PLACES TO EAT: 200 RESTAURANTS • GERAK: SOCIAL LIGHTS 119
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OCTOBER 2017
MICHIGAN HATE GROUPS PHILOSOPHY OF 28 ORGANIZATIONS
DISASTERS FOR OAKLAND HOW COUNTY AND COMMUNITIES PLAN
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL PLUS
GOSSIP/NEWS FROM POLITICAL WORLD
DANIEL ELLSBERG HIS TIME AT CRANBROOK, PENTAGON PAPERS, THE NEW BOOK
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Recognized hate groups in the state of Michigan According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are 28 hate groups operating in our state. Downtown newsmagazine profiles all the current Michigan organizations.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
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With the announcement by U.S. Congressman David Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills) that he will not be seeking a third term, here’s hoping we can find someone who will govern from the center if elected.
OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL
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GOP feeding frenzy for Congressman Trott’s seat; Lena Epstein changes her plans; Rep. McCready House district drawing interest; a new face possible in 45th Michigan House race; plus more.
CRIME LOCATOR
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A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format.
THE COVER
MUNICIPAL
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Nino Salvaggio location approved; Howard Hanna buys Cranbrook Realtors; Peabody site project approved; Equinox coming to Bloomfield Township; proposals sought for development on parking garage site; plus more.
The AAA insurance building on Woodward in Birmingham. Noted for its unusual design, the building in 2008 received from the state of Michigan certification as a LEED building. Downtown photo: Jean Lannen.
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Preparing for Oakland disasters Downtown newsmagazine takes a look at how well prepared local communities and the county of Oakland are should a natural or manmade disaster strike.
45 The Daniel Ellsberg interview Daniel Ellsberg talks about his years attending Cranbrook Schools, the Pentagon Papers and his forthcoming new book.
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Gary Gerson
FACES SOCIAL LIGHTS
119
Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.
ENDNOTE
126
We are not convinced disaster plans developed by the county have addressed all issues sufficiently, and we comment (again) on the debate in Birmingham over what businesses should be able to lease first floor space.
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Gary Gerson Bob Woodruff Marcia Nodel Glen Michaels Dave Piche
GOLDEN GOOSE
SIMONE ROCHA
PETER PILOTTO
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PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody | Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak Austen Hohendorf | Lisa Rose Hook | 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
FROM THE PUBLISHER ontrary to what critics of mine may think, I consider myself an Independent when it comes to politics, although I admit on many social issues I may lean toward left of center.
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You can write that off to a number of factors, including coming of age as a political activist during the nationally divisive Vietnam War era; a high school education under the tutelage of Dominican Sisters at the Catholic school I attended where critical thinking and expression of opinion was encouraged and, frankly, the passage of time as a father concerned that my two sons and their generation won’t have some of the rights I – and many of you – enjoyed while growing up. This last item is probably what motivates me most nowadays. I offer this information as a backdrop for this month’s missive which is devoted to my hope – albeit probably not realistic – that a perfect candidate comes to the forefront in the race to fill the congressional seat now held by Birminghambased Republican David Trott, who announced in early September that he will not be seeking a third two-year term in Washington D.C. We did not endorse Trott in the general elections for his first or second term in Congress. We felt when he first ran for office that he was too conservative – not necessarily a reflection of the overall sentiment of this sprawling congressional district that includes Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, part of Rochester Hills, a large swatch of the west Oakland lakes area and a couple of communities in western Wayne County. For the record, we did not buy into the anti-Trott criticism relative to his success in business which made him a multi-millionaire – more power to him – or the carping about how he made his fortune as a foreclosure attorney. But we did object to positions he took on key issues. Granted, we were all forewarned. Hell, part of his pitch to voters was that ‘What you see is what you get – I won’t say one thing and do another.’ Hence no surprise that he proceeded to jump on board with other House members to gut the Affordable Care Act, public be damned, and joined in the celebration at the Rose Garden with President Trump, who would later change his mind on what Trott, et al had done. And then there was his vote – along with Mike Bishop (R) from Rochester – to roll back an Obama era Environmental Protection Agency rule rule that essentially loosened restrictions on coal mining waste from ending up in streams and rivers, part of the conservative agenda to gut the EPA wherever they could. We did get an inkling of late that Trott was conflicted in his role as congressman, either out of frustration with being a small fish in a big pond (435 House members) or the realization that the current administration will not improve in the next three years, so why bother trying. Trott told viewers on MSNBC’s ‘Good Morning Joe’ show that he wanted more time with his family and was a bit disheartened that a House member spends most of the 24-month term hustling to raise onethree million dollars to get elected again. One also has to wonder whether there is also some personal embarrassment that he had pledged allegiance to a leader who gives renewed meaning to the term “vulgarian.”
And in his own way he broke with the current administration when Trump made insensitive remarks relative to the alt-right, white supremacist violence at Charlottesville. He even took time, talking to news editor Lisa Brody just weeks ahead of going to press with this issue, to express his disappointment with the mayhem in the current administration and the lack of progress on issues that Republicans hold near and dear. So as members of the GOP started jockeying with the announcement from Trott’s office, I couldn’t help but think that the ideal candidate for this congressional office would be someone – from either party – who can govern from the center. We don’t need a far right conservative, nor do we need someone beholden to some far left agenda. Sorry, the district expects better. This district deserves to have someone represent the voters’ views, not just someone who will march into the halls of Congress and represent their own personal views. What a novel thought – we pay you to represent us. We need someone who has the ability and inclination to represent those living in the district, which more political observers are casting as a tossup or purple district rather than the Republican stronghold party leaders had hoped when they gerrymandered the boundaries for what was supposed to be a safe red district. The 11th Congressional District demands someone who has an inclusive agenda, can use compromise when necessary to reach legislative goals, realizes that we send someone to Congress to assure our health and safety, and not impose moral values as if this was a theocracy. I suspect I am only daydreaming that a perfect candidate truly exists. After all, within the first 24 hours after Trott’s announcement, we had at least one of the Republican hopefuls list as a qualification for congress the fact that he was an early supporter of Donald Trump. Heaven help us. Then we have another GOP candidate (state Sen. Marty Knollenberg) out hustling for money and support so he can try riding into Washington D.C. on the merit of his last name because his father was head of the county GOP at one point, and then parlayed that position into a congressional seat when Bill Broomfield retired from the House. The same congressman, during an election interview I managed when he first ran, who promised to only be in Washington D.C. for two terms – the classic citizen/lawmaker who returns home – but hung around for a decade and a half, all the while denying his earlier campaign promise. On the flip side, we are only familiar with a couple of the Democrats likely running for this office, so we will have to see if anyone fits the bill of my ideal representative as more candidates announce in coming weeks. We recognize media endorsements are not the influence factor they once were decades ago, especially in a race that could be fueled by possibly $10 million in campaign spending. But we will fulfill our role here by making recommendations to voters before the primary and general election ballots are cast in this contest. Hopefully we can come close to an ideal candidate for this district.
In the last few months, Trott seemed to soften his positions on a few issues. For example, during the Detroit Regional Chamber Policy Conference on Mackinac Island this spring, Trott actually expressed disagreement with Trump having pulled out of the Paris climate accord.
David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com
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INCOMING Fourth Estate assaults I read with interest in the "Incoming" section of your publication from a couple of your reader's commentaries which you published. They were criticizing pubisher David Hohendorf for being biased and divisive and not "representing facts.” I had to laugh. I hope they will look up the definition of "Editorials.” They are opinions based on interpretation of facts. We live in a time of extreme assault on the Fourth Estate. Journalism is sometimes not perfect, but is one of the pillars of Democracy. Without it, where would we be? Timothy Kozak Birmingham
Spousal abuse imprisonment High praise to Lisa Brody for traveling to Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti to meet prisoners Nancy Seaman and Karen Kantzler face to face, both of whom are serving life sentences for killing their abusive husbands (Behind The Curtains/September). One never knows how a story like hers might reach just the right person or persons who can help release them from their prison walls. My husband Tom and I are longtime friends of retired trial judges Norman Lippitt and Jack McDonald. To see them both try every avenue to help these women is enough impetus for me, especially where Nancy is concerned, to do what I can to urge Governor Snyder and the Michigan Parole Board to commute their sentences. It is Nancy with whom I can identify–a former teacher like myself, and a woman subjected to abuse, like my mother. I went to visit her primarily because of Jack, for who could forget the outcome of Nancy’s 2003 sensational trial and the great courage it took on his part to try to overturn her life imprisonment sentence? If Jack McDonald believed Nancy’s crime was not premeditated, then I felt compelled to do what I could to help her. I understand spousal abuse. My mother was a willing victim. How she continued to live her life under the dominance of my stepfather never made any sense to me. Since childhood, I angrily blamed her for not leaving him, but I now understand how a life-time of abuse causes a woman to lose her selfconfidence in her own abilities. With each passing year of financial dependence and intermittent abuse, my mother chose to put up with the abuse. Perhaps she found some relief downtownpublications.com
SPEAK OUT We welcome your opinion on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009.
in getting her punches in, too, physically or verbally, during a text book case of a love-hate relationship. Just like Bob Seaman – when my stepfather was good, he was very, very good – charming, humorous and sweet when things in his life were to his liking and exceedingly brutal when they were not. Someone really needs to penetrate the psyche of abusers to reveal why they hurt their victims one day and love them the next. This thing called “Make-up Sex” is senseless to me, but it’s actually a factor in some abusive relationships. I know that Bob Seaman never once verbally apologized for his violence, but he would do nice things for Nancy – take her whole family out for dinner, lavish her with material goods, happy times on their boat and who knows what else. When his financial and health status truly spiraled, toward the end of his life, the beatings intensified, but with the college graduation of her youngest son imminent and money from her father to buy a condo, Nancy optimistically finally felt free to leave Bob Seaman. In my mother’s case, there were no such plums to sweeten her sour life. She simply accepted her fate. As the two grew older, the physical wars metamorphosed to wars of bitter words, and when she died of natural causes, their house became a shrine. Her grieving husband placed photos of her everywhere, surrounded by votive candle and holy cards, replaying their Frank Sinatra love songs over and over, tears welling in his eyes during the ten years of his life without her. What wasted lives. We all know there are many reasons women live with abusive husbands…economic dependence,
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Excellent article Excellent article. Our society – and justice system – need a better understanding of the very limited options abused women have. This article helps. Leslie Hewig Milford From our website
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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political gossip/news, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine. We welcome possible items for this column which can be emailed to: OaklndConfidential@DowntownPublications.com. All sources are kept strictly confidential. The gossip column can be viewed online at DowntownPublications.com or at OaklandConfidential.com.
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FEEDING FRENZY (PART I): The September announcement by Michigan’s 11th District Congressman David Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Rochester Hills) that he would be stepping down from his seat after two short terms has set off a wild scrum on both sides of the aisle to see who’ll run. Republican Lena Epstein, who had announced she was taking on Sen. Debbie Stabenow for Senate in 2018, announced she is definitely switching races and is now running for Congress instead – but some Republican insiders doubt she has any better chance in this race than in the RACZKOWSKI contest for the Senate. As an interesting aside, in 2012, after Jim Thienel appointed her as chair for the Lincoln Day dinner, she turned around and ran against him as Oakland County Republican Party chair. Unfortunately for her, “I stacked the deck, and I won. We went out to dinner, and became great friends. Now I’m co-chairing her campaign,” Thienel said. Then there is former state Rep. Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski of Troy, who also announced he is going for the seat despite losing to Sen. Carl Levin in 2002, as well as by a narrow margin to then-Rep. Gary Peters in 2010 in the 9th District. A veteran, he planned to take on Levin again in ‘08, but was called back to active duty. “I will take the military attitude into Congress. I’m running and we’re going to win. Period,” he said in his announcement. FEEDING FRENZY (PART II): Still debating their decisions are state Sen. Mike Kowall (White Lake), majority whip in the Senate, who had said he’d run for Secretary of State, but announced he is “discussing this unexpected opportunity with my family and supporters and will make an announcement in the coming days.” Although he’s a popular politician who has been White Lake supervisor, state representative, and senator, at least one top party official does not believe he has the magnetism to win the congressional, nor the secretary of state, race. A connected Democrat said, “He’s practical and formidable.” Term-limited Rep. Klint Kesto (Commerce, West Bloomfield) has been burning the phone lines in the Chaldean community, of which he is a part, lining up support for a run. And then there’s state Sen. Marty Knollenberg, son of Joe, who held the congressional seat for part of this district for so many years some voters think he’s still there. “He won’t care if he gets anything done or not, he just wants to sit in that chair,” a fellow Republican noted. “He really wants it, and he’s been working the phones.” Marty told Downtown, “It is certainly something I’m interested in – COX who wouldn’t be interested in running for Congress?” but that he recently opened a restaurant in Troy, wife Lori just became a grandmother, and they have “a lot of balls in the air” to consider before committing. Lots of folks believe that the Knollenberg last name could take him all the way there. Our insider has his money on Laura Cox (Livonia), wife of former Attorney General Mike Cox, who is currently chair of the House’s Appropriations Committee, and may not want to give that power up to run for Congress. SHARKS IN THE WATER: Without an incumbent in the congressional seat, Democrats are taking another look at the 11th District, which has gone from “leaning Republican” to “in play,” according to the Cook Report. Former Obama Auto Task Force chief of staff Haley Stevens has been raising lots of dough with the field primarily to herself, and Fayrouz Saad, a former Homeland Security advisor and Director of Immigrant Affairs for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, has jumped into the race. So has perennial candidate Dr. Anil Kumar, who recently announced he will once again go for this seat after Trott overwhelmingly beat him. Will the third time be the charm for Kumar, even though Democratic Party folks begged him to look GREIMEL at races closer to home? We hear he held a Democratic Party fundraiser at his Rochester home to try to convince them. Term-limited state Rep. Tim Greimel (Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Orchard Lake) has informed fellow Dems he is taking another look at running for the seat after Trott’s announcement, rather than running for DOWNTOWN
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Michigan Attorney General, as he told Downtown last month, “because it’s a totally different race; a different calculation,” a Democratic politico said. “It’s rare to beat an incumbent.” Hear tell Democrats think very highly of him. Expect, too, for political novice Dan Haberman, a Birmingham businessman, to (finally) officially announce his candidacy, which he has been mulling since Trump came to office. He’s lined up a strong team with a national pollster. On both sides of the aisle, expect to see blood before it’s all over. BET ON THIS: Here is the latest of who is NOT going to be running for that coveted 11th District seat, and you can take it to the bank. Despite likely being a lock in the Republican primary, and one of Oakland County’s most beloved Republicans, Sheriff Michael Bouchard is a definite “no.” He may eye L. Brooks Patterson’s seat as county executive in 2020, when Patterson is expected to step down, or he may stay put as sheriff, where he commands a bigger budget than the executive office, and chairs national sheriff organizations, and with that, a national stage... BOUCHARD Republican state Rep. Mike McCready (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield) is also a definite no. Although term-limited in the House 40th District, he has spent the summer campaigning and raising money for the state Senate’s 12th District, which he will be announcing for in October. If Knollenberg leaves his 13th Senate seat to run for Congress, McCready may have a tough decision to make, because he has lived in Bloomfield Hills for years... On the Democratic side, Gongwer, a political news service, asked former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade if she would run for the seat, and she was a firm “no,” telling them she doesn’t even live in the district and wasn’t interested.... And in the U.S. Senate race, to take on three-term incumbent Debbie Stabenow, Bob Ritchie – aka Kid Rock – is definitely not running. While the purported “campaign” to run as a Republican for the Senate against Stabenow is good for business, an actual one would be terrible for biz, an in-the-know Republican noted, because Rock would have to divest a bunch of his businesses and holdings, which are considerable. Rock on. STAB AT SENATE: With Republican Lena Epstein out of the U.S. Senate race, that currently leaves only former Michigan Supreme Court justice Bob Young Jr. and businessman and Iraqi war vet John James to take on the mighty three-term Senator Debbie Stabenow. Word is that Grosse Pointe businessman and financier Sandy Pensler has dipped nine-out-of-10 toes in the water, and is getting ready to commit fully to the race. Pensler has formed an exploratory committee to look at the race, has criticized Stabenow’s “vision,” saying the country is at a “tipping point.” We don’t know which way the country is ready to “tip,” but Pensler, who has a Harvard law degree and masters from Yale, is clearly a smart guy. He grew up in Detroit, and through his private investment group Pensler Capital PENSLER Corporation, of which he is general partner, provides capital, management experience and financial expertise to a wide range of corporations, including Chrysler, Sprint, GE and Navistar, as well as owning a buyout firm and Korex Companies, which makes lots of household products.
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BIRMINGHAM OPENING: The 40th state House seat that Rep. Mike McCready will be vacating in January 2018 due to term limits will also provide opportunities for fellow Republicans in the GOP-leaning district. Republican Melissa Bossadart was the first to announce for the seat but she is now joined by Mike Banerian, who runs the day-to-day operations at his family’s wine distribution company. Democrat Nicole Bedi, a volunteer activist who lost to McCready in 2016, announced her candidacy in midSeptember. MOVING CHAIRS: Word is that if (when) state Sen. Marty Knollenberg jumps into the 11th congressional race, Rochester/Rochester Hills Republican state Rep. Michael Webber, 45th district, will run for Knollenberg’s seat, leaving his House seat vacant. Current Oakland County Republican Chairperson Theresa Mungioli, a former Rochester School board member, is said to be planning on running for the seat, which would get the support of many local Republicans, who view her as one of the most competent local MUNGIOLI Republicans on the horizon. It would leave a giant hole at the local county party level, though, one former chair acknowledged. downtownpublications.com
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FACES Gary Gerson ormer high school teacher Gary Gerson was looking for a different sort of adventure when he left Cranbrook Kingswood High School after 26 years, but few people would have thought buying a used Cadillac and driving for Uber would have been it. “On my third day of doing Uber, I found some people that wanted to go to the inner city, and I drove them around for five hours and made $500," Gerson said. "This was a group of people that were crossdressing, and who were bringing what looked like pills and medicine to dark areas of the city. They kept me for a long time." The trip not only led Gerson through the underbelly of Detroit but inspired him to write a book about his new, bizarre job. "I'm Light: A Driver's Search for Meaning on the Mean Streets of Uber Detroit" was released on Amazon this year. The title, "I'm Light," refers to the phrase drivers say when they drop off a passenger and call dispatch for their next run. "I know so much about around Detroit, now. I was there in the middle of it. I never refused to pick up anyone. One ride would lead to 10 more," he said. "In between runs, I was writing things down. That first five-hour trip – that's chapter one." "I'm Light" is the third book Gerson has written based on his extraordinary experiences, two of which are available on Amazon. The other, "Scoring Points: Love and Football in the Age of AIDS," is about his experience as a walk-on football player at the University of Windsor, at the age of 31. Known as "Gramps" to his younger teammates, his return to the game was inspired by his wife, Shelley, and her battle with HIV. A teacher for 26 years at Cranbrook Kingswood, Gerson met Shelley while she was a middle school teacher there. Originally from Tennessee, Gerson attended Vanderbilt University, where he earned a spot on the football team as a wide receiver. While he claims to have been "the worst player they probably ever had," Gerson also played ball for a year in Europe. He then served for 13 years as head coach for the Cranes at Cranbrook – a position that wasn't easily attained. "When I was (originally) passed over as head football coach at Cranbrook, I was mystified by it. On a whim, I called the football coach in Windsor when I was enrolling and asked if he would be excited to recruit me as a football player. They don't get too many Americans, and I played at Vanderbilt. "I'm sure he was expecting someone very different than what I look like. I'm under 6-foot tall, kind of slow looking, and very Jewish. You could see he was very disappointed when he saw me." Despite his age, Gerson's work as a coach meant he could run receiving routes with his eyes closed, catching anything thrown at him, including a starting spot on the team. It was after scoring the winning touchdown in a game one week after suffering a collapsed lung injury that Gerson decided to write his first book. Outside of Cranbrook and Uber, Gerson has worked as an education consultant, participated in archeological digs in Kenya for the National Museum, and climbed the Himalayas. He's now working on a new book about the adoption of his three children, and thinking about his next adventure.
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Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Jean Lannen
READY FOR ANYTHING: OAKLAND COUNTY’S EMERGENCY PREPARATIONS BY LISA BRODY
In the last few weeks, Florida and Houston have faced down catastrophic hurricanes, California, Washington and Oregon have battled devastating wildfires, and numerous western states dealt with unprecedented heat for months on end. Meanwhile, those of us in Michigan enjoyed a beautiful summer and an early, crisp fall. Michiganders are fond of saying that if you don’t like the weather, just wait an hour. We complain about long, bitterly cold winters and boast of the beautiful four seasons. But if we were confronted with a major emergency, whether a natural event or from a manmade occurrence, would our local law enforcement, homeland security, water authorities, hospitals, and municipal leaders be ready and equipped to handle anything thrown at them?
Oakland recently submitted its 2017 version to the state and once approved it will go before the county board of commissioners for final approval of the updated plan. The 2013 plan evaluated over 50 potential hazards, based upon historical research, intelligence reports, surveys, community workshops and meetings.
The answer is a mix of both good and bad. Oakland County Homeland Security has extensive emergency plans and hazard mitigation preparations, as do all of our local municipalities. On the converse, if a total catastrophic event occurred and there were massive power outages and cell phone towers were out, the ability to get communications to the public would likely be reduced to the “good neighbor policy” of letting neighbors and friends know what is going on. And that is quite worrisome. Whether planning for a once-in-a-500-year flood, which is occurring on more frequent basis, an active shooter, or a hacking event to our infrastructure, all management preparations begin with Oakland County Homeland Security, which oversees emergency planning and hazard mitigation for all Oakland County government departments and all municipalities except Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Southfield and Farmington Hills, which have their own emergency operations plan and emergency manager and works directly with the state, as any municipality with a population over 25,000 is permitted. They continue to coordinate with the county and train for many eventualities. “We’re not first responders – we’re the support system for multiple agencies, such as police departments and fire departments, in emergency management,” said Tom Hardesty, manager, Oakland County Homeland Security. “We act as the liaison with the state and provide services to communities. Communities have to have confidence in our plans and abilities, and that their tax dollars are being used in an efficient and wellthought out manner.” The county plan, which is mandated by both the federal and state governments to be updated every four years, was last done in 2013. It states, “The goal of hazard mitigation is to eliminate or reduce the loss of life and property from hazards that occur in the county by protecting the health, safety and economic interests of its residents.” Emergency planning stems from federal legislation passed in 2000, as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), called the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. It is also known as the Disaster Relief – Public Health and Welfare Act, where Congress declared that because “disasters often cause loss of life, human suffering, loss of income, and property loss and damage; and because disasters often disrupt the normal functioning of governments and communities, and adversely affect individuals and families with great severity; special measures, designed to assist the efforts of the affected states in expediting the rendering of aid, assistance and emergency services, and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of devastated areas, are necessary.” The law revised and broadened the scope of existing disaster relief programs after FEMA was created in 1979; encouraged the development of comprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities and organizations by states and local government; and encouraged hazard mitigation measures to reduce losses from disasters. First plans had to be completed and submitted in 2005.
Oakland County recently submitted its 2017 version, Hardesty said, to the state and once approved it will go before the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for final approval, allowing them to move forward with that updated plan. The 2013 plan evaluated over 50 potential hazards, based upon historical research, up-todate information and intelligence reports provided to them, surveys, community workshops and public meetings. Significant hazards it recognized include high winds and tornadoes; hazmat incidents, both from transportation and at fixed sites; ice and sleet; snowstorms, which interfere with traffic and power; infrastructure failures; flooding; public health emergencies; and petroleum and natural gas pipeline accidents. “There are constant updates (thoughout the four years), but not huge changes,” Hardesty said. The biggest update in the 2017 plan includes dealing with lone wolf rogue drivers, mass shooters, and computer and infrastructure hackers, all emergency situations which have become critical around the world in the last four years. The county is divided into four zones for preparation of a disaster, and then into state districts, allowing for coordination of police departments, fire and EMS rescue plans, road capacity and direction to and from population centers, hospitals and health care planning. Changes from the 2017 plan have been made based on population changes, preparations and information updates of law enforcement, hospital capacity, and support from federal agencies. “That part is continual – getting grant funding for projects we support. We work a lot with the feds, with FEMA,” Hardesty said. “We get a little each year. The intention of the Trump Administration is to seek a 25 percent grant match for all emergency preparation grants.” Hardesty said the desire to force local counties to match federal grants could puts them in a tough spot. “The difficulty of that here is that it’s not just one community – it’s a consortium for law enforcement and training, which doesn’t have the money to match because there’s no funding base,” he said. “Same thing for fire departments – 43 different groups are sharing this equipment. How do you figure out who is paying for what? It will make it so that no one gets any equipment. It will make it so there is a decrease in acquiring equipment and resources for the county.” Currently, Oakland County Homeland Security is in the midst of grant funding for thwarting terrorist attacks. The county was recently awarded money for the Integrated Emergency Management Course, which specifically trains first responders for coordinated and complex terrorist attacks. “It means that the federal government will support our sending a group of 70 to Emmitsburg, Maryland, to the Emergency Management Institute for training for four days with a wide ranging group of first responders – law enforcement, fire, hospital workers, EMS, health officials, emergency managers – in training and developing plans. The fifth day is a large exercise to test knowledge and identify gaps.” The state of Michigan also provides a lot of grant money to the county, as well as acting as a funnel for the federal grant awards.
“FEMA has specific books on tornadoes, floods, hazmat (hazardous materials) terror, severe weather situations, and they prescribe we look at every situation,” said Kevin Schein, Oakland County emergency management coordinator. He said they have specific forms and checklists “for as many things as we can think of to prepare for.” “Everything is mitigation, preparation, response and recovery,” said Birmingham Fire Chief John Connaughton, who is also the city’s resident emergency manager coordinator. He said Birmingham chose to develop their own emergency plan in order to control actions from the ground, and in order to get funds back from the federal government for emergencies. “At the mitigation part, where you’re trying to mitigate what damage can happen, it’s at the federal, or even the state level, like a hacker getting into the power system. For a large power outage, like in Houston, boots have to go out on the ground. Each member of our emergency operations center has a role and one purpose. The 911 dispatch is responsible for warning the public, for example. If it’s weather related, we can use sirens, cable TV, the city website, Twitter, Facebook and other social media.” “The municipal websites are really popular, as is the state’s website, and there’s local media. Local municipalities can do their best to get information out, but being a good neighbor and advising your friends and family that a state of emergency has taken place is the most reliable way of communicating in an emergency (if all the power goes out),” said Rochester Hills Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshall Bill Cooke. “The best way may be going outside and telling your neighbor.” FEMA advises everyone to stock their homes with at least three days worth of water, food, medicine, and pet food, and to have an emergency radio with a three-day supply of batteries available in the case of a catastrophic event and power outage. An emergency radio can access weather radio stations and news radios, which inform the public. “Ultimately, people are responsible to do the right thing. Like in Houston (and Florida), there’s not enough resources to evacuate everyone by emergency services. The most important thing is to stay calm, listen for information, and don’t panic,” said Birmingham Assistant Fire Chief John Donohue. “We do joint training with Oakland County, and we’re integrated in with other communities in case we’re called to assist one another. There are situations where, in sharing of resources, any one of us could become a public information officer for another.” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, a veteran of both Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath of 9/11, understands the needs for communications in the event of a complete power failure. “We found communications are non-existent. We had to set up portable communications towers, because all power, telephone, and cell towers were down post-9/11 and Katrina,” he said. While preparations are improved in the last dozen years, there are still holes in the system, he acknowledged, urging people to make preparations, just as the county is constantly improving their systems and coordination.
