Downtown Newsmagazine | Birmingham/Bloomfield

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SEPTEMBER 2021

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DOWNTOWN09.21

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The movement to rely more on solar and wind power For over a century, Americans have relied on centrally-located power plants fueled by coal, gas, nuclear, or hydropower to generate the electricity. But there is now a push to move to solar and wind technology although there is some opposition.

LONGFORM

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The battle is historic and still going on today – the fight over the right to vote. At present there are 61 bills pending in legislatures in 18 states to alter how voting will be conducted come the 2022 election.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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Our coverage of Critical Race Theory in the August issue has hit a responsive chord among our readers, so here is an inside look at how Downtown Newsmagazine selects and works topics for its longform storytelling.

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

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

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Cover design: Chris Grammer

Campaign money, and lots of it; Anthony Paesano challenges Manoogian; Noah Arbit announces for Berman seat; James Craig polling; possible problems for Rinke run; plus more.

NEW THIS ISSUE: HELP WANTED MARKETPLACE / PAGES 88-89

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Ben Ketai

MUNICIPAL

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Suspicious emails to local clerks; concern over Woodward signage; RH gets final approval; woodland ordinance updated; two candidates knocked off city ballot; Whistle Stop bistro okayed; plus more.

METRO INTELLIGENCER

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Gigi Nichols continues the Metro Intelligencer restaurant column which Downtown Newsmagazine brought back now that the restaurant industry is making a comeback with pandemic restrictions mostly lifted.

FACES

36 57 71

Mindy Salzberg-Siegel

Ben Ketai

Pamela Livington-Hardy

ENDNOTE

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MDOT should rethink its plan for digital signage along Woodward; kudos to those who brought RH deal to conclusion.

SUPPORT DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE: DONATE AT DOWNTOWNPUBLICATIONS.COM

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FROM THE PUBLISHER ritical Race Theory (CRT). The mere mention of this graduate level approach to American history brings immediate reaction from those on either side of what has become the political issue du jour, regardless of whether most understand what this loaded phrase really means.

C

Certainly it was no surprise after our August edition of Downtown Newsmagazine attempted to educate readers about what is known as CRT, an issue starting to crop up at school board meetings, that emails, phone calls and letters to the editor would arrive as the issue reached homes in the community, as evidenced by the representative sample of letters you will find in our Incoming pages in this issue.

It comes with the territory, I reminded myself after decades of working in the field of journalism. Yes, I have seen it all. From having to go with an unlisted home phone number during political upheaval in a township in the western Oakland lakes area as those opposing change ran a concerted effort of phone harassment during overnight hours, or a union local official barging into the newsroom to threaten a reporter when he did not like our critical coverage of his Democrat candidate for the state House, to a past Democrat Oakland County sheriff posting a department car/officer outside my home each night as subtle harassment in retaliation for coverage of his poor administration. Bomb threats – been there. Threatening phone messages, even here in Birmingham when violence, including guns, became part of the scene at one of the nowclosed bars in the downtown area several years ago. The list is endless.

The feedback to our CRT longform piece in the August edition pales in comparison. It does, however, present a perfect opportunity to talk about what goes on behind the scenes here at Downtown Newsmagazine as we plan out issues months in advance.

When we launched our publication 11 years ago, we made as part of our stated policy objective to put out a legitimate monthly newsmagazine that would detail what local officials did on behalf of the citizens who they serve, along with personality profiles, editorial commentary, and the occasional interviews with local and state political leaders to noted figures like Daniel Ellsberg of the Pentagon Papers fame.

As we state in each monthly issue under the heading of Goals/Mission: We also devote considerable effort each month to address major issues facing local residents through our longform story-telling efforts in an effort to build a community of informed citizens, which is essential for our democracy to function.

Our monthly longform pieces (3,500–5,000 words) start taking shape months in advance of an issue as we observe or anticipate trends developing nationally and internationally that we think will likely have impact closer to home. We exchange information among ourselves on a daily basis from a wide range of publications we all read. A running list of possible topics is maintained and we build lists of sources to consult from around the state, nation and sometimes other countries – those who have top credentials in subject areas we are going to tackle. Once we have determined an issue, we meet every few days to update each other on how a longform story is progressing.

We take great pride in what we have produced – nearly 300 longform stories – especially when we see much larger publications here and around the nation cover the same topics many months after we have moved on to explore other issues.

Over the last decade we have delved into a vast array of topics, among

them: changing racial composition of Oakland’s private schools; urban planning trends; increasing suicides; the militia of Michigan; local police policies regulating the use of force; chemical contamination in cosmetics; local government sex assault polices; radon testing in schools; attempts in Canada to bury nuclear waste on the shores of the Great Lakes; dangerous chemical applications in public spaces by local governments; or the policies in Oakland school districts relative to LGBTQ+ students.

At a minimum we would like to think we have fulfilled our mission of providing a factual narrative to local residents, among the highest educated in the state. On occasion we have taken satisfaction that we have been instrumental in changing local policies, especially on the environmental front, one of the special areas of concern when we are doing the longform stories.

Bottom line: Whether it is CRT or any of the topics we explore, ignoring important issues that are arriving on our doorsteps is not a responsible approach.

Do some of the topics make part of our readership uncomfortable – without doubt. We hear from our readers with varying viewpoints most months, something you don’t find in other publications. That tells us two things – Downtown Newsmagazine is being read and we are also fulfilling another goal we set for ourselves – fostering conversation in the community. Keep reading and sharing your viewpoints.

DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERS: We provide a number of email newsletters, either weekly or monthly, which residents can sign up to receive by going to downtownpublications.com. Our offerings: a Weekly Update newsletter each Friday, which includes the latest government and police beat news; Breaking News when it occurs; Metro Intelligencer, news and gossip from the restaurant industry in metro Detroit; and Oakland Confidential, political gossip presented in a sometimes irreverent style.

During the start of the pandemic, when information was in short supply, we produced The Covid-19 Diary, a daily curation of stories appearing in over three dozen national publications and science journals, which we discontinued in March of this year when we thought the worst was over.

We will be launching a new environmental newsletter in the coming weeks – ThreatenedPlanet.com – issued on a bi-weekly basis. The focus will be the global warming crisis, providing online links to stories curated from a variety of general media newspapers, magazines and environmental newsletters to which we subscribe. You can now sign up on the home page of our website.

VOTER GUIDE: Our October issue will contain a guide to the candidates running for election to the city commission in Birmingham, published in time for those voting by absentee ballot.

HELP WANTED MARKETPLACE: A common complaint we hear from the business community is the inability to find staffing now that life is starting to return to a new normal. So with this issue, we have started offering a Help Wanted Marketplace where businesses can advertise for staffing. We discounted the rates on four sizes of ads to help with the employee search. The ads will appear at the back of each monthly issue – this month on pages 88-89.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

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BIRMINGHAM | BLOOMFIELD PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody Anchill | Tracy Donohue | Kevin Elliott | Stacy Gittleman Austen Hohendorf | Jennifer Lovy | Jeanine Matlow | Gigi Nichols | Bill Seklar PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Esme McClear | Laurie Tennent | Chris Ward Laurie Tennent Studio ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Mark Grablowski GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple, Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills.

Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $15 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.

DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE GOALS/MISSION The personnel at Downtown Newsmagazine bring a special commitment to the publishing effort, reinvesting in the local communities and working to make sure the Birmingham/Bloomfield area reaches its highest potential.

Our mission dictates that we strive each month to provide a solid news and advertising product that local residents look forward to reading. Our goal is to build a community of informed citizens through the efforts of our passionate team. We are innovators producing products that go well beyond what others offer.

Downtown Newsmagazine captures life in the local communities through coverage of major municipal and school issues, personality profiles, the latest news from the business community and political gossip/news.

We also devote considerable effort each month to address major issues facing local residents through our longform story-telling efforts, further setting us apart from others competing for readers' attention.

WEBSITE downtownpublications.com

FACEBOOK facebook.com/downtownpublications TWITTER twitter.com/downtownpubs OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL oaklandconfidential.com METRO INTELLIGENCER metrointelligencer.com THREATENED PLANET threatenedplanet.com Member of Downtown Publications

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Judith & Joel Adelman Doeren Mayhew Downtown Publications David & Suzette Hohendorf FMD, CPAs & Strategic Advisors - Brianna J. McNamara

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CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through August 19, 2021.

Placement of codes is approximate.

INCOMING PFAS, biosolids article Stacy Gittleman's PFAS and biosolids article in Downtown Newsmagazine (August) is superb. It covers so much ground, addressing historic, current, and onrushing problems.

I am a recent (2018) returnee to metro Detroit after only 40 years away (WSUSOM '78). The article reminded me strongly of a previous and somewhat similar incident regarding PFFS and biosolid applications in Michigan, with disastrous consequences for the agricultural economy and of course, implications for food safety and human health.

I am also a clinician researcher, investigating and publishing concerning health aspects of PFAS exposure despite my antiquity (multiple publications, starting with an exposure population in West Virginia and Ohio, and still active – addressing an upcoming National Academies of Sciences (NASEM) committee meeting concerning PFAS. If you have questions and PFAS exposure and health, please ask at any time.

Please pass on my appreciation to the editor. This is the second useful PFAS article I have seen from this publisher, and the topic is too seldom discussed or understood.

Dr. Alan Ducatman, MD, MS Birmingham (Professor Emeritus, School of Public Health, West Virginia University)

Critical Race Theory Wow! I loved Lisa Brody's (August) article in Downtown, “Critical Race Theory: Political Battle Shifts to Education. “ I really hope that Birmingham parents who have been speaking against CRT at our board meetings read this article and learn something.

I am so impressed that this was published in a Birmingham publication and so relieved.

The past year has made me reconsider whether Birmingham is the right fit for our family. My husband and I want our kids to learn truth and have challenging discussions on both past and current events. However, I have felt like we are surrounded by truth and science deniers for so long now.

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DOWNTOWN

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

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

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

Thank you for having the courage to write the truth and facts around CRT. Catherine Henne Birmingham

Excellent August article Congratulations to Lisa Brody for her excellent article about "Critical Race Theory" (August/Downtown).

Are you the kind of American who wants to forget that anybody but White folks have had anything to do with our history; or, like me, are you inspired by a multi-cultural future unfolding before us?

I am as White as you can get, but I was blessed with a wake-up call while teaching at Spelman College, an historically Black College for Women.

After being assigned only White material during my entire education, I was fascinated to be introduced to African American literature. Including it in my courses at the University of Wisconsin gave my students both an understanding of Black history and empathy with what Black lives are like.

Margaret Walker's novel Jubilee, for but one example, takes its hero Vyry through slavery, the Civil War, and reconstruction, evoking discussions of these events and the inner strength she drew upon to survive.

There is a Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry just come out, and the Norton Anthology of African American Literature is in its third edition: plenty of material to empower students of color while preparing White students for their multi-cultural future.

Dr. Annis Pratt Professor Emerita University of Wisconsin-Madison 09.21

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Terrific CRT article Terrific work completing the CRT article (August). Lisa Brody interviewed numerous scholars and demonstrated careful exploration of CRT. Thank you for Lisa's work.

Jonathan Chism, PhD Assistant Professor of History Fellow of the Center for Critical Race Studies University of Houston-Downtown Houston, Texas

CRT longform Well, you got me. Prior to now, I’ve always tossed your magazine, seeing it only as a carrier of real estate ads. But this month's “Critical Race Theory” caught my eye.

It was a surprise, as was (David Hohendorf's) editorial, which I also read while eating my lunch in the comfort of my Birmingham Tudor on N. Glenhurst. Both were excellent and I was pleased to see the topics so well covered in a publication sent to every home in our community.

I hope people take time to read the pieces. Next time, I won’t be so

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quick to toss your publication.

Thanks for taking on both important issues.

Kate Beebe Birmingham

Take it down a notch Our family moved to the area two years ago and receive your paper. It's informative to learn about events, municipal changes, dining options and crime. We learn of local businesses to support through their paid ads.

But to get there, we need to wade through a steep partisan narrative.

Oakland Confidential is a thoroughly snarky take down of anything GOP while transgressions from the left are ignored. The slanted views of polarizing topics like this issue's Critical Race Theory (August) dismiss concerns of local parents and critics as unfounded and unjustified. Trump's name is repeated dozens of times even though he's technically unemployed.

Believe it or not, a lot of us here did not vote to get Trump elected yet are still put off by this rhetoric and virtuous agenda.

It's a free paper so it feels disingenuous to complain about the quality of the journalism. This is a community publication that could be more. It could help both inform and unite our community but clearly intends to divide it…

Hoping you will consider taking it down a notch, represent a spectrum of ideas to promote mutual understanding and take a small step to being a better promoter of our community.

Eric Davidson Birmingham

Strong August issue I just wanted to say what super reading the August 2021 edition of Downtown Newsmagazine was for me.

Page after page of what’s happening in Birmingham from shortterm rentals to the Restoration Hardware project to the ……All things I’m very interested in “hearing” about and the status of each.

I especially would like to send an AWESOME to Lisa Brody on her lengthy explanation of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Just a fantastic

DOWNTOWN

explanation of CRT, the status of CRT at a national level, as well as where CRT stands in the curriculums of our local school systems. Thank you, Lisa.

And thank you David Hohendorf, for an outstanding effort by you and your team.

Standing together, 6’ apart, be healthy.

Jack Burns Birmingham

Not voter suppression It is not voter “suppression.”(From the Publisher/August) It is voter integrity. Wake up, man.

Voter ID is simply common sense. If I can get an ID to drive, get an apartment, earn a paycheck and pay taxes, I can sure as hell get a voter ID. This is to fend off voter fraud – simple as that.

The Constitution calls for a one day vote in a booth within a person's precinct. What exactly is suppressing anyone with these common sense policies?

Enlighten me, please.

Thomas Werthman

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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 at OaklandConfidential.com where you can sign up to receive updates via email.

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2022 LIFEBLOOD: Let’s talk campaign money, and lot’s of it, starting with Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills, northern Oakland, parts of Livingston and Ingham counties) who, in the recent campaign donation reporting period, which ended June 30, hauled in $1,048,232. This is not out of the ordinary for the prolific fundraiser, who consistently vows not to take corporate PAC dollars.

Slotkin reported she has raised $2 million this election cycle, and currently has $3.1 million cash-on-hand.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, SLOTKIN Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Commerce, western Oakland and Wayne counties) raised $706,514, for a total of $1,353,632 in this election cycle, and has $1.1 million cash-on-hand. Fellow Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, parts of Macomb County) raised $50,844 during the second quarter, for $952,031 in this election cycle, and has $453,368 cash-on-hand. On the state level, state House Rep. Mari Manoogian (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield) raised $41,272 this cycle, and is sitting on over $52,000 cash-on-hand. State Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills) raised almost $25,000 this quarter, for $116,163 this campaign cycle. She has $50,000 cash-on-hand. Fellow state Senator Rosemary Bayer (DBeverly Hills, Bloomfield Township, Franklin, Clarkston, Lake Orion) raised $63,756 this quarter, and $120,461 this election cycle. She has $88,847 cash-on-hand. All those dollars will come in handy not only for potential challengers, but in dealing with upcoming redistricting, which won’t be known for several months.

IT’S A RICH (WO)MAN’S WORLD: Raising money for the next campaign is all part of the election game – and it appears Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) is the consummate player. For the last filing period, January 1-July 20, the campaign to re-elect Whitmer reported it had raised a whopping $8.5 million, and that it has over $10 million cash-on-hand. Mark Fisk, spokesperson for her campaign, noted it was the most raised by any Michigan candidate in an off-year ever, with donations coming from over 25,000 contributors, with the majority of those based in Michigan.

“More than 10,000 new donors gave during the fundraising period, there were over 22,000 donations less than $200, and donations were MARK BERNSTEIN received from every county across the state,” Fisk reported. However, there was some really big fish donors to Whitmer’s campaign, as she fundraised on a 1984 ruling which exempts candidates facing a recall from individual donor limits of $7,150 each – which Whitmer had been facing at the time, although some in the GOP RICHARD BERNSTEIN are now calling ‘foul.’ For example, University of Michigan regent and personal injury lawyer Mark Bernstein (whose Supreme Court Justice brother Richard could well have to rule on issues involving the governor) donated $257,150, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) gave his fellow Great Lakes governor $250,000. However, some legal experts contend that because efforts to recall Whitmer fell short, she may have to return the money or contribute it to another legal purpose.

IN THIS CORNER: State Rep. Mari Manoogian (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, eastern half of West Bloomfield) has a newly-announced Republican opponent, Anthony Paesano, an Oakland County attorney who is already working with a noted heavyweight campaign advisor. In an ironic twist, Paesano happens to be partners with Manoogian’s cousin, Richard Apkarian. They may not have the same

DOWNTOWN

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political leanings though – and, after all, blood is thicker than water, as they say. The day Paesano filed to run for the 40th District seat, Apkarian maxed out his contributions to Manoogian. He’s also hosted two fundraisers for his cousin, who is out pounding the pavement with her “Mari’s army” of volunteers as part of her ground game to get re-elected to her third term. Paesano, in a release, said he is “distressed by what is happening in Lansing, particularly as it affects our children’s education, the many small businesses our community depends on, and the quality of life for Oakland County families.” He’s PAESANO committed to lowering taxes, small businesses, law enforcement and “believes in the integrity of our elections is paramount to the preservation of our republic and support voter ID requirements for all voters.” Manoogian, who has been a strong advocate for public education, small businesses and law enforcement in her first two terms, said her priorities are to “first properly represent our district, and then not far behind is taking the majority” of the state House. Let the battle begin.

