theicg.com
500 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009
248.273.8200 Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. The Investment Consulting Group is a separate entity from WFAFN.
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DOWNTOWN
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CHRIS
PERO
A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r
248.797.0784 | cgpero@yahoo.com
over $39 million closed & pending yTd in 2018
372 Barden - Bloomfield Hills - $2,899,900
Magnificent 2001 built estate home on 1.4 acres. Expertly constructed with gorgeous finishes and quality throughout. 5 bedrooms, 5.2 baths.
1222 Fairfax - Birmingham - $1,599,900
2000 custom built Quarton Lake Estates colonial. Excellent floor plan and lavishly upgraded throughout. 4 bedrooms, 4.2 baths.
1136 Pierce - Birmingham - $899,900
Wonderful home walking distance to downtown. Beautiful large kitchen with center island open to family room. 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths. Finished basement.
873 N Cranbrook - Bloomfield Village - $789,900
Spacious village home on a large .58 acre corner lot. First floor master plus 3 additional bedrooms. Great outdoor patio and fireplace.
337 Fairfax – Birmingham - $649,900
Four bedroom Quarton Lake Estates colonial on an 80 x 160 lot. Three full baths upstairs. Finished rec room in basement. Two car attached garage. Walk to Quarton Elementary.
275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham
4920 Dryden - Bloomfield Hills - $2,799,900
Stunning 2016 home built by LaMarco Homes and decorated to perfection. 5 bedrooms, 4.2 baths. Almost 1.5 acres with Birmingham Schools.
336 Suffield – Birmingham - $1,550,000
Wonderful Quarton Lake Estates colonial on a 120 foot wide lot. Spacious floor plan with beautiful remodeled kitchen & butlers pantry. 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths.
2781 Turtle Shores - Bloomfield Hills - $899,900
Wonderful lot opportunity in prestigious Turtle Lake. Amazing value for 1.94 acres on Turtle Lake with approximately 162 feet of lake frontage.
889 Suffield - Birmingham - $775,000
In the heart of Quarton Lake Estates, 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath colonial. Remodeled kitchen opens to nook and family room. Spacious mudroom and great outdoor space.
560 Berwyn - Birmingham - $589,900
Character and charm fill this 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath cape cod on a .37 acre lot with a huge backyard. White kitchen opens to nook and family room overlooking yard.
CHRIS
PERO
A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r
248.797.0784 | cgpero@yahoo.com
275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham
over $39 million closed & pending yTd in 2018
990 Pilgrim – Birmingham - $2,750,000
One of the finest homes in Quarton Lake Estates. High-end finishes throughout 7000+ square feet of living space. 4 bedrooms, 5.3 baths. 4 car garage.
329 Pine Ridge - Bloomfield Hills - $1,499,900
Beautifully situated home on a cul-de-sac one acre lot in desirable Echo Ridge sub. Recently remodeled and updated throughout. 4 bedrooms, 4.2 baths.
400 Pilgrim - Birmingham - $799,900
4 bedroom, 3.2 bath colonial in Quarton Lake Estates. Spacious kitchen with center island. Second floor laundry. Finished rec room in basement.
411 S Old Woodward, #912 - Birmingham - $699,900
Spacious unit in Birmingham Place on the 9th floor with picturesque southern views. Gorgeous kitchen. Doorwalls to two separate balconies. Step outside and enjoy downtown Birmingham.
590 Riverside - Birmingham - $449,900
Unique opportunity for land purchase in a secluded detached condo development. Tucked away site yet just blocks away from town.
765 Vaughan - Bloomfield Hills - $2,100,000
Incredible 2 acre property just blocks from Cranbrook. Expansive floor plan with spacious room sizes. 6 bedrooms, 6.2 baths.
30 Cabot Place - Bloomfield Hills - $1,099,000
Spacious 5 bedroom, 3.2 bath home with first floor master suite. Large 1.2 acre lot. Beautiful in-ground pool, decks and landscaping. Birmingham schools.
3500 W Bradford - Bloomfield Hills - $799,900
2004 built sprawling ranch in Westchester Village. Spacious open floor plan with large kitchen. Bonus loft area. Full finished basement.
623 Bloomfield Court - Birmingham - $699,900
Tucked away on a quiet street just blocks from downtown Birmingham. 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths. Private lot, 2 car garage.
863 Knox – Birmingham - $439,900
Short walk to town from this Poppleton colonial. 4 bedrooms upstairs, 2.1 baths. Master with vaulted ceilings and large private bath. New 2 car garage.
Walk To Cranbrook 14 Beresford Court • Bloomfield Hills • 1.34 Acres
BEDROOMS
BATHROOMS
SQUARE FEET
FEATURES
GARAGE
5
4 Full Baths/ 2 Half
5,643
1st Floor Master
4 Car Attached
Daniel Mahoney Associate Broker
CREATING CHEMISTRY ONE HOME AT A TIME.
Phone: 810.695.1990 Mobile: 248.631.7707 Email: dan@mahoney.realtor Website: danmahoney.realtor
536 Perry Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439
Whether you’re planning to buy or build a new home, or refinance your current mortgage, let experienced professional Lynn Wiand and Chemical Bank help you find the right loan option to meet your needs. Contact Lynn today to get started!
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After months of revisions and community input, on Monday, July 9, Birmingham city commissioners finally approved a resolution directing staff to issue a request for proposal (RFP) to solicit a professional firm to build on existing logo efforts for a new city logo. The city has been working on creating a new logo for about two years, when designers at McCann Detroit responded to a previous RFP sent out to advertising, public relation and design firms in order to have the city of Birmingham's logo rebranded. The city set aside $5,000 for the project, which McCann acknowledged would not really cover the work, so they made it an internal competition, with their designers competing and the winner receiving the $5,000 as a stipend. However, in June 2017, when McCann showed their results, commissioners felt the logos presented were a “work in progress,” which needed to be refined. One design included an icon of the Marshall Fredericks sculpture located in Shain Park, with Birmingham: A Walkable City, in classic typeface, which was preferred by the agency and the ad hoc committee, but the commission felt no
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Birmingham agrees to issue logo RFP
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The former First Church of Christ Scientist at 191 N. Chester was unanimously approved by Birmingham city commissioners at their meeting on Monday, June 25, to become The Jeffrey, an office building which will redone with three-story glass and a lobby that extends to the property line. The building, a Georgian limestone church first built in 1927, closed a few years ago, although the Christian Science Reading Room, 355 E. Maple in Birmingham, remains open. After it closed, the property was purchased by The Surnow Company in Birmingham, whose founder, Jeffrey Surnow, died in 2014. The renovated building will be called The Jeffrey in his honor. At the meeting on June 25, planning director Jana Ecker said the site had recently been rezoned transition zone 2 (TZ2), and “the owner is looking to convert it from a church building to an office building. They're looking to leave the footprint the same on three sides, except the front. They're looking to take off the front for the lobby and bring an addition to the property line. They then decided to expand the second and third floors,” noting that the property slopes, with the first floor in the front actually a lower level in the rear. She said the second floor will enclose the building and expose the roof with glass, and the top floor will enclose and expose another area with glass. “Then the building became over 20,000 square feet,” she said, necessitating a community impact study. The new front elevation will do away with several steps in the sidewalk, which Ecker said were not ADA-compliant. “Then they will redo the sidewalk on Willits. There will no longer be steps, and they will add a crosswalk,” she said, noting the building will become ADA-compliant. An elevator will be added inside. The Surnow Group is proposing three potential tenants, each with over 3,000 square feet. The church currently has three parking spaces, and Surnow will add eight more, for 11 on site by removing a retaining wall, as well as adding an outdoor patio below grade at the corner of Chester and Willits.
“I think it's a beautiful elevation, a beautiful renovation for this building,” said commissioner Rackeline Hoff. Mayor pro tem Patty Bordman concurred. “This is a building that has been in Birmingham since 1927. It could have been an icon,” she said. “This developer (Sam Surnow) personally went to all of the neighbors to make sure they like the design.” “In theory, many of the workers will have to park off-site,” pointed out mayor Andy Harris, with city engineer Paul O'Meara confirming there is a waiting list at the nearby Chester parking lot. Ecker said the owners had already procured spaces for workers. “There is definitely a waiting list – we've been on the waiting list for years,” noted Surnow. “We currently have 140 spaces. We anticipate approximately 60 people in this building, including visitors, who will pay the daily rate. We've allocated 40 spaces we're currently paying for to this building, plus the 11 on site.”
Adams
Downtown church okayed for offices
2330 Cole Street Birmingham www.bnrcars.com
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Classic Colonial with updated façade & superb “Down to the Studs” 2005 renovation & additions. Spacious L-shaped family room overlooking lawn & gardens. Well-appointed island kitchen. Luxurious master suite. Finished egress lower level.
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Fabulous ranch home on a private, acre site. Open floor plan. Finished walkout lower level with theatre & bar. 5 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths. Walls of windows provide gorgeous views. Cook’s kitchen. 1st floor master suite. 3-car garage. Generator.
