Downtown Newsmagazine | Birmingham/Bloomfield

DOWNTOWN01.25

14 FROM THE PUBLISHER

17 THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

21

CRIME MAP

David Hohendorf shares his review of what Downtown Newsmagazine offered readers this past year, along with his regret about not providing the Voter Guide in a print format, plus a reminder on how readers can support strong local journalism.

In a statement to the community, The Community House outlines a reorganization taking place to return the non-profit institution to its original mission of serving residents and those in need.

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 our online interactive map with story details on public safety incidents.

22 OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

The future plans of state Sen. Malllory McMorrow; who’s running to chair the state’s two political parties; Mike Duggan’s independent gubernatorial campaign; the Democrat governor line grows; no audition for Mike Rogers; McDonald for AG?; plus more.

MICHIGAN IMMIGRANTS: HEIGHTENED CONCERNS

In 2023, 2,583 documented refugees arrived in Michigan, a 42 percent increase over the prior year, and 9,000 were expected in 2024. That’s not counting undocumented persons who the government estimates makes up about 1.2 percent of our population. Both groups fear the plans of the Trump administration. 31

Photo by Matthew Cromwell

FROM THE PUBLISHER

With this January issue kicking off our 16th calendar year of producing Downtown Newsmagazine, it seemed an appropriate time to both do some personal review of this past year and in doing so remind our followers of what we do here at the publishing group.

We would like to think we have provided a solid publication, beginning with our longform storytelling that sets us apart from other publications in Oakland County.

As I have explained in the past, we are fortunate to have one of the more educated populations in the state, so we know that our newsmagazine in general, along with our longform stories, gets read. But we also know that our residents are busy, therefore we take on the role as providers of what we think is essential to know. That includes our longform stories with which we try to tackle – and in many cases anticipate in advance – critical issues that have or will have a local impact.

A good example is our July issue in which we brought readers the issue of fluoridation of the public waters, an age-old controversy that we sensed was soon to become a battle in the public sphere, which has now come to fruition.

Over the past year, here are some of the issues we have addressed: cell tower radiation concerns; local police departments use of drones; the state of aquifers we rely on in Oakland; how local communities are (or are not) addressing climate change; health department inspections of the countless restaurants here and in other counties; and the challenges faced by local police departments to maintain staffing.

These stories, 4,000 – 6,000 words each, involve weeks of research and work with multiple sources here, across the state, the country and beyond these borders. Certainly not something you find in any other local publication. Our efforts on this front are driven by our daily consumption of news from multiple national and international newspapers and magazines to keep us informed about potential developing trends and concerns.

We also set out years ago to highlight in our monthly Faces feature local persons who either live in the Birmingham-Bloomfield area or were raised here and have gone on to accomplish something newsworthy. Our search has taken us across the country, from Hollywood to the East Coast, and in a number of cases to other countries. I did a rough count for this column and found we have done personality profiles of about 800 persons since we launched this publication.

Downtown also focuses considerable effort each month on the traditional role of covering local municipal and school board meetings, because we know that while local issues are of concern, few people make time in their busy schedules to monitor these themselves. We consider ourselves students of government and we do the legwork so residents can remain informed and decide when appropriate to take action.

We also offer our editorial commentary on issues in the Endnote portion of Downtown. We do admit that we are only one of many voices in a community when it comes to local issues but we feel strongly that this is the traditional, important role of a publication, and we feel uniquely qualified having followed local, county and state government for so many years.

Also part of the monthly package is the Metro Intelligencer column that captures what’s taking place in the regional restaurant world. And of course, for the political junkies, there’s our Oakland Confidential column, presenting (sometimes in smarmy fashion) gossip from the world of politics. In 2023,

separate from the print product, we created an environment newsletter (Threatened Planet) of curated material from a wide array of sources with information pertaining to the climate crisis we are all facing. We issue this every other week. We have created websites for these three editorial offerings and send out email blasts to several thousand followers who have signed up to receive these columns.

Beyond the monthly print edition of Downtown, we have also taken our content online to reach an even broader audience and those who don’t gather their news from print products. For the past 15 years we have sent out each Friday morning an email newsletter blast to several thousand recipients with the latest news from the local government front, along with the latest police blotter news for the local area. On occasion we will send out special breaking news notices to this same set of followers. We also post to Facebook, Instagram and Threads. We did abandon posting on X, formerly know as Twitter because of its decline into a toxic misinformation mess once Elon Musk bought it, but we just started posting to Bluesky, so join us there.

Although I am generally pleased with our effort in the past year, I do have one regret – the decision to take our Voter Guide for the 2024 election to an only online format. I don’t think that was in the best interest of readers, so in future major election years we will be returning our Voter Guides to a print format. We made the decision this year because between labor, printing and postage, a Voter Guide is a major expense, especially for a small, independent publishing group like ours. Years ago the expense of providing voters with detailed positions of those seeking office was basically funded by candidates who ran ads. But that source of revenue for the most part dried up well over a decade ago as candidates have turned to direct mail, broadcast and social media to promote their campaigns. We know, based on phone calls and emails we get in advance of an election, that readers look forward to the Voter Guide. So when the 2026 election arrives, we will be going out in advance to find local companies willing to be sponsors of this special publication, which in heavy election years has often been 40-44 pages in size. As we return the Voter Guide to the print product, we will also continue to post the same content online at our website.

Bottom line: looking back on 2024, we are generally satisfied with what we have brought the community. Our efforts have allowed us to take our share of awards from the Detroit chapter of the Professional Journalism Society, for publication design, commentary and the longform stories we have covered, but the greatest affirmation of what we do comes from our readers and in turn from the business community who supports us.

Supporting local journalism: Months ago I ran into a local restaurant business owner who I have known for several decades and was one of the supporters who helped us bring Downtown to market in 2010. He asked why we were still running the donation campaign you encounter in most issues (see page 49) and at our website, something we launched when the pandemic closed down local businesses for months. My answer: What we do here is expensive and the local business community has consistently funded our efforts. But as costs increase we can’t always pass all of those along to our supporters, like the newsprint increase we just received, let alone the 25 percent tariffs proposed by the new administration as we and most other publications in the eastern one third of the country import paper from Canada. So if you are inclined to support strong local journalism, I thank you in advance.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

Happy Holidays

letter to the community

The Community House Revitalization

Getting Back to Delivering On Our Mission

The Community House, a 101-year-old human services nonprofit and treasure in the community, was originally co-founded by Ruth Shain in 1923, not just as a gathering place, but importantly to gather with the purpose of giving back to those less fortunate and in need. During the depression The Community House worked diligently to raise money to distribute food and blankets to community members, place people in jobs, stage blood drives for hospitals and conduct classes for children.

Over time The Community House grew to become the heart of the community. Thirteen years ago in order to stay relevant, The Community House initiated a successful strategic “makeover” led by turnaround specialist Camille Jayne, who became the new president/CEO (2011-2014.) The team’s work resonated with the community, successfully raised much-needed monies to launch a number of new outreach programs that expanded on Ruth Shain’s mission, increased revenues, net profits and investment savings setting a path for continued sustainability.

However, over recent years The Community House lost its focus of delivering on its underlying reason for raising money: to give back. Outreach programs that helped others for the most part fell away. Fewer affordable educational and enrichment classes were offered. The community noticed, and while we truly appreciate current donors, overall donor support significantly declined. Over the past months we received valuable input from many concerned people in the community. The message: the money that The Community House raises needs to support viable outreach programs that help people.

A New Chapter: Revitalizing The Community House

The Board realized major changes were needed to revitalize The Community House in order to sustain it and deliver on the mission. We examined executive management, fund raising, outreach programs that tangibly help others, and expense management. This led to significant changes in executive leadership, resulting in me immediately taking on the role of Acting President & CEO and eliminating the COO position. Shortly after making this decision we reached out to Camille Jayne to help us turn the page. Camille graciously agreed to step in short term, pro bono, to help guide the revitalization effort as we search for a talented professional to fill the President & CEO position. Below are some thoughts from Camille:

“I, like others, was disheartened that The Community House had veered off its nonprofit vision of being the community nucleus that helps others in need, and how that affected its financial health. I believe The Community House mission we put forth years ago is even more relevant today: “To impact lives through exceptional educational, cultural and social experiences which provide the means to fund programs that help others.” In this world of working remotely and social media, people have a great desire to gather to network professionally, mingle socially and to learn. And people very much want to be part of giving back to good causes. The Community House can once again become a nucleus for that.

As everyone works diligently to revitalize and sustain The Community House, the focus must be to raise money that “helps others in need and improves people’s lives.” All of this while being guided by its core values: Community, Connect, Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Accountability and Inclusion.

I am excited that The Community House will return to fulfilling an important aspect of its “TCH” mission to Teach, Connect and Help by playing a more significant role as a “Charity Helping Charities.” As a start, going forward a percentage of proceeds raised from each of our events will go to help other, local nonprofits do their good work (please see the “Lectures, Events and Outreach Programs” column on page 59).

program; and bring back many former outreach programs such as 21st Century Leaders, a nine-month program for 8th graders from schools in Oakland and Wayne counties - now more critical learning than ever to prepare leaders for high school; the “Get and Give a Basket” event which raises money to provide nutritious food bags to low-income families in partnership with United Community Family Services in Troy; and support Detroit teenagers in partnership with Cranbrook’s Horizons Upward Bound summer session. We are also looking at strategies and stages to offer discounted meeting space to more nonprofit partners who do important work in the community.

A critical part of growth will be to expand the number of affordable adult and youth enrichment classes that interest people. Long-standing and important fundraising events such as “Our Town” and “Birmingham House Tour” will continue as community mainstays. Our goal is to bring back the June “90 and Beyond” luncheon celebrating people 90+ years “young” with a percentage of proceeds going to a nonprofit who works with seniors in need.

Chef Ryan and the Banquet Center will maintain its stellar cuisine and ambiance for personal celebrations and corporate events; and the Early Childhood Center will continue to deliver the nationally recognized HighScope approach to active learning.

To “jump start” getting back on track will not be easy and will take significant and collective help from many. More engaged board oversight and support, continued employee and volunteer dedicated best efforts, and most important, strong community participation are key to the revitalization of this treasured organization. Increasing donations through the Annual Fund Drive and corporate sponsorships of the new outreach programs and events will fuel their success. Help us get the word out that when people come to enjoy The Community House they will have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping support our outreach programs and our Charity Helping Charities efforts.

We Welcome and Appreciate Input

If you have suggestions for adult or youth classes; social events or educational programs that interest you/your companies, or local charities that touch your hearts and minds which could benefit from our partnership, please email us at: input@communityhouse.com.

Many thanks to the amazing employees, volunteers and all of you who care about The Community House and the desire to help it once again extend its good work out into the community.” Sincerely yours, Camille

The Community House team asks our current and cherished donors to keep giving; valued business partners to keep sponsoring events and programs that support their corporate philanthropic missions; and first time and former donors to consider giving to The Community House’s revitalization (communityhouse.com.) The Community House is not part of the city of Birmingham and receives no millage or government funding.

Community Gathering Invitation from TCH Board of Directors

Please join us at The Community House on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. for discussion and exchange of ideas. Complimentary appetizers and beverages generously donated by TCH Board of Directors. For every person who attends, $20 will be donated by Camille Jayne to support the new outreach programs. RSVP by January 20th at: communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.

We look forward to having you join us.

Thank you,

Brad Wolf, Board Chair and Acting President & CEO

The Community House will continue the popular Student Art Town scholarship

PUBLISHER

David Hohendorf

NEWS EDITOR

Lisa Brody

NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS

Hillary Brody Anchill | Cris Braun | Dana Casadei | Tracy Donohue | Stacy Gittleman | Austen Hohendorf

Grace Lovins | Jeanine Matlow | Raven Mial | Gigi Nichols |Susan Peck | Carla Schwartz | Mark H. Stowers

PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS

Laurie Tennent | Matthew Cromwell | TJ Michael | Mackenzie O'Brien | Chris Ward

Laurie Tennent Studio

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

David Hohendorf

ADVERTISING SALES

Mark Grablowski

GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER

Chris Grammer

OFFICE

970 E Maple Road / Ste. 3, Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464

MAILING

PO Box 1630 Birmingham MI 48012-1630

DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE GOALS/MISSION

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

DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS

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

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

INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK

We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, PO Box 1630 Birmingham MI 48012-1630. If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes. MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNER FROM SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS

CRIME MAP

Feeling Overwhelmed?

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

Oakland Confidential is a column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-therecord. We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential.

A STAR IS BORN: The cameras just love state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (DRoyal Oak, Birmingham, Troy), whether they're TV cameras for MSNBC and CNN, where she was frequently a pundit during the 2024 election cycle, or on social media, where McMorrow has over 63,000 followers on Instagram. Word has been circulating among some Democrats that she was considering jumping into the race for chair of the national Democratic National Committee – a potentially high-profile position that would take her away from her state Senate seat. Some Michigan Democrats, however, don't buy it – noting that although her name is being mentioned in news stories, local and nationally, it's more likely because she has some of the same advisors as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who ran for the position in 2017 when he was mayor of South Bend. “She's not running,” said one top Democrat, noting, “she hasn't called me.” Ending further speculation, McMorrow took to Instagram and put the issue to rest on December 17, saying she thought about where she could have the most impact the next few years and has ruled out trying for the DNC position. The Dem notes that McMorrow, who is eligible to run for one more term in the state senate, keeps her cards very close to her vest, and acknowledged that “folks are wondering what she is going to do.” One possibility which wouldn't surprise that individual – or frankly, us – is a talking head on national TV. “She does a lot of punditry. Could she get a spot on MSNBC?”, the pol pondered. McMorrow could've been trying the idea out for size during December's lame duck, when she asked-and-answered on the 'gram all sorts of questions. Of course, there's always the possibility she's positioning herself for that open gubernatorial spot in '26.