DOUBLE PLAY: Just as Noah Arbit, director of communications for the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, was preparing to announce his candidacy to run for the Democrat nomination for the 39th state House District, which currently covers Commerce Township and the western half of West Bloomfield to take on Republican incumbent Ryan Berman for what would have been his third and final term, when Berman did a switcheroo, announcing he is running for state attorney general in 2022, hoping to take on Democrat incumbent Dana Nessel. Berman is the first Republican to officially ARBIT take her on, although word is that former Speaker of the House Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt), who lost to Nessel in 2018 by only three percentage points, is considering a rematch, and Kalamazoo attorney Matthew DePerno, who has questioned the validity of the 2020 election, has formed a fundraising campaign. As for Arbit, while this will be the first campaign for the 25-year-old West Bloomfield native, he is already an experienced campaigner and community leader, having been a former staffer for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Hillary Clinton, and the Michigan House of BERMAN Representatives. In 2020, Arbit founded and chairs the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus, introducing Oakland County Jews to Democratic politicos and candidates. The Second Annual Summer Simcha had nearly 300 attendees on August 1, including Gov. Whitmer, Nessel, Rep. Haley Stevens, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Rep. Debbie Dingell (DDearborn), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Detroit), and state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield, Oak Park, Huntington Woods) and state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (DFarmington Hills).

TIME TO MOVE ON: Mama always said be careful who you tell a lie to because you have to keep following its tale to the end of its tail. Some members of the Republican Party are discovering that with the blowback from the fire that is the ‘Big Lie’ – the assertion by some, still, nearly 10 months later, that the November 2020 election was stolen – but only at the presidential level. That has led to the GOP purging itself of some of those who have not kept up with the falsehood. Included are some of those in Michigan, such as Jason Roe, a veteran conservative strategist who the Michigan GOP had brought in to assist them in February and was promptly dumped as we mentioned last month, now add in former Republican state party communications director Ted Goodman, which Politico said jumped ship to join former Detroit Police Chief James Craig’s gubernatorial campaign. Goodman’s replacement, Kaitlyn Buss, quit within a week, telling Politico, “I chose to leave after two days because it was clear to me that the party, generally, was not willing to move past Trump, and I was not willing to go through that again.”

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standard bearer against Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2022. But 16 months ahead of the November general election, we are not seeing anyone with the combination of both star power and fundraising ability to really stand out from the pack. There’s ex-Detroit top cop James Craig who has yet to formally announce but has been busy assembling a campaign organization and is expected by the GOP to be a given. Although he was touted months ago as the hope for the party, the allure is fading in some factions of the state GOP. And then there is the late July poll of Detroit residents by, among others, the Detroit Free Press, in which Craig received poor marks (43 percent) on the issue of police department performance. A measly one-third rated the department as good. About 46 percent said they were less likely to support him. Some observers say the party has yet to truly coalesce around him, but that has not stopped some of the GOP elders, like former Michigan Gov. John Engler, from forming a PAC to back the former Detroit police chief.

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GLOW IS FADING: Two names of Republicans keep surfacing in the rumor mill, persons financially capable of self-funding a run for governor – millionaires Perry Johnson of Troy and Bloomfield Township’s Kevin Rinke from the Rinke auto dealer family.

The latter has some baggage that has been surfacing in recent weeks that could prove problematic, despite his willingness to put $10 million of his own money in the race. Bill Ballenger, former state lawmaker, prognosticator and dean of political newsletters here in Michigan, JOHNSON described the baggage in a recent column as “personal issues” that must be resolved by Rinke. MIRS, the Lansing-based information news service, was more direct in late July – employees (three of them) filed claims and took legal action for age and race discrimination and sexual harassment at one of Rinke’s former car dealerships dating back to the 1990s. A Rinke spokesperson labeled the claims, back then and now, as completely false. All three claims were eventually dismissed by judges following agreements to settle that were hammered out. We asked around about Rinke among local Republicans and got mixed messages. Some had no RINKE knowledge of him although a check of federal campaign donation records shows Rinke is a long-time supporter of Republican candidates, in county, state and federal races. Think Mitt Romney, Bill Schuette, Brian Calley, Mike Bishop and Jim Runstead for starters, plus the Republican National Committee. Just this past April he gave $10,000 to the Michigan Republican Party. A quick off-the-cuff windshield survey of some car dealers produced responses of “not well known” among the car crowd. A quote from one local Republican says it all – “He is known as someone born on third base but thought he hit a triple.” Ouch.

SHORT TAKES: Former U.S. head of education and generous underwriter of conservative causes Betsy DeVos has made it official, she is not running for governor. Republican state party co-chair and Milford resident Meshawn Maddock posted about the Pillow Guy’s bust of an event to show “proof” of the Big Steal: “Watching my friend Mike Lindell on FrankSpeech.com right now! Shouldn’t we all want to learn everything we can about election integrity? I say YES.” A new dark money group led by some veteran GOP heavy-hitters (American Action Network) is dumping $400,00 into the districts of Oakland Congresswomen Haley Stevens and Elissa Slotkin in hopes of toppling the pair with its television campaign tied to the $3.5 trillion budget bill pending in D.C. Neither member of congress has taken a position yet. Lastly, Citizens for Equality, Fairness and Justice, the sketchy group fighting to prevent expansion of the ElliottLarsen Civil Rights Act to codify the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, is almost totally underwritten by donations ($204,175 or the near majority of its budget) by the Michigan Catholic Conference, considered the “official voice of the Catholic Church on matters of public policy.”

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Mindy Salzberg-Siegel, Barbara Wallace and Denise Kalt or a certain group of people, the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic were counted by the loaves of bread they baked. From banana bread to sourdough, the comforts of baking combined with the need to eat all meals and snacks at home lead to a bread baking boom.

Mindy Salzberg-Siegel of Birmingham, Barbara Wallace of Huntington Woods and Denise Kalt, Franklin, took it a step further by signing up for online baking classes from Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, where they quickly found themselves with more loaves of bread than they or their family could reasonably consume. At the same time, news stories abounded about those experiencing food insecurity, with people lined up at food pantries around the country.

The women started researching area food pantries as a way to share their fresh baked goods with those in need, but many required special licensing, certifications, and the use of commercial kitchens. SalzbergSiegel saw a segment on the Today show that featured women in Seattle who had formed a grassroots organization that provided food banks with fresh bread, and she reached out about bringing that organization to metro Detroit. When she struggled to connect with them, she, along with Wallace and Kalt, decided to do it themselves, forming Kneaded with Love.

The women made their first bread deliveries in March 2021, and since then, Kneaded with Love has grown a volunteer network of nearly 60 women who bake between 30 and 90 loaves of bread each month for two local food pantries. Two Fridays per month, volunteers, most of whom, thus far, are women in their 50s and 60s, bake two loaves of bread and deliver them to one of the women’s homes. On Saturdays, they deliver the bread to Open Hands Food Pantry & Garden in Royal Oak and the Second New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Ferndale.

Describes Salzberg-Siegel of the reception, “There’s a huge need. They’re asking for our bread. They can’t believe people are baking for them.”

One thing that was imperative for the women was that their bread was healthy and nutritious. “There’s so much whole grain wheat in the recipe that you can make a sandwich, and I’m never full ever, and I eat a sandwich and I’m full for hours after,” notes Salzberg-Siegel, who found different honey whole wheat bread recipes online and then tweaked the recipe so that bakers could bake two loaves of bread at once. She also made sure that the recipe provided consistent results so that “people could repeat it.”

Kneaded with Love aims to keep the entire process as simple for the bakers as possible, said Kalt, who, prior to the pandemic, had never baked bread aside from an occasional loaf of challah. “There’s a sign-up sheet where you commit to baking bread on a certain date. There’s a video of Mindy baking the bread. If you like to cook and bake, watch the video and I’m sure 99 percent of people will be successful,” said Kalt.

The women hope that Kneaded with Love will soon be able to provide bread beyond the current two Saturdays a month.

“We are hoping that come fall and winter, we can double the amount of bakers. It’s really a fun thing, and it’s a nice thing to do for our community,” said Kalt. “It really doesn’t take that much effort to bake two loaves of bread a month.”

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Story: Hillary Brody Anchill

Photo: Laurie Tennent

CHANGING THE FUTURE OF POWER TRANSFORMING TO WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY

BY STACY GITTLEMAN

arly August – specifically August 10 – will be remembered as an important day for the environment. The United Nations issued a grim Code Red alert about the fate of the increasingly hotter planet. That same day the U.S. Congress passed a stripped-down $973 billion infrastructure deal which calls for the electrification of the nation’s transportation system while eliminating funding to clean up the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels to power its electric grid. At the same time, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, former Michigan Governor, in selling to broadcast media a $3.5 trillion Budget Reconciliation Bill, announced that the nation must double the size of its electric transmission grid so it can harness the power of wind and solar energy – 80 percent of a utility's energy portfolio to power the electric grid must come from renewable sources, such as wind and solar, by 2030, and 100 percent of renewables by 2035.

It’s a time of increasing challenges and change when it comes to the environment.

But change is hard. For over a century, Americans have relied on centrally-located power plants fueled by coal, gas, nuclear, or hydropower to generate the electricity needed to keep the lights on. The transmission grid transports high voltage in one direction – away from the plant by the way of those high voltage transmission towers and wires that string along hills and highways, and towards the lower voltage distribution grids of villages, townships and cities that bring electricity to homes and businesses. This is how most Americans perceive they will always get their electricity delivered.

E

The multi-directional, fragmented electrical grid of the 21st century is becoming far more complex. In addition to large utility-scale plants, modern grids also involve variable energy sources like solar and wind, energy storage systems, and small-scale energy generation systems like rooftop and community “solar garden” solar microgrids that can inject the excess power that they generate back into the grid.

“Our electricity model for over 100 years has been build a big generation plant and send the voltage out on one-direction lines to the customer,” said Ed Rivet, executive director of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum. “With adding wind and solar energy, along with battery storage, onto the grid, we are now moving to a place where there will be many points of transmission, where electrical power generation is going to be all over the place, including the electric car that is going to be charged in your garage that can power your house for two days as a backup generator or during peak electricity usage times.”

Rivett explained the traditional idea of the energy utility serving as a one-way energy management service is all going to change.

“One day, we will end up with in-house batteries that will store power generated by wind turbines that produce electricity overnight and then power our homes by day. It is a far more complex electric system than we have now, but if we can make renewable resources work together, we can create a far more affordable, ondemand dispatchable energy resource and at the same time, reduce our carbon emissions. It’s a win-win all around.”

To achieve President Biden’s net-zero carbon goals of 2050, Princeton University researchers from the NetZero America study concluded that this would require a 60 percent expansion of the U.S. high-voltage transmission network by 2030, as a head start.

Transmission line capacity would have to be tripled through 2050 to connect the needed wind and solar power to the grid. Capital investment for new power lines would need to total $360 billion through 2030 and $2.4 trillion by 2050, the Princeton study estimated.

While the U.S. Energy Information Administration in 2019 stated that most of the nation's electricity would still be generated by natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy, all states are working to increase their renewable portfolios. In 2020, electricity generation from coal decreased 20 percent from 2019 while small-scale solar energy increased nine percent. Utility-scale generation (from projects greater than one megawatt) increased 26 percent, and small-scale solar, such as grid-connected rooftop solar panels, increased 19 percent.

Wind, the most prevalent and visible source of green energy, grew 14 percent between 2019 and 2020.

Combined, renewables generated a record 834 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, or about 21 percent of all the electricity generated in the United States.

Only natural gas, at 1,617 billion kWh, produced more electricity than renewables in the United States in 2020.

The cost of renewables is also dropping sharply.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, newly installed renewable power capacity increasingly costs less than the cheapest power generation options based on fossil fuels. New solar and wind projects are undercutting the cheapest of existing coal-fired plants, the report finds. Solar power experienced the sharpest cost decline from 2010 to 2019 at 82 percent, onshore wind at 40 percent, and offshore wind at 29 percent.

To achieve President Biden’s net-zero carbon goals of 2050, Princeton University researchers from the Net-Zero America study concluded this would require a 60 percent expansion of the U.S. high-voltage transmission network by 2030.

Transmission line capacity would have to be tripled through 2050 to connect the needed wind and solar power to the grid. Capital investment for new power lines would need to total $360 billion through 2030 and $2.4 trillion by 2050.

Michigan's renewable portfolio increased from 10 percent in 2015 to 15 percent in 2021. Consumers Energy has announced plans to increase its use of renewable energy to 35 percent by 2025, and 47 percent by 2030. DTE continues to build renewable energy facilities and has a goal of reducing carbon emission by 50 percent by 2030, and 80 percent by 2040.

Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Deputy Director James Clift said Michigan is poised to produce electricity from solar and wind at competitive prices. At the same time, Clift says it is in the best interest of the country to tie regional systems together in a way that allows surplus power to flow from one region to another based on demand.

"These actions will help to stabilize energy prices for Michigan families and businesses," said Clift. "To every extent possible we would like to see those resources located in Michigan and the energy dollars paid by Michigan residents remain in the pockets of Michigan companies, landowners, and families. In addition, property tax revenues from these systems would support local governments and schools within the state.

(EGLE's) Council on Climate Solutions is helping EGLE prepare the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which will make recommendations to the governor about steps needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Michigan on the way to meeting the state's MI Healthy Climate Plan goal of statewide carbon neutrality by 2050."

State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) said though the Democratic minority has not seen any of its prorenewables legislation passed in Lansing, he maintains his pursuit of furthering clean energy in Michigan, which he contends has a lot of opportunities to develop that can bring about environmental, manufacturing and economical benefits.

“It is smart and makes sense for the state to place ourselves where the energy economy is going, and that means developing renewable energy resources,” said Irwin, who since 2018 has introduced about a dozen pieces of legislation to the state legislature that pertain to the environment and natural resources.

“We've got considerable resources with wind and manufacturing capacities in Michigan,” Irwin said. “I think it would be financially wise for the state to continue its promotion of clean energy.”

According to a 2016 Pew Research survey on American's opinions towards renewables and other energy sources, 89 percent of Americans favor more solar panel farms, while just nine percent oppose. A large share of Americans also support the growth of wind turbine farms (83 percent favor, 14 percent oppose).

But while respondents may express favoring renewables in a telephone survey, public opinion sways differently when large-scale wind or solar projects are proposed out one’s back door. According to a February 2021 study from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law that examined public opposition to wind and solar energy in every state, local governments have enacted 100 policies to block or restrict 152 contested renewable energy facilities.

In another study, a January 2020 Brookings Institute report on renewables and land use found that people largely approve of renewable energy in theory.

Political attitudes toward renewable energy in the United States are less polarized than those toward climate change. Several states that vote Republican are leaders in renewable energy, including Texas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. The study revealed that

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Onstage with

JOSHUA HENRY Performance sponsored by Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden

October 9, 2021 The Crystal Ballroom in the Masonic Temple Acclaimed Broadway star Joshua Henry makes his return to Cabaret 313! Henry most recently starred as Billy Bigelow in Scott Rudin’s Broadway revival of Carousel. Previous to that role, he played Aaron Burr in the national touring production of Hamilton. He began the role in Chicago before moving to San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles.

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82 percent of Americans support tax rebates for energyefficient vehicles or solar panels.

But perception sours when a utility or developer proposes a modest or large-scale wind or solar installation that may change the local landscape.

Detractors of renewables argue that solar and wind farms are eyesores, noisy, take up too much land space, kill birds, or produce energy at inconsistent rates.

Others contend that the mineral mining required to manufacture wind turbines, solar panels, and energy storage batteries only causes further environmental degradation.

Kevon Martis of Lenawee County a decade ago founded the grassroots organization Interstate Informed Citizens Coalition with a mission to block “big energy projects” from coming into rural areas of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Coming to the aid of other popup grassroots Facebook groups in the state, such as Isabella Wind Watch and No More Wind Turbines in Michigan, Martis is a well-known opponent of wind and solar. He denies he is funded by coal and oil special interests like the Koch Brothers despite indications to the contrary. Even so, he said fighting wind and solar at the grassroots level is not a partisan issue. He pointed to the success of environmentalists and tribal leaders stopping a wind project in the Upper Peninsula that proposed a wind farm installation to be built in pristine forestland. He also said that natural gas, rather than wind and solar, will get the country closer to meeting zero emissions standards.

“Our position is primarily one of land use,” said Martis, who has served on multiple zoning boards in Lenawee County. “Wind and solar are the opposite of being environmentally friendly because they take up more land than any nuclear or coal-fired power plant in Michigan.”

Martis claimed that it is getting more difficult to get wind projects approved in Michigan. He fears that large-scale wind and solar farms eat up the best farmland in the state. He said it would be more favorable if Michigan extended incentives for individualized rooftop solar power programs to electrify homes and businesses and put power on the grid instead of wind and solar installations taking up acres of farmland.

