Downtown newsmagazine | Birmingham/Bloomfield

NICHOLS: SOCIETY NOTEBOOK • CASADEI: METRO INTELLIGENCER

B I R M I N G H A M

•

B L O O M F I E L D

JUNE 2019

PLUS

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

RISE OF TECH HUBS IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN DESPITE BENEFITS, FLUORIDE BATTLE GOES ON ENDNOTE: MISSING INGREDIENT IN BIRMINGHAM ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

DOWNTOWNPUBLICATIONS.COM

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792

Bloomfield Hills Schools | $1,149,000 Adams Pointe Court, Troy

Elegantly Updated | $1,775,000 Arlington Street, Birmingham

Charming Modern Updates | $599,000 Baldwin Road, Birmingham

Luxurious Newer Construction | $1,979,000 S. Bates Street, Birmingham

2.18 Acre Property | $428,000 Brookdale Road, Bloomfield Twp.

Updated Throughout | $629,000 Cole Street, Birmingham

Completely Rebuilt | $2,995,000 Country Club Drive, City of Bloomfield Hills

Neighborhood Living | $1,575,000 Covington Road, Bloomfield Village

Upper Straits Lakefront Site | $699,000 Elmgate Bay Drive, Orchard Lake

Spectacular Floor Plan & Finishes | $1,349,000 Fairway Drive, Birmingham

Entertainer’s Dream Home | $2,900,000 Falmouth Drive, City of Bloomfield Hills

3+ Acres With Water Views | $1,190,000 Franklin Park Drive, Franklin

Double Lot Close to Town | $2,175,000 Hanna Street, Birmingham

All Sports Lake Frontage | $440,000 Harwood Drive, Oxford

Orchard Lake Waterfront | $2,290,000 Indian Trail, Orchard Lake

Quarton Lake Views Lakeside Drive, Birmingham

Glamorous European Estate | $2,500,000 Martell Drive, City of Bloomfield Hills

Upper Straits Frontage | $2,990,000 Old Orchard Trail, Orchard Lake

All Sports Lakefront & Pool | $2,699,000 Orchard Trail Court, Orchard Lake

Detached Condo | $679,000 Parkway Trail, Bloomfield Twp.

Quarton Lake Estates | $699,000 Suffield Avenue, Birmingham

NG

I ND

PE

Effortless Entertaining | $2,999,000 Whatley Road, Franklin

Open Floor Plan | $759,000 Woodcreek Way, Bloomfield Twp.

Ultimate Downtown Penthouse | $2,990,000 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham

NE

HOMES THAT INSPIRE. A TEAM THAT DELIVERS. DAN GUTFREUND REALTY GROUP is setting a new standard for luxury homes and real estate in the state of Michigan. With record-breaking sales, we have shown our unique ability to pair the right buyer with the right seller.

16 $

We pride ourselves on our ability to navigate a complex market, and our broad expertise ensures the best possible value for all of our clients. We welcome you to put your trust in an industry leader and contact Dan Gutfreund Realty Group for your next real estate transaction.

18 $

5 $

5 $

LORI GREEN Fine Homes Specialist

CANDICE RICH Fine Homes Specialist

DAN GUTFREUND Top Producer

JUSTINA LANGE Client Relations Manager

MICHELLE YURICH Fine Homes Specialist

74 $

NEW PRICE

NEW PRICE

1664 HANLEY COURT | BIRMINGHAM $389,000

1875 STANLEY BOULEVARD | BIRMINGHAM $699,000 SOLD

3412 HIDDEN OAKS LANE | WEST BLOOMFIELD $489,900

20050 QUAIL RIDGE COURT | BEVERLY HILLS $549,000

JUST LISTED

PENDING

620 W. FRANK STREET | BIRMINGHAM $799,000

612 PINE VALLEY WAY | BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $879,900

MILLION DOLLAR

NEW PRICE

MARKETING

533 WALLACE STREET | BIRMINGHAM $915,000

AT EVERY PRICE POINT SOLD

770 HANNA STREET | BIRMINGHAM $1,149,000 OCCUPANCY

BY AUG. 2019

544 CATALPA DRIVE | BIRMINGHAM $1,329,000

3559 BURNING BUSH ROAD | BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE $1,449,000

863 S. BATES STREET | BIRMINGHAM $1,599,000

745 WALLACE STREET | BIRMINGHAM $1,699,000 OR $9,800/MO.

1055 LARCHLEA DRIVE | BIRMINGHAM $1,799,000

625 BROWN STREET | BIRMINGHAM STARTING FROM $1,999,000

VISIT US AT

iSellMichigan.com

DAN@SIGNATURESOTHEBYS.COM 248.497.4646 415 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009

FEATURED LISTINGS

1875 STANLEY BOULEVARD | BIRMINGHAM $699,000

770 HANNA STREET | BIRMINGHAM $1,149,000 3 $

6 $

544 CATALPA DRIVE | BIRMINGHAM $1,329,000

1660 APPLE LANE | BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $4,999,000

15 $

625 BROWN STREET | BIRMINGHAM STARTING FROM $1,999,000

4 $

YOUR DREAM HOME AWAITS. SOLD

3860 MYSTIC VALLEY | BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $2,295,000

558 STANLEY BOULEVARD | BIRMINGHAM $2,399,000 SOLD

608 STANLEY | BIRMINGHAM $2,499,000

1625 LOCHRIDGE | BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $2,550,000

SELL WITH THE

3710 KIRKWAY ROAD | BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $3,399,000 STUNNING INSIDE

MARKET LEADERS 1500 W. LONG LAKE ROAD | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $3,499,000

4173 NOBLE ROAD | OXFORD TOWNSHIP $3,999,999

VISIT US AT

iSellMichigan.com

IN REAL ESTATE

1660 APPLE LANE | BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP $4,999,000

DAN@SIGNATURESOTHEBYS.COM 248.497.4646 415 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009

1161 PEMBROKE DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $3,799,000

5350 BREWSTER ROAD | ROCHESTER $5,900,000

DOWNTOWN06.19

28

Rise of a new generation of business As southeast Michigan continues to rebound from the 2008 Great Recession and the ensuing “brain drain” of young millennial talent, large areas are growing as hubs of technology in what was once known simply as the Motor City.

LONGFORM

47

Despite the health benefits of fluoridation of water systems, which started in Michigan in 1945, there has been a vocal group of skeptics who believe fluoridation may be more harmful than good. So the battle continues.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

14

Michigan, thanks to former Detroit-area congressman James J. Couzens many years ago, plays an interesting role in the current debate over the right of Congress to request documents and tax returns from the administration.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

23

Welcome to reality on possible county exec appointment; Epstein may run in 2020; McCready hits “Blue Wall” at county over past House votes; plotting run against Slotkin; here went the judge on unpaid suspension.

CRIME LOCATOR

25

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

MUNICIPAL

61

Birmingham inks development agreement; parking bond vote on August ballot; two bistros proposed; supervisor throws shadow on trustee Walsh; police chief leaves; school chief New York-bound.

THE COVER A building on the Charles L. Bowers School Farm on East Square Lake Road in Bloomfield Township. The farm, part of the Bloomfield Hills Schools district, is described as an “educational agriculture production enterprise” that provides school programs and is available for scheduled tours. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent.

A Touch of Lace 4036 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 (Located at the Southwest Corner of Long Lake Road & Telegraph Road) Phone: 248-645-5223 | Fax: 248-645-5227 Email: Sales@atouchoflace.net | www.atouchoflace.com Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm Evenings and Weekends available upon request @a_touch_of_lace

A Touch of Lace

52

Elliot Darvick

METRO INTELLIGENCER

82

Writer/reporter Dana Casadei helps us provide quick takes on what is happening in the world of food and drink in the metro Detroit area.

SOCIETY NOTEBOOK

87

Society Notebook reporter Gigi Nichols provides the latest news and snapshots from the society and non-profit circuit fundraising events.

ENDNOTE

98

Birmingham has been making good strides in attracting workers and businesses but there is still more to do; and a good example of a community coming together over a local issue.

FACES

26 39 52 67 74

Aaron Kaczander Sally VanDeMark Elliot Darvick Cara Catallo Linda Solomon

ATTENTION

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS

T The Facts about the Township Police and Fire Department Special Assessment Millage The Township has a structural deficit caused by a 2017 change in state law. The change requires higher payments for Defined Benefit pension plans and Other Post-Employment Benefits. This change will require future payments of $5 to $7 million per year for the next thirty years.

Without a millage increase, deep cuts will need to be made to the public safety and roads budgets to meet these new state-mandated funding levels. The public safety budgets are the largest budgets in the

Township. Two-thirds of all Township employees and retirees are from Public Safety.

The average Bloomfield household will pay $219 more per year to protect Township public s safety and road funding.

This public safety millage is a net increase of 1.05 mills.

Bloomfield Township is efficient, effective, and maintains its AAA bond rating.

ACTUAL BALLOT LANGUAGE Should the Charter Township of Bloomfield raise money to equip, maintain, and operate the Township Police/Fire Departments by annual special assessment levies of up to 2.30 mills ($2.30 per $1,000.00 of taxable value) on all real property in the Township that is not exempt from property taxes, for a period of 15 years, with the levies to be from 2019 to 2033 to provide funding for the 2019/2020 to the 2033/2034 fiscal years. If approved and fully levied in December 2019, the revenue from this special assessment collected in the first year would be $9,041,317.00. In the event this ballot proposal is approved by the voters, the existing voted general millage due to expire in 2019 will not be renewed by the Township. Will you vote Yes, in favor, or No, in opposition?

PROTECT OUR POLICE AND FIRE Paid for by Protect Our Police and Fire, PO Box 7799, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 Paid for by Protect Our Police and Fire, PO Box 7799, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301

FROM THE PUBLISHER ashington Post journalist Isaac Stanley-Becker, a Rhodes Scholar writing from the UK where he is working on his doctorate in Modern European History at Oxford, had a cogent (Morning Mix) column in early May that put into historical perspective the current mess we see unfolding in our nation's capitol on a daily basis relative to congressional access to information, including the President's income taxes.

W

The extra condensed version is that members of the House Ways and Means Committee in their quest for five years of Trump tax returns are relying on a 1924 law adopted by Congress as a result of a dispute between the Republican Treasury Secretary, Andrew W. Mellon, a well-to-do philanthropist, and Michigan Senator James J. Couzens (R-Detroit), who also led a well-appointed and philanthropic life but was considered one of the Progressive Republicans pushing for what today might be considered policies that are the purview of Democrats.

The authority under which Congress is now acting is part of the Revenue Act of 1924, which granted the power to committees to request (and receive) tax returns of those they request. The law was amended in 1976 to tighten up disclosure regulations, but still left intact the near absolute authority of Congress.

The Couzens connection piqued my interest only because I encountered the fruits of this senator’s labor when I first arrived in Oakland County in the mid1970's and worked in the West Bloomfield/Commerce area, where the centuryold public largesse of the congressman could be seen in the Westacres residential development on the shores of Middle Straits Lake (more on that later).

Many people may at least recall the Couzens name due to the fact that the Couzens freeway in Detroit was named after the Senator, although the moniker now only graces what serves as a service drive for the Lodge once it was built.

Some basic research unveiled a rather interesting story of one of Detroit's early leaders.

Couzens was born in Canada and became a naturalized citizen of our country.

A workaholic, he was one of a dozen early investors ($2,500) in the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and served as its corporate secretary and eventually became its general manager.

Couzens and Ford were not necessarily close, in fact Couzens was not what you would call a fan of Ford, including his anti-Semitic views. While helping to run the Ford Motor Company, Couzens was credited with some far-reaching and company-propelling business decisions – like increasing the factory workers' wages to five dollars a day (often credited to Henry Ford) and creating a bank loan system that allowed for time payments when purchasing a car.

His strained relations with the namesake-owner prompted Ford to buy out Couzens' shares for an estimated $30 million in 1919.

Couzens then spent time (1919-1922) as mayor of Detroit and was appointed to fill a U.S. Senate seat vacancy in 1922, an elected post he held until 1936.

The Senator was considered one of the Progressive Republicans, pushing for a graduated income tax would that tax the wealthy more heavily. He was also a noted philanthropist who helped establish the Children's Fund of Michigan with a $10 million donation. The fund, providing free dental work and health

care for children from poor families lasted until the mid-1950's.

Couzen's history is peppered with donations for any number of philanthropic endeavors, including Children's Hospital in Detroit and a system of unemployment benefits that the federal government took as a model for the system we now have today.

One of his most lasting undertakings was his donation of over a half million dollars to establish a low-income housing project in West Bloomfield called Westacres, a residential development for industrial workers making $1,200-$1,800 annual income, on 874 acres surrounding Middle Straits Lake in the Union Lake area of Oakland County.

Westacres was one of the forerunners of platted subdivisions we see today. It started as a planned subdivision of 150 cinderblock homes that over the years developed into a community with a neighborly spirit. Westacres, over the years, developed a clubhouse, a credit union, weekly newsletter, tennis courts, annual art show and is still considered today to be a model community.

But back to Couzen's role as a senator and his push to allow congressional requests to view the income taxes of anyone, including members of the administrative branch and the President.

The law Congress is using to seek copies of President Trump's taxes was a direct result of a long-running battle between Couzens and then-Secretary of the Treasury Mellon. Mellon was attempting to push a revised tax code that would have cut taxes on the wealthy class and Couzen's proved to be his strongest opponent. Mellon intimated publicly that Couzens had not paid his fair share of taxes and the Senator suggested that the Secretary of the Treasury had looked at his personal income tax filings. Couzens, in the era of the politically charged Teapot Dome scandal, requested to see Mellon's tax information to determine if Mellon's tax cut legislation would benefit the secretary personally.

Couzens and his supporters in Congress launched an investigation into the treasury department, which at that time only answered to President Calvin Coolidge, who attempted to intercede and kill the investigation, taking the public stance that the Couzens' push for an investigation was purely political.

In response, Congress added to the Revenue Act of 1924 what is now known as Section 601, which gives three committees of the House and Senate the power to request to see personal and business taxes. Those committees include the House Ways and Means Committee, the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Senate Finance Committee. The section specifies that the tax information from the IRS, when it applies to a specific individual, is to be provided in closed session and members are forbidden from releasing the information publicly.

Fast forward to 2019 and we see much the same battle playing out again, and once again it involves wealthy members of the administration and Trump, who argues that his personal and business tax information should not be given to a congressional committee.

And we can all thank one of metro Detroit's progressive leaders who had the foresight and political wherewithal to push through Section 601 nearly 100 years ago.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

M ARNI

R OCHAS

N°21

N ILI L OTAN

G IAMBA

CURATED. COLLECTED. COVETED.

271 West Maple • Birmingham • 248.258.0212 •

@TenderBham

PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody Anchill | Dana Casadei Kevin Elliott | Austen Hohendorf | Gigi Nichols Bill Seklar | Judith Harris Solomon | Julie Yolles PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Esme McClear | Laurie Tennent | Chris Ward Laurie Tennent Studio ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 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 for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.

INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Downtown are published in our Incoming section and can include written letters or electronic communication.

Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.

If you are using the mail option, you must include a phone number for verification purposes.

WEBSITE downtownpublications.com

FACEBOOK facebook.com/downtownpublications TWITTER twitter.com/downtownpubs OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL oaklandconfidential.com METRO INTELLIGENCER metrointelligencer.com Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD

usbank.com/mortgage

Dedication of a local partner to help you through the homebuying process.

Ted Edginton Mortgage Loan OGGJDFS 26400 Lahser Road 4VJUF 444 Southfield, MI 48033 248. ted.edginton@usbank.com NMLS#: 502442

Our commitment is to leverage our passion and extensive experience to offer personalized mortgage options to fit your unique financial strategy. – Jumbo, construction and vacant lot specialists – 6th largest U.S. mortgage lender, available in all 50 states Mark Webberly

– *OUFHSJUZ BOE TFSWJDF UP FYDFFE ZPVS FYQFDUBUJPOT

Mortgage Loan OGGJDFS 26400 Lahser Road 4VJUF 444 Southfield, MI 48033 248. .

Call today and put our knowledge and strength to work for you.

mark.webberly@usbank.com NMLS#: 139326

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products and services. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association.

Member FDIC. Š2018 U.S. Bank 65001c 8/18 “World’s Most Ethical Companies� and “Ethisphere� names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.

INTRODUCING THE BLOOMFIELD COLLECTION O M O D E R N A R T S & C R A F T S H O M E S B U I LT F O R A B E A U T I F U L L I F E a±ųĩ eÚĬåų BŅĵåŸ ĜŸ Ïųå±ƋĜĹč ŅĹåěŅüě±ěĩĜĹÚ ÏƚŸƋŅĵ ĘŅĵåŸØ ƵĘĜÏĘ ÏĬåƴåųĬƼ ųåĜĵ±čĜĹå ƋĘå eųƋŸ ±ĹÚ ų±üƋŸ ŸƋƼĬå ƵĜƋĘ ± ÏŅĹƋåĵŞŅų±ųƼ ā±Ĝųţ Ęå ƚĹĜŧƚå ĬŅŅĵĀåĬÚ ŅĬĬåÏƋĜŅĹ ĘŅĵåŸ ±ųå üųåŸĘØ ĬĜčĘƋ ±ĹÚ ŅŞåĹţ ƵŅ ĘŅĵåŸ ±ųå Ĺå±ųĜĹč ÏŅĵŞĬåƋĜŅĹ Ņų ÏĘŅŅŸå üųŅĵ Ÿåƴåų±Ĭ ŅƋĘåų ŞųåĵĜƚĵ ÏƚŸƋŅĵ ÆƚĜĬÚ ĬŅƋŸţ eĬĬ Ņƚų ŞåųŸŅűĬĬƼ ŸåĬåÏƋåÚ ŸĜƋåŸ ±ųå ĬŅϱƋåÚ ĜĹ ĘĜčĘĬƼ Ƶ±Ĭĩ±ÆĬå ĹåĜčĘÆŅųĘŅŅÚŸØ Ĺå±ų ƋĘå ÆƚŸƋĬĜĹč ĜĹƋåųŸåÏƋĜŅĹ Ņü a±ŞĬå ±ĹÚ X±ŸĘåų Ņ±ÚŸ ƵĜƋĘ ĜųĵĜĹčʱĵ ŸÏĘŅŅĬŸţ a±ųĩ eÚĬåų BŅĵåŸű ĬŅŅĵĀåĬÚ ŅĬĬåÏƋĜŅĹØ üå±ƋƚųĜĹč ʱĹÚÏų±üƋåÚ ±ųƋĜŸ±Ĺ ÚåƋ±ĜĬŸ ±ĹÚ ĘĜčĘěåĹÚ ±ŞŞŅĜĹƋĵåĹƋŸØ ±ųå ųåĵ±ųĩ±ÆĬƼ ŞųĜÏåÚ üųŅĵ âŎ ĵĜĬĬĜŅĹţ

D ESI G N | BUI LD | EN J OY ĬŅŅĵüĜåĬÚ ƵŞţ ó 8ų±ĹĩĬĜĹ ó åŸƋ ĬŅŅĵüĜåĬÚ ó åųĩĬåƼ ó 8±ųĵĜĹčƋŅĹ BĜĬĬŸ

MarkAdlerHomes.com or contact Mark Adler directly at 248-284-4000

INCOMING Protect our police/fire Funding always has been and always will be an issue with municipal government. Bloomfield Township is no exception. On Aug. 6 the residents of Bloomfield Township will be asked to vote on a special assessment district (SAD) to fund public safety. This proposal will ask voters to fund retirement and health care promises for all active and retired police officers, firefighters and dispatchers.

Bloomfield Township has always followed the state guidelines for retiree health care. The state has allowed municipalities to be “pay as you go” communities, meaning the premiums could be paid by current funding. In 2017 the state changed its position and is requiring municipalities to fund the actuarial determined amount of retiree health care. In our particular case the funding just for health care is $2 million per year (in today’s dollars) for the next 30 years just to get to a 40 percent funding level. This is the minimum level mandated by the state. Over and above that we have and will continue to have an additional constitutionally mandated contribution of $3.5 to $4 million to the defined benefit plan for our active employees and our retirees.

There are some people who do not believe this is a public safety issue.

There are some people who claim Bloomfield Township has been mismanaged or that Bloomfield Township needs to control its costs.

There are some serious misconceptions out there about this SAD. Here are the facts: Police, fire and dispatch are almost 70 percent of all employees and retirees in Bloomfield Township.

Public safety is funded by four millages. Over and above that the general fund contributes another $6.6 million into the public safety operations. This SAD will allow public safety to operate on its own, and the general fund can contribute to the pensions and retiree’s health care.

Bloomfield Township has not been mismanaged. Bloomfield Township has always paid its bills. Bloomfield Township has always met its obligations to the retirees. Among other things, the rating agencies in awarding Bloomfield Township their highest credit rating (AAA) have focused on the quality management found in Bloomfield Township.

Management is complying with a mandated state change.

Bloomfield Township has controlled its costs. We changed from downtownpublications.com

a Defined Benefit Plan to a Defined Contribution Plan in 2005 for all of the new hires. In 2011 we closed the retiree health care plan for all new hires. These two changes alone have saved millions of dollars in future legacy costs. We switched our healthcare to a high deductible plan that has saved millions of dollars as well. We constantly look for ways to cut costs on an annual basis, while continuing to deliver the highest services expected by our residents.

Why can’t we change the retirement ages of our police officers and firefighters? Contractually they are able to retire at 50 and 52 years of age. They may not be eligible for a full retirement at that age depending when they started, but they are eligible to retire. These and other aspects of their employment have been negotiated over the years.

Under state law, police officers and firefighters are not able to strike.

Because of this they have binding arbitration. Many of these benefits have been awarded by the arbitrators over the years with no recourse from the municipalities. When deciding what to rule in arbitration the arbitrators look to see what other communities are doing. I have a list of 12 adjacent municipalities in which at a minimum a police officer and/or a firefighter can retire and start receiving a pension after 25 years of service regardless of their age to a maximum of 52 years of age.

Some people say “don’t give the employees raises.” The current wage increases for active employees are two percent. Again, approximately 70 percent of these are contractually agreed through collective bargaining agreements. They say “don’t give the raises to the non-union employees.” If we did that, within 12 months every employee would be covered by some type of collective bargaining agreement. More importantly, with 3.8 percent unemployment we would lose employees to other municipalities or to the private sector that have a higher pay scale/benefit package. We have already lost seven employees to other municipalities or the private sector because they can make more money or receive better benefits.

Other suggestions are to get rid of the animal shelter, no longer do electronic waste, household hazardous waste or paper shredding events. Stop the gypsy moth program that protects our trees. Outsource our assessing department to the county.

These are all programs the residents’ value and would only save a nominal amount of money. We would still DOWNTOWN

19

SIGN UP TODAY Get the latest news online from the leading news organization for the Birmingham and Bloomfield area.

Go to downtownpublications.com and register to receive our weekly and breaking news updates, social lights, oakland confidential and metro intelligencer from the local area's best website.

124 WesT Maple ROaD BiRMiNghaM 48009

20

need to do the SAD to raise $4-plus million.

Some people will tell you the increase is 2.3 mills. In fact the net increase is only 1.05 mills as we would let a current millage of 1.25 mils expire if the voters approve the SAD. The increase to the average homeowner would be $219 per year. If there is no SAD we can make the necessary cuts to meet the funding mandates. We would do this by having 10 fewer police officers and six to eight fewer firefighters. With the number of retirements coming up we can do this through attrition over the next year or so. We are already down three police officers and four firefighters at the present time.

Additionally, we support the road department with $1.4 million from the general fund. This funding would go away.

Some people (including two elected officials) have referred to nonpublic safety employees as “nonessential.” Every employee at Bloomfield Township is essential. We have mechanics who fix the vehicles; the IT department that allows communications; the finance department that pays the bills and keeps the books; the clerk’s department that keeps track of all the records; and the treasurer’s office that collects the taxes and other revenues.

The road department keeps the streets safe and clean throughout the year. These are all individuals who collectively with police, fire and dispatch work as a team to keep our community safe.

We have changed the way we offer benefits to our employees; however, we have obligations from the past that must be met. Do I wish past promises had been funded? I do but I cannot turn back the clock. I can only go forward. I am not covered under any of these plans. My objective is to be fiscally responsible, keeping the promises made from the past while maintaining the high standards expected by our community. I am a resident, so any increase is going to impact me as well.

Over the next 60 days we will be hosting numerous town hall meetings for anyone with questions or concerns regarding the SAD. These meetings will be question and answer programs affording an unlimited amount of time for every person. We want every resident to have all of the information before they vote on Aug. 6. Please go to our website for the dates and times.

Bloomfield Township is best in class. Our product is service. The

services are delivered by our employees. It is my hope we can continue to do the things required to keep Bloomfield Township BEST IN CLASS. Leo Savoie Bloomfield Township Supervisor

Official's false statements Never in our combined 60-plus years of service to Bloomfield Township did we ever think we would need to reply to the totally false statements of an elected official. In regards to the social media posts by trustee Dani Walsh, we feel the residents should have the correct facts. Plante Moran came up with $6.4 - $7.4 million in proposed cuts to programs and departments if all of their recommendations were implemented, which included 10 fewer police officers, eight fewer firefighters and outsourcing dispatch as well as cutting back the general fund contribution to the road department. When the survey showed these items were not acceptable to the residents the proposed potential savings came to approximately $600,000.

The two percent raises were negotiated between the township and the employees. With less than four percent unemployment in Michigan, we are having a difficult time hiring and retaining good employees. By taking away negotiated raises or looking at pay freezes you will see an exodus of good employees.

The department heads' vehicles are compensation benefits. The department heads in Bloomfield Township are some of the best in the state and are the leaders within their fields. They will not have a problem finding other more highly compensated employment when you start taking things away from them.

You might want to understand the economics behind our health care plan and how we have saved far more money with our current plan than we could have with the employees paying 20 percent of the premium.

No matter how many times you continually state this is not a public safety issue, we will state unequivocally it is a public safety issue. Over and above the millages that support police, fire and dispatch the general fund puts another $6.67 million dollars into our operations. If the money isn’t there the only way to continue is to downsize our operations.

Ultimately we feel the board is doing the right thing. They are educating the community with the correct facts and letting the voters

DOWNTOWN

SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities.

Although we do not have a fixed maximum length for letters sent to us, we recommend a maximum length of 175-200 words. We also reserve the right to edit letters for length if necessary.

Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.

decide what is important to them. We hope you would do the same.

Scott McCanham Police Department Chief Michael Morin Fire Department Chief Bloomfield Township

Rude, unfair comments I was reading the May 2019 Downtown Publication’s Oakland Confidential section today. You weren’t joking when you described the section as “gossip/news.” I’d lean more toward the gossip description.

Your comments about John James were incredibly presumptuous, rude and unfair. To say that his “greatest accomplishment is his parents’ handing him a job in their company” demonstrates that you don’t know him, didn’t do your research, or are just simply a left wing bigot.

Or perhaps your publication just needs better editors. Either way, you’ve lost me as a reader.

Adrienne Volk

FROM FACEBOOK

Chickens Home to Roost (Mike) McCready built his twofaced reputation long before the end of the last session-end votes (Oakland Confidential).

He was one of a handful of Republicans who blocked the promise to restore Michigan's income tax from 4.25 percent to 3.9 percent. One would think the Democrat (Oakland County) commissioners would reward him for joining them in that.

And then (he) voted “for” granting sales tax free status on repair parts for his crony general aviation ("private plane”) buddies.

Charlie Smith Birmingham 06.19

COMPOUNDING MADE SIMPLE. When your doctor’s orders demand more than just a generic solution, finding a compounding pharmacy you can trust can be complicated… But rest assured: Mills is here to help make compounding simple.

The expert pharmacists and technicians in our state-of-the-art laboratory have revived the time-honored art and science of compounding in order to customize medications to meet your unique needs as determined by your physician.

