Downtown newsmagazine | Birmingham/Bloomfield

DIG THIS CITY: SHOP BIRMINGHAM / WIN PRIZES / DETAILS PAGE 24

MAY 2020

FARMING CHALLENGE ALREADY STRUGGLING, THEN ALONG COMES THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

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DOWNTOWN05.20

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Farming challenges: coronavirus adds to concerns Small farm operations have long faced business challenges but the coronavirus pandemic has now added to the woes of those who bring us produce, meats and milk products.

LONGFORM

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Officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills talk about how the current health crisis is affecting local budgets, town hall operating procedures and the short-term future.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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Downtown newsmagazine relies on a healthy business community to produce solid news products, in print and online. With the current lockdown, we turn to our readers for support to continue our efforts and plan for growth.

CRIME LOCATOR We normally present a recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format. This popular feature will return in our June issue.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

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John James' chameleon act; an election list to avoid; Stevens sets the funding bar high; Proud Boys, protest and a congressional hopeful; county exec reviews; BS in prosecutor race; plus more.

MUNICIPAL

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Township budget approved; who's on the ballot for 2020; BSD business relief efforts; local annual events postponed; school bond vote in August; new protocols at Farmers Market; plus more.

THE COVER Cover design: Chris Grammer.

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METRO INTELLIGENCER

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With the current restaurant lockdown, reporter Dana Casadei provides readers with a list of places offering carry-out and food delivery. She looks forward, like us all, to a return to her normal beat.

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

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William D. Seklar, President and CEO of The Community House and the Community House Foundation, reaches out to the community for support of the area's oldest institution.

FACES

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Tamara Kolton

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FROM THE PUBLISHER owntown newsmagazine has been providing residents of Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills a quality monthly publication for nearly a decade and, for the vast majority of local residents, the newsmagazine arrives in the mailbox for free.

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When we first launched Downtown newsmagazine, we laid out as our mission the long-standing principles of holding accountable our elected and appointed government leaders while at the same time building, through quality journalism, a community of informed citizens, which is the basis for democracy. It certainly helped to be writing for an audience with one of the highest education levels in the state of Michigan. Likewise, reaching our goal was made much easier because we assembled a small but experienced and passionate group of publishing professionals, all committed to producing an independent newsmagazine befitting an area that, as we like to say, has long defined the best of Oakland County with its vibrant businesses, top-notch schools, professionally run municipalities, community spirit and sense of refinement.

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, political gossip, personality profiles, the latest news from the business community and the all important society non-profit circuit. We also devote considerable effort each month to addressing major issues facing local residents through our longform storytelling efforts, a lost art in our industry.

Aside from our monthly newsmagazine, we post regularly to our website (downtownpublications.com) and we send out a Weekly News Update newsletter every Friday along with special email alerts when there is breaking news of interest. Twice during the month we also send out our political gossip newsletter (Oakland Confidential) and each month we also send our restaurant news column (Metro Intelligencer). Each Monday, we send out Society Notebook, our coverage of the non-profit society circuit.

And during the pandemic, we launched The COVID-19 Diary, a weekday curation of articles from over a couple of dozen publications, to keep local residents up-to-date on the crisis we are all facing, If you are not among the several thousand recipients of our online newsletter efforts, you can sign up at no charge on our website.

As for the past decade of producing Downtown newsmagazine, when I first starting knocking on doors of advertisers in advance of our launch, I found great support as I laid out my plans to provide a product that was lacking in this part of the county. Based on constant feedback since then from residents and businesses, I think we have fulfilled that promise.

The support from the business community – often 50-70 advertisers per issue – has allowed us to produce a quality newsmagazine and deliver it to many of your homes at no charge. But the business community is constantly being challenged from events well beyond its control, be it the Great Recession, road reconstruction in the downtown Birmingham community (twice in two years) and now the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

We started strong 10 years ago and have remained strong. But to continue offering our products at no charge, and continue to grow in terms of what we want to offer to readers, we cannot simply ask more from the business community. So we are turning to local residents for community support in the form of donations through a membership campaign.

If you visit our website (downtownpublications.com), you will see a banner that will take you to our patron/membership donation page.

Any size donation, no matter how small, is appreciated. But we have created specific tiers of support, some of which come with perks in return.

All donors will be acknowledged by name (unless you prefer to donate anonymously) on a Supporters Page on our website for the next year and every six months in a printed edition of Downtown newsmagazine. Support on all levels is essential to our long-term success and growth.

We thank you in advance for your support of our effort to bring you quality local journalism each month. We think that what we do has become even more critical for the well-being of local residents.

OUR CURRENT ISSUE: You are receiving this issue a couple of weeks later than normal as we grapple with the coronavirus situation, like all local businesses and households. Over the course of the next several issues we will slowly return to a more normalized publishing schedule. Come this fall, we will have worked ourselves back to mailing issues at the start of each month.

Readers will also note that a couple of popular features we normally present do not appear in this delayed May issue.

For starters, the Crime Map that usually graces the early pages of each issue will return with our June issue as we and local police departments coordinate our schedules so you can see what is happening on the public safety front in the local communities.

Likewise, the regular monthly news and gossip column on the restaurant scene – Metro Intelligencer – will resume when dining establishments are allowed to reopen from the lockdown. This issue, Metro Intelligencer provides a list of local restaurants offering carry-out service during the stayat-home lockdown.

The same applies to Society Notebook, our overage of the all important society events in the non-profit world. Reporter Gigi Nichols looks forward to the day that it is safe to hold public gatherings that benefit the many nonprofit groups that help underwrite the safety net for the metro Detroit area.

Beginning with the June issue, noted photographer Laurie Tennent (Laurie Tennent Studios) will be returning to our ranks to continue capturing local personalities in our monthly Faces profile features.

OUR JULY ISSUE: As probably the only publication in the county to still offer detailed policy positions from those running for office, we are already ramping up to present in our mid-month July issue our Voter Guide for the August primary elections, just in time to capture absentee ballot voters.

We have already reached out to nearly three dozen candidates who have filed for offices affecting the Birmingham/Bloomfield area. We anticipate an approximate 40-page or larger Voter Guide as part of the July issue.

Until our next issue, stay safe.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@DowntownPublications.com

NILI LOTAN

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SIES MARJAN

N O 21

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PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Hillary Brody Anchill | Dana Casadei | Stacy Gittleman Austen Hohendorf | 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 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 the all important social non-profit circuit that makes these communities unique. 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 Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM/BLOOMFIELD

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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.

CHAMELEON TELL: While Michigan media outlets have heard little from GOP U.S. Senate hopeful John James, other than a rather bewildering (pontifical) op-ed piece recently in The Detroit News, Politico gave readers a bit more insight into what could be the candidate’s new approach in his attempt to unseat incumbent Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) come November. In an audio recording obtained by Politico from a private video conference with black community leaders JAMES in early May, James did an about face from his “2000 percent” support for President Donald Trump when he ran and lost in 2018 to Senator Debbie Stabenow.

Asked where he might break with The Donald, audio provided by Politico tells us – “Plenty, plenty of issues.

PETERS Everything from cutting Great Lakes funding to ‘shithole countries’ to speaking ill of the dead (John McCain). I mean where do you want to start.’

Oh yeah, he also told the black audience that it’s untrue that he has taken money from Trump or his U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, despite the fact that the Michigan-based überrich DeVos family has poured $800,000 into a Super PAC that is backing James.

NOT AN HONOR LIST: Ignoring all the subterfuge surrounding James’candidacy, Congressional Quarterly Roll Call came out just before press time with its list of the 10 most vulnerable U.S. Senators and Peters made the list. Although Roll Call, considered a true insider since 1945, ranks the senate race as leans Democratic, the D.C. information institution points out that James has outperformed Peters in quarterly fundraising in a contest that Republicans have targeted. At the end of the March reporting period, James had $8.6 million on hand, just a step behind Peters’ $8.8 million.

BAR SET HIGH: The five Republicans hoping to replace incumbent congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, western Oakland and Wayne counties) have a long haul to compete on the campaign funding front, according to Federal Elections Commission (FEC) reports for the period ending March 31 this year. From January of last year to the end of the first quarter this year, Stevens has raised $3.135 million, leaving her with cash-on-hand of nearly $2.448 million. Individual contributions totaled $2.074 million, while $880,329 came from committees. Of the over 9,000 STEVENS contributions she received, the vast majority were smaller amounts.

Campaign staff salaries, fundraising consulting and digital advertising accounted for the majority of expense items. Several of the GOP hopefuls had no campaign filings while Birmingham attorney Eric Esshaki reported $230,025 in donations for the same period, including a personal loan of $50,000, and $186,000 on hand at the end of March. Kerry Bentivolio (yes, he’s back) – often referred to as the ‘accidental congressman’ – had about $5,000 on hand at reporting time.

HIGH JUMP: Stevens isn’t the only one who needs a Ford F-150 for her fundraising efforts. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills, northern Oakland, Livingston and Ingham counties) has had the kind of fundraising that should scare away competition. According to FEC reports, from January 2019 through March 31 of this year, she has raised $4.528 million, including $1.1 million for the first quarter of this year, leaving her with cash-on-hand of $3.7 million after expenditures. Republican opponent Paul Junge raised $503,366, which included a $23,200 gift from himself, and he has $95,265 cash-on-hand – a nice amount if he wasn’t running against downtownpublications.com

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Slotkin. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, majority of Macomb County), has raised $489,609 for the cycle to date, with $175,553 coming the first quarter this year, and he has $300,917 cash-on-hand. It will likely be enough for him, as neither of his Republican opponents have raised any money yet. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-Detroit, Southfield, Farmington, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield) has raised $628,236 the election cycle to date, of which $82,596 was raised from January through March 31. She has $422,995 cash-on-hand – which hopefully will be enough, since her Democratic challenger, Terrance Morrison, has only raised $1,000. Of her Republican challengers, one has raised nothing, and the other, less than $5,000.

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GO BIG OR GO HOME: In this case, we might say, go home. Speaking of candidates, Rep. Elissa Slotkin may not be as worried about Republican opponent Mike Detmer of Howell. Detmer may not realize that when you run for public office your every move is public and under scrutiny. Moves like attending the Operation Gridlock protest at the capitol in Lansing protesting the state’s stayat-home shutdown. Yeah, there’s freedom of speech. And then there’s being photographed – and posting to his personal Facebook page – a photo of a group with a truck in the background with a sign on top boasting “Proud Boys” – a recognized hate group known for its anti-Muslim and DETMER misogynistic rhetoric. Further, a man in the photo made an acknowledged “white power” symbol. Just to note, none of the people in the photo were wearing masks or socially distancing. Detmer later took the Facebook post down, but did continue to gripe on a Facebook video, “It’s one thing to put information out for people to keep themselves safe, but it’s another thing entirely to lock down states and lock down people, which is completely unconstitutional.” But is it hateful?

APPLAUSE IS CONTAGIOUS: The saying some are born leaders, some leaders are made, and some rise to leadership could not be more true, especially in the case of Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter (D), who has only been in the position for 18 months, since the August 2019 death of longtime executive L. Brooks Patterson. While many Democrats and Republicans alike viewed Coulter as a placeholder until the 2020 election, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only provided a true test of leadership, Coulter is receiving raves from both sides of the aisle for early on assembling an internal – and bipartisan – coronavirus readiness team that includes former Congressman Sandy Levin (D-Royal Oak), Health Department head Kathleen Forzley, Homeland Security Manager Tom Hardesty, Bret Rasegan, a manager in planning and economic development, and former state Rep. Mike McCready (R-Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham), now senior business advisor in Economic Development and Community Affairs. Coulter has also established a task force of business leaders. As one former Patterson employee, who Coulter has kept on, said, “I like Dave Coulter a lot. He’s surrounded himself with good people.” The pandemic has been good for Coulter, as well – note the continuous exposure he has gotten from press conferences and those constant county television commercials, where he is highlighted reassuring the public on the county’s public health efforts. Pretty nice in an election year – especially since those are county taxpayer funds underwriting them.

DIRTY POLITICS: Notably absent from the county coronavirus readiness team? County Treasurer Andy Meisner (D), running for the county executive spot seemingly forever – certainly since Coulter was just a lowly Ferndale mayor toying with the idea of running for state representative for Ferndale, Huntington Woods and Oak Park. But give someone a bite of the apple, and the taste stays with them forever. In what is forecast as the marquee primary race in Oakland County, Meisner v. Coulter promises to be as nasty as old friends in the same rink duking it out can be. In the “oh no you didn’t” goes to Meisner. On April 16, Coulter posted on Facebook that he had heard from “a number of concerned people who received a robocall from my opponent

DOWNTOWN

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directing them to his political website for coronavirus information. I’d suggest the county (or state) website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.” Zing. Round one goes to Coulter.

READY FOR THE JOB: While the Democratic primary for Oakland County exec sounds like it will be a doozy, the Republicans have decided they are not rolling over and playing dead. After owning the top job – let’s be real, they controlled most of the county for decades – many Oakland County Republicans are not ceding control – other than sacrosanct Sheriff Michael Bouchard – to the Dems just because they had a good roll of the dice in 2018. While off the record many acknowledge it will likely be all-Democrat down the line down ballot in Oakland County, many candidates were not letting open seats go to waste. Initially, former state Sen. Mike Kowall (RWhite Lake), who has a long history of public service, from being Majority Floor Leader as state Senator, former White Lake Supervisor, state representative and ran unsuccessfully to be the Republican candidate for congress in the 11th District in 2018, initially filed to run for water resources commissioner this year, when he said he had an epiphany. As a close friend of former county executive L. Brooks Patterson, who hired Kowall as county economic and legislative liaison in early 2019, he said he knows what it takes for the county to continue to thrive. Kowall said he’s not a huge fan of some of the things going on at the executive suite, and he doesn’t want his years of knowledge to go to waste – and he’s ready and wants to serve.

Jeffrey Nutt, his Republican opponent, is an attorney whose only elected office has been as his homeowner’s association president.

TIT FOR TAT: Democratic candidate for Oakland County Prosecutor, and former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Karen McDonald, who is challenging Prosecutor Jessica Cooper for the Democratic nomination in August, has been sending out slews of emails asserting that Cooper wouldn’t let prosecutors work from home after the governor ordered the state shutdown, has put in $150,000 of her own money into her campaign, and that Cooper isn’t wisely tackling crime. Yet an investigation into many of the assertions show holes in them, including that county prosecutors had been working from home before the state shutdown was MCDONALD ordered – chief deputy prosecutor Paul Walton called it “bullshit.” As for the $150,000 self-funding, a look at Cooper’s campaign finance records show that is for four campaigns over 16 years – not for this campaign cycle. “If you’re not going to believe in yourself, how are you going to ask someone else to?” one campaign worker asked.

