Birmingham/Bloomfield

DESKA: FRONT/BACK 108 • GERAK: SOCIAL LIGHTS 118

SEPTEMBER 2016

PLUS

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL POLITICAL NEWS AND GOSSIP

MASS TRANSIT: RIDING INTO THE FUTURE OR A QUAGMIRE? STUDENT HEALTH: WHO IS TESTING SCHOOL WATER ENDNOTE: RTA PLAN RAISES TOO MANY QUESTIONS

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Pine Lake Lakefront

K a t h y Broock Ballard 248.318.4504 kathy@maxbroockhomes.com W W W. K A T H Y B R O O C K . C O M

$5,490,000 – West Bloomfield

Turtle Lake Lakefront

Walk to Cranbrook

$2,490,000 – Bloomfield Twp

$2,190,000 – Bloomfield Hills

New Construction in Poppleton Park

Bloomfield Village

$1,449,000 – Birmingham

$1,390,000 – Bloomfield Twp

Wood Lake Lakefront

Updated Throughout

$1,200,000 – Bloomfield Twp

$1,065,000 – Birmingham

275 S. Old Woodward Ave, Birmingham |

kathy@maxbroockhomes.com

Gated Community

MICHIGAN’S #1 REALTOR 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015

$2,999,000 – Bloomfield Hills

6 Bedroom Tudor

8 Bedroom Residence

$1,997,000 – Bloomfield Hills

$1,549,000 – Bloomfield Hills

Orchard Lake Lakefront

Quarton Lake Estates

$1,299,000 – Orchard Lake

$1,275,000 - Birmingham

Almost 3 Acres

Hickory Heights Corner Lot

$849,000 – Bloomfield Hills

$419,000 – Bloomfield Twp All Star

KATHYBROOCK.COM | OVER $72 MILLION SOLD IN 2015

THE CURE FOR

THE COMMON PHARMACY

At Mills Pharmacy + Apothecary, our philosophy since 1946 has been simple: do something unique for the community we love. But just like the Birmingham community, Mills has evolved to become a modern destination offering the things you need – and so much more. Visit us to see our innovative compounding laboratory and stop by our apothecary to nourish both body and soul. Just as we have for 70 years, we’ll be here... Around the corner. Around the world.

1744 West Maple Road ∙ Birmingham 48009 | M – F 9AM - 9PM ∙ Sat 9AM - 6PM ∙ Sun 10AM - 3PM 248.644.5060 | MILLSPHARMACY.COM | fb.com/millspharmacy ∙ @millspharmacy

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BLOOMFIELD 2895 Chestnut Run | $1,195,000

F

abulous views of Heather Lake from all 3 levels of this waterfront Chestnut Run home. Exceptional quality, craftsmanship & attention to detail throughout. Chef’s kitchen features custom cabinetry, granite, large island and expansive breakfast area and is open to vaulted ceiling family room with beautiful stone fireplace. Open floor plan layout includes a stunning formal living room with fireplace, lovely dining room and paneled library with custom built-ins. The spacious master suite affords resort-like lake view and features large dressing room, walk-in closet, fireplace, pan ceiling and elegant master bath featuring large spa shower & jetted tub. Finished walkout LL includes 5th bedroom, full bath, 2nd kitchen and rec room. Enjoy the lush grounds from lower level brick patio.

W NE

ICE R P

BLOOMFIELD 90 N. Berkshire Road | $999,000

W

elcome to “Butternut” – the name given to this exceptional 1914 Craftsman-style estate located on 2 beautiful acres. Grand yet intimate living spaces are filled with natural light. This unique home features hardwood floors, mahogany, custom crown moldings, beveled glass doors, bronze hardware – all of the highest quality. The entire home has been updated with no expense spared. The great room has 19’ ceiling showcasing one of three fireplaces; 4 sets of mahogany doors; a hidden paneled powder room, and 2nd floor balcony with custom wrought iron railing. Modern well-appointed kitchen complete with custom cabinetry, top-of-line-appliances, quartz countertops and backsplash features a center island. Bluestone patio directly off kitchen. Expansive master retreat highlighted by luxurious marble encased bathroom and opulent 3rd floor walk-in closet, additional bathroom and more! Outside, brick and limestone exterior with glazed terracotta tiled roof, copper gutters and a stately front porch that showcases the historical integrity. All mechanicals, electrical and plumbing have been updated.

442 S. Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, MI 48009

Cindy Obron Kahn TOP PRODUCER 2009-2015 | $126 Million Sold 2013-15

248.568.7309 | Cindy@CindyKahn.com

BLOOMFIELD 1390 Kirkway Road | $4,275,000

BIRMINGHAM Nearly 2 acres overlooking Lower Long Lake 547 Southfield Road | $1,875,000 Co-listed with Meredith Colburn

Impressive new construction filled with beautiful details and quality craftsmanship that has been tastefully designed for easy flow.

4,134 SF | 4 BR | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths

BLOOMFIELD 6300 Wing Lake Road | $2,750,000 BIRMINGHAM Serene withStree lovely|views of Wing Lake 1222estate Fairfax $1,665,000 Stately Quarton Lake Estates colonial boasts light-filled grand foyer, open & flowing floor plan and wonderful upgrades throughout.

5,291 SF | 4 BR | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths

BLOOMFIELD 975 Sunningdale | $2,490,000 BIRMINGHAM Impressive acre estate with unique walkout setting 10451.2 Westchester Way | $1,599,000 Exceptionally designed custom 5 bedroom home close to town. Impeccable details and craftsmanship. Covered patio & sparking pool.

4,012 SF | 5 BR | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths

FRANKLIN VILLAGE

BIRMINGHAM

BLOOMFIELD

30645 Rosemond | $2,475,000

547 Southfield Road | $1,875,000

2368 Heronwood | $1,749,000

DesRosiers masterpiece on almost 3 acres

6000 sq. ft. new construction with easy flow

Serene and gated community of Heronwoods

BIRMINGHAM 655 S. Glenhurst | $829,000

BIRMINGHAM 1335 Puritan Avenue | $1,399,000

BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE 235 Westwood | $1,399,000

Bright and open Colonial in superb location.

The interior boasts beautiful hardwood floors, moldings, built-ins & exquisite attention to details.

3,607 SF | 5 BR | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths

Remarkable brick Colonial situated on coveted street in desirable Quarton Lake Estates.

Spacious finished lower level with 2nd family room.

4,938 SF | 4 BR | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths

Wonderful new construction in great location with timeless finishes throughout. Stunning chef’s kitchen. 3-car garage.

4,192 SF | 4 BR | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths

BIRMINGHAM

BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE

1222 Fairfax Street | $1,665,000

235 Westwood | $1,399,000

Stately updated Quarton Lake Estates colonial

New construction with outstanding finishes

BLOOMFIELD 90 N. Berkshire Road | $1,100,000

CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 555 Rudgate Road | $1,098,000

Completely renovated Craftsman-style estate located on 2 beautiful acres offers grand yet BIRMINGHAM intimate655 livingS.spaces filled natural light.

Glenhurst |with $799,900 4,223 | 3 colonial BR | 3 Full,1 Half location Baths Bright,SFopen in superb

Gracious 5 bedroom Colonial on park-like 1.1 acre property across TROYfrom the Cranbrook community.

Bright, light-filled rooms.

5052 Christy Court | $680,000 4,766 condominium Total SF | 5 BRin|private 3 Full, wooded 3 Half Baths Luxurious setting

CITYCEOF BLOOMFIELD HILLS

I

555 PRRudgate Road | $1,098,000

EW FiveNbedroom colonial across from Cranbrook

TROY 5052 Christy Court | $680,000 Luxurious contemporary condominium with beautifully interior in private CITY designed OF BLOOMFIELD HILLSwooded setting surrounded by towering pine trees 502 Chase Lane | $525,000 3,664 | 3 BR | 2 Full,Hunt 1 Half Baths 1.39 acre lot inSF prime Bloomfield Club Estates

DOWNTOWN09.16

47

Mass transit: Driving into the future or a quagmire?

The Rapid Transit Authority has voted to place on the November ballot a 20-year millage request for a mass transit plan to bring high speed bus transportation to a four-county area so voters can make the decision.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

22

The proverbial “big tent” that has been promised by the Republican party appears to be getting smaller as times goes on, as evidenced by the party platform recently adopted this summer following the national convention of delegates.

OAKLAND CONFIDENTIAL

26

Our political/government gossip column details the latest, including the impact of Donald Trump on the county candidates further down the ballot; a senator's failed dream of a veto override; the strange PSA from a county official; and more.

CRIME LOCATOR

29

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

MUNICIPAL

81

Starbucks taking Cosi space in Birmingham; no changes to bistro ordinance; smart meter trial in city; complaint over use of township email list; park request for school site turned down; new fitness outlets in Birmingham; plus more.

FRONT/BACK

108

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 Lake Jonah, named as such because it is shaped like a whale and in reference to the biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, with a Carl Milles sculpture overlooking it, on the grounds of Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills. Downtown photo.

A Touch of Lace 4036 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 (Located at the Southwest Corner of Long Lake Road & Telegraph Road) Phone: 248-645-5223 | Fax: 248-645-5227 Email: Sales@atouchoflace.net | www.atouchoflace.com Monday - Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm Evenings and Weekends available upon request

FeAtured home

3089 heron Pointe

Bloomfield hills

$1,999,900

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.

255 Lakewood

Bloomfield hills

$1,688,000

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.

455 Aspen

Birmingham

$1,588,000

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.

Chris Pero Associate Broker

248.797.0784 cgpero@yahoo.com

275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

Over $25 MilliOn ClOsed in 2016 YTd

2811 Bradway Blvd.

Bloomfield hills $899,900

1418 Washington Birmingham $699,900

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.

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.

2235 Quarton rd Bloomfield hills $649,900

723 Ann Birmingham $524,900

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.

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.

755 n glenhurst Birmingham $524,900

590 riverside Birmingham $499,900

Move in ready Colonial on a nice 70ft wide lot 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.

17941 Birwood Beverly hills $399,900

32650 eastlady Beverly hills $399,900

Fantastically expanded 4 bedroom colonial on a great street in Beverly Hills. White kitchen with SS appls opens to nook and family room addition off the back. Master bedroom suite also added. 3 other bedrooms upstairs and an updated full bath. Paver back patio and front porch. Two car detached garage.

An amazing 1.52 acre corner lot property on a great street.

Existing ranch home is nestled among the trees with a wooded backdrop. Eat in kitchen leads into family room with fireplace.

Two car attached side entry garage. Enjoy the existing home, or possibilities for expansion and new build as well.

sALe Pending

201 dourdan Bloomfield hills $349,900

1138 hillpointe Bloomfield hills $299,900

An executive development of million dollar plus homes.

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

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. Beautiful atrium courtyard.

Partially finished basement. Newer roof. Bloomfield Hills schools.

Chris Pero Associate Broker

275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham

248.797.0784 cgpero@yahoo.com

Over $25 MilliOn ClOsed in 2016 YTd

30 Quality of school water Not all schools are required to test for lead and copper content in drinking water and testing protocol is not always followed correctly, based on Downtown newsmagazine's survey of over half the school districts in Oakland County in the past month.

43

Russell Thayer

FACES SOCIAL LIGHTS

118

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

ENDNOTE

126

Here is our take on the proposed mass transit (rapid bus) proposal and the accompanying millage request facing voters; and our thoughts on what the state should be requiring of public and private schools in terms of testing for water quality.

43 79 89 93 95 105 115

Russell Thayer Kurt Steckling Cec Vetraino Strine Benjamin Reynaert Marissa Boyajian Kitty Dubin Robyn Coden

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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.

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

FROM THE PUBLISHER he proverbial “big tent” that Michigan Republican politicians have talked about for the past three decades got a bit smaller in recent months, as evidenced by an even stronger conservative party platform adopted at the summer convention, only to be topped off most glaringly by the Grand Traverse County Republicans in recent weeks who passed a resolution to disavow former Republican Governor William Milliken as member of the party.

T

Milliken, a native of Traverse City, is Michigan's longest serving governor, holding the office from 1969 through 1982, following stints as lieutenant governor, state senator and time spent on the Michigan Waterways Commission.

The members of the Grand Traverse group took umbrage with Milliken's endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president this year. The resolution adopted by the northern Michigan Republicans also criticized the former governor for vetoing bills when in office that would have stopped state funding of abortion in 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982. So, according to Grand Traverse Republicans, William Milliken's “status as a Republican (will) be no longer recognized.”

It was not the first time since leaving office that Milliken ignored party labels when endorsing candidates, including Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry in 2004 and Gary Peters when he ran for U.S. Senate.

Oh, I almost forgot, Milliken also withdrew his endorsement of presidential candidate John McCain when his campaign took a decidedly negative turn when he ran against President Obama. Milliken's logic at the time: “Increasingly, the party is moving toward rigidity, and I don't like that.”

That's not to say he hasn't backed GOP candidates, including incumbent Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, but he has long been considered a state leader that was and still is most concerned with who is best qualified to govern.

