Birmingham/Bloomfield

PLACES TO EAT: 200 RESTAURANTS • GERAK: SOCIAL LIGHTS 108

B I R M I N G H A M

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B L O O M F I E L D

MARCH 2018

PLUS

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

2018 RACES: THREAT OF BLUE WAVE FOR CONGRESS DIY DANGERS: HOME PROJECTS AND HEALTH RISKS MASS TRANSIT: PATTERSON NEEDS TO CHANGE TUNE ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

DOWNTOWNPUBLICATIONS.COM

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

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KATHERINE SCHUERMAN Client Relations Manager

DAN GUTFREUND Top Producer

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DAVID MEISNER Real Estate Specialist

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204 S. GLENGARRY | BLOOMFIELD TWP. $749,000

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1885 WASHINGTON | BIRMINGHAM $528,000

1515 LONE PINE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,799,000

533 WILCOX | ROCHESTER $1,049,000

580 W. FRANK STREET | BIRMINGHAM $1,999,000

839 RANDALL COURT | BIRMINGHAM $1,170,000

745 WALLACE | BIRMINGHAM $1,699,000

1807 SAMOSET | ROYAL OAK $499,000

2660 FAIRWAY COURT | OAKLAND TWP. $1,199,000

1481 W. LINCOLN | BIRMINGHAM $499,000 OR $3,450/MO.

8521 MOUNT McSAUBA | CHARLEVOIX $699,900

76776 THORNHOUSE | SOUTH HAVEN $4,999,000

1224 HIDDEN LAKE DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,199,000

1250 VAUGHAN ROAD | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $2,199,000

710 KENNEBEC | BLOOMFIELD HILLS $979,000

955 S. BATES | BIRMINGHAM $1,649,000

17387 BRIAR RIDGE LANE | NORTHVILLE $899,900

384 W. BROWN STREET | BIRMINGHAM $599,000

863 BATES | BIRMINGHAM $1,649,000

1027 SUFFIELD | BIRMINGHAM $1,800,000

715 CATALPA | ROYAL OAK $479,000

1381 BUCKINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM $959,900

8276 MAPLE VALLEY ROAD | GLADWIN $8,500,000

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DOWNTOWN03.18

35

Forecast for local congressional races Political pundits take a look at three local congressional districts to assess which party might have the best chance of winning come the November general election and what factors may influence the outcome.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

18

Operating under the banner of Promote The Vote, a petition drive may soon start to cement in the Michigan Constitution some changes in the way ballots are cast in this state, assuming voters agree.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

28

Where is the real Dave Trott?; Kowall jumps into 11th skirmish while Heise drops out; Young Guns of the GOP; national note for Stevens, Slotkin, Saad; Michael Schostak for Michigan House.

CRIME LOCATOR

31

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

MUNICIPAL

75

New assistant city manager; St. Croix Collections moves to Birmingham; Mitchell’s Fish Market closes; contract set for Old Woodward project in March; restaurant entertainment rules relaxed; plus more.

THE COVER Think spring. Color surrounding Shain Park in downtown Birmingham.

Downtown photo: Jean Lannen.

February cover note: The sculpture appearing outside of the Academy of Sacred Heart on our February cover was created by Robert Sestok, who also created the Stainless Steel artowrk at Pierce and Brown in Birmingham. A Birmingham native, he now lives in Detroit. See more of his work at citysculpture.com.

GOLDEN GOOSE

SIMONE ROCHA

PETER PILOTTO

MARNI

N ° 21

FASHION IS THE COURAGE TO MAKE YOUR OWN STATEMENT

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– Seller, Bloomfield

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Meredith Colburn

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Associate Broker

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FRANKLIN | 32487 Scottsdale Road | $765,000

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CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 151 Manorwood Drive | $899,000

BLOOMFIELD | 1390 Kirkway Road | $3,865,000

48

Doug Fehan

SOCIAL LIGHTS

108

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

ENDNOTE

114

Brooks Patterson has taken the wrong stance on regional mass transit. Plus we comment on a recent federal court decision favoring Bloomfield Township homeowners.

FACES

32 48 73 93 97 104

Sofia Isabella Lutman Doug Fehan Ken Daniels Max Jacobson Dr. Annis Pratt Kerry Duggan

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

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 Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS

CONGRATULATIONS TIM SMITH! Congratulations to Tim Smith, Chemical Bank Mortgage Loan Officer, on a record year!

Chemical Bank is proud to announce that Tim Smith was named our #1 Mortgage Loan Officer for production volume in 2017. Tim and his team, Lisa Brunskill, Kelly Green and Mari Wink, had an outstanding year closing 321 homes for over $140 million in volume!

Tim’s customer-first attitude and commitment to community, combined with his outstanding support team, have allowed him to have the best year of his 34 year career. You can feel confident to close working with a dedicated professional like Tim Smith and Chemical Bank.

Join the many homeowners who have relied on Tim’s committed service to his customers and contact him today!

Tim Smith | NMLS #533266 Tim.Smith@ChemicalBank.com | 248.770.3717 Apply Online: ChemicalBank.com/TimSmith

FROM THE PUBLISHER ince 1963 when the current Michigan Constitution was adopted by the electorate, there have been 74 proposed amendments to the state’s governing document. Thirtyone of those amendments made it to the ballot by citizen petition, and 10 of those were approved at the ballot box.

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Come this November, we could be looking at about five ballot issues as a result of petition efforts, a few of them constitutional changes.

One of those, which I heard about a year ago in conversation with a friend in Birmingham, would enshrine in the Michigan Constitution a number of changes to how voting is handled in this state. The intent is to open up the voting process so that it is more readily accessible for citizens and hopefully increase voter turnout.

While still awaiting approval of petition language in Lansing before gatherers begin circulating petitions, this effort will fly under the banner of Promote The Vote. An abbreviated recap of what this constitutional amendment would do is preserve the right to a straight party vote option on partisan elections; provide for automatic registration to vote when dealing with the Michigan Secretary of State office; allow for same day registration/voting and early voting; and provide for what’s known as “no reason” absentee balloting.

Frankly I had my reservations about some elements of this proposal, so I took the time to discuss the proposal with a couple of key municipal clerks in Oakland County who I hold in esteem, and did considerable research to see how other states fared after making similar changes years – and in some cases decades – ago.

Let’s first look at the two issues that have been on my radar for years – “no reason” absentee voting and straight party voting.

“No reason” absentee voting means just that. You call or visit your local clerk’s office and ask for an application for an absentee ballot. You can cast your ballot while you are there or just mail the ballot to the local clerk. Under current election regulations you must indicate that you will not be in your voting precinct on election day; are 60 years of age or older; have a physical disability; have religious objections; are in jail; or will be working as a precinct inspector – regulations that seemed archaic to me for the last 30 years as I voted absentee on a majority of elections.

The proposed amendment change pushed by Promote the Vote would extend the right to an absentee ballot without having to give a reason.Twenty seven other states have allowed “no reason” absentee voting.

There have been a number of attempts in the state legislature to enact an election law change that would provide for “no reason” absentee ballots. Most recently, Michigan Secretary of State (and Oakland native) Ruth Johnson sponsored legislation in June of 2015 that would have done just that, but GOP lawmakers who control the flow of bills in the legislature were dismissive in the Senate. Among those opposing even allowing lawmakers to vote on the issue was Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhoff, a Republican from West Olive, who we can generally count on to oppose anything progressive.

In the House, and eventually the Senate, they did approve Johnson’s proposal but tied it to a bill that eliminated straight party voting, which is now the subject of a federal lawsuit. Oh, I almost forgot – one Republican in the House also introduced legislation that would have restricted the hours local clerks could keep their offices open on weekends to issue ballots and and process absentee ballots. (I am not making that up.)

That brings us to the second personal concern – the ban on straight party voting in this state – the same one voters twice at the polls voted to keep but lawmakers (mostly Republicans) found a way to circumvent the wishes of their constituents.

The Republican majority in both the House and Senate say this will force people to learn more about candidates running for office, rather than just selecting to vote for all candidates running from the same political party. Really. So even if lawmakers win out in federal court on this issue, a constitutional change would mean straight ticket voting is here to stay.

As to the other critical changes proposed by Promote The Vote – same day registration/voting and early voting, I understand the concerns I heard from local clerks.

On same day registration/voting, for one, there would likely have to be an upgrade in some equipment and technology to allow for someone to walk in to a voting precinct or a specified place aside from the precinct and ask to register on voting day because in most communities the laptops used by election workers are not networked and there’s no VPN internet access to check voting rolls at the state or federal level to make sure a person has not voted already. Most likely there would be a need for some extra labor to conduct an election. This could pose a problem in some rural areas where high speed web access is not available and election staffs may only be a couple of people, but I would think – like with other laws in this state – we can consider adjusting requirements for rural communities or smaller population municipalities.

Research shows that there are 15 states and Washington D.C. with same day registration/voting, and seven of those states have been successfully doing so without networked laptops for poll workers and access to recommended VPN servers or high speed internet. A number of studies have shown that “same day” increases voter turnout an average of five percent. Studies have also shown no conclusive evidence that partisan outcomes were impacted and that certain races or economic classes will benefit more than others.

There is also legitimate concern about not being able to mail newly registered voters for assurance that they actually reside where they say they do. But a number of states have introduced provisional ballots that are not counted in vote totals until the normal verification procedures can be followed.

On the issue of early voting, in 1978 there were no states offering this option.

By 2008, 31 states offered early voting. Prior to my research, I was under the impression that early voting would prove to be of benefit to inner city areas which is why Republicans opposed to this idea have labeled it a boon for Democrats. But the facts don’t support this characterization. And for those that worry about fraud, we have little fraud in Michigan voting now, contrary to what you might hear from lawmakers more interested in suppressing votes. With the correct structure on the proposed changes, that situation won’t change in the future.

Lastly, on the issue of automatic voter registration when you are dealing with an office of the Secretary of State, I think it’s a no brainer. Other states have found this to be a positive change and 14 states now pre-register 16 and 17 year-olds prior to turning 18. It’s time we caught up.

Yes, there will be some period of adjustment if Promote The Vote is successful in getting this on the ballot and passed by voters. And there may well be some added expense in terms of upgrading equipment and added labor. But overall, this proposal would seem to be relatively solid and worth your support if you have the opportunity to sign a petition. If we can make voting easier and more convenient, who knows, we may be able to increase voter participation in the future.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

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INCOMING Asbestos longform piece I just wanted to drop you a line and let you tell you how much I liked Kevin Elliott’s piece on asbestos in the January Downtown magazine.

I thought it was well researched, flowed nicely and had some statistics that really surprised me. I am saving it to reference in the future.

Amy Skalmusky, Marketing Director PM Environmental Lansing

Credible publisher column I picked up the February 2018 Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield magazine and turned to the “From The Publisher” page.

Now I apologize in advance for making this assumption, but I was expecting another fluff piece from David Hohendorf.

Much to my surprise, and delight, I found a very credible piece on marijuana and the struggles with legalizing it here in Michigan.

I just wanted to reach out and complement you on a very insightful, critical and precise piece of writing.

I look forward to reading your “From The Publisher” prose in the future and I’m sorry I made the assumption I did before I read this.

Jeff Chaney Bloomfield Village

Public forum educates I just wanted to send a quick message and thank you for David Hohendorf’s column (From The Publisher) about marijuana in the February Downtown newsmagazine.

I feel this topic needs to be discussed in a public forum more often so we can educate the general public on the facts.

It is mind numbing when our current administration continues to spew the same old talking points from 40 plus years ago without referencing scientific research on said issue.

Thank you again and I hope articles like this continue to open the eyes of closed-minded folks in our own neighborhoods.

Justin Stainbrook Rochester Hills

Excellent publication A big thank you for an excellent publication which I always enjoy.

It keeps me up to date on political happenings, as well as health and downtownpublications.com

urban issues in the Rochester Hills and surrounding areas.

Melanie A. Hartman, MD Rochester Hills

Getting the vote right I recently had the privilege of attending the Election Assistance Commission’s Summit meeting in Washington D.C. There were three statements made that I want to focus on: 1.

We’ve been told “don’t sweat the small stuff,” but in elections there is no small stuff. 2. The nation’s eyes will not just be on our work, but on the outcomes of our work. 3. Clerks can no longer be election specialists with IT knowledge; we must become IT specialists with election knowledge.

There is no small stuff in elections.

Each election has a planning process that begins several months before the first ballot is cast. Clerks have become statisticians and analysts. For each precinct, we track how many are registered, how many vote, do they vote absentee or at the precincts, what time of day do they normally vote, (in a Presidential Primary) how many vote in each party, and how long does the voter need to vote the ballot. These numbers determine how many workers we need, how many ballots we need, how much parking we need, how many booths we need, etc.

Our ability to analyze the numbers and statistics impacts greatly how good or bad the experience will be for voters. What we do and how we do it comes out in the canvass and in a recount. The nation’s eyes are not just on election day results, but also on the security of the ballots and the integrity of the process. Training of the clerks and of the election inspectors must be thorough, ongoing and mandatory.

During the cybersecurity session of the summit this statement was made, “As good as we are, we just don’t have the resources to keep hackers out.” There was a sense of urgency in the meeting to understand how real the threat is for elections. The statement was also made that the only way to be 100 percent sure that the vote count is accurate is to have a paper ballot.

Michigan does.

As clerks, we have to get it right and we have to get it right every single time. Protecting the vote and protecting voter information is our responsibility in the real world and in the cyber world.

Tina Barton, MMC, CMMC Rochester Hills City Clerk DOWNTOWN

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Magnificent Estate on ~1.5 Acres in Bloomfield Hills $1,399,000

Contemporary Home with Golf and Lake Frontage $999,000

Cozy Colonial in Franklin on over 2 Acres $750,000

Desirable Contemporary Lakefron $629,000

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A private estate tucked back from the road on almost 3 acres of mature trees overlooking the Rouge River located in Bloomfield Hills with Birmingham Schools. A newer constructed home with over 5,000 sq. ft built with stunning architectural details incorporating soaring windows, tumbled marble floors and quality materials. A stunning gourmet chef kitchen with top of the line appliances, oversized island, large pantry and breakfast nook all over look the beautiful grounds.The master suite has a luxurious spa tub, fireplace and his/her bathroomwalk in closets.The basement is your very own recreated street in New Orleans with a wine cellar, bathroom, movie room, work shop and 10ft ceilings. Home has a four car attached garage. A charming guest cottage also sits on the property with a full kitchen, 2 beds, 2 baths, cozy fireplace and a timeless slate roof. The home feels like a Northern Michigan retreat with all the modern amenities. Property, location, privacy- a lucky new owner! Price upon request.

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Ft. |neighborhood $ 5 Beds | 5.2 Baths | 5,758 SF4,121 | HolySq. Name | $2,500,000

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impeccable detail, craftsmanship, and design. Multiple outdoor living and entertaining spaces and perfectly set just steps from the popular North End.

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Center entrance colonial situated on a large lot in the highly desired Foxcroft community! Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, large windows, first floor laundry, newer master bath, 2.5 car garage.

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Two units combined to create this extraordinary condo in sought after Birmingham Place. Beautiful renovation includes all new modern kitchen open to family room, new baths and courtyard views.

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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.

THE REAL DAVE TROTT?: Congressman David Trott (R-Birmingham) appeared to be suffering from multiple personality disorder following the federal government shutdown in January. Trott was first quoted in a January 19 Detroit News article criticizing President Trump for the then-looming shutdown, saying: “I think it’s the president’s fault. He hasn’t led. No question in my mind about that. He hasn’t led on this or many other issues.” The soon-to-be retiring congressman TROTT then waffled away his statement in a Facebook post the following morning. “It’s regrettable and deeply disappointing that Senate Democrats have chosen to shut down the government only to appease their political base... The Senate Democrats need to stop playing games and support the spending bill that passed in the House with bipartisan support.” The abrupt flip-flop is concerning enough for us to look forward to Trott’s retirement later this year, so he can get some much needed rest.

GAIN ONE, LOSE ONE: After leaving local GOP party faithful dangling for months, in early February, state Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake), who is also the state Senate Republican Floor Leader, officially announced he was running for Congress in the 11th District to replace outgoing Rep. David Trott. Kowall has been a small businessman, White Lake supervisor and state representative as well as state senator. In Lansing, Kowall has been supportive of veterans and Michigan businesses, notably of burgeoning autonomous vehicle technologies, an KOWALL expertise which he intends to take to Washington if he is elected. The crowded field he joined just lessened by one – Plymouth Township supervisor Kurt Heise gave Kowall a Valentine’s gift by dropping out of the race and endorsing him as the Republican candidate for the seat. “Mike Kowall is the Republican we need at this critical time in history. Therefore, I am ending my campaign, and endorsing Senator Mike Kowall for Congress in the 11th District. I urge the other candidates to do the same,” Heise said. Still in the Republican game are state Rep. Klint Kesto (West Bloomfield), oil heiress Lena Epstein of Bloomfield Hills, perennial candidate Rocky Raczkowski (Troy), and daughter-offamous-Bill Bonds Kristine Bonds.

READY FOR CLOSE UPS: Once Kowall, Epstein, Kesto, Raczkowski and Bonds fight each other, the real battle will begin for the seat in the November general election.

Democratic candidate Haley Stevens, who is running against fellow Democrats Suneel Gupta, Rep. Tim Greimel and Dan Haberman in the primary for the 11th District, has received a lot of love from national magazines, beginning in April 2017 from Time Magazine in an article, “Inside the Grassroots Movement to Groom a New Generation of Democratic Candidates.” In September, she was highlighted in a New Republic article, “Running on hope,” how former Obama staffer Ravi Gupta is recruiting a fresh slate of candidates to take down Trump. And in January 2018, she was in New York magazine’s The Cut feature, “10 Women Running for Political Office to Watch in 2018,” along with fellow 11th District candidate Fayrouz Saad. Also featured in The Cut article is 8th Congressional District candidate Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat who returned to Holly from three tours in Iraq in intelligence and then work in the Defense Department to take on Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Rochester). Slotkin, Saad and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer also rank a mention in a February New York article, “The Other Women’s March on Washington.” Can’t say no one is noticing Michigan.

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GO, NO GO: Out of the race is Democrat Darlene Dominik of Brighton, who jumped in early to take on Rep. Mike Bishop in Congress’s 8th District, covering Rochester and Rochester Hills to Lansing. Domanik raised just under $15,000 in fundraising in the last quarter, compared to almost $1 million for fellow Democrat Elissa Slotkin of Holly. Word is, once Dominik saw there was a viable – and dynamic – Democrat who could realistically give Bishop a run for his money, she saw the writing in the cash pile, and stepped down, giving Slotkin her support.

WE’LL BE LOYAL CONSERVATIVES: Speaking of 11th District Congressional Republican candidates, Lena Epstein, Klint Kesto and Rocky Raczkowski were recently given an “On the Radar” designation by the National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC). The designation serves as a merit badge of sorts to the Committee’s “Young Guns” program, in which candidates earn ranks by fulfilling certain requirements regarding their campaign organization. Weblo (we’ll be loyal) conservatives Epstein, Kesto and Raczkowski are hoping to earn top honors this August by trouncing their fellow Republicans to then go on in November to replace outgoing Congressman Dave Trott for his seat in Congress. #METOO: They say “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” And in the Age of Trump, that is proving truer and truer. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak told Vice Magazine she became a Democratic candidate for Michigan’s state Senate 13th District (Royal Oak, Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Berkley, Rochester Hills, Rochester and Clawson) running against incumbent Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) – after Trump’s Access Hollywood tape. You know the one. “I remember thinking, ‘How do you tell your daughters that this is not only acceptable behavior but that it’s laudable?’” She decided to run after having moved to Royal Oak in 2015 after living in New York and Los Angeles. “I never had a key to my house growing up.The doors were never locked...It didn’t matter who had more or who had less...We didn’t talk about “right-wings” or “leftists,” liberals or conservatives, whether you were a Republican or a Democrat,” she says on her website. “Let’s create the communities that we want to see.” But can McMorrow’s passion take down Knollenberg, currently mourning the loss of his father, former Congressman Joe Knollenberg, who served 16 years in the House of Representatives? Knollenberg’s name recognition in the district is huge, and McMorrow, who has lived here just three years, may find it a steep mountain to climb.