PARTY CHAIR CONTENDERS:

A month ago the jockeying for the party chair post in the state Republican party began and the list of potential hopefuls seems to grow as each week passes. Last month the names being circulated in the rumor mill included Scott Greenlee of Lansing who ran for the party post in 2023; Terry Lynn Land, Michigan Secretary of State from 2003-2011, who lost to Gary Peters in 2014 for the U.S. Senate; state board of education member Nicki Snyder; and Rocky Raczkowski, former state lawmaker and more recently the past party chair for the Oakland Republican Party. If you are keeping track, you can now add another five or more to the list of those likely to try winning the post when the state party in February will hold its convention at which delegates make the decision. Count among them two names of Oakland County Republicans who have formally announced they are seeking the post. One is state Sen. Jim Runestad from White Lake, currently in his second term after serving four years in the state House, along with prior time on the Oakland County Commission. The problem with Runestad is he has suggested to some that he has no intention of giving up his 23rd district Senate seat, which some say could cause him problems when convention delegates learn of this. Also formally announcing for the state GOP top spot is Meshawn Maddock of Milford, who most recently was the co-chair of the party before the ruinous term of Kristine Karamo. Maddock, wife of state Rep. Matt Maddock, has been active in a number of past campaigns and some say will likely have the endorsement of President-elect Donald Trump, which could help with delegates in February. However, some observers say that while the MAGA faction is still strong in the party, the group of delegates is becoming somewhat more moderate and many at the convention will recall that Meshawn was co-chair of the party when it suffered noticeable losses and, as one party regular put it, ”turned off all our traditional donors.” Then there are the charges she is still facing for being part of the attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Another Oakland County name also being tossed around, although without gaining much traction – Lena Epstein, who has failed in a couple of election attempts. She is viewed as having possible access to donors as a part owner of Vesco Oil but some scoff at her chances. Also talked about are Pat Colbeck, a former lawmaker who was a 2018 gubernatorial primary

MCMORROW

RUNESTAD

MADDOCK

candidate but he may face the same fate as Maddock if moderates rule in February; GOP national committee member Rob Steele; and state party activist Warren Carpenter of Oakland County who used to be the 9th congressional district chair. Over in the Democratic party, there are several names that have been mentioned as possible candidates to replace party chair Lavora Barnes who has announced she will not be seeking a fourth term. However, Curtis Hertel, former state senator, recent candidate for congress and director of legislative affairs for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has picked up the endorsement of the governor, along with the backing of a long list of other Democrat officeholders, which will likely serve him well at the party convention in February.

PLANTING STAKES: The proverbial earth shook in early December, and it wasn’t because Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan made the long-expected announcement that he was running for governor. No, that would have garnered a yawn. The earth quaked because the long-time Democrat launched his campaign for governor in 2026 to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) as an independent. “I’m not running to be the Democrats’ governor or the Republicans’ governor. I’m running to be your governor,” Duggan said in an emailed statement. Traditionally, an independent candidate has less than a zero-chance-in-hell of winning, but this is Mike Duggan we’re talking about, product of the McNamara machine (for those of you youngsters, think the airport terminal. There’s a reason it’s named for him. Look it up.), who ran the powerful DMC medical center before winning his first campaign for Detroit’s mayor during bankruptcy as a write-in. “One hundred percent he can win. You just need money,” said a Republican honcho. “Who is so allegiant to their party today?” A Democratic bigwig said there was surprise on their side, “because he has been so close to the party – but it’s no big deal. People are going to be voting for him, or the party.” As an independent, Duggan skirts the primary skirmish – and the massive drain on finances, if he can even get through the hyper-partisan pandemonium of a primary. But what about the 35 percent from either party who vote straight party in a general election? It’s tricky, but you can vote straight ticket and still split your vote for a specific candidate. “He’ll probably set up his own political party to fundraise,” said the Dem. “The party affiliation is at the state level. People want access to the person,” noting that people were supportive of Whitmer, but still voted for incoming President Donald Trump (R). And a little digging by Bridge Michigan shows that a nonprofit, Put Michigan First, affiliated with W. Alan Wilk, an attorney who worked with Duggan’s previous campaigns, was incorporated in June 2023. Someone was thinking ahead.

GUNNING FOR GOVERNOR: All the chatter is over who will be jumping into the primary races for governor – especially with Duggan in his own lane. While she has not “officially” announced, everyone in the political class acknowledges Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is definitely running for the Democratic nomination. Benson, who is term limited in her current position, will have significant financial backing, those in the know say, from New York real estate titan and University of Michigan megadonor Stephen Ross – he’s the ‘Ross’ in the Ross School of Business. While Ross is a noted Republican, the two have a long friendship – Benson has served as a special advisor on philanthropic investments by Ross, who graduated from Wayne State University School of Law in 1965. Lest anyone forget, Benson was dean of that law school before she became SOS. It also is looking more and more likely that new-Michigander (Traverse City) Pete Buttigieg is giving serious consideration to a run. “It appears he is clearly thinking of it, and he’s not intimidated by it,” said a top state Democrat. Buttigieg was spotted all over the state pre-election as a Harris-surrogate, and was especially prevalent in Oakland County in the days before November 5. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who was given a speaking part at the DNC convention, continues to have his name floated, but his name recognition remains minimal. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow also received prominent TV placement at the DNC convention, carrying that big ‘2025’ book – as she continues to mull her options. On the Republican side, former Attorney General Mike Cox is talking about running. But will voters remember Cox –who last ran, and lost, in 2012, to former Gov. Rick Snyder, in what is now prehistoric times? “I don’t think he’s crazy enough to win a primary,” said one top Republican. “Just remember, the governor’s race is a long way out,” cautioned one in the know, who is staying out of the race. “To run for governor, you have to get signatures statewide by April 2026. That is a long way out. And you have to successfully fund a campaign. I don’t think there is capacity for everyone.” Wise words. Stay tuned.

BENSON

ROSS

WHAT’S UP DOC? One Republican name that keeps popping up is perennial candidate U.S. Rep. John James, who just won his second stint as congressman for the 10th district, comprising Rochester, Rochester Hills and much of Macomb County. Piquing even more curiosity is James’ recent purchase of a $2.7 million vacation home outside Grand Rapids –not the hottest vacation spot in Michigan. Is he going for governor? A rematch with U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D)? While James is just beginning his second two-year term, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) has his eye on him, including James in leadership retreats, and James was invited to give Johnson’s nominating speech in November. That’s not nothin’. “A lot of people I know are OD’ing on him. He’s a perennial candidate. Take a break and do your job,” said a Republican fundraiser.

SANITY ALERT: After years of Democrat and Republican state conventions choosing for the people who will be the candidates for Secretary of State and Attorney General, rather than at the state primary, like all other offices in the state, it appears that a bill to change that madness will be in effect for 2026. While it’s still early to prognosticate who may run for those offices, Democrats are frothing at the idea of legal trendsetter Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald – who developed a nationwide profile prosecuting the parents of the Oxford school shooter – potentially running for AG.

SHOT DOWN: Last month we noted that former Congressman and former Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers was spotted right after the election on a Delta flight to West Palm Beach, where he was allegedly heading to Mar-a-Lago to interview for FBI director. Now we learn that he never even got an interview. After shlepping down to West Palm Beach on the Delta flight, Rogers talked to several Trump transition people, but he couldn’t talk his way in to speak directly to the man behind the curtain.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: Michigan’s infamous Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf and other members of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) were the topic of a Wired magazine feature in in recent months. Leaf, to put it mildly, is considered a wack job in the world of law enforcement. He and members of CSPOA believe that their powers are drawn directly from the U.S. Constitution and that they are not beholden to any local, state or federal power. Don’t agree with a law on the books? Then just discard it, according to CSPOA members. The group claimed in 2014 to have 485 sheriffs nationwide as members and now claims they have 10,000 feepaying members. Leaf has had more than his 15 minutes of fame with his so-called investigation since 2020 into voter fraud in Barry County, even though Trump won the Michigan county handily. According to Wired, Leaf runs a militia training camp during which he counsels his followers to “get a standard AR-15 type military grade weapon” and “500 rounds of ammo.” He supports the CSPOA belief that sheriffs could and should have posses. Leaf has also defended members of the militia group that attempted to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, suggesting that the men involved were simply trying to make a citizen arrest. Clearly someone living in his own reality. No wonder the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled CSPOA an anti-government group with ties to other extremist and paramilitary organizations.

IS IT IN THE WATER?:

Hard-right Oxford Republican state Rep Josh Shriver is back in the headlines once again for spewing his white nationalist worldview. First, in mid-November Shriver, now in his second term, verbally sparred with state Democrat Rep. Noah Arbit (Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, eastern Commerce Township, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake) over the latter’s bill to expand 1988 hate crime law. Arbit’s bill expands the definition of the classes protected from violent or threatening behavior. Shriver claimed that the legislation’s definition of a “threat” could be an infringement on free speech, saying it was an “affront to America, our Constitution, our First Amendment, our right to free speech,” and would lead to Michigan becoming a “nanny state.” Perhaps Shirver never really read the bill which carries a provision that says: “This section does not enjoin any individual’s exercise of the constitutional right to free speech.” But no matter to the Oxford Rep., who burnished his rep as a religious zealot even further near the end of November when he called on X (formerly Twitter) to “make gay marriage illegal again,” labeling the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the issue as “perverted.” His X posting drew a number of responses, including one from progressive political commentator Keith Olbermann, who posted this: “Make religious fanatics’ interference in peoples’ lives a crime. Starting with you.”

JAMES LEAF SHRIVER

FACES

Kat Orlando

The description singer and musician Kat Orlando uses to describe herself is versatile, especially when it comes to the genres of music she’s been performing for decades. The Kat Orlando Band is a five piece rock and funk group of top musicians that plays locally and across the country, covering an eclectic range of artists that includes Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blondie, Bruno Mars, Jethro Tull, Amy Winehouse, Motown and more.

The two-time Detroit Music Award winner, who favors iconic female musicians like Stevie Nicks and Grace Slick, also performs with her huband, Larry Pinho, as the Kat Orlando Duo. You’ll find Kat on vocals, sax, flute and harmonica and Pinho on guitar and vocals playing local venues like O’Mara’s in Berkley and Mario’s in Detroit.

Orlando’s energizing saxophone playing has earned her the standout title of “Queen of Sax” in Detroit. “It started out rough and I faced a lot of pushback in my early years as a woman playing the saxophone,” said the Bloomfield Hills resident. “My saxophone teacher, jazz musician George Keith, was the one who encouraged me against the doubters in my life. He was an old bebop cat in Denver, who went to Juilliard in the '50s and sat in with other jazz musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Sonny Stitt. He taught me music theory, but also how to improvise, repair and buy saxophones and more.”

Even though Orlando never learned to sight read music, like many other musicians it hasn’t hampered her career. “It’s just the opposite, I think it allows me to improvise and embody the music in a more personal way. I was taught to play like I’m having a conversation and to know my instrument inside and out.”

Writing her own songs is as important as performing, says the independent, self-promoting artist. A favorite recording studio for Orlando is Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak, and she has released six CDs in the last 10 years. Her music reflects both her passion for music and the metro Detroit area she calls home. Her recent release, “City for Sale,” speaks about “the “carpetbaggers, or bigger corporations that come in here and then take off, leaving things high and dry,” said Orlando. “My music has always been a way to communicate things that are important to me and hopefully to others.”

The latest project for the graphic designer by day is a new show on Bloomfield Community TV called “Chopz.”

“It showcases the local music scene and the fabulous talent we have here that doesn’t get the airplay or to be seen easily in today’s music environment,” said Orlando, the show's host. “The show also includes national musicians, working musician issues, local artist interviews, and videos.” Recent shows featured Susie Woodman from the band Meatloaf, who has Michigan roots, Ronnie McNeir of the Four Tops, and Motown recording artist Brian O’Neal, of KEM.

Leisure time for the entertainer finds her biking around Belle Isle, or one of the lakes in the suburban areas.

”I also love rollerblading and kayaking and try to walk every day, weather permitting.”

But make no mistake, lots of leisure time isn’t something Orlando will embrace any time soon.”There needs to be more representation in age, gender, race and ethnicity in all areas of media and I plan to keep performing like all of the old rockers and entertainers. Look at Patty LaBelle, who is 79 and still so good. I’ll keep doing what I do until I run this thing into the ground and they have to wheel me out,” she said with a hearty laugh.

Story: Susan Peck

Photo: Matthew Cromwell

IMMIGRATION

HEIGHTENED CONCERNS AMONG DOCUMENTED AND UNDOCUMENTED ASYLUM SEEKERS

BY STACY GITTLEMAN

Elizabeth Orozco-Orozco-Vasquez, executive director of Freedom House in Detroit, has seen it all before and, in the coming months, expects to see it all over again.

Someone arrives at the door of Michigan’s only immigrant shelter equipped to house documented asylum seekers. They may be by themselves or in a group. They most likely want to head to designated sanctuary cities known worldwide as iconographic emblems of American culture – New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. They also have sanctuary city status meaning they give extra protections to migrants. Instead, they wound up in Detroit. Though not officially a sanctuary city, this secondary city on the list of refugee destinations is expected to see a rise in refugee arrivals by 43 percent this year.

At first, they hope to find a place to stay with a friend, family member, or distant connection who has already gone through the immigration process from South or Central America, Africa, or the Middle East. As a last resort, they wind up at this increasingly overburdened non-profit organization.

“Immigrant communities tend to be quiet, private ones who try their hardest to look after their own,” Orozco-Vasquez explains. “But when that burden becomes too heavy, that’s when our clients arrive at our door. We started seeing people come into us in quite large groups for us,” Orozco-Vasquez said. “When we began (around 2013), Freedom House had one location and 30 beds. Now, with three locations in Detroit, we can house, sleep, and provide services for up to 250 documented asylum seekers.”

On the first day of his second term in the White House, President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to begin the deportation of what he estimates are up to 20 million people who are in this country illegally. That’s twice the population of New York City. The fear that this draconian practice will return, using members of the military and law enforcement, along with painful family separations, and this time to an even more severe level than last – are very real, Orozco-Vasquez and other immigration experts lament. Right now, they are trying to prepare their clients as best they can as they play the waiting game.

“We are trying to prepare as much as possible to provide humanitarian assistance because this is not a political issue for us,” Orozco-Vasquez says.

Our nation’s immigration system has constantly shifted and changed ever since the 1790 Naturalization Act.

ccording to a 2015 Pew Study on the history of immigration in America, this country went through phases of first accepting only immigrants from northern Europe, then in the 1900s shifting to southern Europe. Immigration restrictions began to crumble when in 1943 limited numbers of Chinese were allowed to immigrate. In the 1950s, this immigration phase expanded to other Asians. Then came the breakthrough 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act which favored family reunification and skilled immigrants rather than country quotas. The law also imposed the first limits on immigration from the Western Hemisphere. Before then, Latin Americans had been allowed to enter the U.S. without many restrictions.