Franky, I would expect nothing less from former Governor William Milliken, considered a moderate (some say moderate-to-liberal) Republican who was more than willing to cross party lines and achieve consensus on critical issues that allowed state government to function at a higher level during his administration. His concern for good government was applied equally to a host of issues, most notably to environmental considerations. We have Milliken to thank for the Environmental Protection Act in Michigan and the Inland Lakes and Stream Act. Add to that list the Open Meetings Act, among other legislative accomplishments that still benefit us today.

Much to the chagrin of metro area suburban community leaders, he also served as a strong proponent of regionalism decades before the current day converts' push of that viewpoint. Milliken was a bridge from the rest of the state to the city of Detroit during the Coleman Young administration, which probably explains why he is the last Republican governor to carry Wayne County in elections. He clearly was a visionary in terms of the importance of Detroit remaining a successful anchor for the southeast Michigan area.

My personal experiences with the former governor are probably among the most memorable moments in my early career, whether a personal session in his Lansing office where one could comfortably talk about

issues like the need for better control over expansion of lakes access development in Oakland County and the state, or his visits to our offices at the time where you could have frank talks about far ranging issues or zero in on local concerns such as the push in those years to expand/extend Northwestern Highway.

The nonsensical Grand Traverse Republicans in recent weeks were no doubt emboldened even more by the continuing swing to the right of the national party platform, which was toughened up even further to appease the conservative wing this summer.

That was not always the case with the GOP, which dating back to the 1968 convention adopted a platform that was considered more socially moderate and environmentally conscious. But by the time we got to the 1976 platform, you could see the influence of the far right. In 1976, opposition to abortion had entered the platform and by the 1990's, faith as an issue entered the party platform.

Then in 1992, we have the first mention of same-sex relationships and the rejection of same-sex couples from adopting or becoming foster parents. By the time we hit 2004, the GOP platform became more entrenched in far right verbiage, calling for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman.

The platform this year represents much of the same exclusionary thinking, despite the lip service paid by national, state and Oakland County leaders to the theory of the “big tent” that supposedly would provide for a more inclusive party to avert further national election losses and the slow death of the GOP thanks to a growing litany of litmus test issues.

And the Republican party – nationally, in Michigan and in Oakland County – have much to be concerned about this election year. With a unruly demagogue at the top of the ticket, whose ratings are spiraling downward just 60 days ahead of absentee ballots hitting the mail, there is legitimate concern that the Donald Trump backwash, coupled with the continuing takeover of the party by hard core conservative zealots, has driven supporters away from the GOP when it comes to Republican hopefuls further down the ballot.

The only hope here in Oakland – albeit one that is getter slimmer by the week – is the history in this county of voters splitting the ticket when moving from the top of the ballot to the state and county offices.

Nationally, split-ticket voting is becoming more of a rarity. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, only six percent of all congressional districts in the 2012 election went for one party for president and then switched to the other political party when picking a candidate for U.S. House.

Oakland's track record shows a bit more independence when it comes to moving across the aisle when casting ballots. Whether that pattern will hold in the 2016 election is anyone's guess. But county Republicans had best hope so, or the ongoing march of Democrats who have made good gains in the last couple of presidential election years in Oakland will continue. The GOP will have only itself to blame for the outcome.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

THANK YOU Bloomfield Township Residents

A message from

Supervisor Leo Savoie Dear Bloomfield residents, As the Supervisor of Bloomfield Township I will continue to work with our township board members, our talented and dedicated township staff and most importantly the citizens to keep this community the best place to live in Michigan.

My priorities for the next four years will be, • Keep Bloomfield one of the safest communities in the State.

• Keep government spending and decision making transparent.

• Maintain strong fiscal management.

• Work to bring the township board and all our citizens together.

If you ever have a problem or question regarding Bloomfield Township please call my office at 248-433-7708.

Sincerely,

Leo Savoie

P.S. Thank you for your confidence. Let’s bring this township together and keep the good going.

PAID FOR BY RETAIN LEO SAVOIE BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR, 6800 COLBY LANE, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48301

INCOMING Oakland’s 911 system Fantastic detail and coverage on E911 / NG911 in Kevin Elliott’s story (Next Generation 911/August).

He obviously has done his homework.

Mark Fletcher, ENP Chief Architect/Public Safety Solutions Avaya, New York, New York

Gravel mining story Excavating gravel (August/Downtown) — a very interesting article. Very well researched and delivered.

Ron Mack Ascent Aerospace Lake Orion

Missing refugee facts Regarding 'Seeking Refuge' (August/Downtown), the article misses salient important facts.

There are 650,000 homeless Americans who are neglected totally and get only a fraction of what is offered to Muslim immigrants.

Clearly, (the article) ignores also that these immigrants are not necessarily Syrian. Only 30 percent are. Ninety percent are young males who will ask for family unification, including multiple wives, in-laws of those and whoever fits the "extended family" laws. The total extended family per one male Muslim is about 100.

A thousand immigrants mean eventually about 100,000 Muslim immigrants. Polygamous women register as "single mothers" and have all the benefits which we give to single mothers. Averagely, every Muslim woman has 4-5 children who require schools, health care, etc.

The immigrant Muslim men frequently...have different Arabic dialects, have no money, no skills and no burning sensation to be Americans. Islam warns against assimilation and punishes those who deviate. Islam does not believe in Democracy as the laws of man come from Allah. Those who believe in Sharia endorse a social, political, religious system that is not consistent with American laws.

I did not touch on the dire security issues because these are minor concerns as compared to the demographic, economic and social bomb shell that Muslim immigration brings. Moreover, all the benevolent organizations mentioned are not downtownpublications.com

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

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

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"sympathetic" with Arab Christian immigrants who are left behind to be slaughtered by Muslims of Assad and Muslims of ISIS. Lastly, "the right of return" was the mantra of Palestinians. I am curious to know why Syrian and other refugees do not demand the right of return?

Isaac Baar MD Bloomfield Township

Zero GOP options I enjoyed (David Hohendorf’s) insightful editorial regarding the election process in the August 2016 edition of Downtown newsmagazine.

It caused me to think about the August primary ballot. In Rochester Hills we were provided with zero options on the Republican side of the ballot.

Every politician ran unopposed.

This tells me the Republican party in Oakland County is only interested in putting forth their preferred candidate. Why wouldn't they encourage options within their own party? While money may still win elections, it would appear the Republican party in Oakland County still determines who gets to run for office.

Tim Srock Rochester Hills

Voice of reason I appreciate (David Hohendorf’s) essays at the beginning of Downtown newsmagazine.

A voice of reason on many topics. I was especially surprised by the one about transsexual bathroom access. Bravo.

Nicole Ward Oakland Township DOWNTOWN

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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.

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26

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS: In a year where predictions offered by political pundits are less accurate than the extended weather forecast in any given week, there is only one certainty: nothing is certain. From Donald Trump’s presidential nomination to Sen. Bernie Sander’s success in Michigan, the resulting uncertainty has many candidates on the lower portion of the November ballot worried, or hopeful, depending on their current position. “It’s a bigger crapshoot in this election than in any in recent memory,” said Dave Dulio, chair of the political science department at Oakland University.

One factor that will impact results, he said, is voter turnout.

DULIO And, with many voters unhappy with both presidential candidates, Dulio said he expects to see muted turnout at the polls. “If that’s true, it’s really driven by the folks that show up, so it’s really hard to say.”

Bill Ballenger, longtime Michigan political analyst and author of The Ballenger Report (now online only) said in mid-August that a federal court ruling on whether a ban on straight-party ticket will be upheld could have a dramatic impact on state and local races, particularly in Oakland County where Democrats have been making inroads at the county level. “Republicans are hoping banning straight-party tickets could help them, and if that doesn’t happen, that could be a big factor,” he said. Republicans in Oakland County have lost the treasurer, clerk and water resources commissioner offices in recent years. If straight-party votes favor the Democratic candidate for president, as it traditionally has, the impact on local offices could be dramatic.

“With the changing demographic in Oakland County, it’s hard to say what will happen next,” Ballenger said. “Republicans lost a lot of races they didn’t think they would. It’s hard to say if that will effect (Oakland County Executive) Brooks Patterson, but if he were to be upset, that would be huge.”

The GOP in Oakland County should watch out now that the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has just refused to reverse a lower court ruling that rejected the Republican-backed law that banned straight party ticket voting. Betting money says that any planned further appeal won’t be heard in time for this election because ballots must be printed and mailed in September to members of the armed services overseas. A over-supression effort that will clearly backfire.

BIG SHOULDERS: Earlier this summer, state Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills) was slapped in the face by, of all people, Gov. Rick Snyder, who said, sorry, don’t like that bill you sponsored that would have gotten his, and a bunch of other municipalities, off the financial hook for paying for part of the costs of widening and improving state trunk highways, like the huge I-75 project.

Senate Bill 557, which Knollenberg sponsored and was passed by the legislature on June 9, would have amended the road funding formula of the Michigan Transportation Fund law, in place since 1951, which requires that large cities pay for part of any freeway project coming through their city limits.

Snyder, however, vetoed the bill, saying it would create a patchwork of funding mechanisms around the state. In July, Knollenberg announced he would try to override Snyder’s veto, which requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate.

“He can’t do it (override) on his own. It’s a question of does he have the dexterity to bring together similar communities with like-minded goals,” said one insider who served with him in the House. “Success in that arena is all about the coalitions you build, and God love him, that has never been one of his strengths.”

One Republican Michigan senator said overriding a veto is never a good idea, recalling a time when it was successfully done under Gov. John Engler.

“The legislative body takes hell for it – they always pay for it one way or another.” However, he said, “Knollenberg carries a lot of clout in the Republican caucus. When he speaks, his words are well chosen. He has a good reputation and is well thought of” – an opinion we seldom hear. There are reports that Knollenberg is working with the governor’s staff and MDOT to change language in the bill before reintroducing it as new legislation.

DOWNTOWN

09.16

WHAT WAS HE THINKING: Public Service Announcements (PSA) are important ways to get a message out, and TV, radio, cable and print newspapers and magazines all run them at no charge as a way of raising awareness about important social issues. That doesn’t change the head shaking going on about a new YouTube video PSA produced by the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, a 2:35 piece called “Pipe Down! Watch What You Flush,” starring water resources commissioner Jim Nash as a John Waters-inspired husband and a transvestite as his wife. In the hokey, and (we hope intentionally) humorous NASH video, Nash sits in a chair reading the newspaper while his “wife” – done up to the max – cleans the bathroom. Nash reads a “breaking news” article about how dangerous it is to the sewer system to flush dental floss, cotton balls, wipes, and cigarettes, while the “wife” flushes all those items down the toilet before the house explodes. Craig Covey, a special assistant to Nash and currently running against Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard in November, is credited for the creative concept. You’ve been forewarned.

NO OPINION: Newspapers, especially dailies, have long used a portion of their opinion pages to offer a local take on political candidates and ballot proposals – even publications with modest staffs. Such opinions are typically done in addition to political and election coverage, and clearly marked as opinion. However, that tradition has ended at The Oakland Press and its sister paper, the Macomb Daily, both of which ceased offering endorsements and local opinions on political issues. Repeated calls to Don Wyatt, vice president of news in Michigan for Digital First Media, owner of the two papers, and executive editor of The Oakland Press, weren’t returned. But sources at both publications confirmed neither have offered endorsements in at least a year.

Whether the decision to stop endorsements was based on staffing challenges (now rumored to be paper thin, excuse the pun) or other pressures isn’t known.

GORCYCA’S FATE: The nine-member Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission at its September meeting may be deciding the fate of Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Lisa Gorcyca after a less than positive July ruling by an examiner charged with investigating how the judge handled a contentious divorce/child custody case for the past five years.

Gorcyca was the subject of a December 2015 Judicial Tenure Commission complaint that she had mishandled the child custody battle between two Oakland parents in a five and onehalf year case that involved three children and a total of twenty attorneys (16 for the wife), some 40 hearings and more than 100 legal pleadings. In short, the ruling said she acted GORCYCA inappropriately (sending the children to the county youth detention facility for ignoring a court order that they have lunch with their father) and made false statements during the review of her performance.

While Gorcyca has been firm in her denial of the charges, if the Judicial Tenure Commission accepts the report’s findings, members could recommend punishment to the Michigan Supreme Court, which has the final determination. Gorcyca is clearly “nervous” about the possible outcome, according to those close to the judge. Some in the legal community say that all judges in the county are now “looking over their shoulders” as a result of the complaint.

RESPECT: About 100 people allegedly showed up at the Birmingham home of Gretchen and Ethan Davidson on August 10 to shake the hand of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Ethan Davidson is the son of Bill Davidson, who passed away in 2009, and was the owner of Guardian Industries and the Detroit Pistons during its championship years. Word is that a handshake cost $2,500 a couple, although when not all of the tickets had sold, some devoted but not as wealthy donors were invited in CLINTON the door for just $100 or $200. Motown legend Aretha Franklin, who lives in neighboring Bloomfield Township, showed Hillary some love, belting out “Respect” and “Natural Woman” for the candidate and her supporters. downtownpublications.com

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oncerns over student health and safety in the wake of the Flint water crisis have spurred many local school districts to step up efforts to ensure their water is free of excessive lead and copper contamination, but the lack of meaningful action at the state and federal levels may give parents and officials a false sense of security.

