Downtown Newsmagazine | Birmingham/Bloomfield

oaKland conFidential 20-24 | metro intelliGencer 54-55

February 2024

AGING IN OAKLAND HOW GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS RESPOND TO GROWING PART OF POPULATION

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DOWNTOWN02.24 29 OAKLAND COUNTY'S AGING POPULATION Like the rest of Michigan and the country, Oakland County is facing a growing elderly population. In fact, the county’s senior population has been growing at a more rapid pace than its population of children, a trend projected to continue through 2045. We take a look at how government officials and private enterprise are responding to this trend.

19 CRIME MAP A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format, plus a reminder about an online interactive map with story details on public safety incidents.

20 OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Warring GOP factions; U.S, Senate horse race; Donni Steele opponents; Price primary challenge; the redistricting mess; partisan school board contests; blowback for Walberg anti-gay law support plus more.

39 MUNICIPAL Anthropologie leaving Birmingham; Bloomfield Township library tax renewal; township planners clear day care; N. Old Woodward streetscape planning; new township investment option; RainSmart rebates for some in Birmingham; city police facing lawsuit.

Photo Credit: Sandor Kacso | Dreamstime

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HENRY BEGUELIN

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DOWNTOWN02.24 49 NEXT NOTEBOOK Next Executive Director Braun continues to draw knowledge from her mother as she charts her personal progress at Next as she ages.

49 FROM THE BSD Birmingham Shopping District Executive Director Cristina Sheppard-Decius gives readers background information on what it takes to bring events to the downtown area as we enter 2024.

51 COMMUNITY HOUSE William Seklar, President & CEO of The Community House, sets the record straight about past efforts to work with local community groups and plans for the future, and the upcoming Bates Street Society major annual event.

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

58 ENDNOTE Our recommendation on the Bloomfield Township ballot question on the library millage renewal, plus our thoughts on the new parking meter plan in Birmingham, as well as the problems with the voter approved Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission.

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RAQUEL COHEN

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CRIME MAP

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder/Homicide

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through January 18, 2024.

Placement of codes is approximate.

Want weekly updates on public safety stories? Sign up for our weekly update email newsletter at downtownpublications.com.

An interactive version of the Crime Locator map – linking to stories about crime incidents – can be viewed online. Scan the QR code above or look for the crime map link on our home page at downtownpublications.com.

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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: OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com.

All sources are kept strictly confidential. The gossip column can be viewed at OaklandConfidential.com where you can sign up to receive updates via email.

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BATTER UP: If MIGOP chairwoman Kristina Karamo is removed, whether by her party, the national party or the courts, speculation has ramped up as to who would take her place. The name we keep hearing brought up by all corners of the Republican world is former Congressman and Ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra. One politico said, despite popular conjecture, that’s not about to happen, noting that while he knows Hoekstra and likes him, the wealthy and active DeVos family will not support his anointment, primarily because of Hoekstra’s involvement with political consultant John Yob, of whom they are not fans. Others who DIXON have put their names up for speculation are Oakland County Republican Party chair Vance Patrick, who does not have the support he may think he has, and perennial losing candidate and oil heiress Lena Epstein of Bloomfield Township, who despite coming from a wealthy family does not have a history of raising a lot of money. A name quietly being whispered who could potentially unite the MAGA crowd and some old school Republicans is 2022 gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon.

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MEAN GIRLS: If you’re confused about who is running the Michigan Republican Party, you’re not alone. On one side, there is renown party chairwoman Kristina Karamo, and on the other is her former co-chair Malinda Pego.

On recent successive Saturdays, first Pego’s faction held an event to oust Karamo (on January 6 – a coincidence?), by a vote of 40-5. “The witch is dead! The Republican National Committee (RNC) will take over. They did everything by the book,” said a former state co-chair. Not so fast. Karamo and her acolytes claimed it was an improper meeting, and on January 13 she held a meeting, where 60 committee members attended, and all but one KARAMO voted for Karamo to remain as state party chair. “Based on the numbers I’ve seen, it appears she has the numbers and the quorum to remain as chair,” said one former party committee member. “There are only about 105 total committee members. I would assume the RNC will recognize her (as chair).” The same PEGO local Republican noted, “Everybody on the sidelines is saying this is a dumpster fire and they’re going to go raise money on their own for the races and their candidates while the two factions are fighting each other and having litmus tests and claiming ‘people are diabolical.’ It’s full on ‘Mean Girls.’

It’s high school. And it’s terrible for the Republican brand. Now we’re associated with congenital liars and conspiracy thinkers.” Oakland University political science professor David Dulio said efforts to out Karamo came from the establishment wing of the party, which he believes more and more are coming around to. “Everything comes down to the effectiveness of electing Republicans, and a lot of it comes to money. Money is their seat at the table. They need money for general elections to throw behind their candidates. Money can buy not only TV airtime but also staff. A question that hasn’t been asked is how is their volunteer database compared to other years, to get boots for get out the vote efforts.” Dulio said 2024 isn’t lost “because people aren’t going to make a decision on a congressional, Senate, state House race based on the state of the Michigan Republican Party, but on the quality of candidate characteristics.” “The donor class will come back for the right person – but who will write a check for debt? I will write a check for a candidate, but not to help the party get out of debt,” said a past Republican donor class member, as donations shift away from the party and to candidates and super PACs.

CVED# 21897 HORSE RACE: With the top of the ticket looking more decidedly like a BidenTrump rematch, CNN, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, The Hill and The Detroit News/WDIV are all forecasting that the U.S. Senate race to replace Senator Debbie Stabenow is currently a toss-up. Raising almost $3 million for the last quarter of 2023, for a total of $11.7 million this election cycle, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) is still the likely Democratic candidate with a 40-point lead on her nearest primary competitor, actor Harper Hill. But she is in a dead heat with most declared Republican candidates, from DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

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former Congressmen Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) and Peter Meijer (R-Grand Rapids) and with slightly lower name recognition than former Detroit Police Chief James Craig. “There’s a lot of money for this race,” said one Republican who is pushing for Rogers. “He’s very smart and very moderate, and he can raise money.” Rogers recently endorsed former President Donald Trump, despite criticizing him in 2016 and 2020. “I think Trump wants him. He had to do it.” “He has the most experience, and if he can get the majority of the establishment to vote, then he will win,” said another Republican leader. In a twist, he believes the vote could be split and state board of education member Nikki Snyder could eke out the win.

SNYDER “Meijer’ll get the anti-Trump crowd, Craig has name ID, Sandy Pensler (a Grosse Pointe businessman who lost in the 2018 primary to John James despite spending millions of his own fortune) will throw in a lot of money, and Snyder will win with 20-22 percent. That’s how (former Gov. Rick) Snyder won in 2010.” He believes she is underrated but has a good chance to galvanize the grassroots who are active primary participants. “She’s been out the longest and she’s been at all the events.” He noted Meijer has been particularly invisible of late.

BULLSEYE: With Michigan’s primary election filing date rapidly approaching in late April, a couple of local state House representatives are discovering they have a target on their back – and not only from candidates on the opposite side of the aisle. State Rep. Donni Steele (R-Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Auburn Hills, Orion Township) could potentially face her 2022 Democratic opponent, Bloomfield Township’s Shadia Martini, who filed for a rematch with the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds office in May 2023. But before that, Steele will face a Republican primary opponent. Republican Annette STEELE LeBaron of Bloomfield Hills, who one local Republican said is part of the far right faction of the party, filed last April to take Steele on – following her votes (along with the Democratic majority in the House) to officially repeal the 1931 abortion law and for gun safety locks. Steele said at the time, “The 1931 law was no longer enforceable… I don’t agree with LEBARON Proposal 3 (of 2022, Reproductive Freedom for All) – but it’s constitutional and I have to uphold the Constitution. It passed my district by 63 percent – and I represent my district.” Same with gun locks.

TARGET PRACTICE: State Rep. Natalie Price (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Oak Park, Clawson, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Ferndale, Southfield, Detroit) will also face a primary challenger in August, with fellow Democrat Kevin Keys III of Oak Park having filed in July to take her on. It’s an interesting attack on this incumbent, with a reputation as a nose-to-the-grindstone legislator who is actively holding both in-person and virtual office hours; is already going door-todoor campaigning; and has recently passed her first bills, to amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act as well as the Reproductive Health Act. However – we don’t know about all of the municipalities she represents, but we’re hearing that some of her communities never, or rarely, hear from her. Time to make some noise.

COLOR IN THE LINES: With April 23 the official candidate primary filing deadline, a new court-order for Michigan’s Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission is the definition of urgent. A panel of three federal judges determined that 13 Detroitarea Senate and House districts were erroneously drawn, disenfranchising Black voters by keeping their population to about 35 to 45 percent. The redistricting commission has until Friday, February 2, to redraw the maps or the court will do the job.

Included are seven state House seats and six state Senate seats, including state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills) seat. Senate seats are not up for re-election in 2024, although every House seat is. Many local MCMORROW legislators and municipal leaders said they believe the end result will be that all the districts end up getting redrawn because every district is contiguous with the other. One noted that the elections for the currently open House seats, in Warren and Westland, that have created a power/control stalemate in the state House, cannot be held until redistricting is resolved. Political scientist Dave Dulio of Oakland University said the commission had to consider three criteria: the Voting Rights Act, communities of interest, and partisan interest, and

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partisan interest emerged as greater than the other two. “Odds are the dominoes begin to fall if you make the slightest changes to one district.”

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DEM INTRAPARTY FIGHT: Political party division – sometimes leading to physical scuffles – is no longer the exclusive domain of the GOP in Michigan, thanks to rising storm clouds in the Democratic Party over the Israel/Hamas war. Here’s the skinny. A pre-Christmas gathering, held just ahead of the holiday by the 13th Congressional District Democrats at the Common Pub on Cass Avenue in Detroit, drew about 200 party members including some elected officials. A couple dozen protestors who were members of the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Party for Socialism and Liberation – who we’re told were not invited guests – also showed up at the celebration. When US. House member Shri Thanedar (DDetroit) started to speak at the event, the pro-Palestinian protestors began chanting to confront the congressman about his pro-Israel THANEDAR support of late. When there was an attempt to remove the proPalestinian crowd members, a fight broke out, sending one Democrat activist (Bobbie Johnson) to the hospital with two black eyes.

WALBERG BLOWBACK: Prior to his 16 years in the Michigan House and his eighth term representing the 5th District in Congress representing in whole or in part 10 counties along the state’s southern border, Republican Rep. Tim Walberg spent time as a pastor in Indiana and Michigan. So it comes as no surprise that he has been invited a number of times to attend and/or be among the keynote speakers at international prayer breakfasts hosted by the Fellowship Foundation (International Foundation) in places that have included Europe and Africa. The group picked up the $7,000 tab for Walberg last fall, according to required ethics filings in D.C. The usually benign and seldom covered affair catapulted into the headlines after the early October 2023 National Prayer Day in Uganda where its president, Yoweri Museveni, signed into law in May of last year an antigay law that includes the death penalty for members of the LGBTQ+ community. When it came time for Walberg to address those assembled, he urged Uganda officials not to bow to pressure from international forces (World Bank, UN and WHO) or those in the United States who have opposed the Anti-Homosexual Act and to “stand firm” for “values that God created.” Critics – including Democrat U.S. House member Elissa Slotkin – along with the Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, and President Joe Biden, called out the support of a law that undermines what many consider a violation of generally accepted human rights. As expected, Walberg’s office tried to dance around the hot mess but failed miserably.

POLITICIZED SCHOOL RACES: Despite what some observers are putting forth in recent months – that upcoming school board contests might not be as partisan as in the past couple of years – Fuhgeddaboudit. The Oakland County Republican Party sent out an email newsletter on January 6, promoting a number of upcoming party events. Included was a promotion of a February 10 training session for those seeking a position on their local school board. The candidate workshop will run from 9 a.m.noon and is billed as a joint effort of county Republicans and the Get On Board organization – an opportunity to “hear from the experts.” Trust us, the skirts of local/state Democrats are no cleaner. The Michigan Democratic Party announced on January 10 that the statewide political organization, in cahoots with the Contest Every Race group, will be pushing to get Democrats to file for local offices, which would include local school boards.

HALL IN HEADLINES: Michigan House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) was back in the headlines in recent weeks, courtesy of the Daily Beast, which highlighted a domestic violence case from 2019, the victim of which eventually recanted so the state lawmaker faced no criminal charges. As the story was told, Hall and his girlfriend were in a car with the lawmaker driving on his way to a gambling event. His “dangerous” driving frightened his girlfriend who twice phoned 911 and recorded the encounter. Hall at one point grabbed her cell phone with such force that he broke the screen. An officer responding later to their house advised the girlfriend to find another place to stay for the night. One Republican stalwart we consulted, while not condoning HALL Hall’s behavior, wrote the incident off as ‘old news’ about the thirdterm lawmaker. Others (namely the state Democratic party) saw fit to make it an issue in an email to Dem party followers in recent weeks. Hall was back in the news in midJanuary when Richard Cutshaw announced he would be challenging the lawmaker in the party primary this August. Cutshaw – described by one party insider as a “wack job” – has said that prayer convinced him he had to run for the seat.

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Ziggy Klett ike many comedians, Ziggy Klett has learned how to turn his personal pain into punchlines, but his goal is to give his audience more. To Klett, laughter is carbonated holiness and his comedy is a sacred art that he’s hoping will help heal, inspire and intimately connect with his audience.

