Birmingham/Bloomfield

DESKA: FRONT/BACK 104 • GERAK: SOCIAL LIGHTS 111

NOVEMBER 2016

PLUS

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

AVIATION FUEL: GETTING THE LEAD OUT AT AIRPORTS FUNDING DISPARITY: PROPOSAL A AFTER TWO DECADES HEROIN: EPIDEMIC SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN ENDNOTE: POCKET VOTER GUIDE TO OUR CHOICES ECRWSS Postal Customer EDDM

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Aviation fuel: getting the lead out at airports While the country has removed lead from gas for road vehicles, piston driven aircraft still use the leaded version and tons of lead is still released each year at general aviation airports throughout the nation, which include three in Oakland County.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

20

Downtown newsmagazine is taking an advocacy role to influence local, county and state officials to ban the use of coal tar sealant on blacktop roads, parking lots and driveways due to increased concern over health threats for humans and aquatic life.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

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Our political gossip column details the latest, including possible change in control of the state House; Trump's effect on the Oakland County ballot; voter registration surge; no 'welcome mat' for dispensaries; and more.

CRIME LOCATOR

33

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

MUNICIPAL

75

Bloomfield Hills City Manager resigns; township bond refinancing discussions; new owner at Mad Hatter; update on I-75 project noise abatement; Sanders leaves Birmingham; water bill increase advice; Mills pharmacy expansion; plus more.

FRONT/BACK

104

Katie Deska gives us the the latest on what’s happening in the front and the back of the house in metro Detroit area restaurants with a series of short takes on the latest news and gossip for the industry.

THE COVER The live/work lofts in the Birmingham Rail District. Downtown photo.

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Heroin surge continuing Health and law enforcement officials say the surge in heroin use is not slowing down and carries with it even new dangers for users.

57 School funding disparity Two decades later, we look at whether the change in school funding has accomplished the elimination of disparity between school districts.

80

Jacob Coburn

FACES SOCIAL LIGHTS

111

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

ENDNOTE

118

The threat to human health and aquatic life in Oakland from coal tar sealcoating demands a ban of this practice; the importance of keeping prescription drugs from ending up in our drinking water.

34 44 73 80

Dan John Miller Sanya Verma Julie Townsend Jacob Coburn

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

For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.

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

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

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

WEBSITE downtownpublications.com

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

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FROM THE PUBLISHER owntown newsmagazine is beginning a campaign over the next month to hopefully influence local officials in Oakland County and lawmakers in Lansing who represent county communities to ban the use of coal tar sealcoat from residential driveways, local roads and public/private parking lots.

D

I take the time this month to give a heads up to followers of Downtown because this push moves the publication into an advocacy role that we normally reserve for major issues facing the public.

This is not the first time Downtown has pushed local officials in hopes of shaping public policy, something we do each month on our editorial opinion page (Endnote) at the back of the publication. In fact, we tackle the issue of coal tar sealcoat and its threat to both public health and aquatic life on the opinion page in this issue.

But our plans here are to move a step beyond the news columns and opinion pages to apply added pressure to achieve a specific goal – a ban on the use of coal tar sealant and a ban on the sale in retail outlets of this substance.

Downtown newsmagazine profiled in one of our longform features in the October issue, the threat posed by coal tar sealcoat, which has long been the process followed by commercial interests and residents as a way to both reportedly extend the life of black top pavement and in some cases, satisfy the aesthetic requirements of homeowners.

This newsmagazine has long defined as part of its mission to add our voice to the discussion of issues facing the local communities. We think that is part of our responsibility as a legitimate news publication informing the public each month.

As a few examples, if we look back to issues from recent years, we like to think we helped elevate the discussion and eventual public policy when Birmingham was grappling with a problem plagued bar/night club in the central downtown area; the future development of bistros in the central business district; or an overly ambitious plan for the public library in the city.

My personal history also includes, dating back to the 1970's and 1980's in Oakland, raising the the level of discussion and government review of lake access legislation in the state; or the push to unite a half dozen west Oakland local municipalities to negotiate better contracts with cable television providers when that industry was in its infancy; or attempts at writing open space preservation legislation with all stakeholders in that issue with the help of a member of the Michigan Senate.

The motivation on the coal tar sealcoat issue is simple: Oakland has 358 inland lakes – ranging from two acres to over 1,200 acres – that help add to the quality of life here, and coal tar sealcoat that has been used for decades poses major human health risk and ends up washing into the waterways that should be a major concern for residents, not to mention the fact that many of our communities sit at the headwaters for rivers, streams and ultimately lakes in the southern portion of the state.

Yes, I know that in this presidential election year there is much talk about supposed media bias, and we are acutely aware of our role as storytellers in producing a product that seeks truth and unbiased information, which is what we attempt to provide in our municipal news coverage and in our longform features on major issues. We don't subscribe to what has become known as advocacy journalism where the writer adopts a non-objective viewpoint and only presents one side of an issue, which was really the mainstay decades ago of the alternative press, which is dwindling in both numbers nationwide and impact thanks to the growing large corporate ownership trend now taking place.

But once we have identified a major problem, we also feel a responsibility to address an issue outside of the confines of the printed news and opinion pages, like we will be doing with the coal tar sealcoat concern.

A few communities in Michigan have already passed local ordinances to ban the use of coal tar sealcoat and a bill was introduced in Lansing, although no action was taken on the issue in the most recent legislative session. Communities in other states are already beginning to address the issue of coal tar sealcoat, so there appears to be an increasing momentum on this issue.

What we plan to do over the next two months is to educate officials in all municipalities in Oakland, along with the county board of commissioners and lawmakers representing local communities here that this county and hopefully the state can be one of the leading voices to force a stop to coal tar sealcoating.

We will be sending to officials county-wide our October longform feature on this topic, along with the Endnote page from this issue, a sample ordinance from a Michigan community already banning this practice, accompanied by a letter asking officials to consider adopting local ordinances, county regulations and ultimately a state law that puts a stop to this method of sealcoating driveways, roads and parking lots with this chemical, along with a ban on sale of coal tar sealcoating products, something some of the major big box stores have started to do on their own.

Downtown newsmagazine will also be adding a standing poll to the home page of our website (downtownpublications.com) to create additional feedback for public officials.

We are hoping that with the leadership from local communities, enough pressure can be applied so a county-wide, if not state-wide, ban on this practice will be enacted.

So over the next few months, look for updates on how we are progressing on this issue.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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INCOMING Assisted suicide opposition False advertising is used to pass assisted suicide laws (September/Downtown). Note that much abuse has been documented in the Oregon assisted suicide system.

See the federal case of Thomas Middleton who was killed with the Oregon law for his assets, according to the feds.

The ordinary bait and switch campaign is demonstrated by their selling "must self-administer,” then they do not provide in their legislation for an ordinary witness of the "self-administration.” This omission eviscerates the flaunted safeguards, putting the entire population at risk of exploitation by heirs, the medical-governmentalcomplex and organ/tissue traffickers.

Opposition to euthanasia comes from 95 percent of the entire spectrum of humanity from atheist to Eastern philosophies. Once they learn how these laws can easily be administered wrongly against the individual, 95 percent say "I'm not for that.” It is as simple as that.

Bradley Williams President, Montanans Against Assisted Suicide

Assisted dying movement The assisted suicide/assisted dying controversy pre-dates Kevorkian by 10 years (October/Downtown).

The Hemlock Society USA was founded in l980, helped many people die peacefully, wrote the first model law, and launched the legislative campaigns which resulted in new laws in Oregon, Washington, Vermont and, recently, California.

Derek Humphry Final Exit Network, Oregon

School operating millage As superintendent of the Birmingham Public Schools, I remain extremely grateful for all the support the community provides our children and our school district.

On the ballot this November 8, another opportunity exists to address the needs of the great kids of this community. On the ballot is a millage question asking to renew 38 percent of our operating budget, or roughly $43 million. The passage of this millage renewal would allow us to continue to educate our kids in the manner the community has become accustomed and with no tax rate increase. This millage would allow us to receive the full revenue from the per pupil foundation allowance permitted by the state and to downtownpublications.com

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

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

continue to levy up to 10.9236 mills.

This election is different than the 2015 bond. The 2015 bond was related to construction and renovation expenses to improve and upgrade our facilities. By law, these bond monies can be used only for that purpose and cannot be used to meet operating costs. The millage vote this November addresses a significant portion of the district’s operating costs which, if lost, would drop our district to among the lowest funded school districts in the state.

My greatest hope is that the tradition of community members supporting the needs of our children continues. After all, an investment in our schools is an investment not only in our children, but also in our community. Strong schools create strong property values and a community that remains attractive to families and businesses.

The children of this great community need you to be aware of this important millage election.

Together let’s keep this school district one of the best in our state and our nation. Also please remember that the millage vote is at the end of a lengthy ballot. I assure you that with these much needed funds we will continue to be good stewards of the resources you provide us.

Daniel Nerad Superintendent Birmingham Public Schools

Trott is ‘right on’ I am very disappointed that you have not endorsed (Congressman) David Trott (Endnote/October).

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constituents. He is far from far right as you suggest; he is right on.

He is helping to finally lead this country in the right direction, away from the crippling extremes of social justice and toward inclusive colorblind forward momentum for all of us.

It's too bad you think he did not respond as fully as you wanted for your questionnaire. He's been busy doing what he's supposed to do.

Margaret Brophy Bloomfield Hills

Assessment of candidates As a 50-year resident of Birmingham I want to thank you for publishing your assessment of local candidates in the coming election.

Frank Sherwood Birmingham

Do NOT Support Trump I know who you are, Cara McAllister (Incoming/October). I imagine you felt quite clever and holy penning your dreadfully repetitive opinion piece, with a glass of Chardonnay, and thought to yourself,

"Well, I'm quite proud my overt racism and bigotry, everyone else ought to be!"

This election will change our country forever. The destruction of your party as we know it will finally occur.

You see, Cara, I don't believe you. I don't think people compliment you on your buttons. If I saw you walking down the street with your made in China "Make America Great Again" hat, I'd sooner not talk to you.

I know your type: the media is biased, conservative values are censored, ‘The sky is falling.’ Except that it isn't. It's reality. The world has left your petty beliefs behind.

I'm sure people like you would be totally fine with a Trump presidency.

But there are millions of people whose lives would be damaged beyond repair due to his "policies" that he seemingly pulled from the depths of his toupee. And this country isn't just about you. It's about everyone.

Stand and be proud to NOT support Trump. I know that I am.

JM Merritt Bloomfield Hills

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OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL Oakland Confidential is a periodic column of political/government news and gossip, gathered both on and off-the-record by staff members at Downtown newsmagazine. We welcome possible items for this column (all sources are kept strictly confidential) which can be emailed to: OaklandConfidential@DowntownPublications.com.

CHANGING THE GUARD: Earlier this year Democrats predicted the Michigan House, now controlled by the GOP, 63-45, could flip with the 2016 election, with the party picking up at least nine seats like it did in the 2008 presidential election season. Republicans have controlled the House, Senate and the Governor’s office since 2010. As the rubber hits the road with the November vote, the chance of change in control is not that farfetched. One Republican lawmaker sees the writing on the wall. “I think we have up to 15 or 16 seats in play, with nine to 10 in serious play,� around the state, he said. Included in those seats are House Speaker Kevin Cotter’s in Mt. Pleasant. “We’re going to lose that seat,� as well as one held by Brandt Iden in Kalamazoo County after the single 30-something was seen at the Mackinac Policy conference “doing a lot of partying, with a young woman staffer on his back. And there were cell phone pictures.� Oakland County Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township, West Bloomfield), running for his third term, is a local KESTO lawmaker whose campaign is considered by Republicans to be very close. “They’ve got people working Kesto’s district every day. He’s polling 46-42, with a plus/minus of four percent.� The source noted that the Democrats have schooled themselves on Republican tactics, focusing efforts on the 15 seats at risk across the state, rather than going after all of them. Adding to the suspense – there are 25 seats now held by Republicans and 13 held by Democrats that are open thanks to term limits.

Simon Rattle

by Stephan Rabold

Berlin Philharmonic Simon Rattle, conductor Saturday, November 12 // 8 pm Sunday, November 13 // 4 pm Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium 6IXYVRMRK XS ,MPP %YHMXSVMYQ JSV XLI ƪVWX XMQI WMRGI XLI Berlin Philharmonic and music director Simon Rattle embark on their last US tour together, bringing two concerts to Ann %VFSV *SV XLI ƪVWX TVSKVEQ XLI] TIVJSVQ 4MIVVI &SYPI^ŠW Éclat, a tribute to the late titan’s death earlier this year, paired with Mahler’s seldom-performed Symphony No. 7. The second program spotlights the remarkable path that music took in :MIRRE XLVSYKLSYX XLI PEXI XL ERH IEVP] XL GIRXYVMIW Details on related free educational and residency activities at ums.org/berlin A Prelude Dinner, sponsored by Journeys International, precedes 7EXYVHE] IZIRMRKŠW TIVJSVQERGI 6IWIVZEXMSRW PROGRAM (SAT 11/12)

&SYPI^ ‹GPEX Mahler Symphony No. 7 in e minor PROGRAM (SUN 11/13)

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BYE BYE BIRDIE: After 10 years as Bloomfield Hills City Manager, the official word from Jay Cravens was he resigned to take a position as director of development with the town of Collierville, Tennessee, to move closer to his daughter and granddaughter. Definitely true, as he’ll just be 15 minutes from family. But more than family likely played into his decision to head south on I75. Those in the know say city politics and micromanagement by commissioners prompted him to look elsewhere. As one insider said: “If there was an emblem for Bloomfield Hills, it would be an ostrich with its head in the sand.� Best of luck, Jay. ALL FALL DOWN: Michigan Republicans in October were quick to run for cover from the effects of a Trump Tsunami that changed course and were giving all signs of producing a wave election in the state that could take out GOP strongholds in its wake. A 2005 tape that surfaced last month of the Republican presidential nominee having a lewd conversation about women was followed by a plunge in Michigan presidential polls, which put Trump behind Clinton by as many as 12 points in some surveys. Michigan pollster Bernie Porn, president of Epic MRA, told Downtown Publications a continued lag in the polls for Trump could result in a wave election capable of effecting congressional state and county races in Oakland County. “There PORN are two schools of thought. One is that because there are a good number of people voting third party and going back and forth on the ballot, Republicans won’t be impacted too much,� Porn said. “But, my thought is that history proves that in the five- to seven-point range, there can be an impact on the ballot.� That means, he said, if Clinton wins the state by a difference of more than eight points, the effect could carry over to other races. “Sometimes it doesn’t matter what candidates are running, or even spending, in a competitive margin district, the impact of a wave election is like a tsunami,� he said.

University of Michigan political science professor Richard Hall he isn’t so sure how the presidential race will impact others on the ballot. Ultimately, he said, it will come down to voter turnout. “The only answer I can give with confidence is: I don’t know,� Hall said. “Negative campaigns tend to suppress voter turnout, but we don’t know what the right turnout model is. Trump has an intense following and intense opposition.� What that will mean for congressional incumbents like David Trott or Mike Bishop, Reps. Mike McCready and Michael Webber, or county executive L. Brooks Patterson, is anyone’s guess.

But it could be a wild and crazy election night.

GOING TO POT: Don’t look for a ‘welcome’ mat in Rochester Hills if you are an authorized medical marijuana caregiver, based on comments and the tone DOWNTOWN

11.16

of a recent joint session of the city council and planning commission. Take for example one comment by Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Mike Johnson about a medical marijuana caregiver in the city that Rochester Hills has been unable to shut down – because he’s following the law – “Unfortunately, he is doing all the right things.” Under the state’s medical marijuana laws, individuals certified by the state may legally grow a specific number of marijuana plants in their homes, including additional plants for licensed caregivers. Strong marijuana odor can be a nuisance for neighbors, but advocates following the letter of the law have installed air filtration systems and taken other means to ensure they meet local code, frustrating efforts by law enforcement and municipalities. Council members pushing for stricter nuisance rules in residential areas were reminded by the city’s attorney they are unable to pass local laws that would disallow laws enacted by the state. In a further irony for the city, the discussion was part of a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, held at the Rochester Hills Museum at the Van Hoosen Farm, rather than its regularly-televised council meeting at city hall the previous day.

Why the secrecy on a public issue? Apparently, one official said after the meeting, some council members wanted to hold the meeting on the pot issue during a closed session meeting which would have been a violation of the state’s open meeting act. Look for a six-month moratorium on any medical marijuana dispensaries allowed under a newly approved state law and then, more than likely, a move by the city to ban dispensaries in total.

UP, UP & AWAY: Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown, as well as local clerks, have seen voter registration surge for this election, which many note is typical for a presidential election. Brown noted that applications in the county are definitely up from 2012, “but still lower than in 2008” when Barack Obama and John McCain appeared on the ballot. “Presidential elections are really different than any other election,” noted Bloomfield Hills Clerk Amy Burton, who has seen an increase not only in voter registration, but in absentee ballot requests as well. “We have a permanent absentee voter ballot request of about 700, and we’ve already had requests for about 800. We BROWN usually don’t issue that full 700, so this is significant.”

Birmingham Clerk Laura Pierce concurred. “There’s definitely an increase, but we expect that.” Rochester Hills Clerk Tina Barton said they have seen an increase from 2012, when they issued 11,407 absentee ballots, and have already issued 10,355. “I am confident we will reach and surpass that number.” Bloomfield Township clerk Jan Roncelli said they always see an increase in voter registration in presidential elections, but the surprise has been in the requests for more absentee ballots for overseas and military voters. “It’s about 30 percent more than 2012,” she said. “That a lot more.” Lee Anne O’Connor, clerk for the city of Rochester, said they have reached the highest BURTON number of registered voters – 10,449 – they have ever had, “and we’ve seen a lot more absentee voters, as well, at 1,562 so far. I think it’s not only because it’s a crazy election, but it’s social media and smartphones.” O’Connor believes that today’s voters are much more knowledgeable, and have access to the internet, where they are downloading absentee ballots. “They’re not just going to my office or waiting for the ballot to come in the mail.” As to whether the election could be rigged, she assured voters, “That’s not even possible. I can say that with certainty.”

TSL: Freshmen congressmen David Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills) and Mike Bishop (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township) could both take a lesson from other members of Congress, as well as Michigan Lieutenant Gov. Brian Calley, who withdrew their support from Donald Trump just 24 hours following the unveiling of the audio/video in which the GOP presidential contender spewed lewd/degrading comments relative to women and bragged about his exalted status that supposedly gives him a free pass at predatory behavior toward the opposite sex. Both Trott and Bishop issued almost boilerplate positions through their offices expressing that they found Trump’s video “offensive” but neither Republican disavowed support for the candidate. We’re not sure that is enough to avoid being sucked into the vortex of this storm. downtownpublications.com

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FACES Dan John Miller usician, actor, and former prank caller Dan John Miller admits he was a bad apple during his years at Seaholm High School, but his creative trickery only seemed to take him further along in life, with his current band, Blanche, having toured alongside The Handsome Family, The White Stripes, and Calexico.

Before graduating in 1983, Miller was a part of “The FBA, The Few Bad Apples. We spoiled it for everyone, and were smart enough never to get caught,” he joked of his high school days. “I enjoyed making prank calls to radio stations and would do character voices to entertain my family and friends.”

In his twenties, Miller fronted Goober and the Peas, a band remembered for “singing and dancing and acting slightly insane.”

With Miller on guitar and lead vocals, Jack White manned the drums for the group, which recorded two albums and performed at South by Southwest music festival in 1993.

As Goober and the Peas quieted down, Miller and White teamed up in Two Star Tabernacle along with Damian Lang and Miller’s wife, Tracee Mae Miller. Later, the married couple formed Blanche, a “gothic country-garage band.”

Following their debut album, If We Can’t Trust the Doctors, the band released Little Amber Bottles in 2007, and has plans to record a third album, when family life allows.

“My wife and I, (with) the way we dress and act and have our house and the kinds of things we’re interested in, they say we were born in the wrong century, but I think we’d go back a couple centuries no matter what,” Miller said.

“There’s so much about the past to be inspired by, and we try to instill that with our kids, now seven and five (years old) – to have reverence for that, and use it as inspiration. But you don’t want to just repeat things – carve out your own new thing.”

Having traveled through the US and Europe with Blanche, Miller was on the road one day when he got a call regarding acting in a Johnny Cash biopic, directed by James Mangold.

Ultimately cast as the iconic guitarist Luther Perkins, who was a backup singer for Cash, Miller said, “It was an incredible opportunity that I was lucky to get. I got a call from someone casting Walk the Line, and it was right after Johnny Cash had died.”

Shot mainly in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana, Miller said, “Memphis reminded me a lot of Detroit – they’re ghostly sister cities in a way.”

Though the six-foot tall singer-songwriter, who also does voiceover bits and narrates audiobooks, has built up quite the resume, he keeps fun and family front and center. Wearing a top hat and royal purple suit, Miller strutted around the halls of the Bloomfield Township Public Library dressed as Willy Wonka, in support of the library’s October fundraiser for a youth puppet theater.

“As we get older,” said Miller, “I try to remind myself never to stop learning, and never stop being inspired by other people, no matter what age, culture, socioeconomic status – you can learn from anyone.”

M

Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Jean Lannen

REMOVING PISTON-ENGINE AIRCRAFT

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT ffects from lead in plumbing, paint and gasoline continue to haunt the health and well-being of communities even decades after its widespread use ended, but tons of lead from gasoline are still released each year at general aviation airports throughout the nation, which include three in Oakland County.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began phasing out lead from automobile gasoline in 1973, with a complete removal of lead from the fuel in 1995. However, the vast majority of today's fuel that powers pistonengine aircraft still contains lead.

