Downtown Newsmagazine | Birmingham/Bloomfield

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL 25-27 | METRO INTELLIGENCER 76-77

AUGUST 2022

KEEPING OAKLAND BEACHES SAFE WITH COUNTY TESTING EFFORT ENDNOTE: OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AUGUST ELECTION ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

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KEEPING BEACHES AND WATERS SAFE

FROM THE PUBLISHER

CRIME LOCATOR

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

There are an estimated 11,000 lakes in Michigan, and 1,400 of those are in Oakland County where health division workers are testing 101 beaches at 68 lakes this summer season for evidence of E.coli to keep swimmers safe.

David Hohendorf has penned an open letter to his first grandchild – Dakota – offering her advice amidst the tumultuous state of affairs in the country and what she may be facing in life as she grows up in America.

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

Death threats to local municipal election clerks; the deleted D.C. yoga tweet; Oakland's importance in the 2022 election; The Five Stooges running for governor; an intraparty bloodbath for Democrats; the money races; plus more.

Photo by Suzanne Tucker | Dreamstime

DOWNTOWN08.22 45 MUNICIPAL Commission code of conduct stalls; ethics board clears planning board member; Birmingham lawsuit over S. Old Woodward project; discussions continue on rules for outdoor dining; library addition moves to commission; township flooding addressed; plus more.

73 COMMUNITY HOUSE CEO/President of The Community House, William Seklar, gives a preview of a number of events that are coming this fall, including the 22nd annual House Tour, along with Taco & Tequila Thursdays and Oktoberfest.

76 METRO INTELLIGENCER Gigi Nichols provides readers with quick takes on what is happening in the world of food and drink in the metro area.

80 ENDNOTE For those voters who have yet to cast a primary election ballot, Downtown Newsmagazine offers again its recommendations on candidates who have opposition in the August 2 primary election.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER Open letter to my new granddaughter Dakota: These are early morning reflections of your grandfather over the Fourth of July weekend following your birth on June 8, 2022. I have asked your parents to pass this letter to you at a time they judge to be age appropriate.

You have joined our extended family that stretches from the metro Detroit area to the East Coast – Connecticut, New York City, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., the Philly area – and to the shores of California.

As I understand it, a grandfather's role has traditionally been one of providing emotional support and advice for your parents as they raise you, but only when requested.

Sharing life experiences and historical perspective, I am told by others, is an important role, so I share the following with you, in no particular order.

You are entering the world at a very exciting but also very challenging time. Exciting because your opportunities are endless. Challenging because you will have to become engaged – fight the fight, in other words – to realize the advantages that lie ahead for you.

Regardless of whether you attend public or private schools, remember the importance of our public school system: open to all. Many of today's societal ills could be lessened or erased if we improved the public schools for all children.

Our planet is dying.

We have trashed Mother Earth. The generations ahead of you have failed to accept early on – or in some cases, at all – the facts established by science. While national and international leaders dawdle around on the issue, the situation is worsening. We have known how to respond to save ourselves but climate change deniers continue to put a stick in the spokes, as the idiom goes, so the battlefield now falls to you and your generation. On a personal level, do your part.

Every bit, no matter how small, helps. Once again, get engaged.

Remember the less fortunate.

Once you personally have gained a reasonable comfort level in life, look to see how you can help others who have not had your advantages. Too often the governing forces don't provide enough of a public safety net for those in need, so people like you can help.

Challenge others when necessary.

Personal rights are diminishing.

You are arriving at a point in history during which America, historically viewed as the 'beacon on the hill' when it comes to personal freedom, is in serious turmoil and runs the risk of continuing its slide into an authoritarian and/or theocratic state, the result of the rise of cult personalities more concerned with amassing personal political power.

Lost in the process will be enlightened governing to benefit the people.

As a result, you may not enjoy some of the personal freedoms your parents and grandparents enjoyed as they were growing up. At risk is the progress made on racial equality, gay rights, women's reproductive health care freedom, expanded voting participation and other critical underpinnings of our society as we have known it.

Learn our country's complete history, and not a sanitized version. Realize the mistakes we have made so they are not repeated. From that study you will realize this battle has raged in some degree or another since the founding of our country and these personal freedoms have not always been attainable by some segments of the population. But if you and other members of your generation get and remain engaged, then further decline can be prevented.

Education is under siege.

There are forces afoot that would leave it up to the politicians to determine what is taught in the schools – or better still, what will not be allowed to be taught in school – a role that until now has rightfully been the purview and responsibility of trained educators.

You are being raised by parents who are well-educated and understand the value of a well-informed populace, so I am confident that they will 'fight the power' when special interest groups or individuals try to impose on everyone what they think their individual child should not learn in school.

Know this – knowledge is power. So make your personal education a serious pursuit, from day one. Read the classics, as well as current day literary offerings. Learn what the philosophers of the past had to say.

Appreciate the world of the arts – be it visual, performance or music. Go beyond what the standard curriculum offers in school. Learn to think.

Don't be afraid to challenge the viewpoints of others but learn to do it effectively, as well as respectfully. Recognize that change in the viewpoints of others can be a work in progress.

Challenging the powers that be can oftentimes be done more effectively when you realize that evolution, not revolution, can be the right approach.

There will be times when a more aggressive approach is required as you are attempting to change egregious public policy so learn to build coalitions for added strength.

Also keep in mind that as distasteful as it might at first seem, it is sometimes harder to challenge authority from the outside, a lesson my generation learned when fighting to end the Vietnam War in the 1960s.

The advice we got then, which still resonates today: infiltrate from within. Once inside, never forget that the person who masters the rules of the game is usually the winner.

Develop a personal value system.

Your parents may or may not offer you an established religion to follow as you start out but I am sure they will give you the opportunity to develop a spiritual foundation for your life. Expose yourself to the great religions of the world. Respect the religious beliefs of others. Search for meaning and never end the search. And recognize that you have the freedom to establish your own value system. But you must develop one and live by it, not just mouth the platitudes which is so often the case nowadays.

Never abandon your dreams.

The pursuit at times may seem littered with insurmountable roadblocks.

Don't give up.

With love and good wishes, your grandfather.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

271 West Maple

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Birmingham

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248.258.0212

tenderbirmingham.com

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@TenderBham

BIRMINGHAM | BLOOMFIELD

Publisher David Hohendorf

News editor Lisa Brody

News staff/CoNtributors Hillary Brody Anchill | Dana Casadei | Tracy Donohue Kevin Elliott | Stacy Gittleman | Austen Hohendorf Grace Lovins | Jennifer Lovy | Jeanine Matlow Gigi Nichols | Bill Seklar

PhotograPhy/CoNtributors Laurie Tennent | Mackenzie O'Brien | Chris Ward Laurie Tennent Studio

advertisiNg direCtor David Hohendorf

advertisiNg sales Mark Grablowski

graPhiCs/it MaNager Chris Grammer

offiCe 124 W. Maple, Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE GOALS/MISSION The personnel at Downtown Newsmagazine bring a special commitment to the publishing effort, reinvesting in the local communities and working to make sure the Birmingham/Bloomfield area reaches its highest potential. Our mission dictates that we strive each month to provide a solid news and advertising product that local residents look forward to reading. Our goal is to build a community of informed citizens through the efforts of our passionate team. We are innovators producing products that go well beyond what others offer.

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 Birmingham/Bloomfield.

For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order 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.

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.

DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

METRO INTELLIGENCER

THREATENED PLANET

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Scene from a past Woodward Dream Cruise, which each year runs the length of Woodward from Ferndale to Pontiac, drawing some 40,000 cars and 1.2 million people. The Dream Cruise for this year is scheduled for August 20.

Photo: Steve Lagreca | Dreamstime

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CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder/Homicide

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through July 21, 2022.

Placement of codes is approximate.

INCOMING Supporting your position I just had to take the minutes to laud you for taking such a strong stance against candidates who insist upon “an alternate reality which includes the belief that the 2020 national election was somehow stolen or rigged.”

I am hoping voters turn out in high numbers (always hard for primary and mid-term elections) this year to try to heal some of the damage done to the image of our democracy.

Also, thank you for all the time and energy and funding it takes to publish the Voter Guides. I always look forward to them to add to my thinking about choosing candidates.

Tina M. Larson Birmingham

Thanks for Voter Guide I have used your publication's Voting Guide for many elections. It has always been obvious to me the amount of effort and thoughtfulness that is put into the Voter Guide(s).

Your position questions are thoughtful, balanced and on point. You often quote the responses allowing for me a better view of positions.

Additionally, you offer endorsements with supporting arguments that require me to ponder my choices and seek additional information as needed.

In short, your guide drives me to be a more thoughtful voter. I appreciate that and wanted to take the time to offer my sincere thanks.

Scott Allen Birmingham

Great service to voters As relatively new residents to Birmingham, my husband and I wish to applaud you for the invaluable Voters Guide printed in the July edition. You have provided an extraordinarily great service to Birmingham voters, and, after reading all 34 pages closely, we feel well prepared to vote in the upcoming August Primary.

Most of us are inundated with a great deal of election material from the individuals seeking our votes, but no single brochure can possibly provide the in depth information contained in Downtown’s detailed pages of serious questions and 22

answers. We sincerely thank each staff and community member, and every candidate who took the time to participate in compiling such a valuable tool.

Finally, as a former political leader myself, I was always skeptical of so called “litmus tests,” but your marker took courage and I commend you for taking an unmistakable stand.

Pat Hardy Birmingham (Publisher note: Pat Hardy was for many years an active community member and a city commissioner and mayor in Bloomfield Hills.)

Traditional journalism I read David Hohendorf's column and Oakland Confidential each month.

I also look forward to the Voter Guide and endorsements as well.

I, too, agree that the opinion and editorial sections of our local newspapers should not be abandoned.

We are in such a precarious position in this country and the loss of good local news is disturbing. We need good investigative reporting regarding our local government, as well as state and national. It is amazing that your monthly publication can provide us with so much information.

Please continue this “traditional” reporting. I would gladly pay a subscription fee to keep this going.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Janice Cohen Bloomfield Township

Thanks for the publication A quick note to tell you that I absolutely look forward to your magazine.

I turn first to David Hohendorf's From the Publisher page, which is always my favorite. I love the content, style and wit.

While it probably helps that I generally share his opinions, I find that he really stirs my thoughts and conceptions.

Thanks for the publication.

Name withheld upon request Bloomfield Hills

Brody’s BPS deficit coverage I have sent an email about my school paper's coverage of the

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.

Birmingham Public Schools (BPS) budget deficit to a bunch of local media people but I also wanted to reach out to you and say how much I've come to admire Lisa Brody’s work.

I've lived in Birmingham my whole life but until this week I hadn't read Downtown Newsmagazine, but I started reading online and got a paper copy of the most recent issue and I've really enjoyed it.

There's almost no great local journalism around here, and it seems to be a dying thing just about everywhere. But seeing work like what Lisa Brody has done gives someone like me hope that I'm not attempting to board a sunken ship.

Even just with the BPS budget coverage, Downtown Newsmagazine was the only paper with anything more than a regurgitation of a district email.

In short: I love the work Lisa Brody has been doing and I hope she keeps doing it so people like me can read it.

Alex Walters Birmingham (Walters is the managing editor of The Seaholm Highlander student newspaper at Seaholm High School.)

Solving the gun problem "We need to harden schools." "The only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."

"We need to arm teachers.” “You can’t legislate against evil.” “The awful mental health issues out there.””It’s too soon after (insert latest mass shooting location here)."

Just shut up.

The problem is guns. We don’t live in the only nation on earth afflicted by

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

people who are evil or suffering from mental illness. We do live in the only nation that allows – even invites – such people to purchase militarygrade weapons, body armor and unlimited stockpiles of ammunition.

Harden every school? This proposal is not just absurd, it is traumatizing to our children. Locked doors, metal detectors, armed guards, armed teachers (who, by the way, stand no chance against an AR-15-toting assailant in body armor) is terrifying to our children and is a coward’s answer to the problem. When a drunk driver injures or kills someone we don’t propose “hardening” every vehicle with armor plating. We take away the driver’s right to operate a vehicle, even if it means taking away their car.

Too soon? Is it still too soon to talk about Columbine (1999)? How about Sandy Hook (2012)? Parkland (2018)?

Or any of the thousands of mass shootings we’ve suffered through since the assault weapons ban was allowed to lapse.

It’s okay. We get it. Our elected leaders picked a side, and they chose campaign cash over children. Since they have proven they are too selfserving to do their jobs, let’s put goodold-fashioned American capitalism to work: make them pay to play.

Follow the example of Texas, which gave citizens the right to sue anyone who helps a woman terminate her pregnancy. Let’s apply that to gun sales and encourage citizens to sue anyone who helped another person purchase a gun that was used in a crime.

We prevailed over the tobacco industry when we sued them for creating a product that kills people.

Let’s go after gun manufacturers the same way.

Insurance companies should apply the same risk calculations for gun ownership that they do for everything else. Demand that gun owners purchase a rider for the welldocumented added risk posed by owning a firearm.

The industry has nothing to fear from our “leadership,” but they may start paying attention when their wallets are as empty as their promises.

Cary Gersh Bloomfield Hills 08.22

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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 where you can sign up to receive updates via email.

TRUTH OR DARE: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report about the 2020 election in mid-July, reporting that “Election officials faced unprecedented challenges in conducting the 2020 elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Several Michigan election officials have let it be known that after the election, they faced threats, including death threats. Former Rochester Hills Clerk Tina Barton, now a senior elections expert with The Elections Group, received a voicemail filled with explicit language threatening her family. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson had to call the police after armed BARTON protesters yelled outside her home in Detroit where she was reading bedtime stories to her young son. Now, 22 election deniers are running for secretary of state across the country – including in Michigan, with Republican candidate Kristina Karamo, and while secretaries of state do not count votes, they certify elections. “When you have officials who don’t view voters as customers of the process, but view voters as criminal suspects, that’s a really dangerous thing,” said Jason Kander, former Secretary of State for Missouri and author of The Invisible Storm, on MSNBC. #NARCISSIST: Here’s a campaign blunder that would be right up the alley of gonzo journalist Hunt S. Thompson (Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail) if he was still around. The day the U.S. Supreme Court tossed out legal abortions by overturning the Roe v Wade decision from five decades ago, Michigan Congressman Andy Levin posted on his Twitter account a picture of himself doing a yoga pose on a mat in his Capitol office with some accompanying verbiage saying he was “turning inward” after the court ruling and also passage of gun reform legislation. Followers from both sides of the political aisle were not impressed. After an outpouring in the first hour of critical comments ranging from out-of-touch, WTF, “you suck’”and much worse, the tweet was deleted. But as LEVIN one follower noted, the internet is forever. The gaffe – and the now deleted photo – got heavy media coverage, from a shaming by Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, to The Daily Beast, HuffPost and U.S. News, to name just a few. This is not the first time Levin has posted photos of himself doing yoga in D.C. – the most memorable one during a tour with staff of the Capitol Dome, when he decided to do a yoga hand stand outside at the top of the dome “way up there” overlooking the city. Ommm.

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OAKLAND INFLUENCE: Political observers have known in the past decade that Oakland County is turning bluer with each election. Now Politico has ranked Oakland as among the top 20 critical counties in the country when it comes to determining the outcome of statewide races and ballot issues, noting the it is a “hub of independent voters shifting increasingly left,” thanks to an influx of a more diverse racial and ethnic population from neighboring Wayne County. The shifting political face of voters means that ex-prez Donald Trump’s endorsements will serve as “more of an anchor” than a boon in the 2022 election. Trump lost the county to Hillary Clinton by eight percentage points and the spread widened when The Donald went up against Joe Biden here, losing by 14 points (100,000 votes) in 2020. Politico says Oakland County will play a “critical role” in the gubernatorial race this year, so get ready for an onslaught of even more political direct mail, phones calls and tv ads heading into November.

NYUK NYUK NYUK: The five remaining Republican candidates for governor look more and more like tryouts for a new version of The Three Stooges.

Originally believed to be an afterthought candidate, Ryan Kelley of Allendale was charged as being an insurrectionist for participating in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and has seen his popularity, well not exactly soar, but climb slightly higher than some of his fellow candidates. He has bragged downtownpublications.com

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that it shows “the devotion he had by being on the scene of what turned into a deadly riot aimed at keeping then-President Donald Trump in power.” But not everyone – nor all Republicans – are fans. One long-time Republican consultant said Kelley’s “a tool. Half the party wants to forget about 2020 and put it behind us.” He said Kelley’s choice for lieutenant governor, Jamie Swafford, is no better than he is. “She’s a huge Trumper, which narrows you to maybe 30 to 33 percent in Michigan that could wake up with a live girl or a dead guy, and they would still vote for Trump. Ryan Kelley is courting that.” Then there is a lawsuit KELLEY filed in Oakland County Circuit Court by Progress Michigan and Lee Estes, seeking to throw Kelley off the primary ballot because the 14th Amendment of the Constitution prevents anyone who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion against” the United States or “given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof” from holding any office in the country. It’s not believe the suit will go far – but then, Kelley wasn’t projected to go far, either.