GOING 40: The race to fill Rep. Mike McMcready’s (R-Bloomfield Hills) shoes in the state House’s 40th District is getting tighter with the addition of another Republican, Bloomfield Township Trustee Michael Schostak.

Schostak, cousin to Bobby Schostak, former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, is a finance lecturer at the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University, and a recent (2016) addition to the township board, where some observers think he’s just gotten his feet wet. Long time fellow trustee Dave Buckley had informed his fellow trustees in January he was also thinking about getting SCHOSTAK aboard the 40th District train, but notified them in February he had reconsidered. Based on his inquisition-like behavior at recent meetings, it’s possible he’s looking to put down a stake in another race, whether in ‘18 or ‘20.

SHOE-IN-MOUTH: Michael Saari, a candidate for Michigan’s 15th District state Senate seat, currently held by Mike Kowall, has opted to drop out of the race following statements he made about Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. The judge became a highly visible figure in the Larry Nassar MSU case and gained attention for condemning the disgraced doctor during his sentencing. Saari, considered a fringe candidate, was quoted in one media account as calling himself a “shoe-in” for the state Senate seat, later put his foot in his mouth when he called the judge a “feminazi” and questioned how she would respond if her husband requested a particular sex act. Saari said a short time later he was dropping out of the race. downtownpublications.com

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Sofia Isabella Lutman usic pumped through Sofia Isabella Lutman’s headphones as she warmed up for one of the biggest auditions of her life, Clara in the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

“I went in there focused,” Lutman said. “I went in there mentally and physically prepared, and I danced to the best of my abilities. I made sure I was warmed up, ready to go.”

All that preparing paid off – she got the part – and performed twice as Clara last December with the company. Lutman – who is in the eighth grade – found herself rehearsing and performing with professional guests artists and current principal dancers with the Russian National Ballet and Moscow Ballet.

Saying she was excited about this dream opportunity would be a severe understatement.

“I was beyond thrilled,” Lutman said about landing the role. “I’ve always dreamed of being Clara, and it's a role not everyone gets a chance to dance.”

The performance at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor — the second of the run — was one of biggest venues Lutman has ever performed in.

“It just made me feel like, you know, a true professional,” Lutman said. “It made me feel so happy to see all those people and know I can entertain them with my art and with my love and with my performing ability. I wish I could do it all again.”

Even though Lutman was well-prepared for the role – and her second performance went off without a hitch – she said that during her first performance it was a little nerve-racking.

“The first show I was a little bit nervous,” she said. “But as soon as my big acting section in the party scene started I went straight to my happy place, which is performing.”

Performing has been Lutman’s happy place since she was six. At eight, she became a competitive dancer before focusing on solely ballet and contemporary at 10.

Now, she’s at the Academy of Russian Classical Ballet, where she’s enrolled in their professional ballet trainee program and taught

by Olga Korotaeva and Mariana Labonova, who are both former professional ballerinas. The program is a specialized intensive yearround program for ballet students who strive for the highest standard in classical ballet education with the goal of a professional ballet career.

Lutman – who lives in Birmingham and dances 27 hours a week, plus three more on Sundays for the ArtLab J Youth Company – said the training in the program is intense but she loves it. This type of program was what Lutman had been searching for.

“I was with another ballet studio and I was like, ‘I really just need something more. I need harder training. I just need more ballet. I want it and I need it in order to become a professional dancer,’” Lutman said. “And ever since I moved into their trainee program, I’ve been so happy and so grateful to be getting this awesome training.”

Her ultimate goal is to become – you probably guessed it – a professional ballerina, ideally with a European company, like the Royal Ballet or Paris Opera Ballet. This way she would be able to not only perform but see different parts of the world.

When asked if she had a favorite part about ballet, she talked about her love for the challenge, the training, and being able to perform, before giving her final answer.

“I don’t think I have a favorite, I just love it all,” Lutman said.

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Photo: Jean Lannen

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GAZING INTO THE 2018 CRYSTAL BALL: LOOKING AT THE COMING ELECTION

BY LISA BRODY AND KEVIN ELLIOTT

B

y most forecasts, the 2018 congressional elections, on a national level, are expected to hold the potential of a huge wave roiling the political landscape, turning some Republican red landscapes into blue ones favoring Democrats. And in some congressional races in Michigan, especially in a couple of districts in Oakland County, voters could see that trend play out as voters head into the November general election.

Technically the April filing deadline to run for Congress is still nearly two months away, but a number of factors have already energized the candidate field and a growing number of hopefuls have announced their intentions to seek their party’s nominations

in the August primary to be the standard bearer for the general election.

There are a number of proven factors that observers posit for 2018. First, it's a midterm election in which the current president of the United States enjoys unusually low favorability ratings, and generally the party in power in off-year elections does not do as well. Women across the country, thanks to Trump, are galvanized to run as candidates as never before, creating what some are calling a “pink wave” in this election year.

Independent voters are political wild cards, and millennials, one of the largest voting blocks, could prove a major factor if they show up at the polls in any kind of concentrated number.

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In December 2017, it was widely believed that all of the factors would portend a Democratic sweep of Congress. But by early February 2018, the Democrats' advantage had declined, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey, which noted that the share of voters that wanted Democrats to win control of Congress in 2018 had shrunk to six points from 11 points in December.

Similarly, in the RealClearPolitics average of national polls, Democrats started 2017 with an advantage of almost 13 points on that question – which is now down to 6.6 percentage points. The Democrats need a net of 24 seats to gain control of the House, and the Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll projects they will pick up more than 30 seats.

In Oakland County, three congressional districts – MI8, currently held by Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Rochester); MI9, long represented by Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak); and MI-11, held by Rep. David Trott (R-Birmingham) – reflect the political trends, from their vulnerability to be flipped from one party to another; voter anger and distrust of political parties, the “Trump factor” – the unpopularity of the President and fatigue one year later, including buyer's remorse; congressmen retiring; and the resistance movement, which was crystalized the day after Trump's inauguration with the Women's March, followed by the online Indivisible movement and a significant rise around the country of women's candidates. For some political pundits, Oakland County is being viewed as a national bellwether.

To get an early projection of what could potentially take place during the 2018 elections in Oakland, Downtown newsmagazine tapped a group of nearly two dozen political experts to look at the three congressional districts that include the publications’s distribution area of Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. From political science departments of three universities, we talked with professor Dave Dulio, chairman of the political science department of Oakland University, where he teaches on campaigns, elections, Congress and political parties, along with professor of public policy John Klemanski. From the University of Michigan, political science professor Richard Hall, and from Wayne State University political science professors Tim Bledsoe and Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson lent their expertise.

We also gathered observations from Democratic strategists, including Josh Pugh, Jill Alper and Joe DiSano, and GOP strategists Dennis Darnoi and John Truscott of Truscott Rossman. And rounding out our field of prognosticators was the editor of the Ballenger Report, Bill Ballenger, considered by many to be the dean of political analysis in Michigan.

Among the experts, there is general agreement that midterm elections generally don’t favor the party which holds the office of President. Since at least the Civil War, the party that has held the presidency has subsequently lost seats in the following midterm elections.

“It's a matter of history. Midterms are generally bad, and sometimes terrible, for the president's party in Congress,” noted OU professor Dave Dulio. “Only twice since FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) has the president's party gained seats in the House of Representatives, and even those were minor gains.”

He further explained, “In 1938, FDR lost 71 seats in that midterm. That's the most since then. In 2010, (President) Obama and the Democrats lost 61 (seats). In 1994, (President Bill) Clinton lost 51. We can certainly have major sea change wave elections in midterms, and one of the biggest factors in the seat loss is the presidential job approval rating. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Trump is unpopular and that means bad things for Republican candidates.”

THE APRIL FILING DEADLINE TO RUN FOR CONGRESS IS STILL TWO MONTHS AWAY BUT A NUMBER OF FACTORS HAVE ALREADY ENERGIZED THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES

Wayne State University political science professor Tim Bledsoe concurs. “Historically, going back a couple hundred years, the party that holds the White House typically loses seats in the midterms. Then you have a very unpopular president – his favorability rating is less than 40 percent. That is unprecedented. Beyond that, there is a special awareness amongst women that is fueling their candidacy. What we're seeing across the country is far more Democrats for Congress than we've ever seen in history, and that testifies to the energy they have – and so many more are women, to the point that there's increased political energy being found among groups that are frustrated with Trump, especially college-educated women.”

“The Trump effect is going to seriously disadvantage Republicans, because they're embracing the President with both arms, because that's what they have to do.

The Republican Party is Donald Trump's party,” noted Josh Pugh, a Democratic political strategist with Lansing's Grassroots Midwest, which has strategists on both sides of the aisle.

“Trump has the worst approval rating since Gallup began polling,” said Jill Alper, Alper Strategies, a Democratic political consultant in Grosse Pointe, who noted that for most of 2017, Trump's approval rating has been hovering at 36 percent, although on February 5 it had risen to 40 percent based on perceptions of the tax bill and the stock market, prior to its turbulence. “He's hardened his base; it's uncertain if he can get it to 50 percent.” She noted that there is a growing realization among Middle America that the tax bill “is a boon for the upper classes and corporations. But the middle class feels like they were sold a bill of goods. It's a climate that people get what he says and does are disunifying.”

All of those consulted by Downtown also agreed on one other thing – what will ultimately determine the outcome of the midterm elections in 2018 is turnout.

“It all comes down to one thing: turnout. Whoever gets their people to the polls wins,” Dulio emphasized.

“Turnout explains almost every election there is. In a midterm election like this one, we are lucky to have a 40 percent turnout nationwide. If we plan on 40 percent, it doesn't take a genius to see 60 percent aren't participating, which gives both sides ample opportunity to turn out more of their voters.”

Dulio's colleague at Oakland University, professor John Klemanski, also said it will come down to voter turnout. “We hear it all the time, but we hear it because it's true.”

Klemanski said that midterms tend to favor Republicans and hurt Democrats, and that if Democrats want to take congressional seats, “they are going to have to come out.”

Also of interest to local forecasters is whether congressional districts can remain Democratic or Republican, or if they can be flipped, and what factors besides turnout will determine who goes to Washington.

“The Democratic Party in Michigan has never been particularly organized or proficient at vetting or organizing candidates,” said WSU professor Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson, who specializes in Michigan politics. “The Republican Party has been more proficient at that. They may be able to influence those races, and not go too far off the deep end.”

While most of us look to the November election as the determining factor, often political decisions are made in the primaries, depending on the political makeup of a district, when diehard party advocates vote – and few others do. Michigan traditionally is a late primary state, with its primary the first Tuesday in August. This is where Democrats take on other Democrats, and Republicans take on other Republicans, all for the privilege of battling the winner

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of the other party in the November general election.

“The two open seats (M-9 and M-11) will be where people need to be more careful about going to the fringes, but the system is sort of set up for fringe candidates in the primaries,” Sarbaugh-Thompson pointed out. “The parties are losing control of the nominating process. It's become en vogue to have these amateur candidates running.”

District 11: Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Rochester Hills, Lake Angelus, West Bloomfield, Auburn Hills, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Walled Lake, Waterford, Wixom, Novi, Northville, Canton, Plymouth, Milford, S. Lyon, Lyon Township, Highland Township “The fun one, and the money one, hands down, is MI11. That is the type of seat Democrats need to win if they are going to take back the House of Representatives,” said Republican strategist Dennis Darnoi.

The rambling district, which cuts a wide swath through central and western Oakland County and into part of Wayne County, was considered a plus-four Republican district, according to The Cook Political Report, an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns. In September 2017, Republican David Trott, who was first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2016, announced he would not run for a third term. Trump won the district, although Clinton won Oakland County.

“Look at 2016 – Trump won (the district) with a plurality of 49.4 percent. Trott won with 52.9 percent. It suggests a ceiling to Republican support, and makes it a very competitive seat,” said Darnoi.

Klemanski said that of the three districts, the 11th is the most likely to flip. That is for a few reasons, he noted.

“It's a slightly Republican district, but there's a lot of anger amongst voters. A Democrat could stop in,” he said, pointing out that Trump won the district by five points, which suggests a Republican has an advantage – “but there's so much anger post-Trump after he was elected, with people unhappy with his policies. The Republican candidate could have problems there.”

“Trott decided to retire. I think he saw himself as vulnerable,” Klemnaski said. “He took heat for some of his votes on Obamacare and others.” He noted that currently The Cook Report is calling it a toss-up.

Democratic strategist Joe DiSano agreed. “It absolutely could flip. It's one of the top 10 races Democrats (nationally) are looking at. It's one of the reasons Trott walked away. He didn't want to subject himself to a tough race.”

Darnoi explains that in 2013, Democrats were running six percent below Obama's total at 44 percent. “That gave us advance warning of the Republican wave in 2014,” Darnoi said. “For Trump in 2016, and elections in 2017, Republicans have been running 2.6 percent below Trump's two-party percentage total. You can say there's not that big of an unfavorability factor for Republicans – except for open seats in 2017, and in those seats, Republicans ran 5.1 percent below Trump's two-party percent total.

“What those numbers are suggesting right now is that those seats with Republicans that will be open in 2018 – those seats are ripe for Democrats to pick up,” he said.

“That's why a seat like MI-11 will be so appealing to invest time, money and ground troops in, over MI-8 (Mike Bishop's seat). As more Republicans retire from Congress, there is an increasing likelihood that Democrats can take back the U.S. House.”

Democrats had already targeted Trott and the district prior to Trott's announcement, with Birmingham Seaholm graduate Haley Stephens returning home from working

AMONG THE EXPERTS, THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT MIDTERM ELECTIONS GENERALLY DON’T FAVOR THE PARTY WHICH HOLDS THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT

in the Obama administration as chief of staff on the Auto Task Force inside the Treasury Department, announcing in April 2017 that she was running to take on Trott. At the time the incumbent was facing criticism within the district for not meeting with constituents at town hall meetings or at his local office, and his repeated efforts to get rid of Obamacare.

Since then, several other Democrats have jumped on board, including Birmingham businessman and attorney Dan Haberman, who worked to ban smoking in restaurants and bars in the state, Auburn Hills state Rep. Tim Greimel, former Detroit Mayor Duggan aide Fayrouz Saad of Northville and technology businessman Suneel Gupta of Birmingham.

Trott’s retirement announcement drew an evergrowing field of Republicans hoping to go to Washington D.C. Lena Epstein, who had co-chaired Trump's campaign for Michigan, had originally announced for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow, but apparently saw a clearer path to victory in the House 11th District, and quickly switched plans.

Epstein, who has never held elective office before, calls herself a “conservative outsider” and businesswoman.

She is the daughter and granddaughter of the owners of Vesco Oil Company, where she currently works and her sister runs.

Former state Rep. Rocky Raczkowski, of Farmington Hills, a staunch conservative and retired U.S. Army Reserves vet, who ran unsuccessfully for Senate against Carl Levin in 2006, and unsuccessfully for Congress in 2010 against former Representative and current Senator Gary Peters, jumped in. So did state Rep. Klint Kesto of Commerce Township, Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise, political neophyte Kristine Bonds, daughter of former tv anchorman Bill Bonds, state Sen. Mike Kowall, and former Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, also known as the ‘Accidental Congressman’ for a short term in Congress he won years ago until Trott defeated him.

Of the Democrats and Republicans who have announced their candidacy, as Downtown went to press, none of them had actually filed to run in the August primary.

“This has always been a lean Republican district,” said Republican strategist John Truscott, who used to be spokersperson for former Gov. John Engler. “There are a lot of people with a lot of money, or who can raise a lot of money, who are in this race. I think this will be a very competitive and very expensive one. It's too early to call it, to me.”

“I think the Democrats are going by the polls, not the elections, that show Trump's favorability rating isn't good,” said Bill Ballenger of The Ballenger Report. “I still believe a Republican will win in the 11th – unless the Republicans blow it and come up with a flawed nominee – for instance, Bentivolio could win the 11th, and then the Democrats might have a chance.”

“That's going to be the wild west on both sides,” said Democratic strategist Joe DiSano. “The amount of money Epstein is bringing to the table is scaring people away.

She is also extremely disliked by many Republicans – she has replicated the Trump persona of abrasiveness, selection of issues, using personal money, and attacking other candidates. I believe she will be the cause of the Republican primary being the equivalent of a knife fight in a phone booth.

“It's difficult to attack a woman in politics,” DiSano continued, “although less so because she's so abrasive.

And she's got the resources to attack and defend.”

Epstein, who raised $1.3 million in the last quarter's fundraising report, which ended January 31, and has given the campaign personal money totaling almost $1 million – $930,100, to be exact. She has over $1 million

cash on hand. No other Republicans are even close.

Kowall only announced his candidacy on February 5, so did not have a fundraising report; neither did Bentivolio or Bonds. Kesto raised $144,835 and has $100,000 on hand. Raczkowski raised $151,880 – half, $75,000, from himself. He has $141,199 on hand. Heise reported $123,650, of which $100,000 was self-funded, and he has $111,532 on hand.

On the Democratic side, Stevens has been on an almost year-long funding binge, raising $655,479 this quarter, with $464,515 on hand. She had financial competition this quarter from Gupta, who co-created the health care technology company Rise with his brother, Dr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN-fame, and previously worked at Groupon. Gupta raised $503,802, and has $468,205 on hand. State Rep. Tim Greimel raised $329,023, and has $285,518 cash on hand, with Saad raising $376,863. She has $250,816 on hand. Local businessman Dan Haberman raised $150,473, $50,000 which is a loan, and ended with just under $41,000 cash on hand.

“All of them have a lot of money, except Dan Haberman,” said DiSano. “If he doesn't have it, and he can't self-fund, it's not enough money to raise for him to make it. Haley Stevens, Tim Greimel and Suneel Gupta are just ‘hoovering’ up all the money. The only thing left will be loose coins in the back of the couch.”

“Haberman had very unimpressive fundraising numbers. I audibly gasped when I saw the numbers,” Pugh said. “Haley Stevens has very strong connections to Washington and the Obama administration and allies to that fundraising community. Her fundraising slowed down in the last quarter, but she has cash on hand over Greimel. She was on fire early on, and getting out early was good. Her hard work over 2017 paid off. Gupta has connections outside the area, but his lack of standing in the political base will hamper him in the Democratic primary, even with his money. Greimel – outside labor will want to get in on his behalf. Fayrouz – I don't hear her campaign doing much of anything now.

“I would posit that we will see outside money and outside Super PACs get in this race,” he continued.

“Haley Stevens and Tim Greimel are impressive workers and the ones to beat. In 2016, the 11th District was the closest race in the state, despite Trott's money, and despite top-tiered races in the 1st, 2d and 8th (districts) in national targeting and money coming in – all because of Trump's unpopularity.”

“All of the candidates have a chance to win – the problem is finding out where they split up on the issues, because they all seem pretty clean, and all of the Democrats are pretty similar on the issues. They're all mainstream Democrats,” DiSano said.

On the Republican side, he pointed out, Epstein and Rocky “have the market cornered on the Trump point of view. I see the sparks flying between them. Kowall is more middle of the road. Kesto is contorting himself into a candidate he has never been before (trying to be very far right conservative) – and voters smell that and often reject it. That's a shame, because he's the nicest guy in that particular race, and he knows how to run a good race – so I'm not going to discount him.”

Darnoi believes Lena Epstein has the advantage so far, with Rocky and Kesto coming up behind her. “Those three are going to fight it out,” he said. “In my opinion, it'll be Lena and Rocky.”