Of the hundreds of school buildings in Oakland County, only 31 schools are required to conduct water sampling for lead and copper levels. Under federal law, schools that receive water from a public water system, such as the Great Lakes Water Authority (formerly the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department) or municipal water systems, such as those in areas of Rochester and Waterford, aren’t required to conduct water quality testing. Those requirements are mandated only for schools that receive water from their own private well systems, which include several schools in Highland Township, White Lake, Clarkston and other locations in western and northern Oakland County. That means water quality testing conducted at school districts in the Birmingham/Bloomfield and Rochester areas do so on a voluntary basis, and at their own expense.

Downtown Publications this summer contacted more than 30 public and private school districts throughout Oakland County to determine whether they conduct water testing for lead and copper, with responses from 16 districts. Of those who responded, 12 districts test at least a portion of their drinking fountains and sinks for lead or copper levels, with three in the process of testing. Of those that have already tested water, seven found at least one fixture in the district that tested higher than the federal action level for lead or copper.

Districts surveyed that found elevated levels of lead or copper included Berkley Schools; Farmington Public Schools; Huron Valley Schools; Rochester Community Schools; South Lyon Schools; Southfield Schools and the Troy School District. Each of the districts conducted additional testing when elevated levels were found, and either took the water fixture out of service permanently or until the issue was resolved.

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SCHOOL WATER: IS IT SAFE FOR KIDS TO DRINK?

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09.16

Districts that didn’t discover lead or copper levels above the limit set by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may still have some presence of lead or copper. For instance, records provided by the Bloomfield Hills Schools district showed at least some presence of lead or copper at 11 of the 46 drinking fountains or sinks most recently sampled at the district.

“This is fairly new territory for us and we are implementing water testing and other measures to ensure safe drinking water for students, staff and visitors,” said Shira Good, director of communications and community relations for the Bloomfield Hills district. “We regularly review all drinking fountains and other water fixtures, considering replacement and repair where necessary. Our generous sinking fund enables us to stay on top of these kinds of issues, but we would strongly encourage the legislature to put adequate funding in place to address this ongoing concern.”

Without voluntary water quality testing, the vast majority of school districts have virtually no information about the amount of lead and copper coming from the drinking fountains and sinks within their buildings.

While the federal Lead and Copper Rule requires public water suppliers to test some locations in each community, which are shared with the public in annual “consumer confidence” reports, those results represent a minuscule portion of water taps in each municipality. Further, some of the same procedures that allowed officials to under-report lead levels in water in Flint are still being used and prescribed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today.

“One of the groups that (the law) doesn’t protect, ironically, is schools,” said Virginia Tech Professor Marc Edwards, who is considered one of the world’s leading experts in water corrosion in plumbing. “They tend to have the worst leadin-water problems, and there is no requirement at all to even sample there.”

Edwards’ research on elevated lead in Washington D.C. gained national attention prior to his work to expose lead in Flint’s water system. In so doing, Edwards helped to reveal “cheats” used by Flint water officials to lower findings with pressure from the Michigan DEQ. While it’s now apparent that Flint water officials were purposefully working to skew testing results there, both federal regulators and the MDEQ have failed to address flawed water sampling procedures used by schools. Some of those issues are discussed in an April 2016 report issued by the state’s Flint Water Advisory Task Force.

“Flint’s water quality sampling was fundamentally flawed, giving false assurances and an untenable basis for the MDEQ’s claims that Flint’s water system was delivering safe water,” the report states. “The series of missteps and outright errors is well documented, including sampling of pre-flushed lines, use of narrow-mouthed bottles and perhaps most egregiously, failure to select high-risk homes for

THE MAJORITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE VIRTUALLY NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF LEAD AND COPPER COMING FROM DRINKING FOUNTAINS

testing, as required by the Lead and Copper Rule.”

Both the EPA and the Michigan DEQ state water samples should be taken at “first draw,” or the first time a water tap is turned on in the morning, in order to better determine if lead is present. That recommendation is included in the federal Lead and Copper Rule, as well as guidelines for schools and day cares that voluntarily conduct water testing. However, guidelines for schools and daycares also recommend pre-flushing lines the night before testing, which can potentially lower lead and copper levels when tested.

“If systems are pre-flushing the tap the night before collection of (Lead and Copper Rule) compliance samples, this clears particulate lead out of plumbing and biases the results by eliminating the highest lead values,” the EPA said in an e-mail to the MDEQ in regard to residential water testing in Flint.

Despite the knowledge that pre-flushing can skew results, the EPA, to an extent, and the state DEQ continue to recommend the practice for schools and daycares conducting voluntary tests.

Interim DEQ State School Drinking Water Coordinator Susan Kilmer said the department provides guidance to schools that do test drinking water, and recommends that water not sit stagnant for more than 24 hours prior to testing. That recommendation, she said, is based on guidance from the EPA. “The guidance document does instruct firstsamples in the morning, and for the water to be still for six to eight hours,” Kilmer said. “We do recommend that if the water hasn’t been used for an extended period of time that they run the water the day before. That’s what we recommend.”

The MDEQ’s guidelines for school water sampling are based on similar guidelines issued by the EPA, which recommend water remain stagnant between eight and 18 hours in an outlet or fixture before testing.

“Collect all water samples before the facility opens and before any water is used. Ideally, the

water should sit in the pipes unused for at least 8 hours but not more than 18 hours before a sample is taken,” the EPA guide states.

“However, water may be more than 18 hours old at some outlets that are infrequently used. If this is typical of normal use patterns, then these outlets should still be sampled.”

While issues in Flint went well beyond the use of pre-flushing, Virginia Tech's Edwards said it and other flawed sampling techniques can skew results and allow needless exposure to lead and copper.

“It makes lead-in-water low when you sample it, even if it's high when people are drinking it. I never understood why — if you’re trying to find a lead-in-water problem to fix it — why you would do things to make lead in water look low,” Edwards said. “The whole premise of the (lead and copper) rule was when you sample, you’re trying to find the worst case in every possible way. All of those things circumvent that intent and undermine the effectiveness of the law completely, to the point where Flint never met the lead and copper rule.

“That’s what a sick joke this has become with all of these extra steps that people drink up and basically how hard they work to not find a lead-in-water problem. It’s mind boggling.”

Other “cheats” that may lower the levels of lead-in-water sampled include removing and/or cleaning aerators installed on faucets prior to testing, which may collect lead particulates; using narrow-mouthed bottles for testing to limit the flow of water from the tap; and failing to test locations most likely to have elevated lead levels, due to lead water fixtures, service lines or lead solder.

In February, the EPA issued a memo to 49 state water directors across the United States recommending they amend sampling instructions so not to include pre-stagnation flushing. The memo also instructs sampling to use wider bottles when drawing water, and to keep aerators in place without prior cleaning directly before testing. However, the memo applies only to tests mandated under the federal Lead and Copper Rule, and not to voluntary testing.

In April, Michigan’s DEQ issued an updated version of its guide for sampling for lead and copper in schools. Within that guide, the DEQ advises “not all fixtures identified for sampling may be used on a regular basis. Therefore, it is important to run each tap to clear the faucet the day prior to sampling for a minimum of two minutes.”

In addition to some variations between the EPA and MDEQ’s sampling recommendations, the EPA’s guidelines for voluntary testing of lead and copper at schools and daycare facilities recommends a maximum threshold for lead samples at 20 ppb (parts per billion), which is higher than the 15 ppb action level it prescribes under federal law. Michigan, however, has recommended schools use a maximum of 15 ppb for lead, and is seeking to lower that level to 5 ppb, which is the same as the federal limit for lead in bottled water.

While lead is harmful to all humans, children are the most susceptible to exposure. Because

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their bodies are growing, they absorb more lead than adults, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the effects of lead.

Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in behavior and learning problems, lower IQ and increase hyperactivity, slow growth, and lead to hearing problems and anemia. Further, lead doesn’t leave the body, but is stored in bones and accumulates over time.

Likewise, elevated copper can lead to immediate and longterm health impacts, including vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, liver damage and kidney disease. While the human body naturally maintains a proper level of copper, youngsters are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of copper. The EPA sets the federal action limit for copper at 1,300 ppb.

Due to a lack of specific regulations for lead and copper testing in schools, districts that do sample use varying limits to determine whether action is needed to lower the amount of lead.

While the majority of districts responding to Downtown Publication’s testing survey refer to the federal action limit of 15 ppb for lead, some use the EPA’s recommended threshold of 20 ppb, with one (Birmingham) setting limits at 10 ppb. Both state and federal limits for copper levels are capped at 1,300 ppb.

Jenna Sendra, manager of the cleanWATER team for Arch Environmental Group in Farmington Hills, said the amount of sampling done at schools that do test varies from district to district. Arch conducts water sampling and testing for several Oakland County school districts, including Bloomfield Hills Schools, Birmingham Public Schools and South Lyon Community Schools.

Sendra said the variance from schools may be due to the state of flux with recommendations by the EPA, MDEQ and changes anticipated within the state.

“There are a lot of things changing and going on, from (maximum) levels and DEQ recommendations and revisions,” she said. “It’s a tough spot, where some districts want some information, such as a few samples at each building. Others want to do all of their drinking water locations. It’s a tough time because things change so much. You could do one thing, then it changes and you have to do another.

“It’s a battle of whether you do it now and have to do more later, or wait and see how the changes play out.”

School districts in Oakland County that have had water sampling conducted at least once in the past three years include districts in Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington, Huron Valley, Novi, Rochester, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Troy and Cranbrook Education Community. School district officials in Avondale, The Roeper School, Waterford and West Bloomfield said the district will be testing facilities in August and September, respectively.

Annette McAvoy, communications supervisor for Avondale Schools, said in August that two buildings in the district were recently tested, with the remaining schools and facilities to be done after the start of the school year. Results from initial tests had not yet been returned to the district.

SOME OF THE SAME PROCEDURES THAT ALLOWED OFFICIALS TO UNDER-REPORT LEAD LEVELS IN WATER IN FLINT ARE STILL BEING USED AND PRESCRIBED

Birmingham Public Schools spokeswoman Marcia Wilkinson said the district tests for lead and other contaminants at each of the district’s schools throughout the year. The district earlier this year provided sampling results conducted in 2015 and three schools that were tested this year.

Steve King, manager of operations for the district, said the most recent sampling results for Meadow Lake (School) are from 2013 because it was through that the district was selling the building. “I have asked Arch Environmental to place Meadow Lake back in the cycle until we do actually sell the building,” he said.

According to sampling results provided by the district from Arch Environmental, the district uses a lead threshold of 10 ppb, half of what is recommended by the EPA and 5 ppb lower than that recommended by the DEQ. Testing locations include dozens, if not all, water fixtures in each of the schools, including drinking fountains, cafeteria and kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, lounge sinks. All of the samples taken tested below 10 ppb for lead. The report didn’t indicate whether levels below 10 ppb were found at any sampling locations. Nor do results indicate any sampling for copper. Tests are also conducted for coliform and E-Coli at each of the buildings. Those samples all indicated no presence of contaminants.

Water samples in the Bloomfield Hills Schools district were taken in February at Bloomfield Hills High School, Bloomfield Hills Middle School, Bowers Academy, Conant Elementary, East Hills Middle School, Eastover Elementary School, Fox Hills School, International Academy, Lone Pine Elementary School, Way Elementary School, West Hills Middle School and Wing Lake School.

Water samples taken within the district were limited to drinking fountains and sinks that may commonly be used for drinking, as well as sinks closest to the building’s service connection.

None of the samples tested for lead levels above the EPA’s recommended action level for schools.

Overall, 35 samples taken showed no signs of

lead at all, with 11 having levels ranging from 12 ppb to 1 ppb. The district didn’t sample for elevated copper.

Locations that tested positive for lead but below state and federal action levels were: (1 ppb) at a men’s room sink at Bowers Academy; at Conant Elementary School in a kitchen sink (1 ppb), a drinking fountain next to Room 206 (2 ppb) and a fountain across from Room 103 (1 ppb); at East Hills Elementary at a cafeteria prep sink (1 ppb) and a drinking fountain in the 7th Grade Wing (2 ppb); at Fox Hills School at a drinking fountain in the back of Room F (2 ppb) and a fountain in the back of Room M (12 ppb); at International Academy at a fountain next to the main office (3 ppb); at Lone Pine Elementary at a drinking fountain in the back of Room 13 (3 ppb); and at Way Elementary at a cafeteria prep sink (6 ppb).

Rochester Community Schools in February conducted water testing at all 21 schools and facilities in the district. While none of the initial tests for lead revealed levels above 15 ppb, one lab sink in a science room at Rochester High School tested at 9 ppb, prompting the district to shut off water to that wing of the building.

Faucet fixtures in the room were replaced and additional tests were taken, said district spokeswoman Lori Grein.

“After consulting with experts, it was determined that the best course of action would be to install a recirculation pump in the laboratory wing to keep water moving through the pipes so lead cannot leach into the water,” Grein said.

Elevated copper levels exceeding the federal action level of 1,300 ppb were found in 39 of 63 samples conducted in March at Delta Kelly Elementary School. In response, the district disabled all drinking water sources at the school and provided students and staff with bottled water. Grein said DiHydro Services has since treated the copper plumbing with a food-grade solution to safeguard the water from contaminants. Subsequent testing in May was done, and all samples at the school were below the federal action level for both lead and copper.