From formulas made without fillers, to generating those that are on backorder or have been discontinued, to modifying strengths and even the dosage form of your prescription — our team will ensure you’re always getting the most out of your treatment, while providing the same commitment to safety, quality and excellence you’ve come to expect from Mills.

We’ve even added Hormone Replacement Therapy Consulting to our growing list of compounding services to help both women and men better manage the physiological changes that can accompany aging.

So whatever your unique needs may be, call or visit Mills Pharmacy and Apothecary today to learn more about compounding and see if it’s right for you.

C O M P O U N D I N G • VA C C I N AT I O N S • H RT C O N S U LT I N G • M O B I L E A P P • S A M E D AY D E L I V E RY • AVA I L A B L E PA R K I N G

1744 West Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009 • P 248.644.5060 F 248.644.5576 info@millscompounding.com • millscompounding.com MON - FRI 9AM - 9PM | SAT 9AM - 6PM | SUN 10AM - 3PM

Elaina Ryder REALTOR®

Cindy Kahn REALTOR®

An Extraordinary Agent Providing Extraordinary Results #1 TOP PRODUCER for 2018 at Hall & Hunter Realtors 248.568.7309 | Cindy@CindyKahn.com | CindyKahn.com G

IN

W

NE

T LIS

346 W BroWN street | BirmiNgHam | $1,999,000

326 kesWiCk road | Bloomfield | $1,675,000

2368 HeroNWood drive | Bloomfield $1,649,000

3006 Sq Ft | 3 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths

4953 Sq Ft | 5 Bedrooms | 6.2 Baths

10,551 Total Finished Sq Ft | 6 Bedrooms | 7.2 Baths

N

IO

E RIC

T UC

D

RE

G

IN

W

NE

P

T LIS

2435 devoN laNe | BirmiNgHam | $1,195,000

2076 sHore Hill Court | W Bloomfield | $999,000

4542 suNNiNgdale drive | Bloomfield | $975,000

4484 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 4.2 Baths

6582 Total Finished Sq Ft | 5 Bedrooms | 4.2 Baths

3966 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 4.2 Baths

4720 W WiCkford | Bloomfield | $899,000

4890 CHariNg Cross road | Bloomfield | $875,000

55 sCeNiC oaks drive N | Bloomfield Hills | $865,000

5071 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 4.1 Baths

2359 Sq Ft | 2 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths

3607 Sq Ft | 4 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths

N

IO

E RIC

T UC

D

RE

P

W NE

LIS

N

IO

G

TIN

E RIC

T UC

D

RE

P

4086 NearBrook road | Bloomfield | $849,000

965 Bloomfield Woods | Bloomfield Hills | $839,000

3616 York Court | Bloomfield | $775,000

4110 Sq Ft | 5 Bedrooms | 3.2 Baths

4788 Total Finished Sq Ft | 3 Bedrooms | 4.2 Baths

3604 Sq Ft | 3 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths

442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009 HallandHunter.com

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine.

We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklndConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential. The gossip column can be viewed at OaklandConfidential.com.

CROSSING T & DOTTING I: It pays to do your homework. That’s what Oakland County Commission Board chair Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak) is discovering, after confirming following the announcement by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson that he is battling pancreatic cancer, that if necessary, he, Woodward, could be appointed to the vacancy by his fellow commissioners because he could vote for himself and break the 10-10 tie – the Democrats currently have a narrow 11-10 majority on the board of commissioners for the first time in over four decades. Turns out, there is state law specifically prohibiting that from happening. The Board of Commission Act applies to all county commissions in Michigan, and states that a sitting county board commissioner cannot be appointed to another county position, and that it’s a misdemeanor to be appointed. Not only that, any commissioner who votes for the appointment can be charged with a misdemeanor. “It’s a conflict of interest statute designed WOODWARD to avoid cronyism,” said a lawyer who brought it to the attention of Downtown. What if Woodward, who intends to run for county exec in 2020, resigns in order to be appointed? “If he resigns he gives up a Democratic majority on the commission that Democrats have fought 42 years for,” said one county Dem. “He has egg on his face if he does resign.”

CHICKENS HOME TO ROOST: Remember when your mom told you as a child there were always repercussions to every action? Well, in true Mother Knows Best fashion, former state Rep. Mike McCready (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township), who was appointed Oakland County’s Deputy Director of Economic Development by L. Brooks Patterson January 1, is finding the votes he cast as he was flying out the door last fall during the state House’s lame duck session are coming back to bite him in the (fill in the blank). He cast those lame duck votes right after he lost to Democrat Rosemary Bayer a close race to be the state Senator for the 12th District. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners, with its new Democratic majority (11-10), is reportedly holding up McCready’s confirmation as the director of economic development for the county after he voted with fellow Republicans to repeal voter-initiated laws increasing the minimum wage and requiring paid sick time for workers. Now Democratic commissioners are using McCready’s nomination, MCCREADY and his record, to negotiate economic development policies and a “fair wage” for skilled trade workers on county-funded capital projects. Meanwhile, Patterson technically has given McCready the title of deputy director so he still draws a handsome six-figure annual salary. All this at a time that McCready is pondering running for county exec on the Republican ticket in 2020.

WINNER TAKE SOME: Upper Peninsula Republican Beau LaFave (Iron Mountain) proposed last month upending the state’s electoral college voting system by dividing votes by the state’s 16 congressional districts. This system is shared by only two other states, Maine and Nebraska, and both are looking to change it to be consistent with the other 48 states.

The bill would award two electors at-large to the candidate who wins the popular vote in each district. LaFave said the current system forces presidential candidates to focus on population centers and ignore outstate areas, like the UP. Democrats, who have traditionally done well under the current system in Michigan, have rejected the idea, but Republicans believe LaFave could be on to something, as it could help GOP candidates in the future, including Donald Trump who, at present, is not polling well in the state.

LAFAVE

ANOTHER COLLEGE TRY: Give her an ‘A’ for effort. Word around town is that besides Republican John James of Farmington Hills strongly leaning towards running against incumbent Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) when his first term is up in 2020, after giving it his all in 2018 against Sen. Debbie Stabenow and not losing too badly, another familiar Republican also-ran is considering a senatorial run in 2020 – Lena Epstein of Bloomfield Township. Epstein, who was trounced in 2018 in her congressional campaign for the 11th District against Democrat Haley Stevens (52 percent Stevens to 46 percent Epstein), is reportedly ready to give it another electoral go – this time grasping higher, with a statewide reach. A current legislator said that Epstein is putting everything together for a statewide run, but a Republican Party bigwig said, “She is so out of touch with reality.” What do both James and Epstein have in common? Neither has won an election race and both are employed by successful family businesses, although one

downtownpublications.com

political wonk challenged us to find out if Epstein ever really shows for work at her business, claiming you can never reach her there.

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO: In a recent fundraising email, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills, north Oakland, part of Livingston and Ingham counties) stated that she currently expects six Republicans to challenge her in 2020 – two each from Oakland, Livingston and Ingham counties. While Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett hasn’t yet announced a congressional run – he’s prepping his second write-in mayoral campaign for November – he is expected to announce after he secures his next term. Also looking to run against Slotkin is Rep.Tom Barrett (R-Potterville), a tea party conservative who is also an Iraqi War Army vet. Word around the state legislature is that Barrett is planning on using his veteran status to take on Slotkin, a fellow veteran of three tours in Iraq. “Let him. Elissa will slay him,” said one Democratic lawmaker.

BARRETT

QUIET POWER: While a few Democratic freshman Congresswomen are constantly letting their presence – and their mouths – be known, perhaps following the edict that “any press is good press,” another group of freshmen Democrats – including Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin (Rochester, Rochester Hills, north Oakland, part of Livingston and Ingham counties) – are keeping their noses to the grindstone and focusing on work. In Roll Call, the D.C. newsletter covering the government, Slotkin and the four other female reps, Elaine Luria and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania – all with military or CIA backgrounds – noted that they each flipped a previously Republican district, and that representatives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez-(NY) and Detroit’s Rashida Tlaib, while receiving the lion’s share of media attention, are not reflective of all the women who ran and won in 2018. They’ve created a joint fundraising committee – Service First Women’s Victory Fund – to support one another, raising $56,000 in the first quarter and splitting it five ways in order to keep their seats. “Being a Democrat is more than being a farleft progressive,” Slotkin said. Spanberger agreed. “I’m not going to do anything outrageous that’s going to garner the attention because how does that serve my district?”

LURE OF THE WEED: Republican powerbroker Chuck Yob, a former member of the Republican National Committee and long-time GOP strategist, was approved last month for a medical marijuana dispensary in southwest Michigan. Yob, who plans with his partners on opening marijuana grow and processing operations on the westside of the state, is one of the many state Republicans who have recently changed their perspective on marijuana. Yob told The Detroit News he became a supporter of medical marijuana after he fell down a flight of stairs at President Trump’s inauguration in Washington D.C., and now prefers pot over pills. Yob, who had to give up his seat on the Mackinac Island Park Commission to get the license, also served as co-chair of the Michigan Reagan campaign in 1980, co-chair of the George W. Bush re-election campaign, and was director of the Michigan Department of Transportation.

NO JAIL BUT NO PAY: Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Julie McDonald won’t get paid during her month-and-a-half suspension from her Sixth Circuit bench seat, which she just won in November, following a ruling by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission. The commission handed out the ruling last month following McDonald’s 10:45 a.m. traffic stop in Royal Oak September 8, where she blew a .102 on a blood alcohol test.

McDonald, who was stopped for tossing her cigarette butt out the window while cruising by at 9 mph over the speed limit, told officers she had four drinks more than 12 hours earlier. Those must have been some strong drinks, because she still tested at .08 – the legal limit for driving under the influence – an hour later at the police station. McDonald, who was running unopposed for the court seat at the time, was written up for an operating while impaired (OWI), disorderly conduct, littering and no proof of insurance. She ended up pleading to careless driving, a civil infraction, in exchange for dismissal of the OWI. In handing down its suspension, the commission said McDonald has already paid over MCDONALD $2,000 in court costs and fines; is undergoing counseling and treatment; submitted to 12 months of probation; 40 hours of community service; random drug and alcohol testing; and must blow into a vehicle ignition interlock device twice daily, with nearly 300 negative tests thus far. Still, it’s only May. PAYING THE PIPER: What does it take to get jail time these days? For former Democratic candidate for the House’s 39th District Jennifer Suidan of Walled Lake, just one day of jail time was part of her punishment, along with five years probation and 100 hours of community service, for pleading no contest to embezzling over $100,000 from Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner. Suidan had access to Meisner’s campaign funds because he entrusted them to law firm Goodman Acker – where Suidan had worked for about five years doing compliance work, and Suidan was Meisner’s campaign manager. The embezzlement was only discovered when she took a leave from the firm to run for office. Lucky for Suidan, she didn’t have to head to the pokey, as the judge gave her credit for time served. She also had to pay almost $150,000 in restitution, and write letters of apology to the victims.

DOWNTOWN

23

J E F F & M AT T BA R K E R

N EW

LI

ST IN G

Associate Brokers Top 1% of Realtors Nationally

323 Lakewood Dr 4 BR, 5.2 BA, 5,561 SF, 4 Car Gar 150’ on Endicott Lake, 2 Acres Birmingham Schools $1,299,900

ST IN N

EW

LI

ST IN LI EW 2744 Brady Dr 4 BR, 2.1 BA, 2,450 SF Newer Kitchen & Master Bath Bloomfield Hills Schools $339,900

6156 Palomino Ct 4 BR, 2.1 BA, 2,180 SF Completely Renovated Condo Walled Lake Schools $249,900

G ST IN N

EW

LI

ST IN EW N

16265 Buckingham Ave 3 BR, 1.1 BA, 1,650 SF Mid-Century Modern Design Birmingham Schools $325,000

4189 Pinehurst Dr 5 BR, 4.1 BA, 2,950 SF Granite Kitchen Finished LL w/ Full BA $349,900

LI

ST IN LI EW N

N

EW

LI

ST IN

G

5630 Swan St 4 BR, 2.1 BA, 2,886 SF, Built 2002 1st Floor Master, 3 Car Garage Pleasant Lake Privileges $469,900 G

N 40535 Kingsley Ln 3 BR, 3.1 BA, 3,100 SF Quartz Kitchen, 1st Flr Mstr Walled Lake Schools $450,000

G

2967 Chestnut Run Dr 5 BR, 5.1 BA, 4,375 SF New Bathrooms 2017 Bloomfield Hills Schools $824,900

210 Abbey St 4 BR, 2.2 BA, 3,600 SF Steps from Poppelton Park Birmingham Schools $875,000

G

1541 Island Ln 3 BR, 3.1 BA, 4,05 SF 140’ on Island Lake, 1st Flr Mstr Bloomfield Hills Schools $1,499,900

G

1450 Clarendon Rd 4 BR, 5.2 BA, 5,600 SF, 4 Car Gar 1.5 Acres, Chalmers Lk Privileges Bloomfield Hills Schools $1,550,000

2007 Dallas Ave 3 BR, 2 BA, 1,150 SF Newer Quartz Kitchen 5 Min Drive to Downtown Royal Oak $239,900

Trust two generations with 25 years of experience and 1,150 homes sold with your real estate transactions.

248.425.6000

je!@je!barkerhomes.com www.je!barkerhomes.com

CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through May 16, 2019.

Placement of codes is approximate.

FACES Aaron Kaczander hen former Groves High School student Aaron Kaczander moved in 2007 to Los Angeles intent on a career in writing, he did so in the midst of a massive writers strike that crippled broadcast television.

“Moving out there, I didn't know anyone. One of the smarter things I did the week I moved to Culver City, and writers were striking outside of the Sony studios,” said Kaczander, who now works as a writer and co-producer on “The Goldbergs,” on ABC. “I walked over to the gates at Sony and picked up a picket sign and started walking and talking to people. I met a lot of people, including one person that helped me get an unpaid internship with (producer/director) Ridley Scott.”

Already having graduated from the University of Michigan where he studied english and film, wrapping gifts as an assistant might not have earned him writing credits, but it did earn him credit as a hardworking midwestern native willing to hustle and grab new opportunities.

“That led to another job, and another. I even crashed a (Writers Guild) event as a new kid from Michigan,” he said. “That all sort of kickstarted my journey from the people I met that helped get me a job at the agency.”

While working connections, Kaczander took classes with the Upright Citizens Brigade, eventually landing a production assistant gig for Sean Smith – then landing a job nine years ago with Adam Goldberg, creator of “The Goldbergs.”

A staple of prime-time programing, the show is an autobiographical 1980s comedic telling of Goldberg's childhood. The show was recently picked up for a seventh season.

“I grinded my way through and worked my way up. I took a bunch of classes and used my contacts from my years in Los Angeles to get an interview with Adam Goldberg,” he said. “Growing up, my family and parents helped me, but I understood that if I was going to do this I would have to work really hard and be very humble and patient, and willing to do anything. I knew that. That's probably the greatest thing I can commend my parents for teaching me, and being incredibly patient and supportive.”

Although The Goldbergs is based on the creator's life experiences, Kaczander has been able to weave in stories of his own childhood, including inspiration from his own father, Bruce.

“I gave him a heads-up,” Kaczander said about one particular episode where his dad's own experience was used as a basis for one of the show's main characters. “We also used his likeness in an episode several seasons ago where the dad goes to see a podiatrist named Bruce Kaczander.

“One of the reasons so many people watch the show and love it is, at its core, the stories are very relatable.”

Influenced by everything ranging from Seinfeld and Ghostbusters, to Woody Allen and Wes Anderson, Kaczander said he entered U of M from Groves without immediately knowing the path he would follow.

Finally, a screenwriting class made it clear he would focus on writing.

“I've fallen in love with the TV process. I've always been interested in movies, but I'm proud to be part of something, and a network show since day one,” he said. “I'm a very loyal person. I love the idea of sticking with a project to the end.”

W

Story: Kevin Elliott

TECH HUBS THE riSE of a nEw gEnEraTion of BUSinESSES

By LiSa Brody

D

etroit as the new Silicon Valley – scoff all you want, but the reality is, as an area with an exponential growth in tech hubs, it's a moniker that is quickly developing.

As southeastern Michigan continues to rebound from the effects of the 2008 Great Recession and the ensuing “brain drain” of young millennial talent, large regions are growing as hubs of technology and innovation, countering that drain of talent, and drawing research, jobs and financial investment to what was once known simply as the Motor City.

Detroit is still, and likely always will be, the Motor City.

But a metamorphosis is underway at General Motors, Ford and FCA (Fiat Chrysler), as well as their tier one and two automotive suppliers, as they are becoming less automotive companies, and are being reborn as mobility companies. What does that mean in a real word definition? In the business world, according to Forbes, it is the driver of the fourth industrial revolution, which takes into account technical convergence, changing travel behavior and new entrants into the mobility space.

Over the next 25 years, four key trends are predicted, including the use of sustainable, efficient assets – such as the move to electric vehicles from fossil fuels; integrated personal mobility, including communication and integration with smart devices; urbanization and smarter cities, such as real-time data monitoring and responsive smart grid systems; and increased competition and innovation.

Innovation around automotive technology and mobility remains a hallmark of metro Detroit, in companies big and small, from Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills, where companies have headquartered near the former Chrysler headquarters, to the Northwestern Highway corridor in Farmington Hills, to Corktown in Detroit, as Ford Motor Company purchased the former Michigan Central Train Station in order to create a $740 million campus of mobility focused in that neighborhood.

Storage and Cleaning Special pre-payment when you Save $10 with store and clean your fur.

Save $3 on pre-paid storage.

Call for free storage pick-up in neighboring communities!

FREE RESERVED PARKING

Access our parking deck behind store on Peabody Street.

We have a back door entrance for your convenience.

Back door entrance, Enter parking deck off Peabody Street

ŵĂŐŝĐĂů ĞǀĞŶŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ĂŶ ŝŶƐŝĚĞ ůŽŽŬ Ăƚ Ă ƐƉĞĐƚĂĐƵůĂƌ ůĂŬĞĨƌŽŶƚ ŚŽŵĞ ǁŝƚŚ ĂŶ ĞĐůĞĐƟĐ ĐŽůůĞĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ Ăƌƚ͘ ŶũŽLJ Ă ĚĞůĞĐƚĂďůĞ ŵĞŶƵ͕ ĮŶĞ ǁŝŶĞƐ Θ ŵƵƐŝĐĂů ĞŶƚĞƌƚĂŝŶŵĞŶƚ͘

ǀĞŶƚ ƉƌŽĐĞĞĚƐ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂů Θ ƌƚ ĐĐĞƐƐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ŶŽŶƉƌŽĮƚ ŝƌŵŝŶŐŚĂŵ ůŽŽŵĮĞůĚ ƌƚ ĞŶƚĞƌ͘

dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ͕ :ƵůLJ ϭϭ ϲ-ϴ͗ϯϬƉŵ d/ < d^͗ Ψϭϳϱ dd/Z ͗ ^ƵŵŵĞƌ ŚŝĐ͊

181 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham Phone: (248) 642-1690 CeresnieandOffenfurs.com Hours: Monday–Friday 10–6, Saturday 10–5

KEEP IT Downtown.

The only publication of its kind in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

Quality editorial environment.

Produced by local residents from offices in downtown Birmingham.

PRESENTED BY

WZ ^ Ed z

Z^sW z :hE ϯϭ d/ < d^ Z >/D/d ͊ ^ƚĂƌƟŶŐ ĞĂƌůLJ-:ƵŶĞ͕ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ ŽŶůŝŶĞ - ƌƚ ĞŶƚĞƌ͘ŽƌŐ LJ ƉŚŽŶĞ - Ϯϰϴ͘ϲϰϰ͘Ϭϴϲϲ Kƌ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ϭϱϭϲ ^ ƌĂŶďƌŽŽŬ ZĚ͕ ŝƌŵŝŶŐŚĂŵ ϰϴϬϬϵ ǀĞŶƚ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ Θ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ ĂŌĞƌ ƟĐŬĞƚ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ͘

Join the local business leaders, almost 400 of whom use Downtown on a regular basis, in our July issue.

Ad deadline Friday, June 14.

Contact Mark Grablowski.

(O) 248.792.6464 (C) 586.549.4424

LOCAL

celebrating art for all since 1957 30

DOWNTOWN

06.19

But automotive innovation is just one technological arena creators are flocking to southeast Michigan, diversifying into areas including robotics, software, cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals, medical technology among many others, including in Ann Arbor, where various small startups are growing and flourishing – and the state's first unicorn company – one receiving at least $1 billion in investment – was born, at Duo Security.

“Tech hubs create an environment specifically targeted at helping young technology companies thrive by encouraging experimentation, not demonizing failure, and helping firms network with other likeminded individuals and enterprises. It also makes it easier for firms to meet investors in order to get their project funded. It helps ideas germinate and companies prosper. That’s the hope, anyway,” said Joe Svetlik of British Telecommunications.

Svetlik's definition for how tech hubs develop is a good sign for metro Detroit.

“First of all, a city needs a reputation for innovation, which is fed by a ready supply of suitably skilled graduates holding degrees in STEM subjects – these are science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” he explained. “Cities with universities that are particularly strong in these areas are more inclined to be home to a tech hub. As well as being able to attract these kinds of graduates to relocate there, cities need to encourage its own residents to study these kinds of subjects. Without the right kind of labor skills, a tech hub will struggle to get off the ground.”

S

urrounded by key universities encouraging research, including University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Oakland University, and others, the state is a magnet for STEM brainpower. Unlike in the past, not all graduates are leaving the state as more opportunity for innovative and creative jobs exist, as well as funding for startups, notably from the Michigan Economic Development Commission (MEDC), which has university liaison programs working with entrepreneurship and innovations.

Denise Graves is the MEDC University Relations Director for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “I oversee several program’s introductory innovations to entrepreneurship which manage portfolios,” she said, noting that there are university programs that assist in early stage funding to researchers to service providers.

“We take a statewide perspective. We have seen an increase in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and Up North – in Houghton, Marquette, and Traverse City is becoming a hub,” Graves said. “There are lots of things happening around the state that are attracting talent to Michigan and retaining them while they are here. There's everything from opportunities with entrepreneurship, where they are working in high-paced technology industries like LinkedIn and Google. Some of the organizations – like Ford, GM, FCA – have been here for years, but they're taking a new slant on mobility, and there's a real momentum.

“The hubs we have in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids are growing and feeding each other, and giving hope to other areas,” she noted.

“Lots of companies in Rochester Hills are working on autonomous vehicles because the auto companies are reinventing themselves as mobility companies,” said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett. “For us it's really exciting in the city of Rochester Hills because it's going to be the major disrupter for automotion.

Rochester Hills isn't made up of a lot of large companies, but more small and mid-size companies that are chugging along,” he noted, such as Dataspeed, which provides a unique and compatible research and development kit for autonomous vehicles. “They're working on autonomous vehicle technology. They started with eight people, and

now they're up to 20 people. Big companies are looking for small companies to partner with to move the field along. That's exciting for us.”

Because of their proximity to large corporations, Oakland University and Oakland Community College, which provides talent, research and opportunities for training and certification, whether in computers, coding, information technology, building trades, food services and cosmetology, Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills has become a tech hub, defined as a physical space, whether a city, suburb, or even just a suite of offices or shared workspace, which has developed to help technology startup companies succeed. A tech hub is a community – whether formal, such as the area in Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills or in a places like Corktown, the flourishing tech scene in Ann Arbor, or informal, similar to shared workspaces like Bamboo Detroit, which has become an inclusive shared workspace that helps entrepreneurs and innovative companies find a place to launch, land and expand in downtown Detroit.

“More robotics are developed in Rochester Hills than anywhere else,” Barnett asserted. “Rochester Hills is the robotics capital of North America.”

Mike Cicci, president and CEO of FANUC America in Rochester Hills, is a part of that boom, and is the largest employer in Rochester Hills outside of education with more than 800 employees in the area. He noted that FANUC was one of the first in the tech corridor along I-75, and recently expanded behind their headquarters into Auburn Hills.

“We bought 26 acres and we're building a 460,000 square foot facility that will open in the fall of 2019, and will bring another 100 jobs,” Cicci said, noting the company is bringing in “a tremendous amount of millennials. It's part of what we do. They have the opportunity to work with robotics directly. We tell them, one day you may be working in Texas in a GM plant, another day in a food distribution plant in Arkansas or an aerospace plant in the Pacific Northwest.

“We do offer a lot of variety and excitement for our employees,” he continued. “The automation field is growing so quickly, and it's growing so far beyond just the automotive field, into pharmaceuticals, aerospace, consumer electronics and food and beverage.”

Cicci said beyond research and development and creation of automative robotics, they utilize a system integrator network – which means they work with similar companies in close vicinity, small and large, “and those types of companies buy robots from us and customize them for other types of operations. This brings other types of companies into contact and interaction with us.”

E

sys Automation, recently acquired by JR Automation, a global systems integrator that develops intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions for customers in automotive, aerospace/defense, life sciences, e-commerce and logistics, consumer products, electronic vehicle battery and other endmarkets, has long chosen to be in the Rochester Hills/Auburn Hills hub.

Chris Marcus, president of Esys Automation, said, “Manufacturing equipment for automotive accounts for around 40 percent of our business, and our facilities in Auburn Hills give many of our OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and tier one customers direct access to our world class teams and facilities.

“We've operated in Auburn Hills for 20 years and are thrilled to be part of this vibrant community,” he continued. “We are grateful to be in close proximity to many of strategic partners.”

“They all want to be near where the business they are going to be serving,” said Phil Bertolini, chief information officer and deputy county executive for Oakland County. “Many are organic. They're finding a friendly, welcoming environment that doesn't make it hard for me to do business.”

880 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009 Office: (248) 646-6200 www.HWWBRealtors.com

Kathy Wilson

Broker/Owner (248) 646-6203 kwteam@hwwbrealtors.com

372 Harmon | Birmingham, MI $1,399,900

269 Wimbleton | Birmingham, MI $699,000 + Vacant lot $439,900

19453 Fitzgerald | Livonia, MI $535,000

217 W 2nd. St | Rochester, MI $1,399,00

Erica Kohler

Crystal Marsh & Kathleen Nagle

REALTOR Cell: (248) 835-4665 ekohler@hwwbrealtors.com www.EricaKohlerHomes.com

REALTORS Cell: (248) 225-4269, (248) 918-3547 crystal.marsh@ymail.com knagle@hwwbrealtors.com

*OHQZRRG &W_ %ORRP¿HOG 7ZS 0, $555,000

685 Bennaville Ave |Birmingham, MI

7LPVRQ /DQH_%ORRP¿HOG 7ZS 0,

$724,900

The Home Team Sarah Cameron, Julie Smith, Jackie Aubuchon REALTORS Cell: (248) 895-7864 TheHomeTeam@hwwbrealtors.com

$549,900

Cicci noted that in the early 2000s there was a “misperception that robots replaced labor. Now politicians and others understand that manufacturing has changed.”

A noticeable change is manufacturing transformation from “a dull, dirty place, like the image of Henry Ford's assembly line, into a hightech artificial intelligence industry,” he said.

Bertolini concurred. Noting his father used to work in a tool and dye shop for the automotive industry, “and tool and dye shops once were all automotive – now it's more medical equipment. It's all technology, using computer-aided design (CAD).”

Bertolini said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson recognized the changes in the industry going back 15 years, when he started the Emerging Sectors program in 2004, notably focusing on the top 10 sectors of the new economy.

“Back in 2004, the majority of those sectors were overseas,” Bertolini said. “We've been bringing them over for years. Now we've got over 1,000 firms, approaching $5 billion in investments.” He noted many of those are in hubs because they want to cluster near each other. “Novi is the number one place in the county – maybe in the country – for the Japanese population. Troy has a large Asian population, as well, and German companies were clustering in Troy and Auburn Hills. Startups go near larger corporations, depending on their vertical, especially in automotive.