“What we are seeing in my county right now is that developers are coming in and asking for 50 acres to put up a solar wind farm. They are not asking to put this up on a brownfield or a highway median. They want to put wind and solar on good farmland. If the developers got their way in all my surrounding townships, we would have 12,000 acres of solar on some of the best farmland in the United States. It’s monstrous.”

When it comes to people in rural areas objecting to the presence of wind turbines on farmland, Michigan state Senator Irwin said residents may have a "bona fide" argument about nuisances such as flickering light bouncing around inside homes or the low hum emitted by the turbines, but he said these same residents in other cases hold up the Right to Farm Act, which upholds the landowner's rights to use the land productively. And he said there is validation in some cases that private landowners such as farmers should take into consideration some of the ways they use their land if it upsets neighbors. However, he is always surprised when he hears from people who live in rural areas and cling to the Right to Farm Act do a "180 degree turn when it comes to the presence of wind turbines on farmland."

But while respondents may express favoring renewables in a telephone survey, public opinion sways differently when large-scale wind or solar projects are proposed out one’s back door.

According to a February 2021 study from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law that examined public opposition to wind and solar energy in every state, local governments have enacted 100 policies to block or restrict 152 contested renewable energy facilities.

“The Right to Farm Act in Michigan states that farmers and landowners are protected from nuisance claims and lawsuits from their neighbors, because farmers have a right to do what they want on their land,” said Irwin. “I have gone out to these areas to get an understanding of what those living near wind farms are going through. I do not want to be dismissive of their concerns. “ Irwin said just as adjacent land rites and compulsory pooling have been enacted in the oil and gas industry when landowners adjacent to a property used for oil and gas drilling reap some financial benefit from that well, so too should those living around wind farms see some benefits to living around them.

“Compulsory pooling has been known to dramatically increase the likelihood that communities will say yes to wind and solar projects, instead of fighting them with lawsuits and zoning opposition,” Irwin said. “If they know they may have to look at a wind turbine for the rest of their life, it helps if they are getting (a benefit).”

Utility officials say conversations with the public begin long before a shovel is put in the ground for a renewable energy project.

Consumers Energy spokesperson Katie Carey said the company, which this summer announced it will be quitting coal by 2025 and will deploy 90 percent clean energy resources, including adding 8,000 megawatts of solar by 2040, takes pride in its community engagement efforts. The utility operates wind farms in Hillsdale, Tuscola, Gratiot and Mason counties.

"We will remain diligent, ensuring our turbines are following local ordinances which include requirements for distance to both participating and nonparticipating inhabitable structures and roadways,” said Carey. “We have also found many residents appreciate the jobs, economic investment, and income associated with renewable energy projects. We will continue to work with local leaders and residents to address any siting concerns as we invest in new projects around the state.”

But with the mainstreaming of wind and solar energy, those living in rural communities who host these existing or projected wind farms do not want to see their lakefront or big sky horizons further dotted with the spin of these structures.

The Renewable Energy Zoning Database, built and maintained by the University of Michigan's Graham Sustainability Institute in partnership with EGLE, is the first compilation of all renewable energy ordinances across the state and the first of its kind in the nation.

According to the database, over half of Michigan's more than 1,800 zoning districts have considered incorporating language regarding addressing the development of renewable energy projects in their zoning ordinances. Language in these zoning updates includes residential concerns about the height of turbine towers, the aesthetics of the overall project, the amount of time the turbines emit a shadow flicker onto adjacent property or noise emissions.

The latest to join the ranks is Sidney Township in Montcalm County. The county has a population of 63,342 with a population density of about 90 people per square mile, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. On July 9, Sidney Township amended its zoning ordinance to include language that would restrict the scope of utility wind turbine projects in response to a proposal from Apex Clean Energy to create Montcalm Wind – a project entailing the construction of 75 windmills which could generate up to 375 megawatts of carbon-free

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Although Apex states the windmills would be placed on active farmland that could be simultaneously used for agriculture and the payout in local tax revenue to surrounding municipalities and hosting farmers could be in the tens of millions of dollars, residents are attacking the restrictive ordinance, saying the wind turbines are an encroachment on their bucolic lifestyle.

Tom Walworth of nearby Stanton Township, has enjoyed getting away to a family cottage on Dickerson Lake, just northwest of Sidney, and is pleased with the passing of the ordinance because he fears the presence of 400-foot turbines would be an eyesore on the horizon.

On August 7, the Stanton Township board imposed a nine-month moratorium on construction for the proposed Scotia Wind project, which would include 12 575-foot turbines in Adams and Stanton townships, near Whealkate Bluff.

Walworth said he is pleased that his township, as well as Sidney Township, are slowing down or restricting the growth of wind energy through such ordinances.

It is not that he is against moving towards renewable energy such as wind, it is just that the rural and scenic nature of Montcalm County will be tarnished, according to Walworth. Plus, he said it would be more appropriate to make use of the “bubble” of natural gas located under Michigan for a source of energy supply.

“Montcalm County has many inland lakes and there are people who like to enjoy the quiet and the recreational aspects of the area. (The addition of wind turbines) will turn this area into an industrial park.

There are plenty of other places in Michigan where they can put up wind farms,” Walworth said.

Brad Neumann of the MSU Extension serves as an educational resource for local and tribal governments across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the areas of land use planning and zoning. He specializes in zoning for renewable energy and said amendments to local zoning ordinances are a powerful tool being wielded to slow or curtail the growth of wind turbine projects in the more rural areas of the state.

"A local government zoning ordinance is quite effective (in curbing wind farm projects) because in Michigan, this type of land use is not one that the state has reserved any power or authority to regulate," said Neumann. "There are certain examples of land uses – such as mining for sand and gravel where the state has preempted local government ordinances to a degree, as sand and gravel are needed by the general public for highway and road improvement. But right now, the state cannot prohibit a local zoning ordinance that restricts land use for renewable energy.”

For now, Neumann said Michigan, at the state legislature level, has not taken zoning power away from local governments that would circumvent local restrictions in favor of moving ahead with renewable energy projects. "These zoning ordinances can be so prohibitive when it comes to property setbacks, noise restrictions, and height restrictions that it may not be economical for a company to continue with a project," he noted.

Such was the example of the now-defunct Summit Lake Wind Project. In 2018, global developer Renewable Energy Systems proposed a 130-megawatt 49-turbine wind farm to be built on a tract of privatelyowned forested land in L’Anse Township in Baraga County. The project was scrapped in 2019 because of

When it comes to people in rural areas objecting to the presence of wind turbines on farmland, Michigan state Senator Irwin said residents may have a "bona fide" argument about nuisances such as flickering light bouncing around inside homes or the low hum emitted by the turbines, but he said these same residents in other cases hold up the Right to Farm Act, which upholds the landowner's rights to use the land productively.

public objection, including from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Friends of the Huron Mountains, that put pressure on the town not to pass an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would have paved the way for the project.

Sixty percent of Michigan’s renewable energy is provided by wind. The state ranks 15th nationally in wind-powered electricity generation. Completely emissions-free – once they are manufactured, that is – wind turbines generate on-the-spot energy by harnessing gusts of wind to turn their enormous blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity. Turbines are becoming ever more sophisticated, equipped with forecasting instruments that capitalize when wind gusts are at ideal generation conditions, between eight and 55 miles per hour. The higher they reach into the sky, the more power they can produce. Each wind turbine requires about an acre of land. The higher the turbine tower, the more electric current it can put on the power grid, but those structures reaching up to 600 feet can be seen for great distances. Locals living in more rural counties in Michigan object to the sight of the turbines looming in the distance and obstructing otherwise bucolic landscapes. Other projects have been canceled due to concerns about bird and bat populations.

In April 2021, DTE Energy brought online three new wind parks, two of which are now Michigan’s largest.

Isabella l and Isabella ll have a total of 136 turbines with a capacity of 383 megawatts. That $800 million project is spread throughout five townships on more than 55,000 acres. The third park, Fairbanks Wind, is located in the Upper Peninsula’s Delta County and has 21 turbines with a capacity of 72 megawatts. With the addition of the new wind parks, DTE Energy will generate approximately 1,760 megawatts from clean energy sources, which is enough clean energy to power 670,000 Michigan homes.

DTE Renewable Solutions Director Brian Calka said before a shovel goes into the ground, the utility is in conversations with the local communities to explain the benefits of the project in terms of tax revenue, jobs, and ultimately, cleaner air and a reduction of carbon emissions. The utility recently received approval for three new solar projects that will come online throughout the state in the coming years, as well as the Meridian Wind Project in Midland and Saginaw counties which was met with some opposition.

“Many of our customers have told us that they want to see new renewable projects in the state, they want to see a more interconnected and reliable grid,” said Calka. “DTE views transparency and collaboration as hallmarks of any of our renewable projects.”

Calka acknowledges that not every project is approved or fully embraced by the public. Though the utility puts efforts in helping the community understand how it will benefit in terms of jobs and tax revenue, issues have come up with residents complaining of shadow flickering and noise after a wind farm is constructed.

“Shadow flicker has become more of a problem than we had originally anticipated. But we have changed the way the turbines operate at certain times of the day to minimize or eliminate this disturbance.” Calka said.

Historically, Calka said utilities have taken on more wind than solar projects, but he said that will soon be changing.

“When it comes to solar energy, we are at a point of inflection. We are always looking for the most cost-

effective ways to bring renewable energy projects online. We are looking forward to developing more projects, and soon, they will be solar in nature.”

There is a softer attitude towards harnessing the power of the sun. Solar panels do not move and therefore do not create a shadow flicker or have a profile that protrudes into the horizon. A photovoltaic solar panel absorbs sunlight, creating electrical charges that move in response to an internal electric field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.

Solar panels are getting increasingly cheaper.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the cost of solar paneling has dropped precipitously – an 80 percent price decrease between 2000 to 2020, causing the market to simultaneously experience a 42 percent increase. Where it has grown the most is where one would most expect it – in the sunniest states such as Florida, Texas, Nevada, and California. Solar takes up the smallest wedge in Michigan’s energy portfolio with only 1.8 percent of the total amount of renewable energy produced in 2019.

The main drawbacks of solar power are the need to manufacture and develop batteries that can store the power of the sun and release it to one’s home or across states via transmission and distribution grids when it’s dark or cloudy. And even though the price has come down, there is still a relatively steep entry fee, averaging upfront around $10,000, that may deter some homeowners. Furthermore, utility companies would rather the consumer opt for one of their green energy initiatives to tap into a larger-scale solar utility project, and a one-to-one credit that once allowed consumers to have a net-metered rate for every kilowatt of solar energy they put onto the grid that has been cut by half, with utilities citing they need to get paid to maintain and upgrade the grid.

On July 26 of this year, the city of Birmingham amended its 2009 zoning renewable energy ordinance, removing any barriers that would discourage residents or businesses in Birmingham from installing solar paneling or shingles on their structures. In the past, because of aesthetics, the city required an extensive review and application process for those wishing to install solar power paneling on the front-facing sides of their structures, which included a $500 planning board review fee on top of the cost for installing a solar system.

“The city wants and needs alternative energy sources,” said Birmingham Planner Nick Dupuis. “In this update to our original 2009 ordinance, Birmingham wants to remove any barriers to residents or businesses who are thinking about installing solar paneling.

Technology and aesthetics have come a long way and solar systems are popping up everywhere. It is becoming almost ordinary to incorporate some solar power into a business or a residence."

Even so, Duipuis is not expecting an “avalanche” of solar system installations in a city which averages about five residential solar installations a year.

Through Michigan’s Distributed Generation program, the state allows utilities to limit participation in the rooftop solar program at one percent of their five-year average peak electricity load, with half of this amount allocated to smaller, residential-sized systems, and the other half for larger projects.

In 2008, the Michigan Power Standards Commission, a regulatory body that monitors the state’s telecommunications and energy rates, created this program for energy consumers who wanted to use

Brad Neumann of the MSU Extension serves as an educational resource for local and tribal governments across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the areas of land use planning and zoning.

He specializes in zoning for renewable energy and said amendments to local zoning ordinances are a powerful tool being wielded to slow or curtail the growth of wind turbine projects because this type of land use is not one that the state has reserved any power or authority to regulate.

rooftop or ground-mounted solar systems to power homes and businesses. The amount of this solar energy was calculated in net metering, meaning a consumer could receive one-to-one credit for every kilowatt-hour they put onto the system to offset any power used when a solar system was dormant. At the end of one's billing period, one could determine how much unused energy their solar system placed onto the grid and use these credits to offset the costs of periods of high energy use.

In 2016, the Michigan state legislature phased out net metering and required the commission to develop a tariff placed on solar users that reflected service utility costs for maintaining the grid. Now, solar power users participating in distributed generation programs through utilities such as DTE Energy and Consumer’s Energy, for example, get half a credit for every kilowatt they put onto the grid.

Customer participation in Michigan’s distributed generation program increased from 5,219 customers in 2018 to 8,147 customers in 2019. At the end of 2019, the program was generating 66,428 kilowatts, an increase of 22,947 kilowatts and 53 percent over the previous calendar year.

The state's two largest utilities, Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, host 89 percent of the statewide total program capacity, and most of the installations are solar in nature. Oakland County has some of the largest density of participants in the program, with between 400-909 installations.

Michigan Power Standards Commissioner Dan Scripps said like any trend, people are more apt to investigate and even install a home solar system if their friends and neighbors are doing it.

“You're significantly more likely to install a solar array if your neighbor has one. Then it no longer becomes theoretical to you. You’ve seen it work and you can talk to someone about their experience – it’s kind of like a solar contagion. There is a fair amount of evidence that the tipping point of participating in the program is six installations in one zip code. And then you begin to see a lot more installations, and this is something that is happening in Oakland County.”

Even so, utilities such as DTE would rather their residential and commercial customers tap into the power of the sun and wind through their voluntary MI Green Power Renewable Energy program.

“Even if a customer puts up solar panels on their roof, they still have to safely interconnect to the broader electric grid, which is where DTE gets involved,” said DTE’s Calka. “There is still interest in the distributed generation program, but that pales in comparison to the DTE MI Green Power Program, which grows by 500 customers every week.”

But John Freeman, executive director of Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, said his organization favors solar, especially rooftop solar, over wind because of the large amount of open space required for effective electricity generation from turbines, which is not conducive to suburban and urban settings.

Freeman lives in Madison Heights and installed a solar system in 2017 for about $15,000. Even with reimbursement rates cut in half, he has seen several times why homeowners across the state who plan to be in their homes for decades should be following his lead.

“When I put electricity onto the grid, DTE only gives me a credit of eight cents, but they sell that same kilowatt of energy to my neighbor at the regular retail rate,” said Freeman. “I would have preferred the net metering program, but that is no longer the law. So

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anyone that installs a solar system should know it will take a bit longer to pay it off. But as you save money from not having to buy electricity from DTE, you can calculate how long it will take you to pay off the system.”

Freeman said with a 25-year warranty on solar paneling, if it takes a decade to pay off the installation costs, the consumer can enjoy 15 years of free electricity. Secondly, in the face of ever-rising electricity costs, Freeman said the consumer can calculate the cost of how much electricity rates are from the time they install their solar system and how long it will take to pay it off to understand the amount of money they can save.

“As time marches on, my neighbors will be paying a lot more for electricity and I am going to be saving more money. That’s why (a distributed generation program) is a great deal because my energy costs will be flat.

Thirdly, the cost of solar continues to decrease. The federal tax credit for investing in solar energy is 26 percent of the cost of the solar installation, so it can be seen not just as a tax deduction, but a tax credit.”

Environmental organizations say utilities fear the distributed generation program because it will affect their bottom line. Charlotte Jameson of the Michigan Environmental Council said utilities like DTE, Consumer's Energy and Upper Peninsula Power Company see small-scale solar and rooftop solar as a threat to their business model.

“When minority populations install rooftop solar on their homes, they are buying less energy from the grid, so utilities see that as digging into their profits and revenues,” said Jameson. “Those utilities are also required to fairly compensate people for the excess energy they put back onto the grid. That is why we've seen, not just in Michigan but all across the U.S., a real fight between solar advocates and utilities, around rooftop solar. " DTE's Calka said as the electric grid becomes more robust and customers demand more renewables, the role of every utility is going to fundamentally change. It will ultimately be up to the federal government to fund the necessary building of transmission systems across the country to transport energy from wind and solar farms from remote to more densely populated areas, especially in the emerging age of automobile electrification.

"Now that products like electric vehicles are going to put extra demands on the grid, there is another challenge as to how to enable customers to make the best decisions for how they use energy throughout the day,” he said. “How do we guide people not to run all their appliances during the hottest times of the day so utilities do not have to run some of the plants at extra capacity causing us to emit more greenhouse gasses?

We have to find ways to move the electricity to the load centers in larger cities or metropolitan areas. Otherwise it's really all for naught.”

When it comes to the question of whether renewable energy should be generated at the local or state level versus transmitting unused and surplus power generated from wind and solar energy across transmission lines to carry it to less windy or sunny states, environmentalists and government officials say there is no either/or solution. State and federal energy authorities need not be pitted against each other because to quench the country’s ever-growing need for power that emits less carbon emissions, both sectors are needed.

In 2016, the Michigan legislature phased out net metering and required the commission to develop a tariff placed on solar users that reflected service utility costs for maintaining the grid. Now, solar power users participating in distributed generation programs through utilities get half a credit for every kilowatt they put onto the grid.