Born in Wisconsin, the Bloomfield Hills resident was influenced by the late comedians George Carlin and Robin Williams, and began his stand up comedy career in 2006 at the ripe age of 50 years old, at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak. During that same time, he battled life-threatening stage 4 cancer, 29 rounds of chemotherapy and three lifesaving surgeries. Yet he persevered and set out to fulfill his lifelong dream in comedy. ”I’m the perfect example showing it’s never too late to make your dreams come true and to fulfill your purpose. But you have to work very hard to make them happen.”

Klett firmly believes laughter is poison to fear, and hopes all of the things that he’s put in his comedy act – like a difficult childhood, divorce, dating and lifethreatening health issues, can connect with people on an emotional level, make them laugh, think, cry, and help them release some of their own pain and struggles.

Taking his self-produced one man show, “47 Chairs” – an astute perspective of his life off-Broadway last year – has been a pinnacle in his career. The thinking man’s comedian is now performing it across the country and Canada along with his stand up act. His performances have been described as raw, truthful, contemplative and touching the heart – all intentionally without profanity. Locally he has ongoing dates at the Matrix in Detroit and February 1-3, in Traverse City, including headlining the Traverse City Comedy Festival. Bloomfield Community Television (BCTV) is currently showing “47 Chairs,” and Klett is planning more projects with the station director, Carrie LeZotte.

When he isn’t bicycling or taking a cold plunge swim in Wing Lake, the 67-yearold comic is laser focused on writing all of his own material, and by his own admission it’s a painstaking process and the one area in his life he strives to be a perfectionist. All joking aside, Klett explains comedy is very serious business.

“There is a science to stand up comedy. Our routine is judged every 14 seconds by the audience, so the material has to keep delivering jokes in a set to keep everyone engaged and entertained, and there’s an art and science to that. I judge my performance by the laughter from the people. If I have a three snort show, I know I’m killing it,” says the comedian and father of two.

Future goals for Ziggy the performer are to take his work to larger venues with more expanded routines and he isn’t ruling out a Netflix special if they should offer.

“As my life goes on and evolves, so does my material and I want to share it all,” he noted.

And finally, how has today’s cancel culture and “woke” ideology affected the comedian‘s work? “Not at all,” said the now cancer-free Klett. “I feel that stand up comedy is one of the last unfettered bastions of free speech in our country, and the fact that we are still allowed to have our own perspectives and humor makes Americans unique.

“I feel I have a personal responsibility and I’ll never let that be taken away from us, at least not on my watch.”

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AGING IN OAKLAND HOW GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS RESPOND TO GROWING PART OF POPULATION

BY STACY GITTLEMAN n any given day, there’s a wait to play pickleball at Birmingham NEXT, the non-profit 50 and over senior center housed at the former Midvale School. As seniors wait their turn for the three indoor courts, they’ll chat with old friends or make some new ones. But don’t call them seniors – they’d rather be known as active older adults.

“At Birmingham NEXT, we have dedicated 25 hours a week to pickleball because it has become so popular," said Birmingham NEXT Executive Director Cris Braun. “There are always about 25 people lined up. They could go to other places, but they stick around here because of the camaraderie. So it's a little bit of fitness and a lot of friendship and fun.”

O

Birmingham NEXT looks forward to tripling its space to 30,000 square feet when it moves from its current location at the former Midvale School into its expanded digs in a renovated Birmingham Family YMCA building on Lincoln Avenue by the summer of 2026.

Braun hears from current members that they are excited about the growth, just so long that the culture of camaraderie does not change. And they hope it has more of the feel of a premiere sports club and less of a nursing home or hospital.

The anticipated expansion of Birmingham's senior center is just one example of how Oakland County government and non-profit entities are trying to make the area as palatable as possible for the 65 and over demographic, which is fast becoming the largest segment of the population in the state.

The Baby Boom generation is notorious for being young-at-heart.

Regardless of your political leanings, the leading presidential candidates from both parties are well at the top of this age bracket.

Dolly Parton, at 77, was recently photographed attired in a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfit and the Rolling Stones, who are in their 80s, will be out on tour again in 2024.

Maybe we all can’t have the stamina of rock stars or presidential political candidates, but studies show that the age demographic who are 65 and over is growing larger and still carries political, economic and cultural clout.

L

ooking ahead to this shift in the age demographic where the old are outnumbering the young, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) wrote a document in 2010 titled "Preparing for the Silver Tsunami: A Wave of Opportunity.” The agency pointed out that seniors spend 92 percent of their monthly income, rather than saving it, as younger demographics need to do, and that they typically spend it locally. In 2009, seniors spent $5 billion in Oakland County, making them a very strong economic force.

So what happened to the momentum of action and planned services spurned from the Silver Tsunami report?

Oakland County Commissioner Marcia Gershenson (D-Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake), herself a senior who has dedicated her career to championing the needs of older adults, said like many projects, sometimes things get reprioritized depending on who is in office.

And then came the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After the tsunami report came out, there was about a two or three-year frenzy when we had a great group of people working on all sorts of initiatives for seniors,” recalled Gershenson, who also worked on the 2010 report as well as the subsequent 2021 Blueprint for Successful Aging, and has served in the county for years on the Senior Advisory Council. “And then, as things usually happen, there is an election and things get shelved.”

Eleven years later, the 2021 Profile on Older Americans revealed that almost 2.5 million out of 10 million residents in Michigan are over the age of 60. Of that population, there are a half million between the ages of 75-84.

The median income of older persons in Michigan in 2020 was $26,668. Men had a higher median income overall: $35,808 compared to $21,245 for women. From 2019 to 2020, the average income (after adjusting for inflation) of all households headed by older people decreased by 3.3 percent. Households headed by persons 65 and older reported a median income in 2020 of $68,067.

About five percent of family households with an older adult

householder had incomes less than $15,000, and 79 percent had incomes of $35,000 or more.

The Healthy Aging Oakland County Ad Hoc Committee was formed in March of 2021 by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. In December of that year, the committee, working with the AAA 1-B, released the Blueprint on Successful Aging in Oakland County.

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he Blueprint revealed that since 2015, the county’s senior population has been growing at a more rapid pace than its population of children, a trend projected to continue through 2045.

While stating the urgency of providing resources to this growing demographic in Oakland County, the Blueprint noted that the county lacked an overarching program that assists older people with benefits counseling to ensure they are utilizing all available benefits, and a point person in the county administration who could listen to their concerns.

The Blueprint also revealed that while a significant portion of older adults felt like they were missing out on entitled benefits, they also may be reluctant to enter their information into a computer or handle the paperwork disclosing personal information and felt the application might not be worth the effort.

Of those age 65 and older, according to the Blueprint 70 percent will need long-term supportive services such as personal care or homemaking assistance during the remainder of their lifetime. Most older adults prefer for this care to be provided in their homes rather than moving to an institutional setting. However, many families struggle to afford in-home care services.

The Blueprint also reported on the dire shortage of healthcare and home healthcare workers in Oakland County. This is because it is difficult to attract and retain these workers, who are perennially underpaid and find few training and advancement opportunities.

Many leave the workforce due to conflicting childcare responsibilities, lack of transportation, or to find a higher paying job. The Blueprint recommended that the county develop partnerships with community colleges to provide credit and tuition assistance for direct care workers seeking career advancement and to remove barriers to these workers by offsetting childcare and transportation costs.

The Blueprint reported that 28 percent of older adult households in Oakland County are paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income toward housing costs, such as rent and mortgage payments.

Spending too much of one’s income on housing-related costs reduces the amount available for items such as healthy food, healthcare and/or transportation. These spending trends can negatively impact one’s health into a negative cycle for older populations.

The drawback of living in one’s home on a fixed income is the high cost of home maintenance, from replacing a furnace or roof to mowing the lawn in the summer or plowing the driveway in the winter. The Blueprint reported that in the face of inflation and rising labor and material costs, not many contractors are willing to come in below at-market rates. Chore services that were once available in some municipalities have been rendered unsustainable. The AAA 1B historically funded county-wide chore services (lawn and snow care) until September 30, 2019.

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said although there is a significant number of seniors in Oakland County who have enjoyed financial stability, between 30 to 40 percent of seniors face some

housing insecurity – even in wealthier suburbs. This is because those who were used to a certain lifestyle now must contend with the upkeep of a home and housing expenses on a fixed income.

“The fact that there is a high incidence of housing insecurity right here in Oakland County raises a lot of eyebrows,” Coulter said.

“The issue of affording home improvements doesn’t just affect lowincome communities. It has become a top challenge for me when I was elected in 2019.”

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fter creating an Ad Hoc Senior Advisory Council, it was determined that a standalone position needed to be created to see to older adult issues in the county. So Coulter appointed longtime Royal Oak Mayor and state legislator Jim Ellison to the new position in January 2023. Rather than duplicating programming that already may be available at the municipal level, Ellison, himself a senior, circulated in the county talking with people at senior centers and residents of independent and assisted living communities and nonprofit agencies such as the AAA 1-B. According to Katie Wendel, Michigan’s director of planning and advocacy for AAA 1-B, in comparison to the Blueprint, the 2010 Silver Tsunami report was lacking in actionable objectives. “Not as many direct investments were made in response to the Silver Tsunami,” Wendel said. “It's been substantially different with the Blueprint.”

Wendel explained that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners at the Blueprint’s suggestion made several financial investments for senior resources, including creating Ellison's position. It approved $5 million in grants to senior centers for capital technology and infrastructure improvements. It allocated $3 million to fund the development of a county chore pilot program, reserving up to $50,000 in grants for nonprofit organizations to support volunteer management and $5,000 to help with administrative costs for the reinstatement of the Oakland County Safe Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition, which is back up and running again.

Wendel continued: “These are tangible programs that are meeting benchmarks. We will continue to see increased focus on the needs of the older adult population, and how we can support caregivers. In the Blueprint, we created an actionable list of ideas for the county to focus on. And I think we're seeing the fruits of that in those really targeted investments but brought more broadly an increased focus on older adults.”

As of this January, Wendel said AAA 1-B shook off its bureaucratic name and rebranded itself as AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services.

“When we look at the rising demand for senior services, several factors come into play,” explained Wendel. “The aging of the baby boomer generation is the nation’s fasting growing demographic. But this generation also had fewer children than previous generations, and those adult children, who most commonly are the primary caregivers, tend to live farther away. So, these are some difficult dynamics as there is a lack of available caregivers."

The first step in AgeWay’s mission, Wendel said, is to educate seniors through their families and caregivers about entitlement benefits for seniors. These classes are often offered through the senior centers throughout the county. Wendel said people need not wait for a crisis to take advantage of these informational classes.

“Most people don't interact with aging services until that day when they really need it, such as when a loved one experiences a fall or

gets a serious health diagnosis. And then that’s a lot of information to learn all at once.”

To offset caregiver burnout, AgeWays in October 2023 launched through a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation $575 respite care vouchers, where, through its network, family caregivers can have the ability to select and pay for a respite care worker found through their online platform or pay a trusted neighbor or relative.

As another leg of support for caregivers, AgeWays initiated a caregiving coaching program. Volunteer caregiver coaches, steeped in knowledge from their own caregiving experiences, serve as coaches to those just beginning to grapple with an aging loved one, connecting them to resources, teaching stress management techniques and other tools to navigate the complexities of caregiving.

“Our core programs are a critical component to supporting the goal of aging in place,” Wendel said. “We are all about the home and community-based settings. We highly value our seniors, as they have the strongest and most enduring bonds to our local community. These are the people who are the drivers of our local economy as well as volunteer efforts. There are several things that we can do as a community to make it more attainable for people to reach their goal of aging in place. Having supports and services set in place, helping people identify ways to modify their homes are important components of fulfilling that goal.”

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akland County's Coulter and Ellison determined that the highest priority need for seniors is accessible transportation. Changes and enhancements are on the horizon now that Oakland County is a fully opt-in county, meaning that public transportation is going to reach every community countywide thanks to a transportation millage that passed in the November 2022 election. Coulter said that main bus routes will be expanded with micro-routes to reach the outermost and northern reaches of the county. Seniors can even get picked up and given door-to-door service starting at $2 a ride.

“In the year since the millage passed, we've seen a 20 percent increase in ridership in the outer county micro transit routes,” explained Coulter. “These are pick up services that take seniors and others with disabilities to run errands and go to doctor’s appointments. We are hearing all the time what a game changer this is giving seniors and others the freedom and independence that they needed. And you need not be at a lower income level to benefit from this.”

And once they have a ride, Coulter said the report revealed the destinations seniors desire the most are visits to senior centers where they can exercise and socialize.

“Our seniors want a much more active lifestyle than those generations in the past, so we would like to lean in and learn how we can help communities that offer senior fitness and recreation centers and programming,” Coulter said. “And this falls in line right up to what (Governor Gretchen Whitmer) is saying: we want to build up the amenities and quality of life that they want and expect here in Michigan to keep our seniors here and attract and maintain our younger generation. What seniors want now is very different from just a couple of decades ago. They are more active and tend to have more disposable income. They don’t want to stay home and watch TV – they want to get out, socialize, play pickleball and travel.”

Using the Blueprint as his guide, Ellison said so far he has spent the first year on the job assessing needs while visiting with staff and

participants at every senior center across the county. He has found there are groups of active, healthy seniors who may have retired early, who are looking to keep busy and social and make the most of their pensions and retirement savings. He has talked with senior center staff members who have known and worked with members for years. Challenges for these seniors, Ellison says, are transportation issues in a car-dependent society, finding affordable home repair and other financial management resources.