“We're seeing software and robotics everywhere,” he said. “In Farmington Hills, there are a number of technology companies, with a whole corridor along Northwestern (Highway).”

Beaumont Hospital, with its medical campuses in Royal Oak and Troy, is now Oakland County's number one private employer. He noted there are numerous smaller businesses clustering around the larger hospital campuses.

Oakland County has assisted with the industrial transformation in northern Oakland with Automation Alley in Troy. On May 1, in their annual report, Automation Alley revealed the findings of its annual report on Industry 4.0, and introduced something new, the Velocity Index, which illustrated the maturity of Industry 4.0, which they referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, and its technologies and expected rate of growth.

For Oakland County, Industry 4.0 is centered on eight core technologies within advanced manufacturing: the internet of things; robotics; artificial intelligence; big data; cloud computing; cybersecurity; advanced materials and additive manufacturing; and modeling, simulation, visualization and immersion.

Mike McCready, deputy director of economic development for Oakland County, said companies large and small, “They're all trying to expand beyond automotive. We're getting some startups, some that have been in the high tech mid-market.”

M

cCready oversees Tech248, a monthly networking group which assists startups and other small companies with a variety of needs, from working with local governments, social media, education and sales. “I want to work with local governments and local businesses so they have good relationships. It helps economic development with businesses.”

He noted the influx of robotics companies, whether large like FANUC, or smaller – “there are some really cool places,” including a company in Wixom which uses light to train people how to manufacture, package and ship.

He's working to find growth in Royal Oak, Ferndale and Hazel Park – perhaps the next tech hub area for the county. “We're finding growth in these small towns and there's high tech in some aspects of them,” he noted, even when some startups are working from home. McCready

said he has been working with Ingrid Tighe, executive director of the Birmingham Shopping District, on talent and business retention, notably among advertising and social media agencies.

“We're looking to do a Tech248 group in Birmingham,” he said.

The county is not the only entity working to help technological and creative companies change the landscape of manufacturing in southeast Michigan. Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, Troy, west Oakland, western Wayne County), said, “We are at a pivotal and timely moment in southeast Michigan. I want to use my platform to shine a light on our manufacturing segment, which is at an exponential rate really diversifying. There are small and midsize companies growing; there are startups, high tech companies and established companies. I want to see us win in the emerging tech global race which we are poised to do.”

E

very Monday she is in the district, Stevens – with a background working in manufacturing and heading up the Obama administration's automotive bailout, is chairwoman of the research and technology subcommittee of the House Science, Space and Technology committee – visits small and medium-size companies in what she calls “Manufacturing Innovation Monday,” spending time with students, business owners, at education and innovation centers.

“I'm putting my listening skills to play – engaging CEOs, engineers and the workforce of our region – the innovators,” Stevens said. “Many of these companies could have gone anywhere, and they've chosen to be here.”

“Everyone wants to be in Oakland County because you can't recruit someone for an executive position to a small town without access to shopping, social life, freeways, good schools, neighborhoods, and to the calibre of talent that is here,” McCready pointed out.

“Unemployment is at 2.7 percent and going down – it's basically full employment.”

Stevens said to look into the coffee shops all over, whether in Novi or Troy – “They're full of business leaders in town from all over the country. Look at a company like Rivian (in Plymouth), which received a $1 billion investment led by Amazon. It reminds you of when the auto industry was just beginning. It looks like Silicon Valley. The arts are in play. The number of patents coming from southeast Michigan, especially in autonomous vehicle technology, is really one of the attractions to investors and innovators from outside our area.

“What I'm looking to do is coordinate and identify challenges, tackle the bureaucracy in our way and tie it all together,” she said.

Watching the burgeoning growth of tech hubs in southeast Michigan – from the automotive corridors in Rochester Hills/Auburn Hills to Ann Arbor, where cybersecurity, medical, pharmaceutical, and tech focused on the internet of things are growing exponentially, to areas of Detroit, with large company outposts of Google, LinkedIn, Amazon and others, to startups in all sorts of unique areas, began organically, and has snowballed.

“What you had before was people working in silos, and like people sharing resources,” commented Matthew Bower, an attorney and partner at Varnum LLP. “When you're working in an early stage company or a startup, it's important to be part of a community and sharing resources, both financially, and ideas and practices. It can be creativity, it can be talent.”

Bower, who works in Varnum's Ann Arbor office, noted that one of the early tech hubs was called Tech Brewery. “It's where Duo Security got started. It was a place a lot of people got started,” he said.

Duo Security was started by Dug Song in Ann Arbor after attending University of Michigan in the 1990s, and then served in leadership and

advisory roles at various tech companies. In 2008, he founded a2geeks, a non-profit which is dedicated to supporting creative and innovative people in the Ann Arbor startup community. In 2009, he founded Duo Security, a two-factor cybersecurity firm. On October 1, 2018, it was acquired by Cisco for $2.35 billion – making it what is called a unicorn company, or a privately held startup valued at over $1 billion.

T

here are currently four unicorn companies in Michigan.

Besides Duo Security, other unicorns are electric vehicle maker Rivian in Plymouth, Rochester-based software developer OneStream, and soon, Detroit business StockX, a “stock market of things,” co-founded

by Dan Gilbert and Josh Luber, which is projected to be worth $1 billion any day.

That Duo Security began as an early tech hub and grew in Ann Arbor is a particular point of pride for those in the community.

“Song is best known as the guy who started and nurtured a cybersecurity company worth billions in Ann Arbor – outside of the big, traditional tech. Song is also beloved around these parts due to his commitment to being a connector and doer in the local startup ecosystem,” said Sarah Schmid Stevenson of Xconomy Detroit.

Bower noted Tech Brewery worked as a shared workspace model, one that is utilized by others throughout the area, not only because of relationships, camaraderie and networking, but because it's also easier for service providers to provide content and education on a variety of topics.

“People could talk, get together, put two desks together and have a company. They would have Beer30 – they still have it – events on Fridays at 4:30 where you have a beer and talk about what you're working on. It's a trend you're seeing with shared work spaces, especially going toward niches,” he said of ones he's seeing with musicians and others, such as Femology in Detroit that is a woman'sonly workspace.

Femology, on Jefferson in Detroit, is a shared women's-only workspace for up to 100 female entrepreneurs.

Regionally, “and I'm painting with a broad stroke,” Bower said, the tech hubs are identified as Ann Arbor being a true tech hub, focused on business-to-business software, medical technology, and from the bottom up technical science.

Detroit, he said, is a “top-down” tech hub, at least originally, as Dan Gilbert and his companies, Detroit Venture Partners and Bedrock, at the outset, invested in startups in the @Madison Building and then brought larger tech companies to downtown Detroit, creating the original Detroit hub.

“Now it's more organic, communing with Bamboo, Ponyride, WeWork, Grand Circus Detroit,” all various shared work spaces in Detroit.

Corktown, the oldest existing neighborhood in Detroit, where the original Tigers Stadium was located, is rapidly becoming a new tech hub – along with a trendy dining and bar destination, live music venue, and location for quirky and funky boutiques and renovated housing.

“Corktown has potential (as a tech hub),” Bower said, “with Ford moving in with the train station and that will change that area. Quite a few companies are already there and it's quite diverse. It's near Ponyride (which describes itself as a 'catalyst for deploying social capital to a diverse group of artists, creative entrepreneurs and makers who are committed to working together to make Detroit sustainable') and other artists' enclaves, such as Assemble Sound, which is a church they're converting for musicians. It will be interesting to see what happens to that area.”

“Detroit, Midtown and the New Center areas are all taken care of –

Techtown is in New Center, and despite its name, it's more community focused – now we want to see it moved into the neighborhoods,” Bower pointed out. “Community development and shared workspaces is important because it's a good way to bring youth, energy, creativity to an area and a neighborhood.”

TechTown Detroit is an urban research and technology park in Detroit's New Center neighborhood which helps connect entrepreneurs to resources, learning and networking events in Detroit, and helps businesses launch and grow. Graig Donnelly, chief strategy officer, did not return several calls for comment and more information.

Heather Wilburger, chief information officer at Bedrock Detroit, said, “The entire story of Detroit, when it's written, will speak to the diversity of opportunity and its ability to attract talent, and tech will be an important driver for talent. In general, Detroit is a very hard-working city that values innovation. The grittiness and hardworking aspect of tech is very similar to Detroit, from the perspective of a working person.”

Wilberger pointed out that in downtown Detroit, “We've got Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn, Amazon, Quicken Loans, StockX, Twitter, Snapchat, Uber, WeWork, Rocket Fiber, Detroit Venture Partners, and now the incredible announcement of Waymo, the first factory in the world devoted to the mass production of autonomous vehicles. We have a mix of startups and established companies – and we want to always have room for a mix. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at Quicken Loans and the Bedrock companies. In a healthy ecosystem, we want to create economic opportunities for the city of Detroit. But the ecosystem has to be valued so we don't miss out on the economic opportunities for established companies or for startup companies.”

Wilberger said that she moved to Detroit a year ago from Portland, Oregon, “Because I really wanted to be part of what was happening.”

A conversation of both talent acquisition and talent retention is one that every company, large and small, is faced with on a daily basis.

“Employee acquisition is always tough – and I don't put it on the educational institutions in this area. A lot of companies are seeking excellent talent from Michigan university grads,” said FANUC CEO Mike Cicci. “Hiring is definitely tight – from finding employees. Retention is excellent, with benefits, the environment, opportunity.”

“Acquisition and recruitment of employees are at an all-time war,” said Oakland County's Phil Bertolini, noting that during the Great Recession, “there was a sucking sound of people leaving. Now, it's been a crazy wild ride to fill IT.”

B

ertolini said to succeed “you need to offer flexible work hours, flexible work spaces, especially for millennials, and great compensation in pay and benefits. They want open and bright work spaces. They all want a work/life balance. And if you're a young woman going into tech – they can write their own ticket.”

“Having enough talent and retaining it – it's not just a Detroit story,” Wilberger countered, noting the shortage of qualified employees is an issue nationwide. “The industry is shifting to view technology to a complementary asset that will drive the industry – which is a shift from even 10 years ago. Dan Gilbert was a visionary because he said that Quicken Loans is a tech company that sells mortgages. Everyone has to innovate to stay relevant.”

Wilberger continued, “Having an educated workforce is critical for the sustainability of the companies coming here, and for the future of Detroit, in order to keep the companies here. If we want to keep the talent here, you have to have the opportunity for the talent.”

Another reason for the influx to metro Detroit? Affordability, especially compared to the coasts of New York City and San Francisco, whether in terms of housing, transportation and food and beverage costs.

Office Space for Lease in Metro Detroit

a

Since 1976, Beachum & Roeser has built and managed elegant, class “A” office space for lease in the metroDetroit area. Our properties are located in the most prestigious suburbs, with easy access and wonderful amenities.

Office space available in Bingham Farms in our Jamestowne South Building at Telegraph Rd. & 13 Mile

V

• From 1000 sq ft to 8,300 sq ft •

Visit Our Website To View Our Available Office Space

www.BeachumRoeser.com

248-647-7500

Bill Beachum, President

20% OFF LABOR ANY REPAIR $100 AND UP

With this ad.

Spend over $250 and get a FREE Oil Change and still qualify for discount!

248.258.7000

Creating chemistry one home at a time.

Ray Bazzi – Owner

Lynn Wiand has been dedicated to helping her clients achieve their homeownership dreams. Whether you’re planning to buy or build a new home, or refinance your current mortgage, let Lynn and Chemical Bank help you find the loan option to fit your needs.

r.bazzi@sbcglobal.net

• All Automotive Repairs Certified Mechanics

Subject to approval.

• Towing Available

(M-Sat 8am-8pm)

Join the many homeowners who have relied on Lynn’s committed service. Contact Lynn today!

• Emergency Towing Available

Cole St.

rd

a Woodw

Lincoln Ave. 14 Mile Rd.

36

Lynn Wiand VP | Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS #394920 T: 248.228.4805 Lynn.Wiand@ChemicalBank.com ChemicaBank.com/LynnWiand

15 Mile Rd. Eton

Adams

WE SELL GOOD USED CARS WITH WARRANTY

2330 Cole Street Birmingham www.bnrcars.com

WE BUY AND SELL USED CARS! DOWNTOWN

06.19

“New York and San Francisco have become very unaffordable for many, and Detroit now has grown to offer a lot to people,” attorney Matthew Bower pointed out. “There's quality of life. Those cities are hard to live in; they're expensive. There's great access to other metropolitan cities if you still want that access to them, and there's access to northern Michigan, as well.”

Support for startups is increasing in the metro area, both from the private and public sector and from universities.

Ara Topouzian is executive director of Michigan Venture Capital Association, a statewide trade organization of venture capitalists, service providers and some economists.

“The purpose of venture capital firms is they're seeking out entrepreneurs and startups to give them help they can't get from banks, with seed money and startup money,” Topouzian explained.

“What they bring to the table is their expertise running businesses, and they also often have some ownership interest (when they invest).”

The organization does not recommend venture capital firms, but has produced a guide on their website that allows firms and startups to look up members, many located in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Grand Rapids, and understand what their preferred industry is, and when they like to fund, from early stage investment to later on.

“Many of our venture capital firms are investing in life science, IT development, software development and medical devices,” he said.

Level One Bank, which is a small business oriented bank “champions the entrepreneurial spirit,” said chief financial officer Dave Walker. “We're all dealing from the point of view as small business owners/entrepreneurs ourselves,” he said of he and his fellow bankers.

Walker met Venture for America (VFA) fellows in Detroit in 2013, and quickly became captivated with the startup culture burgeoning in Detroit.

“VFA is similar to Teach for America, with college grads paired with small companies and startups in cities on their way back up,” he recalled, noting Detroit was then one of six cities in its program, begun by original CEO Andrew Yang, now a Democratic presidential candidate.

He said he saw many of the VFA fellows then begin their own startups in Detroit. “These are very entrepreneurial, committed people.”

That catapulted him and the bank to sponsor a TechWeek Pitch Competition at Ford Field in 2015, have tech meet ups in Ann Arbor with Duo Security and work with Ann Arbor Spark as well as to meet Bamboo Detroit, a shared workspace in Detroit.

“Our management team loved the pitch competition and saw a lot of great companies,” Walker said. “We then opened a branch office in downtown Detroit – we're co-located in the J.C. Madison Building with Bamboo Detroit.”

Recently, they're working to partner the Birmingham Angels, a startup community in Birmingham, similar to Ann Arbor Spark, as an accelerator to get more healthcare companies involved.

“To see all of these folks so passionate about their ideas, and work so hard to get them to the marketplace keeps you young as you help them,” Walker said, noting Level One Bank's board is comprised of entrepreneurs and business leaders. “I don't always understand the tech, but I understand a good idea and I want to help.”

Private entities are not the only arena for assistance for startups – universities and government grants are a potent area of research and collaboration.

K

elly Sexton is the associate vice president for research, technology transfer and innovation partnership at University of Michigan. “At University of Michigan, we're focused on ensuring the research, the development and the nurturance of technology and

discoveries,” she said, placing a value of $1.55 billion on these activities.

“We work to make sure those new technologies and discoveries are commercialized and in ways that maximize societal benefits,” Sexton said.

Her office works to mentor early state commercialization teams and startups, both for teams at University of Michigan as well as to offer mentor teams at other public universities in Michigan, “because we're interested in growth. Because we're a public university, we're concerned with helping the community throughout Michigan. We're concerned with helping startups with a home base in Michigan, that can create jobs and diversity the economy in Michigan.”

S

exton explained that they do that by mentoring startups teams at their earliest point – between graduate students and professors in order to maximize their research.

“We're really creating a vibrant tech startup culture,” she said.

How vibrant?

As of fiscal year 2018, U-M had launched 21 startups, a number of which were in the medical tech space.

At Michigan State University, officials there are administering Advance Grant, a program through Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Rich Chylla, executive director of Michigan State University Technology, said Advance Grant is a “translational research grant. The idea behind it is to taken an invention or research, and to take money which will take it to a productive, commercial path. The money can let them make a prototype or research an idea further.”

While he and Ann Spalding, MSU Advance Grant program manager, administer the grants, any Michigan public university can apply.

“Even though they're small amounts of money, they can help determine if they have commercial viability,” Chylla said.

As part of the grant process, the applicant must discuss “how the money will move the needle, how it will work in the real world. It must be directed toward a commercial outcome,” he explained.

“Translational is key – from the research lab to a commercial outcome.

It won't be commercial when the grant is done, but it must show that it is moving in that direction. These small grants can help show the potential and show a company its marketability.”

He said one grant is in the early stage for a human or veterinarian drug, and is in early stage clinical trials.

Advance Program is just in its second year, but Spalding said it has received about 20 applicants each year.

“Technology that's received this kind of money is twice as likely to eventually get licensed by a company or become part of a startup,” Chylla said. “If we have a really interesting technology, an existing company may get a license from the university to get a patent or develop it further. Or, if a technology we think is interesting or is positioned to incorporate it, we can form a startup to license it from the university.”

Funding is provided as 50 percent from Michigan Economic Development Corporation and 50 percent from the university grant making the proposal.

“We're seeing many people bringing softwares to the market,” Sexton said. “It's helping create the growth of tech clusters to Ann Arbor's downtown. If you remove the restaurants from town, you would see many of the basements and upstairs are filled with startups.

“When you have the acquisition of Duo Security for $2.3 billion, it says to the world that Ann Arbor has arrived – that the region can launch, nurture and grow jobs.”

As for southeast Michigan, “We've stuck to our knitting, and our knitting is innovation,” Congresswoman Haley Stevens said.

JU ST LIS TE D

JU ST LIS TE D

JU ST LIS TE D

CHIC, MOVE-IN READY

DESIGNER Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN RETREA AT

Birmingham | 6288 W Wooodland Street BR 4 | BATHS 4.1 | SF 3,650 $1,599,000

Birmingham | 1492 Pierce Street BR 4 | BATHS 3.1 | SF 2,800 $725,000

Quarton Lake Estates | 822 Suffield Avenue BR 3 | BATHS 2.1 | SF 2 ,886 $799,000

NE W

NE W

PR IC E

PR IC E

PHENOMENAL 2012 BUILD

STUNNING 11.47 ACRE ESTATE

LOWER LONG LAKE FRONT TAGE

2018 COMPLETE RENOVATION

Bloomfield | 74200 IIn nner Circle Drive BR 6 | BATHS 4.4 | TOTAL SF 17,056 $6,499,000

Bloomfield | 1265 Club Drive BR 3 | BATHS 4.1 | TOTAL SF 5,571 $1,898,000

Franklin | 27740 Lakehills BR 4 | BATHS 3.2 | TOTAL SF 5,045 $999,000

HEAR RT OF TOWN

2.25 ACRES ON ENDICOTT LAKE

GRAND TUDOR ON 2.48 ACRES

Birmingham | 5444 W Waallace Street BR 3 | BATHS 3 | SF 1,986 $550,000

City of of Bloomfield Hi Hills | 330 Lowell Court BR 5 | BATHS 5.2 | SF 5,879 $2,795,000

Franklin | 31370 Baffin Drive BR 5 | BATHS 5.3 | TOTAL SF 10,400 $2,950,000

FACES

Sally VanDeMark ally VanDeMark remembers when ice dancing was very, very different from what it is today.

There weren’t any fancy lifts or much acrobatics – it was more like watching two people ballroom dancing together, and contestants were much older than say, Charlie White and Meryl Davis.

It also wasn’t nearly as popular.

“Ice dancing was sort of looked down upon – the stepsister of skating – just because it was older people doing it mostly,” VanDeMark said.

That didn’t stop her from becoming interested in the sport, though.

After years of competing in singles – which she started doing in 1952 – she switched to ice dancing after meeting U.S. ice dancing national champions.

VanDeMark would even compete in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships with her partner William Lincoln in 1961. The Birmingham resident said she only made it to nationals once – and didn’t place – but it’s still one of her favorite ice skating memories.

Her other notable skating memory was when she got her gold medal in ice dancing. Not the kind of gold medal you’re probably thinking of, though.

“It gets confusing because we call it a gold medal when you pass the top levels of the figures or freestyle for dance or pairs,” said VanDeMark, who did just that in ice dancing. VanDeMark believes she was the first person in Michigan to pass all those levels in ice dancing.

“That was such a goal for me from a young level,” she said.

VanDeMark’s skating story began when she was seven-yearsold. After seeing Sonja Henie – a Norwegian ice skater and Olympic medalist – she told her mom that she wanted to do that.

So, she did. VanDeMark’s mom and aunt would shave off the ice rink at a local pond where neighborhood kids played hockey, and one day they saw a girl doing spins on the ice who was taking ice skating lessons in Windsor, where VanDeMark began her training.

From there, she went to the Detroit Skating Club once it opened and continued training with them for years. (The DSC is now located in Bloomfield Township, its home for decades.) She kept skating while she was at Michigan State University, as well.

But then her focus switched to teaching the next generation of skaters.

“I was teaching school and I just wanted to switch over because I loved skating and I wanted to teach that,” she said.

VanDeMark taught skating for just under 40 years all over metro Detroit, in cities like Livonia, Birmingham, and St. Clair Shores. Her first teaching job was at a familiar rink – DSC. Even though she’s since retired that love for teaching is something VanDeMark still has. It can now be found coming through when she attends adult skating sessions at the Birmingham Ice Arena.

“We’re just friendly so they don’t mind if I tell some of their pupils...give them a little tip here and there about what they’re doing,” she said.

VanDeMark may be nearing 80 but she can still be found on the ice at least twice a week. Her knees are giving her some problems, but she doesn’t mind – she’s just happy to be on the ice.

“I like walking into a rink and smelling the ice, seeing it when it’s pristine and empty,” VanDeMark said. “I like to go out and do my figure eight. I can still do a pretty round, traced figure eight...Then I just like to feel the wind and feel myself moving on the ice.”

S

Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Ranked Among The Top 50 KW Teams, World-Wide.

1586 Apple Lane · Bloomfield 6 BEDS | 6.2 BATHS | 5350 SQ FT | $2,399,000

1691 Shipman Blvd · Birmingham 5 BEDS | 5.2 BATHS | 4343 SQ FT | $1,735,000

5635 Wing Lake Rd · Bloomfield 3 BEDS | 5.2 BATHS | 5778 SQ FT | $2,475,000

Experience the difference between an agent and an expert.

118 Waterfall Lane · Birmingham

789 Vinewood · Birmingham

4 BEDS | 5.3 BATHS | 5214 SQ FT | $4,995,000

4 BEDS | 3.2 BATHS | 3700 SQ FT | $1,189,000

1840 E Tahquamenon · Bloomfield

2360 Scotch Pine · W. Bloomfield

5 BEDS | 3.2 BATHS | 5577 SQ FT | $1,749,000

.34 ACRES | Bloomfield Schools | $269,900

5420 Lauren Ct · Bloomfield

5653 Shadow Lane · Bloomfield

4 BEDS | 3.1 BATHS | 5577 SQ FT | $1,149,900

7 BEDS | 5.1 BATHS | 7351 SQ FT | $2,450,000

CALL OR TEXT:

248.587.7521 renee@reneeacho.com | www.reneeacho.com

Follow us on Social Media

Luxury Real Estate. Redefined.

Magnificent Custom Built Orchard Lake Lakefront Masterpiece $5,500,000 NG

I ND

PE

Luxurious Custom Built Home Designed by Alexander V. Bogarets $2,499,000

European Inspired Estate Near Cranbrook $2,350,000

210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.928.4224

Luxury Real Estate. Redefined.

Architectural Masterpiece with over 15,000 sq ft in Turtle Lake $10,550,000

Exceptional Elegance situated on 2.3 Acres on Lake St. Clair Shores $7,000,000

Brand New Construction in Exclusive Heron Bay $2,999,000

All Sports Upper Long Lake Lakefront in Gated Community $2,850,000

Fabulous Corner Penthouse in the Heart of Downtown Birmingham $2,275,000

Gorgeous Custom Built in Quarton Lake Estate $1,799,000

210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.928.4224

Luxury Real Estate. Redefined.

A Refreshing Take on Timeless Design Located in North Wabeek $1,650,000

Spectacular Custom Built Home in Desirable Carillon Hills on ~1 Acre $1,599,000

Incredible Former Frankel Model in Exclusive Heron Bay $1,499,000

Meticulous and Spacious in Desirable Chestnut Run $1,299,000

Beautiful Views of All Sports Cass Lake Lakefront on over 2.5 Acres $1,175,000

Downtown Birmingham Overlooking Barnum Park $1,099,000 or $8,000/MO

Classic Bloomfield Village Colonial on a half Acre Corner Lot $899,000

Private Enclave in the City of Bloomfield Hills $899,000

Beautiful Custom Built Colonial in Desirable Chestnut Run $799,000

NG

I ND

PE

210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.928.4224

Luxury Real Estate. Redefined.

Georgian Colonial Situated on an Exclusive Enclave of Chelsea Park $1,399,000

Spectacular All Sports Commerce Lake Lakefront Home $1,399,000

Brand New Construction

by Sapphire Homes $1,299,000

Beautiful Estate sitting on a Serene Setting in Heron Woods $975,000

Architectural Masterpiece with over 6,000 sqft of Luxurious Living Space $975,000

Desirable North Wabeek with over .5 Acres $925,000

Contemporary Home in Chambord Villas with Bloomfield Hills Schools $775,000

Bloomfield Pines Former Builder's Model $668,000

Pine Bluff Estates with Pine Lake Privileges $650,000

210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.928.4224

248.259.3544 mobile 248.590.0800 office erin@erinkdewald.com erinkdewald.com

695 ToTTEnham road | Birmingham 2508 sq. ft. / 4 bed / 2.1 bath a stately Colonial privately tucked in desired Poppleton Park neighborhood on an oversized lot. a grand foyer entry leads into an elegant formal dining and living room. Updated kitchen with granite island, custom cherry cabinets and updated appliances. Kitchen opens to eat in breakfast area and family room with charming built ins. both kitchen and family room flow to the brick paver patio to enjoy the spacious yard. all new windows with transferable warranty. Newer roof. Newer furnace/aC and newer h2O. Living room with wall to ceiling windows and natural fireplace. all hardwood floors throughout. beautiful custom moldings, built-ins shelves and cabinets. 4 spacious bedrooms with ample closet space. finished basement with newer carpet and plenty of storage. attached 2 car garage. Property feels like your in Northern Michigan but close to downtown birmingham amenities!

3955 LahsEr road | BLoomfiELd hiLLs 6,000 sq. ft / 5 bed / 6.2 baths Presenting a stately colonial estate overlooking prestigious bloomfield hills Country Club's Golf Course. this stunning home has been completely renovated and designed to perfection. this home features a custom gourmet kitchen. first floor master suite with luxurious master spa inspired bathroom. his/her walk in closets. family room with custom builts/moldings/trim/ fireplace overlooking pool, wrap around deck, patio and golf course. elegant spacious dinning room. first floor laundry. all bedrooms are suites. finished lower level features a new kitchen, basketball court, gym, wine cellar. beautifully renovated pool with flagstone patio, custom pergola. situated on almost two acres. designed and renovated to incorporate views of the golf course and the open layout is perfect for entertaining!

1101 nakomis TraiL-inidanwood LakE | LakE orion 3,195 sq.ft / 4 bed / 3.1 baths a private estate situated on a secluded peninsula overlooking Indianwood Lake! a true masterpiece built with quality, custom details and a floor plan incorporating views of the lake from every room. a spacious gourmet kitchen with all new appliances, custom cabinets, large island and viking stove. a spacious breakfast room with a bay window overlooking the brick paver patio leading to the lake. a hickory ash wood library with leaded doors and bar refrigerator for entertaining. a luxurious master suite with a marble spa inspired master bathroom, a custom walk in closet and a cozy area to enjoy the views of the lake. a beautiful living room with stone fireplace and french doors leading to patio. New roof/gutters, new aC, new boiler, added insulation, ample storage, first floor laundry/mudroom, 2.5 car heated garage.