COOPER Walton noted that since Cooper became prosecutor in 2008, there has been a 33 percent reduction in overall crime, and a 44 percent drop in circuit court filings, according to FBI and state court administrator statistics.

Cooper and Walton have given over 500 training sessions to police groups, as well as having a standing contract with Oakland County Police Academy to provide legal training for cadets. As for Cooper’s known reticence to rescinding juvenile lifers’ sentences, Walton said it’s “just Michigan’s statute. Michigan’s legislature at any time can change the law.

They’ve chosen not to.” In the mean time, McDonald is racking up endorsements from Democratic legislators – including Attorney General Dana Nessel, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills), state Sen. Rosemary Bayer (Bloomfield Township), Rep. Mari Manoogian (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township), and Minority Leader Rep. Christine Greig (Farmington, Farmington Hills). Game on.

WHO DAT: As for the Republican candidate for Oakland County Prosecutor, Lin Goetz, she is the wife of Mike Goetz, who lost to Cooper in 2016, and had filed to run against her again this year but then withdrew. A spokesperson from the prosecutor’s office confirmed that Lin used to work at the office. “She was not retained by the prosecutor (Cooper) when she came in in 2009.” downtownpublications.com

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2020. B NG IR I M PR

DRAWING AY .S AW

SHOP LOCAL WHEN THE STATE LOCKDOWN ENDS.

TER G I . EN VE OP H

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SOME DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ARE ALREADY DOING CURBSIDE & HOME DELIVERY ON PURCHASES

SHOP BIRMINGHAM. BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIAL DRAWING! That’s right. During the April – August portion of the Birmingham downtown paving project, continue to frequent retailers and businesses in downtown Birmingham and look for the Dig This City logo on entranceways to participating merchants.

If you make a purchase at a participating merchant (nearly 30 of them), you will be asked fill out an entry blank to be entered into a drawing at the end of August. Participating merchants appear on the next two pages and throughout this issue of the newsmagazine.

We will be giving away four Delta airlines flight cards, two with a face value of $500 each and two with a face value of $250 each. Four shoppers will win one of four $100 gift cards to local restaurants. Plus there are special items from local merchants that will be in this drawing, like Shades Optical ($500 certificate); Lucido Fine Jewelery (five $100 gift certificates); Ceresnie & Offen Furs ($200 gift certificate); Steele Angel ($100 gift certificate); and Tender (two $200 gift cards).

Downtown newsmagazine has partnered with merchants in downtown Birmingham to demonstrate to shoppers that – excuse the mess – downtown Birmingham is open for business during the road reconstruction project and it is an especially good time to visit the shops in downtown Birmingham.

There are a number of activities planned and special shopping incentives are being offered by the downtown businesses, so watch for further updates as we move through the construction project this spring and into part of the summer.

Here's the list of merchants participating in the Dig This City promotion and drawing at the end of August: Adventures In Toys Barbara Boz Be Well Lifestyle Center Birmingham Tailor Castaldi's Formal Wear Ceresnie & Offen Furs Cincchini Custom Clothier DessiS Douglas Cleaners Fabrik

Flemings Steakhouse Found Objects Gazelle Sports Harp's Lingerie ICG Investments Legato Salon and Spa Lori Karbal Lucido Fine Jewelry My House of Style Merwins Antiques

Optik Birmingham Sara Campbell Shades Optical Share Birmingham State Farm St. Croix Shop Steele Angel Tender Birmingham The Italian Dish Triple Nickel

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DRAWIN G AY .S AW

During the months of April through August, if you make a purchase at one of our two dozen participating merchants, your name is entered into a special drawing taking place at the end of the threemonth period.

$500 each; two Delta airline gift cards each valued at $250; along with four $100 value gift cards to downtown Bimingham restaurants. Plus there will be gift certificates from some local merchants, including a $500 gift card from Shades Optical; Lucido Fine Jewelery (five $100 gift certificates); Ceresnie Offen Furs ($200 gift Drive up to our front door or back &door certificate); Steele Angel 3 Call us and let us know you are here($100 gift certificate); (two $200 gift cards).

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TER G I . EN V EOP H

Downtown newsmagazine is partnering with merchants in downtown Birmingham during the Maple Road road construction project that is now underway to help make the shopping experience in the city even more memorable than normal.

In addition to the Dig This City promotional contest, organized by Downtown newsmagazine, the downtown Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) will be hosting a number of activities during the construction period.

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TER G I . EN V EOP H

Downtown newsmagazine is partnering with merchants in downtown Birmingham during the Maple Road road construction project that is now underway to help make the shopping experience in the city even more memorable than normal.

In addition to the Dig This City promotional contest, organized by Downtown newsmagazine, the downtown Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) will be hosting a number of activities during the construction period.

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2020. B NG IR I M PR

Winners will be selected for two Delta airline gift cards valued at

DRAWIN G AY .S AW

During the months of April through August, if you make a purchase at one of our two dozen participating merchants, your name is entered into a special drawing taking place at the end of the threemonth period.

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TER G I . EN V EOP H

Downtown newsmagazine is partnering with merchants in downtown Birmingham during the Maple Road road construction project that is now underway to help make the shopping experience in the city even more memorable than normal.

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In addition to the Dig This City promotional contest, organized by Downtown newsmagazine, the downtown Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) will be hosting a number of activities during the construction period.

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FACES

Tamara Kolton abbi Tamara Kolton can pinpoint the moment, down to the minute, when she felt it, this energy she couldn't put a name on until later.

It was July 21, 2012 at 10:30 p.m. when Kolton – then the rabbi at Birmingham Temple – was in the midst of a terrible board meeting.

She felt what she would later call Eve energy. Yes, the Eve with the garden and apple.

"I felt this push on my back and this energy I knew later to name, 'Eve energy' – which is get out of here, do it, dare to follow your own truth, dare not to listen to them," said Kolton.

After said board meeting, Kolton went and wrote her resignation.

"What I believe is the drama of that board meeting dislodged me so that I could go in search of a God that I could believe in," she said.

That precise moment led Kolton on a journey of her finding God in the feminine, and feeling the beautiful, brave, bad ass energy of the feminine divine. Kolton refers to Eve as a spiritual bad ass and Mother of Spiritual Bravery in her book, Oranges for Eve, which follows Kolton's journey from that meeting forward.

What makes for a spiritual bad ass?

"Being a spiritual bad ass is owning that you have the right to a great life the way you see it in this emerging moment, even though you’re told that you don’t," she said.

Right now, in the midst of the #MeToo movement and current political environment, Kolton feels her book is very relevant.

"We all have times in our lives when all the people around us are screaming their bad advice at us, especially as women, and you can feel the energy of that feminine...her disobedient current rising in 2020," said Kolton, who lives in Birmingham.

But back to the connection with the book title's focus. For Kolton – who knew at her bat mitzvah she wanted to become a rabbi – the myth of Eve had stuck with her for decades. She had been writing and talking about it for years.

Kolton said she connected the story to how women are often silenced or shamed for how they feel, especially about their bodies. She admitted to not feeling comfortable in her own body numerous times throughout her life, and noted Eve did also in one specific moment in the garden.

"I think as women, we feel like Eve many times in our lives, sometimes many times a day," Kolton said.

Oranges for Eve is a spiritual journey Kolton wants readers to travel with her, with exercises in the book.

Kolton hopes every woman who reads it can embody their life in a more beautiful way, feel more at home in their body, and know they are supposed to follow their truth and conduct that in to the future.

"I think that’s the number one thing, you will never regret following your truth – that’s the message for Oranges for Eve," she sad.

Since publishing, Kolton has gotten lots of love and encouragement, some from an unexpected place, the Birmingham Temple, which she hadn't been back to since her 2012 resignation.

They recently invited her to speak and sell her book there for an engagement this spring.

"It’s so healing and it’s a tremendous gift from the Birmingham Temple to be invited back in with my book," she said. "It's been really beautiful."

R

Story: Dana Casadei

Photo: Laurie Tennent

LC Scramlin is the third-generation to work the land on his family farm in Holly, Michigan, where he currently raises sheep, lamb and grows hay for feed. His brother, Marvin Scramlin, is a stone's throw away in Groveland Township, living and working on the family's centennial farm, established in 1910.

“My grandparents bought the farm in 1910. I'm the third generation farming it,” Marvin said. “Originally, it was 80 acres. They were all 80-acre parcels, because it was easy to divide them up into that amount. Grandpa kept buying up land (from other farmers) during the depression. It was 200 acres for years. LC and I bought it (the farm) from my dad in the 1970s.”

“My farm, the newer farm, is 49 years old,” said LC. “The two farmsteads, they're one-and-a-half miles apart. They were dairy farms for a long time. We sold our dairy herd back in '86. We had other interests, and at that time, farmers were facing excess milk production. It was a perfect time for us to sell.”

Now, LC farms over 1,700 acres of feed, which Marvin then sells at their feed store. In addition, LC is the general manager of the Oakland County Fair and runs the 4-H Club, a group of 50 4-H clubs offering educational programming designed to help youth gain the skills they need to be successful. LC also raises sheep and lamb, “about 65 ewes and 120 lamb, though now I'm going to cut it in half,” due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We take them to shows, and sell and market them,” in order to promote breeding and growth, he said, which he explained “becomes a very big deal.”

Suddenly, they're having to turn to virtual sales, LC said, “which is a big change, in all areas of livestock. It's one of the ways to adapt to the times. Three months ago it never would have been considered.” Ohio, which has the biggest breeding sale, has now been postponed.

“One of the biggest local sheep markets, United Producers Inc., is in Manchester (Michigan). We took some animals down there (early in the coronavirus pandemic), and the check didn't come for several days, and we knew then something was wrong,” LC recalled. “There just weren't enough buyers for the meat.”

The wholesale meat market, which they sell via Wolverine Packing Co. at Eastern Market in Detroit, is beginning to come back, LC said. “It's one of the biggest lamb processors in the country. The market has come back somewhat –

FARMING A CHALLENGED INDUSTRY

BY LISA

just not completely. Wolverine is hoping to reopen soon – when they can get enough workers to show up,” noting Wolverine had only 50 out of approximately 1,000 employees show up for work recently due to illness and fear, resulting in farmers like him not being able to take in animals for processing.

And LC said lamb “has not been affected as drastically as the beef and pork industry. Those are scary kinds of numbers.”

Just down the road, his brother Marvin operates a grain elevator and their feed store, where since the pandemic, suburbanites from around the county and adjacent counties with acreage, or just a little plot of land in their backyard, have decided to grow their own vegetables and raise a few chickens.

“It's a whole new market,” Marvin noted.

Marvin also provides smaller farmers and horse farmers, of which Oakland County is the largest county in Michigan with horse farms, he said, with customblended feed.

“We make our own. We can make whatever people want,” he said, noting they do not try to compete with larger feed producers who are open seven days a week who purchase feed from giant manufacturers, such as Purina. “It's very hard to compete with large producers. I don't have a storefront. I'm still on the farm. I'm very, very fortunate. I have very loyal customers.”

However, Marvin said he doesn't think he could begin again as a farmer today.

“Just the changes in technology and equipment, the marketing and being online and messing with futures in the stock market. It's gotten very, very complicated,” he noted.

The definition of what is a farm, and certainly a family farm, has been evolving over the decades, as farms have grown and consolidated as business operations, and newer, entrepreneurial niche farms have popped up as alternatives, with younger farmers at the helm.

“Nearly all the farms in the United States are family-owned, but they have gotten larger because of economic issues, such as regulatory burdens,” said Ernie Birchmeier, spokesperson, Michigan Farm Bureau. “Farms have been getting larger since the early 1900s. When profit levels are so small, the only way to maximize profit levels is to grow.”

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Veronica Nigh, an economist with the American Farm Bureau, confirmed that, noting that in the 2010 U.S. Census, 99 percent of all farms in the United States “at least 50 percent or more of the operation was owned by one producer of the household and/or their extended family.” Of that, 90 percent are considered small family operations that have less than $10,000 in sales, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); 80 percent have less than $100,000 in sales annually; and eight percent have sales of $500,000 or more.

Large family farms, with at least $1 million in gross cash farm income, made up 2.9 percent of U.S. farms but accounted for 42 percent of the value of production.

“Agriculture is like other facets of the economy – it's gotten larger,” Nigh said. “To stay in business, to operate, it's more expensive, and you need more acreage to be profitable.”

“Regulatory burdens and environmental controls add tremendous costs to farming today,” Birchmeier said. “When you have additional costs, you need to spread it over more units. There are many hidden costs that add up. There are added costs to transportation, to get to the processor and then to the retailer.

“Agriculture is a price taker, not a price maker,” he explained.

“Depending on what the market says it will pay that day, versus on the other end of the spectrum where the retailer says the price you will pay.”

Nigh said, in the U.S., unlike in other countries, such as China, “Only one percent of farms in the United States are owned by non-family held corporations.”

Marin Bozic, a dairy economist at University of Minnesota, said consolidation at dairy farms into larger operations is not a new phenomenon, but one that has been taking place across the country since the 1950s.

“We see consolidation at about five percent a year less than the year before, through natural attrition, people retiring, their children wanting to pursue a different career,” he said.

“The original family farm was mom, pop and their kids,” he said. “Then, there was a hired hand, then, a couple of hired hands. Then, the son had a farm, and that joined the family farm, and soon there was a couple hundred head (of milking cows).

“When you get to a 3,000-head dairy farm, that's when you get to universal savings,” Bozic said. “They're managing 30, 40 employees. They're still a family farm, but with a different structure (than the original mom and pop form). They're not Walmarts or corporations, like in Asia, where there are dairy corporations. They're still a family business. Once you learn how to manage a business, you're just managing a bigger business.

“We shouldn't denigrate a dairy farmer who has the ambition to produce food at a large scale,” Bozic said. “In some sense, they're an entrepreneur. Americans like dairy, they like cheese. These farmers have figured out how to produce it effectively. They have their manure in careful lagoons. There are environmental laws that are stringent, and they follow them.

They are producing food.”

Not everyone agrees that large dairy farms are effective producers and good neighbors.

“Industrial agricultural is this nation's problem,” said Jaydee Hanson, policy director, Center for Food Safety. He said there are areas in the country with farmers with 140,000 head of dairy cattle in areas with no water, “so you have to use groundwater or import it.”