Hardesty said they coordinate with other counties, routinely meeting and training with other counties as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative in the state. Oakland County, along with Macomb and St. Clair counties, are in Region 2N, part of the Urban Area Security Initiative with Wayne, Washtenaw and Monroe counties and the city of Detroit. “Grants go to the district to benefit the region and support regional intiatives,” he said. While they prefer not to release evacuation and jurisdictional plans due to security concerns, Hardesty said they have very detailed plans of intersections, including aerial photographs, of who goes where and which department directs what specific part of a plan. Local municipalities have been given evacuation plans in the event of severe weather or major event, where they could shelter large crowds, Rochester Fire Chief John Cieslik said. “There are things in the plan, but they’re confidential. But some places, like if there were a tornado or severe thunderstorm, we would evacuate people to Rochester City Hall because it has a lower level, as well as to the lower level of our parking structures because they’re concrete.” David Hendrickson, Bloomfield Hills City Manager, noted that Cranbrook Education Community, which is within the city’s boundaries, has a collaborative arrangement with the city. “They let us train on their grounds,” he said of the city’s public safety department, which does mock exercises with Bloomfield Township and Troy. In return, “If we had to move a lot of people f rom Cranbrook, we have an agreement with Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills to use Cranbrook busses to take students to the OCC parking lot and have parents pick them up there.” He said Cranbrook uses a phone app to notify parents in the event of an emergency. If there were a large scale power outage or cell tower outage, his officers have 60 two-way radios that allow them to communicate. Birmingham would move large groups of the population to its schools, notably the two high schools, city manager Joe Valentine said. Regionally, Oakland County works with its neighboring districts in the event of major events. “For example, Fermi II in Monroe, we are listed because we’re in the 50-mile emergency planning zone,” Hardesty said. “If there were some kind of radiation issue, we would likely have people shelter in place, and if you had a garden, you’d have to have your garden checked out. People within the the 10-mile radius would need much more detailed plans, preparations, and knowledge of what to do.” If there were a nuclear detonation in the metro Detroit area, or the release of a dirty bomb, or radiological dispersal device that combines radioactive materials with conventional explosives, the response would be different – but not revealed now due to the sensitive nature of the plans. “Our job is to do a lot of ‘what if’s’ – and plan first to prevent, second to respond, and third, to recover from,” Hardesty responded. Rochester Hills’ Cooke echoed that sentiment. “You can do your
FEMA advises everyone to stock their homes with at least three days worth of water, food, medicine, and pet food, and to have an emergency radio with a three-day supply of batteries available in the case of a catastrophic event and power outage. An emergency radio can access weather radio stations and news radios.
If there were a nuclear detonation in the metro Detroit area, or the release of a dirty bomb, or radiological dispersal device that combines radioactive materials with conventional explosives, the response would be different – but not revealed now due to the sensitive nature of the plans, according to the county.
best to prevent unfortunate circumstances from happening, but they’re going to happen,” he noted. “The best that you can do is plan for them and prepare.” Cieslik said, “Just because we’re in Rochester does not mean we’re not necessarily immune from everything. We have plans for civil disturbances and terrorism. We have to prepare for everything. That’s where the group from Homeland Security at Oakland County and Police Chief (Steven) Schettenhelm are a big part, because they keep up with law enforcement. We have to be prepared, whether it’s a civil disturbance, an act of nature, or an active disturbance. The good news/bad news is, we spend a lot of time planning for a situation and hoping we never have to use. But if we never prepare for a simple disaster, it could easily turn into a massive disaster.” While Detroit Metropolitan Airport is not directly within Oakland County’s jurisdiction, “it wouldn’t matter,” if something happened at the airport, Detroit or in Macomb County, Hardesty said. “Our response would be the same based on what the circumstance is.” The Southeast Michigan Council of Goverments (SEMCOG), which aids in the development of the region’s long-range transportation plan, works with a task force of first responders on significant traffic crashes, especially when there may be a hazmat situation causing a fire on a roadway, or a truck hits a bridge on a highway, said Carmine Palombo, deputy executive director, SEMCOG. While they have not yet been involved with terrorist preparation, their next initiative will be dealing with the resiliancy of the region’s transportation system to weather events, notably with flooding after large rain events. “We haven’t had anything like Houston or Florida, but we do have significant rain events and flooding,” Palombo said. “We’re working with MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) on where the areas are that have the most prevalent issues, and working on what can be done to minimize flooding, on capital and maintenance projects, to lessen the impact.” Oakland County Sheriff Bouchard is someone who has experienced two of this country’s most catastrophic events, having been called to action at the Twin Towers after 9/11, and after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “We prepare for all risks and all hazards, not just terrorism, whether it’s a mass casualty or weather events. You examine everything from every aspect,” he said. “As national chairman of Major County Sheriffs of America, we talk about this all of the time, how we can coordinate equipment, communications, planning. We have a better national system than when I was asked to go to Katrina, and certainly on 9/11, but there are better ways to do that.” Bouchard, who also coordinates with Oakland County Homeland Security and local Oakland County municipalities and police departments, saw first hand what is needed when power grids are down, the water system is compromised, and there is a lack of central communication to the public. “I learned at Katrina, we brought our own food, gasoline and sleeping equipment,” he said. “We had everything we needed to subsist so we weren’t a drain on already-strained resources. We
brought from Alabama a whole tractor trailer with a complete kitchen to cook for ourselves and other first responders.” He said that not all first responders were as prepared, and it made him realize how critical it is for first responders to come to a disaster ready for anything, having planned for any eventuality, and with their own needs being met, as well as for the public’s. “We talked (with the federal government) about arranging regional teams pre-equipped and pretrained, so that as an event would unfold, you would just call on the next concentric team,” he said, explaining that mobile hospitals, mobile quarters, shelters, food operations, portable water tanks, mass decontamination units, and other necessary resources would be purchased and equipped and stationed in different parts of the country. “In this way, if an emergency of one kind or another, like Florida, or that region, trained personnel and equipment could be activated. If they were overwhelmed, they could activate the next team with their resources, and so on. “We met for a year-and-a-half with federal agencies. As often happens with the national government, they move on to the next thing,” Bouchard said. “People changed jobs, administrations changed, and it just was dropped.” Locally and regionally, weather events remain the highest risk assessment for emergency managers, with the top risk concerns remaining tornadoes, lightning, high winds, snow storms, hail, flooding, and ice and sleet, Birmingham’s Connaughton said. Passenger transport, with its risk of both accidents and potential hazmat situations, is the eighth biggest risk the city faces, he said. “Snowstorms shut down roads, creates difficulties with transportation and difficulties for emergency responses as well as difficulties for seniors who have to shelter in place who may have issues with food, water and medication,” Connaughton said. “Hail causes damage to automobiles, homes and to people. Flooding, we know the problems. Ice and sleet cause problems with driving and power outages.” Birmingham is contronted with potential hazards of large cargo both on its main thoroughfare, Woodward Avenue, but also by train, where tracks run along the eastern portion of the city, and by air, with the Oakland/Troy airport on Industrial Row Drive in Troy, just on the other side of Birmingham. Connaughton and Assistant Chief Donohue said they are not told what cargo is coming through the city – which could, and likely is, hazardous on a daily or weekly basis. “Only if there’s an accident,” Connaughton said. “There was a huge trainwreck in the late 1990s, where multiple cars derailed, all cargo,” he recalled. “One of the transport cargo cars was automotive, and had pickup trucks which caught fire. One of the cars had chemicals that caught fire. Hazmat responded and took care of that. We’ve had no major hazmat incident in years on any of our major roads.” “But anytime there’s a vehicle accident, there’s potential for a gasoline spill, which is a hazardous material, but it’s not a classic hazmat incident,” Donohue said, noting they still take hazmat precautions.
Bloomfield Township, which like other municipalities conducts drills for any and all possible risks, is most concerned about flooding, which affects a good amount of the township. Their Hazard Mitigation Plan, revised in February 2017, and approved by their board of trustees this summer, focuses on flooding, hazmat incidents, fire hazards, infrastructure failures, including gasline and petroleum accidents, severe weather incidents, and transportation accidents. Included are also technological hazards, such as power outages, infrastucture failures, nuclear power plant accidents, oil and gas well accidents, pipeline accidents, and sewer problems. Human hazards include civil disturbances and criminal acts, including vandalism and arson. It touches on terrorism, from explosions, biological and chemical threats, nuclear blasts, and radiological dispersion device, or dirty bombs, but states, “these hazards were addressed in the Oakland County Threats and Needs Assessment, which is a homeland security and law enforcement sensitive document, and therefore, not available to the public. For this reason, the information in these documents is not included in this plan.” Instead, Bloomfield Township’s focus is on saving local lives and protecting property while preserving and protecting the local environment and its economy. The plan, developed by engineering consultant Hubbell Roth & Clark, “The Hazard Mitigation Plan was created to help Bloomfield Township better understand the natural, technological, and human hazards that may affect the community, and the impacts they may have. Also, this report identifies ways to mitigate these impacts to protect the health, safety, and economic interests of the community.” The plan identifies almost 1,100 properties in the township either wholly or partially within a 100-year floodplain, and several other properties and intersections in flood hazard areas, and the township has determined these to be their biggest risk assessment. They acknowledge a transportation incident with hazardous materials could occur at any time, with major roadway arteries of I-75, Woodward and Telegraph within its boundaries, as well as CSX railroad in the eastern portion of the township, with the potential for evacuations, road closures, and environmental contamination. The plan assumes adequate planning for such an event. What each community is quietly planning for, more and more, are lone wolf active shooters and hacking of computer systems. But not the hacking of individual computers – hacking of large scale disrupters. “They’re not hacking individual computers. The goal is to hack corporations and financial institutions, to gain funds and disrupt business, or to access information,” Connaugton said. As for hacking into the power grid? All officials acknowledge that possibility, but are silent. Off the record, they acknowledge government systems, whether national, state or local, are targets. Located as the Great Lakes state, amidst the wonder of inland lakes, the water system is a different situation, officials assure. Unlike in Beaumont, Texas, where the city of 110,000 residents found themselves with their water system non-functional after
Hurricane Hugo, and in areas of Florida after Hurricane Irma, where water systems were flooded out and dysfunctional without power, “The water systems have always been required to have contingencies. It’s a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) requirment,” said Tim Price, chief manager with the Oakland County Water Resources Commission. “They all got beefed up because of natural and manmade hazards, from small situations that would impact one systems, which would be handled locally, to emergency interconnections between water systems that could be between two different communities.” While the specifics are kept internal and not made public, he said there are specific plans that “pretty much spell out what needs to be done.” Any concerns about the quality of water is mitigated, Price said, because water can be sampled at all hours. “It depends on the type of catastrophe, but we have independent contractors on hire. If there is a power outage, there are certain sites that have emergency generators that can kick in. It avoids structural failure.” He noted that after the widespread power outage of 2003, when the eastern portion of the United States was hit by a power failure, “we beefed up our contingency plans after that with an awareness that a large scale situation could happen.” The Water Resources Commission is part of a WARN agency, a first weather warning system around the country, “so if a big enough disaster happened, other WARN agencies would be contacted to come to Michigan and help us,” Price said. “Emergency preparation is a big responsibility we have,” said Sue McCormick, CEO of Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), which was created in January 2016, and is responsible for the drinking water for the region. “One of the first things we did was hire an emergency management director, who reviewed vulnerabilities in our cities. By June 2016, we had our first plan from a regional perspective, and by fall 2016, we were doing a tabletop exercise.” What about a terrorist dropping a toxin or chemical into the water system? “Our source waters are Lake Huron and the Detroit River, and we belong to the Lake Huron to Lake Erie monitoring system,” McCormick said. “There are various points of monitoring along the way. In addition, intakes are being monitored ongoing online, which was put in place since 9/11. If there are changes in a reading, it will indicate if there are any chemicals anywhere along the way. To my knowledge, nothing has been detected along the way or at any intakes.” She explained that GLWA monitors intake and their transmission system daily, and in the event of any chemical detection, “we can mitigate it by shutting down a portion of the system at a time by taking a water plant offline and supplementing it with another facility. “How unique a system is it that the quality and monitoring is done and mitigated,” she said. “Many systems only have one plant, one facility, one source. That GLWA’s system has five different water treatment plants and three different sources allows
Our source waters are Lake Huron and the Detroit River, and we belong to the Lake Huron to Lake Erie monitoring system. There are various points of monitoring along the way. In addition, intakes are being monitored ongoing online. If there are changes in a reading, it will indicate if there are any chemicals anywhere.
Local hospitals are the next, and usually last, level of emergency preparation. The biggest key is having proper emergency response codes, like active shooter, system utility disruption, amber alert, facility alert, mass casualty, hazardous materials – this way staff can respond in the appropriate way.
for the flexibility on a daily basis, as well as in a disaster, that few other regional systems have.” “The water system is pressurized. That means when you open your faucet, water comes out,” Price said. “Someone can’t just drop something in. It’s detected.” If there were a major power failure, such as in 2003, GLWA is beefed up to complete operations without fail. “When the entire grids go down, there were some operations (in 2003) that did not have standby generators,” McCormick said. “But today, all the stations have adequate backup generators.” She noted that even in the summer of 2016, which was a hot dry summer, with southeast Michigan in a drought, “we were processing 518 million gallons of water a day. GLWA is able to process and deliver 600 million gallons a day, so even under the most difficult situations, we can operate. “There is always the possibility of a situation we’ve never had before – like in 2003, and we learned from it. We will always have lessons learned and update vulnerabilities. But we continue to exercise them and respond to lessons learned.” What worries local emergency managers the most as they plan, practice, and prepare? “I go back to the lone wolf shooter. If they don’t tell anyone, it’s difficult to find them and prevent an attack,” said Oakland County’s Tom Hardesty. Oakland County’s Kevin Schein concurs. “It hits you personally, as individuals. It’s the randomness of it.” “But the response to the lone wolf, whether because of mental illness or radicalization is similar,” Hardesty said. “Our first response is to stop their effort. We’ve been doing active shooter training with law enforcement for years. The next level is the rescue task force – getting medics from EMS into what we call the warm zone. The attacker may not even be disabled. It’s getting them in to treat the injured while law enforcement is working to disable the attacker. “In Columbine, we learned we couldn’t wait for the SWAT Team to go in,” he continued. “One of the lessons of Aurora (Colorado, a mass shooting in a movie theater) was we had to get medical treatment in to victims. That’s what rescue force does.” “A lot these days, both the threat matrix, and natural hazards,” said Bouchard. For Rochester Hills’ Assistant Chief Cooke, it’s a rogue driver, despite lots of preparation working with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. “How do you really prevent that? How do you prevent a vehicle from driving into a crowd in a large event?” he asked rhetorically. “You can use police or fire vehicles to prevent it. But if you bring out concrete barriers or trucks with gravel, then what is too much? You create public uneasiness, and can deter the public from wanting to come to an event. We certainly don’t want to do that. We want the public to come and enjoy events, and live a life of comfort and ease.” “What keeps me up at night? Everything,” said Rochester’s Cieslik. “We always have to plan for the worst and pray for the best. The city council has given us the best equipment, and we pray it just rusts away because we never have to use it. But the reality is,
we do use it. So, we have to make sure people are well-trained and know how to use the equipment, and the equipment is positioned where it can be easily accessed, and they’re executing our plan.” Local hospitals are the next, and usually last, level of emergency preparation. “The biggest key is having proper emergency response codes, like active shooter, system utility disruption, amber alert, facility alert, mass casualty, hazardous materials – this way staff can respond in the appropriate way,” said Judith Wheeler, Royal Oak Beaumont Health System emergency management specialist. “The key is having education and training.” Beaumont sends people down to the Center of Domestic Preparedness in Anestan, Alabama, where a hospital on an old Army base now offers one week health care leadership classes for mass casualties. “They throw every possible scenario at you, knowing you’re going to be overwhelmed and still can run your emergency room and manage your patients. They make it so real you’re prepared for anything from a drug overdose to a 9/11 situation. It’s a phenomenal training opportunity,” Wheeler said, where they use lifelike mannequins that can spit and take medicine as well as actors, who are often veterans, playing casualty victims. She said they have revised their whole decontamination process for patients for hazmat, as well as if there were a horrific mass casualty event along the lines of the Boston Marathon situation. Communications are foremost, with coordinations with Oakland County and Royal Oak fire and police. Glenn Garwood, administrator, emergency and radiological services, Ascension Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, said they have an emergency management committee which meets every other month, as well as representatives that sit on various Oakland County committees, “so we can be collaborative on health care specific needs.” He said they regularly conduct drills to be prepared for any and every contingency of influx of patients, “whether it’s an active shooter, decontamination of patients, communicative diseases, mass casualty incident planning, or other things on the horizon we will look at in the future. Ever facility has to have a hazard vulnerability analysis, to see where are the gaps, where are the weaknesses. That’s where we train and put resources toward. It’s good for everyone. “We like to think we’re prepared,” Garwood continued. “We could spend all day, every day preparing. We take emergency management very seriously, as we see it all around the globe, whether it’s weather, violent acts, computer scenarios – we have to be prepared.” “A terrorist is a terrorist. Just like nature – there’s nothing we can do to compare with nature,” said Birmingham’s Donohue. “If the system is hacked because of terrorism, well, nature’s done that many times. We’re ready. FEMA, the Red Cross, and larger agencies are put into place so people are cared for and shelters are available and set up in case of a longer term power outable. They would (take over) and coordinate regionally.”
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Lower Long Lake Architect DesRosier mAgNIFICENT RANCH 2014 - 2016 Construction - Bosco Built. Direct access to ALL-SPORTS Lower Long Lake, 5,532/SF plus 1,473/SF lower level and 514/SF bonus room being completed now. 5 beds, 5.2 baths, 1.3 acres, 171 ft of waterfront, 3 car garage. No expense spared in this beautiful home, breathtaking views, private setting. Economical geo-thermal heating. Bloomfield Hills schools.
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Commerce $769,900 for 3 Acre island (2 parcels) w/ home or $239,000 for 1.25 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 w/ breathtaking views and water wrapping all around this beautiful home w/ idyllic, private setting, sandy beach. Vaulted ceilings, large deck and screened gazebo. Walled Lake Schools. Entry level 5th bedroom with full bath. PARADISE FOUND!
Presented by
Quarton Lake Estates Birmingham $1,549,000 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 inlaws. 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. B’ham schools.
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Rebecca Gulyas & Nancy Karas: NE W
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A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN Lakefront Ranch with walkout on 1 acre! Approximately 1,942 SF on the main level and 850 SF finished on the lower level. 3 Bedrooms, 2.1 Baths, In-ground pool. gorgeous views from the home, large yard and pool! Renovate or build your dream home on this acre lot with 180' of sandy lake frontage. Not only can you enjoy the peaceful lake (with access to 3 lakes, including ALLSPORTS Upper Long Lake) the home is set off the circular drive from a culde-sac for ultimate privacy! Bloomfield Hills schools.
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Bloomfield $1,675,000
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Pine Lake
W Bloomfield w/ Bloomfield Hills Schools $2,850,000
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. Tall garage could accommodate lifts. Bloomfield Hills schools.
THE CURE FOR
THE COMMON PHARMACY
At Mills Pharmacy + Apothecary, our philosophy since 1946 has been simple: do something unique for the community we love. But just like the Birmingham community, Mills has evolved to become a modern destination offering the things you need – and so much more. Visit us to see our innovative compounding laboratory and stop by our apothecary to nourish both body and soul. Just as we have for over 70 years, we’ll be here... Around the corner. Around the world.
4215 CASS AVENUE ∙ DETROIT 48201 ∙ TUE – SAT 11AM - 7PM ∙ SUN – MON 11AM - 5PM ∙ 313.438.5300 | MILLSAPOTHECARY.COM 1744 W MAPLE ROAD ∙ BIRMINGHAM 48009 ∙ M – F 9AM - 9PM ∙ SAT 9AM - 6PM ∙ SUN 10AM - 3PM ∙ 248.644.5060 | MILLSPHARMACY.COM fb.com/millspharmacy ∙ @millspharmacy
FACES
Bob Woodruff loomfield Hills native and Cranbrook Kingswood alum Bob Woodruff was on the brink of becoming a major household name in December 2005, when the journalist was named Peter Jennings’ successor as anchor of ABC World News Tonight. Only a month later, Woodruff sustained a life-threatening traumatic brain injury when a roadside bomb detonated while he was embedded on location in Iraq. What could have – and many predicted to be – the end of his on-screen career is now a thing of the past, as Woodruff serves as ABC’s chief Asian correspondent during a time when that region is making lots of news. He’s come full circle in a way, as he began his career as a journalist somewhat accidentally by covering the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing in 1989 nearly 30 years ago. Woodruff was a lawyer, a recent graduate from the University of Michigan Law School, who closely followed China in the ‘80s as the country emerged from the Cultural Revolution. A “traveling addict,” he was in Beijing teaching law when the violent student protests began. He was hired by ABC News as an on-air interpreter, which Woodruff attributes to changing the direction of his career. He now spends nearly half the year in Asia, often stopping through Detroit to visit his father – and until recently – his 23-year-old daughter who was living downtown and working for the chickpea-based pasta company Banza. “I tell a lot of people, it’s like a deployment. I’m gone for a somewhat temporary mission to get something done over there.” That mission is to use three decades of knowledge culled as a journalist, distill the turbulent events taking place halfway around the world, and make them understandable to American TV-watchers.
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According to Woodruff, “the situation with North Korea is getting worse – we have an unpredictable leader with Kim Jong Un. He’s unpredictable, he’s a mystery, and he’s different than his father. Do we negotiate, do we use military, do we attack them, do we use sanctions?” Yet, in spending time on the ground, he notes that, “It’s interesting to be in South Korea because the people in South Korea don’t react – they’ve been dealing with this for 65 years.” He also comments that he believes a military war would be “a complete disaster” and would “shatter the global economy,” leaving tens or hundreds of thousands dead in its wake. “To witness this as a journalist is fascinating. One thing as a journalist, you report on a lot of topics, so to have the chance to tell so many stories about different countries, it’s an interesting and lucky niche that I’ve got at ABC.” As “the stories are getting much bigger over in Asia,” so too are the ways in which he can report on what he learns thanks to digital platforms and the multitude of news programs that allow for more in-depth storytelling. Call it his Career 2.0, as Woodruff embraces the opportunity to work as a journalist, while also aiding veterans and sharing their stories each and every week through the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which he founded with his wife, Lee. Since its inception, the foundation has reached 2.5 million vets and their families, investing more than $42 million in helping them return to their communities after injury. “It’s the most satisfying and fulfilling thing I’ve done in my entire life.” Story: Hillary Brody
Photo: Stefan Radtke
Lynn Baker, Associate Broker Deby Gannes, REALTOR® 248.379.3000 lbaker@hallandhunter.com
248.379.3003 dgannes@hallandhunter.com NEW PRICE
NEW PRICE
BLOOMFIELD 937 Mitchell Court | $1,399,900 Gorgeous Nantucket-style colonial set at end of a cul-de-sac for utmost privacy. Great room with floor-toceiling windows overlooking lovely yard. 3-car garage. 4,345 SF | 4 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 217061835
BIRMINGHAM 1183 Webster Street | $610,000
BINGHAM FARMS VILLAGE 32135 Bingham Road | $849,000
Custom-built home is move-in ready with quick One of the most charming homes on the market! occupancy. Impeccable details. Master suite with turret Slate roof, copper gutters, hardwood floors, terraces & sitting area. Finished LL with BR/bath. Walk to town! screened porch. Updated with all modern conveniences. 2,162 SF | 3 BR | 3.1 Baths | MLS# 217083385
NEW LISTING
3,407 SF | 3 BR | 3 Baths | MLS# 217073915
NEW LISTING
BIRMINGHAM 400 Southfield Road | $509,900
WEST BLOOMFIELD 5528 Haverhill | $318,000
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 2831 Cranbrook Ridge Ct. | $1,325,000
Top-floor penthouse unit of a newly renovated building with exceptional views from every window! Central air and screened porch. Walk to all downtown has to offer.
Fabulous home in Kimberley North sub with fully fenced yard (the only one in the neighborhood.) Many updates throughout. Finished LL. Quick occupancy!
Luxurious custom home on almost an acre surrounded by lush gardens. Magnificent architectural details. Beautifully finished walkout LL. Rear and side terraces.
1,436 SF | 2 BR | 2 Baths | MLS# 217075468
2,620 SF | 4 BR | 2.1 Baths | MLS# 217084353
8,643 Total SF | 4 BR | 3.3 Baths | MLS# 217083667
NEW PRICE
NEW LISTING
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 5475 Jendean Lane | $748,900
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 5490 Great Fosters Drive | $749,900
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 2707 Bridle Road | $328,000
“Up north” feeling on rare 10-acre lot with spring-fed pond minutes from downtown Rochester. Amazing interior & out-of-this-world walkout LL with indoor pool.
Exceptional home on spectacular nearly 3-acre wooded lot at end of cul-de-sac Numerous updates! Finished LL with theater. Incredible grounds with pool/pool house.
Renovations from top to bottom! New kitchen with breakfast room. Finished lower level. Many additional improvements. Neutral décor and move-in ready.
6,618 Total SF | 4 BR | 4.1 Baths | MLS# 217064072
3,758 SF | 4 BR | 2.2 Baths | MLS# 217081246
2,014 SF | 4 BR | 2.1 Baths | MLS# 217083621
LynnAndDeby.com |
Lynn and Deby - Hall & Hunter Realtors
Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009
Ginny Fisher REALTORÂŽ 248.593.0518 gfisher@hallandhunter.com
IN TOWN SOPHISTICATION Bloomfield Hills | 1772 Heron Ridge | $1,599,000 Pristine executive retreat in private gated enclave on gorgeous ravine setting. Renovated Millennium cherry kitchen opens to family room for ease in entertaining. Beautifully finished walkout lower level with possible 5th bedroom. Entertain or relax on lower paver terraces and expansive decks. 4-car garage. 7,385 Total SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 217043547
Birmingham | 887 Wimbleton | $775,000
Birmingham | 682 Wallace Street | $1,199,000
Elegantly updated landmark Tudor in charming Poppleton Park offers stylish and elegant details throughout. Highlighted features include a beautiful family room addition and formal living room with marble fireplace. Spacious master suite with renovated bath. Impeccable!
Gorgeous Tringali-designed and Derocher built home in the heart of Birmingham. Showcasing style & impeccable attention to detail, the residence features a dramatic staircase and elegant island kitchen. Beautiful spacious master suite. Lower level finished to perfection. Very deep lot with rear garden area.
2,984 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217032772
2,984 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217032772
For more information, visit GinnyFIsherHomes.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009
Sal Impastato
Mark Bess
REALTOR
REALTOR®
248.763.2223
248.425.3778
simpastato@ hallandhunter.com
mbess@ hallandhunter.com
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Birmingham | 644 Kennesaw Street | $725,000 Updated New England shingle style charmer located on one of Poppleton Park’s premier streets just steps from the park. Exceptional floor plan features living room with fireplace, arched bookcases and French doors to screened porch. Spacious dining room complete with built-in buffet. New island kitchen with breakfast area opens to fabulous family room. Spectacular master suite boasts door wall to outside sitting area, 14’ x 12’ dressing room, new limestone bath with multi-spray shower, double sinks and water closet. 3-car garage, quaint patio with pergola and flagstone walkways to gardens. Must see!
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2,602 SF | 3 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217080223
Birmingham | 1465 Fairfax Street | $749,500
Bloomfield | 7201 Bingham Road | $699,000
St. Clair Shores 22412 Lavon Street $549,000 Enjoy Lake St Clair from this pristine, canal-front colonial located on the widest canal in St Clair Shores. Newer centerisland kitchen opens to expanded family room that leads to patio overlooking canal. Finished lower level. Truly a boater’s dream!