PRESIDENTIAL SPITBALLING: With the latest polling among Democrats showing an overwhelming support for anybody-but-Joe Biden to run in 2024, prognosticators are hard at work floating possible party contenders for a replacement on the presidential ballot.

Along with the obligatory mention of Vice-President Kamala Harris and left coast (California) Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is now making it into the playbook put together by the chattering class. Another Michigan possibility is Indiana expat Pete Buttigieg, WHITMER currently Transportation Secretary in the Biden administration. He and his husband are now making Traverse City their home. Some are even speculating that he could make a future run for governor here or for the U.S. Senate when Debbie Stabenow calls it quits, but that is BUTTIGIEG assuming that Democrat and media darling state Senator Mallory McMorrow of Oakland County doesn’t run for the U.S. Senate at some point down the road.

SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN: What is it about the office of Macomb County Prosecutor? First, former Prosecutor Eric Smith thought the county till was his personal checking account. He’s now in prison for that mistake, and other financial fraud. Now comes a report that current prosecutor Peter Lucido has made inappropriate statements containing sexual comments and/or sexual innuendo and – can you believe it? – that he used county personnel and other resources for personal and some campaign-type activities. Lucido has denied all, just as he did following a two-year investigation in the Michigan Senate where he was known to be handsy and had a problem understanding LUCIDO boundaries when it came to women, including complaints by a reporter with Michigan Advance and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (DRoyal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills). According to a Macomb County memorandum, nine people made complaints as to how Lucido treats women on his staff versus males, such as “rude,” “curt” and “unprofessional.” Two of the complaints allege on Valentine’s Day, Lucido said “he would like a kiss from his ladies.” The report also alleges he made comments about some of the women’s size and breast size. As for the misuse of county resources, the report has a whole list of offenses, many minor – but all inappropriate.

INTRAPARTY BLOODBATH: The duel involving Haley Stevens (DBirmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Clawson, western Oakland and Wayne counties) and Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Macomb County) over the new 11th District of Congress, encompassing the majority of Oakland County, continues to get nastier by the day, with mud being thrown consistently by Levin’s campaign and surrogates for Stevens. Much of the vitriol can presumably be attributed to desperation on the part of Levin’s peeps, as financial filings, revealed on July 15, show that the more moderate Stevens outraised the stridently progressive Levin once again. Her haul for the second quarter of 2022 was over $1 million, for

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08.22

Feeling Overwhelmed? $4.7 million this election cycle, and she has $1.8 million cash on hand. Levin, meanwhile, raised $555,218.25, for $2.6 million this election cycle. He has $1.1 million cash on hand. Many political consultants believe the adage that the person with the most bucks wins but that ignores the boots on the ground approach to victory, which both campaigns are also strongly pursuing. Their voting records are nearly identical but that hasn’t stopped the Levin camp from muddying up the landscape by claiming Stevens had not voted for the $15 minimum wage, along with other falsehoods. Levin’s main themes are touting his union organizing work, which some question as not as salable in the new district as the candidate would believe. He has also cloaked himself in the mantle as the candidate who – late in the game – is not accepting corporate PAC contributions. Stevens, meanwhile, continues to bill herself as Oakland County’s congresswoman, sticking with her script about her record as having worked with manufacturers in the district, pushed for broadened STEM opportunities for young women, and was an Obama team member who helped save and resurrect the auto business. But things turned darker with just weeks left before the August 2 vote. Outside PACs – funded by pro-Israel groups, AIPAC-backed United Democracy Project which is pro-Stevens and J Street, supporting Levin – are slamming their group’s opponent. J Street is trying to falsely park Stevens in the camp with January 6 insurrectionists because one of the PACs supporting her has also donated to tainted Republicans. Pro-Stevens groups took to the airwaves with ads attempting to shame Levin for false advertising. As Punchbowl noted, it’s made for one nasty member-on-member primary. “Evoking one of the darkest days in the history of our country in an attack ad against a sitting Democrat who voted twice to impeach Donald Trump and who lived through January 6 on Capitol Hill is dangerous and in extremely poor taste,” Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.) told Punchbowl.

CA-CHING: Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills, Holly, northern Oakland, parts of Livingston and Ingham counties), who is running in the newly-redistricted 7th District, with Lansing at its center, brought the Brinks truck to her campaign, raising over $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2022 – and a total of $6.9 million this election cycle. Without a primary opponent, she has over $6.5 million cash on hand. Her likely Republican opponent, state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Potterville) raised less than $610,000 and has less than $440,000 on hand. Prognosticators are calling this race a toss up, but so SLOTKIN far Barrett has only brought rhetoric, and Slotkin, a moderate Democrat who is methodically campaigning in the new district town by town, event by event, a formula that allowed her four years ago to turn a GOP leaning district to Blue.

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QUESTIONABLE VALUES: Michigan Republicans are starting to wonder about the bonafides of congressional candidate Matthew DenOtter of Waterford, running in the August primary against Mark Ambrose to be the Republican standard bearer in the November general election for Oakland’s 11th District which covers the Birmingham-Bloomfield area, along with a large swath of the county. Reliable sources have shared with Oakland Confidential that the “Christian Conservative,” who claims to know how to solve business crises and inflation, has all the makings of a train-wreck of a record. First, he is on his fourth marriage in 16 years. Yes, you say, sh*t happens. But there’s more. His third wife requested temporary rehabilitative alimony because her savings were depleted when he was forced to file for bankruptcy and had a home on Shipman in Birmingham foreclosed upon. Legal filings in Oakland DENOTTER County Circuit Court two years ago reveal that DenOtter and a business partner, operating as SB Holdings in Bloomfield Hills, sold a property to which they supposedly made renovations, and then allegedly did not properly disclose to the purchaser what they had (or had not) done, and the purchaser had significant problems with the home. DenOtter and his partner are now being sued for fraud and negligent misrepresentation. It appears the case is ongoing – with a demand for a trial by jury. “He’s been going around for eight months saying he’s the one to beat and to go against (Democrats) Haley Stevens or Andy Levin,” said one connected Lansing/GOP insider, “How has no one vetted him?” downtownpublications.com

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Rick and Dana Loewenstein ick and Dana Loewenstein may be recent business partners, but the couple, who have been married for 40 years, are enjoying working together as cofounders of TeamGame Advisors.

“We have a niche business,” said Rick, CEO. “We work with private equity and venture capital as well as family office-backed autism therapy providers to help them grow and scale their business.”

Rick is a Cranbrook Schools alum, and both of their sons also graduated from Cranbrook, where each won state hockey championships, and Rick worked as chief advancement officer for Cranbrook Educational Community. He followed that up with positions in the disability field, with positions which included CEO for JARC and chief strategy and growth officer for Centria Healthcare. “I really helped grow nationwide the autism therapy business,” he said.

In 2019, Rick was ready to go out on his own with a focus on helping autism therapy companies. Centria Healthcare and Judson Center were among his first clients.

“I wanted to grow and scale the autism therapy business and also work with nonprofits to help them grow their business and make impactful relationships in the communities that they serve,” he said.

Shortly after the pandemic hit, Dana left her position as director of strategic gifts for Michigan State University Hillel, an organization for Jewish student life on campus, and joined the business as managing partner.

It turns out the two make a great team. “At the end of the day, we feel really good about our work,” Rick said. “It’s been a really amazing ride.”

“It aligns perfectly with our values and our previous work,” added Rick, who is also passionate about food insecurity, previously serving as president and CEO for Gleaners Food Bank. “I had the experience of supporting people that need help.

This mission was focused, organized and completely aligned with who we are as people.”

The needs of people with disabilities like autism changes over time from a support standpoint. “We can help them transition into the community with independent housing, employment and transportation,” he said. Among their clients is AngelSense, in Israel, who they have assisted with technical solutions for clients with autism.

With autism, early intervention and early diagnosis are the key to success. In 2013, the state of Michigan legislatively mandated that insurance companies in Michigan must offer applied behavior analysis therapy (ABA) to their members.

ABA is the only evidence-based therapy approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC and the Surgeon General that has the most profound impact on children with autism.

Approximately 1 in 44 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with autism as they are being better diagnosed and diagnosed earlier, and the autism spectrum disorder now includes Asperger’s. An increase in diagnosing autism translates to more people gaining access to services.

“The greatest reward is the impact we made in so many communities across the country and in people’s lives, having access to autism therapy,” said Dana.

“It’s exciting to be a part of something growing organically, and it’s the first time we’ve worked together.”

“We help families get services that they need. If your child has a special need, your whole family has a special need,” said Rick. “Early diagnosis is tremendous and it leads to better outcomes,” added Dana.

Early in their careers, Rick worked for Little Caesars and Dana was a prosecuting attorney. “Our path to this point has been incredibly non-linear,” he said.

“It’s been a long and winding road,” she agreed.

“We couldn’t have mapped it,” said Rick. “We’re just so grateful for where we are today. It’s part of our DNA.”

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Story: Jeanine Matlow

Photo: Chris Ward

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BEACH TESTING KEEPING OUR BEACHES AND WATERS SAFE

BY LISA BRODY

ichigan summers. For those of us who endure frozen Michigan winters, we live for these brief months of idyllic days with azure skies, warm breezes, green tree-lined roads, and most especially, time spent at lakes and beaches.

Who doesn't love dipping their toes into one of Michigan's lakes? And swimming in a Michigan lake, whether one of the five Great Lakes or one of the thousand of inland lakes, is a unique pleasure that helps make us “Pure Michigan,” as the travel slogan perfectly captures it.

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However, sometimes beneath the pristine waters, invisible pathogens can live and multiply, posing a danger that can turn a perfect respite into a potential sick day, which is why various government offices sample water quality at beaches during the summer months.

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hile the water may look clean, simply looking at the water won't allow you to determine whether disease-causing microorganisms are present.

Swimming in or coming into contact with contaminated water may result in several different types of waterborne illnesses. Swimming or playing in unsafe water may result in minor illnesses, such as a sore throat or diarrhea – but it might also result in more serious, even life-threatening illnesses.

Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs spread by swallowing or having contact with contaminated lakes, rivers or ponds that result in a variety of infections affecting gastrointestinal systems, skin, ears, eyes, or respiratory systems. Children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to waterborne illnesses.

According to Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), there are 1,235 public beaches in Michigan, and 575 private beaches, but many more lakes, and there is a long-running debate as to whether Michigan or Minnesota has the most inland lakes. Michigan Lake Info counters EGLE with a likely more accurate estimate of over 11,000 lakes, quoting J.E. Breck of the Fisheries Department of Michigan's Department of Natural Resources, who wrote in 2004, “There have been several attempts to count or compile a master list of lakes in Michigan. The Michigan Lakes and Streams Directory of 1941 reported that there were 6,454 water bodies “large enough to be lakes.”... Before counting the number of lakes one must decide on the definition of the term “lake.”

Brown wrote that he used 'the definition of Forel, the founder of modern limnology, who described a lake as ‘a body of standing water occupying a basin and lacking continuity with the sea.’ According to this definition all standing waters are lakes regardless of size, depth or origin. Ponds, bogs, swamps, reservoirs, etc. are just special kinds of lakes.' Brown used the best available maps of the time: county master-plan maps from the Department of Conservation and the newly available polyconic projection maps from the State Highway Department. Brown (1943a) reported a count of 11,037 lakes, of which over half were less than 10 acres in surface area. This appears to be the source of the widely reported 'fact' that Michigan has 11,000 lakes.”

“We (Oakland County) have more lakes than any other county in the state. There are more than 1,000 named and unnamed lakes in Oakland County,” Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash said. “There are just a ton of lakes. We have a lot of lakes and property values depend upon that.”

According to the Oakland County website, there are more than 1,400 lakes just in Oakland County, the county with the most lakes.

Kent County, on the west side of the state, estimates they have 193 lakes; Livingston County, just 26 inland lakes, and Macomb County, 16 inland lakes. Counties across the state fit somewhere along the spectrum. The largest inland lake in Michigan is believed to be Houghton Lake, with a surface area encompassing 20,044 acres.

Nash pointed out that many people who live on lakes coordinate and have lake improvement boards, which are similar to home owner associations, with their goals being to manage the lake in the best interests of the residents around the lake. Currently, Oakland County has 46 lake improvement boards established to address relevant lake improvement issues, including the oversight of aquatic weed control

programs, nuisance control and other educational activities. In Bloomfield Township, Forest Lake, Gilbert Lake, Island Lake, Lower Long Lake, Meadow Lake, Orange Lake, Upper Long Lake and Wabeek Lake all have established lake improvement boards.

“It costs money, but they are worth it,” Nash said. “They watch out for all these problems.”

To assist the residents on their lake improvement board, each one has a county commissioner assigned as well as someone from the water resources commissioner's office.

At the state level, Nash or a designee from his office is a member of the state-designated lake improvement boards in Oakland County.

According to Molly Rippke, specialist in rivers, lakes and beaches for EGLE, “In Michigan we have a water quality issue that is E. colibased on its risks to health. It's definitely not the most dangerous pathogen out there, but we sample for E. coli because it's cheap and easy, and it's a pretty reliable way to see the risk for human health.”

EGLE advisory fact sheets note that “E. coli bacteria do not survive long in water. Factors such as wind and wave action, as well as ultraviolet light from the sun help to reduce the level of bacteria...It is a common misconception that if one area of the lake is contaminated, then the whole lake is contaminated...Two beaches on opposite ends of a lake that have different on-shore conditions will not have the same bacteria levels… Epidemiological studies of fresh water bathing beaches have established a direct relationship between the density of E. coli in water and the occurrence of swimming-associated gastroenteritis.”

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ippke said E. coli testing is also done because the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that it be done. According to the EPA, as of December 2021, “The BEACH Act authorized the EPA to award grants to help states, tribes, and territories to develop and implement their beach monitoring and notification programs. States use the grant funds to operate beach monitoring and notification programs to protect the public at the beach. The type of activities funded include: collecting and analyzing water samples to determine whether they protect public health and to ensure that they do not exceed water quality standards; notifying the public if water quality standards are exceeded; and maintaining state databases of beach water quality and advisory information. To be eligible for BEACH Act grants, states and territories must have coastal and Great Lakes recreational waters adjacent to coastal beaches or similar points of access used by the public. Under the BEACH Act, the EPA can also award grants to eligible tribes.

Currently, 38 states, territories, and tribes receive BEACH Act grants (thirty states, five territories, and three tribes).”

There are definitely more dangerous pathogens out there, Rippke said. “We've got cryptosporidium, cholera, giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, scabies, and worm infections. They can lead to gastroenteritis, with diarrhea and vomiting. There's E. coli HO157 – that's really dangerous, like with romaine lettuce. There are different strains and varieties. A lot of times it isn't identified what makes you sick. It's just a catch-all.”

EGLE advises water samples to be taken one foot below the surface in water that is between three and six feet in depth.

According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the top 10 causes of recreational water outbreaks include: Shigella, Norovirus; E. coli; Cryptosporidium; Avian schistosomes; Giardia; Leptospira; algal blooms; Plesiomonas; and Campylobacter.

Cryptosporidium, or Crypto, is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidosis, which can infect humans and

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OAKLAND BEACH TESTING SITES BEACH Bald Mountain Recreation Area Bay Court Park Bayside/Island Beach Bloomfield Parks & Rec/West Hills Middle School Boathouse Beach Broadway Civic Assoc.

Brown's Landing Mobile Home Park Camp Agawam Camp Dearborn - Lake #1 Camp Dearborn - Lake #5 Camp Maas - Rodecker Camp Maas - Sobell beach Camp Ohiyesa - North Camp Wathana Christ The King Church Camp Clearwater Campground Club 19 Inc. - Muratzki Country Club (5000 W. Shore Dr.) Crossroads for Youth Dodge Park #4 E.V. Mercer City Beach Ferndale Finnish American Club of Detroit Finnish Day Camp Flanders Lake Beach Association Greens Park Village Beach Grove Street Beach Groveland Oaks County Park - Paradise Beach Haas Lake Park #1 Haas Lake Park #2 Haas Lake Park #3 Haas Lake Park #4 Hartford Beach Hawk Lake Apartments Highland Hills Homeowners Assoc.

Hill n' Dale Park Holly Recreation Area - Heron beach Holly Recreation Area - Wildwood beach Holly Village Beach Huntoon Village Ideal Country Club Homeowners Assoc.

Independence Oaks County Park Independence Twp. Village Beach Indian Manor Sub. Kensington - Maple Beach Kensington - Martindale beach Lake Oakland Shores Lake Waumegah Homeowners Assoc.