Used by about 167,000 piston-engine aircraft at some 20,000 airports in the United States, general aviation fuel, or "avgas," is the only remaining lead-containing transportation fuel. Avgas is used in general aviation aircraft with piston engines, which are generally used for instructional flying, air taxi activities and personal transportation.

E

THE LEAD NOW IN THE CROSSHAIRS

Some helicopters and recreation craft, such as ultralights, may also use avgas. Lead isn't found in jet fuel, which is used by most commercial aircraft.

Piston-engine aircraft account for the largest source of lead emissions in the air in the United States, including industrial sources, such as ore and metal processing facilities. Emissions of lead from piston-engine aircraft using leaded avgas make up about half of the nation's inventory of lead emitted from the air.

In Oakland County, piston-engine aircraft produced more than a half ton of air emissions in 2008, according to the EPA. Those emissions, along with the airport's layout and pressure placed on federal regulators to begin a national phase out of lead from aviation gasoline, forced the county to monitor lead concentrations in the air at it's largest airport, Oakland County International Airport in Waterford, in 2011 and 2012.

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11.16

IN OAKLAND, PISTONENGINE AIRCRAFT PRODUCED MORE THAN A HALF TON OF AIR EMISSIONS IN 2008

The county also owns and operates Oakland Southwest Airport in Lyon Township; and the Oakland/Troy Airport.

Additionally, there are more than two dozen helipads, seaports and unregistered air fields where some piston-powered helicopters, seaplanes and ultralight aircraft may operate in the county.

County airport officials estimate there are more than 50,000 annual, combined takeoffs and landings by piston-engine aircraft at its three airports, with about half of those conducted at Oakland County International. By comparison, the airport registers about 100,000 commercial jet takeoffs and landings each year.

David VanderVeen, airport spokesman and director of central services for Oakland County, said the total number of flights at Oakland County International Airport have dropped from about 390,000 takeoffs and landings in 1988 to about 120,000 annually now.

The biggest decline in operations, he said, is with smaller, pistonengine planes that use leaded gas.

"The EPA did a study on lead emissions a few years ago," he said. “They determined our lead emissions – and they had some sophisticated instruments in the field – the lead levels were about half of the concern levels."

Results from that study, provided in this article, confirm VanderVeen's assessment. However, human health and environmental groups say there is no safe level of lead when it comes to the public's safety.

"As we have seen, we continue to have significant problems with lead in our environment, whether it's legacy issues from paint and water pipes or from lead in gasoline. We still have lead from automobile gasoline in our environment," said Marcie Keever, legal director for Friends of the Earth, an environmental activist group that has pushed for the EPA to phase lead out of avgas.

High levels of exposure to lead can result in death and brain damage. But even low exposure to lead has been found to cause learning disabilities, lower IQ levels, increased blood pressure and nerve damage. Children are specifically at risk to lead exposure because they absorb larger amounts of lead and are more sensitive to lead induced toxicity.

Lead in the air can spread far from where it is produced. Once airborne, it may be ingested into the lungs or fall to the ground and mix with the soil, where it remains until it is disturbed. Because babies and young children are more likely to put their hands and other items exposed to lead dust or soil into their mouth, lead contaminated soils pose a higher risk to them.

A 2011 study by researchers at Duke University looked into the effects of avgas on childhood blood levels in six counties in North Carolina. The study suggested children living within one-third of a mile to an airport where leaded avgas is used had higher blood lead levels than other children. The study suggested lead emission from avgas may contribute to blood lead levels in children living more than half a mile away from the same airports.

Yet residents living closest to general aviation airports may have no knowledge of the potential risk to their health from pistonengine aircraft. More often than not, concerns about piston-engine aircraft are overshadowed by their larger, noisier jet-powered counterparts.

Waterford resident James Hardin, who has lived within a mile of the airport for about 60 years, said he wasn't aware that aviation fuel contains lead.

"I thought it was all lead free today," said Hardin, who is concerned about the diesel-like fumes he endures from jet exhaust. "We really notice it when the wind comes from the airport out of the north. When it drops, it just gags you. It's hard to explain. I'm hyper-sensitive to it. I have to leave sometimes. Diesel is nasty and sooty. You get a black film on everything. I have a skylight on my house and it gets terrible, especially in the winter. You have to wash it a lot.

"I would be concerned more about the diesel than the avgas. You don't smell the airplane gas."

Unlike jet fuel that has a strong odor and can leave behind a dark residue on windows, walls and patios and outdoor furniture, avgas exhaust is more akin to automobile exhaust. While aviation fuels are formulated to have increased stability for flight, unleaded avgas is available at limited airports and is similar to 94-octane auto fuel. However, the majority of avgas includes a lead additive, which provides an octane boost required by many airplane engines.

"Performance is the key benefit and reason why lead was added to fuel; it adds a significant amount of performance increase to the engine, and specifically it has an anti-detonation measure," said Walter Derosier, vice president of engineering for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. "If it starts to detonate inside the engine cylinders, it is extremely damaging."

David Oord, director of government affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, said about 70 percent of the existing pistonengine aircraft today can operate on a version of unleaded, ethanolfree fuel if they acquire the proper certification. However, about 30 percent of planes still require a higher octane fuel that is currently only available in leaded form.

Records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by Downtown Publications show just 15 complaints were made from 2006 to 2013 to the Oakland County International Airport regarding odor, residue and noise from jet aircraft. While the majority of complaints referenced concerns about health impacts from breathing exhaust fumes, none of the complaints involved piston-engine aircraft. Instead, the complaints targeted commercial jets and jet fuel fumes that are similar to diesel fuel.

Residents who registered complaints said the smell of jet fuel was overwhelming. One person who called the airport to complain said the fumes are so bad that when he and a friend were sitting in his backyard, "They made his friend regurgitate on the lawn."

Keever, with Friends of the Earth, said it was actually nitrogen oxide levels from turbine-powered aircraft that the group was hoping to convince the EPA to address when researchers learned lead fuel was still being used in the industry.

"It's sort of like we found it. We were looking for another thing in the Clean Air Act about another source and we found it," she said.

Had the group not been investigating greenhouse gas emissions from turbine engines, Keever said it's unlikely the EPA would even be considering plans to phase out lead from aviation fuel.

"As soon as we discovered this in 2003, we wrote to the EPA, and they didn't do anything," she said. "We sent them a petition and filed litigation in 2012 because they haven't replied to our petition."

The petition requested the EPA begin a process to remove lead from aviation gas by finding that lead emissions may reasonably be expected to endanger public health and welfare, and for the agency to propose new lead emission standards in the federal Clean Air Act. "They have said they will do an endangerment finding, which is the first step in phasing out lead in avgas," Keever said.

The EPA is now evaluating the impact of emissions from avgas on public health. The agency also intends to release their findings in 2017 for public review and comment. A final endangerment finding is expected to be released in 2018, following a review of public comments.

"General aviation, or piston-engine aircraft, is the single largest source of lead emissions in the United States," Keever said. "It's continuing and ongoing."

About 34,000 tons of lead emitted from piston-engine aircraft have been released into the air in the United States between 1970 and 2007, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Oakland County International Airport, in Waterford, which houses nearly 400 piston-engine aircraft, registered .59 tons of lead

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34,000 TONS OF LEAD EMITTED FROM PISTON-ENGINE AIRCRAFT RELEASED IN U.S. FROM 1970–2007

emissions in 2008, making it one of 58 General Aviation airports in the nation to have a half-ton or more in lead emissions that year, according to EPA records. Just six airports across the nation in 2008 had annual lead emissions greater than one ton.

To put lead emissions into context, consider that the EPA requires state and local air quality agencies to monitor lead concentrations in the air near industrial facilities with estimated lead emissions of .5 tons or more per year. Airports releasing a full ton or more of lead also are required to be monitored.

However, monitoring requirements are applied on a case-by-case basis in locations where the EPA determines there is a likelihood that annual lead emissions could result in those locations exceeding the agency's ambient air standard.

The EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standard is what determines acceptable lead concentrations levels in the air in locations accessible to the general public. While total lead emissions are measured in tons, concentrations are measured by monitoring the micrograms per cubit meter of total air over a three month timeframe.

In 2008, the EPA strengthened the ambient air standard for lead, revising the maximum from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter to .15 micrograms. Those concentrations represent a three-month average of lead levels in total suspended particles.

In 2011, Oakland County International Airport was one of 17 airports in the United States required by the EPA to participate in a 12-month monitoring program to gauge lead concentrations of outside air where the general public would have access.

Under the program, airports with a three month average lead concentration exceeding the .15 micrograms would be required to have continued monitoring beyond the initial year of testing. The .15 microgram average is the maximum under the National Ambient Air Monitoring Standard.

Monitoring at the Oakland County International Airport took place from July 2, 2011 through August 7, 2012. An air monitoring station, about the size of a mailbox, was placed downwind from the main runway where the majority of piston-engine aircraft takeoff. Results show lead concentrations for five or six days each month, with average lead concentrations for each day, the average monthly concentration and a three-month average.

Results from the study show the highest three-month average lead concentrations at the Oakland County airport reached a maximum of .02342 micrograms for the months including August, September and October of 2011, well below the .15 microgram standard of the NAAQS. The highest monthly average recorded in the study was .0277718 micrograms in August of 2011. The maximum daily lead concentration for the year was .04108, on October 30, 2011.

“As you can see, the three month rolling average remained below .075 micrograms per cubit meter (i.e., one-half of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard)," an air monitoring supervisor with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) Air Quality Division, which conducted the monitoring on behalf of the EPA, said in a memo to airport officials on August 28, 2012. "As we have collected a complete year of data, the requirements laid out in the Federal Register have been met and we have stopped collecting samples.”

Included in the monitoring program were airports that had lead emissions between .5 and one ton per year, based on 2008 lead emissions recorded by the EPA's National Emissions Inventory. The goal, according to the EPA, was to better understand how the lead emissions from avgas affect the air at and near the airports. In total, there were 58 airports that produced at least a half ton or more of lead emissions, but less than one full ton.

To scale down the number of airports in the monitoring program, the EPA took into consideration the airport runway configuration and meteorology that would cause a greater frequency of operation from one or two runway ends.

Finally, the EPA looked for airports where ambient air is within 150

meters of the location where the maximum amount of lead emissions would be released. Ambient air is any location to which the general public has access. On airports, the general public includes recreational pilots and their passengers, members of the public who visit the airport for special events and other people who might be in airport hangars.

“We selected a distance of 150 meters between the maximum impact site and ambient air because the available information suggests that ambient air concentrations will decrease sharply with distance from the source and it is less likely that an exceedance of the NAAQS for lead will occur at greater distances,” EPA officials with the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor said in a memo to airports.

The EPA said its 150 meter location was based on monitoring conducted at the Santa Monica Airport, in California.

Airports included in the study that exceeded the .15 microgram standard and required additional monitoring included the McClellanPalomar Airport, in California (.17 micrograms); and the San Carlos Airport, in California (.33 micrograms).

The Palo Alto airport, which had an average lead concentration of .12 micrograms, was the third highest of all the airports included in the study.

"The lead gradient at this airport serves as a guide for the purpose of limiting the number of airports to consider for this exploratory airport monitoring study," the EPA said. "We are not implying that there will be no exceedances of the NAAQS for lead beyond the 150 meter distance."

Oakland County Manager of Aviation Karl Randall, in a September 2011 email to EPA regulators, expressed disagreement with the agency's monitoring location at the airport, which was located about 10 feet south of the south end of an airplane hangar on the northeast side of the runway, and about 90 feet north of the center of the runway.

"I do not believe it is at all appropriate to include recreational pilots, their passengers, or hangar tenants within the definition of the general public. Realistically, consideration ought to be given to the legal principle of assumption of risk," he wrote. "Pilots operating aircraft, their passengers and hangar tenants (who are also pilots) are fully aware of the presence of engine exhaust from their and others' planes, and voluntarily choose to be there."

Randall also said other than those specific people at the airport, operational procedures in place by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrict the public from the area where the monitoring was to be conducted.

"This monitor site location is clearly designed to present the worst possible case scenario, not of realistic assessment of what lead levels the 'true' general public might be exposed to, a minimum of hundreds of feet or yards away from aircraft takeoff and preflight run-up check locations," he said in the email. "If the underlying concern and justification for conducting the study is the actual level of lead exposure to the general public from piston powered planes burning 100LL, the monitoring should be done out in the community where the people are – not on the airport virtually at the exhaust pipe of the aircraft."

Susan Kilmer, unit supervisor for the Michigan DEQ's Air Monitoring Unit, said the EPA chose that specific monitoring location at the airport based on its proximity to the rev-up zone for airplanes and wind direction. She said one such monitor can't show lead levels reaching the public outside of the airport grounds.

"If we we're doing ambient air sampling in a community, we would need to be a certain distance from the roadway because the objective is measuring ambient air that the public will breathe, so we would want to be away from obstructions, but this was to monitor what was coming off small aircraft," Kilmer said. "I would think that being very

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AIRPORT TESTS GIVE A SMALL SNAPSHOT, BUT TOTAL IMPACT OF EMISSIONS MORE A MOVING TARGET

close to the runway, where they are revving up before they start rolling, I would expect that to be the maximum impact location, and that it would dilute the further away from the airport."

However, the height at which lead emissions are released may have a substantial impact on how far lead particles travel in the air. Kilmer said this became evident in monitoring lead emissions at a brass production facility in Belding, Michigan. When the facility raised the height of its smoke stack, the DEQ had to add a second monitoring location to track the emissions.

"Disbursement is dependent on the height of the stack, the air velocity and weather conditions," she said.

While monitoring at the airport gives a small snapshot of lead concentrations at a specific location, the total impact of lead emissions is more of a moving target.

In addition to the EPA's ongoing work into lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration is working with the aviation industry to establish a new standard of unleaded fuel that will work across the existing general aviation fleet.

Under the partnership, the Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) was formed, which includes representatives from the FAA, pilots,

he number of piston powered airplanes flying in and out of the Oakland County International Airport, in Waterford, caught the attention of federal regulators in 2011, but for residents living near the airport, the main concern has centered around the overpowering smell of jet engine exhaust.

In March, a Waterford resident contacted the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to find out more about lead emissions from smaller piston-engine airplanes, and to ask whether he should be concerned about air pollution from jets.

"I can frequently smell jet fuel in my neighborhood, which causes me to be concerned for the health of my children," the resident said in a March 14, 2012 email to Craig Fritzner, supervisor at the Air Monitoring Unit of the DEQ. "I'm sorry, but I am not familiar with the components of jet fuel, nor do I know what the latest studies across the nation have shown about the role jet engine emissions have upon air quality. However, I will ask my colleagues at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if they have such information," Fritzner responded.

As it is, aircraft, specifically jet and turbo prop-powered planes, are the singlelargest greenhouse gas-emitting transportation source not yet subjected to greenhouse gas standards in the United States, according to the EPA. In July of 2016, the agency finalized findings under the federal Clean Air Act, stating that concentrations of six well-

T

aircraft owners, aircraft manufacturers and others. Additionally, Congress has approved $7 million for the 2016 fiscal year to support PAFI's testing program at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

As part of the initiative, the FAA in June 2013 requested fuel producers to submit replacement fuel proposals to the FAA for evaluation. Testing of 17 formulations from six different companies was done, and reduced to four formulations for the first testing phase, which was completed in December 2015. The FAA and PAFI are now conducting the second phase of testing, which involves two unleaded fuels and ground and flight testing using more than two dozen engine and aircraft models.

Ken Knopp, a manager at the FAA's technical center in Atlantic City, said testing is on schedule to be completed in 2018. At that point, he said, the hope is that the FAA will certify one or both of the fuels for use.

Oord, with the owners and pilots association, said the industry is concerned about lead emissions, and is working with the FAA to come up with a safe alternative to leaded fuel.

"Ultimately, it's hard to defend lead," he said. "It's a pretty toxic substance. I think we all agree that it's in our best interest to move forward and test and approve a replacement."

mixed greenhouse gases in the atmosphere endanger the public health and welfare of current and future generations; and that greenhouse gasses emitted from certain classes of engines used in certain aircraft are contributing to the air pollution that endangers public health and welfare.

The result of domestic and international flights originating in the United States account for 12 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's transportation sector; about three percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the country; and a half percent of total greenhouse gas emissions around the world.

Specifically, the EPA singled out six greenhouse gasses related to jet and turboprop engine exhaust, which include carbon dioxide; methane; nitrous oxide hydroflourocarbons; perfluoracarbons; and sulfur hexaflouride. The six compounds are considered as a combined group and together are the cause and best understood drivers of human-induced climate change, and the results' impact on public health and welfare.

Despite the findings, the EPA isn't yet proposing or finalizing aircraft engine emission standards for greenhouse gases.

Rather, the findings are considered the first step toward those standards.

"These findings trigger the EPA's duty under the Clean Air Act to promulgate emissions standards applicable to GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from the classes of aircraft engines included in the contribution finding," the EPA said in a

statement. "Any such future proposed domestic regulatory actions would be open to the appropriate public comment and review, providing opportunity for stakeholders and the public to provide input."

The investigation into jet engine emissions stems from a petition filed in December of 2007 by environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, Oceana, Center for Biological Diversity, and Earthjustice. In its petition, the groups requested the EPA make findings that greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft engines may endanger public health and welfare.

The groups have said the EPA didn't begin evaluating emissions from airplane pollution until 2014, shortly after they had filed a notice of intent to sue the agency for failing to reduce aircraft emissions.

The groups say the EPA hasn't done enough to reduce aircraft emissions. A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation found the top 20 transatlantic air carriers are able to lower greenhouse gas emissions as much as 51 percent by using existing technology and operational improvements.

"The endangerment found in the documents the magnitude of airplanes' contribution to climate change, but the EPA fails to take steps to address the harms," said Sarah Burt, staff attorney at Earthjustice. "We will continue to use the power of law to compel the EPA to put in place standards that actually reduce harmful pollution from aircraft."

FACES

Sanya Verma oming of age in a environment characterized by record-breaking temperatures, devastating storms, and scorching droughts, Sanya Verma, 15, is taking an active role to help develop a solution to address the fresh water scarcity that plagues people across the globe.

A Bloomfield Hills student enrolled at the International Academy, Verma was selected to attend a four-week program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) last summer, where she worked with a team to generate plans for a functional handpowered water filtration product.

“We all knew we wanted an idea revolving around social impact,” said Verma. “We were looking up articles on water scarcity and we were intrigued. We were thinking outside the box to do a water bottle that turns saltwater into drinking water, thinking we could do it on a smaller scale, and (market it) even to hikers and travelers, in addition to those in (areas of need).” But, upon further research, the team realized that creating a product on a handheld scale proved to be an unlikely endeavor at the time, and so they did what innovators do – went back to the drawing board and modified their plans.

With guidance from MIT professors, as well as experts in California, the four-member team worked on a prototype and business plan to establish a product and a brand, VivaFlow, which has garnered the attention of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “(It is) simple technology that uses reverse osmosis to change brackish water and saltwater into drinking water,” said Verma.

“It’s a hand pump and only uses physical labor. Our target market is families in underdeveloped regions…where saltwater or brackish water is more accessible to them than freshwater.”

Specifically, she said, they’re focusing on Haiti.

While the prototype continues to be in a state of development, Verma said the letter of intent from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation expressed support, and, she said, “is here when we actually have the product made. We had a few good meetings with product development companies to discuss pricing and the prototype.

“I would love to see our prototype fully designed by our team, and get it finalized and find a manufacturer who can build an original prototype. We want to test it out to see how the families interact with it, and then make any changes to it to make it the best it can be.”

As dedicated as Verma is to the success of VivaFlow, it’s far from the only project captivating the teenager’s attention. She also participates in the forensics club, competes with Bloomfield Hills High School's figure skating team, and is the founder and CEO of Indira Designs, an e-commerce retail platform she started at the end of her sophomore year.

Specializing in parachute pants imported from India, the company reflects Verma’s heritage, and raises funds for a charity based in India, which her aunt introduced her to. “A lot of my cousins who live in India, they wear these a lot, and I wanted to bring that here.”

Passionate and energetic about her dynamic life, Verma juggles staying up late, getting up early before school, and stays motivated through what she said are “a lot of pep talks.”

C

Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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Bloomfield hills

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Bloomfield hills

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Custom built home with over 250 feet of lake frontage on Forest Lake. New roof, mechanicals and windows. Huge finished walkout lower level. 3 car attached garage. Gated community. Bloomfield schools. Gorgeous lake views throughout this amazing home.

Stunning Hills of Lone Pine custom 2004 home. Gorgeous kitchen with Millennium cabinetry and top end appliances. 12 foot ceilings, brazilian cherry hardwood floors, 5 fireplaces. Incredible main level master suite includes his and her baths and closets. Four car attached heated garage with epoxy floor.

255 Lakewood

455 Aspen

Bloomfield hills

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Birmingham

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Spectacular setting and home on Endicott Lake. New kitchen with stained walnut cabinets, large island, breakfast bar & quartz counters. All 4 BRs are suites with updated baths. Finished walk-out lower level includes 2nd kitchen. Three car garage, inground pool and picturesque views. Birmingham schools.

Wonderful newer build home designed by Ron Rea, with a spacious open floor plan and soaring two story living room with fireplace. Gorgeous eat-in kitchen includes large island, premium appls, and custom cabinetry. Spectacular master suite. Finished basement. 4 car garage.

2811 Bradway Blvd.

3755 Brookside

Bloomfield hills

$899,900

Renovated Bloomfield Village Colonial, beautifully updated and maintained. Gorgeous kitchen with granite counters, large wood top center island, and SS appls - opens to large family room with hardwood floors and stone fireplace. 5 bedrooms and 3.1 baths. Second floor laundry. Finished basement. Professionally landscaped yard with patio areas on tiered levels.