AImmigration laws in the decades to follow focused on people fleeing war and the United States saw waves of immigrants from China, Vietnam, Nicaragua and Haiti.

A June 2024 report outlining immigration basics from the American Immigration Council, noted the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the set of laws governing U.S. immigration policy. The policy centers around the reunification of families. Admitting immigrants with skills valuable to the U.S. economy, providing humanitarian protections, and promoting diversity.

Annually, the INA grants up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas across various visa categories. In addition to those visa grantees, the United States allows immigration to the spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21 of U.S. citizens at an unlimited number.

All these laws, to some extent, upheld the grammar school ideals we were all taught that are engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty — Emma Lazarus’s poem promising to the world’s huddled masses that the lady in New York Harbor would always lift her lamp beside the Golden Door.

That kind of idealism seemed nowhere to be found in the last election. Any discussion of a pathway to citizenship had been replaced by the promise of mass sweeps and deportations.

And for President-elect Donald Trump, it worked. He won the election by making the underside of immigration his campaign’s cornerstone. He connected the migrant crisis as the bane of everything from the economy to housing, from illegal drug use and overall crime. He campaigned on this even though statistics collected by Pew Research in October 2024 showed that compared to 249,741 migrants attempting to cross the border in December 2023, migrant crossing attempts plummeted in August 2024 by 77 percent to 58,038 encounters with border patrol.

In exit polls conducted by Edison Research, 27 percent of Michigan’s voters said the economy was the most important factor in determining their presidential pick, followed by 17 percent for the abortion issue and 35 percent for the state of

democracy. Just 12 percent of this state’s voters said immigration mattered most to them. The exit poll, however, found that 89 percent of Republicans who voted for Trump said immigration was their top issue.

In each generation, anti-immigrant sentiment often comes from a place of fear. In reality, Michigan, with its stagnant population growth, actually needs foreign-born newcomers so we can all pursue that American dream, according to the state’s leading immigrant advocates.

According to a May 2024 study by the American Immigration Council, in partnership with the Michigan Global Talent Coalition, in 2022 immigrants in the state held $23.1 billion in spending power, paid $5.5 billion in federal taxes, and paid $2.6 billion in state and local taxes.

The report also revealed that in 2022, there were over 687,000 new Americans in Michigan, making up 6.9 percent of the state’s population. Immigrants represented 8.4 percent of Michigan’s working-age population and employed labor force. In 2022, immigrant households in the state earned $31.3 billion in income and contributed $67.8 billion to the area’s gross domestic product (GDP), or 9.9 percent of the total GDP for that year.

For the voters who placed the economy as their top concern, the process and operation of deporting millions of migrants will cost the taxpayer $315 billion, according to an October 2024 report from the American Immigration Council. And that’s a conservative estimate, it warns.

One organization that promotes the economic catalytic power of welcoming immigrants to Michigan is Global Detroit. Founded in 2010 by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the nonprofit hopes to shape immigration policy in the state by providing data that shows how immigrants benefit the overall quality of life here.

According to Global Detroit’s Executive Director Steve Tobocman, immigrants can fill the void of the state’s slow growth in attracting residents and therefore can stave off the brain drain and spark the state’s economy.

“Bringing immigrants into Detroit’s neighborhoods can help stabilize the city, reduce crime, and then grow populations and therefore the economy back into the city’s neighborhoods,” said Tobocman. “If we are to have healthy conditions for startups in Michigan, we need skilled people who are engineers and computer scientists. We need electrical engineers and software developers. There is demonstrated evidence that, statistically, immigrants greatly contribute to all of these fields.”

Partnering with Global Detroit is the Michigan Global Talent Initiative. A first-of-its-kind state program in the nation launched in 2023 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the initiative seeks to retain immigrants who have attained a secondary or post-secondary education by employing them throughout the state. To integrate immigrants, the state has stepped up English as a Second Language (ESL) credentials and offerings and is building more inclusive community colleges for those learning English.

According to Global Detroit, Michigan is home to 300,000 children in immigrant families, over 70,000 of whom are currently in high school. Among high school kids in immigrant families, 50 percent are Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, or of Latin background. Over 40 percent are ArabAmerican.

At the college level, Global Detroit reported that six community college districts serve 75 percent of those families. Four of those are in southeast Michigan. While comparable numbers of parents in immigrant families have a bachelor’s degree and a significant number have an advanced degree, 22

resettled over three million refugees. Each year, the president is required to consult with Congress and set an annual number of refugees to be admitted to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

After September 11, 2001, the number of refugees admitted into the United States fell drastically. After the Bush administration put new security checks in place, annual refugee admissions returned to their previous levels which rose during the Obama administration. During the Trump administration, the refugee ceiling fell sharply, from 110,000 in 2017 to 45,000 in 2018 and 30,000 in 2019. In 2020, the ceiling was set at an alltime low of 18,000 — although only 11,814 were admitted. This was the smallest annual number of refugees since the system was created in 1980.

The 2021 limit was first set at 15,000 by Trump, but the incoming Biden administration raised it to 62,000. The Democrats from 2021 to 2024 set the annual ceiling of refugees to 125,000. Additionally, the Biden administration created a new Priority 2 category for certain Iraqi, Afghan and Syrian refugees.

Refugee arrivals during the 2023 fiscal year dramatically outpaced the prior two years, reaching over 60,000 from October 2022 to September 2023. In September 2024, the greatest number of refugees admitted by the U.S. came from Venezuela, Afghanistan and Congo.

According to State Department statistics, from September 2024, the top 10 origin countries of refugees who arrived in Michigan were: Syria (222); Congo (98); Iraq (41); Venezuela (90); Myanmar (36); Sudan (23); Afghanistan (19); Yemen (19); Guatemala: (14); and the Republic of South Sudan (9). Since October 2023, the number of refugees Michigan absorbed includes 1,186 from Syria; and 862 from Congo.

According to Michigan immigration experts, in 2016, Michigan was the fourth largest state for refugee resettlement, taking in more than 30,000 arrivals over the previous decade. As of 2021, undocumented immigrants accounted for 1.2 percent of Michigan’s population, according to the Pew Research Center analysis.

Once a person is granted an immigrant visa or receives certain other eligible protections, such as asylum or refugee status, they can apply to become a lawful permanent resident.

Individuals arriving on immigrant visas become lawful permanent residents when they arrive in the United States. After residing in the United States for three to five years, they are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. These lawful permanent residents are not required to apply for U.S. citizenship and are eligible to apply for employment. They are allowed to live here permanently so long as they adhere to immigration laws.

While many carry the misconception that immigrants are taking away job opportunities, it is difficult for undocumented migrants to be legally employed. Fill out any job application and you need to check boxes about U.S. citizenship or legal eligibility to work in the United States.

The United States offers 20 types of temporary work visas, allowing U.S. employers to hire and petition foreign nationals for specific jobs for set periods. They run the gamut from athletes and entertainers, religious workers and diplomatic employees, and high-skilled engineers and other technical workers. The United States allows up to 140,000 permanent employmentbased immigrants annually plus their eligible spouses and minor unmarried children.

For the most highly skilled foreign worker or recent foreign college graduates, many compete for the highly-coveted HB1 visa. This type of visa is bestowed to small, highly skilled

workers in Michigan mostly through the automotive industry. General Motors in 2022 granted 794 of this type of visas compared to 233 in 2015. In a mirror comparison, the Ford Motor Company issued 85 such visas in 2015 and 969 in 2022.

An undocumented individual is someone who arrives through an irregular port of entry, meaning they were not stopped at any checkpoint. There is no official record of their presence in the United States, or they may have overstayed a visa.

Data from the American Community Survey says that up to 11 million people in this country as of 2022 lacked permanent legal status and faced the possibility of removal. U.S. census figures from 2019, in an analysis by the Migrant Policy Institute, suggest an estimated 90,000 undocumented residents live in Michigan. To devise a deportation operation, Trump is now threatening to overstep the rights of governors in taking control of the National Guard system, typically deployed at the will of the governor, to get the job done.

At Wayne State University’s Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic, Director Sabrina Balgamwalladescribed herself as tense and anxious about the incoming administration’s proposals of mass sweeps and deportations. These days, Balgamwalla is increasingly in touch with colleagues running similar law clinics in other parts of the country to prepare for whatever may come next. The most important thing, they agreed, is to offset their clients’ fears.

“We have always talked, but now we talk more than ever,” Balgamwalla said. “We have come to the understanding that when we scare people, we are participating in the upcoming administration’s game of psychological warfare. We are trying to respond swiftly and mindfully to our clients in a way that does not cause unnecessary panic.”

At the WSU clinic, Balgamwalla said high-level law students under the guidance of faculty steeped in knowledge of immigration law are working on securing extended work or student visas. They are processing paperwork so immigrant students and faculty can temporarily travel back home to visit families, attend a wedding or a funeral, or be there for the birth of a grandchild. If possible, the law clinic advised clients to have finished traveling abroad before the inauguration.

“The most difficult challenge is all the uncertainty,” Balgamwalla said. “Until Trump steps into the White House and unleashes his immigration policy, all my clinicians can do is to advise their clients about making sure their documentation is up to date and positioning those who are closest to attaining their immigration status to take on all the proper venues as quickly as possible. In the worst-case scenarios, we are preparing our clients for the possibility of workplace sweeps and family separations.”

Balgamwalla said Trump in his last administration attempted sudden policy changes that were battled in the courts because they did not follow any regulatory processes. On the first day of his administration, for example, Trump implemented the Muslim travel ban without giving any advance notice to immigration or border crossing officials. Chaos ensued, followed by lawsuits. Trump’s most widely used tactic, which more is expected, is unleashing fear and panic in noncitizen communities.

Even though there was less fear about deportation during the Biden administration, Balgamwalla said Trump crippled the immigration system and departments like US Citizenship and Immigration Services so badly that they remain hamstrung to this day. They have become inefficient in processing extensions for work and student visas. There are fewer immigration personnel to process immigration requests.

“Immigration processing has slowed way, way down,” she lamented. “There used to be a time when one could predict how long it would take to renew a work or student visa. Now, it’s anyone’s guess. We are expecting the immigration process to become much more difficult with more restrictions and higher fees. Things are going to be much harder. Everything is tied to things that the (executive branch) can do in terms of running the immigration and naturalization agencies.”

Echoing the WSU Law Clinic’s fears is the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), which provides legal services to low-income immigrants, including farm workers, unaccompanied minors, and those in detention. During the Trump administration, MIRC faced challenges with frequent policy changes and to the child separation policy. Preparing for a potential new Trump administration, MIRC advises immigrants to familiarize themselves with their rights, obtain documents, and consider renewing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status.

Basing her opinions for the coming Trump administration on the first time around, Christine Suavé, the center’s director of policy, engagement, and communications, said her staff is bracing themselves for another four years of chaos in the immigration system and maybe even worse.

“We assist folks who are in detention and facing deportation,” Suavé said. “The previous Trump administration was a very hectic, tense, fearful time. Policies at the federal level would change very frequently.”

Then came the child separations. Suavé echoed the worries of Freedom House about the prospect of family and child separations and foreign-born children who will be lost in our country’s broken foster care system. This time around, it could be even worse.

“We know from experience what’s at stake and what’s on the table here,” Suavé said. “When we hear the Trump administration is now looking to conduct mass deportations, we’re taking them at their word. We are watching the policies they are building and we are preparing ourselves and our clients as much as we can.”

Part of this preparation includes an extensive list of tips and fact sheets translated in multiple languages that help migrants understand their rights.

MIRC staff advise clients on everything from making multiple copies of all passports and documentation papers and leaving some with a trusted friend, planning consultations with an immigration attorney to learn about immigration and naturalization eligibility, and even staying away from driving near the Blue Water or Ambassador bridges.

For those with children, MIRC suggests making a separation plan in case they are detained and if possible, trying to attain dual citizenship for them. MIRC also advises clients to know the difference between immigration attorneys and fraudulent notarios who prey on migrants but are not qualified to prepare immigration filings.

When it comes to dealing with Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), MIRC instructs clients on their rights. They have a right not to open the door to immigration enforcement officials or law enforcement unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. If the door is opened at all, ICE will determine that as granting permission to enter.

Suavé said that deportations happen regardless of which party controls the White House. Dubbed by immigration officials and critics from the left and the right as the deporter in chief, President Barack Obama deported more than 2.5 million individuals from 2009-2015 through executive orders.

However, Suavé said Obama’s Priority Enforcement policy meant that these numbers came from convicted criminals already sitting

in the nation’s jails and avoided family separations and deportations of non-violent non-residents.

Suavé explained: “When the Trump administration came into office in 2017, they got rid of that policy. The focus was no longer on the small minority of non-citizens with a criminal record. Instead, it looked to remove the highest number of non-documented migrants by casting a wider net. That was put into place on day one.”

Sauvé predicted that deportation orders could expand beyond undocumented workers who have been convicted of a crime and impact documented members of the labor force where undocumented workers work, including the agricultural and food processing and construction industries. Deportation can happen to workers in the healthcare, construction, manufacturing, nursing, and home healthcare segments.

Suavé said as Michigan’s population stagnates and declines, it is imperative that it welcomes immigrants

“It is in everyone’s best interest to welcome folks into our state,” Suavé said. “Our immigrant populations live all over Michigan. While some are drawn to our more rural communities for farming and agriculture, others are drawn to college and university towns and cities. If these deportations are carried through, I fear we will feel ripple effects all throughout every aspect of living here.”

Trump’s election campaign argued that mass deportations would reduce housing costs for Americans. But economists and housing industry experts warn that widespread deportations, coupled with harsh tariffs on everything from produce to construction and building materials, could make new homes even more expensive.

Tying the immigration crisis to tariffs, Trump shortly before Thanksgiving threatened Mexico and Canada on day one of his administration with a 25 percent tariff on all products coming into the United States and an additional 10 percent tariff on imports from China. Just as in his last two campaigns, he accuses our neighbors to the north and south of not controlling their borders which he and his base believe are the primary cause for increased crime and the fentanyl crisis in the U.S.

If Trump makes good on this campaign promise of tariffs, it will have a dire cause-and-effect dynamic. While Americans voted to curb inflation and grocery prices, these tariffs will hit them even harder with price increases for everything from a new automobile to construction supplies, from Mexican avocados to Canadian hothouse tomatoes and peppers.