Lake Williams Heights Lakeshore Park Lakewood Farms - Crocus St. Log Cabin Club Sub Major Nantucket Village North Park Beach North Pine Center Oakwood Manor Overridge Pine Lake Country Club Pioneer Highlands Pleasant Lake Highlands Pleasant View Sub. Pleasant View Sub. - Kempster St. Pontiac Recreation Area Pontiac Yacht Club Proud Lake Recreation Area Campground Rosmar Sandy Beach Scripter Village Park Township Beach Seven Harbors Assoc. - Flynn Dr. (N) Seven Harbors Assoc. - Hunter's Dr. (S) Seven Harbors Assoc. - Lakeview (S) Seven Harbors Association- Harbor St. (Backlot A) Seven Lakes State Park Seven Lakes State Park - Campground Shenandoah Farms Assoc.

Sherwood Property Owners Shores at Bay Point Silver Hill Rd. Silver Lake Assoc.

Skull Island Camp (Barnacle Bay) Skull Island Camp (Shark Reef) Square Lake Hills Apt/Bloomfield Square Lake Condo St. Mary's Stanley Beach Stony Lake Park Sylvan Shores Improvement Assoc.

Tamarack Sub. Teeple Lake Recreation Area - Highland State Park Thelma Spencer Park Twin Lakes Assoc.

Twin Shores Sub. Upland Hills Farm Walnut Lake Estates Walnut Lake Hills Corp.

Walnut Lake Property Owners Sub. #1 Westwood Manor Willow Beach St (Keego Harbor) Wing Lake Farms Assoc.

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animals. The parasite has an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time. Crypto is most commonly spread in drinking water and recreational water, and is one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease among humans in the United States.

Giardia, another microscopic parasite, is found in surfaces or in soil, food or water that has been contaminated with feces from infected humans or animals.

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higellosis is an infectious disease that may cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps that start a day or two after being exposed to the bacteria shigella. The diarrhea is often bloody. Severe infection with a high fever may be associated with seizures in children less than two-years-old. Still others infected may have no symptoms at all and can pass the bacteria on to others.

Norovirus is a particularly contagious virus that can infect anyone through food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes the infected person's stomach and/or intestines to become inflamed, leading to stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea or vomiting.

Another common problem associated with natural water is swimmer's itch, or cercarial dermatitis. Swimmer's itch is considered an aquatic nuisance disease caused by an allergic reaction to specific parasites found in certain birds, mammals and snails. Anyone who swims or wades in natural water may be at risk. While not contagious, swimmer's itch may cause temporary tingling, burning or itching of the skin. It's advisable to rinse off well after swimming in lakes and ponds.

The Oakland County Health Division recommends swimmers avoid areas where swimmer's itch is a known problem or where signs have been posted warning of unsafe water; avoid swimming in marshy areas where snails are commonly found; and to towel dry or shower immediately after leaving the water. Health experts also recommend that you don't attract birds by feeding them in areas where people are swimming.

In order to determine if water is safe for swimming or other recreational uses, the Oakland County Health Division has been testing more than 101 beaches this summer at 68 different lakes for E. coli levels. Unlike recent strains of E. coli, such as the strain affecting romaine lettuce and other food, wreaking havoc on some consumers, most types of E. coli are relatively harmless. And, because E. coli is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm-blooded animals, the presence of E. coli in water serves as a good indicator of the water quality.

Water collection and beach surveying by the Oakland County Health Division is done by student interns hired for the summer.

Water at each of the beaches included in the program is tested on a weekly basis, measuring for E. coli levels. As an indicator, if E. coli is present, other, more harmful and harder to detect organisms may be present, said Mark Hansell, public health chief of Environmental Health Services with the Oakland County Health Division.

“We have a basic formula of 48 public beaches that we do every year,” Hansell said. “Those are the truly public beaches that are parks, that people pay to swim at. Then we round out our sampling with some public-neighborhood or homeowner association beaches. There are 50 to 60 of those.

“We know we have about 200 known beaches in Oakland County, so we rotate those in,” he said. “It takes about five years to cover them all. We take into account requests for a beach and add them the next year, or soon as possible.”

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This year, the department has six student interns that split the 101 beaches, testing each of them a minimum of once a week.

Hansell said if there is a closure, they will test that beach once a day until it can reopen. Beach testing in Oakland County began the first week of June and will continue through the second week of August.

“If there are any beaches that are closed, we will continue to test them until they all reopen, because the weather can still be warm,” he said. The primary reason they stop when they do is because their interns return to school.

Hansell said they encourage those neighborhood or homeowner association beaches that they are not yet testing to sample their beaches themselves. Oakland County Health Department makes it easy, and relatively affordable, by offering a beach kit for a small fee of $12.

“When we do an event, we take three samples from a swim area – left, right and center,” Hansell explained. The beach kit comes with three bottles and instructions on how to do it.

“We encourage you to do it more than once, ideally once per week,” he said. “We do the analysis and calculation for you of the water testing, and we relay the information.”

Monitored beaches must meet a one day standard of less than 300 colonies of E. coli per 100 milliliters of water, and a 30-day geometric average standard of 130 colonies per 100 milliliters. If a beach doesn't meet the water quality standard, it is closed until levels fall, often within 24 hours.

“When there is a closure, it can last a day – or a couple of weeks,” Hansell said. “But most are resolved within a day or two, and most are triggered by a rain event.”

Tom Barnes, division director of environmental services for Macomb County Health Department, acknowledges that “Macomb County is not known for our inland lakes.” His staff of six plus summer interns sample the three beaches at Lake St. Clair and Stony Creek Metropark as well as “other little pockets,” such as New Baltimore Walter and Mary Burke Park Beach and St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach, each Monday and Wednesday from early May until Labor Day, “to have a baseline for the season. We go out early in the morning, and have to resample if there's a high hit.”

Macomb County's parameter is the same as Oakland's – 300 E. coli per 100 ml of water. “We go out with bottles of water and do three samples, which provides us with a geometric mean,” Barnes said. “If it comes up higher than 300, we have to issue a beach closure. All the counties do about the same process.”

Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veteran Services said public beaches are monitored for bacteria levels at least weekly and results are given to the municipalities in which the beaches are located.

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arnes said their samples come back in about 24 hours, and if necessary they can issue a closure. “If there's a beach closure, we keep testing because we want to know why it's being closed,” he said.

This year, so far, they have had only two beach closures. In 2021, they had a total of 15 closures, with nine of the closures coming at St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach.

“Usually we don't have a ton of closures. Our beach managers work well and do good beach management practices, like raking the beaches, where the scum and muck can hold onto bacteria,” Barnes said. “Some people also use beach chasers – those are dogs that chase geese away. Some beaches plant high grasses which deter geese and birds. They think predators live (in the grasses) so they don't go there.”

Hansell of Oakland County said while a beach closure can last

anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks, most are resolved in a day or two, and most are triggered by a rain event. A rain event can be a normal heavy summer rain, or one of the major “100-year rainstorms” the metro area has experienced repeatedly the last few summers, which forces storm water runoff, water overflow, fertilizers put on properties, and animal waste flow to lakes, streams and rivers.

Work done by researchers at the University of Michigan that was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health further indicates that these extreme precipitation events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change, and that runoff from these extreme events poses threats to water quality and human health.

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esearchers looked at the impact of such extreme precipitation events and beach closings on the risk of gastrointestinal illness-related hospital admissions among people 65 and older in 12 Great Lakes cities. The study found that extreme rainfalls were associated with beach closures in eight of the 12 cities, including metro Detroit's tri-county area. However, the study failed to find any association between beach closures and gastrointestinal-related hospital admissions.

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash said that in addition to riparian run off, failing septic systems can be a major source of E. coli and other bacteria and viruses in lake waters.

“It's why you should never drink out of a lake,” he said. “EGLE estimates about 20 to 25 percent of septic systems across the state are failing, and we have a lot of septics in Oakland County.”

He said his office can help communities and homeowner associations in their efforts to put in sewer systems.

“In the last few years, we have not seen an increase in beach closures,” Hansell said, seeing consistent numbers year-to-year.

So far in 2022, Grove Street Beach on Cass Lake in Keego Harbor was closed for a day; others include Camp Maas-Rodecker on Phillips Lake in Groveland Township; Finish Day Camp Beach on Sun Lake in Wixom; Independence Oaks County Park on Crooked Lake in Independence Township; Nantucket Village Beach on Wolverine Lake in Wolverine Lake; Pleasant Lake Highlands Beach on Pleasant Lake in Waterford; Upland Hills Farm Beach on Prince Lake in Addison Township; Wing Lake Property Owners Association Beach on Wing Lake in Bloomfield Township; Pontiac Recreation Area on Pontiac Lake in White Lake; and Ferndale Beach on Sylvan Lake in Sylvan Lake.

“When we see a beach closure with E. coli staying closed for longer than a few days, we'll do bacterial source testing which tells us if there is human DNA,” he said. “If there is a broken sewer line or failed septic system that is impacting the water, that can show up.”

However, Hansell said that is not often what they have seen in their testing.

“When there have been extended beach closures, we have not had human DNA, so that tells us it is most likely geese and other wild life,” he explained. “It's important to keep your beach clean.

'Groom your beach.' That means, pick up the poop. Try to keep wildlife away with deterrents.

“It's not easy.”

Or as Nash advises, build a four to eight foot buffer of native species with deep roots along the lake shoreline.

“It protects the lake and can add beauty,” he said. “It's like a rain garden. It can be attractive along the shoreline, with various species blooming at different times in the season, and it protects the lake from harmful and aggressive nutrients from runoff.”

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FACES

Curtis Trimble or Curtis Trimble, the story which takes place in his recently published novel, Touch’s Usual, has been lurking in the back of his mind for well over 30 years.

And now, it’s out in the world as well.

In Touch’s Usual, readers follow Tanner “Touch” Thomas, the town sheriff, who starts investigating a cold case his father had tried to solve.

Along the way though, Tanner discovers much more than he thought he would, including a long-running Dixie Mafia-linked drug ring, putting his life in danger.

“It’s a product of kind of being a knucklehead little kid, and listening to the adults talk about current events and stories,” Trimble said about the book, his first published novel. “And one of them in particular just kind of stuck with me.”

He recalls that as a kid, he was at a friend’s grandparents house when he overheard the adults talking about how someone they knew had been shot while mowing their grass. The grown ups said there were no clues, no motive, no idea of who had done it, or why.

Trimble knew it was only a kernel of an idea, so when he finally sat down to write this long-germinating story at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he wanted to explore the premise, to make it more compelling, interesting, and add a little bit more mystery.

“It wrote itself really quickly,” he said. “It was less than two months, from kind of initially sitting down at the computer and tapping it out until I was done with the first draft.”

The story itself takes place in a small town of less than 12,000 people, one Trimble described as a fictional version of the West Kentucky town he grew up in and where he went to high school.

Much like the town being based on is somewhere Trimble knows, there are elements in the character that is based off people he’s met along the way, as well, ranging from those he has met for only a moment, to the young men he is a volunteer wrestling coach for at Seaholm High School. He and his family have lived in Birmingham for nearly a decade.

“You can’t write what you don’t know,” Trimble said. “Each of these characters are an amalgam of various components of people that I've known both as an adolescent, young adult, and then also as an adult, and some of them are components of youngsters that I've worked with.”

Trimble – whose day job is overseeing an investment management subsidiary for a private equity firm – is a big fan of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels and how character-centric they are. Touch’s Usual, specifically his main character, was written in a similar fashion.

For those who find themselves as drawn to the characters just as Trimble was – don’t worry, he has written a second book which is currently in its first round of edits.

While the first story of Tanner was told in a published novel, Trimble said he’s exploring different mediums for the second, with the possibility of it becoming an e-reader instead of something published in print.

No matter which form it might take, a second book is definitely on its way.

“My chief editor, also known as my wife, is editing the second book now,” Trimble said.

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Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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MUNICIPAL Issues still remain for outdoor dining

By Grace Lovins

Continuing a year’s worth of work, the Birmingham Planning Board revisited its outdoor dining ordinance again at a study session at its meeting on Wednesday, July 13.

The board revisited changes to the ordinance, including a definition of furnishing zones that would allow a little more flexibility for outdoor dining, as well as the grandfathering of pre-existing outdoor dining areas that would be considered noncompliant after the ordinance has officially been adopted.

Members of the board discussed the possibility of including the ability of furnishing zones to hold an outdoor dining area, but most were conflicted about the parameters of what a furnishing zone should be defined as. A furnishing zone is described as the area between the sidewalk and the curb where streetscape amenities such as planter boxes, street lights and tree wells are typically located. A previous ordinance revision had determined no outdoor dining would be allowed in furnishing zones.

Given the approval of Wilders bistro’s outdoor dining platform by the board earlier in the same meeting, board member Bryan Williams noted his disapproval for the current language of the ordinance.

“If hypothetically we get in a situation where the city commission has turned down a deck in the street and we were then forcing a project that we approved to have a deck in the street back onto the sidewalk, we wouldn’t want a deck in the area next to the building. … I don’t necessarily like the language where we are with this,” said Williams, referencing the Wilders bistro proposal, which approved a deck on N. Old Woodward in one parking spot as well as an adjacent area.

The conversation on furnishing zones transitioned into whether outdoor dining should not be allowed against the building, or if the minimum width of the sidewalk with an outdoor dining area should be slightly expanded.

Board member Daniel Share noted downtownpublications.com

Guidelines for crosswalks approved

By Grace Lovins

irmingham commissioners unanimously approved a standard set of guidelines for crosswalk installations within the city during their meeting on Monday, June 27.

The guidelines were created with help from MKSK, a planning, urban design and landscape architecture practice based in Detroit, after an analysis of national standards and other cities’ criteria.

Patrol Commander Scott Grewe of the Birmingham Police Department summarized the concepts behind the development of the crosswalk installation guidelines. He noted that the city has standards for the size and type of crosswalk as well as where different sizes are used; however, he said, the standards do not provide guidance of where crosswalks should be located or if one should be added to a street.

The new guidelines will illustrate when and where the city should be placing pedestrian crosswalks. Brad Strader, principal planner with MKSK, stated the guidelines were established after reviewing National Associate of Transportation Officials (NACTO), as well as FHWA, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and other cities, including Ann Arbor.

“We really looked at the situation in Birmingham and we have a generally good understanding of the city and what key things in Birmingham might warrant consideration of a crosswalk, and we came up with, after a lot of work and exhaustive research and so forth, this simple flowchart that basically says ‘if this is a city street, what are the factors to consider when there would be a crosswalk?’ and came up with these factors,” Strader explained.

A flowchart presented a series of questions that, when answered by city planners and engineers with regard to a particular street, will determine if the street meets the criteria or warrants a crosswalk installation. The first two questions, answered with either ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ can determine if the city is responsible for the creation of a crosswalk on the street in question. Another question can determine location factors of a crosswalk, such as if it is within one block of a SMART bus stop or within 500 feet of a school or park.

If three of the seven location factor questions can be answered with ‘yes,’ a crosswalk should be included in project plans, Strader explained. If one or two questions can be answered with ‘yes,’ the intersection should be evaluated to determine potential safety hazards for pedestrians, including crash history and traffic volume. If none of the questions can be answered with ‘yes,’ a crosswalk would not be considered unless there were engineering or safety issues.

Commissioner Clinton Baller posed the question of whether the flowchart can be used to assess all intersections in the city and see where improvements or installments need to be made. Strader confirmed that this would be possible, and that the city's multi-modal transportation board is currently looking at the site-gap map and other resources to analyze priorities in terms of crosswalk installations, and if changes should be made across the city or in quadrants within the city as part of a multi-modal plan update set to begin during the second half of the year.

Mayor pro-tem Pierre Boutros asked about the recent crosswalk installations on Woodward Avenue and how these new guidelines might impact the decision to install or improve a crosswalk on the street again, specifically in terms of Michigan Department of Transportation approval, which is required for all improvements, including crosswalks, on Woodward.

Strader responded saying that the new standard set of guidelines will potentially help the city’s position when dealing with MDOT.

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that, if the ordinance were to include

could not be a single number for the

a minimum width for the sidewalk

minimum width that would work in

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all parts of town. Following Share’s

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Boyce proposed that the ordinance should differentiate between downtown Birmingham and the rest of the city.

John Henke, a Birmingham attorney and past representative to Birmingham restaurants, began public comments by expressing his contempt for the sunset provision, or grandfathering of existing outdoor dining areas found throughout the city.

“The sunset provision is a terrible idea. A couple of reasons why: One, if you set a particular date for this, a quick run of the restaurants would require at the expiration of the sunset new special land use permit approvals for each one of those bistros that are now non-compliant, that would not be grandfathered in,” Henke said. “A quick run of those numbers would be 25 of the 50 restaurants would have to go through all new [special land use permit] processing. … On average right now that is running anywhere from two to nine months, plus the added cost to each one of the applicants to do that.”