“The safety and security of our children and staff is always a primary concern,” Grein said.

“We will continue to remain proactive in our approach to ensure the water test results at Rochester Community Schools are well below the action level set by the Federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act. Sendra, with Arch Environmental, said mitigating copper problems is different than lead, as replacing old copper with new copper lines won’t necessarily resolve the issue.

Berkley Schools Superintendent Dennis McDavid in May notified parents that two of 22 tests conducted at the district tested positive for elevated levels of copper or lead. Those included a kitchen sink at Anderson Middle School that tested above 15 ppb for lead, as well as a kitchen sink at Avery Elementary School that was above the federal action level for copper.

“The fixtures on sinks were replaced and water samples retaken using the same method.

The water coming from those sinks is now below the action level for both lead and copper,”

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McDavid said. “Out of an abundance of caution, we will conduct further tests on water outlets at Anderson.”

Diane Bauman, director of community relations for the Farmington Public Schools district, said testing in April revealed drinking fountains or sinks to have elevated lead levels in five buildings at the district. Bauman said the results were “very nominal” and were found in locations that are rarely used. A statement issued by district superintendent George Heitsch in April indicated the elevated levels were above the federal action level of 15 ppb, with the highest level found to be 37 ppb.

Cranbrook Educational Community Chief Operating Officer Rod Spearin said water sampling has been conducted throughout the campus for about 10 years, focusing primarily on lead, arsenic and E-Coli.

He said all the results have been below any government limits on contaminants.

Spearin said about 10 locations on campus are tested each year, which may include school buildings, dormitories, the Academy of Art, Institute of Science and administration buildings.

Huron Valley Schools spokeswoman Kim Root said water sampling conducted in March included two to seven samples at each school and support building in the district. Complete results of the tests, which are available on the district’s website, indicated elevated lead levels at two locations at Milford High School. Those locations included a drinking fountain near a women’s restroom and a custodial sink. Both fixtures have been taken out of service.

Milford High School is one of more than 30 schools in Oakland County that receives water from its own well, rather than a public water supply, and is therefore required to test for lead and copper under federal law. Additional schools in the Huron Valley district that are required to conduct water samples include Highland Elementary School, Apollo Center, Spring Mills Elementary School, Duck Lake Continuing Education Center, Oxbow Elementary School, Oak Valley/Country Oaks and Heritage Elementary School.

According to the DEQ, additional schools required to sample for lead and copper include: Glengary Elementary School, in White Lake; Upland Hills School, in Oxford; Leonard Elementary School, in White Lake; Bailey Lake Elementary School, in Clarkston; Dixie Baptist, in Ortonville; Oakland Schools Technical Campus, in Clarkston; Andersonville Elementary, in Clarkston; Lakeland High School, White Lake Middle School and Lakewood Elementary, all in White Lake; West Highland Christian School, in Milford; Davisburg Elementary, in Holly; Harvey Swanson Elementary, in Ortonville; Brandon Fletcher, in Ortonville; Rochester College, in Rochester Hills; Clear Lake Elementary, in White Lake; Hamilton-Parsons Elementary, in Leonard; Brooks Elementary, in Highland; Springfield Plains, in Clarkston; Rose Pioneer Elementary, in Holly; Brandon Middle School, in Ortonville; Oakview School, in Lake Orion; and Oakwood Elementary, in Ortonville.

BOTH FEDERAL REGULATORS AND THE MICHIGAN DEQ HAVE FAILED TO ADDRESS FLAWED WATER SAMPLING PROCEDURES USED

BY SCHOOLS

Dan Abrams, a special advisor and spokesman for the EPA’s headquarters in Washington D.C., said a total of 7,063 schools in the country are subject to the federal Lead and Copper Rule because they own and operate their own water systems.

Abrams said sampling data of those schools in Michigan is required to be reported to the Michigan DEQ. Although the EPA maintains a searchable database of records under the Safe Drinking Water Information System, the information available may not be easily understood by the general public. Detailed water sampling reports, he said, should be available from the state agency responsible for maintaining and enforcing the law on behalf of the EPA, which in Michigan is the DEQ. Requests for further sampling details from the MDEQ weren’t readily available or provided without a substantial fee through the Freedom of Information Act. Novi Schools Superintendent Steve Matthews said the district samples drinking water in the district every two years, with the most recent tests conducted in 2014. Those samples included 24 tests for lead and 24 for copper throughout the district. Matthews said none of the results exceeded the EPA’s action level for lead or copper. Tests will be conducted again later this year, he said.

The Roeper School, in Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham, is currently in the process of procuring a vendor to conduct testing at its buildings, said Kari Papadopoulos, director of communications and marketing for The Roeper School.

Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin said the district has sampled three buildings a year so that the entire district of nine schools is on a three-year rotation of testing.

“Because of the attention now being given to water quality, we tested all nine of our buildings over the past year. As we move forward, we plan to test annually,” he said. “DiHydro services conducts the testing for Royal Oak Schools.

They test cold water fixtures that are commonly used for human consumption (drinking

fountains, bubbler, kitchen fixtures). They test under normal use conditions.

“All of our results were below EPA standards for both lead and copper.”

South Lyon Schools Assistant Superintendent Maureen Altermatt said the district conducted water sampling this spring. The testing, which included 45 samples in K-12 buildings and three samples in the Early Childhood Center, cost the district about $6,000. The sampling included all drinking fountains and kitchen sinks.

Altermatt said two samples had elevated lead levels in excess of the EPA’s action level.

“Arch Environmental collected follow-up samples from the two locations with elevated lead to if determine the source of lead contamination is from the fixture or interior plumbing,” she said. “They said the two fixtures are likely the culprit of higher lead. The fixtures will be replaced, and in the mean time, they continue to be shut off and not used in any capacity.”

The Southfield Public School District failed to respond, but information about the water sampling conducted in April is available on the district’s website. According to the findings, four of 67 samples taken at the district’s 17 schools and facilities tested above the EPA’s action level for lead, while none tested above the action level for copper.

A second round of testing was conducted to determine the source of the contamination.

Results from follow-up tests conducted in May weren’t available in the report.

Initial results at the four locations that had elevated levels of lead included levels as low as 18 ppb, with a sink and drinking fountain testing at 130 ppb. Signage was placed at one sink faucet to indicate the water isn’t suitable for drinking, with the three other fixtures taken out of commission until the issue is resolved, Superintendent Lynda Wood said in the report.

Troy School District Director of Communications Kerry Birmingham said the district regularly tests for lead and copper, as well as other contaminants, such as air testing for radon and other pollutants.

“We have a regular schedule to test more things than lead and copper, but we did extensive testing recently,” she said. “May was the last time we tested, and we tested for lead and copper at that time in every building in the district.

The testing included hundreds of drinking fountains and sinks throughout the district.

Overall, she said sampling revealed four drinking fountains that exceeded federal guidelines, including three for lead and one for copper. All of the fountains, she said, were taken out of commission. Additional testing revealed the contamination was coming from the fixtures themselves and not the building’s larger plumbing system.

Kerry Birmingham said the entire testing process took several months to complete, due to the large number of fixtures in the district.

Following initial results of testing, she said water fountains at all buildings are flushed for three minutes prior to the start of school each day.

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“This will eliminate students and staff from drinking water that has been sitting in the fountains, which has the highest risk for any contaminants,” she said.

Kerry Birmingham said fountains found to have elevated levels of lead or copper have since been replaced.

Waterford Schools Superintendent Keith Wunderlich said the district recently awarded a contract for testing across all the district’s buildings. He said in late July that testing would be done in August.

“Waterford is fortunate because we are just completing $100 million in bond construction that has upgraded all of our facilities, including pipes, restrooms and drinking fountains.”

He said testing will include about 1,500 fixtures at nine elementary buildings, two middle schools, two high schools, an early childhood center, an alternative high school and some specialized education locations.

“At $42 each, we’re looking at an expense of $63,000,” Wunderlich said. “Back when many of our buildings were on wells, we tested the water multiple times annually. Now that all of our buildings use water from Waterford Township, we receive water testing reports from the township regularly. The township does an excellent job of ensuring we receive high water quality.”

Districts that rely solely on consumer confidence water quality reports issued by local municipalities receive limited information about lead and copper, as such reports represent only a fraction of consumer taps in the community, and don’t include any schools.

Based on interviews with water providers and local public works departments responsible for sampling included in such reports, there is a complete disconnect of information between school districts and report findings.

Cheryl Porter, chief operating officer for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), said most water sampling used to verify lead and copper levels in consumer confidence reports are conducted by local municipalities. In general, Porter said lead and copper samples used by the GLWA are used to determine how to better understand how to formulate corrosion control measures of water when it leaves the treatment facility. Further, she said she was under the belief that school districts are required to meet more stringent requirements under the law.

Under the federal Lead and Copper Rule, 90 percent of customers in a particular community must have water that is below the federal action limit of 15 ppb, meaning that up to 10 percent of a community may receive water with lead levels above that concentration.

Municipalities conducting sampling to meet the federal rule are required to test high risk homes, starting with those that have lead service lines, followed by those with copper lines with the potential for lead solder, if available.

Despite recommendations by the EPA, it’s apparent there remains some confusion about how to meet the law. For instance, Rochester Public Works Director David Anason said the city tests for lead and copper at several

DESPITE KNOWING THAT PRE-FLUSHING CAN SKEW RESULTS, THE EPA AND THE MDEQ CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THE PRACTICE FOR SCHOOLS

locations in the city, but indicated the sampling procedures don’t coincide with EPA recommendations.

“We have to follow certain measures,” he said. “You have to run the water for a certain amount of time and remove the aerators out of the faucet,” he said, which is a direct contradiction to EPA guidelines of the law.

In Rochester Hills, with a population of more than 72,000, a total of 13 locations were tested in 2014 for lead and copper in order to meet federal requirements. Public Works Director Allan Schneck confirmed one of those homes included a long-time city employee, but said that employee’s home was chosen at random and not intentionally. According to real estate records, the home was constructed in 1986, indicating it shouldn’t have lead plumbing or lead solder connections.

Because there is no federal or state requirement for lead and copper testing in schools, voluntary measures are currently the best indicator of contamination for local school districts.

West Bloomfield Schools Director of Communications Pam Zajac said while the district doesn’t have a regular water testing schedule, it was scheduled to conduct its first round of sampling in August.

“Going forward, a regularly scheduled testing protocol is under consideration, depending on test results and potential compliance requirements that have not yet become law.”

To date, the only statewide effort in Michigan to require schools to conduct lead and copper testing was made in January, when state Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) introduced SB 724.

The bill proposed that a public water supplier must collect water samples from drinking faucets at public and nonpublic schools in the state and have them analyzed for lead and copper contamination.

“My logic was that children are a very precious asset in the future of Michigan, and we want to make sure they have safe drinking water,” Jones said of the proposal, which has yet to be taken up by committee since being

introduced. “We wanted a mandate that all water sources be checked. Anything that is consumed.”

Jones said it’s his understanding that the bill hasn’t been taken up because the governor is seeking a more comprehensive package to address the issue.

In April, Governor Rick Snyder announced the need for a series of reforms to improve on the federal Lead and Copper Rule in the state.

“The federal Lead and Copper Rule needs to be improved immediately. It’s dumb and dangerous and in Michigan, we aren’t going to wait for the federal government to fix it anymore,” Snyder said in April. “We need to move forward with these reforms so we can better protect the health and safety of all Michiganders.”

Snyder spokeswoman Anna Heaton said the reforms must now be introduced in the legislature.

“There is not a lot of movement,” she said.

“We are hoping in the fall there will be more pickup on that.”

Amber McCann, spokeswoman for Ottawa County Republican and Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, who chairs the committee where Jones’s bill has stalled, confirmed the assessment of the bill’s history. McCann said proposals are awaiting a final report from the Joint Committee on the Flint Water Public Health Emergency. That committee last met in May. At the county level, Oakland County Board of Commissioners member David Woodward (DRoyal Oak) and Marcia Gershenson (DBloomfield Township) earlier this year introduced a resolution to establish the Oakland County Kids' Safe Drinking Water Fund to encourage all schools, childhood learning centers and childcare facilities to test drinking water. Under the proposal, the county would contribute $500,000 from its general fund balance to the drinking water fund, which would be made available for testing. Currently, the proposal is in committee.

"We need to fix it, and we have the resources to do that," Woodward said of the lead-in-water issue.

Meanwhile, measures at the federal level to improve the Lead and Copper Rule or establishing additional measures to conduct sampling at schools isn’t expected anytime soon.

“The only thing the EPA understands is that when kids are poisoned, they understand that it looks bad, but they refuse to do anything to stop it from happening,” said Edwards of Virginia Tech. “That was their attitude in Flint and (Washington) DC, and today in Philadelphia. By the time it was done, we spent a quarter million dollars to do what these agencies were supposed to do.”

Ultimately, Edwards said, communities at risk of lead poisoning have to take measures on their own to test water, as was done in Flint.

Residents and districts with lead plumbing are essentially left on their own. As for meaningful reforms, he said — they aren’t likely.

“One has to keep fighting and hope,” he said.

“Failure is not an option here. People are getting hurt, but I will believe it when I see it.”

