Birmingham/Bloomfield

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FEBRUARY 2019

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

FACE IN THE CROWD: RECOGNITION SOFTWARE LEAD/COPPER: FIGHT OVER NEW RULES SHORTFALLS IN BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

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DOWNTOWN02.19

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Faces in a crowd: Tracking you with software Facial recognition programs started out and was a convenience when used in commercial applications. Then facial recognition move into the realm of security applications and now it is being refined for use by law enforcement.

LONGFORM

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The state of Michigan has adopted new copper and lead limits for water but not everyone is pleased, as evidenced by the lawsuit filed by municipalities, including from Oakland County, that contends the state has overstepped its bounds and should be paying the bill.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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L. Brooks Patterson has always seemed invincible when it came to re-election campaigns but even he will face some added challenges if he decides to seek another four-year term in 2020, thanks to a changing electorate and a president who will prove toxic for those embracing him next year.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

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Meisner almost makes it official for county exec; Wittenberg and Barnett names floated for county treasurer; McCready lands on his feet with new county job; David Potts targeting Manoogian; plus more.

CRIME LOCATOR

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

MUNICIPAL

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Service cuts, higher taxes to balance Bloomfield books; questions about Hunter House site for new project; Air BNB restrictions adopted; local show bounced from cable tv; plus more.

THE COVER The Baldwin Public Library in Birmingham.

Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent.

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METRO INTELLIGENCER

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Writer/reporter Dana Casadei helps us bring back the popular feature – now called Metro Intelligencer – that provides quick takes on what is happening in the world of food and drink in the metro Detroit area.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

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

ENDNOTE

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Current residents of Bloomfield Township will now pay the bill from past bad management practices. With Michigan's new copper and lead limits, the choice is clear – start implementation or ignore the health and welfare of residents.

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FROM THE PUBLISHER nyone who thought after the 2018 November general election that we would get a reprieve from the incessant talk and news coverage of politics and politicians should think again.

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As of this writing there have been no less than four formal announcements from Democrats on the national level who say they will be seeking the nod to be the party standard bearer in 2020 for the office of president. And by some counts, there could be as many as 20 Democrats running by the end of this year.

Then there is the never-ending churn by the special interest groups – supported by what seems to be endless dark money – who have already started their tiresome attacks on some of the newly elected members of Congress from Oakland County.

And behind the scene we have the political parlor games where those who inhabit political circles have already started to speculate as to who may be running for county and state offices here in Michigan. As you will see in our Oakland Confidential column inside this issue, pols are already staking out their territory for possible electoral runs next year, no doubt in hopes of discouraging others from getting in the game, thereby sapping resources of people and money in primary contests during 2020.

The big question in Southeast Michigan circles seems to be whether L. Brooks Patterson will seek another four-year term of office when his current term ends. Until recently, it was expected that he would not be running for another term, based on his age (80) and his physical condition since a severe car accident six years ago, along with his own personal comments.

But Patterson basically left the door open to another run for the county executive office in Oakland County when he told one of the two Detroit daily newspapers that their speculation about him resigning office before the end of 2018 was just that – speculation. Their piece was based on a theory that had been circulating since last November – that with a new board of commissioners – dominated by Democrats – taking over in January 2019, Patterson could resign and the GOP controlled board could appoint a Republican replacement to keep that office from going the way of the posts of county treasurer, clerk, prosecutor and water resources commissioner, which are now held by Democrats.

There are a few names of Republicans being kicked around as possible candidates to take Patterson's place on the GOP side of the ballot, including Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, but retaining the executive's post in the Republican column will take some work in 2020 – even if Patterson himself, who spent the 2012 election in a coma, decides to go for another term.

I am not buying Patterson's recent characterization of the changing political landscape in Oakland when he told one of the Detroit daily newspapers that people were moving from Detroit into Oakland County and bringing their Democrat voting habits with them. Although that may be a contributing factor, to assume that is the main reason for the change in the board of commissioners in the 2018 election or the earlier loss of the four other full-time spots at the county complex ignores a couple of larger issues that will play a major role in the 2020 contests.

First, there is the backlash to President Trump – you know, the 2016 candidate that was billed as someone who would become more presidential once he took office. Right. Instead we have been given a national leader that has left the majority of citizens with a nervous anticipation as what he will do next, which does not bode well should Trump seek another term and it has only helped fuel the shift in voting patterns in Oakland County.

Add to that the energized younger generation of voters and established Independents and Democrats who were looking for change in 2018 and most likely will show up in equally strong numbers to cast ballots next year. Those who have backed Trump – like Patterson – will pay a price next year.

Patterson, who in past elections has seemed invincible, will have his work cut out for him, thanks to both Trump and the fact that Patterson's name may not carry as much weight with younger voters.

As I said in past columns, I have been a strong supporter of Patterson, with a few exceptions on some issues, like his support of the death penalty, raiding a movie house showing “Last Tango In Paris’”or his opposition to the Pontiac school bussing – the issue on which he originally built his name. I will give him credit that he has assembled a strong team at the county, which remains the reason we enjoy a solidly managed county, in good and challenging times. It goes without saying that he has done the county well with his development of such programs as Automation Alley, making Oakland the center of the medical industry, just to name a couple of his efforts that have bolstered the county now and for the future.

However, there are other issues facing the county executive should he seek another term.

I think the majority of voters are looking for an innovative, proactive community leader when they go to the polls next year. They are not buying into the anti-immigrant rant coming out of Trump and his GOP supporters in Oakland. They want someone who cares about the environment and someone who is willing to lead wherever possible on a local basis to offset the damaging effects from the current policies in Washington DC. Voters want a leader willing to keep working at a mass transit solution for southeast Michigan. And they want a leader that is willing to mix it up with state and national politicians when proposed public policy does not meet with local expectations, yet has the ability to contribute to a cooperative effort on regional issues.

They want an elected leader for the county who will reflects their values – equality, diversity, inclusiveness – and one who projects a positive image for Oakland County.

In Patterson's case, there is a growing perception – not always supported by reality – that he is not capable of meeting the demands of today's voters. So he, or any other candidate for that matter, will have to work at convincing voters that he/she can meet the expectation of an energized and demanding voting population.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

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PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody Anchill | Dana Casadei Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf Bill Seklar | Judith Harris Solomon | Julie Yolles PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Esme McClear | Laurie Tennent | Chris Ward Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

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INCOMING Master plan process I write to respond to Ms. Devereaux’s “Endnote editorial off base” letter from Incoming, January 2019. I served as chairperson of the Ad Hoc Master Plan Selection Committee mentioned in her letter.

First, I commend her detailed interest in Birmingham’s master plan update process and I much appreciate Downtown’s willingness to use its publication to facilitate public dialogue on planning issues too often ignored in the press.

Although Ms. Devereaux is critical of the city’s notification of the ad hoc committee meeting I can assure her, and your readers, that transparency was baked into the consultant selection process as we knew all along that our recommendation would be reviewed, in public, at a commission meeting later in the fall.

As this may not be public knowledge, each member of the committee (and staff) was required to submit a “Master Plan Update Proposal Evaluation Sheet” for the each of the final submissions. (I wish we had more!) These data were based on our (individual) initial reading of the submissions. Our final “votes” were, however, also influenced by the interviews with the two finalists held on July 30. Speaking for myself, my recommendation changed that day we met with and questioned the two teams involved.

Let me take this opportunity to clarify two aspects of the process that I believe have been misrepresented in the printed letter and in the deliberations of the city commission.

Concerning the community engagement processes presented in the submissions, we, the ad hoc committee, had no doubt that both teams – MKSK and DPZ – were more than qualified to effectively design and implement this critical aspect of the master plan process. Members of the committee, the planning board (who designed the RFP) and city staff were very well acquainted with the work of both teams and, indeed, were confident that either team would commit the necessary time and staff resources to fully complete this task.

The issue of the budget allocation to community engagement was a red herring. Those familiar with contemporary plan making know that it is very hard to separate out a fixed amount for “engagement.” Working with the public, with stakeholders, with interested parties is at the very core of contemporary planning and touches each and every aspect of the process. But, again, this aspect of the downtownpublications.com

selection process was not the factor that ultimately resulted in the recommendation (6:1) that went from the committee to the commission.

It is my opinion, as chair of the committee, that our recommendation was firmly based on the nature of the consultant’s plan making experience.

What swayed my thinking – and others on the committee – was the connection that DPZ made between plan making and the implementation process, including but not restricted to zoning and other forms of land use and development regulation. DPZ made it clear that their team had extensive experience in this aspect of planning. MKSK, on this occasion, presented us with exceptional development experience but was less convincing in terms of forging detailed planning policy recommendations.

This may sound rather technical, and indeed it is, but this is exactly why the city asked for recommendations from an Ad Hoc Master Plan Selection Committee.

The committee did its job.

Let me conclude with a plea to Ms. Devereaux, to this publication and to your readers. 2019 will be a crucial year in the city of Birmingham. You all have the opportunity to shape the direction of the city through the master plan review process. Please get “engaged”: go on-line and post comments and ideas, attend the charettes, come out to the public meetings, speak up at the planning board and the commission meetings. Get involved.

Robin Boyle Planning Board Member City of Birmingham (Robin Boyle is also Professor Emeritus, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, Wayne State University)

Public school debate In February of 2015, the Michigan Press Association named Jennifer Dixon of The Detroit Free Press “journalist of the year” for her eightpart series exposing the one billion dollars in Michigan public school funds that found their way to “for profit” charter schools.

Public education advocates and Democrats cheered. Dixon’s reporting confirmed their claim that various forms of (Republican/Devos) “privatization” schemes – especially for profit charters – had been responsible for the decline of Michigan schools. As progressive champion Dr. Abdul El-Sayed tweeted recently (Dec. 8), “Private

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.

interests have no place in public education.” But in 2015, Michigan public schools engaged in a very significant privatization effort of their own – in China.

Bloomfield Hills Okma International Academy (IA), routinely rated the “top” public school in Michigan, partnered with a Chinese American “investor,” Michael Liu, to create a private school in Quingdao, China. This privatization scheme did not garner attention from either public education or the privatization proponents in Lansing. That is a critical oversight.

Americans lose their minds about the academic performance of Asian Americans relative to their white or black ethnic counterparts here; but, and this may surprise some, middle class Chinese parents are clamoring for Anglo-American style schooling.

According to Forbes (March, 2018), “The central government of China is also encouraging private investment in the education industry in order to improve efficiency…Total revenue generated in the private education industry has been increasing from 124.1 billion yuan (or $19.7 billion) in 2012 and is expected to reach 325.5 billion yuan ($51.7 billion) in 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate of approximately 12.1 per cent.” That’s big business, even for those supposedly committed to “public” education.

Indeed, Michigan’s one billion for private charters over many years is, in this context, chump change.

Intriguingly, when Liu responded to this market demand he did not seek out Devos-style Republicans. Rather, he found former State Superintendent Tom Watkins.

Watkins went right to Lambert (Bert) Okma, the founding, but now retired,

DOWNTOWN

principal of the public school that bears his name in Bloomfield Hills.

Hard times had come even to Bloomfield Hills, resulting in assorted school closures and classroom consolidations. But Okma and his partners in public schools, including his wife, Lynne Gibson, the current principal of the Okma IA, saw a chance to grow classrooms – albeit, again, in China rather than their home district. The IA had done so well in internet rankings that, along with its consortium partners (Bloomfield, Birmingham, Troy, Rochester, etc.), could “sell” their schooling – and some seats here – to Chinese families. As many charters here discovered, however, setting up schools without the massive historical investment of American public machinery, is hard. Quingdao IA failed miserably, hurting students, parents and ill-advised teachers.

Charter school critics know these endings very well. But, again, this privatization “fail” comes not from outside the public schools, but within. To be fair, the Okma/Gibson set up is somewhat distinctive. They are not governed by a single local school board, though Bloomfield Hills is the “fiscal agent;” so there is little public accountability. But the “consortium” public school districts that sustain the IA seem to fully accept this kind of use of public resources for private interests.

They provided, for example, the “Quality Assurance Team” that gave unofficial sanction to the failed school. Okma and Gibson hid nothing, although not all involved knew they were married. At worst, they “hid” in plain sight, under the loose governing structure of the IA called the “joint steering committee” (created in 1993) which does not see itself as subject to the Open Meetings Act or the Freedom of Information Act. According to Bloomfield Hills Schools, who are amending the consortium agreement to make sure this autonomy is preserved, the IA is like a “committee” or “sub-committee” and so free to act outside the public eye.

But the larger question remains: if public schools at the top of the Michigan education food chain no longer accept Dr. El-Sayed’s cry from the heart that “Private interests have no place in public education,” then who does?

325.5 billion is a lot of yuan for MI public school administrators to ponder.

Ken Jackson Bloomfield Hills 21

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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.

READY FOR HIS CLOSE UP: It’s been rumored for a long time, but Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner is finally ready to confirm that he is exploring a run for Oakland County Executive in 2020. The Democrat, a Huntington Woods resident who first became treasurer in 2008 and was reelected in 2012 and 2016, and previously was a state representative, said being the treasurer has helped form who he is. “It’s mission will always be my mission,” Meisner said, while acknowledging that “Oakland County is a fantastic place. We have strengths – but we are at a crossroads. We need to have a conversation as we come to our 200th year where we want to go in the next 200 MEISNER years.” Taking a swipe at current, and long-term exec L. Brooks Patterson, known for his antagonistic – to say the least – relationship with Wayne County, Meisner is emphasizing regional collaboration while acknowledging he doesn’t know if Patterson will run for an extraordinary eighth term. “Instead of thinking of our regional partners as competition, if we think of them as partners, we can row in the same direction competing with other regions, states and trading blocks. This way we’re growing the pie instead of fighting over crumbs.” He sees regional transit – Patterson’s arch enemy – as an essential opportunity for growth. Yup. He’s running.

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BIG SHOES TO FILL: With Andy Meisner hoping to head up Oakland County, that leaves an opening at the county treasury. Foreseers of different stripes – both Democrat and Republican – have been telling us that state Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-Huntington Woods) is thinking about moving from the state House to the county complex. “He’s smart, and he works hard,” said one source. Also rumored to be kicking the tires is former state Rep. Vicki Barnett (DFarmington Hills), who just stepped down as Oakland County Democratic chair. Some may remember that Barnett ran against WITTENBERG county Exec L. Brooks Patterson in his last go-round in 2016.

MOVIN’ ON UP: Speaking of Patterson, loyalty has its privileges. Former Rep. Mike McCready (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township) learned that first hand, when Patterson appointed McCready as Oakland County’s new director of the Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs, where the former state lawmaker began January 1. McCready, who narrowly lost an election for state Senate to Democrat Rosemary Bayer for the 12th District in November, brings a businessman’s acumen to the position.

MCCREADY There had been talk he could have had an appointment with the new administration, either on the tax tribunal board or Department of Insurance and Financial Services, but this sounds like a pretty ideal fit. He had been a principal with McCready & Associates in Birmingham, which represented small commercial furniture manufacturers in Michigan, but word is he was in the process of selling the business. After commuting to Lansing from Bloomfield for six years before being term-limited from his seat repping the 40th District, McCready was looking forward to a much shorter commute – just up Telegraph to the Oakland County complex in Waterford.

SAME OLD BOSS: The push by Democrats for a new generation of lawmakers during the 2018 election failed to bring new leadership to Congress, as former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was elected to her former role. Freshmen Democratic congresswomen for the 11th District Haley Stevens (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills) and Elissa Slotkin (Rochester, Rochester Hills) of the 8th District said during their campaigns they wouldn’t support Pelosi in her bid for speaker, with both STEVENS downtownpublications.com

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lawmakers holding back support for the California Democrat during the caucus vote in November. However, Stevens, who said she would support Pelosi with a vote on the House floor in January if she ran unopposed, changed her vote to help elect the groundbreaking female speaker.

Meanwhile, on January 3, Slotkin stuck to her guns, and replied “present” with her vote, avoiding a yes or no.

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POLITICAL CRYSTAL BALL: Even before members of the 116th Congress were sworn in, political prognosticators began predicting who will have the advantage in 2020 and beyond. In December, the Cook Report, an independent newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns, ranked Michigan’s 11th District, currently held by Democrat Haley Stevens (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills) as “leaning Democrat,” while fellow Democrat of the 8th, Elissa Slotkin’s (Rochester, Rochester Hills) is already considered a SLOTKIN toss-up district. “Generally, the most vulnerable Democrats are those whose 2018 margins of victory were smaller than Trump’s 2016 margin in the district,” the report summarized. That means Slotkin, who beat out former Republican Congressman Mike Bishop by 3.8 points compared to Trump’s margin of 6.7 in the district, could have a closely contested race in 2020. Stevens, who beat her Republican challenger Elissa Slotkin by 6.6 points, compared to Trump’s 4.4 point margin in the district in 2016, is considered to be in a “lean Democratic” district, despite it having been gerrymandered as a “safe” Republican district in 2010, with her party having an advantage. Statewide, the Cook report in January ranked Democratic Senator Gary Peters as holding a solid Democratic district that isn’t expected to be closely contested.

NO POTTED PLANT: The 100th Michigan Legislature had not even been sworn in, and the sharks were already circling the boats, smelling blood. Not that anyone’s dead in the water – at least not yet. Republican David Potts of Birmingham confirmed it wasn’t the excitement of New Year’s Eve that had him announcing that he was running for the state House of Representatives in the 40th District before Rep. Mari Manoogian (D) had even taken the oath of office.

The former county commissioner, who served the Birmingham area for six years before he lost his seat to redistricting, ran for the state seat in 2012, but lost to former Rep. Mike McCready in the Republican primary.

“I’ve served in office before and I feel I have something to offer. I’m not done. I like legislative activity, and I’d love to serve,” Potts, an attorney in private practice, said. “I think the Republican majority will be maintained, although thin. I believe in cooperation with the POTTS other side.” Potts, who is on the opposite side of the age spectrum, so to speak, of Manoogian, noted, “I’ll be older than some of the members – but I have experience.” He said he’s already lined up pollster and strategist Steve Mitchell and tapped Chris Cummins as a staffer. He said while he’ll have fundraisers, he’s going to fund himself. “I run to win,” Potts said. Game on.

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RAISING THE BARR: When you’re running for something like state party chair, the thought is you should set an example for others in your party – hypothetically, at least. Seems candidate Gina Barr, a Republican activist from Pontiac, who is running for chair of the Michigan GOP along with John Akouri as co-chair, failed to disclose some financial problems on her party candidate affidavit form – a big no-no, according to MIRS, a news and analysis of state government. MIRS pointed out that while Barr listed a 2008 home foreclosure, she failed to report not only a 2004 bankruptcy, but a recent (2016 and 2017) court action regarding non-payment of rent. Barr is running for the top state GOP spot against former state Rep. Laura Cox and Terry Bowman, her co-chair candidate, who has been racking up endorsements, including former AG (and gubernatorial candidate) Bill Schuette, 2018 Secretary of State candidate Mary Treder Lang, former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, and loads of Republican congressmen and state legislators.

Even President Trump’s 2020 campaign chair Brad Parscale has given Cox the nod. Those attending the Michigan GOP 2019 convention February 22-23 will have the final vote, but our money is on Cox. downtownpublications.com

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CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through January 17, 2019.

Placement of codes is approximate.

FACES

Joseph LoDuca he 1981 cult classic “The Evil Dead” is full of many things: demonically possessed trees, gore, Bruce Campbell.

The film also has Joseph LoDuca’s first film score.

“It was totally against my sensibility,” LoDuca said. “I was traumatized by films like “The Exorcist” as a young person, but I went along for the ride.”

He’s gone on one heck of a ride since. LoDuca has continued to work in the horror genre – a genre where he said you will meet some of the nicest people – including “The Evil Dead” sequels, the brief follow-up TV show “Ash vs. Evil Dead,” and “Curse of Chucky.”

But horror isn’t all he does. Over the years he’s worked in just about every genre between his work in television and film.

Action/adventure? Check. Romantic comedy? Check. Fantasy and thriller? Check those two. That variety is part of the reason he loves composing for films and TV so much.

“Every assignment hopefully has something unique and something where I’m going to make a discovery that keeps me inspired,” said LoDuca, who splits his time between Bloomfield Township and Los Angeles.

Considering he’s worked in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, it seems he’s still finding inspiration, including what he’s done on television.

He’s worked on the hit shows “Spartacus,” “Leverage,” and “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.” That list doesn’t even include the two shows he won primetime Emmy Awards for – “Xena: Warrior Princess” and “Legend of the Seeker.”

Lately, a lot of LoDuca’s work is on Netflix, like the Kathy Bates show “Disjointed,” where he wrote songs with the show’s showrunner, David Javerbaum.

He has lots of projects coming out soon as well, including the upcoming Netflix comedy series “Mr. Iglesias” and thriller “Bad Samaritan.” Last fall LoDuca – who used to be a jazz guitarist – did his first off-Broadway score, “Before We’re Gone.” Oh, and he’s gotten to travel all over the world to perform with symphony orchestras, where he’s conducted his own music.