Timothy Russell Hodge, Associate Professor of Economics at Oakland University, said the potential impact on Michigan’s housing market and labor force has become a pressing concern. First, the notion that migrants are eating up rental properties and driving rents up because of low rental availability is a myth. Typically, he said, multi-generational immigrant families take up a smaller housing footprint.

What is real is how much construction costs will go up, and how the labor pool of construction workers will shrink. Hodge said that nationally, immigrant workers contribute between 30 to 40 percent of the construction workforce.

“Removing these workers could increase construction costs and reduce supply further,” Hodge explained. “You’re going to have a labor shortage, and then if you couple that with what prices are going to be for lumber thanks to a sharp spike on the tariff rates, it’s going to hurt. American households are going to have to pay an average additional expense of $3,700 to $4,000 per year due to tariffs alone. I know people complained about the price of eggs, but this is really going to hurt.”

A loss of immigrants will have an impact in Michigan where there is a constant shortage of available farmhands. Often, farmers bring in migrants for work on temporary H-2A guest worker visas.

The H-2A program enables the U.S. agricultural sector to hire foreign nationals to temporarily fill agricultural positions. A person with this visa can stay in the United States for three years. After that period, they must exit and remain outside the United States for three months before reapplying for a work visa. An H-2A worker’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may apply for admission and stay as non-immigrant classifications. Family members are not permitted to work in the United States under this status.

This program does not provide a path to citizenship, making this demographic vulnerable to worker exploitation and can often be abused by employers who can exploit and even threaten undocumented workers who may be subject to unfair working conditions and salaries.

Among its many missions in immigrant advocacy, the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center represents immigrant clients who have been exploited or abused in the agriculture industry in Michigan.

MIRC’s Suavé stated that although it is imperfect, Michigan’s agricultural industry has heavily relied on this temporary guest labor as the primary source for its workforce. Suavé added that workers in this situation face threats when overseers casually mention calling ICE officials if they believe workers aren’t productive enough or if they refuse extra shifts without additional pay.

According to her estimations, there are about 19,000 H-2A farm workers in Michigan. Add in their family members and that could be as many as 100,000 people.

These workers also contribute their manpower to dairy and egg farms. They comprise about 21 percent of the food processing and food chain supply workforce in the state.

“About half these folks are undocumented, so (deporting them) would have a dramatic impact on the labor forces that bring the food to our tables,” Suavé said. “We are already hearing from employers who are having a hard time filling these positions. If more people are deported, fewer people will want to participate in the guest worker program. If the labor force is reduced this way, this is going to have a dramatic increase on the cost of our groceries.”

As an example of what happens when a state cracks down on undocumented workers, Suavé pointed to a recent law that went on the books in Florida. SB 1718 went into effect in July 2023, making it illegal for Floridian farmers to hire undocumented workers. As the law went into effect, Suavé said Floridian farmers began to complain of worker shortages.

“These policies hurt agriculture and our food supplies,” Suavé said. “Agriculture will have to offer higher wages to find workers, and this will ultimately be passed onto the consumer.”

As far as guest workers are concerned, Suavé mentioned the plight of those working in the dairy industry. State law requires that dairy farmers provide housing for their guest workers but it is not regulated by the state, so they may be living in squalid conditions. Those working in agricultural fields live in state-inspected housing. And because workers on dairy farms are needed year-round, workers may find themselves in unheated structures in the cold Michigan winters.

One case that MIRC worked on was in 2018 when several migrant workers died in a house fire on a dairy farm in Mendon while trying to keep warm in an unheated building.

The reason why so many agricultural and construction workers are so vulnerable is that, whether they are documented or not, they are always fearful of the threat of workplace sweeps by ICE. Their fears may ease if they find themselves working or living in sanctuary cities or counties.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, there are areas in the country – be it a state, county, or city – that do not fully comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts. This is most referred to as a sanctuary city. A city, county, or municipality may pass ordinances designed to protect undocumented immigrants

from deportation or prosecution despite federal immigration law. Such places may refuse or prohibit compliance with ICE officials.

Though Michigan is not a sanctuary state, it does have a city and several counties that are designated as sanctuary areas, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. Lansing is Michigan’s only sanctuary city. Ingham, Kalamazoo, Kent and Wayne counties also have this designation.

In southeast Michigan, MIRC’s Suavé stated that cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor have passed ordinances declaring that their law enforcement departments will not coordinate with ICE, and some departments do not honor detainer requests from ICE.

For example, an official mentioned a case in Kent County where, at ICE’s request, law enforcement detained a man who turned out to be a U.S. citizen.

However, as of this January, Suavé expressed concern that areas like Livingston County are heading in the opposite direction and will inquire about immigrant status and documentation from anyone who interacts with their sheriff’s office, which they find “deeply concerning.”

“Local law enforcement is finding ways to disassociate or disengage with the activities of ICE,” Suavé said. “Local law enforcement wishes to focus on gaining the trust of community members to solve local crimes. But some counties are going the opposite direction, and this is something that we are deeply concerned about.”

Local law enforcement officials who usually take the time for interviews with Downtown instead sent terse, direct emailed responses when they were questioned whether or not they would embroil their forces with these proposed deportations.

rom the Oakland County Sheriff’s office to Bloomfield Township and the city of Birmingham, officials stated they would not involve themselves in federal affairs of apprehending individuals based on their immigration status. Instead, they will concentrate on local business of upholding the law and preventing, investigating, and apprehending those involved in local crimes.

FAccording to the 2022 Order 7-02 issued by the Michigan State Police, when it comes to immigration violations, state police enforcement members can enforce federal laws but only federal officers can handle civil violations under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The order states: “State police cannot stop, question, arrest, or detain individuals based solely on suspected immigration violations, such as status, alienage, or personal characteristics. MSP cannot request immigration status proof unless necessary for a criminal investigation.”

The order also states that state law enforcement must not act on immigration administrative warrants or detainers. Any clear immigration law violations are to be referred to the nearest US Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement office.

MIRC’s Suavé said this is because local law enforcement traditionally tends to stay out of the affairs of ICE and wants to create a climate in their counties and municipalities that anyone is free to report a crime or seek first responder help regardless of their immigration status.

“Immigration enforcement has been the purview of the federal government, and there’s a lot of reasons for that,” said Suavé. “It has been decided by the courts in multiple cases. And from a practical standpoint, it just makes sense. Local law enforcement often needs the cooperation of folks living in the community to get tips on crimes. If people fear that a local law enforcement agency would report them or contact ICE, they would be less likely to come forward to share information, even if they are victims of a crime.”

FACES

Laura Valentina Gatny

Growing up in Macomb County as the daughter of Serbian immigrants, Dr. Laura Valentina Gatny learned the value of perseverance, communication, service and culture.

Gatny was born shortly after her parents and older sister moved to the United States seeking a better life. Sadly, her father died when she was a baby, leaving her mother to juggle three jobs while the girls’ grandmother raised them.

“My mom is my inspiration for strength, perseverance and doing what you have to do to survive in a new country and culture,” Gatny said. “It created a drive in me to pursue a future in social service, communication and culture.”

Her mother remarried when Gatny was eight years old, transforming their lives. Her American-born stepdad became a true father figure, and as a former bodybuilding coach, he exposed her to “radical ways of thinking,” including Buddhist philosophy, psychology and the mind-body connection which were vastly different from the protective Serbian Christian Orthodox beliefs that formed her earliest years.

“My upbringing was a blending of two cultures and creating my own. I was always surrounded by a rich cultural network of my grandparents and cousins. My dad helped me see the power of independence and interconnectedness.”

She earned her B.S. in counseling psychology from Rochester Christian University and M.A. in clinical psychology from Michigan School of Psychology. Due to the recent pandemic which increased online educational offerings, she was able to receive her Doctor of Philosophy PhD from MSTI as well as attend certification programs through University of California, Berkley, and Harvard Medical School.

Gatny spent the first decade of her career working with children with autism in Macomb and Oakland counties.

During this time, the family of one of her “kiddos” encouraged her to enter the Mrs. Michigan-America 2013 pageant to earn money for autism resources. She entered and won, allowing her to spend the following year collaborating with organizations and media outlets to promote treatment and resources for individuals with autism. As Mrs. Michigan, she took part in a pageant that became part of Bravo’s 2014 reality docuseries, “Game of Crowns.”

Over the past decade, Gatny has worked primarily with adults as a clinical psychotherapist and life coach in her Birmingham-based private practice, Peace of Mindful.

“There’s a massive need to address mental health issues due to anxiety and depression for adults on the spectrum, parents, marriages, siblings and especially moms and women who often shoulder a heavy burden.”

In 2024, she found herself back in the pageant world for another worthy cause when she competed in and won the Mrs. Worldwide pageant. As there was already a Mrs. Michigan and Mrs. USA in the pageant, she entered representing Serbia.

She revealed, “My motivation was to use the impact and media attention of the Mrs. Worldwide title to advocate for mental health, suicide prevention and related traumatic experiences for all involved.”

While the Birmingham resident enjoys writing, hot yoga and practicing mindfulness and mediation, she is grateful to help others and considers being mother to her three children her greatest title. “The eternal mother in me is always listening and advocating. If I can help any human who is in a place of suffering by alleviating that suffering, I will give it my all.”

She added, “Many people are suffering right now due to the current political atmosphere...If you feel lost, it’s important to create the world you want to live in – to shift from victim to creator. An individual can create a small community around them where they belong, have purpose, and feel safe. The power always lies in how you respond versus how you react. Become what you seek.”

Story: Tracy Donohue

Photo: Matthew Cromwell

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Architect chosen for new Next/rec center

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham has made another step towards a new senior and recreation center building by selecting an architect, Neumann Smith, to begin designing the final site plan and construction plans, following a city commission approval during the Monday, December 9, meeting.

The process for establishing a new home for Next senior services and recreation center has been ongoing for the last decade, but recently gained significant momentum with the city’s purchase of the Birmingham YMCA building in July of 2023.

Commissioners interviewed three architectural firms—Neumann Smith, INFORM Studio and McIntosh Poris Architects—during the Monday night meeting with the intention of selecting one of the firms to prepare the final site plan, design and construction for the future Next and recreation center building.

Before being brought to the commission, the Ad Hoc Senior/Recreation Center Committee (SCC) evaluated the proposals during their Monday, December 2, meeting.

INFORM Studio’s bid proposed a schematic design phase fee of $391,622, plus expanded services, allowables and reimbursables. McIntosh Poris Architects’ bid included a $416,673 schematic design phase fee, plus reimbursables, and Neumann Smith’s bid showed a $354,200 schematic design phase fee, plus reimbursables.

Per the evaluations in the meeting packet, Neumann Smith was favored by the SCC members, but the committee decided to have all three firms appear before the commission.

INFORM Studio is an architectural and design firm with offices in Detroit and Chicago, per their website, specializing in the design of mixed-use, community, cultural, learning, retail, hospitality, urban design and housing projects. The firm has worked on multiple notable projects including the A.B. Ford Park Community Center in Detroit.

Following INFORM Studio’s presentation, McIntosh Poris provided the commission with some insight into their proposal. McIntosh Poris Architects is an architecture firm with experience serving residential, commercial and institutional clients. The firm has been based in Birmingham since 1994, and has worked on notable projects in and around metro-Detroit.

Jason Emerine to fill commission vacancy

By Grace Lovins

Almost a month after the resignation of former mayor and commissioner Elaine McLain, Birmingham City Commissioners selected Jason Emerine to fill the vacancy during the Monday, December 16, meeting.

Emerine was sworn in after the appointment and immediately began serving his 11-month term.

Emerine previously served on the city’s planning board since 2018 as an alternate board member. He also held a seat on the Ad Hoc Unimproved Street Committee between 2018 and 2019, and was chosen to fill the ‘engineer’ seat on the recently established Ad Hoc Senior Recreation Center Committee.

His switch from board and committee member to commissioner leaves a space open for a new alternate member on the city’s planning board, as well as an opening for an engineer on the Ad Hoc Senior Recreation Center Committee.

With a degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University, Emerine is the owner and president of Seiber Keast Lehner, Inc., a civil engineering, surveying, planning and consulting firm with offices in Clinton Township and Farmington Hills. He has lived in Birmingham for seven years and is the father of two young children.

During his interview, he stated that he feels the master plan is the most important thing facing Birmingham right now and noted he wants to continue pushing implementation of the plan forward faster. He expressed that, having been part of the master plan process as a planning board member, his perspective would be helpful as a member of the commission.

The city received a total of 28 applications from Birmingham residents interested in filling McLain’s seat. Two candidates withdrew their applications prior to Monday night’s workshop session and regular meeting. From the applicants, 14 candidates spoke during the city commission’s workshop meeting that took place before the regular meeting.

Candidates provided a brief statement about what they bring to the table and why they were interested in serving on the commission. Once the commission moved on to the regularly scheduled meeting, during which the appointment was made, each commissioner had the opportunity to select up to two candidates to interview.

After each candidate was interviewed, the commission voted 4-1 to select Jason Emerine as the new commissioner to finish out McLain’s term. Commissioner Anthony Long was absent from the meeting, and commissioner Brad Host voted against the motion, having nominated a different candidate to take the seat.

Emerine will complete the remainder of McLain’s term set to expire in November 2025.

The third firm to present to commissioners was Neumann Smith, an architecture firm with offices in Southfield and Detroit that provides clients with architecture, interior design, planning and preservation services, per their website.

After the presentations were complete, multiple commissioners commented that, while the programming for the building still needs to be finalized, they feel the city can successfully move forward with selecting an architect. Several commissioners also commented that although the three firms are each highly qualified, Neumann Smith stood out as the best option for Birmingham’s project.

Commissioner Brad Host and mayor

looking at updating the current childcare regulations, beginning with the planning board discussions on the Wednesday, December 11.

Birmingham planning intern Summer Alred-Arens explained to the board that the city had the opportunity to have the childcare ordinance audited in partnership with McKenna, a planning, design and building firm based in Northville. McKenna received a grant in partnership with W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, allowing the city an audit at no cost.

Per Alred-Arens’ memorandum in the meeting packet, the audit looked at the city’s zoning regulations to determine childcare readiness and identify provisions that may help or hinder child care development. She told the board that most of the changes suggested are due to repetition between the city’s ordinance and state standards, or because the city’s code was more strict than the state’s.

The audit also ensured that the ordinance is compliant with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Both city staff and McKenna provided the board with various recommendations for changes to the ordinance that would meet these goals.