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FACES

Russell Thayer and crafted from aluminum, Russell Thayer’s sculpture “The Wind’s Wings” stands perched in Birmingham, on a landscaped patch of city property, on the southeast corner of Merrill and Pierce streets.

Installed in 2007, Thayer was selected to display his work as part of CityScapes, a program dedicated to enriching the community with public art, organized by the Cultural Council of Birmingham/Bloomfield, in collaboration with the city of Birmingham. “The scale seemed right to me, not overpowering and they did a nice job of planting around it which complements it,” said Thayer. A larger version of the “The Wind’s Wings,” painted fire engine red, was later installed on the campus of Michigan State University.

“It basically all started from a piece that I was going to do for Grand Rapids,” said Thayer, who was inspired while standing on a balcony one windy day.

“I was looking down and saw the river, and the currents swirled and curled around the stones and created a nice pattern, and wind does same thing. If you could see them it would look like a rapids in a river.

You can’t see the currents of the air except when the leaves blow, and the wind was just whistling up there. Then the idea occurred to me to do essentially, the currents of air.”

At age 82, Thayer has over 55 years of experience, and continues to work with metal and wood in his studio on the property of his Franklin home, where he lives with his wife Nancy, a painter whose work graces the walls of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

“I like to use aluminum because I can move it myself,” said Thayer,

H

noting the metal’s flexible nature. “I can put one end in a vice, and twist it, and I put it together with nuts and bolts. I like the idea that you can see how it’s made. I try to do everything by hand, with drill presses, table saws, and circular saws.”

His work isn’t so much confined by what he can imagine, but rather by the artistic preferences of those he is producing for, and their budget.

Thayer has sketched, created models and built sculptures that now stand at Grand Valley State University, Delta College, the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, and a host other institutions and city greenspaces.

When he was commissioned by Ferris State University, Thayer said, “They told me it had to hold five drunken fraternity guys, who they knew would climb it.”

Reminiscing on the days when he was just a sprout, running around the schoolyard in Saginaw, Thayer divulged, “I was the kid in school that could draw, so in first grade, Mrs. O’Brien, we were studying farms, so we made silos out of oatmeal boxes and made a farm. She asked me to paint it, and that was my first commission.”

Needless to say, by the time he reached the third grade, Thayer was leading the pack. “We were studying transportation, and they wanted a big mural, starting with a log, then a raft, and a sailboat, up to modern day. My third grade teacher chose a committee of five people, and after the first day I fired them all.”

Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham

The 24th attempt at mass transit is off to a rough start but area voters will decide in November

RIDING INTO THE FUTURE OR A NEW QUAGMIRE? the fate of a rapid transit bus system to serve four metro area counties in southeast Michigan

BY LISA BRODY

here’s no secret that Detroit, and surrounding areas, have had a 100-plus year love affair with automobiles. We love to drive them, build them, cruise them, and gaze at them. For many homeowners, a two-car garage is no longer sufficient, with threecar garages becoming more and more common in newer suburban homes. Yet, there are still many people without cars, and in need of reliable transportation. Increasingly, young people are choosing not to get their driver's licenses at 16. Millennials have received the memo, drilled into them by parents and teachers, that drinking and driving is a bad thing, and often choose ride-sharing transportation, such as Uber and Lyft, when going out for a night of fun. But for decades, other options for transit in the metro area have been scarce and unreliable.

On August 4, the board of the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA), comprised of representatives from Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties and the city of Detroit, unanimously agreed to compromise language on a master plan for a regional transit millage to be placed on the November 8 ballot. The ballot issue asks voters in the four counties to approve a 1.2-mill property tax increase to fund the RTA's master plan of bus rapid transit and commuter rail to be developed over a 20-year time period. While the RTA has said the tax would cost the owner of an average home in the metro area $95 annually in additional taxes, that is only if your home has a state equalized value of $100,000, meaning you have a home worth $200,000. If you live in a $1 million-plus home in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township, the RTA tax you pay may be closer to $600, or more, annually.

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Unlike with the SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) millage, communities will not be able to opt-out of the RTA tax if it is passed by residents of three of the four counties. And homeowners would pay for it on top of the SMART millage, which was increased to a one-mill tax from .59 mills in 2014 and will expire in 2018, when it is slated to come before voters in Oakland, Macomb, Monroe and Wayne counties for a renewal.

Even if the RTA millage is approved, residents will continue to need to support SMART as a separate entity, at this point for an indefinite time. “I'm sure it will always require tax subsidies. Only about 10 to 20 percent of revenue comes from fare boxes,” said Gerald Poisson, chief deputy county executive of Oakland County, noting that Tokyo's transit system is the only one in the world that does not require a subsidy. “The ones in the U.S., millage subsidies account for about 50 to 60 percent (of revenue).”

A concern, among many, voiced by Oakland County representatives to the RTA board, Chuck Moss and Timothy Soave, is that there is no detail in the RTA master plan provided as to the likely impact of the RTA's request as an operating agency seeking state and federal capital and operating funds for the RTA services, separate from SMART, DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation), The People Mover, or Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. “We need to know how it will improve, at what cost, and how those costs will be allocated and funded,” Moss and Soave wrote in a 19-page draft of concerns on July 5.

If approved by voters, along with state and federal matching funds, the tax is predicted by the RTA to generate $4.7 billion over 20 years to pay for bus rapid transit lines on main corridors of Woodward, Michigan and Gratiot avenues, as well as Washtenaw Avenue between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. It would also create a commuter rail service between Detroit and Ann Arbor, and high-end luxury bus service between Metro airport and numerous locations, as well as cover the transit service's annual operating costs. It would incorporate connections between the SMART and DDOT bus lines to provide connectivity for riders, pay for operating the People Mover, and in 2027, cover Detroit's new Qline, the M-1 Rail streetcar currently under construction along Woodward between downtown and midtown Detroit.

If approved, in the first year, using 2016 taxable values, Poisson said that Oakland County voters would pay $63.3 million into the RTA system; Wayne County voters, excluding the city of Detroit, $39.2 million; Detroit, $7.6 million; Macomb County, $30.3 million; and Washtenaw County, $18.3 million. The millage is for 20 years.

“The other years are just rough estimates, because for instance, there are increases and declines in taxable values, as well as capped growth under Headlee,” Poisson said.

If passed in November 2016, the master plan states, “The first five years of the Regional Mass Transit Plan will establish a reliable regional transit network for Southeast Michigan. The immediate implementation of new paratransit and mobility management services will expand regional mobility from the onset...the RTA will be able to introduce Cross-County Connectors, expand local airport express services in the first year of the service...After establishing a reliable regional network during the first five years of the program, the RTA will focus on expanding rapid transit in the region over the long-term. This includes opening all bus rapid transit corridors, establishing regional rail service between Ann Arbor and Detroit, and assuming operations of M-1 Rail.”

The RTA was established by the Michigan state legislature through Public Act 387 in 2012, with a 10-member board with representatives each serving three-year terms from Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties, the city of Detroit, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, and the governor of Michigan, whose representative serves as the chair without a vote.

The legislation gives the RTA the sole authority for the public transit region to apply to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for an operating grant, and requires it to submit a single consolidated application for the region and to allocate funding to public transportation providers, with currently 51.5 percent going to SMART, 47.5 percent to the city of Detroit's DDOT bus system, and one percent to the People Mover. It allows the RTA to acquire property for the system by various mechanisms, including condemnation, and appropriated $250,000 from the Comprehensive Transportation Fund to the RTA to begin implementing the state act.

But it was not all smooth sailing from there. While Gov. Rick Snyder signed it into law on December 19, 2012, creating the Regional Transit Authority, finding a CEO proved to be a hurdle.

John Hertel, the general manager of SMART and initially the choice to lead the new authority, stepped down in 2014, after never signing a contract, and ironically, never resigning from SMART, either. He just slid back into his former position. He told media at the time that he hadn't signed a contract, wasn't earning a paycheck, and couldn't hire any staff. He told one reporter he needed $2 to $3 million to develop the 110-mile system the legislation called for. It had given him $250,000. A request from the legislature for further funding, to the tune of $2 million, never came to fruition.

In the past, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) had been in control of funding, and in 2013, they transferred $7 million in federal funding from DDOT to SMART's budget, which moved urban dollars to suburban transit. Carmine Palombo, deputy executive director of SEMCOG, said, “Myself, along with a couple of MDOT staffers, along with Dennis Schornack from the governor's staff were the interim staff for the first year of the RTA until they hired an executive director and staff. After that, SEMCOG has worked with the staffers and provided them with some numbers and data.” He did not comment on the specifics of transferring the DDOT funds, but noted that SEMCOG hasn't been “as involved in putting together the master plan as the RTA.” In August 2014, Michael Ford, previously CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, was hired as CEO of the RTA. Some critics felt that the regional transit adopted legislation was written to favor bus rapid transit, rather than any kind of light rail project, because it is less costly. According to the Harvard Kennedy Center, on average, bus rapid transit can be one-half the cost to build as light rail. “However, in some situations BRT (bus rapid transit) can be more expensive per mile than LRT (light rail transit), and some LRT systems have exceeded the per-mile cost of metro

WHILE THE RTA HAS SAID THE TAX WOULD COST THE OWNER OF AN AVERAGE HOME IN THE METRO AREA $95 ANNUALLY IN ADDITIONAL TAXES, THAT IS ONLY IF YOUR HOME HAS A STATE EQUALIZED VALUE OF $100,000. IF YOU LIVE IN A $1 MILLION-PLUS HOME, THE TAX YOU PAY MAY BE CLOSER TO $600, OR MORE.

rail transit projects,” a report, “Bus versus rail: Costs, capacities and impacts,” stated.

The report also asserted that bus rapid transit is associated with greater land acquisition costs than light rail, and light rail can carry a significantly higher amount of passengers than bus rapid transit.

If the RTA does choose to opt for any rail projects, the RTA board will have to have a unanimous vote. So far, it has not been a consideration.

But how the board will decide funding was one of the final obstacles that was overcome at the final hour. The master plan originally called for majority rule – and with two members of each county, it could quickly skewer favor away from federal and state funding for a county like Oakland, towards the city of Detroit, for example. That was changed to now have similar approval to the Cobo Hall and Great Lakes Water Authority boards, where there must be one vote from every county and the city of Detroit approving a measure in order for a funding issue to be approved in order to provide fairness and an image of regionalism.

The goal of mass transit, in any region or city, is to carry people to work, whether they are rich or poor, from the city to the suburbs, or within the city; for those who cannot afford a car or choose not to use one to go to and from work or for leisure activities. For some, it's an essential part of obtaining their livelihood; for others, it improves their quality of life. In either case, proponents of mass transit note it's an essential component of economic vitality for an area.

“When you look at the Detroit region and you look at the assets, and the number of Fortune 500 companies, the number of really great educational institutions, the great talent, we're in the busiest border crossings in North America, yet why is it the Detroit region has consistently been a laggard in economic performance?” asked Sandy Baruah, president and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber.

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“There is no one answer, but one of the glaring omissions is that successful regions have a way to move people efficiently to make money and spend money.”

This is not the first go at the rodeo for regional transit in metro Detroit. Actually, this is believed to be the 24th attempt over 40 years, although this will be the very first time it will be on the ballot for the public to vote on, according to the RTA. However, there was one previous attempt to put a mass transit issue before voters, but Gov. William Milliken, in 1974, worked to put a $1.1 billion mass transit bonding proposal on the ballot, but it failed.

“The number one myth about transit systems is about urban poor people, who cannot afford cars,” said Paul Hillegonds chairman of the RTA board. “While there is some truth to that, what a really good transit system does is it grows the outlying suburban area that is connected to the urban area. Not everyone wants to live in an urban core. Right now, millennials want to live in an urban core, and we need to cater to that. But for those who don't want to, we also need to provide people with the ability to connect with jobs and recreation. It allows them to live where they want and work where they need to.”

A 2014 study by University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute determined that 9.22 percent of households in the U.S are without cars – but that includes cities with excellent public transportation systems, like New York, which is number one, with 56 percent of households that don't have a car, and Washington D.C., where 38 percent of households are carless. Detroit ranked eighth, with 26 percent of households without a car, or about 176,865 people out of a population of 680,250 in 2013.

Believe it or not, years ago Detroit actually had successful public transportation systems, with streetcars, rail cars and busses. And despite common mythology, it wasn't the automobile companies that killed them, or proposals to develop a vital subway system, but Detroit Mayor James Couzens in 1920, and homeowners' organizations that worried that the underground mass transit would bring racial integration.

In the mid-1870s, the Detroit Railway Company carried 2.9 million people on four separate lines of horse-drawn streetcars. A decade later, electric streetcars were born, and commuter rail lines began in 1880 between Chicago and southeast Michigan. Detroit's streetcar system, which had consolidated from several independently-owned companies into one of the first municipallyowned systems in 1922, went out of business in 1956, after it was converted to all buses in 1953.

One of the first transit plans died in 1920. A rapid transit plan was created to expand the railway, bus and streetcar system with new subway routes, but Couzens vetoed a bond issue to construct a subway, and supposedly a veto override failed by only one vote.

Later in the 1920s, there was another attempt to construct a subway line from Detroit to Ford Motor Company's Rouge Complex, to move workers to and from the factory line. It was presented to voters in 1929, and supported by automakers, but the proposal failed due to opposition from homeowners' organizations who were fearful that the subway line would bring racial integration into neighborhoods.