1530 n. cranBrook | BLoomfiELd hiLLs 5765 sq ft. / 6 bed / 6.2 baths a private estate situated on over one acre in bloomfield Village. elegant charm, custom details, timeless features are incorporated with modern updated amenities for todays living lifestyle. the entry leads into a beautiful spacious living room with limestone fireplace, beamed coffered ceilings, detailed wainscoting and french door leads to the estate sized yard and pool. a newer gourmet kitchen incorporates a large marble island, custom cabinets, elite ss appliances, large breakfast room with gas fireplace also overlooking yard and pool. this home has been updated with refinished dark hardwood floors throughout. the home incorporates dual staircases, 1st master suite-steamed shower and heated floors.formal study/office, second floor bonus/living room. this estate has been professionally landscaped within last year.3 new ac units. Recently painted exterior. basement includes a work out room, bedrooms/bath.full house generator. a rare opportunity to buy one of bloomfield hills landmark estates.

543 E LincoLn | Birmingham 2850 sq ft / 4 bed / 3.1 bath absolutely exquisite architectural masterpiece in downtown birmingham. solar powered operated home=no electric bills. 3 zoned furnace-each floor energy efficient. solid red oak skeleton staircase encased in glass walls.

Gourmet chef kitchen with 48" Capital Culinarian range, quartz counters, large island, elite appliances. anderson eagle Windows. soaring ceilings. Lauzon absolute wood flooring throughout. 10 ft ceilings in Great room/dining area/office. Oversized lot. sprinkler system. Zero maintenance building materials-aluminum roof, gutters, downspouts, railings, commercial brick siding. extra width and height in garage. daylight windows in basement. tankless h20. 2nd fl laundry. spa infused Master bath with steam shower-CIOt tile. expansive back patio with gas grill line. Led lighting throughout. 21 seer aC.

210 s. Old Woodward ste. 200 | birmingham, MI 48009

FLUORIDE FIGHT DESPITE HEALTH BENEFITS, GROUP OF SKEPTICS CLAIMS POSSIBLE HARM

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

C

hances are that if you were a dentist in the early part of the 20th century, the majority of your work involved pulling teeth or fitting folks for dentures, with roughly half of all Americans having dentures by the age of 55.

By the year 2000, about nine percent of adults age 4554 had lost all their teeth, down from 20 percent in 1960, according to the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Today, the largest factor in reducing tooth decay is the use of fluoride, both in toothpaste, varnishes and in the water we drink.

First introduced in 1945 in Grand Rapids, today more than 70 percent of the nation's public drinking water is now fluoridated, leading the CDC to name fluoridation of water one of the greatest achievements in public health in the 20th century.

“Water fluoridation is the best method for delivering fluoride to all members of the community, regardless of age, education, income level or access to routine dental care,” according to the American Dental Association. “Fluoride's effectiveness in preventing tooth decay extends throughout one's life, resulting in fewer – and less severe – cavities. In fact, each generation born over the past 70 years has enjoyed better dental health than the one before it. That's the very essence of the American promise.”

Despite the health benefits of fluoridation, there has been a vocal group of skeptics who believe fluoridation may be more harmful than good. ardy Limeback, a retired dentist and former head of Preventative Dentistry at the University of Toronto, was one of 12 scientists in North America chosen to serve the National Academy of Science's committee that produced the “Fluoride in Water” report in 2006. While the report supported the use of fluoride in water, Limeback said he has since changed his mind.

“I was mistaken,” he said. “It became clear to me that even at low chronic daily intakes of fluoride, such as those provided by fluoridation, susceptible and vulnerable groups of the population can experience ill health effects.”

Limeback said research shows water fluoridation accumulates in bones in adults to high levels at which bone is at risk of fracture. Further, he said significant and severe dental fluorosis – a condition marked by stained and pitted teeth – is a potential for children, especially when fed infant formula made with fluoridated water.

Other claims from water fluoridation opponents range from those based on solid scientific research to political conspiracies that fluoridation was introduced as part of a Communist plot to control the United States population. Such wild conspiracies were even included in the 1964 black comedy, Dr. Strangelove: “Mandrake, have you ever seen a commie drink a glass of water. … Do you realize that fluoridation is the most monstrously conceived and most dangerous communist plot we have ever had to face,” character Brig. Gen. Jack Ripper said in the film.

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lowered the recommended optimal level of fluoride in drinking water to prevent tooth decay from 1.2 milligrams per liter to .7 milligrams per liter, or .7 parts per million (ppm).

The change, the first since it was issued by the department in 1962, was recommended because people now have access to more sources of fluoride, such as toothpastes and mouth rinses, than they did when water fluoridation was first introduced.

The lower standard has provided more fuel to the fluoride debate, which has been discussed in one form or another since it was first added to public drinking water systems.

Take, for instance, truther Alex Jones with the website Info Wars who has made outlandish claims about water fluoridation: “What do you think water is? It's a gay bomb, baby,” he has said in regard to fluoridation.

While such beliefs are often disregarded as fringe conspiracies, they also provide a disservice to legitimate research regarding fluoride and its potential health effects.

In the United States, the most common issue associated with excessive fluoride exposure is a dental condition known as fluorosis. The condition, which can cause small white spots in mild cases, and pitting and dark stains in more rare cases, is caused by excessive exposure to fluoride as a child. Such levels are related to naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water sources, and not those related to water fluoridation.

As excessive amounts of fluoride does indeed have detrimental health impacts – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets a maximum contaminant level of fluoride in drinking water at four ppm.

However, the department has said that level is being reviewed and may be lowered in the future.

The EPA also maintains a “non-enforceable” secondary standard for fluoride of two ppm, which is recommended to protect against moderate and excessive fluorosis. Levels above four ppm may lead to crippling skeletal fluorosis, a condition that is characterized by pain and tenderness of major joints.

“In some countries, it has been considered a risk to public drinking water, but in most of the United States there hasn't been much concern,” said University of California San Francisco Professor Howard Pollick, who chairs the California Fluoridation Advisory council and is a national expert on the issue. “About half of the population – it varies from place to place – will drink and cook with (fluoridated) tap water and make beverages with

H

tap water. And it's not just drinking water, it's also cooking and having food processed that conveys a benefit. Small concentrations of fluoride really do make a difference.

“In terms of what we know and what's credible and what isn't – I love working with the internet, but the internet is replete with information, or disinformation, on fluoridation, vaccinations and other issues. And we see that people are susceptible to information they get from friends and the internet. It's a constant struggle.”

One of the largest and most outspoken anti-fluoridation groups on the internet is the Binghamton, New York-based Fluoride Action Network (FAN). The group's website has a wealth of information, including both generally accepted studies, as well as more outlandish claims, such as the premise that fluoridated water may have exacerbated the lead water crisis in Flint.

For instance, a 2016 article on the site stated that fluoride can be corrosive, which in itself is credible. However, the article failed to distinguish water with fluoride at one ppm or less and extremely high levels of fluoride that may be used in an industrial setting. Omitting this important distinction, the article said fluoridation programs are “adding fuel to the fire of America's lead crisis, in Flint and beyond” – never mind the fact that Flint's water had been fluoridated for decades prior to the lead crisis that was caused by the city's failure to provide an anti-corrosive measure in its water after switching from the Detroit water system as a provider.

The FAN story also referred to high lead found in children's blood in six other Michigan cities, which coincidentally fluoridate their water. The article failed to mention that most, if not all, of those levels reported by the MHHS have been linked to lead paint.

Still, in speaking with FAN Executive Director Paul Connett, he said his concerns are based on research that had been accepted by reputable science journals and experts in the field.

“The most immediate concern is for the impact of fluoride on the thyroid gland, which in a pregnant mother could impact a baby's IQ,” he said. “That's a big issue that should have been understood before fluoridation started.”

Connett said the issue may or may not be the cause of lowering IQs cited in more than 50 studies that found lowered IQs in villages with high levels of fluoride. He also cited a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study released in 2017 that found a strong association of fluoride exposure as measured in the urine of pregnant women.

“They measured those levels and IQ, and they found that as the fluoride level went up, that IQ went down, by about five to six IQ points,” he said. “On an individual level, that's not a huge amount, but what that means on the population level is incredibly important.”

To better understand the sources of fluoride and its relationship to human health, it's helpful to understand the origins of its use as a health benefit.

While the first city in the United States to implement fluoridation was Grand Rapids in 1945, the story of fluoridation began nearly 50 years earlier with a condition dubbed Colorado Brown Stain. ccording to the National Institutes of Health, dentist Frederick McKay opened a practice about 1901 in Colorado Springs. It was there that McKay discovered natives of the city suffering from permanent brown stains on their teeth, the color of chocolate. After studying the condition with others, it was discovered the condition developed before permanent teeth had fully grown in, and that the affected teeth were oddly resistant to tooth decay. The condition was linked to the water supply, but it wasn't until 1931 when a researcher at ALCOA discovered the water had high levels of naturally occurring fluoride.

The findings eventually led researchers at the U.S. Public Health Services to look into fluoride and its impacts on tooth enamel. By the late 1930s, researchers with the National Institutes of Health learned that levels of up to one ppm in drinking water caused only mild fluorosis in a small percentage of people.

Building on the previous findings, researchers hypothesized that low levels of fluoride would help fight tooth decay. In 1944, the Grand Rapids City Commission was approached and approved testing the idea with the city's water supply, under the guidance of the Public Health Services, the Michigan Department of Health and other public health organizations.

Starting in 1945, fluoridation in Grand Rapids was to be tested for 15 years, with the city of Muskegon serving as the control city. The researchers monitored almost 30,000 schoolchildren during the study. After 11 years, it was found that cavity rates had dropped by more than 60 percent, marking a giant scientific breakthrough.

A

Pollick of University of California said the initial studies established the scientific evidence that an optimum concentration of fluoride to prevent cavities was about one ppm, while communities with more than two ppm would have a portion of the population with severe forms of dental fluorosis.

“It's a very fine line between one ppm and two ppm. A very small amount would be a big difference,” he said. “Usually, fluoride is found in rocks with phosphate and calcium or aluminum. It's not usually found by itself, so those rocks can be a source for that and other things.”

Going back to studies that correlate loss of IQ to fluoride exposure, proponents of fluoridation say those changes have been shown, but ring true in areas where fluoride levels are particularly high.

“Fluoride in the wrong amount can be toxic, but the concentration we are talking about to demonstrate toxicity is much higher,” said Carlos Gonzalez-Cabezas, a professor with the University of Michigan School of Dentistry who serves as director of the school's Global Initiatives in Oral and Craniofacial Health, and has specialized in research involving fluoride.

“It's not surprising. It was used in rat poison decades ago, so it's not surprising that there's a need for continued research, as there could be populations that are more susceptible to it. But that's not just with fluoride, that's with anything, especially young ones.”

Gonzalez-Cabezas said there has been research from China and Mexico that have shown high concentrations of fluoride can reduce IQ, but it isn't comparable to levels in the United States.

“Most teens may have dental fluorosis, but there's no influence other than aesthetically, and you can only see it with a microscope. You can have more advanced levels with pits in the surface of the tooth, but that usually doesn't happen in the United States. Usually, that's in Mexico or other areas where they are drinking from wells with high concentrations of fluoride, maybe four ppm or eight ppm,” he said. “In China, they had levels so high from the consumption of fluoride that bones and joints will deform. We don't see that in the U.S. In those cases, they were drying vegetables with coal and it had a lot of fluoride, and that was only a percentage of the community. There were some that are more genetically susceptible than others.”

While the issue should continued to be studied, he said fluoridation in the United States still remains a great health benefit and should be continued.

“Fluoridation, personally, the importance today is most for people from people from lower socioeconomic groups, and the least for those from higher groups,” he said.

As results of the early studies from Grand Rapids were released in the late 1950s, other cities began following suit and fluoridating their water. heryl Porter, chief operating officer of the Great Lakes Water Authority, formerly the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), said records show the city started fluoridating water in 1967, two years after a Michigan Supreme Court ruling on the issue. However, with the court case being decided in 1965, it's certain the issue was being discussed around dinner tables years prior.

“The 1965 Michigan Supreme Court ruling that the DWSD got started with the idea of adding fluoride to water. It was based on that legal precedent,” Porter said.

The case, Rogowski v City of Detroit, went before the Michigan Supreme Court in June of 1964 and was decided in January of 1965. At the time, about two-thirds of the state's 18 major cities were drinking water that contained supplemental fluoride, or roughly 1.25 million people.

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Detroit resident Frank Rogowski and others against the city of Detroit, the city's board of water commissioners, and the Detroit Board of Health to stop the fluoridation of the city's water, as outlined in a city ordinance calling for the fluoridation of water. The city contended that under its policy, pursuant to its police power to promote public health, it could institute fluoridation into the city's water supply.

Arguments by the plaintiffs echo some of the same concerns about water fluoridation that are used today. Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed the city council had no authority to enact the ordinance; that the ordinance violates a statute forbidding the wholesale treatment of children by health officers other than to control epidemics of infectious disease without written consent of parents; that the ordinance isn't a reasonable exercise of the city's police power, there wasn't evidence to prove fluoridation can reduce tooth decay, and that fluoridation can harm the teeth of children; that the ordinance violates privacy rights of a person to choose what medications they will take; that the ordinance is an attempt

C

to subject people to a scientific and medical experiment without their consent; that fluoridation is wasteful and uneconomical; and that the objective of reducing tooth decay could be done by other means, such as educational campaigns.

In deciding the case in favor of the city, the court cited a United States Supreme Court ruling involving a law in Massachusetts that made it a criminal offense for anyone over the age of 21 to refuse to comply with a city board of health requirement to be vaccinated for smallpox at public expense. In that case, the defendant was on trial for refusing the vaccination. In doing so, he claimed vaccinations were injurious and officials had no scientific evidence vaccinations actually preventing smallpox.

“There are manifold restraints to which every person is necessarily subject for the common good,” the US Supreme Court said in the previous case. “On any other basis, organized society could not exist with safety to its members. Society based on the rule that each one is a law unto himself would soon be confronted with disorder and anarchy. Real liberty for all could not exist under the operation of a principle which recognizes the right of each individual person to use his own, whether in respect of his person or his property, regardless of the injury that may be done to others.” he state court also cited the federal court's ruling in that a consensus of the majority of the public and medical professionals is weighted more than opinions of some others: “It must be conceded that some laymen, both learned and unlearned, and some physicians of great skill and repute, do not believe that vaccination is a preventative of smallpox.

The common belief, however, is that it has a decided tendency to prevent the spread of this fearful disease and to render it less dangerous to those who contract it. While not accepted by all, it is accepted by the mass of people, as well as by most members of the medical profession. … The possibility that the belief may be wrong, and that science may yet to show it to be wrong, is not conclusive; for the legislature has the right to pass laws which, according to the common belief of the people, are adapted to prevent the spread of contagious disease.”

The Michigan court then applied the same argument to fluoridation, as beneficial to prevent cavities.

“It is true that the smallpox disease involved in that case is infectious or contagious while dental cavities is not,” the Michigan court said.

“Plaintiffs cite no cases to the effect that that element is essential to the power of the state to adopt or enforce regulations designed to protect or improve public health.”

Porter said while the DWSD has fielded concerns about fluoridation, she hasn't heard any since the formation of the Great Lakes Water Authority.

“We do have pushback on occasion,” she said. “I think the last one was concern about cancer. We probably had that conversation once over the past 10 years, while it was still under the DWSD.” Porter said the water system conducts the fluoridation process using fluorosilicic acid. Other fluoridation methods utilize either sodium fluoride or sodium fluorosilicate. The process is done at the end of the water treatment process as a “post chemical.” She said lowering the amount from one ppm to .7 was an easy adjustment. However, any lower concentration would be difficult, and wouldn't likely offer a health benefit.

“It won't achieve its goal if we go below .5 ppm,” she said. “From an equipment standpoint, if it got lower, we would have to look at a capital investment to get much lower and be effective. With any mechanical equipment, there is an optimal operating level so we would have to shrink the system to go below .7 ppm.”

Porter said the system did lower the level from one ppm to .7 ppm in 2011, about four years prior to the recommendation. That decision was under the guidance of the DWSD Board of Water Commissioners.

According to 2012 records from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, about 13 communities tested in Michigan had fluoride levels above one ppm. All of those communities received their drinking water from ground water sources, but underwent a fluoridation process. Those communities included Brown City (1.7 ppm); Charlevoix Township (1.7 ppm); Garden (1.7 ppm); Millersburg (1.6 ppm); Onaway (1.6 ppm); Akron (1.6 ppm); Petoskey (1.56 ppm); Vassar (1.3 ppm); Richmond (1.2 ppm); Otisville (1.1 ppm); Lake City (1.1 ppm); Columbiaville (1.1 ppm); and Capac (1.1 ppm).

Community water systems at or below one ppm and above .7 ppm included: Caro (one ppm); Cheboygen (one ppm); Beecher Metropolitan District (one ppm); Boyne Falls (one ppm); Dryden (one ppm); Clifford, Armada, Memphis, Morenci, Stockbridge (.9 ppm); Marlette (.87 ppm);

T

Pigeon (.81 ppm); Sebawing, Reading, Knorwood Knolls Subdivision in Oakland County, and Deckerville (.8 ppm); and Old Farm Colony in Oakland County (.73 ppm).

Oakland County communities that implement water fluoridation and tested at .7 ppm included: Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, South Bloomfield Highlands, South Lyon, Rochester Hills, Pontiac, Rochester East, Pleasant Ridge, Orchard Lake Village, Novi, Oak Park, Orion Township, Milford, Huntington Woods, Hazel Park, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Commerce Township, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Berkley, Beverly Hills, West Bloomfield, Walled Lake, Wixom, Southfield, Sylvan Lake, Troy and the South Oakland County Water Authority.

Only two Oakland County residential areas that implement water fluoridation tested below the recommended .7 ppm amount, including Cass Lake Subdivision (.66 ppm) and Long Lake Village Subdivision (.6 ppm).

Oakland County communities with naturally occurring fluoride in their water and the amount tested included: Holly (.53 ppm); Oakland Hunt (.5 ppm); Orion Lakes (.5 ppm); South Highland Township Water Authority (.2 ppm).

Oakland County residential systems and communities that don't fluoridate their water and didn't show traces of fluoride in their groundwater included: Franklin Knolls Association; Deerwood Subdivision; Lyon Township; Chateau Cranberry Lake; Cedarbrook Estates; Clarkston Lakes MH Community; Country Estates; Bloomfield Orchard Villa; Oakland Township Southeast; Oak Hill Estates; Oxford; Oxford Township; Northeast Highland Township; Independence Township; Hidden Lake Estates; Highland Greens Estates; Highland Hills of Highland; Shashabaw Meadows; Rochester; Lake Villa Mobile Homes; Laguna Vista Subdivision; Springgrove Estates; Springs/Portsmouth Apartments; Waterford Township; Waters Edge; and White Lake Township.

Rochester Public Works Director Shannon Filerecki said the east side of the city is served by the Great Lakes Water Authority and receives fluoridated water. Residents on the west side of the city are served by the city's groundwater system, which has some naturally occurring fluoride, which tested at .43 ppm in 2017, the latest tests available.

“We have it naturally occurring, and we didn't see a need to supplement it,” she said.

Russ Williams, public works director for Waterford Township, said the community's well system has some naturally occurring fluoride already, but the amount fluctuates from well to well.

“We are showing an average of .44 ppm, and it samples from about .67 to .2,” he said. “It depends on how much we are pumping and how far into the aquifer. The maximum contaminant load is at four ppm, and the recommended value is .7, and we've never exceeded that. Higher fluoride amounts tend to come in the Appalachians. We've never had concerns to remove fluoride because it's been so low.” hile Williams said the township gets occasional inquiries about fluoride, he said there hasn't been hostile receptions because it's a naturally occurring matter. “In some places, there has been a public outcry against it. Our biggest concern is calcium and the hardness of the water. We definitely have some hard water here in Waterford, but that's much easier to handle on the residential level.”

Sandra Sutton, the state's water fluoridation coordinator and a dental hygienist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said few communities in the state have opted to stop fluoridation.

In 2014, Boyne City decided to stop fluoridating its water after one of its city commissioners raised concern after reading about potential issues via internet-based articles. The city commission voted 3-2 to discontinue adding fluoride to the city's water, despite a recommendation by the city's water superintendent to continue fluoridation. In November of that same year, voters reversed the commission's decision with a citywide ballot initiative, with 70 percent of voters voting to reinstate the process.

In 2011, Hartland Township decided to remove fluoride from its water.

The issue was apparently based on budget matters – and not health.

Sutton said in 2011, the city of Mount Clemens decided to discontinue fluoridation.

“They are having talks to reintroduce it,” she said. “It wasn't a vote of the people, but based on the budget and equipment costs. They are having talks to reintroduce it and speaking with the Macomb County Health Department. They are inquiring if there are funds available for

W

equipment. The main question is equipment, and they have to replace it and didn't have the funding to do so.”

Sutton said the only location in Michigan where fluoride is naturally occurring to the point that it is hazardous is in Iron Mountain.

“That's the only spot in Michigan that comes close to exceeding, and it's posted. You can't drink it.”

She said there aren't any locations in Michigan where fluoride is actually removed from the water.

“Fluoride is included in water quality reports. That's required,” Sutton said. “It doesn't fluctuate that much. It could depend on where they are getting water and the temperature of the water.”

Christine Farrell, director of the MHHS oral health program, said while fluoridation materials aren't costly, the equipment is.

“Equipment is always a little more expensive. The material is negligible. In doing the equipment, in a lot of places they have to have a separate area to install it, and probably some physical plant changes.

Mount Clemens had fluoridated for a long time.”

In terms of fluorosis, 2010 MHHS records show that of the 2000 children tested for incidents, only one showed evidence of any mild fluorosis, Sutton said. till, there remains concerns about fluoridation of water in and around the metro Detroit area. Across the Detroit River, the city of Windsor, Ontario, recently decided it would begin fluoridating its water, after deciding to remove fluoride in 2013. The measure is expected to cost about $850,000. The city shares its water supply with Tecumseh and LaSalle.

Those opposing water fluoridation point to studies that show the rate of dental cavities has dropped in other countries that don't fluoridate their water. However, Pollick, with the University of California, said other countries get fluoride from dental products and other forms, including salt.

“They have fluoridated salts in many countries, the way we have iodized salt. In Germany, you can buy both,” he said. “There are lots of products that are fortified with something, such as milk, bread and orange juice. Why does most of Europe not fluoridate? It's a matter of history. Switzerland was on the forefront of iodized salt, and fluoridated salts. If water was being done, they would get a double dose. There are individual reasons in different countries.”

In the United States, Pollick said, the greatest concerns is with infants and ensuring they don't get too much fluoride. As such, the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend children with developing teeth only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing. Further, infants fed formula made primarily with fluoridated tap water could be at higher risk of fluorosis.

“The Centers for Disease Control recommends that people can mix formula with fluoridated tap water, but if they are concerned, they can alternate with distilled water that wouldn't have fluoride,” he said. “Of course, the recommendation is for all to be breastfed, but not all mothers are capable of doing that.

“I'm much more concerned about those parents who are phobic about fluoride and don't want to provide any. Especially low income families, because they are much more susceptible to tooth decay, for various reasons.”

Despite assurances, anti-fluoridation groups like FAN and others who oppose the process remain unswayed. Connett, with FAN, said he opposes fluoridation at any level.

“I don't believe there is a safe level in water,” he said. “The only safe level in water is zero.”

Meanwhile, while additional research is ongoing, Gonzalez-Cabezas said it's important for people to recognize the difference between systemic fluoride exposure and topical exposure.

“Most of the effect when brushing is topical and is spit out, and there's little controversy about that,” he said. “There could be some. Some people are concerned no matter what. Water fluoridation is one that some more people are concerned about because you ingest it.”

While Gonzalez-Cabezas said there is some mild fluorosis in the United States, the benefit of fluoride in water is evident when looking back several generations, when most adults were toothless by the time they were seniors. Still, he said, it's important to understand the reasons why people are opposing fluoridation, even if the claims aren't as alarming as they seem “Remember, these people are trying to do it for the right reasons,” he said. “They want to live a healthy life, so keep that in mind.”

S

Beauty

(SALON)

by J. Lyle Ltd. 235 Willits Alley Birmingham, MI

$

20 Blow Outs

tuesday through friday

248:: 540:: 0046

FACES Elliot Darvick irmingham native Elliot Darvick was all-in on the mission of San Francisco-based Lyft when first interviewed for a position at the ride-sharing company's offices in California.

“Growing up in Detroit and in an automotive family, I've always been surrounded by cars and transportation, and how to get people from A-to-B, and from B-to-C. I think transportation is in my blood,” he said. “And, I've always been enamored on how technology brings people closer together. Ultimately, that's what Lyft is. You press a button and within three minutes, you're sitting in a car and having a conversation with somebody you have never met before.”

While he didn't land the first job he interviewed for at the company, Lyft later decided to invest heavily in the Detroit market. Now in the midst of a $100 million nationwide investment, Darvick has been heading up operations in Detroit since 2016, where the company is transforming its operations in the city into a permanent hub.

As Lyft's general manager for Michigan and Ohio, Darvick is responsible not only for overseeing operations in the two states, but also for building partnerships in the region that match the goals of the company with the communities it services. So far, those partnerships have included a deal with Belle Tire that allows drivers to receive vehicle inspections, sponsorship of the Detroit City FC soccer team, MusicTown Detroit, the Detroit Department of Transportation and others. Darvick also sought out the Detroit Public Schools Foundation for Lyft's “Round Up & Donate” program, which allows customers to round up their fees to the nearest dollar as a way to donate to a local cause.

“That's a partnership I'm very proud of,” Darvick said. “I was thinking 'what is the most top of mind and greatest need that will ultimately strengthen our city.'”

A graduate of Cranbrook Kingswood High School, Darvick got interested in technology before college. A natural tinkerer, he learned his way around programs like Photoshop and Dreamweaver to create ads while serving on the school's newspaper staff. That led to creating websites for other clients, including a lobbying group in Lansing and a local surgeon. Later, Darvick and a partner formed their own business in Los Angeles, “Unbucket,” a list-sharing program.

“It started with the simple premise that people could share a list of things to do to bring people closer together,” he said. “I founded that with someone who had this passion about connecting people through technology. … that opened my eyes to what it takes to run a business, how to build a team and how to open doors.”

When the doors to Lyft opened for him, Darvick learned to open up to all aspects of the business. To succeed, he ditched his own vehicle in favor of using Lyft himself, as well as asking his wife for permission to use her car to log some hours himself.

“I sold my car about a year-and-a-half ago,” he said. “The idea of our mission is to get people to think differently about personal car ownership and all modes of transportation. I live in metro Detroit, and I want to see if that's possible. For the past year-and-a-half, I've taken a bus or Lyft from Huntington Woods to downtown Detroit.

“I generally don't miss driving. I like having time. Instead of gripping a wheel for an hour a day, I have time to do other things.”

B

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Esme McClear

MUNICIPAL Birmingham bond vote set for August

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham city commissioners approved a resolution to put a parking structure bond proposal in the amount of $57.4 million before voters on the August 6 election at their meeting on Monday, May 6, in order to secure financing for demolition and rebuilding of a new parking structure to replace the N. Old Woodward structure and an extension of Bates Street, the first phase of the Woodward Bates project.

According to the Birmingham city charter, residents must approve a bond vote in order to fund part of the construction of the parking structure.

However, throughout the lengthy discussion, city manager Joe Valentine and commissioners repeated that residents would not be taxed for the costs; rather, the remainder of the costs and repayment would all come from the parking system's reserve funds, and user fees will pay off the debt, as it has for all of the other parking structures in the city.