“Transportation is one of the first tasks we are going to tackle,” Ellison agreed with Coulter. “Another big one is home ownership. A lot of seniors would like to downsize and move out of their larger homes, but they feel tied in because of the way state property taxes are structured. Even if they move into a smaller house or condo, they still might wind up paying high property taxes so that is a problem that needs to be addressed.”

Echoing on Ellison’s sentiments about seniors being locked into their homes is Wayne State University’s Thomas Jankowski, associate director for research at the WSU Institute of Gerontology. A large part of his position involves working on older adult issues with local municipalities as well as AAA 1-B. Jankowski said that about 25 percent in Birmingham and West Bloomfield aged 65 and over are “house rich and cash poor.” The current inhospitable housing market for sellers find seniors locked into a big house and capped at lower property taxes – which would become high property taxes if they move as they desire so downsizing is something that the market is not making available to them.

The Institute of Gerontology collaborated on numerous state and Oakland County research projects on aging, including the Silver Tsunami with the AAA 1-B and the 2019 statewide needs assessment reports.

“From this work, we learn that the older adult population is by no means monolithic,” said Jankowski. “While there is a fair amount of Oakland County older adults who are well off, retire early and can afford to do what they want to do, there are a significant portion of them who struggle to get by, who need to decide between paying rent or paying for prescription medication, even in wealthier areas.”

At the same time, Jankowski pointed to the buying clout and economic vitality of this population. Nationwide, they spend billions in their local community with revenues from outside sources, meaning Social Security, Medicare and retirement pensions that flow into local shops and restaurants they’ve patronized for years. They also would rather avoid ecommerce.

“Another thing is that seniors are not savers,” Jankowski said. “They've already spent a whole lifetime saving, so 95 percent of older adults spend all of their income on a range of things from housing to medicine to trips to the Caribbean.”

Demographically speaking, Jankowski said Michigan’s 65-and-over population is growing and will continue that trajectory for the next 10 years, as will the population of those 85 and older. At that point, those will be the people who will tend to suffer from chronic disease, mobility and cognitive decline who will need more support to either age in place or move to independent or assisted living with step-up care, if they can afford it.

J

ankowski said there is a growing trend of seniors hitting the books again and going back to college. While some are enrolling for the sake of lifelong learning, others are considering a late-in-life career change. Jankowski said Wayne State University is the third institute of higher learning in Michigan that has embarked on a partnership with the Age Friendly University Global Network, making classes more accessible to older learners.

“The age of retirement has been creeping up since the 1980s and that is because people are living longer and they want to work and have

different careers in their lives,” Jankowski said. “I can’t tell you how many students I have spoken to who are in their sixties. A year or so after they retired, they realized they were not going to make it (financially) without at least some part-time work or consulting. They want to work, but they also want to have much more control of their schedule.”

Last November, Birmingham voters approved support of senior resources with a new, three-year 0.33-mill levy which will collect about $1,053,750 in revenue per year for interim improvements and a sinking fund for a new senior center. This was well supported because Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Franklin expect households with older adults to jump by 50 percent by 2045.

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irmingham NEXT's Braun said that the plan to relocate the senior center and renovate the existing Birmingham Family YMCA 400 E. Lincoln Street is also made possible by a mosaic of funding revenue that includes fundraising, sponsorships and grants to keep base membership at $55 a year for members. The current center has 2,500 members and welcomes about 1,600 visitors per week to participate in a variety of classes, lectures, courses and resources such as a computer lab and a library.

Once the YMCA is renovated for greater accessibility, such as ramps and an ADA-compliant elevator, Braun said there is great excitement over how they can deliver enhanced senior programming in the new building that will triple its footprint from its current location.

“We provide so much at Birmingham NEXT so I can’t wait to see how much more we can do once we are in the new building,” Braun said. “It already is like a tale of two (senior) centers. On one hand, we have very active members who like to exercise, go on trips and learn at our lecture series. Then we have others in the community who come in looking for support, whether they are having technical problems with their cell phones or tablets, or if they are looking for someone who can help mow their lawn or shovel snow. In Birmingham, we have worked hard to provide services like this to our seniors.”

In 2022, Bloomfield Township voted to renew a millage for senior services that was created in 2004. The current senior services millage of 0.2273 mills was set to expire in 2024, but since the proposal passed, there will be an increase of the senior services millage by 0.1027 mills, for a new total millage rate of 0.3300 mills for 10 years. The renewed millage and increase will be levied in December 2024 and will result in the authorization to collect $1.673 million in the first year.

Bloomfield Township Senior Services Director Christine Tvarhoa said the millage pays for over 50 percent of the cost to run the township’s senior center, located on 4315 Andover Road. The rest of the revenue comes from grants, donations, fundraising, program and membership fees.

According to Tvarhoa, the senior center was growing in popularity in the years before the pandemic. In 2019, there were about 70,000 visits to the center, which was open six days a week at 65 hours per week. The center boasts a walking track, a pool for swimming and aquatic classes, and a gym with dozens of pieces of weight machine equipment, and about 51 classes per week.

After shutting down in-person programming for nearly 15 months, Tvarhoa said the center in 2023 was climbing back out of the pandemic phase to find a shifting preference from senior clients. They may have moved away or are still hesitant to gather in person. Tvarhoa is hoping that the many offerings this winter, such as lunch and learn lectures, the reformation of a jazz band, and planned day trips can coax seniors out of the winter doldrums.

“Above all, we are focused on building social networks that gather in person as we take a holistic approach to our seniors,” Tvarhoa said. “This winter, we offered a slew of complementary programs to draw people in, even though we all have the urge to hunker down in cold, dark weather.

From playing poker or billiards to book club and fitness classes, we are encouraging people to come in and reconnect to the community.”

To alleviate transportation barriers, in 2012 the center kicked off a transportation program and hires its own private drivers and mini-shuttle routes to pick up members and bring them to and from the center. And asking for a lift is not limited to those who are permanently no longer driving.

“No one likes to say, ‘I’m never driving again.’ Our transportation program is here for the times that seniors may feel hesitant about driving, or if they are recovering from surgery and temporarily cannot drive. There is a wide range of people who benefit from our transportation program and many more could benefit from it if they were aware of it.”

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ssential to our physical health as we age – so we can continue playing sports or even remaining independent at home, is maintaining balance and learning how to avoid falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury and injury death for those 65 and older. One out of four older adults will fall each year in the United States.

Proper, prescribed strength coordination and balance exercises have been proven the best way to maintain balance and prevent falls, and this has been a focus within the physical therapy department at Oakland University.

Chris Wilson is an associate professor of physical therapy at Oakland University who has been board certified in geriatrics since 2008. His department launched a community program called Home-Based Older Persons Upstreaming Prevention and Physical Therapy, or Hop-Up-PT, which has been piloted at senior centers at Auburn Hills and hopes to be expanded and available to other senior centers in the county.

The study was made possible by a partnership between Oakland University and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund with a contribution of $900,000. There is also additional grant funding of over $400,000 to build a statewide online portal where seniors and their caregivers can locate nearby fall prevention programs. The program will be developed with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan 2-1-1 to find a nearby fall prevention program.

“Much of a senior’s ability to stay independent, safe and active in the community depends on their ability to stay physically and medically healthy,” said Wilson. “That's why we've been very excited to work on this Hop-Up-PT initiative that has a community focus.”

Wilson said what typically happens is that an aging person injures themselves or falls and then in their recovery process they are prescribed physical therapy and strength training. But Hop-Up-PT turns this way of thinking on its head.

“Instead of waiting for something to happen, like a fall, we have learned that in our seven-month study, conducted by working in the field with 144 participants at six area senior centers, Hop-Up-PT participants were eight times less likely to fall than their counterparts who did not do the exercises,” Wilson said.

He said the study pointed out important lessons as we all age: that preventative exercises that intervene the course of aging can address predictable issues before they happen.

Most seniors want to stay in their homes as long as possible, but that may involve receiving extra support. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a model of care that integrates Medicare and Medicaid benefits for eligible beneficiaries. It provides comprehensive medical and social services to seniors and individuals living with disabilities that enables them to live in their homes and communities rather than receiving care in an institutional setting.

On December 5, 2023, Michigan Congressman John Moolenaar (R-

Midland) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) reintroduced the PACE Expanded Act, which is legislation that would strengthen the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). PACE is a model of care that integrates Medicare and Medicaid benefits for eligible beneficiaries who are 55 and over and can live independently in their own homes with extra support provide by the program. Available in 31 states and with 25 centers in Michigan, PACE offers comprehensive medical and social services to seniors and individuals living with disabilities that enables them to live in their homes and communities rather than receiving care in an institutional setting. Stephanie Winslow, executive director of PACE Southeast Michigan, said the program is perhaps the best-kept secret and a remedy to Michigan’s “perfect storm” of older people living longer and staying put within the state while their younger counterparts are moving away. This creates a multi-layered conundrum of less local caregivers and a shrinking tax base to provide these services, Winslow said.

“Michigan is one of the top 15 oldest populations in the US, and Michiganders 85 and older, are the fastest growing group of everybody,” Winslow said. “Between 2012 and 2022, PACE has seen participation increase in its Michigan program by over 470 percent. That’s because it’s really the best kept secret to this perfect storm.”

PACE payments are capitated, meaning that when a senior needs specific in-home care after they are released from a hospital or emergency room setting, health care providers or organizations will receive payments through PACE as a predictable, upfront, set amount of money to cover the predicted cost of all or some of the health care services for a specific patient over a certain period of time.

W

inslow said that 70 percent of senior consumers would rather be cared for in their home, and seniors living at home are hospitalized 24 percent less than living in another setting. Those enrolled in PACE can be provided with age-in-place amenities in their home such as handrails in hallways and showers and ramps for better accessibility.

PACE enrollees can also visit one of their centers in southeast Michigan from a few times a month to a few times a week, either on their own or picked up by a PACE shuttle, said Winslow. At a PACE center, seniors can take a supervised bath or shower, have their laundry done, have a meal, be seen by doctors, nurses and physical therapists have prescriptions filled, take part in social activities and have a meal. Winslow said because PACE is both the health insurance provider and the healthcare provider, this model is the “Cadillac” of care.

“While hospitals and nursing homes grapple with staffing shortages, we at PACE are nimble, quick and tend to have better staff retention,” said Winslow. “Because we are both the insurance and the healthcare provider, our trained staff, from our physicians to physical therapists and nurses, tend to stay with us longer because they can provide care without their hands tied behind their back. For example, in a traditional insurance situation, a patient may use up their physical therapy hours in a certain allotted timeframe. But at PACE, if we see that patient is and can improve and remain living independently in their own home, we have that flexibility to give them more therapy to get them to that level of being able to live independently.”

When living on one’s own or moving in with a relative are no longer options, people may choose to explore senior living communities. According to the website seniorliving.org, Michigan has over 500 independent living and over 1,200 assisted living facilities.

The Birmingham-Bloomfield area has seven living communities for senior residents, including All Seasons, American House Village at Bloomfield, Baldwin House, Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills, Sunrise of

Bloomfield, the Avalon of Bloomfield Township and The Sheridan at Birmingham.

An independent living community can offer maintenance-free one and two-bedroom apartments, small condos or patio homes. They feature onsite minimal medical care as needed by residents. Residents have a private living space as well as community-based services and facilities, such as a community entertainment space, a dining plan, a meeting room, and a community garden. In addition to providing the built-in assurance that seniors will be living in a secure environment with a supportive staff always on call, residents can expect a lifestyle that is full of social and recreational activities, including happy hour nights several times a week.

According to the website aplaceformom.com, the average monthly cost for independent living in Michigan is $2,635. The costs are out of pocket.

Additional care by a home health aide may be financed by Medicare or Medicaid.

For those who need more care with taking medication, dressing and mobility issues, assisted living residents get help from trained healthcare aides that are not necessarily registered nurses. Memory care is available in some assisted living homes and some facilities are known as continuum care models where the staff can increase care for a person as they age and their needs change. According to memorycare.com, the cost of this level of care is on average $5,313 per month, $300 less than the national average.

Some independent and assisted living communities offer temporary, respite care arrangements for those who may need extra support when recovering from an illness or surgery.

Many officials from places like Baldwin House, American House and All Seasons began their careers in the hospitality industry and treat their businesses as such. Many who work in this industry have stayed for decades and were introduced to it when it was time to look for living arrangements for their parents. And many say their clients, who felt lonely and isolated living on their own, wish they had moved in sooner.

“Aging in place is the preferred option for most folks,” said Baldwin House Chief Operating Officer Tina Marzolf. “If people are no longer able to do this, the next best thing is to age within the community they are most comfortable and familiar with. It’s where their church or pharmacy is located, where they have nearby family and friends. And an independent living community like what we have at all of our Baldwin properties is one of the most common choices.”

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arzolf said all of the Baldwin House properties in Oakland County, from independent living apartments in Birmingham, stand-alone cottages in Hazel Park and apartments in Auburn Hills by the Great Lakes Crossing, are intended to improve and maintain the active, independent senior quality of life through social connection.

“Isolation is at epidemic levels in our country, while we see other cultures like in Asia where communities are more closely connected, people live longer and healthier lives,” Marzolf said. “It can be assuring to know you can move to a place where you can see people all the time. You don’t have to rely on far-away family members who may only see you once a month. And in our common areas there is happy hour, there is music and people are having fun.”