According to Joel Batterman of Motor City Freedom Riders, a pro-transportation organization, in a historical piece on why the proposal failed, “The subway would serve the automakers and downtown businesses, they argued, at the expense of the expanding middle class, which inhabited the city's vast tract of new single-family homes and no longer relied on Detroit's extensive but slow streetcar system.”

Due to high costs during the Great Depression, streetcars began to be replaced by more economical busses, and by 1949, 10 of the 20 streetcar lines had been discontinued. Increasingly, busses were being used to transport riders throughout the city. By 1956, the same year the last streetcar rolled along Woodward, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, which authorized the construction of more than 40,000 miles of interstate highway throughout the United States.

It was official. The car was king. And here in the Motor City, as those highways were built, suburban sprawl followed.

Perhaps there was buyer's remorse, or the realization that Detroit, then one of the 10 largest cities in America, was a major city without public transportation, leaving many workers without reliable public transportation. In 1967, the Michigan legislature passed the Metropolitan Transportation Authorities Act of 1968, which created the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA), which initially included the counties of Macomb, Monroe,

Oakland, St.Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne, along with the city of Detroit, with Livingston County joining later. By 1971, all of the counties provided SEMTA funds.

According to Detroit Transit History, there were plans for SEMTA to purchase the Department of Street Railways bus system, but disagreements arose over Detroit's representation numbers on SEMTA's board, and Coleman Young administration's perception that SEMTA was not maintaining service at a “reasonable fare” for Detroiters.

Though there were several attempts to have SEMTA take over the city's bus system, it never occurred. It eventually became DDOT, and SEMTA became SMART. “Unfortunately, any dedicated source of funding to support mass transit within the entire region never materialized, and the anticipated takeover of the city-owned system by SEMTA never transpired,” Detroit Transit History wrote on its website. “What many anticipated as being a temporary arrangement between the city and its transit system has basically continued now for over (sic) 32 years.”

One of the most significant attempts at transit – and a symbol of its failure – is known as the downtown People Mover Project. It was begun in 1983, and was intended as the first phase of a connector to an intended Woodward Avenue subway. It was plagued by mismanagement, construction problems, and $66 million in cost overruns (in 1984 dollars) were projected. A federally-funded project, there were threats the feds would cease all funding for the rest of the project. Instead, Coleman Young reached an agreement with transit officials to abandon the rest of the project, and turned over operation and control of the People Mover to the city.

SEMTA became SMART in December 1988, by an act of the state legislature, downsizing the seven counties to a three-county

IF APPROVED, IN THE FIRST YEAR, OAKLAND COUNTY VOTERS WOULD PAY $63.3 MILLION INTO THE RTA SYSTEM; WAYNE COUNTY VOTERS, EXCLUDING THE CITY OF DETROIT, $39.2 MILLION; DETROIT, $7.6 MILLION; MACOMB COUNTY, $30.3 MILLION; AND WASHTENAW COUNTY, $18.3 MILLION.

agency, leaving out the city of Detroit. In the mid-1990s, attempts were made to merge SMART and DDOT service, but they failed.

For many who use either system, which lacks seamless coordination, the system has failed them. The poor, those who need to get to jobs, or school, to shopping or doctor's appointments, traveling on buses often means waiting out in the open for long periods of time for a bus which may, or may not, come. It means hoping to catch a connection to another route to get to where they're going. In a metro area of 4.3 million people, it can be a ticket to nowhere.

In December 2012, after 23 other attempts, the Michigan legislature approved Act 387 of 2012, the Regional Transit Authority Act, which states it is “An Act to provide for certain regional transit authorities; to provide regional public transportation; to prescribe certain powers and duties of a regional transit authority and of certain state agencies and officials; to authorize the levy of an assessment and to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes; to collect certain taxes; to make appropriations; to provide for the pledge of assessment revenues and other funds for bond and note payments; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.”

Since its approval, the RTA has been established, with Hillegonds chairman of the board and Michael Ford its CEO. County executives appointed two representatives to the board for three-year terms, and meetings were held to develop a master plan, which was unveiled at the end of May. After what appeared to be last minute maneuverings by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel (but which were actually issues each had been addressing since last November), a regional transit authority ballot proposal for southeastern Michigan was approved to go before voters on November 8.

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“We still have a ways to go, but we're hopeful that people will see the value in good regional transportation,” Ford said. Previously head of Ann Arbor's transit system, the Ann Arbor Area Transit Authority, Ford noted that a regional transit system is “good for quality of life, to get them to jobs, to educational institutions, to fresh food, doctors appointments, it creates more mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. It's not just about moving people back and forth; it's about amenities, and making the whole experience for transit riders. It builds on the foundation of the providers – of DDOT, SMART, the People Mover, and Ann Arbor Area Transit Authority.”

If voters approve the regional transit authority proposal in November, besides adding a 1.2-mill property tax to their taxes, there are questions as to how new transit will be incorporated in the metropolitan Detroit region, and when. The millage is designed to fund a bus rapid transit system with major routes built along Woodward from Detroit to Pontiac; on Gratiot from Detroit to M-59 in Mt. Clemens; on Michigan Avenue from Detroit to Dearborn, and then on to Detroit Metropolitan Airport; and on Washtenaw Avenue between downtown Ann Arbor and downtown Ypsilanti. Work on those routes would begin in 2017 through 2020.

The first bus rapid transit route to begin construction would be Woodward, which would start immediately after the millage is approved, with the goal of getting environment clearance in 2016, having construction begin in 2020, and be operational by 2022. The other route the RTA would begin quickly would be the Gratiot line, with environmental clearance planned for 2017, construction planned for 2020; and operational in 2022, with a rail activation plan to begin development in 2021.

The Michigan and Washtenaw avenue lines would be operational in 2026. Cross-county services would begin in 2018, with lines added in staggered formation. M-59, through Oakland near Rochester into Macomb County, is scheduled to begin Commuter Express Services in 2019.

Bus rapid transit is considered a regional network that allows other transit providers to fill in with more localized service to destinations. Bus rapid transit is different than regular buses in both appearance and how it runs. In a bus rapid transit system, buses run in dedicated lanes in the center of the roadway at much higher speeds. Cars can still drive in those lanes, but signals would prioritize for the buses. As designed for here, the buses will run in the center of the roads, against medians where they exist, with priority signaling that senses when the bus is coming.

The buses operate a lot like trains, with specialized train-like wheels. Doors open flush to the platform, making it fully accessible for wheelchairs, people with disabilities, or strollers. Raised station platforms will be built in the center of the roadway, and there will be room for future economic development, such as coffee shops and dry cleaners, experts note. There are currently intended to be stops every mile along the four major bus rapid transit routes.

Ironically, when the Detroit Street Railways Commission closed down its last streetcar route in 1956, it argued that replacing streetcars with buses would allow more flexibility in scheduling routes, eliminate mid-street loading, allow curbside passenger pickup, which would increase safety, and reduce operating costs. Sixty years later, bus rapid transit proponents urge the complete opposite for the identical reasons.

“Bus rapid transit stops will not look like a regular bus stop. It's very clear what it is. In most cases, it's in the center of the road, in medians, with routes, and not with regular buses. They only stop along designated stops; you can't pull a lever and stop along the way. Those will have very specific designated stops and will have development around those (stops), like coffee shops and dry cleaners,” Sandy Baruah said. He emphasized it will happen in the suburbs, and not just in the city, where blight would be replaced with redevelopment.

“If my experience (living previously in Portland, Oregon and Washington DC) is any indication, at first, only the early adopters will use it. It will be lonely, and then one business, and then another and another. It will grow over time,” he said. “Then later, an apartment complex will develop by the site, because people want to hit a button and just go. In DC, even in the very distressed area, we have seen great development.

“It's a process. This doesn't happen overnight,” he continued.

“Even once they're up and running, you'll still see skeptics.”

Some wonder where people will park to ride bus rapid transit.

RTA board chair Hillegonds said that some of the park and ride locations along the routes have already been identified, and others

are yet to be targeted. He said there are other options, as well.

“MDOT has made arrangements (in the past) with big box stores, etc. There is flexibility in the ways to go with purchasing land (in densely populated, developed areas along routes),” he said. “It's all about growing prosperity.”

All of the stops along the way are to be determined, per the state statute establishing the RTA, by joint decision making between the RTA and local road agencies, like the Road Commission of Oakland County, and similar commissions in Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw counties and the city of Detroit.

SMART and DDOT are incorporated into the RTA master plan as ways to provide feeder and connector routes to the bus rapid transit routes, as well as with commuter buses that can provide service in parts of Oakland and Macomb counties that do not yet connect to main routes. Currently there are 109,600 daily DDOT riders over 14 routes in the city of Detroit and 44,000 daily riders on SMART over 43 routes throughout Oakland and Macomb counties. As a matter of fact, Mark Hackel, Macomb County executive, said, “You see these little commuter buses driving around Macomb County all day long.”

Unlike Oakland County, which does not have access to public transportation from SMART in about 40 of its 61 communities because of opt-out options, “Macomb County is not an opt-out county,” Hackel said. “It makes it so much easier. There is an incredible amount of service in the northern part of Macomb County.”

Access to transit was a particular sticking point for Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, whose deputy executive Robert Daddow noted that for northern and western Oakland County, “540,000 residents in 40 communities would get virtually no service, but they would pay the millage. That's just 200,000

FOR MANY WHO USE EITHER SMART OR DDOT, THE SYSTEM HAS FAILED THEM. THE POOR, THOSE WHO NEED TO GET TO JOBS, OR SCHOOL, TO SHOPPING OR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, TRAVELING ON BUSES OFTEN MEANS WAITING OUT IN THE OPEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME FOR A BUS WHICH MAY, OR MAY NOT, COME.

residents less than the entire city of Detroit who would get no service – but would pay for it. It just didn't make sense, and we have a lot of communities making resolutions against it.”

One of those communities, Rochester, passed an “Opposition to taxing local government/residents for the residents for the Regional Transportation Authority Millage” at their meeting on August 8. On the converse, Birmingham passed a resolution supporting a Coalition for Transit the same night.

In late July, Patterson's office raised again a number of objections, which also included concerns about a provision called the “85 percent rule” – where 85 percent of taxes collected in a county in a year must be spent in the county, and how that would be overseen, as well as Hackel's objection to the funding process of the board. It looked as if this attempt at putting the RTA proposal on the ballot would be derailed.

“The 85 percent is one of the things we demanded full accounting of. We wanted to look at both the expenditures and revenues. They just wanted to show us the revenues,” said Oakland County's Poisson. “The statute set an absolute floor so Oakland County, and Macomb County, and Wayne, and Washtenaw and the city of Detroit, can get their full 85 percent back. We have an ongoing discussion telling them that you need to look at growth (of the communities), you need to keep updating – because this is government, and you spend the money you have. They wanted to look back and adjust after 10 years. You can't adjust in 10 years – if you don't do it all the time, and don't have a reserve, you'll find yourself in quite a pickle. It's an ongoing conversation we're still having with them.”

Despite widespread media claims of racism and regionalism, Daddow said, “We've been talking with these folks and raising these questions since November (2015). They shared snippets with

us, but we never had the financial information, and the first time we saw the plans were in late May. Our questions were, what are our folks going to get for their tax dollars; when are they going to get it; and how can we guarantee they are going to be honored. Our questions were asked, and asked, and asked, and never answered.

We're being castigated for asking the questions. The media is so hellbent on any plan, they don't go into details.”

A week of intense discussions between the local leaders led to answers, and more satisfactory responses. A public letter was written from area CEOs of business, civic, and cultural organizations, including Quicken's Dan Gilbert, Gerard Anderson of DTE, John T. Fox of Beaumont Health and Nancy Schlichting of Henry Ford Health System, and James Nicholson of PVS Chemicals, directed to Patterson and Hackel, urging them “to come to a resolution of the issues you raised so the people of this region, as a region, can have a chance to decide something so fundamentally important to our collective future.” Whether they influenced the county executives and members of RTA leadership is unknown, but compromises were made. The RTA millage proposal went before the board, and with their county executives guidance, approvals were given to unanimously put it on the ballot.

“What you are seeing is regional collaboration at work. It's messy, but it works,” said Melissa Roy, executive director of Advancing Macomb, as well as the chairperson of the SMART board of directors. “Anything we do regionally should build a stronger region for everyone. Everyone recognizes the importance of building a regional transit system, and voters can make a decision in November.”

“You could look at it as political maneuvering, that everybody was looking at it from their own perspectives – what's best for us, what am I, my constituents getting. For the two county executives,

NOW, REGIONAL TRANSIT, AND THE FUTURE FOR SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN, IS IN THE HANDS OF THE VOTERS. WILL VOTERS WHO MAY NOT SEE ITS FRUITION FOR SEVERAL YEARS, OR HAVE NO DESIRE TO UTILIZE BUS RAPID TRANSIT, BE WILLING TO INCREASE THEIR TAX BURDEN FOR THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE REGION?

that's a fair thing to do,” noted David Dulio, chair of the political science department at Oakland University. “Yes, it's a regional thing, yet a fair part of the bill is going to be footed by voters in Oakland and Macomb counties. They are entitled to know what they are getting. And it's what they need to do.”