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MUNICIPAL one could identify it. Others were deemed too generic. The current city logo features a tree. At the time Joellen Haines, assistant to city manager Joe Valentine, said McCann Detroit and the ad hoc brand development committee (BBDC) felt their goal was to establish a new brand through a new logo that communicated the city’s image in a positive, evolving and refreshing way. A January 2018, public online survey revealed that most people preferred an image with trees. In April, commissioners were initially split between just keeping the current city logo and having Haines work on developing a new RFP for a new firm to continue the design process. At the time, commissioner Mark Nickita was emphatic that the city of Birmingham deserved a dynamic, new logo. “It's our brand. Personally, I think it's subpar,” Nickita said at the April 23 meeting. “Having something like this for 30 years or so is where it began. I for one feel if Royal Oak and Ferndale and other communities can upgrade theirs, so can we.”
downtownpublications.com
On July 9, Haines informed commissioners staff had developed the requested RFP “to build on what we already have, from stakeholders, meetings, the community, and our survey.” “We're going to give potential firms broad reach and the ability to review all of the previous material,” Haines said. “We'll give the commission the ability to narrow the choices.” Mayor pro tem Patty Bordman said she didn't want to squelch their creativity. “A lot of firms like to start fresh, but we don't need them to reinvent the wheel,” noted commissioner Pierre Boutros. “They need to work with what we've learned – that's just common sense.” Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve sending out the RFP.
New casual restaurant coming to Stand spot The new owners of a distinctive Birmingham restaurant location are
determined to make sure it's not “three strikes, you're out,” as they received unanimous approval from the Birmingham City Commission at their meeting on Monday, June 25, for a special land use permit amendment and liquor license transfer to open Hazel Ravines & Downtown in the former Stand restaurant location at the corner of Woodward and Maple roads. Planning director Jana Ecker said the new operators, Beth Houssey and Emmele Herrold, who had opened OneEyed Betty's and Pop's Italian in Ferndale, “want to open a new establishment and want to make some design changes.” Ecker noted that right now people enter an office building. Instead, they would like to seal off one of the entrances and make that lobby area an open air indoor dining area, with a grab-and-go market just inside where diners can eat in or outdoors, or just take bakery items and coffee and go. The kitchen and bar area will remain the same, but other indoor areas will be reconfigured. “With regards to the outside, they
DOWNTOWN
are proposing to add a larger garden in the corner of Woodward and Maple, and they are proposing to fence it off and add a garden,” Ecker said. She said they would like to take off the awnings and add fabric in green with yellow signage. “They're trying to soften the site, to make it more inviting, more homey.” A weathervane at the corner would add further signage. “It's an attempt to do public art and direct you to the (new) entrance on Peabody,” Ecker explained. She said the floor of the new open air dining area would be a colorful mosaic that would hold 22 seats. The restaurant, which was previously Zazio and The Stand, holds an economic development liquor license. “One thing we want is success, and one thing I am concerned is that the name does not scream 'eating,' and unless people know it's a restaurant, we'll have another failure,” said mayor pro tem Patty Bordman. “It's an interesting name,” explained Houssey. “I know, I have a history of
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Birmingham | 968 Arlington Drive | $4,750,000 +
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Bloomfield Hills | 1772 Heron Ridge | $1,400,000
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597 Westwood Drive | Birmingham | $1,099,900 Newer Quarton Lake brick Colonial boasts an array of recent high-end designer touches. Great entertaining spaces, including a large dining room, huge kitchen & family room with 18’ ceilings. Master suite has dual walk-in closets and expansive marble bath. Freshly finished LL with full bath. Rare 3-car garage. Walk to Quarton Lake School and the lake. 4,309 Square Feet | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 218040606
6485 Thurber Road | Bloomfield | $387,500
2929 Bradway Blvd. | Bloomfield Village | $774,900
Awesome ranch on double lot with Wing Lake privileges including beach, park, boat and dock facilities. Extraordinary master suite with direct access to brick paver patio & private fenced yard. Kitchen opens to spacious great room. Attached 2-car garage. Professionally finished grounds with water feature. Bloomfield Hills schools.
Prominently perched on a hilltop setting, this classic Village brick colonial is a great value for those looking for the right canvas to add their custom finishes and trendy designer touches. The home features an island kitchen, formal living and dining rooms, a den with built-ins and an impressive family room overlooking the private yard.
2,141 Square Feet | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full Baths | MLS# 218050929
3,275 Square Feet | 3-4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218030877
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
MUNICIPAL
Nine-story hotel building downtown denied By Lisa Brody
request before Birmingham's Planning Board on Wednesday, June 27, to have the site of the former Mountain King restaurant and an adjacent former bank, at 469-479 S. Old Woodward, rezoned to allow a nine-story mixed use building for a luxury hotel was denied as not having met the necessary criteria. At the beginning of the discussion, planning board chair Scott Clein noted that “This is a rezoning application, not a discussion of the proposed hotel, because if the project goes away, we have to live with the rezoning.” He further noted that the city and board had received a lot of letters pro and against the proposed rezoning. “It's very clear the residents of Birmingham Place are against,” Clein said. Planning director Jana Ecker pointed out the proposed property is located at the corner of Hazel, S. Old Woodward and Woodward, and both had been vacant since at least 2014. “They are zoned B-3, office/residential, and D-4, in the overlay district. The applicant is requesting it be changed from D-4 to D-5, and keep it B-3. D-4 allows for up to five-stories. Over five stories was created about a year ago – up to but not over a building abutting or adjacent to a higher building. There is no height or number of stories other than it must match the adjacent buildings.” The properties in Birmingham zoned D-5 are the Merrillwood Building; Birmingham Place; and 555 Building, all built in the early to mid-1970s. Zoning was reduced to one-to-two stories in the late 1970s, and then the 2016 Plan raised zoning to five stories, Ecker explained. Ecker said the new owners of the site at 469-479 S. Old Woodward wanted the rezoning “to preserve the rights of ownership, as the size and shape of the property would not allow for retail on Old Woodward. The width would not allow for a modern, mixed-use building. An infill would bring it into harmony with its adjacent neighbors (Birmingham Place at 10-stories to the north; 555 at 15stories to the south), and would provide a unified block and gateway to the city from the south.” She said the owners said it would put this property on equal footing with surrounding properties. Ecker said since the change in zoning categories, this was the first request, and contrary to an issue raised in letters against the request, “the fire department is capable of fighting fires in buildings over seven stories. The fire department assured us they are capable of fighting fires in buildings of this size.” Doraid Markus, one of the partners requesting the zoning change, asked, “Shouldn't I not be harmonious with the buildings around me?” “To me, the D-5 zoning was done to bring the non-conforming buildings into compliance, so they could improve their buildings,” said planning board member Janelle Whipple-Boyce. “I do think this is an underutilized property. I don't know if 80-feet (the height permitted in D-4) isn't enough.” “I come down on being favorable,” said planning board member Robin Boyle. “It's next to a 10-story building with a lot of people. It fits.” “The reality is I can't get a hotel concept on it – it's too narrow and long,” site owner Markus said. “I need to go vertical. We're using a very high end hotelier who's using a certain number of elevators and stairways. It's economics, yes, to get the flag. I'm limited by parking because I'm not in the parking assessment district – I can't put in office or restaurant – so the only thing that works is a hotel.” He said he has owned the property for two-and-a-half years. “What frustrates me is coming in and seeing a concrete wall,” said planning board member Stuart Jeffares. “I don't have a problem with a building as high as Birmingham Place,” said Whipple-Boyce. “I don't think you guys have proved you deserve to be rezoned. I don't think this is necessary. You haven't proved the case. I honestly was appalled to hear the applicant say he bought the property and the only thing that will work here is a 10-story hotel, period, assuming you'll just be rezoned because that's what you want to build. I've never heard that before. That's not how we work.” Attorney Rick Rattner requested a delay to rework the rezoning proposal, but Clein said, “I don't know there's another way. We've vetted this. To me, postponing is just kicking the can to another meeting and making everyone come to another meeting. What information are we going to get in two weeks or four weeks that will change our minds?” “I agree with Ms. Whipple-Boyce that the case hasn't been made strong enough,” said planning board member Bert Kosceck. A motion to approve the rezoning request failed, 5-2. Then a motion to recommend denying the rezoning request to the city commission passed, 5-2, with Boyle and Jeffares voting against.