Immediately prior to discussion of the bond proposal, Valentine stated that initial design work by Woodward Bates Partners had been completed, and introduced the principals, who were at the meeting. The developers, Woodward Bates Partners, LLC, are comprised of Victor Saroki of Saroki Architecture in Birmingham; Paul Robertson of Robertson Brothers Homes in Bloomfield Hills; John Rakolta Jr., of Walbridge in Detroit, and Ron Boji of The Boji Group in Lansing.

The parcel of land, approximately four acres in the city’s central business district includes the current N. Old Woodward parking garage, an adjacent parking lot and adjacent parcels. The project, a public/private partnership between the city of Birmingham and Woodward Bates Partners, will consist of a new parking structure, called building one, that will provide more parking spaces to ease the parking crunch in downtown Birmingham; building two, a five-story building in front of the structure facing N. Old Woodward, where a new RH store is planned to go; an extension of Bates Street that will intersect the development and connect Willits Street to N. Old Woodward; retail stores that will line the parking structure, called building three on the plans; a public plaza with a bridge to Booth Park; a fourdowntownpublications.com

Birmingham preliminary budget presented he preliminary 2019-2020 recommended budget was presented by department heads to the Birmingham City Commission at an all-day workshop on Saturday, May 11, in order to address current and future community needs while balancing service demands and long-term capital requirements.

The total recommended budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 for all funds is $86.2 million, representing a decrease of $2 million, or two percent, from fiscal year 2018-2019, which was $88.2 million.

Fiscally, commissioners were informed by city manager Joe Valentine that the city is in strong economic condition and it continues to experience strong reinvestment in its commercial and residential properties. Fiscal year 2019-2020 will mark the eighth straight year of taxable value growth in the city, largely due to increases in the housing market. Property tax revenue is the single largest revenue source, accounting for 69 percent of Birmingham's general fund revenues, and 47 percent of all city revenues.

Over the past three fiscal years, the city's taxable value has grown by 5.5 percent in 2016-2017; 5.2 percent in 2017-2018; and 6.3 percent in 2018-2019. The recommended budget for 2019-2020 includes a 5.8 percent increase in taxable value with a projected 3.9 increase in 20202021, as “the future of the state and southeast Michigan economy looks uncertain as the U.S. auto makers announced plans earlier this year to limit or cease production of internal combustion cars and concentrate on electric vehicles, SUV’s and trucks,” the budget document stated.

Key anticipated expenditures are $14.4 million for public safety; $8.3 million for engineering and public services; $8.3 million for highways and streets; and $6 million for general government costs. The city is looking at street reconstruction projects, including the Maple Road reconstruction project beginning spring 2020.

Key anticipated revenues are $36 million in taxes; $26.5 million for charges for services; $6.7 million for contributions and transfers in; and $5.2 million for intergovernmental revenue.

The millage is projected at 14.3584 mills, inclusive of city of Birmingham property taxes, Birmingham Public School taxes, state education taxes and Oakland County program taxes.

Pension legacy contributions are projected to increase by $332,030, or 17 percent, for fiscal year 2019-2020 and $238,530 or 10 percent, for fiscal year 2020-2021. Retiree health care contributions are projected to remain approximately the same for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 at $2.9 million, and the city is contributing approximately $1 million more per year than the actuarially calculated contribution based on the valuation that was performed at June 30, 2018.

Water rates are anticipated to remain the same this fiscal year, while sewer rates are anticipated to increase 3.4 percent due to sanitary costs from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the Oakland County Water Resources increasing costs by four percent.

The city's fiscal year begins July 1 and runs through June 30 each year. The budget will come back before the city commission for final approval at a future meeting.

T

story mixed use building in the rear of the property, called building four; and a four-story mixed use building facing Willits Street, called building five, on the current surface lot.

The city of Birmingham will own the parking structure, the public plaza, and the liner building of retail, known as building three. Woodward Bates will enter into a long-term lease (likely 99 years) with the city of Birmingham for building two, the RH

building, and the two four-story mixed use buildings, buildings four and five, which are part of a second phase to be built after the parking structure has been built.

An announcement was made by Saroki that the building that will front N. Old Woodward in front of the new parking garage, known as building two, will become an RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) Gallery store.

“RH has become one of the

DOWNTOWN

primary retailers in America. They are now producing gallery stores, and Birmingham is going to join. Detroit is an important market and they've chosen Birmingham. This is a game changer,” Saroki said. “I couldn't be more excited. This retailer and this brand could not be more complementary to what we are doing.”

RH Chief Development Officer David Stanchuk said he had just travelled from San Francisco – but had grown up in Bloomfield Township as the son of a GM executive.

“The gallery stores are transforming our legacy stores – they're more experiential,” Stanchuk said. “Our strategy is to disrupt and dominate the luxury home market.

We're working to be the premier interior design business in the country.”

He emphasized that they don't believe retail is dead, but that people want to congregate, and they are building inspiring spaces. “We're blurring retail and residential, physical and internet spaces,” he said. “We've done about 20 of these,” including in Chicago, West Palm Beach, and New York City. This will be the only one between New York and Chicago.

The Birmingham RH Gallery will be a five-story building facing Old Woodward with a rooftop cafe and garden with north, south and east views; a wine vault; barista bar; a grand staircase leading to the rooftop and a glass elevator. Stanchuk said that “other luxury brands tend to follow us, are interested in our clientele. We amplify the areas in a beautiful way.”

Commissioner Carroll DeWeese asked why Birmingham and not Detroit.

“We like Detroit – but we like Birmingham. We like the master plan, the residential, the five-story buildings,” he responded. “We think Birmingham is a perfect fit, and from where we deliver furniture, we know this is where our customer base is.”

Their lease on their Somerset store expires at the end of 2021, putting pressure to begin construction and move the Woodward Bates project forward, in addition to the need for more parking in Birmingham.

Assistant city manager Tiffany Gunter said building two was changed to have a 70-foot depth on the revised site plan, rather than its original 50-foot depth.

“Every time we've studied these plans we think we've come up with improvements,” Saroki said, noting 55

LYNN BAKER and DEBY GANNES Hall & Hunter Realtors 2018 Top Listors LYNN +1 248 379 3000 baker@hallandhunter.com

DEBY +1 248 379 3003 dgannes@hallandhunter.com

NEW LISTING ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE 968 ARLINGTON ST | BIRMINGHAM | $3,999,000 Magnificent residence with 10,000+ total finished square feet and every amenity you could imagine. 3 car attached garage AND 2 garage with private apartment above. Secluded yard.

NEW PRICE NEW LISTING 734 WELLINGTON CIRCLE | ROCHESTER HILLS | $844,900

IN-TOWN LUXURY INTOWN LUXURY 411 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE | BIRMINGHAM | $1,150,000

Exceptional light-filled Colonial has floor-to-ceiling windows Almost 2,000 SF of luxury high rise living in this updated 9th and upscale kitchen. Fabulous finished walkout lower level. floor condo with open, airy floor plan. Master suite with exotic Extensive gardens & landscaping. slate bathroom. Two private balconies. 24-hour concierge.

5 Bedrooms | 5.3 Baths | 7029 Square feet

4 Bedrooms | 4.2 Baths | 5964 Total finished square feet

3 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | 1956 Square feet

PRISTINE CONDO

MAGNIFICENT ESTATE

VIEWS OF THE 12TH FAIRWAY

5249 ORCHARD RIDGE | OAKLAND TWP|$1,799,900

4145 E GOLF RIDGE DRIVE| BLOOMFIELD | $750,000

5166 BRECON CT |OAKLAND TWP | $529,900 Pristine condo in well-located Claremont at Oaklands. Open floor plan has 1st floor master suite and volume ceilings.

Granite island kitchen. Oversized 2.5-car garage.

1.44 acre property located in prestigious gated community Views of the 12th fairway at Wabeek Country Club from this sitting high on a hill with private wooded yard. Award winning updated 5 bedroom home with 1500 SF finished lower level.

Lafata kitchen, master suite with sitting area and much more! Beautifully manicured yard/gardens plus water feature.

3 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | 2625 Square feet

5 Bedrooms | 5.2 Baths | 7870 Square feet

5 Bedrooms | 4.1 Baths | 3790 Square feet

NEW LISTING

NEW LISTING

LAKE LIVING

2231 CRYSTAL DR, #25, ROCHESTER HILLS|$289,900

210 CAYUGA ROAD | ORION TWP | $264,900

2949 SHANNON DRIVE | OAKLAND TWP| $664,900 “Up North getaway” on serene .92 acre wooded site, off all paved roads. Perfect for the car enthusiast - has a 3+ heated garage with lift! Extra living space in the finished lower level.

5 Bedrooms | 4.1 Baths | 6,200 Total finished square feet

Shows like a model, with fresh neutral carpet and oversized Lake privileges on Indianwood Lake! Remodeled ranch with molding throughout. Volume ceiling on 1st floor. Large master open floor plan, incredible yard and view of lake. Finished walk out and maintenance-free exterior. suite with sitting area and Jacuzzi tub (one of two).

4 Bedrooms | 3.1 Baths | 1862 Square feet

3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | 2408 Total finished square feet

HALL ANDHUNTER.COM | +1 248 644 3500 | 442 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM

Kensington Church declines school purchase

By Lisa Brody

the original guaranteed maximum price was based on plans with 1,250 parking spaces. After meetings with parking consultants, staff and engineers, they have developed other schematic plans and designs “so we could go to our partners Waldbridge (who will construct the parking garage) with design development drawings.”

He said with the enlarged footprint for RH, that increased the number of underground parking spaces beneath it, and its costs. The plans with three levels of underground parking, seven levels of above ground parking, with 1,277 spaces, would be guaranteed to cost $64,850,346.

Another option would be to remove one level of above ground parking, for 1,153 spots, for a $2.5 million savings, at $62,386,165.

Another option, to lose one level of below level parking, would cut 168 spots, for 1,109 spaces, and could save $3.7 million, for a guaranteed price of $61,133,00 – but it would be below the RFP target of 1,150 parking spaces.

The last option would be to remove all three below grade level parking underneath RH, for a total of 1,195 spaces, for a savings of about $8 million, for a guarantee of $56,781,2013.

In each option, the parking system reserve fund will contribute $10 million.

“It's probably the one we should be considering tonight,” Saroki said of the last option. “We're still above the 1,150 (parking space) target. It's the least complicated and complex. It gives a nice separation between the parking garage and RH. This proposal makes the most sense – it's still 410 cars over the number. It's the best value proposition.”

The bond could be authorized at $50,425,000. Valentine said by requesting a bond approval from voters not to exceed $57,400,000, “it does not require us to issue those bonds but gives us the flexibility not to exceed the $57 million.”

Finance director Mark Gerber said the city can bond for 10 percent of its assessed value, which has a $300 million bonding value. “Birmingham has a lot of capacity,” he said. “We're at four percent of existing bond debt for sewer bonds.”

If approved in August, construction would begin January 1, 2020.

DeWeese objected to asking the largest possible amount “when we may not use it. And tell me why it's

so important to put this on the August ballot when people who are against it will vote, when we have four commissioners up for reelection in November, and many more people will come out to vote.”

Saroki responded that time is money, and if the vote is in November, construction will start later in 2020.

“We have a world class retailer – a bird in the hand, and we don't want to lose that – and I'm afraid we could.

They have to exit Somerset end of December 2021. Their stores are not simple, and they have an extensive interior build out,” Saroki said. “It's very difficult to take down the existing structure.”

“RH is nice, but our goal is parking, and our bond is about parking,” mayor Patty Bordman noted. “It won't help to put off parking. It will only be us further in the hole. The sooner it is replaced, the better.”

“What do we gain by postponing it by three months?” asked mayor pro tem Pierre Boutros.

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked how long RH's lease would be, and if they would have any design input into the parking structure.

Saroki said it is a 20-year lease with six five-year extensions, for a total of 50 years, and they would have no input on the structure.

“I think we've done a very thorough job of studying this. It's been a couple years with lots of open meetings. As an architect, urban planner and designer of cities, I'm very confident we're doing this in a very transparent manner,” commissioner Mark Nickita said.

“Yes, we're doing parking, but to do parking today without putting it into context in today's world would be irresponsible. I've heard a lot of public support about turning this vacant parcel into something positive and gives us more parking.”

Resident Clinton Baller disagreed.

“You're heading for a cliff. You're basing this on a thumbnail sketch that's 24 years old,” he said, referring to the city's 2016 Plan, which recommended the Bates Street extension and development of the site.

Commissioners voted 6-1 to approve the parking bond proposal and ballot language, with DeWeese voting against.

Woodward Bates Partners guaranteed the price of the first phase, with all overages to be paid by them, and they are paying for the cost of the special election in August.

n overflow crowd filled the Hackett Building in Bloomfield Village on Tuesday, May 14, to object to a purchase agreement of the Detroit Country Day School property at 3600 Bradway Boulevard by Troy-based Kensington Church, and in the end, the church withdrew its $2.9 million application to purchase the private school's 3.5-acre Bloomfield Village Campus.

Detroit Country Day School in October 2017 broke ground on a $30million expansion project to combine the junior and lower schools into a single campus on Maple Road, thus eventually leaving the Village Campus vacant near Maple and Lahser roads. Meanwhile, Kensington Church has been renting space from the Birmingham School District for the past decade at nearby Groves High School for Sunday services, said Don Kegley, CEO of Cunningham-Limp Co., which is under contract with both Detroit Country Day School and Kensington Church.

According to Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie, the property is zoned for church or school, with deed restrictions indicating that if the property sits vacant for two years, it can revert back to single family homes.

The church proposed to keep the majority of the historic 36,000 squarefoot building, which was constructed in the 1920s for the Birmingham School District and renovated in 2003 by Cunningham-Limp. Preliminary plans called for razing about 19,000 square feet of two arms built to accommodate classrooms. About 16,000 square feet would then be added to accommodate an auditorium and lobby for services and pre-functions.

Parking would be located to the north of the building. The auditorium would house about 450 people for worship services. Construction costs were estimated to range from about $5 million to $6 million.

Kensington Church currently has six locations. On its website, Kensington Church promotes itself as a church with campuses where “Every week thousands of people across Michigan experience Kensington through campusing. Think of campusing as putting the music, message and mission of Kensington in a box and unpacking it in any of our six locations...Each campus has its own lead pastor, local outreaches, and unique community vibe.”

However, residents in the adjacent Bloomfield Village neighborhood objected to the purchase for a large church. Since Friday, May 10, a petition which was circulated in Bloomfield Village in opposition to Kensington Church, based on concerns of excessive parking incursions into the neighborhood from church services and other events, that the church was landlocked and could not expand beyond its boundaries, garnered over 600 resident signatures.

In addition, Kegley and the village board were presented with a map indicating where residents who opposed the church lived, and those who were neutral lived.

“It was incredible how many residents were opposed,” said Justin Near, who opposed the church.

At a previous village meeting, on April 16, Kegley had said they were doing a traffic and parking study.

“Traffic flow, noise, parking, and off-campus parking – those are the understandable concerns of the neighbors,” Kegley said. “We want to solve those problems. We recognize we won't get unanimous support, but we want to create something that the majority will be happy to have as part of the neighborhood. We want to be transparent and have them be part of the process. The collective determination would be something that would compliment and assimilate into the neighborhood, or it won't. If the community decides they don't want it, we won't build it.”

On May 14, after the presentation of the petition and several members of the public spoke out against it, Kegley announced they were officially withdrawing their application.

After their surprise, the crowd applauded and gave Kegley a standing ovation.

Near said an alternate use idea being considered amongst residents is to purchase the property as a playground/community center. There are approximately 1,080 households in Bloomfield Village, he said, and if each contributed approximately $3,000, they could purchase the property and maintain it.

A

5905 S. Main St, Clarkston, MI 48436

Michigan’s Premier Custom Home Builders

RARE FIND at $535,000 Luxury detached condo on large, private lot in exclusive Pembrooke Park! Gleaming hardwood floors, soaring cathedral ceilings & perfect for entertaining! With First floor master suite!

Jackie Hubler Associate Broker

4316 Orchard Lake Rd. | West Bloomfield, MI 48323

248-245-5874

248.681.9200

Creating Chemistry With A Top Performer.

Let the

Gentlem

Take Ca en Movers re of Yo ur Move !

With 34 years of experience, Tim Smith has been dedicated to helping his clients achieve their homeownership dreams.

As a top producer in Michigan, he can help you find the loan option to fit your needs.

Subject to approval.

Join the many homeowners who have relied on Tim’s committed service. Contact Tim today!

Tim Smith VP | Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS #533266 T: 248.770.3717 Tim.Smith@ChemicalBank.com TimSmithPreApproval.com

248-674-3937

www.changingplacesmovers.com

Lic #: L-21897 58

DOWNTOWN

06.19

Woodward Bates agreement okayed

By Lisa Brody

By a vote of 5-2 at their meeting on Monday, April 22, the Birmingham City Commission approved a non-binding resolution between the city and Woodward Bates Partners, LLC, to proceed forward with the first phase of developing the Bates Street extension and N. Old Woodward parking structure redevelopment.

Assistant city manager Tiffany Gunter said part of the process was to provide a timeline of events going forward, with approval in mid-May to put a bond vote on the August primary ballot.

Attorney Joe Fazio, of Miller Canfield, who had reviewed the development agreement at a workshop meeting the previous week, said revisions had been made to the agreement and plans from the work session. “My presentation tonight focuses on the revisions, and deals with the development of the entire parcels. Key documents will be negotiated as we bring them back to you for approvals. This document does not bind the city.”

He said the principal concern was that the timing was too tight, as well as the scale of the project.

Fazio said they have broken the project and development agreement into two phases, the first, to build the public garage, retail liner which is owned by the city, and building two, which is to be built facing N. Old Woodward abutting the parking garage and above three floors of underground parking.

The second phase, Fazio said, will include the public plaza and buildings four and five, which after conversations with neighboring commercial and existing residents, have been scaled back in size.

“The developer cannot initiate phase two until certain milestones have been reached and are moving forward,” Fazio said, including the demolition of the parking garage and underground parking, improvements to begin the above ground parking, commencement of construction of Bates Street, and commencement of construction of building two, “so the developer has proven its commitment before moving on.

“If the city and developer do not come to an agreement, phase two does not continue,” he said.

Building three is the retail liner downtownpublications.com

Public safety forums on SAD scheduled loomfield Township will hold a series of public forums to answer questions from the public about the proposed Public Safety Special Assessment District (SAD) that will go before voters during the August 6 election this summer.

The forums are intended to allow the public to learn about the proposed SAD and what impact it would have on the community.

Residents are encouraged to attend one of four forums, which will be hosted by Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie.

Four forums are scheduled at the Bloomfield Township auditorium, including those on Wednesday, May 29, at 3 p.m.; Thursday, June 27, at 7 p.m.; Wednesday, July 10, at 3 p.m.; and Wednesday, July 31, at 7 p.m.

The discussion will cover the proposed 2.3-mill tax that is intended to help fund retiree benefits over the next 15 years through the creation of an SAD dedicated to public safety operations. Billed as a public safety tax, the SAD would ultimately shore up unfunded liabilities in the township's Other Post-Employee Benefits (OPEB) trust fund related to retiree costs, such as medical, dental and life insurance costs.

If approved, the SAD would provide about $9 million a year to police and fire operations. The township also would be required to let an existing 10-year millage approved in 2010 expire at the end of 2019, thus eliminating about $4.85 million in current tax revenues. The measure would provide an overall increase of 1.05 mills to public safety, decreasing the township's general fund contribution to police and fire by $1.9 million each year.

The proposal is in response to a 2018 Michigan law intended to ensure local retiree health care and pension plans be adequately funded. Under the new law, the township must ensure at least 40 percent of the OPEB trust is funded within 30 years. Previously, local municipalities were permitted to fund OPEB costs as they came due.

With about $164 million in unfunded OPEB liabilities, the township must develop a plan to fill a $65 million gap over the next three decades.

Savoie will discuss the law that changed the funding requirement, as well as cost cutting moves implemented by the township in recent years; how much taxpayers will pay if the SAD is approved; the impact if it passes or fails; and other related issues.

The meetings will be open forums of questions and answers.

Additional information, including a tax estimation calculator is available at the township's website at bloomfieldtwp.org under “August Election Facts.”

B

along the inside edge of the parking structure.

City manager Joe Valentine said that if the vote for the bond, which will be repaid out of revenues from the parking system, and not by residents or businesses, does not pass, the entire deal goes down.

Fazio said that if phase one does not happen, phase two does not happen.

Commissioner Carroll DeWeese said he was not in favor of the proposed time line, “and I think we are guaranteeing failure if we go forward for a bond vote in August.

We have not seen any details, and in two weeks we're being asked to approve a bond. This whole process is too soon, too fast, too much. I have a lot of discomfort.”

“I feel like I've been involved with

this project for 25 years,” said commissioner Mark Nickita, noting his involvement with the creation of the 2016 Plan, which suggested the Bates Street extension. “We didn't think it would be 25 years. We didn't think about building a new parking deck then. We did a complete urban plan, a parking study. I've talked to a lot of people over the last few months and I only hear positive comments. It's an underused parcel in the center of the city with a parking deck that is falling apart, and we have a parking crisis. It is in accordance with the 2016 Plan, with the parking study, with (planner) Andres Duany's vision and blessing.

I'm comfortable moving to the next step, and I think we can do it by August.”

DOWNTOWN

“This is supposed to be a public/private development, but I think it's weighted for the private developer,” said commissioner Rackeline Hoff. “There are three or four other five-story buildings that will be built in the downtown at the same time – how much disruptions can the downtown take? And bonding – how will this affect our ability to bond for other things – parks, a senior center? It's a beautiful project, but I don't want to do it in a vacuum.”

Valentine said they are also looking at bonding opportunities in the future for roads and parks, and possibly a millage for a senior center.

“I want to underscore the public benefits,” countered commissioner Andy Harris. “The 2016 Plan has been widely successful for the city.

The biggest challenge has been parking. It has been studied exhaustively, and is what we needed. Further, this structure is from 1967, and needs to be replaced. The developer has shown it wants to be a good partner. Staff has said there is adequate time baked into the predevelopment process.”

Commissioner Stuart Sherman cautioned commissioners to take a step back and remember what their charge was, to approve a development agreement that sets a non-binding agreement.

“This agreement does not commit the city or developer to continue the conversation,” Sherman pointed out. “Whether we like or don't like the development, I think we can all agree we should continue the conversation.”

“I could not agree more with commissioner Sherman,” commissioner Pierre Boutros said.

Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve the development agreement, with Hoff and DeWeese opposing.

Misinformation about SAD proves plentiful

By Kevin Elliott

A proposed special assessment district (SAD) tax in Bloomfield Township that would raise about $9 million a year for 15 years is the center for controversy at public meetings and on social media as both those for and against it are crying foul.

Introduced as part of a larger plan to shore up money for some $164 59

Birmingham FootCare Specialists Physicians and Surgeons of the Foot Foot and ankle surgery • • • • • • •

Heel pain Plantar fasciitis Nail problems Neuromas Fractures Bunions and hammer toes Diabetic foot care Spring is here and so are warts, come in now!

New wart treatments available.

Foot and ankle surgery | Cracked heels and fingers Fractures | Orthotics | Ingrown nails | Warts

Laser treatment for nail fungus offered by

w

www.cynosure.com

Improvement in Clear Nails birminghamfootcarespecialists.com DrSchafferInfo@gmail.com

CALL

248-594-3338

million in unfunded liabilities related to retiree healthcare costs and other post-employee benefits (OPEB), the proposed tax would reduce the township's general fund contribution for public safety, in turn freeing up that money for increased payments to the township's OPEB trust fund.

Last December, the township announced it would need to fill a $65 million funding gap over the next 30 years in order to pre-fund the trust fund at 40 percent, as required by a change in Michigan state law. Prior to the change, communities weren't required to pre-fund retiree obligations and were allowed to pay for expenses as they came due.

Bloomfield Township officials said the funding change will result in a structural deficit of $5 million to $7 million in the township's annual budget. In order to stave off major cuts to staff and services, including roughly 10 police officer positions and eight firefighters, the board of trustees in April approved placing the public safety SAD before voters in a special election this August.

While state law doesn't require SADs to be approved by voters, elected officials backing the proposal said voter approval is appropriate because it will direct the township on whether residents support the increase as a means to retain current services or slashing services and programs.

From the start of the discussion, trustees Dani Walsh and Dave Buckley – both of whom voted against putting the SAD on the ballot – have opposed asking for any tax increase, particularly prior to the township making cuts to its budget.

And from the get-go, Walsh has taken issue with the item being billed as a public safety issue because it originates from a benefits funding issue in the making for decades.

Those in support of the SAD say the issue is directly related to public safety, as those employees make up about two-thirds of retirees, and because the largest cuts would come from police and fire staff if the tax isn't approved by voters.

“No matter how many times you continually state this is not a public safety issue, we will state unequivocally it is a public safety issue,” Bloomfield Township Police Chief Scott McCanham and Fire Chief Michael Morin said in a May 9 open letter to Walsh. “Over and above the millage that support police, fire and dispatch, the general downtownpublications.com

McCanham retires; police chief appointed loomfield Township Police Capt. Phil Langmeyer was sworn in on Monday, May 13, as the department's next chief of police, following the planned retirement of Chief Scott McCanham, who has lead the department since April of 2017.

“Due to unforeseen changes – and positive changes – in my life over the past several months, I tendered my resignation with supervisor Savoie three weeks ago,” McCanham said.

McCanham said his retirement comes after recently remarrying and deciding to move closer to his wife's work in central Michigan. While he said he is pursuing an opportunity related to public safety with Central Michigan University, he said his retirement wasn't precipitated by another job opportunity.

“My 31-year career here couldn't have ended any better,” he said. “It's been an amazing career, and I thank you for allowing me this opportunity.”

Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie congratulated McCanham on the retirement and said he nominated current captain Phil Langmeyer to be the next chief. That motion was approved unanimously by the board, with trustee Dave Buckley absent.

“We are happy for you and for what the future holds for you, and we are excited for you,” Savoie said.

Langmeyer is a longtime veteran of the Bloomfield Township Police Department, starting his career as a patrol sergeant and heading nearly all divisions in the department.

Langmeyer has served for the past two years as captain in charge of the department's investigations division. He previously served three years as captain over the patrol division and has served in a supervisorcommand position in all areas of the department, with the exception of traffic sergeant.

“You name it, I've done it here, and with pleasure,” he said.

B

fund puts another $6.67 million into our operations. If the money isn't there, the only way to continue is to downsize our operations.”

While Walsh has said the issue is more of an interpretation of the facts and how the issue is framed, the two chiefs, the township supervisor and other board members have taken issue with the accuracy of statements Walsh has repeatedly made on social media. Those include an inaccurate estimate of what the proposed tax would cost at least one specific homeowner – a mistake Walsh acknowledge she made – as well as the actual amount that could be realized from program cuts.

“Never in our combined 60-plus years of service to Bloomfield Township did we ever think we would need to reply to the totally false statements of an elected official,” the chiefs said in their letter included in the board's May 13 meeting. “In regards to your post, we feel the residents should have the correct facts.”

Walsh, who said she first learned of the letter when she received the meeting packet, said those accusing her of spreading false information

should practice what they preach.

“That's the first time I saw it, it was in this board packet because that's the way things work here,” she said. “I was completely shocked. … I don't do personal attacks, I just show facts. When you tell the truth, you don't need to attack people's character.”

Walsh then pointed out a mistake in the letter from the chiefs, which stated the total savings from potential budget cuts cited in a recent report by public accountants Plante Moran was $6 million to $7 million shy of the amount actually cited in the report.

“Plante Moran came up with $1.4 million in proposed cuts to programs and departments if all of their recommendations were implemented, which include 10 fewer police officers, eight fewer firefighters and outsourcing dispatch, as well as cutting back the general fund contribution to the road department,” the chiefs said in their letter, which should have listed the potential savings at $6.4 to $7.4 million. “When the survey showed these items were not acceptable to the residents the proposed potential

DOWNTOWN

savings came to approximately $600,000.”

Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said the $600,000 in savings wasn't considered as he believes it would negatively impact services that many in the township have come to expect. Further, he said elimination of those services would be felt by residents and do little to fill the overall funding gap each year.

The $1.4 million amount refers to an estimate that Walsh identified and confirmed at an April 8 board meeting with Plante Moran, that could be cut from the budget outside of direct cuts to police, fire and road services. Those cuts include a maximum of $200,000 by eliminating the township's animal welfare department; $400,000 by contracting assessing services with Oakland County; $340,000 by eliminating township programs, such as its support for the Dream Cruise, household hazardous waste collections, gypsy moth control and other programs; and $500,000 in cuts to services and staff that don't include public safety or the road program.

Walsh's response followed a public statement on Monday, May 13, by Savoie, addressing the responsibilities of public officials to put out accurate information when discussing issues as an elected representative of the township.

“There are a number of different things being said by the public and elected officials,” Savoie said at the board's meeting. “Our job as elected officials is to make sure that all the info goes out by this board is factual.

We may advocate one way or another, but when it's put out by the supervisor and this board, it has to be fact.”

Specifically addressing the $1.4 million in savings, Savoie pointed out that the low-end estimate provided by Plante Moran was closer to $1 million. Further, he said some of the measures would have indirect impacts on public safety and roads.

For instance, as also pointed out by Plante Moran, some staff positions identified for cuts provide ancillary support to police, fire and roads, such as maintenance workers and mechanics. When removing those and other items identified by a recent citizens survey as priorities for residents, the potential savings is closer to $600,000.

Ultimately, Walsh claimed the letter was part of a political tactic by Savoie to attack her credibility. She then referred to a 2016 letter signed 61

by 10 Bloomfield Township officials that protested the conduct of former treasurer Dan Devine, who had accused Savoie of kidnapping Devine's daughter and filed a failed whistleblower lawsuit against the township.

“Frankly, I'm disappointed in both of you for condoning this political tactic by signing a letter filled with completely false, inaccurate statements that could have been discussed if you would have sent me the letter, instead of choosing to put it in the board packet to see it as the same time as the public,” Walsh said.

Savoie said his statements and the related letter were only in response to misleading information and not to any particular political position. While he agreed the letter from the chiefs included a wrong amount in total savings, he said it remains that the estimate of $1.4 million in cuts isn't realistic without impacting public safety or roads to some extent.

“When this all emanated, it wasn't by the desire of either chief to publicly address an elected official,” he said, “but when the elected official starts publicly going onto social media and starts posting her position with misstatements, halftruths and mistruths out there, that's where it emanated from. I will just leave it at that.”

Pernoi, Brooklyn bistro licenses

By Lisa Brody

After there were no bistro applicants for 2019 by the first city deadline in October 2018, the Birmingham planning department received two applicants by its April 1, 2019 deadline, for Pernoi and

Brooklyn Pizza, and the Birmingham City Commission unanimously approved moving them both forward to the planning board for full site plan and design review and special land use permit review at their meeting on Monday, April 22.

Planning director Jana Ecker explained that the city commission can issue up to two bistro licenses per year.

“We didn't have any applicants in October. We have two for our second round for April 1st. This is our preapplication presentation,” she said.

“The first applicant is Pernoi, for the Cafe Via space, the other for Brooklyn Pizza, on Henrietta.”

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked why Pernoi was applying for a new bistro license rather than using Cafe Via's, and Ecker said that Cafe Via had been closed for longer than six months, meaning the license had expired. To further questioning, she explained it could not be sold to another location as all bistro licenses are tied to the location for which they are approved.

Luciano DelSignore, representing Pernoi, explained he has been the owner of the high-end Italian restaurant Bacco in Southfield. He said he will be the co-owner of Pernoi, “which will be a contemporary, high-end refined food establishment.”

In its proposal, it explained, “Pernoi will be an upscale French, Italian and Japanese restaurant located at 310 East Maple Road, in the space previously operated by Café Via. The concept is extremely contemporary and the menu will rotate frequently. This new and exciting concept will be operated by two award- winning chefs, Luciano DelSignore and Takashi Yagihashi.

The focus will be on global contemporary cuisine, where Italian

pastas will likely find themselves alongside Japanese noodles. This is unique to the city and the state.

Pernoi will offer dinner and will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and will be open on Sundays and Mondays for special events.”

A preliminary menu shows appetizers which include unique applications to fish, seafood, meat and vegetables.

DelSignore told commissioners the majority of the restaurant would feature “prix fixe food with a bit of a dress code, while the bar area will be a little more casual, a little more neighborhood.”

He noted the outdoor courtyard is “exceptional.” He said they were aware that all-season Isenglass is no longer permitted by ordinance.

Patrick Howe, representing Sam Abdelfatah, owner of Brooklyn Pizza at 111 Henrietta, said, “Since 1996, Brooklyn Pizza has been an institution in Birmingham. Sam wants to expand into Birmingham Geek (195 W. Maple Road), expand to a 10-seat bar, expand the menu, add another entrance on W. Maple, which would be terrific, with an increased emphasis on Italian gelatos and coffees.”

By expanding, they would then have about 60 interior seats and about 40 exterior seats.

Abdelfatah said Brooklyn Pizza and Birmingham Geek share the same building and same owner, and that while Birmingham Geek has a lease until 2020, they are willing to leave early if he is able to do this. He said if approved, he hopes to begin renovations in September and open in October/November.

Howe said there would not be televisions added to the bar as Brooklyn wants to maintain its family atmosphere.”By expanding to

the neighboring space on Maple, it will help activate Maple. A second entrance on Maple will create more foot traffic for the retail businesses along Maple...The bar area will be for dining and socializing.”

The expanded menu includes sandwiches, appetizers, including wings, and more desserts.

“I'm excited about Bacco's chef to come to town and a longtime restaurant expanding,” said mayor pro tem Pierre Boutros.

“In this situation we have an existing restaurant and a new bistro, so we don't have prioritize,” said commissioner Stuart Sherman, explaining that the city can give separate bistro licenses to existing restaurants who have been in the city at least five years, as well as to new proposed restaurants.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to forward both proposed bistro license applications to the city's planning board.

Free valet available at Birmingham's lot 6 Visitors to Birmingham's N. Old Woodward retailers don't have to be inconvenienced by construction at Public Parking Lot 6, because the city is now offering valet parking, with the first two hours free.

The complimentary service began Tuesday, May 7, and will continue through the summer as the parking lot is rebuilt. The service will be offered Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. There is no charge for the first two hours, and then users will be charged $5 per hour after.

There is a valet stand at 660 N. Old Woodward.

artisanal casual-luxe jewelry & accessories 266 E. Maple Road | BarbaraBozBoutique.com

62

DOWNTOWN

06.19

nancykarasrealty@gmail.com 4130 Telegraph Road / Bloomfield Hills / MI 48302 / www.nancykaras.maxbroock.com

Selling at all price points | Lakefront & Luxury Estates | Executive Relocation

248-421-2670

All Star MULTI YEAR

RE DU

PE ND

IN

G

CE D

Results with First Class Service

Raised Ranch Lower Long Lakefront 1299 Porters Lane | Bloomfield Twp | 3,766 SF+ | $1,249,900

SOPHISTICATED 2003 REBUILD! .74 Acre, 640’+ of water frontage, entry lev master, 3.1 baths, 4 beds, 4 car gar, extensive glass, maple/bamboo floors, grand ceilings, open concept, 2 decks, spacious kitchen, built-ins: 2 sub zeros, 2 dishwashers, wine cooler. Lower Long + all sports, Upper Long Lake access. Also available for executive lease. Bloomfield Hills Schools.

MAGNIFICENT LAKE VIEWS and access to 3 lakes! 3,766 SF Ranch on .6 Acre, 140’ lake frontage. 4 beds, huge master suite, exercise room, some hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace, 3 car gar, massive deck, large dock, finished lower level with sauna. Quiet cul-de-sac location. Bloomfield Hills Schools.

PE ND

NE W

IN

G

Tobocman Forest Lakefront on Peninsula 1424 Lochridge | Bloomfield Twp | 4,780 SF | $1,699,000

Clark/Carroll Island Lakefront

Forest Lakefront & Golf Front w/ Walk-Out

5987 Venice | Commerce Twp | $219,900

1371 Club | Bloomfield Twp | $1,299,000

Sharp, Spacious Updated Ranch

PE ND I

NE W

IN PE ND

Curb Appeal, Good Bones

NG

CONDO ALTERNATIVE! GORGEOUS LAKE VIEWS, Prime Golf Course Frontage and access to 3 lakes including Lower Long and all sports Upper Long Lake! .3 Acre, 80' lake frontage. 5 beds, 3.1 baths, vaulted ceilings, updated kitchen, open concept, finished walkout lower level, steps away from Forest Lake Country Club. Bloomfield Hills Schools.

G

ALL SPORTS LAKE, 1.25 Acre Vacant Site on an island, approx 668’ of water frontage!

Breathtaking views and water wrapping all around. Idyllic, private setting, sandy beach. The purchase of the vacant parcel could include a first right to buy 6001 Venice, to own the entire 3 Acre island and existing home.

Charming, Updated Bungalow

212 W Hickory Grove | Bloomfield Twp | $259,900

7264 S Tratham Court | West Bloomfield | $269,900

733 E Chesterfield | Ferndale | $189,900

Open floor plan, vaulted great room ceiling, gas fireplace, 3 season room, circular drive, walk-up lower level to a mostly fenced yard, .52 Acre lot in prime neighborhood, 5 minutes from downtown Birmingham. convenient to shopping, freeways and walking path.

Bloomfield Hills Schools.

Living is easy in this move in ready ranch with attached 2 car garage. 3 beds and 2 full baths. Fireplace in the large living room. One of the largest homes in desirable Franklin Knolls with approx 2,318 SF. Private fenced yard and gorgeous landscaping.

Spacious kitchen with bay window and breakfast nook, cove ceilings, hardwood floors, fenced and gated yard, 3 season room, 1.5 car garage! Finished lower level with new flooring and waterproofing system. Central to freeways and the Urban lifestyle!

COMPLIMENTARY MARKET ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOME • Staging Consultation • Do's & Don'ts Before Selling • Vetted List of Contractors, Handymen, Painters, etc.

• Options for Your Next Home with Comps & Counsel • Professional Photography, Videography & Marketing

Township addresses smoke shops, tattoos The Bloomfield Township Planning Commission on Monday, May 20, will hold a public hearing concerning a proposal to place special requirements on smoke shops, tobacco shops and body art facilities in the township.

The proposal would amend the township's zoning ordinance to require such shops be at least 750 feet from schools, places of worship, public parks, residential neighborhoods and other youthorientated activities. The proposed amendment also would require a 1,000-foot setback between properties requiring special use approval in order to prevent a concentration of those uses in one geographical area.

The township already regulates similar uses, including massage parlors, pawnshops, secondhand dealers, precious metal and gem dealers and other shops and stores.

Bloomfield Township Deputy Director of Planning, Building and Ordinances Andrea Bibby said on Monday, April 15, at the township planning commission meeting that it has been recognized that such uses may have negative impacts on abutting properties as well as the public's health, safety and welfare.

The proposed amendment defines smoke shops and tobacco stores as those dedicated to the sale, distribution, delivery, offering, furnishing or marketing of tobacco, tobacco products and alternative nicotine products, as well as vapor products and tobacco paraphernalia and nicotine products. The amendment clarifies that stores that don't offer the sale of those products as a primary use would not be considered a regulated use, such as grocery stores, convenience stores and similar locations that sell tobacco ancillary to other merchandise.

Body art facility are those that primarily offer tattooing, body piercing, branding and scarification.

The ordinance would exclude from special use regulation procedures that are considered medical by the state medical board or those affiliated with cosmetic surgery, hair or skin implants.

Commission members asked whether the amendment would differentiate jewelry stores or other beauty shops that offer ear piercing.

New commission member Andrea O'Donnell, who attended downtownpublications.com

Township addresses underage vaping, pot rdinances aimed at addressing underage use and possession of vaping products and recreational marijuana were approved on Monday, May 13, by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees.

Bloomfield Township Police Chief Scott McCanham said the two separate ordinances are intended to address shortfalls in state law. The first of the two ordinances addresses tobacco and vapor use by minors.

The second ordinance creates a tiered penalty system for underage use or possession of recreational marijuana.

“For the most part, the new ordinance is dealing with tobacco and vapor and nicotine and alternative nicotine products. It closes a loophole that state law left out,” McCanham said at an April 22 board meeting when the ordinances were introduced. “The next ordinance is a full adoption of Michigan laws regarding marijuana use for those under 21.”

McCanham said the vaping ordinance prohibits use or possession of vaping on school and public property.

Specifically, the ordinance would prohibit use of tobacco and vaporrelated products on school property, including all indoor and outdoor areas regardless of whether school is in session. Violation would be punishable by a municipal civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $100. The proposed ordinance prohibits possession of the products by minors in any public place, including public highways, streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks and other locations.

The tobacco/vapor ordinance would also make it a criminal misdemeanor punishable up to $500 for anyone selling or furnishing those products to a minor.

The second ordinance creates a two-tiered penalty system for minors using or possession of recreational marijuana. First violations of a person under 18 would include a fine of $100, community service and drug education counseling; second and subsequent offenses would include a fine of up to $500 and eight hours of drug education. For violations of those at least 18 years of age but under 21, only fines would apply. Possession of more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana by a person under 21 would carry a penalty of $500 and/or 90 days in jail.

Trustee David Buckley commended the police chief in April for presenting the ordinances and encouraged continued work with community coalitions to educate the public. “(Vaping) is the number one problem our school liaison officers see in Bloomfield Township and in Bloomfield Hills,” McCanham said. “With the increased production of marijuana, the use of liquid marijuanarelated items has also increased.”

The ordinances were unanimously approved by the board at its May 13 meeting, with trustee Buckley absent.

O

her first meeting on April 15, noted the proposed ordinance did specifically exclude ear piercing from being considered a regulated use.

Bibby said there is currently one such tobacco shop in operation in the township. The amendment would require future operations at that location to require approval.

Properties that are unable to meet the requirements of the special use ordinance could request an exception from the township's Zoning Board of Appeals.

The commission voted unanimously to approve a public

hearing on the matter at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 20.

Bloomfield Hills budget focuses on liabilities

By Kevin Elliott

Bloomfield Hills will be increasing its funding for retiree pensions and health care obligations under a three-year budget plan adopted on Tuesday, May 14 by the city commission.

The budget plan, which includes about $10.9 million in general fund

DOWNTOWN

expenditures in 2020, $11.2 million in projected expenditures in 2021, and $11.7 million in 2020, was unanimously approved by commissioners with Mayor Susan McCarthy and commissioner Michael Coakley absent.

The budget, which begins on July 1 each year, retains current millage rates for the next three years, but predicts an increase in revenues each year due to increased home values in the city. Millage rates will remain at 9.5 mills for the city's general fund and at 1.1 mills for local roads. The city's library millage, which is set to expire in 2020, is expected to go before voters in August of 2020 for possible renewal.

That millage is set at .3759, down slightly due to Headlee rollbacks.

Of particular note in the threeyear plan is the city's continued commitment to full-funding of pension contributions and prefunding retiree health care and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) in coming years.

Bloomfield Hills Treasurer Keith Francis said new state law requires municipalities to ensure pension funds are funded at 60 percent of total costs, with the city's level at over 80 percent. He said OPEB is required to be funded at 40 percent, with the city on track to have funding at 38 percent by 2022. He said the city isn't required to submit a corrective action plan for being below the 40 percent mark because annual contributions don't exceed 12 percent of total revenues. Still, he said the city is taking measures to increase both OPEB and pension funding.

"We want to get to that 40 percent, so we plan to provide prefunding for the next three years," Francis said. "Then, when our road rehabilitation projects are done in three years, that's money that can be redirected to OPEB. We are in very good shape right now. There is no issue with the state, and we will provide more in the future."

The budget calls for pre-funding of OPEB contributions of $300,000 in both 2020 and 2021, with a $500,000 contribution in 2022. Pension contributions are also scheduled to increase from $600,000 in 2019 to $1.1 million in 2022.

The budget will maintain a fund balance of 33 percent in 2020 and 2021, with an increase in 2022. The city's internal fund balance policy calls for the unassigned fund balance to be between 30 percent and 35 percent of total expenditures.

63

AMY ZIMMER, ASSOCIATE BROKER TIFFANY GLIME, REALTOR Amy 248.469.6430 azimmer@hallandhunter.com Tiffany 248.930.5656 tglime@hallandhunter.com www.ZimmerGlimeRealEstate.Com

LIVEABLE LUXURY IN A DESIGNER PERFECT HOME

$1,150,000

QUALITY CONSTRUCTION CLOSE TO TOWN

$729,000

1783 NORFOLK ST., BIRMINGHAM | 4BR/4BA | 3760 SF | 1783Norfolk.ePropertySites.com

875 CHAPIN AVE, BIRMINGHAM | 3BR/3.1BA | 2,520 SF | 875Chapin.ePropertySites.com

Designer Perfect! Luxury, comfort and style create this residence’s welcoming chic appeal!

Built in 2014 but beautifully renovated in 2017 by Maison Birmingham! This home is located in the highly desirable neighborhood near Birmingham Country Club!

Exceptional 2004 built residence minutes from downtown Birmingham and Pierce School!

Open, flowing floor plan. Quality build! Hardwood floors and extensive architectural moldings throughout. 9’ ceilings. Fully finished lower level with high ceilings.

RENOVATED GEM WITH LAKE PRIVILEGES

WOODED VIEW AND OPEN FLOOR PLAN

$624,500

$316,000

2835 ORCHARD PLACE, ORCHARD LAKE | 5BR/3.1BA | 3,841 SF | 2835OrchardPlace.ePropertySites.com

6162 CHESHIRE PARK DR., INDEPENDENCE TWP. | 5BR/3.1BA | 3,841 SF | 6162CheshirePark.ePropertySites.com

Opportunity awaits in this expanded farmhouse! Move right in, add personal touches or change it up! It’s a blend of traditional charm and updates for modern living on almost an acre with lake privileges/docking available on all-sports Orchard Lake.

Nestled in the rear of the Cheshire Park sub, this residence has a premiere locale with wooded view and private setting. 9’ ceilings. Open floor plan. Filled with natural light.

Cool, stylish tones throughout. Move-in ready. Near Sashabaw corridor.

HALL ANDHUNTER.COM | +1 248 644 3500 | 442 S. OLD WOODWARD BIRMINGHAM

FACES Cara Catallo ttending high school at Cranbrook Kingswood and spending late afternoons at her father's office in Birmingham, Cara Catallo wasn't aware the artistic Pewabic Pottery installations that surrounded her on campus would one day be the subject of her own book.

“It's throughout many of the buildings at Cranbrook,” said Catallo, who published her second book in 2017, titled “Pewabic Pottery: A History Handcrafted in Detroit.” “For historic Pewabic installations, you can't beat Cranbrook. It's really prevalent throughout the school and woven into the community.”

Initially from Birmingham before moving with her family to Davisburg, and eventually to the village of Clarkston, Catallo attended Cranbrook Kingswood before leaving after her sophomore year and moving out east to attend Bard College at Simon's Rock, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. She then earned her master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She embarked on a career in writing, starting first at the Detroit Free Press before taking a position as an arts writer and columnist with the News & Record in Greensboro, North Carolina.

It was during her time at Bard College that Catallo's interest in history was sparked.

“My very start was in undergraduate school where I worked for a weekly where I went to school in Massachusetts, called the Berkshire Courier. It probably doesn't exist anymore,” she said of the paper that was founded in 1848 and incorporated into The Berkshire Record in 1995. “History, I feel like it beckoned to me, and features were a natural way to explore history more.”

After the birth of her daughter, who now attends Cranbrook Kingswood herself, Catallo decided freelance writing would better fit her life as a parent. That also allowed her to get involved in larger projects of her own choosing.

The first such project came while Catallo was serving as chair of the Clarkston Historic District Commission. The book, “Images of America: Clarkston,” examines the history and architecture of the village, from its founding as a mill town to industrial influences of the 20th century.

“I studied comparative literature in undergraduate school. I didn't understand my interest in history until being a full-fledged adult,” she said. “With my experience in journalism, I'm able to research and understand stories in a way that is more approachable than through a text book. By experiencing the people and places I wrote about, it helped me find a love for history that I could share with others. I hope that I have.”

Catallo said the idea for a book about Pewabic Pottery came about by happenstance, simply recognizing the name “Pewabic” when a friend suggested they get tickets in 2015 to Pewabic's annual Raku Party. After visiting the historic location on East Jefferson in Detroit, Catallo was interested in learning more about its history, but couldn't find a book to suit her interest. It was then that she set out to write one herself.

“I approached them to see if they would be interested, and they were,” she said about Pewabic and the origins of the book. “Then I approached a publisher.”

The entire process of writing the book took about two years, with the work being done between freelance projects and parenting. After completing the book, Catallo noticed a job opening at the pottery, where she now works as the communications coordinator.

“I felt connected and frankly wasn't ready to leave,” she said. “I didn't feel done telling Mary Chase Perry Stratton's story, and Pewabic's story is far from over,” she said.

A

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

www. johnapap.com

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

Top Producing Agent

271 Fairfax Street

1527 N Glengarry Road

Birmingham - $2,599,900

Bloomfield Village - $2,290,000

452 Suffield Avenue

1080 Pleasant Street

Birmingham - $1,990,000

Birmingham - $1,595,000 co-listor Colleen McGough NG

I ND

PE

856 Lakeview Avenue

379 Tilbury Road

Birmingham - $1,390,000 co-listor Jim Remski

Bloomfield Village - $1,035,000

Lara J. Forte Senior Loan Officer NMLS # 1169665

Lara.Forte@ChemicalBank.com

Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division

248-284-5178 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084

Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

www. johnapap.com 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

Top Producing Agent

580 Haverhill Road

893 Glengarry Circle

1219 Quarton Road

Bloomfield Hills - $1,750.000

Bloomfield Village - $1,599,900

Birmingham - $1,328,000

NG

I ND

PE

7106 Old Mill Road

1045 Suffield Avenue

470 N Cranbrook Road

Bloomfield Hills - $1,297,888

Quarton Lake Estates - Birmingham - $1,195,000

Bloomfield Village - $1,175,000 co-listor Mark Kallis

1208 Sandringham Way

275 Barden Road

1274 Westwood Drive

Bloomfield Village - $1,099,000

Bloomfield Hills - $1,024,000

Birmingham - $999,900

G

IN

D EN

P

G

IN

D EN

P

2723 Indian Mound Road South

990 Wellsley Court

559 N Cranbrook Road

Bloomfield Village - $999,900 co-listor Maryclare Pulte

Bloomfield Hills - $999,000

Bloomfield Village - $984,900

734-464-4171 734-464-1213 (f) 9Î&#x2013;&725 3$5.:$< 68Î&#x2013;7( /Î&#x2013;921Î&#x2013;$ 0Î&#x2013;

JAN SHOOK 2É?FH 0DQDJHU 734-464-4171 x1816 MDQ#LQWHUVWDWHWLWOH QHW

Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

www. johnapap.com

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

Top Producing Agent

895 Puritan Avenue

140 Hamilton Road

315 Fairfax Street

Birmingham - $1,049,900

Bloomfield Village - $925,000

Birmingham - $749,900

1825 Huntingwood Lane

32501 Romsey Road

1253 E Lincoln Street

Bloomfield Hills - $724,900

Franklin Village - $699,000

Birmingham - $539,900

3777 Burkoff Drive

2275 Park Ridge Drive

908 Chapin Avenue

Troy - $509,900

Bloomfield Hills - $449,000

Birmingham - $409,900 ON

G

SO

IN

M CO

4076 Willoway Place Drive

4240 Sheridan Drive

1721 Stanley Boulevard

Bloomfield Hills - $384,500

Royal Oak - $389,900

Birmingham

Lynn Wiand

Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division

Vice President | Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS # 394920

Lynn.Wiand@ChemicalBank.com

248-228-4805 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084

Michigan's #1 Family of Real Estate John, Bridget & Jack Apap Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

www. johnapap.com 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

Top Producing Agent

991 N Glenhurst Drive

3184 Middlebelt Road

Birmingham - $2,299,000

Pine Lake Frontage - West Bloomfield - $1,875,000

Extraordinary Homes

885 Redding Road

887 Redding Road

Birmingham - $1,195,000

Birmingham - $1,195,000

LD

LD

LD

SO

SO

SO

1080 Pilgrim Avenue

1186 Westwood Drive

887 Redding Road

Birmingham

Birmingham - $2,199,000

Birmingham

248-228-4805 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084

Chemical Bank, Mortgage Division

Lynn Wiand

Vice President | Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS # 394920

Lynn.Wiand@ChemicalBank.com

EDUCATION BHS Superintendent Glass New York bound

By Lisa Brody

In an unexpected development, Bloomfield Hills Superintendent Dr. Rob Glass announced to his staff and the community on Tuesday, April 23, that he will be relocating to New York in July, after his wife accepted the job of her dreams at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and he had been offered, and has accepted, a position as superintendent at a school district in Westchester County, New York, outside New York City.

Glass plans to complete the 20182019 school year before moving to New York to serve in his new role.

Glass has served as the superintendent of Bloomfield Hills Schools for the past nine years.

“It is with many mixed feelings that I share with you that I will be moving to New York at the end of this school year,” Glass said in his letter.

“My wife recently accepted the position of Vice President of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the State University of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

in Manhattan. After making the difficult decision to relocate to New York, I was offered the position of superintendent with Eastchester Union Free School District.

“This truly is a special place to live and learn,” he continued in his letter to the community. “The community of Bloomfield Hills Schools is one of the most encouraging and heartfelt I’ve ever experienced. From the dedicated family members of our students, to our community business partners, and local support agencies, the community truly lifts up and champions the district.”

Administrators and board of education members acknowledged Glass' announcement caught them by surprise.

“I'm happy for him. For his wife – when you get an opportunity like this, it's hard to turn it down,” said Paul Kolin, Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education President.

At the same time, Kolin expressed, “We are deeply saddened to see Dr. Glass leave Bloomfield Hills Schools.

“He is truly a one-of-a-kind leader, who leads with his heart first and foremost and has helped the district make tremendous advancements for

the benefit of all learners.That said, we are happy for him and for Cynthia, his wife, and the journey that lies ahead in New York. They’re good people and great friends.”

The board of education has not made any official plans for a superintendent search, but is confident in the district’s ability to attract top talent. “We have talented students, dedicated and collaborative staff, incredible resources, and a school community that places a strong emphasis on strong, caring relationships,” said Kolin. “I am sure we will find someone who will carry forward the work Dr. Glass and his team have done and have planned still to do.”

Kolin said he is putting together two task forces, one to narrow down search firms to help the board and the district choose a new superintendent; the second, to prepare the time line and the process they will be undergoing.

“I looked at everyone's skill set. For the first, I put the most seasoned members of the board on that, some of whom went through the previous superintendent search (for Glass), including Cynthia von Oeyen, Jackie

El-Sayed and Howard Baron, who is very organized,” Kolin said.

Kolin, acknowledging that it will be unlikely to have a new superintendent hired by July 1, said they will look at the senior administrative team and will likely make a recommendation for an acting superintendent, with the other two administrators assisting and acting as part of the leadership team. The three senior administrators are Todd Bidlack, assistant superintendent, learning services; Kelly Bohl, assistant superintendent, human resources and labor relations; and Tina Kostiuk, assistant superintendent, finance and operations.

Kolin said Glass did an excellent job of training and delegating.

“I had the tremendous pleasure of not only working here, but living here as well. Cynthia and I will miss being a part of this community and the moments we’ve shared as both partners and neighbors,” Glass wrote.

“Thank you for this opportunity to learn alongside you, live alongside you, and be a member of this exceptional community.”