3,254 SF | 4 BR | 3.1 Baths MLS# 217068925
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Fabulous opportunity to purchase one of the finest remaining undeveloped lots in Spectacular mid-century modern walkout ranch renovated to perfection. Spacious Quarton Lake Estates. A rare, oversized lot – approximately 0.39 acres – located rooms, walls of glass and vaulted ceilings. Great room opens to all-new kitchen with th on an elevated section. The ideal build site for a true multimillion dollar showpiece! access to new 1300 SF deck. Incredible walkout LL with 4 bedroom & much more! 4,832 Total SF | 4 BR | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 217052542 Lot Dimensions: 124’ x 140’ x 124’ x 140’
Birmingham 1155 Wakefield Street $569,000 Renovated and remodeled colonial sitting on generous, professionally landscaped lot in desirable neighborhood. Granite/ stainless kitchen opens to generous family room. Updates include finished basement, newer roof and windows. 4-season sun room. 2,355 SF | 3 BR | 2.1 Baths MLS# 217057945
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com
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Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009
442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009
248.644.3500 Frank Flynn, Associate Broker Julie Flynn, REALTOR
Amy Zimmer, Associate Broker Tiffany Glime, REALTOR
248.835.4150
248.469.6430
fflynnf@hallandhunter.com
azimmer@hallandhunter.com
248.835.4222
248.930.5656
jflynn@hallandhunter.com
tglime@hallandhunter.com
®
®
NEW TO MARKET
Birmingham | 820 Puritan Avenue | $1,795,000
Bloomfield Village | 2707 Endsleigh Drive | $1,249,999 2707endsleigh.epropertysites.com
Exceptional 1929 curved English Colonial restored and expanded in 2016. Designer perfect with over $1M in quality updates! Spacious, multi-level additions, including 29’ x 20’ great room leading to expansive terraced patio and professionally landscaped yard. Beautiful new walkout LL. Heated 2-car & additonal 3-car detached garage. Quarton Lake masterpiece on premium lot.
Sophisticated, chic and renovated to perfection! This stately residence blending stylish beauty and comfort is truly not your typical Village home. Gourmet kitchen, filled with specialty features, is an entertainer’s delight! Extensive molding and architectural detailing. Wonderful corner lot.
6,042 Total SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217037871
4,329 SF | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217075078
Birmingham 1119 Southfield Road | $775,000 1119southfield.epropertysites.com
NEW PRICE
Restored landmark farmhouse blends original 19th century integrity with an elegant, modernized twist. Redesigned by Jeffrey King Interiors. In the heart of Birmingham on a beautiful corner lot. Walkable to town! 2,735 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths MLS# 217080177
Bloomfield | 2774 Eastways Road | $450,000 Classic 3000+ SF Colonial with outstanding great room addition overlooking wooded, lush landscape. Highlights include hardwood floors under carpets, newer kitchen in neutral tones, updated half bath and master bath. Upgraded electrical, 2001 roof tear-off and newer windows and 6 panel doors. Excellent floor plan. Award-winning Bloomfield Hills schools. 3,037 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217045910
Bloomfield Hills 21 Kingsley Manor | $485,000 21kingsley.epropertysites.com Serene end-unit ranch with courtyard entry and first-floor master suite. Expansive rear deck (2012) with views of tree-lined berm. Flowing floor plan with numerous updates. 2,677 SF | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths MLS# 217082396
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009
DANIEL ELLSBERG GROWING UP IN MICHIGAN, THE PENTAGON PAPERS, CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AND HIS CONTINUED IMPACT
eemed "the most dangerous man in America" by former United States Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger for leaking a top-secret defense study now known as The Pentagon Papers, Daniel Ellsberg risked his freedom to reveal government lies that started and escalated the war in Vietnam. Raised in metro Detroit and graduating from Cranbrook Schools in 1948, Ellsberg's later studies led him to work as a consultant on the country's war strategy, including nuclear plans still in use today. His most recent book, set to be released in December 2017, "The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner," promises to release new secrets about the country's nuclear war policy. Ellsberg recently spoke to Downtown reporter Kevin Elliott about the book, as well as his life before and after the release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971.
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Luxury Senior Living 200 Chester Birmingham, MI 48009 Telephone: 248.540.4555 www.baldwinhousebham.com
LOOKING TO PURCHASE, REFINANCE, RENOVATE, OR BUILD NEW?
“ I would welcome the opportunity to sit down and discuss all your choices.”
Maria Labie Residential Lending Sales Manager 201 West Big Beaver Road, Ste 201, Troy, MI 48084 P: 248.689.9744 | C: 248.952.4914 F: 248.689.0148 | NMLS ID: 697437 mlabie@ibcp.com
Apply online www.MortgageMadeSimple.net Equal housing lender. Member FDIC.
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How did you come to Michigan, to Cranbrook Schools? How did that come about and what were your plans at the time? I didn’t have a lot of plans when I was 12. Actually my mother had very specific plans for me to be a concert pianist, and I had been working on that since I was 5. I had gone to grade school in Highland Park, Michigan, at quite a good public school. I’ve always regretted what I heard about our country and the decline of its public schools in my lifetime. My mother arranged for me to go to school only half-days, which was the time that I was about 7 or 8. I took an I.Q. test, I don’t know the results of it, but they allowed me to go only in the mornings so I could practice in the afternoons. I spent all of my time, essentially, from basically 5 to 15 when my mother died, and even a couple of years after that, doing nothing but playing the piano, as I recall it. I had recitals every year. My teacher was an accompanist to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and we had various recitals, but one big one every year that I had to practice for all year. By the time I was 8 or 9, and certainly 10, I was practicing for four hours a day, then I got up to six hours a day. She wanted me to go to a good school, and she heard about Cranbrook somewhere. I took another test for Cranbrook, and was accepted when I was 12, I think, for the 7th grade. I started that year in February in grade school. They started me in the beginning of the year, so I actually went back half a year in the 7th grade at Cranbrook as a full-scholarship student. My father had been an engineer at Albert Kahn, in the Fisher Building in Detroit. He worked during the year as the chief structural engineer on the Ford Willow Run plant, which built B-24s on an assembly line, hanging from hooks. As a little boy, he took me out to Willow Run when it got into operation, and there were B-24 bodies in a line. Altogether, the line was a mile-and-a-quarter long. It was a very impressive sight, and I was very proud of my father. He went on to be chief structural engineer on the Dodge Chicago plant, which made engines, for I think, for B-29s. When these planes would come off the line, by the way, they would just be lowered to the ground and filled with gas, and fly away. It was an impressive operation – Detroit, the arsenal of democracy. My mom, she just wanted me to go to a good school, and Cranbrook was a very good school, and as far as I know, still is a very good school, really excellent. When I went to Harvard, I found the classes relatively easy in a way because I had five years of quite strict academic upbringing, and a lot of homework. I was very well prepared for that. The future that stretched before was that of a pianist, even though I became aware, I didn’t think I was going to have the career of my hero, Vladimir Horowitz – I just wasn’t up to that. My impression then was that it is hard to make a living as a concert pianist unless you were in the very top, and I didn’t expect to be there. In my last years at Cranbrook, my brother, who was 11 years older, my half-brother was quite radical, introduced me to economics. He actually bought me an economic textbook for my Christmas present in my junior year at Cranbrook. I got very interested in economics, especially in labor economics. I read books about the labor movement in Detroit. Walter Reuther was my hero, as a matter of fact. I remember very well being just
thunderstruck when he was shot in Detroit during that period by what turned out to be, later, a coalition of manufacturers who hired several gunmen from Canada to come over and shoot him with a shotgun. It didn’t kill him. It wounded his arm, forever. I actually was regarded as pretty radical, for my interest in the labor movement, at Cranbrook. The non-scholarship students were nearly all children of auto executives from Bloomfield Hills or elsewhere, and were quite Republican or right wing. So, when I was interested in Henry Wallace, for example, my senior year there, they regarded me as very leftist. I also wrote a humor column for “The Crane,” the Cranbrook newspaper, and I wrote a column every week anonymously, and loved watching people read it and laugh, and not know who the author was until our graduation. I was the class valedictorian. Oddly enough looking back on it, I was voted “most likely to make a contribution to human welfare,” which was interesting. I think that happened. I think they were right. Thank you. Anyway, I did what I could. I took an SAT for a competition run by the Pepsi Cola Corporation, which had a foundation for sending two students from each state on the basis of tests to a college of their choice anywhere with all expenses paid. The Pepsi Cola Scholarship. It was based on two SATs, one for the state or one nationally, or something like that. I did well on both of those and was one of the two from Michigan who could go anywhere they wanted. I chose Harvard. The summer that I graduated from (Cranbrook), 1948, I did two things. I thought I was going to have a career in the labor movement as a labor economist. Or, a labor organizer, romantically. That summer, between Cranbrook and Harvard, I actually spent all summer at the Dodge Hamtramck plant on the night shift. The day shift was entirely occupied by Polish Americans, and southerners, blacks and acolytes like me, were on the afternoon shifts. It was very, very hot in the summers in Detroit. That was a very interesting summer. It permanently damaged my hearing. I worked in the press shop of a car manufacturer, and if you’ve never been in a press shop, it’s very noisy. You open the door and you go into this huge loft-like building where they have several-story high presses that press out the entire top of the car. Then others press out the fenders and sides and so forth. I think its three or four stories high, and the press would come down: eeeeeyra – crash! Stepping into that building was like diving into a pool of sound. We didn’t, in those days, have something for our ears, that was something the union brought in later. So, my high-pitched frequencies got cut off at that age, and I’ve been wearing hearing aids now the whole time. It was the next year that I worked on a ranch in Wyoming stacking hay. Very, very hard work. The hardest work I ever did, physically. I haven’t had a life of hard physical work. I’m a very white collar person, but that was very hard.
I ACTUALLY WAS REGARDED AS PRETTY RADICAL, FOR MY INTEREST IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT, AT CRANBROOK. THE NON-SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS WERE NEARLY ALL CHILDREN OF AUTO EXECUTIVES ... AND WERE QUITE REPUBLICAN OR RIGHT WING.
Your work in economics and the Ellsberg Paradox, did that transition well into your work with Rand? I was working on labor economics my first few years at Harvard, then my academic advisor said I should write a better thesis in theory. I wrote an honor’s thesis on that subject. I got summa cum laude at Harvard, and people that read it, the Harvard
W H E R E E XC E L L E N C E L I V E S
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN Landmark Bloomfield Hills estate situated on a private lane overlooking the heart of Cranbrook’s campus. This magnificent, 1935 New England colonial sits on 1.16 acres and exudes a genuine charm. It has been carefully renovated to preserve its architectural pedigree while offering the most modern amenities to its new buyer. The home offers: two inviting master suites, a true gourmet kitchen, a stunning breakfast room with fireplace that opens to a beautiful terrace. 5 Beds | 4 Baths | 3 Lavs | $1,999,900
BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN This magnificent Tudor, by acclaimed architect, Wallace Frost, sits on an incredibly rare .77 acre lot. This family home sits on one of the most highly coveted parcels of land in all of Quarton Lake Estates. The home has been exquisitely renovated throughout, offering modern living, while remaining true to its architectural pedigree. The kitchen offers custom cabinetry, marble counter-tops, a generous island & premium appliances. The master suite is a true oasis. 4 Beds | 3 Baths | 2 Lavs | $1,999,000
J E N N IF E R Z A C H A RY Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel 248-212-4416 | jzachary@cbwm.com 294 E Brown Street, Birmingham, MI 48009 Š 2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo are service marks registered or pending registration owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
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Society of Fellows, which is an alternate to the PhD program, but in between there, I did get a Woodrow Wilson scholarship, which I could take anywhere. I went to Cambridge University in England, following a professor of mine who moved over there. I spent that year with my wife. I had got married in the middle of my junior year, so we went back to England in ‘52-’53. Meanwhile, the Korean War was still on, or the Korean Emergency, and I had been deferred on a student fellowship in 1951. So I had a couple of years of deferment and felt that I would eventually pay that by going into the service. I chose the Marine Corps. My wife, who I married when I was 19, had a Marine colonel for a father who became a brigadier general when he retired. She’d grown up on Marine bases, and loved the Marines. I thought it would please her to be back on a Marine base. I went in the Marines in ‘53 for two years, then extended for a year because my battalion was going to the Mediterranean and we had indications, including from the Alsop Brothers columnists, that we would be at war with Egypt over the Suez Canal. I couldn’t stand the thought of being back at Harvard for the Society of Fellows while my battalion was fighting possibly in the Middle East. We were there for six months during the Suez Crisis. We evacuated all of the Americans from Alexandria at one point while the British and French were attacking Egypt. Then I came back to the Society of Fellows. To answer your question, I had written this thesis on game theory. I wrote several articles based on that, and I remember I was correcting proofs by torchlight, flashlight and moonlight in a foxhole in Vieques during several months of maneuvers in the Marines. When I was back in the Society of Fellows, I got interested in an off-shoot of game theory. I have been a critic of game theory, almost the first one, and one of the few up to this day to criticize the foundations of game theory. But that spun off into a field called decision theory, which deals with decisionmaking under uncertainty – not only against an advisory, like game theory, but against nature, in effect. Decisions like, do we evacuate Houston in the face of uncertain warning of a hurricane coming along? A hurricane isn’t a conscious adversary, except in the case of about a third of our country who can only understand that in terms of divine will. But just any kind of decision under uncertainty. I wrote my PhD thesis at Rand (Corporation). I took six months off from my work at Rand and did a PhD theory on decisionmaking under uncertainty. I concluded in that thesis that the reigning theory at that time, which was that people should act as if they assign precise probabilities to events; like say, it’s 35 percent likely that the hurricane in Houston will make landfall on a certain day, or something like that – I felt that was unrealistic, not only in terms of their expectations, but everybody admits they were more vague than that. They even act as if they assign post-probabilities to events, and I had a different theory of how that worked, which I called ‘situation ambiguity,’ which is where you don’t know enough to assign even close probabilities to events.
Machine.” In light of that, we wanted to ask you how from your own life the importance of the Pentagon Papers and your work as a defense analyst at the Rand Corporation led you to write a book about the country’s nuclear war strategy from the 1960s to today, what that strategy involved then and where you believe we are today? I went to Rand one summer when I was in the Society of Fellows. It was sort of the Vatican of decision theory. So, I was drawn to Rand not because of their defense work for the Air Force, but because their mathematics department, in particular, and their economics department, had done a lot of work in decision theory and game theory. I went as an economist, which was my field at that point. The economics department was working on nuclear strategy a great deal for historical reasons I won’t go into. I was drawn to the particular problem of a decision, which was the president’s decision whether to go to nuclear war or not on the basis of uncertain warning. We had, and have, an elaborate warning system of radars and eventually satellites – infrared satellites and communication satellites – to give us warning of the Soviet, in those days, attack. Or Russian attack, now. Or, anybody else. Big radars in Alaska and Greenland and elsewhere. The problem was though, that this warning would never be certain. It would never say an attack is on the way – it would say here are the indications, that it may be, and how many missiles and so forth. It turned out that these were subject to a great deal of mistakes and errors; say mistaking a flock of geese for a flock of planes, for example. Or sunlight glinting off clouds as being the infrared plumes of missiles rising. That happened exactly in 1983. In 1983, the Russians had exactly that experience, and a colonel in the Soviet Union was faced with the question of whether to tell his superiors that an American attack was on the way, which is what his satellite warnings were telling him. He wasn’t sure, and rightly so. It was a false alarm. He chose not to reveal the full degree of evidence to his superiors because he suspected it was not right. Fortunately, he was right, and his decision was right, so we are still here. Soviets at that time were poised, in the same way that we would have been at that time, for a pre-emptive attack based on that, to get their missiles off the ground before ours arrived. This is very close to the subject of my book. Also, to get our remaining missiles before they got launched. The assumption being that there weren’t just empty holes for them to get, but that some missiles were on the way but others hadn’t yet been launched. They would have launched that to limit the damage, supposedly, to their country from the oncoming attack, and to prevent their retaliation from being destroyed on the ground. That was an exact imitation of our plans from the late ‘50s on, from the time they had nuclear weapons to threaten us with. Our countries have always been fixed on the idea of pre-emption, even though they try to be very foggy about this to the public. It’s what’s called “launch on warning.” You press the button here before the enemy warheads have arrived. That is the basis of our planning, and always has been. That is extremely dangerous because if false alarms continue as they have until not too long ago, that means potentially, the world as we know it can be destroyed by that effect.
YOU PRESS THE BUTTON HERE BEFORE THE ENEMY WARHEADS HAVE ARRIVED...THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS... BECAUSE IF FALSE ALARMS CONTINUE AS THEY HAVE UNTIL NOT TOO LONG AGO... THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT CAN BE DESTROYED...
When we initially spoke, we thought we would talk about the Pentagon Papers, of course that was before the presidential election and the completion of your book “The Doomsday
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Since the Russians imitated our own strategic forces in the mid ‘60s, really after Khruschev under Brezhnev, after the Cuban Missile Crisis had humiliated them, they spent an enormous amount of money buying what amounted to a strategic air command of their own based mainly on missiles, where ours started with bombers. Until that time, they had very little that could hit the United States, just as North Korea doesn’t have that now in its missile capability, and is striving to get it so they will have the retaliatory ability against the US. When I went to Rand and got top secret clearance, I was working on deterring a Soviet surprise attack that would wipe out our strategic air command and leave them essentially with a monopoly of nuclear weapons. That was an entirely illusory problem, which I was working on night and day. I was working 70 hours a week at Rand to deter or pre-empt a Soviet attack, which could not have happened. The Soviets in 1960 and ‘61 had exactly four ICBMs (Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles) that could hit the United States, which could have been wiped out by a single plane on our part, compared to thousands of warheads on planes and missiles, and submarine missiles within range of the Soviet Union. They essentially had nothing. It was like the Germans in World War II, where the Manhattan Project had worked night and day to deter a German capability of nuclear weapons, which didn’t exist because they had stopped their program in June of ‘42, about the time we started ours. They had nothing. And, North Korea today has nothing against the United States, but will as things go on, unless we launch a catastrophic war against North Korea. During that period, there were false alarms that could have led us to attack the Soviet Union, in which case they did have a huge capability against Europe. Nothing against the US – but huge against Europe. Had we attacked them, west Europe would have (been) annihilated, and the Soviets would have been annihilated. In the early days, we would have not have been (annihilated), so our calculations showed. Our calculations were wrong. In 1983, nearly 40 years into the nuclear era, a bunch of environmental scientists discovered that the attacks on cities – which we planned from the very beginning starting with Hiroshima and Nagasaki – they discovered that the smoke from those burning cities would have been lofted by the nuclear attack into the stratosphere. There the smoke would remain and be lofted further over time by sunlight as it warmed. It would girdle the globe and prevent most sunlight – 70 percent, perhaps of sunlight reaching the earth – which would have led to a nuclear winter all year round, killing all harvests and destroying all our food supplies. So, everything depending on vegetation – all the primates, all the vertebrates – would have died. Probably not all humans would die. We are so adaptable, we can live on mollusks in the south seas down near Australia and probably around the tip of Africa. Probably humans, the most adaptable mammals, would survive to some extent. Less than 1 percent of the current population, but that’s a lot, many millions. Maybe 100 million. Everything else goes. That would have happened, I show in my book, as early as 1950 or ‘52, when we had a thousand fission warheads trained on cities in the Soviet Union. We wouldn’t have gotten off scott free. Like everyone else, we would have starved in about a year. You’d be dead.
The Cuban Missile Crisis, as I go into in the book, had that gone into large scale, US-led surprise attack, in the course of fighting with Russians it would have most certainly escalated, we would have died from it. Although, we didn’t know that at that point. I was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis at a high staff level as a consultant. The idea of preempting on either side, Russia or the US, has been a hoax all this time. When I look now at the possibility of war arising between Russia and Americans in the Ukraine, as has never happened. Or in a more limited way in Syria, that just leads to a cold war that will eventually end up in a hot war. If fighting starts in the Ukraine and we end up shooting at Russians and they at us, that’s never happened, ever, ever. I mean except, you know, the troops we sent over in 1918 and 1917 against the Russian Revolution for a few months. But other than that, there’s been no fighting between Russians and us. We both have this doomsday machine, as I call it using (Herman) Kahn’s term, my colleague at Rand. But a system that destroys most all life on earth. Actually it won’t destroy the bacteria, the microbes. That’s not a joke. They will survive, mostly. But the larger animals will not, even if some humans do. So it’s fairly called, I think, a “doomsday machine.” It’s doom of the 7 billion humans. A war between the US and Russia right now would mean starvation within a year or so, with our stocks of food. Starvation of about 7 billion of them – we have about 7.4 billion. That’s the system we are threatening, and building up. Obama decided to program a trillion dollars worth of new weapons over 30 years in order to get Congress to sign on to his START II Treaty, which in the end has never been ratified. We promised them we would build up these weapons. Hillary promised to do it, and Trump is in the process of doing it. He’s in the process of rebuilding at the cost of a trillion dollars a machine, that if it were set in motion planes, missiles and submarine missiles on the basis of, let’s say, a mistaken electronic warning. In 1995, after the Cold War, Yeltsin is told a missile may be coming toward Moscow. He’s looking at his briefcase that has the nuclear code, and some of his generals are telling him, ‘go, before this thing wipes out Moscow and our command and control.’ He hesitates. It seems too long for this thing to hit. They finally decide it’s not real. In fact, it was a Norwegian weather rocket. A weather rocket. One. Why would NATO be sending one rocket against them? And some people thought it was an attack. If he would have listened to his generals, what some of his generals had told him to do, we would not be talking. We – you and I – would have starved to death with our children by 1995 or 1996. That’s the system both sides are rebuilding now. Two doomsday machines. It’s the most insane and immoral policy in the history and prehistory of our species.
EVEN WHILE MAINTAINING NUCLEAR DETERRENCE, WE HAVE NO RATIONAL, STRATEGIC OR MILITARY OR ANY KIND OF HUMAN INTEREST, OTHER THAN THE JOBS AND PROFITS THAT ARE INVOLVED, WHICH ARE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO GET IT BUILT.
In your book, do you come to a conclusion on how it can be reversed? They should not exist, our ICBMs. And they haven’t had any rationale (to keep them) for 50 years, since we have had submarine-launched missiles, which are not vulnerable (to attack). These are vulnerable. We already have the ability, very accurately, to destroy Russian-based land missiles, if we want to get them off
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the ground fast if there is warning, a false warning for example. Suppose the warning isn’t false. That they really are attacking. Do the ICBMs do anything for us if we send them off? Zero. A Russian attack would be suicidal for them, and for us. Our response would be suicidal for them and for us, and for everybody else. There’s absolutely nothing to be said for these (missiles), except that they provide jobs and real estate values and votes in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. The senators from those states formed an ICBM caucus so that they don’t get rid of these ICBMs. Secretary of Defense William Perry under Clinton has written in op-eds that we should get rid of our ICBMs and we should have done it long ago. Heads of staff, like General Cartwright, or General Lee Butler, who was head of Strategic Air Command, said get rid of the ICBMs. But no. As I said, someone has to build them, and that’s jobs. Should the Russians attack them? No, that’s totally irrational. The same with us. But here we are, ‘decision making under uncertainty,’ which is the mark of a species that should not be trusted with nuclear weapons. ‘Mutually assured destruction’ is still the strategy? That was just a phrase that McNamara used, but it describes the reality. In view of that reality, he should have recommended, in strategic terms, cutting down our warheads to a level that would be sufficient to deter. Here’s a question: Herb York, director of Livermore Laboratory, one of the two campuses at the University of California that has designed all of our nuclear weapons. He was the first director of that, then he was the director of research and engineering for the Defense Department. He asked, “How many explosions on our enemy’s territory are needed to do that. How many survivable hits are needed to deter attack?” How many cities do you have to destroy, or have the capability, to deter an attack. What would you say? Think about it. You’re president, what would it take you to deter attack on another country? How many cities are you prepared to lose?
announcing it. Sign a peace treaty with them and say ‘we are not going to do regime change in this tyrannous country of North Korea.’ Stop talking about overthrowing them and get them to freeze their warhead program and their missile program, so they don’t get an ICBM and they don’t get an H-bomb. It can only be done by reaching concessions of the form of ceasing to announce to them that we are preparing for regime change and for invading them. That’s where we should go, and where I hoped Trump would go, but it’s not where he’s going. He’s going toward confrontation. If there is war with North Korea, millions of South Koreans, and probably Japanese, will die, including tens of thousands of American soldiers in South Korea. No civilians in the US will die, probably. Only our allies. But it won’t cause nuclear winter. Even a war between India and Pakistan would not cause nuclear winter, but it would cause a nuclear famine, it’s been shown, that would affect about 2 billion of our people in the world who are most malnourished by the loss of sunlight. It wouldn’t be enough to stop all harvests, just enough to shorten harvests and to kill some, and lower the food supply enough to kill 2 billion people. A war between the US and Russia kills nearly everybody. So, we shouldn’t be talking about preparing for war with Russians, period. So, no ICMBs, no launch on warning, no first use of nuclear weapons – several states are not going to give up that ship – but we have no rationale for first use of nuclear weapons, and the Russians don’t really. Greatly lower number of SLBMs (Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles) because those are accurate and they do threaten any remaining land-based forces you could have, and you want to remove that threat for our own security and world security because it encourages the other side to launch on warning, or false warning, which is a danger. Take away that threat, the way that Gorbachev took away the threat to NATO by removing 5,000 East Line battle tanks from East Germany in 1986 or ‘87. Take away the threat, then negotiate. Dismantle the doomsday machine, and of course dismantle the Russian’s. They should do that. But, even if they didn’t, it would remove the threat of these two hair-trigger doomsday machines that now are each threatened to go off on the basis of false warning. We can take that away, and we should. Obama was interested in doing that, by the way, but his own defense people opposed it, for reasons that are rather obscure, but in the end, came down to this: There’s a lot of money making these missiles and these weapons, and people’s jobs depend on them, regions depend on them, and votes and campaign donations. That’s enough to keep it going. And that’s why we live on the brink of a kind of final catastrophe. As I say in the book, “For years, our strategic weapon forces have posed a catastrophe waiting to happen.” Like Katrina, where effects of the hurricane on the levies was foreseen years ahead. Houston, just now, where the total paving over of the entire area has been predicted for years meant that a large hurricane would flood the place. The decisionmaking under that, which is to disregard the catastrophe, the low probability, but not a zero probability of a catastrophe. To just disregard it. That’s the way humans make decisions under uncertainty. And the result is the flooding of New Orleans, the flooding of Houston, the near
EVEN A WAR BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN WOULD NOT CAUSE NUCLEAR WINTER, BUT IT WOULD CAUSE A NUCLEAR FAMINE, IT'S BEEN SHOWN, THAT WOULD AFFECT ABOUT 2 BILLION OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO ARE MOST MALNOURISHED.