A further challenge for the environment, he said, is “when you have 140,000 head of cattle you have to get rid of the waste someplace. You have this fetid mess. They're basically low-level sick all the time and kept on antibiotics to keep them healthy

enough to gain weight to make milk, or if they're beef cattle, to grow for meat operations.

“Then, you have in theory and in practice, compost that can be used in agricultural land,” Hanson said. “But the runoff – even in the driest areas,” running off into produce fields.

Hanson said this form of tainted runoff, from cattle feces, is what caused E-Coli breakouts in romaine lettuce in California and Arizona in 2018 and 2019.

Another issue is with dairy alternatives, such as almond milk, where almond growers in the San Joaquin Valley in California, where the majority of almonds are grown in this country, flood fields with water, allow the fields to dry out, and then flood them again – using rare and valuable water in a state frequently plagued with drought conditions. The increased demand for almonds and its milk substitute has heightened the market for almonds, and growers are expanding the number of trees they are planting over other crops.

“They are all trying to use drip irrigation because water is much more valuable and regulated,” Hanson said. “While they use water in a very limited supply, the growers are trying to do a better job.

“When so much of your landscape is in nuts, it's crazy – it's all in one crop,” he said. “It means that 40 percent of the nation's bee hives have to go out there because they all bloom at the same time. You end up with a product. It's a megafarming operation.”

He noted that if it were wiped out by something in the natural world, the industry would be destroyed.

THE DEFINITION OF WHAT IS A FARM, AND CERTAINLY A FAMILY FARM, HAS BEEN EVOLVING OVER THE DECADES, AS FARMS HAVE GROWN AND CONSOLIDATED AS BUSINESS OPERATIONS, AND NEWER, ENTREPRENEURIAL NICHE FARMS HAVE POPPED UP AS ALTERNATIVES, WITH YOUNGER FARMERS AT THE HELM. Today, according to the American Farm Bureau, there are about six million farmers across all 50 states farming 2.42 million acres. Since the Industrial Revolution, “farms have gotten larger and consolidated as workers moved from rural areas to urban areas,” Nigh noted. “That continues today.”

The USDA in 2019 reported the average farm was 438 acres.

“In 2012, it was seven acres larger,” Nigh said. She also reported that between 2012 and 2017, the country lost 67,000 farms.

“While we mourn every loss, it's generally a gradual loss,” she said.

“Where policymakers get concerned is where consolidation rises above five percent annually,” Bozic said, noting that in 2019 in Wisconsin and Minnesota, over 10 percent of dairy farms closed.

“When you go from five to 10 percent, it's more than retirement,” Bozic continued. “You're losing some 30-year-olds, 40-year-olds, who didn't make it. They had to sell their cattle and their equipment. That's what's heartbreaking.”

Both Nigh and Birchmeier pointed out that while many farms have grown exponentially, some farms have chosen to stay small.

“There are also situations where some farmers have chosen to stay small and focus on the niche market, and market directly to consumers, and that works also,” Birchmeier said, of farmers who grow for farmers' markets, home shares or for farm-to-table restaurants.

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“In the last 10 years, there are more small farms of 100 acres or less and larger farms of 500 acres or more. It's the middle that is squeezed, like other segments of the economy,” Nigh said. “We tend to see new farmers in smaller farms who have less capital. They're farming small heads of livestock, or being small producers of high value product. The larger acreage farms tend to be more mechanized which is why they can have more acreage. Technology has helped drive size and profitability.”

Agriculture is a $104.7 billion industry for the state of Michigan, according to Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), employing 17 percent of the state's workforce and putting it third behind manufacturing and tourism in importance as an industry. Every $1 in export activity generates another $2.87 in economic activity, meaning Michigan’s total agriculture exports of $1.98 billion have a local impact of an additional $5.6 billion, MDARD said – creating tremendous economic benefit for the state's economy.

In addition, off the farm, an additional 17,065 jobs are created in food processing, storage, and transportation, MDARD said.

“One in every four or five jobs are tied to agriculture, from farming to production to processing to retail,” Birchmeier said.

The state of Michigan is second only to California for the diversity of its agricultural production. Michigan is number one in dairy, Birchmeier said, and number two in the country for corn, soybeans, beef, pork and eggs. Michigan is also among the leaders in tart cherry production, blueberries, bedding plants, Christmas trees, sugar beets, asparagus, lumber, apple and fruit trees, and nurseries.

“Livestock, including dairy, has the greatest economic impact at $5.13 billion, followed by field crops with an economic impact of $5.12 billion,” MDARD reported.

Oakland County has one last working dairy farm, Cook's Dairy Farm in Ortonville, begun in 1933, and now has a hormone-free herd of 50 milking cows. Over the years, they added a processing plant and not only sell milk wholesale but also ice cream, ground beef and half and whole pigs, by reservation. Consumers can come directly to the farm and purchase their dairy, beef and pork.

“We are blessed to have a very diverse agricultural state,” Birchmeier said.

And then COVID-19 hit, and along with the rest of the world, the agricultural industry and consumers' ability to access merchandise, has been significantly impacted.

On March 10, Michigan recorded its first two cases of COVID-19, and by March 16, restaurants around the state were closed, other than for take out. On March 24, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued her first stay-at-home order; it has since been extended until May 28.

Similar orders occurred around the country – and farmers around the country suddenly had no where to sell their produce, beef, poultry and pork.

Last year, Americans ate 51 percent of their meals outside of the home. And while Americans are suddenly eating all of those meals at home now, it turns out there are two separate supply chains in the United States – one for consumers and retailers, and a separate one for restaurants, schools, universities and cruise ships.

“For those growers in the food service industry, they saw their demand disappear overnight,” Nigh of the American Farm Bureau, said. “The crisis is causing significant pain across the United States. The prices paid to ranchers and farmers have dropped across the country, despite empty shelves at stores.”

Nigh said it is not easy for those growers who sell and process to the food service industry to transition to the retail market because they utilize different supply chains.

“So those growers have no where to sell their produce. Those fruits and vegetables are often picked by hand, with a significant cost,” she said, which is why she said there are reports of farmers just plowing fields over in some states, because it is less expensive to just plow the fields than pay to have them picked and just rot.

Each day, dairy farmers are dumping thousands of gallons of milk away as they have no where to sell it. The nation's largest dairy cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, said they estimate that farmers are dumping as much as 3.7 million gallons of milk each day. Eggs are being smashed by the dozens.

“There is a parallel system to the retail food system that is completely shut down,” said John Ickerd, professor emeritus of Agricultural Economics, University of Minnesota. “The food supply chain is essential, but more than half of food expenditures are at restaurants, schools and other entities that are now closed down. With our specialized food distribution system, even those (processing) plants that are still operating, there is no way to get product there. Maybe dairy farms are throwing out milk because it's scheduled to go to restaurants and schools versus the retail side. If you are a pork or meat processor, you have no where for the meat to go.”

Ickerd explained that once there were poultry, meat and pork producers, packers and processing plants – all separate. Today, he said, large operators, like Tyson and Smithfield, own the operators and specify what they want produced.

“It was first seen in poultry, where they moved to contractural operations, where they actually contract or own

WHILE AMERICANS ARE SUDDENLY EATING ALL OF THOSE MEALS AT HOME NOW, IT TURNS OUT THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE SUPPLY CHAINS IN THE UNITED STATES – ONE FOR CONSUMERS AND RETAILERS, AND A SEPARATE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR RESTAURANTS, SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES AND CRUISE SHIPS. the produce, like Tyson or Purdue,” he said. “Initially they would just contract with the producers. The producers were responsible for getting rid of the waste. They would build buildings, borrow money, everything to the specifications.

“Previous to that, you would have livestock and poultry producers who would bring their product to open markets,” he said. “So packers would bid for their products. When you went to this contractural model, they could specify the model of animal, what they wanted, what they are to be fed, what they're to be housed in.

“Before, there were separate producers, packers and processing plants. Now, there is nowhere to go with a truckload of animals.”

Ickerd said 100 percent of chickens in this country, save for a few free range chickens, are produced this way, 95 percent of hogs, and a majority of beef cattle.

“Oversupply has been a chronic problem,” Ickerd said. “Then they would reduce the price to the suppliers, and that would move it through the market, with prices falling to consumers.”

But, Ickerd said, “What they never anticipated was a breakout of a disease like this – that there would be a percentage of workers out sick with this disease. You'd reduce the volume of output, but because of the nature of this disease, when they get to a certain percentage, they had to close down the entire plant rather than having some absenteeism. The producers never expected this kind of contagion.”

With dairy and beef cattle, in particular, he noted, they still

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must be fed, and with dairy cattle, they have to be milked on schedule, and for all of these animals, “there is no longer an open market, and no way to move them to another place.

They're built like an assembly line.”

“We have some real concerns with the supply chain,” said Ernie Birchmeier of Michigan Farm Bureau. “Thirty percent of the pork processing plants are shut down right now; 25 percent of the beef processing plants are shut down, and there are interruptions in the poultry and lamb processing industries as well, because of the virus and testing issues among workers.”

On April 28, President Trump signed an executive order ordering meat processing plants around the country to stay open to head off shortages in the retail sector. Yet, by May 6, seven additional meatpacking plants had closed as at least 9,400 workers in those plants had gotten sick with COVID-19, and at least 45 workers had died.

A spokesperson from Tyson said they are working to keep their workers safe. “We've been screening worker temperatures, requiring protective face coverings and conducting additional cleaning and sanitizing. We've also implemented social distancing measures, such as workstation dividers and more break room space.”

Locally, Kroger stores have signs indicating shoppers had to limit their purchases of meat and poultry to two per visit; Costco was limiting shoppers to three per visit. Numerous stores had empty poultry and meat counters.

Representatives from Kroger and Plum declined to comment for this story on shortages in their supply chain. Numerous calls to Meijer, Papa Joe's and Nino Salvaggio were not returned.

“We've got ample supplies, huge supplies. The bottleneck is in packing processing,” said David Anderson, economic professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University. “What that means is higher prices for consumers.”

But not higher prices for farmers.

“We're very concerned about the financial impact it is having on farms across the state,” Birchmeier said. “Prices paid to pork farmers is down 50 percent since the crisis; beef is down 30 percent; and prices to our dairy farmers is down 30 to 35 percent – and projected to go down more. I don't care what business you're in, you can't sustain losses like that for very long. If this doesn't turn around soon, it has the potential to be as bad as the '80s.”

One bright spot for both farmers and those who have suffered economically during the coronavirus crisis is the partnership between the American Farm Bureau and Feeding America, to marry the oversupply of food from the restaurant food supply and the tremendous demand at the nation's food banks.

“We're hearing reports of 40 percent to 100 percent increases in need from food banks,” said Veronica Nigh at American Farm Bureau. “The last thing farmers want is for their products to go to waste.”

Dr. Phil Knight, executive director of Food Bank Council of Michigan, of which Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest are members, said their members are currently delivering 40 percent more food than a year ago at this time. He said the job of the Food Bank Council is to get resources to their member food banks.

He said there are two significant populations they are seeing. “First, when schools were closed, we saw children and families, the most innocent population. Then, we're seeing more senior citizens, the most vulnerable population.”

He said along with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) they have developed a senior

quarantine box, filled with high nutritional shelf staples, building them at their warehouses, and then with partnerships, delivering them to seniors' doorsteps.

There has been a third wave of those in need – people who are gig and contract workers, service industry workers and those who have worked for small businesses.

“We've seen them in waves,” Knight said. “These waves keep waving over us like ocean waves coming and going back.

Our networks are just delivering and delivering.

“Before all the schools closed, our network average of seven food banks in 83 counties in Michigan delivered 439,368 pounds of food in one week,” he said. “In the first week of May, just six weeks later, they did 741,080 pounds of food.”

In nine days, Knight said, they crafted a memorandum of understanding with the state to procure shelf staples, working with the Michigan Emergency Operations Center, MDHHS, the Attorney General's office and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

“Everyone had to sign off in nine days – after our supplier went out of business,” he said. “Luckily, Meijer agreed to resource it, with food they're donating to the state at their cost.

“This agreement is a first-of-a-kind.”

He said Feeding America Network, their national organization, is using their model. “Michigan was the model.

This meant that we kept food flowing to the three waves of people who needed it. We pulled off a miracle.”

Unlike with a natural disaster, like a tornado, “When a hurricane or a tornado touches down, you can see the damage.

ONE BRIGHT SPOT FOR FARMERS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU AND FEEDING AMERICA, TO MARRY THE OVERSUPPLY OF FOOD FROM THE RESTAURANT FOOD SUPPLY AND THE TREMENDOUS DEMAND AT THE NATION'S FOOD BANKS. With COVID, you can't,” Knight said. “Also, when a tornado hits Tupelo, Mississippi, it's only Tupelo. Here, it's statewide.

The problem with dairy isn't going to be fixed until schools and restaurants are re-opened. If there was any way to stop the food waste, these farmers would.”

The next project, which Knight was working on at this writing, Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), is a new USDA program designed to help farmers, spending $300 million in a month. The USDA is to buy $100 million worth of produce, $100 million in protein and $100 million in dairy.

“The distributor has to sign up people who deal with emergency food, like food banks, then these food distributors sign up food banks as clients,” Knight explained. “Then we give them our orders from those three categories. Now food distributors have to put bids together, and then they submit it

by May 1, and in one week, from concept to implementation, to award the federal contract on May 8. These boxes are supposed to be hitting the communities May 15 – three weeks, start to finish. Truck-to-trunk model.”

A government program in three weeks? As Knight said, “Hope springs eternal.”

As for farmers and their ability to survive and weather the pandemic?

“We will have short-term challenges, but of any country on earth, the U.S. is best situated to provide food,” said University of Minnesota economist Marin Bozec. “We will have plenty of food for our citizens.”

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Mackenzie Martin ackenzie Martin, 17, a junior at Detroit Country Day School, always enjoyed sewing with her grandmothers. She and her younger sister Kate picked up the hobby at an early age and it was commonplace to come home after school and work on sewing projects like making doll's clothing or small accessories.

One chilly afternoon in November of 2016, while walking around downtown Royal Oak, the sisters spotted a homeless man. They went home and returned, bringing him a homemade lunch. It got them thinking of other ways to help the homeless, especially during Michigan's long cold winters. It was that instance that hatched their charitable project, MK Blanket Wraps.

Now nearing a 1,000-blanket milestone, the sisters have not only designed, sewn and distributed colorful and functional blankets to the homeless, they also teach sewing classes at local homeless shelters in the summer.