Since 1978

(248) 647-2228 | Kelletthomes.com

Photo by Maconochie Photography

72

DOWNTOWN

06.19

BUSINESS MATTERS BIRMINGHAM Clean water for homes Concerned about toxins and contaminants in your family’s water? A new retail showroom in downtown Birmingham offers an opportunity for you to provide cleaner water in your home. HANS Premium Water will open a showroom at 239 Pierce Street, in the former Todd’s Room location, in late May, offering a hands-on interactive educational experience on water quality and safety standards. Salespeople will demonstrate its unique equipment, which are considered the first major technological advances in home water filtration in more than 50 years. According to their website, “HANS Premium Water appliance will give you virtually contaminantfree water throughout your whole house… Drinking water shouldn’t be risky. Nor should taking a shower, or washing your vegetables.” HANS corporate headquarters is in Farmington Hills, with the invention funded by local billionaire Manoj Bhargava of Farmington Hills, who created 5-hour ENERGY.

Vintage venture A long vacant storefront on Maple Road in downtown Birmingham is finding new life. According to retail leasing consultant Julie Fielder, “The good people of Revive are opening ABC Vintage across the street in the former location of the original Revive.” Revive is an upscale casual men’s clothing boutique located at 157 W. Maple.

ABC Vintage will be located at 154 W. Maple, directly across the street, where they want people to discover specialty vintage goods. The store, currently in its design phase, is anticipated to open August 1.

Second design location Detroit interior design firm RL Concetti has expanded to meet the needs of its Oakland County clients with a new space in Birmingham, joining Forest Avenue Design Management, 735 Forest. The woman-lead business, co-founded

by Lauren DeLaurentiis and Rachel Nelson, who met while working at a previous design firm. “My background was with a high end design and furniture store where I worked one-on-one with clients, doing house calls,” DeLaurentiis recalled. “Rachel had a background in construction. Our combination downtownpublications.com

was a good marriage.” The RL Concetti team notes that for them, interior design is a strategy, and they take a holistic point of view to solve for clients. “We do everything, for both our residential and commercial clients,” Nelson said.

DeLaurentiis agreed. “We focus in on the individual family or brand rather than labeling something ‘Country French’ or ‘Modern.’ We let the individual style or brand dictate.”

Moving out Alex and Ani, which designs and creates bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that “adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit,” according to its website, closed its doors in downtown Birmingham, 150 W. Maple Road, on Friday, May 10, after recently opening a larger store at Somerset Collection.

FARMERS

2019

MARKET MAY 5 TH - OCT 27TH

SUNDAYs

9 a.m.-2 p.M.

Special EvEnts:

Private client group Stifel – one of the nation’s leading full-service wealth management and investment banking firms – has opened a Private Client Group office in downtown Birmingham, at 139 S. Old Woodward Avenue, after opening a Bloomfield Hills office, 39533 Woodward Avenue Suite 210, in November. According to Brian Spellecy, corporate communications manager, “Regional director Alvin Spencer, who joined us from Wells Fargo Advisors in late 2016, has been leading the charge.”

New Birmingham salon Neil Johnson had worked in the Birmingham salon community for years, notably at Luigi Bruni Salon, when he finally had the opportunity to realize the dream of opening his own salon – Nalu Salon, 887 E. Maple Road. “The time has come for me to grow again!” he posted to his friends and clients with an announcement on Facebook.

Johnson, a Hawaii native who studied at Hawaii Pacific University and Lawrence Technological University before finding his calling as a hairdresser, is especially skilled in keratin treatments and coloring.

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

Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.

DOWNTOWN

Chef ClasH Sun, JUNe 23 Corn Festival Sun, AUg 11

Harvest FEST Sun, Sept 15

End of SeasOn CelEbration Sun, Oct 27

6 6 0 N . O l d Wo O Dwa r D SPONsORS Bank of ANN arbOR BloOmfieLd HIlLs DentaL ASsociAteS Caruso CARUSO • CIBC Forest and PhoeNicIa REstAurAnT LuigI BrUnI Luxe Bar & GRilL and SALvAtore scalLOpinI Najor COmpAnies • PowEr HOme REModEling PrimI pIatTI • RenEwal by ANderson DOWNTOWN P

U

B

L

I

C

A

T

I

O

N

S

73

FACES

Linda Solomon y love of photography started as a child,” photojournalist Linda Solomon said of the camera her parents gifted her, along with a photo album, that she said really changed her life.

“I teach children because I know how it can change your life,” she said of her nationally-acclaimed program across the U.S. where she introduces children in shelters and charities by handing them a camera and letting them showcase their lives through photojournalism.

The former Seaholm High School grad said she was always the kid with the camera. She first began freelancing for the Birmingham Eccentric, then moved on to The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press.

“I always focused on celebrities. I had the opportunity to see all the Motown stars,” she recalled. “I met the Supremes with my parents at The Roostertail. Aretha (Franklin) was already a huge name in New York and L.A., and then came back home in 1982. I met her in 1983, and we became friends, and continued to be friends, for 40 years.”

Solomon celebrates her friendship with Franklin in a new book she has coming out in October, “The Queen Next Door: An Intimate Portrait of Aretha Franklin,” filled not only with anecdotes about parties, concerts and rehearsals, but portraits, invitations she saved from those parties, and candids from personal events.

“I wanted the book to look like an album she would have had on her coffee table, including her invitations, menus and photos,” Solomon said. “I only included photos that have never been seen – very rare experiences with her, from birthday parties, family holiday parties, rehearsals – I even have some from her son's college graduation with the MSU cheerleaders. She was so proud.”

Solomon noted she had very rare access to Franklin not only because of their friendship, but she always took film photos, and used her camera sparingly.

“She always included me because digital people take thousands of photos. I take two or three. I'd take what I needed; I had a column in the News – and then I'd be a guest at her parties. That was what was endearing – I'd ask her to pose briefly, take a couple candids, and then leave her alone.”

Solomon said Franklin was very private. “She could be really fun.

She'd call me to gossip,” she said.

And she said that no one could party like Aretha, hiring local caterers, florists and entertainers for her twice a year parties. Because she wouldn't leave Detroit, “She brought everyone to Detroit,” Solomon said. “In the '80s, she brought the music back here, recording here, shooting commercials here, videos here, bringing people here. She brought the music industry back to Detroit.”

Solomon said she has a special affinity for the '80s and '90s, concentrating those years in her book. One of her favorite photos, she said, “is a rehearsal of her with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, wearing no makeup, just sitting at the piano with the symphony,” noting that “no one was like Aretha on the piano. No one could accompany Aretha like Aretha.”

Solomon is looking forward to the biographical movie being made about Franklin starring Jennifer Hudson, and said Franklin was very excited about it, too.

“She was our Elvis, and our Queen. For me to look back and share the photos that are very personal – she was one in a million, and I'm so glad that our paths crossed.”

M

Story: Lisa Brody

Photo: Laurie Tennent

CHRIS

PERO

A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r

248.797.0784 | cgpero@yahoo.com

over $28 million pending and closed yTd in 2019

372 Barden - Bloomfield Hills - $2,799,900

275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

765 Vaughan - Bloomfield Hills - $1,999,900

Magnificent 2001 built estate home on 1.4 acres. Expertly constructed with gorgeous finishes and quality throughout. 5 bedrooms, 5.2 baths.

Incredible 2 acre estate property on gorgeous grounds just blocks from Cranbrook. Expansive floor plan with spacious rooms. 6 bedrooms, 6.2 baths. 3 car side entry garage.

21390 Equestrian Trail - Novi - $1,299,900

600 Roanoke - Bloomfield Hills - $1,099,000

Beautiful custom colonial deep within this gated community. 4 bedrooms, 4.1 baths. Finished lower level with second kitchen and 5th bedroom. 3 car garage. Northville schools.

Gorgeous 2007 built colonial on a 1/2 acre well-located lot within Westchester Village.

5 bedrooms, 4.1 baths. Huge outdoor patio area. Fantastic newly finished basement. 3 car garage.

10 Vaughan Crossing - Bloomfield Hills - $799,900

1023 Bennaville - Birmingham - $699,900

High quality built condo in a great area. First floor master with 2 additional ensuite bedrooms upstairs. Wonderful floor plan with spacious rooms and high ceilings.

590 Riverside/596 Riverstone - $399,900 - Birmingham

2 vacant sites remaining in Riverside Place. Fantastic opportunity in an exclusive detached condo development steps from downtown. Design and build your dream home.

Newer, quality construction in Birmingham. Move-in ready. 4 bedrooms, 4.1 baths. Hardwood floors throughout main level. Finished basement and flexible 3rd floor finished space.

2940 Masefield - Bloomfield Hills - $389,900

Four bedroom, 2.2 bath tri-level on a half acre lot in Bloomfield Township. Spacious eat-in kitchen with island. 3 car side entrance garage.

CHRIS

PERO

A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r

248.797.0784 | cgpero@yahoo.com

275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

over $28 million pending and closed yTd in 2019

336 Suffield - Birmingham - $1,499,900

Wonderful Quarton Lake Estates colonial on a 120 foot wide lot. Spacious floor plan with beautiful remodeled kitchen & butlers pantry. 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths.

30 Cabot Place - Bloomfield Hills - $949,900

Spacious 5 bedroom, 3.2 bath home with first floor master suite. Large 1.2 acre professionally landscaped lot. In-ground pool. 3 car garage. Birmingham Schools.

4205 Valley Forge - Bloomfield Hills - $624,900

Three bedroom, 2.1 bath cape cod in Foxcroft on a gorgeous .64 acre lot. Great curb appeal and nice updates throughout. Back family room addition. Three car garage.

832 Davis - Birmingham - $375,000

Land opportunity - hard to find 60 foot wide lot on a great street of many new builds. Home currently exists on lot.

1222 Fairfax - Birmingham - $1,499,900

2000 custom built Quarton Lakes Estates colonial. Excellent floor plan with lavish updates throughout including beautiful white gourmet kitchen. 4 bedrooms, 4.2 baths .

3696 Walnut Brook - Rochester Hills - $824,900

Custom built sprawling ranch in prestigious Walnut Brook Estates. 3 bedrooms, 3.1 baths. 3 car side entrance garage. Huge finished basement. Gated community.

1865 S. Bates - Birmingham - $499,900

Great location for this 3 bedroom 2 bath colonial close to Pierce Elementary. Remodeled kitchen with island. Two story front living room. Finished basement and 2 car garage.

3632 Pheasant Run - Bloomfield Hills - $350,000

Beautiful wooded views from this light-filled ranch condo in Wabeek. Spacious living with high ceilings. Master with attached bath & outdoor access. 2 additional ensuite bedrooms.

DRINKING WATER SUPPLY QUALITY CONCERNS • SECRET TRAIN CARGOS • COUNTRY CLUBS OF BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD • CAMPAIGN DONATIONS • JEWISH MIGRATION HISTORY • CULTIVATING NEXT GENERATION OF DONORS • THE STATE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA • THE LITMUS TEST FOR MASS TRANSIT • RISING ASSESSMENTS

LOCAL

IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES • NEW THOUGHTS ON ZERO TOLERANCE IN SCHOOLS • CONCIERGE DOCTORS • WHO'S MONITORING YOU? • PLAN B REALITY AT PHARMACIES • LOCAL FACE OF HUNGER • SEX TRAFFICKING OF MINORS •

Downtown.

The leading publication SCHOOL SPORTS • PREDICTIVE REGIONAL WATER/SEWER DEBATE • PAY-TO-PLAY for Birmingham/Bloomfield.

Produced by local residents CRIME FIGHTING • GOVERNMENT ONLINE • NEW LAKE ACCESS CHALLENGE • THE from offices in downtown Birmingham.

COMMON CORE DEBATE • HEROIN INCREASE IN OAKLAND • OCC AT THE CROSSROAD Quality editorial product.

• FRACKING IN THE CROSSHAIRS • THE GANGS OF OAKLAND • CHOOSING A Leadership on issues important toINTERVIEW residents. • THE CYBER GENERATION • NON-PROFIT • L. BROOKS PATTERSON

Track record of supporting business as part of our SHARED MUNICIPAL SERVICESlocal • TEEN DATING VIOLENCE • THE ROLE OF HOSPICE effort to help maintain FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS: FACT/FICTION • POLICING THE POLICE • WIRELESS strong communities.

•

OAKLAND • ADHD DRUG ABUSE • REPORT ON SCHOOL SECURITY • FIGHT Join local businessCARD leaders, 400 of whom use Downtown FOR SENIOR HOUSING • BLOOMFIELD PARK PLANS • REAL ESTATE SALES REBOUND • on a regular basis, in our July issue.

PSD AS DRIVING CITY FORCE • SCHOOL LUNCHES AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS Ad deadline Friday, June 14.

•

THE POLICE TASER CONTROVERSY • TESTING THE NOISE LEVELS • CONTROLLING Contact Mark Grablowski.

SCHOOL BULLIES • LOCAL RECYLCING EFFORTS • CHANGING ROLE OF LIBRARIES • Office: 248.792.6464 ext.

601 MarkGrablowski@DowntownPublications.com

COLLAPSE OF OAKLAND STUDIO • TRIANGLE DISTRICT NEW FRONTIER • BIRMINGHAM NIGHTLIFE PROBLEMS • TROY TRANSIT CENTER • GOVERNMENT

MATTERS

MEETING RULES • NEW LIFE FOR CITY ALLEYS • RAIL DISTRICT REVIVAL • CABLE TV WARS • PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOL CRIME • WHO IS WATCHING THE CHILDREN? • CONCERNS OVER STYRENE • COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM • STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSIONS • WHO OWNS DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM • HOMELESS IN OAKLAND COUNTY • MUNICIPAL, SCHOOL LEGAL FEES • FUTURE OF CITY GOLF COURSES • OPENING UP GOVERNMENT FILES • MUNICIPAL ETHICS GUIDELINES

PLACES TO EAT

Graduation Party Trays • Father’s Day Celebration Open Memorial Day

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

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

248.646.2220.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607.

Adachi: Asian. Lunch & Dinner daily. Liquor.

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

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.499.6867.

Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.2630.

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

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

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

Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.7078.

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

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

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

Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.9000.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880.

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

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

Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879.

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

248.258.6690.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

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

248.642.4000.

Cameron’s Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

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

248.758.1221.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

downtownpublications.com

116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

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

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

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

248.792.9766.

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

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

248.642.1135.

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

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.258.9939.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420.

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli.

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

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

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

Forest: European. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009.

248.258.9400.

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

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

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

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

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

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

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

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

248.594.4369.

IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522.

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

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

248.792.9609.

Kaku Sushi and Poke': Asian. Lunch & Dinner. Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. No Liquor. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.480.4785, and 126 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.885.8631.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.1166.

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

248.858.5800.

DOWNTOWN

Always Taking Reservations For Dine-In

Go To Our Website For

DINE-IN/CARRY-OUT/CATERING DELIVERY

Your order of DT $35.95 or more

Your order of $69.95 or more

DT

Carry-out or Dine In Order

Party Trays or Carry-Out Order

No digital coupons accepted. Excludes all other offers. With this coupon. Present coupon when ordering. Exp. 7/4/19.

No digital coupons accepted. Excludes all other offers. With this coupon. Present coupon when ordering. Exp. 7/4/19.

6646 Telegraph at Maple Bloomfield Plaza 248.932.0800 | stevesdeli.com

Contact Jessie Miller Special Events Director | 586.944.8222 jemiller@aegpresents.com | www.romtlive.com 79

ember’s deli DELI-FRESH, DELI-DELICIOUS

BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

WE DELIVER WITH

Nearly 45 years in business Recently remodeled

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

ember’s deli

JUNE PARTY TRAY SPECIAL

Take 10% off trays

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601

for over 15 people DOORDASH.COM

MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

T - F: 8am - 8pm Saurday - Sunday - 8am - 3pm - Closed Mondays

3598 W. Maple Road Bloomfield Hills 48301 Maple and Lahser in the Village Knoll shopping center

248.645.1033 • www.embersdeli1.com 80

DOWNTOWN

06.19

La Strada Dolci e Caffe: Italian.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.480.0492.

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

154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707.

Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568.

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

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

248.647.3400.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing.

No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor.

185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.0000 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily.

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

Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953.

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

248.723.0800.

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

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

Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966.

Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.253.9877.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

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

Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.6999.

Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.874.1876 Red Olive: Middle Eastern/American.

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

248.481.7767.

Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270.

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

248.792.6200.

Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch &

downtownpublications.com

Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977.

Sidecar Slider Bar: Burgers. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009. 248.220.4167.

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

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

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

248.932.0800.

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

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

248.645.9123.

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

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

248.333.3887.

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

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

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.731.7066.

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

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

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.858.7688.

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

Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

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

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

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

248.258.0500.

Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7881.

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

Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.

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

248.203.6600.

Village Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 653 S. Adams.

Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7964.

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

248.566.3566.

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

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

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

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

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

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

Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily.

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

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

248.547.6699.

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

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

248.544.4749.

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

248.544.2675.

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

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.

GreenSpace Cafe: Vegan. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 215. W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.206.7510.

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

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

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.543.9500.

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

Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

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

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.591.5459.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.4227.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

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

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

Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633.

Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

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

248.850.7420.

DOWNTOWN

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300.

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

Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

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

248.544.1141.

Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday Sunday. Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067.

248.607.3127.

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

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

248.541.1186.

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

248.544.7300.

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

Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.4444.

Twisted Tavern: American. Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.545,6750.

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711.

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

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

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

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

248.817.2424.

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

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

248.853.6600.

O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537.

Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083.

248.619.9060.

Kruse & Muer on Main: American.

Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

Loccino Italian Grill and Bar: Italian.

Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily.

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

McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

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

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch,

81

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

European bistro flair Chef Yakov Fleysher knew as soon as he saw the space at 6540 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, that it would be the perfect spot for his small, European bistro. Enter Bistro le Bliss, which seats 60 in a nondescript strip center, yet offers a trip across the sea at lunch and dinner.

“I created a unique menu that’s still comforting with things people don’t make anymore,” said Fleysher, who has worked in the area for decades. The menu – which will change seasonally – currently features Beef Stroganoff Royal, Scallops Velouté du Barry, and Coq au Vin. There’s also daily specials, where Fleysher allows himself to get a little bit more wild with the food. “I can go a little bit crazy with my ingredients,” he said.

Prepping Morrie’s While it’s not quite ready for it’s close up, The Morrie Birmingham, the latest venture by Aaron Belen and AFB Hospitality Group, is getting very close, Belen said, as it readies for a summertime opening at 260 N. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham. While it will be similar to his Royal Oak location of The Morrie, where it’s a casual, welcoming restaurant for all ages which morphes into an exciting entertainment nightclub post-10 p.m., the Birmingham locale will really step it up. “We call it our neighborhood roadhouse concept with live music,” Belen explained. “For Birmingham, we’re going to elevate the food offerings for the community. I think this will really fill the void in the marketplace between going to a high-end steakhouse or taking the kids to a coney. You can feed your family without spending a fortune.” He said he understands the community – he grew up locally, and still lives “three minutes away.” Look for an expanded pizza menu and make-your-own salads, along with the signature burgers, sandwiches and tater tots. “If I didn’t own the place, I’d be excited to go there.”

Dazzling dining When Shimar Mitchell says the dishes at Table No. 2 – 18925 Livernois Avenue and Seven Mile Road along the famed Avenue of Fashion in Detroit – come with a wow factor, he means it. There’s the fried chicken dish served in a mason jar and a variety of meals served tableside, such as the Tomahawk steak, caesar salad, lobster bisque, and banana foster. “Diners want to be entertained, they want a show, and they want the food to taste good,” said Mitchell, who is the restaurant’s general manager. “So we put all those elements together.” The gourmet American cuisine restaurant – which opened on Easter Sunday – is owned by twin brothers, Shimar and Omar, who serves as their executive chef, and has a warm and inviting tone. Omar may be recognized for when he was on Food Network’s “Chopped” and ran the Great Lakes Burger Bar in Detroit. Being called a “white linen, fine dining restaurant,” Table No. 2 is the first of its kind in Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion. The garden patio will seat 85 and open as soon as weather permits.

Babo For Kris Lelcaj, Babo has been 10 years in the making and come June, it should become a reality. “I’m planning on working around the clock to get this thing going in June,” said Lelcaj, who worked at SavCo Hospitality, based in Ann Arbor. Lelcaj plans to have Babo – which means “dad” in Albanian, paying homage to his father, who passed away in 2011 – fill the brunch void in Midtown Detroit, with dishes like avocado toast with a truffle salt and lemon zest, and Eggs Benedict, which has applewood smoked bacon instead of ham and a hollandaise made in-house. If brunch isn’t your cup of tea, they will also be serving lunch and dinner, with tacos and burgers being their focal points. There will be vegetarian options for their burgers and tacos. There’s also a plan for dinner specials on Fridays and Saturdays, including a three-meat family bolognese recipe that Lelcaj described as “a liquid gold type of sauce.” Located at the Park Shelton building – right by the Detroit Institute of Arts – art will cover the walls and add to the interesting design elements, giving it a rustic, chic look.

Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, 48307.

248.453.5371.

Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083.

248.689.2332.

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

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

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

248.816.3424.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.375.9200.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500.

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

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

248.524.1944.

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

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

248.816.8000.

Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037. 248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084.

248.614.5390.

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266.

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

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

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

248.652.4500.

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

248.817.2980.

Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307.

248.453.5291.

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

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

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

Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.

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

The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

248.851.8782.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine.

6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.

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

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

Nonna Maria’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

248.851.2500.

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

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

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

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.865.0500.

Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.

538.8954.

Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.855.6622.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.737.8282.

West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean.

Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor.

340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381.

248.684.4223.

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

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

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

248.698.2400.

Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.7771.

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

248.620.6100.

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

248.634.5208.

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

248.795.2077.

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

Liquor.

15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346.

248.297.5833 Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500.

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S.

Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.625.5660

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

2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214.

313.469.0976.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202.

313.872.5110.

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

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

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

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

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

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

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

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

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

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

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

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616.

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

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700.

1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221.

313.863.1917.

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

313.309.2499.

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

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

313.962.2100.

Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900.

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

313.438.5055.

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

Liquor. 438 Selden St, Detroit 48201.

313.315.3992.

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214.

313.822.8000.

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.9828.

Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702.

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216.

313.962.2121.

Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234.

Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668.

The Block: American. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.964.4010.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.964.3821.

Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.3965.

Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American.

Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207.

313.393.1711.

The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700.

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646.

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1411.

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.

Exotic delights Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Eastern Market – where Omar Anani was once a vendor – is the new Moroccan restaurant, Saffron De Twah. Anani has owned the building at 7636 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, for years and originally planned on putting an Asian concept in the space before switching. Why Moroccan? Because no one else was doing it. Anani noted people tend to lump Moroccan food together with Mediterranean, but advised they couldn’t be more different. “That’s the thing that’s so cool about Moroccan cuisine...they have these infusions in their cooking that the rest of Mediterranean cuisine does not have,” he noted. A perfect example of a menu item with said influences is their meatball sub, made with a saffron tomato sauce, featuring the Spanish influence, and kofta meatballs, done in a French technique which leads to a texture Anani said you won’t find anywhere else. The rest of the menu – all coming in under $11 – includes a Lamb Tagine Bowl, Skirt Steak Shawarma Bowl, and two vegan options. Even though they are currently only doing orders for pickup and delivery, there are big things coming to the space. Anani hopes to offer sitdown service by June, when they will also have an expanded menu and brunch on the weekends.

Tropical terrace With an atmosphere created to feel like you’re in Miami or Los Angeles – think lots of greenery, including real palm trees – Pinky’s Rooftop is quickly becoming the busiest restaurant for the Adam Merkel Restaurants group. Since opening in late April, dishes like their short rib wonton tacos, black truffle ramen, and sashimi have all proven popular. “Those seem to be on every other table,” Merkel said. The descriptions on the menu aren’t too detailed on purpose, because they want guests to be slightly surprised by the items that appear in front of them, like a three-foot-tall cotton candy dessert or a drink served in a Buddha ceramic. Pinky’s – located at 100 S. Main Street (formerly Red Fox Rooftop) in Royal Oak – began a brunch service in early May. That menu – as well as their regular one – was made to encourage guests to get a few things and share. Brunch items include rainbow ricotta toast, short rib omelette, and egg white frittata. There’s also a pretty wild Bloody Mary bar, which has just about anything you could think of, Merkel said.

Global coffee & tea Globally inspired menu with Asian and European influences? Check.

Supporter of local non-profits and schools? Check. Uses local bakeries for their food menu? Check that too. The newest location of Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea will have all of those things at 774 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy, when they open June 14. That entire week will have giveaways, like free drinks. “All there is in the community is Starbucks or Tim Horton’s,” said Stephanie Beck, franchisee owner. “We don’t really have a local, upscale coffee shop.” Sweetwaters plans to fill that void with their unique drinks, like their Ginger Lemon Tea, Dragon Eye, and French Vietnamese au Lait. As far as food goes there will be pastries, sandwiches, and salads, among others. Beck said they are currently looking into local bakeries to use, including Troy’s Ridley’s Bakery Cafe. There are also plans to have events during the week, like game nights and live bands, and walls will showcase work by local artists.

Mootz Pizzeria + Bar If you’ve hoped Mootz Pizzeria + Bar would deliver right to you, you’re in luck. At least if you live within one mile of their location at 1230 Library Street in downtown Detroit. “Since opening earlier this year, the demand for delivery has steadily increased,” said Tony Sacco, operating partner. “Our new bicycle delivery service...will allow us to expand our customer base and reach.” For those getting delivery there is a $4 fee, a $15 order minimum, and must be paid for with a credit card online. That isn’t the only change that’s come to the authentic New York pizzeria since their January opening. Mootz Pizzeria now accepts cash for dine-in and carryout orders, dropping their credit-only requirement.

GINNY FISHER REALTOR

REALTOR

c. +1 248 225 5945 gfisher@hallandhunter.com

c. +1 248 330 3324 kconway@hallandhunter.com

KEVIN CONWAY

PENDING AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

$725,000

2 RIVERBANK DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS | 3BR/3.2BA | 3,240 SF Refined perfection with custom detailing throughout. This exquisite home is located in the charming and private enclave of Westwood Commons. Sun-filled rooms, many with views of gardens and greenspace. Finished lower level with second kitchen.

2017 COMPLETELY RENOVATED CONDO

$165,000

4047 WEST MAPLE, BLOOMFIELD | 2BR/1.1BA | 1,166 SF First floor unit in Country Club Manor has been renovated throughout. Flooring, windows, bathrooms, kitchen with flush white modern cabinetry and granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances - ALL NEW!!

PENDING CHARMING LIGHTFILLED CONDO

$369,900

1218 S TIMBERVIEW TRAIL, BLOOMFIELD | 3BR/3.1BA | 2,078 SF This Adams Woods home is the popular Pinecrest model with a delightful private courtyard perfect for summer entertaining. The beautifully renovated kitchen is a chef’s delight!

Nicely finished lower level has custom built-in cabinetry, full bath & extra storage.

4 BEDROOM COLONIAL WITH UPDATED KITCHEN

$424,000

4219 SHERIDAN DRIVE, ROYAL OAK | 4BR/3.1BA | 1,929 SF Awesome colonial in desirable Royal Oak neighborhood. Updated kitchen with direct access to private fenced yard. Finished lower level with full bath and wet bar. This home has GREAT curb appeal with professional landscaping.

H A L L A N D H U N T E R . C O M | + 1 24 8 64 4 3 5 00 | 442 S . O L D W O O D W A R D B I R M I N G H A M

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Summer for Our Children at The Community House “The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning and contributing.

Camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas, and even beyond home and school” – Michael Popkin, Ph.D.

Almost since The Community House was established nearly a century ago, children’s classes, programs and services at The Community House have been at the center of our mission, purpose and vision. Our founders envisioned The Community House to be a place where young people from our community and surrounding region would gather for camaraderie, learning and enrichment.