On the Democratic side, he believes Greimel is someone who has run campaigns before, can tap resources, “and has helped other Democrats, so he has chips to call in.”

“Epstein feels more like an insider than she should, because of her attitude and her activity with the Trump campaign,” said Alper.

On both sides, it may end up being which candidate

IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE IN THE PRIMARY, AND COLOSSAL IN THE GENERAL, TO THE TUNE OF SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS. THEY WILL HAVE TO HAVE MAJOR MONEY

benefits from a contested election. “It may be Greimel (on the Democratic) side, because he may be able to look at the maps while the others carve up the district,” said Darnoi. “We may see that on both sides, where someone wins with less than 35 percent (of the vote).”

Once there is a winner on each side in the primary, it's not over. Then it's time for the general election.

“It will be expensive in the primary, and colossal in the general – to the tune of several million dollars. They will have to have major money, from interest groups and PACs on both sides,” said Wayne State's Bledsoe. “Trott overcame the lack of that by self-funding. And whoever wins in '18 will gave to fight to save it in 2020.”

District 9: Bloomfield Township, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Berkley, Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, Ferndale, Clawson, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, Pleasant Ridge, Center Line, Fraser, Eastpointe, Mt. Clemens, Roseville, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Warren After 18 terms – 36 years – Democratic stalwart Rep. Sander Levin, 86, announced he will retire at the end of this term, opening up this district, which was once completely contained in Oakland County, but was changed significantly in the 2012 redistricting with its south and east district border spread from Roseville to Bloomfield Township. It was redistricted to maintain its Democratic advantage, with a current Democratic plusfour rating in the latest Cook Report.

“Even with an open seat, it's too much of a Democratic district” to flip, said Oakland University's Dulio, even in the Macomb County portion of the district.

“Trump got the Democrats to come out and vote for him that were disaffected and felt left behind by the party – a return to the Reagan Democrats in the 1980's. They are in large measure swing voters. They voted for Trump this time, but will they next time? It depends on who the candidates are. Who can convey a message to them that resonates to them. Those folks have shown they are willing to break ranks.”

Sarbaugh-Thompson from Wayne State University said, “The 9th depends on who the Democrats run, and if the blue collar Macomb County piece dominates the Oakland County portion. Oakland County is more likely to see an anti-Trump backlash than in Macomb. There could still be a Trump outpouring in Macomb County.”

Republican strategist Truscott, disagrees. “That's always been a strong Democratic seat, and it'll likely stay that way,” he said.

“It's not the safest district in the state, but it's pretty safe,” said Josh Pugh. “Like every year, the Republicans will run a candidate – but there's not a scenario where the district will run Republican. It was drawn to be safe for congressman Levin, and it will stay safe for the Democrats until the next redistricting.”

Michigan will almost certainly lose a congressional district with the 2020 census, and in the next redistricting, it has been believed that this district will be the one to go.

“I do think it will be the district to go away,” Pugh confirmed. “I think it will be carved into the 10th, 11th and 14th.”

“It will be a competitive primary, but it will be the lowest spending general, because you don't need to spend, just to finance to get people out – a few hundred thousand dollars,” said Bledsoe. “You can just coast in November. And once you have that seat, it will be hard to defeat.”

There is only one Republican, so far, running for the 9th District, Candius Stearns of Sterling Heights, who raised $108,601, according to the last quarter's financial fundraising report, $94,500 of which she provided to her

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campaign. She has just over $100,000 cash on hand.

On the Democratic side, though, it could be a slug fest to get the Democratic nomination, from Sandy's son Andy Levin of Bloomfield Township, who runs an energy company and previously ran the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth; state Sen. Steven Bieda of Warren, currently the minority leader; former state Rep. Ellen Cogan Lipton, an attorney from Huntington Woods; and Martin Brook, a Birmingham attorney who was a former Bloomfield Hills Schools board member. Bieda and Lipton jumped into the race in January, and didn't file campaign finance reports for the last quarter, although word is both are out actively fundraising. Levin raised $124,569, and he has $113,920 cash on hand. Brook raised just $7,799 – $4,064 from his own pocket, and has $3,618 on hand.

“Despite the dynamic of having one woman and two men, I think it will be a two-way race between Levin and Bieda,” Pugh said. “From the point of view of the district, Ellen is from the wrong part of the district. And everything suggests that Bieda is fundraising and out there, and he is currently a legislator.”

Darnoi said this district is all about the primary, and the Democrat will coast in the general election. “There isn't enough of a Republican base – you're looking at best at a 45 percent Republican base in that seat. It's not worth the time or money, and the national party is going to be defending so many seats, so they're not going to invest in a seat like MI-9,” he noted. “For a Republican to win or compete in MI-9, they need to self-fund or pick up six percentage points in this district – and no one's heard of Candius Stearns. I've heard she's a perennial runner but a sacrificial lamb.”

He said that in 2016, Clinton, not Sanders, took the primary in both Oakland and Macomb counties, “so it would suggest that Andy Levin and the Levin name and connection would put him over Ellen Lipton in that category – with the caveat that 53 percent of the district comes from Macomb County, and that plays to Bieda's strength. To me the story of the district is turnout.”

District 8: Rochester, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, Independence Township, Lake Orion, Oxford, Brighton, Howell, E. Lansing, Lansing, Mason, Okemos, Haslett Michigan's 8th District is all about the general election. The district, which meanders from conservative and upscale Rochester and Rochester Hills, through rural Oakland County, into Livingston County, all of which have historically been Republican. It then winds its way into Ingham County and E. Lansing and parts of Lansing, which are staunchly Democratic, home to the state capital, Michigan State University and the UAW. Mike Bishop (R) of Rochester is the incumbent, now running for his third term as U.S. Representative, and has a long legislative history in the area – both good and bad. Prior to his congressional career, he served in the state House and then in the state Senate, including as Senate Majority Leader, in the 12th District – a seat once held by his father, Donald Bishop. Prior to running for Congress, he unsuccessfully ran as Oakland County Prosecutor. He was a staunch and early supporter of President Trump.

The last two times he ran for this seat, he faced limited Democratic challenges – but not this year. Elissa Slotkin of Holly, who grew up in Oakland County, attended Cranbrook Schools, and then Cornell University and received her masters from Columbia University before being recruited to work in the CIA. She served three tours of duty in Iraq in the intelligence community and played a leading role designing counter-ISIS strategy and the international coalition fighting in Iraq and Syria

MICHIGAN WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY LOSE A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WITH THE 2020 CENSUS, AND IN THE NEXT REDISTRICTING, DISTRICT 9 WILL BE THE ONE

under Presidents Bush and Obama. Coming stateside, she held several positions in the Defense Department in the Obama Administration. She has said she is running for Congress in this seat because she does not feel Bishop is best representing all of the people of the district, and would not have run if former Rep. Mike Rogers was still in the seat, who she said she knew and could be reasonable and bipartisan.

In the last quarter, Slotkin outraised Bishop in fundraising, pulling in $905,569 – almost all from individuals. She put in $10,200 of that. She has $709,599 cash on hand. Bishop raised $1.1 million – but threequarters – or $722,297, came from political action committees, or PACs, some of which are connected to committees on which he sits. He has $971,646 cash on hand. Slotkin has said she will refuse PAC money.

“Bishop already has over $700,000 in the bank, and he only spent $1.3 million total on the last race,” said University of Michigan’s Richard Hall. “Slotkin, for a challenger, is raising a lot of money. It says the Democrats are trying to compete everywhere and mobilize their financiers. They're being very effective.

There are a record number of women candidates, and are closing the gender gap in individual campaign contributions – so women give to women more than men do.

“Slotkin has more individual money than PACs – which is not surprising because PACs go with incumbents, because they want influence,” and Bishop is already a known entity as he is in office, Hall continued. “They want access after the election. It's why their aggregate giving shifts (election to election).

It's not all Republican to all Democratic giving, but from who they believe will win. Individuals vote, and give, by their conscience. They give to who they like.”

Michigan State University Professor Christopher E. Smith, a Democrat, is also running. He raised $57,573, and has $40,568 cash on hand.

“The real question in MI-8 is to what extent does the district include college educated woman that are ready to flip,” said Wayne State's Bledsoe. “Rochester is very ready, and has many college-educated women. It's the kind of area that could flip. I'm sure Mike Bishop is worried. Slotkin's bio could also appeal to Republicans.”

And let's not forget that Michigan's Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow represented the district from 1996 – 2000, although at that time Rochester and Rochester Hills were not part of the district, prior to her becoming senator.

“I think the Democrats have got a great candidate – at least on paper. But it's a hard district to win, and Bishop has done a great job,” said Truscott, the Republican strategist. “I think the Trump effect is going to settle down. I believe he will tone it down and it will help everyone down ticket, and it will dampen the hostility.”

DiSano, who now lives in Lansing despite growing up in Macomb County, disagrees.

“Bishop is clearly worried. I live in the district, and never received any mail, and in the last two weeks I received two pieces,” he said. “Elissa is raising money like crazy, and has a profile that will drive Mike Bishop crazy.

“Mike Bishop seems to have a problem with female opponents,” DiSano asserted. “His relationship with (former Governor) Jennifer Granholm was abysmal. But he's a savvy enough politician to recognize the danger signals of the coming blue wave. Groups like Indivisible have hounded Trott out of the race, and are now hounding Bishop.”

Indivisible, a new progressive political group founded in 2017, modeled itself after the conservative tea party, has as its goal to help ordinary citizens show resistance

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to the Trump administration. Their platform states: “Our mission is to fuel a progressive grassroots network of local groups to resist the Trump Agenda. In every congressional district in the country, people like you are starting local groups and leading local actions.”

Active through social media, primarily Facebook, Indivisible are vocal citizen groups opposing the administration and largely Republican lawmakers.

“There are active chapters in every district in the country, and they're Facebook-based,” DiSano explained. “They wrote a manual early on last year on how to oppose your Republican congressman, and it was a masterpiece on how to effectively oppose them.

“Indivisible is primarily female. People make the mistake in thinking the Bernie Sanders people are the most effective people in politics – but only because they're the loudest,” he continued. “Indivisible has been very strategic, deliberate and effective. They've hounded Mike Bishop to the point he claims he's afraid for his safety – which is ridiculous considering it's comprised of middle aged housewives.”

If Indivisible can mobilize its followers to get to the polls next November, DiSano believes there will then be a strong turnout and a Democratic wave.

“I think Oakland County is the heartbeat of the backlash. I think you'll see a lot of Trump voters stay home, and a lot of women who have only tangentially been involved in politics show up at the polls and bring their friends,” he said. “I think it will be a factor in state legislative races in the general election, too. I think (state Sen. Marty) Knollenberg (R-Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills) will get a top-tier Democratic challenger, and also in the 12th state Senate district (Bloomfield Township, Clarkston, Lake Orion), against the winner of state Rep. Jim Tedder and state Rep. Mike McCready.”

Independent voters have helped swing the pendulum in 2008 and 2016, but to DiSano, they aren't the key to winning in 2018.

“The key is having as many suburban woman vote as possible. They thought Trump would govern as a country club Republican, like a New Yorker, who would be more well-behaved. They thought he would get things done, and he's gotten very little done. Once they think he's no different than any other politician, he's done,” he said.

“Independents don't want to identify with a party, but their thinking is actually very partisan,” Darnoi said, “so they become ticket splitters. Their engagement levels for 2018 far exceeds their engagement for 2016.”

“Independents aren't one stripe. Obama voters may live in Ann Arbor; Trump voters may be union members,” pointed out Jill Alper. “In the midterms, women usually drop off, and there's a difference between married women and single women. The highest loyalty group to Democrats after African American women are single women.”

Darnoi said an indicative bellwether of independent voters is Waterford. “It's a purple community countywide,” he said. “In 2016, Waterford went all Republican, and that is not what we've seen in the past – it had been backing Democratic Independents. It is mirroring state Senate districts.” He said Waterford would be the place to watch for more local elections, notably Oakland County races such as the 2020 county executive race, when L. Brooks Patterson is expected to retire.

The county has been turning more and more Democratic over the last decade. “If Brooks steps down in 2020, I would be very worried as a Republican,” said Darnoi. “If there is a nasty multi-Republican primary versus (county treasurer) Andy Meisner – it could be a fight, and a very expensive one. If it comes down to the

MILLENNIALS SURPASSED BABY BOOMERS AS A VOTING BLOCK; THEY'RE NOT FOND OF EITHER PARTY, BUT THEY'RE CERTAINLY NOT FOND OF DONALD TRUMP

mayor of Rochester Hills (Bryan Barnett), who isn't known countywide, and Andy Meisner, who is, it's going Democrat. But it still all comes down to turnout.”

Most pundits agree that as angry as women voters are, millennials are even more disenfranchised, and by both political parties.

“It's undecided if they'll vote,” Darnoi said. “Their anger extends to both sides. No one party will benefit in 2018.”

“Younger voters are less tied to identity politics, to a party – it's 'What do you stand for, what are you going to do?'” Truscott pointed out. “They're less likely to accept political slogan. They want details. The parties had better be ready to adapt to this changing mood. And the messaging has changed, particularly because of social media. In the last election, the Republican Party succeeded because of it, but before that, Obama did. It will swing back and forth.”

DiSano believes millennials are not only angry, but energized for 2018.

“They are a sizable contingent that are going to show up in the general (election) this year,” he said. “In 2016, there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm. There was a feeling that Hillary Clinton was going to roll over Trump. They're going to want to course correct.”

Millennials have surpassed baby boomers as a voting block, and are now the largest group of eligible voters.

“They're not fond of either political party, but they're certainly not fond of Donald Trump and what he's done,” said Grassroot Midwest's Pugh. “There needs to be a concerted effort by the Democratic Party to tell a positive story about their candidates. Many millennials will be coming out to vote.”

“They become more substantial over time. They don't become sustained voters until they settle down,” DiSano said. “But they're the most dominant block for the next 50 years, along with Hispanic voters in the southwest. And Democrats have not provided them with much more than opposition to Trump.”

The potential of a ballot proposal to legalize marijuana on the 2018 general election ballot could bring out more millennials – but Pugh noted that Republicans have a history of pushing a powerful “no” message on ballot measures, “ and that 'no' on everything is more power than trying to explain what they're for. And the more measures that get on the ballot hurts them because when a bunch get on, it's easy for business groups to raise money to say ‘no’ on everything, whether it's redistricting reform or pot.”

According to Stanley Greenberg of Greenberg Research and Nancy Zdunkewicz of Democracy Corps, who wrote in a recent white paper, “Democrats sit at the edge of a wave thanks to the impressive vote gains among their minority base, unmarried women, millennials and women with college degrees. But the size of the wave depends on the turnout of the Rising American Electorate (minorities, millennials and unmarried woman) whose enthusiasm for voting is falling...One year into the Trump presidency, the biggest surprise that will require new strategic thinking is the pullback of white working class women from Donald Trump and the Republicans.”

Truscott puts out a cautionary note. “Parties and politicians have to be careful – voters don't want to move too rapidly in one direction or another. President Obama moved too quickly in one direction, so there's been a backlash – the Trump reaction. People have to have time to adjust. I don't know what happens to the Republican Party now. It's only been a year, and politically it's a pretty toxic environment, with nationalism and the lack of immigration. So the next election, in 2020, we'll be in a different place. But where that is, who knows.”

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Doug Fehan oug Fehan moved from Kenmore, New York to Birmingham in 1954 when he was six years old and his grandfather opened up a car dealership on S. Old Woodward.

“Cars were always my world,” said Fehan, who has led the prestigious Global Corvette GT race program since 1996. “At the age of fourteen I began an apprenticeship at our family-owned Birmingham-based auto body repair shop, working there after school and on weekends, masking, sanding and doing maintenance chores.

From hanging around I got more skilled and ended up getting a certification in body and collision repair.”

After attending Eastern Michigan University, where he majored in Industrial Technology, Fehan was recruited by a family friend to be a sales engineer for an H-VAC equipment manufacturer, where he focused on selling specialized equipment to automobile assembly plants.

At the same time, he, along with his dad and brother, started racing sports cars at the Waterford Hills Road Racing Club, where a lot of auto executives hung out. “We built and drove the cars and became the team to beat,” the car enthusiast says.

As a result, in 1988, General Motors recruited Fehan to evaluate their existing road race programs and then in 1996, to develop the comprehensive racing program for Corvette that continues to this day.

“In an average year, we run 11 races in North America plus the Le Mans in France, and our focus is solely on Corvettes. As the Corvette Racing program manager, I am responsible for all aspects of the races, including chassis, aero, engine development, logistics, sponsor relations and acquisition and marketing implementation,” Fehan explained.

“The Le Mans race is the holy grail of all motor sports and is the most difficult road racing event in the world. The eight-and-a-half mile race course, which runs right through the town of Le Mans, requires lots of turns, accelerating and braking,” he says. “Along with the race day preparation and because the racers have to make a pit stop every hour, the crew actually has to stay awake for 40 hours straight to complete the 24-hour race. But strangely enough, although each year approximately 350,000 people attend Le Mans and 850 million people watch it on television, the event is huge everywhere except the USA.” Fehan noted that is a monumental achievement. “Only about 60 percent of the 56 cars entered do so. And to win it is the epitome of a road racing career. Corvette has actually won LeMans eight times and because of that we have a huge following. We are the most revered and respected sports car racing team in the world.

“Managing the Corvette team has given me such an interesting life,” Fehan said, which he noted entails so much more than just racing cars. “The places I’ve gone to, the people I’ve met, the things I’ve gotten to do would not have been possible without the racing.”

And just in case you are wondering, the longtime Birmingham resident’s very first car was a 1957 Plymouth that his father gave him when he was sixteen. “It was originally white but I painted it a dark emerald green metallic color myself,” he said.

Nowadays he drives both a Corvette Stingray and a Chevy Cruze hatchback. And when asked if he could have any car in the world what would he choose, Fehan replied, without hesitation: “The next generation Corvette which along with me, the whole world is eagerly anticipating.”

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Photo: Jean Lannen

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FIX-IT FAILURE HOW FURNITURE STRIPPERS CAN POSE A DEADLY RISK

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

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he popularity and ease of DIY, or do-it-yourself, products is helping consumers find new ways to repurpose, recycle and refinish old furniture to a degree not seen in the past. But as do-it-yourselfers become more resourceful and self-reliant, many are unaware of some of the underlying health risks associated with some projects, particularly those involving paint removers, furniture strippers and other harmful chemicals.

While there are dozens of different paint and furniture strippers available for use, the most popular and commonly used contain a chemical called methylene chloride. The ingredient is extremely effective in removing paint, varnish, enamel and other coatings from everything from wood furniture to iron bathtubs, and is commonly found in products available at any home improvement store, and is the formulation of choice used by most professional refinishers and services.

Coating removers that use methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane, are

inexpensive, work quickly and result in limited or no damage to the items to which they are applied. However, methylene chloride is considered a likely cancer-causing agent that can easily lead to serious injury or death when proper safety precautions aren't used.

"When used in an enclosed space, methylene chloride builds up very rapidly to a high concentration that can be lethal. It doesn't take much in a room that is small and poorly ventilated," said Dr. Robert Harrison, an occupational medicine specialist at the University of California San Francisco.

When methylene chloride enters the body, either through inhalation or through the skin, it causes a chemical reaction that increases carbon monoxide in the body. Harrison said people working with the chemical need to use appropriate ventilation, a respirator and gloves. That means using a respirator that provides fresh air from an outside room when used in enclosed rooms, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gloves, not simple dust masks or latex gloves found at most home improvement stores.