I would say one would be enough. That’s what he said. Then he said, you might want more than one to assure them you had at least one to go. By the way, how many survivable warheads did Saddam Hussein have to have – he didn’t have any – or Iran, to deter an attack? Well, one would go very far. Ten maybe. That’s roughly what North Korea has now. Ten, maybe 20, maybe a little more. And they may not have any, by the way. We don’t know if they have weaponized anything to go on a missile, but they probably have, and they certainly do have the warheads. They have enough for maybe 10 or 20 warheads – pretty good deterrence for most people. None yet to get the United States, which is what they are working on, and it would be good to stop them from that. But the only way you’re going to do that is by concessions by negotiations in which you induce them, for instance, by stopping exercises rehearsing invading North Korea, which is what we just did a month ago. And, by not talking about decapitating them in a surprise attack, or otherwise, which was in the news just yesterday about South Korea going into a special decapitation mode, but we have been exercising that for years and
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evacuation of Tokyo by Fukushima. Those are all tiny, tiny warnings of what a nuclear war would be. A large nuclear war. Have some of your thoughts changed since releasing the Pentagon Papers? At one time you referred to it as civil disobedience. I have known since ‘64 when the president lied us into the Vietnam War, my president, LBJ, lied us in. I know presidents are more than capable of lying us into catastrophes – a very small catastrophe by comparison, but not so tiny in human terms. A president who lies us in is prepared to make decisions that are very reckless, and dangerous. Unnecessary and unjustifiable. I also know, from nuclear planning, which I had known about to some degree since 1958 or ‘59, 1960, but in particular, 1961, that our nuclear decisionmaking had the seeds of catastrophe in it. But I kept my mouth shut, like everybody else, which I regret. As I say in my book, “I regret very strongly not saying what I’m saying in the book with documents, which I had then, or in ‘61. Just as I regret that I didn’t reveal the lies about the Tonkin Gulf that I talk about in my previous book, ‘Secrets.’” The first chapter in that is about the Tonkin Gulf, which was my first night in the Pentagon, by coincidence. It was my first day, but it went into night because we launched our first bombing raids against Vietnam that night, August 4. It was just a coincidence that I started that day. So I spent the night in the Pentagon, following those raids because there is a 12hour time difference between the Pentagon and the Tonkin Gulf. Daytime there when we were bombing was nighttime in Washington. I knew right then that we were being lied to. I knew about the lie. I then go to Vietnam, I’m there for two years. I got hepatitis, or I would have stayed on. I came back and warned people that we should get out of Vietnam in 1967, a widely held view in the Defense Department, and held by Secretary of Defense (Robert) McNamara when I came and talked to him in the summer of 1967. But, how to do it without losing face politically. McNamara finally recommended we do it. And he was fired for it by LBJ, who wasn’t ready to do that. So, the Tet Offensive occurred, etc., etc., the war goes on after McNamara leaves for seven years, until 1975. By 1969, I had the example of young Americans who were resisting the draft on Ghandian principles, that they should nonviolently tell the truth and resist. They just had their own lives. Their own freedom to give, and they went to jail by thousands to resist that war. I realized that was something I could do – go to prison – and that I had secrets. This is what I reveal in the book for the first time. You might be the first reporter I’ve talked to about it. I will say that I realized then that I should be telling dangers of nuclear war, the same way I intended to tell the dangers of continuing in Vietnam, which was the Pentagon Papers. I decided the example of Americans like Randall Kehler, who was going to prison. I go into this in “Secrets” If you want to know how we got into Vietnam and how we got out of Vietnam in 1975, that’s a good book. The point is, I realized that telling the truth could be the right thing to do. It could be the right decision to make, even if the consequences were prison for myself. In comparison of consequences of not telling, the consequences could be millions of deaths, as in Vietnam for the Vietnamese, tens of thousands, 58,000 for the US. But in terms of nuclear wars, we
are talking not of hundreds of millions, but of billions. Billions and billions, up to 7 billion. I wasn’t even aware of that in 1969 when I decided to do this. We didn’t know about nuclear winter. But I did know that something like a billion lives were at stake, something like a third of humanity. In reality, nearly everybody, but we thought a third. That’s a lot more than Vietnam. Was that something that was being considered in Vietnam? When you said there was something else you reveal in the book. My plans for putting out information on nuclear wars didn’t come about at that time for reasons that come out in the book. I planned at that time to be a truthteller, a whistleblower about nuclear war, and that didn’t happen. I thought that would put me in prison forever. But that didn’t happen for reasons of a natural catastrophe, actually. A hurricane kept me from doing that. We are in hurricane season now, but Hurricane Doria, or Tropical Storm Doria, kept me from doing what I planned to do then. You were inspired by people willing to go to jail, and you were planning to spend your life in jail. In recent years, you’ve defended Edward Snowden. Does it diminish at all how people view it if they don’t stay and answer for their alleged crime releasing documents? Does it diminish the importance or legitimacy of what he did in terms of releasing documents? Absolutely. I don’t have any doubt of it. Now, where there risks in what he did? Might it have hurt us? They claim it did, but they claimed that about me, and it wasn’t true. I haven’t seen any evidence that Snowden actually did cause us any real damage to our interests. Nor Chelsea Manning, who was also accused of that. If they come up with evidence, I have an open mind on that, but I do know they lie all the time about the probable effects. I identify totally with Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden. These are three very different people, actually different backgrounds and a lot of differences between us, including age. In terms of motives, there’s more important similarities and identities there. I identify with those two people, Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, more than with anyone else on earth. Each of us saw great wrongdoing going on – illegal, but dangerous to democracy and the people. We each thought someone should tell the public about this and warn them. And we each thought ‘nobody else is going to do it, so I’ve got to do it.’ That last part turns out to be a very unusual decision under uncertainty: ‘No one else will do it, it has to be done, it’s got to be done, so I’ll do it.’ It was the example of people going to prison on that basis without expecting they would have any great effect on the war but that it might help – that’s what encouraged me to give the Pentagon Papers. I don’t think I would have without that example. Snowden has said that my example played a role in his own decision, which I’m very glad to hear. I’m not aware that’s true with Chelsea Manning, she was too young.
I HAVE KNOWN SINCE '64 WHEN THE PRESIDENT LIED US INTO THE VIETNAM WAR...I KNOW PRESIDENTS ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF LYING US INTO CATASTROPHE — A VERY SMALL CATASTROPHE... BUT NOT SO TINY IN HUMAN TERMS.
I would think that what you’ve done with the Pentagon Papers had to have an enormous effect. I think National Affairs Magazine said in 2010, “no other episode in history has had a
greater influence on the conflicted politics of national security/secrecy.” It so happens that Snowden has said to me, and in public, that he and his partner saw the movie “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” and that had an effect on strengthening his decision to go ahead as he did. I was very happy to year that. I told the directors of the movie about it, and they were happy. Do you think there are others that followed, including, even Daniel Schorr (former TV reporter) in 1976 when he leaked the Pike Report findings of the Intelligence Committee investigation into questionable CIA activities, leading up to current times and the leaks of classified information by Edward Snowden and Private Manning? Well, I think we need more such people right now. Not only in this country but in others. But it turns out to be very rare that even one can make a very big difference. I’ll give an example: I suspected that there must be documents in the Exxon Corporation that revealed that they had been lying for years about the effects of fossil fuel burning on the climate. Just as there were documents in the Pentagon that foresaw what a stalemate and disaster Vietnam would be, the Pentagon Papers, I was sure that Exxon had the same. Well, some reporters picked up on that. They investigated and they found some whistleblowers and they actually came up with these studies that I had predicted. I happen to be rather proud of that chain of events, which of course almost nobody knows. The person in charge of the investigative team went out of his way to tell me that he had been influenced by what I said. They found this, and that’s the basis for suits right now against Exxon, which – who knows – may have some effect eventually on climate. If (Trump) he decides that he is going to attack North Korea, that would be a catastrophe for the people of South Korea and North Korea, and Japan. Possibly, Guam. I think we have a lot — tens of thousands of Americans there who are all at risk. If he decides to do that, I would hope that somebody would reveal that to Congress and to the public beforehand with the utmost resistance and opposition, and try to get that stopped.
Revolution. Another third, according to John Adams, were indifferent. So that’s two thirds who didn’t feel very strongly about fighting for the republic. You have a lot of people right now who are willing to live under a king, as we essentially do. We have an elected king, and it’s not a good system. It’s not the system the founders had in mind. And, the ability to go to war without Congress is not what they had in mind. That’s now been done by a number of our presidents, and Trump certainly feels he has that capability. Talking about the president and other administrations, when Obama came into office, he said he was going to have increased transparency and have a little more enlightened administration. He went in the opposite direction. Now with Trump in office saying he wants to crack down on leakers. I’ve talked to people very high in the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and in the journalistic field who are certain that with (Jeff) Sessions as Attorney General will bring indictments and prosecutions against journalists, which has never happened, and is a clear violation of the First Amendment. I don’t have any basis for feeling certain about this, I thought it was probable for some time. I was very struck to hear some of these very high journalistic authorities say, ‘no, it’s inevitable, he’s going to do it.’ That’s a path that Obama paved by prosecuting more sources – three times more than all previous presidents put together. I was the first to be prosecuted under the Espionage Act, or any other act, for revealing information to the American public, not to a foreign power. There have been two other cases before Obama. One of them involved several people, and that one was dropped. One person went to prison, Samuel Loring Morison, for a leak, as of course Nixon tried to do to me, but failed. Morison was pardoned, in retrospect by Clinton after he had been in prison. He has been out for quite a while. Obama came in and holds nine or 10 cases, depending on how you count. Three times as many. Will Trump do that? There’s no doubt. He will surpass that. That will be a great threat to reporting on national security, which will decrease our security significantly. That’s what lies ahead. But, there will be some people who will tell the truth, like Snowden and Chelsea. Unfortunately, all too few, but better than nothing. If my book can encourage people in the field of nuclear planning – which is life with insanity – to come out about that, that is my highest hope. Among my highest hopes, that the example that this can make a difference might encourage someone to say, ‘nobody else is going to do it, so I’ll have to do it.’ Then go to prison for it, and they may save countless lives. The symbol of Cranbrook is meaningful to you. They give out a medal to the valedictorian, which I got. It’s a little medal for achievement. Scan for audio Daniel Ellsberg The symbol at Cranbrook is an archer who is interview. aiming at the sky. The story of the Greek myth or something is of an archer who the people before him have aimed at the target and hit it right in the middle, so he aims straight up and its high. The motto of Cranbrook is “Aim High.” And that stayed with me. Cranbrook had a good influence on me.
I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE THAT SNOWDEN ACTUALLY DID CAUSE US ANY REAL DAMAGE...NOR CHELSEA MANNING...IF THEY COME UP WITH EVIDENCE, I HAVE AN OPEN MIND...BUT I DO KNOW THEY LIE ALL THE TIME ABOUT THE PROBABLE EFFECTS.
Do you think we’ll see more leaks? We will see more. Will we see enough that we need? Nothing tells us that will happen. We just haven’t had anything like enough. The ones we’ve had, in some cases, have had some good effect. I’m sure you had a mixed reaction from the public when you released information, and we’ve seen that before. Yes. It was a mix between “patriot” and “traitor.” I didn’t think I was a traitor and I’m not anymore of a traitor that Edward Snowden is, or Chelsea Manning, but they’re called ‘traitor’ too. There are people who think the president’s secrets should be kept no matter how dangerous or crazy or criminal his actions might be. There are people that say ‘well, if he decides to do it, then that’s the president’s (choice).’ But that’s not a very democratic frame of mind, but frankly, there are a lot of Americans who’ve never felt very strongly about living in a democracy. A third of the country supported staying in the British Empire at the time of the
MARKET OFFERINGS OCTOBER 2017
View of Auvers by Vincent van Gogh
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248.644.7000
6
7.2
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Bloomfield Hills $10,550.000 Exquisitely detailed architectural masterpiece with the charm of an Italian villa in gated Turtle Lake community. 217059587 Presented by Elena Drelichman
5
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Bloomfield Hills $5,999,000 Custom Estate nestled on 4 acres of lush landscaping with rolling terrain and breathtaking scenery. 217079147 Presented by Alex Chapman
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Lake Michigan Frontage - South Haven $5,499,000 Magical waterfront setting on nearly 5 acres! One of a kind & indescribably spectacular, designed by a renowned Michigan architect/builder. 216095285 Presented by Dan Gutfreund
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Orchard Lake Frontage - Orchard Lake $5,495,000 Exquisite Lakefront Estate on 1.9 acres of professionally landscaped lawns nestled in exclusive setting offering privacy and tranquility. 217070342 Presented by Elena Drelichman
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248.644.7000
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Quarton Lake Frontage - Birmingham $4,995,000 Private, new construction, luxury resort, nestled on only remaining lot in Quarton Lake with views of the waterfall, lake, park & river. 216082133 Presented by Christine Drinkwater
4
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8000
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Lake Lapeer Frontage - Hadley Township $3,999,900 Fabulous New Construction Ranch with every possible amenity and breathtaking views. 217063167 Presented by Lee Embrey
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Ann Arbor $2,900,000 A once in a lifetime opportunity to own this beautiful private Estate built in the 1920’s, containing 4.52 acres. 217066125 Presented by Susan Johnson
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Bloomfield Hills $2,799,000 Grand custom dream home designed to perfection by Dominic Tringali on 2 private acres surrounded by lush gardens. 217074486 Presented by Dan Gutfreund
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Bloomfield Hills $2,399,000 Grand and gorgeous Estate with a sweeping circular drive on secluded 1.61 acres. 217064569 Presented by Dan Gutfreund
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Metamora $1,799,900 Stunning, Serene and Private 22 acres Estate in the Heart of Metamora Hunt. Presented by Lee Embrey
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Bloomfield Hills $1,650,000 Stunning Custom Contemporary Designed by Alexander Bogaerts sitting on almost 2 acres. 217034585 Presented by Pam Budde
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Bloomfield Hills $1,475,000 A magnificent Estate situated on a private cul-de-sac and 1.5 acres. 217073417 Presented by John & Bridget Apap
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248.644.7000
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Bloomfield Hills $1,348,000 Magnificent Custom Estate masterfully designed by award-winning AZD Architects situated on over 1.24 acres of lush landscaped grounds. 217076829 Presented by John & Bridget Apap
5
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Bloomfield Hills $1,349,000 Meticulously maintained Colonial sitting on an enviable estate sized two acres. 217083607 Presented by Sue Lozano
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Oakland Township $1,299,000 This Beautiful Custom home backs to the Westwynd Golf Course with incredible views of the 1st, 16th and 18th holes. 217048356 Presented by Dan Gutfreund & Candice Rich
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Northville Township $1,299,000 AÂ rare opportunity to own an elegant prized landmark home sitting on 5 acres. 217065865 Presented by Dylan Tent
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Deerfield Township $1,250,000 Sportsman's paradise nestled in the lap of luxury and natural beauty! 217060596 Presented by Mark Kallis
4
3.1
3967
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Franklin Village $1,195,000 "Up North" Paradise! Ultimate Private Franklin retreat with 2 gorgeous wooded and treed acres. 217071904 Presented by Eva Morrow
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Bloomfield Hills $1,099,000 Outstanding dream home built and designed with the utmost quality and attention to detail. 217078032 Presented by Mia Bardy
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Metamora Township $999,999 Welcome to Iron Bridge Farm! This sprawling farm-style Colonial rests on 35 acres. 217082249 Presented by Dylan Tent
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LOCAL LISTINGS - GLOBAL CONVERSATIONS PEOPLE TALK ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY ALL OVER THE WORLD
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41 Nantucket Drive Bloomfield Hills - $1,349,000 Sitting on an enviable estate sized two acres. 4770 SQ FT | 5 BR, 3.3 BA | Partially Finished LL 3 Car Attached Garage
928 Bennaville Avenue Birmingham - $989,000 Style and sophistication graces this timeless architecture. 2645 SQ FT | 5 BR, 4.1 BA | Finished LL 2 Car Detached Garage
1825 Long Pointe Drive Bloomfield Hills - $699,900 Premier lake living on all sports Upper Long Lake. 2585 SQ FT | 4 BR, 3.1 BA | Finished Walk-out LL 2 Car Attached Garage
10120 Heartwood Road Clarkston - $699,900 Country setting with all its natural beauty and seclusion. 4000 SQ FT | 6 BR, 3.1 BA | Partially Finished LL 3 Car Attached Garage
Sue Lozano
248.421.7313 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
slozano@signaturesothebys.com
John, Bridget & Jack Apap Top 1% Nationally Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com
Lara J. Forte Loan Officer NMLS # 1169665 T: 248-912-9031 C: 248-284-5178 41820 Six Mile Road Northville MI 48168
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
LForte@mbmortgage.com
Featured Homes
7106 Old Mill Road
695 Shepardbush Street
Bloomfield Hills | $1,348,000
Birmingham | $1,349,000
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895 Harsdale Road
531 Brookside Avenue
Bloomfield Hills | $1,875,000
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John, Bridget & Jack Apap Top 1% Nationally Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com
Ken Mascia NMLS #135323 Prime Capital Mortgage Corp. 36400 Woodward Ave, Suite 122 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 kmascia@primecapitalmortgage.com
248-644-1200 248-644-1201 (f)
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
Featured Homes CY
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1291 Suffield Avenue
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600 Waddington Street
1099 N Cranbrook Road
Bloomfield Village | $1,299,900
Bloomfield Village - $1,199,000
John, Bridget & Jack Apap Top 1% Nationally Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com
Lynn Wiand Senior Residential Loan Officer
NMLS 394920 Office 248-918-5964 eFax 248-918-5792 Cell 248-228-4805
INDEPENDENT BANK 201 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 201 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009 Troy, MIÂ 48084
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550 Watkins Street
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Ranked #1 Family In Real Estate In Michigan
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1901 Kenwood Court
957 Bloomfield Woods
Bloomfield Village | $1,299,000
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2231 Lost Tree Way
2625 Elizabeth Lane
999 Norfolk Street
Bloomfield Hills | $434,900
West Bloomfield | $409,900
Birmingham | $375,000
Lynn Wiand Senior Residential Loan Officer
NMLS 394920 Office 248-918-5964 eFax 248-918-5792 Cell 248-228-4805
John, Bridget & Jack Apap Top 1% Nationally Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com
INDEPENDENT BANK 201 W. Big Beaver Rd. Suite 201 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009 Troy, MIÂ 48084
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New Construction - Birmingham - $2,795,000
New Construction - Birmingham - $2,395,000 - 5000 sf,
5600 sf, 5 bedrooms, 5.1 baths, finished lower level, 3 car garage
5 bedrooms, 6.1 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level
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1025 N. Glenhurst Drive
1186 Westwood Drive
New Construction
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885 Redding Road New Construction
Quarton Lake - $2,495,000 5,400 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 4 car garage, finished lower level
Birmingham - $2,395,000 5000 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.1 baths, finished lower level, 3 car garage
Birmingham - $1,149,000 3000 sf, 3 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, 1st Flr Master, 3 car garage
2609 Covington Place Bloomfield Village | $1,649,000
990 Wellsley Court, Bloomfield Hills Outstanding dream home built and designed with the utmost quality and attention to detail. Priced below the appraised value, this home is an incredible value! Ideally located at the end of a quiet and private court, this elegant home features exquisitely landscaped grounds with multi-tiered patios and walkways, and extensive use of crown moldings, wainscoting, hardwood flooring and granite. Two story Great room with wet bar and fireplace. Gourmet kitchen with spacious breakfast room, exquisite fully paneled Library, and a luxurious Master suite with vaulted ceiling and balcony. Walkout lower level with 2 fireplaces, and cherry kitchen, a full house generator, central vac and so much more. Available for sale fully furnished! Offered at $1,099,000
630 Kingsley Trail, Bloomfield Hills Stunning City of Bloomfield Hills colonial home in a park like setting on a 3/4 acre wooded lot. Completely remodeled house with all the modern updates and amenities. A large front porch and spacious entry foyer welcome you home! Beautiful living room with picture windows and plantation shutters, elegant dining room that opens into a new gourmet kitchen with granite counters, beautiful backsplash, new appliances and large eat-in space. The family room features a stone wall fireplace and large Anderson sliding doors that take you out to the patio to enjoy the private, scenic back yard. 1st floor laundry, hardwood floors, crown moldings and wood panels. Large recreation/TV room in the finished basement. Offered at $519,900
1225 Bird Avenue, Birmingham Gorgeous custom designed Downtown Birmingham home with open concept floor plan for today's modern buyer. With over 2800 square feet, this house has 4 bedrooms and 3 and a half baths. Large windows throughout this home allows sunlight to stream in. Features include gleaming hardwood floors, 5 layer crown moldings, 2 fireplaces, and a 3rd floor bonus room. This house shows like new construction and is in perfect condition. The lower level is completely finished with 11 foot ceilings, full bath, and a kitchen. Last, but not least, this home also features a finished studio above the garage with its own entrance that could be a home office, studio apartment, or nanny suite. Immediate occupancy, so do hurry! Offered at $699,900
Mia Bardy, Kathy Manoogian and Silvia Stan MKS@MiaKathySilvia.com 248. 805. 1892
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
EVERYTHING CAN STILL “FALL” INTO PLACE THIS YEAR! Franklin Village - $1,650,000 On nearly 3 acres within 1 mile of downtown Franklin Village 6 BR, 6.1 BA 6984 SQ Ft Walk-out LL 4 Car Attached Garage
Franklin Village - $1,195,000 2 Acre Ultra Private Estate 4 Bedroom 3.5 Bath Plus Brand new rear carriage house 3800 sq ft main 950 sq ft rear 3 Car Attached Garage
White Lake - $879,900 Totally renovated Feels like New Construction 113 feet on Round Lake Your own Private Sandy Beach 3 BR, 4.2 BA 5697 SQ FT 5 Car Attached Garage
Beverly Hills Village - $449,000 Great West Beverly Hills location with Birmingham Schools Wooded rear yard. 5 BR, 2.1 BA 3120 SQ FT Finished LL 2 Car Attached Gar
I just love Fall with beautiful colors, cooler weather and a relaxing "wind down" mentality ideal for getting things done and having fun in the process. Balance in life is everything and now is the time to still sell your home if it's something you really wanted to accomplish this year. There is still plenty of time and rates are awesome for buyers who still have not found the perfect home. Everything can still "Fall" into place this year!
Eva Morrow Associate Broker 248-320-9100
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
eva@signaturesothebys.com | www.MichiganHomes.net
Birmingham - $4,995,000 Exceptional new construction nestled on only remaining lot in Quarton Lake with views of the waterfall, lake, park & river. 5300 sq ft, 4 BR, 5.3 BA, 3 Car Attached Garage. cy
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Birmingham $2,599,000
Sterling Heights $239,000 ct
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Troy - $899,999 co-listor Pat O'Neill
All Star
Bloomfield Hills - $589,000 co-listor Marty Brown
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Walled Lake $169,900
Marketing a home requires unique skills, knowledge and resources that Signature Sotheby's International Realty offers its clients. I would welcome the opportunity to offer you a confidential marketing analysis.
Christine Drinkwater
Associate Broker
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248-318-4745
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
cdrinkwater@signaturesothebys.com
FACES Marcia Nodel or Marcia’s Munchies creator Marcia Nodel, her newly opened, 16,000 square foot facility in Inkster is full of possibilities. “I was standing on the edge of a cliff,” she says of her pickle business, which until recently operated out of a space one-eighth that size, first in Hamtramck and then in Warren. Her Sweet ‘N Sassy Pickles, Little Hotties spicy pickles, Cherry Pops pickled tomatoes and pickled asparagus are some of the products that she sells locally to Papa Joe’s, Plum Market, the Franklin Cider Mill and the soon-to-beopened Whole Foods in Birmingham, as well as through her website across the country. Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor even has a sandwich – Andy W’s High Fryer – that features the Little Hotties with crispy fried boneless Amish chicken. With the increased capacity and automation of the new facility, she now has distribution at all Kroger supermarkets throughout the state. “That’s something I’d never seen, my products going down the assembly line,” she says of the new opportunity afforded to her. But why pickles? Thirty-five years ago, when her son Jordan was little, Nodel learned how to can seasonal produce and make jams. She fell upon a recipe for bread and butter pickles that she eventually made her own. Every summer, she’d make some and give to friends. “I wasn’t Mother Earth. It was a hobby. I liked doing it, and it became the kind of thing where people liked it and expected it. For the Jewish holidays, I’d go around and drop some pickles and jams off, and I liked doing that.” It is also thanks to Jordan that Nodel stopped making caramel corn, one of her earliest “munchies,” when he was still a kid, as he complained it was bad for his teeth. Since then, she has focused on products with a longer shelf life. Eventually, says Nodel, about five to seven years ago, when many of her other friends were spending their afternoons playing cards, she formalized the business, which has since gone on to win the prestigious 2016 Good Food Awards, thanks to her use of local, natural ingredients free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). “I always knew you’re supposed to do what you do best. I knew how to make pickles.” Today’s consumers are particularly supportive of these types of products. “Ten years ago, if you saw a jar of pickles for $8, you’d keep walking. Today people realize the difference. They’re very conscious about quality food.” Nodel is out in the community testing her products and receiving feedback at stores like Plum. She also provides recipe cards for those who still think of pickles solely as a side for a sandwich. However, after spending all day in her industrial kitchen, Nodel no longer cooks for pleasure. The Birmingham resident has her family close by for a meal, as her son, daughter-inlaw, and granddaughter live in Birmingham as well. She marvels that “through osmosis, [Jordan’s] become a cook. He must have absorbed it somehow.” Plus, there’s the plethora of other options that come with her move downtown a few years ago. “If I go to CVS, Starbucks, the farmers market, of course all the restaurants, I’ll take the dog. It’s a great community.”
F
Story: Hillary Brody
Photo: Laurie Tennent
MICHAEL SBROCCA
WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING, YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO.
YOUR GO-TO GUY.
TRADITIONAL LUXURY IN BLOOMFIELD
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STATE HATE GROUPS 28 ORGANIZATIONS MAKE THE LIST OF THE SPLC
BY KEVIN ELLIOTT
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
This newly constructed home was designed to fit into the 1920’s neighborhood in which the existing house had seen better days. Our goal was to salvage and recycle as much material as possible from the old house. In fact, we had just one 30 yard dumpster and used all of the wood from the existing house as we built this beautiful new home with today's amenities.