In recognition of creating MK Blanket Wraps, Martin recently received the 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Distinguished Finalist Award.

Created in 1995 by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the awards program is the country's largest and is based exclusively on volunteer community service. It recognizes students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and national levels.

The sisters thoughtfully designed the poncho-like blankets for the homeless, who need to keep warm outside while keeping their possessions with them. The blankets feature several large interior and exterior pockets and have necklines large enough to slip over bulky outer garments.

Once they assembled several of them, the Martins contacted Genesis House, a women's and children's homeless shelter. According to Martin, the women residents there not only wanted to use the blankets, but also wanted

M

to learn how to make them. For the last two years, the sisters have taught the class twice a week, and even had an eight-session class over that first summer, complete with a graduation ceremony where each sewing student received a certificate for learning a skill that may help them earn a living.

Martin said she learned much from the women about what is on the mind of people who deal with homelessness, trauma, and instability while they try to rebuild their lives. This summer, MK Blanket Wraps will teach a sewing class at Hope Against Trafficking, a human trafficking rescue program for women in Pontiac.

"The first thing that is on everyone's mind (when they are living in a shelter) is waiting to get Section VIII affordable housing," Martin said. "And the one thing they said they wanted their first purchases for their new home was to be able to buy a sewing machine."

To raise money for all that fleece, MK Blankets teamed up with Stagecrafters to produce a children's play on the Baldwin Stage in late February.

As she sets her sights on the end of high school, college, and beyond, Mackenzie said she plans to continue to help others throughout her life and is considering a future in either teaching or non-profit work.

"By creating this sewing class, I have learned so much what it is to teach another person and how it can make a difference in somebody else's life. I watched people come to my class in a sad or bad mood but leave the class smiling and happy. Sewing and designing will always be a hobby for me, but I plan to work in the future in some way that will deal with helping and improving the lives of others."

Story: Stacy Gittleman

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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ver two months into a stunning economic recession wrought by an invisible enemy, the COVID-19 virus, local municipalities are grappling with new and unexpected costs of keeping their residents and employees safe while experiencing drastically reduced revenues.

At the beginning of March 2020, Michigan was enjoying an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent. By April 16, over 1.2 million Michigan residents had filed for unemployment – approximately 21 percent of the state's workforce, with reports of many still unable to log onto the state's site to file and qualify for unemployment benefits. While many of the unemployed are likely temporary due to the governor's stay-at-home order, each of those are not circulating in society, not purchasing items, utilizing restaurants, buying coffee at Starbucks, paying sales or income taxes, parking, building permits – all revenue which benefits local communities.

At the same time, municipalities have been called upon to provide greater services to their residents, from increased public safety, where first responders must have increased personal

Y T I N U M M CO T C A P M I CAL OFFICIAELSS O G HOW L E CHALLEN HANDL M COVID-19 FRO DY A BRO S I L Y B

protection equipment, increased cleaning, and they must figure out how to provide access to residents through virtual meetings and online services, which they may not have previously offered.

“Less tax revenue, especially decreased property tax revenue, is nothing new for municipalities in recessions. What is new in this downturn is how they're experiencing the recession is like nothing ever before,” said Eric Lupher, president, Citizens Research Council.

“The depth of the crisis, as well as the speed – we've never seen the speed before,” said Patrick Gourley, PhD, assistant professor, economics and business analyst, College of Business, University of New Haven. “On February 19, the stock market was at an all-time high. The biggest hit to local governments is probably going to be sales tax. Retail sales have just fallen through the floor. There are just unprecedented drops in retail sales, month-to-month, and in the speed they fell. As far as property taxes, unlike in the Great Recession, they may not fall as much.”

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Gourley said many municipalities which rely on receiving a lot of sales tax are probably going to take on more debt.

“The question is, how deep is the trough? The longer it goes on, it will take longer and longer to recover,” he said. “Right now businesses that are temporarily closed will hire most of their employees back if they reopen soon.

If closures go on for a long while, those closures could become permanent.

The longer the lockdown, the longer the recovery will take.”

Lupher noted other revenue shortages are in fees municipalities are accustomed to, such as parking fees, parking meter revenue, and parks and recreation fees, such as from leagues and camps. “They still have to pay to maintain buildings and parks,” he noted.

In southeast Michigan, members of Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) usually approve a pass-through budget item – dollars in, dollars out, meaning what they as a community are charged for water is what they charge their residents.

“Local governments have a minimum fee from GLWA,” Lupher said. “But because so many businesses are closed, and businesses often are a primary user of water, some communities will not make that minimum, or will have to pay that money out of their general fund if they don't have extra reserves.”

Lupher pointed out that the increased expenses municipalities are experiencing are different than 10 or 12 years ago, because right now there are costs local governments must cover immediately, rather than postpone for better times.

“They have to retrofit their operations to protect their employees and people coming into their buildings,” he explained. “Most governments have gone to online meetings, so they have had to purchase special software.”

He said many communities have extra legal fees, as well as special safety gear for not only frontline workers, but employees in the clerk's office and treasurer's office as communities get ready to reopen.

Some older city halls are discovering their older air conditioning systems can pass coronavirus germs on, so HVAC systems need to be reworked or updated. “There are a lot of costs like this,” he said.

“Some employees are getting hazard pay, and that's a new cost that isn't included in the budget,” he said.

On May 5, some local communities, although none in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills or Bloomfield Township, had local elections. Only one percent voted in person, with the other 99 percent voting absentee. Local municipalities, with Oakland County and the Michigan Secretary of State, will soon have to determine whether to hold the August and November elections completely via absentee ballot or still maintain in-person elections.

Locally, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills leaders were asked to evaluate their situation during and post-pandemic. Here are their answers.

yet announced what cities can expect for the rest of the fiscal year and for planning purposes, we are anticipating roughly $600,000 less. Even longer term, cities will potentially be faced with lower revenues from property taxes if recessionary trends continue.

Fortunately, Birmingham is positioned well with solid reserves of roughly $14 million in its unassigned general fund fund balance. While discussions in Washington are ongoing in regard to a fourth stimulus package that would include federal funds directed towards local units of government, it is uncertain whether such funds would come directly to municipalities or be routed through state or county programs which typically limit what is received.

POTENTIAL SERVICE CUTBACKS The current actions taken to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic under a national and state Declaration of Emergency over the past month have not caused significant service impacts due to increased costs or loss of revenue.

However, the duration and scale of further state orders will determine the impacts to our services and operations in the months to come.

As we look ahead to determine the level of economic fallout from shutting down our state for almost two months and the recessionary effects this may bring, the reality of lesser tax, permit and fee revenues along with needed unplanned expenditures will be monitored as we assess the longer term impacts to the organization attributed to this public health crisis. One area we are focusing on is the implementation of additional technologies to allow for more online service delivery that will limit the need for the public to physically come to municipal facilities to conduct business.

At the present time, we have not had to layoff any employees as most employees are deemed essential given the city of Birmingham’s rare position as a Public Act 390 community, which means it runs its own emergency operation program under the state’s emergency management act. As a result, employees not normally classified as essential have been reassigned to serve in other capacities supporting critical functions such as staffing our COVID-19 call center.

Looking forward, however, the length and extent of the restrictions we are directed to operate under, while assessing the economic impacts this will have on our tax and related revenue sources, will drive decisions affecting our future staffing levels.

PUBLIC SAFETY

JOE VALENTINE Birmingham City Manager BUDGET CONCERNS The fiscal impacts expected from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic are both immediate and longer-term.

As we look back to the initial Declaration of State of Emergency on March 10, 2020 and subsequent Stay Home, Stay Safe orders by the governor’s office, the city of Birmingham has seen reductions in permit fee revenue of roughly 50 percent in March and 90 percent in April. Parking enforcement in downtown Birmingham was suspended on March 17th to incentivize patronage of our local businesses prior to the Stay Home, Stay Safe order being issued. The reduction in monthly parking fees is approximately $500,000 from the parking fund.

In addition, the shutdown of the state has reduced public movement so traffic violations are reduced but cost impacts are not available as the processing of violations by the court are limited at this time.

In the longer term it is difficult to predict what impact the COVID-19 environment will have on revenue sources such as state shared revenues. In prior years, the city would receive roughly $4 million in state revenue sharing, but we won’t know the effects on these revenues until May or June when we start to see actual receipts for March and April coming in. The state has not

Overall calls for police assistance have remained consistent with normal call volumes. However, the types of calls have changed with reports of contractors working on projects in opposition to the governor’s orders and social distancing violation complaints accounting for a majority. Paramedic runs have seen an uptick from normal run volumes and fire runs remain low. Calls to our dispatch center have been primarily reports of contractors working on projects in opposition to the Governor’s orders and social distancing.

To assist our citizenry with COVID-19 related questions, the city started a COVID-19 Hotline on March 23rd to have a dedicated call center to address COVID-19 related questions and requests. This number is 248.530.1805 and is available for Birmingham residents Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center has been taking about 10 calls per day. The calls have primarily focused on questions related to the governor’s executive orders.

There have also been requests for assistance in locating provisions such as baby formula and some residents have called just to say “thank you.”

HAZARD PAY The concept of hazard pay was initiated by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department based on existing labor provisions they had for their deputies.

Subsequently, this concept had expanded throughout the state by other jurisdictions with the presumption these costs would be covered under reimbursable expenses attributed to a state of emergency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently clarified their position on this and stated that federal funding for such programs as hazard pay would only be made if such policies existed pre-disaster, which is not the case for most communities in our state.

There is no question, the occupations our first responders and public service employees fulfill are demanding and dangerous. The compensation they

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receive is governed by collective bargaining agreements for these positions.

Before the city can commit to paying one-and-half times more for existing services knowing there is no federal reimbursement, we really need to understand the duration of this pandemic. Without knowing this, we are essentially writing a blank check for an undetermined amount of time when we expect to receive less revenues in the coming year.

The city of Birmingham has supported our first responders in direct ways such as adhering to federal, state, and county protocols to ensure a safe workplace, and by providing an extra city funded COVID-related employee leave bank, which is in addition to any pre-existing employee leave. Also, the city has applied the provisions of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which specifically exempts emergency responders from coverage. This benefit guarantees that our first responders have access to emergency paid sick leave and expanded family leave benefits, when and if needed.

The city has hired one full-time paramedic and two temporary emergency medical technicians in order to put a third ambulance in service for the community. We have also procured and assembled COVID-19 care packages consisting of face masks, Tylenol, hand sanitizer and informational resources that can be left with our patients that may exhibit COVID-19 symptoms but are not permitted to be transported to area hospitals based on current protocols.

CHANGES AT MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS The reopening of the state is something that will be stipulated by the Governor’s Office based on the data involving COVID-19 progression or recession of cases by May 29. At the present time it is unclear the extent to which access to public and private facilities will be allowed and what required health protocols will be. What is clear is that no current vaccine exists and a second wave of the outbreak is still very possible in the months to come. With that fact, city offices will remain closed until it is safe to interact in shared spaces in compliance with state orders. In anticipation of reopening, city offices are being outfitted with acrylic safety shields at open counters to protect both the public and our employees until the pandemic is under control.

Additionally, the city has purchased new equipment that will allow for “fogging” of municipal buildings daily to supplement our increased cleaning regiments of sanitizing touch points within our buildings.

The building department permit revenues are down about 60 percent when comparing to the same time period a year ago. As our planning and building department has continued to work throughout the shutdown, the fee loss would be zero to 10 percent. A 10 percent loss would equate to approximately $130,000.

The fire department has seen a significant drop in EMS runs as well as Medicare requesting us to wave co-pays and deductibles for COVID-19 related patients which could lead to a reduction in EMS revenue collected. The expectation is going to be $100,000 to $150,000 in loss of EMS revenue. The police department will see reduced revenue from tickets and all other revenue sources. Currently, the officers are stopping and writing tickets to only the most very hazardous drivers and ticket production has been reduced to very low levels. We have temporarily stopped all other revenue sources for the time being. This would impact the court operations.

Forty percent of the Senior Center’s revenue comes from programs. We expect to lose approximately half of that, which would equate to approximately $400,000 off of the budget.

We have reserves in all of our funds. As we have been making cuts over the last 18 months, we do not think we will have to dip into reserves other than what has already been budgeted for. We’ll be monitoring throughout the year.

There will be modifications to the budget in terms of purchasing and allocations and we will likely have budget amendments before the year is over.

Additionally, we can delay large capital purchases that will take us into the next budget year if needed.

We would not be eligible for federal bailouts at this time based on the population size requirement. We have been in discussions with the state, which requires certain funding requirements that may change. That would help our budgetary needs.

POTENTIAL SERVICE CUTBACKS None anticipated at this time. Layoffs – none at this time for full-time people.

All part-time people have been let go. We have been cutting staff over the last 18 months. Currently, we have 19 employees less than what we had a year and a half ago. We still have a hiring freeze in place at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY

MUNICIPAL MEETINGS The ability to participate in virtual meetings was provided by Executive Order 2020-15 on March 18th and extended by Executive Order 2020-48 on April 14th. Currently the ability to conduct virtual meetings is provided up to May 12th under these orders. Unless the State provides further authority to conduct virtual meetings past May 12th, the Michigan Open Meetings Act will again govern public meetings within this State and this Act does not currently allow for virtual meetings.

ELECTIONS Voting regulations in Michigan are governed by the Secretary of State’s office through the Bureau of Elections. The Oakland County Clerk’s Association have questioned the ability for a vote by mail requirement and are awaiting direction from the state.

Call volume has decreased for things such as personal injury accidents trauma from work-related injuries, police assists and citizen assists, but have increased for CPR and COVID-19 complaints. We have also added additional time to our runs due to the increased amount of decontamination need for the personnel, equipment and rescue.

Bloomfield Township was the first community to institute special help lines.

Over the past seven weeks we have had approximately 200 calls and have helped numerous residents who did not want to leave their homes to get prescriptions, go food shopping or even to pick up people’s mail. Additionally, the Meals on Wheels program has just about doubled.

Calls for service are down for the normal criminal complaints and accidents.

The officers are spending a majority of their time on subdivision and plaza patrols. We are trying to be as visible as possible for the residents.

HAZARD PAY We have not instituted hazard pay.

LEO SAVOIE

CHANGES AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING

Bloomfield Township Supervisor

We will continue to follow CDC guidelines and utilize the program of phases as we start to reopen and return to some type of normal operation. We are currently doing an assessment of the different township operations and what will be needed to maintain the safest way for the residents and employees to receive and provided the needed services. We just finished installing plexiglass barriers at all of the public counters throughout the township for the protection of both the residents and the employees.