So what keeps him going?

“I love music itself more than film, but I also love the collaboration aspect of being the person on the team that holds down the music chair and is the go-to person for all things musical,” said LoDuca, who has a studio in his Bloomfield Township home. “And also the aspect of using music to tell the story.”

When LoDuca is brought in on a project, it’s at the end, after all the actors and crew have gone home. He’s presented with a finished, or close to finished, edited product. Before he begins, he discusses some sort of plan with the producers and director. Then LoDuca said that plan is often thrown out the window, leaving the group to see what sticks to the wall and what everyone is pleased with.

When asked what it’s like to hear his finished product on the screen, LoDuca laughed.

“Well, the first and most honest reaction is, ‘Did they mix it loud enough?’ And that almost never happens. That darn dialogue, those car crashes,” he said. “But the gratification of seeing something that really works and something that can engage an audience…That’s the biggest gratification of it.”

There is something that’s surprisingly even more thrilling for a composer like LoDuca.

“When you get in front of an orchestra and you get to hear something you sweated over, and lost sleep over just the night before, getting played by a large ensemble – It doesn’t get any better than that because every moment of the process after that, the music will be tucked away.”

Dang dialogue and car crashes.

T

Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Laurie Tennent

FACES IN A CROWD TRACKING THROUGH FACIAL RECOGNITION

BY LISA BRODY

Y

our face is unique; it's your calling card. Now imagine if you were recognized in a crowd via a surveillance camera – linked perhaps to your driver's license from the state database, or another database – and identified as a possible criminal and hauled into a police line up of suspects.

While that may sound farfetched, it could be a reality through the use of facial recognition by law enforcement to catch suspects for all kinds of crimes, from shoplifting to car theft to fraud or terrorism. Facial recognition can provide a certain amount of deftness and simplicity to our lives through some commercial applications, such as airports that are now using facial recognition as a security tool, allowing us to get through TSA pre-check lines with ease and quick express. At Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Delta Airlines is using facial recognition at some gates to expedite boarding. Casinos, including Detroit's MGM and Motor City Casino, use facial recognition to keep track of cheaters entering their establishments – as well as to notify staff when a “whale” – or a big spender – is coming in who they should lavish drinks and attention upon. “Eyes” are on us in crowds such as sporting events and concerts.

Shopping mall security staff can scan through surveillance camera feeds to see if noted shoplifters or other criminals are floating around in the throngs.

But facial recognition also captures images of you and I – for good and bad. And a question that has authorities and ethicists pondering is how accurate and reliable facial recognition is as a tool of law enforcement, and what invasion of privacy concerns there may be.

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Facial recognition is technology that is capable of identifying or verifying a person from a digital image or from a frame of video that comes from a video source. Also described as biometric artificial intelligence, it is an application that is supposed to uniquely identify a person by analyzing patterns based on their facial textures and shapes.

While there are multiple methods for facial recognition, they all come down to comparing a scan of your face to an image of faces within a database.

Facial recognition was initially a form of computer application that has now been expanded to wider applications on mobile platforms and other forms of technology, such as robotics. It is often used as an access control in security systems, and is compared to other biometrics such as fingerprints and eye iris recognition systems. It is considered more reliable than a fingerprint and nearly as accurate as iris recognition, and is less-invasive and contactless than fingerprinting. As the technology evolves, it is finding commercial uses, such as in identification and marketing, video surveillance, automatic indexing of images, human-computer interaction, video databases and tracking. n example of a well-recognized commercial application that many of us utilize on a daily basis is our iPhones. The latest incarnations of Apple iPhones switched to facial recognition over a fingerprint to open in the last couple of years. Apple said the version of the technology, which they call Face ID, uses a suite of sensors to map our faces in 3-D. Infrared light illuminates the face, and a projector in the phone projects an array of infrared dots at it, while an infrared camera snaps an image of the dots, which the phone uses to authenticate against an already stored image of your face. Apple claims the feature is so secure, there is less than a one in a million chance that someone else could spoof you, which is much more reliable than a partial fingerprint on the former “home” button to unlock the phone.

Anil Jain, University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University, said he has been working on facial recognition for 25 years, and it has changed a great deal from its infancy.

“It's a fairly mature technology now, but it will drive us for many more decades,” Jain said.

Moji Solgi, director of AI and Machine Learning at Axon, a technology company, said that face recognition is a broad term that lumps together a collection of technologies. It includes face detection, face tracking, face re-identification, face matching and face attributes. Face detection finds faces and their locations, he noted, and “most commodity digital cameras, including mobile phones, run face detection to enhance image quality.”

Face tracking corresponds a face from one frame to the next, and allows for the face of one person to be matched between two frames. “This is useful for a police agency when they need to blur out an individual's face in a body-worn video (such as a body camera) that they want to release to the public,” Solgi explained.

Face re-identification is similar to face tracking, but frames are not necessarily consecutive in a video. Your face may be at the beginning of a video, and then not seen again until the end. But, Solgi said, face re-identification can recognize it's the same face without identifying your face by comparing it to a database of faces.

With face matching, a target face can be given along with a set of candidate faces and candidate matching will find which one of the candidate faces belongs to the target face.

A

Apple said the version of the technology, which they call Face ID, uses a suite of sensors to map our faces in 3-D. Infrared light illuminates the face, and a projector in the phone projects an array of infrared dots at it, while an infrared camera snaps an image of the dots, which the phone uses to authenticate against an already stored image of your face. Apple claims the feature is so secure, there is less than a one in a million chance that someone else could spoof you.

“This is where algorithms meet databases for face search and retention,” he explained. Some photo storage applications use face matching, such as Facebook, to tag a face that appears in various photos, and it's the application technology that allows smartphones to unlock the phone.

Face attributes can take it further. More data has been fed into the algorithms to allow face attributes to extract information such as gender, ethnicity, emotions, age, facial landmarks and other identifying recognition.

Jain said the primary difficulties, however, with facial recognition is in its acquisition of faces. The problem is often they're too perfect in their setting and exposition.

“It is usually in a constrained imaging environment,” he noted, “where the subject is cooperative. You have to pose in front of the camera, take off your sunglasses, your hat. You are indoors, in controlled neutral lighting, posed, six-inches in front of the camera. The poses eliminates expressions.

That makes identification from facial recognition much easier.

“In these applications, for access and government identification, the subject follows directions, and the algorithms are much easier to create,” Jain explained.

He said the guidelines on how to take a mugshot are very similar. We've all seen it on TV crime shows – look this way, straight at the camera. It gives law enforcement a clear, head on photo of the suspect.

The bigger question is how, and if, law enforcement uses facial recognition technology to help them apprehend bad guys or identify suspects in line ups. Birmingham Police Chief Mark Clemence said, “We don't have any equipment to use it.”

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said they do not use facial recognition technology – yet. “That's one of the technologies we're constantly monitoring,” he said, noting it currently has too many false positives, but that commercial applications are there, so he anticipates its use is on the horizon.

“The ability to know you've got a bad guy on your hands sooner rather than later would be great, because lots of times when they come in the back door, they lie to us. If there's highly accurate facial recognition just as they enter the system, it's invaluable.”

Wayne County Sheriff's Office Chief Robert Dunlap said they also are not using facial recognition technology “at this time.”

“I use it for my personal use on my (Microsoft) Surface Pro (tablet), and I think it's excellent,” Dunlap said. But for the department, “We have just not acquired the technology yet.

It's fairly new.”

Ming Dong, professor and co-director of the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering at Wayne State University, is also working with Ford Motor Co. on facial recognition to help determine the gender, age and other characteristics of drivers and passengers in cars for autonomous vehicles, as well as the use of camera-mounts in cars, “capturing the facial image of a person, because it can provide greater safety precautions.”

He said his department at Wayne State has someone collaborating with Detroit Police Department, “and how the cameras mounted on a police officer can recognize a person and certain events. That potentially can detect valuable information very quickly in the database. The camera can recognize a person from a body-mounted or vehicle-mounted camera within seconds, in real time.”

Dong continued, “The technique is substantially similar to detecting facial recognition for any application. The next step, I see face recognition as a part of AI (artificial recognition) with potentially a lot of applications. It will transform our lives.”

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Despite the proliferation of surveillance cameras throughout the central business district of downtown Birmingham, Clemence said, “We've never once used the surveillance cameras,” for facial recognition, “and we don't anticipate using them.” Part of the reason is the inability of getting clear, usable images from the cameras.

He noted that Delta Airlines is beginning to use photos for facial recognition to speed up the boarding process. “The Delta photos will be head-on, perfect photos,” Clemence noted. “But most surveillance photos are angled, or people are looking down, and they're not perfect.”

Jain noted that having machines verify through facial recognition images caught from surveillance cameras “is more challenging because people are passing by, but they're not posing,” even though there are more and more surveillance cameras all over.

In downtown Detroit, a network of 2,000 surveillance cameras was installed in late 2017, paid for by Detroit Conservancy 300, a non-profit organization which manages Campus Martius under a contract with the city of Detroit, providing a live feed to Detroit police and the security operations of several downtown businesses, including Dan Gilbert's Rock Ventures, DTE Energy, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Ilitch Holdings. The cameras, like in Birmingham, are not capable of facial recognition. hat doesn't mean that Birmingham or other police agencies have never thought of accessing a facial recognition database. They just turn to outside help for their expertise.“Sometimes if you have a serious crime or good picture off of surveillance (at a business), we'll request assistance from Michigan State Police – they're the ones who have the expertise. Michigan State Police is on the cusp of all of that – although it's not like CSI on TV,” Clemence said.

Dunlap said of the plethora of surveillance cameras in Detroit, “Any type of camera that can capture an image can be useful – the question is privacy. Every citizen is not someone we need to acquire intelligence on. Airports are very useful places to do that. After 9/11, I thought that was advisable. It's an imply/comply consent – that way airlines have a record of who is on that plane. You're giving implied consent when you get on that plane. But it's a different story when you walk down the street, going from point A to point B. You might not have a choice of where you're going, and you don't have a choice of having your image captured.”

At last count, there were 24 surveillance cameras around downtown Birmingham, primarily to provide assistance to police for safety issues, to provide a feed to dispatch at the police station in order to send officers if a crime was seen on camera, or a citizen was seen in trouble. In contrast, Clemence said, in London, England, “every license plate coming in and out (of central London) is identified and tracked. As technology is improved, it's the wave of the future.”

London uses automatic number-plate recognition, a technology that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates to create vehicle location data. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, 200 U.S. cities use the technology, with a current database of 2.5 billion license plates scanned – 95 percent of which were not under suspicion of any wrongdoing. Similarly, facial recognition databases do not determine if someone is suspected of doing anything wrong – they just hold images.

Some databases include mug shots of criminals or suspects – and others are of Michigan drivers' licenses.

“I do hope it gets to that, with the amount of surveillance

T

Ming Dong, professor and co-director of the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering at Wayne State University, is also working with Ford Motor Co. on facial recognition to help determine the gender, age and other characteristics of drivers and passengers in cars for autonomous vehicles, as well as the use of cameramounts in cars, “capturing the facial image of a person, because it can provide greater safety precautions.”

cameras and the number of pictures out there from cell phones, home and store cameras, it could really help the number of retail frauds done by retail fraud groups,” Clemence said. “We have tons of photos now. But the problem is, we have absolutely no idea who these people are.

There are tons of retail, fraud, identity theft, tons of credit card fraud at gas stations – but we don't have the technology to identify them – and the bad guys know it. They are organized and they move around from town to town. If we get to the point where we can use facial recognition successfully, it'll be a different game. When technology gets to that point, it will be great because we'll be able to catch way more bad guys.”

Angie Yankowski, section manager, digital analysis and identification section (DAIS), Biometrics and Identification Division, Michigan State Police, said that facial recognition is available for the state police to support all criminal investigations for which there is a law enforcement purpose.

“Facial recognition is used successfully to identify subjects without identification on a traffic stop and can assist detectives in developing a suspect in a criminal investigation when surveillance video or other suspect images are available,” Yankowski said. “Additionally, we have a project in which we are using facial recognition technology to detect potential fraud within our copy of the Michigan Department of State's driver's license database.”

The Michigan Secretary of State's office stores all of the information each of us has on our driver's license or state identification card, as well as the information that is given when a person applies for a license or ID card, said Fred Woodhams, former communications director for the Michigan Department of State. “As required by state law, the department allows law enforcement agencies access to the images.” Beyond that, Woodhams, who left his position with the incoming administration changeover, “I can't speak to what happens with the photos.”

In other words, they provide the database, but offer no interpretive expertise.

The Pew Research Center countered that, noting that “fraudsters or drivers with serious violations try to beat the system by getting multiple licenses using different names.

The implications of the deceit are far-ranging: People use driver's licenses and state IDs to do everything from cashing checks to opening bank accounts to boarding domestic flights. States increasingly are foiling the crooks and scam artists by employing a high-tech tool – facial recognition software. The software uses algorithms of facial characteristics to compare driver's license or other ID photos with other DMV images on file.”

The Pew Center said that at least 39 states currently use facial recognition technology in some format or another, with excellent results.

“You have an opportunity, using this technology, to find people who are trying to skirt the system. It has really helped to identify fraudsters,” said Geoff Slagle, director of identity management for the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

The technology in the database works by taking a photo of anyone who has a photo for a driver's license or state ID – and the image is converted into a template created out of the individual's unique physical features, such as their cheekbones or the distance between their pupils. An algorithm compares the image with others in the database in a search for a match.

Sometimes, someone has gotten married or divorced and changed their name. But often, Slagle's agency said, it's “a deliberate attempt to violate the law,” whether because someone lost their license due to DUIs, and wants to obtain

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another one, or they want to get credit, buy a car or get a mortgage using a false identity.

Kevin Bowyer, Schubmehl-Prein Family Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, whose specialty is computer recognition, as well as facial recognition and iris recognition, said a project in the news “was comparing driver's license photos from different states, where subjects would obtain multiple licenses to avoid tickets. It may be a truck driver who gets a license from several states, for example. There are a lot of reasons you would want to get licenses, from underage students to people who have lost their legal license. It would not necessarily be a security issue, but could be a safety or legal issue.”

“Still others are wanted felons or criminals, such as sex offenders, who are trying to hide their identity by using an alias,” said Jenni Bergal of the Pew Center. “Facial recognition has led to numerous arrests and administrative actions against drivers.”

“Facial recognition technology is helping to protect people not just from identity theft and fraud, but as drivers and neighbors,” said Betty Johnson, an administrator in Nebraska's Department of Motor Vehicles, which has used facial recognition technology since 2009. Since then, about 3,000 people have been prevented from getting a license and over 300 have been arrested for crimes they were sought for, and were identified via the technology.

Yankowski is careful to point out that, “per Michigan State Police policy, facial recognition is not considered to be a form of positive identification. It is considered to be an investigative lead only, requiring the investigator to continue the criminal investigation before making any final conclusion.”

She said that facial recognition search algorithms have advanced greatly over the last five years, “improving our ability to provide investigative leads in support of criminal investigations.” Since 2013, the Michigan State Police's Statewide Network of Agency Photos (SNAP) Unit's trained digital image examiners have processed over 9,500 facial recognition requests and provided over 2,800 investigative leads in support of criminal investigations. Their program adheres to an acceptable use policy addressing both auditing and penalties for misuse, Yankowski said. “My team of trained digital image examiners conduct random and targeted audits to ensure compliance with the policy.”

However, there are other factors that can impact the outcome of a facial recognition search, which can include image collection, such as compression of the image and camera position; image capture, in terms of perspective, aspect ratio and lighting; the subject's pose and facial expression, and obstructions that can include eyewear, hairstyle changes or color changes, clothing, and other intangibles. Yankowski said the state police department does not have real time video/facial recognition capabilities, and does not use it for mass surveillance situations.

A nationwide concern for facial recognition has been a bias against African American and Hispanic faces, where there have been instances of facial recognition misidentifying them as animals, an issue MSU's Jain said has been caused by those inputting the information into the computers.

It became so bad, in July 2018, the ACLU did a test of Amazon's facial surveillance technology software, called “Rekognition,” the software incorrectly matched 28 members of Congress, identifying them as other people who had been arrested for crimes.

“The members of Congress who were falsely matched with the mugshot database we used in the test include Republicans and Democrats, men and women, and legislators of all ages, from all across the country,” said Jacob

According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, 200 U.S. cities use number-plate recognition technology, with a current database of 2.5 billion license plates scanned – 95 percent of which were not under suspicion of any wrongdoing.

Similarly, facial recognition databases do not determine if someone is suspected of doing anything wrong – they just hold images. Some databases include mug shots of criminals or suspects – and others are of Michigan drivers' licenses.

Snow, technology and civil liberties attorney, ACLU of Northern California.

However, he said, the false matches were disproportionately people of color – including six members of the Congressional Black Caucus, among them noted civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis (D-Georgia).

“Our results validate this concern: nearly 40 percent of Rekognition's false matches in our test were people of color – even though they make up only 20 percent of Congress,” Snow said. “If law enforcement is using Amazon Rekognition, it's not hard to imagine a police officer getting a 'match' indicating a person has a previous concealed weapons arrest, biasing the officer before an encounter even begins. Or an individual getting a knock on the door from law enforcement, and being questioned or having their house searched, based on false identification. An identification – whether accurate or not – could cost people their freedom or their lives.”

Oakland County Deputy Prosecutor Paul Walton said they have not yet used facial recognition in a prosecution due to “its inherent reliability. We still need someone to come in and say it's reliable,” to be used at trial.”

In order to reach that point, he said, they would need to have a Daubert standard to establish if the science is reliable.

In U.S. federal law, the Daubert standard is a rule of evidence regarding the admissibility of expert witnesses' testimony, based on a Supreme Court hearing, Walton explained. It was done to initially determine if DNA tests were accurate and reliable. alton said, to date there are no federal or state cases in Michigan that have used facial recognition for identification purposes. “A police officer cannot testify that person is the same person on the videotape unless he has an added element of familiarity – for example, he knows him from someplace else as well.

“We encounter a lot of camera surveillance, but not a lot of uniformity. The quality is not good enough to give facial recognition, especially from smaller businesses, mom and pops – there's a myriad of factors,” Walton said. “When there is a reliance on Homeland (Security), they're very clear. But otherwise, we deal with the quality of storage, the quality of digital retrieval ability, obstructions in the photo, sides of faces, distance. It's even not uncommon where propriety of the software is an issue – where we get a video and have to download software from a camera, and then to play it, we lose quality and the image that allows us to recognize a face.

“My gut feeling is that when you have a very controlled environment, it's reliable, but probably not in an uncontrolled environment. I think we're at the ground level, and someone has to come in at a commercial level to improve quality levels,” he said, acknowledging that tech companies are working on it. “I think we're at Beta versus VHS. Which one are you going to go with?”

Snow pointed out that Amazon – like many other technology companies – is actively marketing its facial recognition technology to law enforcement. The ACLU is urging Congress to enact a moratorium on law enforcement's use of facial recognition – but there has been no action on that. Nor is there any legislation in Michigan, or in any other state. State Senator Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township) twice introduced legislation as a state representative to prohibit providing digital photographs in a federal database that uses facial recognition technology, but both in 2017 and 2018, the bills died in committee.

Jane Bambauer, a law professor at the University of Arizona, said the Constitution doesn't provide much protection against facial recognition. Surveillance technology

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like wiretaps, she said, are covered by the Fourth Amendment protections against search and seizure. Most police interest in facial recognition is in applying it to imagery gathered lawfully in public or to mugshots, she pointed out.

“When you build the systems, you have to train a facial recognition algorithm that these are faces, and these are not faces,” Jain said. “If, in training, there are only white faces and not black faces, it will only recognize white faces. Also, sometimes the algorithms have difficulty distinguishing men from women. Women can be difficult sometimes to identify because they change their makeup, hairstyles, color. It is all what trainers train, and that is increasingly improving on the part of trainers – becoming more balanced.”

Another factor, Jain noted, is “changes in the face as it ages, including medical conditions, lifestyles, medicines you take – it can all change a face over time. If I took a photo 20 years ago, and someone takes a photo of me today, the accuracy may not be as good of facial recognition. Not so much for people who see us all the time, but for the job of a machine to pick out one from all the millions in a database.”

“Facial recognition is an effective way of authentication, although it's not bulletproof, as for instance, the user's biometrics can change over time. This is why it's important to use it with other identifiers like behavior biometrics so that law enforcement can create a more accurate profile of the user,” said Don Duncan, security engineer, NuData Security, which works for MasterCard. “With multiple layers of authentication, many data points can be evaluated in real time to reduce the chances of misidentification. Additionally, if one identifier is spoofed or inaccurate, then other identifiers can be used to provide a true authentication with fewer chances of false positives.”