James Hayosh, co-owner of Commonwealth Café, commented on the push to define or categorize specific spaces with such a diversity of buildings and sidewalk availability throughout the city.

“Every place that I was trying to think of over the last hour, everything is unique, every furnishing space is different. … From the resident and patron perspective, everyone wants something unique.

Nobody wants the same thing with a different menu halfway down the block,” Hayosh said.

Dupuis referred to comments that the board has not done enough to engage restaurateurs, remarking that local restaurant owners just aren’t turning out, with efforts to try and engage or discuss the ordinance with business owners proving ineffective. He also pointed out that the board should not be concerned with micromanaging certain details of the ordinance such as umbrella or awning sizes.

“If you’re going to have me going out and measuring pitch and supporting numbers and the heights and the balances and the materials, I don’t think that’s a great idea,” Dupuis said.

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Ethics opinion issued on planner

By David Hohendorf

he Birmingham Board of Ethics issued a five-page advisory opinion Tuesday, July 12, basically concluding that a Birmingham Planning Board member did not violate portions of the city ethics code in his handling of a private business client's development application with the city, while at the same time the opinion serves as a cautionary warning to others of how private business dealings must be handled while holding a position within city government.

The board of ethics advisory opinion was requested by Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus, who in discussions at an earlier meeting and in filed documents stressed that he was not making a formal complaint of conflict of interest on the part of planning board member Bert Koseck, also an architect, with the city manager noting that he considers Koseck a valued member of the planning board.

Markus formally requested the advisory opinion in late April of this year due to the fact that planning board member Koseck was hired as the architect working on behalf of Cannelle Patisserie, located at 159 N. Eton Street in the city's Rail District.

Koseck on a number of occasions dealt with members of the city planning department relative to possible changes to the property and possible site plan review by planning and engineering department workers.

During some of those conversations, the request for an advisory opinion said that Koseck told assistant city manager Jana Ecker and planning department member Brooks Cowan that he had showed his plans to fellow planning board members Scott Clein and Jason Emerine, who are also both civil engineers. Koseck, according to documents filed by Markus, also told city workers that the two planning board members agreed with his plans for the N. Eton Street site, raising the ethics question of whether he was attempting to influence staff for a favorable decision because of his position on the planning board.

The advisory opinion filing by Markus also noted that Koseck on occasion acted in an angry manner and raised his voice with staff members when discussing the plans for his development client, which could also be a violation of the city's ethics ordinance.

The request to the ethics board cited possible applicable sections of the city ethics code.

In response to the advisory opinion request, Koseck said he did not think the Cannelle plans would come before the planning board, but at the same time he sought opinions from board members Clein and Emerine because they were also civil engineers and at no point did he lobby for their support of his project. Both Clein and Emerine supplied letters to the board attesting to Koseck's ethical behavior in the past and stated that at no point did Koseck pressure them for support of the site plans but instead were only asked their opinion as civil engineers on an issue relative to the site for Cannelle Patisserie.

Koseck said that in working with the city employees, he experienced repeated delays and became frustrated but rejected a description of himself as having “lost his temper.”

The opinion issued by the three-person ethics board – attorneys James Robb, John Schrot, Jr. and Sophie Fierro-Share – basically dealt with how Koseck interacted with city staff members and whether there was a violation of the ethics ordinance when he spoke with other members of the planning board.

On the issue of Koseck's behavior, the advisory opinion concluded that the city ethics ordinance only addressed behavior of city officials and employees and Koseck, when dealing with city employees, was not acting in his capacity as a board member but in a private capacity. The opinion also noted “that does not mean we condone his behavior.” The opinion noted that had Koseck been acting in a capacity of representing the city, his behavior would amount to a violation of the ethics ordinance.

Relative to the second issue, the advisory opinion said there was “no indication that this matter was going to come before the planning board” and “no indication that Mr. Koseck lobbied Mr. Clein or Mr. Emerine to take or not take any action should the matter come before the planning board.”

Therefore, the board determined there was no violation of the ethics code.

In closing, the opinion cautioned that “board members who choose to take on private work that involves the city must be constantly vigilant to conduct themselves ethically every step of the way.”

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City awaiting court ruling on road project

By David Hohendorf

Birmingham officials are still waiting for a federal district court judge to rule on a lawsuit brought in May over the current reconstruction of S. Old Woodward Avenue and alleged violations of the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

The lawsuit, with a request for injunctive relief, was filed May 18 by John Reinhart, managing partner of the 555 Building on S. Old Woodward, along with Anthony Wenzel, who said he frequents an exercise studio in the building, and architect Robert Ziegelman, who has an office in the building. The case has been assigned to Federal District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith.

All three plaintiffs claim physical disabilities and that the final design for the completed road project will make it difficult for handicapped persons to access the 555 Building due to the loss of 60 parking spaces in the overall project area as well as the relocation of a bus stop, now on Bowers Street, to the front of the 555 Building.

In its answer to the lawsuit, the city of Birmingham raised a number of points, including the fact that the final design of the road reconstruction project provides for two ADA-compliant parking spaces which the city said will replace one non-compliant space at the 555 Building. Further, the city's response said that the completed project will provide 19 parking spaces between Hazel and Haynes streets, noting that the ADA guidelines do not require on-street parking, only that ADA compliant parking spaces must be provided, which they are.

Further, the city noted that the issues raised in the current lawsuit had already for the most part been addressed in a 2019 federal district court lawsuit against the city over lack of compliance with ADA guidelines on overall accessibility in the city when it came to parking spaces for visitors with disabilities and crosswalks in the city. As a result, Birmingham has been addressing issues in the 2019

lawsuit, with a court-ordered annual report to the judge in that case.

The city's response also noted that the 555 Building itself was not ADA-compliant, with visitors having to either climb or descend stairs to reach any of the businesses housed there.

Lastly, the issue of relocating the bus stop to the front of the 555 Building appears to possibly be a key consideration in the lawsuit.

The city responded to the complaint on this issue by pointing out that the current bus stop location is poorly lit and its proximity to Woodward created risks with vehicular traffic. According to the city's response, the placement of the bus stop at the front of the 555 Building was determined by a city engineering consultant to meet general industry standards in terms of safety protocols for bus stop locations relative to street intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Birmingham's response also included an affidavit from assistant city engineer Scott Zielinski that said Reinhart from the 555 Building, following an April 2022 city commission meeting, made a disparaging comment about those using the bus service and spoke to him in a threatening manner.

Specifically, Reinhart is reported to have said, “Once they learn the bus schedules, they will steal things and hop right on.” When the employee said he expressed surprise at the statement, Reinhart responded: “You know what I am talking about.”

Some persons familiar with the lawsuit classified the comments as racist code language.

Against the background of this comment and other witnesses who heard “derogatory comments” about bus riders made by Reinhart, the city response said, “the proposed bus stop may just be a pretext for plaintiff Reinhart's lawsuit.”

The city filed a motion on June 23 for the case to be dismissed and a settlement conference was held on June 30, but no settlement was reached, according to court documents.

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Wilders bistro given planners’ green light

By Grace Lovins

Wilders bistro, a newly designed restaurant proposed to operate in a mixed-use building on N. Old Woodward Avenue, was given the green light by the Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, July 13.

At their previous meeting on Wednesday, June 22, the board advised applicant and Birmingham restaurateur Samy Eid to return to the next meeting with some modifications to its proposed outdoor dining platform. The platform was originally proposed in June as an outdoor dining patio that would occupy sidewalk space, but board members took caution considering the width of the sidewalk in the area and surrounding businesses with outdoor dining sets.

Eid was told to return to the board with measurements of the proposed outdoor dining area, an additional diagram that shows what the outdoor dining area would look like as a

platform instead of a patio, and the materials and furnishing that will be used in the dining area.

The new design for Wilders’ outdoor dining platform will extend into the street parking of N. Old Woodward Avenue, occupying one parking space and part of a noparking area. The redesign of the platform allowed the bistro to up its outdoor seating count to hold 24 seats and eight tables.

While the new design satisfied members of the planning board, other concerns were raised regarding the logistics of losing a parking space in front of the building. Board member Bryan Williams questioned the restaurant’s ability to accommodate deliveries with a parking space occupied by the platform and buildings and businesses located to the north and south of the bistro.

Victor Saroki, the architect working with Eid, responded that Eid is able to control the time of the bistro’s deliveries to arrive in the morning between 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Additionally, drivers making the deliveries can be informed to park in certain areas and Eid can instruct the

delivery drivers on which side of the platform to park to avoid interference with the surrounding businesses.

In addition to the concerns about parking, it was noted that the proposed signage for the bistro was compliant with current regulations on signage location. Chairperson Scott Clein and planning director Nick Dupuis stated that the issue can be handled administratively before the design is presented to the city commission, which issues final approvals.

Board member Robin Boyle commented on the new proposed design. “I’d like to emphasize again that this proposal gives a lot more space to the sidewalk and if we want to make our place walkable then this is what we should be doing,” he said.

“We’ve enacted this idea of building the platforms and I’m delighted that Samy has gone in that direction. …

I’m delighted to see this going ahead in this fashion.”

Clein recused himself from the discussion and vote, noting his company’s business relationship with the owner of the property. The vote was unanimous between all other

planning board members to forward it on to the city commission.

Commission approves Phoenicia expansion

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham's Phoenicia restaurant was approved for a 1,381-square-foot addition to the rear of its building, adding to the restaurant’s back-ofhouse space and kitchen facilities as well as a new private dining room, as a final site plan and design plan review application was unanimously approved by the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, June 27.

Phoenicia, owned by Sameer and Samy Eid, has been located at 588 S. Old Woodward Avenue since 1981.

Along with adding to the restaurant’s back of house space and updating the kitchen facilities, the expansion will create additional employee storage and bathrooms, additional landscaping surrounding their parking lot, new outdoor dining in the reconstructed S. Old Woodward rightof-way, and a 495-square-foot private dining room with 14 seats.

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Architect Victor Saroki noted that the updated kitchen comes as a necessity for the restaurant. The building itself was constructed in 1978, serving as the location of a different restaurant. The kitchen has remained untouched in terms of renovations since the opening of the building. Saroki stated it is small and antiquated, and that it is finally time for some renovations.

With the new expansion in the rear of the building, Phoenicia will lose 20 off-street parking spaces in its adjacent lot, disrupting the restaurant’s adherence to the parking requirements that coincide with seating as per the city’s zoning ordinance. However, Samy Eid entered a five-year agreement with the 555 Building across S. Old Woodward, to utilize 20 excess spaces in the building's residence parking structure. Eid will be required to prove that the lease agreement between Phoenicia and the 555 Building has been maintained during the restaurant’s yearly liquor license review.

Commissioner Clinton Baller expressed concern over the parking agreement, asking Eid how the parking spaces will be utilized to satisfy the zoning ordinance requirements. Eid said that the parking spaces available through the agreement with the 555 Building will be used for employee parking as well as overflow valet parking.

City manager Tom Markus, as well as commissioner Andrew Haig, also expressed concern over the potential of the agreement collapsing. “Initially, it is set up as a five-year agreement but after two years, unilateral, meaning either party, can terminate with 90 days notice, and at that point you’re going to have a decision,” Markus said.

Haig reflected Markus’ concerns, stating he felt it would be discouraging to see Eid’s enduring business spend the money to rent the parking spaces with the risk of losing the ability to comply with city regulations should the agreement fall through.

“I’ve been told by Mr. Reinhart [management agent for the 555 Building] that the lease will stand and when it’s up in five years, that we will readdress it and renew it. The hope is to continue doing it.

Obviously, I would be left in a horrible position if I was to lose that and I understand that thoroughly.

That’s a risk that I’m willing to take because I need to do this for my business,” Eid responded.

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The Mad Hatter to become Bell Bistro

By Grace Lovins

irmingham's The Mad Hatter bistro will be redesigned and renamed as Bell Bistro, after it was approved to begin construction by the city commission at its meeting on Monday, July 11.

Commission approval encompasses a complete reconstruction of the interior layout, building facade, name, menu and outdoor dining area.

Bell Bistro, to be located on 185 N. Old Woodward Avenue, will incorporate a new design concept replacing the theme of the previous bistro, The Mad Hatter. The interior will hold 64 seats with nine at the bar, and its outdoor dining area will hold four seats.

The ourdoor dining area is against the building, so the restaurant will only be able to accommodate four seats at one table, however, attorney Kelly Allen, representing the applicant, stated to the commission that the bistro will continue trying to expand its outdoor seating.

“We don’t have any current options but we’re looking for them. They don’t have that outdoor dining because of the streetscape – they lost really prime deck area out there. So, we’re really going to try and meet with the planning board going forward and come up with something. We will be back,” Allen said.

Following Allen’s comments, commissioner Clinton Baller noted to other commissioners that, going forward, there should be potential considerations to allocate public space owned by the city to restaurants for outdoor dining.

“I’m looking at the elevation of the front and Paris Baguette is about twice the width of Bell Bistro and Paris Baguette is mainly open for breakfast and lunch, and I’m assuming [Bell Bistro] is open primarily for lunch and dinner. The streetscape in front of both doesn’t belong to either one of these businesses, it belongs to us. I would suggest that as we further outdoor dining we consider situations like this where we allocate that space fairly among the potential users,” said Baller.

Bell Bistro owner Randy Dickow, owner and agent with Ram Restaurant Group, followed up on Baller’s comments, citing plans the bistro currently has in the works with Paris Baguette, the neighboring bakery, and the owner of the building.

“Like [Baller] said, that area that extends out that's a little further than most parts of the sidewalk, that’s prime and we really want to put a nice investment to make that a beautiful patio in the city of Birmingham. It’s our intent to really invest right back into that space and make it a beautiful patio if we’re allowed to,” Dickow notes.

The commission’s decision to approve the special land use permit and final site plan and design review was unanimous.

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The motion to approve the special land use permit and final site plan and design plan review was approved 7-0.

Casa Pernoi outdoor dining year-round set

By Grace Lovins

Casa Pernoi Italian restaurant, located at 310 E. Maple, received unanimous approval for a special land use permit, final site plan and design from the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, July 11, that will enable the bistro to offer yearround outdoor dining.

Occupying the space that once housed Café Via, the bistro was left with an isinglass enclosure covering

the outdoor dining area in the private alley. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, isinglass became prohibited following an amendment to the city's zoning ordinance.

The Birmingham Planning Board had maintained that isinglass could not be permitted because it promotes year-round outdoor dining since Casa Pernoi's bistro application process began in 2018. During the planning board meeting on May 28, the board held their position, saying they support the outdoor seating arrangement but were still not in support of the isinglass enclosure, and they did not recommend approval to the city commission.

Isinglass has been addressed by board of zoning appeals (BZA) and the city commission, however the

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bistro was able to gain approval for a variance from the zoning ordinance from the BZA on June 14. After the variance was granted, Casa Pernoi was able to move forward with its application pending approval from the city commission.

With the isinglass enclosure, Casa Pernoi will have a total of 64 seats for outdoor dining, adding an additional 38 unenclosed seats to the via plaza adjacent to the restaurant. Twenty-six seats of the total 64 outdoor seats will remain inside the isinglass enclosure and will continue to be considered as outdoor dining.

Commissioner Clinton Baller questioned the reasoning behind the BZA's’ decision for granting the variance allowing Casa Pernoi to maintain the isinglass structure. The variance was allowed due to the location of the site, noting difficulty of the construction in the alley and screening portions of the restaurant from the weather.

Nash gives update on Highland Park debt

By Lisa Brody

At the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, July 11, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash provided an update on the over $67 million debt to various communities from Highland Park's non-payment to the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).

Olivia Olsztyn-Budry, engineering and environmental services director, explained that Bloomfield Township is not a direct customer of GLWA as the township gets its water from SOCWA. She noted that the township receives sewage services from the Evergreen Farmington Sanitary Drain Drainage District (EFSDDD). The EFSDD receives sewer services from GLWA. Highland Park receives sewer services from GLWA as well.

Highland Park has not made consistent payments both in timing and amount to GLWA for the sewer services since 2013. The debt created by Highland Park's nonpayment is passed on to the other GLWA customers and is tracked as "bad debt."

“Likewise, the EFSDDD passes on its allocation from GLWA for Highland Park's shares to its member communities including Bloomfield Township. The EFSDDD has been allocated $5,413,500 of Highland Park's arrearages and of 08.22

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that share, $939,000 (determined based on 2023 shares) has been passed on to Bloomfield Township,” Nash said.

Nash explained “what they owe us about 80 percent on the water, 20 percent on the sewer. This has been going on since 2012, when EGLE, then the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), shut down their water because they were putting out contaminated water. Up until last year, they had been paying something each year. Last year, they didn't pay anything.”