Marzolf said if people are unsure about making a permanent relocation, they can rent an apartment on a trial basis.

While all of the units at Baldwin House are designed for active, independent living, a caregiver may need to reassess and consider assisted living if memory impairment issues or acute mobility issues arise.

“Trying to care for loved ones in one’s home who have acute needs can become expensive and exhausting, and that is a big reason why people seek out assisted living,” Marzolf noted. “Once home and communitybased care options have been exhausted, that is the time when families

consider assisted living, where there is access to around-the-clock care and tending to personal care issues like taking medications, dressing, and bathing.”

Also in downtown Birmingham is All Seasons independent apartments on Elm Street. At the high end of independent living, All Seasons is adding to its housing options this year with a 55 and over boutique housing with 24 luxury two-bedroom apartments. Each will feature high-end kitchen appliances, vinyl hardwood floors, balconies and private terraces as well as high-tech security door locks and temperature controlling.

“The demand for senior living just keeps climbing and I don’t see any signs of it slowing down because the longevity of our lives keeps growing,” said All Seasons Director of Sales and Marketing Rita Zhao.

Zhao comes from a decades-long career in international hospitality and previously worked for the Hyatt Corporation. She enjoys her work at All Seasons because of the dedication of the staff and their respect for residents shown by the quality of care and attention they give. Everything from a resort-like dining selection and housekeeping services are included. Amenities include shuttle transportation to shopping and appointments, programming from concerts to dance performances to the “senior prom” each year.

“All Seasons has created a community that is not only set in a beautiful and loving environment but has created an attractive lifestyle for our residents who love it here because they have so much to do. As one ages, unfortunately, one’s social circle begins to shrink. Friends pass away, and it gets harder to get out and about and see friends and family. But when they are here, they are surrounded by new people to meet and have many things to do, both here at All Seasons and through planned trips to Detroit to visit the DIA or take in a performance at the DSO.” American House CEO Dale Watchowski and President Jeff Floyd say they are committed to the quality of life for their residents, some of whom are their own parents who all lived in Oakland County their whole life and had no desire to move away as they made their transition to independent and assisted living. Altogether the company has six independent, assisted, memory care and respite care sites in Oakland County and 60 communities in the Midwest, New England, and Southeast. American House is in the Top 20 of the largest senior housing company in the country.

“People’s desires to stay locally is the reason for us developing our housing community in West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills,” Watchowski said. “In some cases, retirees may downsize and move to more rural areas of the state. Then, a health issue arises, they are far from family and the quality of doctors they need, and a decision needs to be made.

Unfortunately, making a move to assisted or independent living happens reactively, and many who ultimately move in with us in retrospect wish they’d done it sooner.”

“Many families seniors fit into three categories,” explained Floyd “They either plan for the future, procrastinate and push it off as long as possible, or they are a crasher – they wait until a health crisis forces a decision. It is unfair and stressful to everyone, especially the senior resident.”

Watchowski said this is why it is important to speak with loved ones to plan for the future as much as possible how to move forward with life as we become more frail and dependent, and consider where we want to be once we reach this stage.

An area senior living community most known for its attention to the continuum of care is Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills. With three locations in southeast Michigan, the community in Bloomfield Hills also offers nursing home care. According to Erin Ottenbreit, Cedarbrook's Senior Vice President of Operations, the staff takes the time to build relationships with the residents as well as their family members. If a resident starts to show a decline in health, staff members start the conversation about solutions and/or next steps. It may be as simple as coordination with rehabilitation therapy services or as important as meeting with the resident and their families about transferring to another area of the community that can better provide the appropriate care and support.

“The senior industry can be confusing a times because communities offer several different types of services and living options,” Ottenbreit explained. “As an example, some communities offer licensed assisted living and memory care; others may offer independent living with or without some connection to home healthcare, which will not have the same government oversight. It is important to have Cedarbrook in the community where people have lived because it is familiar, close to friends and family, and full of memories.”

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FACES Kate DeGood irmingham resident Kate DeGood was drawn to traditional Scottish Highland dancing before she even learned about her Scottish heritage. As director of the Kate DeGood School of Dance, she offers in-person and virtual lessons for ages two and up.

“It isn't as well known in the U.S. as Irish (Riverdance), but it is just as competitive and exciting,” she said. “We wear traditional outfits including kilts, and dancers as young as four dance over swords.”

Born in Lockport, New York, Degood grew up in Holland, Michigan and Illinois as well as Alma, where she would discover her passion for Scottish dancing. “I got involved when my family moved to the city known as Scotland, USA. My mom signed me up to try that and other types of dance like ballet, tap and jazz,” she explained.

“I really loved it and I became really good at it and started to travel more. I became a premiere at 10 – the highest level – and I won my first U.S. championship at 13. I started traveling to Scotland every year for the World Championship.”

She describes Scottish dancing as precise. “It’s very technical and our positions and techniques are very exact. It appeals to perfectionists,” said DeGood. “It’s very similar to ballet with that technical aspect, but it requires a lot more stamina because the dances are a lot shorter and you’re jumping up and down all the time.”

Originally, these dances were performed by men in Scotland, where the technique was also used for military strength training. “As the story goes, a woman dressed as a man entered a competition and won. Now male and female dancers compete in the same categories. Although we do perform, it is primarily for competition,” she said.

Special event performances can feature a group or one or two dancers for a Scottish wedding.

Both cultural and historical, every dance has a story behind it, like a sword dance done by warriors. The dances can be performed indoors, but historically they were only done in outdoor settings.

The Highland Fling, one of the oldest and most traditional of the Highland dances, may have originated from a young boy describing the movements of a leaping stag to his father. It was also used as a victory dance after battle.

Irish dances share the competition aspect and cultural history, but the techniques are very different. “We both hold our bodies upright, but we use our arms all the time,” said DeGood, who has been teaching traditional Scottish dance for more than 20 years to students that range from beginners to champion dancers.

Last year, her school traveled and competed extensively. For instance, DeGood taught workshops in Australia and many dancers competed in the U.S. National Championships in Portland, Oregon and the Canadian National Championships in Nova Scotia. Some had great success along the way, including those who won medals and trophies in Scotland.

In addition to her online classes, DeGood currently teaches at Birmingham First Church CLC Dance Studio and Kilgour Scottish Centre in Troy.

“I’ve tried to be really involved in the Birmingham community, like the Hometown Parade and the Wintr Market. We have also done Story Time at the Baldwin Library,” she said. “We are always looking for new opportunities in the community. There are a lot of people with Scottish heritage who don’t know we’re out there.”

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MUNICIPAL Anthropology, three other stores closing

By Lisa Brody

Downtown Birmingham is seeing a shift in its retail landscape, with four longtime retail establishments shutting their doors, including Anthropology, and a new women's store, Eileen Fisher, planning a move from Somerset Collection, plus the opening of a new jewelry store, Radiant Made.

Anthropology, which has been located at 214 W. Maple Road for 30 years, is closing in February; the Robert Kidd Gallery, 107 Townsend Street, closed in mid-January; Moosejaw Bike & Snow, 284 W. Maple Road shutting its doors, and fab'rik, 123 W. Maple,already closed up shop.

For many Birmingham shoppers, Anthropology, known for its unique, bohemian mix of lifestyle clothing for women of all ages along with casual jewelry, lingerie, home furnishings and accessories, is the closest equivalent to an anchor store downtown Birmingham has had since the former Jacobson's department store closed in 2002.

According to its website, the downtown Birmingham store will officially close Friday, February 9.

Unofficial sources stated remaining full-time store employees will be transferred to an all new Anthropologie store at Twelve Oaks Mall. According to sources, the decision by corporate to close the Birmingham store was due to ongoing issues with the landlord.

Some store employees, including a manager, have already transferred to the Somerset Collection store, which is planning on opening a new location next to Nordstrom's in June.

Eileen Fisher, featuring women's casual and elegant women's clothing that effortlessly combines timeless, elegant lines with ecofriendly fabrics, is moving from the Somerset Collection to a W. Maple Road location.

The Radiant Made jewelry store had begun stocking its product cases as of mid-January at 245 W. Maple in downtown.

Moosejaw Bike & Snow is one of numerous Moosejaw locations around the country closing following a sale in February 2023 by Walmart to Dick's Sporting Goods.

In September, Dick's announced they would close all but three Moosejaw stores – the Birmingham location near Papa Joe's; one in Salt downtownpublications.com

Township library seeking millage renewal n the February 27 presidential primary ballot, Bloomfield Township Pubic Library is asking township voters to renew the 2023 expiring millage at the current rate of .5047 mill for 10 years in order to maintain the existing level of funding for the library.

According to the library's board of trustees, Bloomfield Township Public Library is currently supported by three separate millage rates, two of which are levied in perpetuity and one of which expires at the end of 2023. The proposal being presented to voters on the February 27 presidential primary ballot asks township voters to consider renewing the millage which expired in 2023 at the current rate of .5047 mills for another 10 years. The renewal request would not increase current tax payments, and would continue to cost the average township taxpayer approximately $151 per year on a home with a taxable value of $300,000, according to library director Tera Moon.

According to Moon, this funding accounts for approximately 27 percent of the library's current total revenues.

“The library is a vibrant pillar of the community, serving the 44,235 residents of Bloomfield Township with resources, technology, and support for all ages,” said Moon. “If the millage renewal is approved, the library will work to achieve the goals of the 2023-2025 strategic plan and continue its award-winning operations of the last several years. If the millage renewal is not approved, serious cuts to hours, services, staffing, and programming will have to be made to account for the loss of 27 percent of the library’s total revenues.”

For those with questions or concerns regarding the library millage renewal, the library will host two public informational session on Thursday, February 15, at 2 and 7 p.m. No registration is required to attend.

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Lake City; and another in Bentonville, Arkansas.

The Robert Kidd Gallery was founded in 1976 by Robert Louis Kidd and Ray Frost Fleming, graduates of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, and due to their curatorial vision, had a gallery roster filled with prominent master artists. Following their deaths, in 2014, Gerard Marti took over the gallery, expanding the gallery to include pop art, photography and prints. According to sources, the building had been sold in 2023 and the gallery's rent was notably increased.

Fab'rik, which featured affordable and trendy women's wear, closed its Birmingham store on Saturday, December 30. The location opened in November 2019.

Former officer sues Birmingham police

By Lisa Brody

A lawsuit was filed in federal court on Monday, January 15, against the Birmingham Police Department by a former officer, Yacoub Iseid, alleging he was discriminated by the department due to his ethnicity, was repeatedly

denied promotions due to his Palestinian background, and had racist names hurled at him by his supervisor, among other defamatory issues, contending his civil rights were violated.

Mary Kucharek, attorney for the city of Birmingham, said the city and department had not yet been served.

She noted they do not comment on pending litigation.

According to Iseid's lawsuit, he said he began working for the Birmingham Police Department in January 2014, and in 2017 applied for a position with Oakland County's Narcotic Enforcement Task Force, led

by Sergeant Mike Lyon. Iseid, who is of Palestinian descent, alleges in the lawsuit that he was passed over “for a less qualified white officer named Seth Barone.” He then sought to improve himself, and was told he was passed over because he was a “fat rock.”

Lyon left the task force and became Iseid's supervisor, where he said Lyon “continually refered to Plaintiff as a 'terrorist,' 'a bomber,' making jokes about his ethnic background, and using the 'n word' in regular conversation.” Iseid alleges the department had a culture of racial animus, including but not limited to Arab individuals.

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Iseid again applied in 2019 to the Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, and was one of three to apply from the department. He claims he was an “Arab American with six years’ experience on the force and a drug recognition expert;” a Black officer with two years' experience; and a White officer who had been on the force for a year, who was appointed to the task force. According to a source, the White officer, Alex Linke, had served in the Marine Corps prior to joining the Birmingham Police Department and had outside experience.

In his complaint, Iseid said he became depressed and took a weekend off, attending a baptism and birthday party, which he posted to social media. Another officer saw the postings and reported them to his supervisor, who required a meeting and Iseid was placed on administrative leave. During that time, he reached out to his chief of police, former Chief Mark Clemence, currently assistant city manager, along with human resources and his union rep. He was told to begin therapy, which he did.

Iseid claims miscommunication between his therapist and the department which prevented his reinstatement; he was terminated in January 2021.

In his lawsuit, he claims race and/or national origin were the motivating factors impeding his growth and promotion opportunities; treatment; subjecting him to unnecessary evaluations; impeding his return to the force; and dismissal.

Iseid's attorneys, Eric Stempien and Lauren Gwinn of Stempien Law LLC in Livonia, claim violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; of creating harassment-hostile work environment; and a violation of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, citing race and national original discrimination. Stempien said they first filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Office (EEOC) in 2019, where it “just sat there. This has been pending for a long time.”

Stempien said Iseid was not the only minority member on the force, but he was clearly targeted. “He was upset because he was racially targeted and pushed by his superiors and he felt berated by them, and when he reacted strongly, they used it to say he wasn't psychologically fit to be an officer,” Stempien said.

They are requesting a trial by jury.

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Primrose Child Care okayed after debate

By Dana Casadei

After much debate at the Wednesday, January 3, Bloomfield Township Planning Commission meeting, an initial failed vote of 3-3, and more debate, the recommendation of the special land use and site plan request for Primrose Day Care finally passed, 5-1, with commission member Richard Atto the lone vote against.