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interesting names. I have a successful restaurant named One-Eyed Betty. It has to do with neighborhoods in Birmingham. It's not a pretentious place – we want a 'come as you are' casual place. I had a photo album in my iPhone, and it said 'Hazel Ravines & Downtown,' where all three came together was right there. It named itself. Hazel will be the neighborhood place. Ravines will be the worldly location, and Downtown, what's trending now. It's casual fine dining. That will be on all of our marketing. “Hopefully third time's the charm.” “We had a lot of discussion of how to activate this location,” said designer Roman Bonislawski of Ron & Roman designers. “With The Stand, you couldn't look inside. It's a rather large and rambling space, and the way we've attacked the space and reworked it. With the Peabody-facing entrance and the traveling market inside where you stop by and go on to work, it's truly intended to break down the barriers to anything elitist or fancy.” “I'm excited to bring my food to Birmingham,” said Herrold. “There's a lot of great food here, but they're high end. We're not high end. We're comfort food, neighborhood.” She described the first part of the restaurant as “meat and potato and wedge salad;” the second as “international, Spanish and French. The third part will be more adventurous, more trendy.” Commissioners approved the special land use permit amendment and authorizing the local part of the liquor license transfer agreement, 6-0, with Mark Nickita not in attendance.
Road construction project nears end After a long four and a half months, downtown Birmingham's road construction project is nearing the finish line. The project has shut down Old Woodward from Willits to Brown streets, and Maple Road essentially through downtown, as the roads required a complete reconstruction, similar to Pierce Street and Hamilton in previous years. These areas had some of the oldest water and sewer lines in Birmingham, as well as a streetscape that was on a different grade than the road. Much of this current infrastructure was installed in the 1940s and has exceeded its useful life – with some sewers dating to the 1890s. Besides improvements, a center
median has been added to Old Woodward along with bump outs at cross walks. With a projected completion date of early August, over 80 percent of construction is complete, with sidewalks being finished along Old Woodward, signals being installed at Maple and Old Woodward, and then the final touches of landscaping installed in newly formed planter boxes. Birmingham had budgeted over $7 million for the extensive road reconstruction project.
Financial committee seeking one member The Bloomfield Township financial sustainability committee, an advisory board comprising members of the community with financial knowledge in order to advise the board of trustees on financial matters, needs a new resident member, after member Don Katz announced he is moving to Alaska, township treasurer Brian Kepes announced at the board of trustees meeting on Monday, June 25. The financial sustainability committee was created in 2015 to assist the treasurer and trustees in making better informed financial decisions, but it is only an advisory committee. There are three community members, each with backgrounds in the financial services industry, who serve three-year terms. They are joined on the financial sustainability committee by Kepes, supervisor Leo Savoie, a trustee, who is currently Neal Barnett, and finance director Jason Theis. “Don Katz is moving to Fairbanks, Alaska, at the end of the month, and we need to fill that position,” Kepes said at the meeting. “We are asking for candidates to submit resumes by (Wednesday) July 18 at 5:30 p.m., and the board will decide who will fill that position for the remainder of that threeyear term.” The other general community members are Dave Petoskey and Ken Hudson. All three were re-appointed to three-year terms on February 12, 2018. Interested applicants must be a township resident and registered to vote; 18 years or older; a U.S. citizen, and have been a resident of Bloomfield Township at least 30 days. Qualified candidates include investment advisors, pension attorneys, and actuaries with specific experience in public sector finances. Letters of interest and a resume should be submitted to the clerk's office.
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Anita Sudakin hether it’s a glorious piece of pastry or a hand-sewn piece of clothing, Anita Sudakin says she is “intensely creative and has a passion for making beautiful things.” A creation she is particularly proud of is the cape she created for a 1992 show which took place in the lobby of the Fisher Building to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the building. The show’s items were designed by members of the Needlework and Textile Guild of Michigan, who were asked to use needles and thread to create items that would complement the architectural features of the building. “Because 'Phantom of the Opera' was showing at the Fisher Theatre at that time, I decided to use luxurious fabrics like velvets and silks, including my husband’s old silk neckties as well as leather scraps to depict the vaulted arches in the Fisher Building’s main lobby, the art deco shapes of the mosaics, the Pewabic tiles throughout the building and the bronze sculptures found on the elevators,” Sudakin recalled. “The fabrics were applied to a black brocade base using free motion embroidery.” Starting the second week of September, that cape will once again be on display in the main concourse of the Fisher Building as part of a display that will showcase historic photos of the building and its founders. And also, sometime in September, Sudakin will be asked to be part of a discussion group assembled by MKR Underground, a Fisher Building brick and mortar retail store where select artisans will be invited to sell their goods. Sudakin says she is most proud of her past association with the prestigious Julie: Artisans’ Gallery, a renowned Madison Avenue showcase for artists which created clothing and jewelry as an art form, now defunct.
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“It was the premier art-to-wear gallery in the United States, if not the world,” Sudakin said. “And several famous people purchased pieces I had there, including a jacket which was designated to be a birthday gift for Elizabeth Taylor, as well as an elaborate jacket purchased by the government of South Korea for a biennial exhibit at the Gwangju Museum in South Korea.” Over the years, the Detroit native has attended workshops all over the country to study beading, sewing machine embroidery, clothing and textile design, and as a result ended up creating garments for the American Quilt Guild which ended up touring all over the world. She has also traveled to Japan six times to study textiles and to attend textile dyeing workshops there. Sudakin noted, “In my head, I’m always thinking of new projects. I’m currently thinking about making small purses using denims and velvet because right now I want to work small and say what I have to say artistically in small ways.” The longtime Birmingham resident is also an accomplished chef who graduated from Oakland Community College’s Culinary Arts Hospitality Program in 1988. But after brief stints working as a pastry chef at Magasin, Appeteaser and the Ocean Grille in Birmingham, she decided she was “a little too old to be lifting 50-pound bags of sugar and flour,” so she decided to throw in the proverbial towel, but continues to employ her professional cooking experience while beautifully entertaining at home. Story: Judith Harris Solomon
Photo: Laurie Tennent
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2835 Orchard Place | Orchard Lake | $789,000 Initially the Pelletier farmhouse; this one-of-a-kind renovated home is resplendent with vintage charm & updated elegance. On almost an acre with lake privileges and docking available on Orchard Lake. Private, wooded setting. Circular drive.
4,689 SF | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Full Baths | MLS# 218052818
www.2835OrchardPlace.epropertysites.com
TWO stunning, slightly elevated properties on highly desirable Big Glen Lake in the Traverse City area. Both parcels offer incredible views of Sleeping Bear Dunes & the renowned sunsets of Alligator Hill. Many beautiful hardwood trees for privacy, yet nicely cleared areas for building a dream home. Co-listed with Bob Ihme, LVR Realty, (231) 334-6100.
6850 S. Dunns Farm Road | Glen Arbor | $4,500,000
1770 Eason Road | Waterford | $719,000
Rarely offered 6.4 acre parcel with expansive 542‘ of frontage provides a perfect backdrop for a family compound or private estate. MLS# 218057113
Brand new custom construction on private all-sports Watkins Lake. 100 feet of lakefront. Picturesque water views from almost every room. Open floor plan. Indoor/outdoor entertainment space opens to expansive paver patio and lake.
6890 S. Dunns Farm Road | Glen Arbor | $2,150,000
3,104 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218050596
Gorgeous 3.85 acre parcel with 250’ of frontage on Big Glen Lake. MLS# 218057042
www.1770Eason.epropertysites.com 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
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 listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown.
Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.2220.
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5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607. 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's: American. Lunch & 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. Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355. 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 Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774. Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.9000. Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880. Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor. Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984. 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. Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000. 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.
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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. 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. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 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, 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: European. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.9400. Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations. Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050. 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 & 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. Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner daily; Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.792.9609. Kaku Sushi and Poke': Asian. Lunch & Dinner. Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. No Liquor. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.480.4785. 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. La Strada Dolci e Caffe: Italian. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.0492. Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also
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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, 48304. 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. Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor. 185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.0000 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025. 248.723.7960. Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953. MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.723.0800. Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581.º Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 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: American. 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. Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, MondayFriday; 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, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.874.1876 Red Olive: Middle Eastern/American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.7767. Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270. Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6200. Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Sidecar Slider Bar: Burgers. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009. 248.220.4167. 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,
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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, Lunch only. 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 Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600. The Gallery Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 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. Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951. Vinotecca: European. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.6600. Village Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7964. Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.566.3566.
Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917. Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680. Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499.
Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.0082. The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.547.6699. Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1621. Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749. Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 48069. 248.544.2675. D’Amato’s: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.7400. Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017. 248.288.0220. The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150. GreenSpace Cafe: Vegan. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 215. W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.206.7510. Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145. Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916. Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500. KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500. Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 28028 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.965.2101. Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459. Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227. Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633. Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900. Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.850.7420. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300. Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No
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reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888. Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.1141. Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday - Sunday. Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067. 248.607.3127. Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186. Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7300. The Morrie: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112. Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.4444. Twisted Tavern: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.545,6750. Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072. 248.548.7711.
Troy/Rochester Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 176 N. Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.218.6001. Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300. Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831. Cantoro Italian Trattoria: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy 48083. 248.817.2424. CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600. O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537. Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060. Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400. Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098. 248.646.7900. McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400. The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825. Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5371. Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.
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METRO INTELLIGENCER Metro Intelligencer is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening on the restaurant scene in the metro Detroit area. Metro Intelligencer is reported/created each month by Dana Casadei who can be reached at DanaCasadei@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.