Nash said their debt has ended up around $67 million. “Out of a $1 billion system, it's not a lot, but it shouldn't have been done. Now the governor has gotten involved.”

There have been two court cases, he noted, with the first favoring Highland Park, and GLWA appealing; the second case has now ordered Highland Park to pay the money, $52 million to GLWA. He said Highland Park has now entered mediation with the help of the state.

GLWA has been charging customers for Highland Park's back debt.

“This year, GLWA decided to not charge for this debt, which is a good thing,” Nash said. “We're working to get next year's canceled too. I don't know that we'll get reimbursed.

They're a very poor community. But we should from the state.”

Markus to help NEXT find new property

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham City Manager Thomas Markus will be working with the executive director of NEXT, after he received directions from the city commission on Monday, July 11, to move forward with assisting NEXT in finding an alternative site to lease or build from its current Midvale location to better suit the organization’s long-term needs.

NEXT, a non-profit organization providing services to Birmingham, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills and Franklin residents over the age of 50, helping to enrich the lives of senior citizens by offering a variety of enrichment and educational programming. NEXT also offers

support services that focus on allowing older adults to live independently and age in place.

They currently lease space from Birmingham Public Schools at the former Midvale School, but the group's needs have outgrown the space.

Markus cited issues pertaining to strategic planning as a result of high turnover rates in Birmingham Public Schools’ administration over the past five years, which has impacted NEXT’s ability to move forward with their relocation. The school district is responsible for securing the long-term lease for the facility.

“There’s been a significant turnover in the administration of the school district over the past five or six years. And not only during that period but other periods, we've had this challenge where we’ve been asked to wait for the strategic plan to be done. This time after the strategic planning was done and they said they would respond to us, now they need to do a facilities study,” Markus said.

The intention for Markus to work

with the NEXT executive director and board will help the organization efficiently line up possible sites or buildings going forward for them to be able to lease. The lease, according to Markus, would be critical to NEXT because it would allow NEXT to operate as a higher level senior facility and create more engagement between seniors and the surrounding communities.

Cris Braun, executive director of NEXT, told commissioners that finding a building for lease for NEXT has reached a critical point.

“The only thing I would add to [Markus’s comments] is how often we begin to get traction and then we slow down because of that change in leadership. And it’s been a little frustrating and now we are really simply out of room and we are not offering all we could because of that lack of room,” Braun noted.

“The senior men’s club that’s no longer meeting at The Community House – it’s driving up to Bloomfield Hills but it should be with us. … I just think the more time we spend at Midvale constrained in our space, the more people will go elsewhere

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Disagreements on new code of conduct

MUNICIPAL

By Grace Lovins

irmingham commissioners shot down a proposed code of conduct for commissioners during their meeting on Monday, July 11, sending it back to the drawing board with staff.

The creation of a code of conduct has been in progress since the beginning of the year after the commission discussed having a code in January and February, but this proposal was sent back for work to presumably begin again.

A code of conduct was envisioned as a guideline for commissioners to delineate the role of commissioners so that they do not overstep their authority and to encourage civil behavior at public meetings, two problems that have arisen in recent years.

The document presented for approval outlined the roles and responsibility of the commission, as well as a list of things individual commissioners could not do, such as directing the activities of staff and the various boards and committees appointed by the commission.

The proposed code also spelled out how commissioners are to interact with each other both in private and at public meetings to avoid insulting and disparaging comments or bullying of others.

Also addressed by the conduct code was ex parte contact with citizen and business interests in the city, directing commissioners to avoid such situations and to report them to the whole of the commission.

Penalties for violating the code of conduct could include reprimand or censure by the whole of the commission or removal from office as provided under state law.

Questions were raised regarding the language of the newly written code that had the potential to pose an issue for the commission’s operations.

Multiple commissioners expressed concern over the grammar and rhetoric used throughout the draft that, if approved, could bind commissioners to a code that could disrupt current practices.

Commissioner Andrew Haig noted that, at the beginning of the draft, the code states that commissioners shall refrain from using their position to influence the deliberations or outcomes of boards, committees and task force proceedings. But, he said, multiple commissioners also hold positions on boards and committees.

Haig was advised by city attorney Mary Kucharek and assistant city manager Jana Ecker that the point did not apply to boards that were codified in city code, which are set-up to have a member of the commission sitting on the board. Because those particular boards are codified, the commissioner serving as a board member is given the ability to comment on things and cast a vote. The reference in the proposed code of conduct referred to commissioners attempting to influence boards or committees on which they did not sit.

Commissioner Clinton Baller turned attention to the use of “advocate” and “advocacy” throughout the code. A drafted section of the code pertaining to commissioner conduct states that city commissioners should strive to act as a decision maker, not as an advocate. Baller took issue with the point, noting that the two often go hand-in-hand.

“I have advocated for many things on this commission and I don’t intend to stop. I think everyone sitting here has advocated for things,” Baller said.

“Let’s start with the basics: We are at-large representatives of the people of this city. We were elected, some of us were elected for a reason, and we’re legislators and that’s what legislators do. … I don’t think we should have a code of conduct that says or even hints that that’s wrong.”

Along with ‘advocacy,’ Baller and other commissioners noted confusion when it came to disclosure of ex parte communications, or communications and encounters that commissioners have outside of the legislative body.

The proposed code of conduct states that if a commissioner is exposed to information or evidence about a pending matter outside of a public hearing, the information or evidence, as well as contacts with constituents or applicants, has to be disclosed during the public hearing. Additionally, the mayor is required to ask each commissioner to disclose any ex parte communication.

Kucharek defended the written section stating its intention is transparency. “What’s important about section C is that anytime there is a matter before the commission that you have had ex parte communications with a person who’s interested in a particular subject before you, that's being shared with your fellow commissioners,” Kucharek said.

No action was taken by the commission to approve the draft, and staff will work on revisions.

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to look for senior services. … We’re at a critical juncture, I might say.”

Markus commented on his appreciation for NEXT’s non-profit model and desire to remain somewhere near Midvale. “I want to make clear that Midvale is still the desired location. You have familiarity amongst the senior population with where it is. You have an ease of ingress and egress to that location so those are all kinds of critical thoughts,” he said.

City commissioners unanimously voted to direct Markus to work with Braun and the NEXT board to help with the study of alternate facilities of sites for the construction of NEXT facilities.

Some city employees to receive pay raises

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham city commissioners approved a 4.5 percent salary adjustment range for city department heads and administrative and management classifications, including part-time employees not covered by a labor organization or union, beginning July 1, 2022, at the commission meeting on Monday, June 27.

Human resources manager Joseph Lambert stated the recommended adjustments to the salary ranges stem from a measurement of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index data for neighboring areas – including Dearborn, Detroit, and Warren – which showed a 7.5 percent increase in inflationary costs from March 2021 to May 2022.

The city's fiscal year begins July 1.

Lambert suggested that, given the 7.5 percent increase, a more aggressive market adjustment is needed to respond to rising costs from inflation and improve talent acquisition and retention. The proposed recommendation includes a 4.5 percent market, or cost-ofliving, adjustment to the salary ranges of the specified city employees. This adjustment will result in an estimated cost of $159,000 for the city.

In addition to the 4.5 percent salary range adjustment, the city commission has approved a merit based performance increase program that allows specified city

employees to earn additional salary increases based on performance reviews. The merit-based increases will create an estimated $185,000 cost to the city, separate from the $159,000 cost stemming from the salary range adjustments.

Employees at the maximum end of their pay rate will be eligible for a 2.5 percent salary increase, dependent on performance reviews.

Employees at or above the 75th percentile of their salary range may be eligible for a three percent salary increase, and employees below the 75th percentile of their salary range may be eligible for a 6.5 percent increase, all dependent on the employee’s performance review.

Commissioner Brad Host stated his disapproval of the proposed rates, noting the inequity between salary ranges for department heads and administrative and management employees.

“In your negotiations, you’ve told them we are in a pandemic and things are tight and we ought to get our belts in and the point being – look at our five units,” Host said.

“The inequity here in this presentation possibly is unparalleled and it’s certainly not team building. I consider it glaring, unfair and sending the total wrong message to whatever you would call the team of all the employees of the city of Birmingham.“ Commissioner Andrew Haig also questioned the market comparability of the proposed salary adjustment rates, noting that the increases seemed large as a cumulative, given the salary adjustments and incentives combined.

City manager Tom Markus, along with support from mayor Therese Longe, explained that the salary adjustments are needed to compete with other municipalities and that, going forward, these adjustments will set the bar for labor organizations to negotiate as well as allow them to recognize that the administration is paying attention to everybody in the city’s operation.

The approval of the salary range adjustments resolution was supported 6-1, with Host voting against it.

MUNICIPAL Library addition heads for commission review

By Grace Lovins

Final site plan and design review for renovations and a small addition to the south side of the Baldwin Public Library received unanimous support from the Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, June 22, recommending it to the city commission for final approval.

This addition is part of phase three of the Baldwin Library renovation plan that was adopted by the library board in 2014. Phases one and two focused on interior renovations to the building, including the adult services area and youth room, and phase three will focus on lobby, public entrance and circulation renovations. The first phase was completed in May 2017 and the second phase in September of 2020. Phase three is hoped to be completed in 2023.

This renovation and addition would reconstruct the current outdoor plaza at the entrance to create an open, more flexible space for patrons, as well as improve the circulation area and provide access with upgraded services and offerings.

Steve Schneemann, the library's

attorney, stated that the goals for the addition include creating a new main entry where the steps and ramp currently are located on the exterior of the building, would be pushed inside behind a glass door vestibule.

Additionally, he said the reconstructed main entry and plaza will give residents a more accessible and inviting entrance and increase activity in and around the library.

The newly-designed plaza will include permanent benches attached to planters facing S. Bates Street as well as being attached to the wall adjacent to a proposed nanawall that will match the existing permanent benches on the east side of the building. Moveable furniture, including tables, chairs and umbrellas will sit inside the plaza square.

Planning board chairperson Scott Clein noted his approval of the proposed renovations. “For years, when the library has come to us with courtesy reviews, we’ve talked about the fact that you’re on the park, and you need to embrace the park. Don’t turn your back on the park, and I finally see it happening so I’m very happy by that. Not only the collaboration space but the outdoor plaza – it ties so well,” Clein said.

Responding to questions raised by

board members and public attendees regarding functionality during construction, Schneemann and library director Rebekah Craft stated that the north side entrance will potentially serve as a temporary main entrance to the library, with an accessible ramp located on the outdoor terrace.

Additionally, parking spots in front of the current main entrance will most likely be blocked off during renovations, but the main parking areas will remain open and untouched by the renovations.

Although site plan approval is not required for municipal projects, city policy has the planning board perform courtesy reviews of municipal projects to offer input before the plan is given to the city commission for final approval.

19 apply for BSD executive director

By Lisa Brody

According to the city of Birmingham, as of Thursday, June 22, it has received 19 applicants for the vacant executive director's position with the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD), with the goal of having it filled in August.

The position became vacant on May 3, when Sean Kammer, then the executive director, resigned just shy of one year into his tenure with the city, citing problems with some members of the governing board of the business group. His resignation was effective immediately.

Kammer had been chosen by the city from a field of over 40 applicants following the early December 2020 resignation of former BSD executive director Ingrid Tighe, who was hired as the economic development director for Oakland County. Kammer is now executive director of Main Street Pontiac.

According to Marianne Gamboa, communications director with the city of Birmingham, there have been 19 applicants applying for the posting for the executive director position so far.

They plan to begin interviewing in early to mid-July, and she said they hope to fill the position by early August.

The Birmingham BSD is funded through a special assessment on all commercial, non-residential property in areas of downtown and other business districts of Birmingham. The executive director works with merchants, business owners, retailers, landlords, and commercial real estate brokers.

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Ground lease denied for Woodward/Maple

By Grace Lovins

A ground lease proposal from a private developer for city-owned property located on the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and Maple Road was denied by the city commission during the Monday, July 11, meeting.

Select Commercial Assets Hospitality (SCAH) had aimed to acquire a lease to develop a five-story mixed-use building with underground parking on the vacant lot. The ability to expand their development into the vacant lot would allow the developers to maximize on-site parking and establish a more efficient layout of the proposed building.

The Hunter House restaurant, which has operated in Birmingham since 1952, sits on one of the land parcels owned by SCAH. The proposed design for the multi-use building allocates a space for the restaurant to continue operating; however a long-standing dispute between the two owners has generated issues about the restaurant’s right to operate given an agreement made between the parties in 2005.

The vacant lot owned by the city that has remained undeveloped for the past two decades is currently being leased to The Hunter House restaurant by the city of Birmingham and for surface parking, however it does not comply with current zoning regulations, 2016 Plan regulations or multi-modal transportation plan recommendations.

Additionally, after an appraisal sought on behalf of the city, the land was found to be valued at $12.42 per square foot, or $60,500 annually. The current monthly lease of the property to The Hunter House has the restaurant paying $2.97 per square foot, generating an annual revenue of $9,540 for the city.

Part of the issue surrounding the leasing of the property is a difference of opinions between the developer and owner of the property, Hesham Gayer, of Grand Blanc, and the owner of the Hunter House business and building, Kelly Cobb. The dispute between the private parties reared its head during the meeting, ultimately leaving commissioners disinclined to approve the lease.

Cobb stated to commissioners that he would be more than happy to increase his payment to lease the land and match the appraised value of the land provided to the city. He also 64

Underground Railroad ceremony set for fall etroit, and points emanating onward, was once a central stop along the Underground Railroad, a network of clandestine routes and safe houses established throughout the south, north and midwest during the early and mid-19th century offering shelter to escaped enslaved people.

On Saturday, September 17, the city of Birmingham will host an Underground Railroad Commemoration Ceremony at Quarton Lake, followed by a tour of Greenwood Cemetery.

The early gravesites at Greenwood Cemetery of Elijah Fish and George Taylor are now recognized on the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The city of Birmingham is inviting residents and visitors to a special ceremony as it formally acknowledges the National Park Service's listing of Greenwood as a historic site, and Birmingham as a historic stop along the Underground Railroad, with a commemorative event on Saturday, September 17, 2022.

A brief program will take place at 11 a.m. at the north end of Baldwin Park at Quarton Lake, at the corner of Oak and Lakeside, just one block from Greenwood Cemetery. A tour of the gravesites will take place immediately following the program.

This important designation was approved following hard work and research by Birmingham Museum staff and volunteers, who were able to show the two men had direct connections to local anti-slavery efforts leading up the Civil War. Pioneer settler Elijah Fish was an active abolitionist, and George Taylor himself escaped enslavement and followed the Underground Railroad through Michigan to freedom, becoming the first African American to own property in Birmingham.

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noted his attempts to meet with city manager Tom Markus and assistant city manager Jana Ecker to renew the lease agreement he previously held that would establish a yearly agreement as opposed to a monthly agreement, but was never given a decision by the city.

Commissioners were repeatedly advised by city attorney Mary Kucharek that the city should not expand their discussion beyond what was in front of them: Whether a ground lease of public property is in the best interest of the city.

“I would strongly advise that what the commission focuses on is what is before you. … This agreement between the parties spells out the obligations of each other to each other, the rights of the Hunter House restaurant and what it can and cannot do in relation to Dr. Gayer’s development,” Kucharek said.

“We should not be a party to that [agreement] – we were not a party to it. We should not be focusing on a win-win for everyone. That is not the commission’s role. That is not the city’s role. In fact, if you want to be drawn into litigation, that’s a sure way to get us there.”

With Kucharek’s advice, commissioner Andrew Haig noted he was still skeptical of rescinding a lease with The Hunter House to create a lease with the property owner while the two parties were in a dispute.

“I’m not interested in doing something until these parties have resolved their issues, so here’s the question, are the two parties going to resolve the issues outside of here? Do we need to help support them to get an answer? What is necessary to understand a win-win, because right now it’s a win-lose for somebody … and it’s not working,” Haig stated.

Mayor Therese Longe echoed Haig’s concerns and comments made by commissioner Katie Shafer as to the best interest of the city with regard to the fabric of the community.

“I think it’s important to consider the question in the context of the culture and fabric of our community and the interest of our residents, because while it is a vote on whether we wish to lease public property, the vote itself would have immediate implications about advantaging the current property owner to move forward to the potential detriment of The Hunter House,” Longe said.

“This commission and the previous commission have asked repeatedly that these two parties come to us with an agreement. … I wish that we had a project in front of us that was guaranteed to maintain the business of The Hunter House that’s currently on that property in a way that the residents of Birmingham would be happy, that the business would be happy and that the developer would be happy.”

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

Following roughly two hours of deliberations, the motion was struck down in a 3-4 vote, with commissioners Haig, Shafer, Longe and Brad Host voting against the approval of a ground lease.