Atto said while he liked the idea of the project and what it would bring to the community, he simply could not vote yes without knowing what potentially could be happening to the southern part of the parcel, which is vacant in the Primrose Child Care Center site plan.

Primrose Child Care has been in business for 40 years around the country “All I’m saying is we’ll look like fools when somebody comes in and says we can’t do this, we can’t do that… I just have a problem with it,” Atto said.

The property owner, EIG14T MI Bloomfield LLC, has plans to market

that part of the parcel – located at 6255 Telegraph Road – for sale.

Any future proposals would be required to go through the same requirements as Primrose, with a site plan application to be reviewed by the planning commission and eventually approval from the township board.

This was brought up by multiple board members who had voted yes.

“All that’s being presented is the Primrose project, everything to the south is irrelevant,” said Neal Barnett, planning commission and board of trustee member. “It could be like it doesn’t exist as far as I’m concerned.”

Planning commission member Jeff Salz agreed, pointing out what they were discussing as reasons to vote no for the site plan is not what the planning commission is for.

“It’s to make sure codes are met, it’s to make sure traffic is proper, and other things. But not things about the future of what may happen down the road or how it could be redeveloped in the future or things that are not in the code,” Salz said. “It would be improper for us to deny something on something we’re not authorized to regulate.”

“It’s our job to approve those

proposed projects that enhance our community, and this service… is telling us this is a need that needs to be met,” said member John Kelly, who was sworn in at this meeting.

The future of the southern part of the parcel wasn’t the only part of the site plan that caused a divide among the planning commission members.

The exclusion of a generator in the site plan also brought up some heated discussion, with multiple board members doing their best to insist it be added given how often the township loses power, and one calling it a big mistake to not have it included.

Out of the 450 Primrose locations nationwide none of them have generators, according to Bradford Egan, development manager, for EIG14T. They’ve also been in business for 40 years, earning themselves high esteem across the country. The child care center is proposed to be one story and 13,525-square-feet, taking over the space that was previously occupied by St. Andrews Church before it was demolished. It will be open Monday through Friday for children ages six month to six-yearsold.

According to Andrea Bibby, deputy director of planning, building and ordinance for Bloomfield Township, there aren’t many changes coming to the parcel, except for the removal of the northerly curb cut to the site, a request from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

“From an experience standpoint of 40 years and over 400 locations I’m sure they’ve run into areas that don’t have the best electricity in regards to during storms…” Kelly said. “I will leave it up to them if it’s a priority.”

Egan did point out that while there were no plans for a generator, if the power were to go out there that fire code requires they have backup battery lighting that comes on immediately.

This seemed to slightly ease the minds of the other board members who voted no, Salz and chairman Thomas Petinga, who did vote yes the second time, passing the request.

While the commission didn’t agree on all aspects of this site plan, many were excited about the fact that adding this type of business indicates younger families are moving to the community.

Prior to the planning commission

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meeting this site plan had already been reviewed by various departments, including the design review board, and nothing of concern was found, especially in regards to the noise.

Given the building’s proposed material and coloring, members of the planning commission agreed it will fit in nicely, keeping consistent with the design and architectural nature of the township.

As for the child care center itself, the inside will consist mostly of classrooms and a warming area to provide snacks.

The facility is proposed to have 202 prospective students and 27 staffers, who will direct bringing the children in with their tried and true method of having their guardian park and then walk them to the front of the building from one of their 46 parking spaces, which meets the parking requirement.

The outside site will have a massive play area of over 9,000-square-feet, far above what is required for special land uses in the R-M Multiple Family District standards.

It was shown that they will not just have one play area either, but three, each designated for a different age group with age-specific play structures for the children, including a rock wall in one of them, which will be screened in. The outside area is also where most of the five variances for the plan are needed, including for fencing in the front yard, fencing in the rear yard exceeding four feet in height, and for play equipment located in a side yard.

Kelly said if he was on the zoning board of appeals – where this site plan will go next – he would give them the go-ahead for all five variances.

If the variances pass the ZBA, the site plan request will go to the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees for approval.

Streetscaping offers new traffic elements

By Grace Lovins

Residents of Birmingham are to see an updated streetscape on N. Old Woodward and Oakland avenues after city commissioners unanimously approved an updated design during their Monday, January 8, meeting.

The city’s previous commission voted in September of 2019 to approve temporary elements recommended by the city's multi-modal transportation board (MMTB). Improvements include changes to the traffic signal at the N. Old Woodward and Willits Street/Oakland Avenue intersection as well as painted bumpouts and a designated bus lane.

According to a memorandum 42

RainSmart rebates for some residents irmingham residents who live within the George W. Kuhn Drainage District are eligible for up to $2,000 green stormwater infrastructure rebates through a RainSmart Rebates pilot program through the Oakland County Water Resources Commission office.

This new initiative by the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s office offers up to $2,000 per property in rebates for the installation of rain gardens, rain barrels and trees to eligible residents over the next two years.

Rebate funds may not be applied to projects completed in the past, and will be allocated to new installation projects throughout 2024 and 2025 on a first-come, first-served basis until all of the allotted money is spent. Applicants may follow a step-by-step process to implement an approved project to be eligible for the one-time rebate over the next two years.

The George W. Kuhn Drainage District serves all or part of 14 communities, including Birmingham. The primary goals of the RainSmart program include fostering awareness about stormwater management and promoting environmental stewardship. Green stormwater infrastructure manages rainwater utilizing vegetation, soils and natural processes to capture and slow rainwater or snowmelt as it moves across the landscape. This approach allows water to percolate through the soil and utilize plant roots to filter out contaminants. In addition, instead of letting the water flow into storm drains, techniques such as rain gardens, rain barrels, and trees filter and temporarily store the water to reduce the amount of stormwater from entering the drainage district’s underground pipes that handle both sewage and stormwater.

In Birmingham, the George W. Kuhn Drainage District spans the east section of the city, approximately south of Derby and east of Adams.

Residents may view a map and check to see if they qualify at OakGov.com/RainSmart.

“We will work to expand this program to other areas of Birmingham in the future,” said Birmingham Planning Director Nicholas Dupuis.

“We are excited to be part of this pilot program and hope the community will take advantage of the opportunity to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters the combined sewer system while improving water quality and climate resiliency.”

Interested residents may visit OakGov.com/rainsmart to learn more and submit their application.

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included in the meeting packet, the city considered making the temporary elements permanent with an updated streetscape while Oakland Avenue is being resurfaced.

Funding was set aside in the city’s capital improvements fund in order for the construction of the streetscape to take place this year, said city engineer Melissa Coatta. At the beginning of November last year, the MMTB reviewed a proposed design that would make the 2019 temporary fixes concrete, ultimately voting unanimously to recommend approval.

A rendering of the design provided by the city’s traffic consulting firm MKSK shows an extended bump out on the corner of N. Old Woodward and Willits Street, a concrete buffer island separating the bus loading area from the rest of N. Old Woodward, and an expanded pocket park area.

Benefits to the new design listed in the meeting packet state that the

greenspace will be expanded by roughly 1,600 square feet and the crossing distance across N. Old Woodward will decrease by roughly eight feet.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the design of the intersection recommended by the MMTB.

Township approves investment portfolio

By Dana Casadei

It took less than five minutes for the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees to approve a resolution to add the Michigan Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (MiCLASS) to the township’s portfolio of investment vehicles at their meeting on Monday, January 8.

But, if there had been questions before the motion passed 7-0, treasurer Michael Schostak joked he would happily talk about it for three hours.

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Instead, he only needed a few minutes.

“Part of my responsibility as treasurer is to manage our funds in a way that is safe and liquid, but also able to generate a good or reasonable return,” he said.

Currently, most of the township’s short-term funds are in a JPMorgan Money Market Fund, where the fund is paying about 35 basis points, or .35 percent, lower than MiClass.

According to Schostak, based on his calculations, if they were to transfer $30 million of their short-term funds from JPMorgan to MiCLASS, the township could be earning an additional interest of $2,000-$3,000 per week. He explained that they would lose nothing in terms of safety of principal or liquidity of funds by using MiCLASS. The MiCLASS pool invests in things like U.S. Treasury obligations, federal agency obligations of the U.S. government, and approved money market funds, among other items, and has an excellent credit quality as well, with more than 50 percent of the portfolio invested in securities rated A1-plus, and the remainder in A-1 rated securities.

MiCLASS allows public agencies, like Bloomfield Township, to pool funds together to collectively earn dividends on investments, where the funds are invested in prime or high-grade, shortterm fixed-income instruments. The portfolio investment strategy seeks to enhance safety via diversified investments while also prioritizing minimizing market risk.

Since they began operation in 1991, MiCLASS has been very familiar with managing not only for local governments. The MiCLASS pool also has the highest principal stability fund rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings with a AAA rating, Schostak explained.

The group is run by the private investment advisor Public Trust Advisors LLC, which manages investment pools in 17 states with an aggregate of $77 billion in public money under management.

In Michigan alone they have a $4 billion local government investment pool, with 740 local government agencies using MiCLASS, including Birmingham, Oakland County, Bloomfield Hills Schools, among countless others.

This investment pool is overseen by a board of directors consisting of treasurers and finance directors from county and local government agencies around Michigan, including West Bloomfield Treasurer Teri Weingarden.

“I think it’s a great use of our resource and additional returns,” said trustee Neal Barnett, who made the motion to pass the resolution after thanking Schostak for his presentation.

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FACES Raquel Cohen rowing up in Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, makeup artist Raquel Cohen says she was always surrounded by “smart, savvy, creative women.” Her mom, Annabel Cohen, is well-known in the culinary arts field, her grandmother, Bertha Cohen, is an acclaimed artist, and her stepmother, Patti Kelter, is an interior designer.

“My mom’s side of the family has all different types of creative artist energy. Just like my mom, I’m self-taught and didn’t have any formal training in my art,” Cohen says.

The Bloomfield Hills resident attended Bloomfield Hills Public Schools, Frankel Jewish Academy and Oakland University.

“I was a theater kid from the age of seven. In high school I started doing stage makeup and teenage girl makeup experimentation. I practiced on myself, friends, my mom, my stepmom,” she explains, “I learned from YouTube and social media and eventually developed my own style. At the time I thought it was just a fun hobby and not a real job.”

In 2015, a friend of Cohen’s was modeling locally and asked her to do her makeup for a photoshoot. This experience became a turning point for Cohen, who has since built a referral-based, word-of-mouth career as a professional makeup artist working on feature films, local TV, photoshoots, weddings, and family and senior portraits. She also teaches lessons on makeup application and serves as a personal shopper for clients who need assistance with selecting makeup and skincare products.

“When it comes to makeup, I love that there are limitless opportunities and endless possibilities and applications. I also love that I’m working with a live canvas and can wash it off if I mess up,” she said. “Makeup is accessible to everyone, and, for better or worse, the way we look informs so much of how we feel about ourselves. Makeup can help someone feel their best – and that is my main mission.

I work with a lot of trans individuals teaching them to feminize their face with makeup since they didn’t grow up learning. It is so rewarding to see when their face reflects who they always thought they were.”

Cohen also said that her career as a makeup artist is the perfect job for her as someone who has ADHD and is neurodivergent. “I can talk to anyone. I love meeting all sorts of people from different walks of life. I love their fascinating stories. When someone hires me, it is usually for something important, and I’m focused on giving them my best service since pictures are forever.”

She recently worked on a film with a local filmmaker and hopes to do more feature films, fashion runway shows and teaching in the future.

When she is not perfecting her craft, Cohen pursues other creative interests such as singing karaoke, visiting museums, and attending films, theater and live music shows. She also collects vinyl records. “I have always been a film buff. I especially love historical films and makeup from the 50s, 60s and 70s.”

For those considering a creative career, Cohen shares, “I am constantly blown away and impressed by our local creative talent pool. If you’re pursuing a creative field or art, don’t give up. There is room for everyone in a creative space. I encourage collaboration over competition. I learn more of my craft every day and I still love it and get excited. It’s all worth it to get to do this art.”

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LOCAL ISSUES CAN'T BE TACKLED WITHOUT LOCAL JOURNALISM The pandemic that gripped the area and the nation in 2020 took its toll in many ways, including on the local business community, along with the field of journalism. One local newspaper temporarily suspended its publication schedule and another ultimately stopped publishing.

Thanks to the generosity of those listed on this page and the support from our partners in the local business community, Downtown Newsmagazine was able to withstand the challenge.

We describe ourselves as a multi-platform news operation, so aside from our monthly newsmagazine, we post regularly to our website (downtownpublications.com) and we send out a Weekly News Update newsletter every Friday along with special email alerts when there is breaking news of interest. During the month we also send out our political gossip newsletter (Oakland Confidential) and each month we also email our restaurant newsletter (Metro Intelligencer). On a bi-weekly schedule we send out our Threatened Planet newsletter with aggregated environment stories from publications around the world. During the pandemic, we launched The COVID-19 Diary, a daily/weekly curation of articles from over several dozen news and government sources, to keep local residents up-to-date on the crisis we were all facing.

We started strong and have remained strong. But to continue offering our product at no charge, and continue to grow in terms of what we offer to readers, we continue to this day to ask local residents for community support in the form of donations.

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NEXT NOTEBOOK

FROM THE BSD

One of the many benefits of working at Next is to see firsthand the various ways older adults adapt to the inevitable process of aging.