Methylene chloride causes cancer in laboratory animals, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission consider it to be a likely cause of cancer in humans. Because it evaporates quickly and can be inhaled quickly, exposure can come on rapidly. Initial signs of exposure may be dizziness, headache, lack of coordination, but high exposure with little or no ventilation has resulted in death in consumers and those who work with it for a living. High exposures over long periods can also cause liver and kidney damage. Because methylene chloride can change to carbon monoxide, which lowers the body's ability to carry oxygen, people with heart, lung or blood disease are at increased risk of complications.

Specific cancers linked to methylene chloride include brain cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. ince 1976, more than 40 deaths have been attributed to methylene chloride when used in paint and bathtub coating removal, according to the EPA. In some cases, two or more people have died during a single job when air concentrations quickly reached lethal levels, potentially in less than 10 minutes. In other situations, individuals have died when entering rooms or facilities in which paint or coating removal was previously conducted and air concentrations of methylene chloride remained dangerously high.

"For your do-it-yourselfer, or even your small business contractor, they aren't aware that ventilation and a respirator is needed," Harrison said. "Second, there isn't adequate warning on labels.

Third, most consumers don't read labels.

"Fourth, most store clerks at your typical home improvement store, if you ask them what product to use, most would recommend something that has methylene chloride in it, and they aren't aware themselves that you need that level of protection. And fifth, those stores don't sell the type of protection you need. You would have to go to an industrial supply house. With all those factors, it's a highly risky business to use methylene chloride in enclosed spaces."

The lack of education about methylene chloride isn't limited to general clerks or hobbyists, a sampling of some of the most popular do-it-yourself instructional videos available on YouTube shows many of the so-called professionals failing to warn viewers to take adequate safety precautions, or practice them themselves.

A YouTube video posted by the "ehowtochannel" that has more than 1.6 million views features a man who claims to be a professional woodworker demonstrating how to use furniture stripper on a wood table. Working in what appears to be a basement shop, the man pours a dose of paint stripper onto the table from an unlabeled can and brushes it onto the wood. At no point does he advise viewers to take any precautions, nor is he wearing any type of respirator. The majority of comments on the video were jokes and puns about the use of furniture "stripper," rather than any inquires about the product or safety.

Another video posted by "OSUCowboyRick" has more than 35,000 views. In it, the demonstrator shows viewers how he applied a paint stripper to his bathtub to remove an old enamel coating. In the video, "Cowboy Rick" simply pours a serving of Citirstrip stripping gel onto his bathtub and spread it with a paint brush. Not only does he not wear gloves or a respirator, he touts the safety of the product, saying "It's real safe and easy to use."

While the Citristrip label notes the product doesn't contain methylene chloride, it does contain N-Methyl, also called NMP or NMethylpyrrolidone, which the EPA proposed banning, along with methylene chloride, in 2017 for all consumer coating stripper uses.

According to the EPA, NMP poses a risk to people, particularly pregnant women and women of childbearing age, who have high exposure to the chemical through paint and other coating removers.

Short- and long-term risks for people who use NMP for less than four hours per day may be reduced by the use of specific chemicalresistant gloves. However, the EPA said in a 2015 risk assessment of

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NMP, that such protection gear may not adequately reduce risks to people who use it for more than four hours per day on a single day or repeatedly over a succession of days.

The use of coating removers, particularly methylene chloride as a bathtub stripper, is particularly risky, as more than a dozen deaths have been attributed its use in products that contain the chemical for removing coating from tubs.

A 2011 investigation by researchers at Michigan State University found the deaths of 13 workers, including three in Michigan, who were refinishing bathtubs involved the use of products containing methylene chloride. The deaths occurred between 2000 and 2011, with additional deaths occurring since then.

Kenneth Rosenman, chief of MSU's Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in the College of Human Medicine, said the deaths were linked to fatalities reported to the National Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which tracks worker incidents. The number of consumer deaths related to bathtub finish strippers isn't known.

"If you decide you want to strip your tub, you're on our own if you die. There's no way to find out about that," he said. "There are ways to track people when they are working for somebody else, and there have been additional work related deaths. We aren't sure how many people have died on their own."

A 1999 study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Cambridge Hospital identified methylene chloride as posing an unacceptable risk of injury or death to cabinet and factory workers.

"More than a million workers are at risk for methylene chloride exposure," the report found. "Aerosol sprays and paint stripping may also cause significant nonoccupational exposures... Methylene chloride should never be used in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas because of the well-documented dangers of loss of consciousness and death."

Because methylene chloride vapors are heavier than air, Rosenman said they likely remain in bathtubs after application, causing increased dangers to workers applying a paint-stripping product.

While methylene chloride was previously identified as a potentially fatal occupational hazard to furniture strippers and factory workers, the MSU study led to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a hazard to bathtub refinishers. he new hazard finding stemmed from the university's work with the Michigan Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program. As part of the program, Debra Chester, an industrial hygienist, identified the 2010 death of a worker using a bathtub refinisher. In that case, the 52-year-old co-owner of a Michiganbased bathtub refinishing company was found unresponsive after using a product marketed for the aircraft industry containing methylene chloride.

The CDC said the man was in an apartment bathroom, about 5feet by 8-feet, with an 8-foot ceiling equipped with a bathroom ventilation fan, which wasn't on at the time. The man was wearing latex gloves and no respiratory protection or additional ventilation.

Investigators estimate the man used about six fluid ounces of stripper for the job, and had been exposed to the vapor for about an hour.

"The problem with methylene chloride and why it's such an issue is that it's heavier than air, and most bathrooms are small and have only a small fan or a small window, maybe," Rosenman said. "When you're stripping a bathtub, you have your head down in there. You only need a teaspoon to kill you."

Chester, Rosenman and others at the program identified two earlier deaths in Michigan and notified the Centers for Disease Control's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which in turn notified OSHA. The investigation revealed 10 additional bathtub refinisher fatalities linked to methylene chloride.

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According to the CDC, each of the deaths occurred in residential bathrooms with inadequate ventilation. Protective equipment, including a respirator, either wasn't used or was inadequate to protect against vapor.

The CDC found 10 different products were associated with the 13 deaths, six of which were marketed for use in the aircraft industry, and the rest for use on wood, metal, glass and masonry. None of the labels mentioned bathtub refinishing. Victim ages ranged from 23 to 57. osenman said injuries or deaths caused by methylene chloride and other contaminants may often go unnoticed by typical emergency room doctors. He said he often uses the death of a man who died at his home while doing woodwork in his basement as an example for his medical students. The case, he said, was the focus of an article published in 1976 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"The guy, as a hobby, is stripping furniture in his basement and has a heart attack," he said. "His wife brings a container of paint stripper to the hospital and asks if it has anything to do with it."

At the time, Rosenman said, doctors either ignored the connection to the chemical or were unaware. After being discharged, the man went home and resumed his woodworking, resulting in a second heart attack, but survived. After recovering, the man again resumes his woodworking, suffering a third, fatal heart attack."

"Things don't get recognized," he said. "It's an ongoing problem."

Harrison at the University of California San Francisco agreed.

While occupational medicine doctors who specialize in recognizing symptoms related to work hazards, general practitioners are not. And, while outreach and training in the medical field may help, he said methylene chloride is ripe for restrictions.

"There hasn't been much outreach for training," he said. "But that's true not just for methylene chloride, it's with many different things."

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more consumers are choosing to complete DIY projects in their homes in recent years. As such, the commission has issued a publication on the use of paint strippers, including different types of paint strippers and the risks they pose.

Solvent-based paint strippers dissolve the bond between wood and paint. Solvents also can dissolve other materials, such as latex or rubber used in common dishwashing gloves. Some solvents will burn or irritate skin, while others have more serious health impacts. It is within this group that methylene chloride-based strippers fall.

Other solvent-based strippers include acetone, toluene and methanol, which are commonly used together. These chemicals are highly flammable, and may cause other health problems, particularly to unborn children when breathed in by the mother.

As noted earlier, NMP is another solvent-based paint stripper, which may cause skin swelling, blistering and burns, which may not appear until sometime after exposure. The chemical is readily absorbed through the skin, and may cause health problems.

Chemical resistant gloves, long sleeves and pants are recommended. The CPSC also advises users to wash their hands immediately after using NMP-based products, even when wearing gloves. The commission also avoids using NMP products in an enclosed area for an extended time without open doors or windows, and recommends ventilating with a fan or cross ventilation.

Dibasic esters, such as dimethyl adipate ester, dimethyl succinate ester and dimethyl glutarate ester, are also types of solvent-based strippers. While much less is known about the possible health effects of these solvents, some people have reported experiencing temporary blurred vision. They have also been shown to damage the cells lining the nose of laboratory animals.

Caustic-based strippers, which aren't flammable, react with paint coating and loosen it from the surface. One such form of caustic stripper is sodium hydroxide, or lye. Such chemicals can cause severe burns to skin or eyes, even with short contact. They are highly toxic, and can also darken or raise the wood grain when

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used. Many people avoid these types of strippers because of the risk they pose.

Because methylene chloride poses documented risks to users, there are already several restrictions on its use both in the United States, and in other countries. However, the majority of the chemical's uses as a coating remover remain unregulated in the United States.

Lindsay McCormick, a chemical safety expert with the Environmental Defense Fund, a non-profit environmental advocacy group, said well documented health risks related to methylene chloride should lead the EPA to ban its use in coating removers.

"Unfortunately, the deaths have been known for quite a while, even back into the 1980s," she said. "The EPA has now focused specifically on this chemical because there is such a clear cut case. This is a case where the science is clear. It's kind of a no brainer."

In addition to its use as a coating remover, methylene chloride is used in plastic processing, metal cleaning and degreasing, adhesive manufacturing, heat transfer and even some food processing and tablet coating for pharmaceuticals. The EPA estimates more than 260 million pounds of methylene chloride are produced and imported to the United States annually. About a quarter of all of that is used for paint and coating removal products.

In 2012, the EPA identified methylene chloride as a chemical for assessment under the federal TSCA, with the agency issuing a risk assessment two years later that identified the risks posted by the chemical when used as a coating remover. In January of 2017, the EPA issued a proposed rule to regulate methylene chloride, as well as NMP, in coating removals. nder the EPA's proposed rule, the manufacture and import, processing and distribution in commerce of methylene chloride and NMP would be prohibited for consumer use, and most types of commercial paint removal. However, the EPA said in the proposed rule that while it would seek to prohibit commercial furniture refinishing uses, it would do so at a later date.

Meanwhile both methylene chloride and NMP are due for a more thorough risk assessment that would include coating removers and all other uses.

The broader review is part of a 2016 amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act, known as the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, which calls for full risk assessments to be conducted for 10 priority chemicals, including methylene chloride and NMP. "That was about a year ago, but basically we've seen no movement toward finalization," McCormick said. "In December, the EPA moved (the regulatory rule) to its longterm action list, which is like putting it in the attic. We fully expect them to sit on it for a long time."

On December 14, the EPA published its semi-annual regulatory agenda that lists the status of pending proposals. The process applies to all federal agencies, with about 700 items moved to "long-term action" lists. Among those moved to long-term items was the methylene chloride/NMP rule. The long-term list means no action will be taken within a year, and no projected date or timeframe for completion.

Industry and business interests who have opposed restrictions on the chemicals claim there aren't adequate alternatives available for commercial use. They also claim the EPA's economic analysis of the proposed restrictions doesn't accurately assess the proposal. Lastly, they claim the proposed regulatory restrictions should be postponed until after a full assessment is done, as required by the Lautenberg Act. In September of 2017, the EPA held a public workshop on the use of methylene chloride in furniture refinishing in collaboration with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy. David Rostker, with the office, said at the September meeting that the office has an obligation to represent the interest of small businesses to the executive office, Congress and the judicial branch. While it doesn't report to the president or administrator of the SBA, federal

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statutes require agencies to analyze alternatives to regulatory proposals in a way that minimizes the impact on small entities.

In comments to the EPA, the Office of Advocacy stated the EPA should withdraw the proposed rule and reassess the methylene chloride and NMP use in paint and coating removal as part of its ongoing risk evaluation for these chemicals.

"Advocacy suggests that the EPA take back the rule and include the analysis of these uses as part of its ongoing efforts to do risk evaluations for both methylene chloride and NMP under the amended TSCA," Advocacy said in its comments to the EPA. "Alternatively, if the agency decides to go forward based on the existing risk assessment, Advocacy suggests that EPA reassess the viability and technical feasibility of the available alternatives, reevaluate the costs to formulators, and eliminate the restriction on the container size for these chemical products. And finally, the agency should adopt the least restrictive co-proposal to allow for the use of NMP in paint and coating removal products."

The EPA's latest statement indicates the agency is reevaluating its initial risk assessment, as requested by the Office of Advocacy.

An EPA spokesperson told Downtown that the agency is evaluating the chemicals as part of the group of the first ten chemicals undergoing the initial chemical risk evaluations under the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act. Further, the agency spokesperson said the agency will "refine the scope of our risk evaluations with problem formulations to be published in the coming months" and that the agency is "currently considering all comments received" from its proposed regulation rule published in 2016.

Despite the stall, some local furniture refinishers are expecting changes to their business.

Dave Kosdrosky, owner of Guaranteed Furniture Services in Berkley, said the change will likely impact business, but that they would adjust. While he said methylene chloride is a small component of his business, it's the most effective product.

"The government has been trying to get rid of that for years," he said. "The replacement cost is probably going to be greater and increase the cost to do stripping operations. It looks like they are still out to lunch on the timing."

Kosdrosky, who has owned and operated the business for more than 50 years, said the industry is trying to evolve and develop appropriately to take care of the situation. The change, he said, is similar to others to which they have had to adjust.

"It will eventually be banned, like a lot of other products that we have used throughout the years that have gone by the wayside," he said. "Things like this happens. Sometimes, it's to the detriment to a segment of businesses, but it's for the greater good." reg Morose, of the University of Massachusetts' Toxins Use Reduction Institute, told attendees at the EPA's September 12 workshop that the university had developed an alternative chemical formulation that is safer than methylene chloride and nearly as effective. The university has also filed for patents on the formulations and would seek licensing fees if a company wanted to commercialize it.

Other product manufacturers questioned the use of such a product if it were flammable, as most formulations of methylene chloride aren't flammable.

While the EPA's regulation process currently appears to be stalled as the agency restarts the assessment process, a long list of other regulations regarding methylene chloride exist at the federal and state levels, and they can be looked at as not only warnings, but caution signs to consumers.

As far back as 1987, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a statement explaining that it considers household products containing methylene chloride a hazardous substance and provided guidance on labeling of such products. The labels are required to state that methylene chloride vapor has caused cancer in certain

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laboratory animals, and must specify precautions to be taken during use by consumers.

In 1989, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned methylene chloride as an ingredient in all cosmetic products.

OSHA has also taken steps to reduce exposure of methylene chloride in occupational settings. In 1997, OSHA lowered the permissible exposure limit for methylene chloride from an eight-hour time weighted average of 500 prats per million to 25 ppm, and a 15minute short-term exposure limit of 125 ppm.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has prohibited methylene chloride and other hazardous chemicals for use in removing lead-based paint by HUD contractors, and anyone receiving grants or engaging in the department's HOME Program, which is administered under the National Affordable Housing Act. everal states have taken action to reduce or make the public aware of risks from methylene chloride. For instance, since 2011, a total of 11 states and the District of Columbia have prohibited its use in graffiti removal. Those states include Michigan, as well as California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina and others.

The restrictions on the use for graffiti removal most likely stem from states efforts to meet Clean Air Act emissions rules, rather than worker or consumer protections. Under the act, methylene chloride is designated as a hazardous air pollutant. Amendments to the act led to the chemical also being banned for use as a foamblowing agent and some other uses.

Under the federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, methylene chloride is listed as a hazardous waste. It's also listed on the national Toxic Release Inventory as part the Emergency Planning and CommunityRight-to-Know Act. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to determine the level of contaminants in drinking water, with a maximum contaminant level goal of zero for methylene chloride and an enforceable level of .005 mgL, or 5 parts per billion.

Some states have recognized its potential toxicity. In Alaska, methylene chloride is listed as a carcinogenic hazardous substance. In Minnesota, it has been found that it may negatively affect the nervous system and cause cancer. In Washington, it's listed as a human carcinogen and chemical of high concern to children. In Pennsylvania, it's listed as an environmental and special hazardous substance.

Methylene chloride was banned in 2010 in the European Union, meaning it was no longer permitted for placement on the market for consumers or professionals after December of 2011; and no longer allowed to be used by professionals after June 2012. The ban allows EU member states to use methylene chloride if they have a program to license and train professionals in awareness, evaluation and management of risks; use of adequate ventilation and appropriate protective equipment.

In November or 2017, the state of California's Department of Toxic Substances Control proposed new regulations to name methylene chloride as a "priority product," which could lead to it being restricted or banned in that state.

The action in California came as the EPA is in the midst of two regulatory actions regarding methylene chloride and NMP, including a proposed rule that would ban the use of methylene chloride in coating remover available to the public.

With additional federal restrictions apparently on hold, it's possible for local governments to look into placing restrictions in their own communities. MSU's Rosenman said such varying local ordinances may spur product manufacturers to push for a rule to be finalized at the federal level.

"What would stop a local community saying this stuff is dangerous? Say, a township says we don't want it sold in our township. Local health departments have a lot of regulatory oversight," he said. "I would be happy to support them as an expert whenever they got challenged."

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Ken Daniels etroit Red Wings play-by-play announcer Ken Daniels has worked in hockey since he was 11 years old. Now in his 21st season with the team, Daniels and his play-by-play partner Mickey Redmond are the longest currently serving television duo calling NHL games.

"I love calling hockey games," Daniels said, who moved to Birmingham nearly three years ago. "I would do it every day if I could."

As a youngster growing up in Toronto, Daniels would fall asleep listening to hockey games, dreaming of following in the footsteps of announcers like Bud Collins and Dan Kelly. He was officiating local games before he was a teen, and later put himself through college working games with the Greater Toronto Hockey League. By 1980, Daniels was covering news on the radio before starting his play-by-play career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1988. Two years later he began hosting Hockey Night in Canada for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Along the way, Daniels has covered auto racing events, baseball and Olympic games, including tennis, judo, cycling and others.

In September of 1997, Daniels joined the Red Wings as the lead announcer on Fox Sports Detroit, winning several awards including EMMYs and being named the Michigan Sportscaster of the Year, as well as earning the respect of fans and the athletes he covers.

"People say how lucky I am, and I am. The job I have, I wanted since the age of 10, so I'm very fortunate," Daniels said, who often speaks to children at metro Detroit schools. "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. Everything you do in life prepares you. You can be in the right place at the right time, but you have to do the work. You need some confidence to be great at it."

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In October of 2017, Daniels released his first book, "If these Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Detroit Red Wings Ice, Locker Room, and Press Box." In it, he dedicates several pages to his son, Jamie, who died on December 7, 2016, when he was just 23 years old.

At the time, Jamie was living in Florida, getting help for an opioid addiction that started when his wisdom teeth were pulled. Jamie died in his sleep after taking heroin and fentanyl. A pill Daniels said he likely got from a dirty rehab home he was conned into staying by a patient broker.

"It's a sick world out there," he said. "Patient brokers get paid to find kids to live in a (rehab) house. They are setting them up for failure."

The idea is to keep them hooked on the drugs they are trying to escape in order to keep a steady flow of money coming in for treatment. Daniels said he's using the book and his position to help educate others about the trappings, and hopefully save lives.

"The book has given me the opportunity and a platform to speak about Jamie, which was never intended," he said. "Now, when people ask if I want to do a book signing, and if I want to speak about Jamie, I say, 'yes." That's the first thing we want to do – to save lives.

"This is why we do what we do, to make people aware. We were never warned. After he passed, we were still getting $60,000 insurance bills, and there were forged signatures. Because of patient brokering, kids are dying every day."