“As far as the limitations of the technology, automated facial recognition depends on the mathematically determined similarity between facial images, and is most effective in controlled situations (frontal-facing pose, even lighting, neutral expression), which is rarely the situation encountered with forensic material,” said Yankowski. “The software might not recognize details that humans can perceive (changes in expression, weight or age), leading to images of the same person scoring weakly or having highly similar facial images of different people scoring strongly. For this reason, Michigan State Police stresses the importance of having highly trained – human – examiners reviewing the comparisons of the images and determining the conclusion regarding the comparison.

“Even once an examiner identifies a potential match,” she continued, “that match is not considered a positive identification – it is only an investigative lead, or possible identification, that requires further investigation.” he FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division developed and have incrementally integrated facial recognition biometrics to improve upon and replace the application of tenprint (all ten fingers) and latent fingerprint searches in an effort to harness new technologies, they said.

“This new system, the Next Generation Identification (NGI), provides the criminal justice community with the world's largest and most efficient electronic repository of biometric and criminal history information,” the FBI reported.

“Biometrics has been incredibly useful to the FBI and its partners in the law enforcement and intelligence communities, and the bureau continues to look to new scientific advancements to increase the range and quality of its identification and investigative capabilities.”

The FBI reported that going back all the way to July 1999,

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The ACLU is urging Congress to enact a moratorium on law enforcement's use of facial recognition – but there has been no action on that.

Nor is there any legislation in Michigan, or in any other state. State Senator Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township) twice introduced legislation as a state representative to prohibit providing digital photographs in a federal database that uses facial recognition technology, but both in 2017 and 2018, the bills died in committee.

their CJIS division has operated and maintained the IAFIS, which is the “world's largest person-centric database.”

The Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) is a national fingerprint and criminal history maintained in the United States by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division. It provides automated fingerprint search capabilities, latent searching capabilities, electronic image storage, and electronic exchange of fingerprints and responses. IAFIS houses the fingerprints and criminal histories of 70 million subjects in its criminal master file; 31 million civil prints; and fingerprints from 73,000 known and suspected terrorists processed by the U.S. or international law enforcement agencies.

“Because of growing threats, new identification capabilities were necessary. Advancements in technology allowed further development of biometric identification services,” the FBI reported. Facial recognition fits the bill.

“The NGI system improved the efficacy and accuracy of biometric services to address evolving local, state, tribal, federal, national, and international criminal justice requirements,” they stated.

Included among their biometric services is the facial recognition search, designed primarily to aid state and local law enforcement. “Authorized law enforcement may submit a probe photo for a search against over 30 million criminal mug shot photos and receive a list of ranked candidates as potential investigative leads.”

The ability for local law enforcement to access the FBI NGI system explodes their search results, Jain noted.

“The Michigan State Police have about four million in their database; the (Michigan) Secretary of State has about 30 million in their database. With those hundreds of millions in the FBI database,” the access could be a game changer, Jain said.

But there are issues. Accuracy and reliability are one; invasion of privacy is another.

“The issue is if data is misused in some way,” said MSU's Jain. “But we have facial recognition capabilities with our smartphones.”

“History has shown us that if it's more convenient, or costeffective, people will go along with it. People are willing to give up some of their privacy for convenience,” said Kevin Bowyer of University of Notre Dame. “People do for social media – every photo that is uploaded you can assume that facial recognition is being utilized and then marketed somehow more effectively to you. And it doesn't bother us, and companies keep doing it. Every large corporation and technology company is doing it. Government agencies are struggling to keep up.

“Look at our cell phones. You want your phone to be unlocked by you. Every vendor has played with facial recognition, and Apple got the most play from it, and dropped the partial fingerprint. They understood that facial recognition was more secure than a partial one centimeter fingerprint,” Bowyer continued. “Every smartphone vendor is looking at low security, high ease of use biometric to operate your smartphone. You have to have a high security biometric for banking and for financial transactions, and that's where high end facial recognition or iris may work. Still, facial recognition is the best right now, even though it needs improvements. It's still the most secure and accurate. And the ease of use is good for everyone.”

“Yes, there's an invasion of privacy. The thing is, if you're walking around, they have a right to take your photo. If you're minding your business and not violating any laws, there's no reason (for law enforcement) to look at those photos,” said Jain. “But, if you're doing something suspect, that's what the police are for – and that's not an invasion of privacy.”

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DOWNTOWN

02.19

FACES

Angel Lavery allet Edge Detroit wakes a lot of men up. Literally. “I have gotten a lot of feedback, especially from men who say, ‘Wow, I woke up when I heard the “Game of Thrones” song come on,’” laughed Angel Lavery, Ballet Edge Detroit co-founder.

Needless to say, metro Detroit's newest ballet company isn't the most traditional. Performances are set to scores like the GOT theme, instrumental versions of Michael Jackson, and Bollywood music. No Swan Lake here.

And since their inception in 2017 – when Lavery co-founded BED with Erica Briganti – they’ve taken their dancing all over metro Detroit.

Lavery said they’ve performed everywhere from galas and festivals to the Detroit Auto Show and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Their most recent performance was at Audi Birmingham last December, and featured one of Lavery’s favorite routines. “‘Smooth Criminal’ got a great response,” said Lavery, who choreographed all of the company’s pieces. “I think the audience just loved the black tutus.”

Naturally, those tutus weren’t traditional. Instead of the fluffy pink, these were sharp and looked like saucers.

For now, the company is focused on their upcoming summer performance at the Redford Theater. Lavery thinks that will be their first big step towards solidifying themselves in Detroit. Part of the company’s vision is to bring more performing arts to the Detroit community and be part of its revitalization.

“I don’t think there’s anything like us in this area,” she said.

While there are several contemporary dance companies Lavery – who is originally from the Bay Area and now lives in Bloomfield Hills – noticed there weren’t any ballet companies who danced on pointe to more popular music. So she and Briganti decided to start BED. The duo met while taking a class at Christina's Adult Ballet in Farmington Hills. They started staying after class, where Lavery would demonstrate her new choreography. Then more women started showing up. Currently, the company is at nine, but Lavery would be willing to expand to as many as 12.

“I feel like we’re improving and we’re getting stronger dancers along the way,” Lavery said.

For all of the women who have joined, at their dancing core is ballet training, which Lavery said is vital. They are also a group who learn fast.

Since they all have backgrounds in dance, dancing professionally or in college, performing at interesting venues isn’t new to any of them.

This comes in handy when they arrive at venues that aren’t exactly what they expected.

Take, for example, when they performed at a Lunar New Year last year. Lavery said the stage was far, far tinier and more narrow than anticipated.

“We made it work. We just sort of squeezed,” she laughed. “But it’s always a great experience. You always have to be prepared for whatever you see when you show up.”

As do audiences. This combination of ballet with an edge may seem rather unique, but Lavery is the perfect woman to be leading the charge.

The former Seaholm High School teacher started ballet in high school, years later than most who hope to get to the professional level. She proceeded to dance through college, adding jazz and hiphop to her repertoire.

Her professional experience includes not only being a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader but also performing with the Santa Clara Ballet and the Peninsula Ballet Theater.

“They are totally different genres of dance, and I feel like I’m a combination of everything I came up with,” Lavery said.

The men listening to the GOT theme song during a performance are probably pretty grateful for that.

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Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Laurie Tennent

NEW STATE RULES SOME COMMUNITIES HEAD BLOCK TOUGHER LEVELS

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

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ore than a decade before lead pipes and a botched treatment plant started a drinking water crisis in Flint, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University (known as Virginia Tech) professor Marc Edwards discovered lead levels more than 83 times the accepted safe limit in Washington D.C.'s water system.

Edwards, an expert in plumbing corrosion, was conducting research in 2003 into pipe corrosion for the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority.

He suspected lead was leaching into the system and causing pipes to corrode prematurely. He traced the spike in lead to a change in water chemistry that started when the system switched from chlorine to chloramine in its treatment formula.

Despite Edwards' findings, officials with the D.C. water supply hid the contamination and failed to take action for years – instead threatening to terminate Edwards' contract unless he stopped working with homeowners whose water showed high lead levels.

"Lead service lines are the main source of the risk and the cause of this massive conflict of interest," Edwards said. "Water is the only government-owned lead source that affects a product intended for human consumption. That's the lesson of lead pipes over the past 150 years."

By 2004, it became apparent that lead had become an issue in several major cities in the United States, including Boston, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia,

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Lansing, Seattle, Portland and others. In October of that year, the Washington Post reported cities across the nation were illegally manipulating lead testing results, including discarding high readings or avoiding homes likely to have high readings. So, when Edwards received a call in 2015 from Flint resident Lee Anne Walters about suspected lead in her water, it was simply more of the same problems.

"The only thing with Flint that is different is that the cheaters got caught and people cared," Edwards said. "There was a similar process in (Washington) D.C., and cheating going on all over the country. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has been unable to act, and if I were the governor of a state, I would implement a law because I'm not sure if the EPA will ever act to close these loopholes. It has become a sick joke."

Reacting to the fiasco in Flint, former Governor Rick Snyder did just that, calling the federal Lead and Copper Rule "dumb and dangerous," and pushing for state lead reforms. If Flint's water crisis has a silver lining, it may have come last June when Michigan's Lead and Copper Rule was updated to become what is considered the most protective regulations against lead in drinking water in the country.

"I believe it's a necessary step in the right direction," Edwards said. "It's going to cost a lot of money, and I understand people feel there are other priorities that might be higher, but if you look at the cost of this fiasco to the state of Michigan for the last three years – this hits the problem head-on."

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DOWNTOWN

02.19

The state's new lead and copper rule goes beyond the former state rule and current federal rule by requiring public water suppliers to conduct a materials inventory to locate lead lines in its service areas. It also requires the supplier to replace those lines within 20 years, at an average of five percent replacement per year. Under the federal and former state lead and copper rules, suppliers are only required to replace lines if a home tests higher than the federal threshold of 15 parts per billion (ppb). The state's new rule also lowers the lead action level from 15 ppb to 12 ppb.

The rule provides for additional sampling by water utilities to ensure elevated levels are documented when they occur. It also prohibits actions that would lower test results, such as flushing the system before testing.

"There could have been stronger protections, but the most important was that Michigan was moving to get the lead pipes out of the ground on a specific timeline. That's what we focused on," said Cyndi Roper, senior water advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which was influential in the development of the rule. evels of copper in surface and groundwater are generally low, however, high levels of copper may get into drinking water through the corrosion of copper pipes if water is too acidic, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Excessive copper levels can effect organs, such as the liver and lead to gastrointestinal problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and nausea. People with Wilson's disease may be more susceptible to copper toxicity.

"Copper is nearly insignificant by comparison," Edwards said, comparing the metal's presence to lead. "By the U.S. government's definition, there is no safe level of lead exposure. Period. Some could argue that's a dumb definition, but it is what it is. Copper is an essential micronutrient. You need copper in your daily diet. Once you have that situation, it becomes how much is too much. That's something people care a whole lot less about unless they have a genetic predisposition to copper, like Wilson's disease, and they already know about that. “It's a completely different issue to handle. There are problems with the existing rule, but they are so insignificant to the lead fiasco, one could argue either way whether to separate copper from the rule."

While the rules have been praised for going above and beyond the federal standards, which have been criticized by water quality experts for years, the regulations have come under fire from some local communities and water providers in Michigan. Specifically, those opposing the new state's new rule say it will cost municipalities and public water providers in the state more than $2.5 billion to replace lead service lines over the next 20 years. Further, they say the new rule requires public entities to perform work on private property at the public's expense, possibly creating a conflict with the Michigan Constitution and setting the stage for potentially costly litigation.

The new rule also redefines "service line" as the pipe from the discharge of the corporation fitting to customer site piping or building plumbing at the first shut-off valve inside the building or 18 inches inside the building. In other words, the rule now makes water suppliers responsible for replacing lead service lines and lead components all the way to the customer's house, including the portion on private property.

In August 2018, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), which provides drinking water to much of southeast Michigan, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) and the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner filed a request for declaratory ruling with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DEQ in October denied the request, with the parties in December challenging the new rule when they filed a complaint with the state Court of Claims.

Communities that have signed on to the challenge include Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, as well as Allen Park, Bay City, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Boyne City, Brownstown Township, Canton, Center Line, Claire, Clawson, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Detroit, Douglas, Elk Rapids, Farmington, Ferndale, Gibraltar, Gladstone, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Hamtramck, Hart, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Huron Township, Inkster, Jackson, Jonesville, Kingsley, Lake Orion, Lapeer, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Montague, North Muskegon, Northville, Oak Park, Plymouth, Riverview, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Romulus, Rogers City, Royal Oak, Saginaw, the Southeastern Oakland Water Authority (SOCWA), Sumpter Township, Taylor, Warren, Wayne and Westland.

The plaintiffs say the rule requires water suppliers to perform full lead service line replacements at their own cost. However, the state Constitution prohibits public money – such as those from a public utility – from

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benefiting private property. Still, proponents of the new rule say it ensures access to lead-free water by all customers, not just those that can afford to pay for the work.

"It doesn't have individuals paying for water infrastructure between the curb and home," Roper said. "We have people that literally can't afford that investment. Otherwise, we are creating two levels of water quality in this country: those that can afford it and those that can't.

"It's extremely disappointing that water utilities are focusing on this portion of the infrastructure to spend money on a lawsuit, rather than working with us. I hope they will work on identifying resources and move forward. This isn't a good step along that way. It's really absurd that those who are charged with bringing safe drinking water to our kids are saying we can't afford to do that."

The rule, which was expected to go into effect after January 1, 2019, instead started in the middle of the 2018 construction season, throwing off infrastructure projects that had already been planned and budgeted.

In Rochester, with a population of about 13,000, work was already underway on more than $6 million in projects funded through a low-interest loan from the DEQ. Water mains and street repairs were planned two years prior in an effort to coordinate street and water projects and lower costs.

However, additional work related to lead service lines weren't anticipated, as none of the homes had tested positive for elevated lead levels.

Rochester Public Works Director Shannon Filarecki said meeting the new requirements would have cost the city about $1 million in additional work.

"We were already under construction when the rule changed," she said.

"Last summer, we already had our permits in place when they came in with the new rule and changed it."

In addition to the extra construction costs, Filarecki said contractors performing the work must have a licensed plumber on staff in order to conduct work on private property, a requirement that neither the city nor the contractors had anticipated. Further, water suppliers must receive permission from property owners in order to do work on their property.

Filarecki said line replacements in the city are limited to the west side of the city, where between 2,000 and 2,500 customers receive water from the city. Those on the east side of the city are served by the Great Lakes Water Authority. However, she said, none of the homes actually have lead pipes, rather, they are galvanized steel pipes that include a lead "gooseneck" connection.

"Galvanized pipes aren't lead," she said. "Years ago, they tapped a main to provide water to a house and ran lead or galvanized steel with lead solder. They got rid of the lead, but with galvanized pipes there's a lead gooseneck," she said. "That's the only place where we have lead present, where the property owner made a connection to the main eons ago."

Under the new rule and its definitions, any presence of lead in a service line requires a total replacement of the line, not just to the property line.

The change means partial replacement of service lines where lead is present are no longer permitted.

Filarecki said partial replacements should be permitted when a property owner refuses to do work or grant an easement. nder the new rule, water suppliers must offer to replace the private portion of the lead service line at the supplier's expense. If the owner declines the offer to replace the private portion, no partial replacement is allowed, unless as part of an emergency repair. Suppliers must then provide follow-up testing within 72 hours after a partial replacement.

"We tested water before and after disturbing those lines, and in our tests we showed there was a reduction in lead in the pipe," she said. "From our perspective, a partial replacement is a good thing. A partial replacement eliminates the presence of lead. The DEQ perspective is that there could be some residual lead in the galvanized service line that could be disrupted."

The city worked with the DEQ to apply for an emergency waiver to complete the work it had already started. Of about 58 homes in the project, five were impacted and had lines replaced. However, there are bigger projects planned for this year that could run into problems under the new rule.

About 30 communities around the state had construction projects underway that were disrupted when the new rules went into effect.

The DEQ said while it recognizes there are challenges to the new rule, it is intended to be protective of the public health's, something the federal rule doesn't do.

"The law states clearly that there is now a ban on partial lead service line replacements," said Amy Lachance, assistant director of drinking water

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for the DEQ. "There is pretty rigorous research that shows just doing the public portion and leaving the private line in place can exceed the risk of leaving the whole thing in place for a longer period of time until the whole replacement can be done. However, we do recognize there are challenges associated with it.

"The goal is to get the lead out of the distribution system. We feel that there is treatment that can be done to coat the lines. However, there are too many unknowns associated with that. The more research that gets done, the more we have to realize that the endgame is to get the lead out of the distribution system and do it in a way that is as safe as possible." hildren are the most susceptible to lead exposure. Because their bodies are small and growing, they absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are sensitive to the effects of lead. Babies and young children are at particular risk of exposure because they are more likely to put their hands and other items exposed to lead dust or soil in their mouths. And, while lead paint is the leading source of exposure to lead, drinking water accounts for between five percent and 50 percent of children's total lead exposure, Parents for Nontoxic Alternatives told the Flint Water Interagency Coordinating Committee in 2016.

"Infants dependent on formula may receive more than 85 percent of their lead from drinking water," Dr. Yanna Lambrinidou, president of the organization, told the committee. "As exposures decline to sources of lead other than drinking water, such as gasoline, drinking water will account for a larger proportion of total intake."

Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in behavioral and learning problems, lower IQ and hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and anemia. In rare cases, ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma or death. Lead that's ingested doesn't exit the body. Instead, it is stored in bones, along with calcium. That makes it a particular concern for pregnant women, as lead can be released from the bone to the fetus. Lead exposure to adults can lead to cardiovascular issues, decreased kidney function and reproductive issues.

While health experts say no level of lead is safe, the federal EPA sets its lead action level at 15 parts per billion (ppb) for the 90th percentile of homes tested. That means up to 10 percent of homes tested in a community can have more than 15 ppb before being required to take remedial action, such as removal of lead lines. Michigan's rule is the first to lower the action level to 12 ppb. Further, the rule requires additional testing at homes to ensure tests are accurate.

While the rule addresses both lead and copper levels, the action level for copper has remained the same under the new rule, at 1.3 mg/L or 1300 ppb.

Because copper is a required micronutrient, some low amounts of copper are needed in a daily diet. The action level is based on levels that would pose a risk to consumers.

Those opposing the rule say the Michigan DEQ didn't base the new action level on science, and question the reason for the change.

"The water suppliers noted that the EPA was in the midst of studying lead action levels and their relationship to lead blood levels and the DEQ should wait for the completion of the study to properly assess the best way to lower the action level and to avoid confusion when the EPA concludes its own study and picks a potentially different action level," the plaintiffs wrote it their complaint.

The DEQ said the state's rule considered the EPA's briefing and white paper on the Lead and Copper Rule to develop Michigan's rule.

"That process has been dragged out for several years. We aren't really sure what direction they are going now, but we didn't want to wait," Lachance said. "We wanted to be proactive. These are the most stringent rules in the country, and if anything, I think (the EPA) will be looking to us."

Because the new rule requires suppliers to replace an average of five percent of lead service lines, Lachance said the action level doesn't have as much impact as under the federal rule. However, those that exceed the new level must step up lead service line replacements to an average of seven percent per year.

"Originally, people associated (the lead action level) with a health level, and it's not. It's a regulation," Lachance said. "They think it's health-based, but it's really not. It was more of a compromise that would kick folks into doing things and looking into issues. I assume it was negotiated at the federal level to be high enough to know it was there, but if it's too low it would be a burden on supplies. It's a balance of actions to be taken with costs it takes to do it, and what the community is willing to support.

"That's why we very clearly put in a provision that lead service line

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replacements need to be done at the water supply's expense. We felt if we had it set up the way they did in the past, where they can charge the homeowner for the lead service line replacement, that would create some inequity as to who can afford good water and who can't. We wanted to avoid that and start getting this done for everyone. That's a good thing, and that's creating some stress in these communities."

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash said the rule will have the biggest impact on older communities. "In Pontiac, about 80 percent of the water mains are 80 to 120 years old. They are extremely old and we are already three years into a 20-year program to replace all the pipes in the system."

Nash estimates about 40 percent of Pontiac homes have lead service lines, with the added work costing between $15 million to $20 million.

Considering the added work required under the new state rule, he said customers are looking at a 15 percent increase in rates. However, Nash said he and others who filed suit against the DEQ are concerned replacing lines on private property could lead to expensive litigation.

"The state Constitution says we can't do work on private property with public money, so we are afraid we will get sued for that," he said. "That's what happened in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills about how they pay for these things. Birmingham had to settle (a sewer suit)."

Under the suit filed by Oakland County's Water Resources Commission in the Court of Claims, the plaintiffs claim the DEQ is mandating lead service line replacement without providing funding. The plaintiffs also claim the state grossly miscalculated the cost of replacing the lines. (The DEQ estimated the cost to be about $499 million over 20 years, while the plaintiffs claim the cost is closer to $2.5 billion.)

Nash said suppliers could lower the costs by allowing service line replacements to be done according to a supplier's capital improvement plan, rather than a fixed timeframe.