With 2,500 members spanning from 50 years old to 105, there is a tremendous variety of personalities, capabilities, skills and needs.

Sometimes I see patterns, other times surprises, but always there are lessons to be learned.

Today, most Americans can expect to live 25 or even 30 years beyond the half-century mark, and many live well beyond that. Living to 100 has become a realistic goal and not that unheard of. I’d like to share one case study that embodies the highs, and challenges of living a longer than average life.

This case study is personal, it’s about my 95-yearold mom.

Cris Braun

We grew up a tight knit family, with typical family dynamics. Parents that guide you through school years, first jobs, marriage and so on. But as the years pass, and children become adults, roles shift.

As her adult daughter, for years I enjoyed seeing my mom at Next as she spread her wings and made new friends, in spite of her not being a joiner.

She enjoyed the camaraderie and was “somewhat” open to different points of view. (You don’t get to be 95 without being at least a little bit stubborn).

Next became part of her weekly routine that she very much embraced and looked forward to.

Now she is slowing down a bit but I am fortunate to spend a lot of time with my mom. We reminisce, share perspectives and jokingly, attempt to solve all the world’s problems with our infinite wisdom.

As my mom moved from middle age to old age, she anticipated the loss of contemporaries – her husband, siblings and several friends — but yet she finds much to appreciate. I see the pride in her eyes at the sight of her expansive family gathered around a holiday table or squeezing into the living room – all her decedents. The legacy she and my father created together still grounds her today.

At this point in her life, she misses her independence, but at 95 years old, that’s one of life’s contradictions – gratitude in the face of limitations. Her energy level and mobility make daily life more difficult. Still, her days are punctuated by visits with family and friends, and with a smile on her face, she is grateful to have experienced so many big moments and important milestones.

My mom is part of a remarkable transformation in the demography of this country. She is at the vanguard of a wave of 85-plus year-old Americans who will number close to 20 million in the next 40 years. The Census Bureau projects that among those millions of late-age older adults will be at least 500,000 people who are 100 years old or older.

This case study can be summed up with the words I hear almost daily from my mom, “growing old is not for sissies,” but it certainly is a privilege.

Every new phase brings its own reasons to celebrate, an indelible lesson I learned from my mom – and so many other Next members living their best life possible.

Cris Braun is Executive Director of Birmingham Next downtownpublications.com

After ringing in the new year with an all new event in Downtown Birmingham, the BRRmingham Blast that was held on January 27, the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) will continue to bring forth some new events and projects this year, as well as elevating what we already do so well.

Last year, the BSD garnered feedback from the community and adopted a strategic plan that focused on increasing the frequency of our local residents and shoppers, as well as growing the regional attraction and length of stays visitors have in downtown Birmingham. To do this, the BSD board and its committees of volunteers identified a few key areas to achieve these goals, including enhancing some of the existing events, as well as adding new signature events that are perfect for Birmingham. The BRRmingham Blast is one of two that the BSD is introducing this year. Upcoming events can be found online at Cristina Sheppard-Decius allinbirmingham.com/calendar.

The other new event to look forward to in 2024 in downtown Birmingham will be a new food-centric competition called the Birmingham Burger in the fall. This event will award the best hamburger award to one of the local restaurants based upon community voting over a two-week period. Visit as many local restaurants from October 14-27 to enjoy the creative variety of burgers in town.

Events and activities are a major attraction for downtown Birmingham, but they are not as easy as one might think to pull together. It takes a team effort of both staff and volunteers. Ideas and planning of these events start at the Special Events Committee volunteer level of the BSD that meet monthly. From there, events are further developed by staff and approved by the BSD Board. When it comes to event day, it is all hands on deck, and we need more volunteers from the community to help to fully execute these well. Some events need as many as 20-30 volunteers! I encourage those who are interested in making a difference in your community, whether a resident, student, business owner or employee, to inquire about the opportunities with the BSD. Nationally, volunteerism has waned during and post-COVID, but studies show it has been shifting for the last decade. The shift follows the digital growth in society, with volunteers seeking remote and immediate opportunities and results. However, there is now a growing return to forward-facing volunteerism at community events and activities as people are craving social interaction. The BSD offers just that – the opportunity to connect with fellow community and business members. Volunteering, whether for the BSD or another local organization, is vastly important to not only sustain, but grow the quality of life in Birmingham. The BSD continues to seek volunteers for its committees, day-to-day operations and events. To learn more, visit allinbirmingham.com/about/bsd_committees.

There is much more to look forward to in 2024 from downtown Birmingham and the BSD, but I also want to recognize the accomplishments of this past year, including the many new businesses who have joined our downtown community. If you haven’t already, plan to visit and welcome the following to your community: ROWAN, The Good Day, Steps MI, The Taco Stand Taquerie, CB2, Chrysalis Couture, RH, Via Manzoni, Radiant Made for US, Sugaring NYC, Face Foundrie, RenU Acupuncture, Massage Rain, Roche Salon, Community Unity Bank, Salon Toro, F&M Bank, Art of Foot & Ankle, City Ventures, and Icon Anti-Aging & Aesthetics.

May your 2024 be bright and prosperous! For more information on the events and businesses within the BSD, visit www.allinbirmingham.com.

Cristina Sheppard-Decius, CMSM, is the BSD Executive Director.

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE “May the love and affection we share with each other, always come from a sense of care and respect.”

St. Valentine Blessing 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 that historic announcement we learned that the mission of the new Community House Foundation was 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 that benefit the community, and each other.

Not only by words, but by our actions, we double-downed Bill Seklar and privately recognized and supported others – via our own time, talent, and treasure –- other essential and critical institutions like the Baldwin Public Library, the Birmingham Shopping District, the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, our hometown publications, and during COVID, local health care organizations, restaurants in distress, local health care institutions and workers fabricating health care products and protection – to name a few.

Setting the record straight, on multiple occasions over the last two-three years, we invited back every nonprofit or supported group that also called The Community House “home” pre-COVID including: the Senior Men’s Club of Birmingham; Birmingham Rotary; Optimist Club; Lion’s Club; The Women’s Club; Project 2; Storyteller’s Guild; Race Relations & Diversity Task Force; Youth Advisory Council; the Junior League of Birmingham; FAR Therapeutic; the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber; and the Birmingham Shopping District.

Most returned and were delighted and remain so grateful to pick up where they left off, others lost their membership post-COVID and remain in limbo. And two, the Senior Men’s Club (SMC) and the Birmingham Rotary have rebuffed our many, many offers and outreach to return to The Community House – no matter how generous the terms, and no matter how genuine the invitation, to meet, to discuss and/or to search for common ground. Even as recently as July 2023, The Community House offered to draft and did indeed submit an RFP to SMC leadership ahead of schedule to host The Senior Men’s Club again (a new day) at the Community House in 2023-2024 to deaf ears. While we verified receipt by the SMC, no response, courteously or otherwise, to our RFP was ever responded to. Sad. Our goal in 2023 was to unite all our former nonprofit or supported groups under one proverbial roof for our Centennial Anniversary – sadly, instead some chose (and continue to choose) to perpetuate their own narrative, mislead others (even their own membership) at the expense of the greater good. Absent maturity and compassion, some angry folks pre- and post-COVID, continue to do everything in their power to hurt and retaliate against a “really good and decent” charity, right in their own backyard. Thank goodness that The Community House is blessed with so many true and genuine friends, that appreciate, admire, and support our ten decades of selfless, compassionate, and dedicated service to others – with no strings attached. Enough said. We shall continue to take the high road – that’s what Ruth Shain would’ve expected from us. In the spirit of forgiveness and in good business, I shall consider this matter closed.

In addition to securing supplemental funding to maintain quality programming and services at TCH, The 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.

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.m In other words, we are and will remain nonprofit stewards of this city-designated historic building.

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.

Our largest gathering and celebration each year is the annual Bates Street Society Dinner and Awards Ceremony. It is the time of year, where we set aside our daily efforts to raise funds and support of TCH, and instead recognize ordinary men and women throughout our region doing extraordinary things for others. Selfless compassion, dedication and service to others in need. Now in its seventh year, The Bates Street Society Dinner and Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wallace Ballroom of The Community House. To help lead this extraordinary gathering, Mr. Huel Perkins will assume the role of Master of Ceremonies. The Bates Street Society Dinner will recognize The Community House Foundation’s Annual Pillars of Vibrancy in Business, Education, Culture, Health & Wellness and Philanthropy.

2024 Pillars of Vibrancy Honorees include: • Ms. Florine Mark (posthumously) – Business, Culture, Education, Health & Wellness & Philanthropy • Dr. Lewis H. Rosenbaum, MD – Health & Wellness and Education • Ms. Diana Lewis – Culture & Philanthropy • Ms. Michelle Saroki – Business & Philanthropy • Ms. Glenda Lewis – Culture & Philanthropy • Mr. Michael Bickers – Business & Philanthropy • Mr. Salvador Salort-Pons – Business & Culture • Mr. Paul Gross – Business & Philanthropy The Bates Street Society giving circle was created to help recognize donors who make significant charitable contributions to support the work and mission of The Community House. New members are acknowledged annually at The Bates Street Society Dinner, an extraordinary evening hosted by The Community House Association and Foundation Board of Directors. These new society member inductees will be gifted a crystal award as well as have their names installed on The Community House Foundation’s new donor wall.

2024 Bates Street Society Inductees include: • Lois and Mark Shaevsky • Edward C and Linda Dresner Levy Foundation • Oakland University Our gratitude and special thanks go out to Presenting-Founding Sponsor, PNC Bank, Title-Founding Sponsor, Corewell Health, and to Blue Cross Blue Shield, DeRoy & Devereaux, Oakland University, The Agency Hall & Hunter, Emerson-Prew and Metalbuilt for their lead sponsorship of the 2024 Bates Street Society Dinner. For more information about sponsorships or ad buys, please contact Christopher Smude, SVP, CMO, The Community House Foundation at csmude@communityhousefoundation.org.

The Bates Street Society Dinner and Awards Ceremony is a ticketless event. It is a sell-out event. Purchase online reservations now.

A NEW CENTURY OF GIVING AND RECEIVING – THE COMMUNITY HOUSE ANNUAL FUND The 2024 TCH Annual Fund Appeal is here. Given the effects of a post-COVID world and the faltering economy, it is hard to overestimate how important the 2024 Annual Fund Appeal is to the historic Community House. For the last three years (and counting) we have found ourselves, like so many, continuing to navigate through a perfect storm – COVID, supply chain issues, inflation, wage pressures, the economy, and ongoing repairs to an aging building. We need help. Will you help us?

By making a 2024 tax-deductible gift now to The Community House, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit charitable organization, your gift will ensure that we continue to navigate through these challenges so that we remain the important educational, philanthropic and community resource that thousands of individuals have relied upon for more than a century. To make a gift now, you can send your donation in by mail at: TCH, 380 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009, give online at communityhouse.com/donate or by calling The Community House Foundation at 248594-6417. Perhaps some of you might consider placing TCH in their estate plans. It is simple, and painless. For more information, please contact Christopher Smude, SVP, CMO, TCH Foundation at csmude@communityhousefoundation.org.

William D. Seklar is President & CEO of the Community House Association and Board Chair, President & CEO of the Community House Foundation in Birmingham. downtownpublications.com

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Join Us For An Inspirational Evening Of

Celebration And Recognition THE

DINNER

February 10, 2024 | 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm At The Community House in Birmingham 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009 Master of Ceremonies Mr. Huel Perkins Award-Winning News Anchor, Producer, Writer, Inspirational Speaker, and Past Bates Street Society Pillar

2024 PILLARS OF VIBRANCY BUSINESS & PHIL ANTHR OPY

HEALTH & WELLNESS AND PHIL ANTHR OPY

Mr. Michael Bickers Mr. Paul Gross Ms. Michelle Saroki

Dr. Charles A. Main, MD

HEALTH & WELLNESS AND BUSINESS

Ms. Diana Lewis Ms. Glenda Lewis

BUSINESS & CULTURE

Mr. Salvador Salort-Pons BUSINESS , CULTURE, EDUCATION, HEALTH & WELLNESS AND PHIL ANTHR OPY

CULTURE & PHIL ANTHR OPY

Ms. Florine Mark (Posthumously)

Dr. Perry W. Greene, MD

SPON SORS TO DATE Presenting-Founding Sponsor

Title-Founding Sponsor

Oakland University | Blue Care Network of Michigan | The Agency Hall & Hunter Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine | DeRoy & Devereaux Emerson-Prew | Metalbuilt | Cranbrook Educational Community For more information, call 248.644.5832 or visit communityhousefoundation.org

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

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

248.646.2220. 220restaurant.com 5th Tavern: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607. 5thtavern.com Adachi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 325 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.540.5900. adachirestaurant.com Andiamo: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.865.9300. andiamoitalia.com Beau’s: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110. bellapiattirestaurant.com Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast & Lunch, Wednesday-Sunday, Lunch, Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations Liquor. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025.

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

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

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

248.646.9000. billsbloomfieldhills.com Birmingham Pub: American. Brunch, Sunday, Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham. thebirminghampub.com Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.8880. birminghamsushi.com Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

34244 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984. bistrojoeskitchen.com Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

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

Liquor. No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. thebrooklynpizza.com Café Dax: American. Breakfast, daily, Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 298 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.283.4200. daxtonhotel.com Café ML: New American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township.