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MUNICIPAL Parking panel reviews development plans

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham's ad hoc parking committee met on Friday, February 9, to review request for proposal submissions to redevelop the site at Bates and where the N. Old Woodward parking structure currently stands for a complex consisting of residential, commercial and retail while building a new parking garage with hundreds more parking spaces, and narrowed the submissions from three to two qualified firms.

The parcel of land, approximately four acres in the city’s central business district, consists of the current N. Old Woodward parking garage, an adjacent parking lot and adjacent parcels. The city’s objective has been to solicit creative and innovative development plans from qualified developers that will extend Bates Street from Willits to N. Old Woodward and redevelop the remainder of the site by constructing a new parking structure that will provide a minimum of 380 parking spaces in addition to replacing the 770 parking spaces currently on the N. Old Woodward / Bates Street site.

Plans also called for adding residential, commercial and/or mixed uses in order to create an activated, pedestrian-oriented urban streetscape while also providing public access to the Rouge River and Booth Park to the north.

The RFP stated, in part, that the city was seeking a new parking structure with a minimum of 1,150 parking spaces; a new mixed use building adjacent to a parking structure facing N. Old Woodward Avenue; a service drive access to the adjacent buildings both north and south of the parking structure; a new mixed use building facing Willits Street; public park property and connection between a new city street and the existing Rouge River to the north; and a residential building on the north end of the site, which can take advantage of the existing views in the area.

They initially had four development groups submit proposals, which included parking consultants, developers, architects, designers and consultants, but only three ultimately submitted completed proposals to the city by the January 3, 2018 deadline: downtownpublications.com

Enhancements planned for Barnum Park $12,000 donation to make landscaping improvements at Birmingham’s Barnum Park will proceed with enhancements to the park this year after the Birmingham City Commission, at their meeting on Monday, January 22, unanimously approved accepting and using the donation as well as preparing a design plan.

Lauren Wood, director of public services, informed the commission that the Community for Barnum Park received a donation of $12,000 to make landscaping improvements leading up to the “Arch” from Purdy Street in Barnum Park. “This enhancement is in keeping with the Barnum Park Concept Master Plan of further landscape enhancements and making use of the original bricks from the Barnum school building,” she said.

Wood said there was money available, $1,500, to have final design drawings done. The last time enhancement designs were done was 2013.

Wood said the proposed improvements will be located north and south of the walkway leading to the arch from Purdy Street, and will include adding seating areas made from salvaged brick from Barnum School capped with concrete or limestone, as well as adding landscape materials such as boxwood shrubs and ground cover, along with a planter int he center of the concrete walkway.

The final design drawings and bid specifications will be prepared by David Peterhans, by David Young, an architect who has been acting as a representative for the Community for Barnum Park.

“We will have specs done, and then come back to you to have them be awarded,” Wood said.

A total of $13,500, from donations, was unanimously approved to be allocated for the improvements to the park.

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REDICO, TIR Equities and Woodward, Bates, LLC. At the ad hoc parking meeting on February 9, the committee conducted a preliminary review of the proposals and determined that they wanted further discussions with Woodward, Bates, comprised of Saroki Architecture (Victor Saroki) of Birmingham, Walbridge (John Rakolta, Jr.) of Detroit, Boji Group (Ron Boji), Lansing, and Robertson Bros. Homes (Paul C. Robertson Jr.), of Bloomfield; and TIR Equities, a Birmingham-based limited liability company incorporated by Ara Darakjian of Darakjian Jewelers on Willits Street in Birmingham.

“In order to move the project from concept to a development plan, this initial review by the committee was a way to start vetting the proposals and help the committee gain an understanding of what's in them as well as further discussion on possible next steps,” said Birmingham spokesperson Kevin Byrnes.

The ad hoc parking committee will meet again March 9, to continue reviewing and vetting the proposals.

Birmingham city commissioners would like to approve a final development plan by January 2019.

Bloomfield Hills Schools millage set

By Lisa Brody

Bloomfield Hills Schools will hold a special election on Tuesday, May 8, for a new sinking fund millage to replace their current one, at the same rate, .7165 mills, in order to incorporate its use for safety, security and technology after state legislation was recently passed to permit sinking funds to expand their uses, and if passed, to have the benefits available from 2018 summer taxes.

Bloomfield Hills Schools first levied for a 10-year sinking fund in 2004, at 1.5 mills. This will be a sixyear sinking fund replacement that would generate $2.5 million each year, for specific purposes, as set forth by the state of Michigan, explained district spokesperson Shira Good.

A schools' sinking fund is a savings account into which a local district can deposit voter-approved local millage revenue in order to pay cash for urgent building projects or repairs as they arise.

“It's like a homeowner's

DOWNTOWN

unplanned emergency fund for repairs,” Good said.

The difference between a school's sinking fund millage and a school bond is that a bond is a form of borrowing, meaning that taxpayers must pay back the borrowed funds over a period of years, with interest.

Because a sinking fund millage is levied and not borrowed, the revenues are generated from taxes, without the district incurring additional debt.

For example, she said, last year, the district moved the fourth grade out of Eastover Elementary and into E. Hills Middle School, in order for the grade levels to match W. Hills Middle School. “We spent almost $750,000 in compliance and in the move to make it suitable for fourth graders,” she said. “It's the stuff no one wants to do but has to do.”

There was also $75,000 worth of roof repairs in 2017, water and drainage improvements and repairs, HVAC and sidewalk repairs, among others.

Good continued, “We have to be educational stewards of the original investment. It's for the 'uh-oh,' unforeseen events, not for basic maintenance.”

Recent state legislation now allows for sinking fund dollars to be utilized for safety, security and technology upgrades, including security cameras, acquisition or upgrades in technology, including wireless technology, she said.

“So a building can be wireless so kids can bring multiple devices to school,” Good explained. “It's a huge load on a WiFi network that needs to be maintained.”

Because these uses are not grandfathered in, the district is asking voters to replace the current sinking fund millage at the same rate, “so that we can take advantage of the expanded uses of the sinking fund. We would forego the last bit of the current sinking fund so we can levy this in the summer taxes,” she said, explaining why they are asking voters to go to the polls in May. If the district waited until August, when there will be a primary election, or November's general election, the district would have to wait an entire year, until summer 2019, to benefit from the expanded uses of the sinking fund.

“It's a great fund that helps us keep the district moving,” said Good.

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Maundy Thursday – March 29 7:00 PM Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar Dr. Nate Phillips (childcare available, birth to age 5)

Good Friday – March 30 1:00 PM Good Friday Service – Dr. Nate Phillips (childcare available, birth to age 5) 7:30 PM A Service of Readings and Music – Chancel Choir

Easter Sunday – April 1 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 AM Sanctuary Festival Services – Dr. Nate Phillips 10:30 AM Easter Egg Hunt & Petting Zoo – Front Lawn (weather permitting)

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Monday, March 26 at 7:00 PM Tuesday, March 27 at 7:00 PM Wednesday, March 28 at 6:00 PM Maundy Thursday, March 29 at 7:00 PM Good Friday, March 30 at 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM Choral Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM

Holy Saturday, March 31

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Easter Day! Sunday, April 1 7:00 AM in Resurrection Chapel

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There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for children at 10:30 AM (Between the 9:00 AM and the 11:15 AM services.)

6:00 PM Choral Evensong

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City officials conduct long-range planning

By Lisa Brody

The Birmingham City Commission held its annual long-range planning meeting on Saturday, January 27, where they discussed upcoming sewer projects, alley maintenance, a citywide master plan update, a possible bike share program, the park's master plan and parks improvement funding, parking updates, and how the shopping district is planning for upcoming road construction work in the city's downtown.

The long-range planning meeting is an opportunity each year for the city's department heads to come before the commission and describe what they have been doing in the past year, and what they have planned for the year ahead.

Finance director Mark Gerber explained that the city's five-year financial forecast is not a budget, but is based on certain assumptions which may or may not happen, “including taxes, capital outlay, etc., which will be hashed out in the budget process.”

Timothy St. Andrew from Plante & Moran presented the five-year financial forecast, telling commissioners he was here to cover the results of the planning process.

“Estimates are based on forecast assumptions,” he said, noting that the state's equalized value (SEV) for homes, which is what municipalities use to calculate taxes to be collected, have no limit on growth or decline, while the city's taxable value is limited on growth by the Headlee Amendment to the rate of inflation.

In 2017-2018, St. Andrew said, taxable value grew at 5.2 percent, and for 2018-2019, an annual increase in taxable of 5.28 is anticipated, with gradually smaller increases to 3.43 percent in 20212022. Personal property tax revenue is expected to decline as a result of recent legislation, he said, with small business taxpayers with total personal property valued at less than $80,000 able to sign a taxation exemption for personal property. He said the city is expected to lose about $5.1 million, or .3 percent, in taxable value as a result.

At the same time, SEV in 2019 is expected to be six percent, falling to four percent in 2022. downtownpublications.com

“Your taxable value is almost keeping up with SEV growth, which you don't always see,” St. Andrew said.

The millage rate is forecast to remain steady for the time being, “but the Headlee limit has had declines with sharp rollbacks, and management has forecast rollbacks going into the future,” Gerber noted.

The city's general fund fund balance is forecast to grow through the time period due to the increase in property values.

Department of Public Works Director Lauren Wood, along with Sarah Traxler, a consultant from McKenna, informed commissioners of an update on the parks and recreation master plan, which will be presented to the parks and recreation board on February 12.

“The plan is make it eligible for grants from MDNR (Michigan Department of Natural Resources), convey communities' values, creates a historical record, determines areas for further exploration, and is not meant to be set programs in stone,” Wood said.

Traxler said they have inventoried all of the city's parks, looked at all of the improvements since the last master plan, engaged the public and proposed an action plan of desired proposed projects over the next five years.

She said they learned from stakeholders that the city is an inclusive community that values natural area stewardship and health and fitness.

“People chose where to live by where the parks are. You're doing the right things,” she said.

Wood said an overview of projects include implementing the Adams Park RFP; installing two new pergolas at Barnum Park; enhancing playground equipment at Crestview Park; improving the baseball field at Howarth Park; proceeding with a phased implementation of the master plan at Kenning Park, including parking lot and pedestrian lighting; adding playground enhancements at Linden Park; improving the native garden and monarch butterfly vegetation at Martha Baldwin Park; doing playground enhancements and adding screening to a portable restroom at Pembroke Park; adding accessible playground enhancements and softball field improvements at Poppleton Park; updating the playground and musical equipment

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Developer suit against township tossed

By Lisa Brody

at Shain Park; adding shelter site furnishings and playground equipment enhancements at Springdale Park; and improving the soccer/open play field and adding playground enhancements to St. James Park.

In addition, Wood said, they estimate approximately $6 million in improvements to the city's Ice Arena, which she said is now 45 years old.

They intend to seek grants, donations, public/private partnerships and bonds as funding sources.

“There are 26 parks, and many have not been touched for years,” she said.

“We're in a unique position for bonding,” said city manager Joe Valentine. “There are wonderful initiatives, and it's good timing. We have a AAA bonding, a large debt capacity, municipal bonds are attractive, our current debt is declining and coming off now, which allows for improvements to occur in the near term. Our last parks and rec bond was authorized in 2001. A $5 million parks and rec bond with a 15year debt service would add a fiscal year millage of .17 mills onto the debt levy. The current impact to a taxpayer would be about $42.50 a year, based on a $250,000 home.”

He said they would need to approve a local ballot proposal by May 1 for it to appear on the August primary ballot, or July 31 for the November general ballot.

“We have had previous conversations about a parking structure bond – but that debt service would be paid from user fees – from revenues of the system,” Valentine explained. “It's not general tax fees like a parks and rec bond. It's an opportunity that clearly is available to us.”

Another area Wood said they are looking to enhance is the Maple/Eton bridge, which she said they hired Walker Consultants to review. The bridge itself, which was built in the 1930s and is in pretty good condition, is owned by CN Railroad, and the city is looking to make aesthetic enhancements.

“There is a lot of potential for beautification and lighting, and we can make it pedestrian-friendly,” she said. “It would make it a great gateway into the city. It's been ignored for a long time.”

To make cosmetic improvements to the sidewalk only would cost about

$253,000; to the sidewalk and roadway, including LED lighting, about $393,000.

Before the city could approve a plan, the plan would have to be reviewed and approved by the railroad.

Planning director Jana Ecker informed commissioners that the city last did a master plan update in 1980, when it was designed to be a 20-year plan. There is now request for proposal (RFP) language for it to be sent out, “with a lot of parking details, infrastructure analysis, and transportation changes and analysis included,” Ecker said. “The RFP is ready to be issued in March.”

She noted that the commission updated the city's retail ordinance in the fall, and now the planning board is looking at retail boundaries. “We've discovered that many urban areas have very tight areas, usually two to four blocks,” she said. “We have a very large area, and maybe we should tighten it down, or do a secondary retail area. We're also looking at retail depth regulations.

Research shows that 35-feet to 80feet in depth would provide for quality retail,” and help prohibit desks, cubicles, meeting tables and other office equipment in windows.

They are also looking at first floor lobby space of buildings built before the overlay district, or that were designed to just be office buildings.

“The planning board has asked staff t go through block by block and study, building by building, ones that may need to be grandfathered in,” she said.

As they have for several years, the planning board will continue to make alleys and passageways more desirable, and will come up with a comprehensive package to make sure they're kept up, especially regarding waste receptacles and dumpsters.

She said they are looking at having them labeled and having better signage.

The city's bistro ordinance is undergoing more review, notably with the placement of outdoor dining, the maximum number of seats that can be enclosed, if there needs to be different parking requirements and restroom requirements. “We're also looking at other issues for the Triangle and Rail districts – could they be larger there because they're not in the parking assessment district,” Ecker said.

“They need to improve the buildings and have to add parking.”

federal lawsuit by a developer who wanted to subdivide three lots in the Bloomfield Manor subdivision near Big Beaver and Woodward in Bloomfield Township but had been denied by a unanimous vote of the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees in December 2016, as it would change the character of the neighborhood and set a precedence for other developers, was denied and the township granted summary judgement in U.S. District Court on Wednesday, February 7.

At the board of trustees meeting on December 12, 2016, Patti Voelker, planning, building and ordinance director, explained that developer Matt Shiffman was seeking approval to demolish two existing homes and then subdivide the three parcels in order to get eight single family residential lots. The 7.33-acre property fronts Big Beaver on the north, Manor Road to the south, Manor Park in the city of Birmingham to the east, and Bloomfield Manor subdivision to the west, whose residents were opposed to the division of the property. Manor Road weaves between Bloomfield Township and Birmingham. There are a total of 34 platted subdivision lots in the entire Bloomfield Manor subdivision.

Plans submitted showed a private cul-de-sac road with an entryway with a limestone sign reading “Manor Estates.” Each subdivided lot was proposed at an acre or under, while existing lot sizes are considerably larger, with some home sites sitting on several acres. “The parcels comply with township ordinances. The lot sizes meet the R-3 standards, and are accessible from a private road,” said Shiffman's attorney Rick Rattner at the time. “All of the lots are rectangular. The design of the lots, the designs of the homes will be reflective of the people buying those homes, just like the eclectic homes that are there.”

Numerous residents, however, told trustees they objected to the lot split because they had bought and lived in the neighborhood precisely because of the wooded, rural topography and secluded nature close to downtown Birmingham. Many noted that lot splits were not permitted in Bloomfield Manor Association area by deed restriction.

“It would be a dramatic impact upon everyone,” said one resident. “It wouldn't fit in.”

Trustee Michael Schostak asked if they approved the lot split whether it would set a precedent. Township attorney Bill Hampton replied, “It is precedence setting. It would be an argument (by future developers). It would not be binding, but it can be brought up.” Trustees rejected the lot split request, 7-0, and Shiffman sued the township.

U.S. District Judge George Steeh ruled in his summary judgement that “Plaintiff argues that because the Land Division Act leaves no discretion for a municipality to reject a proposed division that meets all of the Act's requirements, plaintiff has a constitutionally protected property interest. Plaintiff's interpretation of the Land Division Act is circuitous...The court finds that plaintiff does not have a constitutionally protected property interest in having its Lot Split Application approved.

Defendant township was within its purview in making the determination under the terms of its ordinance that plaintiff’s Lot Split Application should be denied. Therefore, the township did not arbitrarily and capriciously deny plaintiff’s property or substantive due process interests.”

He said for those reasons, Shiffman's motion for summary judgement was denied and the township's motion for summary judgement was granted.

“One of the things we have in our ordinance is a harmony or compatibility requirement,” said township attorney William Hampton, who argued the case in federal court on Monday, February 5. “It's where you have an established neighborhood, it changes the whole feel and harmony of the neighborhood from the standpoint of the residents.”

In his opinion, Steeh cited an Appeals Court ruling based on a case Hampton had argued for the city of Bloomfield Hills based on the harmony requirement.

Hampton said the township feels very good about the court's ruling, “but my guess is they will appeal. They paid about $1.8 million for the three houses.”

If Shiffman does appeal, it would be heard by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

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They go and search for what is missing in the mix,” she said. “We're looking to implement a strong broker/landlord relationship, with an entrepreneurial wing, and connect them with resources.”

She said another marketing strategy is enticing more stores from Somerset to come to Birmingham.

“We're trying to increase the attraction.”

Engineer Paul O'Meara reported on parking initiatives, suggesting that they are talking about keeping employees parking only on upper levels of parking structures, and leaving the first two levels for visitors.

He said that Lot 6, on N. Old Woodward, is under a lot of strain, needs to be resurfaced, and they are looking at options to increase parking in the lot. The first option would just resurface the lot and improve landscaping. The second would save some pine trees, move the east curb and add 14 spots. The third would add about 35 spots by moving curbs and gutters, removing old pine trees but adding bioswale which would shrink water drainage before getting into the Rouge River in the rear, and would be an environmental improvement.

He said they have worked with three churches, United Methodist, Ascension Lutheran and Our Shepherd Lutheran, which are all willing to work with a large employer to offer park and shuttle opportunities. “So far, there are no takers,” O'Meara said.

Ecker provided information on the N. Old Woodward/Bates Street extension plan, which came out of the 2016 plan, “to create another street in downtown and to ease parking,” she said. “The city came up with the idea of how to redesign this area, as a larger project than just replacing a parking deck.”

A request for qualifications (RFQ) was done earlier, with four firms/development teams responding and prequalifying in September.

“They were sent RFPs, and asked to structure deals with the city, for either public/private partnerships or for a sale, and we got three back by our deadline of January 3 (2018). One dropped out, and we're reviewing them now,” she said.

The three firms are REDICO, TIR Equities LLC, and Woodward, Bates Partners LLC. She said on Friday, February 9, the

ard Woodw

The city's multi-modal transportation board has been working on Woodward Avenue crossings and crosswalk standards, and will be studying bike sharing, “a program of public bikes anyone can use. It's another transportation option. It's taking off around the world, and it's going really hightech,” she said, noting that cities like Ann Arbor, Southfield, Detroit and Port Huron have bike sharing.

“Is this something the city commission wants to do? If so, what's the next step?” she asked. “If so, there's plenty of options. We would need to do a feasibility study, which would be about $150,000.”

Ingrid Tighe, executive director of the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD), told commissioners the BSD is actively planning ahead for the Old Woodward construction project, with a plan called, “Pave the Way Birmingham.”

“Yes, we're going to go through a dusty period but we're going to have a beautiful city,” she said, which they are communicating to merchants and the public through signage and social media, and synchronizing with the city's message.

“We're holding merchant meetings on a regular basis on topics important to businesses, and emailing notifications,” Tighe said. They are also going to be promoting “Birmingham Bucks,” similar to Kohl's dollars, to encourage people to shop despite the construction A multi-faceted marketing campaign utilizing TV, radio, magazines, newspaper and social media will be utilized. There will also be a free valet service at several locations as shoppers come into Birmingham.