More safety paths added in township

By Lisa Brody

Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved the addition of a safety path for 2022 along Telegraph between Telegraph and Hickory Grove roads, and to fill out a portion on Woodward between Maywood and Manor, at their meeting on Monday, June 27.

They also unanimously approved awarding the contract for the 2022 Jan Roncelli Safety Path Program to Italia Construction, in the amount of $479,145.31.

Olivia Olsztyn-Budry, director of engineering and environmental services, said Italia, of Washington Township, was the lone bidder on the project. However, she noted, Italia has worked for the township for a majority of the safety path construction projects in the past and is currently the contractor for the township's 2021 Jan Roncelli Safety Path construction.

The safety path on Telegraph will be constructed on the east side of the roadway, connecting Square Lake with Hickory Grove Road. Olsztyn-Budry said an easement is required to construct the safety path on Franklin Road between Telegraph and Square Lake Roads, adjacent to 1191 Square Lake Road. She said the township will be removing two trees on private property at 1191 Square Lake Road.

Due to these removals, the property owner at 1191 Square Lake Road has requested two trees be planted as part of the easement agreement.

Trustees unanimously agreed to the easement request.

Rooftop HVAC unit approved for court An over 20-year-old HVAC rooftop unit will be replaced at the 48th District Court after Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved the purchase and installation at their meeting on Monday, July 11.

Township Director of Public Works Noah Mehalski explained that the township's relationship with the 48th District Court, which is located in Bloomfield Township, is “we are the landlord, they are the tenant. We have 08.22

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Commission compromises on road work

By Grace Lovins

hile members of the public who live on the affected street declared their opposition, the Birmingham City Commission approved modified street improvement projects to Westwood Drive, Raynale Drive and Oak Street, at their meeting on Monday, June 27.

Upgrades to the streets are part of the first street improvement project initiated under the Modified Street Improvement Policy adopted by the commission in October 2021. The project is driven by the need to upgrade infrastructure in neighborhoods, which include a water main replacement on Westwood between Raynale and Oak, a new water main on Raynale between Glenhurst and the city limits, on Oak between Glenhurst and the city limits, an extension of a separate storm sewer network, and repaving of the streets, as well as sidewalk improvements to meet ADA-compliance.

The proposed project from the city was to include complete reconstruction of the streets, with the cost for the street pavement improvements to be paid for by a special assessment to the adjoining property owners that benefit from the street improvement project, James Surhigh, the city's consulting engineer, said. However, due to objections from numerous residents, a cape seal project was approved by commissioners, along with water and sewer improvements.

“The special assessment process is a long-standing city policy when unimproved streets are improved,” Surhigh said.“Special assessments for drive approaches, and for water/sewer laterals not meeting current city standards are typical for these type of projects. With this project, improvements will be made to the sewer and water systems, the cost for which is paid from the sewer and water Funds, and are not subject to a special assessment.”

Surhigh presented three possible action the commission could take: include full street reconstruction in the project that meets the city’s standards for an improved street following the sewer and water system improvements; include patching trenches and full-width cape seal treatment after water and sewer system improvements; or to postpone the project.

He explained that a full reconstruction of the road would shift the specified streets from an “unimproved road” classification to an “improved road” classification, which is a city goal. An unimproved road is considered to be a gravel road with or without curbs that has been treated with a cape seal to provide a relatively smooth driving surface. An improved road is considered a road with curbs and gutters that has a concrete or asphalt surface.

City manager Tom Markus noted that improvements to the water and sewer systems will need to be made, regardless of if the commission were to postpone the project. The water issue, specifically the water main, fire hydrants and storm water system, is the driving factor of the project, he said.

Many residents from the impacted area made comments to the commission regarding the financial cost the project that would be imposed on residents as well as the lack of need, they believe, for a complete road reconstruction, or even reapplication of cape seal, on Westwood.

Corey Holter, a Westwood resident, noted that the project is being done for the public good, not for the residents who live on the street, however the residents will be required to aid in the cost of the project.

Steve Torok, also a resident of Westwood, echoed Holter’s frustration towards the public assessments associated with the project. He added that, while it is understood that the sewer and water systems will need improvements, the fixes to the actual street during the project are expensive and are not currently necessary.

Surhigh stated that if the commission were to decide on the water and sewer improvements with patching trenches and cape seal on the road, while the cost per household had not yet been finalized, it is projected to fall within $2,500 to $3,500 per household as a one-year cost.

Mayor Therese Longe remarked the city is making a significant investment in the project – over $1 million through the water and sewer fund.

“I think option B (cape seal) is the only option we can do because the subsurface requires attention, the subsurface is where the problem is. …To get to the subsurface we have to go through the surface,” commissioner Andrew Haig said. “We have a policy that is being created by the city but we shouldn’t apply it as a blanket policy without thinking about it. Thinking about the circumstances here, I would advocate for position B in this particular situation as the option to try and get to the best middle ground.”

Haig made the motion to approve the second proposed option – upgrading the water and sewer lines without full reconstruction of the street. The commission approved the motion, 5-2, commissioners Elaine McLain and Katie Shafer voting against.

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the responsibility for replacement and they have the responsibility for all maintenance.”

Mehalski said a twin HVAC unit was installed on the roof of the court in 2001, and a typical lifespan is 15 years.

He said the department has been planning for its replacement, and it has been delayed for the last couple of years as the court was completely closed for two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the unit has been increasingly needing costly repairs.

The proposed project will include the removal and replacement of one 20-ton rooftop unit. The bulk of the work, which involves using a large crane for removing the old unit and setting the new unit, will be done on a Saturday to ensure the safety of court employees.

The total for a new unit and installation, for $107,441, was approved 6-0, with clerk Martin Brook absent.

Cost rising for sewer overflow corrections

By Lisa Brody

A corrective action plan to prevent sewer overflows at the EvergreenFarmington Sanitary Drain Drainage District (EFSDDD) will cost more than previously thought, and not be completed until 2025 or 2026, county officials informed Bloomfield Townships trustees at their meeting Monday, July 11, but explained how it has become a systemwide necessity for large rain events.

Township director of engineering and environmental services Olivia Olsztyn-Budry explained that in July 2021, trustees approved creating a drainage district for the EvergreenFarmington Sanitary Drain Chapter 20 Section 471 Agreement. “The Section 471 Agreement included the facilitation of the required Corrective Action Plan (CAP) projects,” she said.

In a memo, Olsztyn-Budry said, “At the time of the Section 471 Agreement approval, the CAP estimated total project costs was $72.7 million, with Bloomfield Township's share estimated to be $6,935,580. The CAP projects include: 1) Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) Capacity Purchase, 2) 8 Mile Road Outlet Conveyance, 3) Lathrup Village Sanitary Retention Take Improvements, and 4) Evergreen Road Conveyance Project- Walnut Lake Pump Station number 1 Corrective Acton Plan. Since last year, the Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner's (OCWRC) office has brought on a construction manager, developed preliminary design plans for the CAP projects and identified project

constraints and other items not originally identified in the initial cost estimate that have to be included.”

A team from OCWRC, including Oakland Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash, presented the new corrective action plan, noting that the original cost estimate included reusing the existing pumps, but they found they cannot, and need to have new pumps customdesigned and built.

Michigan's state agency EGLE has determined that sanitary sewer overflows are now illegal, and must be remediated. Administrative consent orders issued mandate that communities with sanitary sewers must correct them so they do not overflow. The project does not include combined sewer overflows.

“All the way from Bloomfield Township, Troy, Keego, Auburn Hills, West Bloomfield, water flows to Evergreen-Farmington to Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) for treatment,” said part of Nash's team. “Several different overflow project areas are bonding together to upgrade their pumping stations, to improve their systems.”

EFSDD, along with 8 Mile Sewer Conveyance CAP, Lathrup Village CAP, and Walnut Lake Pump Station Number One, are all working together to improve their overflow systems to GLWA, with the intent to increase flow to GLWA. Trustees learned the five pumps in the pump station at EFSDD are worn out, which changed the concept as now they have to upsized, leading to a new electrical system to accommodate the pumps as well as a new generator.

The pump building will have to be modified as well.

OCWRC said the original cost was $38.8 million, plus $38.2 million to increase GLWA capacity. Costs have now increased to $83.6 million, plus the increase to GLWA capacity.

Bloomfield Township's share of the total cost would be $2,555,000.

Nash said they have applied for a $5 million grant request from Sen. Debbie Stabenow's office, and have received a positive initial response, as well as a principal forgiveness project plan was submitted by May 31.

It was explained that with a 20-year bond, with a 1.875 percent interest rate, Bloomfield Township would have a $758,500 annual payment. With a 20year bond and a 3.5 percent interest rate, the township would have a $883,400 annual payment. With a 30year bond and a four percent interest rate, the township would have a $726,100 annual payment.

Trustees discussed they would likely bond for it through Oakland County.

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FACES

Senghor Reid ducator and contemporary artist, Senghor Reid, grew up in Detroit in a family that cultivated creativity. His mother, Shirley Woodson, is a noted African American visual artist and educator who recently had a solo exhibition at Detroit Institute of Arts while his father, Edsel B. Reid, was an art collector, historian, and jazz enthusiast. It seemed only natural for Reid to show artistic interest and talent from a young age.

After graduating from Detroit’s Cass Technical High School, Reid earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University of Michigan, master’s degree in art education at Wayne State University, and attended an intensive marathon program at New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture.

While Reid primarily prefers painting larger pieces in oil and acrylics, he also “branches off when needed” for performance work, printmaking, and drawing. His multidisciplinary work has earned many prestigious accolades and has been included in private, public and corporate art collections and exhibitions in the United States and abroad.

The self-described “teacher by day, artist by night,” began his teaching career in Detroit Public Schools over two decades ago before landing at Bloomfield Hills’ Cranbrook Schools 10 years ago as an educator and artist-in-residence.

It was around this time that Reid became drawn to water as a subject for his art. “While I see my art as ever-evolving and constantly in motion, my primary muse is water – exploring my relationship with water and my desire to be near water. I’ve been ‘painting water’ as a concept because, to me, water is connected to my personal life. It’s related to mental and physical wellness, health, mindfulness as well as maintaining healthy thoughts and a center position in life.”

Reid’s inspiration from water has been heightened during the turbulence of the past few years.

“By 2020, we were like robots – stressed out, not paying attention to self. When COVID hit, we were forced to be still, with no distractions. Many of us finally had the opportunity to look inward and had time for some cathartic soul-searching and healing. It was a huge year globally and personally. Coming out of the madness that was 2020, is like leaving the darkness and walking into the light – and this has slowly shown up in my work over the past few years. I’ve been especially productive the last few months.”

Currently, the artist’s water-inspired work can be seen on exhibition at University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor and N’NAMDI Contemporary in Miami, Florida. Also, Reid’s artistic depictions of Michigan waterways will be prominently featured on large water cisterns along the future Southwest Greenway as part of Detroit’s Michigan Central District Art Program at Bagley Mobility Hub. “As a teacher and artist, I find one discipline feeds the other.

Teachers and artists are empathetic beings – sensitive to the energy and emotions all around us,” Reid explains. “For me, it’s a blessing to be creative and to have this outlet to express myself with art. I’m able to create new energy and promote discussion and discourse through art. It’s important to me for my work to be engaging, colorful, and visually impactful for people who see it.”

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Story: Tracy Donohue

Photo: Laurie Tennent

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE The Dog Days of Summer: Can Fall Be Far Behind?

As The Community House prepares for an exciting and robust Fall 2022, the term the “Dog Days of Summer” keeps coming up. What does this really mean? I wanted to learn more about this often-used term. During my research I learned that the term “Dog Days” traditionally refers to a period of particularly hot and humid weather occurring during the summer months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.

In ancient Greece and Rome, “the Dog Days were believed to be a time of drought, bad luck, and unrest, when dogs and men alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat. Today, the phrase doesn’t conjure up such bad imagery. Instead, the Dog Days are associated purely with the time of summer’s peak temperatures and humidity.”

Generally, it is believed that the exact dates of the Dog Days can vary from source to source, and because they are traditionally tied to the dawn rising of Sirius, they have changed over Bill Seklar time. However, most sources agree that the Dog Days occur in mid-to-late summer.

When “Dog Days are approaching; you must, therefore, make both hay and haste while the Sun shines, for when old Sirius takes command of the weather, he is such an unsteady, crazy dog, there is no dependence upon him.”

At The Community House, the Dog Days signal the fast-approaching end to summer, and the dawn of fall activities, football, tailgates, apple pie, leaves, back to school and a return to inside activities. In anticipation, let’s check out some recent achievements at TCH and fall happenings underway: BIRMINGHAM HOUSE TOUR IS BACK The Birmingham House Tour is back. Proudly hosted by The Community House, in partnership with the Founding Presenting Sponsor, The Agency Hall & Hunter, for their 22nd consecutive year.

House Tour 2022 will take place on Thursday, September 15, from 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Rain or shine.

The Tour will feature seven exquisite private homes in the area with a wide range of architectural and design styles. The Tour also includes an extraordinary garden; stroll paths from one water feature to another including a pond and waterfall.

Special events like the Birmingham House Tour raise important funds for The Community House’s programs and services for adults and children.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets pre-sale, please visit our website, communityhouse.com today.

Cost of tickets: Pre-sale $42 and $49 day of the Tour. Many, many thanks to The Agency Hall & Hunter – for their invaluable time, talent and treasure.

TACO & TEQUILLA THURSDAYS & OKTOBERFEST 2022 – On the Terrace New Assistant Vice President of Hospitality Nicholas Caroselli is gearing up to host some exciting events for the remainder of 2022.

First up – in partnership with TCH award-winning Corporate Executive Chef Ryan Friedrich and newly appointed Banquet Manager Kenneth Woods, the Hospitality Department will be hosting Taco & Tequila Thursdays on the outdoor Van Dusen Terrace beginning August 4th and every other Thursday through September 15th from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. The event will feature gourmet tacos paired with different tequilas and will feature a traditional Mariachi Band.

Next – The Community House and its Hospitality Team are also proud to bring back the highly anticipated Oktoberfest on September 29th. The event will be a tribute to the traditional German Oktoberfest featuring signature German cuisine, beer, games, contests, live entertainment and much more.

Tickets for both events on sale now.

Finally, please consider The Community House for booking with our Hospitality Department your upcoming corporate or holiday event or for your milestone celebrations. Incredible new menu selections now being featured,

extraordinary wine and cocktail selections are now available and customized packages for your every need on standby. Ask about our Early Booking Special for the 2022 Holiday Season as well.

For more information on upcoming Fall 2022 Hospitality Events, Holiday 2022 or to purchase advanced tickets for Taco & Tequila Thursdays on the Terrace or Oktoberfest 2022, please check out our website at communityhouse.com or contact Nicholas Caroselli, Assistant VP at 248.644.5832.

PROGRAMS & ENRICHMENT Since 2022 began, the Programs & Enrichment (P&E) Department has strived to meet the needs of our community and achieve extraordinary results.

In March, The Community House was nominated for HOUR magazine’s “Best Of” Summer Day Camps in the metro Detroit area. In April we welcomed the 32nd Annual Student Art Town back in person for the first time since 2019, featuring over 80 talented young artists aging from 5 - 18 years old.

For a second consecutive summer, P&E is bringing back its immensely popular Wine & Watercolors series for those 21+ in Birmingham and the surrounding communities to enjoy.

As we head into the fall, the Programs & Enrichment Department is excited to welcome families to join our events, pop up opportunities and classes to learn, create and explore. For more information or to learn more about our programs, classes, and enrichment, please visit our website at communityhouse.com SPECIAL HONORS & RECOGNITION The Community House is very proud to announce that it has received The Knot BEST OF WEDDINGS and WEDDINGWIRE Couples Choice Award for 2022. The Knot Best of Weddings is an annual award that recognizes the top wedding venues across the country. This prestigious honor represents the highest rated vendors on The Knot who are trusted, dependable, and deliver quality service. Only the best wedding vendors (top 5 percent) receive this award.

And as indicated under Programs & Enrichment - The Community House was also recognized as a BEST of HOUR Detroit Finalist for SUMMER CAMPS 2022 in the region. Well done all.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Our Early Childhood Center is expanding. Hot breakfasts and lunches are back. With waiting lists practically full, and the need for our award-winning early childhood education services growing – maxing out our Early Childhood, Infant and Toddlers centers to capacity – The Community House will be opening an additional preschool classroom in September to keep up with the increasing demands of the community. Led by our gifted and eminently qualified Director of the Early Childhood Center, Honilynn Hendricks, we look forward to welcoming back all of our new and returning students for the 2022-2023 school year.

JOB OFFERINGS We are hiring across all these departments and more. If you’re interested in working for a growing organization, please check our website for a full list of job postings.

VOLUNTEER GIFTS OF TIME Have you ever thought about sharing your gifts of time and talents with a local non-profit organization? If so, The Community House is the perfect place for you.