Traditional Japanese revival The Ford-Peabody Mansion – located at 325 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham – is in the mist of a makeover and will soon house Adachi, a traditional and authentic Japanese restaurant. Adachi’s owner Kenny Koza partnered with chef and restaurateur Michael Schlow to fine tune the concept after seeing a need for more traditional Japanese food options. “There’s not going to be any type of twist on it as far as any type of fusion,” said general manager Conrad Eichbauer. “In (chef) Lloyd’s (Roberts) words, everything is going to be made from scratch – other than soy sauce.” With plans to open for dinner service in August, Adachi will have a 10-seat bar, six-seat sushi bar, and 64 additional seats. While the menu is still evolving, there are a few things that are already set, including their plans to offer omakase, a meal that consists of dishes selected by the chef, and the name, which was inspired by the Adachi Museum of Art in Japan, a museum dedicated to Japanese horticulture.
Cantoro, Part II After the success of their Plymouth Township location, Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria has opened a second restaurant in Troy, Cantoro Italian Trattoria, and so far the new location is off to a busy start. Located in the former Tre Monti space at 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, the restaurant opened for dinner in June, with hopes to start serving lunch this summer. “I’m really happy the way things are running,“ said manager Jeff Jepko Valente. “We’re excited to be in that area and operating in that property.” For those who have visited the Plymouth Township location are now going to the Troy spot, they can expect the same quality of service and almost the exact same menu and wine list. Valente also said that they are discovering a lot of their clientele from the Plymouth location actually live in Troy. “This was a way to bring the Cantoro brand...right into their neighborhood,” he said. And gain a few new customers.
Third times a charm The former location of Birmingham restaurants The Stand and Zazio has new owners, Beth Hussey and Executive Chef Emmele Herrold, both of One-Eyed Betty’s and Pop’s for Italian in Ferndale. Keeping with their tradition of unique names, this one will be called Hazel, Ravines and Downtown. The name was inspired after Hussey took photos of the space, which her cell phone then grouped into an album with the same name. “I did a little research and found out that those are the names of three neighborhoods in Birmingham that all come together right where that building is,” Hussey said. With the general theme of being a friendly, comfortable neighborhood place, the name couldn’t have been more fitting. Much like the restaurant’s name, the menu is broken into three parts. “Hazel” will have very familiar and comforting foods, while “Ravines” will feature food stemmed from other countries and ethnicities. “Downtown” will be more of what’s trending right now in the culinary world, with plans to be constantly evolving. Each category on the menu – think salads, soup, entrees, etc. – will have something from each category. Since the space is so large, at 10,000-square-feet, they also have plans to focus on their four, flexible banquet spaces, which Hussey said can be divided into separate rooms or one large one. Oh, then there’s one other component, a marketplace at the front of the space that will be open daily for grab-and-go breakfast and lunch. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner, with plans to do brunch on the weekend. They’re aiming for a fall opening.
LA-flavored ramen After hearing from a friend who lives in Detroit that there were no good ramen places in the area, Urban Ramen owner Kohei Robert Kayano decided to bring his Los Angeles-based restaurant to the mitten. Right now, the 1,200-square-foot restaurant – which is located at 4206 Woodward Avenue in Detroit near the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) and opened in late June – is only offering dinner Monday through Saturday,
Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332. Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845. NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.816.3424. Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500. Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037. 248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084. 248.614.5390. Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424. Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, 48306. 248.652.4500. Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.817.2980. Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291.
Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310. Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890. Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954. Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282.
West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223. It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390. 248.360.4150. The Root Restaurant & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390. 248.698.2400. Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.
West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600. Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680. Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.851.2500. The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982. The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.
North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.6100. Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442. 248.634.5208. Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077. The Fed: American. Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch, Saturday and Sunday. Liquor. 15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.297.5833 Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500. Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660
Detroit Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.
2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207. 313.965.3111. Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543. Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214. 313.469.0976. Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180. El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070. Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun. Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600. Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122. Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.5588. Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318. Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837. Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216. 313.309.7946. Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616. Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.974.7669. Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700. 1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221. 313.863.1917. Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226. 313.309.2499. Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.2100. Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465
Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900. Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366. Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. SheWolf Pastifico & Bar: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 438 Selden St, Detroit 48201. 313.315.3992. Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000. Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828. Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702. St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216. 313.962.2121. Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234. Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668. The Block: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010. Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.9470. 24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.964.3821. Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.3965. Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857. Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711. The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700. Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646. Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1411. Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.
but Kayano wants to be open for lunch by August. Their menu offers chicken paitan ramen, tonkotsu ramen (which has a pork broth), and a vegan ramen, as well as a few other dishes. Naturally, their focus is on the ramen, though. “That’s our speciality, I think. We have a noodle every day, and the broth every day, we make from scratch in house,” he said. “I want the people in Detroit to know that this is authentic, Japanese ramen.”
Rome in Detroit A little bit of Rome has landed in Detroit with the recent opening of SheWolf Pastificio & Bar at 438 Selden in midtown. Chef/owner Anthony Lombardo said the region of Rome is represented on everything from their menu’s Roman pastas to the name itself – SheWolf is based on the Roman origin myth. “I think that there’s not an Italian restaurant like this in Detroit right now,” Lombardo said. “I think we’re pushing the envelope of Italian food.” SheWolf won’t have the giant portions with heavy cheese and red sauce many Americans are used to. This is much more contemporary Italian food, like their already popular carbonara, which has zero peas in it. Not only is the restaurant chef-driven, but they mill their own flour on-site every day in order to preserve the flavors and nutrients that often disappear when preservatives are added. For those interested in watching the process, there’s a glass-enclosed milling room visible to all diners. Word is reservations are already tough to get.
Rocco’s finally opens Growing up near Dearborn’s Alcamo’s Market, Gabe Guido, Jeff Guido, and Kyle Mrkva, were tired of driving from Detroit every time they wanted fresh Italian cheeses and meats. After participating in Hatch Detroit in 2014 – where they were a semifinalist – it seemed they weren’t the only ones hoping for something similar in Detroit, and the idea for Rocco’s Italian Deli was formed. (The name comes from Gabe’s two grandfathers, one had Rocco for a first name, the other as a last name. It’s also his middle name.) “It’s incredibly validating to get to this point and see our concept fully realized and see people enjoying what we’re doing,” said Gabe, co-owner and marketing director, about their June opening. Located at 3627 Cass Avenue in Detroit, Rocco’s menu is a mix of typical, Italian deli sandwiches along with more inventive and adventurous ones. There’s also three salads, a deli case full of meats and cheeses, and a few Italian specialty goods made in-house. And they have potato and pasta salads, which you need to arrive early to get. “We’ve had a hard time keeping those stocked,” Guido laughed.
Living the American dream When asked about why they wanted to open an East African restaurant in Detroit, Hamissi Mamba’s answer was simple – there wasn’t one in the area. This fall he and his wife, Nadia Nijimbere, will open Baobab Fare to bring the flavors of their native Burundi to their new home, with both meat and vegan options available. “We couldn’t make this happen without the support from the community here in Detroit,” Mamba said. The 2,400square-foot restaurant – at 6568 Woodward Avenue in the New Center area – will have juice and coffee bars, along with a small retail space where people will be able to buy food products from Africa, and a dining area for sit-down service. The duo – who were granted asylum to the U.S. in 2017 and took the top prize at Hatch Detroit that year – will also be hiring refugees. “We want to inspire them that you have a place in Detroit, you can make it too,” Mamba said.
Closing time On July 7, the Andiamo’s in Royal Oak announced on their Facebook page that they would be closing their doors after 19 years in the city. Their seven other Michigan locations will remain open. According to a press release from a group calling themselves the Take Back Royal Oak Coalition, Cantina Diablo’s, Red Fox English Pub, and Dixie Moon Saloon also have plans to not renew their leases due to the lack of critical parking in the area. Initially, their lawyer denied it, but a letter to the Royal Oak city attorney confirms plans to turn them into a dual-concept establishment of Diamond’s Steak and Seafood restaurant and Pinky’s, with an outdoor patio and dance floor.