It would be a safe place for our children to interact with their peers, in a structured environment where children and positive role models would guide them to “make good choices, develop creative skills, build independence, self-reliance, and gain selfconfidence.”

Over the years, The Community House has supplemented our fall, winter and spring children’s classes with a robust selection of summer camps. We believe that summer camps are a place where children get the experiences they need to bolster their range of coping strategies.

Expirati

on Date:

This certifi cate is val id at one par (BSD) busine ticipating Bir ss. Please mingham Sho note most certificate. pping Distric (but not all) Gift certificat t BSD busine es without sses accept embossed this logo are inv alid.

W W W. AL LI

NB IR MI NG

HA M. CO M

Bill Seklar

We have found “that there are the much more complex challenges of getting along with a new group of peers, learning how to ask for help from others, or taking manageable amount of risks, outside of school, and without a parent following after you.” Summer camps are places where children get the experiences they need to bolster their range of coping strategies.

So, it is in that spirit that The Community House is proud to present over 30 summer camps – half day, full day, morning, afternoon, lunch optional, with before and after-care opportunities.

Make sure to visit communityhouse.com to see all of our camp offerings and to register. Hurry.

There is limited enrollment.

2019 TCH Summer Camps include: All Day Camp – Get away from the TV and smartphone for a week. Your child will enjoy a full day of music, cooking, crafts, and more. Lunch provided.

• Ages 7 - 10 • One Session: August 6th - August 10th

Give the Gift of Birmingham

Digging for Dinosaurs Preschool Camp – Come and dig for dinosaur bones and make your very own dinosaur teeth. In this camp, preschoolers will have fun learning tons of facts about dinosaurs through songs, stories and hands-on activities.

• Ages 3-5 • One Session: June 24th-June 28th

Birmingham Shopping District Gift Certificates

Young Filmmakers Camp – So you want to be a filmmaker? Join us as each camper will have a rare opportunity to develop their unique talents and creativity to create a short film together from start to finish. Campers will also get a behind the scenes tour of the Emagine Palladium Theatre and show their movie on the big screen!

• Ages 10+ • Two Sessions: July 15th-18th and August 12th-15th

graduation parties, birthdays & more.

make great gifts for family and friends! Keep them in mind for end-of-year teacher gifts, Father’s Day,

Visit www.ALLINBirmingham.com/Gift for details.

Safe Sitter Babysitter Safety Camp – The Safe Sitter babysitting workshop is a nationally recognized hands-on workshop for children ages 11 and older to learn to be a safe and effective babysitter. The camp will cover first aid, crime safety, fire safety, infant and child CPR with mannequin practice, the business of babysitting and more.

• Ages 11+ • One Session: July 22nd – July 24th Cooking Camps – Join us for this culinary extravaganza. Campers will soon learn that the only limitation to your gourmet creations is campers' imagination. Campers will learn kitchen safety, cooking techniques and broaden their sense of taste.

• Ages 8-13 • Four Sessions: June 24th-June 28th; July 22nd – July 26th; July 29th -August 8th; August 12th-16th Theatre Camps – Is your child a budding comedian? Do they love to act and sing? Our theatre camps, offered by renown Theatre Camp Directors Joey Albright & Debbie Tedrick, have something for every interest and age including: • Junior Division (Grades 3 -7) Theatre Camps: Beginning or Advanced Three Sessions: June 17th-28th, July 8th-July 19th and July 22nd- August 2nd • Senior Division (Grades 7 - 12) Theatre Camps Three Sessions: June 17th-29th, July 8th-19th and July 22rd-August 2nd.

BIRMINGHAM SHOPPING DISTRICT

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

downtownpublications.com

W W W. A L L I N B I R M I N G H A M . C O M

DOWNTOWN

@BHAMSHOPPING

85

SOCIETY NOTEBOOK/GIGI NICHOLS

1

2

3

Habitat Oakland Women Build Welcome Home

4

The Habitat Oakland Women Build Luncheon began six years ago with just 40 attendees.

Attendance has grown exponentially and this year the organization hosted 240 people. Johnna Struck, Women Build Volunteer Chair, welcomed the guests along with sponsor John North, CEO of Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel and the North Family Foundation. A keynote address was given by Dr. Teresa Bartlett, Senior Medical Officer, Sedgwick. The Welcome Home Luncheon serves as the official kickoff to the fundraising efforts for the year. The organization has a goal to raise $100,000 in 2019 and to grow their team to 100 women volunteers. 1. Kelly Monsour, Laura Durkin and Aime Melone of Clarkston. 2. Karen Joliat and Sarah Alcala of Waterford.

3. Cindy Fisher and Patti Gilman of Clarkston. 4. John and Beth North of Birmingham. 5. Mike and Chris Hopkins of Bloomfield. 6. Mary Barnett, Susan Barnett and Shari Barnett of Bloomfield.

7. Johnna Struck, Women Build Volunteer chair of Waterford and Dena Vatalaro of Ferndale.

8. Azurely Kerr of Bloomfield and and Keynote Speaker Teresa Bartlett of Shelby Twp.

6

7

8

1

2

3

5

JVS Trade Secrets

4

6 downtownpublications.com

Through individualized coaching, counseling and placement services, JVS helps women re-enter the workforce after significant life-changing events, such as financial need due to family job loss, divorce, or the death or disability of a spouse or partner. Over 450 people attended the JVS Trade Secrets fundraising dinner which was held at the Marriott in Troy. Luisa Harrington was honored with the 2019 Women to Work Award. The event was co-chaired by Roz Blanck, Kristen Gross and Linda Wagner. The evening raised $240,000 for the JVS Women to Work Program and other services that support women job seekers. 1. Luisa Harrington of Troy and President and CEO of JVS Human Services Leah Rosenbaum of Southfield. 2. Event co-chairs Roz Blanck of Franklin, Kristen Gross of Franklin and Linda Wagner of W. Bloomfield. 3. Stephanie Kondratow of Novi and Nancy Mahlin of Beverly Hills. 4. Linda Wagner of W. Bloomfield and Marcia Nodel of Birmingham. 5. Aaron Chernow of Bloomfield and Aileen Canu of Chersterfield Twp. 6. Marci Canvasser of Franklin and Julie Nelson-Klein of Bloomfield.

7. Patricia Mooradian and Fair Radom of Bloomfield. 8. Annette and Jack Aronson of Bloomfield.

5

8

7 DOWNTOWN

87

SOCIETY NOTEBOOK/GIGI NICHOLS

1

2

3

Ted Lindsay Foundation Celebrity Wine Pour

4

This year’s Ted Lindsay Foundation Celebrity Wine Pour paid special tribute to its founder, Ted Lindsay, who passed away March 4. Many Red Wing alumni came out to support the event, which was held at the San Marino Club in Troy. Over 230 attending guests enjoyed wines from Casa Dumetz, a strolling dinner and auction. The Celebrity Wine Pourers featured Paul W. Smith and Frank Beckmann from WJR, Deena Centofanti and Jay Towers from Fox 2, as well as former Red Wing John Ogrodnick and his wife BettyAnne. The silent/live auctions raised $16,000, with all proceeds benefiting Autism research and educational programs. 1. John and BettyAnne Ogrodnick of Farmington Hills and Larry and Jaimee Murphy of Birmingham. 2. Pam Ayres of Bloomfield and John Schalter of Shelby Twp. 3. Eddie Mio of W. Bloomfield, BettyAnne Ogrodnick of Farmington Hills and Dino Ciccarelli. 4. Lynn LaPaugh of Rochester Hills and Dr. Lucia Zamorano of W. Bloomfield.

5. Celebrity Pourers from Fox 2: Deena Centofanti of Lake Orion and Jay Towers of Rochester Hills.

6. Mickey and Arlene Redmond. 7. Celebrity Pourers from WJR: Paul W. Smith of Bloomfield and Frank Beckmann of Oakland Twp. 8. Bill Dow of Birmingham and Sandy Sommer of Canton.

6

7

8

1

2

3

5

Sing Out 4 Kids

4

6 88

Over 160 people attended FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation annual fundraiser, Sing Out 4 Kids, at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. The event was co-chaired by Karla Sherry and Anna Giammarco. Fox 2’s Roop Raj served as the evening’s emcee while guests enjoyed performances by local celebrities, cocktails, dinner and socializing. The evening raised $114,000 which will provide creative arts and recreational therapy to people with special needs.

1. Co-chairs Anna Giammarco of Northville and Karla Sherry of Bloomfield. 2. Rebecca King and Catherine Barnes of Beverly Hills. 3. Melanie and Chris Scott of Beverly Hills. 4. Brittany Newton of Ferndale and Pam Audette of Chesterfield. 5. Pamela Ayres and Christian Wohler of Bloomfield. 6. Jennie Cascio of Bloomfield, Alex Cascio of Grosse Pointe and Jean Bugeaud of Sterling Heights. 7. Lisa Brennan of Birmingham, Sonna Johns of Chesterfield, Irena Studnicka of Novi, Sara Simon of Beverly Hills and Frank Salvage of Chicago. 8. Emcee Roop Raj, Julie Booksh of Clarkston and Steve Acho and Ilena Vaccarelli of W. Bloomfield.

5

8

7 DOWNTOWN

06.19

GigiNichols@downtownpublications.com 248.515.6105

1

2

3

Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation, CeleBHration

4

6

1

The goal of the Bloomfield Hills School Foundation’s “CeleBHration” fundraiser was to raise money for the BHSF grant program. The grants will provide teachers and schools with the funds necessary to bring enriching experiences to the BHS students. This year, the Foundation also honored eight student-nominated Inspirational Educators – one from each school. One hundred and fifty BHSF supporters attended the event which was held at the home of parent Jessica Woll. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and patrons, $80,000 was raised. 1. Superintendent Rob Glass and Beth Glass of Bloomfield. 2. James and Cathie Badalamenti of Birmingham.

3. Host Jessica Woll of Bloomfield and PTO President Suzanne Vaupel of Bloomfield.

4. John Marshall and Julie Garcia of Bloomfield. 5. Ron Vaupel and Linda Finkel of Bloomfield.

6. Katherine and Kevin Kosco of Bloomfield. 7. Brian and Julie Boike of Bloomfield.

8. Chairs, Host Committee Lea and Billy Narens of Bloomfield.

5

8

7

2

Daffodils 4 Detroit

3

5 downtownpublications.com

The first Daffodils 4 Detroit luncheon was orchestrated in 2010 by Claudia Scioly and Cecily O’Connor from the Bloomfield Hills branch of the Michigan Division of Woman's National Farm & Garden Association. The first luncheon celebrated the planting of 3,000 daffodils on Belle Island and this year the organization’s goal is to plant four million bulbs – one for each resident in the metro Detroit area. Over 450 women from 24 Farm & Garden branches assembled at the Detroit Yacht Club for the annual event. The funds raised will be used to purchase and plant bulbs. 1. Claudia Grace and Marcia Mandell of Livonia. 2. Cecily O’Connor and Lynn Stinson of Bloomfield. 3. Sarah McClure of Bloomfield and Elana Rugh Beverly Hills. 4. Clara Davis and Lillian Maley of Bloomfield. 5. Linda Smith and Karol LaHaie of Milford. 6. Rebecca McNaughton and Lynn Stinson of Bloomfield.

4

6 DOWNTOWN

89

SOCIETY NOTEBOOK/GIGI NICHOLS

1

2

3

Gleaners Women’s Power Breakfast

4

Six hundred influential female leaders gathered at the MGM Grand Detroit for Gleaners Community Food Bank’s Annual Women’s Power Breakfast. The event honored Skillman Foundation’s Tonya Allen and Michigan Department of Education, Office of Health & Nutrition Services director Dr. Diane Golzynski. The Women’s Power Breakfast also launched Gleaners monthlong Million Meal Match campaign aimed at raising at least one million meals for children. The organization was just named “Food Bank of the Year” by Feeding America, a national association of more than 200 food banks. 1. Ric DeVore of Birmingham, Stacy Averill of Westland, Gerry Brisson of Ferndale. 2. Lisa Brody of Bloomfield and Jessica Cooper of Beverly Hills. 3. Karen Dowgiert of Bloomfield and Jacqueline Mouton of Rochester. 4. Debbie Dingell of Dearborn and Suzette Hohendorf of Birmingham. 5. Haley Stevens of Rochester Hills and Don Tanner of Bloomfield.

6. Mari Manoogian of Birmingham and Lisa Brown of W. Bloomfield. 7. Wendy Kemp of Auburn Hills and Deb Nicholau of Commerce Twp. 8. Carrie Lezotte of Franklin and Trish Dewald of Royal Oak.

6

7

8

1

2

3

5

The StoryTellers Guild Luncheon

4

6 90

Over 100 members and guests of the StoryTellers Guild gathered at The Community House for their annual fundraising luncheon featuring award winning children’s author and illustrator Wong Herbert Yee. Book Beat of Oak Park coordinated a book sale and donated a portion of the sales to the Guild. The Guild’s mission is to improve childhood literacy through the art of storytelling in underserved schools. The money raised at the luncheon will be utilized to purchase new books for underserved schools. 1. Linda Wilson and Joan Kremple of Beverly Hills. 2. Arlene Rochlen of Birmingham and Debra Carleton of Franklin. 3. Gale Cunningham of Royal Oak and Jeri Burch of Bloomfield. 4. Gretchen Gonzalez of Bloomfield and Annette Zammit of Birmingham.

5. Guest author and illustrator Wong Herbert Yee of Troy. 6. Eileen Britsky of Troy, Mary HestonPowe of Birmingham and Kathy Rheaume of Birmingham. 7. Dottie Brenner of Beverly Hills and Jamie Bloom of Bloomfield. 8. Karen Sallee of Bloomfield and Erin Uhrig of Beverly Hills.

5

8

7 DOWNTOWN

06.19

GigiNichols@downtownpublications.com 248.515.6105

1

2

3

The Village Club Foundation Luncheon

4

A sold-out crowd of 200 attendees packed The Village Club in Bloomfield Hills for the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual foundation luncheon. The foundation, which serves as the philanthropic arm of The Village Club, announced grants totaling $191,000, which will be awarded to 49 non-profit organizations in the tri-county area. Presentations were given by several of the grant recipients. Organizations receiving funding include the Furniture Bank of SE Michigan, CARE House, NEXT, Sweet Dreamzzz, Women Who Weld, and Oakland Literacy Council, just to name a few. 1. Linda Day of Commerce Twp. and Sue Sweeney of Birmingham. 2. Carol Litka of Troy and Nancy Schutte of Bloomfield. 3. Leigh Ann Mills of Bloomfield and Anne Nechal of Ferndale. 4. Elaine Brown of Bloomfield and Erica Battle of Royal Oak. 5. Mary Boucher of Bloomfield, Rita Margherio of Orchard Lake and Susan Baker of Bloomfield. 6. Sandra Pott of Rochester and Becky McLennan of Bloomfield. 7. Helene Predhomme of Birmingham and Barb Richards of White Lake. 8. Linda Wilson of Birmingham and Judy Bean of Bloomfield.

6

7

8

1

2

3

5

Oakland Bar Foundation Signature Event

4

6 downtownpublications.com

The Oakland County Bar Foundation hosted its 20th Annual Signature Event at Oakland Hill Country Club to continue a long tradition of support for Michigan-based legal aid and education programs. Proceeds from past events have assisted the important work of the Family Law Assistance Project, Beaumont Patient Legal Support Program, Michigan Center for Civic Education Through Law, Southwest Detroit Immigrant and Refugee Center, Youth Law Conference and more. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event was attended by 400 people and raised $238,000. 1. Michael Sullivan of Bloomfield, Lisa Hamameh of Berkley and Michael Schloff of Birmingham. 2. Clarence Pozza of Ann Arbor and Dr. Andrew Malec of Bloomfield 3. Harvey Weingarden of W. Bloomfield, Hon. Rae Lee Chabot of Franklin and Bryan Schefman of Bloomfield. 4. Mark and Cathy Bank of Bloomfield. 5. Melinda and Richard Kollins of Keego Harbor. 6. Shirley Kaigler of Detroit and Sonja Lengnick of Bloomfield.

7. Al Hassinger of Oakland Twp. and Daniel Gilbert of Rochester Hills. 8. Jennifer Roosenberg of Commerce Twp., James Parks of Beverly Hills and Edward Pappas of Franklin.

5

8

7 DOWNTOWN

91

SOCIETY NOTEBOOK/GIGI NICHOLS

1

2

3

Women Helping Women Fashion Show/Luncheon

4

Grace Centers of Hope provides refuge, safety, security and a wide range of programs to help people in need rebuild their lives and re-enter society as productive and responsible citizens. The non-profit hosted its “Women Helping Women” Fashion Show and Luncheon at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester to a crowd of 600 women. Attendees heard inspirational testimonials and watched an impactful video featuring a young woman’s struggle with addiction. The event raised $200,000 which will benefit the Grace Centers of Hope Women's programs. 1. Pamela Lombardo of Leonard, Karen Seder of Rochester and Renee White of Bloomfield. 2. Lisa Evola, Enza Evola, Milica Evola and Mira Simunoska of Macomb. 3. Patti Spanke of Rochester Hills, Sandy Menzo of Rochester Hills and Donna Cukrowski of Bloomfield. 4. Ruth Young of Shelby Twp. and Patricia Sweeney of Rochester Hills. 5. Jennifer Faraj of Commerce Twp. and Leann Tisdall of Wixom. 6. Katie Wolf of Birmingham, Marci Kelkar of Birmingham, Amy Francis of Bloomfield and Laura Kachan of Bloomfield. 7. Jenni Knight of Birmingham and Greta Wenk of Grosse Pointe. 8. Nany Rice of Bloomfield and Penelope Francis of Royal Oak.

6

7

8

1

2

3

5

STUDIO, Cranbrook Academy of Art and Art Museum

4

6 92

Cranbrook’s STUDIO event gave attendees the opportunity to stroll through the private studio spaces of Cranbrook Academy of Art and to discuss the artwork with students and artists-inresidence. The evening also included a reception, short program, dinner under the tent and an (AFTER)STUDIO dance party. Proceeds from STUDIO support scholarships benefit Cranbrook Academy of Art students and programming for Cranbrook Art Museum. The STUDIO event was chaired by Ashley Crain and Christine Colman and netted over $600,000. 1. Sunny Kim of Bloomfield, Phoebe Kuo of Franklin and Leslie Shen of Madison Heights. 2. Yi Zhang of Bloomfield and Scott Kliuler of Bloomfield. 3. Asia and David Iafrate of Bloomfield. 4. Brian and Dr. Gosia Baumann of Bloomfield. 5. Jeff Schofield of Bloomfield. 6. Brenda and Howard Rosenberg of Bloomfield. 7. Ken Gross of Bloomfield and Gerhardt Knodel of Bloomfield.

8. Rebekah Sweda of Westland and Terry and Linda Theodore of Bloomfield.

5

8

7 DOWNTOWN

06.19

(248) 681-8500 (248) 553-5050 All Star

NEW TREND EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

visit www.TheMichaelTeam.com

RE/MAX NEW TREND MIDDLE STRAITS LAKE - $2,190,000 spectacular custom Lakefront home w/ 110 ft. Main Lk frontage on all-sports Lake w/ awesome Views.

CALL

GILBERT LAKE - $1,890,000

UPPER STRAITS LAKE LOT - $1,899,000

PINE LAKE - $1,350,000

CASS LAKE - $2,590,000

s pEctacuLar L akEfront acrE Lot. 97 f t. frontagE !

BEautifuL g rounds and faBuLous L akE V iEWs !

B rEathtaking, E xcLusiVE p rEMiuM 4+ acrE L akEfront s itE ! across froM 12 th fairWay of o rchard L akE c ountry c LuB.

a LMost 79 f t. of p riME p inE L akE f rontagE . panoraMic s unsEt V iEWs . oVEr haLf acrE .

spEctacuLar onE- of-a-kind aLL-sports LakEfront rEModELEd contEMporary. approx 280 f t WatEr frontagE . panoraMic LakE ViEWs!

CALL

CALL

CALL

CALL

DEER LAKE - $1,590,000

WEST BLOOMFIELD - $950,000

PINE LAKE - $3,700,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS ESTATE - $1,700,000

127' of a LL s ports d EEr L akE f rontagE on a hiLLsidE sEtting . infinity EdgE pooL With a 2-tiEr WatErfaLL . 4 Br, 6.5 B aths .

c ustoM B uiLt B rick c oLoniaL in s outhWyck s uB. LoadEd With u pgradEs & c ustoM d EtaiLs . f inishEd W aLkout.

Luxury EstatE W ith B EautifuL L akE V iEW s unsEts ! LakE L iVing at its M ost g Lorious !

7,000+ s f of o Ld WorLd c harM & ModErn day a MEnitiEs .

6 B EdrooMs , Bonus r ooM , finishEd LL. o n o nE acrE Lot.

CALL

CALL

CALL

CALL

WEST BLOOMFIELD - $749,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS - $575,000

MILFORD ESTATE - $985,000

WEST BLOOMFIELD – $749,000

iMpEccaBLE 5 BEdrooM c ustoM -B uiLt hoME . finishEd LoWEr L EVEL . in s outhWyck s uB.

s praWLing u pdatEd r anch hoME W/ finishEd WaLkout. s pEctacuLar nEar 1 acrE Lot W/ WaLnut L akE p riViLEgEs .

M agnificEnt c ustoM EstatE . finishEd WaLkout LL. g orgEous nEarLy 3 acrE hiLLtop s Etting W/ pond.

iMpEccaBLE 5 BEdrooM c ustoM -B uiLt hoME . finishEd LoWEr L EVEL . in s outhWyck s uB.

CALL

CALL

CALL

CALL

ENDNOTE

Smart development: collaborative effort n the digital world, a "collaborative development environment" refers to an online process of involving stakeholders to develop new software; however, the same concept can be applied to the analog world, where planning and building of major construction projects bring residents, builders and other stakeholders together in an effort to match developments with the community's character.

That's exactly what happened on Tuesday, May 14, at the Hackett Building in Bloomfield Village where an overflow crowd met to oppose a proposed community church campus pitched by Troy-based Kensington Church for the Detroit Country Day School property at 3600 Bradway Boulevard, at the school's Bloomfield Village Campus.

The church, which has gained a reputation as a mega-church of sorts due to its tremendous growth throughout southeast Michigan, entered into a $2.9 million contract in April to purchase the 3.5-acre campus. The church has since been investigating specifics on the site, including traffic patterns and proposed parking, as well as gauging the local community's support for the proposed project.

At the heart of the plans, the church proposed razing about 19,000 square feet of the campus's existing 36,000 square-foot building. Another 16,000 square feet would have been added to accommodate classrooms and other activities. In total, the auditorium at the campus would house about 450 for worship services, with additional activities on most weekends.

From the get-go, developer Cunningham Limp said it would be transparent in the planning process and listen to the concerns of neighboring

I

residents. And to their credit, that's exactly what they did.

"We committed going in that if this wasn't something that they felt would be an asset and fit in with the community and they didn't want us to go here, that we would step aside and withdraw our request," Cunningham Limp CEO Don Kegley said after the May 14 meeting. "We had two meetings with them, and the process was fair and the people took the time to become educated and engaged. We are disappointed with the results, but we have no issue on how we got there."

Citing issues with traffic, noise and parking, some 600 Bloomfield Village residents signed onto a petition objecting to the project. With overwhelming opposition at two different public meetings, the church opted to stick to its initial promise and withdraw the project for consideration. Those in attendance gave the action a standing ovation.

We too applaud both the developer, local residents of Bloomfield Village, as well as Bloomfield Village officials for working together to bring the idea to the public in an open and honest process, and for organizing a clear and concise response. The process is a great example of what we can call a collaborative planning process that truly incorporates public sentiment and developer intentions.

Too often the words "transparent" and "public input" are thrown about without any real meaning.

More often than not, public outcry opposing a project comes across as a vocal minority rather than a true representation of an entire neighborhood or community. Likewise, we have seen where those concerns appear to be ignored, so long as a development can be pushed through

with legal justification. The result is often a development that fails to gain buy-ins from the community, resulting in economic failure, longterm resentment or both.

In this particular case, the opposition to the project was clear. Not only did residents take time to organize a response, they even provided the developer with annotated maps as to where the greatest opposition and support came. Likewise, the developer took steps to ensure appropriate information was provided to community members, despite the knowledge that opposition could thwart the proposal.

The process should serve as an example to other projects in and around the area that come before municipal boards in the future. By gauging true community sentiment on a development before going too far into the planning process – rather than listening to a vocally disgruntled minority – both developers and those in the community win. In cases where opposition is too great to overcome, developers can avoid failed projects before making larger investments. The process also assists developers in building a reputation of trust when it comes to future projects.

Of particular note in this case is the effort on behalf of residents in Bloomfield Village. Faced with an unfavorable development, word has it the community is now looking at ways to purchase the property themselves to establish their own community center. In other words, concern about neighborhood buy-in may lead to a literal buy-in by residents who want to see their own vision for the community become reality.

Missing ingredient for a local tech hub n the last 10 or 11 years, since the onset of the Great Recession and a brain drain of millennials from the state, we're delighted to learn that large areas of southeast Michigan are growing as hubs of technology and innovation, countering that drain of talent, and drawing research, jobs and financial investment. Technological knowledge, creativity, innovation, talent and artistry are all prized attributes of entrepreneurs and employees, and are being successfully used to grow companies larger, and to develop smaller businesses that feed on one another.

Tech hubs are physical spaces, whether a city, suburb, university, or just a suite of offices, which have developed as an environment conducive to the growth of technological startup companies. In and around southeast Michigan, tech hubs have grown in downtown Detroit, midtown Detroit, Corktown, Rochester Hills/Auburn Hills, Farmington Hills and Ann Arbor. Tech hubs also grow when there is an economic environment that is supportive, offering shared workspaces and affordable housing.

I

When looking at the list of tech hubs, we note the lack of inclusion of Birmingham – with its plethora of educated, inquisitive and creative individuals. While several downtown Birmingham offices are occupied by members of the creative class – advertising agencies, social media firms, public relations firms and others populating the area – it would be exciting to witness – locally – the burgeoning of what is being referred to as Industry 4.0 – the fourth Industrial Revolution.

A necessary component to bringing in a younger, technologically-minded workforce is to create and offer more affordable residential options, so that in a municipality that has developed a thriving walkable downtown, has excellent public and private schools, low crime, and high quality of living standards, there is an organic hub which develops in Birmingham, with workers that choose to live, work and play in the city.

It's a topic that has started to surface on occasion at city government meetings, with a concern that the city's effort to develop an even

higher residential density in the downtown area is stymied when the only new housing on the horizon is the million dollar plus variety.

Birmingham has done an admirable job of planning for the future but the one missing ingredient is the more affordable housing element.

The city has laid the groundwork as a center of creativity but more can be done.

As Oakland County Deputy of Economic Development Mike McCready said, “Everyone wants to be in Oakland County because you can't recruit someone for an executive position to a small town without access to shopping, social life, freeways, good schools, neighborhoods, and to the calibre of talent that is here.” That also applies to drawing in the workers for tech and creative businesses.

The ingredients for the next creative and tech hub in Oakland County are in Birmingham. It's time to stir the pot, and add more affordable housing to the mix.

GRAND TRANSFORMATIONS IN HOME BUILDING AND REMODELING

SERVING HOMEOWNERS & PROFESSIONALS

KASTLERCONSTRUCTION.COM 248.655.5580

VISIONARYCABINETRY.COM 248.850.7178

Visit our 2,500+ square foot showroom at 425/429 S. Main Street in Clawson, MI

M I C H I G A N ’ S # 1 R E A LTO R® LE A D ING THE S TATE FOR NINE CONSECU TIV E Y E A R S CONTINUING THE BROOCK LEGACY AS A FOURTH GENERATION REALTOR®

248.318.4504 | KATHY@MAXBROOCKHOMES.COM | KATHYBROOCK.COM

275 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009