248.642.4000. cafeml.com Casa Pernoi: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

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

248.647.4555. churchillscigarbar.com Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Beer. 877 W. Long

downtownpublications.com

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Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

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

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

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

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

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

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. eliesgrill.com EM: Mexican. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 470 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

947.234.0819. embirmingham.com Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday. Dinner, TuesdayFriday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

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

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

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

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

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

1 Peabody Street, Birmingham.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

248.885.8631. kakusushipoke.com Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166. kerbyskoneyisland.com La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner daily.

Reservations. 43259 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.5800. lamarsacuisine.com La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.480.0492. lastradaitaliankitchen.com

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DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

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METRO INTELLIGENCER Metro Intelligencer is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening on the restaurant scene in the metro Detroit area. Metro Intelligencer is reported/created each month by Gigi Nichols who can be reached at GigiNichols@DowntownPublications.com with news items or tips, on or off the record.

Middle Eats opens in Bloomfield Quick-serve Mediterranean restaurant, Middle Eats, launched with a bang last month in Bloomfield Hills with over 900 in attendance on opening day.

The restaurant, owned by partners Jack Mashini, Brian Shunia and Mario Sattam, is the third in their franchise, with other locations in Warren and Detroit, and two more planned for Lansing and Roseville. The team also owns Wing Snob, another Michigan-based franchise offering 47 locations. “We (the owners) are all Middle Eastern, so Middle Eats hits home for us. We wanted to get into the healthier side of the business,” said Mashini. “Mario is our food-wiz and he came up with all of the recipes.” Mashini describes the menu, which centers around bowls, wraps and salads, as “Mediterranean with an American twist.” The chicken shawarma bowl is considered to be the eatery’s signature dish. All bowls, wraps and salads can be customized in 75 different combinations using fresh ingredients along with shrimp, steak and chicken. Middle Eats also offers a family-style catering menu with a custom “bowl bar” for parties over 10 people. In addition, they offer full-service catering for parties over 180 guests. The Bloomfield location is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills middleeats.com

New chef at Zuzu Elia Group has announced that Chef Ivan Aguinaga will lead the culinary program at its newest Iconic Collection venue, Experience Zuzu (“Zuzu”) in Detroit. The menu at Zuzu features the progressive world of Asian cuisine.

With a focus on combining centuries-old cooking traditions and modern flavors, the menu includes hand-rolled sushi, playful appetizers, wok-fired specialties and exclusive dishes from both a charcoal oven and wood-fired grill. Aguinaga’s culinary career has taken him around the world from Mexico to Spain, Miami to Saudi Arabia, and the Bahamas to Detroit. Chef Ivan Aguinaga began his journey of mastering Asian cuisine during his time in the kitchen at The Setai, Miami Beach. In Saudi Arabia, he joined the kitchen to serve as head chef of Nobu Hotel Riyadh, one of the most recognized Japanese restaurants in the world founded by world-renowned chefs Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper. “My quest to master Asian cooking techniques has led me on a global journey, learning from esteemed chefs and working in renowned Asian restaurants,” said Aguinaga. “It will be exhilarating to add my personal touch to Zuzu’s already outstanding menu and deliver immersive experiences to each guest that steps through our doors.” Experience Zuzu opened in August 2023 and added to Elia Group Iconic Collection’s footprint in downtown Detroit, which includes Parc, a contemporary American restaurant at Campus Martius, and Anchor Bar, a historic downtown watering hole. Elia Group also partners with the Downtown Detroit Partnership in operating two seasonal Iconic Collection destinations: beach party-themed BrisaBar in the summer and holiday favorite Cadillac Lodge. The Iconic Collection includes several other awardwinning venues in Oakland County, including Birmingham’s 220 Merrill. 511 Woodward Avenue suite 100, Detroit experiencezuzu.com

New brewery comes to Clawson Grand River Brewery has opened in downtown Clawson at 14 Mile and Main. Black Lotus Brewing Co. occupied this space for over a decade and, after its closing, the space was home for a brief time to Pumagchug. Grand River Brewery was founded 10 years ago in Jackson and has one other location in Marshall. Bryce Davenport, COO for Grand River Brewery, said that the company looks for small towns such as Clawson to run its operation.

“It’s a tight knit community, the location is great and we just wanted to be part of it,” he said. On the beer menu, customers can choose from a rotating selection of wheat beers, IPA’s, saisons, lagers and stouts. The brewery is best known for its 313 Polish Lager and Monkey Mouth IPA which are also distributed throughout the state of Michigan. On the food side of the business, Davenport notes that they take pride in focusing on locally sourced ingredients. The brewery has a partnership with the Manchester Market in Jackson, which is home to the Grand River Bakery and Butchery. Other

Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568. leosconeyisland.com Little Daddy’s: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

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

248.792.6051. luxebarandgrill.com Madam: American. Brunch, weekends. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 298 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.283.4200. daxtonhotel.com Mare Mediterranean: Seafood. Brunch, weekends. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham 48009. 248.940.5525. maremediterranean.com Market North End: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

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

Brunch, weekends. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

2079 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581. nipponsushibar.com Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500. olgas.com Original Pancake House: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.5775. oph-mi.com Phoenicia: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 588 S. Old Woodward Birmingham, 48009. phoeniciabirmingham.com Planthropie: Vegan. Dessert and Cheese.

Tuesday-Sunday. 135 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.839.5640. planthropie.com Roadside B & G: American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.7270. roadsidebandg.com Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. salsbirmingham.com Shift Kitchen & Cocktails: Small plates. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.2380. shiftbirmingham.com Sidecar: American. Lunch and Dinner, daily.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200. socialkitchenandbar.com Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Breakfast and Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.932.0800. stevesdeli.com Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Thursday & Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. streetsideseafood.com Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.333.3887. sushihanabloomfield.com Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, Monday and Wednesday-Sunday. No reservations. 315

Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

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

248.369.3360. sylvantable.com Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

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

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

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

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688. moosepreserve.com The Morrie: American. Dinner, Friday & Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009.

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

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

Carryout. 34200 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009. 248.258.0500. tomatoesapizza.com Touch of India: Indian. Lunch, ThursdayWednesday; Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881. thetouchofindia.com Townhouse: American. Brunch, weekends.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

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

248.566.3566. whistlestopdiners.com ZANA: Modern American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.800.6568. zanabham.com Zao Jun: Asian. Dinner and Lunch, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.949.9999. zaojunnewasian.com

Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary’s: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 316 South Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.268.1917. alemarysbeer.com Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

No reservations. Liquor. 22651 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680. anitaskitchen.com Bandit Tavern & Hideaway: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 419 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.544.6250. bandittavern.com Beppé: New American. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor.

703 N. S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

224.607.7030. eatbeppe.com Bigalora: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.2442 bigalora.com

Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, Wednesday-Monday. Reservations. Liquor.

418 S. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749. cafemuseroyaloak.com Coeur: New American Small Plates. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220. 248.466.3010. coeurferndale.com Como’s: Pizza. Brunch, weekends. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 22812 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220.

248.677.4439. comosrestaurant.com Crispelli’s Bakery and Pizzeria: Italian. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

28939 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, 48072.

248.591.3300. crispellis.com The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. No reservations.

22950 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale 48220.

248.399.5150. theflytrapferndale.com HopCat: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 430 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.744.2544.

HopCat.com Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 22949 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500. inyorestaurant.com KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500. gokouzina.com Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. Reservations.

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

410 S. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459. lilysseafood.com Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Brunch, Sunday, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227. lockhartsbbq.com Masala: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. 106 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.850.8284. food.orders.co/royaloakmasala Mezcal: Brunch, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor.

201 East 9 Mile Road Ferndale, 48220.

248.268.3915. mezcalferndale.com Pastaio: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 208 W. 5th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.565.8722. eatpastaio.com Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. oakcitygrille.com One-Eyed Betty’s: American. Breakfast, weekends, Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

248.808.6633. oneeyedbettys.com Pop’s for Italian: Italian. Brunch and Lunch, weekends, Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

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

241 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220.

248.850.7420. publichouseferndale.com Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, 48073.

248.549.0300. redcoat-tavern.com Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 326 W. 4th Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.546.0888. roninsushi.com Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

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

48067. 248.544.1141. royaloakbrewery.com Sozai: Japanese. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

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

Liquor. 511 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112. themorrie.com Three Cats Cafe: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday.

Dinner, Wednesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 116 W 14 Mile Road, Clawson, 48017. 248.900.2287. threecatscafe.com Tigerlily: Japanese. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 231 W. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 48220. 248.733.4905. tigerlilyferndale.com Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American.

Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations.

23144 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, 48220.

248.398.0444. eatattoast.com Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186. tomsoysterbar.com Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067.

248.542.4444. trattoriadaluigi.business.site.com Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch, TuesdaySaturday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

7799 Woodward Avenue, Berkley, 48072.

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

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

Troy/Rochester Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Road, Troy, 48084.

248.280.1831. cafesushimi.com Capital Grill: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2800 W. Big Beaver Road, Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

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

Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.853.6600. ckdiggs.com Firebird Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 4845 Rochester Road, 48085. 248.289.9650. firebirdtaverntroy.com Grand Castor: Latin American. Lunch, Thursday-Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 2950 Rochester Road, Troy, 48083.

248.278.7777. grancastor.com Kona Grille: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

30 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083.

248.619.9060. konagrill.com Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307.

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

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

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

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084.

248.404.9845. mortons.com NM Café: American. Lunch, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48084. 248.816.3424. neimanmarcus.com/restaurants Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester

Michigan products used include Gielow Pickles and Cambridges Cheeses.

The interior of the restaurant has seating for 100 guests. A garage door is being installed on the south side of the building facing 14 Mile Road and will open to the outdoor dining patio which will be in service during the summer months.

The Oak Parker debuts A cool and sleek bar/restaurant has opened in Oak Park, aptly named the “Oak Parker.” The Oak Parker is owned and operated by North End Restaurant Group. Chef Jose Samoya helms the kitchen with an innovative menu. Stand-out offerings on this menu are the pastrami sandwiches, with pastrami that is made in-house; and the veal, pork and chicken schnitzels, which are hand-breaded, crisp fired and accompanied by a choice of lemon and dill, chili crisp and beans or woodsman mushroom sauce. The meats are sourced locally at Fairway Packing Co. The interior, designed by Ron Rea, has a sophisticated industrial vibe with cinder block walls and exposed rafters. A long wall in the dining area is embellished with a vibrant people mural designed by Cecile Gariepy. The space has seating for 100 guests and, during the warmer months, patio seating will be available to accommodate about 30 additional guests. Downstairs is another intimate bar complete with DJ and separate menu. On their website, Oak Parker bills itself as “A modern neighborhood bar, built for the neighborhood. Oak Parker is a space with direction, but not boundaries. A serious kitchen, great drinks, and an environment built around music – proudly in the heart of Oak Park.”

“Basically, we want to be the pioneer of the late-night cocktail bar in Oak Park,” said Steve Michael, North End Restaurant Group. 13621 W. 11 Mile Road, Oak Park oakparkerbar.com

Bad news/good news We are saddened to hear about the closure of the Franklin Grill. The eatery, nestled in the historic Village of Franklin in a charmingly restored circa 1850’s building, is owned by the Kochensparger family. A post by the family on the restaurant’s website reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of The Franklin Grill after 16 wonderful years of serving our beloved community. We want to express our deepest gratitude for the unwavering support and patronage you have shown us throughout the years.

It has been an incredible journey, filled with cherished memories and meaningful connections. From family celebrations to everyday gatherings, we have been honored to be a part of your lives. However, given the need for us to shift our focus to our other business, we have decided to close our doors. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our loyal customers, dedicated staff, and the entire community for being an integral part of our story. Your support has meant the world to us, and we will forever treasure the relationships we’ve built.” The good news is that the post goes on to explain that an expansive remodeling is planned by a new ownership group, and that there will be more news to follow on the future of the restaurant in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates on this new venture. 32760 Franklin Road, Franklin

Mardi Gras Dinner Party No day is ever the same at Frame in Hazel Park. The establishment offers everything from chef residencies, unique dinner parties, art workshops, live acoustic sessions and cocktail pairings. On February 9 and 10,, Frame will host a special Mardi Gras Dinner Party featuring Detroit City Distillery and Chef Ederique Goudia of “Taste the Diaspora Detroit.” The three-course dinner includes a starter of charbroiled oysters, followed by the main course which includes redfish Pontchartrain, gumbo z’herbes, macaroni pie with red gravy and Creole cornbread. The dinner concludes with a New Orleans style dessert – praline stuffed beignets. There are two seatings for the event: one at 5:30 and one at 8:30 p.m. Sharing is built into this experience with platters for two – therefore, tickets are sold in pairs and are $70 per person plus tax and fees. Not included in the price is a cocktail pairing featuring Detroit City Distillery “Paczki Day” Vodka along with wine by Frame’s sommelier, Diego Aliste. Detroit City Distillery NOLA cocktails, beer, as well as non-alcoholic options, will also be available for purchase. For reservations, visit framehazelpark.com/experience/mardi-gras-dinner-party/. 23839 John R. Road, Hazel Park

Hills, 3176 Walton Boulevard, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. oceaniainnrochesterhills.com Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Highway, Troy, 48084.

248.458.0500. ocean-prime.com O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537. oconnorsrochester.com Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Road., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. orchid-cafe.com P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. pfchangs.com Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037. 248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084.

248.614.5390. recipesinc.com RH House: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch and Dinner, daily. 2630 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. No reservations.