WWW.KASTLERCONSTRUCTION.COM
248.655.5580 NEW CONSTRUCTION | HOME ADDITIONS | REMODELING Visit our new 2,000 square foot showroom at 425 S. Main Street Clawson, MI 48017
cross the country and throughout the state, hate is on the rise. Nationally, there were 917 hate groups identified in 2016 by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), up from 892 the previous year. Those figures include an additional nine such groups operating in Michigan, bringing the state’s number of hate groups to 28 in 2016. Those figures are part of the SPLC’s most recent Hate Map, which lists Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazi, white supremacist, black separatist and other hate groups by name and location in each state. The SPLC defines hate groups as any group that has beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics. The list was compiled using hate group publications and websites, citizen and law enforcement reports, field sources and news reports. Hate group activities can include criminal acts, marches, rallies, speeches, meetings, leafleting or publishing. To be included in the list, each hate group must have participated in at least one hate group activity in 2016. That means some of the additional groups added to the list – which includes four KKK groups, three anti-Muslim and one black separatist group – may have been in existence prior to 2016 but inactive in terms of monitoring. Between 2000 and 2016, the overall number of hate groups in Michigan rose from 14 to 28, with there being the most active groups in 2010 with 35 groups. That increase followed a national trend in the rise of hate groups since the turn of the century, driven in part by anger over Latino immigration and demographic projections showing that whites will no longer hold majority status in the country by about 2040. “That rise accelerated in 2009, the year President (Barack) Obama took office, but declined after that, in part because large numbers of extremists were moving to the web and away from on-the-ground activities,” the SPLC said. “In the last two years, in part due to a presidential campaign that flirted heavily with extremist ideas, the hate group count has risen again.” Included in the most recent rise are new numbers of “anti-Muslim,” black separatist and some other groups while others have declined. For instance, the number of NeoNazi groups in Michigan dropped from 11 in 2007 to four in 2016, due in part to larger groups essentially absorbing some smaller ones. The numbers reflect the actual number of groups in the state, not necessarily the number of members of any one group or category. Also, not all “groups” are actual groups, but
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may include a single individual, or a blog, website or business. For instance, NS Publications, based in Wyandotte, is listed by the SPLC as a Neo-Nazi hate group. The group is a website and online source of National Socialism materials available to purchase. The SPLC also has expanded the number of categories included in its hate map, bringing in additional groups that may have already been active. Deir Yassin Remembered was listed by the SPLC for the first time in 2016 as a Holocaust denial hate group active in Ann Arbor. However, Henry Herskovitz, an advisor on the group’s board, said he has been picketing outside of Ann Arbor’s Beth Israel Congregation for more than a dozen years, with another small local group he formed. Formerly an attendee of the congregation, Herskovitz said he began weekly protests in front of the synagogue after its leaders refused to let him share his photos and views of Palestine with the community after a visit to the region. The group’s name, Deir Yassin, is a reference to the former Palestinian Arab village where more than 100 people were massacred during the 1947-48 civil war. Herskovitz rejects the label of Holocaust denier, instead calling himself and the group “revisionists” who question specifics of the Jewish Holocaust. “None of the revisionists deny that there was widespread suffering in many communities. What they question is the socalled Final Solution that was meant to be ethnic cleansing and extermination,” he said. “They (revisionists) claim there was no homicidal gas chambers used by the Third Reich, and there were far fewer than six million deaths.” Herskovitz said while he’s never been a very religious person, he was raised in a very conservative Jewish home. He said he attended the Beth Israel Congregation for high holiday services from 1970 to 1985 because it brought back memories of his father. “There’s been so many claims about the Holocaust that have been proven false. ... But if these claims that I and many others were raised on are false, then it leads you to ask what else is false, and that leads you to almost question religion.” Earlier this year, Deir Yassin Remembered paid for a billboard near Whitmore Lake that stated, “America First Not Israel.” Outfront Media later called the billboard an “attack ad” and declined to run additional spots, Herskovitz said. Still, he said he doesn’t understand why the SPLC listed the group on the same map as the KKK and Neo-Nazis. “The only thing we hate is mendacity; that’s the whole thing that drives me,” Herskovitz said. “I’ve been lied to my whole life. ‘A land without a people (for a people without a land)’ – what a crock.” Radical Right expert Mark Potok, a former
senior fellow at the SPLC for 20 years prior to departing the center in March 2017 to work on independent projects, said violence or outright slurs alone aren’t qualifiers for a group to land on the SPLC’s Hate Map. “There is no official arbiter, at the end of the day; it’s a matter of opinion,” Potok said. “For the SPLC’s list, it’s a group that espouses doctrines that attack whole groups of people based on a class of characteristics that are unchangeable. The bottom line is that it’s strictly about ideology. Does a group in its writings and speeches of its leaders somehow say someone is less by virtue of their class characteristics? The basis is to understand that it’s not about violence or criminality, and that may be controversial in some minds.” With several of the groups rejecting the “hate group” label and disavowing violent ideologies, those on the list share a common bond, with each claiming to be victims of political correctness whose freedom of speech has been oppressed. Defending that right has become a rallying call for many landing on the SPLC’s map, with the latest battleground in Michigan. A recent lawsuit filed by Clinton Township attorney Kyle Bristow against Michigan State University (MSU) claims the school violated the constitutional rights of a Georgia State University student trying to plan a speech by a prominent white nationalist. Michigan State University denied renting the student accomodations to allow Richard Spencer, head of the National Policy Institute, to speak. The university said the decision wasn’t an attempt at censorship, but out of concern for the safety of its students. Spencer is credited with coining the term “alt right” as a mainstream description of white nationalist ideology being spread throughout college campuses across the country. While not the organizer, he has been considered key to the Unite the Right rally in August that left one person dead and several injured in Charlottesville, Virginia at University of Virginia. The rally is considered by white supremacists and the groups that monitor them to be the largest gathering of Neo-Nazis, KKK members, skinheads and other white nationalist groups in recent history. Michigan State University cited violence at the rally as cause for denying Spencer accommodations in East Lansing. “With the efforts on campuses, there’s a huge hubbub about free speech, and five universities have refused Richard Spencer, and now one is being sued,” Potok said. “These groups are quite cleverly using the battle as if it were some sophisticated discussion of free speech. I’m not arguing they shouldn’t have free speech, but it’s a cynical effort to make their voices louder than they already are.” Foundation for the Marketplace of Ideas is listed by the SPLC as a white nationalist website based in Clinton Township. Founded
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in March 2016, its self-described mission is to “educate the public about the freedoms guaranteed by the United States Constitution and people who and organizations which strive to usurp said freedoms.” Executive Director Kyle Bristow is the attorney who recently filed suit against MSU for denying a speaking engagement for white nationalist Richard Spencer, who is listed as one of the group’s board members. Bristow, who failed to return multiple requests for comment to Downtown newsmagazine, caught the attention of the SPLC while still an undergraduate student at MSU. He is also president of the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) group and served on the student government council. The SPLC said Bristow was recalled after pushing an agenda to capture undocumented immigrants in the area and cut school funding for non-heterosexual groups. As head of the YAF, he planned a “Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day,” a “Koran desecration contest” and led a “straight power” rally in front of Lansing City Hall where protesters held signs saying “End Faggotry” and “Go Back in the Closet.” In 2010, Bristow released “White Apocalypse,” his self-published “semifictional” novel based on a claim that North America was settled by European whites 17,000 years ago, but systematically murdered 5,000 years later by dark-skinned “Amerindians.” To expose the truth, the hero of the book – “a fiery lawyer” – battles in the courtroom and in the streets to squash the “Center for Diversity and Multiculturalism,” which, like the SPLC, maintains an active legal staff and hate group list. Potok said one of the book’s characters, David Greenberg, is based on a version of himself. In the book, Greenberg is described as an “oily, curly haired troll” who works for the Center for Diversity and Multiculturalism before his assassination by the novel’s hero. Laid out in graphic and bloody detail in the novel, the SPLC said Bristow denied the assassination description or that the victim are meant to represent Potok. American Freedom Law Center is an Ann Arbor-based law office that bills itself as “the national’s first truly authentic Judeo-Christian, public-interest law firm.” It was listed by the SPLC as a hate group for the first time in 2016 under the “anti-Muslim” category. “I’m a conservative Catholic and my colleague is an Orthodox Jew from New York. The very suggestion that we are a hate group is an absurdity,” said Robert Muise, the firm’s co-founder. “The Southern Poverty Law Center has a history of going after the KKK, but it has since taken a hard leftist view. They now go after anyone on the conservative right. They don’t like our viewpoint. They don’t like our politics, so they marginalize us and push us off to the fringe. All the SPLC does with their hard left, secular agenda is peddle lies about
organizations such as mine, and many others on the list. It’s an absolute absurdity what they are doing.” Muise, a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War, started a second career as an attorney in 2000. He joined New York attorney David Yerushalmi in 2012 to form the American Freedom Law Center. The SPLC specifically lists Yerushalmi as an anti-Muslim activist “who is a leading proponent of the idea that the United States is threatened by the imposition of Muslic religious law, known as “Shariah.” “For good or ill, the battle of America’s soul is being waged in courtrooms across America, pressed forward by secular progressives and sharia-advocating Muslim Brotherhood interests,” the firm states on its website. In its legal work, the firm is involved in free speech cases involving pro-life advocates and freedom of religion issues, including those pushing for extreme vetting for Islamist Sharia ideology. In March, the firm filed a civil rights suit against the city of Sterling Heights on behalf of residents opposing the construction of a mosque in the city. The firm, according to the SPLC, has also pushed for anti-Shariah laws in legislatures across the country, arguing that America has unique values of liberty and freedom that don’t exist in foreign legal systems. Muise, frustrated by the hate group designation, said it’s the SPLC who is the real hate group, a claim made by dozens of groups who have found themselves on the Hate Map. “They are the ultimate of hate groups. They hate our message and they hate our Christian view and hate our Orthodox Jewish message,” he asserted. “They are enemies of the First Amendment, and they are trying to shut us down by employing tactics like this. “Why not add Al Queda, ISIS and all the other terrorist groups to their list... Guess what, it’s the Muslims who are doing the global terrorism. Go on the FBI most wanted list right now. I’ll tell you what, none of them are conservative Christians. One is a Black Liberation Party person, and one is an environmentalist. I don’t see one conservative Christian on there.” Nationwide, the SPLC said there has been a 197-percent increase in anti-Muslim hate groups in the country from 2015 to 2016, and it has increased from just five in 2010 to 101 in 2016. ACT For America is one of the largest organizations listed by the SPLC as an antiMuslim hate group, with more than a quartermillion members and 1,000 chapters, including those in Detroit and Grand Rapids. In 2008, ACT began a campaign called “Stop Shariah Now,” which aimed to “inform and educate” the public about Shariah and how the group claims it’s creeping into American society and “compromising our
constitutional freedom of speech, press, religion and equality.” ACT worked with Yerushalmi prior to his formation of the American Freedom Law Center to draft antiShariah legislation, which has been passed in a handful of states. Founder and president of ACT for America, Brigette Gabriel, failed to respond to a request by Downtown newsmagazine for comment. Gabriel in the past has said the group was launched in response to the 9/11 attacks to educate officials on national security and defeating terrorism. In 2006, she released her book, “Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America.” The SPLC describes the book a call to action based on the “truth” behind Islam that Gabriel says she learned as a child during the civil war in Lebanon, essentially claiming the religion is inherently violent and that true believers cannot assimilate to American culture and society. Recently, Gabriel has attacked the “radical left” on the organization’s website, stating: “The radical left is organized and dangerous. From violent mobs trying to silence freedom of speech at our universities, to liberal judges endangering all of us by blocking the president from vetting refugees, to the complicit media pushing an anti-America, anti-national security and pro-Islamic, politically correct agenda. The leftist Islamic coalition is waging war against the rule of law and against you and me.” Secure Michigan, based in New Baltimore, operates the website www.securemichigan.org, which brands itself a refugee resettlement monitor that is “monitoring the fundamental transformation of America.” Listed by the SPLC as an antiMuslim hate group, the site is a local offshoot of Maryland activist Ann Corcoran’s blog, Refugee Resettlement Watch. A request for comment from the Michigan site didn’t receive a response. The Secure Michigan website’s domain is registered to Gary Kubiak of Shelby Township, who is the director of the southeast Michigan Tea Party. Phone and email messages left for Kubiak weren’t returned. Content on the website includes an interview with “anti-Islamic whistleblower” Philip Haney by Troy resident Janice Daniels, who was recalled as that city’s mayor in 2012 following anti-homosexual remarks she made to high school students. Secure Michigan also posted a link to Cocoran’s blog and a “Letter to Media” dated September 8, 2017, in which she and about 40 other representatives from SPLC-designated hate groups urge members of the media to ignore the SPLC and its “discredited” map. “To associate public interest law firms and think tanks with Neo-Nazis and the KKK is unconscionable, and represents the height of irresponsible journalism,” the letter states. “All
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reputable news organizations should immediately stop using the SPLC’s descriptions of individuals and organizations based on its obvious political prejudices.” Ku Klos Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Battle Creek is a local chapter of the Klan’s national headquarters in Lugoff, South Carolina. The group’s national website lists Wade Keegan as the Exalted Cyclops in the Battle Creek/Ann Arbor area. The site also lists Keegan as the group’s “National Kleagle,” or the member responsible for recruiting new members. Requests for comment to Keegan weren’t returned. The group describes itself on its website as “white Christian patriots” representing a traditional white klan who believes in the teachings of Jesus, but is against homosexuals. “Therefore, we do not hate,” the group states. Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, listed by the SPLC in Trenton, is a southeast Michigan chapter of the national group headquartered in Pelham, North Carolina. The group claims to be a new KKK that rejects the hate label, instead claiming to be a nonviolent, pro-white civil rights group. The group’s website isn’t functional. Great Lakes Knights of the Ku Klux Klan operates a website and lists its mailing address in Alpena. On its website the group describes itself as “a militant order of White Aryan patriots dedicated to living by the ‘14 words.” Coined by the leader of a white supremacist terrorist group who died in prison, the “14 words” phrase is a slogan adopted by the majority of white supremacist groups around the world, which states, “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The term, according to the Anti Defamation League, reflects the white supremacist worldview in the late 20th century and early 21st centuries that unless immediate action is taken, the white race is doomed to extinction by an alleged “rising tide of color” purportedly controlled and manipulated by Jews. The Great Lakes group states on its website that it’s a “brotherhood of politically motivated individuals” that welcomes both Christians and non-Christians and fully subscribes to National Socialism. Membership, the group states, is open to any “White Aryan individual who is proud of their heritage and ready to fight to preserve their race.” However, the site stipulates that members must be 18 or older and of “sound moral character,” specifically heterosexual, against race mixing and without “any type of record of sexual assault, animal abuse or other crimes deemed inexcusable.” Militant Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is listed by the SPLC in Alpena. A Twitter account for the national group describes itself as an action-oriented racial and political brotherhood that is inspired and motivated by the “heroic deeds and sublime beliefs of the
original KKK.” The group’s website listed on the Twitter page is void of any content. The last visible tweet by the group was made in November 2015, and states “it’s a scientific fact that the white race is superior.” Another tweet includes a photo of the Confederate flag with the words: “In 1861 we went to war over our rights. We have no problem doing it again. Remember that.” Other tweets urge people to march at rallies, such as one protesting a statue of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Stone Mountain, Georgia; and another promoting a march in Tupelo, Mississippi with the National Socialist Movement. National Socialist Movement (NSM), headquartered in Detroit, is considered to be the largest and most prominent Neo-Nazi group in the United States. Once known for its theatrical protests with members wearing full Nazi SS uniforms and swastika badges, the group has rebranded itself in recent years. However, the underlying ideology is rooted in a white supremacist view that aims for a nation of “pure white bred” citizens excluding full rights to Jews, homosexuals and any racially mixed occupants. Formerly the National Socialist American Workers Freedom Movement, leadership was passed to Jeff Schoep in 1994, who renamed it the National Socialist Movement. Going by the moniker “commander,” Schoep expanded the group’s membership by recruiting younger members and allowing members of other white supremacist groups to join. By 2009, the NSM had 61 chapters in 35 states. “I think Detroit is a pinnacle in the movement,” said Schoep, who said he moved a decade ago to the city. “With the economy crumbling and taking a big hit, Detroit has suffered a lot. Movements like ours tend to do well in areas like this because people are looking for answers, and they are tired of the Republican and Democrat stuff.” To broaden the group’s appeal to new members, Schoep said the NSM stopped using the swastika and Nazi dress in its official dress – symbols he said that raised questions from potentials recruits about German heritage requirements. “I don’t care if people call us Nazis, but we aren’t really,” Schoep said. “It had a negative connotation for a long time, but it has lost some luster. I don’t think it has the bite anymore that it used to. Now, people say if you voted for Donald Trump, you’re a Nazi. It doesn’t bother me, but I don’t like it – we are white nationalists.” Setting aside specific labels, the NSM has networked with other white supremacist groups that don’t necessarily subscribe to the National Socialist ideology. In April of 2016, the NSM and members of several KKK, racist skinhead and others groups met to form the Aryan National Alliance. “The name changed to the Nationalist
Front. We changed that in November last year to make it more inclusive. To make it more nationalist. That’s something we came up with to bring the groups together,” Schoep said. “In Charlottesville, we weren’t organizers there, but we did participate. We brought in Nationalist Front groups for that as well.” Online, NSM maintains a comprehensive website featuring the group’s newsletter, downloadable leaflets for printing and distribution and field reports from NSM chapters. In 2007, the group purchased “New Saxon,” a white supremacist social networking site. The group also operates its own record label, NSM88 Records, which the SPLC has labeled as its own hate group. For all the effort, Schoep said, the NSM and other white nationalist groups, as well as he himself, have been targeted by groups trying to censor their message, particularly since the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. He noted the fate of “Stormfront,” a leading white supremacist website that was forced off the world wide web by its commercial host. More recently, credit card companies blacklisted NSM and other white nationalists groups, making it impossible for them to conduct credit card transactions through their websites, Schoep said. “I have been put on something called the ‘match list’ by MasterCard, meaning I am blacklisted from running any sort of business that accepts credit cards, so my business NSM88 Records can no longer accept credit cards. I do have mainstream businesses that also sells things, but nothing to do with white nationalism, and since my name is on the list, my other business is basically run into the ground,” he said. “Ninety-nine percent of all our business is done through credit cards for both companies, and business is what I know, and what I do for a living, so they have now robbed me of my ability to make a living.” Schoep claims he and other white nationalists are the victims of “political persecution,” and “racial profiling against white people who take an active political stand that certain people do not like or agree with.” “Like our politics or hate it, this is so evil and wrong on any and every level, and I’m not the only one affected by this, almost all of the other nationalist companies I know of in the USA, including newspaper publishers and book publishers have been hit with this same problem.” While the First Amendment protects even deeply offensive and hateful speech, the law only prohibits censorship by the government, said Professor Len Niehoff, a professor of First Amendment law at the University of Michigan Law School. “Private individuals and entities censor things all the time,” he said. “For example, a private employer is generally free to fire an employee for saying things on social media
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that embarrass the employer. A government has less latitude to do so. “That’s why private entities are free to decide they don’t want to do business with neo-Fascists and similar organizations. GoDaddy is not a government entity and is free to refuse to continue a domain based on the speech there.” Gallows Tree Wotansvol Alliance, headquartered in Grand Rapids, is identified by SPLC as an active Neo-Nazi group with members in at least nine other states. Calling itself a religious tribe, the group uses the beliefs of Wotansvolk, a Nordic pagan religion founded in the 1990s in-part by white supremacist leader David Lane. The group’s leader, Mike Peterson, has denied in media reports that Neo-Nazi ideology is connected to the group, despite the use of a modified swastika in the group’s symbol. Clarifying his remarks, Peterson said on the group’s website that he embraced white supremacy during a nine-year prison sentence he served as a means for protection from other violent, racially-based gangs. “People that have been to prison have a different set of experiences than what you have. We have met true evil and I have made it a life goal of mine to help people succeed back into society with my outreach efforts,” he said. “This environment followed me out. It was ingrained in me. I had a few bumps trying to merge back into normal society. I carried with me a lot of racial and territorial type elements with me. They weighed on me as I tried to adapt to my new environment.” The American Nazi Party is a white power, Neo-Nazi group based in Westland. Claiming to be from the same party founded in 1960s that subscribed to the ideals and policies of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party, the party subscribes to the “14 Words” and the core belief in the “struggle for Aryan racial survival” and “social justice for white working class people.” Requests for comment to the group’s leader, Rocky Suhayda, weren’t returned. A longtime figure in the white supremacy movement known for his extreme rhetoric, Suhayda has said in the past he once represented a Livonia chapter of the KKK. He has also ran unsuccessful attempts for public office in that city’s school district and city council. White Rabbit Radio, is a website dedicated to “exposing white genocide,” and operated by Timothy Murdock, of Dearborn Heights, who the SPLC said in 2013 is an “avowed anti-Semite” who lives in his parents’ basement, where he says he cares for his terminally ill mother. Murdock failed to respond to a request for comment for this article. Murdock is the creator of “Horus the Avenger’s Follow the White Rabbit, an online allegory patterned after Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a cartoon he publishes on the
website. The idea behind the “white genocide” proposition is that white people are being subjected to a genocide that will ultimately wipe out their race. The site also features a podcast and subscription service. The Social Contract Press (TSCP) in Petoskey is identified by the SPLC as an antiimmigrant, white nationalist hate group for its routine publishing of race-baiting articles written by white nationalists. The SPLC said the group is a program of U.S. Inc., a foundation created by John Tanton, a principal ideologue of the nativist movement. “The TSCP puts an academic veneer of legitimacy over what are essentially racist arguments about the inferiority of today’s immigrants,” the SPLC said. The White Boy Society, which the SPLC said operates throughout Michigan, describes itself on its webpage as a “white brotherhood aimed towards bikers.” Characterized by the SPLC as a white nationalist hate group, the white boys state they are dedicated to uniting “brothers with similar beliefs and ideologies” but isn’t a hate group or supremacy group. “We do not want nor intend to rule supreme over any other race or culture,” the group states on its website. “We know that if the white race is to survive, we must separate and rule over our own destiny.” Core to that goal, the group said, is the opposition of all outsourcing of American jobs, employers that hire illegal aliens to take American jobs and “all media that is detrimental to our children.” Specifically, the group opposes any magazine, newspaper, television show, movie, radio program or website that “constantly shoves black culture down our throats and promotes race mixing with our white children.” The Northern Hammerskins, based in Detroit, is a regional chapter of the Hammerskin Nation racist skinhead group. Self-described as a “leaderless group” of men and women who have adopted the white power skinhead lifestyle, the Hammerskin Nation is considered one of the best organized racist skinhead groups in existence. The SPLC describes the Hammerskin Nation as the “most widely dispersed and most dangerous” Skinhead group known. Hammerskins first emerged in the 1980s as the Dallas-based Confederate Hammerskins, then considered street gangs. Through its growth and the development of a national presence, the group formed additional chapters around the country, absorbing smaller skinhead groups along the way. The Northern Hammerskins chapter was created about 1988 when one of the former Confederate Hammerskin leaders moved to Detroit, eventually picking up locally established crews, such as Detroit Area Skin Heads (DASH), according to the Hammerskin Nation’s website. Now a dominant racist skinhead group in
the country, Hammkerskin Nation and the Northern Hammerskin members are known for violent crimes both inside and out of the prison system. Requests for comment through the group’s national website weren’t returned. Yahweh’s Truth in Linwood is categorized by the SPLC as a hate group led by minister James Wickstrom, which the center said “may be America’s hardest-line preacher of the racist and anti-Semitic movement of Christian Identity.” The movement’s theology is based in the belief that the return of Jews to Israel is essential to the fulfillment of end-time prophecy. Known for his violent, raging sermons calling for the extermination of Jews, Wickstrom is a former tool salesman who once protested the Vietnam War on grounds it was being fought for “Jew bankers,” according to the SPLC. In the past, he has been a popular speaker at Neo-Nazi gatherings. Today, he broadcasts Yahweh’s Truth, a weekly internet radio program. “Thank you for writing, but I am not interested in any interview with you at any time, nor in the future,” Wickstrom responded to Downtown newsmagazine’s request for comment. TC (Traverse City) Family, labeled by the SPLC as an anti-LGBT hate group, is a nonprofit organization claiming to “defend family” in Traverse City and Northwest Michigan. The group’s founder, Bill Wiesner, said he exposes the agenda of adult homosexualists who are promoting dangerous homosexual behavior to our K-12 children. As the sole operator of TC Family, Wiesner said he has handed out about 8,000 pamphlets on the dangers of the LGBT lifestyle. “I’m mostly doing it on my own, he said. “I have given hand-outs at (city) commission meetings, school board meetings, human rights commission meetings, and I send them to the local press,” he said. “I’ve been doing it on the street since about 2007. I’ve never harmed anyone. I’ve had my signs attacked three times.” Wiesner has been kicked out of several public meetings for sharing anti-LGBT comments. In April 2016, several Traverse City city commissioners walked of their own meeting while Wiesner spoke during the public comment portion. Referencing his own experience and the writings of other anti-LBGT activists, Wiesner typically blends opinion and religion, along with what he considers facts on health and wellnes, to craft his message. “I was part of the sexual revolution back in the 1960s and 70s, until I devoted my life to God in 1975,” he said. “I lived through it, and I didn’t find anything to me that was good about it.” Wiesner said his message isn’t one of hate, rather it’s about sharing “the truth.”
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“We don’t hate, we love them enough to share the truth in love. It’s not hateful to tell the truth,” he said. “No matter how wellmeaning a person is, those who say they are so-called ‘allies,’ they are not real allies if it’s not based in truth.” The Nation of Islam, with chapters in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Benton Harbor, is designated by the SPLC as a Black Separatist hate group. Founded in 1930, the Nation of Islam is one the best known organized hate groups in black America, and subscribes to a theology of innate black superiority over whites and racist, anti-Semitic, anti-gay rhetoric, the SPLC said. The Nation of Islam teaches that intermarriage or race mixing should be prohibited, a point specifically made on its official platform, published in 1965. The SPLC said the groups’s leader, Louis Farrakhan, has been willing to tie himself to authoritarian and violent repressive foreign leaders for the sake of furthering black and Islamic administrators worldwide. In general, the SPLC states that black separatists oppose integration and racial intermarriage, and desire separate institutions, or in some cases a separate nation, for blacks. While some forms of black separatism are strongly anti-white and antiSemitic, not all are. Others are religious versions that assert that blacks are the “chosen people” of God. The Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK) is headquartered in Darby, Pennsylvania, with a local chapter in Detroit. The group holds the belief that American blacks are descendants of the 12 Tribes of Israel, along with Hispanics and Native Americans. The SPLC categories the ISUPK as a black separatist hate group. Captain Labon Yahawabah, with the Detroit chapter of the ISUPK, said the SPLC’s designation as a hate group is about trying to silence the group’s speech. “Our message to black people is that it’s time to wake up out of stupor,” he said. “The message from (Martin Luther King, Jr.) was that if we just love, we would receive that back. We express that on how we support other nations, but we receive no love back.” Yahawabah said the ISUPK urges blacks to support blacks on philosophical and economic levels. He said supporting black-owned businesses in a majority-black city is one example of separation. Blacks also need to separate their religion from traditional Christian beliefs, which means separating black holidays from traditional American holidays, he said. “From a religious point of view, America describes the devil as being a beast of the kind with horns, but the Bible says hell is captivity. Under that, the monster would do things that we’ve experienced in America – all the things the Bible describes as hell,” he said.
“So, when we say the white man is the devil, we mean he is the deceiver... they see that as hate speech.” Israel United In Christ, according to the SPLC, is national black separatist group with a chapter in Detroit. Founded in 2003, the group subscribes to a black Hebrew Israelite theology, similar to that of the Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge, in that black Americans and Hispanics are the biblical 12 Tribes of the Nation of Israel. The group states disobedience to God’s laws have been the root of all its members troubles, calling for racial, social and economic change based on separatism. The Black Riders Liberation Party is headquartered in Los Angeles with a local group operating in Detroit. The SPLC designates the group as a black separatist hate group. The group was unable to be reached for an interview prior to the publication of this article. The group’s website describes the Black Riders Liberation Party (BRLP) as a “new generation of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense,” with its roots in the California prison system. From the group’s California-based website, the main focus of the BRLP has been “organizing to educate the masses of Afrikan people in this country and all throughout the diaspora, to stop beging this system for freedom and to just take it.” All Eyes on Egipt Bookstore has several bookstores across the country, including one in Detroit, which has been designated a black separatist hate group by the SPLC. The stores are operated by the Nuwaubian Nation of Moors. Nuwaubianism, the SPLC said, is best understood as a cult that promotes a bizarre and complicated ‘theology.’ In its description of Nuwaubians, the SPLC says the group mixes black supremacist ideas with worship of the Egyptians and their pyramids; a belief in UFOs and various conspiracies related to the Illuminati and the Bilderbergers; and the belief that Nuwaubianismnot isn’t a theology, but a “factology,” also called “Right Knowledge” and other names. Founded in 1970, the SPLC states the group’s leader, Dwight York, took advantage of his followers by sexually abusing their children and conning the adults out of their possessions. In 2004, York was sentenced to 135 years in prison for child molestation and other crimes. While there are more than two dozen designated hate groups operating in Michigan, the level of monitoring by law enforcement isn’t released to the public, with the FBI’s Detroit office declining to comment on investigation activity. “The FBI investigates activity which may constitute a federal crime or pose a threat to national security. Our focus is not on membership in particular groups or adherence
to particular ideologies or beliefs, but on criminal activity,” said Timothy Wiley, public affairs officer for the FBI’s office in Detroit. “The FBI cannot initiate an investigation based solely on an individual’s race, ethnicity, national origin, religion or the exercise of the First Amendment or other Constitutional rights, and we remain committed to protecting those rights for all Americans.” Other groups, such as the SPLC and the Anti Defamation League, however, are able to gather information about hate groups in ways that law enforcement can’t, said Heidi Budaj, regional director for the Anti Defamation League (ADL). “Law enforcement is bound by certain laws, for instance they can’t follow someone on social media or other online places unless they have a reason. We aren’t bound by that,” she said. “If we see someone is moving toward some kind of action, we inform law enforcement.” Budaj said they began following two young people in a Detroit-area chartrooms a couple of years ago who were following ISIS and were trying to join the terrorist group. “They said if they couldn’t join ISIS, they would bring ISIS here,” she said. “At that point, we informed law enforcement and they brought them in.” Monitoring is just part of the work the ADL does, which is the largest nongovernmental trainer of law enforcement in the country. But Budaj said that just because a group isn’t committing a crime doesn’t mean citizens shouldn’t be concerned. People who espouse these kinds of ideologies – anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant and homophobic beliefs – are more willing to use hate speech than we have seen in a long, long time,” she said. “One of the things I do is take complaints. We used to get two or three calls a month that would be egregious enough for us to get involved. Now, we get two or three every day. And every day I say there is no way I could hear something worse than the day before, and I do.” With the increase of protected hate speech is an increase of hate group membership, with the groups taking more mainstream recruiting efforts in an attempt to appeal to socially isolated kids or those tired or white students tired of hearing about white privilege. However, rather than attempting to censor hate speech, Budaj said it should be countered with the type of speech that reminds people we are nation of immigrants. “We as a society have to look at what we are teaching our children. If they are being exposed to hate speech in our homes or among their peers, we are doing a great disservice to them,” she said. “They will be working in diverse organizations with diverse team members. If we don’t give them the tools to work with others who are different, it will hold them back, not just society.”