“There will also be events, including a kick-off party and public art to decorate all the barricades, maybe with some professional artists, schools, community groups, where we offer prizes and juried events for families,” Tighe said. “Depending on when construction ends, Day On The Town could be an end of construction.”

Tighe also explained that the BSD had hired a new retail consultant, Bruxton, to expand the business development strategy of the city. “We want their help to expand and retain retailers, with their expertise in business strategy to provide them with help to expand and stay.

“We've chosen the new consultant

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ad hoc parking committee will review the RFPs and see about setting up interviews. “Then they'll determine recommendations to the city commission, and maybe in spring 2018, with final approval by the city commission in January 2019.”

Baldwin Public Library Director Doug Koschik revealed conceptual designs for Phase II of its expansion and renovation for the library's Youth Room, planned for summer 2019 through spring 2020. As in Phase I, architects for the conceptual design are Robert Ziegelman, John Gardner and Karen Swanson of Luckenbach Ziegelman Gardner Associates.

The project, estimated to cost $2.35 million in 2019 dollars, would carry through the design of the Adult Services renovation, including exposing the brick of the original 1927 building. It would expand the Youth room by approximately 2,000 square feet, increasing the play area, story room and seating; renovate existing space, making the entire area ADA-compliant, including the book shelves and bathrooms; purchase new furniture; add an aquarium; add display cases and a separate room for strollers; and add an outdoor children's terrace and play area, as well as landscaping the exterior to integrate it with Shain Park.

“The expansion and renovation would allow Baldwin to serve its young population better and also enliven the west end of the downtown civic campus. Light would flood into and out of the building, creating a strong connection between the library, Shain Park, and surrounding buildings. Should the project move forward, the library will seek further input from the public,” Koschik said.

Oak and Woodward crosswalk approved As part of the Woodward resurfacing project between 14 Mile Road and Quarton by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), a pedestrian crosswalk will be installed at the intersection of Oak and Woodward and Birmingham city commissioners approved paying $107,000 towards the project at their meeting on Monday, January 22.

City engineer Paul O’Meara noted that the marked crosswalk at the intersection of Oak and Woodward, which will cost a total of $251,000, “Is downtownpublications.com

an important move forward in our multi-modal improvements. A marked crosswalk would greatly improve accessibility for the public, particularly for those who live on the east side of Woodward in the Poppleton Park area.”

Birmingham’s portion of the cost will be $107,502, which will be paid directly to MDOT, and come from the city’s major street fund. The work is expected to take place in the 2018 construction year.

“In addition, as is typically done with federal aid projects, the local benefitting agency is expected to pay 100 percent of the design costs…which MDOT is estimating at $18,500,” O’Meara said.

In addition, O’Meara said MDOT is going to do pavement marking for crosswalks in eight locations for handicap ramps and make improvements with new continental style pavement markings, using 24 inch wide bars spaced 24 inches apart.

“We will have to agree to the maintenance costs, which is estimated at about $70,000 every four years,” O’Meara said.

“I assume the maintenance is painting,” asked mayor Andy Harris.

“No, it’s a plastic material that lasts about four years,” responded O’Meara.

Commissioner Patty Bordman asked about how many crosswalks they were referring to, and O’Meara said eight. “So it’s less than $10,000 a crosswalk spread out over four years,” she noted. “We want our residents to be able to access both sides of the city.”

“We have been working on this a long, long time. Staff has been diligent on working with MDOT. This is a big step in achieving the goal and in achieving a safer road,” said commissioner Mark Nickita.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve both the Oak and Woodward crosswalk allocation and the maintenance project for the eight other crosswalks.

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Vinotecca opens in former Bird & Bread Vinotecca, an upscale, full service wine bar restaurant offering live music, opened Friday, January 26, in downtown Birmingham in the former location of The Bird and The Bread, at 210 S. Old Woodward.

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owners of both establishments, announced in October they would be converting The Bird and The Bread into a restyled version of its original Vinotecca wine bar, which formerly was in Royal Oak before being converted to a Jolly Pumpkin in August 2017. It will also be similar to their Vinology wine bar and restaurant in Ann Arbor.

The new Vinotecca features a wine bar, small plates menu and world cuisine along with live music with an emphasis on jazz and blues.

They offer wine education and fun in a non-intimidating way for the novice while also presenting a higher level experience for the aficionado, said the father-daughter team of John and Kristin Jonna, owners.

As a sommelier, cheese expert, restaurant owner and world traveler, John Jonna has been in the wine business for over 40 years. Along with his daughter Kristin, who also has an extensive background in the wine industry and is a certified specialist of wine, their wide-ranging knowledge is showcased through

downtownpublications.com

Vinotecca as it is in Vinology.

“We have long wanted to bring Vinotecca to Birmingham and reinvent it here as we continue to educate and entertain our guests with the exciting world of wine and food,” said Kristin Jonna.

The Jonnas said Executive Chef Adam Galloway has designed a wine-friendly world cuisine menu to create both classic and modern wine pairings. Vinotecca will mirror cuisine offered at Vinology.

Suggested wine and food pairings will be presented on the menu as well as interactively through the innovative and environmentallyfriendly tablet wine list.

In addition, their banquet room, The ELM Room, which can accommodate private parties for up to 300 guests, will offer ongoing entertainment with concerts, singersongwriter events and comedy shows. There is a live music lineup Thursday through Saturdays.

Vinotecca is open at 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Sunday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday for brunch.

Summer closing set for iconic gift store Iconic Birmingham gift store Art Loft is closing in July when the lease expires, owner Rachael A-Woods announced.

Art Loft, located at 123 W. Maple Road, carries modern and contemporary gifts and accessories idea for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and has had bridal and baby registry. Special lines Woods has carried are Alessi, Michael Aram, Sid Dickens and Jonathan Adler, as well as unique jewelry, clothing and accessories.

“We've been here for over 20 years, and my husband and I want to move south,” Woods said. “The Carolinas and the Atlantic Ocean are calling my name.”

She said that while they don't plan to move for about a year-andhalf, when they anticipate moving to Charleston, with her lease coming up in July, it was time to close the store. A Midtown Detroit location of Art Loft, at 4160 Cass Avenue, which

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she opened in October 2015, will be kept for now, she said.

“We're also keeping our tennis stores,” she said, referring to Total Tennis, located at 2519 W. Maple at Cranbrook roads, and inside Franklin Racquet Club, which she owns with her husband.

“I'm taking care of business right now,” she said. “I love this town. I moved here from London, England, and it's (Birmingham) my second home. I've been here for 20 years. I worked at Jacobson's, then bought Art Loft 20 years ago.”

She said because Alessi, a contemporary European brand, is so huge with Europeans, she has a huge following with a very large European community that lives here because of the automotive industry.

Woods said Art Loft is having a private sale, offering 25 percent off Alessi and Michael Aram, 20 percent off Sid Dickens, 30 percent off Carol Boyes and jewelry, and 50 percent off Jonathon Adler and clothing, as well as 30 to 50 percent off select gifts and housewares.

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Todd's Room moving to Bakers Square Todd's Room, a beauty apothecary featuring hair, eyebrow and makeup stylists, beauty products and accessories, is moving from downtown Birmingham to the city's Triangle District, to the long-shuttered former Bakers Square location.

Todd's Room, owned by makeup artist and hair stylist Todd Skog, is currently located at 239 Pierce Street. Megan Sasso, manager of the store, confirmed they are moving from their long time location at the end of March or beginning of April to 825 Bowers Street at the corner of Elm. The building, which is over 5,000 square feet and has its own parking lot, is in the midst of being renovated and customized for Todd's Room by the landlord, Mat Ishbia.

“It's bigger than our current location, but it's just a little bigger,” said Sasso.

She said the relocated Todd's Room will be just like the current one, “but we will have our own parking.” They have three hair stylists and 10 to 12 makeup artists.

Services at Todd's Room include hair styling, makeup applications, private lessons, eyebrow arching, and they carry a wide assortment of beauty products for men and women from around the world.

There is also an assortment of clothing, jewelry, scarves and accessories from local artisans to artists acquired from travels around the world.

New evening wear store set to open Anna Castaldi, owner of Roma Sposa Couture Bridal in Birmingham, is expanding and opening a designer evening wear store on Maple Road called House of Castaldi, which will also include her own unique custom line of cocktail and evening wear dresses.

House of Castaldi will open in downtownpublications.com

March at 245 W. Maple in the former location of The Home & Garden Shop, next to Optik Eyeware, near high-end international designer shops Tender and Linda Dresner.

“For me, it's locating onto Maple near Tender and Linda Dresner; it's creating a greater relationship, greater synergy for the customer,” Castaldi said. She said House of Castaldi will not feature any daywear, only cocktail dresses and evening wear.

Castaldi first opened Roma Sposa 23 years ago at 708 N. Old Woodward, as a luxury bridal and evening wear atelier. She carries bridal lines from Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, Inbal Dror, Ines Di Santo, Galia Lahav, Naeem Kahn, Zuhair Murad, Romona Keveza and others. Over the years, she expanded into adjacent space with Roma Notte, an evening wear boutique, which is now closed.

House of Castaldi will feature designers exclusive to the store, she said, “and we keep a list of who is buying each list. If you're making an appearance at the Detroit Institute of Arts gala, I'll make sure you'll be the only one in that dress.”

Castaldi said she is going to house a wide variety of designers from New York, Paris, Milan and Tel Aviv, including Romona Keveza, Tony Ward and others exclusive to the store, as well as custom designs from the Anna Castaldi line.

“I make my own things,” she said. Further, she and her staff are fashion stylists who can help women discover what looks best on them and find their best potential.

Each month, a weekend will be devoted to a designer's preview collection in the store. “You're going to see it and buy it before anyone else,” she said. “You're going to see it prior to any stores having their collections. They're sexy, different, from all over the world. We are going to be Bergdorf Goodman's for Michigan.”

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FACES Max Jacobson hen Max Jacobson was 17 he went to a music festival that would change the trajectory of his life.

“It was the first Detroit Electronic Music Festival,” said Jacobson of the annual event. “That night I knew I wanted to...I knew I had to be involved with the music somehow.”

The Chicago resident – who grew up in Birmingham – soon found himself buying a drum machine, an essential piece of gear for any electronic musician to create. Jacobson had been sucked in to the world of electronic music, which has since lead to a career making music, DJing, and producing.

Jacobson has been making music for 12 years now, traveling all over the U.S. and Europe to perform. He’s also had releases on labels stretching from the U.S.-based Klectik and Brachtune to Germany’s Vekton and Houseworx.

“Europe has the biggest market and the biggest scene for this type of music,” he said. “It’s not just like EDM or mainstream electronic music. What I do is a little bit more avant-garde, minimal, experimental, house, and technical.”

Jacobson’s music influences range from psychedelic classic rock such as Cream and Jimi Hendrix to electronic artists like Zip and Ricardo Villalobos. The latter actually played some of Jacobson’s music last year, a huge moment that meant a lot to him.

When Jacobson first started he was primarily making music and trying to get his tracks out there. He began doing live sets of his own music on drum machines and a synthesizer to gain more exposure, but he knew he was going to have to do more to get more gigs, which is why ten years ago he learned how to DJ. “I almost love DJing just as much as making music, but being in the studio is where I can really be myself,” Jacobson said.

While Jacobson travels all over the world there is one thing he misses about Birmingham – his family – who have been unbelievably supportive of him.

“I was a bit nervous at first approaching them and telling them, but they actually took it well,” Jacobson said. “They are really proud of me. They are happy I’m chasing my dreams and goals.”

Including when he transferred from DePaul University – where he was pursuing a real estate business degree – to Columbia College Chicago, where he ended up majoring in music business and production.

Chicago is also home to Tied, a record label, artist collective, party series, and podcast Jacobson started with friends five years ago.

Tied began as an event series when he and his partner at the time noticed a lot of artists they liked weren’t getting booked. They decided to do something about that by having them perform in places like warehouses before moving into clubs.

“We wanted to bring the Berlin sound to Chicago, so we started throwing parties,” he said.

Two years ago they wanted to do more with Tied, which is when it turned into a record label as well. First it was a vinylonly record label, but they’ve since added digital.

Calling Jacobson a workhorse seems like an understatement knowing all he does, but it’s just a part of breaking, and staying, in the electronic music scene.

“You have to put the time in…have 20-hour studio sessions,” he said. “It takes a lot of time and learning a lot of things. If you put the work in it should pay off.”

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Story: Dana Casadei

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BUSINESS MATTERS White Birch opening Looking for something special as a gift, or for yourself? White Birch Interiors and Home Accents is just the answer. Opening at 141 W. Maple Road in downtown Birmingham, in the former Sweet Earth frozen yogurt locale, White Birch offers bridal and baby registries, giftware from Juliska, Mariposa, Beatriz Ball, Nambe’, Nora Fleming, Casafina, Skyros, Home in Bloom, Petal Lane and others; jewelry from Kendra Scott, Dogeared and LuLu DK; and gifts for babies such as Jellycat, Aden & Anais, Little Giraffe, Green Birdie, Magnificent Baby and Elegant Baby.

From candles to dresses, keepsakes to accessories, White Birch offers affordable and elegant touches for your home, or whomever you are looking to gift.

Packers moving Pack & Ship Plus, 3596 W. Maple Road at Lahser in Bloomfield Township, is literally moving. It has been located next to Little Caesar’s and Kroger, and now it’s shifting to the other side of the strip center – next to Embers and Starbucks. It will remain the go-to resource for packing, shipping, printing and business service needs of the residents and businesses. “Our team of dedicated, professionally-trained experts understands the meaning of super-star customer care,” they said.

“We focus on saving you time and money by ensuring you get the right products and services at the right price, in a single quick visit.” They offer print and document services, document shredding, mailbox rental, DHL and FedEx shipping, and professional packing services.

Woodward & Maple Those who know long time Birmingham retailer and resident Dulce Fuller, owner of Woodward & Maple, 266 E. Maple Road, are careful to note that she is not going out of business – she is retiring.

“After 27 years, she’s just ready to retire – and she deserves it,” said coworker Kyla Bingamen. Fuller first established the beautiful and eclectic boutique in 1991 featuring exquisite items from European and American collections. The intimate downtownpublications.com

1,000-square foot shop has offered everything from fine china, from Herend and Anna Weatherly to crystal, beautiful women’s handbags, leather gloves, jewelry, scarves, and clothing for women and children. “Dulce will still do some interior design work for family and friends,” Bingamen said. Bingamen noted that Fuller will also stay active traveling, with family in Europe, and lots of interests. “It’s been a pleasure working for her.”

Women’s pop-up Talula Boutique, a women’s clothing boutique, has opened a pop-up store at 361 E. Maple in Birmingham, carrying casual and comfortable clothes, from tops, bottoms, dresses, sweaters, jumpsuits, activewear, jewelry and accessories. The boutique notably carries Talula print palazzos and lots of items from Angelrox, a line of interchangeable, layerable, creative and comfy women’s clothes.

Alex Emilio salon Alex Emilio hair salon, located on Main Street in Royal Oak, has announced the opening of their second salon at 730 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham. “Alex Emilio Salon strives to create an exceptional experience from start to finish,” they state on their website.

“Our expertise, training and passion help us to meet the needs and desires of our wonderful clients.”

The salon is to be located in the same spot as the former Felicia Salon, owned by nationally recognized stylist and colorist Felicia Palazzola Shaw, which is now shuttered. Alex Emilio,owned

by Emilio Giglio, offers women’s, men’s and children’s haircuts, color services, relaxers, extensions, and a beauty bar that offers eyebrow shaping, waxing, tint, and makeup services.

Red Olive Restaurant Red Olive Restaurant is scheduled to open in late February at 42757 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Township, formerly occupied by the Sweet Tree Family Restaurant. The Bloomfield Township Red Olive will join several others in the metro area, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night casual dining and

Mediterranean fare. The lore is that a member of the family was sailing in the Mediterranean when he noticed a hidden olive grove growing wild on the embankment. As the sunlight broke through, he saw a tree with beautiful red olives, which were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen – “one in a million!”

“It inspired him to create his own restaurant years later where he would offer up the same blend of all the best tastes he’d discovered around the world, especially those of the Mediterranean and his homeland of Greece. He wanted his restaurant to be the ‘one in a million’ place that stood out from all the other choices.” Red Olive will be open daily at 7 a.m.

Four Story Burger closed Four Story Burger, located inside the Emagine Palladium movie theater in downtown Birmingham, has closed.

Skincare move Skin By Dr. Lori, a full-service salon serving unique and beneficial beauty treatments located at 353 S. Old Woodward in downtown Birmingham, has closed, and Lori Haddad D.O. has moved her office to 44555 Woodward Avenue, Suite 404, in Pontiac, in the St. Joseph Medical Building. Haddad, a dermatologist, is affiliated with several area hospitals.

Credit union closing Vibe Credit Union, which operates an e-center in downtown Birmingham at 163 W. Maple, will be closing that location in April. Vibe, established in 1936 and headquartered in Novi, is the 24th largest credit union in the state of Michigan, claims they’ve created a “totally unique banking experience by reimagining the way people connect with a bank. Vibe is built on easy access to your money through technology.” The Birmingham location offered convenience without tellers, just a service representative to open accounts and an ATM.

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

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FACES

Dr. Annis Pratt hen Dr. Annis Pratt and her husband decided to go on a trip to England she was hoping to simply learn more about her ancestors.

What she came back with was much more than insight into her family’s history – inspiration for a series of novels.

“I discovered that there were these people called fen tigers who resisted these evil uplanders for 300 years,” Pratt said. “I thought, ‘Those are my ancestors. I’d like to tell a story based on that conflict.’”

So she did. Enter Pratt’s 'Infinite Games' series, which focuses on a battle between environmentalists and developers in the Marshlands. The series comes to a conclusion in 'The Battle for the Black Fen', which was published last summer.

There are three prior novels in the series – The Marshlanders, Fly Out of the Darkness, and The Road to Beaver Mill – but Pratt said The Battle for the Black Fen can stand on its own because of all the introductory material she included.

“It is basically a story about how a modern economy and a selfsustaining, pre-modern economy get into this tremendous conflict,” Pratt said. “The Infinite Games part is that instead of win-lose, we look for winwin solutions. So that gives you a hint.”

While the books are based on the draining of the East Anglian Fens – which started in 1630 – Pratt decided to set her series in an invented world.

“I’ve done so much canoeing and kayaking in America that I wanted to use for my setting the flora and fauna from those places,” said the Birmingham resident.

Those familiar with the Betsie River – which is in northwest Michigan – may find themselves recognizing a few details from her books. Pratt said a lot of her details – down to accidents her main characters have with their

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boat, and the kinds of things they see in river life – have been inspired by the Betsie River, where Pratt has a cottage.

Her novels also have details based on her time in Wisconsin, where she taught English and Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1971-1990 before retiring. Pratt published three non-fiction books during her time there.

“I’ve always been a writer,” said Pratt, who used to be a poet. “All of my jobs were to kind of support that habit.”

So what ultimately brought her to Michigan? Family.

When she was teaching at the University of Wisconsin, her husband was teaching in Detroit at Wayne State University. They had a commuting marriage, and each week one of them would fly out to see the other. They never missed a week – except one – when they both had the flu.

“It was very difficult,” she said. “It was also very hard to do this kind of intensive writing on a daily schedule and to be a community activist.”

Now, she’s writing all the time, preferably in the morning. Pratt said depending on whether or not she’s writing or re-writing, she estimates she works on about 20 pages a day.

Her motivation to continue writing is two-fold.

“One, I just love to write,” Pratt said. “Two, I’m very engaged in the environmental movement and I wanted to express my love for the all the beautiful things that I’ve seen, and at the same time write for people in the environmental movement about characters dealing with these same issues.”

Looks like she’s achieved that goal.

Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Jean Lannen

98

DOWNTOWN

03.18

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 • REGIONAL

Downtown.