Liquor. 2630 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.586.1000. rh.house.com RH Social: Pizza/Sports Bar. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6870 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.248.759.4858. rochesterhillssocial.com Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily.

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

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

248.422.6167. sedonataphouse.co Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Road, Rochester, 48306. 248.652.4500. silverspoonristorante.com Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main Street, Rochester, 48307. 248.453.5291. tooraloorochester.com

West Bloomfield/Southfield Aurora Italiana: Italian. Dinner, WednesdayMonday. Reservations. Liquor. 6199 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.782.3000. auroraitaliana.com Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034.

248.356.6600. baccoristorante.com Cornbread Restaurant & Bar: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, Thursday-Tuesday. Reservations. Liquor.

29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680. cornbreadsoulfood.com Bigalora: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034.

248.544.2442. bigalora.com The Fiddler: Russian. Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. fiddlerrestaurant.com Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081. menesususi.com Nonna Maria’s: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

248.851.2500. nonamariasbistro.com Pickles & Rye: Deli. Lunch, & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.737.3890. picklesandryedeli.com Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6545

56

Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.737.7463. prime29steakhouse.com Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor.

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

Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.626.8585. dineshangrila.com Stage Deli: Deli. Lunch, & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.855.6622. stagedeli.com Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48322.

248.737.8282. yotsuba-restaurant.com

West Oakland Volare Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Breakfast, Sunday, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

54 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346 248.620.6100. clarkstonunion.com Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077. kruseandmuerrestaurants.com The Fed: American. Brunch, Sunday, Lunch, Saturday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.297.5833. thefedcommunity.com Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.8500. joebologna.com Union Woodshop: BBQ. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346.

248.625.5660. unionwoodshop.com

Detroit Alpino: Alpine cuisine. Brunch, Sunday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Street, Detroit, 48216. 313.524.0888 alpinodetroit.com Ash-Bar: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1509 Broadway Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.277.4736. ash.world/hotels/the-siren.com Bar Pigalle: French. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 John R Street, Detroit, 48201. 313.497.9200. barpigalle.com Barda: Argentinian. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 4842 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, 48208. 313.952.5182. bardadetroit.com Basan: Asian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

2703 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48201.

313.481.2703. basandetroit.com Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2684 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, 48207.

313.965.3111. bucharestgrill.com Cash Only Supper Club: American. Dinner, Friday & Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1145 Griswold Street, Detroit, 48226.

248.636.2300. cashonlydetroit.com Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails: Seasonal American. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 15 E Kirby Street, Detroit, 48202. 313. 818-3915. chartreusekc.com Cliff Bell’s: American. Dinner, WednesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543. cliffbells.com Coriander Kitchen and Farm: Farm to table. Lunch and Dinner, Wednesday-Monday.

Reservations. Liquor. 14601 Riverside Boulevard, Detroit, 48215. 313.338-9466.

corianderkitchenandfarm.com Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Road, Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. cuisinerestaurantdetroit.com The Eagle: American. Lunch, Friday-Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

3461 Woodward Avenue Detroit, 48201.

313-334-4530. eaglerestaurant.com El Barzon: Mexican. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction Street, Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070. elbarzonrestaurant.com Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.965.4600. fishbonesusa.com Freya: Price fixed. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations, Liquor. 2929 E. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48202. 313.351.5544. freyadetroit.com Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Boulevard, Detroit, 48217.

313.841.0122. giovannisrestaurante.com Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.5588. greendotstables.com Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.6837. joemuer.com Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2601 W. Fort Street, Detroit, 48216. 313.309.7946. johnnynoodleking.com Leila: Lebanese. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1245 Griswold Street Detroit, MI. 48226. 313.816.8100. leiladetroit.com Le Supreme: French. Brunch, Weekends, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

1265 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.597.7734. lesupremedetroit.com Mad Nice: Coastal Italian/American. Lunch, Wednesday-Sunday, Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4120 2nd Avenue, Detroit, 48201.313.558.8000. madnicedetroit.com Mario’s: Italian. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

4222 2nd Avenue, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.1616. mariosdetroit.com Mezcal: Mexican. Brunch, Weekends, Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

51 W Forest Avenue, Detroit, 48202.

313.974.7441. mezcaldetroit.com Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 4710 Cass Avenue, Detroit, 48201.

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

470 W. Canfield Street, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.2700. motorcitybeer.com Oak & Reel: Italian Seafood. Dinner, ThursdayMonday. Reservations. Liquor. 2921 E. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48202. 313.270.9600. oakandreel.com PAO Detroit: Asian Fusion/Pan Asian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 114 W. Adams, Detroit, 48226. 313.816.0000. paodetroit.com Parc: New American. Brunch, Saturday & Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48226.

313.922.7272. parcdetroit.com Prime + Proper: Steak House. Brunch, Weekends. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

1145 Griswold St, Detroit, 48226.

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

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

Selden Standard: American. Dinner,

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

Wednesday-Monday. Reservations.

Liquor. 3921 2nd Avenue, Detroit, 48201.

313.438.5055. seldenstandard.com SheWolf Pastifico & Bar: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 438 Selden Street, Detroit 48201.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 100 St. Clair Street, Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000. sindbads.com Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828. slowsbarbq.com/locations/corktown Supergeil: Berlin Doner. Lunch, Friday-Sunday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

2442 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216.

313.462.4133. supergeildetroit.com Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1234. mgmgranddetroit.com The Apparatus Room: New American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 W. Larned Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.800.5600 detroitfoundationhotel.com The Block: American. Brunch, Weekends, Lunch & Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 3919 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892. theblockdet.com The Dime Store: American. Breakfast & Lunch, Thursday-Tuesday. No reservations. Liquor. 719 Griswold Street #180, Detroit, 48226.313.

962.9106. eatdimestore.com The Peterboro: Chinese American. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 420 Peterboro Street, Detroit, 48201.

313.462.8106. thepeterboro.com The Statler: French. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 313 Park Avenue, Detroit, 48226.

313.463.7111. statlerdetroit.com Townhouse Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 500 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 48226.

313.723.1000. townhousedetroit.com Selden Standard: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 3921 Second Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. seldenstandard.com Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1128 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226.

313.591.2495. sullivanssteakhouse.com/ Supergeil: Berlin Doner. Lunch, Friday-Sunday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations.

Liquor. 2442 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.462.4133. supergeildetroit.com Symposia: Mediterranean. Dinner, WednesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor.1000 Brush Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366. atheneumsuites.com/symposia Vertical Detroit: Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1538 Center Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.732.WINE. verticaldetroit.com Vigilante Kitchen + Bar: Asian/French influenced cuisine. Dinner, WednesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 644 Selden St, Detroit, 48201. 313.638.1695. vigilantekitchen.com Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market Street, Detroit, 48207.

313.393.1711. viviosdetroit.net The Whitney: American. Brunch, Friday-Sunday, Tea Service, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor.4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700. thewhitney.com Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Avenue, Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711. wrightdetroit.com Zuzu: Asian Fusion. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 511 Woodward Ave suite 100, Detroit, 48226. 313.464.7777. experiencezuzu.com

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ENDNOTE

Addressing Birmingham's parking issues he Birmingham City Commission will soon be asked to determine the fate of a proposed set of changes to the on-street parking system in the city's downtown area, put forth by city staff with recommendations from the Birmingham Advisory Parking Committee (APC) and review of the board of the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD).

The original proposal included converting all onehour zones for parking to two-hour zones and creating 16 parking spaces for short-term (15 minutes at no charge) parking to accommodate deliveries being made to locations in the downtown area for such concerns like FedEx, UPS, DoorDash, GrubHub and for store patrons who need to pick up purchased items at stores.

Lastly, the new program was originally to include what is called dynamic pricing that involves charging higher per hour ($3/hour) prices at select meters during specific times each day.

Some changes to the proposal were made after BSD board members debated the original proposal. BSD recommendations included that the on-street meters on Old Woodward and those on Maple Road west of Old Woodward remain as one-hour meters as all other meters would go to the two-hour time. No changes were proposed to the 15-minute short-term parking part of the new plan.

On the question of dynamic pricing for select meters, there was a definite difference of opinion so a compromise recommendation from the BSD was reached that included the increased hourly rate only for one-hour meters that would remain in the busiest part of the downtown area, although this part of the original proposal was dropped at a recent APC meeting and won't be presented to the city commission.

The BSD board also recommended that the changes in the on-street parking system be treated as a pilot program before becoming locked in as a permanent

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Renew library tax millage n February 27, voters in Bloomfield Township will be asked to support the renewal of a 10year millage for Bloomfield Township Public Library which expired in 2023. The millage will remain the same, at .5140 mills for another 10year period, 2024-2033, inclusive, and library officials estimate that this millage will raise $2.5 million in 2024, which amounts to 27 percent of the library's total revenues. That is almost a third of the library's annual revenues.

Bloomfield Township Public Library plays an important role in the community, offering not only a collection of over 300,000 books, movies, CDs, and more, but a wide range of programming, from entertainment to educational, that is accessible to all ages. During last winter's ice storm, when many residents experienced days-long power outages, the library opened its doors as a refuge. Currently, with eight days of voter approved early voting, the township library is serving as one of Oakland County's early voting sites.

Library Executive Director Tera Moon noted that the loss of these millage dollars would force the library to make significant cuts, from library services to refurbishment of the facility. Vote YES to maintain this cultural community icon.

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pattern for the future, a logical approach.

The overall reasoning behind the proposed changes was to address the fact that too often patrons coming into the downtown area could not complete their

shopping, service or dining excursions within the onehour time limit on the meters. According to ongoing complaints received by the city and businesses, often times the average time needed by visitors was closer to two hours.

We give a lot of credit to city officials, led by Birmingham Parking Systems Manager Aaron Ford who has a couple decades of parking system management, for attempting to tackle a long-standing sore point when it comes to visiting the city's downtown.

Striking a balance between the concerns of the business community, which depends on a churn of parking spaces that is closely tied to cash register receipts, and those visitors who help support the downtown with their patronage is no small task. We think what we have seen in the last year leaves us feeling confident that some logical changes will help address parking concerns.

Take, for example, changes that are being made to overall management of the system.

Already the city is making moves to take over management of the city parking structures, an important part of the parking solution in the city, rather than relying on a third party to handle this task. The city is planning on adding staff to handle the management change and to move parking enforcement employees from the police department to the expanded new department. Installation of parking management equipment that allows for quicker entrance/exits to parking structures is underway. And we are told that the next step of updating security video surveillance of the parking structures is not too far behind.

Considerable time and thought has been spent developing the new on-street part of the parking solution which we hope the city's elected leaders will support when it arrives at the commission table.

Promise versus reality of fair redistricting fter decades of partisan gerrymandering, Michigan voters in 2018 overwhelmingly approved Proposal 2, the Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative, which transferred the power to draw the decennial state's congressional and legislative districts from the state legislature to a 13-member independent redistricting commission.

Organized by the committee Voters Not Politicians, 62 percent of voters statewide approved the proposal to create the independent commission, which required four of the commissioners to be Democrats, four to be Republicans, and five to be Independents or members of third parties. In order to pass a redistricting plan, there needed to be 'yes' votes from at least seven members, two each Republicans and Democrats and at least two not affiliated with any party.

The proposal had hard requirements of commissioners, who applied in 2019 and 2020 to be a member. One was that they must be a resident of the state of Michigan. Districts had to be of equal populations and comply with the Voting Rights Act and other federal laws. The districts had to be geographically contiguous – no more weirdly drawn districts in and around communities. They had to respect the demographics of a districts and “communities of interest” – considered communities of historical, cultural and economic interests. There were

A

to be no special advantages to political parties, incumbents, municipal boundaries or compactness. The commission had to complete the redistricting for all districts in time for the 2022 elections.

After months of meetings and maps, what was released were districts, notably in southeast Michigan, which confounded experts and citizens alike, as communities of interests as well as demographics and the Voting Rights Act were disregarded. In several districts, both for state Senate and House, residents in northwest Detroit were placed in districts with residents of Birmingham and Bloomfield. In a state Senate primary between incumbent state Senators Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak and Marshall Bullock of Detroit, McMorrow, who is White, and Bullock, who is Black, McMorrow trounced Bullock. The same occurred in other districts, diminishing Black representation in the state legislature, and for the first time in over 50 years, there is currently no African American representing the city of Detroit in Congress.

Thirteen of those district have been declared by a federal court as unconstitutionally drawn due to race because the commission chose to keep the Black voting-age populations in those districts between 35-45 percent. A panel of three federal judges has given the commission until Friday, February 2, to redraw those districts – or the court will.

Now there are other revelations which show the redistricting commission has further stains on its hands.

Turns out two of the members had moved out of state more than a year ago but had still been receiving their commission salary. Only once it became publicly known did they resign. There are also allegations that independent commissioner Anthony Eid colluded with specific Democratic candidates to help draw favorable Democrat districts.

“Partisan fairness emerged as greater than the other two (Voting Rights Act, communities of interest) when drawing the lines,” noted Oakland University political scientist Dave Dulio. He expects other districts will be impacted when they begin to redraw the 13 districts.

“Odds are the dominoes will begin to fall. If you make the slightest changes to one district, it impacts the others.”

Michigan is not the first state to rely on ordinary citizens to undertake redistricting. At least 11 states have some kind of an independent redistricting commission – outside of their state legislature's purview. Michigan's was one state which redistricting experts, including the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School, had huge expectations.

Michigan residents deserve better. We deserve transparency and the respect of honest commissioners who understand and obey the process.

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