Bloomfeld hills

$725,000

Renovated Colonial situated on a beautiful .76 acre lot. 5 bdrms, 3 baths. Updated kitchen with SS appls, center island and granite counters. Spacious master suite includes remodeled bath and walk-in closet. Second floor laundry. Two car attached garage. Great yard and grounds.

Chris Pero Associate Broker

248.797.0784 cgpero@yahoo.com

275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

Over $34 MilliOn ClOsed YTd in 2016

1418 Washington Birmingham $674,900

245 Chestnut Circle Bloomfield hills $649,900

Completely remodeled and expanded 4 bedroom home on a beautiful Birmingham street.

Open floor plan includes kitchen with granite counters, nook and breakfast bar opening to large family room with fireplace. Great master suite has a nice bath and WIC. Finished basement. Spacious paver patio.

Two car garage. Walk to town location.

Chestnut Hills Colonial located in the city of Bloomfield Hills on a 3/4 acre lot. Large eat-in kitchen with pantry and center island. Huge great room with cathedral ceiling, fireplace with stone surrounded. Three large bedrooms upstairs, three full baths. 3 car attached side entry garage. New dimensional shingle roof in 2011.

2235 Quarton rd Bloomfield hills $649,900

75 Manor Bloomfield hills $599,900

Stately red brick Colonial, built in the 20's, sitting on nearly one acre of beautiful grounds in Bloomfield Village. Newer kitchen with Wolf stove and Sub Zero fridge. Four bdrms, 2.2 baths. Two car side entry garage. Tremendous character and charm throughout.

Birmingham schools. Also for lease - $4250/mo.

Spacious ranch tucked away on almost a half acre lot, just minutes from downtown Birmingham. Home has large main floor master bedroom addition, a first floor laundry and a two car attached garage.

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755 N Glenhurst Birmingham $524,900

590 riverside Birmingham $499,900

Move in ready Colonial around the corner from Quarton Elementary. Updated kitchen with granite counters, SS appls and a slate floor. Master with a renovated bath. Finished rec areas in basement. Florida room leads to newer paver patio and a spacious yard. Two car garage.

Unique opportunity for land purchase in a secluded detached condo develpoment. Tucked away site yet just blocks away from town. Lot price only.

723 Ann Birmingham $489,900

201 Dourdan Bloomfield hills $349,900

Wonderfully updated in-town Colonial on a nice 50x120 lot just blocks from downtown.

Beautiful new kitchen in 2014 includes granite counters, SS appls & hwf ’s. Formal dr and spacious lr. 3 bdrm’s, 2 full baths up - master with bath and sitting area. New Andersen Windows and doorwall. New paver patio and separate fire pit area. Two car detached garage.

An executive development of million dollar plus homes.

Bloomfield Hills schools. Only 3 lots remain. Build your dream home. Lot price only.

1138 hillpointe Bloomfield hills $289,900

1433 ravineview Court Bloomfield hills $264,900

Ranch in popular Adams Woods, which includes a clubhouse, pool and tennis courts. Updated eat-in kitchen with maple cabinets and hwf. Spacious family room with fireplace. Large master suite with direct access to private deck. First floor laundry. Two car attached garage. Newer roof. Bloomfield Hills schools.

Very desirable Adams Woods condo. Private courtyard entry w/ 2 car garage. Large eat in kitchen with granite counters. LR w/fireplace and windows looking out to deck and private wooded ravine setting. Association has pool, tennis courts and club house.

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275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

248.797.0784 cgpero@yahoo.com

Over $34 MilliOn ClOsed YTd in 2016

HEROIN EPIDEMIC SHOWS NO SIGNS OF ABATEMENT

BY KATIE DESKA

O

nce only the province of cheap, seedy hotels, today's junkies are shooting up in living rooms, public bathrooms, in affluent shopping malls and nice restaurants. Users are young and old, and everyone in between. They're overdosing on heroin, on pain pills and opioids, on synthetic drugs better left in operating rooms or with veterinarians. Often, users don't even know what their doses are laced with, and that their hits are tens, or hundreds of times, stronger than heroin alone. As a result, drug users across the country are overdosing at a skyrocketing rate.

Law enforcement officers, treatment centers and medical examiners across the country are scrambling to respond to the surge of heroin and opioid addiction, as well as the drug’s increased and toxic potency. Meanwhile, people of all ages continue to overdose to the point of death, or near death – and Oakland County is no exception.

Heroin is an equal opportunity destroyer, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard pointed out. “No one out there reading should presume ‘I live in a certain community and it won’t happen here.’ It happens to the most economically challenged areas and the most prosperous. It happens to all races, and all creeds.”

Holiday Events IN Birmingham BIRMINGHAM TREE LIGHTING

Wednesday, Nov. 23, 6 p.m., Shain Park Help Santa and the Mayor light up the town for the holidays! Enjoy caroling, carriage rides and free hot cocoa as well.

Santa House opens following the ceremony.

SANTA HOUSE

Weekends November 23 – December 24, plus the Friday after Thanksgiving, during Winter Markt and Christmas Eve. Santa is in a real house for the holidays! (Take a WOV[V ^P[O :HU[H 7YVJLLKZ ILULÄ[ 3LHKLY Dogs for the Blind.)

PARKING HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER IN BIRMINGHAM! First 2 Hours ALWAYS FREE in the parking decks.

PARKMOBILE TECHNOLOGY at ALL downtown parking meters! Pay by cell phone or mobile app. For more info and to register go to www.parkmobile.com

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

November 26 Downtown Birmingham Come tackle your holiday shopping and support local small businesses. Enjoy valet parking, strolling entertainment, carriage rides, and other fun treats.

BIRMINGHAM WINTER MARKT

Friday, December 2-Sunday, December 4 Enjoy a charming old-world style market featuring local artisans, holiday decorations, home accessories, children’s activities, live entertainment, plus traditional German food and drink! For details and event hours, go to www.BirminghamWinterMarkt.org

CARRIAGE RIDES

Select dates November 23 - December 24, also during Tree Lighting, Small Business Saturday and Winter Markt. Carriages load at the corner of Henrietta & Merrill.

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DOWNTOWN

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Although heroin use is nothing new, synthetic opioids are appearing in toxicology tests at potency levels rarely, if ever, seen before.

Fentanyl, a short-acting synthetic opioid that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is 80 times as potent as morphine, is ordinarily used in hospitals for anesthesia, or by physicians to treat chronic pain. But illicit fentanyl is being produced in clandestine laboratories and mixed with or substituted for heroin and sold to addicts who don't know any differently. It is packaged in pills disguised as other less potent opioids, and cut with other drugs, such as cocaine. When taken other than as prescribed, fentanyl can suppress breathing up to the point of death.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), at least 12 different analogs of fentanyl – substances with a similar chemical structure to fentanyl – have been identified in the U.S. drug traffic industry. Similar drugs that have shown up recently include U47700, U50488, both opioid powders, furanyl fentanyl, and carfentanil – which is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and typically administered by veterinarians to tranquilize large animals such as elephants.

“The (testing) labs are being overwhelmed.

They’re seeing what they call designer opioids,” said Cindi Arfken, professor at Wayne State University in the department of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences.

“Most of the opioids being seized are testing for fentanyl, (but) very few are (identified as) carfentanil.” Part of the problem in accurately identifying which opioid is in a substance is simply the logistics of conducting tests for substances not usually seen by medical examiners. But despite the challenges with testing, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services declared in October that in the four months prior there had been 19 overdose deaths in Wayne County presumed to be linked to carfentanil.

Facing a growing danger, many law enforcement officers are instructed to err on the side of caution when approaching the scene of an overdose, as coming into contact with a trace amount of carfentanil can send a person into hypoxia, a state of labored breathing consistent with drug overdose.

“In the drug diversion training last week, we learned about fentanyl and safety for officers,” said Noel Clason, detective with Bloomfield Hills Public Safety. “Our officers aren’t allowed to touch (carfentanil) because a tiny expose could pose serious risk to officers.

If you suspect that it could be, we treat it as it is, like a hazard… We won’t do a field test, we’ll send it to Oakland County or Michigan State Police. There’s no way in powder form to tell (the difference). But we can expect that if someone is taking more than one dose of

Narcan to revive them, we will treat it as fentanyl,” referring to the popular brand of the opioid antagonist drug, naloxone hydrochloride, which can revive a user from an overdose.

What the antidote does is essentially wipe clear the Mu receptors in the brain dangerously inundated with opioids, and naloxone can bring heroin users back from the brink of death. Administered intravenously by paramedics for decades, Michigan Act 462 of 2014 granted police officers the authority to administer naloxone via nasal spray to suspected overdose victims.

The bill took effect in January of 2015, and requires officers to undergo training.

“Each officer was trained in it about five months ago, and each officer has (naloxone) with them,” said detective John Weise of the Bloomfield Township Police Department. “It’s a pretty simple thing to use. There are no risks, even if someone is not overdosing. If you put it in your nose right now it would do absolutely nothing to you. We don’t see a lot of heroin in Bloomfield. It will show up here and there, but is not an epidemic in our town.

There’s a lot more prescription drugs.”

From 2010 to the present, annual heroin

Although heroin use is nothing new, synthetic opioids are appearing in toxicology tests at potency levels rarely, if ever, seen before. arrests in Bloomfield Township ranged from two to five, with drug overdoses primarily due to prescription drugs peaking at eight in 2015.

However, the police department data does not account for the number of runs made by emergency medical services in response to calls for overdose emergencies.

This year in Birmingham so far, the police department made three arrests for heroin possession, said detective Scott Grewe. Twice, the police were dispatched in response to a possible overdose of a 23-year-old Birmingham man. The other arrest was made in August, after police were dispatched to the corner of Maple Road and Woodward Avenue in response to a 37-year-old Royal Oak man.

“We got a call for an unresponsive male, and after we investigated we believed he possibly overdosed on heroin,” said Grewe. “He had a pill vial on him, with some pills prescribed to him, and told the officer that he snorted heroin.”

The Birmingham Fire Department had an additional two cases they responded to this year that were confirmed as heroin overdoses, said Grewe. However, because of the availability of the opioid antagonist naloxone,

not all heroin overdoses result in death.

Bloomfield Hills' Clason said “We’ve had Narcan rolled out for about two years, but haven’t used it yet. We had two (situations) when we could have, but we contract with an ambulance service, Star (Ambulance), and they were able to administer it and revive the person that was going through the overdose.

One of them was a repeat customer, a frequent flyer.”

After Bouchard took an active role in getting the law passed to allow police to administer naloxone, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office was the first major agency in the state to deploy the naloxone program, he said. It launched in March of 2015, after deputies were trained in surveying the scene, identifying key physical symptoms of an opioid, and educated on the reality that some users become fearful and potentially violent when they find themselves suddenly conscious with an officer standing by.

Since its inception, deputies with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office have administered Narcan 42 times, and saved the lives of 41, confirmed Megan Noland, state and federal coordinator for the agency. Nearly 60 percent, or 25 of the 42 times that the deputies administered Narcan, took place in Pontiac, where the program was first rolled out. The remainder were scattered through other municipalities served by the sheriff’s office, including once in Rochester Hills.

“I’m still working on getting all of my people trained,” said Michael Johnson, commander at the Rochester Hills substation.

“Unfortunately, we’re getting a small amount of Narcan in, and it’s great for first responders. They’ve been using Narcan at the (Rochester Hills) fire department for a while.”

In October, the Rochester Police Department began training and implementing the use of the naloxone, which was provided to the department though a grant. “Heroin is present, it comes up in reports such as ‘heroin was suspected,’ or ‘the person is a known heroin user.’ It’s something we’re coming across in a variety of different ways. It’s in the community and it does have an impact,” said Steve Schettenhelm, chief of police in Rochester, who cited two young residents who died of heroin overdoses in the last two years – a 21-year-old man who died in 2015, and a 26-year-old woman who died in February of this year.

“With some of these (cases), there’s a combination of things on board, but those were clearly heroin,” said Schettenhelm, who responded to the apartment on Terry Avenue, northeast of Main Street and Romeo Road, in the February overdose.

“There were a number of needles in a trash can there, so it appeared that they had been using for some time.

“What was so tragic in most cases, is the age of the victims. They have their entire life

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ahead of them, and because of bad choices they’re making, they find their life ended when it should be at the best years of their life. When fathers and mothers should be planning for weddings and births of grandchildren, they find themselves planning for funerals.”

Schettenhelm also recalled a time when someone was found overdosing as they attempted to drive out of the Rochester Hills Public Library parking lot. “These things can happen anywhere,” he noted.

The prevalence of deaths resulting from heroin overdoses have skyrocketed across the U.S. since the late 1990s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported less than 2,000 deaths by heroin nationwide in 1999, compared to a five-fold increase in 2014 of over 10,500 deaths. The majority of that jump has occurred in just the last five or six years. However, proving that the substance responsible for a person’s death was an opiate, derived from the seedpod of the poppy plant, versus an opioid, a synthetic substance that has the same effect, makes statistical analysis of trends regarding heroin and opioids somewhat tenuous because it is often difficult to determine what has caused the death. And to confound the opiate problem, the CDC reported a nationwide four-fold increase from 1999 to 2014 of deaths caused by opioid pain relievers, for a total of nearly 19,000 in 2014.

Although many people turn to heroin after first being introduced to pain pills such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, or other opioids, some users initially seek out heroin.

Synthesized from morphine, which is found in the sap of the seedpod of the opium poppy plant, heroin is typically sold as a powder or sticky substance that can be injected intravenously, smoked or snorted. As it enters the brain, heroin is converted back to morphine, which is chemically structured like endorphins, the euphoric chemicals that are released through exercise and other pleasurable situations. A relatively cheap street drug, heroin makes addicts out of an estimated 23 percent of people who try it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

“It’s not a drug that takes a long time to become addicted to. It happens very quickly, and a lot of times it comes through these relationships where it’s supplied or given to them,” said Kent Runyon, vice president of communications at Novus Medical Detox in Florida. “There’s dealers out there who give free samples. For a drug dealer it’s part of the game. If I hand out samples and you become addicted, you become a customer.”

A similar exchange can happen between teenage friends.

“As far as what we’re finding, and this is even shocking to me, is that high schoolers,

the 18 to 25 range, the first thing they've tried instead of alcohol or marijuana is opiates,” said Dr. Elizabeth Bulat, service chief of addiction medicine at Henry Ford Maplegrove Center, located in West Bloomfield. “I meet a lot of people in their late teens, and some said their first drug was heroin, or cocaine. This is much different than the ‘gateway’ thinking (of) people trying a wine cooler or whatever.”

Experimenting together, they sometimes have “pill parties,” for lack of a better term, said Bulat.

“They get a basket and take whatever they can from their parents’ drawers and pass around the adults’ pills. That’s why any nerve or anxiety medications need to be locked up, because if they’re not locked up, even if your child isn’t taking them, a friend could find it. People know what’s available.

Younger people are abusing opioids so I think people know what opioids are, and know what to use to get high – the norcos, the hydrocodones. It’s becoming more prominent,” said Bulat, noting that the most effective way to beat addiction is to prevent it from taking ahold of the person in the first

The CDC reported less than 2,000 deaths by heroin nationwide in 1999, compared to a five-fold increase in 2014 of over 10,500 deaths place.

In an effort to thwart heroin and other drug use, Oakland County officials, including Sheriff Bouchard and Prosecutor Jessica Cooper, visit local schools to discuss the legal, emotional and physical suffering heroin users may face, including the likelihood of death.

“I tell them how deadly it is, and tell them some stories from the community, and try to make them relate to the facts of this epidemic,” said Bouchard. “My daughter, who’s not very old, knows three girls that she played soccer with that are dead from drug overdoses.”

According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, more than a quarter of all Michigan drug poisoning deaths in 2013 were related to heroin use, with men accounting for a large portion of those deaths, as men are three times more likely to die of heroin and prescription drug overdoes than women. From 2004 to 2013, there was a nearly ten-fold increase of heroin-related mortality for people aged 21 to 34 years, with the second most common age group to die from heroin between the ages of 35 and 54.

Oakland County data from the Michigan Resident Death Files, published by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, indicated that unintentional deaths due to poisoning, which include exposure to noxious substances such as drugs, jumped from just 13 in 2003, to 45 in 2014. Nearly half of those who died in 2014 were between the ages of 25 to 44, and 26 percent were between the ages of 45 and 64.

“When you’re looking at use, you can see the progression,” said Lisa McKay-Chaisson, administrator with the Oakland County Health Department. “Using increased, and overdose deaths from it (increased, as well).”

But, said McKay-Chaisson, “It’s not just a heroin problem. Forty-five percent of heroin users also use prescription drugs. The biggest risk factor for being a heroin user is prescription drug use. (Nationally), threequarters of new heroin users report they abused prescription opioids prior to using heroin. Heroin is much cheaper and easier to attain… If you can stop the prescription misuse, or the non-medical use, you will help to reduce the heroin use and overdose risk.”

Officials at local, state and national levels continue to take action to fight against the growing issue and increase awareness, including President Barack Obama, who declared the first Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week in September, and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who created the bi-partisan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force in June of 2015.

Chaired by Lt. Governor Brian Calley, the task force was charged with reviewing trends, evaluating strategic options aimed at addressing the issue, and making recommendations for policy and regulation changes.

“Two areas that have moved forward address two different sides of the scope of the issue were trying to deal with,” said Calley, mentioning the areas of prevention and overdose treatment.

“We’ve taken steps to improve the Good Samaritan exception for people that report to 911 when a person is experiencing overdose, without fear of getting prosecuted (for drugrelated charges),” Calley said.

Expanding on a 2015 law that initiated criminal exemptions for people aged 21 and under who call police for help with an overdose, the new law was signed by Snyder in October, and provides exemptions for anyone in the situation, regardless of age.

“While we made a lot of good headway in terms of first responders and police, and even some schools that keep naloxone on site to be used to save people,” said Calley.

“What I want to have is a system where people can have, family members can have, access to naloxone even when they have a

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family member who hasn’t gotten to the point of seeking treatment.”

Public Act 311, which went into effect in October of 2014, allows a prescriber to issue a prescription for naloxone to an individual at risk of opioid overdose; to a family member of a person at risk; or to a person who is in position to assist a person at risk; according to Laura Biehl, senior communications advisor in the executive office.

Although one dose of naloxone is intended to stabilize a person who perhaps started to turn blue from lack of oxygen, it’s not uncommon for two, three, or even four doses of naloxone to be required for revival. As more and more heroin is laced with extremely potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl, taking a hit is like playing Russian roulette, where the user can’t predict the outcome.

“You don’t have a heroin dealer saying, ‘This is so many milligrams potency, and given your body weight, I would only suggest you take this much to achieve this type of high,’” said Paul Walton, chief assistant to Oakland County prosecutor Cooper. “You have no idea what they put in there, no idea of the purity, no idea if it’s being cut with something else. The analogy the prosecutor gives students is, ‘Would you walk down the street and find a sandwich, pick it up and eat it? But you’re going to walk down the street and find some person and trust them to put something in your blood system?’”

Although the illicit fentanyl that’s being mixed with heroin is reportedly coming from clandestine labs outside of the U.S., prescription fentanyl appears to be increasing, as well. According to data from the Michigan Automated Prescription System, a drug monitoring system, the number of fentanyl prescriptions increased by 137 percent from 2012 to 2013, jumping from slightly over 2 million in 2012, to 4.87 million in 2013. “(Fentanyl) is being found on the street. We’re finding that unfortunately it's in the drug dealers hands, just like they get hydrocodone or OxyContin,” said Bulat, of Maplegrove Center. “We’re seeing that in conjunction with heroin and street drugs. “Fentanyl-laced heroin is obviously a crisis for overdoses, but people are at risk of abusing prescription medications, and that one, (fentanyl), is also a prescription medicine. Usually things with a short-acting (effect) have a higher abuse potential. Fentanyl, if it’s in patch form, it’s more long-acting, but people can divert that – take it not as prescribed or mix it with other narcotics.”

Opioid use, heroin or otherwise, can get very expensive, very quickly.

Eric Noll, chief probation officer at 51-1 District Court in Novi, said once the addiction gets ahold of the individual, the habit can run between $100 or $200 a day.

“Once they’re in full-blown addiction and using everyday, they can be extremely cunning, very resourceful,” said Noll, formerly the drug court’s probation officer. “They find a way to get that money, and most of the time it comes down to stealing.”

Wealth, in this case, can be a curse said Runyon of Novus Detox Center, which has a spa-like atmosphere that’s treated professional athletes and their wives, lawyers, and other successful members of society.

Far from being confined to high-crime areas, heroin use continues to turn up in bucolic suburbs with good schools, tailored lawns and involved parents.

While the neighborhoods where users live may differ, the scene of a heroin overdose appears shockingly predictable.

“I didn’t know the suburbs were hit so bad as well, but my first month out there (in Orion Township), we had a Narcan save,” said sergeant Darrin Zehnphfennig, who has been with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office since 2004. “His mom found him. It's always a loved one. Usually there’s very shallow breathing, sometimes gurgling noises that sound almost like they’re choking on snot or vomit.

“Sometimes, they don’t fall out right away (after taking heroin). They may cook it in one room, shoot it in another, and then make it to the bathroom.

But there’s always a needle somewhere that I’ve seen.”

Zehnphfennig has personally administered naloxone three times, including once to a 28-year-old Lake Orion man found in a Kroger bathroom at 11 p.m. in August.

“Typically, the fire department beats us there, but in this (case), my partner was the first on scene and found him, unconscious. He dug his body out of the stall, (and we) saw narcotic paraphernalia around him,” said Zehnphfennig.

“I administered one dose, one milligram of Narcan. Then when EMS arrived, they pushed two more doses. Then he began shallow breathing. He was transported to McLaren Hospital in Pontiac.”