According to the RTA's Ford, the finalized master plan “calls for more service for the northern Oakland County suburbs, with $40 million more over 20 years. We will be building more infrastructure, building more trunk lines, to have services that circulate in those communities, or to take you where you want to go on those main lines. We will continue working with those partners, groups, SMART, to (focus) where the needs are, to make sure the plan is relevant. I think we have to work with the communities and municipalities in partnerships to see who and what is best suited for those developments along those corridors.”

In the current master plan, which many note is a work in progress and will continue to change over the 20-year life of the RTA, SMART will provide cross-county connector service on 15 Mile, with a stop at Big Beaver at or near Somerset Collection, eastwest along 12 Mile Road, as well as a commuter express bus serving M-59.

As for east-west routes farther north, especially as the population continues to grow in northern communities in Oakland County, as projected, Ford said, “It's something we can look at. The plan is alive. Making changes is part and parcel of what the RTA is about.” At the beginning, riders will be able to utilize commuter buses, which can be called for service on demand in many instances. SMART would continue to operate the regional routes, with the RTA subsidizing the full incremental costs of increased service beyond what currently exists. The RTA will also provide funding for station upgrades and other capital projects along these

corridors, and according to the current RTA master plan, routes will operate at increased frequencies, allowing for cross-county travel, with no need for further midday, evening or weekend transfers required.

However, whether or not there will be one fare for using bus rapid transit and then switching to a SMART connector, or two separate fares, is still a detail that has to be worked out, as well as the specific fare amount.

Funding amounts will also be adapted as population figures change, altering the specific number received back for the 85 percent figure. That means if there is a growth of population in Oakland and Macomb counties, with more residents paying into the RTA pot, more dollars will come back to the counties in the form of transit services annually.

As for dealing with communities that continue to opt-out of SMART services, “We will deal with it. Some will choose to pay into it,” Ford said. “But the key is, with this millage and legislation, there is no opt out of the RTA, and we want to work with the communities to provide a level of service that is the best we can based on where they are, to connect them to a trunk line, to fixed bus lines, to bus rapid transit, cross-county transit, and paratransport, to address different needs in different parts of the community.”

Some have questioned adding airport transportation lines early in the process. Ford has an easy answer.

“It's something we can showcase and do quickly. I already did it in Ann Arbor, and did it successfully,” he responded. “We have a model that works and we can duplicate it easily. We have experience, and people have a desire to get to the airport. This way, we can show consumers quickly and easily, with reliability and feasibility, what we can do.”

He said the airport transit would be on luxury buses with storage capacity for belongings, reading lights, free WiFi, bathrooms, “all the conveniences anyone needs. We started it in Ann Arbor in 2012, and that ridership has gone gangbusters.” The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority system is funded through a local millage, farebox revenue, and through federal funding allotments and grant awards.

A final component of the RTA is what Wayne State University Department of Urban Studies and Planning professor Robin Boyle, who is also a member of the Birmingham planning board, calls “the first mile and last mile challenge,” utilizing the new sharing economy.

“It's almost impossible for a metro area such as ours to get everyone within a mile of service. It's very difficult to do it. But the market has given us a new remarkable system to connect space – ride-sharing, ride-sourcing, with Uber, Lyft. It has changed the way we use transportation,” Boyle said.

“It's part of the sharing economy. You don't have to own, and it's changing the way we move, changing the way we connect into public transportation systems, and it's happening all over, where public transportation systems are partnering with ride-sharing services, using Uber and Lyft as a way of connecting,” he said.

He gave the example of using the new Qline downtown to Midtown Detroit to get to a doctor's appointment at Henry Ford Hospital. “But it is raining, or hot, or you have three kids. The Qline will get you up to Grand Boulevard, but that last mile is long and tough. But, if while on the Qline, which will have WiFi, you can get a car for a few bucks to take you over to your appointment at Henry Ford. That's the way I think the world will move and I think we'll think about connectivity,” Boyle explained.

Now, regional transit, and the future for southeastern Michigan, is in the hands of the voters. Will voters who may not see its fruition for several years, or have no desire to utilize bus rapid transit or other transit, be willing to increase their tax burden for the good of the whole region?

Boyle likens it to school millages, even if you don't presently have a child in school, you want to live in a community with good schools, or gas taxes. “We all pay for freeways, but we don't all use freeways. We pay for our road systems, but we are prepared to pay for it while likely only using a small portion of it,” he said. “It's the same theory behind a transit system. You may not personally be connected within three minutes to bus service, but it's part of being a citizen of a metropolitan area. We should also contribute to improved transportation.”

“I love my cars, and I own four, but from an economic tool, regional transit can't be beat,” said the Detroit Chamber's Baruah.

“All regional transit projects are works in process, and you have to start somewhere.”

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Lake Michigan/Kalamazoo River Frontage - Saugatuck $40,000,000 Private retreat or waterfront investment opportunity on this rare 314-acre parcel. 1800 ft of walkout beach on clear-water Lake Michigan & 4100 ft on the Kalamazoo River. 216028920

5

4.2

3950

3

2.1

2566

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Birmingham $1,549,000

Bloomfield Hills $515,000

Contemporary Colonial in Poppleton Park, built in 2010 & meticulously designed for luxury living In-ground pool & spa/hot tub. Huge lower level with kitchen full bath and theatre. 216079616

Classic Frank Lloyd Wright inspired ranch home. Remodeled in 2013 with stunning addition.

Professionally landscaped throughout. Full size tennis court and stream on the property. 216076020

Dan Gutfreund

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

3

4.1

5200

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Metamora $1,499,900 "Laughin Fox Farm" Absolutely Stunning Home situated on an equally stunning private piece of property with almost 24 acres. 216034629

4

3.2

5309

5

5.2

6698

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Walters Lake Frontage - Independence Township $1,450,000

Metamora $1,249,900

Fabulous 10 year old hilltop Colonial Estate on 2.6 acres with stunning views of all sports Walters Lake. Beautiful in-ground pool. Clarkston schools.216073498

Majestic Metamora Estate on 24+acres with all the amenities you would expect.

Fabulous views overlooking stocked 1 acre pond and landscaped property. 216081376

Lee Embrey

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

5

4

3609

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Wing Lake Frontage - Bloomfield Hills $1,329,000 Renowned architect, Sanford Rossen, designed this home to soak in the beauty of the lake, in all of its splendor, in this stunning Mid-Century modern home. 216081050 co-listor Mathias McGuire

5

5.1

3533

4

4

3678

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Birmingham $1,074,000

Bloomfield Hills $699,000

This magnificent new construction presented by DM Homes of Metro Detroit boast the highest finishes and quality one could imagine. Professionally landscape yard and short walk to Downtown. 216075428

Magnificent brick Colonial is located in the well coveted Pine Tree Estates Subdivision.

Gourmet kitchen, 9 ft ceilings throughout, and beautiful hardwood floors. 216080903

John & Bridget Apap

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

5

5.2

5800

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Birmingham $2,299,000 This extraordinary custom home in sought after Quarton Lake is near completion! Distinctive and exquisite residence boasts unparalleled craftsmanship, attention to detail and luxury. 216054619

4

4.2

3700

3

2

1498

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Rochester Hills $1,595,000

Birmingham $319,000

This artistic gem perched on stunning wooded ravine brings luxury living to Rochester Hills.

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired masterpiece designed by Young & Young & meticulously crafted & constructed by Joseph P. Craig seamlessly incorporates inside & out. 216013902

Perfect opportunity to own a home in Birmingham with a two car attached garage!

Newer windows, new bathroom with granite and hardwood flooring. 216080228

Christine Drinkwater

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

4

4,2

4556

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Bloomfield Hills $799,000 Stunning family home in Bloomfield Hills with picturesque backyard with running stream.

4

3.3

5245

4

3.2

3363

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Troy $1,190,000

Bloomfield Hills $700,000

Elegance, Quality, Style and Function abound in this spectacular home located in Baileys Vineyards Subdivision with Bloomfield Hills schools! 216075747

Stunning Bloomfield Hills Tudor on a magnificent .79 acre lot. The setting will just take your breath away, and the professional landscaping is perfection. 216051723

Mia Bardy, Kathy Manoogian & Silvia Stan

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

3

4

3925

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Cass Lake Frontage-Orchard Lake $1,699,000 Stunning Cass Lake Custom home on sandy bottom of the lake! Amazing views from the entire back of home. 216063744 Presented by Gerald Etue

5

4.2

4830

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Milford $1,300,000 A luxurious haven unlike any you will find! This impressive traditional estate setting is situated on 2 wooded acres. 215118827 Presented by Michelle Payne

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

4

5

4200

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Lake Huron Frontage-Harrisville Township $899,000 Luxurious Ranch home with wall of windows facing a spectacular view of Lake Huron plus 100' of the best sugar sand beach in northern Michigan. 216012603 Presented by Candice Cuyler

4

4.2

4144

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Oakland Township $745,000 A fabulous Casadei home new to the market! Lower level finished walk-out with theatre room, full bath, sauna, and hot tub on brick paver patio. 216075129 Presented by Donna Barlow

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

5

4.1

3378

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Birmingham $799,900 Vintage Charm Abounds in this Wallace Frost inspired Tudor. Owners have preserved the exquisite circa 1927 vintage look so you can appreciate all the Old World features. 216059327 Presented by Ann Greenberg

4

3.1

3064

4

4

2783

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Birmingham $675,000

Sylvan/Otter Lake Frontage-Waterford Township $649,000

Magnificent Quarton Lake Estates updated Colonial sitting on a huge lot. Enormous newly refinished deck that leads right off the dining room. 216067153 Presented by Alex Chapman

Sophistication of high end materials and finishes with the comfortable design for Michigan lake living. Dock and boat lift included. 216057802 Presented by Michelle Yurich

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

3

3.1

2514

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Birmingham $598,000 Perfect, sought-after Holy Name location. Steps away from downtown Birmingham, beautifully landscaped lot with expansive grassy, manicured yard for outdoor entertaining. 216081026 Presented by Brandon Curry

4

3.2

3429

4

2.1

3140

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Bloomfield $550,777

West Bloomfield $399,000

Gracious bright Colonial in desirable Vernor Estates subdivision with private wooded lot and beautiful natural views. Bloomfield Hills schools. 216072712 Presented by Mike Heiwig

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

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

4

3

1572

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Berkley $325,000 Fantastic Berkley Colonial, open, airy, bright, recently updated and move-in ready. Close to schools, downtown, restaurants and shopping. 216078487 Presented by Wendi Miller

3

2

955

3

2.1

1785

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Birmingham $319,000

Royal Oak $309,000

Artfully updated chic Ranch in the heart of Birmingham. Cute starter home rests on an enormous oversized lot. 216079742 Presented by Dylan Tent

A Northwood Gem with unmatched curb appeal. Beautifully landscaped yard highlighted by a backyard oasis. 216074988 Presented by Pat Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

3

2.1

2500

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Farmington Hills $295,500 Exceptionally maintained throughout. Newly remodeled kitchen with granite counters, custom made backsplash & decorative designs. 216080521 Presented by Sandra and Shawn Arnaout

3

2

1459

2

2

2280

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Royal Oak $295,000

Detroit $299,000

Extremely well maintained Tudor loaded with character. Beautiful French doors leading into office with original leaded glass. 216079370 Presented by Marty Brown

Historic Indian Village Manor Condominium offering great architectural details and amenities with spectacular views of the Detroit River. 216078350 Presented by Phyllis Laprairie

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

3

2

2042

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

West Bloomfield $259,900 Move right into this immaculate home on a beautifully landscaped lot in popular Franklin Valley Subdivision. 216078011 Presented by Brian Dimmer

4

2

2069

3

2.1

2060

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

BEDS

BATHS

SQ. FT.

Sterling Heights $210,000

Ferndale $199,500

Turn Key! Freshly painted, newer carpet throughout and newer roof 2016.

Located on a cul-de-sac. 216079505 Presented by Liz Bandstra

Newer built home on a quiet street at an unbeatable price! Unique to a Ferndale home, you can pull into your attached 2 car garage to enter through your entry level laundry room. 216077525 Presented by Beth Watson

signaturesothebys.com

248.644.7000

near or far

A Full Service Relocation Department with Distinguished Connections Helping our clients navigate the world of real estate is what sets us apart.

We are unmatched in our ability to connect buyers and sellers globally.

As a primary real estate brokerage for Cartus Relocation, a global leader in the relocation industry, Signature Sotheby's International Realty participates in servicing relocation buyers coming into our area and sellers moving out of the area every day.

This is our world.

Because a homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appeal extends far beyond what is near.

EXPERIENCE A WORLD OF CONNECTIONS With 825 offices in 61 countries, we are all encompassing. From the enchanting beauty of France to the age-old country that is Thailand.

Our locations may be abounding, but our unique-ness remains perfectly constant.

Susan Bailey susan.bailey@sothebysrealty.com f nf s@s bsc800.458.7356 m m m24 . 2.44 . 740.