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Glen Michaels orld-renowned architectural sculptor Glen Michaels is a character…both literally and figuratively. His good friend, the late Elmore Leonard, named a character after him in his mystery novel, “Out of Sight.” “But Elmore told me he purposely spelled my first name with two n’s so I wouldn’t sue him,” Michaels says. Born in Spokane, Washington in 1927, the Birmingham resident says he started taking piano lessons when he was just six years old. “And I was always doing drawings while in grade school. I had a talented aunt who was a costume designer and she would often take me sketching,” he says. “Painting and drawing was a natural thing in my family.” After he was released from the Army, the GI Bill of Rights gave Michaels the means to study piano at Yale University, but after two years there “I decided I was interested in creating drawings, not music,” he says. In 1956, at the recommendation of a friend, Michaels enrolled at the Cranbrook Academy of Art and received an MFA in painting one year later. From 1958 to 1965, he supervised the academy’s workshops for kids six to eighteen years old. Eventually, when Michaels concluded he didn’t really enjoy creating traditional still life paintings any more, a visit to a local dump turned out to be serendipitous. “I found all kinds of collectible things that I took home to my apartment in Birmingham,” he says. “And once I put hundreds of tiles on their edges, leaning against each other, I discovered it created shadows quite like the motion of undulating waves.” Glen’s most recent major piece, a spectacular sculpture completed in 2014, is located above a fireplace in the lobby of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. Approximately 14 feet long, it consists of
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mosaic tiles that are topped with industrial glass rods and other collage materials, including peacock feathers, gold leaf, wooden pieces cut out by a toymaker, wooden cigar molds, fused glass, square brass rods that have been highly polished and waxed, iridescent glass, shale, several pieces of wood that have a leathered look and are enhanced with paint, pieces of Tiffany glass that have been saved for him by local antique dealers and reglets (wood spacers used to set up type.) “I cut most of these pieces by hand,” Michaels says. “And I have the scars to prove it.” Another fascinating sculpture, a fourteen by five foot assemblage called “Medieval Tapestry,” graces the front stairway of Birmingham’s Baldwin Public Library. By backing the piece with a specially constructed curved armature, Michaels was able to give it the same beautiful waving quality that is commonly found in medieval tapestries. On the other end of the spectrum, innumerable smaller sculptures by Michaels can be found dwelling in both homes and corporations throughout the United States. Just recently, on April 7th, the Scarab Club, the renowned 110-year old artist’s club, gallery and studio located in Midtown Detroit, honored Glen by asking him to sign one of the wooden ceiling beams located in their second floor lounge. Previous signers include Diego Rivera, Norman Rockwell, Eliel Saarinen, Marshall Fredericks, Marcel Duchamp and Balthazar Korab. And on October 6th, Michaels will be the recipient of the 2017 Birmingham Cultural Arts Award. When asked to name his favorite sculpture, Michaels replied: “Whatever is the most recent is always my favorite.” Story: Judith Harris Solomon
Photo: Laurie Tennent
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MUNICIPAL RFP for major city project to be sent
Equinox coming to old BMW dealership By Lisa Brody
By Lisa Brody
After grappling for several years with a shortage of parking, and recognizing an opportunity to redevelop the site at Bates and where the N. Old Woodward parking structure currently stands for residential, commercial, and retail while building a new and expanded parking garage in Birmingham, the city commission unanimously approved on Monday, September 11, having staff issue a request for proposal (RFP) to four firms they have pre-qualified to bid on its redevelopment. 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 is to solicit creative and innovative development plans from the 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 gain of 380 parking spaces in addition to replacing the 770 parking spaces currently on the N. Old Woodward / Bates Street site, plus 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. Currently, all of the land is owned by the city of Birmingham, but commissioners noted they are open to selling a small portion of it to a developer, or leasing it. To sell any city land, approval would first need to go before voters, per the city of Birmingham’s charter. A lease to a developer would not have to go before voters, city manager Joe Valentine said. In March, a request for qualifications (RFQ) had gone out from the city to solicit developers, engineers, architects and other interested firms in pursuing its redevelopment. Birmingham planner Jana Ecker said the city received submittals from four development teams, which were reviewed by staff, with all four meeting the qualifications contained in the RFQ. City attorney Tim Currier then reviewed their financial documentation to determine if they were also financially qualified, and determined downtownpublications.com
quinox Health Center Club of New York City will be renovating and taking over the former site of Erhard BMW Bloomfield on Maple just east of Telegraph in Bloomfield Township, making it the first Equinox location in Michigan. In a special land use/site plan application to the township, the company, which operates 85 full-service clubs throughout the United States, Canada and UK, stated, “Equinox is the leading operator of upscale, full service health clubs offering fully integrated fitness, spa and retail services in a multi-site format. Equinox has a disciplined and thoughtful approach to growth that has led to its success and strong track record, having never closed a location in its over 25 years of trade.” The Bloomfield Township site, at 4065 W. Maple Road, will occupy approximately 37,298 square feet of the 47,000 square feet of the existing building, which will have the exterior renovated, with a repaved parking lot, and new landscaping and lighting. The interior will be completely rebuilt to Equinox standards. An Equinox representative noted the building is especially ideal for renovation because it has no interior columns as decades ago it was Strike ‘N Spare bowling alley. The proposed fitness club will be completed to have open fitness and exercise areas for cardio, strength and stretching; fitness studios; lounge and relaxation areas; a lap swimming pool; a retail area and cafe selling related sportswear, accessories, snacks and drinks; and ancillary spaces such as locker rooms, showers, spa treatment rooms and laundry. It will be open daily. “Equinox is an experience, where the science of fitness meets the art of living. In everything we do, we create the possibility for people to maximize their potential within themselves,” the company said in their statement. “Membership at Equinox will be extended to any individual seeking an elevated fitness experience in a high energy, healthy and upscale environment. It is envisaged that the club will appeal to the professional office workers and residents in the immediate area with the aim of attracting a balanced split between men and women.”
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they all met the criteria. In July, a meeting of the ad hoc parking development committee determined all four were qualified to proceed to the next phase, and directed staff to develop an RFP, which they reviewed at their meeting on September 6. The committee requested some changes, to draw attention to the public plaza requirements, to have developers reference the city’s alleys and passages plan, and to highlight the desire for a public parking structure that can be repurposed for other uses. The RFP states, in part, that they are seeking a new parking structure with a minimum of 1,150 parking spaces; 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; a residential building on the north end of the site, which can take advantage of the existing views in the area. All four of the development groups, which mayor Mark Nickita said include parking consultants, developers, architects, designers and consultants, have begun working on the RFP, which will be due back to the city on January 3, 2018. The city would like to approve a final development plan by January 2019.
Howard Hanna buys Cranbrook Realtors Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, with an office in Birmingham, has acquired Cranbrook Realtors, owned by Mitch and Elaine Wolf. The announcement was made this week by Howard “Hoby” Hanna, thirdgeneration owner of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
DOWNTOWN
Cranbrook Realtors, with 70 agents, has a Birmingham office, at 555 S. Old Woodward, and a Franklin office, located at 32440 Franklin Road, representing homes throughout the area, from Bloomfield and Birmingham to Novi, Northville and Waterford. Hanna said they will be keeping both Cranbrook offices, “and in the coming months we will convert them to Howard Hanna offices, and teach them about some of our marketing, technology and sales processes. One thing we’ll be introducing to them is our 100 percent money back guarantee, where if in the first year of owning a house, if the buyer isn’t happy, we’ll buy it back. It’s a very unique offer. I believe we’re the only one in the country to offer this. “They’re a great company,” Hoby Hanna said of Cranbrook Realtors and the Wolfs. “We plan to bring some marketing advances and technology to them, and help them update their sales. There has been quite an evolution with the internet, relocation sales, marketing, and the use of technology.” Howard Hanna came into the Michigan marketplace about four years ago with the acquisition of real estate offices in Ann Arbor and Jackson, and they opened an independent office in Birmingham approximately a year ago. With the acquisition of Cranbrook Realtors and expansion in the Birmingham-Bloomfield-Franklin market, “Hopefully, it will be a springboard for more growth in the metro Detroit market,” Hoby Hanna said. “We are family, it’s the culture Cranbrook Realtors was built on. This family motto has kept our agents with us,” Mitch Wolf said. “We listened to the values of Howard Hanna and knew this was a match. As the real estate industry continues to evolve and change, it was clear to me that the integrity, family values and innovative technology of Howard Hanna was the right direction for Cranbrook Realtors." Howard Hanna Real Estate Services began in Pittsburgh in 1957 by Howard Hanna, now 97, “and still with us, although he is no longer engaged with the company,” said Hoby Hanna. It has grown and expanded to eight states, from Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina and West Virginia. “We’ve grown to be the third largest real estate company in the country,” Hoby Hanna said. 95
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Trott decides to not run for re-election By Lisa Brody
n a surprise announcement Monday, September 11, Rep. David Trott, a Republican representing Michigan’s 11th District in Congress, announced that he will not be running for a third term in 2018. Trott, a Birmingham attorney and businessman, is in his second term representing a sprawling district that includes Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Clawson, Commerce Township, Walled Lake, West Bloomfield, Waterford, White Lake, Wixom, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Lake Angelus, Livonia, Lyon Township, S. Lyon, Milford Township, Highland Township, Novi, Plymouth and Canton. In his statement, he cited a desire to return to the private sector. He was first elected after defeating, in the 2014 August primary, fellow Republican Congressman Kerry Bentivolio, who won the district in 2012 after then incumbent Thaddeus McCotter was found to have fraudulent petition signatures. “When I initially ran for Congress, I expressed my desire to serve as a citizen legislator in Washington. Our country’s Founding Fathers envisioned a government where citizens leave private life, serve for a brief time, and then return home to their communities,” Trott said in his statement. “It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve the people of southeast Michigan in Congress. Representing the Eleventh District has been an honor, but I have decided not to seek reelection in 2018. This is not an easy decision, but after careful consideration, I have decided the best course of action for me is to spend more time with my family and return to the private sector.” Prior to running for Congress, Trott was a partner in the Trott & Trott law firm, which specializes in foreclosures and bankruptcy issues, Attorneys Title Agency LLC, Detroit Legal News, Trott Recovery Services, Dietz Trott Sports & Entertainment and part owner of Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel real estate firm. He is a graduate of Cranbrook Schools, University of Michigan and Duke University Law School. Trott is a lifelong Oakland County resident who said he has supported numerous local, state and national candidates who “embrace our conservative values.” Trott said he first became involved with conservative politics as a high school student, when he updated voting lists for then-Oakland County Republican Chair, now former Congressman Joe Knollenberg. While attending University of Michigan, he volunteered for state Sen. Don Bishop in Lansing, and after graduating, he worked for Rep. Bill Broomfield (R-Royal Oak) in Washington D.C. Since early 2017, Trott has been under fire in the district from Democrats and some independents for not holding town halls or responding to calls for action within the district. Democrat Haley Stevens, a former chief of staff for President Obama’s Auto Task Force, has filed to run for the seat, and has repeatedly called Trott out for his support of President Trump and Republican policies. Trott’s district has also been listed as a target by a couple of Democrat organizations. In August, Trott told Downtown Publications that the president had been unhelpful with health care and administration infighting was distracting from the Republican agenda. “He’s certainly not providing any kind of leadership, and it’s undermining our ability to pass the agenda,” Trott said. “The president needs to act presidential, or we’re going to work without him on bipartisan solutions, and he can sign or veto them.” Trott did not return calls as to his future plans, but word is that local Republicans are lining up to compete for his seat. As word spread that Trott was not running, potential candidate names included State Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills), son of former Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R ), who used to represent the 9th District, which included part of the 11th District. Knollenberg was reportedly working the phones to line up both support and money. Also reportedly eager to go after the seat is state Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township, West Bloomfield) of the 39th District, who is term-limited. He is the first Chaldean American to hold a state House seat. Former state Rep. Rocky Raczkowski and Lena Epstein, who had previously announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate, both announced they were running for the seat. Another term-limited politician Republicans believe may be interested, and who could muster popular support in the district, is state Sen. Mike Kowall (White Lake), who has said he will run for Secretary of State. In an ironic twist of fate, Kowall had registered for the Congressional seat in 2012, against McCotter, but bowed out at the request of the Oakland County Republican Party who wanted McCotter to have minimal opposition, leaving only Bentivolio running against him in the primary. Just one week later, McCotter was forced out of the campaign and his seat in Congress in the signature forgery scandal, leaving Bentivolio as the “accidental Congressman.” Kowall said he was considering running for the seat.
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Nino Salvaggio receives approval The Nino Salvaggio Grocery Store planned for the Bloomfield Plaza at Telegraph and Maple in Bloomfield Township received site plan and special land use approvals from the board of trustees at their meeting on Monday, August 28. The long vacant Kroger location at 6592 Telegraph Road will now be occupied by Nino Salvaggio Grocery Store. At the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting, Patti Voelker, planning, building, and ordinance director said they were looking to do minor site modifications to the store, with interior and exterior renovations that will include improvements to the facade, the addition of a new truck well, a significant new entranceway in the rear of the plaza with a landscaped island, and a revised parking and traffic circulation area in the back. “Even with a decrease in parking, pedestrian access to the store will be maintained, and it will encourage many of the tenants from the rear (to utilize the rear area),” said Voelker. “It was found to be satisfactory by Mr. Labadie,” referring to township traffic consultant Mike Labadie. Voelker said the store was also looking to have an SDD license, to permit it to sell beer, wine and possibly liquor. Currently, Trader Joe’s and SavOn Drugs in the plaza also sell beer, wine and liquor, and the use would be compatible. “This has been four years in the making to get to this point. We’re very happy,” said Roman Bonislawski of Ron and Roman design firm. “We’ve looked at what was a very important center in the township...it was once the fashion center in the township. We want to bring it back to the standard it deserves.” “We’re excited to have you here,” said supervisor Leo Savoie. The opening of Nino Salvaggio is scheduled to be around March 1, 2018.
Now six candidates in Bloomfield Hills Where there were once four candidates, there are now six for the five open seats for Bloomfield Hills City Commission, after four incumbents filed for five of those seats and two candidates filed as write-in candidates, which is
permissible until 10 days before an election, which this year is Tuesday, November 7. The two write-in candidates are Bloomfield Hills resident Mark Kapel, a retired advertising executive who has run unsuccessfully for commission before, and William Hosler, a municipal and real estate attorney who is a current member of the city’s planning commission and a former member of the zoning board of appeals. They join candidates, and incumbent commissioners, Mike Coakley, Susan McCarthy, Sarah McClure and Stuart Sherr. Incumbent commissioner Michael Dul decided to step aside from the commission to focus on his business. A few years ago, a staggered system of electing commissioners was replaced with electing the entire board every two years.
Building for Varsity Shop site approved The iconic site of the Varsity Shop at the corner of Pierce and Merrill streets in downtown Birmingham, vacant for the last few years after a pipe burst and the long-time sporting goods store relocated to Adams Square, received approval from the Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, August 23, for a fivestory mixed use building. Final site plans and design review of the building, designed by architect Victor Saroki and owned by developer Kojaian Management Company, were submitted to the planning board for a 27,000 square foot, five-story building that would feature retail on the first and second floors, office space, and a penthouse apartment. In addition, Saroki designed a lower level recreation unit, currently proposed as a bowling alley, which is a residential use, and a two-car garage for residents at the rear of the first floor, off of the alley. The final site plan was approved by the planning board as proposed, and does not need to go before the city commission. However, in order to add the lower level recreation unit, the developer and architect will need to go for a variance before the city’s board of zoning appeals, planner Matt Baka said, as residential uses are not permitted in lower levels. Baka said they could still pull permits and begin construction while they seek the variance.
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4376 OAK GROVE DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS
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Indulge in your own private lake front oasis on serene Wing Lake uniquely situated just a short distance to all the prestigious amenities of downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills. Nestled on 100 x 400 lot this custom residence offers 7,621 square feet of total living space, & open plan with windowed walls that envelop tranquil lake views & lush manicured landscape. Dramatic 2 story entrance leads to gentleman’s library lined with maple built ins & oversize dining room. Just complete center island chef’s kitchen opens to sitting area, command center, butlers pantry, family room, and enormous sun porch Retreat to master suite complete with sitting area, walk in closets and spa bath. Spectacular 2,500 walk-out lower level features family room, fitness room, full kitchen and recreation space. Pristine patios, paths, fire-pit, sandy beach, private dock, professional gardens, and generator complete this unique integration of elegance & comfort.
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3 Beds | 2.2 Bathrooms | 2,748 Sq. Ft. | $995,000
Total renovation all new construction awaits new family to move in & enjoy immediately. This home has it all from a welcoming 2 story entrance, to a gourmet center island kitchen that opens fully to family room & cozy breakfast nook.
Chic and elegant design incorporating the utmost in quality construction this residence is perfectly set just a short walk to the heart of Birmingham. Over 3,000 sq. ft. of flawless & functional open floor plan, beautiful master en suite & finished lower level.
210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.310.1414
Experience the Difference Between an Agent and an Expert 248.310.1414 | ReneeAcho.com | Renee@ReneeAcho.com
55 ORCHARD LANE | BLOOMFIELD HILLS
5635 WING LAKE ROAD | BLOOMFIELD HILLS
4 Beds | 5.2 Bathrooms | 6,020 Sq. Ft. | $2,995,000
4 Beds | 5.2 Bathrooms | 5,778 Sq. Ft. | $2,599,000
This soon to be built resort like custom home has a perfectly appointed floor plan where each room flows into the next from the grand entrance, wood paneled library, state of the art kitchen/ adjacent family room plus a highly sought after 1st floor master oasis.
The inspiration of architect Michael Willoughby & perfect execution by TSA Custom Builder combine creating an unparalleled blend of modern lifestyle of this original Edsel Ford cottage. If a home could reflect a true expression of art & sophistication, this would be it!
730 CHESTER STREET | BIRMINGHAM
1180 MANCHESTER ROAD | BIRMINGHAM
4 Beds | 5.2 Bathrooms | 3,700 Sq. Ft. | $1,699,000
3 Beds | 2.2 Bathrooms | 3,400 Sq. Ft. | $1,199,000
Bright and airy living spaces are wide open, yielding generous room sizes with a thoroughly livable floor plan. Uniquely set on a private dead end road just a few steps away from prestigious downtown Birmingham.
This first floor master residence is the perfect home encompassing an open concept floor plan with custom features throughout. Just another spectacular new construction by HM homes, situated steps from Downtown Birmingham & Poppleton Park
1010 BENNAVILLE AVENUE | BIRMINGHAM
00 OAK | BIRMINGHAM
3 Beds | 3.1 Bathrooms | 2,204 Sq. Ft. | $639,000
Vacant Land | 0.37 Acres | 80 x 200 Lot Size | $565,000
Sleek sophistication just steps from town! Chic urban design & flawless open floor plan incorporates the very best of every day living & entertainment lifestyle. This home includes a modern style kitchen, glamorous master en suite & private lush landscape.
New opportunity to build the home of your dreams just steps from downtown Birmingham in the coveted Holy Name neighborhood on this deep 80 x 200 lot.
210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 | Birmingham, MI | 48009 | 248.310.1414
Bloomfield Hills
Masterpiece 604 Barrington Park | Bloomfield Hills Situated within one of the most prestigious gated communities in Bloomfield Hills, La Marco Homes has designed and built a showcase home with innovative and stylish interiors, luxurious amenities and a floor plan perfectly suited for modern living. The property lies on 1.5 secluded acres and features a Downsview kitchen, dramatic two-story light filled great room, 1000 sq.ft. master suite, 12 seater dining room, homework/office center,living room,flex room,4 further en suite bedrooms and a 4 car garage. Amenities include a stunning fireplace, DuChateau oak flooring, Wolf and Sub Zero appliances and Urban Electric lighting. La Marco has gained a reputation for building homes that have stunning architecture and interior designs and that are constructed using the very best material and trades available. The builder and architect recently won both Detroit Home and NABA Best of American Living Awards for properties completed last year.
5 Bedrooms | 4.2 Bathrooms | 5,616 Sq. Ft.
ERIN KEATING DEWALD 248.259.3544 mobile 248.590.0800 office erin@erinkdewald.com erinkdewald.com
210 S. Old Woodward | Suite 200 Birmingham, MI | 48009
MUNICIPAL Peabody preliminary site plan approved By Lisa Brody
After two postponements, a proposed five-story mixed use development for the former Peabody Restaurant site was approved by the Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, September 13, despite representatives for the neighboring Greenleaf Trust and Balmoral buildings voicing complaints about close proximity of the proposed project and the impact it could have on their buildings. The proposed building, at 34965 Woodward Avenue, to be developed by Matt Shiffman of Alden Development, would also include the site of the former Art & Frame Shop on Peabody Street. Birmingham planner Matt Baka said the site is a total of .597 acres, and the building would be 161,910 square feet. “The applicant wants to construct a five-story mixed use building with two levels of underground parking,” Baka said. He said the first floor would be retail, second and third floors office, fourth floor a mixture of commercial and residential, and the fifth floor, residential. There would be 90 onsite parking spots, with about 15 designated for residential. The proposed building is in the city’s parking assessment district, so only parking spaces for residential units are required. It would be constructed of stone, possibly terra cotta. Architect for the project, Chris Longe of Birmingham, presented fuller schematics of the building to the board at their meeting on August 23, with the address of 124 Peabody, with all of the information requested on July 26 by the board, specifically the elevations of the new building in context with the entire block. “It shows how the building interfaces with other buildings, where they touch,” Longe explained. He said the main floor ceiling is very high as they are hoping to attract a retail user, while the adjacent buildings are “knitted together. There are relationships between our buildings and the adjacent buildings. The condition of buildings in most cities, including Birmingham, is they are abutting. Almost all buildings, on Woodward, Maple – they touch, on the alley side as well.” He noted that other buildings he had done around Birmingham were downtownpublications.com
Starbucks opening Birmingham Reserve oyal Birmingham coffee drinkers have been waiting for this move for over a year – Starbucks is opening their Reserve bar location at 101 N. Old Woodward at the corner of Maple in downtown Birmingham on Friday, September 29. It will be the first Reserve Starbucks location in Michigan. Starbucks is currently located at 135 S. Old Woodward, and will close that location on Sunday, September 24, and move to the much larger space, which is about 3,500 square feet, the following Friday. The location is an iconic one in downtown Birmingham, at the northwest corner of Maple and Old Woodward, and, as one real estate professional noted, one of the best locations in southeast Michigan in one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan. For decades, it was the location of Wilson Drugs, and then the location, for 15 years, of the Gap. After the Gap left, Cosi filled the space for 15 years until they moved in late April 2016. Now it will be the popular high-traffic destination of Starbucks, with the addition of their Reserve Bar. New copper signage lets visitors know just what the location is now. A beautiful copper accented bar is the central focus of the new location, with a contemporary copper grid wall accent and a painted mural of coffee roasting. Starbucks, which has just about 30 Reserve bars in the U.S., out of over 26,000 locations around the world, said “inspired by our Seattle Reserve Roastery, Starbucks has begun opening new locations that include an immersive Reserve experience bar – designed to take the company’s special Reserve coffee and make it into an interactive aspect of these stores where barista craft is the cornerstone. These stores will have our core menu, such as a brewed cup of Pike Place Roast, but are also designed to integrate the educational aspects of the Roastery with an immersive coffee bar featuring premium brewing through siphon, Clover, chemex or Black Eagle, as well as Nitro Cold Brew taps. In addition, these stores will offer specialty beverages from our Seattle Roastery, such as the Affogato menu, which features artisan ice cream paired with our small-lot Reserve coffees, the Melrose, which is our take on the classic Manhattan and takes our Reserve Cold Brew, shake with ice, cherry bitters and demerara syrup – finish with a maraschino cherry, as well as the Americano Con Crema, which is espresso and orangepiloncillo syrup finished with coffee-spiced foam and demerara syrup.”
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designed so the residences had windows in the front and rear, understanding that the side windows would not have views forever. “We anticipate having other buildings in the future,” he noted. As at previous planning board meetings, representatives for the Greenleaf Trust and Balmoral buildings spoke out against the proposed building. Tom Phillips, the architect with Hobbs and Black, which designed the Balmoral, said, “I disagree with Chris (Longe). It’s not a typical infill site. Because of the two developments, we’ve created the opportunity to create light-filled, stepped elevations, providing more light and air to tenants who want to use the building.” He urged Longe, and Shiffman, to step back from the property line. However, both Greenleaf and Balmoral are built to the property
line, with step backs at their peak floors. “The real estate brokerage for the two buildings said the design of this building would diminish the values of these two buildings,” said attorney Alan Greene, representing the Balmoral Building. “We’re scared to death.” “The Peabody proposal satisfies the requirements of our ordinances,” noted board member Janelle Boyce. “I’m not sure what we could do to get the building owners to work together better, but that may not be our battle.” “I may be naïve, but I always assumed there would be a building build there,” said board member Stuart Jeffares. “We don’t build in alleys. By doing this building in this way, it makes the other two buildings pop.” Board member Bryan Williams said
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on September 13, “The concerns of the adjoining site owners are weighty, but do not justify denying the site plan. It is consistent with our zoning and master plans.” Planning board members voted unanimously to approve the preliminary site plan.