Customer participation in Michigan’s distributed generation program increased from 5,219 customers in 2018 to 8,147 customers in 2019.

“Ultimately, it is not an either/or but a ‘both’ discussion,” said Michigan Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps. “There has been a misconception that state and federal agencies are being pitted against each other when it comes to setting policy on how energy is transmitted. But most people in the energy industry really think it's going to take both distributed energy (at a local level) and interstate transmission. You can take advantage of the certain grid scale, reliability and cost optimization that comes with (interstate) transmission, but you also need to pay more attention at the state distribution level and other smaller scale resources of energy.”

He continued, “If energy can be created by everyone from power utilities creating large-scale wind and solar farms to individual companies, and even homeowners who put surplus power back onto a grid from a single turbine or solar panel, who will be the traffic cop for all this energy distribution in the future? How will energy utilities set rates for customers if customers become not only consumers but generators of energy?”

Arguments against renewables will continue.

Detractors point out up-front expenses and limited availability of minerals needed to develop them, and the question comes up about how all these batteries, solar arrays and wind turbines will be disposed of after they live out their life expectancy.

But environmentalists and others who study the issue say these objections pale in comparison to the damage the fossil fuel industry has done and continue to do the planet. The status quo, they agree, is not the answer.

Chris Nelder is the founder and producer of the Energy Transition Show, a podcast which examines the ramifications of what it means for us to continue to use fossil fuels and what it means for the planet to evolve away from its love affair with oil and gas. The California-based retired energy and grid transmission consultant said he is familiar with Michigan’s potential energy leadership role and has had many conversations with the state’s key renewable energy players who continuing to press to develop the state’s renewable profile. “(ELGE Director) Liesl Clark and I go back several years and I have come to Michigan to speak with her and other environmental leaders and the state’s regulatory commission about grid integration,” Nelder said. “I think Michigan has very thoughtful, progressive leadership in terms of advancing the energy transition and can serve as an example for the rest of the country.

Integrating renewables onto the grid is not rocket science. It’s just a matter of putting the right policies in place with the right incentives.”

Nelder said skeptical “what about” questions are often planted by those in the fossil fuel industry. ”If you're going to take an intellectually honest approach to this problem of what’s better – pursuing these energy transition pathways or remaining with the status quo, then you would not only look at the material requirements and the ability to recycle these materials after turbines or batteries live out their lifespan, you would also need to examine the environmental impact of drilling for oil and gas, and having those carbon emissions go up to the air, and everything else that was part of the status quo that we live with every day. The question is: Do you want to continue down the status quo path with all the damage that's done that way every single day right now, or as a society, do we want to go down this energy transition pathway? “

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Ben Ketai rowing up in West Bloomfield, Ben Ketai developed an appetite for action and a love of storytelling at an early age.

“I’ve always been obsessed with storytelling,” said Ketai, a Californiabased film director, writer, and producer. “If you ask my parents, they’d say that as early as I could talk, I wanted to tell stories, as early as I could draw, I wanted to draw stories, and as soon as I was old enough to write, I wanted to write stories.”

According to Ketai, he started out with a JVS video camera when he was about nine years old and was inspired by films such as Tim Burton’s Batman. He was also influenced by growing up in Michigan.

“Creatively there are few places with more mood than the Detroit area – the seasons with gloomy weather, growing up backing to woods which fuels your imagination…and the proximity to downtown Detroit, with such beautiful architecture. In high school, I was able to shoot beautiful stuff with my friends in abandoned buildings in Detroit – inspiring, moody films.”

He attended the former Andover High School where he met his wife, Rachel. After graduating from University of Michigan in 2004 with a double major in film and psychology, Ketai moved to Los Angeles, where he got his start working for another Michigan native – famed filmmaker, Sam Raimi.

“I had the typical gritty LA story – waiting tables, bartending, and working for Sam learning the full breadth of the film industry,” said Ketai.

“I started out in a mentor-internship program and was promoted into a paid position working 12-hour days. I learned how to tell a story, run a set. By 2009, it was time to spread my wings and fly. I didn’t sleep the first 10 years I was in LA.” Since that time, Ketai has worked on many projects, including The

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Resistance, Beneath and Chosen – but his most popular project to date is StartUp, a crime drama series that originally launched in 2016 on Sony’s streaming service, Crackle, and is now on Netflix. He said, “I enjoy working on psychological thrillers and dramas – exploring darkness in our own hearts, the study of the human mind, good versus evil.”

StartUp explores the complex web of cryptocurrency and the dark net, with a starring cast that includes Adam Brody, Edi Gathegi and Otmara Marrero, as well as reoccurring roles by actors such as Martin Freeman, Ron Perlman and Mira Sorvino.

“We filmed in Puerto Rico, but StartUp is centered in Miami, and focuses on the effect tech has on this corner of the world and how we behave as humans and treat each other with this power,” explained Ketai.

“We had to do a lot of research into cryptocurrency and tech, but I really enjoyed the research of other cultures that went into this series – such great stories.”

Ketai and his wife have two sons and live in Santa Monica, California.

He acknowledges that working as a filmmaker with long hours and travel can be extremely challenging when it comes to work-life balance – something the slower pace during the beginning of the pandemic made him appreciate. However, the recent success of StartUp has opened new doors and created new opportunities.

“The thing about any kind of success is that now you really have to work hard because of the cool opportunities people send your way. About 25 percent of the potential projects I have out there now involve Detroit.

It’s a dream to return to Michigan and bring film back to Detroit.”

Story: Tracy Donohue

Photo: Sye Williams

VOTING RIGHTS THE STATE, NATIONAL BATTLE OVER CASTING BALLOTS IN FUTURE ELECTIONS

BY LISA BRODY

Depending on your point of view, the 2020 general election was the most secure in history, or rife with fraud, bringing forth illegitimate results, at least at the presidential level. According to a survey done by Public Policy Polling, released on July 31, 2021, 56 percent of those polled in Michigan think the 2020 presidential election results were legitimate, while 36 percent – over a third of those asked – currently do not, and eight percent aren't sure.

To voters and politicians, where you stand is based on perspective, and whether your guy won. Around the country, the yoke of the 2020 election is likely to tether the 2022 election to it, reminding voters of the past as they try to move forward. For some candidates, that will aid them in their efforts to get elected. For others, it could be an anchor that drowns them.

In efforts to prevent voter fraud – or suppress the public's right to vote, depending on your vantage point – around the country efforts have been underway by 17 Republican-controlled state legislatures in states around the country, notably the swing states of Georgia, Texas, Arizona and Michigan, to create and enact election laws which will change election laws, from bills proposing new voter ID requirements to adding signature verification for those voting in-person and permitting an election challenger for every person on a ballot – which could number in the dozens for a general election, well outnumbering poll workers. In Michigan, where the governor has announced she will veto any of

INTIMIDATION, FRAUD, POLL TAXES, LITERACY TESTS, WHITES-ONLY PRIMARIES AND OTHER TACTICS WERE USED TO DISPROPORTIONATELY DISENFRANCHISE BLACKS FROM VOTING. THE RESULT WAS THAT BY THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY NEARLY ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS WERE DISFRANCHISED. the voter supression bills that come to her desk, Republican leaders are intent on mounting citizen-led initiatives to avoid her pen. Can the national voting rights bill – HB1, the For The People Act – be passed to countermand these state bills, or is it a necessary step when elections are conducted by local clerks and overseen by states?

According to the Merriam-Webster Law Dictionary, the legal definition of voting rights is the right to participate in public elections, one enshrined in the Constitution. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to overcome legal barriers at the federal and state levels that had prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote under the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, passed in 1870, after the Civil War. The Fifteenth Amendment guarantees that the right to vote cannot be denied “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” In some southern states which had been part of the Confederacy, Blacks became a majority or near majority of the eligible electorate, and even ran and served in many local and state offices for a short while.

Despite the amendment's passing, there remained strong opposition to the extension of voting rights to African Americans, and by the end of Reconstruction in 1877, the U.S. Supreme Court limited voting protections under federal legislation. Intimidation, fraud, poll taxes,

literacy tests, Whites-only primaries and other tactics were used to disproportionately disenfranchise Blacks from voting. The result was that by the early 20th century nearly all African Americans were disfranchised. In the first half of the 20th century, several such measures were declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1915, for example, grandfather clauses were invalidated, and in 1944, Whites-only primaries were struck down. Nevertheless, by the early 1960s voter registration rates among African Americans were negligible in much of the Deep South and well below those of Whites elsewhere,” noted Brittanica. In 1915, grandfather clauses were invalidated by the Supreme Court, and in 1944, Whitesonly primaries were struck down.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is considered among the most far-reaching pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history, suspending literacy tests, providing for federal approval for proposed changes to voting laws, and permitting the attorney general to challenge the use of poll taxes. In the 1970s, the act was expanded to protect the rights of non-English speaking U.S. citizens.

The act resulted in a marked decrease in the voter registration disparity between White and Black people.

Yet, in the last decade or so, rulings by the Supreme Court have weakened the Voting Rights Act, in the belief of Democrats and other voting rights advocates.

In addition, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, just this year alone, 18 states across the country have enacted more than 28 laws that will make it more difficult for Americans to vote, which they categorize as restrictive if they would make it harder for Americans to register, stay on the rolls, and/or vote, as compared to existing state law.

“Indeed, at least 61 bills with restrictive provisions are moving through18 state legislatures. More specifically, 31 have passed at least one chamber, while another 30 have had some sort of committee action (e.g., a hearing, an amendment, or a committee vote),” said a memo from the Brennan Center. “Overall, lawmakers have introduced at least 389 restrictive bills in 48 states in the 2021 legislative sessions,” including a 39-bill legislative package in the Michigan Senate.

Which is why the Brennan Center and other progressives believe the For the People Act (HB1) should be passed.

“Americans’ access to the vote is in unprecedented peril. But Congress can protect it. The For the People Act, passed by the House and now awaiting action in the Senate, would block many of the state-level restrictions that have been or may soon be enacted into law,” stated the Brennan Center memo.

“I do think it's important for HB1 to be passed. It's important to have every tool in our tool belt, and it's important to have that at the federal level,” said Merissa Kovach, policy strategist, ACLU. The For the People Act, introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2021, expands voter registration via automatic and same-day registration and voting access (vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls. The bill requires states to establish independent redistricting commissions to carry out congressional redistricting.

Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including sharing intelligence information with state election officials, supporting states in securing their election systems, developing a national strategy to protect U.S. democratic institutions, establishing in the legislative branch the National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions, and other provisions to improve the

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cybersecurity of election systems. It also addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.

The For the People Act addresses ethics in all three branches of government, including by requiring a code of conduct for Supreme Court justices, prohibiting members of the House from serving on the board of a for-profit entity, and establishing additional conflict-ofinterest and ethics provisions for federal employees and the White House. The bill requires the President, the Vice President, and certain candidates for those offices to disclose 10 years of tax returns. Among its sponsors are Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills), Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield, Detroit, West Bloomfield), Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills, northern Oakland) and Dan Kildee (D-Flint). It was unanimously supported by all of the chamber's Democrats, and none of its Republicans. At this point, it is stalled in the Senate and unlikely to pass.

“Yes, it's necessary. It's the most important civil rights act since the '60s,” said Wambui Gatheru, interim director of programs, Andrew Goodman Foundation. “It would make it much harder for state legislatures to justify these voter suppression tactics. It would make

THE FOR THE PEOPLE ACT, INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN MARCH 2021, EXPANDS VOTER REGISTRATION VIA AUTOMATIC AND SAME-DAY REGISTRATION AND VOTING ACCESS (VOTE-BY-MAIL AND EARLY VOTING). IT ALSO LIMITS REMOVING VOTERS FROM VOTER ROLLS. voting a protected right. I would love to see it passed in my lifetime. It would make so many common sense voter engagement issues laws.”

Alberto Medina, communications team leader at The Center for Information & Research on Civil Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University, said, “Our research has found that what we call 'facilitative election laws' which make it easier to register and vote, are indeed correlated with higher youth voting.

Specifically, in 2020, we found that states with four or more of the policies in HR1 (automatic voter registration, online voter registration, same-day registration, early voting, no-excuse absentee voting, pre-registration, and requirements for voter registration programming in high schools) had a combined youth turnout rate of 53 percent, compared to 43 percent turnout from states with less than four of these policies.

“It should be a central goal and tenet of our democracy for voting to be equally easy and accessible everywhere,” Medina continued. “Currently, differences in voting laws, combined with differences in the geographic distribution of people of color, for example, can create disparities that prevent all communities from being equal participants in democracy. Whether through HR1 or through other means, that’s a problem we should all care about and work to address.”

“The freedom to vote is the backbone of our

democracy and the one action that stands between us and autocracy,” said Dr. Deborah Turner, board president, League of Women Voters. “The U.S .Senate once again failed to deliver on the For the People Act, the legislation that the American people want to strengthen our democracy and ensure the freedom to vote for all Americans. Laws have passed in nearly half the country that make it harder for Americans to vote.

This federal bill is one solution to set national standards that open access and encourage individual participation in the electoral process.”

But HB1 is not universally welcomed by all experts.

“I'm opposed to it because I don't think you should federalize states' decisions. There are issues within HB1 that it will be overturned,” said GOP political consultant Dennis Darnoi, Densar Consulting, noting for example the provision for all states to have non-partisan redistricting commissions, which he believes “this Supreme Court would strike it down. Same with fees to have corporations and banks fund all publicly-funded elections. I don't think it's a good idea, and I don't think it would pass constitutional muster. Much like the bills here in Michigan, HB1 as it is written has no chance of passing. It cannot move through the Senate without reconciliation, will not beat a filibuster, and two Democrat Senators will not vote to get rid of the filibuster, or even support the bill.

“If this Congress was serious about voting rights, they would pick the points that could pass and get that done. I don't believe they're serious,” Darnoi said.

Several of the proposals in the national bill are already enshrined in Michigan's Constitution, thanks to the overwhelming passage of Proposal 3 of 2018, called “Promote the Vote.” Proposal 3 passed with 67 percent approval across the state, allowing all registered voters no reason absentee ballots, protection of the right to a secret ballot, automatically registers citizens to vote at the Secretary of State’s office unless the citizen declines, allows a citizen to register to vote anytime with proof of residency, ensures the accuracy and integrity of elections by auditing election results, allows for straight-party voting, ensures military service members and overseas voters can obtain ballots, and allows for same-day voter registration. In addition, Proposal 2 of 2018, a ballot initiative that set up an independent citizen redistricting commission, was approved by voters by over 61 percent in an effort to end gerrymandering, and is in the midst of its first decennial citizen redistricting commission with its results due this fall.

Despite the bipartisan approvals of these citizen-led proposals, there were questions in Michigan surrounding the results of the presidential election – but not any down ballot election results. The allegations of voter fraud related to the “Big Steal” or the “Big Lie,” depending on your point of view, has led to the 39-bill election package introduced by Republicans in the Michigan legislature, a few of which have bipartisan support – but the majority of which are fiercely opposed by Democrats, and just as fiercely supported by Republicans. If passed, many are expected to be vetoed by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

What is in the 39 bills? There are bills proposing new voter ID requirements, including a bill that proposes a strict photo ID requirement for in-person voters which no other state requires, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Other bills would require voters to include their drivers license or state ID number on the absentee ballot application, amend the voter registration process to require applicants to attest

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they understand it is a felony to vote more than once in the same election, issue a provisional ballot to those who don't have a photo ID, count those provisional ballots only after a voter presents a photo ID and documentation verifying his or her current address with their clerk within six days of an election, and require the secretary of state to establish rules for verifying voters' signatures.

As for ballot drop boxes, which became popular in 2020's election for absentee ballots, bills would require the secretary of state and county board of canvassers to approve ballot drop boxes that would be monitored by a camera and affixed with a sticker that says it is a felony for someone other than a voter or a voter's immediate family or household member to return an absentee ballot. Another bill would establish an earlier deadline for returning ballots via drop boxes, such as 5 p.m. the day before Election Day. Other bills would establish rules for poll watchers and challengers, including permitting them to film the tabulation of ballots, and to require them to wear name tags. Another bill would increase the number of election challengers based on the number of ballots counted; other bills would expand the rights of election challengers to challenge the performance of election workers, the identity of a voter, sit behind the processing table and demand a written explanation for expulsion. Election challengers and poll watchers would also be able to use a phone, tablet or laptop and obtain

THE ALLEGATIONS OF VOTER FRAUD RELATED TO THE “BIG STEAL” OR THE “BIG LIE,” DEPENDING ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW, HAS LED TO THE 39-BILL ELECTION PACKAGE INTRODUCED BY REPUBLICANS IN THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE, A FEW OF WHICH HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. precinct results after the polls close.

Election officials would be barred from accepting private funding for election-related activities and equipment, and federal funding for election administration must be approved by the legislature. A bill would require all local clerks to deliver election results for the election canvass by noon the day after an election.

“There are some good pieces of legislation, such as members of military being able to vote electronically, versus some pieces of legislation we believe would improve the process but they need to be improved, such as we support the concept of preregistering 16 and 17year-olds to vote, but not as it's written, or authorizing a timeline for entering death records into the Qualified Voter Records,” among other bills, said Cheryl Rottman, city clerk, city of Madison Heights and president, Oakland County Clerks Association. She said the clerks met as a whole and voted and passed a resolution as a whole indicating their position on the bills.