FACES
Jennifer Buck aised in the midwestern charm that focuses on neighbors and community, it was only natural that Bloomfield Hills native Jennifer Buck would seek to help her friend and fellow mother in a time of tragedy by forming a charitable organization to honor her daughter. "We met through our children's preschool, and we were both pregnant with our third child," Buck said about her friend Joanne Tarling, who lost her five-month-old daughter, Charlotte, in 2007 to a rare and incurable brain disease called Alexander's Disease. With their newborns just months apart and an already strong friendship that formed after Buck moved to the Rochester area in 1998, Buck began thinking of a way to do something to help her friend and her family. "We were very close, and I felt I needed to do something special in her memory," Buck said. "It really rattled our community in Rochester and our group of friends." For those who came into contact with Charlotte during her short life, there was an overwhelming sense of sadness and sense of helplessness from her suffering and loss. To cope, Buck worked with the family to create a way to honor Charlotte. They decided to donate hundreds of children's books to a local hospital in tribute of Charlotte, founding the non-profit Charlotte's Wings. "It started with three partners who actually knew Charlotte," said Buck, who serves as executive director of the organization. Those assisting her included members of her own family, as well as Tarling's. "It's somewhat of a family affair, as well as for Charlotte's family. We also started a leadership council that gives an opportunity for high school students to get involved and donate service hours." Over the past eight years, Charlotte's Wings has expanded from
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donations to one hospital, Royal Oak Beaumont, to working with more than 60 different partners. Today, the organization donates thousands of books to hospitals across Michigan for patients and families in hospitals and hospice care, during and beyond their stay. The organization also donates magazine subscriptions, journals and workbooks to specialist outpatient clinics and other organizations during a time of health challenge. "For something so tragic, it's also been very fulfilling and comforting to know that there are people out there who want to help and do good things," Buck said. "Through this experience, we feel a strong sense of community, even though we support hospitals across the state. A lot of support comes from the communities in Rochester and Bloomfield." Buck said what started as a few contacts made by her to some area hospitals has grown to dozens of partners. Now, she said, there are several clinics and hospitals that contact her on a regular basis asking if there are books available. "That was a real surprise – most don't get funding for books," she said. "Initially, donations were more recreational books, and a variety of books for a variety of ages for a distraction. Once we got more involved with hospitals, they started contacting us for different needs in different departments. "We are asked for books about bereavement, as well as eating disorders and medical conditions, like diabetes," she said. "We will provide those, as long as it's in line with our mission and supports kids in some capacity, but the bereavement and grief are a big chunk of what we support." Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
248-421-2670 nancykarasrealty@gmail.com 4130 telegraph Road / Bloomfield hills / Mi 48302 / www.nancykaras.maxbroock.com
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Pine Lakefront
Forest Lakefront
West Bloomfield w/ Bloomfield Hills Schools
Bloomfield Twp
SophiSticated 2010 ReBUiLd & ReNoVatioN! panoramic sunset views, 100’ of sandy waterfront on aLL-SpoRtS Lake! Quiet, private cul-de-sac setting. 4-5 Bedrms. 5.1 Baths. 4,986 SF plus 1,746 in finished walkout, perfect for in-law suite with kitchenette. architect Willoughby & templeton Built with dramatic vaulted ceilings, stone and exotic hardwood floors, 3 terraces, chef’s Kitchen, adt Smart home, custom features throughout. high-end everything. extra tall and deep garage could accommodate a tandem-placed vehicle or hydraulic lifts. Bloomfield hills schools.
toBocMaN BUt BetteR - 2012 ReBUiLd oN a peNNiNSULa! entry level master suite, 3.1 baths, 4 beds, 4 car garage. extensive glass, gleaming hardwood floors, grand ceiling heights, clean lines, open concept, access to all sports lake! entry level laundry room, two way fireplace, 2 large decks,large granite kitchen, high-end appliances: double refrigerator with 4 freezer drawers, professional gas range, floor-to-ceiling wine cooler, separate built-ins include: oven, steamer, microwave & coffee/capucino maker. Bloomfield hills schools!
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Lower Long Lakefront
Bloomfield Twp
Bloomfield Twp
haRd to FiNd RaNch With WaLKoUt LoWeR LeVeL on 1 acre! approximately 1,942 SF on the main level and 850 SF in lower. 3 Bedrooms, 2.1 Baths, 2 fireplaces. gorgeous views from the home, large yard and in ground pool! 180' of sandy lake frontage. access to 3 lakes, including aLL SpoRtS Upper Long Lake and Forest Lake. home is set off a circular drive from a cul-de-sac for ultimate privacy! Bloomfield hills Schools.
MagNiFiceNt LaKe VieWS and access to Forest Lake and all-Sports Upper Long Lake. 3,766 SF Ranch. 4 bedrooms including a huge master suite with exercise room. Built in 1953 and expanded and remodeled in 1991. hardwood floors in great Room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace. drive-under 2 car garage, plus tandem space for 3rd vehicle, boat or storage. Massive deck across the back and large dock. cul-de-sac location for quiet and privacy. Bloomfield hills Schools.
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Clark / Carroll Island Lakes - Commerce 1.25 acRe VacaNt Site oN aN iSLaNd! aLL SpoRtS LaKe! over the bridge & down the winding road to your island lakefront buildible site! does not get any better than this with breathtaking views and water wrapping all around. Septic system already in. idyllic, private setting, sandy beach. Walled Lake Schools.
Grand landmark estate
Tranquil with extraordinary detailsSetting in Barton Hills Village
660 Bar ton Shore Drive | Ann Arbor | $4,950,000 A gated entry to a winding circle drive with fountain welcomes you to this magnificent Young & Young designed masterpiece set high upon a knoll on 4.5 peaceful, wooded acres overlooking Barton Pond. Superior craftsmanship and intricate details throughout. Enjoy spectacular details including water and nature views with an abundance of glass, custom lighting, gallery halls, cantilevered terraces and beautiful natural elements. Stunning great room and gracious dining room for entertaining. Chef's kitchen with breakfast area, fireplace & keeping room adjacent to solarium with terrace and sunset views over the water. Four ensuite bedrooms, an au pair suite & luxurious master wing complete with fireplace, spa bath, dressing rooms & private access to dual offices. Incredible walkout lower level offers theatre room, family room, 2nd kitchen bar area overlooking fully equipped fitness center with steam room, sauna & hot tub. Security system, elevator, 8-car garage and an additional 4 carports. 14,256 Total Square Feet | 6 Bedrooms | 7 Full, 5 Half Baths | MLS# 218041987
Julie and Frank Flynn 248.835.4222 jflynn@hallandhunter.com
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com
248.835.4150 flynn@hallandhunter.com
THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Fall is the Time for Gathering “Fall is a time for gathering. Be it around a fire, a dinner table or football field, fall has a way of bringing us together to celebrate abundance.” – Anonymous Birmingham House Tour 2018 The Community House Foundation will host the 31st annual Birmingham House Tour, presented exclusively by Hall & Hunter Realtors from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 13th. This year’s tour offers seven spectacular private residential homes, featuring a diversity of extraordinary architecture and interior design. Super cochairs for this year’s event are Rose and Brian Bolyard. Sponsors to date include Hall & Hunter Realtors, Gorman’s Furniture, Ethan Allen, Bolyard Lumber, Mercantile Bank and Detroit Home Magazine. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 the day of the tour. For ticket information, contact 248644-5832 or purchase tickets online at communityhouse.com. Movie Marathon 2018 The Community House Foundation and the new Bill Seklar Birmingham Teen Council are thrilled to present the first annual TCH 18-hour Movie Marathon, beginning Friday, September 14. Join us for 18-hours of nonstop movie watching at the Emagine Palladium Theatre in Downtown Birmingham, featuring unlimited soda and popcorn, dinner, a midnight snack and a continental breakfast the next morning. Movie Marathon begins at 1p.m. on Friday, September 14, and ends at 6 a.m. on Saturday, September 15. Registrants will create their own personal fundraising page and ask family and friends to help to raise a minimum of $100 to participate. Sponsors of this year’s event include Emagine Entertainment, Papa Romano’s, Chipotle, Target, Costco and The Community House. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For details on how to register and create your own fundraising page, visit communityhouse.com. SIP Food & Wine Classic 2018 The third annual SIP Food & Wine Classic, a unique event celebrating exceptional pairings of extraordinary cuisine and fine wines, kicks off on Friday, September 21st. SIP engages the Michigan restaurant and wine community where exceptional area Chefs and Sommeliers team up to provide food and wine perfection. This event serves as a signature fundraiser for The Community House Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization under the umbrella of The Community House. In addition to delicious food and wine, small plates stations, a wine-centric silent and live auction will give SIP attendees an opportunity to bid on exciting experiences, wine lots, baskets and more. Patron Tickets $295, General Tickets $195, and Young Adult Tickets $95 (21 to 30 years of age). For reservations, contact 248-644-5832 or purchase tickets online at communityhouse.com. OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale 2018 The Community House and The Community House Foundation will host the 33rd annual OUR TOWN Art Show and Sale on November 1-3. Presented by the Deroy Testamentary Foundation, this juried all media art show, provides a forum for Michigan artists to display and sell their unique work. The exhibition includes paintings, pastels, sculptures, glassworks, fiber works, photography, jewelry, mixed media and more. OUR TOWN kicks off with an Opening Night Party, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 1st. The evening includes strolling hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and cocktails, live entertainment and the first opportunity to preview and purchase art. A portion of all art sales benefit The Community House. The show then opens free to the public on November 2nd and 3rd. OTHER HOUSE HAPPENINGS… Young Filmmaker's Camp BRAND NEW CAMP! A RARE behind the scenes camp experience in partnership with Emagine Palladium Theatre, August 13-16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., $240 per camper, held at Emagine Palladium 209 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, MI, 48009. Aspiring young film artists will have the rare opportunity to develop their own unique talents and creativity as they create a short film together from start to finish. Camp will cover all the basics of filmmaking, including the creating of a storyboard and script; how to produce, act and direct a short film; the basics of camera work, sound, and editing; and get an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Palladium theatre itself. Friends and family are invited to attend the premiere of the finished short film on the big screen at Emagine Palladium. Don't miss the chance to be part of this amazing opportunity, register today. Space is limited.