The leading publication WATER/SEWER DEBATE • PAY-TO-PLAY SCHOOL SPORTS • PREDICTIVE CRIME for Birmingham/Bloomfield.

Produced by local residents FIGHTING • GOVERNMENT ONLINE • NEW LAKE ACCESS CHALLENGE • THE COMMON from offices in downtown Birmingham.

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FRACKING IN THE CROSSHAIRS • THE GANGS OF OAKLAND • CHOOSING A Leadership on issues important toINTERVIEW residents. • THE CYBER GENERATION • NON-PROFIT • L. BROOKS PATTERSON

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•

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 •

PSD AS DRIVING CITY FORCE

on a regular basis, in our April issue. AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS • SCHOOL LUNCHES Ad deadline Friday, March 16.

• THE

POLICE TASER CONTROVERSY • TESTING THE NOISE LEVELS • CONTROLLING SCHOOL Contact Mark Grablowski.

BULLIES • LOCAL RECYLCING Office: EFFORTS • CHANGING ROLE OF LIBRARIES • COLLAPSE 248.792.6464 ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@DowntownPublications.com

OF OAKLAND STUDIO • TRIANGLE DISTRICT NEW FRONTIER • BIRMINGHAM NIGHTLIFE PROBLEMS • TROY TRANSIT CENTER • GOVERNMENT MEETING RULES •

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Sunday, April 1, 2018

Easter Brunch Seatings at 9:00AM, 11:15AM and 1:30PM $40 adult $15 children (ages 4-12 years) Children 3 & under free

Reservations required www.communityhouse.com 248.644.5832

380 South Bates Street Birmingham, Michigan 48009

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

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

248.646.2220.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily.

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

248.481.9607.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.792.3579.

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.

Cafe Via: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.8800.

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

248.723.1700.

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

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

downtownpublications.com

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, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.2420.

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

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

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

Forest: European. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

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

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

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

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

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

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

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

248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

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

248.594.4369.

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

248.333.7522.

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

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

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

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

248.480.4785.

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

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

Khao San: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, MondayFriday. Carry out only. 355 W. Maple, Birmingham, 48009. 248.480.3525.

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

248.858.5800.

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

HHHHHHHHHHHH H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H stevesdeli.com H H H H H H H H H H H H H 6646 Telegraph at Maple H H Bloomfield Plaza H H H H H The Only Place to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! H H H H H $10 Off Party Trays H H or Carry Out Orders H H of $69.95 or more Must present printed coupon when ordering.

Not valid with H H other offers. No digital coupons accepted. Exp. 3/31/18 DT H H H H $5 Off H H Carry Out or Dine-In H H of $34.95 or more H H Must present printed coupon when ordering. Not valid with Specializing In other offers. No digital coupons accepted. Exp. 3/31/18 DT H H Award Winning H H Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinners H H 50% Off Diner & Fabulous Overstuffed H H Sit Down or CarryOut Corned Beef Buy One Dinner and 2 Drinks at Full Price, Get 2nd H H Dinner of Equal or lesser value half off.

Sandwiches Must present printed coupon when ordering. Not valid with H H other offers. No digital coupons accepted. Exp. 3/31/18 DT H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H HHH

DOWNTOWN

248.932.0800

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

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

101

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

248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

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

248.253.9877.

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

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

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

248.645.6999.

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

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

248.481.7767.

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

248.858.7270.

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

248.792.6200.

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

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

248.220.4167.

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

102

Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

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

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

248.932.0800.

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

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

248.645.9123.

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

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

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

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

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch.

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

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

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

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

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

248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

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

100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.220.4237.

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

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

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.

Andiamo Restaurants: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 129 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.582.0999.

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.

Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1621.

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

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

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

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

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

222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.7400.

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

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

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

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

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

248.206.7510.

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

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

Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916.

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.

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

Local Kitchen and Bar: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.291.5650.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch.

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

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

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

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

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

248.808.6633.

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,

DOWNTOWN

daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.850.7420.

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

248.549.0300.

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

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

248.544.1141.

Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday - Sunday.

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

248.607.3127.

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

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

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

248.544.7300.

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

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

248.542.4444.

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

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

248.548.7711.

Troy/Rochester Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 176 N. Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.218.6001.

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.

Chapman House: French-American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations recommended. Liquor. 311 Walnut Blvd., Rochester. 48307. 248.759.4406.

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.

Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098. 248.646.7900.

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,

03.18

Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

248.816.3424.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

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

Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084.

248.458.0500.

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

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

248.524.1944.

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

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

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

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

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

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

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

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

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

248.652.4500.

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

248.817.2980.

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

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

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

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

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

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

248.208.1680.

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

Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

248.851.2500.

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

248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

248.851.8782.

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

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

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

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

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

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

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

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

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

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

248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch.

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

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

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.737.8282.

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

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

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

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

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

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

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

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

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

248.795.2077.

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 Angelina Italian Bistro: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

1565 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.1355.

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.

Coach Insignia: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.2622.

Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214.

313.469.0976.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

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

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.4180.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210.

313.894.2070.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

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

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

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

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

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

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

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

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

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

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

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Maccabees at Midtown: Eurasian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202. 313.831.9311.

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

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

313.832.1616.

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

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

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

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

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

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

313.309.2499.

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

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

313.962.2100.

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

313.567.2900.

DOWNTOWN

Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226.

313.962.9366.

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

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

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.9828.

Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702.

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216. 313.962.2121.

Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1234.

Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668.

The Block: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.0892.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.964.3821.

Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.3965.

Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857.

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711.

The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.832.5700.

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian.

Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1646.

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1411.

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.

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Kerry C. Duggan hen Kerry C. Duggan was a senior at Detroit Country Day School, she signed up for an environmental studies class, thinking it would be a blow-off course. That class ended up changing her world.

“My perspective on everything (changed),” Duggan said. “In that course I read Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, which really got me looking at the world I live in differently.

“So that’s kind of where I set off on my course,” Duggan continued.

The work she’s done in the environmental world since graduating high school would definitely make her former teacher proud.

Not only did she work for the Department of Energy during President Barack Obama’s administration – where she ran the legislative, regulatory, and urban affairs for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office – but she worked directly with Vice President Joe Biden as his Deputy Director for Policy, which she said was an insane joy.

Duggan – who has her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and her masters degree in Natural Resource Policy & Behavior – may have been in Washington D.C. for the better part of the past decade, but she never lost her connection to Detroit.

“It’s funny, I ran into a colleague at Whole Foods not too long ago, and with great excitement I said that I was moving back or that I’d moved back and he said, ‘I never knew you left,’” she laughed. “I’ve been gone for the better part of 10 years but I’ve always been able to keep one arm tied to Michigan in some fashion.”

Including during her time at the DOE, where she served as the Secretary of Energy’s liaison to the city of Detroit. Her focus was on the street lighting conversion to LEDs, manufacturing, renewable power generation, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation.

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For Duggan, the work she got to do as a liaison was amazing.

“The on-the-ground work I was able to do on behalf of President Obama in Detroit was the most meaningful work of my career,” Duggan said. “Because it's real impact, it's people being able to come home safely, kids getting to and from school safely. When I started that work, half the street lights were completely out and the quality of lighting was not great.”

Now she’s back in her home state permanently. Duggan said she wanted the opportunity to raise her children among the Great Lakes and her family, who are all in metro Detroit. She also knew she could have an impact here.

Since coming back, Duggan has co-founded Smart Cities Lab with a group of fellow former senior Obama Administration officials, started a consulting business, and most recently, she became a partner in the Sustainability Practice of RIDGE-LANE LP, which is where her sole focus currently is. She also joined the board of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, which she was on the board of 10 years ago as well.

When asked about watching the current administration from the outside, Duggan said it is certainly upsetting but she doesn’t focus on it.

Instead she puts all of that energy into her work at RIDGE-LANE LP. “I’ve joined a national firm with a bunch of top-shelf people who are prone to action,” Duggan said. “So we’re going to leverage our selective power to effect change. I’m doing all that I can with what I can.”

And she shows no signs of slowing down.

“I’ve had an interesting career so far and I’m just getting warmed up,” Duggan said.

Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Jean Lannen

248-421-2670 nancykarasrealty@gmail.com 4130 Telegraph Road / Bloomfield Hills / MI 48302 / www.nancykaras.maxbroock.com

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

Results with First Class Service

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Presented by Nancy Karas and Rebecca Gulyas Pine Lakefront West Bloomfield w/ Bloomfield Hills Schools

2010 REBUILD & RENOVATION! Panoramic sunset views, 100’ of sandy waterfront on ALL-SPORTS Lake with crystal clear water! Quiet, private cul-de-sac setting. 4-5 Bedrms. 5.1 Baths. 4,986 SF plus 1,746 in finished walkout, perfect for in-law suite with kitchenette. Architect Willoughby & Templeton Built with dramatic vaulted ceilings, stone and exotic hardwood floors, 3 terraces, Chef’s Kitchen, ADT Smart Home, custom features throughout. High-end everything. Extra tall and deep garage could accommodate a tandem-placed vehicle or hydraulic lifts. Bloomfield Hills schools.

Lower Long Lakefront Bloomfield Magnificent lake views and access to Forest Lake and All-Sports Upper Long Lake.

4 bedrooms including a huge master suite with exercise room. Built in 1953 and expanded and remodeled in 1991. Hardwood floors in Great Room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace. Drive-under 2 car garage, plus tandem space for 3rd vehicle, boat or storage. Massive deck across the back and large dock. Cul-de-sac location for quiet and privacy. Bloomfield Hills Schools.

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2 HOMES FOR PRICE OF 1 ON .8 ACRE! Charming with every modern convenience in this tastefully updated French Colonial & Carriage House, to enjoy income of $16,000+ and tax write offs from rental or use for in-laws. Privacy, lush landscaping, terraces, circular drives. High-end kitchen reno w/ 2 refrigerators, open to family room. Hardwood floors, French doors, Ann Sacks tile. Spacious master en suite + 4 more beds & updated baths. 4,134/SF + 1,175/SF carriage house with 2 beds, 1 bath, living rm, laundry (Total 5,309SF) + 162/SF 3 season rm. Birmingham schools.

LAKEFRONT, GOLF FRONT, 2012 construction, Das designed, built by Livewell Custom Homes. Tranquil setting, wildlife, great boating, swimming & fishing! 3,135/SF Colonial with 1,000/SF finished in lower level. Open floor plan, quarried stone, 4 bed, 3.5 baths, 1.12 acres, 3 car garage. Economical geo-thermal heating system. Lower Long Lake and AllSports Upper Long Lake access too! Bloomfield Hills Schools!

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Clark / Carroll Island Lakefront Commerce

1.67 acre half island with home 1.25 acre vacant, buildable half island 3 ACRE ISLAND – SUNSET VIEWS 2 parcels, one with home, other buildable on ALL SPORTS LAKE! Over the bridge & down the winding road to your island lakefront! Does not get any better than this with breathtaking views and water wrapping all around this beautiful home with idyllic, private setting, sandy beach. Vaulted ceilings, large deck, screened gazebo. Walled Lake Schools. Entry level 5th bedroom.

Best value in Bloomfield in the award winning Bloomfield Hills school district. This brick home has .52 AC, 2,159SF with a small lower level, 4 beds, 2.1 baths. Needs updating but has curb appeal, good bones, vaulted great room with natural fireplace. Great opportunity to make this your dream home and finish to your liking in a great neigjborhood.

City of Bloomfield Hills 132 Linda Court | $749,900 Mid-century modern home on 1.2 rolling acres on a hillside in the heart of Bloomfield Hills. The open floor plan with 1st floor master, vaulted ceilings, three fireplaces and abundant natural light provides a wonderful opportunity to renovate, restore or rebuild. The daylight/walkout lower level has three bedrooms â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one ensuite â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and large family room with fireplace. Endless possibilities! Also listed as vacant land for $749,999 (MLS# 218009550) 5,313 Total SF | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 218009543 Lot Dimensions: 243' x 177' x 249' x 230'

Susan Hill Associate Broker, ABR, CNE 248.225.1399 SHill@hallandhunter.com

442 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, MI 48009

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE “If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”

– Percy Bysshe Shelley As we look out the window of the venerable Community House, it’s hard to imagine that the start of spring is just 20 days away! While it has been a cold, snowy and frigid winter here in Michigan, spring 2018 planning is well underway at The Community House.

Scores of new spring classes, programs and events are set; a wide array of exciting and popular art, culture and enrichment opportunities now populate our spring calendar. To register or to purchase tickets, please go to The Community House website at communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.

If winter comes, can spring (or summer!) be far behind?

TICKETS ON SALE NOW PRESIDENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL – BIRMINGHAM DOWNS EVENT The President’s Advisory Council (PAC) of The Community House is thrilled to invite you to the second annual Birmingham Downs, Kentucky Derby Event on Saturday, May 5th from 5-9 p.m. The fun and festive Kentucky Derby center event will take place in Wallace Ballroom at The Community House. The evening will include strolling food stations, cocktails, the running of the 144th Kentucky Derby featured on the big screen, derby-themed raffles and a charitable contribution to the mission of our 95-year old nonprofit organization serving the community. Grab your biggest derby hat and join us for Birmingham Downs.

Tickets are available online at communityhouse.com or by calling 248.594.6409. SELLS OUT FAST.

Bill Seklar

SARAH SMITH YOUTH THEATRE – HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JR. Disney Channel's smash hit movie musical comes to life on The Community House stage in Disney’s High School Musical JR. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs are sure to engage audiences of all ages. Saturday, March 10th at 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 11th at 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. Reserved Seating: $30; General Admission: $15; Children's Floor Seats: $10.

EASTER BRUNCH – AT THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Let us do the cooking while you enjoy a beautiful Easter Brunch with family and friends in The Community House’s gorgeous ballroom. Featuring a delicious buffet brunch and a special visit from the Easter Bunny, this event has something for the whole family to enjoy! Seatings at 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $40 for adults, $15 for children ages 412, and children ages 3 & under complimentary. Call us at 248.644.5832 or book online today. Seats fill up quick as a rabbit!

When was the last time you had that conversation about Life Insurance?

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! SUMMER CAMPS 2018 - AT THE COMMUNITY HOUSE 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.

We have found “that there are 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.” We believe that summer camps are places where children get the experiences they need to bolster their range of coping strategies.

Talk to me today about your life insurance needs.

SOME OF LIFE’S TOUGHEST CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN OVER COFFEE.

Barbara Merten-Dubensky CPCU, Agent 2028 Hazel St. Birmingham, MI 48009 Bus: 248-647-4266 barbara@barbmd.com

When was the last time you had that conversation about Life Insurance? - Talk to me today about your life insurance needs.

Barbara Merten-Dubensky CPCU, Agent 2028 Hazel St. Birmingham, MI 48009 Bus: 248-647-4266 barbara@barbmd.com

So it is in that spirit that The Community House is proud to present over 40 summer camps – Summer 2018; 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!

Exciting NEW Summer Camps include: • String Orchestra Camp (Grades 5-8) • BRICKS Challenge Camp (Ages 6-12) • Bakeology Camp (Ages 8-12) As well as All Day Camp, The Community House also offers Lunch Club and After Camp Care.

For more information about these and other Community House offerings, please contact us at communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.

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

DOWNTOWN

107

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Angels Place 25th Anniversary Dinner

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Sally Gerak Angels Place 25th Anniversary Dinner The silver anniversary of the organization that provides lifetime Christian homes for developmentally disabled people proved again a verity of the local charity scene – friends and family are the best support for non-profits. In fact, there were times when the AP Dinner Patron Reception (450 @ $350 ticket ) seemed like a family reunion for co-chairs Maryclare and Bob Pulte. Bob’s cousin Colleen is married to guest speaker Major League Baseball Commissioner Ron Manfred and their kin traveled from afar to attend. That his aunt by marriage/Colleen’s late mother Jane Martin Feely had been a longtime AP supporter as a good friend of co-founder Loretta Nagle is just one of the countless friend components that attracted 350 more supporters ($225 ticket) to the annual event at The Henry Hotel. The local MLB family (i.e. Detroit Tigers) also turned out enthusiastically. In his speech Manford mentioned that the pace of the game is a huge issue for baseball.

“Change will come...how to manage that change is the challenge,” he concluded. Thanks also to Jim Crowe giving his raffle winnings to AP, generous sponsors and Manford’s generous donations to a brief auction, the 25th anniversary celebration raised more than $420,000 to support the 20 homes and hundreds of people on the waiting list who participate in AP programs.

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1. Colleen Feely Manfred (left) & Rob Manfred (center) of NYC, Maryclare & Bob Pulte of Bloomfield. 2. Loretta Ryan (left) of Bingham Farms, Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit, Bob Babinski of Lake Orion.

3. Joey Jonna (center) Frank & Judy Jonna of Bloomfield. 4. Jack (left) & Kathleen McInerney of Birmingham, Jo & Michael Jones of Holland. 5. Colleen Manfred (left) of NYC, NY, Molly Feely and Emmett (Bud) Feely of Bloomfield, Mary Farr of Brecksville, OH, Kathleen Nevin of Ridgefield, CT.

Kidney Ball Nearly 600 ($250 ticket) kidney disease warriors gathered at the MotorCity Casino Hotel for the annual black tie fundraiser that traditionally attracts a fun-loving crowd. VIPs convened in the Sound Board before perusing the silent and Kids auctions on the way to the dinner in the ballroom. WDIV’s Steve Garagiola emceed the program which had highlights: Henry Ford Health nephrologist Dr. Jerry Yee received the first Kidney Crusader Award; Madison Heights Glass Company president Jon Krebs received the Cynthia Shannon Award ( named for event founder/Birmingham native Cindy Hoglund Shannon whose husband donated a kidney to their son); the fundraising saga of teen Danny Zivian; and pep talks by co-chairs Jeff Chandler and Duane McLean. The latter also generated excitement with his last minute offer of “manager for a day” at Tigers spring training. It brought $8,000 twice. Combined with Fund A Need pledging and generous sponsors, the 13th annual Kidney ball raised more than $600,000 for programs and services to more than 900,000 people in Michigan affected by chronic kidney disease.

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Kidney Ball

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1. Susan & Duane McLean of Bloomfield. 2. Brady (left), Jeff, Alison and Morgan Chandler of Birmingham.

3. Laynie & Josh Bryant of Birmingham. 4. Myra Moreland (right) and Laynie Bryant (left) of Birmingham and Jackson Moreland of Waterford. 5. Patti & Jim Prowse of Bloomfield.

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DOWNTOWN

Christ Child Society Home Tour Most of the sold out crowd of more than 600 got to the five splendid Birmingham homes that were decorated for Christmas by the generous homeowners. These were Linda and Robert Crosby, Nancy and Chris Fullerton, Amy and Jim Gooch, Shawn and Mark Vestevitch and Lydia and Dick Wallace. At the Birmingham Country Club, where most ticketholders ($60) reconvened to brunch and shop at the 21 vendor boutiques, everybody was marveling at the Wallace’s renovation of the home where they had raised their family into their remarkable retirement digs. Kim McNulty and Kelly Patterson chaired the popular, annual event which netted an all-time high of $50,000plus.

B&GCSM Great Futures Gala Dr. Ben Carson returned to his boyhood home bearing a gift – an EnVision Center. Carson described the new HUD initiative 03.18

to the 240 Boys & Girls Clubs supporters ($250 ticket) gathered at the Detroit Athletic Club to honor car dealer /civic leader David Fischer.

The first of 10 centers to better connect low-income people with the resources they need to break the cycle of dependency would be in Detroit on the campus of the Dick & Sandy Dauch club. The HUD secretary got a standing ovation when he concluded in his soft spoken manner, “...reject voices of division and hatred...divided civilizations do not succeed.”