Proposed changes to the language included updating the definitions for family child care home and group child care home, adding standards for the various zoning districts, and categorizing child care homes as an accessory permitted use.

pro tem Clinton Baller, however, said that they do not feel the city is where it should be in the process to move forward with selecting an architect for final designs.

Ultimately, the commission voted 42 to enter an agreement for Next and recreation center building design services with Neumann Smith, with commissioner Host and mayor pro tem Baller voting against the motion.

Child care ordinance for city to be reviewed

By Grace Lovins

Courtesy of a zoning regulations audit provided to Birmingham through a third-party firm, the city has started

Kicking off discussions, chair Scott Clein and board member Bryan Williams both stated they would not want to move forward with any updates until the city attorney has advised them and the board has been told the legal requirements of the city.

Board members also commented that parts of the ordinance, including the definitions, should reference that state licensure is also a required part of establishing a child care home. Board members Daniel Share and Robin Boyle explained that the board needs to spend more time considering areas where child care homes are appropriate, be it a family child care home or group child care home.

No formal action was taken by the board, and the item will continue to be discussed during a future meeting when the city attorney has had the chance to review the proposed changes.

Village Fair okayed with hours to be set

The Birmingham City Commission on Monday, November 18, approved a permit for the annual Village Fair, sponsored by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, to be held May 28 through June 1 of 2025, but the exact hours of operation for the event have yet to be determined.

This will be the 60th Village Fair for the city of Birmingham but how late each evening the event will be allowed to operate became an issue following a fight between high school students that marred the event in 2024.

In past years the Village Fair ran from noon each day until 10 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday evenings the event operated until 11 p.m.

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Grewe, after meeting with chamber of commerce and other officials, proposed at the city commission meeting that the Village Fair end operations in 2025 at 8 p.m. each night. Grewe noted that other communities in Oakland County have cancelled events similar to the Village Fair because of unruly behavior, including fights, by teen groups. Limiting the evening hours was viewed as a compromise to avoid problems in what has long been considered a family-focused, community affair.

Grewe also explained at one point in the meeting that a 2024 fight involving some members of Brother Rice and Seaholm high schools ended with four teenagers being formally charged with aggravated assault, along with repercussions from school officials.

A number of city commissioners and members of the public at the meeting were not willing to buy into the compromise ending hours for the Village Fair, among them former long-time businessman Richard Astrein, who captured the sentiment of others by saying he didn’t “want to be held hostage to a couple of kids.”

Although city commissioner Katie Schafer said she felt 11 p.m. was too late for a closing time on the weekends, most objected to the 8 p.m. proposed time change and some, like commissioner Clinton Baller, objected to a propose 9 p.m. closing before it is even dark outside.

Cheryl Daskas, co-owner of the women’s fashion outlet Tender, noted that the event “brings a ton of business to downtown Birmingham” and offered that an 8 p.m. closing was “too early” for the event which she admitted attending as she grew up.

Chamber president Joe Bauman was questioned about the Village Fair and the economic impact of reduced hours of operation. Bauman noted that closing early each day amounted to a loss of eight hours of the event which serves both as the business group’s major fundraiser, along with a loss for non-profit community group which received $20,000 last year in exchange for helping out at the Village Fair. The chamber of commerce pays a fee to the city for police and fire department support for the event.

Also questioned at the meeting was Danny Huston, owner of North American Midway Entertainment, which has for years produced this event as well as multiple similar events across the country. Huston was asked specifically what the economic impact would be with reduced hours of daily operation and he estimated that the revenue loss would be about 25 percent.

A number of those attending the meeting, including representatives of community groups, made suggestions of possibly working with local high schools to make students aware that a repeat of the 2024 fight at the event could result in the loss of the Village Fair in future years. There was also a suggestion from city commissioner Anthony Long that perhaps Bloomfield Township or the county sheriff could be approached about helping patrol the event in that the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce represents a number of local communities.

Eventually a motion was made and unanimously approved by the commission to okay the permit for the fair, with the hours of operation to be decided after what mayor Longe called a “good faith” effort by chamber, public safety officials and others to arrive at operating hours for the Village Fair, which would then be presented to the city commission

Two routes for safety path plan approved

By Dana Casadei

While three routes were proposed for consideration to be added to the 2024 Safety Path Master Plan, the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted on Monday, December 9, to only move forward with two of them, at least for now.

The approval given at their meeting does not officially approve the routes to be constructed, but authorized them to be added to the safety plan for future consideration.

Of the two paths approved to be added, both received enthusiastic support from almost everyone on the board.

“Thank you for bringing all that to us…I’m most enthusiastic about the Quarton Road collaboration,” said trustee Neal Barnett. “I’m all for increasing the collaboration we have with other communities, we haven’t been strong enough with that in the past.”

This particular path on Quarton Road would have Bloomfield Township working with the city of Birmingham, which approached the township about installing a contiguous safety path on the south side of Quarton Road, from N. Cranbrook to Woodward.

Bloomfield Township would contribute approximately 1,400 feet of safety path from N. Cranbrook to Chesterfield, with Birmingham’s portion being from Pilgrim to Woodward.

Corey Almas, township director of engineering & environmental services department, said that with this project they’re hoping to have this everything done under one bid, and have both Bloomfield Township and Birmingham use the same contractor to allow for minimum impact to residents.

Bloomfield Township’s estimated cost for this portion of the project is $661,000 and includes a five percent inflationary factor.

Trustees were also supportive of a proposed connector path to the existing safety paths on N. Telegraph and W. Maple, which currently dead ends into a parking lot and isn’t compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is estimated to cost $334,300 with a 10 percent project inflationary factor.

Even though those two paths were considered for the safety path plan with high praise from the board, it was decided after much discussion that this

wouldn’t be a good time to move forward with the third proposed path.

“I’m in favor of a safety path… this is a great idea in concept,” Almas said, noting this third concept, if created, would be the first safety path of its kind of Bloomfield Township.

This path would include approximately 1.3 miles of safety path on the outer side of the Wabeek Lake Drive loop, beginning on the northeast corner of W. Long Lake Road and Wabeek Lake Dr. E., traversing through the subdivision loop, and terminating 1,700 feet west on the northwest corner of W. Long Lake Road and Wabeek Lake.

Over 112 township residents signed a petition for consideration and inclusion of the safety path along Wabeek Drive East and West. This project also would not require an additional right-of-way, easements, or costly landscaping to the township, and was requested from residents from nine subdivisions, some of whom spoke openly about their encouragement for this at the meeting.

The cost for this project – almost $2.5 million – was one of two main reasons why the board ultimately decided to table this safety path for a later date. The other reason had more to do with gaining the approval from the residents themselves.

Out of the 35 properties that front the proposed safety path route, and therefore, would be directly impact by construction and implementation for this path, only 10, around 29 percent, had signed the petition to encourage this to move forward.

The paths themselves weren’t the only item about the safety path that was brought up during the trustees meeting, its fencing was as well.

Along the 78 miles of existing safety path, Bloomfield Township is responsible for maintaining approximately 81,000 square feet of retaining walls, and over 34,000 linear feet of fencing. Through the annual Retaining Wall Repair program, the EESD must evaluate and determine which locations along the safety path need to be repaired, removed, or replaced.

Currently, the safety path fencing consists of wooden split rail, upright black aluminum, and white vinyl split rail, each which come with their own problems.

The wooden split rail is aesthetic pleasing, but isn’t as durable as other fencing options, causing it to have been damaged, decaying, deteriorating, or in need of removal

more easily since 2016. Those that have been removed have been replaced by upright black aluminum fencing, which is more durable and easier to maintain than both wood or vinyl, but has lead to an uptick in comments to the EESD and the Grounds Division of the Department of Public Works about its look. Its vertical slats cause a sight line impediment in some locations too, making it a safety concern because of the blocked views it can cause.

Negative comments about the black aluminum fencing haven’t only come from residents, but trustees as well, with Barnett being the most outspoken about his disdain for it.

“Once we make a decision –hopefully sooner rather than later – I’d like to see all the aluminum fencing removed,” he said. “I think they’re disgusting, they don’t fit in the community, they have no place being here. Besides the safety issue, aesthetically, they don’t belong here.”

With all this is mind, Almas presented to the board his team’s current recommendation for alternative fencing: an aluminum split 3-rail fence, something that will satisfy aesthetics,

while being functional and durable too.

The cost would be approximately $10 more per linear foot than the upright black aluminum fencing.

No final decision was made about the fencing, nor was there planned to be. This presentation was for the board to be able to give Almas and his team some direction for what type of fencing they would like to see moving forward. Everyone agreed it won’t be the upright black aluminum though.

“Certainly, if the board finds something or sees something and wants to bring it to our attention to consider, that’s aesthetically pleasing, and also functions and is durable and long-lasting, we’re all ears,” Almas said.

Clerk Martin Brook said they were ready to take on that challenge.

City launches finance transparency portal

The city of Birmingham has announced the launch of an online user-friendly transparency portal

that provides the community with detailed information about various city funds and departments, tax rates, overall city property values, and retirement funding levels.

According to Birmingham Communications Director Marianne Gamboa, the in-depth financial information portal can be reached at birminghammi.opengov.

Gamboa also noted that the city’s finance department last summer entered into a contract with OpenGov to provide a more efficient budgeting process and an online budget book, available at bhamgov.org/onlinebudgetbook. Additionally, the contract provided the ability to create the transparency portal to provide both basic and in-depth financial information.

“Understanding the intricacies of city finances can be complicated and confusing. We wanted to offer a transparency tool that features graphs, charts and other visual aids to better understand the inner workings of city government

finances,” said Birmingham Finance Director Mark Gerber.

New visitors to the site will have the option to take a tutorial when they visit the site for the first time. Various topics of interest—from the Birmingham Ice Sports Arena and golf courses to the parking system and roads—are located on the left side of the screen, and there are frequently asked questions to help guide the user to filters and additional information. For those looking to delve deeper, most charts feature a clickable column to drill down into more detail, according to Gamboa.

Those interested in the new online finance information can watch a presentation regarding the portal at bhamgov.org/portalpresentation.

The introduction of the transparency portal follows an overhaul of the city’s website in late 2021 to provide a number of enhanced features.

Township approves district court budget

By Dana Casadei

The 48th District Court budget was approved unanimously by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, November 25, with the township’s portion just over $1.3 million.

The approved budget continued a downward cost for the township, decreasing it from the year prior, when Bloomfield Township’s contribution to the court’s budget was $1,487,422, which was down from the 2023-2024 budget.

Bloomfield Township will advance the court the $1,300,534 and is one of three funding units for the court’s operations – the other two being West Bloomfield Township and Birmingham – due to an agreement executed between funding units in 2021.

The 48th District Court serves the charter townships of Bloomfield and West Bloomfield, as well as the cities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village and Sylvan Lake.

The approved budget has two components. The first addresses caseload and monetary funds received by the court, the second is focused on the expenses for the operation of the court.

For 2025-2026 the total overall budget is $4,930,000, and all three funding communities will advance monies to the court to cover the costs. Those payments will be made quarterly by each of them.

With the payments themselves, the amount paid by each funding unit is determined by a caseload percentage audit. Bloomfield Township was the lowest of the three, coming in at 26.38 percent, with West Bloomfield at 34.33, and Birmingham at 39.29.

West Bloomfield and Birmingham are being asked to pay $1,692,469 and $1,936,997, respectively, for the upcoming budget.

As far as the actual budget for 2025-2026 goes, it was broken down into six different categories: salaries, benefits, operations, professional fees, security and other expenses, and equipment and capital.

Benefits had a 4.01 percent

increase this year compared to 2024 –going from $1,105,000 to $1,149,277 –which was the highest increase, with everything else coming in at an increased percentage that was below four percent.

Regarding this last calendar year, court administrator Patrick Dunn told the board that 2024 was a very significant one for the 48th District Court, with nearly a 60 percent increase in the 2024 projected civil cases.

There were increases, although not nearly as significant, in both drunk driving cases and traffic cases too.

The 48th District Court was also impacted by the launch of the electronic filing system, MiFILE, this past December, Dunn said.

The goal of MiFILE is to ensure that Michigan litigants are able to electronically file documents, 24 hours a day, and to receive documents and notifications from the court in this same way.

When trustee Neal Barnett asked how that program was going, Dunn told the board that it can create a bit of difficulty when a more in-depth

analysis is needed to fix a problem within the program, but overall, there are many strengths to using it.

48th District Court budget set for city

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham city commissioners approved the 2025 budget for the 48th District Court, coming in at over $4.9 million, during the meeting on Monday, November 25, giving the green light to advance the court almost $2 million.

The 48th District Court’s budget has been a contentious topic in the past given the current funding agreement between the seven municipalities that the court services. Right now, three communities—Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield—split the brunt of the cost, while the other four communities—Bloomfield Hills, Sylvan Lake, Orchard Lake and Keego Harbor—offer significantly less funding.

Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield’s portion of the court’s budget is split based on the number of court cases coming from

each community. According to city finance director Mark Gerber, the amounts are adjusted following an audit at the end of each calendar year, and the actual court expenditures are allocated to each community based on their actual caseload.

Court administrator Patrick Dunn said there has been a significant rise in the court’s caseload over the last year, with Birmingham being the largest contributor of cases. Part of the budget also shows an increase in salary and benefits as well as security staffing, explained Gerber and Dunn.

With the increase in caseload, the court is requesting a budget of over $4.9 million for 2025, which is similar to the 2024 budget. Birmingham would advance the court $1,936,977, which is a 3.8 percent increase compared to 2024, per the funding agreement.

As the court’s costs continue to rise, multiple commissioners have encouraged the city to look into what can be done to achieve a more equitable funding agreement. During Monday night’s meeting, commissioner Andrew Haig encouraged finding a way to inform the state that the requirements for funding the court is

becoming strenuous for the city.

Dunn said the state has started to recognize that the current model used to fund courts may not be working to serve the public like it should. He said he doesn’t know how long the process is going to take or when it will come to fruition, but the state is taking a look at alternative funding options for the courts.

The commission voted 5-1 to approve the court’s budget for 2025, with commissioner Brad Host voting against approval. Host said he would not support the court’s budget given his belief that Birmingham operating its own court would be more cost efficient.