Regarding remote drop boxes, she said the way the bill is written, clerks have an objection. “It's redundant, but it allows a mail carrier to bring mail and who knows what their chain of custody is,” she pointed out.

As for the desire of lawmakers to modify the number of challengers in absentee ballot counting board, who would be appointed by the party, Rottman said, “We

don't mind if they want to change the number, but how it is written, it's too many. It could be more than the number of election workers. The space could be too small (to accommodate everyone). It could be chaotic and infringe upon the work being done.”

As for the 2020 election, the clerks support permitting municipalities of greater than 25,000 to preprocess absentee ballots the day before – “We support that wholeheartedly” – but would like to include municipalities of all sizes, as small municipalities are often short staffed. “We would like more time, we would like to have the ability to pretabulate, and we would like to include all communities,” she said.

A bill requiring signature matching by clerks and precinct workers, and to require the secretary of state to have objective signature matching, she said, is only partially supported. “Oakland County Clerks Association supports having clerks be trained in signature matching but not precinct workers, because they only work once or twice a year, and they would be put in the position of having to do that while their friend or neighbor is in front of them, telling them their signature doesn't match. It's too much to ask of precinct workers. It is important for clerks and those processing absentee ballots,” Rottman said.

“Some of the bills we oppose because we feel they'll hinder the work of elections, create more work, unnecessary paperwork, create unfunded mandates and intimidate voters,” said Rottman, whose association includes Republicans, Democrats and nonpartisan clerks. “All clerks want to maintain elections that are transparent, accurate and have integrity, so anything that will help that we'll possibly support, but many of these other bills are not designed to do that.

We want people to have easy access. It should be easier to vote rather than harder.”

State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills) said that after the 2020 election, “many clerks, both Republican and Democrat, testified to us that what they needed was more time to count absentee ballots because of Proposal 3 – even before the pandemic, they said the more time there is to wait for results, the more doubt there is seeded into the process. That was what was asked, and the legislature did not support them with a passed bill. In the 2020 election, Michigan came back fairly quickly, at least compared to some other states – but not immediately like we've been used to. When that happened, the Republican-majority rolled out this 39bill package.”

McMorrow noted that some, although not all, of the bills are “identical bills with identical language in other states, with identical language the Heritage Foundation put out. It's just ironic because the Heritage Foundation keeps statistics for all the states, and for Michigan, from 2007 to today, there have been a total of 12 cases of voter fraud – total.

“It's ironic because no one asked for these bills and they create more hurdles to voting,” she said.

The Heritage Foundation is a Washington D.C.-based conservative think tank.

Darnoi, the GOP political consultant, has noticed the same thing.

“I truly believe this whole attempt to suppress voters rights is being driven at a very high level,” he said.

“Why does the language in Michigan look eerily similar to Texas, Arizona and Georgia? Why are the party chairs using the same language that these bills use to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat? Because there is a larger group of national conservatives that are

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promoting this cause, largely through dark money groups, through 501(c)4s. Michigan happens to be caught up in that national movement, though Michigan is not as conservative as Arizona and Florida. It may work in Arizona, but it may not work in Michigan because voters are not as conservative.”

“A lot of the election security bills allow for more options than existed before the pandemic,” countered John Truscott, CEO, Truscott Rossman. “Its opponents are arguing that we should just continue acting like we're in a pandemic environment forever. The fact is, it's really easy to vote and submit it in Michigan. About 75 to 85 percent of Michigan residents support a government-sponsored ID or driver's license. If a college ID isn't accepted, well a college ID is really easy to duplicate.”

McMorrow disagrees, noting that requiring picture ID actually impacts seniors most, because “so many surrender their driver's licenses or don't renew them, and do not get a state ID.” “Anyone will need a state ID to conduct business, whether if it involves state government or social services,” countered Truscott. “This is not a burden or a hardship.”

“Voting IDs are fine, but anything that makes IDs more difficult is the issue,” said Edie Goldenberg, professor of political science, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan. “Signature matches are difficult because they're not always

YOUTH VOTER TURNOUT WAS HIGHEST (57 PERCENT), AND HAD THE LARGEST INCREASES OVER 2016, IN STATES THAT AUTOMATICALLY MAILED BALLOTS TO REGISTERED VOTERS. STATES WITH THE MOST RESTRICTIVE VOTE-BYMAIL LAWS, CONVERSELY, HAD THE LOWEST YOUTH TURNOUT (42 PERCENT). consistent. For young voters, they don't know cursive, they don't sign checks, they don't sign their names. If a state doesn't accept a college ID, when college IDs are accepted all over, that's a problem for young people. In some states, like New Hampshire, they require only a New Hampshire driver's license. Some states are requiring a notary to approve a signature. It's not that IDs are bad – it's what IDs, where and how they're used.”

Goldenberg said no excuse absentee ballots, such as those approved by voters in Michigan in 2018, “were a big deal for students. Medical, nursing students are often not available during regular election day hours. There's age discrimination going on when it comes to young people being able to vote, especially with no excuse absentees, versus seniors.”

“Our data suggests that states that made it easier to vote by mail saw higher youth voter turnout. On average, youth voter turnout was highest (57 percent), and had the largest increases over 2016, in states that automatically mailed ballots to registered voters. States with the most restrictive vote-by-mail laws, conversely, had the lowest youth turnout: an average of 42 percent,” said CIRCLE's Medina. “As some states consider whether to keep some of the changes to ease mail-in voting that they made in 2020, or to eliminate them altogether, lawmakers would do well to keep in mind the positive correlation between well-implemented policies and

young people’s voter participation.”

Youth in Michigan had a 54 percent turnout, according to CIRCLE state-by-state research, versus 42 percent in 2016.

“They're targeting everyone,” noted the Andrew Goodman Foundations' Gatheru, noting “Black and Brown communities are defining being targeted, especially in Georgia, by the time of voting, where they're trying to restrict Sunday voting. We've had 'Souls to the Polls' at Sunday church services in many Black and Brown communities, where they get busses and take them to the polls. That's a direct attack. There's no reason why Election Day is not a federal or state holiday for people who work minimum or low wage jobs and do not have the ability to vote without losing their income.”

Voters Not Politicians, a grassroots organization which successfully passed the 2018 ballot initiative to end gerrymandering and create the independent citizen redistricting committee, has transitioned to galvanize citizens to fight back against the legislature's bills which they view as voter suppression, with the possibility of a 2022 ballot proposal to address the abuse of citizen petitions.

“It's all part of the same struggle, to make politicians serve voters and be accountable to voters,” said Nancy Wang, executive director, Voters Not Politicians, which says it is non-partisan. “We try to not pit one party against another, but we cannot ignore that it's a Republican legislature. They introduced voter suppression bills to gain an unfair advantage to keep themselves in power. It's very similar to gerrymandering.

It was so powerful because it rigged our elections. One party cannot rig it to their advantage. The Republican leadership in the legislature to looking for a way to stay in power and to erect more barriers to people to vote. A lot of these barriers will have a disproportionate impact on younger voters and people of color.

“We had 250 local and state audits that confirmed there was no voter fraud. What is the motive – it is connected to the national movement,” Wang said. “But the impact will hit real people.”

While a few of the bills in the legislative package have bipartisan support, a majority do not, and if passed by the state Senate and House, are not expected to be signed into law. Governor Whitmer has announced she will veto them. But Republican leadership has a plan, in the form of citizen-led initiatives, such as the one which successfully undid the 1945 emergency powers act.

“The head of the Michigan GOP, Ron Weiser, in March said that was their plan for election bills, and Mike Shirkey (Republican Leader of the state Senate) went on TV a couple of weeks ago and said that Governor Whitmer will veto the bills, they don't have the votes in the Senate to override it, so he will rely on citizen-led ballot initiatives,” Wang said.

“Ron Weiser has said they will field these out as a petition initiative, so I expect some or many of these to be launched as petitions before '22, with no intentions of putting them on the ballot, but of getting them before the legislature,” concurred Senator McMorrow.

“In response, myself, Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield, Oak Park, Huntington Woods), and some others have initiated legislation to tighten regulations about petition initiatives so they can't be used like this.”

Citizens of Michigan may initiate legislation through a petition drive if they get enough valid signatures, and then the state legislature has 40 days to adopt or reject the proposal. If the legislature rejects the proposal, the measure is placed on the next general election ballot. If approved, it becomes law.

“The legislature is just one branch, and they're

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supposed to pass laws to benefit the people of Michigan. The governor has the right to veto. They're abusing the citizen-led petitions,” said Wang. “The point is to get it on the ballot so citizens can vote when legislators refuse to act on an issue – not have one party that happens to control both chambers coordinate with a small number of people to make it harder for eight million Michiganders to vote. They only need 340,000 signatures to get it on the ballot. If they put it on the ballot, they will lose overwhelmingly – and we know that because a supermajority in 2018 (62 percent) passed an expansion of voters rights.

“They don't have the support, but that's not their plan,” asserted Wang. “It's to push through their stuff in the legislature and sidestep the governor and the voters.

It's so anti-democratic, it's mindblowing. It's important for Republican voters as well as Democratic and Independent voters to know and be able to vote.”

“They (Republicans) are using these citizen initiatives because she (Governor Whitmer) will not follow the legislature,” said John Truscott. “It's the only way to restore our constitutional mandates and separation of powers.”

“This is where I think Democrats missed an opportunity. They played right into Republicans' hands,” said Dennis Darnoi. “Republicans will say 'we introduced bills to make elections safer,' and Democrats refused to even consider it. So what do you do. You only need about 340,000 signature to get a citizen-led

WHILE A FEW OF THE BILLS IN THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, A MAJORITY DO NOT, AND IF PASSED BY THE STATE SENATE AND HOUSE, ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW. BUT REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS A PLAN, IN THE FORM OF CITIZEN-LED INITIATIVES. initiative. This is where Democrats erred – if they entertained what the Republicans put forth, there's a slight chance you can have a voice in the process. But by allowing it to be a citizen-led initiative, you have to take whatever that initiative language says.”

“Republicans say they are concerned about peoples' lack of confidence in elections, yet there is little evidence of problems. All elections have minor systemic problems, but not to change the results,” pointed out U-M's Goldenberg. “There is a growing sentiment that elections have fraud, or a possibility of fraud, and yet there is literally no evidence there is a problem. Rather than making laws restricting access to voting, the best way to rebuild the system I think is to talk about what actually happened, how well everything actually went, how there wasn't fraud. Clerks were really heroes in this. We're in a good place. I think there has been so much misinformation, it has become a problem for the democratic system.”

As experts look into their crystal balls, there are conflicting opinions as to whether the 2020 election, and these election bills, will impact the upcoming 2022 elections.

“I expect this to be one of the biggest backlash elections in American history,” Truscott portends. “I've always been of the opinion that voters want change, but they don't want change that goes too far too fast. They

want incremental change. They're getting a massive upheaval of the system right now, and voters, I believe, will respond overwhelmingly. The midterms after Clinton and Obama were massive upheavals, and they didn't go nearly as far as Biden is going.

“The big caveat is Republicans are quite capable of screwing this up,” he noted, referencing the former president's insistence on “the Big Lie.” “If Republicans don't unify, that is the biggest thing holding you back. If you're fighting the last election, you can't win the next one.”

“There is polling that says the support for Trump could bite them. All the polling shows where Republicans are facing Democrats, Democrats are leading Republicans by double digits because they're Trumpsters. They may win in primaries, but not in general elections, unless in states that are heavily gerrymandered,” said Bernie Porn of EPIC-MRA. “Independent and Democratic voters will be very motivated to vote. Are Republicans going to be more successful in suppressing Democrats and people of color from voting than, by their resistance to vaccines, having fellow Republicans vote for them? In midterm elections, the party of the president typically loses seats, but polling is showing that might change in 2022 due to Trump.”

Wayne State University Professor of Political Science Tim Bledsoe, a former Democratic state Representative for Grosse Pointe, believes the shadow of 2020, its aftermath, including the insurrection of January 6, will be in the minds of voters in 2022 – and Democrats will be reminding voters of the insurrection.

“If you're a representative and you failed to certify Biden for president, and you're complicit in the insurrection, then you have something to answer to to Independent voters,” he said, noting Democratic voters will vote Democrat, and Republican voters will vote Republican. “In this midterm, I think the Republicans could have a problem with the narrative Trump is weaving about the elections.”

In the gubernatorial race, he questions what the Republican message will be. “Will it be they took the governor's ability to stop the pandemic? Will it be Ron DeSantis (governor of Florida), that he let COVID spread all over Florida?” Bledsoe asked. “Right now, I like the Democrat message better than the Republicans.”

Alex Gulotta, acting national director/Arizona state director, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said, “For a long time, we have had nonpartisan election methods in ways we look at ballots, and there are thousands of checks and balances. The reality is, elections work. There are safeguards. You can have recounts, lawsuits. But when those are done, you accept the results of the election… (regarding questions on the last election) This is not Republican or Democrat – this is people who believe in facts, science and data versus conspiracy theories and lies. It's a faction of people – not a lot, but they have a stranglehold on the party. You only hear two things because the people in the center of both parties are scared to say anything. That's not a democracy – that's an autocracy. That should concern all of us on both sides of the aisle. It undermines the basis of our country's political system, which is we can have elections in a nonpartisan way and we can respect the results. Otherwise it's anarchy. And this (election bills around the country) is all because someone didn't like the results of the election and wanted to stay in power.”

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FACES

Pamela Livingston-Hardy fter a difficult beginning in life, Pamela Livingston-Hardy, has come a long way and is driven to help people like herself overcome their challenges, make change, and live happier lives.

The Bloomfield Hills resident is candid about her own struggles. By age 28, she was divorced, on welfare and raising two young children on her own. She finally realized she had to do something to change the trajectory of her life. “I was lost but found my way through school. It was a trying time filled with selfdoubt, but I eventually became a psychotherapist. I realized I had been struggling with depression, insecurity, and a negative life script that said women and their feelings weren’t important, women were supposed to get married and didn’t need an education, men were the decision makers. I did my life script until I couldn’t do it anymore.”

A life script is our vision of self, others and the world made unconsciously in childhood in response to parental, family and other messages that can have a deep effect on how we live our lives.

In 1980, Livingston-Hardy, LMSW ACSW, started her Royal Oak counseling practice. By the late 1990s, she was suffering “compassion fatigue” and took a break from counseling to focus on an alternative way to help others make change by starting an acclaimed interior design business called Creative Renovations.

“I was always drawn to interior design. Even when I had nothing, I had a vision and a beautiful eye for design and color.”

Ultimately, she returned to her counseling practice and has been successfully operating both for the past 12 years.

“I believe in what I do in both of my professions. Whether in my office, online, or in homes, I help determine what makes a client happy and feel good.

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I help them make change within and within their environment. I’m a therapist in both places,” explained Livingston-Hardy.

In an effort to share her personal experiences and successful counseling strategies, she recently published “The Recipe for Change,” a step-by-step guide of the ingredients needed to create a happier, more fulfilling life.

“Coming from where I come from, I’m so proud of myself for getting my book out. Some people get stuck like a puddle of mud in their damaging life script and can’t find their way out. This is an easy-to-read, 90-page perfect little book that can be used to refer to when stuck, to help overcome the past, create positive change and move forward. It’s even helpful to those already in therapy.”

The book is available on Amazon.com.

Livingston-Hardy finds it an interesting time in mental health with troubling issues such as social media, self-medication, eating disorders, anxiety and depression. “For those struggling, know that you are not alone. Seek out help – you don’t have to stay stuck, but you do have to choose change. There are many books, resources – even TED talks about self-worth and believing in yourself,” said Livingston-Hardy. “Funding is a big issue in mental health.

Generally, you have to have money to get help. I wrote this book to do my bit.

“I have an interesting, full life now. I was so lost and found my way out, and now life inspires me. I surround myself with inspiration and positive messages.

I’ve been married to the kindest, most supportive, loving man for 36 years…I’m very blessed,” reflected Livingston-Hardy. “I have no plans to retire. I got a late start and still have lots to do helping others.” pamela4change.com, creativerenovationshome.com Story: Tracy Donohue

Photo: Laurie Tennent

MUNICIPAL RH receives final approval from city

By Kevin Elliott

Final plans for a 50,000 squarefoot, four-story Restoration Hardware building complete with a rooftop restaurant were approved on Monday, August 9, by the Birmingham City Commission.

The building, to be located along S. Old Woodward between Brown and Daines streets, will replace the current Capital Title/Lutz, Roche Bobois and Frank’s Shoe Service buildings. The 1.24-acre site will allow for pedestrian access on all sides, including a landscaped via at the rear of the building and a courtyard at S. Old Woodward and Daines.

Restoration Hardware, known as RH, plans on investing $25 million in the project to create a unique destination shopping experience.

Plans showcase three floors of home furnishing galleries, along with a fourth floor indoor/outdoor restaurant.

RH will offer customers beer and wine through its restaurant, which patrons may sip while perusing the floors. All furnishings, including indoor/outdoor courtyard furniture and restaurant tables and chairs, are part of the RH catalogue and available for purchase.