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SCHOOL FUNDING DISPARITIES IN A POST-PROP A WORLD

BY LISA BRODY he debate over which school districts have more money, and therefore, which students are better prepared for college and the world beyond, has been raging for decades. It was supposed to have been settled in 1994, when Michigan enacted new legislation to end the funding of local school districts completely from property tax revenues, instead transferring the funding to the state, through legislation called Proposal A, which set up a per pupil amount for both wealthier districts and poorer districts. The goal, over the last 22 years, was to erase the deficit between the two, creating greater equality in the state for all students.

That goal has largely been reached, with the difference in the per pupil amount, called the foundation formula, only a few hundred dollars a student apart, rather than thousands of dollars apart, as it was years ago. Yet, disparities in the quality of education continue to exist, including in some districts which receive higher per pupil amounts.

Why? The real culprit, education experts on all sides of the discussion concur, is enrollment and its decline, and the inability of districts to recover from that spiral.

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The goal of Proposal A, which took effect in 1994, was two-fold: to cut and cap local property tax burdens, and to gradually reduce the disparities in school funding between local districts across Michigan.

It also eliminated 64 percent, or $6.4 billion of the $10 billion of total K-12 school funding, beginning with the 1994-1995 school year.

Prior to the enactment of Proposal A, Michigan had a long history of leaving education in the hands of local communities, from funding to major decisions regarding curriculum. Schools in Michigan were completely funded by setting millage rates for property taxes, which provided most of the funding for local school districts. But by the early 1990s, taxpayers across the state were fed up with high taxes, and demanded property tax relief. Approximately a dozen ballot proposals to improve the system had failed over several years, and residents continued to be upset about high taxes, with school districts across the state having varied funding levels based on their communities' level of affluence and willingness to support education.

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nder Governor John Engler, the state legislature passed and Engler signed into law Proposal A in July 1993, which eliminated all property tax paid for schools, transferring control to the state. Voters followed up in March 1994 by approving the new system for funding schools, with 69 percent of voters approving, leading to three key changes. First, Proposal A eliminated using local property taxes as the source of school funding, creating a new state education tax. From that day forward, school districts received their funding as per pupil payments from the state.

Second, the state sales tax increased from four cents to six cents on the dollar. It was designed that the extra two cents would go to the school aid fund, which is the state budget for schools.

The last goal was to raise the state's lowest funded districts to receive a basic level of education funding, and in doing that, to close the gap between the highest and lowest funded districts. A new state education tax was created – six mills which is assessed on the state equalized value of all property. Non-homestead properties, which are businesses, rental properties and vacation properties, were now assessed an additional 18 mills to go to schools. When real estate is sold, a transfer tax of .075 percent on the sales price was created to add to the state school aid fund. Unlike previous property taxes, Proposal A capped by how much property tax can go up – at five percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

“Pre-Proposal A, school funding was largely a local investment, and for homeowners, it was mostly as must pain as they were willing to bear,” said Gary Naeyaert, executive director of Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP), a bi-partisan, non-profit advocacy organization supporting quality choices in public education supported by Michigan billionaire Dick DeVos. “K-12 education was 70 percent funded by locals, and 30 percent by the state, and in a state that has such a long history of home rule, that was considered logical and reasonable and normal for 150 years.

“Gov. Engler was not alone, but he led the charge on addressing this K-12 refunding, to get away from the heavy reliance on property taxes to fund education, when property taxes were going through the roof,” Naeyaert stated. “It was very threatening for seniors who were living on fixed incomes, and younger people, who couldn't move into communities. It led to a seismic shift in how we funded education.

Under the current scenario, local contributions are 20 percent, and the state contributions are 80 percent.”

“Now, local districts have very limited control over their operational budgets. The state has full control. Locals can't go to the voters for more money for operations. They do have complete control over money for capital improvements, for facilities, funding for the use of technology and building improvements,” said David Arsen, professor of educational administration at Michigan State University. “Michigan is one of the few states that does not provide for facilities. Proposal A left that out. But Proposal A shifted control from local communities

and school districts to the state, and there have been new actors involved in making the decisions. It led to a decrease in property taxes, and an increase, from four percent to six percent, in the sales tax.”

Districts can also hold millage elections for improvements to buildings, for technology and security, and other items that are not for operations of the district, such as salaries, transportation and pensions. Proposal A also shifted the burden of legacy costs, in the form of pensions and other benefits, to the local districts from the state, adding to the operational costs for local school districts.

Naeyaert said a primary problem at the time was the funding disparities between school districts across the state, which he said ranged at the time from $3,500 to $10,000 per pupil. “Several people felt it was unjust, immoral and not right,” he asserted.

“It's important to acknowledge there's been an attempt to decrease the funding gap between the highest and lowest funded districts,” said Craig Thiel, senior research associate for Citizens Research Council of Michigan in Lansing. “The policy that has been implemented has been to bring the bottom district up to narrow the gap. Most often, if there are extra funds (in the state budget), they have made a point to provide them to low-funded districts to narrow that gap. There are years where the increases (to all school districts) is equal, wherever you are on the spectrum, so there is no difference to the gap. Most recently, in the current year, the lowest funded districts got $120 extra per pupil – the grant went up by $120 – and those at the top went up by $60.”

Thiel explained that in an effort to narrow the funding gap, the original funding formula has been a two-times formula, where the districts at the bottom receive twice the amount than the districts at the top.

“In terms of revenue it narrowed the gap,” Arsen said. “Before, the gap was three to one. Proposal A has progressively narrowed that gap.

Now, 80 percent of Michigan students receive funding within $500 of each other.”

Originally, in 1994, the gap between rich and poor schools, and the foundation allowance – otherwise known as the per pupil amount – they received was $2,300. Currently, for the 2015-2016 school year, the gap is down to $718.

“The average base amount for most school districts is $7,391,” said state Rep. Mike McCready (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills), who is on the state House of Representatives Education Committee.

Included in that base are a majority of the state's public districts as well as all charter schools. Charter schools cannot levy additional millages.

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here are some districts – including Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham – which continue to receive significantly more funding. They are known as “hold harmless” districts. Hold harmless districts are wealthier districts that were allowed by law to levy additional millages to achieve their prescribed foundation allowance, to collect more money per pupil when Proposal A was set up, allowing them to offer programs not available in lesser funded districts, such as fine arts, sports and other enrichments.

“All districts complain about funding, because the cost of education is hotly debated,” McCready said, noting Birmingham and Bloomfield offer “costly programs like various arts programs and sports which are important to a child's exposure to the world market. They offer Mandarin. Where else do they get that? Our children are wellprepared by their education for what else is out there.”

Naeyaert said at the time Proposal A was set up, there were several districts investing more than other districts, “so they were grandfathered in to charge an operating millage above the $6,500 to continue at their level of funding. That's why the appearance is that Bloomfield Hills is getting $12,000. They're only getting the base

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amount from the state. The difference is made up from a local operating millage.”

For the current year, Birmingham receives $11,924 per student; Bloomfield Hills receives $12,004; Rochester, $8,076; Avondale, $8,169; Troy, $8,955; Southfield, $10,971; Royal Oak, $8,758; and Novi, $8,479.

They are all what are called “hold harmless” districts, which McCready said is at 56 districts across the state. Arsen noted that 85 percent of the state's hold harmless districts are in the Detroit suburbs. Notable exceptions are Ann Arbor Schools, E. Grand Rapids, and Harbor Springs.

“They (Harbor Springs) get a lot of money. They have a lot of tax revenue (from vacation homes) to work with, but they may have only 100 kids in a graduating class,” noted McCready. A few miles away, in Pellston, is a different story, without that expensive vacation home tax base.

While the gap between the highest and lowest funded districts has been narrowed, Arsen said it did nothing to shift the positioning of district. “Bloomfield Hills was at the top in 1994, and it still is. No one jumped the order. Those that were at the tail-end, they're always at the tail-end,” he said. “The only difference is the bottom was brought up. More than two-thirds of the lower-funded districts were brought up, if you're ranking just by revenues. Before 1994, districts weren't getting any money from the state. Now, everyone gets money from the state through foundation grants. And it's been that way for 22 years.

Most of the compression (between the gap) took place in the first decade. But all growth has slowed. And growth per pupil has not kept up with inflation. In the last 10 years, that has been true for all Michigan schools.”

David Crim, spokesperson for the Michigan Education Association, disagreed with the success of Michigan’s funding levels. “Michigan's commitment to education funding is inadequate. It is not a coincidence that the high academic performing districts are also the highest funded districts in the state. The study provides solid evidence that Michigan has failed to adequately fund public schools to achieve optimal student performance. The study determined that 'notably successful' districts should have at least an $8,667 per pupil foundation grant. A 'notably successful' district is defined in the study as one that meets above average performance standards. Currently, the lowest funded districts receive approximately $1,200 less per pupil. Like Garrison Keillor, we want all of our students to be above average, but we continue to shortchange them year after year. Each school year that goes by is another year Michigan students are shortchanged. We demand excellence from our teachers, we demand high achievement from our students, yet we fail to adequately fund our public schools to give those teachers and students a fair chance to achieve those goals.”

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rim continued, “Leaders in education reform often reference the success of the Massachusetts education system. From 1993 to 2000, K-12 education funding in Massachusetts nearly doubled, increasing from about $2.5 billion annually to nearly $5 billion. Well-constructed education reforms and an equitable fully funded education program as implemented in Massachusetts is a necessary component to reform and improve our educational system.”

Massachusetts has increased their per pupil funding significantly.

According to Massachusetts Department of Education, in 2014-2015, per pupil funding ranged from $11,504 to $27,569. “Newark and Washington DC spend $25,000 per pupil. Detroit is receiving $18,000 per child (actually, about $15,000). Inkster, Buena Vista – these insolvent schools were spending a lot per kid. There is absolutely no correlation between per pupil spending and achievement,” GLEP's Naeyaert said. “Money is important because you can't have teachers, staff, buildings, books, without it. But there is very mixed research about whether spending more correlates to any proficiency. We believe illiteracy is the problem. A district will hire more teachers because

that's what the unions want, and they lower class size, but they don't see better results. More important is how it's spent than how much is spent.”

Bruce Baker, professor at the graduate school of education at Rutgers University, who has studied Michigan school funding, disagrees.

“One recent major national studied found that infusions of funding to districts serving low-income children have substantive long term impacts. The Mackinac report (a 2015 report released by the Mackinac Center asserting little or no relationship between student achievement and marginal increases to already “high” levels of state spending) attempts to trivialize this study by asserting that the infusions of funding were helping only specific children and the effects relatively at very high cost,” Baker said. “Increasing per pupil spending by 10 percent in all 12 school age years increases the probability of high school graduation by seven percentage points for low income children, and by 2.5 percentage points for non-poor children.”

Baker then translated it into economic terms. “For children from low-income families, increasing per pupil spending by 10 percent in all 12 school age years boosts adult hourly wages by $2.07 in 2000 dollars, or by 13 percent.”

Thiel of Citizens Research Council agrees, “A 2015 student showed that for $1,000 added to the per pupil grant, the pass rate on the MEAP increased 1.5 percentage rate. The question is, why don't we target the money to the lowest performing districts. But adding that is $1 billion, and you just can't do that. But the proof is there. It's just a very expensive proposition.”

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aeyaert said there is a correlation between test scores and dollars spent on funding. “The state of the art research shows money does matter. It costs more to educate a poor child; it costs more to educate a special needs child. Money matters, and Michigan is one of the places that has underscored that. Now we know more from the research how to more effectively spend the money. This is important for the whole state. I think it's wonderful the children in Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, West Bloomfield have the opportunities they have. The opportunities should exist in other places too. They shouldn't have to move here. It should be available to every Michigan child,” he said.

According to Michael D. LaFaive and Jack McHugh of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank, Proposal A has achieved some of its goals and fallen short on others. “One unexpected outcome was to facilitate a robust school-of-choice system, which came about when a subsequent law freed children from a ZIP code-enforced school assignment, allowing them to attend a neighboring school district that has space,” they wrote in a report.

“Because under the new system money follows individual students to the district their parents choose, or to the charter public school, another subsequent innovation, school have (had) a sharp incentive to raise their game – if a student walks from his local district, the state foundation allowance goes with him or her.”

While many Michigan districts, such as Detroit, have seen higher per pupil allocations, what has stung them is a continuing statewide decline in enrollment.

“The big factor is enrollment, for the state as a whole. It's down, and that's good, so that money can be spread around. But for individual districts, it is a terrible thing, because it's attached to a student and it travels with the student – and they get less revenue,” MSU's Arsen pointed out. “The districts that are in tailspins, that are in collapse, are ones losing enrollment. Many suburbs are doing OK because they've held onto their enrollment.” But many, including affluent districts, are carefully watching their enrollment numbers, holding their breath with even the smallest dips.

Arsen points out that nowhere does the financial stress of Proposal A, with its emphasis on per pupil dollars, impact a district more than

Looking to build or remodel?

for Detroit Public Schools, where it faces hundreds of millions of dollars – up to half a billion dollars – of debt after decades of enrollment loss and six years of emergency management.

“It's the whole story of Detroit. They lost half of their enrollment, with half (of the students) going to charters and half leaving the city. That district imploded,” Arsen said. “They lost students so rapidly, on such a massive scale, they couldn't make cuts fast enough. That enrollment was tied to an equal drop in revenue.”

Citizens Research Council's Thiel concurs. “Equally important, or maybe even more important, is what is going on with enrollment. The foundation grant depends on enrollment. It's the foundation grant times enrollment that equals the operating budget. Even in years when the foundation grant goes up, if enrollment goes down, the total operating budget goes down.”

He said there are many forces beyond district controls, from the state's contraction, the Great Recession leading to a population decline.

“There are economic and demographic causes that are driving down the enrollment numbers on a statewide level,” he said. In addition, he said, the number of type of education providers, “specifically, school choice, the state policy to allow choice and to increase the number of choices, not just in charter schools and public schools, but between districts, has compounded the problem. In the last 20 years, we've made the ability to move between districts practically seamless, and with that, the dollars are completely portable. The dollars are tied to the kid. Concurrently, with that we've allowed new actors – charters, cybercharters, strict discipline academies – the number of these schools have expanded exponentially. The number of kids in the pie has been shrinking, and at the same time, the pie is being sliced into many more pieces.”

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rsen elaborates on how the problem compounds itself. “When a district loses enrollment and revenue, their costs don't decline by an equal amount. Declining enrollment districts, their administrations and their boards, they are facing choices about increasing class sizes, cutting services, or decreasing their fund balances – which puts them on the edge.”

It is not only poor city districts, like Detroit or Pontiac, facing these troubling choices. “Suburban districts are facing these choices across the state,” Arsen said. “Affluent districts as a whole can offset this by accepting non-resident students, so they're better positioned.”

Bloomfield Hills is an open enrollment district of choice, on some school years, while Birmingham and Rochester are not. The question in some closed districts, Arsen and others point out, is “do we really want these students? Will they lower our test scores?”

“Bloomfield Hills has a problem because they have an aging population, and younger families can't afford to move in,” Arsen said. “They also have access to terrific facilities. They can fund them at very low tax rates and they can use their sinking funds. It's a way to raise money locally to pay for infrastructure needs, and it takes the pressure off the operating budget.”

“The math is inescapable. Everyone's piece is getting smaller. The piece equates to the funding you receive,” Thiel said. “That's the real rub, the real challenge. Districts are dealing with real revenue declines of one to three percent each year, and you can never catch your breath, and never rightsize.”

He explained that student contractions in a district are spread across multiple classes and multiple buildings, “so just eliminating one teacher doesn't solve the problem. It takes a few years of three percent declines to drop a fifth grade class, or to close a building.”

“Proposal A occurred 20-some years ago, and we have to look where are now, and the gaps that still exist, how it's worked, and not worked. There are still huge disparities – just look at Detroit Schools. How do we break down debt service and legacy costs? It's all about the foundation allowance. The fact is, I think the system is still broken,” said Gilda Jacobs, president and CEO of Michigan League for Public Policy. “At the end, the conversation is all about the economic future of the state. We have to figure out how to get our graduates to have the education and the skills to get our state going. We have lost students. We need to properly educate our students, or they will not be able to provide the taxes to keep the economy going.

“It's an economic survival issue. The investments early will have a huge return on investment.”

Lynn Baker, REALTOR® Deby Gannes, REALTOR® 248.379.3000 LBaker@HallandHunter.com 248.379.3003 DGannes@HallandHunter.com NEW PRICE

DETROIT 1414 Wellesley | $540,000

BLOOMFIELD 4860 Wye Oak | $474,999

PALMER WOODS 1700 Lincolnshire | $750,000

Elegant, stately colonial in the premier Palmer Woods Extraordinary one-of-a-kind 3-story mansion on Picture-perfect ranch home on 1.05 acre lot with great neighborhood. Updated kitchen and all-seasons room. views of nature. Versatile floor plan offers spacious rooms close to an acre with formal/informal gardens and Finished lower level. Attached 3-car heated garage. throughout. Too many improvements & updates to list! sunken pond. Located in unique involved neighborhood.

4,389 SF | 6 BR | 3.2 Baths | MLS# 216070997 NEW LISTING

5,685 SF | 6 BR | 4.1 Baths | MLS# 216078923

2,611 SF | 3 BR | 3 Full Baths | MLS# 216090865

NEW PRICE

NEW PRICE

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 2505 Royal View | $899,900

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 32 Vaughan Ridge Road | $495,000

ROCHESTER HILLS 1970 Oak Pointe | $899,999

Private sanctuary on 3.3 acres in cul-de-sac location.

One-of-a-kind custom built “Up North” home designed

by Nick White of Petoskey & built by Vito Anthony.

City of Bloomfield Hills condo with walkout lower level.

Transitional style ranch has an open floor plan. Master suite with oversized walk-in closet and spacious bath.

Over an acre in a prestigious gated community. Open light-filled floor plan. Spacious 1st floor theater and master suite with patio access. Finished lower level.

4,484 SF | 4 BR | 4.1 Baths | MLS# 216098977

3,458 Total SF | 3 BR | 2.1 Baths | MLS# 216090463

5,583 SF | 5 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 216080280

SOLD IN A WEEK! ROCHESTER HILLS | 1385 Clear Creek | $789,900

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

LynnAndDeby.com

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP | 5156 Stonehenge |$779,000

No home too small, no home too large, we DO sell them all!

Lynn and Deby Hall & Hunter Realtors

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Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, MI 48009

Gillian Lazar, REALTOR® Denise Zuckerman, REALTOR® 248.613.3400 GLazar@HallandHunter.com 248.535.8226 DZuckerman@HallandHunter.com

BIRMINGHAM | 1794 Fairview Street | $552,500 The charm of Quarton Lake Estates is reflected in this beautiful and meticulous home remodeled in 2000. Lovely kitchen featuring 6-burner cooktop, double ovens, spacious island work space and ample storage. Cozy family room with custom built-in shelves, recessed lighting and sound system offers tranquil views of lush plantings within the private fenced backyard. Master suite addition includes expansive walk-in closet, spacious vanity area and enclosed tub. Waterproofed partially finished lower level has full bath and wealth of storage. New furnance and full-house generator. Dead-end street for privacy and a brief walk to new Holiday Market Select and Mills Pharmacy.

3 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths | 2,002 Square Feet | MLS# 216098416

BIRMINGHAM | 1561 S. Bates Street | $535,000 Walk to town from this charming home with covered front porch and eye-catching curb appeal. Enjoy a comfortable living room with an adjoining study that could be formal dining room. Newer granite kitchen. Completely renovated master suite includes heated bathroom floor, 6' Euro glass shower with Kohler dual rain shower heads and custom built walk-in closet. Second floor laundry with front-loading LG washer/dryer. New high-efficiency furnace, humidifier and instant hot water heater. New low-maintenance HardiePlank® siding on both house and garage. Fenced backyard with new sod plus all-new plantings in front. Close to shopping, schools and parks - a true gem!

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | 2,010 Square Feet | MLS# 216087557

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com

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Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Ginny Fisher REALTOR® 248.593.0518 GFisher@HallandHunter.com NEW PRICE

BIRMINGHAM | 887 Wimbleton | $825,000 Handsome landmark Tudor in charming Poppleton Park elegantly updated for today’s living! So many stylish details: paver stone walkways, hardwood floors plus original slate floors through foyer, dining room and kitchen. Beautiful family room addition with custom built-in cabinetry, tray ceiling detail, French doors and European-styled fireplace. Light-filled den/office with vaulted ceiling and built-in bookcases (currently used as art studio). Lovely formal living room showcases marble fireplace. Chef’s kitchen with granite. Spacious master suite has vaulted ceiling, new gorgeously renovated master bath and walk-in closet. Hall bath also fully renovated with Waterworks fixtures. Delightful walk-in linen room with custom built-ins could be little office! Lovely enhanced landscaping. Pristine and impeccable!

2,984 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 2.1 Baths | MLS# 216100520

SOLD

BLOOMFIELD HILLS 1772 Heron Ridge Drive | $1,599,000

BIRMINGHAM 1970 Northlawn Boulevard

WEST BLOOMFIELD 5928 Naneva Court | $387,500

Private, gated enclave on gorgeous ravine setting with serene views. Finished walkout lower level with possible 5th bedroom. 4-car garage.

Beautifully renovated home with panoramic views of Birmingham CC golf course! Updated chef’s kitchen & master with heated marble floors in bath. Finished LL.

Spacious, open 5 BR home on private cul-de-sac setting. Eat-in island kitchen. Great family room opens to paver patio. LL with 2 BRs. Birmingham schools.