Booth Park grant pushes project back

By Grace Lovins

Birmingham City Commissioners gave the city’s department of public services (DPS) the green light to move forward with accepting a $400,000 grant for the Booth Park project from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Trust Fund during

the Monday, December 16, meeting, which will push back to 2026 the construction timeline for the work on the entry plaza and trail improvements.

Acceptance of the state grant will free up funds from the parks and recreation bond for other park projects.

The process to improve the Booth Park entry plaza and trail have been in progress since September of 2023, when commissioners approved the Trail Improvement Concept Plan. At that time, the commission also approved moving forward with the first phase of the plan, starting with Booth Park.

DPS Director Scott Zielinski told the commission that the item was originally being brought forward for ‘final blessings’ so the city could move forward with selecting a contractor to start construction. However, on December 12 the city received notice that they are being recommended for the MDNR Trust Fund grant for a maximum of $400,000.

According to Zielinski, the caveat to accepting the grant is that the

process to use the funds would postpone construction until 2026. On the other hand, that would allow the money for 2025 to be used for other parks and recreation projects, such as upgrading the playgrounds in neighborhood parks, Zielinski said.

Zielinski also stated that, should the commission decide to deny the grant, the city is at the point where they can present the project for approval from commissioners. Both Zielinski and parks and recreation manager Carrie Laird indicated that they feel the benefit of the grant outweighs inconvenience of pushing the project timeline back.

Commissioners posed the question if the grant award would make up for any increase in construction or other costs between now and 2026.

Commissioner Andrew Haig stated that the project cost has already increased within the last year, and if they wait another year, there is concern the grant money wouldn’t necessarily make a difference.

The increase in cost that the commission has seen, Zielinski said, is a result of an increased scope of the Booth Park project being

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requested that originally wasn’t anticipated. He maintained that the grant would be worthwhile for the city with respect to both the $1.5 million Booth Park improvements and the potential to tackle other park upgrades with the parks and recreation bond funds.

After getting an update on the progress of designs for the improvements, the commission voted unanimously, 6-0, to accept the grant. Commissioner Anthony Long was absent from the meeting.

New analysis of city business mix issued

The business development committee of the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) issued an updated analysis of the business mix in the downtown area of the city at the Thursday, December 5, meeting of the BSD board.

The analysis changed only slightly from numbers issued a year ago by the BSD committee which has been working on the analysis to serve as a tool for the BSD and possibly landlords in an effort to attract news businesses to keep the downtown shopping area healthy.

the downtown shopping area.

The business mix analysis also concludes that the top three retail categories represented in the shopping district are women’s apparel, jewelry and watches and furniture and home products. The report, when comparing the business mix with two other downtown areas in other states, says that the apparel categories could use further development while suggesting that the furniture and jewelry/watches categories are over-developed. There is also mention in the report that in a 2023 poll, respondents said they wanted more retail and less nail and hair salons.

Missing from the downtown business mix, according to the analysis, are retailers in the categories of books and entertainment, electronics and technology, and toys and hobbies.

It was suggested at the BSD board meeting that further discussion will focus on how to better present the Birmingham area to potential new retail operations.

Triangle district height ordinance updated

By Grace Lovins

In terms of the goals of the business development committee, the new report lists three objectives: recruiting businesses that will appeal to office workers and residents to drive daily foot traffic; identify and recruit regional small businesses to fill gaps in product segments not currently available; and influence national retail attraction, especially in the apparel categories, and rebalance the business mix toward higher-end, sophisticated and experiential retailers who have a high-pull factor.

Among the conclusions of the report, the business district needs to better meet the lunchtime needs of office workers and residents by recruiting healthy fast casual options to help drive daily foot traffic, especially as employers begin to embrace a return-to-office policies. According to the report, quick service food options in the city account for 33 percent of restaurants now, with full service restaurants accounting for 55 percent of existing food business. Of the full service restaurants, 45 percent have a “luxury” price point, according to the BSD analysis.

On the issue of retail options for shoppers, the report shows that 27 percent of existing stores are national and 73 percent are local retailers. The reports also suggests that there is “likely headroom” for recruitment of national retailers “without affecting the local community feel” of

After months of discussions at Birmingham’s Planning Board level, city commissioners approved several updates to the Triangle District Overlay ordinance during the Monday, November 25, meeting, changing multiple provisions that allowed developers to obtain bonus building stories.

City planning director Nick Dupuis said the changes were a band aid, or short term fix, to what the planning department and planning board felt was a gap in the current zoning ordinance. Prior to the commission’s approval, the ordinance allowed additional bonus stories for buildings in the triangle district if they met certain criteria.

The city’s planning board and planning department took up consideration of amending the triangle district height provision several months ago with the hope of making changes that would benefit the city and align with the district’s current needs. These short term fixes are phase one of a two phase plan, said Dupuis, the second phase being long-term fixes.

Dupuis explained that the planning board has multiple short-term fixes relating to the bonus height provision criteria. The first change was eliminating LEED certification as a way to obtain additional stories. According to Dupuis, staff and board members felt that the LEED certification was too low of a bar to offer additional stories, but

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they are in favor of looking into a different sustainability approach in the long-term phase.

The second update related to the provision for a public plaza. Dupuis said this change clarified the language in the ordinance and broadened it to suggest applicable master plans rather than just the Triangle District Urban Design Plan adopted in 2007.

Additionally, all provisions related to payment-in-lieu of parking were removed, said Dupuis. The city struggles all around with parking, especially in the Triangle District where no public property is owned. Dupuis said the short-term approach would be to encourage developers to build parking on their site for additional stories.

To finish off the changes, Dupuis explained that the planning board created a retail frontage boundary which creates a standard for commercial square footage. There were no standards in place for the square footage or placement of commercial space in the district, but the amendment requires commercial space where the retail frontage boundary sits in order to gain the bonus stories.

With little discussion from the commission, commissioners voted 6-0 to approve and adopt the ordinance amendment.

Hearings set for road special assessments

By Dana Casadei

Two road improvement projects in Bloomfield Village will move forward with public hearings in early January after the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees voted to set the date at their meeting on Monday, Dec.ember 9.

Public hearings for both projects will be heard on Monday, January 13, at the board meeting, something that treasurer Michael Schostak clarified to the packed room. Those at the evening’s meeting this week were welcome to speak about both proposed projects, but no one did.

Jennifer Werthman, deputy assessor, spoke first about creating a special assessment district (SAD) 428 for road paving within the Judson Bradway’s Bloomfield Village Subdivision and Judson Bradway’s Bloomfield Village No. 1 Subdivision.

SAD 428 will consist of 11,055 linear feet or 2.09 miles of roadway and be located within Section 27, becoming phase three of five – the gold phase –for this project in Bloomfield Village.

Within this proposed SAD there are 150 properties and a total unit of benefit of 150, with the cost per parcel

currently estimated at $50,434 per full unit of benefit, equaling a grand total of $7,565,100 for the entire project.

Werthman confirmed that 52 percent of the property owners signed the petition consisting of 53.77 percent of the road frontage.

As far as the work itself, SAD 428 will allow for a complete pulverizing of the existing road, and four-inch asphalt pavement to be placed over an aggregate base with full depth cold milling asphalt removal.

This project would allow for a total curb and gutter removal and replacement, total under drain installation with sodded shoulders, and minor drainage improvements within SAD 428. A maximum five foot approach will be constructed too, where necessary, so existing driveways will have a smooth transition from the newly paved roadway.

With the second proposed SAD, Werthman joked that her presentation would be similar to the one prior, and she wasn’t kidding given that they were almost identical.

SAD 429 – phase four of five the Bloomfield Village project – will have identical work done as SAD 428, just in a different part of Section 27, and will consist of 10,798 linear feet or 2.05 miles of roadway.

The paving in SAD 429 will be among parts of the Judson Bradway’s Bloomfield Village No. 2 Subdivision, Judson Bradway’s Bloomfield Village No. 9 Subdivision, Judson Bradway’s Bloomfield Village No. 10 Subdivision, Judson Bradway’s Bloomfield Village No. 11 Subdivision, Judson Bradway’s Bloomfield Village No. 12 Subdivision, and Red Oaks of Bloomfield Village Subdivision.

This proposed SAD will come at a slightly higher cost than the other, with an estimated total of $8,353,116.15 for the entire project, and a cost of $55,318.65 per parcel revealing a full unit of benefit.

Out of the 152 properties in the proposed SAD, one won’t be assessed because it’s a drainage basin. Over half – 54.30 percent – of the property owners signed the petition, with 56.01 percent of them consisting of the road frontage.

Trustees Valerie Murray and Chris Kolinski each commented on how happy they were, as were the residents they had spoken with, about the completion of phases one and two for this project, and how much the people want it.

“We appreciate you getting this across the finish line,” Kolinski said. “Thank you for all your hard work.” Both public hearings will be held at the board of trustees meeting on Monday, Jan. 13.

FACES

Anthony Marsalese

Bloomfield Township resident Anthony Marsalese has owned Antonino Salon and Spa in Birmingham for 40 years, but that's not where his creative endeavors stop. The 2024 International Design Exhibition & Marketplace at the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit recently featured two unique ceramic pieces made by Marsalese, who also has done theater and originally attended Wayne State University to pursue music.

“I played the trumpet and sang and performed, and I also took piano lessons,” he said. But Marsalese excelled in doing hair and his uncle – a well-known hairdresser in Detroit – encouraged him to open his own salon, which he did.

Still, Marsalese always likes to have more than one creative outlet for inspiration and exploration. “I feel being creative in other areas makes me a more creative hairdresser,” he said.

For around 20 years, Marsalese performed with St. Dunstan’s Theater in Bloomfield Hills. But the first ceramics class he took at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC) almost 40 years ago left a lasting impression.

“Around 2013, I started taking ceramics classes again because I could do that on my own time,” he said.

“I go every week and I have a studio at home, so I can do ceramics either before or after work. In the classes, you form relationships with the people who are there and we inspire each other.”

His work has been selling, like the bowls he made that have become a signature item. “I got a commission piece for one of my clients who wanted a bowl like the one I made, but bigger,” said Marsalese. “I have different styles, but I mostly do hand-building and coiling.”

The 2024 International Design Exhibition & Marketplace at the Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit featured artists with ancestors from Finland, Poland and Italy. “I was asked to be in the show, which was quite an honor. It had a really nice representation of different countries and I had that Italian heritage,” he noted. “I had a bowl coiled with blue, white and black porcelain, which is extremely soft when building.”

His creative process takes time. “I have to build the bowl upside-down. It has to dry to a certain point and there is a lot of babysitting. When it’s just right, I flip it over and manipulate it, so it ends up looking very much like the ocean or the sea,” said Marsalese. “It has a real organic look to it. There is some glaze, but it’s mostly raw.”

The bowls are for decorative purposes. “It’s more of a sculpture art piece. It has an organic oceanic look to it,” he said. “And at the museum, I also had a really crazy piece. People ask: ‘What is it?’ and I tell them, ‘It’s just a thing.’ At the grand opening, the new piece really got a lot of attention. It’s quite different. It just kind of happened.”

That natural approach has served him well.

“My work mostly looks out of control. I can do controlled, but I like motion or movement, probably like I do with hair,” said Marsalese. “It’s really a collaboration with what the client envisions, but if their hair wants to do something and you go with it, you can get a better result. I kind of work with the hair and go with the clay, too.”

Story: Jeanine Matlow

Photo: Matthew Cromwell

BUSINESS MATTERS

David Klein Gallery moves

David Klein Gallery, a fixture in Birmingham for over thirty years has announced it will close both its Birmingham and Detroit locations. The Detroit gallery was scheduled to close on Saturday, December 21. The Birmingham gallery will remain open until the Spring of 2025, allowing time for a new gallery to open in Ferndale. The new gallery, currently under renovation, is located at 678 Livernois in Ferndale and will provide a contemporary, airy, 3000 sq/ft space for exhibitions and events. “I am thrilled to announce the relocation of the David Klein Gallery to 678 Livernois in Ferndale,” David Klein said. “With Ferndale’s art district emerging, we know our presence there will help elevate the area. Since we already owned the building, and we didn’t own in Birmingham and Detroit, it makes sense to consolidate in this central location.” The David Klein Gallery team will continue at the Ferndale operation and includes staff members: Christine Schefman; David Klein, Gallery Director; Haley Roberts, Assistant Director; and Craig Hejka, Preparator. David Klein Gallery was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 1990 with an exhibition program focused on presenting national and regional contemporary artists. Since its founding, the gallery has maintained a strong interest in Post War American and European art, presenting historical surveys by significant 20th Century artists including Alexander Calder, Richard Diebenkorn, Jean Dubuffet, Max Ernst, Alex Katz, and Bob Thompson. In 2015, a second gallery was opened in downtown Detroit on historic Washington Boulevard. The scale of this architecturally significant space allowed for an expansion of the gallery’s contemporary program to include large-scale exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, photography, and installations by emerging, mid-career, and established contemporary artists.

Cooper Street Bakery

Cooper Street Snacks was established in 2011 as a

Birmingham-based family business, owned by Elaine Surnow alongside her sons, Max and Sam. Recently, Cooper Street Snacks announced its acquisition of Harvest Valley Bakery located in LaSalle, IL. Following the acquisition, the facility was rebranded to Cooper Street Bakery, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic growth plan. The acquisition will bolster Cooper Street’s production capabilities and enhance its ability to meet growing demand while maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety. The acquisition aligns with Cooper Street’s vision to strengthen its operational foundation and increase production efficiency. The newly acquired Cooper Street Bakery will operate independently from the Cooper Street Snacks brand but will play a crucial role in supporting the company’s expanding product lines. The upcoming changes reflect Cooper Street’s commitment to investing in both infrastructure and personnel to support the bakery’s operations. This strategic investment will introduce advanced baking technologies and processes, allowing the company to meet the increasing demands of the market while maintaining its quality commitments. Known for its delicious, lower-calorie cookies and granola bakes made with real fruit and no artificial ingredients, Cooper Street has been a favorite among health-conscious consumers. The brand is dedicated to providing highquality products and continuously innovating to meet the needs of its customers. The company distributes nationwide. Locally, consumers can find Cooper Street products at Kroger, Plum Market, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, Busch’s, Westborn Market and many other independent retailers.