BUDGET CONCERNS At this time, we are projecting a 16-20 percent decline in the revenue sharing for our current fiscal year, which translates to $600,000-$750,000. The state has indicated they will possibly make this up but we have not seen anything definitive on this.

We don’t yet have a projection from the 48th District Court, but that will be another area of concern.

The police department will phase in operations once the governor starts lifting the lockdown. We too are assessing how to keep both employees and customers safe.

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We have been assessing what is going well with remote working. If we are comfortable the job is getting done, then it will be up to the department heads to make the determination of remote workers. We believe COVID 19 will be with us for quite some time. It does not make sense to rush everyone back to tight quarters if we do not need to do so.

We have, and will continue, a thorough cleaning of the buildings and will look at required mask use by visitors/contractors entering as well as requiring scheduled appointments to limit the number of people entering. We have installed clear partitions at the counters where the public interacts with employees. We will require all public to wear face masks when coming into our buildings and we will require all of our employees to wear face masks when we open up to the public.

The police department has stayed open throughout this emergency. It is the only access to Township Hall due to the clear glass we have in our lobby area.

We have increased the hours of our custodian to ensure the building is thoroughly sanitized and we require our supervisors to sanitize the lobby throughout the day. These things will continue and we are in the process of determining any changes to our protocol when we go back to full operations.

MUNICIPAL MEETINGS That is something we are going to need to assess with the entire board of trustees. We will also look to the state and the medical community for guidance. It is very hard to keep the appropriate social distancing in place with public meetings. Some of them get very crowded.

ELECTIONS While Michigan’s Proposal 3 allows all voters to request an absentee ballot without a reason, the local election commission has no authority to require all absentee voting. It is a politically complex and sensitive issue to alter the way people vote. For instance, the Wisconsin governor’s executive order to cancel in-person voting and extend the deadline for absentee ballot returns came after the state legislature refused to postpone the vote. The Wisconsin Supreme Court blocked the governor’s executive order suspending in-person voting in their primary election, but allowed the deadline extension. The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a lower court’s six-day extension of the receipt deadline for mailed ballots. In the end, polls were open with precinct and absentee ballots counted on election day.

In Michigan, this type of order would have to come from the governor in an emergency situation or through legislation. Governor Whitmer issued an executive order for the May 5, 2020 special election held in some Michigan municipalities. She encouraged all Michiganders to vote absentee by allowing the department of state to assist local jurisdictions in mailing absentee ballot applications to every registered voter, and to provide absentee ballots directly to new registrants. Local jurisdictions were required to keep at least one polling place open for those wanted to cast their vote in person or were unable to vote by mail. Currently, there are ongoing efforts to encourage absentee voting in August and November, but establish procedures to provide social distancing, masks, gloves, sanitizers and wipes for all election inspectors at the polling locations.

Bloomfield Township is processing absentee ballot applications for August and November as designated by the Michigan Bureau of Elections, May 4, 2020: “There is no reason to assume there will be a state mailing, and clerks should ensure that voters expecting applications receive them.”

reviewing financing options to reduce cash outlay, and the postponement of some road improvement projects until a later date.

City operations run lean financially. At the same time, we are nimble enough to make changes as necessary to meet financial shortfalls. We continue to evaluate all operations and will adjust as needed.

At this time our permits are still strong and even up from prior years.

Currently, we are successfully working with applicants remotely to continue this process. There may need to be adjustments to these operations based on any long-term affects the pandemic may have on these operations.

There will be a reduction in police enforcement activity as the officers have concentrated their efforts to neighborhood patrols with the goal of keeping our residents and business community safe. Reduced case revenue will also reduce the cost of criminal prosecution through the courts. At this time, we are concentrating on keeping our officers and public safe, not the amount of tickets we are writing.

The city of Bloomfield Hills is in strong financial health. We have a AAA bond rating and our reserves are within city policy for this budget and next.

We are aware and concerned what the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our community and are planning appropriately.

POTENTIAL SERVICE CUTBACKS There may be adjustments to our building department if there is a loss in revenue for this department. We are nimble enough to make these adjustments. Thus far our staff has been busy servicing building applicants through the design and review process remotely. There has not been any layoffs at this time, but we continue to review the need for this.

PUBLIC SAFETY There has not been a measurable increase or demand for public safety service other than what we normally provide. We continue to service our residents and citizens without delay.

HAZARD PAY The city has considerable measures in place to keep our public safety personnel safe both inside and outside of the public safety building. This includes how we engage with the public to protect them and our officers.

At this time we are not providing hazard pay.

CHANGES AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING Our city staff was able to work successfully providing our services remotely because we already provide many of our services electronically. This has also allowed us to continue nearly all city services in a responsive way and without any noticeable effect.

We plan to return to working and providing access to City Hall as soon as we can based upon what is safe and in compliance with any governmental order. We will continue to count on federal, state, and local medical experts to provide the safest environment we can for our employees and the public.

Once safe our staff will be working from City Hall.

We will make these decisions based on the information we have from the CDC, and other federal, state, and county medical professional advisors.

Our public safety department has systems in place that we may adopt depending on the current status of the COVID pandemic. In any event, we will continue to practice social distancing and cleanliness precautions as long as needed.

DAVID HENDRICKSON

MUNICIPAL MEETINGS

Bloomfield Hills City Manager BUDGET CONCERNS Our budget year ends June 30, 2020. We do not anticipate any problems completing this year within the approved budget. For the 2020-2021 budget, the city commission has been proactive in revising the next budget to reduce costs in anticipation of potential financial impacts to the city as a result of COVID-19. Some of these changes include: reducing capital expenditures,

This will depend on the current guidelines advised from medical professionals. We prefer in person meetings, but our primary objective is the safety and health of our community.

ELECTIONS Our city clerk is watching this issue very closely and will comply with requirements of the Michigan Secretary of State.

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05.20

FACES Rebecca Abramson or Rebecca Abramson, broadcast journalism found her. After thinking she wanted to become an architect, the Fox-2 Detroit WJBK-TV producer discovered herself on a different path.

“I was really jealous of all my friends who knew exactly what they wanted to do,” she said. “I knew I liked to write, and to be creative. I just hoped I would end up where I was supposed to be, and fortunately, I did.”

Abramson received a communications degree from the University of Michigan, but was initially unsure what direction she wanted her career to take. The one thing she did know was that she wanted to focus on television, which was how she ended up at Victor/Harder Productions in West Bloomfield, a broadcast media company, after graduating.

Then, her life took a swift left turn.

“My mom was like, 'I know someone at Channel 4. So, maybe I can help you get a job,'” the Groves High School alumna recalled. “I was like, 'I really don't want to do the news,' but I ended up getting the job. And I loved what I was doing.”

After a period of time working at WDIV-Local 4 News, Abramson landed an interview with Fox 2 News.

The catch though? She would have to start producing. In a twist of fate, she ended up loving it, and has been doing it since 2006.

Now, she produces Fox's 11 p.m. show.

“It's this pretty cool combination of being creative and organized at the same time. Your job is different every single day,” Abramson said.

Over the last 14 years, how she does her job has changed slightly, such as the use of Facebook and Twitter to search for stories. But the heart of the job has stayed the same – looking for human interest stories to produce.

“I want it to be something that you kind of react to,” Abramson said.

Some reactions are bigger than others – like a story she produced in mid-April which garnered over 11,000 reactions on Facebook, thousands of shares, and was picked up by other news outlets.

The piece focused on a metro Detroit couple, the owners of Brody's Custom Print and Camp Supplies in West Bloomfield, who had been married over 70 years, who had been forced to separate due to coronavirus and died within hours of one another.

“Things like that, I'm like, wow, that's really cool that I can have an effect on a story and it can change people's lives sometimes,” she said.

A story Abramson produced last year had a similar effect, where they were able to help a teenager raise money to go to college. The teen had lost her brother to a house fire – Fox had covered the fire years earlier – and more recently, lost her mother. The young woman was all alone.

“She ended up getting thousands of dollars from the community because people were so touched by her story,” Abramson said. “I'm like, 'Oh my god, this changed her life.'”

Local journalism, like these stories, is very important in today's day and age, Abramson believes, especially with local newspapers getting smaller and smaller.

She said people still need to know what's honestly happening in their communities. These stories help build community, and Abramson plans to keep telling them.

“I’m so happy that this career found me...I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she said.

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Story: Dana Casadei

MUNICIPAL Water rates to stay, sewer rates to go up

By Lisa Brody

Residents in Bloomfield Township will have the same water rates in fiscal year 2020-2021, while sewer rates will increase 14 percent from fiscal year 2019-2020, effective April 1, 2020.

Bloomfield Township trustees approved the recommendation to maintain the current water variable usage rate of $5.86 per 1000 gallons, while agreeing to increase the sewer variable usage rate from $8.37 to $9.56 per 1,000 gallons, presented by Olivia Olsztyn-Budry, director of engineering and environmental services, at their meeting on Monday, April 13.

Olsztyn-Budry explained “the township owns, operates and maintains the water system that delivers the water to the customers and the sewer system that collects the wastewater from each customer.

The water and sewer system consists of over 500 miles of buried pipe throughout the township that is operated and maintained by the township. In order to determine the township’s charges for water and sewer to the customer, the water and sewer systems’ estimated expenses are added to the estimated water and sewer purchases from Southeast Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) and the Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner’s Office (WRC). These costs are then divided by the estimated volume of water to be sold to the township’s customers.

“Water volumes are dependent largely on customer usage and seasonal precipitation with approximately 65 percent of the annual water usage occurring from May to October. Since 2008, Bloomfield Township has seen a significant drop in water consumption.”

Further, she said, last year was a wet year, so water sales were down.

Officials are estimating the 2020 water usage based on a review of actual and historical trends in water purchases since the early 2000's.

“When we have wet years, there is less revenue from water sales and less revenue to sewer sales, but it results in revenue to pay for the WRC Evergreen-Farmington Sewage Disposal System (EFSDS),” she said, as there is more flow into the sewer system.

While SOCWA charges based on volume for water, WRC charges a flat 58

Changes for Birmingham Farmers Market he Birmingham Farmers Market opened its 18th season on Sunday, May 3, as planned but with several changes in order to keep farmers, shoppers and staff safe, including a drive-through market and adjusted hours of 9 a.m. to noon.

“We’re so pleased to bring back the Birmingham Farmers Market during uncertain times,” said Ingrid Tighe, Birmingham Shopping District. Executive Director. “We have the following three goals in mind as we kick off this season: offer a needed service to the community, keep local farmers in business, and keep our residents, farmers and staff safe.”

The Birmingham Farmers Market will continue to be located in Birmingham's public parking lot 6 at 660 N. Old Woodward, as it has been since its inception. The drive-through market will feature only farmers and vendors who grow their own food products.

Birmingham Farmers Market shoppers can expect to find Michigangrown produce subject to Michigan growing patterns, plus fresh locallyraised shrimp, eggs and meat from vendors such as Beaverland Farms; East River Organic Farm; Farm & Forest LLC, Fusilier Family Farms; Motor City Sea Farm LLC; The Feminine Farmer; Uhlianuk Farms and Greenhouse; and more.

The market will be closed to pedestrians and open to vehicles only.

Cars will travel north and enter the market off N. Old Woodward. Display tables will be set up at the entrance to show packages offered at each station throughout the market. Cars will then drive around the perimeter of the market to make their purchase. Shoppers will remain in their vehicles and place exact cash into a basket. Shoppers are encouraged to bring small bills for purchasing mainly $10 or $20 packages; change will not be provided. Items will be placed into the trunk of vehicles.

By late spring, shoppers will find home-grown rhubarb, parsnips, herbs, early organic vegetables, strawberries, garden plants, zucchini, cucumbers, hot-house tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, basil, beans, mushrooms, turnips, kale, lettuce, green onions, sugar peas, radishes and spinach.

Shoppers can access the most up-to-date information about the market by “liking” the Birmingham Shopping District Facebook page, following on Twitter and Instagram @BhamShopping, or visiting AllinBirmingham.com/FarmersMarket.

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rate for sewage services, dividing up county expenses between participating communities for a monthly charge.

“Last year did not generate enough revenue to pay the for the WRC EFSDS,” said Olsztyn-Budry, with the township suffering about a $298,000 shortfall in the sewer charge rate.

This year's cost is $670,847.73, she said. “The WRC's expenses are the same regardless of the flow.”

To questions from trustees, Olsztyn-Budry said there are about 2,000 more water customers in the township than sewer customers.

There are also some residents who have secondary water meters for irrigation.

She also explained the water and sewer fund has a reserve fund, which is available for funding capital improvements, operations, and emergencies.

“The reserve fund balance at the end of FY19 was approximately $8

million. This is significantly below the recommended reserve fund balance according to the township’s financial expert as part of the water rate lawsuit. The recommended and appropriate cash reserve that the water and sewer reserve fund should be is roughly $15.65 million.”

Trustees approved maintaining the water use rate and increasing the sewer usage rate, 6-1, with trustee Dave Buckley voting against both.

New bistro moves to planning board Birmingham City Commissioners unanimously approved moving a bistro application for EM, by the owners of Market North, to the city's planning board for full site plan and design review and special land use permit review, at their meeting on Monday, April 20.

DOWNTOWN

The bistro application was submitted for the 2020 year. The initial submission deadline to apply for one of two available bistro liquor licenses for 2020 was October 1, 2019. However, there were no applicants for the third October in a row. A second application deadline for 2020 was April 1.

Applicants Joe and Kristin Bongiovanni, owners of Market North, proposed a new bistro, EM, for “Employee Meals,” a name based on the creative and nourishing meals staff prepares and serves to themselves prior to beginning work to serve others. EM would be adjacent to Market, at 470 N. Old Woodward, in the first floor of a twostory building which previously housed a makeup retailer.

Joe Bongoivanni, in his presentation, said they are looking to open a small, 1,000 square-foot establishment with about 40 indoor seats and outdoor patio seating in nice weather, featuring fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine.

“It'll have a feeling like a little place in Mexico you happened on your vacation – an everyday place,” he said. “We want a rustic, cozy, casual, lively environment.”

He said their staff inspired both the restaurant and the menu, which will not be a taco place, but filled with fresh fish, ceviche, verticallybroiled meats, shrimp. “There'll be a series of entree dishes, but (the menu) will be small… It'll have a little chameleon side. That's our hope.”