7,385 Total SF | 4 BR | 4.2 Baths | MLS# 216023366

3,084 SF | 4 BR | 2.3 Baths | MLS# 216066840

3,071 SF | 5 BR | 3.1 Baths | MLS# 216062770

For more information, visit GinnyFIsherHomes.com

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Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Holly Geyer REALTOR® 248.506.7345 HGeyer@HallandHunter.com NEW LISTING

BIRMINGHAM 790 Lakeside Drive | $2,975,000

BLOOMFIELD 942 Bloomfield Knoll | $1,200,000

Masterfully crafted, custom-built residence with sweeping views of Quarton Lake, just a short stroll to downtown. Gourmet Bella Cucina kitchen, 5” plank walnut floors and luxurious finishes throughout. Master retreat features marble bath and private balcony. Amazing LL with theater room, bar, craft & wine rooms.

4 Bedrooms | 5.2 Baths | 4,454 Square Feet | MLS# 216093319

Highly upgraded original builder’s model with luxurious amenities and soaring ceilings throughout. Spacious 1st floor master with spa bath. Beautiful chef’s kitchen opens to deck and family room. Lower level features full kitchen, bath, fireplace, family room and game room. 4-car garage. Bloomfield Hills Schools.

4 Bedrooms | 4.1 Baths | 4,675 Square Feet | MLS# 216060604

BLOOMFIELD 2896 Meadowood Lane | $875,000

ROYAL OAK 7100 W. 5th Street, #509 | $359,000

Chestnut Run North gem with five spacious ensuite bedrooms. Updated island granite kitchen with breakfast area opens to family room with access to large fenced yard and covered patio with private pool. Finished daylight lower level with fireplace & full bath. Oversized 3-car garage. Bloomfield Hills schools.

5 Bedrooms | 5.2 Baths | 4,543 Square Feet | MLS# 216043755

Highly upgraded Sky Loft condo in the heart of downtown. This immaculate and upscale unit features a granite/stainless kitchen, upgraded baths, hardwood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Spacious master bedroom with balcony. Building features workout room, large storage units and 2 spots in underground garage.

2 Bedrooms | 2 Full Baths | 1,201 Square Feet | MLS# 216048491

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com

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Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Cheryl Riback Associate Broker, ABR, SRES 248.808.3112 CRiback@HallandHunter.com

LAKEFRONT

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | 1430 Inwoods Circle | $4,950,000 Nothing compares to this stately country French style custom-built home offering more than 13,000 square feet of living space on the highest point in coveted Kirk in the Hills.

Panoramic views of Lower Long Lake from all rooms. First-floor master with incredible marble master bath. Original chandelier from J.L. Hudson’s lobby, elevator to all 3 floors.

Cook’s kitchen with two islands, gathering room joins screened in porch opening to patio and terrace. Spectacular finished walkout lower level with fully equipped exercise room with spa steam room, theater room with stage & tiered seating, alabaster trimmed bar, wine cellar, huge chef’s kitchen and fabulous playroom.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 3 Half Baths | 13,884 Total Sq. Ft. | MLS# 216055097

LAKEFRONT

ORCHARD LAKE 3795 Indian Trail | $1,190,000

BLOOMFIELD 1485 Sodon Lake | $599,000

Lakefront home on almost an acre with views of Orchard Lake from every room! 100’ dock system with 10’ x 8’ platform. Expansive open & bright floor plan. Great room with high ceilings and lovely views. Master suite with separate makeup area and cedar closet. Two garages for 4 cars. Gorgeous lot!

Updated home with mid-century flair on a most magnificent lot short of an acre in Sodon Lake area. Spacious and meticulously maintained. Fantastic master suite with incredible walk-in closet, bath & sauna Jacuzzi. Granite kitchen. Finished lower level. Two garages. Bloomfield Hills schools.

3,742 SF | 4 BR | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216085037

3,524 SF | 4 BR | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 216093352

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com

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Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

Susan Hill REALTOR®, ABR, CNE 248.225.1399 SHill@HallandHunter.com

BIRMINGHAM | 639 N. Glenhurst | $799,000 Beautifully updated charmer nestled in the heart of Quarton Lake Estates. Wonderful amenities, including updated kitchen and baths, hardwood floors throughout, 1st floor laundry and mud room and sunny and spacious breakfast room. Basement has been completely finished and includes a home office, full bath, family room with custom built-ins and exercise area. Entertain outdoors in the beautifully landscaped private backyard with patio. Additional improvements include new windows, gutters, front door, hardware, furnace – this home has it all! Birmingham schools (Seaholm High School, Derby Middle School and walk to Quarton Elementary).

2,721 SF | 4 BR | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216088923

TROY 2818 Hylane | $338,000

BINGHAM FARMS 32475 Bingham Road | $479,900

Sprawling West Troy brick ranch on almost 3/4 acre. Enjoy a spacious open floor plan, beautiful deck and a large backyard cabana. Bright & sunny kitchen with granite counters, peninsula & glassed-in breakfast room. Troy schools.

Home on 2.86 acres in the heart of Bingham Farms is a great opportunity for extensive renovation or new construction. Secluded wooded lot in an area of million dollar homes. Birmingham schools. Also listed as vacant land.

2,470 SF | 3 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216080303

3,074 SF | 5 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216077373

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com

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Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500 Amy Zimmer, Associate Broker Tiffany Glime, REALTOR

Lynda Schrenk

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REALTOR

248.469.6430

248.760.6026

AZimmer@HallandHunter.com

LSchrenk@HallandHunter.com

248.930.5656 TGlime@HallandHunter.com

NEW PRICE

BEVERLY HILLS | $469,000 30077 Fox Run Drive | 30077FoxRun.epropertysites.com Stylishly updated Georgetown Green hilltop colonial in wooded setting. Stunning octagonal 4-season solarium. Renovated kitchen and informal dining area (2014) with granite peninsula. Master suite with remodeled and expanded limestone bath. 1st floor laundry.

2,750 SF | 4 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216071672

ALSO FOR LEASE

BIRMINGHAM 366 W. Brown Street, Unit #2 | $869,000

BIRMINGHAM | $319,000 or for lease: $1999/month 472 Bennaville Avenue | 472Bennaville.epropertysites.com

Completely renovated downtown condo boasts an open floor plan filled with sophisticated urban flair. Gourmet kitchen. Espresso wood floors and recessed lighting. Master bath with Carrera marble. Finished basement with wine room. New courtyard patio. 2-car garage.

Opportunity abounds in this fantastic bungalow walkable to downtown and right by YMCA. A great location to move right in, renovate or rebuild.

Spacious remodeled master suite offers additional square footage not reflected in listing ticket. 2-car garage with separate 240 volt meter.

3 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | 2,033 SF | MLS# 216067008

1,260 SF | 3 BR | 2 Full Baths | MLS# 216091972

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 速

Hall & Hunter Realtors | 442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI 48009

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FACES Julie Townsend irmingham native Julie Townsend was heading into her freshman year at Seaholm High School when she attended an academic summer program at Purdue University that was sponsored by NASA. Today, by no small coincidence, Townsend is part of a group of robotics engineers who are working on NASA's Mars rover program.

"I primarily focus on surface missions and mobility of the rover – how to get it to drive from place to place. How does it deploy and collect and store samples. To make sure it does, and not only how we do it, but that we do it effectively."

Townsend and others on her team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, send instructions for the rover to undertake. Townsend's focus is on the system engineering of the rovers, meaning her job is to figure out if the commands sent to the rover will work, and how exactly it will work.

"It's a very high stressed, high paced job," she said. "You show up in the morning and have about three or four hours to do a couple days of rover activity, and a couple of hours to validate them, and that's it," she said. "It's a race to completion, with accuracy and no mistakes."

Townsend joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in January of 2001, after earning her master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University. Prior to that, she received her undergraduate degree in the same field from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"With every mission we field, the boundary of what we understand and know how to do changes, but it's one of the things about NASA," she said. "It is our job to try to do the things that nobody knows yet how to do," she said. "We are pushing the boundary forward in every area."

While her family has traditionally followed careers in business – her grandfather, Lynn Townsend, was a former president of Chrysler Corporation – Julie Townsend knew from her teenage years that her future lay at NASA. "I had such a good experience in that two week course, it changed my outlook on what I wanted to do," Townsend said of the STEM program she attended at Purdue. "They took kids who scored well on the SATs as 7th and 8th graders, and invited them to take college-level courses for a couple of weeks. I knew by the time I started high school that I wanted to be an engineer and work for NASA. I designed my curriculum in high school around that."

While at Seaholm, Townsend was encouraged by their unique robotics program, which she coupled with advanced AP physics and calculus courses, and was often the only female in her classes. Even after graduating from high school in 1994, she said she was still one of the few women in the field. Supporting young girls in science and STEM programs is another mission Townsend supports. In 2012, she was a guest on an episode of Jim Henson's Sid The Science Kid, as well as a subsequent podcast where she discussed ways of supporting young girls in science.

"Throughout my career and in graduate college, females have been the minority in all the environments I work in," she said. "There is about parity at JPL in spacecraft, but in the technical field, women are still a minority."

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Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

MUNICIPAL 3 bistro applications moved to planners

City manager moving to Tennessee

By Lisa Brody

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham city commissioners finally got what they have been wanting in the form of bistro applications for underutilized areas of the city, including for the Rail District, and at their meeting on Monday, October 10, rewarded the three applicants by moving all applications on to the planning board, although only two can be approved in a single year.

The three applicants were for Adachi, an Asian bistro in the Peabody mansion, at 325 S. Old Woodward at the corner of Brown Street; Lincoln Yard, an all-American restaurant located at 2159 E. Lincoln in the city's Rail District, in the Birmingham Schools' former bus garage; and inside Whole Foods Market, under construction in the 2100 block of E. Maple.

Per the city's ordinance, which was created in 2007, only two bistro applications can be approved each calendar year. The bistro ordinance was developed as an economic development tool to invigorate the downtown streets, create walkability and vitality, and to enhance the retail component of the city.

City planning director Jana Ecker noted that for this presentation, each applicant submitted up to a five-page summary, and could give up to a fiveminute presentation, without a power point presentation. If it moves on to the planning board, applicants must develop full site plan proposals. She said that often the planning board doesn't choose between applicants.

“Generally, they just review it to see if it meets the criteria and qualifications.

We haven't had more than two sent on to planning before.”

Adachi was submitted by Kenny Koza, with 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including owning 11 hotels, five full service restaurants, and three fast casual restaurants; Brian Friedman, a real estate developer and hotel owner in Washington D.C.; and Michael Schlow, executive chef, a winner of numerous awards. Koza told the commission, “We've been debating between Birmingham and Detroit, and coming across this mansion, the Peabody mansion, and what we can do with it and landscaping. Currently, it lacks energy.”

He said he sees similarity to the downtownpublications.com

loomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens told city commissioners in a special public meeting on Wednesday, September 28, that he was resigning his position for one with the town of Collierville, Tennessee, in order to move closer to his daughter and granddaughter.

“I have one child, and I miss her so much,” Cravens said, noting he will be only about 15 minutes away from her and his granddaughter and son-in-law after he moves.

Collierville is a suburb of Memphis, and according to the 2010 U.S. Census, has a population of about 44,000 people. Cravens said he will be the director of development for the town, overseeing the planning and building departments. “It's a very good, challenging job, and my degree is in planning and developing communities. It's an affluent and growing community.”

Cravens has been with the city of Bloomfield Hills for almost 10 years.

He was appointed city manager in April 2007. Cravens was previously township manager for Cascade Charter Township, near Grand Rapids, for 11 years, and planning director for Cascade for about nine years before becoming manager.

“The city of Bloomfield Hills is a unique and wonderful community to work for and I have had the honor of working with an excellent staff.

While I will miss the area, I am looking forward to spending more time with my granddaughter,” he said.

“We thank Jay for his leadership over the past 10 years and all he has done for the city. We wish him the best in his new assignment,” said mayor pro tem Mike Coakley.

“I think this is a good move for Jay, especially after 10 years, to be close to his daughter and granddaughter,” said commissioner Sarah McClure. “We wish him well. He has served the city of Bloomfield Hills well.”

Director of Public Safety David Hendrickson was appointed interim city manager by the commission while a search for a new city manager is conducted.

“I offered,” Hendrickson said, who celebrated his third anniversary with Bloomfield Hills in June. “I thought it was the least disruptive for all the employees at this time. I have a great relationship with all of the commissioners, and I've worked closely over the years with Jay on a lot of projects, and I understand the city and office. I'm dedicated and devoted to the city.”

McClure said, “We have a great administrative team. Public safety is 40 percent of our budget, and a majority of our employees.”

The commission voted to procure a municipal search firm, with city clerk Amy Burton appointed to oversee the executive search for a permanent replacement.

“I would expect it to take several months, especially with the holidays in there,” McClure said. She noted the commission is committed to hiring an outside search firm.

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Whitney Restaurant in Detroit. He envisions a high end but familyfriendly, casual Asian bistro.“We want to appeal to the masses. We don't want to be a white tablecloth restaurant.

From dining in Birmingham, a lot of these restaurants don't even target families. I see high-end cuisine that changes seasonally,” he said of the menu, the sample of which includes elaborate sushi rolls, miso bronzed black cod with seasonal vegetables, grilled lamb chops with ichimi glaze,

and spicy braised short ribs, plum wine reduction, and wasabi cauliflower puree.

He described outdoor seating in front of the mansion amidst a garden that would mimic what he saw in Japan as a student living abroad.. “I want it to become an iconic part of Birmingham and drive business to the south end of Birmingham,” Koza said.

He explained that Schlow, based in Boston and working in Washington D.C., would be an executive chef. “He

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will create the menu, then visit every other month,” Koza said. “Because I have five restaurants, 50 percent of the staff will come from my other restaurants. We try to promote from within.”

Commissioner Mark Nickita asked if he will maintain the historical elements of the building, and Koza responded, “Yes, we'll just dress it up.”

Lincoln Yard, located at 2159 E. Lincoln, owned by Curt Catallo and Anne Stephenson, are experienced restaurateurs, Catallo explained to the commission, also owning the Clarkston Union, Union Woodshop, Vinsetta Garage and Fenton Fire Hall, among others.

“It kind of came to us organically, which is what has happened to us since 1995, when my father showed us this former church in Clarkston, which is now the Clarkston Union.” The former bus garage in Birmingham came to us via Armstrong White, an advertising agency Catallo works with “in my other life.”

“It's an interesting repurposing,” he noted. “It draws us to the Rail District to repurpose, to active this structure in a very purposeful way.”

Catallo said of the location, once Birmingham Public Schools' bus garage, “I once was skateboarding on these steps, and now I take my son to the skateboard park. It serves the neighborhood first and foremost. You can walk through the open garage doors and grab something,” from the menu that will feature organic American breakfasts, coffee, smoothies, lunches, and dinners in a warm, airy and rustic setting.

“I have been to several of your restaurants, and they are very successful and busy and noisy. It is very close to a neighborhood. How do you feel it would fit in?” asked mayor Rackeline Hoff.

“Very well,” responded Catallo. “The only one we've had an issue with is in Berkley, and it is only parking. Here, there is ample parking, compliance, and opportunity. We think a lot of people who would use Lincoln Yard will be dropping kids at hockey practice or watching them at the skate park, or working nearby. We believe we already have a market.”

He said they have a conceptual agreement to share parking with Armstrong White.

Brian Talasky, a store team leader for Whole Foods, told commissioners that about a decade ago they began adding bistros as part of their stores, 75

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MDOT agrees to study I-75 noise issue

By Lisa Brody

with “rotating taps and a wine list, offering food for customers and meet the brewer events.” He said they currently have bistros in six Michigan locations, including both Ann Arbor stores, West Bloomfield, Midtown Detroit and Rochester. They serve beer and wine and no hard alcohol.

Early in the meeting, a question about zoning came about, with a question as to whether Whole Foods is in the Rail District, and if it is permitted to have a bistro license.

Ecker said the downtown area has defined boundaries, as does the Triangle District, “but in the Rail District there isn't a defined boundary.

The applicant has submitted an application to get the boundaries defined. One of the accessory uses to a grocery store is it allows the sale of food and beverages.”

It was determined that its zoning is B2-2, which is usually permitted in the Triangle District, so the zoning needs to be changed to permit the bistro.

Some commissioners felt that since Whole Foods will not likely open until fall 2017, they would prefer to have Adachi and Lincoln Yard move forward in the planning process, with Whole Foods coming back in the future once the zoning was resolved and the building was closer to completion.

However, it was finally determined that all three could move on to the planning board for further review before coming back to the commission for final approval.

“All three are really good, strong applicants,” Nickita said. “When we crafted the ordinance, one of the goals was to activate the streets, to animate the area. The Whole Foods is a supplemental use. That will activate the area with or without the bistro. It will be a great asset, but it is very different than activating a dead corner in our downtown, or a dead area on Lincoln. This (the Peabody mansion) is not in the center. This is not a good place for retail. It's been an office for a long time, and it hasn't done a lot for that corner in terms of activation.”

Commissioners voted unanimously to send first Lincoln Yard, then Adachi, and third Whole Foods, to the planning board for further review.

Sanders closes up shop in Birmingham It's the end of a chocolate era, all over again.

The Birmingham Sanders store, located at 167 N. Old Woodward in

downtown Birmingham, closed on Friday, October 7, after its lease expired in early October.

At one time, Sanders was a Birmingham, and metro Detroit, mainstay. Its original Birmingham location was at 250 N. Old Woodward, right next to Crowley's. Old timers will remember sliding up to the counter to enjoy not only hot fudge cream puffs, but egg salad and tuna fish salad sandwiches. There was also a Bloomfield Sanders at Maple and Telegraph roads.

Originally opened in 1875 in downtown Detroit by Fred Sanders, at its peak Sanders had approximately 60 stores around the region. However, in 1981, Sanders, still a family-owned confectioner, filed for bankruptcy, and by the late 1980s, its stores and lunch counters became history. In 2002, it was sold to the Morley Candy Company.

Under Morley, Sanders gained new life, and a new Sanders store was opened near the Birmingham Kroger in 2006. In 2011, it made the move to the central downtown area of Birmingham.

Sanders and Morley Candy president and CEO Brian Jefferson said in a statement that “We like the Birmingham area and will certainly miss those people who visit this particular store on a regular basis.

However, we must continue to focus on offering our customers the best experience possible. There are certain issues with this location that prevented us from accomplishing that goal.”

A spokesperson said parking in Birmingham was the reason they were leaving, although Birmingham officials have said there is currently greater availability of parking, including a valet service right across the street.

Mad Hatter Bistro changes owners The RAM Restaurant Group, which operates four restaurants in Detroit, had a proposed transfer of ownership of the Mad Hatter Bistro approved by the Birmingham City Commission on Monday, October 10, along with its bistro liquor license.

The Mad Hatter Bistro, located at 185 N. Old Woodward, was opened in 2014, and received a Birmingham bistro license in 2014. Mad Hatter serves lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, along with weekend brunch.

loomfield Township residents impacted by the increased noise from I75 after Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) cleared acres of mature trees received some good news from state Rep. Mike McCready (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills) at the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, October 10, as he informed trustees that MDOT has agreed to conduct sound studies in spring 2017, and then again in fall 2018.

McCready said that on Tuesday, October 4, he, township supervisor Leo Savoie, clerk Jan Roncelli, trustee Brian Kepes and county commissioner Shelley Taub (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills), had a conference call with individuals at MDOT, and “we expressed the concern we've had from all the neighborhoods about the tree trimming. The conversation went pretty well, but I'm waiting for a follow up in writing.”

He said that MDOT understood the communities' concerns “and they have agreed to do a sound study in April or May of 2017 – an actual sound study, not information, but actually put out the devices to record the levels of sound and how they've changed, which I took as positive. They've agreed to work with township officials on the timing and placement of those.”

In July, a long planned reconstruction and widening of a three-mile stretch of I-75 freeway in Bloomfield Township, Auburn Hills and Troy. "The project, between South Boulevard and Coolidge Road, will fix the poor pavement condition and is the first segment of an overall plan to rebuild more than 17 miles of I-75 between South Boulevard and M-102 (8 Mile Road) in Oakland County," a news release from the Michigan Department of Transportation said. The project, to cost $1 billion, is planned to be done in eight phases over 14 years, and will not be completed until 2030.

At issue is increased noise over the years for adjacent neighborhoods and condominium developments in the I-75 corridor that have increased since MDOT recently cleared acres of mature trees – a project MDOT referred to as “vegetation clearing,” which residents believed provided a noise buffer to traffic. Several adjacent communities had submitted resolutions to the board for approval requesting a noise abatement wall to be built by MDOT, noting their “quality of life has been impacted.”

At an August 22 board meeting, Savoie said, “There are actually seven separate neighborhoods impacted by the I-75 construction, totally 1,040 homes. There are also nine different condominium associations impacted, with 1,600 residential units, for a total of 2,638 residential units. The total residents impacted is roughly greater than 6,500 residents. Instead, I thought it would be best to look at it in its totality and its impact.”

“In 2014, we registered at 65 decibels (prior to the removal of the foliage). At 66 decibels, we could go to the federal government (for funds), and I find that unusual,” McCready said. “They don't consider the foliage a noise reducer, so they take it out, which is 30 to 40 years worth of foliate, which is Mother Nature's way of helping reduce noise, and they take it out because they don't want it to affect the computer model they have created.

To my opinion, this lends bias to the decibel level. Forty years of Mother Nature creating a barrier, and when you take it out to meet your numbers for your model, and you to take them out and you create this burden upon your residents.”

McCready said he was pleased that after pushing them at this recent meeting, they also agreed to do a followup study, likely in November 2018, in the same manner as the study in April or May 2017. “The only real sound studies were in 2014, so I was happy with what they told us. It doesn't fix the problem, but it's a starting point, to find out what the decibel level is, to find out if we can go back to the federal government and get sound walls, which led us to the next conversation, about how they would be paid for.”