Fischer, national B&GC president Jim Clark, Women’s Association co-chairs Sue Nine and Beth Moore and B&GCSM board chair Hiram Jackson, who thanked Len Kirchko for 30 years of service and reminisced about a tough mentor, also earned applause. The enjoyable evening raised some $100,000 for programs that serve 15,000 members in 10 clubs across four counties in southeast Michigan.

Meadow Brook Hall Starlight Stroll Approximately 14,500 people visited Meadow Brook Hall during the five-week Holiday Walk exhibition.

Some of them were guests at one of the 50 private parties that were booked by savvy people and more than 300 of them ($100 ticket), including couples and girlfriend groups, were there for the Starlight Stroll. That evening afforded guests a sense of being “to the manor born” as they partied throughout the elegant manse. When the walk closed on Dec. 23 the 46th annual event had raised $178,000 to preserve the fourth largest historic house museum in the country.

Detroit Historical Society Ball For a blue collar town like Detroit, the Factory at Corktown was a super choice for the Historical Society’s annual gala fundraiser. That the renovated, three-story, former hosiery factory oozes historic patina and is now owned by DHS board president Tom Buhl and his racing team / business partner brother Robbie explained the choice. By the time the 331 guests ($850, $500 tickets) had cocktailed, bid $24,115 in the silent auction, dined and settled in for the live auction, the Buhls’ offer to host a party for 20 on the rooftop overlooking the old Tigers ball field sold for $4,000.

After the live auction bidding ($41,000) guests pledged another $52,450 for the museum’s education outreach. Thanks also to raffles ($8,700), the live auction ($41,000) and generous sponsors, the annual event netted nearly $325,000. downtownpublications.com

Christ Child Society Home Tour

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3 1. Kim McNulty and Kelly Patterson of Birmingham.

2. Renee Zawaideh (left) of Bloomfield, Nancy Fullerton and Ashley Lane of Birmingham. 3.

Margaret Pehrson (left) of Rochester Hills, Gail Pollina and Laura Stapleton of Bloomfield.

4. Christine Bacall and Cindy Denha of Bloomfield. 5. Bess Paradiso (left) and Allyson Bakewell of Birmingham, Katie Serda of Grosse Pointe.

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B&GCSM Great Futures Gala

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1. David & Jennifer Fischer of Bloomfield. 2. Hiram Jackson of Detroit, Dr. Ben Carson of West Palm Beach, FL. 3. David & Anita Dauch of Bloomfield. 4. Joanne (left) & Dick Brodie of Bloomfield. 5. Sue Nine and Beth Moore of Bloomfield.

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Meadow Brook Hall Starlight Stroll

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1. Geoff & Suzanne Upward of Rochester. 2. Kimmie Horne (left) of Lathrup Village, Bev Ross of Rochester. 3. Carolyn Demps (left) of Birmingham, Cherie Ritter of Bloomfield, Ann Wilbur of W. Bloomfield. 4. Natalie Cassady (left) and Louise Stubbs of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Detroit Historical Society Ball

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DSO New Years Eve Bash Nearly 2,000 people welcomed 2018 at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Michael Jackson music concert. More than 500 of them made a night of it as BASH guests ($500, $275, $125 tickets) by wining and dining before and after the concert.

All were showered with confetti during the midnight champagne toast and sang “Auld Lang Syne” with the DSO. Stay –at-homes could watch the Channel-56 broadcast of the festivities.

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1. Bob (left) & Mary Ann Bury of Grosse Pointe, Maggie & Bob Allesee of Bloomfield. 2. Bobbi Polk (left) and Debbie Erb of Bloomfield. 3. Andy & Kris Appleby of Bloomfield. 4. Mimi (left) & Sandy McMillan of Grosse Pointe, Elyse & Frank Germack of Birmingham. 5. Don (left) & Margi Epstein and Lena Epstein Medwed & Eric Medwed of Bloomfield.

NAIAS The Gallery

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1. Paul (left) & Rhonda Sabatini and Tavi Fulkerson & Bill Hampton of Bloomfield. 2. Bharat & Lynn Gandhi of Bloomfield. 3. Riley (left), Gwen & Doug North of Bloomfield. 4. Frederick (left) & Sandra Jouchet of Bloomfield, Leslie Craigie & John Henke of Birmingham. 5. Robert Weller (left), Zenetha Mabry and Alex Chapie of Bloomfield.

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NAIAS The Gallery The Saturday night before 5,000plus journalists from 60 countries descended on the North American International Auto Show for press days, 800-plus luxury lovers ($250 ticket) flocked to The Gallery to dine, drink and drool over a $10 million collection of exclusive automobiles.

The 12th annual showcase was staged in and around Cobo Center’s Grand Riverview Ballroom. Cars like the gleaming white 2018 Rolls Royce Phantom making its North American debut shared exhibition space with a silent auction that raised $28,675 for benefiting the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. One guest who had not previously been to the event said he thought the party was “a bargain” at $250 compared to the $400 ticket for Charity Preview.

NAIAS Charity Preview Six nights later, the preview attracted 12,714 people to Cobo Center for the 42nd annual fundraiser benefiting children’s charities. The first 12 years the black-tie event was sparsely attended and tickets were cheap. (I’m remembering $15 - $25.)

But since the show became “international” 30 years ago, the Charity Preview has become the Motor City Prom Night and among the largest annual single night fundraisers in the world. The nearly $5.1 million it raised this year brings the 42-year total to nearly $118million. The beneficiaries are Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan, Boys Hope/Girls Hope, The Children’s Center, Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, Detroit PAL, Judson Center, March of Dimes and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Foundation.

The Children’s Center AutoGlow Nearly 1,000 NAIAS Charity Preview guests ($400 ticket) also supported The Children’s Center AutoGlow ($275, $325 ticket) which Ford Motor Company presented in 03.18

the Ford Field atrium. Guests savored sips and snacks before taking the shuttle to Cobo and returned to party a la “An Evening in Casablanca.” The legendary film was playing on the stage backdrop screen, but as one guest noticed, “The band (Nightline) sure doesn’t know any 1940s music.”

However, Levy Restaurants incorporated the theme at the bountiful strolling supper stations.

Guests were also issued comfy slippers and, to mimic a fashion of the era, many donned the 1940-style, souvenir straw fedoras. Thanks to the generosity of Delta Air Lines, 10 guests took home round trip first class tickets to anywhere in the U.S and travel vouchers worth $2,000. A display of 2018 Ford and Lincoln vehicles echoed the accolades at the auto show. A moving display of therapy art masks made by clients of The Children’s Center also garnered interest. AutoGlow was hosted by Lisa and Bill Ford and Kathy and Jim Hackett. AutoGlow generated nearly $250,000 in net proceeds for The Children’s Center. This will provide vital services for 7,500 families and vulnerable children.

Holocaust Memorial Center Opening An audience of 338 gathered at the Holocaust Memorial Center for the program opening the exhibition “Sifting Through Ashes.” (The title was inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Weisel’s words, “The truth of Auschwitz remains hidden in its ashes.”) The art by Bruce Gendelman, whose ancestors perished in the genocide, was inspired by his 2015 trip to Poland and Ukraine where he toured and photographed death camps. In the program about American diplomacy and the Holocaust, retired U.S. foreign service official Arthur Berger described the Anti-Semitism of the 1930s and the mass destruction that can come from doing nothing.

“Bruce’s art is a call to action,” he concluded. The artist said he used a trowel, the same tool death camp inmates used to build the gas chamber chimneys depicted in his paintings. He also revealed that he had nightmares when he was working on the paintings. “My art is ...meant to make you feel what happens when people lose their humanity...Art can be inspirational for young people searching for truth,” he said, adding his hope “...to inspire goodness by portraying evil.” The artist is a friend and neighbor in Florida of Myrna and Spencer Partrich, who graciously hosted a downtownpublications.com

The Children’s Center AutoGlow

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1. Bill (left) & Susan Krusal and Brad Simmons of Birmingham.

2. Hadi Awada of Birmingham.

3. Mike (left) and Rosemary Cotter of Birmingham, Erin Parker of Berkley, Jill Schumacher of Ferndale.

4. Mona & Craig Schmatz of Birmingham. 5. Tiffany (left) and Michael Montgomery of Birmingham and Philip & Shannon Durst of Dallas, TX.

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Holocaust Memorial Center Opening

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1. Spencer (left) & Myrna Partrich of Bloomfield, Bruce & Lori Gendelman of Palm Beach, FL. 2. Arthur Berger (left) of Palm Beach, FL, Eleanor & Larry Jackier of W. Bloomfield. 3. Jeff Schoenberg (left) of Birmingham, Rabbi Eli & Debbie Mayerfield of Oak Park. 4. Norman & Solange Messelian of Bloomfield.

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CARE House Circle of Friends Preview Party

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1. Steve (left) & Elise Guidos and Kate & Larry Gladchun of Bloomfield.

2. Chris Corden (left) of Grosse Pointe, Midge Moran of Birmingham, Gretchen Marsh of Bloomfield. 3. Blythe Spitsbergen (left) of Farmington Hills, Kathy Broock Ballard of Orchard Lake. 4. Carol Curtis of Bloomfield, Deb Jordan of Sterling Hgts. 5. Lisa Hamill (left), Murray Pierce and Nikki Braddock of Birmingham, and Lisa Payne of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK pre-program cocktail reception for 140 HMC supporters.

CARE House Circle of Friends Preview Luncheon

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CARE House Circle of Friends The government attorney who was the keynote speaker at the 2018 Circle of Friends was sexually abused 30 years ago as a nine-year-old. By his hockey coach. His recounting of the experience in “...the valley of darkness” mesmerized his audience at The Townsend (240 at $125 and up tickets). They were there to support the abused children served by CARE House of Oakland County. (The previous week at the Patron Party hosted by Elise and Steve Guidos, he told that group of 60 that no army of CARE House staff and volunteers existed to advocate for him. “I had an army of one, my dad,” he said.) “CARE House makes the story different” he told the luncheon crowd. “(With your checkbook) you walk with the kids....You are the face of God’s grace,” he concluded.

In the crowd that gave him a standing ovation were most of the Circle of Friends founders (Doris August, Vicki Celani, Janet Grant, Lois Shaevsky and Dr. Linda Sircus) and the new 20-year patrons Judith Adler, Sandeep Ahuja, Elyse Foltyn, Diana Howard and Cheryl Matthews. In total there were 48 new patrons ($175) for this, the 22nd annual Circle of Friends. It raised more than $40,000.

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1. Kathy Abrash (left), Elise Bratley and Chris Lamarche of Bloomfield. 2. Patti Sharf (left) of Bloomfield, Blythe Spitsbergen of Farmington Hills. 3. Janice & Barry King of Birmingham. 4. Barbara VanDorn (left) of Birmingham, Sydrena Epstein of Bloomfield, Beverly Schine of W. Bloomfield. 5. Hilary Bradley (left) and Denise Abrash of Bloomfield.

Variety Cook Off

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2 1. David King of Birmingham and Dante Rosa of Macomb. 2. Doug Clark (left) of Bloomfield, Jennie Cascio of Bloomfield, Nathan Mersereau of Birmingham, Michelle Murphy of Sterling Hgts. 3. Board president Lois & Mark Shaevsky of Bloomfield. 4. Annabel Cohen (left), John Prepolec and Kate Lawson of Bloomfield. 5. Nora (left) & Dr. Brian Berman of Birmingham, Charlene Handleman of Bloomfield, Diane Farber of Bingham Farms.

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Variety Cook Off David King and Dante Rosa chaired a comfy, casual event that attracted 200 fun-loving, charitable folks ($100 & $150 tickets) to The Townsend Hotel to sip, sup, socialize, dance and make money for the core programs of Variety, The Children’s Charity. Nine generous restaurants brought yummy cuisine for sampling on the stroll. Guests and the food judges – Annabel Cohen, John Prepolec and Kate Lawson – picked their favorites. The results were: Critics’ Choice - Birmingham Country Club for chili, Crispelli’s for mac’n’cheese, J Bird Smoked Meats for appetizers; People’s Choice – Birmingham CC for chili, The Community House for mac’n’cheese; The Rugby Grille for appetizers. Thanks also to a chance raffle of 23 lots ($6,500), the evening raised more than $50,000 to help change the lives of vulnerable children.

DAC Executive Club Luncheon For only the second time in its history, the 700member Executives Club of the Detroit Athletic Club made a Lifetime Achievement Award. (The first went to MOT founder Dr. David Dichiera several years ago.) Number two made the club’s February luncheon a love-in for philanthropist Maggie Allesee. The parade of speakers included her daughters and representatives from a token of the many non-profits she has supported with time, treasure and talent since her arrival in Bloomfield Hills in 1969. They referenced, among other attributes, her no-nonsense service, her insatiable desire to learn, and her mentorship. The honoree got a standing ovation when she said, “(Helping others) is a marvelous way to live...and a lot a fun.” She also mentioned plans to celebrate her 90th birthday September 3.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390.

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ENDNOTE

Wrong message on a mass transit plan early 16 months after Oakland County voters rejected a $4.6 billion regional transit plan that would leave much of the county without access to the system, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has yet to release an update to its failed plan.

The transit issue was raised recently by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson during his State of the County address on Wednesday, February 7. Patterson, who has come under fire as a racial separatist for opposing the plan, said in his address that he wouldn't allow nine communities in the county to be included in a regional transit plan vote, as voters have already opted out of SMART millages – a total non-sequitur when using the word 'regional.' The real issue is for the RTA to revise and release a plan that provides accessible transit service to all communities in Oakland County.

The RTA released its regional master transit plan in August of 2016 in anticipation of a 1.2mill property tax being approved by voters that November. While we are very supportive of the concept of mass transit in southeast Michigan, we urged voters in November 2016 to reject the plan until details could be ironed out and clearly presented to voters, ideally in 2018.

Here we are more than a year later, and the authority has yet to release any update to its 2016 plan, which voters in Oakland and Macomb counties rejected. Whether the authority will come up with a plan voters

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would more willingly support by this November is questionable. In February, the RTA cancelled all it meetings, including those to be held by the board of directors, finance and budget committee, executive policy committee, providers advisory council and its planning and service coordination committee.

Patterson has a history of incendiary comments, and it's categorically wrong for him to say, “I'm not letting my voters vote on this.”

The complaint should have been focused on the authority, including Oakland's representatives, for not acting as if time was of the essence in redesigning a system that would draw greater ridership from suburban Oakland and Macomb counties. Believe it or not, Patterson has a history of regional cooperation, with examples such as the regional management of Cobo Hall, Detroit Zoological Society and the Detroit Institute of Arts tricounty millages.

As the failed proposal for Amazon recently showed southeastern Michigan, the RTA is an essential component for moving people for jobs and events. Instead of pushing voters away from a plan, Patterson should continue to push for a bigger and better plan and allow all voters in Oakland County to vote on it.

At the heart of the issue is how exactly a regional system would gain riders in Oakland County in addition to SMART's current 43 routes, where it attracts only some 44,000 daily riders. In January, SMART introduced a FAST

(express) service along Woodward, Gratiot and Michigan Avenue, which makes limited stops along its route. However, the RTA's main pitch to Oakland County voters is a rapid bus line down Woodward, and it's doubtful many voters see much difference in the current RTA plan, which just costs a whole lot more.

The county’s most important and basic goal is a regional system that should move the masses from their homes to work and other destinations. Much fanfare was given by proponents of the system of dedicated lines from downtown Detroit to Metro Airport and from Detroit to Ann Arbor. Nice, perhaps down the road, but not as a top priority. We feel the service provides little benefit to potential riders in Oakland County, which would foot the majority of the millage. Further, frills like adding WiFi connections to those busses is like to putting a ring in a sow's ear – not a priority when the main part of the plan is lacking.

There is no debate that a regional mass transit system is needed in southeast Michigan, but a better plan must be put forth.

And it can be. If such a plan comes to fruition, we urge Patterson to encourage all voters in the county to weigh in and be included in a true regional transit system that would serve the entire county. It is that plan that Patterson should be urging the RTA to present. A true regional transit system should serve and include the entire region, not patches of communities.

Stay the course on Bloomfield land fight loomfield Township had a lawsuit filed against it in federal court by a developer who wanted to subdivide three lots into eight homesites in the Bloomfield Manor subdivision near Big Beaver and Woodward but was refused by the township, and in February it was thrown out by the judge, who agreed with the municipality that it would change the character of the neighborhood and set a precedence for other developers.

In December 2016, Patti Voelker, township planning, building and ordinance director, explained to trustees that developer Matt Shiffman was seeking approval to demolish two existing homes and then subdivide the three parcels in order to get eight single family residential lots over 7.33 acres.

Residents were vocally opposed to the division of the property, and many noted that lot splits were not permitted by deed

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restrictions. Trustees unanimously rejected the lot split.

U.S. District Judge George Steeh upheld the trustees decision, and granted the township summary judgement, noting the township had the right to make its determination under its ordinances.

We agree with both the township's, and the court's, decisions. In this situation, the developer had purchased three large homes and lots in a mature neighborhood, where residents had every expectation that those homes and sites would maintain a rural feel.

The neighborhood had been platted by the state Land Division Act, and the township has ordinances which prevent the subdividing of the existing neighborhood. If the developer had prevailed – which he still could on appeal – the result would have the potential to nullify every municipality's zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations, as well as to

disregard the state's Land Division Act. That's not to say we're against healthy and well-designed development, both residential and commercial. Communities thrive and continue to grow by continually reviving themselves. But that does not give developers – no matter how deep their pockets, nor how prominent they are – the right to steamroll over residents who have lived and made a home in an established area, following appropriate, well-thought out zoning regulations, just because the developer paid a lot of money for the property.

Township attorney Bill Hampton said he believes the developer will appeal, as he has invested a lot of money. So has the township – both financially, and in its reputation. We urge Hampton and Bloomfield Township to stay the course, for itself and for all other municipalities in Michigan, who craft ordinances and expect them to be followed.

ONLY 7 LOTS RE M AIN!

B L O O M F I E L D H U N T C L U B E S T A T E S . C O M

It’s time to seize the best in life by embracing a home, a declaration that you have arrived. Before it’s too late – make the move, take the jump and surprise yourself – don’t accept compromise.

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CURRENT CONSTRUCTION

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9 1.25 Acres $995,000

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7 1.07 Acres $895,000

CHASE LANE

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23 1.09 Acres $995,000

✓ 26 1.05 Acres $895,000

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CHASE LANE

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5 1.09 Acres $995,000 4 1.09 Acres $795,000

✓ ✓ 1 1.22 Acres $695,000

✓ Lot Sold • • • •

SURVEY STAKES POSTED

FEATURES AND AMENITIES Only 7 lots remain Gated community Bloomfield Hills schools Customize a plan and start today

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Work directly with your own architect, designer or builder Included: Bloomfield Open Hunt Club membership

For a personal tour of available property or for more information regarding Bloomfield Hunt Club Estates, contact us at 248.644.7600 or visit our website www.bloomfieldhuntclubestates.com.

TOTAL SALES VOLUME ALL RESIDENTIAL AND CONDO SALES

PRICE: $2,000,000+ 150

140

130

120

38.4% 110

100

$ in Millions

90

80

70

60

50 Mkt 13.5%

40 Mkt 10.6%

30

20

Mkt 5.8%

10

Mkt 3.1% Mkt 2.3%

Mkt 2.2%

Mkt 1.8%

Mkt 1.7%

Mkt 1.5%

RE/MAX New Trend

Bailey Schmidt Inc

Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Hwwb

0 Signature Sotheby’s International Realty

Max Broock Realtors® Birmingham

Keller Williams Domain Birmingham

Hall & Hunter Birmingham

Max Broock Realtors® Bloomfield Hills

Shain Park Realtors®

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel Birmingham

This statistical information has been obtained from Realcomp II Ltd and actual sales. These statistics are derived from data believed to be reliable. This information is not to be reproduced, redistributed, or combined with data from other sources without expressed permission from Realcomp. Date: 1/17/18

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248.644.7000