Commissioner Stuart Sherman asked if it will be similar to their 24hour Mexican-inspired diner OWL, in Royal Oak, and Bongiovanni said it will “be more like a seaside Mexican restaurant.”

He said he anticipates price points between $10 and $25.

EM will be open daily from noon to midnight.

“I wish you the best of luck. You repeated several times the size of the bistro, but the concept of the bistro. I only wish it was a little north of Market, or a little south of Market, because the idea is to activate the street,” noted mayor Pierre Boutros.

“I read it is self-funded. With this Covid depression, is there any hesitation going forward?”

“We really believe in the city, our guests and to adapt as necessary,” he responded. “We will see a normal again. We're self-funded We're not looking for bank funding.”

Commissioners voted 7-0 to send the EM bistro application, still in concept form, to the planning board 05.20

Township okays $33 million budget

By Lisa Brody

he Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees approved the township's annual budget, for just under $33 million, for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, at a meeting on Monday, March 23, where the four trustees attended via teleconferencing, by a vote of 6-1, with trustee David Buckley dissenting.

The 2020-2021 budget represents a 3.7 percent increase from the 20192020 budget.

Assumptions in the budget, according to township finance director Jason Theis, who presented the budget to the board, include 2020 taxable values increasing by 4.5 percent, although Headlee rollbacks, he said, “will cause a net revenue effect of 3.5 percent.”

“One hundred percent of the two recent millages are being transferred to the public safety fund, for $8.9 million,” he said.

State revenue sharing from the state of Michigan is estimated to increase slightly, while there could be a decrease in investment earnings due to recent market volatility, Theis said. There will be a rebate of $390,000 from the pharmacy program in the self-funding health care program.

Increases in expenditures include a 2.5 percent increase to full-time wages, a contract which was approved by trustees that evening by a vote of 5-2, with Buckley and Dani Walsh voting against. The cost of the wage increase is estimated at $500,000 to the budget, Theis estimated.

OPEB (other post-employment benefits) contributions total $2 million in the next budget, which Theis said is a projected 40 percent reduction from 2020. The township's defined benefit pension plan require contributions totaling $3.9 million, per the actuarial report, he said.

The township's general fund, its chief operating fund, is anticipated to have revenues of $23.4 million. It is primarily funded by property taxes, $9 million; state revenue sharing, $3.7 million; and transfers from other funds, including the road fund, public safety fund, water and sewer fund, building inspection fund, and senior services fund, among others, $4.9 million.

The general fund is budgeted with expenditures of $23.4 million, inclusive of $13 million in transfers from other funds; salary and wages, $3.6 million; and money to 48th District Court, $1.6 million.

Supervisor Leo Savoie noted there are three township departments that are of concern, the township's senior center, where they need to look at funding; cable, where more cuts may be needed; and building and inspection, “where we need to look at rates, and competitive rates.”

“I want to make sure we're charging fairly considering our costs,” noted trustee Michael Schostak.

Schostak also asked if cuts made last fall, after a proposed Special Assessment District (SAD) failed to get voter approval in August 2019, to the township open house, household waste and shredding events and Dream Cruise event, were being reinstated.

“The Dream Cruise event was never cut – it actually makes money for us. We have put back into the budget household waste, shredding, electronics disposals and prescription drop offs,” Savoie said. “One other item we had taken out of the budget was animal control, and we're very close to an agreement with an adjacent community to do animal control together, here, that is within the budget.

“The Open House would not be a priority with the COVID crisis,” Savoie continued. “It takes months to plan. If there was a demand to reinstate the Open House, we could.”

He said with the animal control arrangement, costs to the township would be reduced from approximately $150,000 to $175,000 prior to around $50,000 to $75,000 annually. “We would just be able to reallocate the duties on an employee,” he said. “We can do it as soon as an agreement is reached.”

Theis pointed out that the budget indicated a decrease in employees to its current level of 230. In 2008, the township had a high of 267 employees.

The new annual spending plan is budgeted for 235 employees, as there are five openings that have not yet been filled.

Trustees Buckley, Walsh, Schostak and Neal Barnett attended the meeting via teleconferencing, while Savoie, clerk Jan Roncelli and treasurer Brian Kepes were all at safe distances in the board room. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a temporary order March 18 allowing public bodies to meet virtually during the COVID-19 crisis. The order temporarily alters Michigan's Open Meetings Act, which mandates public access to certain state, county and local government meetings, to allow for electronic meetings through April 15.

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for full site plan and design review and special land use permit review.

If it receives approvals there and a recommendation to move forward, commissioners would see it again to issue a final approval.

COVID-19 business initiatives from BSD Ingrid Tighe, Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) executive director, presented ways the district has been working with the downtown businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic to support them, during the Birmingham City Commission meeting on Monday, May 11.

“We have almost 700 businesses in our downtown, of which almost 300 are service and restaurants,” she said. “That is a lot of people, a lot of mom and pops that are impacted.”

She said the BSD has helped the downtown businesses with the paycheck protection program, have facilitated focus groups with Congresswoman Haley Stevens and state Rep. Mari Manoogian, and have been very active with Oakland County, helping to identify over 250 loans.

In addition, they have held merchant meetings, road construction updates, and what businesses can expect going forward 30 days, 60 days and 180 days.

“We've identified $100,000 in our budget for COVID-19 relief and construction assistance, and the BSD is putting over $400,000 to assist businesses in the downtown,” Tighe said.

She said a lot of their programming is going towards business retention, although they recognize the need to attract new business to the city as well.

“We are looking at some kind of small business relief fund,” she said, which could be a crowdfunding initiative, possibly through Main Street Oakland County, which would be open to the Rail District and Woodward Corridor businesses as well.

Pickering Road to be rebuilt in Bloomfield To fix sinkholes and a failing culvert on Pickering Road in Bloomfield Township, the board of trustees approved a cost participation agreement with the Road Commission of Oakland

County (RCOC) to have the township relocate a sanitary sewer and water main, at a cost of $138,845, at their meeting on Monday, March 23.

Olivia Olsztyn-Budry, engineering and environmental services director, explained that over the past five years several residents had reported the formation of sinkholes on Pickering Road that aligned with an existing culvert near 4680 and 4690 Pickering Road.

“RCOC is the responsible agent for this culvert, and the township reached out to report these issues to the RCOC. The RCOC followed up, made temporary repairs, and evaluated the cause of the sinkholes,” Olsztyn-Budry informed the trustees. “The RCOC determined that the culvert needs to be replaced. In addition, the RCOC determined that two other culverts on Pickering Road, one to the east and one to the south of the initial culvert, also need replacement.”

She said replacement of the middle culvert necessitates the relocation of a sanitary sewer line and a water main, both owned by the township, which will cost $138,845. Construction plans for the culvert replacements, the water main relocation and the sanitary sewer relocation were developed, permitted, and bid by the RCOC. She said it is anticipated to take place beginning late June/early July, with gas main replacement by Consumers Energy beginning now through the end of June.

“The project will take several months, with a projected completion in early fall, and final completion sometime next spring,” OlsztynBudry said. At this point, she said, there's no change to the schedule.

Trustees voted 6-0 to approve, with treasurer Brian Kepes recusing himself as he lives on Pickering.

Trustees Buckley, Walsh, Schostak and Neal Barnett attended the meeting via teleconferencing, while Savoie, clerk Jan Roncelli and treasurer Brian Kepes were all at safe distances in the board room.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a temporary order March 18 allowing public bodies to meet virtually during the COVID-19 crisis. The order temporarily alters Michigan's Open Meetings Act, which mandates public access to certain state, county and local government meetings, to allow for electronic meetings through April 15.

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Candidates set for 2020 election races A number of candidates withdrew from 2020 election races by the 4 p.m.

Friday, April 24, withdrawal deadline, after originally filing for contests by the Tuesday, April 21, 4 p.m. deadline.

Congressional and non-incumbent judicial candidates had received an extension until Friday, May 8, per a federal judge's ruling on Monday, April 20, which also halved the number of signatures required. The federal lawsuit argued that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home mandate made it tougher to gather the necessary signatures to run for these specific offices. Candidates for other positions had the option to pay a fee to appear on the ballot rather than gather signatures.

However, Republican candidate Eric Esshaki of Birmingham, who had filed the federal lawsuit, managed to submit the required number of signatures to run in the 11th District race for Congress, as did fellow Republicans Carmelita Greco of Canton and former Rep. Kerry Bentivolio of Milford, giving Republicans a five-way primary in August to face incumbent Congresswoman Haley Stevens (DBirmingham) in November.

There will also be a Republican primary in the 9th District, with the last minute filing of Gabi Grossbard of Southfield, who will face Charles J. Langworthy of Roseville. The winner will go against Congressman Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township) in November.

There were last minute drop-outs in the 40th District state House race on both sides of the aisle, with Democrat Gary Gerson withdrawing, leaving incumbent Rep. Mari Manoogian (DBirmingham) to face Republican Kendra Cleary of Bloomfield Hills, after Mike Banerian and Malissa Bossardet, both of Bloomfield Township, withdrew.

Republican Dave Ferris, who had filed to run for Oakland County Executive, withdrew, leaving Mike Kowall of White Lake, most recently former state Senator, Senate Majority Leader and previously White Lake Township Supervisor, to face Jeffrey G. Nutt of Troy in the August primary.

Democrat David Coulter, who was appointed as county executive last year, will face treasurer Andy Meisner.

In Bloomfield Township, a game of musical chairs was the order of the day.

For supervisor, Republican Dave Thomas, who lost to current supervisor Leo Savoie in 2016, was disqualified for inadequate number of signatures.

Savoie will now face former treasurer downtownpublications.com

Ruling on congress filing date thrown out

By Lisa Brody

three-person U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel on Tuesday, May 5, threw out stipulations imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Terrence G. Berg which eased hurdles congressional candidates faced in making the ballot deadline of April 21 during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order ruling that Berg had overstepped his authority by setting a candidadte filing signature threshold and a new extended deadline of May 8.

In their ruling, the majority opinion stated, “Simply put, federal courts have no authority to dictate to the states precisely how they should conduct their elections. This is the states' constitutionally protected right.”

Berg had ruled Monday, April 20, on a federal lawsuit filed by Birmingham resident Eric Esshaki, a Republican candidate for the 11th Congressional District, that candidates who were collecting signatures to qualify for the August primary ballot could submit 50 percent of the required number of signatures by 5 p.m. Friday, May 8, rather than by 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.

Berg also directed the Secretary of State's office to develop rules to collect and submit ballot petition signatures electronically within the next 72 hours. In his ruling, Berg stated, the filing deadline “would cause injury to the First Amendment rights of an innumerable number of Michigan voters.”

The state appealed.

While the appeals court wrote that it determined the district court interpreted the strict enforcement of the ballot-access provisions and the stay-at-home orders imposed a severe burden on the plaintiff's ballot access, and viewed that as unconstitutional, “but the district court went further…” noting “the Constitution grants the States broad power to prescribe the 'Times, Places and Manners of Holding Elections for Senators and Representatives… This is the States' constitutionally protected right.”

Esshaki had filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary State Jocelyn Benson and state Elections Director Jonathon Brater, alleging the state's stay-at-home order prevented him from collecting the necessary valid signatures by the April 21 deadline to appear on the August primary. Despite his lawsuit, Esshaki managed to submit the required number of signatures to qualify for the August primary by the original state-imposed deadline..

A

Dan Devine who lost his position in the 2016 election. On the Democratic ticket, Jeff Axt withdrew, leaving current trustee Dani Walsh and Jeff Nadeau to face off in August.

For clerk, former treasurer Dan Devine withdrew as clerk because he is running for supervisor, while Dave Thomas, who had also filed for the supervisor position, is still in the race and will face Republicans Tom Smyly and Malissa Bossardet.

In the treasurer's race, Jeff Axt withdrew so the winner of the Republican primary between incumbent Brian Kepes and Mark Antakli will face no opposition in November.

At the trustee level, where the four seats are open, Linda P. Ulrey, who had filed as both a Republican and as a Democrat, withdrew as a Republican and will run as a Democrat. Jeff Axt

had also filed for this post as a Republican but pulled from the race.

Republican Malissa Bossardet withdrew as a candidate for trustee; she is running for township clerk.

There are now four Democrats running for trustee – Stephanie Fakih, Mitsuaki Muarashige, Valerie Sayles Murray and Ulrey. Five Republicans will appear on the August primary ballot, including incumbent trustees Neal Barnett and Michael Schostak, Timothy Robert Meyer, Erid Pernie and Don Valente.

Birmingham's golf courses now open Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-59 permits the community to engage in outdoor recreational activity, including golf, and the city of

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Birmingham's municipal golf courses have opened for daily use from 8 a.m. 6 p.m.

Lincoln Hills Golf Course and Springdale Golf Course are open with requirements in place to support public health and safety initiatives by adhering to social distancing. Both golf courses are operating with a “park and play” model created by the National Golf Course Owners Association. The recommendation is to drive to the course, park the car, get around the course by walking only, and then returning to the car.

Rules in effect at the golf courses include that clubhouses are closed, tee times are required and golfers must maintain a six foot distance from each other at all times.

Tee times can be made by calling Lincoln Hills at (248) 530-1670, Springdale at (248) 530-1660, or online at golfbirmingham.org.

Form of payment is credit and debit cards and will be collected over the phone and online at checkin.gallusgolf.com/CheckIn/1228.

District moves bond vote to August ballot In light of the coronavirus health crisis, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education moved the bond proposal from the May 5 ballot to the ballot on August 4 at a meeting on Friday, March 20.

The district said it is still committed to the proposal and its ability to reshape the district for its long term future.

The decision to postpone the bond proposal came as all public and private schools were closed, by executive order of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The bond question remaining on the May 5 ballot had the likelihood of becoming either an all mail election, or being postponed by the Michigan Secretary of State.

Municipal clerks had recommended moving proposals to August or November.

“The May absentee-only ballot concerned us from an equity and inclusion perspective. For example, in a normal voting situation, someone with a disability is welcome to bring someone with them to help them vote. In a time when our country is being asked to practice social distancing, it is not guaranteed that individuals in our district requiring assistance would be able to receive voting support. Having an absenteeonly vote is also less inclusive for anyone else who may prefer or otherwise need an in-person voting 61

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venue. It is important to us that everyone who wishes to vote on our proposal is able to do so without limitations,” said Boomfield Hills Schools Superintendent Pat Watson.