"They want five percent of all lines replaced for 20 years, but when we are doing a project, we could do a line that completes one percent, and the next year could be 10 or 15 percent, but when we have an absolute of five percent per year, then we have to do things twice, and its much more expensive," Nash said. "Everyone I've talked to, we want to remove lead lines, but we have to do it in a way that won't hit the rate payers as hard as this will."

Lachance, with the DEQ, said the rule allows for flexibility on replacement. Ultimately, she said the five percent mandate is an average, not an exact amount. Further, the rule allows for alternate replacement schedules in an asset management plan approved by the DEQ. "We did that because we did hear the question: 'What if I have a big project down the line. I would rather not do anything for the first two years, then do 15 percent in year three,'" Lachance said. "Some suppliers have a lot of lead service lines, or a multitude compared to the resources they have in place, so if they put an alternate schedule together and it says why, we are going to take a look at those things. As long as people are making an effort to get the lead out of the system, we are going to approve those types of things."

While the challenge continues to play out in court, local communities are beginning to investigate where their lead service lines are located. nder the previous rule, water suppliers were required to complete a distribution system materials evaluation to locate lead service lines. Many suppliers are still using their original distribution system materials evaluation, which are outdated and not required to be updated or submitted to the state. Under the new rules, suppliers must submit a preliminary inventory to the state by January 1, 2020, and a verified inventory by January 1, 2025. The rule also requires inventories be updated every five years, and requires prioritization of lead service line replacements be incorporated into an asset management program.

Bloomfield Township Director of Water and Sewer Tom Trice said the township has about 13 lead service lines. He said those lines are in Bloomfield Village, and that property owners declined in the past to replace the lines.

"Bloomfield Village is the place where we went through. When we replaced the lines we would go to the (property line) stop box, then tell the owner that we would help them finance it and they would pay it back," Trice said. "About 13 decided it wasn't an issue for them. They are OK with having a lead service line.

"Frankly, having a lead service line in this area isn't an issue. Those homes are tested."

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Trice said the city's 13 lines are a minute part of the issue.

"When you get into southeast Oakland County, like Birmingham and Royal Oak, Berkley, Hazel Park and Ferndale, those were communities all developed during the lead era. I worked in Royal Oak for 27 years, and we replaced hundreds of lead service lines in the 1990s."

Trice said the township also will be looking at its own inventory, as well as building permits and other data to complete an updated inventory.

A spokesman for Birmingham said the city is currently going through its lead service line inventory. And, while Birmingham is an older community, he said aggressive redevelopment in the city may have addressed some lead issues already. Still, per house and number of homes will be determined as the inventory progresses.

Bloomfield Hills City Manager David Hendrickson said the city has maintained lines from the water main to customers' property lines since the system was developed in the 1970s, and has recently replaced a large number of water mains and hasn't encountered any lead lines.

While Hendrickson said he's interested to see the outcome of the court case, the city will comply with the law and identify any lead lines.

"We are in the process of researching when houses were built and when the water system was put into place, and trying to identify any lead lines, and when they were put into place," he said. "This law is an unfunded mandate and requires us to go onto private property. In our city, we could disturb tens of thousands of dollars in landscaping. We need to work with our residents."

Locating lead service lines can be a challenge for older communities.

Property records that haven't been updated don't have complete data on plumbing projects on the private side, and public works records don't always reveal the exact materials that went underground.

"Records are a challenge," said Kelly Karll, an engineer with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). "In some cases, they are handwritten letters that communities have to look up. In the majority of cases, the community owns the line from the water main to the stop box, and many times (the line from the stop box to the home) wasn't installed by the water system, and they don't have records."

In terms of replacement, Karll estimates the per-home cost to replace the entire lead service line will be about $5,000, not including the cost to locate the line.

"Some communities estimated, and we have heard anecdotally, about 30-percent increases in water rates in midsize and small communities," Karll said. "They still have to look at other infrastructure needs. This requirement may exceed the local budget for water main improvements.

Are you looking at service lines or water mains? It makes more sense from an engineering standpoint to do the main and the service lines together." ommunities may be able to lower the construction costs if they can utilize hydrovacing or pipe bursting to access underground lines. The process uses water jets to expose pipes, rather than a backhoe. Finding lead service lines can also be assisted by artificial intelligence programs to better predict locations.

Eric Schwartz, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Michigan, and his research partner Jacob Abernethy, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan, designed such a system that was able to predict lead locations in Flint with more than 70 percent accuracy.

The project stemmed from Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, which reached out to the University of Michigan saying they wanted to build an application that could better locate lead pipes in Flint. Schwartz said more than 100,000 records were digitized by a San Francisco company, then fed into his workgroup's model.

"It uses artificial and human intelligence," he said. "We take all the information from the digitized records, and all the public information and other information about the address, such as land value and tax information, geographic and political boundaries, surveys of housing stocks, vacancies based on U.S. Postal data – all that goes into our model. That says we have a few thousand homes with certainty, then we predict the other 30,000 homes."

Schwartz said the same model could be used in other communities, with conversations taking place with officials in Pittsburg, St. Louis, Syracuse, Buffalo and other Rustbelt cities. The next step after analyzing records is to check the model by hydrovacing a percentage of high-probability homes.

"We are looking at the problem where communities are uncertain about which homes have lead, and by using statistics and machine learning, we

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can be a bit certain which homes do have lead," Schwartz said. "In addition, they can make better decisions about which should be inspected and have remediation. That should be helpful in communities that need to allocate resources for contractors to start digging and finding lead."

James Clift, policy director for the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC), said documenting lead service lines isn't necessarily new to the lead and copper rule.

"That's been under the federal law since the 1990s. This isn't a new mandate – this is something that local municipalities have decided not to do," Clift said. "The second part is when inventories are done, and that's 2021 for preliminary and a final inventory by 2025, then talk about it in their asset management plan about how they are going to replace those lines in the next 20 years – so maybe 2045. We believe that's a totally reasonable time frame to get lead out of our drinking water systems."

While Clift said the MEC supports additional funding from the state to help meet the new requirements, he said the responsibility ultimately falls on the water provider.

"That's part of running a water utility: providing safe drinking water," he said. "That's not happening with lead in the system. At the end of the day, we believe this is the responsibility of the public water utility." nother addition to Michigan's lead and copper rule was the creation of a Statewide Drinking Water Advisory Council, which must develop plans for continuing awareness; promoting transparency and data related to lead in drinking water; and advising water supply advisory councils on development of plans for remediation.

Keith McCormack, vice president of Hubbell Roth and Clark, was appointed to the statewide council through the end of 2020.

"Lead didn't reach the public consciousness for so long until Flint. It wasn't something that was an issue that communities put an effort into solve because it didn't seem like a problem," he said. Likewise, he added, Detroit, which will need to spend an estimated $400 million on lead service line replacements over the next 20 years, doesn't have any documented problems with lead in water, according to residential testing.

Despite no documentation of lead problems in homes, several Detroit public schools were temporarily closed in 2018 due to lead from drinking fountains. State and federal rules fail to address or require lead testing at public schools.

"The federal lead and copper rule is very inadequate. It's not protective of public health. It allowed for what happened in Washington D.C. and Flint to occur," said Elin Betanzo, a former drinking water engineer with the Environmental Protection Agency and principal of Royal Oak-based Safe Water Engineering. "Forty-seven percent of lead samples in Newark, New Jersey, exceed the federal rule, but they are saying they are in compliance.

"Michigan took a good step in revising the rule. There are many essentially important parts that it does quite a bit to fix, and a lot of things that weren't working in the federal rule."

Betanzo played a critical behind-the-scenes role in uncovering the Flint Water Crisis in 2015, when she encouraged pediatrician and longtime friend Mona Hanna-Attisha to conduct a study that discovered elevated lead levels of children in Flint. Having worked in the EPA's Office of Ground and Drinking Water headquarters in 2004, when Washington D.C.'s lead crisis came to light, Betanzo was already familiar with how lead pipes can contaminate drinking water, and the lengths at which operators would go to manipulate or skirt the federal drinking water law.

"It turned out that in late 2000, the Washington D.C. treatment plant made a change that increased lead in drinking water from 2001 to 2004, or until it was reported by The Washington Post," she said. "They did a lot of covering up. Then we saw similar things happening in Flint."

The failings in water systems have another cost on the public beyond health, as Virginia Tech's Edwards pointed out, which is a problem of perception.

"Perception has really become reality, especially in lower income, minority communities, that the water isn't safe and can't be trusted," he said. "In a small fraction of cases where it's true, it's horrible. But it's also a tragedy that it is safe and people have lost trust. They are spending money on resources they don't need because they perceive the water isn't safe."

Edwards said Michigan's new rule may help to restore trust.

"If they don't want a better law, just tell people they are on their own," he said. "We can't have this continued hypocrisy that undermines the trust in government, not just in Flint, but around the United States."

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Dayna Davis he string instruments start, a familiar tune begins, and Dayna Davis is taken back to the first solo of her adult career, Etta James’ infamous “At Last.”

That song – which Davis sang at a pageant while at the University of Michigan – would set her on her current path as a professional musician.

“I kind of discovered my level of interest and what I love about performance from having to perform that particular song,” Davis said.

Now Davis can be found all around metro Detroit, performing in venues from the Bloomfield Township Public Library to Aretha’s Jazz Cafe at Music Hall. She also does performances for corporate events and restaurants.

And every other Tuesday each month, she’s singing at Bert’s Marketplace in the Eastern Market district with Detroit Sings, a community organization she’s a co-partner and music instructor for.

With such a wide variety of performance spaces, Davis said that each show’s set list really depends on who she’s singing for.

“It’s typically the best of the best within those genres,” said Davis about her go-to genres, Motown and pop.

She also tries to take a more Nashville approach to her set lists, meaning she wants her songs, and dialogue in between them, to tell a story.

During certain shows she gets to tell her own story though. Davis has been writing music for the last decade, often inspired by her own life.

“Things that you survive or overcome…Those things tend to inspire me, and sometimes it’s the most random things,” Davis said.

Like one of the songs she wrote, produced, and put on iTunes, “I’m Gonna Get It.” The whole premise of the song came during a dinner with her parents, when she was updating them on her life.

“I paused for a moment and went, ‘Wait a minute, that’s a song,’” she laughed.

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When you hear the story of how music went from being a hobby to a much more serious path for Davis, some would argue there’s a song in there, too.

Davis – who is trained in voice, piano, and saxophone – grew up around music thanks to her dad, Michael, a former Motown singer. She said that as soon as she was talking she was probably singing, and spent summers at Blue Lake and Interlochen to hone her skills.

But when she was at U of M – where she was studying Spanish and pre-med with hopes of becoming a surgeon and Spanish translator – is when her singing became much more than a hobby. She was quite involved with the school’s Gospel Chorale and realized she was investing more time to that than her academics.

“I had a rude awakening when I found out that music was feeding me more than what I came to college for,” said the Bloomfield Hills resident.

“It just kind of grabbed ahold of me and took me down another road.”

From there, she took time off from school and worked with a music business consultant. Davis described herself as equally left-brained and right-brained, so that made learning about the business end a perfect fit.

So in 2007, she started her own label, DRD International Records, followed by a publishing company the following year. Next year, she’ll be launching DDDirectives, a business where she will be a coach/consultant/project manager for those looking to develop more within the entertainment industry. Don't worry, she plans to still write and perform.

“Those will always be loves of mine and I’ll always have a need to do it,” assured Davis.

Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Esme McClear

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MUNICIPAL Retirement shortfalls may mean cuts, taxes

AAA credit rating kept despite deficits

By Kevin Elliott

By Kevin Elliott

Bloomfield Township residents will be questioned this month about potential cuts to services as officials look at how best to deal with an annual structural budget shortfall tied to unfunded retirement benefits.

The township announced in December that changes to state accounting laws that have gone into effect require municipalities to fund at least 40 percent of their unfunded liabilities, including other postemployment benefits (OPEB), which includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision and life insurance for retirees and their spouses. The changes mean the township will no longer be able to pay for those expenses as employees retire and accrue actual costs, or pay-as-you-go, a practice used by many municipalities.

In total, about 6.7 percent of about $164 million of OPEB liabilities are funded, according to a 2017 township OPEB report. The new law requires municipalities to fund OPEB liabilities at no less than 40 percent, a shortfall of about $65 million for Bloomfield Township. To address the changes and bring the funded ratio up, the township is considering multiple cuts to public services, some increased fees, as well as potentially issuing bonds to fund OPEB liabilities.

Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said in December that the township board of trustees directed him to have a survey of residents conducted so they could get feedback from residents. He said recently the township had hired Richard Czuba of Glegariff Group to conduct and analyze the survey. Township Clerk Jan Roncelli and trustee Dani Walsh are working with Czuba to manage the resident survey.

Measures to be considered and estimated budget impacts include: eliminating the township's animal welfare division ($170,000 to $200,000); outsourcing police and fire dispatch services ($375,000 to $700,000); reducing police patrols in the township ($1.33 to $1.6 million); ceasing fire services at the township's Fire Station 4 ($800,000 to $900,000); instituting tax administration fees ($1.5 million); contracting out property assessing services ($140,000 to $400,000); cutting general fund support for the township's road division ($1.4 million); eliminating township programs, such as gypsy downtownpublications.com

oody's Investors Service recently maintained Bloomfield Township's credit rating when it gave the municipality a "AAA negative" credit rating based on $164 million in unfunded liabilities being carried by the township.

The negative connotation refers to the township's financial outlook, specifically unfunded liabilities that have created a structural deficit that elected officials are working to address. Still, the investment rating service maintained the city's coveted AAA rating, which is near the top of the rating system.

"Bloomfield Township's strong credit features include a wealthy residential tax base and very strong operating fund balance and liquidity," Moody's wrote in issuing the rating, citing the township's "strong tax base," and the "capacity to increase revenue in an effort to address high and rising fixed costs."

The "negative" rating sounds a cautionary note over the township's bonded debt and unfunded post-employment liabilities (OPEB), such as health care coverage for retirees. However, Moody's noted the township has "shown the willingness to tap into its base, with voter approval, to raise revenue and maintain its healthy financial balances."

Bloomfield Township Treasurer Brian Kepes said the township is working to address their liabilities.

"We are extremely pleased with Moody's reaffirmation of Bloomfield Township's credit rating," Kepes said. "However, Moody's has also reaffirmed its negative outlook, based on the OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) and defined benefit liabilities."

The township recently contracted with Plante Moran to create a longterm funding plan to address pension and retiree healthcare liabilities.

Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said he believes that plan helped the township to maintain its AAA rating.

"I was surprised they kept the triple-A rating with the OPEB and defined benefit issue hanging over us," he said. "I don't think they would have had we not had this plan in place. ... There are no other AAA communities out there with that kind of obligation."

Savoie said overall, the township remains extremely solid financially and is working to address concerns raised by Moody's.

Bloomfield Township has routinely received AAA credit ratings from Moody's and Standard and Poor's Rating Services for the past several years.

M

moth control and hazardous waste disposal ($300,000 to $340,000); and other reductions in services and/or increased fees for services ($400,000 to $500,000).

The township also is considering issuing bonds to bring funded liabilities related to OPEB to 40 percent. The township in 2013 rejected seeking a bond issue for OPEB, instead opting to issue $80,780,000 in pension obligation bonds to address unfunded pension liabilities related to the township's previous defined benefit pension plan. That plan was closed to new employees hired after May 1, 2011, instead offering new hires a defined contribution plan.

"Without this option, the township would have seen its annual required contribution double," township auditors said in the latest budget

audit. "The significant increases to pension costs experienced in the past years were mostly the result of extremely low interest rates of fixed investment vehicles coupled with actuarial assumption changes reflecting in longer life expectancies of participants. With the sale of the bonds, the township stabilized a significant budget item that had historically fluctuated year-to-year.

The bonds were to be paid off over 20 years, and there are 15 years remaining."

A 2013 funding study rejected bonding for OPEB liabilities.

"With the health care delivery system currently in a state of flux with the new federal regulations, the township feels it would be best at this time to be patient and wait for more certainty as to what its future required obligations might be," the

DOWNTOWN

paper concluded. "There is a much better chance that this liability could reduce in the future than the possibility of reducing the defined pension plan liability. Therefore, at this time, the township isn't seeking a bond issue related to its other postemployment benefits liability."

However, in light of new accounting rules, the township is considering bonding between $65 and $160 million in bonds to fund 40 percent or more of OPEB liabilities.

The township estimates homeowners would pay between $3,858 and $9,497 over the course of the bond.

However, that amount does not include interest expense on the debt.

Meanwhile, bonds issued in 2013 intended to fully fund liabilities related to defined benefit pension plans have failed to provide a full return on investment, leaving pensions funded at about 93.2 percent, according to a 2017 pension report.

Savoie said in December that pensions are funded at about 95 to 98 percent, with an additional $3.8 million needed to get the fund to 100 percent actuarial funded. He said shortfalls in investments are mainly related to its fixed equity account managed by Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company.

"The fixed account hasn't generated returns since 2008," Savoie said. "It's an archaic plan and we are trying to get out of it."

Savoie said the township board will likely hold a special meeting in February, following a survey of township residents, to discuss options. The township's fiscal year ends on March 31, 2018.

Birmingham looking to keep valet service

By Lisa Brody

The valet service begun by the city of Birmingham during the Old Woodward construction period has proved to be such a success, the city wants to continue it, and has issued a request for proposal (RFP) in order to get the best price for the service.

During the months of construction on Old Woodward and parts of Maple, the city offered four valet stands throughout the city to encourage people to come into the city and shop, dine and do business. After the five-month construction period, the city's ad hoc parking committee decided to continue the on-street valet program for a six-month trial period, condensing the four stands down to the two most used areas, on 59

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The Birmingham Planning Board approved a community impact study for a new proposed five-story mixed use building with hotel, retail and residential uses that would potentially include the iconic Hunter House restaurant, on three parcels at Woodward and Maple, including the Hunter House site, at their meeting on Wednesday, January 9, but postponed a preliminary site plan review, noting there were too many problems with the plan, including traffic and parking issues.

Let the

14 Mile Rd.

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Hunter House site project has issues

The proposed building, to be located at 35001 and 35075 Woodward Avenue, is to be called The Maple. It would have first floor retail and commercial uses, relocate a Hunter House restaurant, have banquet facilities, three floors of hotel rooms, and residential units on the fifth floor. Proposed are two levels of underground parking with 71 spots, as well as a ground level parking area for 14 spaces, with one handicap spot.

Planning board chair Scott Clein began the discussion by noting that the community impact study and the preliminary site plan were separate but interrelated issues. The community impact study, he said, “is an opportunity for the developer to provide answers on how it would impact the community.”

Regarding questions of ownership and questions of multiple ownerships and possible disputes of ownership, planning director Jana Ecker said there are three parcels for the site, and three owners. One parcel, where Hunter House is located, is owned by the city. The other two sites, with a parking lot and gravel lot, she said, are owned by Select Hospitality, LLC, whose main agent is Dr. Hesham Gayar of Grand Blanc. She told board members it was not their concern to determine or worry about ownership issues.

“He is the owner and the applicant of both parcels,” Ecker said.

“Whenever someone is seeking to use city property, they must enter into a lease agreement.” She said Gayar is seeking to lease the parking area and then build above it, and go into the right of way. “The city commission would have to enter into a lease agreement with the applicant.”

Board members had great concerns about parking and traffic issues, especially in regards to potential valet backups on Maple and Woodward when events were held.

“Is the traffic consultant sure the valet plan would work?” asked Bert Koseck.

“That was our concern as well,” responded Julie Kroll of Fleis & Vandenbrink, Birmingham's traffic consultant. “If there was a banquet in the middle of the day, both the Peabody and Park structures are full, and there's nowhere to place the cars.

If there is an event in the evening, there is plenty of room in those garages to park vehicles. Right now, there are only three, four spaces to queue up vehicles (on Park Street).”

“We are working on operational statements, additional valets and other ways we can look at that. We'll

Adams

S. Old Woodward, in front of Vinotecca restaurant, and on Hamilton, by Greek Island restaurant.

During the construction period, the first two hours of valet were free, and consecutive hours were $5 an hour. During the six-month trial period, valet cost $5 for the first two hours, with consecutive hours at $5 each. The only exception was for five weeks during the holidays, when the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) offered the first two hours for free.

“We have seen demand at about 700 cars or so a month,” said assistant city manager Tiffany Gunter. “Right now, it is increasing, especially as temperatures are dropping. There is also increasing awareness of the valets.”

BSD Executive Director Ingrid Tighe said the valets have been very well-received. “The holiday valet went really well for us, both in front of Vinotecca and on Hamilton,” she said. “We averaged more than 500 cars a week for that five-week period.

Moving the two stands to where they are now, we saw greater usage, so that's really great. We saw a significant increase after we moved it to those locations.”

Since the valet program began last spring, Birmingham has utilized the services of In-House Valet, and has been satisfied.

“We had selected them because we had used them during construction. They have done a great job,” Gunter said. “We now want to do it by competitive bid.”