Volunteers have been involved in every aspect of The Community House life for nearly a century. They give the “House” a face, a voice, helping hands, and a heart. Volunteers are the life of The Community House, the vital force to carry out our mission of serving an every-growing, ever-changing community. As a volunteer, you link us to the many neighborhoods, towns and cities that make up the broad range of communities we serve.

Please visit our website, communityhouse.com to download a volunteer application. We need you.

William D. Seklar is President & CEO of The Community House and The Community House Foundation in Birmingham. downtownpublications.com

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Cranbrook on the Green ARTIST-DESIGNED MINI-GOLF

This summer, play miniature golf inspired by the art and design of Cranbrook's historic campus!

City of Detroit residents receive $5 off general admission!* HOURS OF OPERATION Wednesday, 11am-5pm Thursday–Sunday, 11am–7pm Advanced Registration Encouraged *City of Detroit residents, use your 5-digit zip code as a promo code when you select your tee time on the ticketing page.

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ADMISSION $15 Adults $10 ArtMembers & City of Detroit Residents $8 Children 3-12 Includes gallery admission

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

Cranbrook Art Museum 39221 Woodward Ave Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 248.645.3323 cranbrookartmuseum.org

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PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The 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. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.2220. 220restaurant.com 5th Tavern: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607.

5thtavern.com Adachi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily.

Liquor. Reservations. 325 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009.

248.540.5900. adachirestaurant.com Andiamo: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.865.9300. andiamoitalia.com Beau’s: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.2630. beausbloomfield.com Bella Piatti: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110. bellapiattirestaurant.com Beverly Hills Grill: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025.

248.642.2355. beverlyhillsgrill.com Beyond Juicery + Eatery: Contemporary.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 270 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009; 221 Cole Street, Birmingham, 48009; 3645 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301; 4065 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301; 1987 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. beyondjuiceryeatery.com Bill’s: American. Breakfast, weekends, Lunch, Thursday & Friday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.9000. billsbloomfieldhills.com Birmingham Pub: American. Lunch, TuesdayFriday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 555 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham. thebirminghampub.com Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.8880. birminghamsushi.com Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Liquor. Reservations. 34244 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.0984. bistrojoeskitchen.com Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.645.6879. bloomfielddeli.com Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.258.6690. thebrooklynpizza.com Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000. cafeml.com Casa Pernoi: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.940.0000. casapernoi.com Churchill’s Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old

downtownpublications.com

Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.4555. churchillscigarbar.com Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Beer. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.540.7220. cityscapedeli.com Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766. gocommonwealth.com Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.1135. dickodowspub.com Eddie Merlot’s: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.712.4095. eddiemerlots.com Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.258.9939. einsteinbros.com Elie’s Mediterranean Grill/Bar: Mediterranean.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. eliesgrill.com Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday. Dinner, TuesdayFriday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.645.1033. embersdeli1.com Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. flemingssteakhouse.com Forest: European. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.9400. forestbirmingham.com Greek Islands Coney Restaurant: Greek.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. greekislandsconey.com Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Lunch, Friday-Sunday, Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No Reservations. Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050. griffinclawbrewingcompany.com Hazel’s: Seafood. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1 Peabody Street, Birmingham.

248.671.1714. eatathazels.com Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 3633 W. Maple Rd, Bloomfield, MI 48301.

248.203.9111. honeytreegrille.com Hunter House Hamburgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.7121. hunterhousehamburgers.com Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

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

248.594.4369. hydeparkrestaurants.com IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301.

248.333.7522. Ihop.com Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Dinner daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.792.9609. joemuer.com Kaku Sushi and Poke’: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday & Dinner daily. No reservations. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.480.4785, and 126 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.885.8631. kakusushipoke.com Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160

The Birmingham/Bloomfield area is filled with discriminating diners and an array of dining establishments. Make sure the message for your restaurant reaches the right market in the right publication—Downtown.

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

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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 Gigi Nichols who can be reached at GigiNichols@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.

Pastry chef wins top honors Warda Bouguettaya, owner of Warda Pâtisserie in Midtown Detroit was bestowed with the honor of “Outstanding Pastry Chef” at the 2022 James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago. Bouguettaya, who is originally from Algeria, wiped away a tear as she accepted her award. “We may look different, speak different languages, pray to different gods… I wanted a space that would celebrate a borderless world. A space where one cuisine wouldn’t be considered more sophisticated than the other. I wanted for the patisserie to reflect the America I left my motherland for,” said Bouguettaya.

Warda Pâtisserie’s wide and varied selections include lemon chocolate financiers with French chocolate, Valrhona chocolate and blueberries; passion fruit glazed Madeleines; rhubarb, pistachio & geranium water tarts; and light and refreshing cheese cake topped with peach, verbena, mango or guava. The James Beard Awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, recognizes exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive. 70 West Alexandrine Street, Detroit warda-patisserie-midtown.square.site/

Hazel’s Lobster Pound is back!

Lobster season is about to start and nowhere in metro Detroit is it more noticeable than Birmingham’s restaurant Hazel’s. The casual seafood spot first featured hot and cold lobster rolls and full lobster dinners on its menu in 2019 as part of a Maine-style dining experience they called Hazel’s Lobster Pound.

Now, Hazel’s changes its menu seasonally throughout the year to suit the freshest coastal U.S. seafood available from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf of Mexico. Chef and co-owner Emmele Herrold claims that lobster isn’t just a special occasion food. “You can go out to Lobster Pound in your lounge clothes,” said Herrold. “It does not have to feel like a fussy seafood place. You can order fresh lobster and make it an experience.” Instead of a formal, upscale dining experience, the restaurant focuses on creating a casual atmosphere with fresh-caught, high-quality seafood you can enjoy among friends. Lobster rolls were once hard-to-find in the area, and over the past few years Hazel’s has made Maine and Connecticut style lobster rolls, full lobster dinners, rich lobster bisque and much more. Hazel’s Lobster Pound event is available now through the end of September. 1 Peabody Street, Birmingham eatathazels.com

Grillin’ BBQ in Clawson After running a successful food truck business for two years, co-owners Caitlin Avis and Collier Willis have decided to open a brick and mortar location in Clawson, called The House of Barbecue. Avis says their food truck business really took off with their revive bowl, which she describes as a multi-layer BBQ bowl, customizable to any dietary need such as vegan, vegetarian, halal, keto and gluten free. Avis also attributes their success to the talented Chef Collier Willis. “We competed in about 10 food festival last year and each time, we were awarded first place,” she said. On the menu, guests will find signature barbecue entrees such as beef brisket, tomahawk steak and beef ribs. Popular sides include BBQ smoked mac and cheese and BBQ street corn. The interior of the space is decorated in a country club vibe with white linen table cloths, but Avis stresses that they want to be family friendly as well. There are no alcoholic beverages served at this time, but Avis says they are working on getting their liquor license. 220 South Main Street, Clawson thehouseofbarbecue.com

New vegan offerings at Public House Ferndale’s Public House has teamed up with culinary consultant Meghan Shaw to put a new spin on the restaurant’s vegan offerings, with an updated vegan dinner and brunch menus. The fried “chikn” sammie comes in spicy or traditional, and is a vegan version of the classic crispy chicken with pickles and sauce on brioche, but with juicier and tastier protein than most traditional fastfood versions. Fish & chips also returns to the menu, this time on the vegan side using marinated, beer-battered tofu and served with perfect fries, coleslaw and malt vinegar aioli. The Public House garden burger has been replaced with an

N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166. kerbyskoneyisland.com La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.5800. lamarsacuisine.com La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar: Italian.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.0492. lastradaitaliankitchen.com Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.646.8568. leosconeyisland.com Little Daddy’s: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.647.3400. littledaddys.com Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051. luxebarandgrill.com Madam: American. Breakfast, Monday-Friday, Brunch, weekends. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner daily. Reservations. Liquor. 298 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.283.4200. daxtonhotel.com Mad Hatter Bistro, Bar & Tea Room: Global.

Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Thursday-Sunday, Dinner, Friday & Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor.185 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. madhatterbistro.com Mare Mediterranean: Seafood. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham 48009.

248.940.5525. maremediterranean.com Market North End: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.712.4953. marketnorthend.com MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations.

6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.723.0800. mexrestaurants.com Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday, Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2079 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581. nipponsushibar.com Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.451.0500. olgas.com Original Pancake House: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.5775. oph-mi.com Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122. phoeniciabirmingham.com Planthropie: Vegan. Dessert and Cheese.

Tuesday-Sunday. 135 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.839.5640. planthropie.com Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.874.1876. qdoba.com Roadside B & G: American. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.7270. roadsidebandg.com Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. salsbirmingham.com

Shift Kitchen & Cocktails: Small plates.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.2380. shiftbirmingham.com Sidecar: American. Lunch and Dinner, daily.

Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.2380. sidecarsliderbar.com Slice Pizza Kitchen: Pizza. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.3475. slicepizzakitchen.com Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Brunch, Saturday & Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200. socialkitchenandbar.com Stateside Deli & Restaurant Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 653 S. Adams Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.550.0455. statesidedeli.com Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Breakfast and Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.932.0800. stevesdeli.com Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Dinner, daily.

Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. streetsideseafood.com Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.333.3887. sushihanabloomfield.com Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, Monday and Wednesday-Sunday. No reservations.

315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.258.9830. sythaibirmingham.com Sylvan Table: American. Brunch, weekends, Dinner daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1819 Inverness Street, Sylvan Lake, 48320.

248.369.3360. sylvantable.com Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. tallulahwine.com Thai Street Kitchen: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.499.6867. thaistreetkitchen.com The Franklin Grill: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 32760 Franklin Road, Franklin, 48025.

248.865.6600. thefranklingrill.com The French Lady: French. Lunch, TuesdaySunday. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. 768 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480. 0571. zefrenchlady.com The Gallery Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313. galleryrestaurant2.com The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688. moosepreserve.com The Morrie: American. Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, Thursday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor.

260 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.940.3260. themorrie.com The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.5999. rugbygrille.com Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Reservations. Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278. eatattoast.com Tomatoes Apizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner daily.

Carryout. 34200 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.0500. tomatoesapizza.com Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881. thetouchofindia.com Townhouse: American. Brunch, weekends.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241. eatattownhouse.com Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Liquor. No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.566.3566. whistlestopdiners.com Zao Jun: Asian. Dinner and Lunch, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.949.9999. zaojunnewasian.com

Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary’s: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

316 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.268.1917. alemarysbeer.com Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 22651 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680. anitaskitchen.com Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Dinner, WednesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Road., Ferndale, 48220.

248.584.3499. assaggibistro.com Bigalora: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.2442. bigalora.com The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, ThursdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220.

248.547.6699. bluenileferndale.com Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

418 S. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749. cafemuseroyaloak.com Como’s: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 22812 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.677.4439. comosrestaurant.com Cork Wine Pub: American. Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 23810 Woodward Avenue, Pleasant Ridge, 48069. 248.544.2675. corkwinepub.org Crispelli’s Bakery and Pizzeria: Italian. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

28939 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, 48072.

248.591.3300. crispellis.com The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, Wednesday-Sunday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Avenue, 48220. 248.399.5150. theflytrapferndale.com Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 22949 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220.

248.691.7145. howesbayouferndale.net Imperial: Mexican. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22848 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145. imperialferndale.com Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220.

248.543.9500. inyorestaurant.com KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500. gokouzina.com Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American.

Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 28028 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.965.2101. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 410 S. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459. lilysseafood.com Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Brunch, Sunday, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227. lockhartsbbq.com Mezcal: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 201 East 9 Mile Road Ferndale, 48220.

248.268.3915. mezcalferndale.com Pearl’s Deep Dive: Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor.100 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.2875. pearlsdeepdive.com Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. oakcitygrille.com One-Eyed Betty’s: American. Breakfast, weekends, Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 175 W. Troy Street, Ferndale, 48220.

248.808.6633. oneeyedbettys.com Otus Supply: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 345 E. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220.

248.291.6160. otussupply.com Pop’s for Italian: Italian. Brunch and Lunch, weekends, Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. 280 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale,48220. 248.268.4806. popsforitalian.com Public House: American. Lunch & Brunch, weekends, Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220. 248.850.7420. publichouseferndale.com Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, 48073.

248.549.0300. redcoat-tavern.com Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888. roninsushi.com Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor.

215 E. 4th Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.1141. royaloakbrewery.com Sozai: Japanese. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. 449 West 14 Mile Road, Clawson,48017. 248.677-3232. sozairestaurant.com The Morrie: American. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 511 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112. themorrie.com Three Cats Cafe: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 116 W 14 Mile Road, Clawson, 48017.

248.900.2287. threecatscafe.com Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444. eatattoast.com Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186. tomsoysterbar.com Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.4444. trattoriadaluigi.business.site.com Vinsetta Garage: American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 27799

Impossible “bacon” cheeseburger, topped with vegan tempeh bacon, steak sauce aioli and crispy fried onions. New vegan brunch plates include chickn’ & waffles; a tempeh-bacon Monte Cristo; crispy shrimp and grits; a “crab” cake bene; and wet breakfast burrito. Shaw is a veteran of metro Detroit’s restaurant industry, including the kitchen at Public House’s sister restaurant One-Eyed Betty’s, and was the co-founder of the vegan pop-up restaurant Street Beet. 241 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale publichouseferndale.com

Funky Mediterranean Bohemia, a new upbeat and funky Mediterranean concept from Adam Merkel Restaurants, has officially opened in downtown Royal Oak. Set below Merkel’s Pinky’s Rooftop, and adjacent to Pearl’s Deep Dive, Bohemia offers a bright and bold atmosphere, with lots of texture, colorful tile work, woodworking and greenery. Meals are cooked over real charcoal, a traditional Mediterranean method that adds a unique flavor profile to each dish, and the restaurant’s openkitchen concept puts chefs on display for guests to watch as their meal is prepared. Bohemia’s menu offers an array of salatim (Israeli dips and salads), hummus and kabobs. Featured items include branzino, lamb chops, vegan kafta, halloumi cheese, and bread fired to order in a tandoor oven. Bohemia also offers an extensive list of reserve wine, Champagne, and signature cocktails such as the Detox Retox (tequila, cucumber, mint, lime, matcha), Bohemian Rhapsody (Valentine Vodka, lemon, strawberry, tarragon), and Pistachio Martini. “Our team has envisioned this concept for over five years, and it’s beyond exciting to see it all finally come to life,” said owner Adam Merkel. “The food tastes and feels incredibly authentic, while still maintaining a vibe that is true to our brand. We can’t wait to share Bohemia with the community!” 100 S. Main Street, Royal Oak eatatbohemia.com

New nitro brew Business partners Kevin Kilgore and Nic Syzdek began serving up small batch non-alcoholic craft beverages and food four years ago from their six-tap beverage cart at private events, music festivals, pop up shops and local farmers markets.

They opened Tapped Coffee + Eats in Canton in 2019 and now, they have added a second location in downtown Royal Oak. Tapped Coffee + Eats specializes in nitro cold brews. Kilgore explains that nitro brewing is a process that takes 24 hours. “The beverages are steeped at room temperature. The oxygen is diffused and then infused with nitrogen gas. The end result is less acidic with about double the caffeine,” he said. Along with a variety of classic cold brew coffees, Tapped also offers other nitro brew varieties, including teas, energy drinks, lemonades, as well as root beer and cream orange soda. Kilgore, who by trade, is a full-time fire fighter and paramedic, has a love for cooking and created the eatery’s menu. In addition to a variety of 15 doughnuts baked inhouse, signature breakfast sandwiches include such options as “The Diablo” – an onion roll with pork sausage, egg, pepper jack cheese, sliced jalapeños, onion and chipotle sauce. The “Detroit Maple Dough” is a doughnut sliced in half with pork sausage, egg, cheddar cheese and maple syrup dipping sauce.

304 N. Main Street, Royal Oak tappedbeverages.com

Locals honored by Wine Spectator Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, has unveiled the winners of their 2022 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine. This year’s awards program recognizes 3,169 dining destinations from all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 70 countries internationally. Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards are judged on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award. Of local interest, 14 restaurants were honored in the metro Detroit area.

“Best of Award of Excellence” was given to Prime + Proper, Detroit; The Capital Grille, Troy; The Rugby Grille, Birmingham; and Vertical Detroit, Detroit. “The Award of Excellence” was presented to Bill’s, Bloomfield; Cantoro Trattoria, Plymouth; Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Troy; Fogo de Chão, Troy; Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, Northville; Morton’s The Steakhouse, Troy; Seasons 52, Troy; Streetside Seafood, Birmingham; Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro, Birmingham; and The Rattlesnake Club, Detroit. The Rugby Grille has achieved the “Best of Award of Excellence” award every year since 2016.