Billed as a bond that will transform the district and shape its future, on Thursday, January 30, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education voted to place a $200.155 million bond proposal to support school renovation, additions, security and the movement of some school populations on the May 5 ballot.

At that time, Watson, who joined the district January 6, said in a letter to Bloomfield Hills School families, “An incredible amount of work has occurred to reach this decision.

Nearly six years of research, community engagement, and consultations with field experts have led to this $200 million proposal,” which will include safety and security upgrades at all schools; three middle schools combining into two middle schools, including re-opening the former Lahser High School and renovating it as a middle school, with Bloomfield Hills Middle School as the other site; significant renovations at Conant and Way elementary schools; the movement of Lone Pine elementary to West Hills Middle School, which would become the new Lone Pine, with renovations and updates; Eastover would move to East Hills Middle School, which would become Eastover, also with renovations and updates; Bloomin' Preschool would be housed and expanded at Eastover and Conant; and Bloomfield Hills High School would receive health and wellness upgrades, among other improvements.

Improvement and renovation costs were driven by findings of the Scope and Design Committee. Educators, staff, current, former and future

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parents worked together to look at various options and to provide feedback on options.

Right of way for paths approved on Maple Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved on Monday, April 13, a cost sharing agreement with the Road Commission of Oakland County (RCOC) for a right of way easement procurement for safety paths to be built on the north side of Maple Road when RCOC reconstructs Maple between Franklin and Inkster roads in 2021.

Olivia Olsztyn-Budry, director of engineering and environmental services, explained RCOC will be performing a mill and overlay on Maple Road in 2021, with curb and gutter removal and replacement, center turn lane extensions, addition and extension of acceleration and deceleration lanes, extensive right-ofway modifications, and replacing the existing culvert under Maple Road between Norham Road and Castle Drive.

She said the work is funded by federal revenue through Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Local Agency Plan, which has strict submittal dates for all aspects of the project.

“Construction of a safety path on the north side of Maple Road was added to the safety path master plan in 2018. The portion from Inkster Road to Westmoor Road was approved by the board of trustees on November 11, 2019 for construction in 2020. This route provides safe pedestrian access to Knollwood Pointe and Apple Grove condominium complexes, and the Braes of Bloomfield subdivision,” Olsztyn-Budry said, and the RCOC

has agreed to incorporate the township's safety path into their Maple Road construction project for next year.

However, she said, “In order for the RCOC to perform the necessary Maple Road construction and the construction of the safety path, additional right-of-way is needed from two adjacent properties: Apple Grove Condominium, and Knollwood Pointe Condominium,” which currently only have 33-feet available from the centerline of Maple.

The total cost to the township to provide temporary easements, additional safety path right of way and landscape damages is $37,987, which would come from the safety path budget.

Dick O'Dow’s alleyway outdoor dining okayed Dick O'Dow's, 160 W. Maple Road in downtown Birmingham, received approval from the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, April 6, to relocate its outdoor dining area to the rear of the building during the 2020 outdoor dining season due to the Maple Road reconstruction project.

City planning director Jana Ecker explained to commissioners, who were meeting through a virtual meeting set-up, that owner Mitch Black requested five tables out the rear of his establishment with four seats each, all of which would be on his property in the Willits Alley.

Previously, commissioners had unanimously approved owner Mitch Black's request to waive the $2,800 application fee and to expedite his request for a special land use amendment to make the move outside “The Dow,” a back room which opens out with a garage door

to the Willits Alley. Ecker said the city's planning board unanimously recommended approval to the commission.

The rear outdoor seating will close at midnight daily.

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked if once the road construction is finished, could they also have the front platform patio. Ecker said her understanding was that the existing platform will no longer fit with the new construction design, but that commissioners could put a restriction in the pending motion to prohibit it.

Commissioners debated whether they wanted to do that, but Black told the commission he only intended to have outdoor seating in the rear this season.

“Number one is to keep my business viable, and we don't know what the demand will be for the back, then we'll take a look,” Black said.

“This year, we have no intention of having it in the front.”

“In the future, I don't see a problem with him having both areas open,” commissioner Clinton Baller said.

Commissioners approved the rear outdoor dining area, 6-0, with mayor pro tem Therese Longe recused as her husband worked on the designs.

Hunter House site redevelopment closer

By Lisa Brody

A preliminary site plan for 35001 Woodward, the parking lots and Hunter House locations at Woodward and Maple in Birmingham, received unanimous approval by the Birmingham Planning Board on Wednesday, April 22, with numerous conditions, allowing the developer to move forward toward final site plan and design review, although the

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owner of Hunter House said there remains disagreements.

City planning director Jana Ecker explained the site had been before the planning board several times. The site is currently home to the Hunter House restaurant, a city-owned parking lot and vacant land currently leased to the city for public parking, a total of a half-acre of land. It is surrounded by four streets, Maple, Park, Hamilton Row and Woodward.

“The applicant previously submitted a community impact study and preliminary site plan review for this site in 2018. At that time, a fivestory building was proposed with first floor retail, a hotel use, and residential units on the top floor,” she said. “On January 22, 2020, they came before asking to amend the site plan to five-story mixed use. At that time, the planning board voted to accept the community impact study, with several conditions.”

The preliminary site plan indicates first floor retail, with a location for the Hunter House; two floors of underground parking, with 82 spaces, which Ecker said is in excess of the parking requirement of 62 spots. The upper floors would include commercial and residential.

She said they reconfigured the first floor and addressed vehicular safety concerns, although other issues still exist.

Board member Bryan Williams said, “I am still uncomfortable with the specific references to the “Hunter House” in the drawings. In the southern portion of the drawings, we should note it as retail and delete any references to Hunter House. I would delete in a motion all mention in all preliminary site plans. I don't think we should get into that.”

“Is that because you don't think we should get involved between the parties,” board chair Scott Clein asked, referencing difficulties between the developer, Hesham Gayar of Grand Blanc, and Kelly Cobb, the owner of Hunter House.

The major concern dealt with an ongoing conflict between Gayar and the owners of Hunter House, who lease the property in an unusual deal which gives them oversight on development. Gayar bought two of the parcels, with the third owned by the city.

The board unanimously agreed to delete any mention of Hunter House from the preliminary site plan.

“I understand you are removing us from the plans, but I think it muddies the waters,” responded Cobb. “We are in no better position than last time. There are three downtownpublications.com

Village fair, art fair postponed for pandemic irmingham officials announced that Art Birmingham, an art fair which typically kicks off the art fair season in Birmingham's Shain Park and its surrounding streets on Mother's Day weekend, will now be held August 22 and 23, due to the coronavirus.

As previously planned, this will be Art Birmingham's 39th year, hosted

by Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC). It will feature about 70 artists. Featured artwork includes painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, glass work, wood, sculpture, mixed media, fiber, metals and more. In addition, each year, the BBAC hosts an Art Activity Tent throughout the weekend with a free art project for children 12 and under.

The Birmingham Village Fair, hosted by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber for 57 years, is not cancelling its popular event, originally scheduled for May 28 to May 31, but tentatively postponing it to July 912.

The four-day event features carnival rides, games and food and benefits several local non-profits.

The fair is held on the streets surrounding Shain Park in downtown Birmingham.

In Bloomfield Township, the Bloomfield Dream Cruise Event was officially cancelled on Wednesday, April 29. The event, featuring the Bloomfield Classic Car Show, has been held at Mercedes Benz of Bloomfield Hills and the adjacent Comerica Park, to benefit retired Bloomfield Township firefighters, had to be planned out at this time, Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie said, and while the Dream Cruise may still continue in mid-August, it was decided to cancel the township event for this year.

B

parties here. My approval rights are as equal as yours. What the deed restriction states we are to bring this to you with them, and that has not happened. You all know where this is headed, and that is not a good place.”

Board member Dan Share noted that if the matter does go to court, the planning board was not taking sides.

The board voted 7-0 to approve the preliminary site plan with a list of conditions they must meet before any final site plan is approved.

City waiving fees, norms during crisis In an effort to assist businesses and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and to preserve and protect the public health while offering economic assistance, Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved numerous economic and operational assistance initiatives at their meeting on Monday, May 11.

“Recognizing the economic challenges stemming for a shutdown of the state for two months or longer will have crippling effects on our residents and business community, the assessment of economic initiatives was conducted to identify

areas that could help mitigate the impact,” city manager Joe Valentine explained, noting many were “low hanging fruit.”

Staff conducted a review of existing operations and funds was performed to establish a list of items that could be implemented in support of residents and business community to lessen the economic impacts.

In addition to the initiatives, commissioners unanimously approved temporarily allowing restaurants to modify their outdoor dining to allow for greater social distancing, and to allow for some streets to close in the evenings to allow for expanded outdoor on-street dining, through September 8.

Establishments that do not have outdoor dining will be allowed to have picnic tables, and seating at parks will be expanded.

Hand sanitizer will be installed throughout the city, and at parks.

Commissioners agreed with most recommendations, and approved delaying invoices and collection of special assessment districts (SADs), with an economic impact of about $163,500.

They also agreed to waive the annual fee for outdoor dining platforms for restaurants, for an annual fee of $9,800. Also waived was the fee to restaurants for

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outdoor dining platform parking meter fees, for a cost of $44,500.

Commissioners also agreed to waive the annual liquor license renewal fee, a cost of $13,300, as well as the annual fee for valet services, to allow businesses to continue to offer valet services, for a cost of $15,600.

Businesses will be able to waive fees through the end of the summer for temporary signage, typically costing about $7,500. Planning director Jana Ecker said standards have been temporarily changed, as some businesses have already purchased banners for their businesses or have put signs in their windows.

A waiver for e-check fees for automated payments will cost the city about $1,000.

A waiver for field/park/shelter fees, should they be permitted this summer, was approved, for a potential cost of about $16,000.

They also approved waiving fees to access records, an $8,000 annual fee.

Commissioners approved having the city more actively promoting the Parkmobile parking app for city parking meters, which could cost about $20,000, but not allowing the suspension of fees after 5 p.m. at parking meters. Commissioners were concerned that restaurant workers would park at the meters and prevent customers from parking at them, or from having people who just want to pick up a package or a cup of coffee being able to find a spot.

Valentine said staff is looking at having dedicated pickup and drop off spots on each block.

Commissioners did approve waiving all fees at the city's parking structures through September 1, a $550,000 cost to the city, as well as waiving monthly permit holder fees at the structures through September 1, a cost of $672,000.

An initial merchant fee to open a business in the city, a cost of about $2,000, is also being waived, as is temporary structure fee to allow local businesses to expand their operations outdoors to comply with social distancing guidelines and other public health orders. The city is waiving all corresponding fees through September 8.

And lastly, all pet license fees are being waived.

Valentine also encouraged residents to register to vote, and said the clerk's office is encouraging mail in voting and encouraging voters to be proactive requesting absentee ballots for August and November.

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Boutros seeking special exception Pierre Boutros, mayor of the city of Birmingham, a ceremonial position, is seeking a lot combination approval on Frank Street, even though the city commission had stated at a recent meeting it would not approve any more, yet at the commission meeting on Monday, May 11, he insisted that a public hearing on it be placed on the June 8 agenda.

The June 8 city commission meeting is one week prior to the annual city commission/planning board workshop, on June 15, when lot combinations is set to be discussed. The city commission may ask the planning board to review the matter and come back to the commission with recommendations.

At a series of recent commission meetings, commissioners had stated that no more lot combinations could go forward until the planning board had reviewed it and came back with recommendations.

At the May 11 meeting, a resolution to set June 8 for a public hearing to consider the proposed lot combination of

211 and 227 W. Frank Street was on the consent agenda, and several commissioners pulled it off the consent agenda to discuss. However, Boutros insisted it go forward.

In the commission agenda, a letter from Boutros stated, “I am requesting this combination since our current house on Hawthorne in the city no longer meets our needs … these two lots are 40 feet in width… We do not anticipate requesting any building variances at this time for the construction of a home on the combined lots … Our new home will be a major upgrade to this very visible corner.”.

Township following governors orders In his supervisor's comments at the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, April 27, Supervisor Leo Savoie complimented the team behind him at the township in responding to residents needs and concerns, and emphasized the township, as a municipality, had to follow the governor's executive orders, and not make decisions based on politics.

His comments came after the public

comment, portion of the meeting during which former treasurer Dan Devine, who is challenging Savoie in the Republican primary in August to be supervisor, had both his candidate announcement and an email he sent to the clerk's office read, per his requests, where he aired personal grievances against Savoie. In his email, referring to landscaping services, he stated, “Supervisor Savoie it is time for you to step up to protect the property values of our township residents. Due to the Covid-19 issue, Governor Whitmer has mandated many measures to protect the spread of the virus. Many of her restrictions are unconstitutional...some of them are absurd and very detrimental to the property rights and wellbeing of our residents...As supervisor, you swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and were elected to protect and uphold our property rights not to kowtow to the governor when he or she is out of line… Step up and be the elected leader you were elected to be.”

Savoie responded, “Bloomfield Township has been and will continue to make our decisions based on values and principals – not by politics or popularity…

Municipalities do not have the right to

arbitrarily pick and choose which laws they are going to enforce and which laws they won’t. As elected individuals we did swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States but we also swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of the state of Michigan. As elected officials and leaders we recognize there are appropriate steps to take if we do not agree with something. Disobeying an order is not an appropriate step. Our police officers take an oath to uphold the constitution as well. Should we tell them to violate their oath?”

He went on to explain the township has been spending hours planning and implementing for the crisis, not just with police and fire, but also communications, IT, water and sewer systems, and all other departments.

“It takes team effort to keep things running, and that's what we are at Bloomfield Township – a team,” Savoie said. “Some people say Bloomfield Township is closed. We are anything but closed. Our doors maybe closed to the public to comply with the governor’s order but we are working longer and harder than ever to continue to deliver the services expected by the residents in our community.”

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OAKLANDCONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS/GOSSIP FROM DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE WRITERS

At Luxury Mortgage Corp®, we make it simple to get approved. ͻ >ŽĂŶ ĂŵŽƵŶƚ ƵƉ ƚŽ ΨϲD • No tax returns

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DOWNTOWN

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

67

FACES

Mort Harris ou'll have to pardon Mort Harris if his voice sounds extra hoarse. He recently celebrated a very big birthday.

His 100th.

Originally scheduled for a party at the Henry Ford Museum, plans were changed at the last minute due to coronavirus – which was how Harris found himself being driven down his street, where he was greeted by over 150 friends and neighbors wishing him a happy birthday from driveways.