She said the city is looking for the best value for the service.

The RFP is due back to the city on Monday, January 21, and the ad hoc parking committee will meet on Wednesday, February 6. Gunter said it will likely come before the city commission sometime in late February or early March.

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MUNICIPAL have that prior to site plan approvals,” said Kevin Biddison, architect for the project. “We don't want it in the intersection either, and we'll work to make it right, also.”

Planning board's Robin Boyle noted the building design had a small space for banquet facility. “How many people can you put in for a bar mitzvah, wedding, meetings you're going to steal from the Townsend?” he asked.

“Fifty to 60 people at most. It's not a huge space,” responded Biddison.

However, the preliminary site plan stated it would accommodate 150 to 200 guests, which would change the amount of vehicles queuing up to the building for an event, and the number of spaces needed to park.

Bryan Williams noted the traffic backups on Maple, forcing backups onto Woodward, are already significant.

“I don't agree with your analysis,” he said. “The lights aren't coordinated.

It backs up. It's not pleasant being stranded on Woodward Avenue.”

Kelly Cobb, the son of one of the owners of Hunter House, spoke during public comment, and noted that Hunter House is in its 67th year of operation at the site, “and we're the oldest restaurant in Birmingham.”

He said they have many concerns with the project that they are trying to work out with Gayar. “It was submitted without our approval, without our knowledge,” he said.

He said they have air rights to the property “which gives us complete approval on use.”

Ecker said they did not have sole discretion. Cobb said they were working with attorneys.

Cobb said, “We have two issues which are your purviews – parking and traffic. We have concerns over the assumptions we would need at least 15 more parking spots in the deck.

Another is the Peabody development, which relied on this same study, and showed a parking deficiency. Between the two projects, there's a deficiency of 87 spots.

“It raises concerns for us because we already have parking concerns,” Cobb continued, as well as traffic concerns, noting that 40 percent of their business are phone-in orders, with people circling and looking for a spot to open up to pick up their food.

“Also, we want to bring up the historic eligibility. We believe we are.”

“We have never received any application for historic designation by this or any previous ownership,” Ecker retorted.

Board members approved the community impact study by a vote of 6-1, with Williams voting against, but downtownpublications.com

unanimously voted to postpone a vote on the preliminary site plan until their February 27 meeting.

“I'm not approving anything that doesn't have recommendations on traffic and parking,” Clein said. “Many of the items that came up tonight make me completely uncomfortable proceeding with a preliminary site plan.”

Williams noted that many of the issues are problems of the parking assessment district. “It is a problem that needs to be addressed by the city, and anyone applying for development,” he noted.

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Greenwood Cemetery pay plans discussed Birmingham city commissioners continued to voice support for Birmingham's Greenwood Cemetery offering payment plans on the purchase of cemetery plots at their meeting on Monday, January 14, a continuation of a previous discussion, and directed staff and the city to have a discussion with the vendor about escrowing funds and how they can monitor the contract.

City clerk J. Cherilynn Mynsberge said that the city had recommended to phase out payment plans on plots. The city itself does not offer payment plans, but it is an option offered through a second party contractor. Payment plans for the purchase of cemetery plots are currently being utilized by 15 customers for the purchase of fewer than 30 plots in the cemetery, located off Oak Street in Birmingham.

Commissioners expressed concern about city funds being held by a second-party contractor, but Mynsberge said it was done for bookkeeping expediency.

“If we changed, our bookkeeping would be difficult, and we'd have to start all over. We recommend for remittance to stay as it is and monitor it,” she said.

“We typically do not have contractors hold onto city money for years,” commissioner Stuart Sherman said.

“Just for the amount of money, for the convenience factor, the bookkeeping – as an administrative process, it's more work,” said city manager Joe Valentine.

“If sales increase, it could change.”

Sherman indicated he'd like to speak with the city's finance department for clarification.

Commissioners postponed a final decision, directing staff and the city to discuss how to escrow the payment plan funds and to monitor payment plan contracts, and if it is needed, they could have further discussions.

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Cable committee will look at program rules

Township addresses short-term rentals

By Kevin Elliott

By Kevin Elliott

Birmingham resident Paul Taros will have to wait a while to learn whether the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees will put his political show, "Tough Talk With Taros" back on the air after it was pulled from Bloomfield Community Television (BCTV) in October due to potentially libelous material, it was determined at the board meeting on Monday, January 14, where trustees debated the ethics of shows which can offend portions of the community, or even slander or libel individuals.

Taros, an accountant by trade, has produced the show on the township's public access station for about two years. During that time, Taros has acquired a reputation for hosting some controversial guests, such as former Republican National Committee member Dave Agema, who was ousted by the party for homophobic and Islamaphobic posts he shared on Facebook. Taros' show was cancelled in October, after one of his guests made potentially slanderous statements about an elected official in Inkster. It was Taros' second offense by a guest on his show.

Bloomfield Community Television General Manager Greg Kowalski said the episode was pulled from the television schedule after a studio director notified him of a potential problem with the show. The episode in question never aired, with termination of the show following the decision.

"I looked at it and said, 'this can't go on the air,'" Kowalski said. "I know libel when I see it ... I referred it to the township attorney, and he agreed.

At that point, we determined we would cancel the program."

In November, BCTV's Program Development Committee, which is responsible for approving and reviewing programs, held a public hearing at Taros' request to consider returning the show to the air, ultimately declining to take any action.

Attempting to appeal the decision to a higher authority, Taros appeared on Monday, January 14, before the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees in hopes of resuming the show.

"I'm not a professional journalist or television host – I'm a CPA," Taros said. "I've been off the air for three months. I think that's punishment downtownpublications.com

irbnb and short-term rental agreements less than 30 days where the property owner isn't on premises are expressly prohibited under an ordinance finalized on Monday, January 14, by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees.

Airbnb is a privately held global company that operates an online marketplace and hospitality service which is accessible via its websites and mobile apps, where people often stay in members' homes rather than hotels.

Bloomfield Township Planning, Building and Ordinance Director Patti Voelker said the township hadn't had any provisions related to short-term rentals that have been popularized by Airbnb and other businesses connecting property owners with people looking for vacation rentals or short-term stays. She said the township in May and June 2018 heard concerns and complaints from a homeowners association about such rentals.

"That lead us to looking at the language or a more formalized way of looking at the ordinance," she said. "They have been in effect for over 10 years, but they have become more popular recently, and we have been hearing some of the concerns that residents were having."

Trustees in December 2018, approved the first reading and introduction of an ordinance to distinguish between rental and shortterm rental of dwellings. The ordinance passed unanimously on January 14, following a brief discussion in which Voelker confirmed to trustee Michael Schostak that the township does not require or maintain registrations for long-term rental homes.

She also answered a question about how the ordinance, which does not include a fee schedule, would be enforced. “When there is a complaint, we act on the complaint,” Voelker said.

Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said the ordinance sets a balance to allow what people would like to do with their property and what is good for the neighborhood.

Under the new ordinance, rentals less than 30 days are considered a commercial use and only permitted if the property owner is on the premises during course of the rental. Short-term rentals without an owner present are prohibited. Group homes and adult foster care facilities, which are regulated by the state, are excluded from the ordinance.

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enough. I also want to point out that that show never aired, so there's no lawsuit. If reinstated, I promise to be more responsive to potentially slanderous remarks."

Taros said he would also be open to additional training or consulting to ensure his shows better adhere to the station's policies. Still, Taros and most of the roughly 10 supporters who spoke during public comments, claimed the matter to be a free speech issue.

Township clerk Jan Roncelli noted that the October incident is the second time the station had to pull a show before it was aired, suggesting that Taros' ability to produce the show in a responsible manner is outside of his realm of expertise.

Trustee Neal Barnett agreed.

"I don't think this is a teachable thing. I think that's something you know. When someone is saying

reprehensible things and you just sit there," Barnett said. "My concern is when you have people on that have racist comments and your silence is deafening. That appears to make you look bigoted, and it makes our community look bigoted. When we come across as a bigoted community – not because of anything you said but because you didn't say anything – that's something where I can't give you another chance."

Trustees David Buckley and Dani Walsh indicated they would be open to giving Taros another chance to produce the show. Buckley noted he was unaware of the programming of BCTV, and had not seen any shows.

However, the board decided to take no action at the meeting, instead tabling the issue until a later date.

Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie proposed working with Kowalski and the Birmingham Area

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Cable Board, which the station provides programming for, to form an oversight committee to address the issue, community ethics and any future conflicts.

Savoie said the formation of a recommending advisory committee speaks to a larger issue in the township. “It relates to how and when decisions are presented to and determined by the township's governing body or another committee,” he said, questioning the advisability of trustees overriding decisions of township committees or boards.

Kowalski on Wednesday, January 16, confirmed an effort is moving forward. The specific makeup of the board and when it would be formed wasn't yet determined. Meanwhile, Taros' show will remain off the air until the committee can make a recommendation.

Places of worship zoning plan okayed The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, January 14, approved a zoning amendment to permit places of worship as a special land use in the township's office building districts.

The expansion of places of worship to office districts was proposed at the request of property owners at 36300 Woodward Avenue in order to allow the Chai Center to locate to the building at the northeast corner of Woodward Avenue and Maywood Road.

The board of trustees in June referred the matter to the township planning commission. An introduction and first draft was approved by trustees on December 10. On January 14, the board expanded the ordinance to include current and future office buildings.

The amendment and change was passed by a vote of 4-3, which will expand where places of worship are permitted in the township to allow office space to be used. Trustees Dani Walsh and David Buckley voted against the amendment, along with Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli. Currently, the majority of the township's 17 places of worship are located in single-family residentially zoned areas that allow them as a special land use subject to meeting certain standards Bloomfield Township Building and Ordinance Director Patti Voelker said the property owners originally petitioned the township to rezone the property from O-1 (Office 71

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First Michigan Equinox club opens quinox, the New York-based high-performance lifestyle leader, opened Equinox Bloomfield Hills, its first location in metro Detroit, on Thursday, December 20, at 4065 W. Maple Road, in the former Erhard BMW dealership, and their 97th location nationally, designed around the notion that fitness can empower a life well-lived and foster a strong community of high performance individuals.

“Equinox was founded on the premise that fitness can power, and empower, a community of high performance individuals, and Bloomfield Hills certainly embodies that ethos,” said Harvey Spevak, executive chairman, managing partner, Equinox. “We look forward to helping maximize lives – and building community – across this dynamic, sophisticated neighborhood by delivering performancedriven experiences, unparalleled programming and personalized service.”

The location is more than another gym – although there are stateof-the-art fitness machines, weights, a barre room, heated yoga room, cycling room, private pilates room for one-on-one pilates sessions and a group fitness room. In addition, there is a three-lane salt water pool, which Judy Taylor, vice president, corporate communications, events and philanthropy, explained is easier to float and swim in and “doesn't have the negative effects of chlorine and other chemicals.” Adjacent to the pool is a sauna and hot and cold plunge pools.

Men and women's locker rooms feature gray ash wood with white Carrera marble accents, and hundreds of lockers. Steam rooms accompany shower facilities along with signature eucalyptusscented towels, and all Kiehl's amenity products, from shampoos, shower gels, shaving products and hair products, Taylor said.

The redesign of the building reflects the community while incorporating signature Equinox features, said Andy Subervi, vice president of Equinox. “Every single club is tailored to its community,” he said.

Judy Turchin, COO of Equinox, echoed that sentiment, noting that no two Equinox clubs are the same, but they all share a common denominator. She also said many people from the area had requested an Equinox after trying it out in New York.

“This was such a natural, synergistic fit – we wanted to be part of the community,” Turchin said. “It's something you strive for. It's a lifestyle and a community. It embodies a holistic lifestyle.

“It's moment for our brand, where people feel themselves and feel their best selves.”

At the heart of the Equinox experience are the brand’s lauded personal training and signature group fitness programming, led in Bloomfield Hills by Jim Jalove, group fitness manager, and Dave Cary, personal training manager. Jalove, a former theater major, joined the company nine years ago at its West Hollywood, California location, after he left theater school, and most recently was in Chicago.

“It's like performing, but I get to wear stretchy clothes,” Jalove said of his love of leading the group fitness program. Since arriving in the Bloomfield area, he has taken 130 group fitness classes, and assembled a staff of 30 to lead yoga, pilates, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), cycling and other group fitness classes. “We're science-based and results-driven.”

According to a release, Equinox proprietary group fitness offerings include a method-driven indoor running program, Precision Running; True Barre, a ballet-based fitness class with conditioning, core work and stretching; and Firestarter, a 30-minute cardio HIIT workout where participants use only their body weight and a step bench for unprecedented results. All classes are bookable online, which Jalove calls an “electronic concierge.”

He said after a period of time, members will determine the classes. “This is your oasis – your haven,” he noted.

In addition to the fitness areas, there is a lounge for work and socializing, a Beyond Juice location that will feature Thrive coffee, a Kids Club for childcare, and a full-service spa to facilitate performance-driven recovery and a shop – The Shop at Equinox – featuring curated athleticwear clothing and accessories.

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Building) to RP (Research Park).

Because the township's master plan recommends office and mixed uses along the portion of Woodward in question, the township opted to consider allowing places of worship in O-1 districts under specific conditions. The district is intended to serve as a transition between commercial districts or major thoroughfares and adjacent singlefamily residential districts.

Township Supervisor Leo Savoie, who voted in favor of the amendment, said he supported it because it only permits places of worship under a special land use approval.

"There are some properties that I feel are inappropriate (for this use) due to the size of the property, due to the ingress and egress ... if the property is large enough to support it, I'm not necessarily opposed. In my mind, the key is the special land use restriction being in place," Savoie said. "I would vote in favor of it, but for the specific property in question, I would not vote for it. It does egress into a residential street, and if they have more than the 10 worshipers they have today, there is no parking there except on other people's property or on the street with the ingress and egress."

Under the approved amendment, places of worship seeking to locate in an office building district must submit floor plans to determine the maximum occupancy for calculating required parking; maintain an ingress/egress right-of-way of at least 86 feet from a major thoroughfare; provide an obscuring wall or landscape to buffer vehicle headlights toward any residential property; and provide additional parking for accessory uses customary to places of worship.

In its review, the planning commission said that customary hours for places of worship don't generally interfere with the typical days or hours of operation for an office building. Further, the allowance of small congregations or boutique churches address underutilized or vacant tenant spaces.

Roncelli, who opposed the zoning expansion, disagreed with the assessment, asserting that places of worship typically have active event calendars.

"You forget that they have activities daily and weekly, on afternoons and nightly," she said.

"You're putting these office owners in a predicament, and I don't think it's right this time."

New township Asian restaurant, approved

By Lisa Brody

Zao Jun, a new pan-Asian restaurant for the former Bagger Dave's spot in Bloomfield Township, received site plan, special land use and liquor license approval at the township's board of trustees meeting on Monday, December 10.

Patti Voelker, township planning, building and ordinance director, informed trustees that Zao Jun was looking to occupy a space within the Bloomfield Plaza Shopping Center on Telegraph at Maple roads, at 6608 Telegraph Road, where Bagger Dave's had been. She said they intend to make internal renovations, but no external changes other than signage and to have additional access from the rear.

“The floor plans will be the same, with 182 seats in the same configuration as Bagger Dave's, with a different décor,” Voelker said. She said there will be an Asian-inspired motif.

She said because they were under consideration for a transfer of a Class C liquor license, they looked at parking and access, and there was adequate parking and circulation in the shopping center.

The township's planning commission had recommended unanimous approval at their November 6 meeting, she said, as long as they turn off their rear signage at the close of business.

Kenny Koza, president of Wabeek Hospitality and owner of Zao Jun, as well as the new Birmingham bistro Adachi, said that Zao Jun was named for the Asian “Kitchen God.” “We have a Nobu alum, Michael Schlow, who is a James Beard chef winner, I'm a hotel developer and restaurateur,” Koza said. “This will be my ninth restaurant and I have 13 hotels. We're very experienced in this business.

“We've been after this 15 and Telegraph area for over a decade,” he said, reciting some of the “just gotaways.” When this site came about, “We jumped at the opportunity. You won't recognized it as Bagger Dave's.

The sushi bar will have the biggest impact, but we're giving everything a fresh face lift.”

Koza said he felt there was a void in the Asian marketplace in the area, “and we feel our business competition with be Mon Jin Lau,” a gourmet Asian/Chinese restaurant at Maple and Stephenson in Troy, but that he wants this restaurant “to be a

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Clerk Jan Roncelli asked him what the status was of opening, and Koza said eight to ten weeks from when they get a permit, and they are close.

“You have great partners, great chefs, it'll be a great addition to the community,” trustee Neal Barnett said.

Trustees voted 6-0 to approve the site plan, special land use and liquor license transfer, with treasurer Brian Kepes not in attendance.

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Birmingham Fire new interim chief Longtime Birmingham Fire Chief John Connaughton retired on December 17, after 38 years with the Birmingham Fire Department, with former assistant fire chief Paul Wells named as interim chief.

Connaughton, a Livonia native, graduated from Bentley High School and attended Madonna University.

He first worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, which he said led to his career in firefighting.

He earned his state paramedic license, and began his career in Birmingham in 1980 as a firefighter/paramedic, where he was trained in firefighting.

"Advance life support changed the face of the fire service," said Connaughton, noting how his time working in the hospital sparked his interest in earning a state paramedic license to compliment his firefighting experience.

Connaughton was promoted to EMS coordinator, and later joined the department's command staff as a lieutenant, eventually becoming assistant chief, which he served from 2009 to 2015. He was the Birmingham Fire Department's Chief from 2015 through 2018, with December 17 his final day.

Among his many accomplishments, he was very proud of the recent rebuild of Birmingham Fire Station No. 2 on Chesterfield at Maple Road, which replaced the original station that was built in 1955, and reopened in 2018.

His motto as a firefighter, paramedic, chief and mentor?

"Always treat a situation like your mother, father, sister and brother is involved and you'll be fine," Connaughton said.

Interim chief Paul Wells began his latest assignment on Saturday, December 29. He is a former captain in the department.

Paul Wells is an outstanding fire officer,” Connaughton said in 2017.

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“He’s one of the hardest-working employees we have in this department.”

Compromise design approved for Lot 6 A final design for Parking Lot 6 in Birmingham on N. Old Woodward was adapted and compromised by city commissioners before being unanimously approved at their meeting on Mondya, December 10.

Assistant city manager Tiffany Gunter informed commissioners at the meeting that there were two concept plans, and she and her committee were recommending plan one because “we recognized the goal was to increase the parking and to make sure to maximize the Farmers Market.”

She did point out that the plan did not follow the city's landscape requirements, “but plan two doesn't get as many parking spaces.”

Gunter said there are currently 142 parking spaces in Lot 6, and the plan would add 32 more.

Commissioner Mark Nickita asked if there had been a hybrid plan, and she said there had been some discussions, but that they always returned to maximizing parking.

“You know, it's perplexing that we have all these landscaping guidelines for private developers, but we don't adhere to them,” Nickita said. “I know we want to maximize parking, but it's always about balance. Maybe we can lose a little bit of parking and gain some of those goals.”

“I agree. We want to set an example for private developers,” commissioner Stuart Sherman said.

“Both plans give us more parking. We have to balance the needs of that area with the needs of the whole city.”

Commissioners voted 7-0 to authorize staff to proceed with the plan, with an amendment to include a landscape island on the southern end of the lot.

New superintendent for district approved After a detailed search, Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education has unanimously chosen Mark Dziatczak as its new superintendent.

The board of education recommended Dziatczak to serve as the district's next superintendent at a meeting to deliberate its decision on Thursday, December 13, following a 02.19

final round of interviews, presentations and meet-and-greets for Dziatcak and Dr. Christopher Delgado, deputy superintendent with the Walled Lake School District, the top two finalists. An official decision was made on Tuesday, December 18, at their board meeting.

Dziatszak currently serves the Troy School District as the deputy superintendent for teaching and l;earning. Prior to his current role as deputy superintendent, he held positions with Troy as assistant superintendent for secondary instruction and rincipal for Troy High School. He will replace former Birmingham Public Schools' Superintendent Dr. Daniel Nerad, who retired June 30, 2018, after six years with the district.

Dziatczak joined the Birmingham School district the week of January 21, Anne Cron, interim spokesperson, said.

All of the trustees felt Dziatczak embodied “collaborative, connected and caring” characteristics. board vice president Lori Ajlouny said, “What a man filled with passion.”

Trustee Adrienne Young felt the “overwhelming theme with him was collaboration. He really nailed it with having people be heard, but he also is willing to make tough decisions.”

Trustee Steve Scheidt noted both candidates were excellent, but “it's more about fit at this moment in time.”

Dziatczak began his career in Troy in 1997 as a science and technology teacher at Troy Athens High School.

Dziatczak holds an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Oakland University and a master’s in K-12 educational administration from Michigan State University. Currently, Dziatczak is enrolled in the doctoral program in educational leadership at Oakland University.