CREATING CHEMISTRY ONE HOME AT A TIME. Whether you’re planning to buy or build a new home, or refinance your current mortgage, let Michigan’s No.1 Mortgage Loan Originator of 2017, Tim Smith, and Chemical Bank help you find the right loan option to meet your needs!
Contact Tim today to get started!
Tim Smith NMLS #533266 T: 248.770.3717 Tim.Smith@ChemicalBank.com Apply Online: ChemicalBank.com/TimSmith
For more information about these events or other experiences at The Community House, call 248.644.5832 or visit us online at www.communityhouse.com.
William D. Seklar, President & CEO, The Community House and The Community House Foundation. 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.
Beaumont Foundation Heart & Style
Sally Gerak
Beaumont Foundation Heart & Style You know your event plan is a good one when you do not need invitations to sell it out. Such was the case for the fundraising luncheon Beaumont Health “First Lady” Julie Fox chaired. It attracted 260 to Oakland Hills Country Club where bright pinkcovered tables echoed (or promoted) the spirited atmosphere. During the brief luncheon program Beaumont cardiologist Dr. Pam Markowitz declared that heart disease is the number one killer of women. A runway fashion show coordinated by trend stylist Mariana Keros followed the savory, heart-savvy lunch. In addition to seasonal trends, the show featured some models who have survived heart disease. A large silent auction generated $38,000 in bids; three live auction items made $9,1000. Thanks also to 28 sponsors, the midday gathering raised $150,000 to benefit education, training and services to underinsured women at the Ministrelli Women’s Heart Center at Beaumont, Royal Oak.
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CCF Spring Into Health, Wellness & Style The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s annual spring fundraising luncheon, which fashion business legend Harriett Fuller founded 11 years ago, attracted 275 supporters ($185, $285 ticket) to the Townsend Hotel. Instead of the customary fashion show, this year the event leaders (Nancy Hodari, Toni Sova, Monica George, Mary Ann Liut, and Contessa Denha) put author/eBay entrepreneur Michael Tonello in the spotlight. His witty stories about acquiring the coveted Hermes Birkin bag for wealthy customers all over the globe were thoroughly entertaining. Dr. Robert PiDilla was also in the limelight, in absentia, as the recipient of the Harriett Fuller Uniting to Care & Cure Award. Thanks to a raffle for a Birkin bag and sponsors, the event raised nearly $150,000 for CCF’s patient support and research programs.
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5 1. Julie Fox (left) of Bloomfield, Margaret Cooney Casey of Beverly Hills. 2. Andy Anderson (left), Sis Fisher and Barbara Ghesquiere of Bloomfield. 3. Mariana Keros (left) of Birmingham, Monica Gayle of W. Bloomfield. 4. Diana Howard (left) of Franklin, Conita Bihler and Cindy Carney of Bloomfield. 5. Pamela Applebaum (left), Marcia Applebaum, Maddie Forbes of Bloomfield and Kathy Roeder of Bloomfield.
CCF Spring Into Health, Wellness & Style
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1. Harriett Fuller (left) and Anabelle DiPilla (left) of Bloomfield. 2. Nancy Hodari (left) of Birmingham, Toni Sova of Bloomfield, Monica George of W. Bloomfield, Mary Ann Liut of Franklin and Contessa Denha of Bloomfield.
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Eisenhower Dance Detroit Gala Many of the 150 dance aficionados ($140, $90 ticket) who gathered at the Garden Theater on Woodward were seeing the restored, historic gem for the first time. They socialized, sipped, snacked and bid $10,000 in a silent auction set up in the bar area on the mezzanine that overlooks the stage and seating area. It was a fine venue for the event, which included a seated dinner catered by Cutting Edge Cuisine and performances of excerpts from Eisenhower’s repertoire. It also spotlighted convincing testimonies to the company’s impact by alum Sofia Mazich, dancer Andrew Cribbett, teacher Katy Ploch and the longest serving board member Debra Bernstein-Siegel. These inspired $20,000 in dedicated giving. Auctioneer Gary Mach also garnered $20,000 for seven live auction items. The fun, stimulating evening was chaired by Beth Cafaro and raised $65,000 to support the education services and outstanding performances of the 27-year-old, internationally acclaimed, contemporary dance company. Great Hearts Gala Over 500 people ($225; $500 ticket) gathered at Ford Field to celebrate the children served by Starfish Family Services. Activities included a VIP Huddle in the locker room, cocktail reception, dinner, live auction and afterglow dance party. but the highlight was the presentation of the seventh annual Great Hearts Award to Beaumont Health for making a profound difference in the lives of Starfish families. The Honorary co-chairs 08.18
were Diana and Steve Howard and Karen and Patrick Smithbauer. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the evening raised a record-setting $626,000 for Starfish Family Services’ programs that strengthen families to create brighter futures for children. Gleaners Women Power Events The 25th anniversary of women helping Gleaners provide meals for the vulnerable in our community kicked off with the Women’s Power Breakfast chaired by Juliette OkotleEbeh and Luanne Thomas Ewald. It was presented by PNC Bank and attracted almost 700 savvy women ($125, $85 ticket) to Little Caesar’s Arena. One month later, nearly 400 women ($150, $100 ticket) convened at the MGM Grand for the Women’s Power Happy Hour chaired by Judith Greenstone Miller and Joan Hennessey. It offered 45 great silent auction packages that raised $8,000 and a raffle of two Delta airline vouchers that raised $1,300. It also afforded many of her fan club members the opportunity to chat with Dulcie Rosenfeld, who founded the Women’s Power event lo these many years ago. The main message at both events has not changed: the importance of creating a healthy, happy and hopeful future for children. All cheered when Gleaners CEO Gerry Brisson announced that their power combined with generous sponsors resulted in more than 2.5million meals for kids. Furniture Bank Wine Tasting For the third year Furniture Bank supporters (250 - $60 ticket) gathered in an art deco setting on the 32nd floor of Detroit’s Guardian Building to savor fine wine, hors d’oeuvres, cool jazz and spectacular views of downtown Detroit. Some guests took guided tours of the iconic building. All applauded the moving remarks of event co-chair Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen McCarthy, FB volunteer Tami Jelnick and FB client Sabrina. The latter was celebrating one year free of violence and earned a standing ovation from the audience. Auctioneers Karl Zarbo and Noreen Rybar persuaded guests to bid $28,000 in the live auction and $14,580 in paddle-raise pledging. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the evening raised nearly $80,000 to furnish homes and bedding for needy families in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. Art of Giving Artist Tom Maniaci of Frame Your Face fame moved his ninth annual downtownpublications.com
Eisenhower Dance Detroit Gala
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1. Nanette Mazich (left) of Birmingham, Marty Testasecca of Northville, Stephanie Pizzo of Rochester. 2. Margaret (left) & Michael Simcoe of Birmingham, Con Gerkis & Sharon Gauci of Bloomfield. 3. Joyce Chen (left) of Birmingham, Angelina Lai of Rochester Hills. 4. Leo Khankin and Anne Adams of Birmingham. 5. David (left) & Danielle Susser and Ken & Patty Eisenbraun of Bloomfield.
Great Hearts Gala
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1. Steve & Diana Howard of Franklin. 2. Ron & Paula Hall of Bloomfield. 3. Lauren (left) & Phillip Fisher of Bloomfield, Doreen Hermelin of Bingham Farms. 4. Rod & Linda Gillum of Bloomfield.