As there are limited Class C liquor licenses available in Birmingham, RH plans to obtain an economic development liquor license, which is available to applicants within the city’s economic development zone and who are investing at least $10 million in development. Applicants also must attain a special land use permit from the city, as was approved by the city commission on Monday, August 8.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the permit, final site plan and design review. Commissioners included eight conditions in its approval, with specific language to address parking concerns brought up over the past several months. Those concerns were raised again and discussed at the commission meeting.

“The special land use permit also states that ‘Restoration Hardware agrees to resolve any future parking issues that may arise, including but not limited to parking overflow and encroachment into residential areas or public parking facilities to the satisfaction of the city, or the special land use permit may be cancelled by the city commission,’” said Birmingham Planning Director and 72

Two city commission candidates disqualified

By Lisa Brody

here are now seven candidates running for three open city commission seats in Birmingham, after two candidates, Michael Lossia and MD Rabbi Alam, were disqualified for not meeting eligibility requirements of the city charter of Birmingham.

Birmingham City Clerk Alexandra Bingham sent each of the two candidates letters on Friday, July 23, informing them that “After a review of the City Charter and data in the state of Michigan Qualified Voter File, it has been determined you are not eligible to run for City Commission in the City of Birmingham for the election to be held on November 2, 2021.”

In each case, it is because they had become an elector in the city within the past year. According to the city charter, “members of the city commission shall be elected in a non-partisan ticket… No person shall be eligible to the office of commissioner who shall not be an elector in the city and has not been a resident of the city for at least one year immediately prior to his election.”

The Qualified Voter File showed that Lossia became an elector in Birmingham effective February 8, 2021; Alam became an elector effective January 20, 2021.

Their names will not appear on the November 2 ballot.

Candidates who will appear on the ballot for the three open seats are David Bloom, Andrew Haig, Stephen Konja, Anthony J. Long, Elaine McLain, Katie Schafer and Lynda Schrenk.

Birmingham city commissioners serve four-year terms.

Commissioners meet twice each month, on the second and fourth Monday nights at 7:30 at City Hall. Commissioners are paid $5 per meeting.

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Assistant City Manager Jana Ecker.

“I bring that to your attention because there is a duty of continued compliance in regard to parking, and I know there were several members of the public who had raised this at earlier hearings.

“RH is very clear on the number of parking spaces they need and how they operate. They do have this type of building and mix of uses at many other locations in other cities in the country and internationally,” Ecker continued. “They do have all their information and are quite sure the parking situation will work. However, if there are any concerns, this then is inserted in the special land use permit and allows the city to go to RH and resolve any parking issues that may arise in the future.”

Restoration Hardware estimates the new store will support about 130 new jobs, plus about 100 additional jobs during construction. Because the building is located in the city’s parking assessment district, it isn’t required to have on-site parking.

However, RH is including 24 spaces

in an underground parking structure to be utilized for valet parking services.

City commissioners took the parking issue a step further, adding a special condition to the final approval to address valet parking. The special condition specifically states that “Restoration Hardware is required to utilize the underground parking of 24 spaces for valet services or for the public to park during operation of the business.”

About half a dozen residents spoke in favor of the project.

Resident JC Cataldo, who served on the city’s downtown plan advisory committee several years ago, said the plan called for South Old Woodward to have a home furnishings area, as they tend to require less parking and generate less traffic than offices or other businesses.

“We also own a home in Chicago about a block away from the RH store,” Cataldo said. “It’s a residential neighborhood with no extra parking…

I thought it was a crazy place to build … but they turned it into a fabulous store.”

DOWNTOWN

Birmingham resident Ingrid Tighe, who served as the former executive director fo the city’s Birmingham Shopping District (BSD), said the project will serve as a destination and help draw pedestrian traffic.

“As we were trying to recruit new businesses, an issue was whether we had enough foot traffic in town,” Tighe said. “Something like RH brings back that essential foot traffic that helps surrounding businesses and prospective businesses that consider Birmingham.”

Whistle Stop bistro license approved

By Kevin Elliott

Breakfast and lunch in Birmingham’s Rail District will soon come with midday cocktails and outdoor eating at the Whistle Stop Diner, as final plans for a bistro license were approved Monday, July 26, by the city commission.

The Whistle Stop has been at 501 S. Eton since 1965, with current owners Elda and Valter Xhomaqi working there for a dozen years before buying the diner in 2012. The couple recently renovated the dining room and expanded the kitchen space, and are adding a patio for outdoor eating. On Monday, July 26, city commissioners approved a special land use permit, final site plan and design review, clearing the way for the couple’s bistro license.

While the approval allows the plans to go forward at full steam, not all commissioners were on board.

The commission approved the items 6-1, with commissioner Rackeline Hoff dissenting.

Hoff questioned the location of proposed outdoor patio, which requires the sidewalk to be rerouted closer to the street.

“Would you consider making that outdoor eating area any smaller?”

Hoff asked the applicants. “That sidewalk next to the curb is so narrow that if someone is coming with a stroller, people coming toward them have to wait at the end of the outdoor patio to get by. That patio is going to stop people from passing each other there, and it’s right next to the street.”

Attorney Patrick Howe, who represented the owners, said the sixfoot pathway is standard size and approved by the engineering department.

“I understand your concern, but we want to make this as vibrant as possible, and cutting back the patio 09.21

Birmingham reviewing restaurant rules

By Kevin Elliott

irmingham restaurant owners who expanded their outdoor seating in the midst of COVID-dining restrictions are lining up for permits from the city to continue the practice, following the reinstatement of more stringent regulations in July.

Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker said at least four applications for outdoor dining permits are scheduled to go before the city's planning board. Meanwhile, planning board members and city staff are working to update the city’s existing outdoor dining regulations in the face of added demand.

“We are accepting all applications,” Ecker said. “We have to – unless we issue a moratorium, which there is no interest in doing.”

Birmingham Planning Board members on Wednesday, July 28, had expected to consider special land use permit amendments to allow expanded outdoor dining at Adachi, 325 S. Old Woodward, and Birmingham Roast, 525 E. Brown. However, Adachi requested to have its application postponed indefinitely, as ownership reconsidered plans, citing remaining COVID concerns. Board members also postponed the matter for Birmingham Roast, citing a lack of appropriate plans to review.

Ecker said Dick O’Dows, 160 W. Maple; Commonwealth Cafe, 300 Hamilton Row; and The Morrie, 260 N. Old Woodward, have also applied for expanded outdoor dining.

Although planning board members cited a lack of detailed plans for postponing the Birmingham Roast application, board members also addressed the issue of considering applications while a new policy is being developed.

“I think it’s only fair for this applicant and others that we get our act together, along with the city, and make a set of polices that can help going forward,” said board member Robin Boyle. “I’m not of a mind to make a decision on this tonight.”

Planning board chair Scott Clein said while the specific plans lacked the necessary details, he said restaurants shouldn’t have to wait until the city has updated its regulations.

“We shouldn’t be telling all of our outdoor dining establishments that they have to wait until December until we figure it out, if it’s allowed per ordinance” he said. “We do have to be reasonable there.”

Planning board member Stuart Jeffares, who voted against postponing Birmingham Roast’s application, said the proposal appeared to be minimal in scope, making him comfortable approving the matter. Board member Janelle Boyce, who also voted against postponement, recommending pushing the matter back until the ordinance is updated.

“I think we need to spend some time with our plan and what we are going to recommend citywide and have the applicant come back,” Boyce said. “I’m worried that if we approve one, we will have a flood of others that may or may not fit with what we come up with in the next couple months.”

Outdoor dining regulations are prescribed under Article 4 of the city’s zoning ordinance. Outdoor dining is permitted, subject to site plan review and a list of several conditions. Generally, conditions regulate types of furnishings that may be used, its placement and how long they may remain in place. The regulations ensure some degree of uniformity throughout the city and protect the public’s right-of-way.

While specific updates to the ordinance haven’t been determined, the city commission has said it is open to incentivizing outdoor dining in a year-round environment. The commission also indicated it would be open to some sort of enclosures, but without creating new indoor spaces.

Ecker said restaurants currently applying for outdoor dining have a set list of policies that must be followed. Those approved under the forthcoming plan will operate under new rules.

“They have to follow the existing ordinance,” Ecker said. “And if they want to go under the new ordinance, they will have to apply then. Right now, they know what they have to deal with.”

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would make it a smaller gathering,” he said. “I ask that you allow us to keep the plan approved by the engineering department, and the sidewalk that is consistent with other similar areas in the city.”

Commissioners also voiced concerns about parking in the area, and whether the hours of operation – which do not include dinner – meets the spirit of the bistro ordinance.

Under the city’s bistro license application process, the city may approve two new bistro licenses each year for restaurants in existence for more than five years, in addition to two new restaurants.

Commissioner Stuart Sherman said bistros are typically open for dinner, and that the commission had rejected another breakfast/brunch application for a bistro license, based on the hours of operation. By approving Whistle Stop’s application, he questioned whether the commission would be setting a precedent for others to apply.

Commissioner Mark Nickita agreed.

“Having helped to establish the goals of the bistro ordinance, I think one of the primary goals was that to allow something as important as a liquor license to be applied to a business was the idea of activating a particular area or street. The idea of that activation wasn’t to have it open a few hours a day. It was very evident that we intended the value of a liquor license to be somewhat utilized to the point where it’s actually an asset to that particular area,” he said.

Nickita, however, added the longstanding history of the restaurant and hours makes the situation unique.

“If this could be differentiated enough for having a longstanding, differentiating circumstance that would be distinctive enough to hold its own circumstance and not have precedent for a new bistro,” Nickita said. “It does have a longstanding history of being only a daytime environment, no evening environment. If we approve this with this circumstance, it wouldn’t necessarily set a precedent because it’s so distinctive to this history that really it’s a one-off. So, the next place that comes in and wants to be a lunch-brunch place, we can clearly say that’s not the intention of this ordinance, and that this allowance is distinctive and not applicable. I put that out to hear from the attorney.”

Commissioner Therese Longe said adding evening hours in the area

could lead to issues with parking and noise in the surrounding neighborhoods, as it would be a disruption to the existing operation.

The city attorney and commission members concurred that allowing Whistle Stop to gain a bistro license wouldn’t be a precedent for other similar operations.

While Sherman said he was satisfied with the hours of operation, he paused the issue to discuss parking.

“The residents have come before this commission with concerns about parking,” Sherman said. “The applicants are requesting a benefit from us in the form of a liquor license pursuant to the SLUP. That’s an opportunity to look at it new and make sure all the issues are addressed before. You can’t do it after.”

Howe said while parking is an issue throughout the city, the expansion of the diner would actually reduce the interior seating from 80 to 64, with a maximum of 92 seats including the outdoor seating.

Therefore, he said there is only an additional 12 seats, and fewer in the off-season.

“This is for five new drinks on the menu,” Howe said. “That patio is being opened either way. They are going to operate it generally the same way as it has since 1965.”

Sunset on outdoor dining recommended Birmingham restaurants seeking to extend outdoor dining in the city may face some limitations, as the city looks to expand al fresco eating throughout the year.

Outdoor dining regulations are prescribed under the city’s zoning ordinance, which requires applicants to obtain a special land use permit, subject to site plan review and other conditions. Those conditions regulate furnishings, placement and layout to ensure uniformity throughout the city. However, the city is in the process of updating its outdoor dining regulations, in an effort to expand dining opportunities.

The ordinance update is expected to take several months. Meanwhile, restaurants continue to line up to request expanded outdoor dining permits.

Planning board members last month postponed a review of site plans for The Morrie, 260 N. Old Woodward, which plans to expand outdoor dining to include tables

MDOT plan for Woodward lacks support

By Lisa Brody

he Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has advised cities along the Woodward corridor in Oakland County, including Birmingham, that they intend to install an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), which includes digital message signs on 85-foot monopoles, at several intersections, despite concerns by the city and other municipalities.

MDOT has informed Birmingham and other communities along the Woodward corridor that they plan to install ITS for the purpose of “traffic monitoring, incident management and advance notification” along Woodward, Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus informed city commissioners in his July monthly manager's report. According to Markus' report, MDOT said “the system is proposed to include connected vehicle technology, traffic signal controller and cabinet upgrades at several intersections, and related equipment. Based on the proposal submitted by MDOT, 'related equipment' includes new 85-foot monopoles, large dynamic digital message signs, cameras, bracket arms and utility cabinets along Woodward Avenue that are commonly used on high speed freeways separated from the local street network.”

Birmingham has been considering putting Woodward on a “road diet,” similar to what Ferndale did, narrowing the roadway and lowering traffic speeds. The plan by MDOT appears to be a direct contradiction.

“The city of Birmingham has significant concern about the necessity for the ITS project itself, and in particular the design and placement of the ITS equipment proposed, and requested that MDOT representatives conduct an informational presentation before the Birmingham City Commission to educate city officials on the proposed ITS project, and obtain the input of the elected officials,” Markus wrote.

In a July 17 letter to MDOT, Markus wrote, “Based on the availability and popularity of personal navigation applications such as GPS, Google maps, WAZE and other live feed traffic analysis both in vehicles and personal hand held devices, it would seem an ITS that requires obtrusive and expensive equipment to monitor traffic issues and notify motorists is redundant. The goal of providing traffic monitoring and advance notification has already been accomplished by the private sector.

“However, there are many components of our transportation infrastructure along Woodward that are in dire need of funding, including but not limited to, pedestrian crossing improvements, the provision of a continuous and safe sidewalk network, bicycle infrastructure and traffic calming measures… The addition of interstate-scale equipment and signage will have a significant negative impact on the aesthetics of the corridor and will not be compatible with the efforts of Birmingham, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit and other local communities to create a less auto-centric corridor. Birmingham and other Woodward communities have spent the last several decades working to enhance the aesthetics of the Woodward corridor through the use of pedestrian-scale building placement and design, reduced sign clutter, landscaping, multimodal amenities, and other measures...using all modes of transportation.”

Although MDOT stated this work has been in development since 2015, the email received by the city of Birmingham on June 8, 2021, was the first notice the city said they had on the project. A virtual meeting was held by MDOT on July 20, for various communities along the corridor for stakeholders, and Markus said Birmingham, as well as several other communities along the corridor, were vocal in their opposition to the use of obtrusive freeway technology along Woodward given the cultural, historic, scenic and recreational assets located along the designated All American Road and Pure Michigan Byway.

“MDOT did not make any formal commitment to fulfilling our request for presentation and discussion at a Birmingham City Commission meeting or future public hearings to engage the general public and residents along the corridor,” Markus wrote.

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adjacent to the sidewalk in front of the building, as well as adding an on-street dining platform. The Morrie was approved in July 2020 for expanded outdoor dining under the city’s former temporary pandemic dining expansion, which ceased last month.

Kevin Biddison, of Biddison Architecture, said owner Aaron Belen is hoping to keep the current outdoor dining operations intact.

Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker said the city’s review of the site plan indicate the on-street platform should be reduced slightly to meet the current ordinance requirements, to which Biddison was receptive.

Planning board members approved recommending approval by the city commission, but added an extra provision to ensure the plans would be reviewed after the outdoor dining ordinance is updated.

“If you recommend approval, they are good to keep this platform and they are grandfathered in, no matter what – unless you include a sunset clause,” Ecker said.

Conditions on the approval include obtaining an outdoor dining permit from the city; ceasing all outdoor activity at the close of business; complying with all department requests; and recommending the city commission consider a sunset date with the possibility of amendment on a change of ordinance if it occurs, at the advice of the city attorney.

The motion was unanimously approved.

Despite the approval, board member Robin Boyle said the city should be doing more to give restaurant owners better direction while the process moves forward.

“I’m not happy in the way we are not being clear in what we expect businesses to do,” Boyle said. “We have not been clear in our sizing, not clear about what is allowed and what is not allowed, and we aren’t clear about timing.

“It’s a mess. I've walk by this place every Saturday for how many years, and it’s a bit isolated. … It’s a difficult site. The Morrie is almost at the top of a hill. It’s not easy to see it, so I think what the architect is trying to do is bring The Morrie out onto the street, and here we are failing to give any guidance. I don’t think we are doing a good job here, and I’m not sure how to solve it, but the direction we are giving doesn’t

bode well for our next conversation,” referring to a study session on outdoor dining.

Board chair Scott Clein agreed that better direction should be given, but noted that the board is in a bind.

“Our ordinance is what it is,” he said. “We have been tasked with stripping it and changing it and doing all those things you just said, but short of the city commission saying, ‘no more decks until we figure it out,’ I don’t know we are in any position other than to be frustrated at what we are faced with. It’s the chicken before the egg, or the horse before the cart, or whatever metaphor you want to use or mix. It’s imperfect and it is what it is.”

Birmingham eases home solar standards Birmingham homeowners will have an easier time going solar, as the city commission on Monday, July 26, eased some requirements for residential solar electric systems.

“Solar panels have been permitted in the city since 2009,” said Birmingham City Planner Nicholas Dupuis. “We wrote our initial technology when the technology was a little new, so we were careful, naturally, just to make sure that the aesthetics matched what we want in Birmingham. Ten years later, in 2019, we discussed that evolution.”

Dupuis said one issue to some solar systems may be that frontfacing roofs, or those with panels that slant toward the street, require a full design review from the planning board. The planning board and city commission have since been reviewing the city’s solar energy ordinance.