Health Quest opening

Health Quest Physical Therapy will open an office at 6614 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township. The opening date was planned for late December 2024. As an independent PT facility

owned and operated by licensed physical therapists, Health Quest Physical Therapy emphasizes preventive and rehabilitative techniques that provide patients with the highest quality care., according to a company release. Health Quest has built a solid reputation for restoring people with physical injuries to their maximum functioning in the most reasonable time possible. They believe that educating there patients is vital to their long-term well-being. Patients at the Bloomfield Township office will find a combination of conventional orthopedic and functional neuromuscular medical tools, advanced technology, and methods to arrive at the best conservative, regenerative treatment for relieving pain and promoting healing as well as preventing future problems. Therapists are skilled and versed in many different types of specialty treatments, including: blood flow restriction, concussion rehab, cupping, dry needling, overhead injuries, Parkinson’s treatment, sports medicine, TMD/TMJ (jaw) and vestibular treatment.

New marketing tools

The Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) has collaborated with Bureau Detroit on a monthslong project to produce a series of recruitment and marketing videos, highlighting four distinct business categories (Fashion/Retail, Home Furnishings, Dining and Corporate/Office) and the general downtown. Business feature videos consist of a deep, behind the scenes view of downtown Birmingham, its strengths and its businesses. Content includes footage of shopping and dining activity, product and service highlights, and interviews with downtown business owners/managers sharing their stories on why they selected downtown Birmingham. This content will be integrated into Birmingham’s ongoing marketing plan and distributed to stakeholders for use in their business recruitment efforts.

Local business owners featured in the recruitment videos include: Samy Eid, Phoenicia, Forest, and soon-to-open Wilder’s; Mitch Black, Dick O’Dows; Beth Hussey, Hazel’s; Craig Dye, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse; Lennon Caruso, Caruso Caruso; Serena Chammout, Lil’ Rascals; Katie Ray and Rob Wolk, Sundance Shoes; and Ali Cheaib, The Birmingham Tailor. In Addition, the Birmingham Shopping District Board has selected a new website vendor, Geocentric, and will be moving forward with the development of a new website starting in January 2025 with an expected launch date of June 2025. The new website platform will allow for greater flexibility in content management and is expected to result in a cost savings of over $50,000 across five years.

Bloomfield Sephora

Beauty retailer Sephora has opened a location in Bloomfield Plaza, next to Trader Joe’s, at 6520A Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township. The former retail tenant to occupy this space was Pet People. Sephora also has locations at Somerset Collection and a small-format shop inside of Kohl’s, Troy. Sephora is a French multinational retailer of personal care and beauty products, offering nearly 340 brands alongside its own private label, the Sephora Collection. Its product range includes cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, nail color, beauty tools, body products, and hair care items. The company was founded in Limoges, France in 1969 and is currently based in Neuilly-surSeine, France. Since 1996, Sephora has been owned by the luxury conglomerate LVMH.

Business Matters for the BirminghamBloomfield area are reported by Gigi Nichols. Send items for consideration to GigiNichols@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

NEXT NOTEBOOK

At Next, we are excited about the future!

Next is a thriving 50 plus community center with 2,300 members who come to Next to find enrichment and quality programs in a welcoming and safe environment while also serving thousands of non-member residents by providing essential support services necessary to remain healthy and independent.

With a growing membership and an aging community, we have long outgrown our facility, the Midvale Center owned by Birmingham Public Schools. Unable to secure a long-term lease as the schools plan to expand their Early Childhood Program, Next has been looking for a new home for quite some time.

In July 2023, The city of Birmingham bought the YMCA building at 400 E. Lincoln Street to be the new home for Next, with Next contributing half a million dollars to the purchase. We are already busy thinking about the possibilities a building with new amenities can offer the community, and now properly serve seniors well into the future.

You may have heard the project has changed from the original plans. Back in 2023, we believed the YMCA building would require a modest renovation of three to five million dollars to accommodate senior activities. But after a very thorough feasibility study, the Birmingham City Commission deemed the building unworthy of renovating, and instead, voted to build new.

With a blank slate, the city commission spent quite a bit of time contemplating many different scenarios for the new facility. Originally, the YMCA planned for a small presence in the building as their focused shifted to Royal Oak. However, those plans changed. The YMCA wanted to reestablish their commitment to the area at the same time that many YMCA swimmers and residents expressed the strong desire to keep the pool.

With that in mind, the city commission concluded the community would be better served from a combined space for senior services provided by Next, the YMCA offering recreational programs for younger groups, and plenty of opportunities for the general public.

In order to make this project a reality, there is a lot to accomplish. Over the next several months, the newly hired architectural firm Neumann Smith will be working with all the tenants to design the perfect layout. It is anticipated that Next, the YMCA and community residents will have the space necessary to run the programs important to each group, while sharing much of the expanded areas such as the gym, fitness studios and workout facilities.

As the building is being designed, it is important that the city commission hear directly from seniors that represent a rapidly growing demographic. Special considerations for barrier free entries, lighting, sound and ease of navigation should all be studied as well as universal design standards for an aging population.

Please consider sharing your thoughts with the city commission and/or the Senior/Rec Ad Hoc Committee charged with oversight of the project. Both committees can be reached by email or in person. Please check the Birmingham city website for exact dates/times at www.bhamgov.org.

This new city asset will be enjoyed by community members of all ages for decades to come. Input from seniors will help shape the project and have a very tangible impact on the outcome. We encourage you to get involved.

Cris Braun is Executive Director of Birmingham Next

COMMUNITY HOUSE

Lectures, Events and Outreach

The singular focus of The Community House (TCH) is to deliver on our nonprofit mission “to impact lives through exceptional educational, cultural and social experiences which provide the means to fund programs that help others.” We are expanding on our “Charity Helping Charity” efforts (see article on page 17) by partnering with local nonprofits to help provide food for low-income families, scholarships for at-risk girls, class supplies for those with special needs and support for at risk teenagers. A percentage of proceeds from our events and programs will go to help nonprofits do their good work. Our nonprofit partners for Winter/Spring/Summer 2025 are:

• FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation: “Empowering individuals far beyond special needs, enriching their lives through the power of creative arts, special education and recreational therapies.”

• United Community Family Services: “Dedicated to providing programs that guide, support, and empower individuals to achieve self-sufficiency with dignity and hope.”

• Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program: “To inspire, motivate and empower at-risk girls to live up to their full potential through a unique group mentoring program with professional women.”

• Cranbrook’s Horizons Upward Bound: “Academically support the efforts of the students’ home school by providing services that assist students in pursuing and achieving their dreams and goals for their academic endeavors and beyond.”

Community Gathering Invitation from TCH Board of Directors: January 22, 2025 Please join us at The Community House from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. for a presentation and discussion exchange for our Revitalization 2025. Complimentary appetizers and beverages generously donated by: TCH Board of Directors. For every person who attends $20 will be donated to support our outreach programs. Please RSVP by January 20th: communityhouse.com or 248.644.5832.

Masterclass Professional Development Lecture Series

This series will help business professionals hone their skills for everyday interactions. Starting in February offered the third Wednesday each month; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $35 per lecture (add $10 for lunch.) Helps support Women of Tomorrow

February 19th: “Always the Windshield, Never the Bug” is part of Camille Jayne’s professional development Bulletproof Your Success™ series. Packed with tools that will help anyone entering or knee deep into the workforce know how to better achieve what you want; deal with uncomfortable situations; and understand your gut drivers and personal brand that guide your career path. Based on her career in food, haircare, digital media and turnaround CEO specialist, walk away with insights into how to be more successful. Over 4,000 business professionals and graduate students have benefited from Camille’s lectures. Register at: communityhouse.com or 248.644.5832

March 19th: “Create a Culture of Belonging” is part of James Cristbrook’s James Inspires You dynamic speaking series. Go beyond diversity, equity and inclusion by learning how to help yourself and your team overcome biases to evolve into a culture of belonging. James has earned accolades for his speaking engagements at conferences, symposiums and real estate events nationwide. He has forged an extraordinary path, marked by unwavering dedication to help professionals and workplaces embrace cultures of belonging. His genuine passion leaves audiences energized and inspired with an indelible mark of how to make positive changes. Register at: communityhouse.com or 248.644.5832

Get and Give a Basket Event: March 27

“Get” a beautiful gift basket knowing your purchase will help “Give” 1,200 Wayne County food insecure families nutritious Holiday dinner food bags through our partnership with UC Family Services in Troy. Fun evening of socializing and networking. Appetizers and beverages. $35/ticket. Registration starts February.

Spring Grand Gala Friday April 11 – Save the Date

A powerful evening to raise awareness and vital funds for all our outreach programs that help others in need, and to celebrate an outstanding Grand Honoree. More details to come.

Come learn, network and socialize at TCH knowing you are helping those less fortunate.

Cris Braun

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

Bell Bistro: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Liquor. Reservations. 185 N. Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.829.7900. bellbirmingham.com

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3147 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48205. 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, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.885.8108. 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, Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Liquor. Reservations. 34244 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984. bistrojoeskitchen.com Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879. bloomfielddeli.com

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. thebrooklynpizza.com

Café 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, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000. cafeml.com

Café Origins: Global. Breakfast and Lunch, daily, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 163 W Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.742.4040. originsbirmingham.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

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, Thursday-Saturday, Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. eliesgrill.com

EM: Mexican. Lunch, Friday-Sunday, Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 470 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 947.234.0819.

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

Hudson’s Place: Pizza/Coffee/Takeout. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. 1087 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.540.2266. hudsonsplacepizzeria.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, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.0492. lastradaitaliankitchen.com

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

248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568. leosconeyisland.com

Lincoln Yard and Little Yard: American. Little Yard take-out hours: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Lincoln Yard hours: Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2159 E. Lincoln Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.653.5353. eatlincolnyard.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-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willets 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

Middle Eats: Mediterranean. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield, 48093. 248.274.328. middleeats.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

Roadside B & G: American. Brunch, weekends, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1727 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 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, Monday-Saturday, Dinner, daily. No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830. sythaibirmingham.com

Sylvan Table: American. 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 French Lady: French. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. 768 N. Old Woodward, 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 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: Lunch, Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday & Sunday. 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: Lunch, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, daily. 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

Beppé: New American. Lunch, Saturday and Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 703 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.607.7030. eatbeppe.com

Bigalora: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.2442 bigalora.com

Blind Owl: International/American comfort. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 511 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.216.1112. blindowlrestaurant.com

Café de Olla: Mexican. Breakfast, Tuesday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.633.5311. cafedeollami.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

Grand River Brewery: American. Brunch, Saturday & Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1 E. 14 Mile Road, Clawson, 48017. 248.607-3631. grandriverbrewer

Gus’ Snug: Irish. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 38 S. Main Street, Clawson, 48017. 248.607.3631. gussnug.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

Kacha Thai Market: Thai. Lunch and Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. 205 S Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.942-4246.

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, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.422. lockhartsbbq.com

Masala: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 106 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.850.8284. food.orders.co/royaloakmasala

Mezcal: Mexican. Bruch, Sunday. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 201 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, 248.268.3915. mezcalferndale.com

Noori Pocha: Korean. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 1 S. Main Street, Clawson, 48017. 248. 850.7512. nooripocha.com

Pastaio: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 208 W 5th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.565.8722. eatpastaio.com/royal-oak

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th Street, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. oakcitygrille.com

Oak Parker: American. Lunch and Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 13621 W Eleven Mile Road, Oak Park, 48327 oakparkerbar.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-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 280 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale,48220. 248.268.4806. popsforitalian.com

Public House: American. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. 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, Wednesday-

Saturday. Reservations. 449 West 14 Mile Road, Clawson,48017. 248.677-3232. sozairestaurant.com

The Modern Vegan: Vegan. Brunch, Saturday and Sunday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. 304 N. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067 248.206.7041. tmvrestaurants.com

Three Cats Café: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch, Tuesday-Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 116 W. 14 Mile Road, Clawson. threecatscafe.com

Tigerlily: Japanese. Lunch, Saturday & Sunday, Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. 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 and 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

Antica Nova: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.422.6521. anticanova.com

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

The Dime Store: American. Breakfast and Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6920 N Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, 48306.248.963.0941. eatdimestore.com

Ernie’s on the Creek: Modern Mediterranean. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 543 N. Main St #201, Rochester, 48307. 248.710.8808. erniesonthecreek.com

Firebird Tavern: American. Brunch, weekends, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 4845 Rochester Road, Troy, 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

The Jackson: Modern American. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 184 N. Adams Road, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.709.9453 thejacksonrestaurant.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

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.