McCready said MDOT came up with three or four ideas if the sound studies fit the criteria of needing sound walls. “The first would be if it fit into the criteria and sending it to the federal government,” he said. “The second, is look to the state for funding from the general fund or MDOT, to put in sound walls as needed, or turn to the township for financial assistance, or through a special assessment district for sound walls.

McCready acknowledged it's a slow process and it won't be solved by next year, “but at least they're working with us.”

Although no residents in the audience spoke, they all applauded him when he finished.

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In its ownership transfer application, RAM stated they intend to leave the bistro's menu the same, at least in the beginning. The restaurant is known for it's whimsical Alice in Wonderland décor and theme.

In addition to its intimate restaurant space and popular outdoor dining platform, the restaurant has a lower level private room for parties.

RAM, owned by brothers Randy and Andrew Dickow, also successfully operate Calexico, a Mexican restaurant in One Campus Martius, Lunchtime Global, Freshii, and the Sweet Lorraine's Fabulous Mac n' Cheese in the Renaissance Center.

At the commission meeting, planning director Jana Ecker said the owners, Raad and Eileen Sako, “wish to sell it to the RAM Restaurant Group. They are selling all the assets.

This is pretty straightforward. There are no changes to the name, food or layout.”

Mayor Rackeline Hoff asked if there had been any problems with the restaurant in the past, and the police

responded that there had been none.

Commissioner Mark Nickita noted that transfer of ownership of bistros had happened a few times in the last several years.

Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the ownership and liquor license transfers.

Bloomfield considers refinancing bonds At the Bloomfield Township board of trustees meeting on Monday, September 26, trustee Brian Kepes made a presentation to the board about the possibility of refinancing the township's campus bonds and water and sewer bonds, both of which mature May 1, 2018, in an effort to save the township significant money.

Kepes is running unopposed for the position of township treasurer in the November general election.

He explained that for the UTGO Series 2007 Township Campus Bonds, worth $21.8 million, the township would benefit from a savings of $2

million; for the LTGO 2008 A Water Bonds and the 2008 B Sewer Bonds, the township would realize between $400,000 and $500,000 by refinancing.

“It's whether or not you want to proceed. The industry standard (for bonds) right now is 10 years, which these were also,” said Robert Bedvinski of Bedvinski and Associates, the township financial advisor for bond sales. “Interest rates are extremely low right now, and many are concerned the Fed will raise them; many of us are concerned about the election and what it could do to interest rates. This would allow you to refinance these bonds. You would need to take care of it in 60 to 90 days, before the end of the year.”

He explained there is two ways to proceed; one, is to advertise and sell the bonds to the lowest bidder. “This is how you did these before, and is the most common way to do a bond sale. Major bond counsels prefer to do it this way,” Bedvinski said.

He explained that after the sale, the proceeds would go into escrow,

and on May 1, 2018, the township would pay off the bonds and keep the balance.

He said Fifth Third Bank had approached the township to continue their relationship, as they did the township's pension bond sale. “That is our recommendation,” he said. He explained that big firms like JP Morgan “only want to do the big stuff, like the state agencies.”

“What we're doing is presenting a concept of how to save money for the community, and then it will come back to the board as a resolution,” Kepes said.

Trustees voted 5-2, with treasurer Dan Devine and trustee Dave Buckley dissenting, to approve having Bedvinkski develop a request for proposal to present to the board.

Mills opening in Midtown Detroit After 70 years located on Maple Road at Chesterfield in Birmingham, Mills Pharmacy + Apothecary is expanding its footprint, all the way to

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Detroit's Midtown neighborhood, where in November it will open an apothecary-only pop up store focusing on the store's beauty and wellness products.

Mills has been a fixture in the Birmingham community for 70 years, long owned by the Mills family. In 2010, brothers Pierre and Hany Boutros purchased the neighborhood pharmacy and transformed it – literally – with a top-to-bottom sleek and contemporary renovation.

Reopening, the Boutros brothers stayed true to Mills original community focus while introducing a custom pharmacy aspect as well spreading its focus to become a premium beauty and wellness boutique offering unique and hard to find items.

In 2013, Mills expanded its apothecary business with a store at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Now, in 2016, Mills will open a 1,300 square foot store in the Stuber-Stone building, located at 4215 Cass Avenue. Rita Sayegh, retail director, said this location is anticipated to

remain open through late 2017 while they look for a permanent Detroit location.

“As a long-time Detroit resident and consumer, I am thrilled to be joining the successful, independent establishments that have made this area a model for the city’s future development plans. Mills Apothecary neighbors include a variety of highend shops including Nora, Hugh and Shinola,” Sayegh said.

Mills Apothecary will offer Detroit consumers access to a segment of the prestige retail market currently not available within the area, including a curated selection of skincare, bath/spa products from around the world, including Mad et Len, Panier des Sens, Leonor Greyl, Cire Trudon and Korres.

“Midtown Detroit Inc. is thrilled that Mills Apothecary is planning to open a location in Midtown. The product lines they carry and their design aesthetic will be a great addition to the shopping experience,” said Sue Mosey, director of Midtown Detroit, Inc.

Board approves Hickory Grove sale The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the sale of the former Hickory Grove Elementary School at their meeting on Thursday, September 15, for a price of $5.45 million to Robertson Brothers Homes, which plans to develop residential homes on the 27.1 acre property.

Hickory Grove, located on Lahser Road north of Hickory Grove Road, has been closed since 2009 as an elementary school, and was then used for the district's 9th grade until the new high school opened in 2015. It is vacant, with plans by the district to demolish the building.

At a previous board meeting, when the board decided to demolish Hickory Grove and Pine Lake elementaries, superintendent Rob Glass said, “I have mixed emotions about demolition and would imagine the community does, too,” he said. “Though I am pleased we will no longer carry those costs on our books (heating, cooling, maintenance, etc.), there are a lot of memories in

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those buildings. And, even though we closed them long ago, the sites were a significant place for many people. But the economy and enrollment no longer support retaining physical structures not in use. In 1967, these now vacant buildings were bursting at the seams.

Those days are gone and we need to be extremely efficient with taxpayer dollars.”

Robertson Brothers submitted a proposal to the board for the Hickory Grove site, which is 27.1 acres, to build 34 detached condominiums, each with three to four bedrooms, on the property.

However, a few members of the public are not happy with the decision to sell the Hickory Grove property, preferring it as a neighborhood playground or park. Some nearby residents attended an August Bloomfield Township board of trustees meeting, asking supervisor Leo Savoie to maintain the property as townshipowned parkland, but it was explained that would be too costly and not part of the township's master plan.

“At the end of the day, it's the school's property, not our property,” Savoie noted.

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Jacob Coburn ike many of his friends at Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School, Jacob Coburn has an affinity for new and rare sneakers, particularly those made by Jordan, Adidas, and Nike. At the same time, Coburn understands that some kids his age haven’t had the pleasure of slipping on a new pair of shoes in years.

“I had my bar mitzvah a couple weeks ago, and you’re supposed to do a mitzvah (good deed) project,” said Coburn. “I had the idea to donate shoes because I have a big passion for collecting sneakers, especially rare ones, and I wanted to give to kids who didn’t have them.

“The bar mitzvah is becoming a man – it’s what it means,” said Coburn, of the Jewish ritual that commemorates a youth’s acceptance of their responsibility to the community. “And doing that, I wanted to give back to the community, by showing them (I am) more of a leader.”

Realizing that starting a charity is no small undertaking, Coburn did a little research and discovered Kicks4Kids, a non-profit founded by Che’keita Jones, a 7th grade math teacher who works in Detroit. “(The foundation) is basically the same idea as I had. We talked to (Jones), and collaborated with her. She came to our house, and we started raising money. We are planning in December to have a big giveaway of the shoes,” said Coburn, a 7th grader who plays basketball, baseball and lacrosse.

To bring in the funds, Coburn launched a Crowdrise page entitled, ‘Jacob’s Sneaker Drive,’ expressing why this cause is important to him.

“The reason I have decided to donate new shoes is because I believe there is a thrill in putting on a new pair of shoes, it makes you feel happy and confident, and self-confidence is something that many of

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these kids are lacking,” wrote Coburn for the Crowdrise site.

Initially setting his fundraising goal at $10,000, Coburn admits, “When we first started out, I was skeptical if we would get to $10,000, and the first day we were like halfway. I was really surprised to see how many people donated. It makes me really happy.”

Taking the challenge, and the gift, to a new level, Coburn recently increased his fundraising goal to $15,000. By mid-October he had raised nearly 70 percent of his updated goal, including a $500 donation Coburn made personally – a donation made possible by generous gifts he received at his bar mitzvah.

“We were trying to keep (the cost of) every pair under $50,” but after partnering with Jones and Kicks4Kids, “we’re getting them from Under Armour for much cheaper, like $15 or $20, and Che’keita… has connections with… other companies.”

The first batch of shoes will be sized accordingly, and given to teenage boys at the Methodist Children’s Home in Redford.

“I think I wouldn’t have done (the fundraiser) if it wasn’t for my bar mitzvah. It brought me to the idea of doing it, and I’m very happy I did.

My dad and I have been talking about how we could keep it going. We’re not quite sure yet how, but we're thinking about it. I do want to keep it going.”

As for the day when he celebrated his bar mitzvah among family and friends, Coburn said, “It was really fun. I wore Jordan 3s. They’re white and blue.”

Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Jean Lannen

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Oakland Township - $699,900

Oxford Township - $675,000

Pristine Custom Home located in the exclusive Oakland Hunt Development. Community pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, playscape and many nature trails. Rochester schools. 216099207 Presented by Felicia Scappaticci

Exceptional Colonial with scenic view of Duck Lake and backing to the nature preserve in prestigious Lakes of Indianwood. Lake Orion schools. 216092027 Presented by Susan Johnson

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

4

3.2

3429

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Bloomfield Hills - $550,777 Gracious bright Colonial in desirable Vernor Estates Subdivision. Situated on private .54 acre wooded lot with many desirable features and beautiful natural views. 216072712 Presented by Mike Heiwig

4

2.1

3140

4

2.1

2656

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

West Bloomfield Township - $399,000

Troy - $389,900

Private stunning Colonial on cul de sac backs to the woods. Finished walk-out basement offers additional space for entertaining. 216054504 Presented by Vineeta Rastogi

A beautifully kept family home. Secluded rear yard with private brick paver patio with retractable awning. 216099516 Presented by Donna Barlow

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

2

2.1

1889

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Pleasant Ridge - $310,000 Amazing brownstone town home in historic Pleasant Ridge! Residents enjoy access to the Pleasant Ridge Community Pool and Fitness Center. 216102460 Presented by Justyna Slabosz

2

2

2280

5

3

2544

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Detroit - $299,000

Troy - $295,999

Historic Indian Village Manor Condo offers great architectural details & amenities. Beautifully renovated with spectacular views of the Detroit River. 216078350 Presented by Phyllis LaPrairie

West Troy Ranch with double lot, ready to move-in. Totally remodeled in 2012.

216095397 Presented by Rosa Lau

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

4

2.1

2457

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Farmington Hills - $289,750 Charming, Warm and Elegant. Meticulously maintained and located on a very private elegantly landscaped lot. 216100922 Presented by Justyna Slabosz

3

2.1

1723

3

1.1

1812

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

White Lake Township - $284,900

Troy - $264,900

Located on a half acre hilly, wooded lot with mature trees and in the very popular sold out Wingate Subdivision with Huron Valley School of choice. 216093258 Presented by Michelle Payne

Great Contemporary brick Colonial. Beautiful big backyard with trees surrounded by park-like setting properties. 216098540 Presented by Carmen Mollicone

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

3

2

2300

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Oxford Township - $249,900 This Ranch retreat has it all. Set on almost an acre just down the street from the beach on all sports Squaw Lake. 216098334 Presented by Mary Gleeson

3

2.1

2685

3

1

1341

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

West Bloomfield Township - $229,900

Ferndale - $225,000

Exquisite updated end unit Condo nestled comfortably in beautiful wood setting.

216086834 Presented by Lisa Masters

In-town spacious brick Colonial on a tree line street. Newer deck, fenced yard with perennials plus mature trees. 216100556 Presented by Brandon Curry

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

near or far

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Beyond the gated entrance and lush landscape sits this exceptional private estate situated on rare Quarton Lake lot. 7700 sq ft of exquisitely finished living space with handcrafted millwork, impeccable materials & gorgeous architectural details throughout.  This world class landmark home cannot be replicated...once in a lifetime opportunity awaits the most discriminating buyer. Make your appointment today for a private tour of this magnificent residence. $4,995,000

Marketing a home requires unique skills, knowledge and resources that Signature Sotheby's International Realty offers its clients. I would welcome the opportunity to offer you a confidential marketing analysis.

All Star

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Associate Broker

248-318-4745

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

cdrinkwater@signaturesothebys.com

Lara J. Forte Loan Officer NMLS # 1169665 T: 248-912-9031 C: 248-284-5178

John & Bridget Apap Fine Homes Specialists - Top 1% Nationally

Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

41820 Six Mile Road Northville MI 48168

LForte@mbmortgage.com

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

Featured Homes

2670 Covington Place

980 Westwood Drive

559 N Cranbrook Road

Bloomfield Village | $1,399,000

Birmingham | $950,000

5675 Forman Drive

1099 N Cranbrook Road

1234 N Glengarry Road

Bloomfield Hills | $1,329,000

Bloomfield Village | $1,299,000

Bloomfield Village | $1,299,000

32859 Bingham Lane

384 Puritan Avenue

1721 Stanley Boulevard

Bingham Farms Village | $1,099,000

Birmingham | $999,000

Birmingham | $989,000

Bloomfield Village | $899,000

John & Bridget Apap Fine Homes Specialists - Top 1% Nationally

Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

Ken Mascia NMLS #135323 Prime Capital Mortgage Corp.

36400 Woodward Ave, Suite 122 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 kmascia@primecapitalmortgage.com

248-644-1200 248-644-1201 (f)

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

1587 Bennaville Avenue

182 N Glengarry Road

1313 Indian Mound Trail

Birmingham | $875,000

Bloomfield Village | $774,900

Bloomfield Village | $749,000

1141 Trowbridge Road

3600 Bloomfield Club Drive

1258 Ruffner Avenue

Bloomfield Hills | $739,900

Bloomfield Hills | $724,900

Birmingham | $699,000

Call us for a Complimentary Market Analysis

2425 Bradway Boulevard

1400 Sandringham Way

2040 Wabeek Hill Court

Bloomfield Village | $624,900

Bloomfield Village | $599,000

West Bloomfield | $524,900

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Birmingham | $424,000

877 Tartan Trail

1113 N Old Woodward

Bloomfield Hills | $359,000

Birmingham | $214,900

John & Bridget Apap

Lynn Wiand Senior Mortgage Lender NMLS ID 39420

lwiand@talmerbank.com Office 248-244-4805 Cell 248.228.4805

Fine Homes Specialists - Top 1% Nationally

Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com

2301 W. Big Beaver Rd, Suite 525 Troy, MI 48084

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

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630 Waddington Street

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451 Vinewood Avenue

1298 Brookwood Street

New Construction

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Quarton Lake - $2,950,000 - 5600 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.2 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level, oversized lot

Birmingham - $2,395,000 - 5400 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.1 baths 3 car garage, finished lower level

2609 Covington Place 1025 N. Glenhurst Drive New Construction Quarton Lake - $2,495,000 - 5,400 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 4 car garage, finished lower level

New Construction

885 Redding Road

Bloomfield Village - $1,699,000 - 4,300 sf, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level

Birmingham - $1,250,000 - 3000 sf, 3 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, 1st Flr Master

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1064 Westwood - Birmingham $650,000

ALEX CHAPMAN 313.475.0275 achapman@signaturesothebys.com

415 S. Old Woodward Avenue - Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Great Time to Build....Buy....and Sell!

Amazing Pine Lake Frontage $1,379,000 The best Pine Lake View you can ever imagine! Western exposure allows for breathtaking "California Mountain Like" sunset views over the entire lake. Ideal cul-de-sac location in subdivision.

Perfect for a walk-out lower level complimented by tiered landscaping and decking. Existing deck location is grandfathered in and can be restructured for those who want to be closer to the water.

Bloomfield Hills schools.

Custom Build To Suit Along Rouge River In Franklin $1,590,000 Or Lot Can Be Sold Separately at $550,000 Custom build the home of your dreams on the 3 acres walk-out site on a wonderful site on a wonderful street in Franklin right across from two multi million dollar properties. Masterfully designed new construction estate by Hemphill Custom Builders. Topographical survey available too.

248-320-9100

Eva Morrow Associate Broker

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

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Sterling Heights - $379,900

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Birmingham - $649,900

Farmington Hills - $289,900

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West Bloomfield Township - $535,000

Bloomfield Township - $355,000

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DINE. SHOP. SHARE. Whether it’s last minute shopping, dining, celebrating or just enjoying the lights, you’ll ÄUK P[ HSS PU )PYTPUNOHT >L»]L NV[ carriage rides, santa house, YLZ[H\YHU[Z ZOVWWPUN L]LU[Z HUK TVYL 7S\Z LUQV` [^V OV\YZ VM MYLL WHYRPUN PU [OL KLJRZ HUK 7HYRTVIPSL LUHISLK TL[LYZ -PUK L]LY`[OPUN [OH[»Z OHWWLUPUN PU )PYTPUNOHT H[ www.ALLINBirmingham.com

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H H H HH T H A N K S G I V I N G H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H When you purchase 2nd turkey dinner and H H 2 drinks at full price get 50% off 2nd dinner.

H H With this coupon. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Expires 12-04-16. DTN H H H H H H NOW E IT S B TA H SEE WE PLETE H ORDE KING M RS FO OR CO IVING F T R H ANKS H THANKSG H GIVIN G MENU H H H H 6646 Telegraph H H CALL at Maple w w w. s t e v e s d e l i . c o m 248-932-0800 H H Bloomfield Plaza HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 102

DOWNTOWN

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

Contact Mark Grablowski for advertising rate information.

O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 601 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

11.16

PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.

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

248.646.2220.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

Arthur Avenue: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.480.0768.

Au Cochon: French. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 260 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009.

248.792.7795.

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

248.792.3579.

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

248.499.6867.

Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

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

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

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

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

No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078.

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

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

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

Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.646.9000.

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

377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880.

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

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

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

248.645.6879.

Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690.

Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

downtownpublications.com

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

248.642.4000.

Cafe Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.8800.

Cameron’s Steakhouse: American.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.723.1700.

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

Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555.

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

877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220.

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

248.792.9766.

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

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

248.642.1135.

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

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

248.258.9939.

Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.647.2420.

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

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

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

Forest: European. Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

Ironwood Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, 6 or more. Liquor.

290 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.385.0506.

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

2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield

DOWNTOWN

103

FRONT/BACK Front/Back is a monthly column devoted to news stories, tidbits and gossip items about what's happening in both the front of the house and back of the house in the restaurants in the metro Detroit area.

Ahoy mates Metro Detroiters will be able to take their palates to the sea, or the Great Lakes, with Voyager, the forthcoming seafood restaurant that the new restaurant’s owners hope swing open before the December holidays arrive. A project from Eli Boyer, formerly of Gold Cash Gold, and Marc Bogoff, chef-owner of Stockyard food truck, the duo repurposed a 1970’s storage building at 600 Vester Avenue in Ferndale, off of Nine Mile Road. “Peoples’ tastes are more elevated than it’s ever been in this area, and shellfish, like oysters, lend itself to that,” said Boyer, who focuses on the management end of the business, while Bogoff hones in on the menu. Fresh vegetables will be emphasized, and the occasional meat dish will be served, but “it’s mainly a place for seafood lovers – for people who are a little intimidated to cook it at home, or don’t find that dish that’s satisfying at (other) places,” said Boyer.

Unique cooking approach Conserva, an anticipated restaurant from chef Matthew Baldridge of Dinner Club, will open this winter at 201 E. Nine Mile in Ferndale. “I will serve a small menu consisting of composed dishes, and some will have a ‘conserva’ component involved,” said Baldridge, referring to an Italian process of cooking, somewhat similar to canning. “We have almost completed the aesthetic changes to the old Torino location,” Baldridge said, as he is wrapping up the menu. Also involved in the project are Baldrige’s wife, artist Janna Coumoundouros, and his brother Steven, also an artist. Formerly a partner in Atomic Chicken, which has locations in Detroit and Clawson, Baldridge recently exited the partnership, allowing him to focus full time on Conserva.

Gold chef changes In late October, chef Brendon Edwards, a key player in the launch of Standby and who has recently been stationed at Katoi, took over the lead as the executive chef at Detroit’s Gold Cash Gold, 2100 Michigan Avenue. Dishing up unique twists on old-timey favorites, such as their signature Pickle Brine Fried Chicken, the menu hits will stay put, while Edwards adds his own brand of “Progressive American” cooking, said Jill Giacomino, of Social Gathering Co., and a representative of the restaurant. “Chef Josh Stockton, who opened the restaurant in the winter of 2014, will be relocating to Las Vegas in the next few weeks,” Giacomino wrote in an October statement.

Lady looking to open Chef Kate Williams, formerly of Republic, has her hopes set on a December opening for her upcoming Corktown restaurant, Lady of the House, 2801 14th Street in Detroit. “We will have a mixture of small and large plates influenced by the season,” said Williams, who grew up in Northville and has cooked in New York, Chicago, and Copenhagen. In Detroit for about five or six years, Williams plans to serve a mix of vegetarian and meat dishes at Lady, which will first open for dinner only, with plans for lunch in the future.

Parc premiering Parc, the new concept coming to 800 Woodward Avenue in Detroit’s Campus Martius Park, is slated to open this month, featuring fish, seafood, pasta and meats. “We’ll be featuring reserve steaks that are dry aged,” said Kate Hill, representative for 800 Parc, LLC, which is a collaboration between Zaid Elia, of The Elia Group, and Matthew Schiffman, of Centerpoint Ventures. Executive chef

Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166.