“Substantively, they are not very different, but we did remove the front-facing design review for solar panel arrays, and we also added a couple of new things to update the ordinance,” he said. “There are some new technologies for energy storage, batteries, Tesla power walls, and other brands, and potentially solar shingles, as well.”

Commissioner Clinton Baller said it’s likely the extra requirements had inhibited some residents from moving to solar systems.

The ordinance amendments were unanimously approved by commissioners.

Township addressing drain system problems Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved the Section 471 Chapter 20 Agreement to convert the Evergreen-Farmington Sewage Disposal System (EFSDS) to the Evergreen-Farmington Sanitary Drain (EFDS) as a Chapter 20 Drain, and to have Oakland County bond out Bloomfield Township's share, estimated at just under $7 million, at their meeting on Monday, July 26.

Olivia Olsztyn-Budryn, township director of engineering and environmental services, explained that starting in 1958, the Evergreen Interceptor was constructed to serve Bloomfield Township and other communities in Oakland County for sanitary sewage transport and disposal. “Over the years the Evergreen Interceptor was expanded to serve additional areas of the township and other communities and became the EvergreenFarmington Sewage Disposal System (EFSDS). The township has expanded its sanitary sewer system using the EFSDS interceptor sewers as the outlet for the township sewer system. In 1988, the township entered into EFSDS Intermunicipal Contract known as the 'Act 342 Agreement' that expires in 2029, and designated Oakland County to manage the EFSDS system,” she said.

“The township owns over 200 miles of separate sanitary community sewers that discharge into the EFSDS,” she said, “and EFSDS discharges to GLWA (Great Lakes Water Authority) for treatment at various treatment plants.

“Due to excessive flows and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) throughout the EFSDS and communities discharging to the EFSDS, Oakland County as well as Bloomfield Township, were required to agree to a plan to eliminate sources of inflow and infiltration (I/I) and eliminate basement backups and SSOs and meet the township’s outlet capacity,” Olsztyn-Budry said.

“Since 1988, the township has been under administrative orders by the state to address excessive flows in the township’s sanitary sewer.

Likewise, EFSDS and all the other communities have also been under administrative orders to eliminate inflow and infiltration and eliminate downtownpublications.com

Local clerks receive questionable emails

By Lisa Brody

ocal Oakland County clerks are being sent identical, and questionable, election-related emails, a year before the 2022 primary, setting off alarm bells for many, including Bloomfield Township clerk Martin Brook.

Brook, who was elected in November 2020, said he has received identical emails, some from “a Biden supporter,” and some from “a Trump supporter,” all which purportedly come from similar Gmail IP addresses, according to his IT staff, he said, both on Tuesday, August 10, around 9:30 p.m. His IT department said the emails were not caught by spam filters or other protective measures because they came from Gmail accounts.

The rest of the emails identically read: “I want to make sure that I vote in the upcoming election and I have a few questions. Can I bring my expired photo ID to vote in the next election? My parents will be moving to Michigan from another state soon and they would like to vote in the next election. What procedures do they need to take so they can vote in the next election? Finally, my teenager child would like to register as a poll worker to make sure that Trump supporters do not commit election fraud. What are the requirements for my child to work as a poll worker in the next election?”

Brook said he has spoken to two other Oakland County clerks in various parts of the county, and they have also received the same emails.

“On the Facebook page for Michigan Municipal Clerks, so far 43 people have replied to the post that they too received one or more versions of the fake email,” he said.

The Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks flagged local clerks, as well.

Of concern, Brook said, is if clerks offices become overwhelmed with dozens of these emails, preventing them from answering residents' emails and questions. “We want to help residents, and this could take up so much time we could be prevented from adequately helping them,” he said.

“This could just be annoying, which is bad enough. But it could be an attempt to gin-up 'evidence' of disparate treatment or inaccurate answers for political gain,” Brook continued. “Or it could be the tip of the iceberg of a flood of fake emails during elections, which could possibly disrupt the work of election officials throughout the state...now (while) the state legislature is busy with legislation that will only make the task of running democracy harder, instead of figuring out what clerks need and providing those legislative and financial supports in a thoughtful and comprehensive manner.”

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basement backups and SSOs.” She said the township has worked collaboratively with the Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner’s Office (WRC) and other EFSDS communities to address the corrective actions required for the EFSDS under the administrative orders. Continuing with the regional approach, evaluation and design of the second phase of projects proceeded. The Phase II projects were renamed the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and are required to be completed by November 2022, which are estimated to cost Bloomfield Township $6,935,580 of a total $72.7 million.

Olsztyn-Budry explained that to accomplish this, two EFSDS

communities, Southfield and West Bloomfield, petitioned the county to convert the EDSDS to a Chapter 20 Drain. The system will now be known as the Evergreen Farmington Sanitary Drain, which requires all of the communities to execute a 471 agreement. The county will still operate and maintain the drain.

“All drain boards are operated by three elected officials, at open to the public scheduled meetings,” she said. “The county has been very forthcoming with their regularly scheduled meetings. This opens them to public meetings.”

It is also expected to increase community capacity.

Trustee Michael Schostak asked if there was a benefit to having the

DOWNTOWN

county bond the township's portion of the CAP project costs, or could the township bond it themselves.

Treasurer Brian Kepes explained while the township has a Triple-A rating, “There are economies of scale, so we get the best rate, but they just have the volume.”

Trustee Neal Barnett noted, “We're not going to serve our residents if we don't keep investing in our infrastructure.”

Update to Bloomfield Hills tree ordinance In an effort to maintain and preserve the city's signature tree canopy, the Bloomfield Hills city commission unanimously approved updates in the city's woodlands ordinance to provide guidance to residents on how to identify when a tree can be removed from their property and on replacement trees at their meeting on Tuesday, August 10.

The city's woodlands ordinance, adopted in 2012, with the goal to preserve trees and green spaces in Bloomfield Hills, states that “Urban growth, new development, redevelopment, and increased demand on natural resources can encroach upon, damage or even eliminate many of the trees and other forms of vegetation that distinguish our city. Healthy trees and woodlands constitute important physical, aesthetic, recreational, and economic assets to present and future residents of the city.”

In 2019, an amendment to the ordinance added to the city code enforcement the authority to address dead, diseased and dying trees and vegetation on private property, notably when they cause issues in right-of-way areas.

The ordinance is very detailed in its specifications for size, type of trees, and how many trees per year a homeowner can remove from his or her residence. However, city manager David Hendrickson said at the meeting on August 10 that some residents are taking down more than the amount of trees permitted and not always replacing them with ordinance-approved trees. The ordinance allows up to 10 percent, or four trees, whichever is greater, to be removed from a property without a 75

permit. Any amount of diseased or undesirable trees can be removed, as well as trees with less than an eightinch caliper, without a permit.

“If a permit wasn't required in the ordinance, there must be a required way for people to replace the trees they removed,” Hendrickson said.

The amended approved ordinance now requires homeowners to photograph damaged trees they are removing, or parts of trees; a dead or dying tree means having less than 50 percent of its canopy during the growing season; and a diseased tree is determined to have a terminal disease.

Homeowners living on less than an acre-and-a-half can only remove two trees now without a permit; on parcels of more than an acre-and-ahalf, up to three trees without a permit from the city. Everything must be documented.

For replacement purposes, it states arborvitae and other coniferous are not acceptable, as

they are only seeking deciduous trees.

Those illegally removing trees must pay into the city's tree fund, may be fined, and will be required to properly replace the removed trees.

Brooklyn lingerie, clothing store coming The Great Eros, a lingerie, clothing and accessories store from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, will be opening an outpost in downtown Birmingham, at 245 W. Maple Road, the owners announced.

The Great Eros was founded in 2016 and is designed and operated

by Christina Viviana and Emilio Ramirez as a luxury lingerie experience, utilizing beautiful quality materials and designs for women of all ages and shapes.

“We founded The Great Eros in November of 2016 as a celebration of pleasure in all its forms. In our creative process – from selecting our materials for their feel as much as

their look, to finding the silhouettes and timeless forms that truly feel good on the body – we center our work on the joys of the sensual world,” they stated.

“To honor our commitment to craftsmanship and the pleasure of lived experience, we partner with carefully selected family-owned factories and studios in Italy, China, Japan, Peru and our home city of New York to ensure our garments uphold our values of ethical and sustainable production,” Viviana and Ramirez continued.

New arrivals include bras, panties, thongs, t-shirts, shapewear, dresses, tops and bottoms, jumpsuits, socks, fragrance and body oil, sunglasses, jewelry and candles

by Lola James.

Delinquent township balances go to county Bloomfield Township trustees voted 6-0, with treasurer Brian Kepes not in attendance at their meeting on

Monday, August 9, to send any delinquent accounts more than 30 days overdue to the December tax rolls, and if not paid by March, to then be sent to Oakland County for collection.

Katie Fotherby, township public works manager, explained this is done every year at this time, as directed by Bloomfield Township ordinances. A roll of delinquent accounts, for water and sewer charges, solid waste charges, and multiple special assessments, as presented by clerk Martin Brook, which are unpaid, next go on the winter (December) tax statements, and if they remain unpaid, “will be sent to Oakland County as delinquent, allowing Bloomfield Township to be made whole and transferring the collection responsibility to Oakland County,” explained Fotherby.

She said in the past, just the delinquent water and sewer charges

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BUSINESS MATTERS Family law office In an effort to make divorce a more collaborative – less divisive – process, Max Emmer of Bloomfield Township has opened Emmer Law PLC, 41000 Woodward Avenue, Suite 350 East, Bloomfield Hills.

Certified by the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Michigan Practice Institute, Emmer said his job is to help shepherd clients throughout a difficult process or situation with less pain and discomfort at a reasonable rate. “Yes, divorce is synonymous with anger, anxiety and aggravation. It is also oftentimes mired with sadness, soul-searching and senselessness. But, it doesn’t always have to be,” he said. Emmer thinks of divorces and family law disputes like the dentist office. Is it going to be fun? No. Will it be as bad as clients expect or anticipate?

Probably not. He says in cases where collaborative divorce practice is not applicable, his litigation and negotiation skills put his client first, always caring about and prioritizing the well-being and health of any children or dependents involved in a divorce. “Most people need a

thoughtful and reasonable advisor,” Emmer said.

Walking the dog The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many new business ventures and creative ways to work. Austin Weisman and Karen Stoller of Birmingham recall they were taking their dogs for lots of walks during the pandemic, as were lots of their neighbors, and as people are going back to work and school, they realized someone would need to walk those dogs who had gotten used to frequent walks. Voila!

Motown Dog Walking (motowndogwalking.com) was born.

Weisman does most of the daily walks for pups in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield and Franklin, as Stoller is also a preschool teacher, offering half hour, 45-minute and an elite option of walks, which is called the Paw-r Hour, which includes a 20-minute play time following the walk. They can also come by and do a ‘play and potty’ for puppies and elderly dogs.

“Our clients also get a picture collage,” Weisman said. “Our animals are our family, and everyone

Expice the

RESTAURANTS IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM

likes to see pictures of other dogs, and it builds rapport with their dogs and families. We treat everyone’s dogs as our own.”

Getting in sync Paragon Chiropractic & Wellness has opened at 6405 Telegraph Road, H3 in Bloomfield Township, dedicated to helping patients achieve their wellness objectives by combining skill and expertise that spans the entire chiropractic health spectrum. Licensed chiropractor Dr. Daniel McAleer is committed to bringing everyone better health and a better way of life by teaching and practicing the true principles of chiropractic wellness care. Paragon Chiropractic & Wellness provides chiropractic care, corrective exercises, nutritional counseling, spinal and postural screenings, and massage therapy. “Our goal is to help every patient achieve a fulfilling and happy lifestyle full of the activities they enjoy most. We recognize that each patient is a whole person, and helping them reach true health and wellness is a collaborate effort between our professionals and our patients.”

Vintage goods home It seems everything old is new again.

That’s especially true with the opening of La Frontera Vintage, 725 South Adams Road, Suite L183, in Birmingham. The small Latino-owned business features vintage Michigan hometown apparel and other personally sourced vintage clothing from all over the state. Owner Luis Paisley is a vintage expert, and he has been introducing his sourced items to the metro Detroit area for over a year at different local expos and thrifting events. His most popular items are Michigan sports clothing and a wide selection of vintage Nike items. Paisley said that in addition to thrifting, shoppers can also bring in their items to trade in exchange for store credit or cash. La Frontera Vintage is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 1-7 p.m.

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.

Indulge in a wonderful variety of restaurants and cuisines from around the world, sure to satisfy every food enthusiast. With over 60 restaurants, downtown Birmingham offers many dining options including in-person and outdoor, curbside pickup, carry-out and delivery. View the full dining directory at www.ALLINBirmingham.com/dine Enjoy free 2-hour parking in all structures BIRMINGHAM SHOPPING DISTRICT @BHAMSHOPPING

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TWO BEDROOM LOFT HOMES COMING SOON STARTING AT $3,275/MONTH • • • • • •

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DOWNTOWN

09.21

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE on), employee burn out, not to mention two fiscal years of over 50 percent revenue losses. Unimaginable.

A NEW ERA OF UNCERTAINTY TCHF SIGNATURE EVENT POSTPONED As positive cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Michigan, which according to the state of Michigan has a seven-day moving average for daily cases of 1,233 as of this writing, and as the positivity rate continues to rise, the historic Community House and its Foundation have made the difficult but prudent decision to postpone its signature friend and fundraising celebration – The Bates Street Society Dinner and Awards Ceremony – from September 11, 2021 to April 30, 2022.

Based upon what we know now, and in close consultation with health experts, epidemiologists and the Oakland County Health Department, we believe it is prudent and responsible to put the health, safety and welfare of others, especially our seniors and children, above all else.

We recognize that many of our clients, supporters and Bill Seklar nonprofit/civic groups are disappointed that The Community House has remained partially closed. So are we. We have valiantly battled forced closures, mass layoffs, two pandemics, loss of family members, illnesses, an unstable economy, fear amongst our loyal donors, staff, clients and supporters – yet we continue to rise to the occasion. We remain hopeful, optimistic and courageous.

Some have suggested that The Community House is no longer “open to all” based upon shortage of staff and our ability to serve or our need to increase our prices – unavoidable challenges directly related to COVID – including skyrocketing labor costs, food costs, beverage costs, utility costs, supply costs, fuel costs (and on and

Let us be reminded that The Community House, now in its 98th year, is a 100 percent self-supporting, self-funded organization which relies solely on the kindness and generosity of others. Each year, The Community House strives to break even.

We are a nonprofit. We give back all that we receive, after expenses. We are not in the business of making a profit.

Our mission is to serve. Nothing less, nothing more. Short of an unexpected lifeline, we will continue to struggle. Unlike so many historical institutions, universities, medical centers, noble causes – many donors do not think of The Community House as a place to make large transformational gifts to. But, we pray that they take a second look – we’re worth it. Community Houses across our nation are rare cultural, educational and philanthropic gems. They fill a need; they feel a gap that so many depend upon. Pre-COVID, over 200,000 people entered through our doors annually. After nearly a century of service, we must be doing something right.

On top of all of the challenges we have faced over the last 18 months, postponing our largest, most significant fundraising event, The Bates Street Society Dinner, will hurt. But, not as much as it would be to place the health, safety and welfare of those that are entrusted to us in jeopardy. Please stay safe and be well.

Each year we gather to recognize, honor, and induct these extraordinary donors and volunteers in a public way at the Bates Street Society Dinner.

The best way for our friends and supporters to show their gratitude to our loyal sponsors would be to remember them when you might be in need of their kinds of products or services. It truly does take a village.

William D. Seklar is President & CEO of The Community House and The Community House Foundation in Birmingham.

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Open Doors Open Minds The Community House Early Childhood Center preschool is enrolling now! Limited availability!

Take an in-person tour today and see the magic that starts a lifetime of learning happens.

Our implementation of the internationally respected HighScope Curriculum develops problem solving and critical thinking skills through activities that children truly enjoy.

Our facilities are professionally cleaned and sanitized regularly, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your young ones are learning in a safe environment.

Contact Director Ms. Honilynn Hendricks today at HHendricks@communityhouse.com or 248.594.6411.

380 South Bates Street, Birmingham, Michigan 48009 communityhouse.com

PLACES TO EAT OPEN Mon-Sat 9am-7pm Sunday 8am-3pm

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

Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday- Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.2220.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607.

Adachi: Asian. Lunch & Dinner daily.

Liquor. Reservations. 325 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009.

248.540.5900.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.499.6867.

Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.2630.

Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations.

31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355.

Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, MondaySaturday. 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. Lunch & Dinner, Daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.9000.

Birmingham Pub: American. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Weekend Brunch.

Reservations. Liquor. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham.

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. Liquor. 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.

Casa Pernoi: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-

downtownpublications.com

Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009.

248.940.0000.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & 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, Monday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420.

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli.

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

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

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

Forest: European. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009.

248.258.9400.

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

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

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations. Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

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

248.203.9111.

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

Breakfast, Monday-Saturday; Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.7121.

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 201 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4369.

IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522.