Gleaners Women Power Events
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1. Amanda Fisher (left) of Bloomfield and Jennifer Granger of Birmingham. 2. Mary Lou Zieve (left) and Dulcie Rosenfeld of Bloomfield. 3. Olivia Potocki (left) of Birmingham, Marcy Hayes of Farmington Hills and Dawn Rassel of Bloomfield. 4. Samantha and Happy Hour sponsor MassMutual President / CEO Manual Amezcua of Bloomfield. 5. Joan Hennessey (left) of Trenton, Suzette Hohendorf of Birmingham.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK fundraiser to The Elm Room in Vinotecca and it attracted more than 250 ($75, $100 tickets). It was a splendid call, especially for the delicious small bites, the wine, and space to display the silent auction, which raised more than $10,000, and set up the Bruce Springsteen paintby-number canvas which sold for $750. Pistons cheerleaders were also selling raffle cards and four women modeled the eye-catching, paper dresses Matt Richmond created using colorful prints made by area artists Kim Fujiwara, Carl Lundgren, Tony Roko and Maniac. However, the highlight of the evening occurred when Linda Luchi, who founded the non-profit event beneficiary – Support Our Unique Learners (SOUL) – spoke about the organization’s mission. The all volunteer SOUL provides whatever tools, specialists and therapists are needed to ensure that special needs learners attain success in education and in life. The ninth annual Art of Giving raised $15,000 and awareness of special learners. Sunset at the Zoo More than 400 patrons ($325 & $350 ticket) attended the VIP Reception sponsored by ITC Holdings in the African Grasslands that kicked off the Detroit Zoological Society’s Sunset at the Zoo Safari. They were joined by more than 1,800 partygoers ($175 & $200 ticket) for the remainder of the evening that offered comestibles and spirits from more than 45 purveyors and live entertainment. Many also bought Sunset Keys ($18,000) and silent auction items ($40,000) before the live auction conducted by Steven Gross. It raised another $55,200. Two weeks before the main event, Karen and Matt Cullen hosted the Sunset Benefactor Bash at their Grosse Pointe home and 50 guests ($750 ticket) sipped, supped and applauded Shannon and Dr. Terry Harvill, the Sunset chairs, and departed with a plush giraffe. The annual benefit netted more than $575,000 for DZS educational programs that instill respect for wildlife and wild places. Motor City Wheels for Meals Matick Automotive Group’s Karl Zimmermann hosted the first annual Motor City Wheels for Meals fundraiser inside the new Matick Car Wash in Redford Township. It’s the nation’s largest car wash and easily accommodated the 300 guests ($125 ticket) on hand for the ribbon cutting that kicked off the program emceed by Fox-2’s Roop Raj. A strolling dinner 102
Furniture Bank Wine Tasting
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1. Francine Zick (center) of Bloomfield, Joyce Weishaar (left) of Commerce and Katherine McCarthy of Grosse Pointe. 2. Rob Boyle (left) of Grosse Pointe, David Zick of Bloomfield. 3. June Everett (left) and Dick & Nancy Euler of Bloomfield. 4. Pat & Ed Geisinger of Bloomfield. 5. Allen Wall (left) of Bloomfield, Carol and Jerry Ritto of Beverly Hills.
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Art of Giving
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1. Tom Maniaci of Birmingham, Linda Luchi of Commerce. 2. Dana Sorensen (aka Allyse) of Bloomfield. 3. Link Wachler (left) of Troy, Josh Cyccone of Berkley, Kim Fujiwara of Rochester Hills. 4. Sal Bitonti (center) of Birmingham with Rainna Bazil & Jimi Palazzolo of Sylvan Lake. 5. Rick & Becky Sorensen of Bloomfield.
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Sunset at the Zoo
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1. Past chair Joe & Melissa Campanelli of Bloomfield. 2. Rick Platt (left) of Grosse Pointe Farms, Ira Jaffe of Farmington Hills, Bonnie Larson of Bloomfield. 3. Peggy (left) & Dr. Mark Saffer of Bloomfield, Dr. Edward Hirsch of Farmington Hills. Photos: Jennie Miller.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK and live music completed the scene. Thanks also to sponsorships, the event raised more than $113,000 for the programs that serve 6,000 meals weekly.
The PwC Grand Prixmiere
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1. Kathy (left) & Roger Penske and Michael & Margaret Simcoe of Birmingham. 2. Kim & Mark Reuss of Bloomfield. 3. Vivian Pickard of Bloomfield, Don Manvel of Birmingham. 4. Peggy (left) & David Meador of Bloomfield, Michele Hodges of Grosse Pointe. 5. Judy Jonna (left) with Sandie Knollenberg of Bloomfield, Carol Loussia of W. Bloomfield.
South Oakland Shelter Rent Party
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1. Mary Callaghan Lynch (left) of Bloomfield, Paddy Lynch, Caitlin Lynch of Ferndale. 2. Mike (left) & Patty Moran of Bloomfield, Bo & Joy Broock of Orchard Lake. 3. Susan Norton (left) of Birmingham, Karla Murray of Bloomfield. 4. Rod Birleson & Marilyn Trent of Rochester. 5. Mike & Melinda Ernat of Bloomfield.
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The PwC Grand Prixmiere The 534 guests ($600 & up ticket) traversing the walkway to the prerace weekend, Grand Prixmiere party tent were the first people to see GM’s 30-piece Art of Propulsion exhibit. The artful display of car components that lined their path reflected the vision of event chairs Margaret and GM VP Global Design Michael Simcoe. When complimented on the exhibit during the cocktail hour, Michael smiled and said, “Yes, that’s the jewelry no one ever sees.” The reception tent showcased colorful paintings by Cadillac lead creative designer Nico Rousselet. They reflected (or maybe inspired) the pulsating energy in the room. Dinner table centerpieces also showcased GM design talent – crystal replicas of the new, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix trophies inspired by the James Scott Memorial Fountain visible from the tent. GM’s Mark Reuss and Simcoe described the live auction packages that inspired spirited bidding and additional donations of two very popular items. When the party concluded, thanks to the auction and generous sponsors, the fifth annual Grand Prixmiere held on Belle Isle had raised approximately $1 million for the Belle Isle Conservancy. It is earmarked for projects to enhance, preserve and restore Belle Isle, including needed improvements and maintenance of the James Scott Memorial Fountain. South Oakland Shelter Rent Party We love when the plans for a charity event are intrinsic to the nonprofit’s mission. Like the SOS event inspired by the roaring ‘20s-era jazz parties staged in Harlem neighborhoods to collect money to pay the landlord and avoid eviction. The third annual Rent Party hosted by Paddy Lynch in his restored historic Detroit home attracted 246 South Oakland Shelter supporters ($125, $250-VIP ticket) to party, savor donated food and drink and listen to good jazz. The hosts had graciously arranged a variety of comfortable seating options around the terrace stage and in tents. All in all, a grand way to spend a summer evening. It raised more than $46,000 for the vital housing and rental assistance programs the 33-year-old agency provides. 08.18
Preservation Bloomfield Dedication Ten years ago, when the area’s economy was deep in the dumps, Pat Hardy needed to raise $100,000 to move the oldest house in the city of Bloomfield Hills from Long Lake Road to the Bowers School Farm campus for restoration and use as a public meeting place. The farm house was donated by the land’s developer Eddie Mancini. At a Sunday afternoon gathering at the now renovated Barton Farm House, a plaque commemorating the 164 couples, organizations and individuals who donated from $500 to $25,000 and others who donated services was unveiled. Representatives of Preservation Bloomfield – which comprises the city, the township, the school district and the historical society, but uses no public funds – and its fundraising Friends group, toasted the success of the decade-long project, which is ongoing. Hardy attributed the success to three “G’s” and one “B” – Gratitude, Goodness, Generosity and Belief. Celebration of Samaritan Center The Good Samaritans are committed to supporting Holy Cross Service’s Samaritan Center that provides comprehensive services in its impoverished, east Detroit neighborhood. Eighty Good “Sams” and their guests ($200 ticket) gathered at Chef Paul Grosz’ Cuisine restaurant to socialize and dine before trekking across the street to the Fisher Theatre to see “Motown the Musical.” The evening, which was coordinated by Marianne Bolton, Carolyn Andree, Sue Nine and Lisa Wilson, raised $9,000 for the Center. The message of one song – “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, Make this world a better place if you can...” could well become the Good Samaritan‘s theme song. Beaumont’s Drive for Life Invitational This year Beaumont supporters combined the 23-year-old Drive to Beat Breast Cancer and the former Round for Life Golf and Tennis Classic into the Drive for Life Invitational comprising a Card Tournament at Bloomfield Hills Country Club and a Golf Tournament at Oakland Hills Country Club. The former, chaired by Julie Beals and Bobbi Polk, attracted 250 women for lunch, bridge or canasta, a brief patient testimonial and lots of conversation. Most participants filled take home bags with old fashion candies from a colorful sweet table. At Oakland Hills, 270 golfers teed downtownpublications.com
Preservation Bloomfield Dedication
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1. Sue Nine (left) and Pat Hardy of Bloomfield. 2. Michael Dul (left), Eddie Mancini and Paul Nine of Bloomfield. 3. Eddie Mancini of Bloomfield, Beverly Zimmerman of Rochester. 4. Mary Barton Letts & Charles Letts and Mia Materka of Bloomfield. 5. Rosemary and Contessa Bannon of Beverly Hills.
Beaumont Drive for Life at BHCC
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1. Julie Beals (left) of Troy and Bobbi Polk of Bloomfield. 2. Jan Race (left) of Grosse Pointe, Alice Aikens and Sally Ingold of Bloomfield, Susan Cooper of Birmingham. 3. Katie Groves (left) of Sterling Hgts., Martha Quay of Birmingham. 4. Molly Saeli (center) of Birmingham, Judy Anderson (left) and Wendy Power of Bloomfield. 5. Margie Hubacker (left), Niki Gallaudet, Char Terry and Andy Anderson of Bloomfield.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK off on both the South and North courses. Steve Howard, Chris Emde and Ryan Marsh chaired the event which awarded prizes for Best Score and for individual contests. A silent auction ($12,000-plus), cocktails and dinner for 426 followed golf. A highlight of the brief dinner program was the presentation of the Leadership in Philanthropy award to the Rose Family via patriarch Warren Rose for continuing his grandfather’s charitable legacy to Beaumont. “It’s especially a pleasure (that) four generations of the family (have been involved and that ) Beaumont’s cancer care is superb,” he said. Thanks also to many generous sponsors, the inaugural Drive for Life raised $400,000 for cancer care at Beaumont Royal Oak and Troy.