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

248.858.5800.

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

Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707.

Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568.

Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American.

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

248.647.3400.

Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing.

No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.6051.

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

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

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

248.723.7960.

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

248.712.4953.

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

248.723.0800.

Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.646.3663.

Mountain King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.2913.

New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Breakfast, Monday-Thursday; Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. No reservations.

183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2181.

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

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

Nosh & Rye: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923.

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

Original Pancake House: American.

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

248.642.5775.

Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966.

Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302.

248.253.9877.

Phoenicia: Middle Eastern. Lunch, 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.

Sanders: American. Lunch, daily. No reservations. 167 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.3215.

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

280 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham 48009. 248.220.4167.

Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200.

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

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

248.932.0800.

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

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

248.645.9123.

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

Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.3887.

Sweet Tree Family Restaurant: Middle Eastern/American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.7767.

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

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 Corner Bar: American. Dinner.

Wednesday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958.

The Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009.

248.203.6600.

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

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

The Gallery Restaurant: American.

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

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

248.858.7688.

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

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

The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.4237.

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

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

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

248.593.7881.

Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241.

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

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

Village Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.7964.

Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009.

248.566.3566.

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

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily.

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

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

248.547.6699.

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

248.268.1621.

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

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

Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

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

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

222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067.

248.584.7400.

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

220 S. Main St., Clawson, 48017.

248.288.0220.

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

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

248.206.7510.

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

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

Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916.

Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion.

Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500.

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

Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

Local Kitchen and Bar: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner,

daily. Reservations. Liquor. 344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220.

248.291.5650.

Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch.

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

Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily.

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

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

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

248.808.6633.

Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor.

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

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

248.850.7420.

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

248.549.0300.

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

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

248.544.1141.

Strada: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday Sunday. Liquor. No reservations. 376 N. Main Street. Royal Oak, 48067.

248.607.3127.

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

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

248.541.1186.

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

248.544.7300.

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

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

248.542.4444.

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

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

27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072.

248.548.7711.

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

248.218.6001.

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

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

Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831.

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

Ganbei Chinese Restaurant and Bar: Chinese. Lunch, Monday-Saturday.

Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307.

248.266.6687.

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

Jordan Hoffman, returned to his home state after his culinary career took him to Miami and Las Vegas, where he gained experience opening restaurants. The soon-to-open Parc will fill the vacancy left by the former Fountain Bistro.

Lucky 13 HopCat, the Grand Rapids-based brewery, will open its second Detroit area location this spring, in Royal Oak. Replacing the nowshuttered Woody’s Diner, 208 W. 5th Street, the three-level restaurant, bar and event space will be the thirteenth outpost for the Michigan brewery that launched in 2008. New to the restaurant will be the Detroit-style pizza menu. Designed with a rooftop beer garden, Chris Knape, spokesman for HopCat said the deck plans to have some kind of heaters to allow for multi-season use. “Sitting outside in the fall, having a beer is awesome,” he admitted, “just hanging out with friends.” Although HopCat brews exclusively at the facility in Grand Rapids, the Royal Oak location will boast roughly 100 beers on tap, with a ‘Local 30’ rotating list of southeast Michigan beers.

Pop’s keeps growing Since opening this spring in Ferndale at 280 W. Nine Mile, Pop’s for Italian has grown in popularity, it’s dining room regularly buzzing with chatter. In response to the public’s positive response to Pop’s homemade pasta and Neapolitan pizza, owner Brian Kramer, of Kramer Restaurant Group, will remodel the attached space that formerly housed his short-lived Daily Dinette, which closed at the end of September. The expansion will allow space for a larger kitchen and room for special events, said Beth Hussey, vice president of operations at Pop’s. The momentum of change also led to the September hiring of new executive chef James Henry, formerly of Social Kitchen and Bar. “He’s involved in the new seasonal items coming up,” said Hussey. The menu update will include a swapping out of some pastas in favor of warming soups. Kramer also owns One-Eyed Betty’s, Ferndale’s craft beer hub and restaurant.

With the departure of chef James Henry from Social Kitchen and Bar, 225 E. Maple Road in Birmingham, owner Zack Sklar said he is back as the executive chef for that restaurant, and the other establishments within Peas and Carrots Hospitality. “Obviously, we have different sous chefs, but I’m still the executive chef of all the restaurants,” he said, noting that they are hiring additional chefs. “My partner Josh Humphrey and I are there a lot, and he’s a chef too.”

Stoops to Townsend Jason Stoops, formerly the executive chef at the Fort Shelby Hilton in Detroit, is the new executive chef at The Townsend Hotel, 100 Townsend Street in Birmingham. Stoops will oversee the Rugby Grille menu, as well as the Townsend Bakery, and additional onsite food programs. In additional news, in place of the Townsend’s Corner Bar, which shuttered earlier this year, the hotel has opened The Clancy Room, a new specialty dining and event space.

Pop-up Intel Yemans Street, 2995 Yemans Street in Hamtramck: Chris Demuth, Sarah Welch and Matt Currie, all of Republic Tavern, Monday, November 7. Brian Psenski, chef within the Detroit area, and Matthew McGrail, of Great Lakes Culinary Center, Friday, November 11.

Front/Back is reported each month by Katie Deska. KatieDeska@DowntownPublications.com. We welcome news items or tips, on or off the record, about what's happening in the front or back of the house at metro area restaurants.

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Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

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

McCormick & Schmick’s: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

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

248.637.6400.

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

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

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

248.453.5371.

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

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

248.689.2332.

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

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

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

248.816.3424.

Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200.

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

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

Orchid Café: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

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

248.524.1944.

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

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

Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily.

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

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

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

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

248.652.4500.

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

248.817.2980.

Too Ra Loo: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 139 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.529.

Tre Monti Ristorante: Italian. Lunch, Thursdays. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday.

Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.680.1100.

West Bloomfield/Southfield

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106

Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

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

Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680.

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

Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

248.851.2500.

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

248.626.2982.

DOWNTOWN

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

248.851.8782.

The Lark: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.661.4466.

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

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

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

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

Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood.

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

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

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

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

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

248.626.8585.

Sposita’s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch.

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

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

6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622.

Sweet Lorraine’s Café & Bar: American.

Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076.

248.559.5985.

Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.737.8282.

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

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

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

248.360.4150.

The Root Restaurant & Bar: American.

Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday.

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

248.698.2400.

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

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

248.620.6100.

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

248.634.5208.

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

248.795.2077.

Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500.

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

11.16

Main St., Clarkston, 48346.

248.625.5660

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

1565 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226.

313.962.1355.

Antietam: French. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207.

313.782.4378.

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

2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit, 48207.

313.965.3111.

Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226.

313.961.2543.

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

100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243.

313.567.2622.

Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214.

313.469.0976.

Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday.

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

The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations.

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

El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday.

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun.

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

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

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

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

2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216.

313.962.5588.

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

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

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

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

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

2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216.

313.309.7946.

Maccabees at Midtown: American.

Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202.

313.831.9311.

Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

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

Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201.

313.974.7669.

Motor City Brewing Works: American.

Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations.

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

1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, 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.

downtownpublications.com

Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor.

3401 Riopelle St., Detroit, 48207.

313.831.5940.

Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900.

Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366.

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

313.438.5055.

Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor.

100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214.

313.822.8000.

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

313.962.9828.

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

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

St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, 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.

Top of the Pontch: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservation. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226.

313.782.4313.

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

511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201.

313.831.9470.

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

313.964.3821.

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

313.831.3965.

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

Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American.

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

313.393.1711.

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

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

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

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

Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood.

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

313.465.1411.

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

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n just five years, Sam Kaplunov has set himself apart as a Top Producer in the local real estate market.

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE “Art is a nation’s most precious heritage. For it is in our works of art that we reveal to ourselves and to others the inner vision which guides us as a nation…”

– Lyndon B. Johnson

On October 13, 2016, The Community House hosted its 31st Annual OUR TOWN Art Show and Sale. It is truly one of our most cherished and well attended events of the year. This year was no exception. Over 350 guests were in attendance at opening night, and over $15,000 in art was purchased by art aficionados throughout the evening.

Independent Bank offers a variety of mortgage options that will meet your needs, wherever your dreams of home ownership may take you.

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As a 93-year-old 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Community House remains proud to have awarded over $300,000 to Michigan artists since OUR TOWN was inaugurated in 1986. At the same time, we remain honored and incredibly grateful that OUR TOWN has also raised over $1.7 million to support the mission; programs and services of The Community House since its inception – programs and services that have impacted lives through exceptional educational, social and outreach experiences.

We are reminded that “The creation and appreciation of art is universal across continents, cultures and classes, and at the same time is intensely personal.” We certainly see that in our community. For those of us that are fortunate to live and work in the surrounding community – we are blessed to have so many extraordinary organizations which steward, celebrate, educate, and bring marvelous art to us in our region.

I would welcome the opportunity to sit down and discuss all your choices.

Maria Labie Residential Lending Sales Manager 201 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 125 Troy, MI 48084 P 248.689.9744 | C 248.952.4914 F 248.689.0148 | NMLS ID 697437 E mlabie@ibcp.com

Bill Seklar

Apply online www.MortgageMadeSimple.net

Whether you attend The Community House’s annual OUR TOWN or Student Art Town events, tour the worldclass Cranbrook Art Museum and grounds, spend a day at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, browse and shop the amazing local art galleries, or simply take a class at TCH, NEXT, the Baldwin Library or at one of the many fine educational facilities in the area. Art and culture is all around us – and we are better, richer for it.

*The 5% down is typically based on the sales price/acquisition for purchase transactions or lesser of appraised value or acquisition cost (cost to construct plus land) for construction loans.

Equal housing lender. Normal credit standards and restrictions apply. Property insurance and taxes required. Member FDIC.

This year, OUR TOWN featured over 416 pieces of art by 164 talented Michigan artists. Faithful and talented co-Jurors, Barbara Heller and Rachelle Nozero, led the meticulous selection of artwork in all media – selections that pleased a broad palette of tastes and price points. They certainly did not disappoint.

In addition to Barbara and Rachelle’s generosity, OUR TOWN 2016 would not have been made possible without a tireless team of dedicated and passionate sponsors, volunteers and supporters including the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation – longtime OUR TOWN Presenting Sponsor; the Marjorie & Maxwell Jospey Foundation; WRCJ, Detroit Home Magazine and Pure Michigan; Matick Cheverolet - Valet Sponsor; Weatherly Stroh - Commemorative Tile Designer; Matthew Richmond - The Paper Dress Code, Art in Vogue Designer/Stylist; Janice Degen and Dana Sorensen - Art in Vogue Model Coordinators; Rachelle Nozero - Art Installation Coordinator; OUR TOWN’s stunning models from Blo Blow Dry Bar of Birmingham and Paul Mitchell School; Carol and John Aubrey - Benefactor Cookie Sponsors; all of whom helped make this year’s TCH OUR TOWN Art Show & Sale such a success.

Enormous kudos to the 2016 Our Town Art Show & Sale Steering Committee; Sharon Adams, Janice Degan, Diane Farber, Carol Marshall, Kathleen Chisolm-McInerney, Shirley Piku, Christine Shaye, Dana Sorensen and Weatherly Stroh. Special thanks to our 2016 OUR TOWN Benefactor Co-Chairs, Carol & John Aubrey and Nancy and David Lau and to the incredible Talmer Bank (soon to be Chemical Bank) volunteers.

Special thanks as well to the TCH team: Danielle LaBarge, Senior Director of Special Events; Jackie McIntosh, VP Philanthropy; Tim Hunt, VP Hospitality; Gigi Nichols, Director of Communications and Media; Lee Trumbull, Senior Director, TCH Business Services and to the rest of the dedicated TCH staff who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes.

Finally, our deep gratitude to Robert Dempster and Elizabeth DuMouchelle, 2016 OUR TOWN Event Chairs. Their inspiration, leadership, creativity and enthusiasm remains a gift beyond words.

We are told that "Art is another human being's attempt to make sense of the world.”

The Community House is proud to play its role.

KEEP IT Downtown.

The only publication of its kind in Birmingham/Bloomfield.

Quality editorial environment.

Produced by local residents from offices in downtown Birmingham.

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

Ad deadline Friday, November 11.

Contact Mark Grablowski.

(O) 248.792.6464 (C) 586.549.4424

LOCAL

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

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APPETIZERS. DRINKS. REAL ESTATE. Please join us to discuss the happenings in the ever-changing home buying & selling/motgage world with top producers in your WZNLW -T]XTYRSLX -WZZXʭ PWO L]PL

WHEN?

Thursday, November 17th, 5:00-8:00 PM

WHERE? Tallulah (155 S Bates St, Birmingham, MI 48009) HOW?

It’s all FREE! Just show up & get your learn on.

Sandra Soka Treboldi

Jen Lewis

O: 248.644.6700 C: 248.672.9669 sandra@maxbroock.com

O: 248.731.0560 C: 248.705.1888 jennifer.lewis@wellsfargo.com

Realtor

Home Mortgage Consultant

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene.

Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted.

Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Children’s Leukemia Afternoon of Hope

Children’s Leukemia Afternoon of Hope Even though childhood cancer is devastating, supporters of this organization know how to put an upbeat spin on its Afternoon of Hope benefit Sally Gerak luncheon. They do it with lots of friendly camaraderie (nearly 200 guests at $65 and $95 tickets), Patti Polina’s eyepopping décor (think MacKenzie Childs), Kathy McIntosh’s colorful display of chance raffle donations ($6,000 proceeds) and compelling speakers. In the Village Club lobby, co-chairs Denice Richmond and Tina Turner greeted arrivals. These included presenting sponsor Karmanos Cancer Institute and gold sponsor Beaumont Children’s Hospital colleagues. The latter were there to support their star – Innovator in Medicine Award recipient Dr. Kate Gowans.

Before sitting for lunch, she hugged and wept with Sandy and Bob Ruby, whose 15-year-old son Cameron was her patient before his death a year ago. Fox 2’s Deena Centovanti emceed the program. Its highlights included the speech

by Karmanos’ bone marrow transplant guru Dr. Joseph Uberti’s, who passed the mike to former patient/survivor Dr. Kristine Roth. She concluded the saga of her successful journey through two bone marrow transplants by calling Uberti “...a hero of mine.” When Gowans accepted her award from CLF president Heidi Grix, she eschewed the “incredible” label. “I’m just an ordinary girl with extraordinary parents and... patients,” she said. Teddy Degenhardt and Matt Broder, members of the CLF Young Professionals Advisory Board, then pulled the raffle winners’ names. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the second annual Afternoon of Hope raised more than $37,000.

CARE House Events At a cocktail party Lisa Payne hosted for 100 CARE House donors, board members and staff, executive director Pat Rosen told the assembled, “This is my favorite event of the year (because) I have just one message...and that is ‘Thank You’.” She was actually speaking on behalf of the 27 clients who had rung the CARE House door bell that very day. “And that’s been our daily average for 40 years,” she added. Party conversation was far ranging. In one group the topic was Brad Oleshanky’s car enthusiasts’ community M1 Concourse.

Oleshanky reported that the CARE House neighbor in Pontiac had 34,000 visitors on Dream Cruise day. A week later, 100 CARE House supporters ($100 ticket) convened for Cirque de Beaute hosted by Maria Roberts at Saks Fifth Avenue. With music by a Mark Randisi trio as accompaniment, make-up artists from Dior, La Mer and Lancome worked their magic on many guests. But the artist who was making sketches of people’s backsides was the talk of the evening. Guests savored shrimp ceviche, meatballs with polenta, key lime tarts and cheese cake bites provided by Roberts Restaurant Group. They also shopped with their $25 gift cards and tried to win the unique bracelet designer Sharon Myer donated.

MOT DiChiera Society What began 20 years ago as Michigan Opera Theatre’s General Director’s Circle is now the David DiChiera Society. In exchange for an annual donation of $2,500, membership provides perks. One of those is a Thank You party with a musical performance, usually hosted by a member. But this year co-chairs Barbara Frankel and Dodie David staged the Sunday afternoon event at Leon & Lulu’s, Liz Curtin’s award-winning lifestyle store. And because they knew the former Clawson roller skating rink was large enough to accommodate an ambitious musical program, they engaged MOT artists plus Jordan Broder and three of his NUCLASSICA violinists. The boffo program included a wide range of selections, from opera to Broadway. The pairing of the powerful NUCLASSICA strings with the commanding singing voices was superb. MOT founder/artistic director David DiChiera spoke for all when he said after the final song, “It was amazing.” Guests also shopped the store’s eclectic inventory (with a percentage returned to MOT), sipped and snacked on Italian-accented savories from MOT’s Cadillac Café. The afternoon was a warm-up for the DiChiera Legacy Ball Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Detroit Opera House. The Italian downtownpublications.com

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1. Dr. Kate Gowans of Rochester, Jim Berline of Orchard Lake. 2. Tina Turner (left) of Troy and Denice Richmond of Bloomfield. 3. Dr. Joseph Uberti of Northville and Dr. Kristine Roth of Bloomfield. 4. Rosemary Fox (left) of Bloomfield, Patti Amine of Birmingham, Mary Benedette of Troy. 5. Rose Robbins (left) and Maureen Belknap of Bloomfield. 6. Sandy (left) & Bob Ruby of Clarkston, Heather McKnight of Rochester Hills. 7. Lisa Wilson (left) and Diane Roelant of Bloomfield. 8. Joyce Richmond (left) and Marjorie DeCapite of Birmingham. 9. Debbie Knowles (left) of Birmingham, Dr. Joseph Uberti of Northville and Kay Carolin of Grosse Pointe.

CARE House Events

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1. Adele Acheson (left) of W. Bloomfield, Kappy Trott of Birmingham, Lisa Payne of Bloomfield.

2. Lisa Bouchard (left) of Birmingham, Linell Slater of Rochester. 3. Matt Friedman (left) of W. Bloomfield, Dan Stall and Brad Oleshansky of Birmingham. 4. Anne Baldin (left) and Sydrena Epstein of Bloomfield. 5. Choux Wingter (left) of Rochester, Chris Corden of Grosse Pointe, Chad Ozias of Madison Heights. 6. Sandie Knollenberg (left) and Helena Chavell of Bloomfield, Colleen Styrna of Orchard Lake.

MOT DiChiera Society

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1. Margarite Fourcroy (center) of Bloomfield, Barbara Frankel (left) of W. Bloomfield and Dodie David of Marine City. 2. Brenda Kee (left) of Detroit and Toby Haberman of Birmingham.

3. Natalie Frakes (left) of Royal Oak, Leia Frankel of Bloomfield, Jordan Broder of Birmingham and Stacey Mason of Farmington Hills.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK style celebration will be a tribute to maestro DiChiera.

Hall & Hunter Estate Sale

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1. Kelly Moody, Barb Miller. 2. Gary Newville, Ron Clem. 3. Ryan and Jack Wolf. 4. Patty Blair, Phil Stakich.

5. Jody Wachler.

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Summer of Love: A Garden Party

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1. Fiona Ragheb & Chris Scoates of Bloomfield. 2. Ann Williams (center) of Royal Oak and Sandy Smith & Bob Wilson of Bloomfield.

3. Carol Ziecik (left) and Elaine Minkin of Bloomfield. 4. Brenda (left) & Howard Rosenberg and Barbra Bloch of Bloomfield. 5. Kevin Adkisson of Bloomfield. 6. Blanca Fauble and Gerhardt Knodel of Bloomfield.

7. David Jaffe & Erica Peresman of Birmingham. 8. Kathy Rines (left) of Bloomfield, Peter Robinson of Beverly Hills, Lisa Kingsley of Metamora. 9. Susan Hall (left) of Bloomfield, Mariana Keros of Birmingham. 10. Lillian Zonars and Gerhardt Knodel of Bloomfield.

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Hall & Hunter Estate Sale Hall & Hunter Realtors and Habitat for Humanity Oakland have had a symbiotic relationship that culminates in the Annual Estate Sale in a huge tent erected on H&H’s Birmingham parking lot. The night before the sale, when the display and pricing of the antiques, gently used furniture and collectibles is completed, event co-chairs Pam Gray and Gillian Lazar and their team stage a preview party. Guests sip, sup, shop and pay a 30 percent premium for purchases. The rain that fell the next day did not deter the hundreds of shoppers who were lined up down the street awaiting the opening. Dining room tables and sofas were especially popular. At day’s end, thanks to the generous support of Changing Places Moving Company, Devon Title, Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, Bank of Birmingham and Talmer Bank’s Rick Barnes, the 13th annual sale netted $23,110 for Habitat for Humanity Oakland. Habitat’s big fall benefit is Thursday, Nov. 3 at The Townsend. Changing Places owner Johanna Struck will receive the Maggie Allesee Community Builder Award.

Summer of Love: A Garden Party Cranbrook Art Museum supporters nostalgic for the now defunct, early summer Serious Moonlight soiree got a dose of it under a September harvest moon. More than 300 ($195; $95 tickets) responded to the Flower Power invitation. The theme was inspired by the museum’s current exhibition curated by director Andrew Blauvelt, “Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia.”

Many wore hippie chic a la the ‘60s.

Bob Wilson even found a costume straight from the album cover of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Psychedelic music and undulating lights accented the Peristyle and the dance floor on the terrace at the bottom of the expansive stairway leading to the Triton pool. All proceeds from the evening, which this year replaced the November fundraiser, benefit the Museum’s education and exhibition programming: New Day Foundation Hope Shines On the same harvest moonlighted night as the event reported above, more than 350 people ($200 ticket) flocked to Eastern Market’s Shed 5 to raise funds for families fighting 11.16

cancer. Diversions included music by Ben Sharkey, live and silent auctions, raffle baskets and a strolling dinner.