Steven Kalczynski, managing director at The Townsend Hotel commented on the Rugby Grille’s honor, “We are serious about our inventories for our guests and are committed into maintaining a world-class wine list.The staff continually to strive to be a destination for a memorable culinary and wine experience,” he said. winespectator.com/restaurants

Woodward Avenue, Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711. vinsettagarage.com Voyager: Seafood. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 600 Vester Street, Ferndale, 48220. 248.658.4999. voyagerferndale.com

Troy/Rochester Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Road, Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300. thecapitalgrille.com Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Road, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831. cafesushimi.com CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600. ckdiggs.com Grand Castor: Latin American. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

2950 Rochester Road, Troy, 48083.

248.278.7777. grancastor.com Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060. konagrill.com Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.652.9400. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com Loccino Italian Grill and Bar: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy, 48098. 248.813.0700. loccino.com The Meeting House: American. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825. themeetinghouserochester.com Mon Jin Lau: Nu Asian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Road, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332. monjinlau.com Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845. mortons.com Naked Burger: American. Lunch, TuesdaySunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

6870 N Rochester Road, Rochester, 48306. 248.759.4858. nakedburgerdetroit.com NM Café: American. Lunch, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084.

248.816.3424. neimanmarcus.com/restaurants Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. oceaniainnrochesterhills.com Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Highway, Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500. ocean-prime.com O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

248.608.2537. oconnorsrochester.com Orchid Café: Thai. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. 3303 Rochester Road., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. orchid-cafe.com P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. pfchangs.com Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast &

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Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037.

248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084. 248.614.5390. recipesinc.com RH House: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch and Dinner, daily. 2630 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. No reservations. Liquor. 2630 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.586.1000. rh.house.com Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424. ruthschris.com Sedona Taphouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 198 Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083.

248.422.6167. sedonataphouse.co Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48306.

248.652.4500. silverspoonristorante.com Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291. tooraloorochester.com

West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600. baccoristorante.com Cornbread Restaurant & Bar: Southern.

Lunch & Dinner, Thursday-Tuesday.

Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034.

248.208.1680. cornbreadsoulfood.com Bigalora: Italian. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. 248.544.2442. bigalora.com The Fiddler: Russian. Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.851.8782. fiddlerrestaurant.com Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.538.7081. menesususi.com Nonna Maria’s: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

248.851.2500. nonamariasbistro.com Pickles & Rye: Deli. Lunch, & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890. picklesandryedeli.com Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. prime29steakhouse.com Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor.

6745 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. redcoat-tavern.com Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. dineshangrila.com Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

33210 W. Fourteen Mile Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.538.8954. spositas-restorante.com Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor.

6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. stagedeli.com Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282. yotsuba-restaurant.com

West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Lunch, Monday – Friday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223. gravityrestaurant.com Volare Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771. ristorantevolare.com

North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Breakfast, Sunday, Lunch, Wednesday-Saturday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346.

248.620.6100. clarkstonunion.com Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346.

248.795.2077. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com The Fed: American. Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346.

248.297.5833 thefedcommunity.com Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500. joebologna.com Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660. unionwoodshop.com

Detroit Barda: Argentinian. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 4842 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, 48208. 313.952.5182. bardadetroit.com Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2684 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, 48207.

313.965.3111. bucharestgrill.com Cliff Bell’s: American. Dinner, WednesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543. cliffbells.com Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Road, Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. cuisinerestaurantdetroit.com El Barzon: Mexican. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction Street, Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070. elbarzonrestaurant.com Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.965.4600. fishbonesusa.com Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Boulevard, Detroit, 48217.

313.841.0122. giovannisrestaurante.com Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.5588. greendotstables.com Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.6837. joemuer.com Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2601 W. Fort Street, Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946. johnnynoodleking.com Mario’s: Italian. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday,

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Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 4222 2nd Avenue, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.1616. mariosdetroit.com Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

4710 Cass Avenue, Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669. midtownshangril-la.com Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine.

470 W. Canfield Street, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.2700. motorcitybeer.com Oak & Reel: Italian Seafood. Dinner, ThursdayMonday. Reservations. Liquor. 2921 E. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48202.

313.270.9600. oakandreel.com Prime + Proper: Steak House. Brunch, Weekends. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1145 Griswold St, Detroit, 48226.

313.636.3100. primeandproperdetroit.com Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.309.2499. greektowncasino.com Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.2100.

Selden Standard: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 3921 Second Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. seldenstandard.com SheWolf Pastifico & Bar: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 438 Selden Street, Detroit 48201.

313.315.3992. shewolfdetroit.com Sinbad’s: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 100 St. Clair Street, Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000. sindbads.com Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828. slowsbarbq.com/locations/corktown Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1234. mgmgranddetroit.com Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

7620 Vernor Highway, Detroit, 48209.

313.842.5668. taquerianuestrafamilia.wordpress.com The Block: American. Brunch, Weekends, Lunch & Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892. theblockdet.com The Statler: French. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 313 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48226.

313.463.7111. statlerdetroit.com Townhouse Detroit: American. Lunch, Thursday-Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 500 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 48226. 313.723.1000. townhousedetroit.com Smith & Co: American. Dinner, WednesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 644 Selden Street, Detroit, 313.638.1695. smithandcodetroit.com Supergeil: Berlin Doner. Lunch, Friday-Sunday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 2442 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.462.4133. supergeildetroit.com Vertical Detroit: Small Plates & Wine Bar. Dinner, Wednesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1538 Centre Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.732.WINE. verticaldetroit.com Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market Street, Detroit, 48207.

313.393.1711. viviosdetroit.net The Whitney: American. Tea Service, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor.4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700. thewhitney.com Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Avenue, Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711. wrightdetroit.com

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ENDNOTE

Our endorsements for August primary oters in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills will be determining the fate of primary candidates in the Tuesday, August 2, election, either at the polls or through absentee ballots which are now being mailed out by municipal clerks. Reflected on voters’ ballots this year will be the new districts for the county commission, state Senate and House, and Congress.

A new public safety millage will face Bloomfield Township voters, and voters in the Bloomfield Hills School district will cast ballots to restore the operating millage for non-homestead properties.

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 all contested primary races, the answers to which can be found in the Voter Guide at downtownpublications.com.

When making our recommendations we considered a number of factors based on answers from candidates and our institutional knowledge of candidates and 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. In addition, we took into account whether or not they accepted the results of the 2020 presidential election – a defining litmus test for us.

V

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 11th Congressional District Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Commerce, Wixom, White Lake, Walled Lake, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Wolverine Lake

Democrat No matter who wins in this primary, we all will ultimately lose because so will either Andy Levin or Haley Stevens – two excellent second term Representatives elected in the 2018 Democratic wave. Due to redistricting, they are now facing each other in this Democrat-leaning district, which covers a majority of Oakland County. Levin lays out the political class claim to this district as a fourthgeneration resident of Birmingham, Bloomfield and Royal Oak, but members of Congress do not have to live in their district and he could have run in his current geographical district and done quite well.

While we admire Levin’s passion for Medicare for All, union organizing and other Progressive ideals, we feel HALEY STEVENS is the better choice for the new 11th district. Both advocate many of the same Democratic ideals and issues, but Stevens stakes out a more moderate stance which we think aligns best with this district. She has been involved for the last four years with her ‘Manufacturing Mondays,’ where she has regularly visited manufacturers and businesses in the district, 80

worked with women in business and led efforts to engage younger women in technology and engineering, while doing outreach to minority communities. We also think voters appreciate her position that there is a need for improvements in Medicare and the Affordable Health Care Act, but do not want to be forced to lose their private insurance. In terms of representing the party heading into November, Stevens stands the best chance with her personal approach to issues against a GOP opponent.

Republican A graduate of West Point, a retired Army Captain who served in the Middle East, including Israel and the West Bank, as well as America’s southern border, MARK AMBROSE holds an MBA and master degree in international and public affairs from Columbia University, providing him with a background which suffuses his reputable and informed perspective as a reliable conservative.

Ambrose is an investment banker from Bloomfield Township who understands the nuances of proposed policies, whether taxation reform, health care or inflation woes and economic growth.

Ambrose would be a strong standard bearer for the Republican Party in this Oakland County district for the general election.

MICHIGAN SENATE 7th State Senate District Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, part of Waterford, Franklin, Lathrup Village, Beverly Hills, Southfield, part of Detroit

Democrat Incumbent state Senator JEREMY MOSS stands head and shoulders above his opponent, and is a role model for a progressive Democratic politician. A graduate of Hillel Day School and Birmingham Groves High School, he is a lifelong resident of Southfield, and has spent his adulthood representing the city – first as the youngest Southfield city councilman, where he was the chair of the council’s legislative and urban affairs committee, and as a member of the neighborhood services committee, and helped create an economic development committee. In 2014, he successfully was elected to the state House, becoming the second openly gay member to ever be elected to that chamber, and was reelected in 2016. In 2018, he won a primary, and then the general election, for a state Senate seat, championing ethics and judicial reform, voting rights, closing the education gap, infrastructure, the revitalization of low-income housing stock, and passionately, the expansion of Michigan’s civil rights protection. He is on the Dr. Martin Luther King Advisory Task Force and Fair Michigan. He is a politician who walks the walk with his constituents and would run the strongest general election campaign on behalf of his party.

8th State Senate District Birmingham, Royal Oak, Clawson, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township, part of Detroit DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

Democrat Determining who to back in this primary contest was one of the tougher decisions we had to make.

This newly drawn district sprawls from Birmingham, Ferndale and Royal Oak, along with a few other Oakland communities and then into part of Detroit. It is a classic casualty of the redistricting process, pitting two worthy incumbent Democrat state Senate members for the right to represent their party in the November election. On the one hand you have Marshall Bullock II of Detroit with a decades-long history of social work and youth advocacy in the city, and a stint in the Duggan administration. In Lansing he is the head of the Black Caucus and partnered with Senator Jeremy Moss to create the Black and Jewish Unity Caucus. A worthy track record, without doubt. He is facing incumbent MALLORY MCMORROW of Royal Oak who already represents Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills and other parts of Oakland in her current district. Her first term in the Senate has been a productive one in terms of proposed new legislation. While both candidates hold similar views, McMorrow has shown considerable moxie in Lansing when it comes to challenging the old boys network, be it on sexism and other issues, and the fringe far right powers that populate the Capitol – even though many might shrink from the fight. Not McMorrow. In fact, her most recent foray against the homophobic and hateful forces in the legislature has made her a rock start of sorts in Michigan and on the national scene. We throw our support behind McMorrow who in her first run for office dethroned an incumbent with a legacy Republican name. We look forward to how she will carry the party flag into November.

MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 5th State House District Part of Birmingham, part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Oak Park, Berkley, Beverly Hills, part of Royal Oak, part of Southfield, part of Detroit

Democrat Previously a Birmingham/Bloomfield district, with redistricting it now runs from Birmingham down through northwest Detroit, with about half of the district in Oakland County, and half in Wayne. This primary field presents two strong candidates who could do the job well, including Natalie Price of Berkley, and MICHELLE WOODDELL of Southfield. A moderate Democrat who says she “loves balanced budgets but hates unfunded mandates,” she recognizes the importance of representing the entire district. With a business, Nonprofit Spot LLC, helping non-profit organizations with programming, operations, and management, located in northwest Detroit, she knows what it means to make payroll and appreciates the area. She is also a college professor, teaching others to lead. After years collaborating with community leaders and activists, Wooddell feels this is her time. We agree.

Republican There are two candidates seeking to represent the GOP in the November race. One candidate ghosted both Downtown Newsmagazine and our readers by 08.22

failing to respond for the Voter Guide. The other candidate, Paul Taros, appears to have drunk the kool-aid when it comes to refusing to accept the proven results of the 2020 presidential election.

Downtown Newsmagazine has an established policy of not promoting to elected positions of power those who have an altered sense of reality, so we will not endorse in this race.

20th State House District Part of Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, part of Commerce Township

Democrat Three qualified candidates, all West Bloomfield residents, are seeking to be the standard bearer for the Democrats in this district, so determining who to support was most challenging. The three share similar views on the important issues and all have life/work and government experiences that will serve district residents well should they advance to Lansing after the November vote. In this race, however, we are recommending NOAH ARBIT as voters’ choice in this primary. While young, he has already been an industrious grassroots activist, creating the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus to battle anti-Semitism and elect candidates with shared values. He appears more than capable of running a spirited race on behalf of the party for the general election.

Republican We never heard from one of the two candidates in this Republican primary race. The one which did participate in our Q&A – Diana Theresa Mohyi – had a response relative to the results of the 2020 election that seemed evasive at first blush but on further review we think she puts herself squarely in the group that either doesn’t understand the laws governing elections or she wants to dress up her answer to hide her true position. Once again, we won’t – as a matter of policy – promote for office those posing a threat to our democracy, especially those like Mohyi who suggest election “audits” be conducted by individuals not elected or appointed (i.e. clerks) to assure election integrity – a scary proposition.

54th State House District Part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Auburn Hills, Orion Township, Lake Orion, Oakland Township

Democrat As a Bloomfield Township Trustee, STEPHANIE FAKIH has staked herself out as a voice for resident concerns. While relatively new, she examines issues before her with an eye for how residents will be affected, or investigates them from the point of view of homeowner interests. A criminal defense attorney, she drills down on the nitty gritty to look at all facets of an item. An advocate for improvements in infrastructure, concerns about inflation, personal freedoms and advocating for businesses in Michigan, Fakih is the right choice for Democrats in this primary election.

Republican A strong conservative and a proven public servant, downtownpublications.com

DONNI STEELE is the clear Republican choice for this district. She has been Orion Township Treasurer for the last five years, and served on the township’s board of trustees before that, working hard to better the community through involvement on its trails management councils. In addition, she has experience as a small business owner and as a realtor, understanding how legislation in Lansing affects those in the district. With her fiscally conservative background, she also has her eye on the future of Michigan as spending is considered.

Steele would clearly be the party’s best contender for the general election.

56th State House District Part of Birmingham, part of Bloomfield Township, most of Troy, Clawson, part of Royal Oak

Democrat Two qualified candidates are seeking the nod in the Democrat party contest for the 56th House district.

We suggest SHARON MACDONELL be voters’ first choice in this race. MacDonell has a history of activism in the community of Troy, helping to restore services that had been cut back and pushing for ethical standards on local elected and appointed boards. Her energetic approach to community issues indicates what we are likely to see in terms of representing the party in the general election race, and the district if she ultimately takes this post in November.

OAKLAND COUNTY 9th County Commission District Part of Birmingham, part of Troy, Pontiac

Democrat This Oakland County Board of Commissioners primary contest will likely determine who will represent the party come November for a new district that includes part of Bloomfield Township.

We throw our support behind current county commissioner ANGELA POWELL who was first elected to the board in the 2018 balloting. Powell has a good grasp on issues and would represent the Democratic party well heading into the contest come November.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP Public Safety Millage Replacement Bloomfield Township has placed on the ballot a replacement millage of 3.89 mills to continue providing of fire, police and public safety protection, for a period of 10 years, beginning in 2023. This public safety millage replaces two of the township’s current public safety millages, which are expiring, one this year, one in 2023, and is not a renewal. If this millage is approved, the millage expiring in 2023 will not be levied. The combination levy of the two public safety millages expiring is 3.2879 mills, so there is an increase in the tax rate, but officials have laid out an argument for why they need the extra money for public safety, and we agree and recommend a YES vote. While we typically would not be in favor of a combination of the two, nor of placing it on the August ballot, there is not a scheduled election in 2023, so its expiration would force the township to spend unnecessarily for a special election. The township has said there will be two DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

other necessary millages on the November ballot, and history teaches us that when voters are faced with a number of millages, most will fail, so we understand officials’ logic for putting this important replacement millage on the August ballot.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS SCHOOLS Operating Millage Restoration Proposal The operating millage restoration proposal for Bloomfield Hills Schools is seeking to restore tax money lost due to the Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment, only on properties classified as nonhomestead which also includes commercial and business properties. The goal of this millage would allow the district to levy the statutory limit of 18 mills only on these types of properties which would then be subject to future Headlee rollbacks when the value of property exceeds the rate of inflation each year or five percent, whichever is less. This affects those who claim a second home in the Bloomfield Hills Schools’ district, but most importantly, all businesses located in the district. While residents are technically exempt, over time they may be forced to pay as businesses pass their costs on. So keep this last fact in mind if you are inclined to support this proposal.

POCKET VOTER GUIDE A simple recap as reference when you are filling out your ballot at home or at the polling place. Downtown recommendations in contested primary races.

U.S. CONGRESS 11th District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills) Democrat – Haley Stevens Republican – Mark Ambrose STATE SENATE 7th District (Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills) Democrat – Jeremy Moss 8th District (Birmingham) Democrat – Mallory McMorrow STATE HOUSE 5th District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills) Democrat – Michelle Wooddell 20th DISTRICT (Bloomfield Township) Democrat – Noah Arbit 54th District (Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills) Democrat – Stephanie Fakih Republican – Donni Steele 56th District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Township) Democrat – Sharon MacDonell COUNTY BOARD (Bloomfield Township) 9th District Democrat – Angela Powell 81