“With student success as the focus of its work, I believe that a high performing, exemplary school district starts with a harmonious and productive relationship between the board of education and superintendent where roles and responsibilities are understood and valued,” Dziatczak said in his application. “Mutual expectations are created, followed and leveraged to conduct the policy and procedure work of the district, which forms the structure within which staff can act and students can flourish. Upon this solid foundation, the superintendent works collaboratively with students, parents, staff and community downtownpublications.com

members to refine the mission, vision, values and goals of the district which are designed to empower students to positively impact their world during their transition from young learners to adult citizens.”

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Revived development thriving in Bloomfield The Village at Bloomfield, located along Telegraph Road north of Square Lake Road, is seeing solid progress in its redevelopment efforts, with a number of businesses under construction, the new Aldi open, and several new businesses – including a Planet Fitness – recently signed to open sometime this year, a representative from REDICO, the company which purchased the site, informed Bloomfield Township trustees at their meeting on Monday, January 14.

Tim McCafferty, vice president of construction at REDICO, provided a building update to trustees, letting them know that Aldi, a low-frill discount grocer is now open, and “they have been doing very good business,” he said.

A multi-tenant strip center located in front of Aldi's is scheduled to be completed sometime between May and July, he said, and they are currently working on securing tenants. Currently, Bliss Nails, located at Long Lake at Telegraph, will be opening a second location, along with Sports Clips. McCafferty said they are looking to put in several restaurants and a Comcast customer service center.

A Hampton Inn Suites, to be located behind Henry Ford Medical Center, under construction, has its foundations going in, and is scheduled to open in January 2020.

In the rear of the development, a Menards “is doing well,” McCafferty said. He said they should be done with their construction in March, and open in June.

Across from Menards, they have a purchase agreement with Planet Fitness for a 35,000 square foot twostory fitness center. “We have been trying to get them in this complex for quite some time. We're really excited about them. They hope to be under construction by June and open by the end of the year.”

They are still looking for a senior living facility for the area, and apartments, for 430 units being built by Ed Rose, are under construction.

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Justin Abdelkader uskegon native and Bloomfield Hills transplant Justin Abdelkader grew up dreaming about playing professional hockey for the Detroit Red Wings. Now, the 31-year-old left winger is sharing his story about making it to the National Hockey League and becoming the Red Wings alternate captain in a new children's book titled, "Shoot For the Goal – The Justin Abdelkader Story."

"Abby," as he's known to fans and teammates, said he started thinking about writing a book after now-retired Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch wrote his own children's book, "The Little Linebacker." The book also fits into the mission of Abby's All Stars, part of the Red Wings for Reading program that encourages kids to read.

"I thought, I have a good story to tell, and I thought it was a book that I could put on my reading list and tie into Abby's All Stars," he said. "It's really exciting to tell my story."

Central to the book is the challenges that Abdelkader faced making his way to the NHL, and how he overcame obstacles in order to fulfill his dream.

"You're going to have obstacles along the way, and that's part of the story I wanted to tell," he said. "There are always going to be things that get in your way along the road, but how you get back up is part of what I wanted to tell. It wasn't easy, but whether I made it or not, I was going to work as hard as I could."

Starting with a pair of hand-me-down skates on Muskrat Lake (as illustrated by Mary Cindrich in the book), Abdelkader was about four-yearsold when his father introduced him to the game. Abdelkader said the

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chances of playing professionally were explained at a middle school career fair by comparing being a professional to one red marble among thousands in the school.

"We all thought growing up of being a professional player," he said. "I remember leaving there and how disappointed we were. You know the chances are against you, but when they put the stats out there, you realize it's going to be really hard. But it inspired us in a way. In the book, I try to inspire kids and say to have goals along the way, and that you have to have an end goal. There are things that keep you going and fighting for that ultimate goal. Fortunately, I was able to play for the Wings, but I enjoyed playing for high school and college."

Abdelkader played junior hockey for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders during his last year of high school, helping the team win the 2004-05 Clark Cup Championship. He went on to play for three years at Michigan State University, where he scored the game-winning goal in the final 20 seconds of the 2007 NCAA Championship game against Boston College, earning him the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player. The following year, Abdelkader gave up his college eligibility to try out for the Red Wings, leading to his first contract with the team.

The book also gives Abdelkader a way of sharing his story with his own son, who was born in September.

"I wanted to get the story out there also to be able to read it to him one day, and learn from things that I faced along the way," he said.

"Adversity is a really good thing. It's how you go about dealing with it."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Dan Mannes, Detroit Red Wings

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BUSINESS MATTERS 25 years of fashion They offer the chicest of European and American designer fashions in an elegant and enchanting boutique in the heart of downtown Birmingham – and they’ve done it for 25 years. Sisters Karen and Cheryl Daskas celebrated the milestone anniversary of their fashionista store, Tender, 271 W. Maple Road, on November 20, not by lavishing praise on themselves, but by giving back to the communities who have supported them. “Both Care House of Oakland County and the Metropolitan Detroit Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will receive a gift from Tender as our way of saying thank you,” they announced via email.

They began in 1983 because “Cheryl and I felt that we could bring something to Birmingham that wasn’t here. We could bring our own spin to fashion,” Karen, who meets with all the designers and does the buying, said. “My favorite part of the job is putting someone together,” said Cheryl, who oversees customer service and styling. “We live and breathe fashion. Our customers come first,” said Cheryl, with Karen echoing, “We could not have done it (25 years) without the support of our clients, who have always supported us. Now, their daughters are shopping here, too.” Tender prides itself on always having unique-tothe-market designer offerings.

“People come here because they know they’re not going to be seeing themselves coming and going,” Karen said, noting, “There’s a handful of specialty fashion boutiques in the U.S. – about 20. We each have our own personalities.”

Here’s to the Tender ladies and another 25 years.

Grocery openings December was the month of new grocery openings in Bloomfield Township. On December 13, Aldi opened its doors at the Village at Bloomfield, 1967 S. Telegraph Road,with a 22,500 square foot store, while on December 28, Nino Salvaggio’s International Marketplace opened a 42,000 square foot store at 6592 Telegraph Road at Maple. Nino Salvaggio’s offers residents an extensive array of fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood and meats, a flower shop and a cafe that is open from morning to evening, serving coffee, smoothies, acai bowls, a deli and carving station, pizzas, paninis, and soups. as well as an downtownpublications.com

extensive gourmet to go and a sushi station. Other highlights are a 48-foot cheese counter, traditional deli, homemade soups daily, take-andbake pizzas, and a dessert and bakery.

Aldi is a no-frills discount grocer with about 95 percent of its merchandise that is private label to keep costs low, said Mark Kellenberger with Aldi.

They are also expanding into fresh produce and meats, as well as organics, and they carry beer and wine. “We take a simple, costeffective approach to grocery shopping that saves shoppers on their grocery bills. In fact, smart shoppers have found that switching from national brands to ALDI exclusive brands can save them up to 50 percent on their weekly must-haves,” Aldi stated.

Get that stretch on Muscle tightness, pain, lack of mobility, bad posture, stress. We all seem to suffer from one, or a multitude of these ailments. But what can combat them? Stretch Smart, which opened at 3965 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township by Hungry Howie’s, believes it has the answer, with a combination of manual stretching and infrared therapy. All therapists on staff are trained by a certified physical therapist, Angela, a therapist, said. “We stretch people and combine it with infrared therapy and a heated sauna. It penetrates deeper. We do an anti-aging 30minute session of heat, and then do a 30-minute session on the table.”

Health benefits of stretching, according to Stretch Smart, which also has a location in Birmingham’s Rail District, 2123 Cole Street, are increased circulation, greater flexibility, better balance, lower stress levels, reduced injury risks, reduced pain, more energy, increased mobility, improved posture and increased exercise performance.

Nutrition for new year Looking to get healthier for the new year? Dalton Chriswell has just the answer – or lots of answers, depending upon what your health goals are. He has opened up MiNutrition at 3945 Telegraph Road north of Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Township, offering vitamins supplements, nutritional enhancements, proteins, and muscle enhancements. “Our expert staff is knowledgeable in each and every premier product we carry, and they will recommend the supplements

needed for your overall health and athletic goals,” Chriswell said. Store manager Kathleen Ponds said, “We can help with weight loss, with weight gain, with nutrition. We have things for energy, for detoxes. We can help design a weight loss program, and can help discuss meal plan options.” She said they have all sorts of supplements for all kinds of diets, from vegan to meal replacement, as well as her favorite, a protein with caffeine. “It’s like an expresso,” she said. Need to recover from a heavy-duty gym workout?

Ponds said they can offer healthy remedies for that, as well.

Moving fashion forward 110 Couture has reopened in downtown Birmingham, down the stairs by Eli Tea Shop, at 110 S. Old Woodward. The one-of-a-kind fashion and accessory store, owned

by Stacie Maier Morton, which had opened in 2003 and shuttered about a decade later when babies and a move to Florida came along. Now back home in metro Detroit, Maier Morton has teamed up with close friend and former customer Carrie Aubrey in a metamorphosed boutique (symbolized by butterflies in the shop and on Facebook) featuring gems from Lauren Moshi, Minnie Rose, Ramona LaRue and others.

Other-worldly spa Stephanie Ibarra moved to Michigan from Colorado with her husband and two dogs four years ago, where she had earned a business degree from the Leeds School of Business in Boulder. “I have wanted to own my own business since I was 14 years old,” Ibarra said. Enter Space Spa, 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Suite E in Bloomfield Township, an eco-friendly day spa which opened mid-January.

“I feel extremely lucky and humble to be living my dream.” Ibarra’s dream is a luxurious and eco-friendly spa with a simple goal in mind – to help clients reach serenity. All of the products for their massages, botanical facials, men’s organic bearded facials, waxing, body scrubs and wraps use the finest quality ingredients, are cruelty-free, and are from Michigan.

Linens are sustainably-sourced. “Our experienced and passionate team is excited to help each guest feel like the VIP they are,” Ibarra said. “If we can do a little bit to help the environment while helping our guests relax, then we are accomplishing our mission.

Life is so busy today, we rush around

DOWNTOWN

and forget to take time for ourself. We want to slow life down for each person so they can make space for themselves.”

New township salon The corner of Maple and Telegraph in Bloomfield Township has a new spot to get gorgeous – Artisté Salon opened at 6400 Telegraph Road, Suite 1100, next to SHE boutique. It’s owned by two seasoned hair stylists, Raimonda Pepaj and Ella Gjakaj, who decided to open up shop after working at Fiaz Salon in West Bloomfield for years. Joining them at Artisté is makeup artist Mariajana Camaj-Szilagyi and Fabjola Prekelazaj, who specializes in waxing, makeup and microblading.

Anti-aging mecca Ahmet R. Karaca M.D. has opened a new anti-aging center, Aesthetika Nova, at 40950 Woodward, Suite 303, in Bloomfield Hills. Besides plastic surgery, the medical spa offers fillers, body sculpting, Coolsculpting, Halo laser treatments, peels, microneedling, protein rich plasma, IV therapy for a direct perfusion of vitamin cocktails, light stimulated therapy to reduce pain, wrinkles and acne, and the Y Lift, a minimally-invasive facial contouring procedure. “Thanks to new contracts with some companies, I have been able to reduce the price of fillers by 20 percent for the next three months,” Karaca said by email.

Legal merger The Birmingham law firm of Lippitt O’Keefe Gornbein, 370 E. Maple Road, has merged with Rochester law firm Serra Donovan Law Group, creating an expanded Lippitt O’Keefe Gornbein firm specializing in commercial and business litigation; business and corporate law; intellectual property law; civil litigation; divorce and family law; real estate law; personal asset and estate planning and protection; municipal law; bankruptcy law; appellate court practice; dispute resolution, and medical issues related to substance abuse.

Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com.

Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

79

FACES

Cathy Weissenborn loomfield Township resident Cathy Weissenborn has been involved with child advocacy efforts in the metro Detroit area for two decades, making it nearly a full-time job since retiring as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Weissenborn serves on the board of directors at CARE House of Oakland County, the board at Detroit's Cristo Rey High School and the Brother Rice High School Board of Directors. She has also served as interim executive director for CARE House, a non-profit, children's advocacy center in Pontiac that focuses on identifying and treating child abuse victims and child abuse prevention.

"It has been around since the late 1970s as a child abuse prevention council. In the late 1980s, it became the Child Advocacy Center of Oakland County," she said. "Where there is an allegation of abuse, and most of what they deal with is sexual abuse, they will do a forensic interview with the child. It's done in a very child-centric way to discuss something that may be uncomfortable to talk about."

By conducting such interviews with a child advocate and allowing law enforcement and a prosecutor to watch behind a two-way mirror, the process minimizes the number of times a child must retell their issue.

"Every time that child has to talk about it, it's almost like reliving that trauma," Weissenborn explained.

CARE House also provides therapy for kids, as well as other programs, including Early Head Start, intervention and treatment, prevention programs, a parent curriculum group, and other programs.

"It really is an amazing organization in terms of what they deal with, what they hear about and the difference they are able to make in terms of the healing that takes place with these kids and their families," Weissenborn said. "I got introduced to it in the late 1990s. Really, I was still working at the time in public accounting, but a friend of mine was a

B

board chair and said they needed a treasurer. I thought it was time to get off the bench."

In 2008, Weissenborn worked on the organization's capital campaign, leading to the acquisition of a new building, allowing for program expansion. Since the late 1990s, the staff has grown from about 20 to more than 30.

"That has given the opportunity to expand therapy programs and group programs," she said. "There is a lot of community meeting space for a lot of prevention programs. In the end, that's the key."

Likewise, Detroit Cristo Rey High School offers educational opportunities to kids who might otherwise not have the option for a high quality education. The school is a co-ed, Catholic high school that provides a college preparatory education to students from economically disadvantaged families in Detroit.

"It's a different kind of model for educating low income kids," Weissenborn said. "It's designed around this Cristo Rey model that says the kids will contribute to their education through a work-study program.

They have extended school days for four days, and on the fifth day they have a job, and that pays most of their tuition."

With the average tuition at the school about $35,000 a year, Weissenborn said students receive an education similar to that which would be offered by Brother Rice or other private schools. The program also teaches life and job skills, giving students an advantage in the workforce.

"A friend introduced me to Cristo Rey, and I thought, 'The only way to change the trajectory of the city is to change education for these kids,'" she said. "I'm really excited about that. I think education is critical."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

222

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DOWNTOWN

02.19

PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown.

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

248.646.2220.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302.

248.481.9607.

Adachi: Asian. Dinner daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 325 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.540.5900.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

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

248.499.6867.

Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

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

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355.

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

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

Liquor. 245 South Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only. Liquor.

39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.9000.

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

248.593.8880.

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor.

Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984.

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

248.645.6879.

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000.

Cameron’s Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

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

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

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

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

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

248.792.9766.

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

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

248.642.1135.

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

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

248.258.9939.

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

248.647.2420.

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033.

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

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

Forest: European. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

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

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations.

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

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

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

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

248.594.4369.

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

248.333.7522.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner daily; Sunday brunch. Reservations.

Liquor. 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.792.9609.

Kaku Sushi and Poke': Asian. Lunch & Dinner. Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

No Liquor. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302.

248.480.4785, and 126 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.885.8631.

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

2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166.

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

248.858.5800.

Come Join Us For DINE-IN/CARRY-OUT/CATERING A Great Dine-In Experience! 6646 Telegraph Rd. (At Maple Road)

DOWNTOWN

Bloomfield Plaza 248.932.0800 • Fax: 248.932.1465 stevesdeli.com Fabulous Casual Dinner Specials

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Go To Our Website For

Expires 2/21/19.

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Carryout Or Catering Orders Of $69.95 Or More

With Purchase Of 2nd Soup, Sandwich & or Salad Of Equal Or Greater Value.

Dine In Only - Excludes Fish & Breakfast Items

Must present printed coupon when ordering. Not valid with other offers or on Holidays. No digital coupons accepted. Expires 2/21/19.

Must present printed coupon when ordering. Not valid with other offers or on Holidays. No digital coupons accepted. Expires 2/21/19.

DT

DT

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

83

La Strada Dolci e Caffe: Italian. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.0492.

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

154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568.

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.647.3400.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor. 185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.540.0000 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025. 248.723.7960.

Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953.

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.723.0800.

Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581.

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

248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

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

248.253.9877.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

588 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.3122.

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

248.645.6999.

Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.874.1876 Red Olive: Middle Eastern/American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302.

248.481.7767.

Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.7270.

Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6200.

84

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

Sidecar Slider Bar: Burgers. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009.

248.220.4167.

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

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

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

248.932.0800.

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

Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.645.9123.

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

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

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

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

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch.

Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066.

The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600.

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

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

248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

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

100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

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

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

Tomatoes Apizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner daily. Carryout. 34200 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.0500.

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

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

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

Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations.

555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.

Vinotecca: European. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009.

248.203.6600.

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

653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7964.

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

Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.566.3566.

Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917.

Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680.

Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.0082.

The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.547.6699.

Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749.

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 48069. 248.544.2675.

D’Amato’s: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.7400.

Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily.

Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.

GreenSpace Cafe: Vegan. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 215. W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.206.7510.

Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145.

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500.

KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500.

Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

28028 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.965.2101.

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947.

One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

248.808.6633.

DOWNTOWN

Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900.

Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.850.7420.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073.

248.549.0300.

Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888.

Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.1141.

Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday - Sunday.

Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067.

248.607.3127.

Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186.

Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.7300.

The Morrie: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112.

Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.4444.

Twisted Tavern: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.545,6750.

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711.

Troy/Rochester Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831.

Cantoro Italian Trattoria: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy 48083.

248.817.2424.

CK Diggs: American & Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600.

O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307.

248.608.2537.

Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060.

Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400.

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

Reservations. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy, 48098. 248.813.0700.

02.19

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Einstein and Jonathan: Nasir Khawaja (Southfield) as Dr. Einstein, Chris Steinmayer (Waterford) as Jonathan

CATERING PARTY TRAYS TAKE-OUT

St. Dunstan’s will present Arsenic and Old Lace on January 25, 26, and February 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10.

All shows begin at 8:00 p.m, except for the Sunday performances on the 3rd and 10th which begin at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $20 each for adults and $18 each for students and seniors.

St. Dunstan’s is located at 400 Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills. www.StDunstansTheatre.com 1-844-DUNSTAN (1-844-386-7826) 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 Dana Casadei who can be reached at DanaCasadei@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.

Delayed Morrie opening Instead of a winter opening it’s looking like guests will have to wait until this summer to enjoy food and drinks at the Birmingham version of The Morrie.

According to Aaron Belen, owner of AFB Hospitality, construction hasn’t started yet at 260 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham. They are waiting to finalize a few more decisions before they submit for their full building permit.

When construction does begin, the space will look as it did when they presented the plan to the city last year. “We’re just making sure everything is exactly the way that we want it and taking our time,” said Belen when asked about the pushed back opening. They do have their dance permit ready to go, though, so get ready to shimmy.

South American panache If you’re looking to play arcade games or enjoy a Jones soda at Joebar – 23839 John R, Hazel Park – you’ll have to go elsewhere. At the end of January, Joebar officially transformed into Latido at Joebar, a Central and South American restaurant which will move into the space for the next year, and is led by Executive Chef Michael Barrera and Chef de Cuisine Moses Fishman. Joe and Cari Vaughn still own the space, and Frame, the weekend-only supper club will continue to operate in the space. “I think there are a lot of things people have tried that they don’t know come from these countries that they’ll recognize when they’re here,” Fishman said. “I think people will enjoy new flavors as well.” Fishman – who is Peruvian – said that there are two ways to look at food from a specific region. One, have classic dishes and two, use ingredients from the region. Latido (“heartbeat” in Spanish) plans to do both with their Panama, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina focus. The duo have authentic cred – not only is Fishman Peruvian, but Barrera is half-Mexican and married to a woman who is Argentinian.

They’ll have classics like ceviche mixed with new takes on popular dishes, such as a tamales made out of quinoa. A dish Fishman is excited for guests to try is their pan con chicharron, a crispy pork belly sandwich he talked about at length. Latido’s cocktails will take a similar approach, using a lot of spirits, wines, and beers from the area, with a few Michigan classics like Founders thrown in for good measure. The restaurant will be closed on Mondays and open for brunch during the weekend.

Unique ethnic mix One of Detroit’s most hotly anticipated restaurants, Cork & Gabel, finally opened its doors in mid-December after originally being slated for last spring.

“Honestly, for an opening of a brand new restaurant, it went perfect...I don’t think it could have gone better for us,” said chef Matthew McGrail, who collaborated on the restaurant with building owner Joe Mifsud. Inside its 4,450 square feet at 2415 Michigan Avenue, guests will find a menu filled with German, Irish, and Italian food. They’ve only been open a few weeks, but there are already some popular menu items, including the Guinness Stew (which McGrail said they are still tweaking), Schnitzel BLT, Lamb Bolognese, and a half-pound beef burger that’s covered in two house-made cheeses and Guinness caramelized onions. Speaking of the beloved Irish stout, the bar at Cork & Gabel is stocked with wine, beer, bourbon, Scotch, and as many Irish whiskeys as they could get. The wine list will look different than other places, though. “The wine list is something I wanted to try and it seems to be working,” he said. They offer 12 types by the glass and bottle, but only have one of each varietal. McGrail said for right now they are only serving dinner, with plans to roll out brunch this winter, and lunch coming in the spring.