Beaumont Drive for Life at OHCC
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1. Steve Howard (center) of Franklin, Chris Emde (left) and Ryan Marsh of Bloomfield. 2. Warren & Carol and Francis Rose of Bloomfield. 3. Rick Smith (left) of Rochester Jan& Ed Mann of Birmingham, Mariana Emde of Bloomfield. 4. Hugh Carney (left) of Bloomfield, Scott Strickland of Bloomfield, Bob Hadley of Orchard Lake. 5. Bob (left) & Mary Scharff of Beverly Hills, Gayla & Bob Emde of Bloomfield.
American House Foundation Fundraiser
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3 1. Paul Stodulski (left) of Beverly Hills, Ron Gillette of Bloomfield. 2. Karen Sosnick Schoenberg of Birmingham, John Cook of Rochester Hills 3. Alison Tackett (left) of Shelby Twp., Jeff Eckles and Ali Frankel of Bloomfield. 4. Mary Wenzel (left) and Kari Gillette of Bloomfield, Patti Padilla, Ronnie O’Hara and Gretchen Klotz of Birmingham. 5. Michelle Cochran (left) of Bloomfield and Gary & Mary Lou Cochran of Sylvan Lake.
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Women’s Division Project HOPE
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1. Chairs Linda Juracek-Lipa (left) of Birmingham, Bettina Gregg of Bloomfield, Cheryl Hall Lindsay of W. Bloomfield. 2. Carolyn (left) & Dennis Woods of Canton, sailor/author/speaker Erick & WD president Susan Willis Reichert of Bloomfield. 3. Kaye Rittinger (left) of W. Bloomfield, Barbara Wolf and Sherry Saginaw of Bloomfield.
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American House Foundation Fundraiser The 10th annual Cocktails for a Cause attracted 175 ($150 ticket) to the soaring atrium of Southfield’s American Center for some post-workday socializing, sipping, supping and silent auction bidding. The only interruption in the conviviality was brief – for foundation president Rob Gillette to thank everybody for their generosity and to note some of the assistance (like home repairs) the foundation provided needy seniors, including veterans, in the past year. Thanks to sponsors and the silent auction and a raffle ($16,690), the event raised $180,000 and brought the 10-year total to more than $800,000 for needy seniors and another $350,000 for research at Wayne State’s Institute of Gerontology.
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Women’s Division Project HOPE Though the invitations said Start Of Summer, both the event name and table decor were inspired by the maritime origins of Project HOPE (the SS HOPE hospital ship) and the featured speaker (sailor/author/WD “first gentleman” Erick Reickert). It attracted more than 60 ($65, $75, $100 ticket) to Forest Lake Country Club. The program had highlights. Reickert talked about circumnavigating the globe in an Oyster55 sailboat which he spent 477 days over the course of 15 years doing. For the project he supplemented his love of sailing with his engineering and MBA degrees and rich experience in the automotive industry. The adventure revealed to him several verities: “...when you are living on a boat in a harbor you are not a tourist... the boat can take it; humans are the weakest link ...the heavens are incredible.” Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. 08.18
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ENDNOTE
Schools, state should address testing radon requirement bout six school districts in Oakland County – including the Bloomfield Hills School District and Rochester Community Schools – regularly test their buildings for the presence of harmful radon gas, while the remaining public schools either don't feel it is necessary or aren't aware of the need. To be clear, there are 28 public school districts in Oakland County, meaning there are hundreds of buildings where children will be starting classes this fall where the radioactive gas may be present. That doesn't include dozens of private schools where school-aged children will spend the majority of their days for the next dozen years. Still, most school districts believe their classrooms are safe, basing their assumptions on a limited number of their own samplings, at best. Or, worse, choosing not to sample simply because it's not a mandatory requirement by the state or federal government. Despite such assumptions, there are about 600 cases of radon-related lung cancer deaths each year across Michigan, with the radioactive gas being the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind only smoking. Yet, because the Great Lakes State and southeast Michigan aren't traditionally known to have high levels of uranium, many school districts believe the presence of radon isn't likely and doesn't pose a health risk. We disagree. First off, we believe all students have the right to a safe and healthy environment in which to learn. Therefore, parents, teachers and other school employees should encourage schools to regularly conduct radon tests and undertake corrective actions, if necessary. And, because radon gas doesn't have any odor, taste or color, the only way to know for sure if it's present is through testing. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates at least one in five schoolrooms across the country has a short-term radon level above the federal level at which the EPA recommends schools take action. That's about 70,000 schoolrooms in use today. To ensure that radon isn't present, the EPA recommends all schools be tested for radon on a rotating five-year schedule. Yet, since the recommendation is only that, and not required, only about 20 percent of schools nationwide have done any testing. Of the districts that responded in June to Downtown newsmagazine’s questions about radon testing, at least four that had tested for radon gas in the past said they didn't feel it was necessary to retest their schools in the future. Districts that had never tested for radon said it wasn't required, so they didn't feel the need to test, most often citing the lack of any underground classrooms or the existence of basements in general. Such responses illustrate the lack of understanding of radon gas and its ability to enter a structure. According to the EPA and environmental professionals, high levels of radon can occur in any indoor environment, with levels varying from
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building to building within the same district, as well as from room to room in any given building. In fact, the EPA states that "slab-on-grade" buildings, or those without basements, are frequently occupied rooms in contact with the ground. Therefore, a lack of a basement may actually increase the need for testing. Specifically, the EPA states, "Each frequently occupied room that is in contact with the ground should be measured because adjacent rooms can have significantly different levels of radon." Also, the belief that one round of testing is enough to last the lifetime of a building is based on faulty logic. Radon levels may change during different seasons based on the use of heating and cooling systems, construction and other factors. Understanding that radon levels may fluctuate throughout the school year based on weather, heating and cooling system changes, outside construction and other factors is important to note, as the majority of schools that opt out of testing cite such factors as the reason for their decisions. Radon may enter groundwater, become stuck in pockets of gas in the soil, or enter buildings when the gas seeps up and enters a building through cracks in foundations, drains and other openings. Although most buildings draw little air from the soil, such small openings in an otherwise wellsealed building can help to increase radon levels, even if those levels are relatively low compared to outdoor air. Further, while Oakland County is considered at lower risk for the presence of radon, the risk is considered higher than neighboring Wayne and Macomb counties. Consider also that the presence of radon gas doesn't necessarily follow municipal or governmental boundaries, but geology and changes in groundwater and soil. For these reasons we encourage local public and private school districts to establish a radon testing program, if they have not done so already. Such a program should follow the EPA's recommendations of testing rooms on a five-year rotating schedule. Such a program can be undertaken on a realistic timeline and within a feasible budget if done on a regular basis. It is when a district attempts to tackle all testing at one time that costs can quickly rise and become a burden for a school district. Such all-ornothing practices not only fail to give an accurate and lasting sample of radon levels, they also serve to drive up costs for districts. In the end, school districts should approach air quality testing, particularly that of radon, the same way they are now approaching lead contamination. By developing a long-term testing program to recognize issues and monitoring systems that can become contaminated, school districts will more likely ensure the longterm safety of students, rather than scrambling to control a crisis after it arrives.
POCKET VOTER GUIDE Voters in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills will be determining the fate of primary candidates in the Tuesday, August 7, election, either at the polls or through absentee ballots mailed out by municipal clerks. A local ballot question on safety paths will face Bloomfield Township voters, and voters in Bloomfield Township and Birmingham will cast ballots on a SMART transportation renewal question. This is a primary election in which you will be deciding who best can represent your party in the November general election, so you must vote on candidates in just one political party. Downtown newsmagazine sent questionnaires to candidates in contested primary races, the answers to which can be found in the special Voter Guide inside the July edition or online at downtownpublications.com. When making our recommendations we considered a number of factors based on answers from candidates and our over 40 years of institutional knowledge of issues. In determining who we thought could best represent a party heading into the November contests, we looked at both views of the candidates, their ability to run a competitive campaign and how quickly they could assume office should they make it through the general election balloting.
9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Bloomfield Township Democrat X ELLEN LIPTON 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills Democrat X HALEY STEVENS 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills Republican X MIKE KOWALL 12TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT Bloomfield Township Republican X MICHAEL MCCREADY 40TH STATE HOUSE DISTRICT Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township Democrat X NICOLE BEDI 40TH STATE HOUSE DISTRICT Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township Republican X DAVID WOLKINSON SAFETY PATH MILLAGE RENEWAL Bloomfield Township X YES SMART MILLAGE RENEWAL Birmingham, Bloomfield Township X YES
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