More work needed on ethics opinion An opinion rendered by the Birmingham Ethics Board on whether city commission members can sit and participate on community boards was sent back to the city attorney for further revision on Monday, September 11, after commissioners requested further clarification. Earlier this year, the ethics board, upon a request from city commissioner Patti Bordman as to whether it is a conflict of interest for commissioners to vote and participate on community based organizations, determined it is a conflict of interest to participate if there is a funding request, licensing issue, or subsequent court proceeding and the opinion barred participating by commissioners. In addition, commissioners would need to recuse themselves from participating in the city’s consideration of any requests from the organization, and participating in fundraising for the organization would be a conflict of interest. Tim Currier, city attorney, in a resolution for commissioners, recommended that commissioners act as non-voting board members of community organizations, or as a liaison. Bordman said she felt the resolution was misleading, and that an appointment would disqualify a commissioner from financial aspects and decision-making. Commissioner Rackeline Hoff said, “I got the impression that a commissioner would be a non-voting member or liaison.” “The ethics board, when it rendered its opinion, said if you’re just a non-voting liaison, you’re just providing information to them. If you’re a voting member, you’re going to have problems,” Currier said. “If you think it’s unclear, this is exactly what the ethics board ruled.” Commissioners did not act on the resolution, sending it back to Currier to review and clarify before bringing the issue before them again. 103
Stunning Estate on Highly Desirable Street Birmingham | 388 Greenwood Avenue | $2,695,000 plendid home located in highly sought-after Holy Name area. “City chic” interior spans more than 5700 SF of impeccable detail, craftsmanship and graceful features. The modern, well-appointed kitchen is perfect for even the most discerning chef, while a formal dining room boasts beautiful built-ins and opens to living room with herringbone red oak floors. Spectacular steel and oak staircases lead to all levels. Master suite is highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows with tree top views, large balcony, luxurious bath and a spiral staircase to private loft/exercise studio. Additional living spaces include a 2647 SF lower level with generous great room with 10’ ceilings, 2 full baths and a music room. Outside, numerous relaxing and entertaining areas surrounded by beautiful landscaping extend seamlessly from the house and include an expansive patio with custom retractable awning, fire/water feature, private deck, hammock garden and front porch. 2+ car garage with separate entrance is complete with finished loft space and half bath. This extraordinary home is the perfect blend of timeless elegance and modern-day luxury!
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5,758 Square Feet | 5 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 217084874
Renee Lossia Acho
Cindy Obron Kahn
248.310.1414 Renee@ReneeAcho.com ReneeAcho.com
248.568.7309 Cindy@CindyKahn.com CindyKahn.com
RFP okayed for transit consulting After being asked for more information by the Birmingham City Commission about a request for proposal (RFP) for the solicitation of qualified firms to provide transportation consulting services to help the city’s multi-modal transportation board, staff returned at the meeting held on Monday, August 28, and presented a more complete package. The commission unanimously approved the issuance of the RFP for the solicitation of qualified traffic engineering firms to provide multimodal transportation consulting services to assist the multi-modal transportation board and commissioners in reviewing all transportation-related projects. The city commission first established the multi-modal transportation steering board in 2014 to assess all modes of transit in the city, from the vantage point of vehicles,
pedestrians, bicyclists, and from an ADA-perspective. As roads and streetscapes come up for reconstruction and rework, they now go before the multi-modal transportation board for a complete transit review. Joe Valentine, Birmingham city manager, in a memo to commissioners wrote that in 2014 a traffic engineering service was selected to help the multimodal board, but that contract has now expired. “In September 2014, the firm of Fleis and Vandenbrink was selected as the city’s traffic consultant, and has acted as a multi-modal transportation consultant to the MMTB and the city commission. However, this contract has now expired,” he informed commissioners. In the new RFP, staff reordered the priorities they are requesting from a consultant, with the first priority being context sensitive planning and urban design; then multi-modal mobility planning; and engineering. Commissioner Rackeline Hoff questioned, “What about residential
uses? It’s urban, which is like the downtown area, but doesn’t include the neighborhood interests.” City planner Jana Ecker explained that “urban refers to our city as a whole. As far as the residential perspective, two or three of our sevenmember multi-modal board are residents, and they bring up the residental point of view. Urban encompasses a lot of different uses.”
Slight increase in 2017 village revenue Bloomfield Village residents, who have their own dedicated police department and volunteer fire department, will pay a little more on their December taxes, as Bloomfield Township trustees approved the millage rate for the services at their meeting on Monday, September 11. Bloomfield Village is a one square mile municipality within Bloomfield Township, and receives full municipal services from the township. In addition, they have had a special assessment
1248 Cedarholm Lane
district for approximately 30 years to fund their own police department and volunteer fire department. The funding is paid by residents in the form of a dedicated millage. Revenue expectation from the 2017 millage is $428,000 for police and $121,000 for fire, roughly consistent with the 2016 millage, which raised $422,000 for police and $120,000 for fire. The reason is an increase in taxable value on properties in Bloomfield Village. The fiscal year for the village is April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, and township trustees unanimously approved a police millage of 1.211 mills and a fire millage of .343 mills, a decrease from 2016 from 1.236 mills for police and .352 mills for fire services. That continues the decrease seen from 2015, when the police millage was 1.235 mills and the fire millage was .36 mills. Like in most municipalities, the value of a mill increases with the increase in property values. Village police officers are paid by Bloomfield Township but funded through the millage.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
5,022 square feet | 4 bedroom suites | 4 full, 2 half baths
Immediate Occupancy!
FOREST LAKE COUNTRY CLUB
W HICKORY GROVE RD
TELEGRAPH RD
LOWER LONG LAKE
LAHSER RD
FRANKLIN RD
1248 CEDARHOLM LANE
This beautiful, move-in ready home showcases ultrapremium luxury finishes, professional-grade appliances, an expansive first floor master suite with spa-style bath, library and three spacious suites on second floor. Two suites feature private lofts with industrial-style ladders.
W LONG LAKE RD
downtownpublications.com
Nestled on a tranquil half acre, this home boasts exquisite landscape design, screened porch with fireplace, custom deck, sprinkler system, 3-car garage and circular drive with paver details. Enjoy unparalleled views of Forest Lake Country Club’s rolling fairways and Bloomfield Hills Schools.
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For more than a half century, Frankel Homes has been recognized as the most respected homebuilder in the renowned Bloomfield area.
CUSTOM FLOOR PLANS WE BUILD ON YOUR LOT 3261 Orchard Lake Road Keego Harbor, Michigan 48320 248-227-6460 FrankelHomes.com
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A s s o c i a t e B r o k e r
248.797.0784 | cgPero@yahoo.com | over $40 million Sold or Pending yTd in 2017
275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham
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2956 Turtle Pond - Bloomfield Hills $1,499,900
495 Stoneridge - Bloomfield Hills $1,199,900
694 Pilgrim - Birmingham $1,100,000
2006 built home by Thomas Sebold & Associates and designed by Victor Saroki in prestigious Turtle Lake. Gorgeous detail and high end finishes throughout. 4 bedrooms, 3.3 baths. Three car attached garage. Cedar roof, copper gutters, elevator, bluestone patios, multiple fireplaces and much more.
Updated Chestnut Run Colonial at the end of the cul-de-sac on a beautiful .77 acre lot. Gorgeous newer kitchen. Master suite with remodeled bath and a large WIC. Finished walk out lower level. Pool. 4 car garage.
Renovated Quarton Lake Estates colonial on a large 98 foot wide lot. Gorgeous eat-in kitchen with granite top center island. Library with vaulted ceilings. 4 bedrooms and 4 full baths including a great master suite. Finished basement. Porte cochere leads to three car garage.
2640 Bradway - Bloomfield Village $849,900
4307 Creedmore - Commerce Twp $775,000
623 Bloomfield Court - Birmingham $749,900
Move in ready 4 bedroom colonial in Bloomfield Village on a beautiful lot of almost a 1/2 acre. Renovated eat-in kitchen with granite counters and center island, updated baths, finished basement. Two car attached garage. Newer roof, windows, driveway and central air. Professionally landscaped with a nice back patio and pergola.
Gorgeous lakefront home on all sports Commerce Lake. Three bedroom, three full bath colonial built in 2006. Lake views throughout the home. First floor laundry. 3 car side entry garage. Trex deck and paver patio. Western exposure with sunset views.
Nicely tucked away on a quiet street but just blocks from downtown Birmingham. Original home expanded to include a large main floor family room with a great master suite above. 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. Two car garage. Private lot. Birmingham schools.
590 Riverside - Birmingham $449,900
3045 S. Westview Ct - Bloomfield Hills $439,900
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120 Canterbury - Bloomfield Hills $720,000
Amazing 2.5 acre property in the city of Bloomfield Hills. Four bedroom colonial home with a finished walk out lower level. Four car attached garage. Multiple outdoor spaces. Tennis court. Spacious kitchen with granite counters. Three fireplaces. Endless possibilities. Bloomfield schools.
Unique opportunity for land purchase in a secluded detached condo development. Tucked away site yet just blocks away from town. Lot price only.
Spacious home on a beautiful cul-de-sac lot of almost one acre in Bloomfield. Remodeled kitchen with granite counters, hardwood floors and SS appls. Heated Florida room overlooking backyard. Four bedrooms upstairs. Lower level includes laundry, office or 5th bedroom, huge family room and a patio right outside. 2 car attached side entrance garage. New driveway 2016.
7425 Pinehurst -Bloomfield Hills $424,900
2700 Warwick - Bloomfield Hills $349,900
3205 Newbury - Troy $289,900
Two bedroom condo with a first floor master suite in Pinehurst - a complex of only 12 units. Nicely situated at the end of the cul-de-sac. Vaulted ceiling in great room with a fireplace. Two car attached garage. First floor laundry. Eat-in kitchen with granite counters. Finished basement.
Four bedroom, 2 1/2 bath colonial in Hugo Hills sub. Newer kitchen with center island, SS appliances and granite counters. Hardwood floors, two fireplaces, finished rec room in basement. Newer roof and replacement windows. Screened porch leading to back deck. Bloomfield schools.
2002 built condo in Midtown Square. Two bedrooms and 2 1/2 bath townhouse. Two car attached garage. Close proximity to Somerset Mall and Downtown Birmingham, and walk to other shopping. Birmingham schools. Also available for lease at $2100/mo.
FACES
Dave Piché ven for someone used to a career of battling infernal fires and assisting with deadly car crashes, the summer of 2017 has been pretty crazy. Dave Piché retired as Bloomfield Township Fire Chief on June 29, after 32 years as a firefighter/paramedic. On August 3, he began a second career as program assistant of the football program at the University of Michigan. One move was planned. The other, most definitely, was not. “The retirement was planned. I’m 55. I thought it was time to move on. I started out as a firefighter/paramedic in Bloomfield Township and came up through the ranks,” Piche’ said. “I was promoted to lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and then chief, and was chief for eight years. There are a lot of young people behind me, and my moving on allows them to move into slots and enjoy their careers as I did mine.” Besides firefighting and his family, Piché had long had another passion. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been in love with University of Michigan, and I’m a big fan of (Coach Jim) Harbaugh’s,” he said. “That’s why this is so crazy.” As a retirement gift, township supervisor Leo Savoie and other colleagues in the township had a fire helmet signed by Harbaugh, and
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some firefighters had another fire helmet painted like a U-M helmet. “They surprised me at my house and drove me to Schembechler Hall, and took me to see Coach Harbaugh, and he signed the helmet. He spent about 40 minutes with us, talking, and walking around,” he recalled in awe. “He then asked what my plans were. I said to take some time off and then find a part time job. He said, ‘You ought to consider working for me.’ I said ‘Really? What, as the team’s water boy?’ He said they were going to be hiring for some positions, and I should look into them. I thought he was just trying to make the day nice for me.” Two weeks later, the team’s head of operations called Piché and asked him to come in and talk to Harbaugh about a possible job. Now, Piché goes to work every day at Schembechler Hall, overseeing access to the building, arranging appointments, wearing a suit, providing a professional security image on behalf of the football team. He has a pretty cool viewing spot now for all home games, and may travel with them as well. “I wasn’t ready to sit home, and this is a great new opportunity. I’m going to enjoy it while I can.” Story: Lisa Brody
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Photo: Jean Lannen
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BUSINESS MATTERS
BBAC 60th anniversary “What began as a group of women who were seeking a place to paint and show their work expanded to so much more,” exulted Annie VanGelderen, CEO of Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC), which is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its creation. “It was a group of women who had this vision, and the wherewithal in that day and age to start and create this center. It’s an honor to continue that path.” Those humble beginnings soon expanded to showcasing of other artists, and then to offerings of visual arts classes for adults, and then to children. Today, BBAC offers more than 500 classes a year. “We say we offer classes from three to 93,” VanGelderen laughs. They also have five different gallery exhibition spaces, one of which will showcase longtime instructor and artist Leslie Masters in 2018 with an exhibition/retrospective celebrating 50 years of her teaching at the center. BBAC has also extended its reach into whole art access programming with a number of different programming options for those who may have difficulty gaining access to art otherwise, including a program for Alzheimer’s patients; Art Bridge, for underserved high school students looking to go into visual arts; and Studio 1, a program for emotionally, physically or cognitively challenged youth and adults. New programming this year, VanGelderen said, include the Art of Caregiving, for caregivers, and Art Bridge IN Detroit, a first for them going off site to a middle school in Detroit, “that hasn’t had arts education in six years, and we are providing free arts education as part of their curriculum. We do a lot of outreach. It’s following our mission statement of art for all.”
Erhard BMW expands One of the largest BMW showrooms in the world opened this summer in Bloomfield Township, when Erhard BMW of Bloomfield moved from its longtime home on Maple Road just east of Telegraph to a new 10 acre site at 1845 S. Telegraph Road north of Square Lake and south of Orchard Lake Road. Erhard BMW of Bloomfield was the nation’s first exclusive BMW dealership, opening over 50 years ago in 1965. The new location has an expanded showroom that is almost triple the size of their previous one and a state-of-the-art service center Automark Collision, with factory trained and certified downtownpublications.com
technicians offering expanded service hours. “This new location houses over 40 vehicles right on the showroom floor,” said Leslie Rhodes, marketing director. “It has been quite a positive move and guests are loving it.”
Making sushi and poké A new fast casual restaurant offering sushi and poke, made to order, has opened at the corner of Long Lake and Telegraph in Bloomfield Township. Kaku Sushi and Poké, 869 W. Long Lake Road, is owned and chef-operated by Kaku Usui and his wife, Maikue Vang, who manages the location. Usui, a native of Tokyo, worked for over 20 years at several area restaurants, including as head chef, before opening Kaku Sushi and Poké, Vang said. The concept of poké, she said, is like “a deconstructed sushi bowl. What is unique about ours is we offer customization of poké for our customers.” Diners choose a base of either white or brown rice or salad, the choose a protein of salmon, tuna, shrimp or scallops, and then do a mix-in. “That’s where we take certain toppings, like cucumber, onion and edamame, and a sauce, with seven to choose from, and we take it and mix it all together,” Vang explained. They also offer sushi, including sushi combos. “The whole idea is fresh, light and easy,” she said, for diners eating in at one of their 21 seats, or carrying out at lunch or dinner.
Huge Detroit opens It sounds big, right? Huge Detroit is part of a global experience agency which provides digital transformation and marketing services to many of the world’s largest businesses and best-known brands, and opened in downtown Birmingham, in the Palladium building in the former Barrio restaurant space at 213 Hamilton Row. “Huge Detroit was originally established at the end of 2015 when we first won FCA as a client,” said managing director Ranae Heuer, who recently relocated from Huge’s headquarters in Brooklyn to lead the Detroit office and contribute to the creative and start-up communities in metro Detroit. It’s a homecoming for her, although this time with twins, as she began her agency career working in Detroit on auto accounts. The new office space, a creative and comfortable location with floor-to-ceiling windows, was built for Huge by their own designers out of Los Angeles.
Cycling studio opening CycleBar Bloomfield Hills, a new premier cycling studio equipped with 50 state-of-the-art Schwinn Carbon Blue bikes, is opening in November at 2125 S. Telegraph, north of Square Lake Road, near Costco and Panera. CycleBar is part exercise class and part rock concert, said franchise owner Jeff Wayne, who said the 3,000 square foot indoor cycling destination will offer a fun, intoxicating and multisensory workout. The studio will feature energy-enhancing CycleBeats, which will provide an in-house and online music database to offer custom playlists for each individual class, which cyclers can then download post-class, as well as cycling stats providing rider specific data. “I have always loved fitness, and after becoming intrigued by the CycleBar brand, I knew I wanted to be part of growing the concept in southeast Michigan,” Wayne said. He opened his first CycleBar in Northville last August, and is excited to bring the exciting fitness trend to Bloomfield. The studio will provide dozens of free amenities, including special cycling shoes that clip to the bike pedals; aromatherapy; water bottles; free towels; digital lockers; healthy snacks, and more.
Birth center option It feels like you’re pregnant forever. Nine Short Months Birth and Community Wellness Center not only understands, owner Wendy Pinter, CPM, offers services to make it easier. A midwife for the last 10 years, the center offers home births and now a place to birth in peace and serenity. “It’s like giving birth at a bed and breakfast,” Pinter said of the new center at 525 Southfield Road in Birmingham. “We have a large birthing pool so mothers can give birth in the water. For mothers, it takes a lot off, and it’s very comforting for the baby. Women are surprised how quickly their babies come because they’re relaxed. Babies are very calm.” Pinter, who said she’s attended births at many local hospitals as a labor support person, notes the difference. But for pregnant parents who do want to choose a hospital option, Nine Short Months offers doula support services. They also provide a lactation consultant and offer placenta encapsulation, which she said many women claim helps with postpartum depression. An acupuncturist and massage therapist are available for prenatal and
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postpartum, and sports therapy needs. The Birmingham location is Nine Short Months’ second location, with another center in Clarkston. While there is rarely a need for their patients to require a Caesarean section as they are screened up front, “so we’re not doing high risk patients, we do have an obstetrician medical director for people who get tricky,” Pinter said.
Reframed location Jill Haury, owner of the Art & Frame Station, which spent 33 years located on Peabody Street in downtown Birmingham, right behind Peabody’s Restaurant, announced they have moved and relocated to Bloomfield Township, at 2523 W. Maple Road, at the southwest corner of Maple and Cranbrook roads. “I think I was one of the oldest stores in Birmingham,” Haury said. “We kinda got forced out for progress.” While many of her regular customers, and those who may pop in every few years or so, may not know they have closed as a new building will be going up on the site, she is eager for everyone to find her in her new digs, where they continue to do everything they did before. “Custom framing is most of our business,” she said. Another highlight of Art & Frame Station is sublimation printing, where they are able to print on metal, ceramic tiles, and other surfaces, including fabrics. They have a small art gallery, as well, focusing on Michigan artists like Kathleen Chaney Fritz, Paul Adams, Birmingham’s Tom Maniaci, and Jacqueline Drake of Franklin. “I’m looking forward to having customers rediscover us,” Haury said.
Doctor is out Beauty RX, a medical spa at 286 W. Maple in downtown Birmingham owned by Dr. Steve Morris, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Midland, closed up suddenly in midSeptember, with no notice to customers, many of whom had purchased multi-service packages. A phone recording continues to encourage customers to leave messages and contact them, but Morris could not be reached at his Midland office, and staff couldn’t answer questions regarding Beauty RX’s closing. Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Lisa Brody. Send items for consideration to LisaBrody@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.
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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. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.
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. Lunch & Dinner, daily. 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 &
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Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555. Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766. Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.1135. Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.258.9939. Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, 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. Four Story Burger: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 290 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.385.0506. 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.
OCTOBER EVENTS
Big Rock Bubbles Monday - Saturday Progressive Pour on Taittinger Brut La Francaise Champagne by the glass. $5 at 5 p.m., $6 at 6 p.m., $7 at 7 p.m., $8 at 8 p.m., $9 at 9 p.m., $10 at 10 p.m. $60 bottles all day throughout the restaurant.
South American Wine Dinner Tuesday, October 10, 2017 | 6:30 p.m. Special Guest Mario Cardillo, Excelsior Wines - Senior Distributor Manager $75 inclusive of tax and tip. Reservations required as space is limited. Call 248.647.7774 or visit bigrockchophouse.com for more details. Executive Chef Gabby Milton • Executive Pastry Chef Eric Voigt 245 S. Eton St., Birmingham • 248.647.7774 • bigrockchophouse.com
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Daily Happy Hour from 3-6pm!
280 E Merrill St, Birmingham, MI 48009
248-220-4161 sidecarsliderbar.com
DOWNTOWN
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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. Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.3663. Mountain King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2913. Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch &
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Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581. Nosh & Rye: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923. 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. Polpetta Meatball Cafe: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 126 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9007. 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 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, 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. Sweet Tree Family Restaurant: Middle Eastern/American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.7767. Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily.
DOWNTOWN
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 Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.6600. 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.
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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. 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.
Sundays thru October 29th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located on N. Old Woodward across from Booth Park
Royal Oak/Ferndale
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END OF SEASON CELEBRATION – October 29 BirminghamFarmersMarket.org Birmingham Farmers Market
BhamFarmMkt
DOWNTOWN
P U B L I C A T I O N S
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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.
DOWNTOWN
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, 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. Ganbei Chinese Restaurant and Bar: Chinese. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.266.6687.
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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, 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. 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. Tre Monti Ristorante: Italian. Lunch, Thursdays. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.680.1100.
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.
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Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.851.2500. The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982. The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081. Meriwether’s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310. Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890. Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954. Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. Sweet Lorraine’s Café & Bar: American. Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076. 248.559.5985. 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. Antietam: French. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207. 313.782.4378. 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.
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Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit, 48207. 313.831.5940. Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900. 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. Top of the Pontch: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservation. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4313. 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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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE
Now Available:
JUMBO CONSTRUCTION LOANS WITH UP TO 100% FINANCING!*
READY, GET SET, SIGN UP NOW The 32nd annual OUR TOWN Art Show and Sale, takes place October 19-22 at The Community House. The juried, all media art show provides a forum for Michigan artists to show and sell their work. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to OUR TOWN is free. Generously sponsored by DeRoy Testamentary Foundation, Michigan Design Center, Armina Interiors, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Inc., Detroit Home, WRCJ 90.9 and Pure Michigan, this year’s event will showcase 357 pieces of artwork from 142 Michigan artists. The art exhibition includes paintings, pastels, sculptures, glassworks, fiber works, photography, jewelry and mixed media. Thirty-five percent of the proceeds from all art sales will benefit The Community House children’s and adult’s programs and services. Special thanks to the 2017 OUR TOWN committee under the extraordinary leadership of co-chairs Caroline Rooney-Dempster and Robert Dempster. The 2017 OUR TOWN Opening Night Preview Party kicks off Thursday, October 19 from 6-9 p.m. The evening includes cocktails, strolling hors d'oeuvres, music and first opportunity to preview and purchase artwork. In addition, this year’s event will feature a silent auction and luxury raffle with mobile bidding. Friend tickets, with admission at 6 p.m., are $75 per person. V.I.P. Benefactor tickets, with admission at 5:30 p.m. start at $250 per person.
Bill Seklar
NEW! Women of Influence Series Continues: Register Now! Tuesday, October 3, Wednesday, October 11 and Wednesday, November 1. A lecture series sponsored by The Community House featuring women shaping Michigan’s cultural and societal landscape. Special guest speakers include Jocelyn Benson, CEO, Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE); Denise Brooks-Williams, President & CEO, Henry Ford Hospital Wyandotte; and Barbara McQuade, Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School, Former U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Michigan. Tickets are $15 per lecture, $40 for the series. Reserve your tickets early,;seating is very limited.
Thinking about building a house? You can build your dream home with a Jumbo construction loan** from Independent Bank.
The 23rd Annual 21st Century Leaders Entrepreneurship Program for 7th and 8th Graders kicks off in October. Under the award-winning direction of Ms. Natalie Frakes, the 21st Century Leaders Program will educate and graduate a diverse class of 40-45 seventh and eighth graders representing 15 public and private schools throughout the Woodward Corridor Communities, including Detroit, Ferndale, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Pontiac. This modernized curriculum will lead and empower students to the discovery of their own leadership potential and skills. 21st Century Leaders is made possible by The Nissan Foundation, The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, The CFSEM Youth Advisory Council and the Tuktawa Foundation. Other Fall TCH Happenings NEW! Bates Street Trick or Treat Event: Save-the-Date! Monday, October 30, 6-8 p.m. Join us for a night of family-friendly fun! Our Tricks or Treats include Boo-tiful Craft Projects & Games – Hall of Frights – Spooktacular Movie Viewing! Ideal for ages 3-10 years old! $15 per child, $10 for each additional child.
Let Independent Bank make building your new home fast and easy. With our quick turn-around times and local decision making, we can streamline the process. We also offer several financing options to fit your building needs.
“ I would welcome the opportunity to sit down and discuss all your choices.”
SAVE THE DATE! The Community House’s second Annual Signature SIP Event takes place on Saturday, November 4, in the Wallace Ballroom of The Community House. Attendees at this event will enjoy exquisite small plates from some of the finest restaurants in the Metro Detroit area including Bistro 82 in Royal Oak (restaurant of the year) and Michael Symon's Roast. All food and beverage stations will be carefully paired with exceptional wines, cocktails and beer by renowned Master Sommelier and SIP Beverage Director,Madeline Triffon, M.S. SIP will also feature entertainment, a winecentric silent auction, and a special awards ceremony. A portion of the SIP proceeds will provide scholarship opportunities for young food and beverage professionals seeking coursework in sommelier training and certification. For more information, please contact Jackie McIntosh, VP Philanthropy at TCH at 248.644.5832. ON SALE NOW! The Sarah Smith Youth Theatre of The Community House proudly presents Legally Blonde, Jr. – The Musical on November 11th and 12th in the Wallace Ballroom at TCH. There will be two performances each day. Tickets prices are (Kid’s) Floor Seating $10 per person; General Seating $15 and Friends Reserved Seating $30 per person. To purchase your tickets or for more information, please visit www.communityhouse.com or call TCH at 248.644.5832. For reservations, tickets or more information about TCH Fall classes and events, please go to www.communityhouse.com or call 248.644.5832.
William D. Seklar is President & CEO of The Community House in Birmingham. downtownpublications.com
DOWNTOWN
Lynn Wiand Senior Residential Loan Officer P: 248.918.5964 | C: 248.228.4805 F: 248.918.5792 | NMLS ID: 394920 lwiand@ibcp.com
Apply Online Independentbank.com/mortgage/lwiand
VISIT OUR TROY OFFICE 201 West Big Beaver Road, Ste 201 Equal housing lender. Member FDIC.
*100% option requires a first and second mortgage. Second mortgage requires LPMI (Lender Paid Mortgage Insurance) for loan to values over 90%. Loan to value is calculated by dividing loan amount by the lesser of purchase price or appraised value. Maximum debt to income ratio 43%. No investment properties or manufactured homes. **Upon completion of construction, our saleable construction loans allow you to modify to a fixed rate of interest selected either at loan closing or at the time of exercising option (dependent on loan product) as long as you meet all deadlines, terms, and requalification procedures. Normal credit standards and restrictions apply. Terms subject to change and loan approval. Taxes and insurance required.
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Cheryl Riback LAKEFRONT
Associate Broker, ABR, SRES
Offering the highest
level of customer service and exceptional results for more than 20 years
248.808.3112 criback@ hallandhunter.com
442 S. Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, MI 48009
VACANT LAND
Bloomfield | 465 S. Evansdale | $699,000
2.53 acre lakefront estate on Upper Straits Lake with 150 feet of lake frontage. Features include: boat house, views of lake from all rooms, spacious family room and cooks’ kitchen, extensive landscaping, industrial generator. 3-car garage.
Incredible opportunity in Bloomfield! Breathtaking views and magnificent property on a 1.75 acre lot. Can accommodate a 10,000 square foot home with a walkout lower level and room for a pool and tennis court. Build the home of your dreams.
6,148 Total SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217053978
Lot Size: 200’ x 202’ x 360’ x 390’ | MLS# 216112593
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Orchard Lake | 3819 LaPlaya Lane | $2,790,000
West Bloomfield | 2485 Worcester Road | $499,000
Farmington Hills | 36950 Fox Glen | $435,000
Wonderful home on 120’ x 360’ lot with Bloomfield Hills schools. Spacious rooms, outdoor living space & great views of woods and small stream. Gourmet kitchen & family room with attached Florida room. Wonderful finished LL & many updates.