Ringing a bell

Bell Bistro, the latest concept from Bloomfield Hills-based Cicero Hospitality Group, has opened at 185 N. Old Woodward Avenue, occupying the former Mad Hatter space in downtown Birmingham. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the original building owner, Samuel Oliver Wylie Bell, and features a new American-style menu crafted by executive chef Gabriel Botezan. Botezan, a Le Cordon Bleu-certified chef, has been a prominent figure in the metro Detroit dining scene for years. Currently also at Adelina in downtown Detroit, Botezan continues to work alongside chef Marco Dalla Fontana, with both serving as coexecutive chefs. Bell Bistro’s menu offers dishes for all tastes, with highlights including a Wagyu meatball starter, rigatoni alla gricia, steak frites, Bell smash burger, and more. “At Bell Bistro, we offer a unique blend of ingenuity and quality, making it perfect for a quick mid-week dinner or formal, private events,” said Randy Dickow, managing partner and food & beverage director for Cicero Hospitality Group. “We’ve designed this space to feel comfortable yet elegant, ensuring that every guest feels welcome.” Designed in partnership with Ann Arbor-based Bowers + Associates, the 3,000 square-foot space offers an inviting atmosphere for casual dining and intimate gatherings. “In order to highlight the cuisine, the owners wanted a modern bistro environment that emphasized warmth through soft, earthy tones and gentle lighting,” said Ursula Skoczylas, senior interior designer of Bowers + Associates. “The neutral wood finishes, subtle botanical touches, and graceful arches create an inviting atmosphere that feels both contemporary and organically comforting for social connection, from an early dinner to evening cocktails.” 185 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham. bellbirmingham.com

Something old, something new

Italian restaurant Antica Nova has opened in Troy with Chef Anthony Giannola at the helm. The restaurant occupies the building directly behind the San Marino Club where since-closed restaurants Cantoro Italian Trattoria and Tre Monti also served Italian fare. Giannola is quick to point out that Antica Nova is not your average Italian restaurant. It blends classic dishes with modern touches, using fresh, seasonal ingredients, handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas showcasing familiar flavors with a contemporary twist, like the aged arborio risotto with limoncello, smoked provolone and raspberry caviar. The name Antica Nova translates to ‘new antique.’ “The reason we named the restaurant Antica Nova, or new antique, is that we didn’t want to recreate the wheel of Italian food, and we wanted to give it a modern twist,” said Giannola. So far, the most popular dishes have been the tagliatelle Bolognese with veal and beef ragu Bolognese sauce and homemade egg pasta; and the linguine alle vongole made with verce clams, red garlic, white wine, grape tomatoes and a parsley pesto. The bar features crafted cocktails and a curated wine list, featuring Gran Cru Champagnes and top-rated Emilia Romagna wines. Antiqua Nova also has a happy hour with drink specials and a menu which includes house favorites such as Nova lamb sliders, an Italian French dip sandwich and the San Mario sub. The restaurant has plans to renovate the expansive outdoor terrace, adding a new outdoor bar to accommodate a large happy hour crowd in the warmer weather. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road Troy. anticanova.com

International fusion cuisine

The Blind Owl recently opened in Royal Oak, taking over the space which was the former home of The Morrie. Blind Owl owner Nicolas Andreasson has been influenced by many different food cultures. He was born in Romanian and migrated from Sweden before moving to Michigan in 1996. In a recent food tasting presentation to the media, Andreasson, unveiled a full menu of what he deems as international fusion cuisine. “It’s modern Latin, mixed with sushi, Mediterranean, and American comfort food. The Blind Owl is a place you can come seven days a week and not get tired of it. Nothing is frozen and everything on the menu is made from scratch,” he said. The shawarma nachos come with corn chips, queso, feta cheese, grilled chicken shawarma, garlic sriracha sauce, pico, scallions and jalapeno. Nu-style sushi options include smoked salmon carpaccio with fresh cucumber, yuzo sauce, gasago umani, togarashi and micro greens; and the tuna pokey taco features

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 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

Saltwater Eatery: Seafood. Brunch, Sunday, Lunch, daily, Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. 3672 Rochester Road, Troy, 48083. 248.422.6151. saltwatereatery.info

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

Stumblebum Beer Co.: American. Lunch and Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Beer. 1965 West Maple Road, Troy 48084 248.307.7204. stumblebumbeer.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, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6199 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp., 48322. 248.782.3000. auroraitaliana.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 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, Saturday & Sunday. 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

Adelina: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1040 Woodward Ave, Detroit,48226. 313.246.8811. adelinadetroit.com

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

Black Ginger: Asian Fusion. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1331 Trumbull Street, Detroit, 48216. 313.887.9477. blackgingerdetroit.com

Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2684 E. Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, 48207. 313.965.3111. bucharestgrill.com

Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails: Seasonal American. Lunch, Thursday & Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 5 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 & Dinner, Thursday-Monday. Reservations. Liquor. 14601 Riverside

Boulevard, Detroit, 48215. 313.338.9466. corianderkitchenandfarm.com

Corktown Taphouse: American and Mexican. No reservations. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. 1611 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, 48216. 313.362.8184. corktowntaphouse.com

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Road, Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. cuisinerestaurantdetroit.com

The Eagle: The Eagle: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 3461 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.334.4530. eaglerestaurant.com

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. 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

HIROKI-SAN: Japanese. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1265 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, 48226. 313.597.8344. hirokisandetroit.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, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1245 Griswold Street, Detroit, 48226. 313. 816.8100. leiladetroit.com

Lena: Spanish. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2720 Brush Street, Detroit, 48201.313.262.6082. lenadetroit.com

Le Supreme: French. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1265 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, 48226. 313.597.7734. lesupremedetroit.com

Lone Goat: British Pub. Lunch, MondaySaturday, Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 33 John R Street, Detroit, 48226. thelonegoat.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, Wednesday-Monday. Reservations. Liquor. 2921 E. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, 48202. 313.270.9600. oakandreel.com

PAO Detroit: Asian Fusion/Pan Asian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 114 W Adams Avenue, Suite 200, 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, Wednesday-Monday. Reservations. Liquor. 3921 2nd Avenue, Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. seldenstandard.com

Sexy Steak: Steakhouse. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1942 Grand River Avenue, Detroit,48226. 313.403.1000. sexysteakdetroit.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

Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1128 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226. 313.591.2495. sullivanssteakhouse.com

Supergeil: Berlin Doner. Lunch & 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

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, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 420 Peterboro Street, Detroit, 48201. 313.462.8106. thepeterboro.com

The Statler: French. Brunch, Dinner, TuesdaySunday. 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

Vecino: Mexican. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 4100 3rd Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.500.1615. vecinodetroit.com

Vertical Detroit: Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1538 Center Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.732.WINE. verticaldetroit.com

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market Street, Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711. viviosdetroit.net

The Whitney: American. Brunch, Sunday. Lunch, Wednesday-Friday, Tea Service, Friday & Saturday, Dinner, daily. 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

crispy wonton, fresh tuna, avocado, onions, jalapenos, togarashi, spicy mayo, lime drizzle and micro greens. There’s also plenty of American comfort food on the menu and the boom shakalaka cheeseburger is not to be missed. Customers can enjoy live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. 511 S. Main Street, Royal Oak. blindowlrestaurant.com

Latin Steakhouse Javier’s Downtown Opens

Javier’s Downtown, a Mexican/Latin infusion steakhouse, has opened at 1452 Brush Street, Detroit. The new establishment is also home to the adjoining Agave Lounge. Javier’s and the Agave Lounge are owned by a team of brothers—Brian, Brandon and Sean Hanna. Detroit-area hospitality veteran Theo Oresky serves as general manager. The prime location is in the center of everything that Detroit has to offer. “I’m not a very good golfer, but I could drive the ball and hit Ford Field—it’s that close,” said Oresky. “Music Hall is literally across the street and around the corner is the Opera House, Comerica Park and the Gem Theater. We are in the heart of the entertainment and sports district for the city.” The sophisticated interior of Javier’s includes a marble lobby featuring a glass champagne vault and a combination of quartz bar countertops and columns which are illuminated from behind with interchanging-colored lights. The bar area in the steakhouse has seating for 14 and dining space for about 90, while Agave Lounge accommodates 140 guests. Signature entrees include an 8 oz. filet mignon served with creamed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and chimichurri; blackened salmon with a Cajun cream sauce served with yellow rice and seasonal vegetables; and lamb chops marinated in rosemary, olive oil and garlic. The bar boasts a number of tequilas, craft cocktails and mocktails, margaritas, and a robust wine list. 1452 Brush Street, Detroit. javiersdowntown.com

Ernie’s on the Creek

Ernie’s on the Creek is a new modern Mediterranean restaurant located in downtown Rochester. With its woodsy secluded location and views of the Paint Creek, it gives customers a unique natural dining experience. The establishment is owned by Christ Backos, who also owns the Corner Bar in Rochester. The sleek, contemporary design of the interior includes an expansive quartz bar, soft lighting, and minimalist decor. A large patio provides firepits with cozy couch seating which can be reserved for two-hour time slots. In the winter months, the outdoor firepits remain aflame, creating a nice ambiance while the rest of the patio is enclosed and heated. The menu celebrates the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Popular dishes include steak souvlaki featuring two tenderloin kebabs with red onions, lemon potatoes, pita and tzatziki; flame grilled lamb chops with lemon potatoes, zhug and pita; and grilled octopus Santorini immersed in lemon oregano and extra virgin olive oil. A full bar presents a selection of wines, domestic and craft beers and cocktails. 543 N. Main Street, Rochester. erniesonthecreek.com

Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse

Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, a contemporary steakhouse located in downtown Clarkston, is now open at 9 S. Main Street in the historic Rudy’s Market building. Co-owned by industry veterans Robert Esshaki and Chris Thomas, Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse was designed by Birmingham-based Saroki Architecture and brought to life by Kelly Building & Development Company. Spanning 4,500 square feet and accommodating up to 132 guests, the restaurant is focused on delivering a warm and exceptional dining experience rooted in hospitality. “This new chapter represents a revitalization of this historic space, infusing it with fresh, innovative energy while honoring the rich legacy of Rudy’s Market,” said co-owner Robert Esshaki. “We’ve assembled a passionate, dynamic team united by a commitment to excellence and a shared mission of consistently exceeding guest expectations. By nurturing our deep-rooted community connections, we’re creating a truly unique destination in downtown Clarkston—one that we hope will continue to be a beloved cornerstone of the area for many years to come.” Leading the team is general manager Jean-Baptiste Caillet, who’s impressive resume includes managing iconic New York City restaurants such as Balthazar and Harry’s. Caillet is joined by executive chef Josh Stockton, a metro Detroit native with a rich culinary background with his most recent role being Director of Culinary Operations at Birmingham’s Daxton Hotel. Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse features a curated menu of Prime and Wagyu steaks, fresh seafood, perfectly crafted cocktails and house-made desserts. 9 S. Main Street,Village of Clarkston. rudysprimesteakhouse.com

Modify hours, boost security at Village Fair

Communities across the metro area are being faced with decisions they never expected to have to make – closing longestablished events due to lawless and reckless behavior by increasingly rebellious groups of teenagers who appear to disregard the norms of society, including law enforcement, or curtailing the events to daylight hours, making them less cost viable. It's like “West Side Story” on steroids.

The ultimate dilemma that these thoughtless thugs have created is that they have endangered Birmingham's Village Fair, a local institution each summer the weekend following Memorial Day in late May/early June since 1965.

The Village Fair is sponsored and run by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, and is its largest fundraiser each year. It also helps many local organizations; last year, nonprofit community groups, including school groups, received $20,000 in exchange for helping out at the fair. The chamber of commerce pays a fee to the city for police and fire department support for the event.

Many of us have fond memories of the Tilt-oWheel, Ferris Wheel, merry-go-round, and loads of other rides from when we were kids and then parents of our own children, attending the fair in

Shain Park. But last year, pleasant memories were overturned when significant incidents involving teens fighting, including a major fight at Henrietta and W. Maple involving teens from Brother Rice and Seaholm high schools, and four teens were formally charged with aggravated assault. The brawls followed disturbances in other communities that lead officials to close down equally cherished events. Last year, Berkley Days cut short its Saturday night carnival hours for the second year in a row due to unruly behavior. Their compromise in 2024, its 98h year, was to close at 7 p.m. And Orchard Lake St. Mary's Polish Country Fair, which initially closed for the pandemic, has stayed closed due to school violence and threats made on social media.

At a recent city commission meeting, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Grewe recommended closing this year's fair, it's 60th, at 8 p.m. rather than 11 p.m. Commissioners, business owners, who benefit from the increase in visitors to the city, and Joe Bauman, the chamber's president, said they would prefer a later closing. A compromise – along with more security – would benefit fairgoers, retailers, restaurants, the chamber, and the fair operator, North American Midway Entertainment, which

estimated that closing three hours early could cost them up to 25 percent of their revenue and that of the chamber of commerce.

The Village Fair is part of the DNA of Birmingham. It's a fun and joyful happening that symbolizes the start of our summer. It is fully unacceptable that some teenage punks deprive everyone else of this joyous and lucrative activity. Let's stop them rather than be held hostage by a group of kids.

We urge the city, chamber and police department to jointly compromise on a solution. Perhaps close the fair at 10 p.m., just as dusk turns to dark in the summer. The fair is an attractive evening event for teens in downtown –if it closes too early, where will they go, and what will they do? City leaders need to provide opportunities for them to meet and socialize in healthy ways, and to work with law enforcement to get more boots on the ground and through the cameras all over town to thwart bad actors before they can ruin the fun for everyone else.

We all need to look forward to the fun of a fair, and one that operates well beyond what has initially been proposed.

Money grab by Democrats on county board

As the clock was running out in December, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners took it upon themselves to give themselves an unbelievable Christmas gift –a 21 percent raise for their part-time jobs. That’s on top of a 2022 raise the commissioners gave themselves of 16.6 percent. In a period of two years, the county commissioners will have gone from earning $36,130 a year to $55,000 base salary a year, plus a generous benefit package (the same as full time county employees) that includes medical insurance, including prescription, dental and vision; life and AD&D insurance, plus disability insurance, a 401(a) defined contribution retirement, plus other items. As the saying goes, nice work if you can get it.

This pay increase comes at the same time as voters all across the country voted their pocketbooks, pollsters tell us, concerned about bread-and-butter issues and costs including milk, eggs, beef, chicken…. You get the idea. But it seems the Democrat-led county commission didn't. They voted 11-5, along party lines with three absent, to astronomically increase their wages while many of their constituents are struggling to get by.

Let's first explain what county commissioner

do. The county board of commissioners is the legislative and fiduciary body for each Michigan county. Commissioners are the representatives of their district’s residents in county government. They adopt the budget for the county, including for other county officials, and levy property taxes. They review and adopt grants and programs, adopt rules, regulations, ordinances and policies to manage county business, and establish new and manage existing county programs. It's an important function of county government – but the county is primarily run on a day-to-day basis by the county executive and deputy executives.

There are currently 19 Oakland county commissioners. According the National Association of Counties (NACO), for most county commissioners, it is a part-time job, and pay can be all over the board. In Wayne County, as of November 2024, commissioners will earn $91,324 beginning in January. In Ottawa County, commissioners just received a 60 percent increase, from $20,844 to $33,350, to provide them with a $1,000 a month “healthcare coverage stipend.”

Why this sudden rush to increase county commissioners' wages? After all, in just 2020, county commissioners rejected pay increases –although they did give board chair Dave

Woodward a 30 percent stipend. Other commissioners felt it might be in bad taste during the pandemic to reward themselves too much.

That thinking clearly has passed. New legislation – by state lawmakers who earn less than $72,000 a year for their heavy lift – changed county commission terms from two-year to fouryear terms, and prevented them from increasing their salary during that term. Democrats like to hide behind the logic that the board – thanks to their decision in past years – was reduced in size from 21 to 19 members so the “extra work” warrants the extra pay.

In all fairness, the county commissioners did approve well-deserved raises for the full-time elected officials – a six percent raise for county executive David Coulter, from $221,336 a year to $235,000; for county prosecutor Karen McDonald, a 7.1 percent raise, to $205,000 from $191,281. For sheriff Mike Bouchard, clerk Lisa Brown, treasurer Robert Wittenberg and water resources commissioner Jim Nash, each will get an eight percent bump, from $170,295 to $184,000.

But there is only one way to describe the raise for commissioners – an outrageous money grab. Let’s hope voters remember this in four years. We certainly will.