Their menu will also be changing throughout the year with plans for a chicken dish and vegan option coming soon.

Vegan food in retro air Come late January, the inside of Shimmy Shack’s first brick-and-mortar – located at 1440 Sheldon Road, Plymouth – will be filled with rooms similar to a house in the 1950s, complete with the TV trays and record player to match, and food that probably wasn’t made much in the era. “Our whole mission is to dispel the myth that vegan and gluten-free food is boring and bland,” said owner Debra Levantrosser. They’ve done that for the last six years already

McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400.

The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825.

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5371.

Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332.

Morton’s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845.

NM Café: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084.

248.816.3424.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200.

Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084.

248.458.0500.

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.524.1944.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000.

Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037.

248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084. 248.614.5390.

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424.

Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, 48306.

248.652.4500.

Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.817.2980.

Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291.

West Bloomfield/Southfield Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600.

Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034.

248.208.1680.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034.

Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

248.851.2500.

The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334.

248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

248.851.8782.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.

Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310.

Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890.

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor.

6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500.

Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954.

Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.737.8282.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223.

It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390.

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390. 248.698.2400.

Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.

North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.6100.

Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442. 248.634.5208.

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

248.795.2077.

The Fed: American. Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch, Saturday and Sunday. Liquor.

15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346.

248.297.5833

Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500.

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday.

No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660

Detroit Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214.

313.469.0976.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110.

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.4180.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210.

313.894.2070.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600.

Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122.

Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318.

Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837.

Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.832.1616.

Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700.

1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221. 313.863.1917.

Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226.

313.309.2499.

Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.2100.

Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207.

313.567.2900.

Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055.

SheWolf Pastifico & Bar: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday through Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 438 Selden St, Detroit 48201.

313.315.3992.

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000.

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.9828.

Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702.

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216. 313.962.2121.

Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1234.

Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668.

The Block: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.0892.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.964.3821.

Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.3965.

Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711.

The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.5700.

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian.

Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1646.

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1411.

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.

with their food truck, which will still be used for larger events. Everything offered on the food truck will be at the restaurant – with a few additions.

Levantrosser said they will offer rotating soups, new desserts, and are going to do Freaky Friday, a dish that will be offered all day – but guests will only know the mystery dish is vegan and gluten-free. “It’s going to be sort of an Iron Chef, whatever we have in the kitchen kind of thing,” said Levantrosser, a vegan for 29 years. FYI – no one will be riding around on roller skates.

The Green Return The Green Room is coming back! After losing its longtime lease in the Ford Building last year (they opened there in 1996), the popular Detroit lunchtime spot will be setting up shop in the Guardian Building at 500 Griswold Street come spring. Owner Steve Zuccaro – who also owns Lunch Box Deli and Burrito Mundo – said at one point last year they were thinking about throwing in the towel and going in another direction before fate intervened.

He said the new space will offer a few new healthier options for guests, and have online ordering, but the salad bar, much like its predecessor, will be the main draw. Coming in at 12-feet-long, the salad bar will have over 70 options and 12 different soups, including vegan and vegetarian options. “We’re ecstatic,” he said. “As soon as we can possibly open, we are going to.”

Jamaican Pot Joining the increasingly popular New Center area of Detroit will be the Jamaican Pot at the New Center One building, 3031 W. Grand Boulevard, which plans to open in the next few months. This will be the popular carryout restaurant’s second location in Detroit – the other is at 14615 W. 8 Mile Road.

“When we cook, we cook with love,” said co-owner Rose Forrest. “It just makes me feel so good when people say how good it is.” They’ll continue doing that at their new location, which will have a very similar menu to the original, with the addition of a vegetarian menu of eight to 10 items, including vegetarian jerk chicken and curry chicken. For owners Forrest and Bruce Cunningham – who are also husband and wife – this isn’t the only thing on the horizon. They hope to open a sit-down restaurant by early 2020, add some food trucks, and continue their well-known catering business.

Cannelle expands to Detroit On February 1st, Cannelle will open in Detroit and Chef Matt Knio said it will look nothing like its Birmingham patisserie at 159 N. Eton Street in the Rail District, known for delicious French croissants, strawberry tarts, macarons and other goodies created from flour, butter, sugar and eggs.

Located in Capitol Park at 45 W. Grand River, the new space will have an updated menu with the addition of a few sandwiches and four more desserts.

So why open a second location of the French-style patisserie and coffee shop in Detroit? “I love what’s happening down there and I love what’s happening to the city. I want to be part of it,” he said. This isn’t the only addition he has planned, either. Knio said they plan to expand to an Ann Arbor location in 2020.

Vegetarian Veg-O-Rama Heading to Ikea or a soccer game in Canton and looking for a tasty treat? The vegetarian fast casual restaurant Veg-O-Rama will open a second location in Canton at 44930 Ford Road in late February. Owner Prafulla Kharkar said this location will have a slightly smaller space but bigger menu compared to their Ypsilanti location, and guests can expect to see more sides, like different types of tofu and green bean tempura. Veg-O-Rama will also expand to two more locations next year, in Ferndale and Detroit. With a clientele that’s almost 70 percent meat eaters, Kharkar thinks Veg-O-Rama could turn into something even bigger in the future. “We want to make this a nationwide food chain for vegans and vegetarians,” he said. All the five star reviews on everything from Facebook to Yelp would agree.

Bites The Mr. B’s Bar & Grill in downtown Rochester now has new owners – 24th Street Tavern. On December 22, Ferndale’s The Conserva closed, which was announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page from partners Matt Baldridge and Jarrod Kassis. The Woodbridge block in Detroit has another restaurant to add to its every-growing list, Katsu Detroit, a new Japanese spot.

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FACES

Bradley Ahlgren and Hal Zaima hen Bloomfield Hills resident Hal Zaima was having lower back problems, it was natural that he would make an appointment with his longtime neighbor, friend and orthopedic surgeon Bradley Ahlgren.

"I went to go see him and Brad was overexuberant for some reason," Zaima, an engineer by education, said. "He said, 'Hal, you're here for a reason.' I said, 'Yeah, lower back problems.'"

But Ahlgren wasn't talking about spine issues. Rather, it was infections that were on his mind, as well as a way to combat them through a hand sanitizing and monitoring system. Tapping his friend's expertise, Ahlgren's idea was developed into a state-of-the-art system that can help hospitals encourage and track hand sanitizing, thereby cutting down on infections.

The idea led the two friends to form Sterilogy, the only patented, bodyworn personal hand hygiene system designed to decrease infection and increase compliance in hospital settings.

"Then he explained his idea, noting that 247 patients die every day, with $30 billion in unnecessary costs in hospitals alone," Zaima said. "So, we knew it was a huge problem and costs a lot of money, unnecessarily.

Brad's solution sounded like a great idea."

Working in the hospital a lot, Ahlgren said he could see how the handsanitizing systems there were being used, or not being used. With healthcare professionals already carrying a plethora of equipment and devices, carrying hand sanitizer in a pocket is inconvenient and bottles get lost. Wall-mounted dispensers help, but health workers sometimes fail to sanitize after coming in contact with doors, curtains or other surfaces.

Ahlgren thought by attaching the dispenser to the worker, the system would be more convenient and encourage more sanitizing.

When Zaima came in with his back issue, Ahlgren knew his friend was just the person to bring his idea to life.

"I knew he had sold his company, and I was hoping he was looking for

W

something to do," Ahlgren said. "I knew I needed an engineer to move things forward from an idea to something."

Working with a group of professors and graduate students from Grand Valley State University through the Michigan Corporate Relation's Small Company Innovation Program, the system expanded to include an electronic monitoring and compliance system.

The whole system includes a personal sanitizer unit, as well as a zone alarm emitter unit and a base station unit. The alarm is placed on each patient's bed and waits for the sanitizer unit to enter the range, alerting the worker to sanitize their hands. The unit records if the worker complied.

The data is then relayed to the base unit, which can be used to track compliance.

"Hospitals have expressed they have a need for a compliance system, and we have a number that are very interested," Ahlgren said. "But first, we have to get it into the beta phase."

"We do believe it will be the gold standard, as the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization are pushing for point-of-care sanitizing," Zaima said. "Wall units just aren't efficient or convenient."

Ahlgren, who was born and raised in Wisconsin and moved to Bloomfield Hills after joining Beaumont in 1995, said this was his first product idea to ever take shape. Zaima, who was born on a U.S. Airforce base in Japan, went into engineering after attending West Point and serving in the field artillery.

"We met each other when we moved kitty corner from each other in Bloomfield Village. Our kids are the same age... we've known each other for at least 20 years," Zaima said.

It really was all about location, just like the adage.

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

FRANK FLYNN , REALTOR JULIE FLYNN , REALTOR

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$1,695,000

1813 LONG POINTE DR., BLOOMFIELD TWP. | 5BR/4.1BA | 3,550 SF Full lower level walkout with 7,000 total square feet of finished space! Flexible floor-plan with up to 6 bedrooms. Sitting on Upper Long Lake with 100 ft. of lake frontage allowing full southern exposure.

Expansive balcony out back accessible from the master suite & family room overlooks built-in pool.

23635 WOODLYNNE DR., BINGHAM FARMS VLG. | 4BR/4.1BA | 3,587 SF Nationally known builder David Jensen is offering new construction with classical architecture and 3600 square feet of exceptional living space. Convenient first floor master suite, high ceilings, custom mill work, wooded views and 3 car heated garage. Last estate sized lot in this exclusive neighborhood.

UP NORTH LIVING JUST OUTSIDE METRO DETROIT

CONTEMPORARY CONDO IN WOODED SETTING

$999,900

7846 LAKESIDE, HALE | 5BR/3.2BA | 6,298 SF Custom built retreat offered for the 1st time on 500 acre all sports lake. Abutting to DNR protected property, private peninsula, 1,000 ft. of waterfront! Spanning four floors including two story great room with jaw dropping views, just three hours from Oakland County!

$749,000

5060 CHRISTY CT., TROY | 3BR/2.1BA | 3,400 SF Architectural gem with floor to ceiling windows & gorgeous nature views. Library, vaulted great room with fireplace & access to deck, gourmet kitchen, open concept and main floor master suite. Stunning walkout lower level with access to peaceful backyard. Rare opportunity in this private enclave.

H A L L A N D H U N T E R . C O M | + 1 24 8 64 4 3 5 0 0 | 4 4 2 S . O L D W O O D W A R D B I R M I N G H A M

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Creating Chemistry With A Top Performer.

BUILDING A FOUNDATION ONE DONOR AT A TIME On January 1, 2018, The Community House Association’s Board of Directors announced the creation of a new and separate entity, The Community House FOUNDATION to act as a supporting organization to The Community House ASSOCIATION. This was a transformational announcement.

With this historic announcement we learned that the mission of the new Community House Foundation is to generate, and secure supplemental philanthropic funds needed to fulfill our promise – to families and to the community – who depend on us to deliver a variety of quality programs and services throughout the region. Robust philanthropy supports a wide range of programs and services, today and in the future that benefit the community.

In addition to securing supplemental funding to maintain quality programming and services at TCH, Community House Association’s leadership also mandated that The Community House Foundation dedicate itself to raising funds and awareness for the preservation and perpetual care of The Community House Association’s historic building and nearly century-old plant.

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In setting up the new foundation we were reminded that historic preservation is a critical movement in planning – designed to conserve old buildings and areas in order to permanently tie a place’s history to its population and culture.

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With these goals in mind, much of The Community House Foundation’s initial efforts have focused on assessing, educating and carefully pairing passionate and caring donors with the immediate and emerging needs of The Community House Association – critical needs over and above its normal day-to-day operations.

As a separate non-profit charitable organization, the new Community House Foundation was launched and carefully governed by a separate and independent Board of Directors, staff and volunteers.

2018-2019 Community House Foundation Board Members included: Barbara Hertzler, Chair, Brad Wolf, Vice Chair, William D. Seklar, President & CEO, Deric Righter, Treasurer, Jacob Taylor, Officer.

It was especially fitting that the Community House Foundation’s first year anniversary coincided with its annual Bates Street Society Dinner – an annual celebration during which time The Community House organization takes pause from its own fundraising initiatives to reflect back on and recognize all of the people, individuals, corporations, foundations, kindnesses large and small, which have made a true and lasting difference in the community, at The Community House and now, the new Community House Foundation.

The purpose of the Bates Street Society Dinner is to recognize extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated selfless service and philanthropy toward others while helping to “Create More Vibrant Lives” in the community – selfless service offered and provided out of a genuine and deep desire to help and be of service to others. This year was no exception.

During the 2019 Bates Street Society celebration, The Community House Association, its foundation, officers and board members will honor and recognized new Pillars of Vibrancy; in Philanthropy, Education, Wellness and Culture. It will be a magical evening.

Since its inception, nearly 50 pillars throughout our region have now been recognized and honored as Pillars of Vibrancy. On February 2, eight new pillars will joined this impressive fraternity. 2019 pillar honorees include: Pillars of Philanthropy: Mitch Albom, Bill Roberts, Richard DeVore, Amy and Dan Loepp Pillar of Philanthropy & Education: Jennifer Granger Pillar of Education & Wellness: Dr. Jeffrey S. Fischgrund Pillar of Culture: Arthur Horwitz 2019 Bates Street Society inductees included: Barbara & Jim Suhay, Marilyn & Ken Way and Gorman’s Home Furnishing.

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

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Christ Child Society Night of Angels

Sally Gerak

Christ Child Society Night of Angels The energy level was sky high at Bloomfield Hills Country Club when the sold-out crowd of 300 ($175 ticket) flocked there for the Christ Child Society annual benefit with a bingo twist.

Event chairs Julie Pietrosante and Annette Royce and their committee revived the Feather Party – a concept from the 1920s when church bingo games funded Thanksgiving turkeys for new immigrants. But Night of Angels revisited the country club version of the 1980’s. Instead of turkeys, winners collected fancy prizes. They also applauded the Birmingham realtor group KW Domain, which received the Mary Virginia Merrick Award for its leadership and generosity, for bidding $80,000 in a live auction of six boffo items, and pledged $44,000 in outright support for the boys of Christ Child House. The event netted a record $180,000.

President Laura Keziah also led a toast to the Detroit chapter’s 106 years. This vibrant organization welcomes new provisional members of all ages during January.

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3 Judson Center Rewind Gala More than 550 supporters gathered at the MGM Grand to celebrate Judson Center’s 35th annual gala fundraiser chaired by Bill Kolb whose McCann WolrdGroup Detroit was the presenting sponsor. The earliest events were much more modest affairs at the San Marino Club. Subsequently the event outgrew the ballroom at the Townsend. Diversions included serious socializing, silent and live auctions, and a program emceed by Ann Marie LaFlamme. It put the spotlight on one family from each of Judson Center’s four core program areas. The retro theme evening grossed more than $430,000 for the comprehensive programs at the agency founded in 1924.

Sky Foundation 10th Anniversary Celebration Four hundred pancreatic cancer fighters ($135 & up tickets) attended the 10th anniversary of Sheila Kasselman’s SKY Foundation benefit luncheon chaired by Laura Eaton, Mary Beth Castorri and Carol Quigley. They offered great music by NUCLASSICA, popular raffle baskets and a wine pull in place of the traditional silent auction. Dr. Philip A. Philip’s upbeat, scientific update preceded a video and the live auction ($21,500) of 10 items conducted by Christopher Aslanian. Thanks also to pledges, the event netted $140,000 for research grants to fund early detection and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Village Club Foundation Benefit Event chair Annie Ellis and her dedicated committee added the renaissance of Detroit to the traditional Torches Aglow theme for the biennial fundraiser. It attracted a sold-out crowd (218 members and guests at $100, $125, $250 tickets) to the Bloomfield Hills club where an enormous silent auction display competed with socializing before dinner. In her welcome remarks, foundation president Sandra Pott noted that 48 nonprofits received $184,000 in 2018 after intense vetting by grants committee members. A brief live auction and dancing to Motown music followed dinner. The evening added $55,000 to the more than $2.5 million granted to tri-county non-profit organizations since the foundation was established in 1983 as the philanthropic arm of The Village Club. downtownpublications.com

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1. Julie Pietrosante and Annette Royce of Bloomfield. 2. Madelon Ward (left) and Debbie Crawford of Troy, Kim Fortin and Lanie Hardy Cosgrove of Birmingham and Leslie Hardy of Ferndale. 3. Laura Keziah (left) and Chris Swartz of Bloomfield. 4. Terry & Kelly Patterson of Birmingham, Sally & Kevin Smith of Bloomfield 5. Mike & Sarah DuBay of Birmingham.

Judson Center Rewind Gala

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1. Trey Tarman of Birmingham, Ann Marie LaFlamme of Rochester Hills. 2. Anne (left) & Otto Kern of Bloomfield, Nancy Lau of Bloomfield, Hugh & Darleen Mahler of Birmingham, David Lau of Bloomfield. 3. Steve Hill (left) of Bloomfield, Bill Kolb of Birmingham. 4. John & Carol Aubrey of Birmingham. 5. Lenora Hardy-Foster & Duane Foster of Rochester Hills.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Sky Foundation 10th Anniversary Celebration

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3 1. Laura Eaton (left) of Bloomfield, Mary Beth Castorri of W. Bloomfield and Carol Quigley of Troy. 2. Sheila Sky Kasselman (left) of W. Bloomfield, Annie Dalton of Ferndale, Alicia Smith (Karell) & Erik Karell of Birmingham. 3. Melissa & Win Shiller of Bloomfield. 4. Molly MacDonald (left) of Beverly Hills, Elizabeth Brazilian of Birmingham, Susan Blank, Niki Gallaudet and Bob Blank of Bloomfield. 5. Pat Wagner (left) of Bloomfield, Dr. Howard Crawford of Ann Arbor.

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Courage for Cures Foundation After two years at a country club, the eighth annual Brave Knight Benefit returned to The Townsend Hotel and nearly 300 ($200 ticket) gathered there in memory of Julian Boivin. Dan Morse and Pat Lowman kick-started the inspirational tone of the evening when they rallied a standing ovation for Julian’s parents Brad and Nettie Boivin before garnering $13,000 for three live auction items and nearly $30,000 in pledges for pediatric brain tumor research. Dr. Carl Koschmann brought good news from Michigan Medicine that research is turning up the pace of progress. Thanks also to a silent auction that raised $35,000, a raffle and generous sponsors, the “best yet” event netted $130,000. This brings to more than $1 million the total raised by “Team Julian,” which is now partnering with the ChadTough Foundation as well as the DIPG Collaborative to find a cure for pediatric brain tumors.

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The Village Club Foundation Benefit

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Ladies of Charity Friendsgiving Luncheon Mia Materka and Denny DinanPanico chaired the Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul of Oakland County luncheon at Red Run Golf Club. Guest speaker Patricia Montemurri knew her topic well. One branch of her in-laws designed many area Catholic churches. Another branch created the stained glass for iconic houses of worship. Because the speaker’s husband Paul Diehl was on hand to assist with the slide show, he met some cousins for the first time.

Lois Fredericks Thornbury and Marcia Fredericks McGratty were in the audience of 160 ($55, $155 tickets). Luncheon proceeds benefit the all-volunteer organization’s services to the poor.

3 1. Carol Litka (left) of Troy, Sandra Pott of Rochester Hills. 2. Annie Ellis (left) of Bloomfield, Harriett Cronin, Janet Torok and Jane Bowman of Birmingham. 3. Matt (left) & Leigh Ann Mills of Bloomfield, Lisa & Brian Meer of W. Bloomfield.

4. Bob Cramer & Ann Manix of Bloomfield.

5. Lassie & Jerry Lewis of Birmingham.

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Courage for Cures Foundation Brave Knight Benefit

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1. Brad & Nettie Boivin and Karen & of Kirk Sellke of Bloomfield. 2. Steve and Erica Kives, Carla and Gary Glorio of Bloomfield Hills. 3. Dan and Meredith Morse of Bloomfield Hills. 4. Pam Vivio-Alanis (left) & Mijo Alanis of Bloomfield, Scott & Carol Davis of Birmingham. 5. Chelsea Albertie (left) of Birmingham, Jackie Giaier of Bloomfield, Tania Yatooma of Birmingham.

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JARC Annual Fundraiser More than 1,600 JARC supporters ($75 and up tickets) trekked to the Orchestra Hall for a magical evening chaired by Dani Gillman and her husband Ben Chutz featuring the Masters of Illusion. Other highlights of the evening included a pre-glow and after-glow and the premiere of JARC’s new, heartwarming video of JARC love stories. Proceeds of the 38th annual event will enable JARC to continue providing the richest possible life for people with developmental disabilities as it has done since 1969, when it was founded by a group of parents.