“I had no idea...it was very spontaneous,” he said from his Bloomfield Hills home, where he has lived since 1958. “It was a ruckus affair.”

Guests included a performance by four French horn players from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, an organization the noted philanthropist keeps dear to his heart. He was honored at their Heroes Gala last year.

The DSO is just one of many cultural institutions Harris has supported over the years. Others include Detroit Institute of Arts and Cranbrook Garden Club.

“I just like to do things for culture, especially around where I live,” Harris said.

Harris has also been a contributor to Wayne State University, where the recreation and fitness center is named after him. Harris took classes there before, and after, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He recalled that during his time in the Air Force, he was the lead bomber pilot on 33 air raids over France and Germany. Harris recently received the Knight of the French Legion of Honor medal, created by Napoleon in 1802, for his service. Over the years he also received three Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Presidential Citation and the Polish Medal of Honor.

Before flying in WWII, though, he had never actually flown a plane. But Harris kept thinking about becoming a pilot if he got called up. He took the test to see if he qualified, and he did.

Y

“I passed pretty nicely the first time,” Harris recalled. “I was meant to be a pilot. I love it.”

Once home, he continued to fly his own aircraft for personal and business use.

After the war, Harris became a very, very successful businessman. He went on to own, start, or co-found multiple businesses, including Michigan's American Axle and Manufacturing, which he co-founded.

His business successes led him to becoming a philanthropist.

Harris said he made a lot of money quickly, and he wanted to help others.

“I hope when people hear my name they don't think bad things and that I tried to do good things for human beings,” Harris said.

One of his most recent contributions was to Henry Ford Health System, where he gave a $40 million gift, of which $20 million went towards their new outpatient cancer center, Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion, named for his late wife who died of pancreatic cancer in 2016. The center is expected to open later this year.

What would Brigitte have thought of this honor?

“Not much,” he said. “She was very quiet and never sought after any kind of accolade for herself.”

Even though she'll never be able see it, Harris is proud and pleased for her. He hopes she's somehow mystically aware of it.

Unlike some who reach 100 years of age, Harris isn't full of sage advice.

“I don't know if I can give advice to anybody in this whole world because I lived my own life the way I wanted to,” Harris said.

Ironically, that may be the best advice of all.

Story: Dana Casadei

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE The Coronavirus Pandemic “This is a generation-defining moment. And like every such moment that has gone before, it is not only the crisis itself but also how we respond that matters most.”

Amy Gutmann, UPENN President

On behalf of the historic Community House (TCH) and The Community House Foundation (TCHF), we hope we find you safe, well and sheltering in place. We miss seeing you. I miss seeing you. While our building and property is closed, The Community House and The Community House Foundation remains open – virtually and remotely.

Though some very tough and unprecedented decisions were made due to the COVID-19 crisis, the virus will not stop our nearly century-old commitment to you, your family, friends and neighbors to maintain this extraordinary “home to those seeking continuity between personal, professional, philanthropic and recreational pursuits.”

Those who depend upon us most cannot wait for “normalcy” to arrive. Us too. We will not rest while our constituents – our cherished families, class takers, non-profit groups and supporters – await our vital and essential programs and services to return. The demands for our services have never been greater. Thankfully, some of our programs and services continue remotely with temporary adjustments to comply with local and national directives.

Bill Seklar

The Community House family has responded heroically. Everyone has had truly difficult decisions to make. That we have done so together will contribute directly to the health, safety and lives of members of our community and countless others. We will continue to do this guided by the best understanding and evidence for what will protect and save lives.

Of one thing I am certain it will be a gradual process, that will take time and patience, and it will likely differ from the old normal, our old life, preCOVID-19. The world will look different coming out of this crisis. Many of those changes will be enduring. The exact trajectory of our recovery is highly uncertain and dependent upon many factors outside of our control such as government mandates, the risk of a second or third wave of infections, and the overall economic backdrop.

In the meantime, our current situation at The Community House is dire. It is unprecedented. Revenue has diminished, our reserves have been tapped, our expenses continue, demands for our services rising. Our mission is in jeopardy.

In response, The Community House Foundation created the “Community House Emergency Fund” to help maintain minimal staff during this crisis – to provide ongoing distance learning and socialization for our children, respite for our families, health and wellness checks for our seniors, limited virtual classroom instruction, community outreach, planning/preparation post-COVID-19, and the ongoing care/maintenance of the historic Community House, its building, plant and facilities.

What can you do now? While there are many noble and deserving causes in need today, and rightfully so, we hope that you might also consider a contribution to the Community House Emergency Fund to help us now when we need it most.

All donations are tax deductible, and 100 percent of funds will go directly to emergency fund priorities. To make an emergency fund gift online please go to communityhousefoundation.org and click the “Covid-19 Emergency Fund” button (top right) on our Foundation website homepage or you may certainly mail an emergency fund donation into The Community House Foundation at 380 S. Bates Street, Suite 223, Birmingham, Michigan 48009.

THE FACE OF GATEKEEPER OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS KW DOMAIN LUXURY HOMES INTERNATIONAL

Ronni Keating has been selling homes since 1975, starting her career with Howard T. Keating real estate company.

Ronni has been awarded as a top producing agent in the Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills area since 1990.

She recently moved to Keller Williams Luxury Realty in Birmingham in 2017.

Ronni was named “Gatekeeper of Bloomfield Hills” by Town and Country Magazine, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today, has interviewed

by CNBC on her knowledge of the area’s real estate market. Whether working with buyers, sellers, or transferees, Ronni loves the challenge and gives her best — and has done so for the past 35 years!

In closing we wish to thank “healthcare heroes in our midst”- health-care workers, doctors, nurses, EMTs, technicians and support staff who risk becoming infected themselves – who risk infecting their own families – heroes who are making extraordinary sacrifices to care for the rest of us.

My own daughter Bailey in ER at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, my brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Jill Smude, in ER at McLaren and Beaumont Hospitals. We pray for you and all first responders. We are forever in your debt. These are the times that define us all. Please continue to take care of yourself and your loved ones. This too shall pass.

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

downtownpublications.com

DOWNTOWN

210 NORTH OLD WOODWARD AVE. BIRMINGHAM, MI | 48009 | 248.330.9750 RKEATING@KW.COM | HTTPS://RKEATING.KW.COM 69

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

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

248.646.2220.

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

Adachi: Asian. Lunch & Dinner daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 325 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.540.5900.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

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

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

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

248.626.2630.

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

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

Beverly Hills Grill: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor. No reservations. 31471 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills, 48025. 248.642.2355.

Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.594.7078.

Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 245 South Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only.

Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.9000.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880.

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor.

Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984.

Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879.

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

248.258.6690.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000.

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

248.758.1221.

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer.

877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield 70

Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220.

Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.9766.

Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.642.1135.

Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.258.9939.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations.

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

Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli.

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

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

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

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

248.258.9400.

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

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

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

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

Liquor. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham.

248.712.4050.

Honey Tree Grille: Greek/American.

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

Hunter House Hamburgers: American.

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

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse: American.

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

248.594.4369.

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

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

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

248.792.9609.

Kaku Sushi and Poke': Asian. Lunch & Dinner. Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. No Liquor. 869 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.480.4785, and 126 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.885.8631.

Kerby’s Koney Island: American.

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

248.333.1166.

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

248.858.5800.

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.

Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor.

185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.0000 Mandaloun Bistro: Lebanese. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Daily.

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

Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953.

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

248.723.0800.

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

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

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

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.253.9877.

Pernoi: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.940.0000.

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

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

Pita Cafe: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 239 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.6999.

Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304.

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

1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270.

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

248.792.6200.

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

Sidecar Slider Bar: Burgers. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009. 248.220.4167.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch &

DOWNTOWN

Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

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

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

248.932.0800.

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

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

248.645.9123.

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

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

248.333.3887.

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

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

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.731.7066.

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

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

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

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

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

248.858.7688.

The 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; Dinner, Wednesday-Friday.

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

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

248.258.0500.

Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7881.

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

248.792.5241.

Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Liquor.

Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951.

Vinotecca: European. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009.

248.203.6600.

Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; 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.

05.20

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

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

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

Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499.

Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067.

Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.0082.

The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.547.6699.

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

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

248.544.4749.

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

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

248.544.2675.

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

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

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

GreenSpace Cafe: Vegan. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. No reservations.

Liquor. 215. W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.206.7510.

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

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

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220.

248.543.9500.

KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500.

Kruse & Muer on Woodward: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

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

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

248.591.5459.

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

248.584.4227.

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

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

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

Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633.

Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900.

Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.850.7420.

Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

downtownpublications.com

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.

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

248.544.7300.

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.

DINE-IN/CARRY-OUT/CATERING 6646 Telegraph Rd. (At Maple Road) Bloomfield Plaza 248.932.0800 • Fax: 248.932.1465 www.stevesdeli.com

No Worries, We’re Open Mon.-Sat. 9-7 and Sun. 9-6

1. Walk In And Place Your Order For Faster Service!

2. Call For Carry-Out & Come In 248-932-0800 3. Call For Curbside, Paid In Advance (with extra charge) 4. DoorDash Delivery Through Our Website Go To Our Website For

Troy/Rochester

DELIVERY

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.

Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily.

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

McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400.

The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825.

Miguel’s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, 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.

DOWNTOWN

OPEN L A I R O M E M DA3YP.M. UNTIL

WATCH OUR WEBSITE FOR SPECIAL OFFERS FOR MEMORIAL DAY! www.stevesdeli.com 71

METRO INTELLIGENCER During this time of sheltering at home due to the coronavirus situation, Downtown newsmagazine asked Metro Intelligencer reporter Dana Casadei to compile a list of local restaurants that are offering carry-out/take-out and delivery services as part of our effort to help this part of the business community survive the challenge.

BIRMINGHAM Bella Piatti 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.494.7110 • bellapiattirestaurant.com

Be Well Cafe 750 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009 248.792.6570 • bewelllifestylecenter.com

Beyond Juice 270 W. Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.594.7078 • beyondjuiceryeatery.com

Big Rock Chophouse 245 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.647.7774 • bigrockchophouse.com

Birmingham Sushi Cafe 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009 248.593.8880 • birminghamsushicafe.com

Bistro Joe’s Kitchen 34244 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.594.0984 • bistrojoeskitchen.com

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.647.2420 • eliesgrill.com

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.723.0134 • flemingssteakhouse.com

Forest 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham 48009 248.258.9400 • forestbirmingham.com

Griffin Claw Brewing Company 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham 248.712.4050 • griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Hazel, Ravines, and Downtown 1 Peabody Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.671.1714 • hrd.kitchen

Hunter House Hamburgers 35075 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.646.7121 • hunterhousehamburgers.com

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar 243 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.480.0492 • lastradadolciecaffe.com

Leo’s Coney Island 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.593.9707 • leosconeyisland.com

Luxe Bar & Grill 525 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.792.6051 • luxebarandgrill.com

Pernoi 310 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009 248.940.0000 • pernoibirmingham.com

Phoenicia 588 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.644.3122 • phoeniciabirmingham.com

Primo's Pizza 996 South Adams Road, Birmingham, 48009 248.642.1400 • primosbirmingham.com

Qdoba 795 E. Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.988.8941 • qdoba.com

Salvatore Scallopini 505 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009 248.644.8977 • salvatorescallopini.com

Social Kitchen & Bar 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009 248.594.4200 • socialkitchenandbar.com

Stacked Deli 233 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009 248.593.5300 • stackeddelionline.com

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.731.7066 • tallulahwine.com

The Rugby Grille 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.642.5999 • townsendhotel.com

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

248.689.2332.

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

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

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

248.816.3424.

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

248.375.9200.

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

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

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

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

248.524.1944.

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

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

248.816.8000.

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

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

248.614.5390.

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266.

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

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

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

248.652.4500.

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

248.817.2980.

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

248.453.5291.

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

Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

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

29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.

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

The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

248.851.8782.

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

6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081.

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

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

Nonna Maria’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake

Road, West Bloomfield, 48323.

248.851.2500.

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

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

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

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

248.865.0500.

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

248.626.8585.

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

Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.

538.8954.

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

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

248.855.6622.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.737.8282.

West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean.

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

340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381.

248.684.4223.

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

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

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

248.698.2400.

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

48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393.

248.960.7771.

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

248.620.6100.

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

248.634.5208.

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

248.795.2077.

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

Liquor. 15 S. Main Street, Clarkston, 48346. 248.297.5833 Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500.

Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday – Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday – Sunday.

No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660

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

2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

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

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

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

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

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

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

Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226.

313.965.4600.

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

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

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

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

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

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

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

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

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

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

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

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221.

313.863.1917.

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

313.309.2499.

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

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

313.962.2100.

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.

Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646.

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

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

313.465.1411.

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

Toast 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009 248.258.6278 • toastbirmingham.com

Tomatoes Apizza 34200 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham 48009 248.258.0500 • tomatoesapizza.com

Townhouse 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham 48009 248.792.5241 • eatattownhouse.com

Vinotecca Wine Bar & Restaurant 210 South Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009 248.203.6600 • vinotecca.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS Bloomfield Deli 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 248.645.6879 • Bloomfielddeli.com

Cityscape Deli 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302 248.540.7220 • Cityscapedeli.com

Joe Muer Seafood 39475 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 248.792.9609 • joemuer.com

Little Daddy’s Parthenon 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 248.647.3400 • littledaddys.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP 5th Tavern 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302 248.481.9607 • 5thtavern.com

Andiamo 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301 248.865.9300 • Andiamoitalia.com

Bangkok Thai Bistro (Thai Street Kitchen) 42805 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304 248.499.6867 • thaistreetkitchen.com

Beau's 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Township, 48301 248.626.2630 • beausbloomfield.com

Einstein Bros. Bagels 4089 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301 248.258.9939 • einsteinbros.com

Honey Tree Grille 3633 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield, MI 48301 248.203.9111 • honeytreegrille.com

IHOP 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 248.333.7522 • ihop.com

Kerby’s Koney Island 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 248.333.1166 • kerbyskoneyisland.com

Leo’s Coney Island 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301 248.646.8568 • leosconeyisland.com

MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301 248.723.0800 • mex-restaurants.com

Olga’s Kitchen 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302 248.451.0500 • olgas.com

Panera Bread 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302 248.253.9877 • Panerabread.com

Qdoba 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304 248.874.1876 • Qdoba.com

Steve’s Deli 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301 248.932.0800 • stevesdeli.com

Sushi Hana 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304 248.333.3887 • Sushihanabloomfield.com

The Gallery Restaurant 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301 248.851.0313 • Galleryrestaurant2.com

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275 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009 275 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009