But the program provided the memories. Executive director Gina Kell Spehn, who co-founded New Day with her husband Michael Spehn when they blended their families 10 years ago after they lost their spouses to cancer, made a poignant appeal for support. It included the fact that her new family, despite having full insurance, now still incurs $1,500 per month in out-of-pocket medical expenses for their son’s cancer treatments. She then introduced Sam Kell, age 15, who was diagnosed last November with stage 4 brain cancer.

Wearing an Optune treatment device on his head, Sam stood tall. He noted that since his diagnosis, “...yes, cancer happened, but also lots of love, lots of food and Rocky the dog happened.” He got a standing ovation when he concluded by thanking his mom for her help and her meatballs. “I see her faith, I watch her hope and I feel her love,” said Sam. Sam’s neurooncologist, U of M’s Dr. Carl Koschmann, said that teens with cancer usually exhibit anger, despair and depression, but Sam is different.

“He appreciates his physicians, he follows my instructions; he’s such an amazing patient,” he said, adding praise for New Day’s efforts to relieve the financial and emotional stress of a cancer fight. Thanks to the live auction ($17,000), dedicated giving ($13,000) and generous sponsors, Hope Shines: Evening Under the Stars raised more than $130,000 for families facing cancer.

Guest House Detroit Bishop’s Dinner The annual dinner benefiting “the gift of recovery,” to quote emcee Deacon Christopher Stark, attracted more than 300 Guest House supporters ($150, $175, $300 tickets) to Meadow Brook Hall on a heavenly evening. While most of them relished the perfect weather on the terrace, house docent Sandee Rellinger was giving Archbishop Allen Vignernon a tour of the historic manse. He was especially interested, not only because it was his first visit to Meadow Brook but because the rectory where he lives next door to Blessed Sacrament Cathedral was also built by Matilda Dodge Wilson (and her first husband John Dodge).

“He commented on the many similarities...and I could feel his enthusiasm,” Sandee later reported.

After the social hour, a splendid dinner was served in the festival tent followed by a program. Its highlights downtownpublications.com

New Day Foundation Hope Shines

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1. Gina Kell Spehn & Michael Spehn of Rochester. 2. Dan Spehn (left), brain cancer fighter Sam Kell and Drew Kell of Rochester. 3. Kim Birmingham (left), Fabienne Potestivo, Toni Valenti and Carol Nowland of Rochester. 4. Craig Rizzi (left) of Troy, Kevin & Lauren Peck of Warren, Daniel & Dr. Cathryn Skedel of Rochester. 5. Mickey York and JoAnne Purtan. 6. Sheila & Randy Frantz of Shelby Twp. 7. Sabrina Boyd (left) of Taylor, her daughters Jasmine Boyd, Jordan Boyd, Ameera Freeman, her son Jon Freeman, her grandson Deandre Kinney & granddaughter Peyton Boyd, 7 months.

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Guest House Detroit Bishop’s Dinner

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1. Sr. Bridget Bearss of Bloomfield, Wayne Webber of Chesterfield. 2. Bob Pliska (left) of Bloomfield, Msgr. Tom Hogan of Ferndale. 3. Ellie Ovies (left) and Grace Seroka of Bloomfield. 4. Bill & Marie Molnar of Bloomfield. 5. Duane (left) & Susan Creviston, John Hundiak and Mike & Marti McDermott of Rochester Hills. 6. Steve (left) & Mary Jo Wall and John & Lanie Tobin of Bloomfield. 7. Ernie Zorn (left) of Troy, Margaret & Peter Good of Birmingham. 8. Barbara & Dave Balow of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Wine & Dine in the D

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1. Dr. Jeff Margolis (left) of W. Bloomfield, Sid Moss and Jim Rillema of Bloomfield. 2. Chris (left) & Marina Emde and Marvin & Sharon Walkon of Bloomfield. 3. Rito Lisi (left) and Daniele Dell‘Acqua of Rochester Hills. 4. Jerry Norris (left) and Jack Lennox of Bloomfield. 5. Joseph Morda of Bloomfield. 6. Sharon Moss (left) and Carol Rillema of Bloomfield. 7. Sandra Lennox (left) and Marja Norris of Bloomfield. 8. Len (left) & Pamela Dillon and Brian Jennings of Bloomfield. 9. Jennifer & Mike O’Brien of Bloomfield. 10. Marina & Chris Emde of Bloomfield.

Women’s Fund of Rochester Soiree

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1. Cindy Nicholauou (left) and Maria Trahan of Rochester Hills, Barb Cenko of Rochester, Judy deSteiger of Rochester Hills. 2. Kathy McCarter (left) of Rochester, Denise Wiltse of Rochester Hills, Lynn Florek of Lake Orion. 3. Mary Beth LaChance (left) and Cindy Nicholauou of Rochester Hills, Mary Kay LaChance of Rochester. 4. Peggy Gamble (left) and Deanna Gross of Rochester Hills, Lynn Oates of Rochester.

5. Pam Bilodeau (left) and Marty Herrmann of Rochester. 6. Dave deSteiger (left) and Bev Rewold of Rochester Hills, Brad Upton and Ernie Pixley of Rochester, Ginny deSteiger of Rochester Hills.

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included remarks by awardees Fr. Timothy Hogan and Wayne Webber as well as Guest House alum Fr. Mark Stelzer. The saga of his struggle with addiction and his debt to Guest House for “...making me the person I was intended to be,” was moving. “Mostly we get (to Guest House) one day before we would die,” he concluded. The 58th annual event raised $45,000 for the Guest House mission to heal clergy suffering from addictions.

The Cattle Baron’s Ball Some 700 partygoers sashayed to Cobo Center for the annual American Canceer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball Sept.

24. They rode a mechanical bull, bid on silent auction and live auction lots, danced and dined on the stroll. Culinary awards were presented in three categories: Best Sweet – Centerplate; Best Savory - a tie between Firebird Tavern and Forte Belanger; Best in Presentation - A Serendipity Cakery. The program included the presentation of the Society’s prestigious Cowger Leadership Award to Ford Motor’s Susan Venen for her leadership and continued dedication to the event. The western theme gala generated $1 million, bringing to $15.1 million the total raised for much needed programs, services and research since the event’s launch in Detroit.

Wine & Dine in the D “It’s almost like science fiction... targeting genomes...the unbelievable rate of progress,” noted Chris Emde. He was referring to information presented at the roundtable discussion which kicked off Sid and Sharon Moss’ benefit for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

It brought about 350 people ($175, $275patron) to the Westin Book Cadillac, 100 of whom, like the Emdes, came early for the discussion. So did Marja and Jerry Norris. Like Sid, Jerry is living with MM. He echoed Emde’s amazement at the rapid progress in drugs and treatment that is being made.

But most of the guests were there to wine and dine for the cause. And the restaurants surely delivered the goods.

Or, as Rochester’s Silver Spoon was dishing up – Arrosto di Maiale – roast pig. Huge chunks with crispy skin if one wished. Or Mitchell’s Fish Market’s seafood paella with mussels, shrimp and lobster. Or Prime 29 Steakhouse’s surf and turf crostini. Guests had 25 splendid cuisine stations and 14 wine or beer stations to visit. Other diversions included jazz by Ursula Walker and the Buddy Budson Quintet, the silent auction ($5,000) and a wine pull. An Afterglow for patrons featured rare dessert wines donated by Dr. Takeshi Kataoka and Harry Rochelle and Corden’s and 11.16

Sander’s sweets. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the sixth annual event raised some $95,000 for multiple myeloma research.

Women’s Fund of Rochester Soiree The third annual Summer Soiree attracted 120 ($65, $75 ticket) to the Greystone Manor Show House by Oakland Township’s Pinnacle. People toured the 8,800 square feet of Moceri-constructed luxury that included everything from a wine lounge to a children’s drop zone.

They also socialized, sipped and supped-on-the-stroll to music by LaShawn D. A client of HAVEN, one of the agencies that received a Women’s Fund grant last year, also told her story. Since its founding 16 years ago, the fund has given over $300,000 in grants to help women in need. President Judy deSteiger announced the group’s new goal – to grow the endowed fund to $1 million by the year 2020 in order to move women and girls from poverty to economic self-sufficiency. The next event, a holiday cocktail party, is December 6 at the Mercedes Benz dealership in Rochester. For more information about it and the Women’s Fund go to womensfundrochester.org.

The Birmingham House Tour People came from all over to see the six homes on the tour sponsored by Hall & Hunter Realtors to benefit The Community House. Rose and Brian Bolyard, whose home was a tour stop last year, chaired the 29th annual event that attracted about 900 tourists ($40, $45 ticket).

The Garrity, Vincenti, Afrakhteh, Levin, Welty, Nelson and Pero homes in Birmingham displayed a wide variety of design features that inspired conversation among the 200 tourists ($15, $20 ticket) who partook of the buffet luncheon served at The House.

Keep the Music Going The Born And Raised Detroit Foundation’s (BARD) partnership with Detroit Homecoming III was a perfect way to toast Crain’s three-day schmooze and enlightenment of successful expats. The party attracted about 250 ($50 ticket) to Music Hall’s rooftop (350 Terrace) for heavy duty socializing, a silent auction of Made-inMichigan products and Dave Santia’s speed painting of a Stevie Wonder portrait – all accompanied by a band and two DJs. The event raised about $15,000, which BARD has earmarked for Music Hall’s Detroit Public Schools programs and Reaching Higher, a program that gives teens the power of hope and the skills to cope. The next BARD event will be Gobble Wobble, the party that started it all in 2006. ‘Tis the night after Thanksgiving at The Reserve. For information, go to bornandraiseddetroit.org.

Grand Jester’s Reception There’s nothing “creepy” about The Parade Company’s Distinguished Clowns Crops. These are the nearly 200 guys and gals who donate $1,000 per year for the privilege of frolicking down Woodward Avenue in America’s Thanksgiving Parade. As DCC sponsor UHY LLP’s Tony Frabotta said at the Grand Jester’s annual reception, “We work for people...certain things you do because you feel good about it. We feel good about (the Distinguished Clown Corps).” He was speaking to the 200 DCs and DC wannabees gathered at The Reserve to salute 2016 Grand Jester Austin Kanter. He’s the first of the corps to attain 30-year status. And like other DCs, is joined in the corps by children and grandchildren. This includes the LePage family, which hosts the exceptional cocktail supper reception. DCC committee members include Maggie Allesee, Eric Borman, Linda Burwell, downtownpublications.com

Keep the Music Going

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1. Matthew Richter, Sarah Paciocco, BARD co-founder Parker Lynch. 2. Maggie Durant, Anne Strickland, Andrew Dickow.

3. Liz Vollman, Christine Tobias. 4. Bill Powers, Rick Williams, Scott Strickland. 5. Nevila Kaso and Joe Poposil. 6. Sloan Eddleston, Lindsey Shaw, Jason Eddleston. 7. Karen Williams, Wendy Powers.

Grand Jester’s Reception

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1. Tony Frabotta (left) of Rochester Hills and Tom Callan of Bloomfield.

2. Maggie Allesee (center) of Bloomfield with Austin & Faye Kanter of W. Bloomfield. 3. Tavi Fulkerson (left) and Blanca Fauble of Bloomfield. 4. Joe Maternick (left) and Parade Company CEO Tony Michaels of Rochester, Pat Fenton of Birmingham, Syd Ross of Bloomfield. 5. Rick & Becky Sorensen of Bloomfield. 6. Dr. John Tower (left) and Madeline & Sam Carletta of Rochester Hills. 7. Scott LePage (left) of Birmingham, Bonnie & Norm LePage of W. Bloomfield. 8. Rick Miller (left) of Pontiac, Larry Pocza of White Lake, Sandee Rellinger of Rochester, John White of Rochester Hills. 9. John Landis of Livonia, Pam Audette of Chesterfield and Michelle DesMarais of Bloomfield. 10. Syd Ross (center) of Bloomfield, Josh Ross (left) of Pleasant Ridge and Victor Ross of Royal Oak.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Grace Centers Night of Hope

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Rick DiBartolomeo, Grenae Dudley-White, Blanca Fauble, Pat Fenton, Joe Fleck, Austin Kanter, John Landis, Eric Larson, David Markiewicz, Luther “Skip” Rosemond, Syd Ross, Peter Schweitzer, Rebecca Sorensen and Bill White.

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1. Nanette Droulliard (left) and Kevin Murphy of Rochester. 2. Michelle Denno (left) of Rochester, Emilie Mardigian Fitch (left) and Katre Klow of Birmingham. 3. Charles Wickins (left) of Birmingham, Grace Center of Hope’s Pastor Clark Kent of Troy and Susan Cetnar of Clinton. 4. Chris Klow (left) and Aaron Fitch of Birmingham. 5. Melissa Rodriquez of Sterling Hgts., Maria Moceri of Rochester. 6. Tom Kalas (left) of Rochester Hills, Jerry Ruggierello of Northville, Mario Moceri of Rochester.

7. Roop Raj of Bloomfield, Angelia LaGrandeur of Centerline, Tricia Raymond of Troy.

HAVEN’s Tailgate Benefit

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1. Jeff & Michelle Bonanni of Rochester. 2. Committee member Craig Wolanin, (left) Gordie, Cayce and Grant Kosch of Rochester. 3. Interim co-director Marianne Dwyer of Ortonville, committee member Greg Erne of Beverly Hills.

Spirit of Manresa Gala Gala

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1. Julie and Peter Kreher of Birmingham. 2. Steve Raymond (left) of Troy, Sr. Bridget Bearss and Frank Migliazzo of Bloomfield. 3. Maryellen Netter (left) of Bloomfield, Jane Stewart of Royal Oak. 4. Rick Benedict of Bloomfield. 5. Marty (left) & Tami Rymerz of Wright City, MO, Robert & Barbara Wilson of Bloomfield.

HAVEN’s Tailgate Benefit The weather was pleasant, the terrace at the Birmingham Athletic Club was a comfortable, new event venue and 123 HAVEN supporters ($125 and up tickets) turned out to watch the Lions-Packers game. They also bid in silent and live auctions ($9,000), wagered $5,000 on the scoring in each quarter, savored bountiful tailgate fare and, at halftime, applauded remarks by retired Lions kicker Jason Hanson. His anti-domestic and sexual violence message was mostly to guys. “Let’s put our competitive energies into something that matters...stopping abuse...men must get their act together...let’s be part of the solution. We’re cheering (HAVEN) on,” he concluded. Although the Lions fell short, thanks to generous sponsors, the fourth annual tailgate party enriched HAVEN’s victim support and abuse prevention programs by more than $53,000.

Spirit of Manresa Gala Gala Many of the 220 supporters ($100 & up tickets) of the Manresa Jesuit Retreat House gathered at the St. Nicholas Center in Troy began the evening at Mass celebrated by Fr. Leo Cachat, SJ. The social hour following the liturgy was marked by conversation, silent auction bidding (96 items), a 52-card raffle ($100 tickets) and signing up for three different social events. The dinner program was emceed by WJR’s Marie Osborne and had highlights, not the least of which was a champagne toast to the conclusion of Manresa’s 90th anniversary celebration. But here’s betting everyone in the audience was most moved by Rick Benedict’s remarks about the cancer that made him come to Manresa 10 years ago because he “...was afraid to meet The Creator.”

He has since transitioned from hoping to believing in God. “I have had an internship in Trust,” he concluded.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390.

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Grace Centers Night of Hope The Reserve was also a grand venue for Grace Centers’ Night of Hope fundraiser. Chaired by Emilie Mardigian Fitch and Nanette Droulliard, it attracted 144 for casual Friday night fun. This included super food stations, a silent auction ($9,755) and a live auction of three Dave Santia speedy painted celebrity portraits, plus three other items ($10,300). Fox 2’s Roop Raj also emceed a program. It included his recollection that his first guest when he started at Fox 2 in 1992 was the current Miss Michigan (Shannon Grace Clark, the daughter of Grace Centers of Hope’s Pastor Clark Kent); a moving video depicting a youngster’s dramatic success in Grace Centers’ Hands of Hope Childcare Center; and, why many came, a riveting Pastor Kent story. The latter, relayed with consummate good humor, was his memory of how the late David Mardigian came to be a major Grace Centers donor. Following Pastor Clark, Melissa Rodriquez made a special appeal that resulted in $13,677. This brought the Night of Hope proceeds to $108,902 for the Hands of Hope Childcare Center at Grace Centers of Hope. The Christian social service agency receives no government support.

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ENDNOTE POCKET VOTER GUIDE Here’s a handy pocket guide to Downtown’s picks for the November general election which voters can take to the polls. Expanded endorsement information can be found on our website at downtownpublications.com.

Representative in Congress 8th District Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township MIKE BISHOP (R) 9th District Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills ANIL KUMAR (D) Michigan House 40th District Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills MIKE MCCREADY (R) 45th District Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township MICHAEL WEBBER (R) Oakland County County Executive L. BROOKS PATTERSON (R) County Prosecutor JESSICA COOPER (D) County Sheriff MICHAEL BOUCHARD (R) County Clerk/Register of Deeds LISA BROWN (D) County Treasurer ANDY MEISNER (D) Water Resources Commissioner JIM NASH (D) County Commission District 12 Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills SHELLEY GOODMAN TAUB (R) District 13 Bloomfield Township MARCIA GERSHENSON (D) District 15 Rochester, Rochester Hills ADAM KOCHENDERFER (R) Birmingham School Board AUDRA BARTHOLOMEW BRIAN HENNINGS COREY JACOBY ADRIENNE YOUNG Birmingham Schools Millage VOTE YES Bloomfield Hills School Board MARK BANK JACQUELINE EL-SAYED CYNTHIA VON OEYEN Rochester School Board MICHELLE BUELTEL Regional Mass Transit Tax VOTE NO

Ban use of coal tar sealants n September, Downtown newsmagazine explored the use and associated health risks of using pavement sealants derived from coal tar, which is a byproduct produced in the distillation of coal into coke. While we found that sealcoat applicators and manufacturers agreed that the coal tar based product was the most durable on the market, the same sources indicated suitable alternatives are available.

Further, existing research on the coal tar-based sealcoat linked it as a significant source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are known to be potent carcinogens, and have been linked to cardiovascular disease and poor fetal development. Coal tar pitch, itself, is considered a human carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program.

In its functional state, coal tar sealants provide an added protection and attractive aesthetic to blacktop parking lots. The problem, several studies pointed out, begins when the sealant begins to break down and flake or chip off the pavement. At that point, the substance begins to spread, either by dust that can be tracked into nearby buildings or by stormwater running into drainage and detention systems where it contaminates soils, or runs into local waterways where it impacts aquatic life. As a source of soil contamination in drainage systems, coal tar sealants may pose a substantial financial burden to local governments charged with maintenance of a stormwater management system under federal law. Likewise, property owners near seal-coated parking lots face the cost of mitigating associated contamination.

The time has come for state, county and local lawmakers to take action to prohibit the use and

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sale of coal tar based sealants as it is too great a source of an environmental pollutant entering our homes and waterways.

Much of the research has been done by the United States Geological Survey and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, with support from subsequent academic studies. The information has lead to statewide bans on coal tar sealants in Minnesota and Washington. Several Michigan municipalities have banned the application and sale of coal tar sealants, including Ann Arbor and Van Buren Township.

Those that have already enacted bans on coal tar sealants are aware the products will likely take decades to work their way out of the environment.

However, by using existing ordinances as a framework, Oakland County and other communities must start now to reduce the health threat to residents. It becomes especially critical in our county, which sits at the headwaters of key waterways in this part of the state.

Critics of such bans have responded by attacking the researchers motivations and credibility, with the main trade association leading the opposition claiming the entire field of study into emerging pollutants is simply a way to fund new research.

Such ad hominem attacks have little substance to sway us against the type of scientific research that has resulted in previous bans of harmful substances, such as lead and DDT. So we are calling on elected and appointed officials in local communities, Oakland County and our state lawmakers to show leadership on an issue of utmost importance to residents here and throughout the state and begin working on a ban to the sale and use of coal tar sealants.

Safeguarding our water quality early half of us use at least one prescription drug each month, with 20 percent of the population needing at least three prescriptions or more. Our bodies use a portion of those drugs, plus the over the counter medications we ingest, and then excrete them out into our wastewater. Similarly, lots of people still flush unused drugs and pharmaceuticals down the toilet in whole form in order to keep out of the hands of others. The problem? A large portion of this medical waste ends up in our drinking water, proving to be a toxic threat to both people and the environment.

In a recent longform article for Downtown, reporter Kevin Elliott researched the dangers of polluting our drinking water with medical waste, as water treatment plants can only detect and remove a small amount of the pharmaceuticals and other chemical compounds from our drinking and wastewater. While sewage systems are designed to remove harmful contaminants from our wastewater before being released back into the environment, studies have found that only 20 to 90 percent of pharmaceuticals are typically removed from "influent," or sewage. The remaining chemicals are discharged as "effluent" and pumped right back into local waterbodies. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) said water treatment

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isn't even designed to remove pharmaceuticals from water – meaning a Valium cocktail or antibiotic chaser could be part of your diet without your knowledge.

It is critical that agencies such as the DEQ and EPA invest time and money into research to scientifically determine the exact chemical threats to both the population and the environment, as intersex fish and other anomalies are cropping up along Great Lake tributaries. Significiant improvements in the infrastructure must be done by the Great Lakes Water Authority, which provides water to the communities of much of southeast Michigan, along with other local water treatment plants, to better filter contaminants. We believe a majority of water customers would be willing to pay to ensure their water is safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in.

Likewise, community leaders in the county would do well to help promote the program created by Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard – Operation Medicine Chest, which allows people to anonymously drop off unused medications at sheriff office locations and local police departments – and to take every opportunity to educate and remind their citizenry of the damage incurred by not properly disposing of medical waste.

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