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Assistance League Mistletoe Marketplace Kerri Vizena chaired the Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan’s 15th annual holidaythemed fundraiser that brought more than 760 supporters ($85 ticket) to the Palazzo Grande. Shopping at the 29 vendor booths was a big attraction.

An appealing silent auction, two cash raffles, an extensive basket raffle and the for-sale centerpieces provided other “shopping” opportunities before the sit-down luncheon. The program had highlights. ALSM President Nancy Troyer put all the chapter’s community programs in the spotlight.

Honorary chair Fox-2’s Monica Gayle spoke movingly about ALSM’s Operation School Bell clothing distribution program. Her sentiments were echoed from firsthand experience by the principal and a widowed father from a beneficiary school. Speakers from two other beneficiaries also thanked the donors for “…making a real difference in the lives of thousands of children and their families.” The annual event raised more than $113,000, making significant inroads on the chapter’s $388,000 annual philanthropic budget. Each year it helps clothe, feed, educate and comfort 20,000 residents (infants, children, adults) in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

FAR Friends and Fa-La-La For the past 18 years, one of the happiest events on the calendar occurs in the Seligman Performing Arts Center at Detroit Country Day School the night FAR showcases some of its 1,300 members with special needs. The singing and dancing, including the parent-child ballroom dance scene, evokes ear-toear smiles and rousing applause. This year about 550 ($75 ticket) were in the audience that also applauded when FAR president Pamela Ayres honored Variety, The Children’s Charity and Hero Awardee Steven Teich , and when music therapist Renea Murphy presented Ron Piotrowski with the Volunteer of the Year Award. Before the show, event chairs Cynthia Lutz and Julie Kowalik greeted the 120 reception Silver Circle guests ($150 ticket) who sipped and supped at a reception and at the Afterglow where the performers high-fived their fans.

The evening raised $85,000 for FAR’s therapeutic arts and recreation programs. Supporters will gather again at the Townsend on April 12 for downtownpublications.com

Ladies of Charity Friendsgiving Luncheon

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1. Tom Panico (left), Mia Materka (standing) of Bloomfield and Denny Dinan-Panico of Troy. 2. Lois Fredericks Thornbury (left) of Bloomfield, Paul Diehl of Dearborn, Marcia Fredericks McGratty of Warren, NJ. 3. Kathi Tauscher of Troy, Patricia Montemurri of Dearborn. 4.

Mary Jo Johnston (left) of Birmingham, Rose Obloy of Bloomfield. 5. Sue Andrews (left), Mary Sue Everly and Donna Delacourt of Bloomfield, Maureen Kowal of Beverly Hills.

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Assistance League Mistletoe Marketplace

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1. Monica Gayle (left) of W. Bloomfield, Kerri Vizena and Nancy Troyer of Rochester Hills. 2. Daralene Laskowski of Rochester Hills. 3. Kathryn Ambrose (left) and Jennifer Andries of Birmingham. 4. Dee Berry (left) of Troy, Diane Masternick of Rochester. 5. Gaye Carson (left) of Auburn Hills; Cindy Walsh of Rochester Hills.

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the Sing Out for Kids event chaired by Karla Sherry.

Dancing with the Detroit Stars The 10th annual dance contest benefiting the homeless clients of South Oakland Shelter was chaired by Jennie and Bill Cook and Marci and Tim Rice. It brought 260 ($200, $250 tickets) to The Townsend. Before the program emceed by John Akouri, they socialized, sipped, supped and bid $23,425 in a great silent auction.

Program highlights included a video of SOS success stories and the presentation by SOS President Ryan Hertz to the Cooks of a photo album. It chronicles the past dance events which they have chaired since it began. “It’s been a wild party,” Jennie admitted. Bill was also quick to praise the ongoing partnership of Gail and Rice and Arthur Murray Dance Studio talents and the sponsors. Before the dancing began, Hertz announced that dancers Eric Fadie and Tara Szott Wasik topped the dancer fundraising list by raising $21,352. The other dancers were Chef Eric Avila, Kelli Robinson, Alexandria Riley and Angel Lavery. The judges had their hands full. But at the conclusion of the competition they announced that Riley’s grace with a prosthetic leg should get first place.

Then guests took over the dance floor (music by DJ Prevy). The $165,416 raised brought the 10-year total to more than $1-million, a great legacy for Jennie and Bill Cook.

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation More than 300 supporters of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation gathered at Detroit’s Masonic Temple for the 41st Evening at the Movies.

The venue was particularly appropriate because the movie they would see – “The Pickle Recipe” – was filmed in Detroit and produced by University of Michigan alum Sheldon Cohn. The film’s positive depiction of Detroit was important to Cohn, who was on hand to introduce it. Before the film, Dr. James Lynch and Audrey and Gerry Weinberg were recognized for their commitment to the CCF community; Brandon Pomish spoke about living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease; and Fox 2’s Lee Thomas got people to donate $9,875. In five minutes. Thanks also to a small silent auction and generous sponsors the annual event raised $160,000.

Angels Place Annual Dinner The opening of the dinner which downtownpublications.com

FAR Friends and Fa-La-La

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1. Cindy Lutz (left) of Birmingham and Julie Kowalik with Ryan Husaynu of W. Bloomfield. 2. Adam Dabalda (left) and Mike & Lisa Brennan of Birmingham, Todd Preston of W. Bloomfield. 3. Karla Sherry (left) of Bloomfield, Jean Bugeaud of Warren, Pamela Ayres and Jennie Cascio of Bloomfield. Photo: Laurie Tennent. 4. Steve Teich (left) of Royal Oak, Rita Norkiewicz of Ferndale, Scott Baumgartner and Heather Dell of Sylvan Lake, Michael Dore of Bloomfield. 5. Ronnie & Dan O’Hara of Bloomfield.

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Dancing with the Detroit Stars

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1. Tim (left) & Marci Rice of W. Bloomfield, Ryan Hertz of Huntington Woods, Jennie & Bill Cook of Birmingham and Naples, FL. 2. Rhonda Sabatini (left) and Tammi Alberts of Bloomfield. 3. Rod Alberts (left) and Paul Sabatini of Bloomfield, Nancy and Jim Seavitt of Orchard Lake. 4. Lena Epstein Medwed & Eric Medwed of Bloomfield. 5. Lawrence (left) & Audrey James of Birmingham and Kim & Alan Whitmer of Beverly Hills.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK attracted 700 ($225, $350 tickets) to The Henry was a video of life in the Angels Place homes streaming in the background as members of the AP Singers and the Marian Melodies sang “This is Me”. The lyrics (“…I make no apologies, this is me”) absolutely celebrate the individuals with developmental disabilities who have lifetime homes at Angels Place.

In a way, the lyrics could also reference the early career personality of the guest speaker, Kirk (Gibby) Gibson, who shared some stories of his self-centered days. The superstar was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and now broadcasts for Fox Sports Detroit. He is still spontaneous.

He called an audible from the mic, inviting supporters to the stage who could pledge $5,000 so AP could grow its services. Thirty-four people joined him. Another highlight of the program emceed by WXYZ-TV’s Brad Galli was Emagine Entertainment’s Paul Glantz’s praise for the AP residents who work for him. Thanks also to a raffle ($31,000) and generous sponsors, the event raised more than $545,000, greatly pleasing event chairs Julie and Dr. Joseph Beals and Sally and Wade Mezey.

Angels Place Annual Dinner

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1. Dr. Joseph (left) & Julie Beals of Troy and Sally & Wade Mezey of Birmingham. 2. Doug (left) & Gwen North with Maryclare Pulte and Julie Pulte of Bloomfield. 3. Kirk Gibson (left) of Grosse Pointe, Janet Ritchie Francis of Birmingham. 4. Bill & Wendy Powers of Bloomfield. 5. Melissa Parks (left) of Bloomfield, Paul & Mary Glantz of Lake Angelus.

Project HOPE Luncheon & Boutique

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1. Linda Juracek-Lipa (left) of Birmingham,Terri Murphy of Detroit.

2. Sherry Saginaw (left) and Tina Prevas of Bloomfield, Rachael AWoods of Southfield. 3. Contessa Bannon (left) of Beverly Hills, Lidija Grahovac of Bloomfield. 4. Shannon Lazovski (left) of Rochester, Rachelle Willnus of Farmington Hills. 5. Innis Joswick (left) of W. Bloomfield, Dorie Shwedel and Bettina Gregg of Bloomfield.

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Project HOPE Luncheon & Boutique The annual Women’s Division Project Hope fundraiser chaired by Linda Juracek-Lipa brought 100 supporters ($80, $100, $150 tickets) to Forest Lake Country Club, where they browsed the wares of 14 vendors and bought raffle tickets before lunch. But the most notable part of the event was what Project HOPE’s Wendy Kedzierski had to say about the pictures she took during visits to Project HOPE centers in Ethiopia, which, she noted are NOT tourist destinations. “(These) are pictures of people you are helping,” she told the Women’s Division members. Her account of caring for and educating the HIV-afflicted population so they can go on living a good life was powerful.

Christ Child Society Christmas Home Tour Babbie Thomas, Amy Gooch and Mary Taylor chaired the society’s annual tour of homes decorated for Christmas. As in past years, the outstanding quality of the five homes – one each on N. Glengarry, Larchlea, Martell, Stanley and Pilgrim – was a post-tour topic at Birmingham Country Club, where most of the 500 ticket holders stopped for a bountiful brunch buffet and to shop at one of the 20-plus vendor booths.

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Considering ticket prices – $65 if purchased early, $75 closer to the date – this event has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the charity circuit’s best values. Thanks also to generous sponsors, it raised approximately $50,000 for the society’s support of the at-risk boys who live at the Christ Child House.

Alternatives For Girls Holiday High Tea For 30 years, interior designer Shirley Maddalena has hosted a tea at The Townsend Hotel benefiting atrisk girls. This year, 142 supporters ($75, $125) crowded into the tea lobby to sip, socialize, buy raffle tickets and shop at the popular silent auction of donated, gently used treasures. The popular, holiday event raised more than $21,500 for the life-changing programs at Alternatives For Girls.

Grace Centers of Hope Night of Hope Event chairs Emilie Mardigian Fitch and Nanette Drouillard moved the annual fundraiser for the Hands of Hope Childcare Center to The Townsend and 300 Grace Center of Hope loyalists ($95, $135 tickets) gathered there in a giving mood. They bought silent auction donations ($28,990) and raffle tickets ($10,000) for jewelry. Pastor Kent Clark also thanked staffers Kim Wehner and Olivia Jones for their coordination of the party details. Following the strolling dinner, Charles Wickins persuaded folks to bid $40,900 in a brief live auction and to pledge $55,600 in outright donations to care for a child. Other highlights of the program emceed by Fox 2’s Roop Raj included a film depicting homelessness and drug abuse through the innocent eyes of a child and graduate Amanda’s moving success story. The classy evening grossed more than $200,000.

Kidney Foundation Michigan Kidney Ball The annual National Kidney Foundation Michigan Kidney Ball moved to the glamorous ballrooms at the historic Westin Book Cadillac and some of the 440 guests followed the invitation suggestion to accent their finery with 1920s accessories. At the early VIP reception, event co-chairs Jon Krebs and Jeff Chandler and honorary chairs Duane McLean and Scott LaRiche greeted 120 VIP guests in the fourth floor Italian Garden room. It overlooked the expansive Meijer Kids Silent Auction display that was irresistible to the youngsters in downtownpublications.com

Christ Child Society Christmas Home Tour

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4 1. Babbie Thomas (left), Mary Taylor and Amy Gouch of Birmingham. 2. Nannette Dadabbo (left), Liz Lee, and Karen Best of Bloomfield and Bess Paradiso of Birmingham.

3. Karen Kearns (left) of Bloomfield, Anne Damman of Birmingham. 4. Meg Kevane (left) of Birmingham, Shanna Gorga and Tinney Newman of Bloomfield. 5. Carol Boivin (left) of Bloomfield, Janet Dickerson of Birmingham.

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Grace Centers of Hope Night of Hope

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1. Aaron & Emilie Mardigian Fitch of Birmingham. 2. Michelle Denno (left) of Oakland Twp., Laura Kunziman of Bloomfield. 3. Danielle Gabriel (left) of Northville, Rea Fawaz, Katre & Chris Klow of Birmingham. 4. Charles Wickins (center) of Birmingham, Pam & Pastor Kent Clark of Troy.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Kidney Foundation Michigan Kidney Ball

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1. Duane McLean of Bloomfield, Linda SmithWheelock of Canton. 2. Myra Moreland (left) and Jeff & Alicia Chandler of Birmingham.

3. Laynie & Josh Bryant of Birmingham.

4. Dawn (left) & Scott LaRiche of Northville, Tammi Alberts of Bloomfield. 5. Sam Slaughter (left) of Milford, Rod Alberts of Bloomfield of Detroit.

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Grace Centers of Hope Night of Hope

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1. Rosemary Bannon (left) of Beverly Hills, Tom & Diane Schoenith of Grosse Pointe, Lidija Grahovac of Bloomfield. 2. Renee Axt (left) of Bloomfield, Jane Manoogian of Grosse Pointe. 3. Mitch Dictor (left) & Leslie Lucey of Birmingham, Arlene & Bob Zocco of Bloomfield. 4. Barbara Monaghan & Caleb Zandster of Bloomfield. 5. Kim Smith (left) of Bloomfield, Bob & Mary Ann Bury of Grosse Pointe.

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the crowd. WDIV-TV’s Steve Garagiola emceed the dinner program in the second floor Woodward ballroom. Highlights included the presentation by Dr. Jerry Yee of the Kidney Crusader Award to his highly-esteemed colleague Dr. Francis Dumler, who retired three years ago as Beaumont Hospital’s Chief of Nephrology, and presentation of the Daraskavich family’s fundraising efforts for NKFM. At the end of the live auction conducted by Christopher Aslanian, McLean added “Manager for a Day at Spring Training” that brought in $5,500 and applause for the memory of Mike Ilitch. Thanks also to generous sponsors, a huge silent auction and Fund a Need pledging to support the children’s programs, the 14th annual Kidney Ball raised $420,000.

Salvation Army Luncheon Sing-a-Long Seven years ago, the historic London Chop House, now owned by the Gatzaros family, rekindled the award-winning eatery’s 1980s tradition of raising money for the Salvation Army at Christmas. In those days of the two-martini lunch, coveted luncheon reservations entitled patrons to hob nob with the powerful and make others take center stage to sing in exchange for a significant donation to the Army. The new version, co-hosted by Diane and Tom Schoenith and the Gatzaros family, depends on luncheon reservation donations ($250, $10,000for booth 1 & 2) and all provisions are totally underwritten by the London Chop House. The singing, this year led by Tasha Lord, is heavenly compared to the boozy caroling of the old days. The Salvation Army brass band and a mounted Detroit policeman greeted the 100 arrivals that included some, like Rosemary Bannon, Lucia Zurkowski, Susie Lambrecht, Stephanie Germack, Dick and Jane Manoogian and the Schoeniths, who remember the original version of the event. More than $33,000 was raised for the Metro Detroit 2018 Red Kettle fundraising goal of $8.2-million.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390.

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ENDNOTE

Challengers to state's rules are all wet ust as no one is above the law, neither can municipalities or public works utilities choose which laws, or which parts of laws, they can follow.

Unfunded mandates are onerous responsibilities for communities – but Michigan's new Lead and Copper Rule, which includes a mandate to remove lead service lines from all Michigan homes over the next 20 years, including the portion that is on private property, from the service line to an individual home, is one which puts the public good, in the form of the public's health and welfare, over a monetary imposition.

The new rule requires all lead service lines to be removed from Michigan homes, and water utilities and many southeast Michigan municipalities are not happy about it, filing suit against the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in the state Court of Claims to challenge the rule. Included in the group filing suit are the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's Office, the Great Lakes Water Authority and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, along with dozens of other communities are looking to join the suit.

Citing concerns about funding work to meet the new requirements, the lawsuit filed in the state Court of Claims to challenge the rule now threatens to undo what has been championed as the first meaningful revision to the Lead and Copper Rule since it was introduced at the federal level in 1991.

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Under state and federal law, at least 90 percent of water quality tests must be below the action level, meaning that 10 percent of homes may exceed the level without triggering any action. Systems that don't meet the 90th percentile rule must take action to lower lead levels, such as corrosion control measures or lead service line replacements.

Michigan's new Lead and Copper Rule, which went into effect in June, upends the 90th percentile regulation by requiring public water providers to submit a full inventory of leadcontaining service lines in its system by 2025, then replace all those pipes within 20 years.

Previously, and under the current federal lead and copper rule, water utilities only had to replace lead-containing service lines when tests at an individual home's tap showed elevated levels of lead beyond the federal action limit of 15 parts per billion. Michigan's new law lowers the action level to 12 ppb. The rule also increases public education and transparency efforts, as well as water quality sampling requirements.

Perhaps even more meaningful are stipulations in Michigan's rule that requires water suppliers to conduct full service line replacements when lead is found, and to do so at the supplier's or municipality's expense. The requirement includes portions of lead service lines on both public and private property.

Previously, property owners had been required to pay for replacements on their own property, which often allowed for one set of protections

for those who could afford the work and a diminished one for those who couldn't.

But rather than balance out inequities in the system in the name of public health, those challenging the rule have gotten hung up on costs. Central to their argument is the claim that the law violates the state Constitution by requiring public funds be used to benefit private property.

While we typically appreciate our public utility's efforts to be proactive and frugal with public funds, protecting the public's health trumps all else. The plaintiffs – municipalities and utilities paid to bring water to their customers – cannot cry foul when finally forced to take measures to ensure their water is safe for all customers – not just those who can pay for their portion of it. Doing so gives the impression that public health isn't taken seriously, and follows the same motives that lead to the disaster in Flint.

And the reality is, if communities don't figure out how to properly replace all of the lines, and how to pay for it, within a span of a couple years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will mandate it – with no options. They've already indicated they're planning to update their rule to mimic Michigan's.

There's no question repairing however many lead service lines in communities there are will be expensive – but no one wants another Flint situation. So officials should direct their energy to delivering water that meets the new health limits.

Bill for long-unfunded benefits has come due loomfield Township, established in 1827, is a beautiful, bucolic, primarily residential community of about 41,000 people spread out over 26 acres. But Bloomfield Township has a dirty little secret that has just begun to be aired – it has a massive unfunded liability of what is called Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB) liabilities, and it's about to cost residents dearly.

In the last few months, the township has begun discussions at board of trustee meetings and trustee study sessions referencing their OPEB issue, and the problem that is beginning to unfold.

In a nutshell, for decades Bloomfield Township was what was called a “pay-as-you-go” municipality for retirement health benefits. That meant officials had not set aside money in a fund to pay for former employees and their spouses, but would pay for their health care, which includes benefits such as medical, dental, vision and life insurance, at promised levels out of current funds.

It made Bloomfield Township a great place to work for, as retirees were generously taken care of.

But the rules of the game changed along the way. In December 2017, the state legislature passed and Gov. Snyder signed into law Public Act

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202, also known as the Protecting Local Government Retirement and Benefits Act to have their unfunded mandates be a minimum of 40 percent funded. The act, which took effect January 1, 2018, requires municipalities to develop collective action plans to show how they will get to a minimum of 40 percent funding in the next 30 years. The township can no longer pay for those expenses as employees retire and accrue actual costs, or pay-as-you-go, a practice once used by many municipalities.

In total, only about 6.7 percent of about $164 million of OPEB liabilities are funded, according to a 2017 township OPEB report – a shortfall of about $65 million. There's only one place that money is coming from, and that is from township taxpayers, in one way or another.

Supervisor Leo Savoie, who noted the township is now in the bottom 20 of Michigan municipalities with this shortfall, was directed by the board to have a survey of residents conducted so they could get feedback from residents as to what to cut or tax. Among the difficult choices are outsourcing police and/or fire; closing Fire Station 4; contracting out assessing; eliminating various

township services, including animal welfare, gypsy moth control and hazardous waste disposal; and other reductions in services and/or increased fees for services.

The township is also considering bonding between $65 and $160 million to fund 40 percent or more of the liabilities – but that comes with its own set of obligations, including a debt for homeowners of between $4,000 and $10,000 total, over the course of the bonds.

It's important to recognize that the OPEB deficiency is not a fault of the current board of trustees, or of the current slate of elected officials, including Savoie. They're working to fix a bad situation. This harkens back much further, to the era of supervisor Fred Korzon, who like others of his time, both civic and corporate, gave employees (particularly union employees) benefits and retiree health benefits as an easy out from the bargaining table rather than increasing wages. After all, those bills were far down the road.

Well, the rubber has hit the road, with skid marks. And the bills have come due.

The first look means everything.

To learn more, visit www.doubletreebloomfieldhills.com or contact Brittany Artz, Director of Events at 248.644.1400 or brittany.artz@hilton.com Ceremonies . Dinner Receptions . Rehearsal Dinners . Cocktail Receptions . Post-Wedding Brunches Bridal Showers . On-site Catering . Customized Bridal Packages . Guest Gifts and Amenities

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