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

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

Kaku Sushi and Poke': Asian. Lunch & Dinner. Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. No Liquor. 869 W. Long

DOWNTOWN

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

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

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

Chugging along since 1965 Sitting a stone’s throw away from the train tracks at 501 S. Eton Street, the aptly named Whistle Stop Diner has been a breakfast institution in Birmingham since 1965. Current owners, Elda and Valter Xhomaqi, bought the restaurant in 2012 after beginning work there in 1999, Elda as a waitress and Valter as a cook. Now, nine years after their acquisition, they have been busy expanding and renovating. The interior will feature seating for 65, which includes eight seats at the counter. A new patio has been added to the side of the building which will accommodate 28 guests. Inside, the design aesthetic pulls inspiration from the old train station with the use of tile work and nostalgic train signage. According to Elda Xhomaqi, the homestyle offerings for breakfast and lunch will remain mostly the same, however the big change will be with the addition of adult beverages. “We will have about 10 drinks on the menu including Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Spanish Coffees, and vodka drinks, such as Madras and Screwdrivers, made with Valentine Vodka,” said Xhomaqui. Other Michigan sourced additions include Great Lakes Coffee and bread from Zingerman’s. Look for the Whistle Stop to be chugging back to business in September. birmingham.whistlestopdiners.com

New sommelier at Madam Award-winning Sommelier Liz Martinez has joined Birmingham’s Daxton Hotel and its flagship restaurant Madam as the new Director of Beverage and Service. Martinez will bring new food and beverage programming to the culinary offerings of the hotel, elevating its dining experience with new wine lists and beverage pairings. “Liz’s extensive experience and highly-awarded career within the restaurant industry and as a somm has brought excitement to the Madam team,” said Madam Executive Chef Garrison Price. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with her on drink pairing menus and elevating our overall dining experience bringing forth new beverage programming.” In her new role, Martinez will work closely with Chef Price to curate a new wine list while pairing menus that will complement the California-American inspired cuisine of Madam. In addition, she will be working with local vintners to develop a menu that draws inspiration from the local culture and character, which will be complemented by an assortment of international vintages that will invite guests and visitors to delight in new flavors. Madam is located within the Daxton Hotel at 298 S. Old Woodward Avenue. daxtonhotel.com/food-drink/

Mare Mediterranean set to open Foodies hoping for a unique and upscale replacement for the vacancy left by Cameron’s Steakhouse at 115 Willits Street in Birmingham have gotten their wish. Restaurateur Nino Cutraro, owner of Bella Piatti in downtown Birmingham, will open Mare Mediterranean featuring freshly cooked fish from Greece and Sicily. Francesco Apollonia, of Bella Piatti, will oversee the food operation with Sean Force, formerly of Ocean Prime, taking over the role of executive chef. Main course entrees will include a plethora of fish options as well as a variety of crudo (fresh raw fish, thinly sliced and often served with olive oil, lemon and seasonings). The menu will be rounded out with pasta, steaks and chops accompanied by an extensive wine list with selections from Italy, France and Greece. The former dark interior of Cameron’s will be replaced with a brighter look, including chandeliers and a white porcelain bar countertop. A new lounge area in the front of the eatery will provide customers with a place to gather before and after dinner and will offer its own special menu for food and drinks. The restaurant should be ready to open by the end of September.

Hidden gem in Detroit Tucked behind a blue door in the back of Coffee Down Under in Detroit’s Financial District is a speakeasy and restaurant named “shelby” – paying homage to the fact that it sits upon the original footprint of Fort Shelby. When owner Turan Kajeepeta, who also owns Coffee Down Under, first toured the dilapidated subterranean space, all he saw was potential. He stumbled upon an old bank vault that had sat empty for decades – and immediately was

Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.480.4785, and 126 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.885.8631.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.1166.

La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.5800.

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar: Italian.

Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.480.0492.

Leo’s Coney Island: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.646.8568.

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.647.3400.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.closing. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6051.

Madam: American. Breakfast, MondayFriday, Brunch, weekends. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 298 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.283.4200 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 30100 Telegraph Rd., Suite 130, Bingham Farms, 48025. 248.723.7960.

Market North End: Mediterranean.

Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953.

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301.

248.723.0800.

Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581.

Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500.

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily.

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

Planthropie: Vegan. Dessert and Cheese. 135 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.839.5640.

Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.874.1876 Roadside B & G: American. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S.

Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270.

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

248.644.8977.

Shift Cocktail Bar: Small plates. Dinner.

Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.2380.

Sidecar: American. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.2380.

Slice Pizza Kitchen: Pizza. Lunch and Dinner, daily. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.3475.

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.

Stateside Deli & Restaurant Deli.

Breakfast, Lunch, Sunday-Monday.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations.

653 S. Adams Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.550.0455.

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

248.932.0800.

Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Dinner, daily. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123.

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

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

Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.258.9830.

Sylvan Table: American. Dinner daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 1819 Inverness Street, Sylvan Lake, 48320.

248.369.3360 Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner. Monday-Saturday.

Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor.

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

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

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

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313.

The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688.

The Morrie: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009.

248.940.3260.

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

Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999.

Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Reservations. Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.258.6278.

Tomatoes Apizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner daily. Carryout. 34200 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009.

248.258.0500.

Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881.

Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.5241.

Whistle Stop Diner: American.

Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Liquor. No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.566.3566.

Zao Jun: Asian. Lunch Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.949.9999.

Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917.

Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680.

Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.584.3499.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.547.6699.

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

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

248.544.4749.

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

Due Venti: Italian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017. 248.288.0220.

The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150.

Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.691.7145.

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.543.9500.

KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500.

Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 28028 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.965.2101.

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.591.5459.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.4227.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

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

One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633.

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.

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

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.

Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor.

415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.4444.

Twisted Tavern: American. Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22901 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.545,6750.

Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072. 248.548.7711.

Troy/Rochester Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300.

Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084.

248.280.1831.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 2010 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.853.6600.

O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537.

Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060.

Kruse & Muer on Main: American.

Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400.

Loccino Italian Grill and Bar: Italian.

drawn to the idea of playing up the idea of new versus old. “The new interior design uses steel and stone, but it’s softened by plush velvet on the barstools and banquette seating. The original crumbling crown molding was left ‘as is’ to show the layers of history,” Kajeepeta noted. To enter this speakeasy/restaurant, which by the way has no signage, guests pass through Coffee Down Under and tell the barista they are “here to see shelby.” This hidden gem is under the direction of head bartender, Andre Sykes, executive chef, Matt Tulpa and head chef, John Yelinek. A popular prix fixe menu includes a three-course dinner and two craft cocktails for $99. The menu rotates every few months and includes à la carte items as well. Located at 607 Shelby Street. shelbydetroit.com

A new door opens The Joe Vicari Restaurant Group (JVRG), has opened Bronze Door, at the former location of The Hill Seafood & Chop House in Grosse Pointe Farms, 123 Kercheval Avenue, Grosse Pointe Farms. The restaurant, which features classic American fare, was named to honor the tradition of the original Bronze Door, which was in the same location from the 1960’s to the 1980’s.

Bronze Door is a co-partnership with Joe and John Vicari and Anthony Soave from Soave Enterprises, with the Vicari’s running the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms, Master Chef Daniel Scannell has curated a contemporary menu featuring signature plates, prime cuts, fresh seafood, specialty appetizers, and decadent desserts. Look for classic dishes such as chicken cutlet Milanese, shrimp and penne in a creamy vodka sauce and prime beef stroganoff. The newly designed dining space seats 90 with an additional seating for 44 in the bar area. “With respect to the name and traditions, the additional sophisticated vibe along with the exceptional food and drink options is something the Grosse Pointe community will enjoy,” stated Joe Vicari, president of the Joe Vicari Restaurant Group. bronzedoorgp.com

More than sushi According to owner Charlie Yu, his new restaurant, Sushi Japan, should be up and running by the end of September. The space is located at 176 S. Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, which was the former home of 2941 Mediterranean Streetfood. Don’t let the name “Sushi Japan” fool you – because according to Yu, this eatery will offer much more than just sushi. The Asian menu will include an array of Chinese dishes, ramen noodles, chow mein, Korean BBQ and personal hot stone bowls which will be made tableside. Inside, the modern bright interior will have seating for 50, which includes six seats at the sushi counter. There will also be seating for 18 outside. Yu’s inspirational journey to restaurant owner began when he emigrated to the United States from Guangzhou, China, in 2008. Over the years, he worked a number of jobs at various Chinese restaurants, starting as a dishwasher and server. Most recently, he held the position of sushi chef for Kona Grill in Troy. It’s been a lot of hard work. “I am constantly trying to improve myself,” declared Yu.

Locals honored by Wine Spectator Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, has unveiled the winners of the 2021 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine. Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards are judged on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award. Of local interest, 14 restaurants were honored in the Metro Detroit area. “Best of Award of Excellence” was given to Prime + Proper, Detroit; The Capital Grille, Troy; The Rugby Grille, Birmingham; Toasted Oak Grill & Market, Novi; and Vertical Detroit, Detroit. “The Award of Excellence” was presented to Bill’s, Bloomfield Hills; Cantoro Trattoria, Plymouth; Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Troy; Fogo de Chão, Troy; Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse, Northville; Morton’s The Steakhouse, Troy; Seasons 52, Troy; Streetside Seafood, Birmingham; and The Rattlesnake Club, Detroit. Bill Roberts, who is owner of two of the Wine Spectator honored restaurants, Streetside Seafood and Bill’s, said “Our team works very hard to provide an exceptional dining experience for every guest, and our wine selection is an important aspect of that experience. To have won this for so many consecutive years is testament to the care and consideration we put into curating our wine selection.”

Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily.

Liquor. Reservations. 5600 Crooks Road, Troy, 48098. 248.813.0700.

The Meeting House: American.

Weekend Brunch. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307.

248.759.4825.

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

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

Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332.

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

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

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

248.816.3424.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309.

248.375.9200.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500.

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085.

248.524.1944.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro: Chinese.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

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

248.816.8000.

Recipes: American/Brunch. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

134 W. University Drive, Rochester, 48037. 248.659.8267. Also 2919 Crooks Road, Troy, 48084.

248.614.5390.

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307.

248.651.2266.

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

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

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

248.652.4500.

Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307.

248.453.5291.

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

Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

29508 Northwestern Highway, 86

Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782.

Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine.

6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.538.7081.

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

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

Nonna Maria’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

248.851.2500.

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

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500.

Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248. 538.8954.

Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322.

248.855.6622.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282.

West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean.

Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations.

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

It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390. 248.360.4150.

Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.7771.

North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.620.6100.

Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday – Saturday, Brunch, Sunday,

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442.

248.634.5208.

Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077.

The Fed: American. Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch, Saturday and Sunday.

Liquor. 15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.297.5833 Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346.

248.620.8500.

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.625.5660

Detroit Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207. 313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202.

313.872.5110.

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180.

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070.

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun. Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday.

Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.965.4600.

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

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

313.841.0122.

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

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

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

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

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

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

313.567.6837.

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

Liquor. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216. 313.309.7946.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700.

DOWNTOWN

Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. 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.

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

313.438.5055.

SheWolf Pastifico & Bar: Italian.

Dinner, Tuesday through Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 438 Selden St, Detroit 48201. 313.315.3992.

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. 100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000.

Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.9828.

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor.

1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216.

313.962.2121.

Tap at MGM Grand: American.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.465.1234.

Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican.

Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily.

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

The Block: American. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892.

Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.964.4010.

Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

24grille: American. Sunday Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.964.3821.

Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.3965.

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

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American.

Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207.

313.393.1711.

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

Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700.

Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226.

313.962.7711.

09.21

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HELP WANTED MARKETPLACE The Help Wanted Marketplace appears toward the back of each monthly issue of Downtown Newsmagazine, reaching over 40,000+ readers.

Ads are grouped so readers can access more easily all job openings in the businesscommunity. Four color is available for all ads at no additional cost.

All job openings appear as display ads which are available in four sizes. Downtown Newsmagazine is offering discounted ad rates for the Help Wanted Marketplace.

For further information, contact Mark Grablowski by email or phone (O:248.792.6464 or C: 586.549.4424) MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com.

Space reservation for the October issue is Friday, September 17.

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HELP WANTED MARKETPLACE The Help Wanted Marketplace appears toward the back of each monthly issue of Downtown Newsmagazine, reaching over 40,000+ readers.

Ads are grouped so readers can access more easily all job openings in the businesscommunity. Four color is available for all ads at no additional cost.

WE’RE HIRING!

All job openings appear as display ads which are available in four sizes. Downtown Newsmagazine is offering discounted ad rates for the Help Wanted Marketplace.

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ENDNOTE

RH a win-win for downtown Birmingham n mid-August, final approvals were given by the Birmingham City Commission for a new 50,000 square-foot, four-story Restoration Hardware building complete with a rooftop restaurant at the corner of S. Old Woodward, Brown and Daines streets, to replace the current Capital Title/Lutz, Roche Bobois and Frank’s Shoe Service buildings.

The 1.24-acre site will allow for pedestrian access on all sides, including a landscaped via at the rear of the building and a courtyard at S. Old Woodward and Daines. It's destined to be a spectacular addition to S. Old Woodward, right across Brown Street from the new Daxton Hotel, providing not only energy and synergy to the southern end of Birmingham's downtown, but the potential to expand the footprint for vibrant services and amenities beyond the city's center at Maple and Old Woodward. We applaud the vision city planners and leaders have had for Restoration Hardware – known in this incarnation as RH – which has persisted in choosing downtown Birmingham despite setbacks, delays and a small cadre of citizens resistant to change.

RH first sought to come to Birmingham in 2019, as part of a new development on the

I

site of a redesigned N. Old Woodward parking garage, which came before city voters for approval because of a bond guarantee.

Somehow it also became a referendum on RH entering the Birmingham market, with neighbors pitted against neighbors.

Thankfully, the local aficionados behind the RH project – including Birmingham architect Victor Saroki and Orchard Lake developer Ron Boji, who has an office in Birmingham – persevered, and Birmingham, along with neighboring shoppers in Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and other surrounding communities will be the benefactors in that it's said RH pulls from a 250-mile radius.

It's no secret that retail has had a challenge for the last several years, well before the COVID-19 pandemic changed the playbook for everyone. Now, 18 months into a seismic shift for everyone, including downtown Birmingham's retail and restaurant community, RH will act as an anchor store for the entire downtown, a magnet for shoppers and diners – and other retail establishments looking to the city, thanks to the credibility the national retailer provides.

Yes, there will be challenges – there always

are when a new player comes to town.

Construction won't be fun, especially next summer, 2022, when RH and S. Old Woodward are both under construction. But it will prove to ultimately be a small price to pay for the end result – RH has said it plans on investing $25 million to create a unique destination shopping experience. Plans indicate three floors of home furnishing galleries, along with a fourth floor indoor/outdoor restaurant. They will offer customers beer and wine through its restaurant, which patrons may sip while perusing the floors. All furnishings, including indoor/outdoor courtyard furniture and restaurant tables and chairs, are part of the RH catalogue and available for purchase.

As for parking, they have 24 underground spaces for valet services. Their restaurant, if RH in other cities are indicators, will be a hot reservation – no different than other Birmingham dining destinations. But furniture stores are not often crammed with shoppers.

So let's openly welcome RH with the welcome it deserves. And understand that change is what happens to thriving cities.

Woodward not a place for digital signage he cities of Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, along with other communities along the Woodward corridor, had quite a surprise this summer, when the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) advised the cities that they intend to install an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), which includes digital message signs on 85foot monopoles, at several intersections, flashing information to drivers.

For the last decade or so, Birmingham has been considering putting Woodward on a “road diet,” similar to what Ferndale did, narrowing the roadway and lowering traffic speeds. Bloomfield Hills is a quiet and insular community which prefers to stay that way. The plan by MDOT appears to be a direct contradiction to what the local communities endeavor towards. Worse yet, that state planning lacked consultation with local communities.

MDOT is a state agency which has long had a tendency towards autonomy, often to the chagrin of cities and others, which have to work hard to gain cooperation for projects along their state roadways, such as pedestrian crosswalks, road narrowing,

T

speed limits, safety paths and other community improvements.

MDOT has informed Birmingham and other communities along the Woodward corridor that they plan to install the Intelligent Transportation System for the purpose of “traffic monitoring, incident management and advance notification” along Woodward, Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus informed city commissioners in his July monthly manager's report. He said MDOT said “the system is proposed to include connected vehicle technology, traffic signal controller and cabinet upgrades at several intersections, and related equipment.

“Based on the proposal submitted by MDOT, 'related equipment' includes new 85foot monopoles, large dynamic digital message signs, cameras, bracket arms and utility cabinets along Woodward Avenue that are commonly used on high speed freeways separated from the local street network,” Markus said.

“The addition of interstate-scale equipment and signage will have a significant negative impact on the aesthetics of the corridor and will not be compatible

with the efforts of Birmingham, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit and other local communities to create a less autocentric corridor,” Markus wrote.

MDOT informed Birmingham that they have had this in the works since 2015 – yet only thought to notify them in early June of this year. Same with Bloomfield Hills.

Markus wrote to MDOT that there are numerous improvements needed for their traffic infrastructure – but this isn't one of them, especially in light of apps available to driver's, such as Google Maps and WAZE. Residents recognize when it's a state freeway, such as I-75 or I-94, which MDOT is making unilateral decisions about.

Unfortunately, Woodward Avenue is a state trunkline. The fact it runs through so many local communities doesn't seem to have connected with those at the state level – who don't realize that digital signage and 85foot poles amount to local visual pollution.

Cleaning up roadways is much more than picking up trash. Reduced sign clutter falls into that category – especially when it's blaring digital signs. It's high time for MDOT to get the message.

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