Show-stopping gorgeous home renovated to perfection in 2015! Everything is new: Gourmet kitchen, new bathrooms, floors, appliances & mud room. Master suite with luxurious bath. Finished basement. Great location in Ramblewood gated community.
4,056 Total SF | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217076815
3,102 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217083199
PENDING
SOLD IN ONE DAY!
West Bloomfield | 6460 Drakeshire Lane | $310,000
Berkley | 2589 Columbia, Unit #5 | $127,000
Detached ranch condo in Drakeshire sub offers great floor plan including large island kitchen & breakfast nook. Library, living room, dining room with beautiful views of the yard. Master suite has luxurious bath. Full basement. Attached garage. 2,256 SF | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 217058602
Fantastic “Restoration Hardware design” condo in downtown offers a brand new kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Covered porch/terrace – great for entertaining. New windows, AC, hot water heater & paved parking lot (2016). 949 SF | 2 Bedrooms | 1 Full Baths | MLS# 217058602
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.
MOCAD Interchange Art + Dinner
Sally Gerak
MOCAD Interchange Art + Dinner The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and Library Street Collective gallery owners JJ and Anthony Curis collaborated on a remarkable event that turned their home – the Hawkins Ferry house – into a museum. Under the title “Unobstructed Views,” 39 pieces of art, all available for bids, had been installed throughout the modernist gem on the shore of Lake St. Clair. More than 200 guests ($175, $200 ticket) and their conversation invigorated both floors of the museum and the lakeside terrace. Guests included legendary sculptor Glen Michaels, who recalled creating many installations for the home’s architect Bill Kessler. Art collector Shirley Piku was another guest with specific memories. She recalled she and her sailor husband Frank giving Ferry a ride in their boat so he could see, for the first time, what the house looked like from the lake. By evening’s end, 14 pieces of art had new owners. Ten days later, when the subsequent online auction closed, 32 of the 39 lots had been sold, raising nearly $350,000. The artists received 40 percent of the purchase price with the remainder supporting MOCAD’s 200 free, creative community programs plus its cutting edge exhibitions. Kids Kicking Cancer Golf Outing The first annual Kids Kicking Cancer Celebrity Golf Outing started with Karen Newman singing the national anthem. Then some young participants in the KKC martial arts pain therapy program demonstrated a “breath break” for the 128 golfers before they headed out for their shotgun start at Knollwood Country Club. Not known is whether or not any of the golfers benefited from the kids’ tip, but there were winners. Two teams tied for first place: the Phillip Fisher Foundation team and the Neuman, Anderson, Grieco, McKenney team. Other prize winners included: Men’s Longest Drive – Scott Goldman; Women’s Longest Drive – Maryann Cromwell; Men’s Closest to the Pin – David Croskey. Josh and Darryl Kaplan chaired this inaugural golf fundraiser for the extraordinary, free program Rabbi G (Elimelech Goldberg) founded in Michigan in 1999. It has since expanded to six states and four nations and also includes patients with other pain-causing illnesses. They are empowered beyond the pain by karate, breathing techniques and meditation. Following the golf, 234 supporters convened for drinks, Sean Blackman’s music, a silent auction, dinner and the award program emceed by KKC board president Lila Lazarus. The event raised more than $160,000 which will help keep this miracle program free for all the patients. ORT Rub-a-Dub “You have given many children a dream,” said World ORT president Connie (Dr. Conrad ) Giles. He was speaking to approximately 100 of the educational organization supporters gathered at Franklin Hills Country Club for the Rehmannsponsored Rub-a-Dub patron reception. They had just seen a video that showed the exceptional results of their largess – the renovations at the Kfar Hassidim village school in Israel. It serves 300 impoverished children who arrive without hopes or dreams. Scott Marcus, event co-chair with Jason Brooks and Mark Tapper, had previously thanked especially generous donors like the William and Audrey Farber Family Foundation, The D. Dan & Betty Kahn Foundation, Andi & Larry Wolfe, Doreen Hermelin, The William Davidson Foundation, Dorothy and Dr. downtownpublications.com
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1. JJ Curis (left) of Grosse Pointe, Elyse Foltyn of Birmingham. 2. Maggie Allesee (left) of Bloomfield, Anthony Curis of Grosse Pointe. 3. Keith Pomeroy (left) of Birmingham, Karen & Jeff Carroll of Bloomfield. 4. Rebecca (left) & Alan Ross of Bloomfield, Marian & Stephen Loginsky of Birmingham. 5. Mike Curis (left) of Grosse Pointe, Roz & Scott Jacobson of Bloomfield. 6. Glen Michaels (left) of Birmingham, Naaman Rosen of Hazel Park. 7. Mike Curis, Jr. (left) of Bloomfield, Theresa & Anthony Selvaggio of Grosse Pointe. 8. JJ Curis (left) of Grosse Pointe, Linden & Michelle Nelson of Bloomfield. 9. Amy Zimmer (left) of Bloomfield, Jordan Bronk of Detroit, Sheida Soleimani of Providence, RI.
Kids Kicking Cancer Golf Outing
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6 1. Tamara Tazzi (left) of Rochester, Morehall Smith of Detroit, Kevin Dietz and Maryann Cromwell of Bloomfield. 2. Jim (left) and Alex Relle of Bloomfield. 3. Brian (left) & Vanessa Fanrich and Gary Fields of Bloomfield. 4. Hedy & David Blatt of Bloomfield. 5. Melissa Lucas (left) of Farmington Hills, Jason Coleman of Birmingham, Andy Roisman of Beverly Hills. 6. Danielle Raquet (left) of Plymouth, Linda Hatfield of Farmington Hills, Paul Toepp of Birmingham. 7. Michael Griffie (left) of Detroit, Sean Moran of Bloomfield, Gust Kowaris of Troy, Bob Foss of Commerce.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK ORT Rub-a-Dub
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1. Jason Brooks (center) of W. Bloomfield and Matt Tapper (left) and Scott Marcus of Birmingham. 2. Robbie Sherman with Dr. George Blum of Bloomfield. 3. Doreen Hermelin (left) of Bingham Farms, Larry & Andi Wolfe of Bloomfield, Jeff Cooper of Marlboro, NJ. 4. Lynda & Connie (Dr. Conrad) Giles of Bloomfield. 5. David (left) & Nanci Farber with Wendy Dabalo of Bloomfield. 6. Josh Fisher (left) of Royal Oak, Rhonda and Matt Ran of Bloomfield. 7. Roger & Hailey Goodman of Birmingham. 8. Howard (left) & Brenda Rosenberg of Bloomfield, Lorain & Joe Borgesen of Clarkston. 9. Linda Singer (left) of W. Bloomfield, Sue Kaufman of Bloomfield. 10. Jordan Broder (left) of Birmingham, Lei Frankel of Bloomfield and Kete Brie of Lake Orion.
Bates Street Block Party
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3 1. Steve Flagg of Rochester. 2. Brad, Caleb & Katie Shepler of Birmingham. 3. Claire (left) and Rachel Dietz of Birmingham, Angela Rea of Bloomfield. 4. Terry Olson (left) of Grosse Pointe, Janice Degen of Bloomfield and Grace Farr of Beverly Hills. 5. Mark Fishman (left) of Bloomfield and Jackson, Cindi Morris of Birmingham.
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Hershel Sandberg, Joyce and Dr. George Blum, and Keith and Sonia Pomeroy. New arrivals swelled the guest count to almost 400 who bid nearly $65,000 in the large silent auction of great donated packages before convening on the tented terrace for the grilled dinner, accompanied by energetic NUCLASSICA music, and the live auction Brian Hermelin conducted. He got $72,750 for 12 super items. Combined with raffle proceeds ($45,000) and all the charitable sponsors, the 42nd Rub-a-Dub raised more than $500,000 for the education services to disadvantaged people around the world. Guests could also fill paper sacks with old fashion candies and found a real goody bag in their cars. Bates Street Block Party Counting attendance at The Community House’s annual al fresco event was reportedly difficult, but the people we saw were having a splendid time sampling the fare offered by the 27 vendors who supported The Community House project. Groups of girl friends and multiple generations of families were spotted among those who strolled the streets around the house and relaxed on the terrace where singer/guitarist Steve Flagg provided tunes for all tastes. We noticed repeat customers at the Zim’s Vodka station which was serving up a drink named Infusion. Other popular offerings on the terrace included TCH’s fried mac n’ cheese balls, Sedona Taphouse’s garlic whipped potatoes with flat iron steak and Mitchell’s Seafood’s tuna poke. DIA Founders Junior Council Fash Bash For the 2017 Fash Bash, Founders Junior Council and Neiman Marcus expanded the fashion show runway from the DIA Great Hall into the Rivera Court. This enabled more people than ever (620 @ $250 - $1,500 tickets) to sit runway-side for NM’s Art of Fashion show after they cocktailed in Prentis Court, Kresge Court and Romanesque Hall. Event chairs Peter Ghafari, Carolyn and Aaron Frankel, Suzanne and Sean Werdlow and DIA director Salvador Salort-Pons did their best to greet the crush of arrivals. Before the eyepopping show by NM international creative director Ken Downing, NM Troy manager Reneé Janovsky described the looks as “gritty elegance.” Another 300 guests ($150 ticket) came for the Lincoln Motor Company After Glow. It featured music by DJ Jared Sykes with a fill-in 10.17
432 S Washington Ave, Unit 1704, Royal Oak – $849,900
2531 Rochester Rd, Royal Oak – $519,900
Spectacular location in the heart of downtown Royal Oak with fantastic views! Luxury penthouse with floor to ceiling windows throughout. Beautiful, sophisticated, open living area with hardwood floors & fantastic ceiling height. Stunning gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, & large island. Spacious master suite, 2 additional bedrooms, in unit washer & dryer & 2 private parking spots. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to live in one of Royal Oak’s most desirable lofts!
Truly the first of its kind! Known around town as the “Shipping Container House”, ModEco constructed this striking & eco-friendly residence made of 7 steel containers, providing 2,350 sq ft of modern living space. Impressive 2-story living room with a wall of large windows providing ample natural light, a gourmet kitchen & a spacious dining area. A luxurious master suite complete with a private balcony, walk-in closet, & a spa-like bath. Custom cedar-fenced yard just off an oversized 2-car attached garage. Take advantage of the rare opportunity to own this one-of-a-kind masterpiece!
2038 Wabash, Detroit – $479,000
3173 Royal, Berkley– $229,900
Beautifully renovated home designed for comfort in prime Corktown location. Restored to historic charm, the curb appeal makes it one of the most desirable in neighborhood. Completely renovated interiors feature bright & open living & dining spaces, tall ceilings, stainless steel appliances, modern cabinetry & quartz counters in kitchen & baths. Master suite on 1st floor has a large bath that connects to a dressing room. Restored wooden staircase leads to bright 2nd floor consisting of 3 spacious bedrooms & a full bath. The huge deck off the kitchen is perfect for outdoor living. Extensively landscaped with help from a Brooklyn-based firm. This unique property is a perfect marriage of well-designed spaces, modern amenities, contemporary styling & historic charm.
Charming 4 bedroom brick bungalow, just 2 blocks from downtown Berkley. The main floor features an inviting living room with a large bay window, allowing for plenty of natural light, a lovely eat-in kitchen, 2 bedrooms with hardwood floors & a nicely appointed full ceramic bath. Retreat to the large master bedroom on 2nd floor & 4th bedroom with hardwood floors. Lower level offers an loads of storage, laundry, & is plumbed for a 2nd full bath. Expansive fenced backyard that offers endless opportunities to create the perfect outdoor living space. Award winning Berkley schools.
C H R I ST I A N G R OT H E cgrothe@gmail.com | christiangrothe.com | 248.971.0080
SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK DIA Founders Junior Council Fash Bash
stint by Detroit Piston Andre Drummond, Forte Belanger’s artistic small bites like buffalo chicken in waffle cones and an interactive key ring-making station where guests could “Punk My Keys”. The punk rock accented party echoed the fashion show look and rolled until midnight.
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Cruisin’ to Drive Out Hunger Westborn Market’s 15th annual Dream Cruise preview party benefiting Forgotten Harvest got as much energy from Larry Lee & The Back in the Day band as it did from the horse power on Woodward. When they were not car watching, guests (700 @ $150 ticket) could lollygag at tables in the tent or outside on the market terrace where conversation did not have as much competition from the high decibel music. The nine food stations offered yummy sustenance - from Westborn’s endless supply of grilled shrimp to Vinsetta Garage’s outstanding Mac & Cheese. A silent auction and generous sponsors enabled the event to raise enough money to provide 750,000 meals to hungry metro Detroiters.
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1. Peter Ghafari (left) of Detroit and Carolynn & Aaron Frankel of Bloomfield. 2. Suzanne & Sean Werdlow of Bloomfield. 3. Stephen (left), Noah & Nicole Eisenberg of Bloomfield. 4. Denise (left) & Richard Victor and Heather & Ron Victor of Bloomfield. 5. Gail Rashid-Pope (left) of Bloomfield, Rachelle Nozero of Novi, Becky Sorensen of Bloomfield. 6. Kappy & Dave Trott of Birmingham. 7. Mark (left) & Shelley Polega of Birmingham, Howard & Brenda Rosenberg of Bloomfield. 8. Christine & David Colman of Birmingham. 9. Sandra Plezia (left) & Ryan Huysnu of W. Bloomfield, Dante & Natalie Bacall of Bloomfield.
Cruisin’ to Drive Out Hunger
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1. Mark Anusbigian (left) of Birmingham, Kirk Mays of Detroit. 2. Lori (left) & Greg Wingeter of Rochester, Patti Sharf of Bloomfield. 3. Mike & Michele Buscaino of Birmingham. 4. Jeffrey Imerman of Birmingham, Ashleigh Dunham of Pleasant Ridge. 5. Nan (left) & Tom Grobbel and Kathy Vargo of Birmingham, Nicki Wyatt of Brighton. 6. Lin Belanger of Birmingham, Don DeClerq of Bloomfield.
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Angels Place Friends & Family Fun Day More than 500 people of all ages ($20 tickets) flocked to the annual happening that Angels Place has been staging for 14 years. Forty of them came early for the run/walk/roll through the Marian High School neighborhood. Then the main, carnival-type event opened at 10 a.m. with a welcome by sponsor Sun Community’s John McLaren and a chorus of the National Anthem led by the Marian Melodies. After that, it was full speed ahead to the giant slide, inflatables, rock climbing wall, pony rides, petting farm, basketball challenge zone, dunk tank, face painting station, raffle booth and everpopular game tent with prizes for all. The latter has been coordinated for all 14 years by Mark and Amy Carroll, who now have three kids to help out. Food breaks offered National Coney Islands, ice cream, snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. Nora Grabowski won the chocolate chip cookie contest and the Lions’ Roary, Tigers’ Paws and Disney’s Snow Queen Elsa schmoozed everybody. That includes the residents of the 20 Angels Place homes where people with disabilities know lifetime care in a family-like setting. Thanks to generous sponsors, the 14th annual fun day raised more than $63,000. Women’s Fund Summer Soiree Barb Cenko and Maria Trahan 10.17
chaired The Women’s Fund annual summer gathering at Arteva’s Idea Show House in Rochester Hills’ Clear Creek Community. Nearly 100 members and their guests toured the more than 7,000 square feet of inspired architecture and cuttingedge design. Socializing and touring paused briefly for WF president Lori Roscoe to share the fund’s accomplishments over the past year. These include grants that help victims of domestic assault; emergency financial assistance; healthcare screening for uninsured women; family crisis assistance due to catastrophic illness; job seeking & retraining initiatives; assistance for seniors with needed home repairs; and scholarship funding for two high school seniors. Roscoe also provided an update on the WF Endowment Campaign whose goal is $1 million by the year 2020 and the Legacy Circle whose members donate $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000. Rotary Sunday Afternoon with Bob A piano on the CUBE stage at Orchestra Hall’s Max & Marjorie Fisher Center made it a perfect place for piano man Bob Allesee (nee Allison) to be honored. The event, which benefited the Detroit Rotary Foundation, was a salute by the Rotarians for the octogenarian’s remarkable fidelity – for 35-plus years Bob has played the piano at their weekly meeting at the Detroit Athletic Club. The relaxed event, chaired by Myra Ford Jenkins and John Keeler, attracted 125. They were welcomed by DSO CEO Anne Parsons who noted the Robert & Maggie Allesee rehearsal hall adjoins the CUBE. They snacked sang-along, and applauded the tributes and presentations. Bob, whose “Ask Your Neighbor” radio show has been running for 55 years, generated approving mummers when he announced his next song as his favorite: “I Married an Angel.” And the room applauded in agreement when a note signed by Sue and Paul Nine was read: “It is not true that the good die young.” Camp Casey’s Gold Rush Gala The Reserve was awash in golden glitter as 200 Camp Casey supporters ($85 ticket), many wearing a shiny nod to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, gathered there. The Jukebox Junkies supplied toe tappin’, easy listening tunes while people socialized, sipped, supped, bid $12,000 in the silent auction and dropped $1,700 at the whiskey and wine pull station. They paused for a downtownpublications.com
Angels Place Friends & Family Fun Day
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1. Amy (left), Ashley, Charlie, Heidi & Mark Carroll of Birmingham. 2. Joey Jonna (left) and Joe Cassai of Bloomfield. 3. Taylor Remski of Birmingham. 4. Drake (left), Crystal, Troy & Bobby Semaai of Bloomfield. 5. Colleen Burtka (left) of Rochester, Mike Cassiday of Beverly Hills, Cheryl Loveday of Pontiac. 6. Andrew Hyde (left) and Mike Lockwood of Bloomfield.
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Women’s Fund Summer Soiree
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1. Barb Cenko (left) and Maria Trahan of Rochester Hills, Kathy McCarter and Kathy Bogdziewicz of Rochester, Lynn Florek of Lake Orion, Judy deSteiger of Rochester Hills, Sue Upton of Rochester. 2. Mary Ann Reidinger (left) and Renee Cortright of Rochester. 3. Rick (left) & Karen Lockman and Rob & Toni McConnell of Rochester Hills. 4. Lynn Oates (left) and Nancy Salvia of Rochester, Judy deSteiger of Rochester Hills. 5. Linda Preede (left) Lisa Perry and Phyllis Scroggie of Rochester Hills.
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Rotary Sunday Afternoon with Bob
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1. Bob Allison/Allesee (center) of Bloomfield, Rev. Al Timm (left) and Shirley Roseman of Detroit. 2. Maggie Allesee (center) of Bloomfield, Myra Ford-Jenkins of Belleville and John Keeler of Livonia. 3. Brian & Angie Schumacker of Rochester. 4. Marusa Judy (left) and Patti Sharf of Bloomfield.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK brief program emceed by WYCD’s Rachael Hunter. It had highlights: David Brown’s video depicting Camp Casey’s equestrian programs for kids with cancer; testimonials by camper Alyssa Leighton, 15, and her mom Denise (“Molly and her team changed our lives forever”) and moving remarks by Nathan Foote, whose daughter’s losing cancer battle inspired Molly Reeser to found the non-profit 13 years ago. Thanks also to a raffle ($1,170), live auction ($2,800), dessert auction ($1,025) and generous sponsors, the fun-filled evening raised more than $42,000 to provide happy, horsing around times for kids with cancer and their families.
Camp Casey’s Gold Rush Gala
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1. Katie Patterson (left) of Birmingham, Molly Reeser of Ferndale, Angela Butorac of Clinton. 2. Alyssa (left) and Denise Leighton of Birmingham. 3. Rob (left) & Andrea Karlik of Rochester, Katelyn & Nick Banaszak of Farmington. 4. Veronica Wood (left) of Birmingham, Amber and Vickie Pochron of Bloomfield. 5. Todd & Laura Horner of Bloomfield.
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Good Samaritan Cruise
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1. Sharon Berkobien (left) of Saginaw, Mia Materka and Paul Nine of Bloomfield. 2. Lisa Wilson (left) of Bloomfield, Karen Mersino of Lapeer. 3. Sue Nine (left) of Bloomfield, Msgr. Chuck Kosanke of Detroit. 4. Patti Jessup (left) of Bloomfield, Colleen Nagel of Troy. 5. Sue Spangler (left) and Lisa Stancrak of Bloomfield.
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Detroit Dog Rescue benefit
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1. Randy & Paula Slof of Franklin. 2. Sue Gorang of Rochester. 3. Chris Morrisroe (left) of Waterford, Mariana Keros of Birmingham. 4. Karen Gilbert (left) of Rochester, Kim Shanker of Berkley.
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Good Samaritan Cruise The 16th anniversary of Holy Cross Services’ Samaritan Center was excuse enough for the Good Samaritan support group to hit the deck of Jack’s River Tour’s Diamond Belle. Many of the 80 guests ($150 ticket) were meeting the new Holy Cross Services president Sharon Berkobien for the first time. She reported briefly about the center’s new comprehensive services meetings with the neighbors in the eastside Detroit neighborhood. Then, as the boat cruised the Detroit River north to Lake St. Clair and back to the Ambassador Bridge, the setting sun and night lights of Detroit and Windsor spurred dinner table conversation. Lilting musical selections by soprano Angela Theis were like frosting on the anniversary cake. Thanks also to a silent auction ($1,750) the evening raised nearly $15,000 for the Samaritan Center. Detroit Dog Rescue benefit The invitation named the event “Fashion, Fashion Food” and more than 60 people gathered at Paula and Randy Slof’s home in Franklin for both. (Chloe, the Australian sheep dog that inspired the hosts to support Detroit Dog Rescue with a percent of the evening’s sales, was at doggy day care.) The fashions, routinely sold via the couple’s Paula&Chlo online shop, were attractively displayed pop-up boutique style in the family room of the European-inspired home. Guests sipped yuzu and meyer lemon martinis and relished shrimp cocktails and cuisine Paula, whose background includes her family’s Peppino’s Restaurant, personally created. Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390. 10.17
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ENDNOTE
Oakland emergency preparations lacking s we examined in depth in this month’s issue Oakland County and local municipalities’ emergency preparations and hazard mitigation for any kind of serious crisis or catastrophic event, natural or manmade, what we came away with was the realization that they’re not ready for prime time. Frankly, 16 years after the 9/11 terrorist attack, and 12 years after the horror in New Orleans of Katrina, we are not only disappointed in their short-sighted approach, but worried. Just weeks after the the massive natural catastrophes that Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma were for the southern portions of this country, it exposed holes in disaster preparation that are transferrable to southeastern Michigan. Every local municipality with an emergency management plan focused primarily on natural disasters – important certainly, but here in Michigan, we are not convinced that winter elements of snow and snowstorms, often considered a top hazard, should be considered a natural disaster rather than winter weather. Yes, ice storms cause all kinds of major issues, including power outages, which require emergency preparations. However, both the county and locals remain less than ready for how to handle massive power outages when they do occur, whether from weather-related events or from a terrorist event, war or any other catastrophe. Last March’s power outage due to strong winds was a prime example, as it took over a week to restore much of the 277,000 people who were left without power.
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One of the most significant issues that appears incomplete in plan after plan is how they would handle communications in the event of a catastrophic event that result in massive power outages and cell phone towers down, with residents incapable of just “turning on the TV to find out where to go.” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has seen first hand what is needed when power grids are down, the water system is compromised, and there is a lack of central communication to the public, having been called to action at the Twin Towers after 9/11, and after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He said that not all first responders were prepared, and it made him realize how critical it is for first responders to come to a disaster ready for anything, having planned for any eventuality, and with their own needs being met, as well as for the public’s. He had worked with the feds to create concentric circles of prepared regional teams that were pre-trained and pre-equipped for any kind of disaster, with the right kind of communication devices and skills. Unfortunately, changes in administrations and priorities derailed the efforts. The answer from emergency managers was often for residents to have emergency radios with batteries, or that they would have to talk to their neighbors. That’s not the the kind of regional cooperation that is required for communications and it seems highly inadequate if there were a major event – which all anyone has to currently do is read a headline to know that preparing for an event greater than flooding should be their highest priority.
President Trump spoke to the United Nations General Assembly, threatening “total destruction” of North Korea if it doesn’t abandon its drive toward nuclear weaponry. North Korea continues to threaten to hit the middle of the United States with a missile while testing out its weapons. China and Russia are conducting joint war exercises. Disaffected men around the world, whether they have been radicalized as terrorists or are mentally ill, are acting as “lone wolves” in reeking havoc on the public. If only flooding, ice and snowstorms were really what emergency preparations were all about, Oakland County would be mostly prepared. The reality is that today, we are dealing with a president who could engage in a war with North Korea or Iran, or any number of countries, at any point, and citizenry could be confronted with dangers much greater than clearing snow off roadways. We have to look elsewhere for good examples of emergency preparedness. For example, in Israel, every school child knows where to head in case of war or bombings. Or look to North Korea, where a reporter recently interviewed citizens who said they were preparing for war with the United States, and everyone knew where to go if that happened. When we asked officials about evacuation routes and shelters in case of a major catastrophe, the answers were either ‘confidential’ or non-existent. That is not preparation in the event of a major calamity. Oakland County, you must do better, for all of our sakes.
Defining ‘personal services’ in Birmingham fter months of planning board meetings, joint city meetings, shopping district and building owners meeting with attorneys, it has come down to this reality: the Birmingham City Commission must take over and finally do the heavy lifting that no one else in the city has been willing to do and establish the definition of personal services for retail establishments in the downtown business district’s first floor spaces. The need to clarify the definition of personal services for first floor spaces, long reserved for retail and restaurants, has arisen because there has been an increase in commercial office space being rented out on first floors and being “interpreted” as personal services – stretching the ordinance, according to Birmingham officials, by stating that ad agencies, marketing firms, real estate offices, web development offices, and others, “could” be for personal use because a person hypothetically “could” walk in off the street
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and request their services. The ordinance requiring first floor retail space, has been in place since at least 1996, when the city’s 2016 Master Plan was put into effect. The 2016 Plan has largely been implemented, and with it, Birmingham has indeed become a shopping, entertainment, dining and residential destination. The 2007 bistro ordinance was specifically developed in order to activate the streets to drive diners to stores, and to create vitality and walkability. But some feel that is being threatened, as more offices, notably ad/marketing agencies, web design firms and others increasingly inhabit first floor retail space, and a duel has broken out between city officials and retailers who want to maintain the walkability and retail landscape, and landlords, who say they just want to fill increasing vacancies. The planning board was tasked with defining personal services – not the need for the ordinance, not what the retail landscape
currently is, nor considerations about demands on the parking system. Yet, over the summer months, they misinterpreted their responsibility as more than it was, and ultimately, bounced the issue back into the laps of city commissioners. The recent joint commission/planning board workshop seemed to clarify that no, that’s not what was asked of them. Commissioners must now clarify the definition, which is an establishment that provides services involving the care of a person or their apparel. We think the definition must include beauty services, dry cleaning, shoe repair, as well as medical, dental and mental health services, which we believe provide more foot traffic for the downtown area than offices and cubicles. Birmingham is a wonderful, dynamic small city that is going through a cyclical change. Let’s not ruin what has been created for temporary gain.
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5 1.09 Acres $995,000
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This statistical This statistical information information has has been been obtained obtained from from Realcomp Realcomp II II Ltd., Ltd., the the REALTOR’S R REA E ALTO TOR’S R’S ® ML MLS. M LS. L S. Although Although n not ot gguaranteed, uaranteed, these these statistics ssttaatistics tistics are a re d derived erived ffrom rom data data believed believed to to be be reliable. reliable. This T his iinformation nformation is is not not to to be be reproduced, reproduced, redistributed, redistribute redistributed d,, or or combined combined with with data data from from other other sources sources without without expressed expressed permission permission ffrom ro m R Realcomp. ealcomp. Date: Date : 9/2017. 9 /2017.