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Rochester Hills $1,595,000 This artistic gem perched on stunning wooded ravine brings luxury living to Rochester Hills. This Frank Lloyd Wright inspired masterpiece designed by Young & Young and meticulously crafted and constructed by Joseph P. Craig seamlessly incorporates inside & out. 3700 Sq Ft, 4 BR, 4.2 BA, 3 Car Attached Garage

Commerce Township $439,000

Birmingham $319,000

Nestled deep in Cranberry Estates 4 BR, 2.2 BA, 3500 Sq Ft, 3 Car Attached Garage

Loads of Potential 3 BR, 2 BA,1498 Sq Ft, 2 Car Attached Garage ld

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Troy $294,900

All Star

Troy $280,000

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.

Christine Drinkwater

Associate Broker

Troy $349,000

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

420 Dunston Road

345 Woodridge Road

270 Martell Drive

Bloomfield Hills | $2,195,000

Bloomfield Hills | $2,195,000

Bloomfield Hills | $1,950,000

1031 Ardmoor Drive

1099 N Cranbrook Road

1234 N Glengarry Road

Bloomfield Hills | $1,525,000

Bloomfield Village | $1,399,000

Bloomfield Village | $1,399,000

1320 Indian Mound Trail

32859 Bingham Lane

384 Puritan Avenue

Bloomfield Village | $1,199,000

Bingham Farms Village | $1,150,000

Birmingham | $1,075,000

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

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

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

1721 Stanley Boulevard

1587 Bennaville Avenue

593 Fairfax Street

Birmingham | $989,000

Birmingham | $875,000

Birmingham | $849,000

3600 Bloomfield Club Drive

1313 Indian Mound Trail

1141 Trowbridge Road

Bloomfield Hills | $749,500

Bloomfield Village | $749,000

Bloomfield Hills | $745,000

Call us for a Complimentary Market Analysis

1258 Ruffner Avenue

2425 Bradway Boulevard

1400 Sandringham Way

Birmingham | $724,000

Bloomfield Village | $649,900

Bloomfield Village | $649,000

1812 S Bates Street

1945 Pine Ridge Court

846 Humphrey Avenue

Birmingham | $549,000

Bloomfield Hills | $475,000

Birmingham | $448,000

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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1291 Suffield Avenue

630 Waddington Street

Birmingham | $2,295,000

Bloomfield Village | $2,199,000

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451 Vinewood Avenue

1298 Brookwood Street

New Construction

New Construction

Quarton Lake - $2,950,000 - 5900 sf, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 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 - 4,200 sf, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 3 car garage, finished lower level

Birmingham - $1,650,000 - 3460 sf, 3 bedrooms, 4.1 baths, 1st Flr Master

New Construction

Alex’s Featured Listing….

Coming Soon

Downtown Birmingham – $899,900 Walk to town from this amazing Newer Built Colonial featuring over 4,000 sq ft of custom finishes.

Over $15 Million SOLD in 2016 ALEX CHAPMAN 313.475.0275 achapman@signaturesothebys.com

415 S. Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Bloomfield Hills - $1,299,000 Rudgate's finest 5 bedroom, 3.3 bath Colonial sitting on an enviable 2 acres. Interior exploding with brilliance from the spacious back yard include a sport court, active well for the grounds and waterfall features and one of a kind storage out building. Nearly 5,000 sq ft of living space.

Birmingham $549,900 Outstanding floor plan, impeccable condition with quality custom features in this 3 bedroom, 2.1 bath Colonial. Custom additions include: backyard stonework and fencing, gutter helmets, premium irrigation, planning for water flow.Â

Sue Lozano

Ken Mascia NMLS #135323

kmascia@primecapitalmortgage.com

Prime Capital Mortgage Corp.

36400 Woodward Ave, Suite 122, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

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

248.421.7313 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

slozano@signaturesothebys.com

Luxurious Pine Lake Townhome $575,000 Priced to sell fast this impeccable Pine Lake Front Townhouse is exquisitely designed and decorated with two custom bars, upper and lower level fireplaces, 3 main and upper level balconies, high end kitchen with bluish grey granite and breakfast area overlooking the lake, spacious dining room with balcony and retractable awning, oversize great room with luxurious newly built stone patio and 2nd retractable awning all overlooking the lake. Spacious master suite with his and hers bath areas, jetted tub, large shower, all with marble surround and mood lighting plus a 13 x 12 WIC with island and a balcony overlooking the lake! Finished LL with smoky granite floors, plush carpeting and suspended gas FP. Custom wainscoting and woodwork throughout! 3 car heated attached garage and your own Boat Slip! Luxurious Pine Lake Condominium Living!

248-320-9100

Eva Morrow Associate Broker

415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

eva@signaturesothebys.com www.MichiganHomes.net

Luxurious Country Setting in Bloomfield Township $735,000 Absolutely stunning Ranch home is totally renovated with over 3300 square feet plus another 3000 square feet of living space in the finished walk out lower level. The spacious kitchen with huge center island and stunning olive tone granite counters opens to a cozy family room with natural fireplace and vaulted exposed wood ceiling and a Vivaldi settee room with tons of light overlooking the expansive rear yard. Best of all, this home truly offers country living in the city hidden within a serene wooded setting right behind the maple and telegraph intersection. Walk to all major conveniences and come home to this relaxing atmosphere in minutes.

Custom Build To Suit Along Rouge River In Franklin $1,590,000 Custom build the home of your dreams on this 3 acre walk-out site on a wonderful street in Franklin right across from two multi million dollar properties. This masterfully designed new construction estate by Hemphill Custom Builders offers luxurious living in a country setting yet only one mile away from downtown Franklin. Every detail of this 5000 sq ft residence will be expertly designed and crafted using the highest quality materials of your choice. The home featured here is just one of many you can choose from and of course any feature can be customized to your taste. Drive by and walk this property at your leisure and contact the listing agent for more information including the extensive list of items offered with this new construction. Amazing opportunity and an optimal time to build! Topographical survey available too! Land can be sold separately $550,000.

FACES

Kurt Steckling and Jason Vazzano irmingham resident Kurt Steckling has always used his interest in technology as a way of finding new ways to have fun. In 1999, he and fellow Brother Rice High School graduate Jason Vazzano used their shared interest in technology to launch Vectorform, a Royal Oak-based IT firm that is helping to change how we view our digital world.

"Jason and I have always had a love of technology and of machines," Steckling said. "We would take everything apart and put it back together."

Following the lead of Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak, Steckling and Vazzano, at an early age, found ways to make their inventions work for themselves, as with the blue box device they created to make free calls from pay phones, just as the Apple founders had.

"We did that, too,” he said. "You only needed a tape recorder that made a 2500 hertz tone and it would register a quarter. That tone is what told the phone company that money was deposited."

Today, the two friends have taken the business they started inside a mini storage in Davisburg into a global technology company employing about 130 employees in Royal Oak, Seattle, New York, Munich, Germany and Hyderabad, India.

"We used the office of my family's storage facility. They own a ministorage in Davisburg," Steckling said. "Then, the first real office was in Detroit until about 2005. And now in Royal Oak, in the former Barnes and Noble space. We spent so long searching for that space, our employees didn't think we were going to move."

The majority of the company's employees – about 75 – work in the former Barnes and Noble spot in downtown Royal Oak, where the

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company focuses on inventing new ways to use digital products and services. From interactive touchscreen maps designed for NBC to present information during the 2008 presidential election to virtual reality and a real-time monitoring platform for DTE Energy, Vectorform is expanding technology uses in Michigan and around the globe.

Raised in the Clarkston area, Steckling studied finance at Michigan State after graduating from Brother Rice. Still, technology remained his true interest. After college, he and Vazzano, a Bloomfield Hills resident, connected and the business exploded.

"I was interested in making websites and building them myself. I ended up working on HTML and Java, and taking a floppy disk to the computer lab to put it on the web. That was before we could use FTP or Telnet," he said. "I was really captivated by it in college. I saw a great need for it, and it quickly became clear that was where I needed to go, career-wise.

"When the right people really hit traction in the market, you'll see a huge adaptation," Steckling said. "In the vehicle space, obviously autonomous vehicles are closer than we think, but at the same time it will be an incremental change. I think that will be huge in the way we use transportation.

"I think home automation is the next big thing that we didn't realize that we can't live without. Before smart phones, we didn't realize or miss them. Now, we say, 'How did live without these things.' I think home automation will absolutely fall into that space."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

Welcome

to Bloomfield Hills Schools!

A limited number of tuition spots are available K-12 for the 2016-17 school year.*

“I have gone to BHS since preschool.

Everyone here is very loving; it’s like a big family where they welcome you in. My teacher adapts to the way I learn. In math we are learning multiplication and how to factor elapsed time.”

-ANNALISE MARGOLIS

“We have a lot of opportunities to expand our learning and go beyond the classroom. The IB curriculum emphasizes reaching out to the global community *Enrollment while keeping in mind that we “My class collected acceptance is based have a very diverse range upon applicants meeting maple syrup from the maple of students.” current tuition guidelines trees at the (Johnson) Nature -ALAN ZHANG and space availability.

Center. We saw lots of animals at Submitting an application the (Bowers) Farm. One of the goats does not guarantee acceptance. was nibbling on my jacket and then Available spaces will be filled he licked my hand!” -XAVIER ROBINSON on a first come, first serve basis.

MUNICIPAL No changes made to bistro ordinance

Starbucks Reserve to open in Cosi site

By Lisa Brody

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham city commissioners considered altering the city's bistro selection process for the 2017 calendar year to limit one of the two bistro license candidates to a location in either Birmingham's Triangle or Rail District, but commissioners ultimately decided not to limit themselves from options in other areas of the city.

At the city commission meeting on Monday, July 25, city commissioners considered a resolution that would have changed the bistro selection process just for the 2017 calendar year by mandating that one of the two new bistro licenses that commissioners can give out must be in either the Triangle District or the Rail District, rather than Birmingham's central business district, which many view as having reached the saturation point for restaurants and bistros. Applications for 2017 bistro licenses are due October 1, 2016 to the Birmingham planning department.

The city's bistro ordinance, an economic incentive liquor license adopted in 2007, permits no more than 65 seats, with up to 10 seats at a bar, states that there must be outdoor seating and front windows that open with at least 70 percent glazing in order to activate the streets, and no more than two bistro licenses can be given out per year.

Last October, there were two submissions, The Fun Wine Company and Toshi, for the former Cosi location at the corner of Maple and Old Woodward. Commissioners declined to move Toshi forward, despite enjoying the concept, because they said the location should become a retail location. The Fun Wine Company received approval from the city commission to move on to the city's planning board, but failed to submit anything to the planning department or the planning board within the permitted 120-day window. In April 2016, a second round of applicants were accepted, and five submitted applications, of which none were chosen by the city commission to move forward to the city's planning board.

For the last several years, commissioners have directed the planning department and planning downtownpublications.com

he former Cosi location in downtown Birmingham will become a Starbucks Reserve next spring, Starbucks has confirmed, when they will move from their present location on S. Old Woodward to the much larger space at the corner of Maple and Old Woodward.

A Starbucks spokesperson said, “Starbucks is always looking for great locations to better meet the needs of our customers, and we are happy to confirm that we will be opening a new location at 101 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham. The store will open next spring.”

The location is an iconic one in downtown Birmingham, at the northwest corner of Maple and Old Woodward, and, as one real estate professional noted, one of the best locations in southeast Michigan in one of the wealthiest communities in Michigan. For decades, it was the location of Wilson Drugs, and then the location, for 15 years, of the Gap. After the Gap left, Cosi filled the space for 15 years until they moved in late April.

Starbucks is currently located at 135 S. Old Woodward, and will move to the much larger space, which is about 3,500 square feet, sometime in early 2017. The new Starbucks will become a Starbucks Reserve, a new concept of Starbucks cafés that Starbucks is putting in premium locations. Starbucks said in February 2016 they were looking to open about 500 cafés over the next seven years. This will be the first location in Michigan.

Landlord Brian Najor, of the Najor Companies, said, “It will be a really unique Starbucks, and a really unique addition to Birmingham.”

Najor said that he is excited about the Reserve concept of Starbucks coming to Birmingham, adding that he owns “a number of buildings in the city, I am here for the long haul and I have a great deal of respect for the city of Birmingham,” which will continue to play into his planning in the future when looking at other potential tenants.

Starbucks Reserve features their premium coffee lines, its own roastery, and offers more food options for breakfast and lunch, with some baking done in-house. The cafés are about 10 times the size of a typical Starbucks location.

A location in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan features art work for purchase, vintage rugs, furniture sourced from local secondhand stores, and fancy slow-drip, pour-over, and siphon contraptions, as well as other coffee accessories.

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board that they wanted to have bistros in the Rail and Triangle District, but there have been few applicants for those locations. The few concepts that have applied and been moved forward by the commission have not panned out due to economic and other factors on the part of the applicants.

At the July 25 meeting, commissioners said they were hesitant to vote on the resolution limiting one of the bistros to a location in the Triangle or Rail District because it could limit them from considering a possible bistro along Woodward or on S. Old Woodward, other areas where development would be welcome. Commissioners did direct planning director Jana Ecker to instruct applicants that they

are not interested in more bistros in what they call the “red line district,” or the central business district.

Ecker said, “We can tell them, but we can't do anything if they want to apply.”

“Give them transcripts of this meeting then,” commissioner Stuart Sherman replied.

Small AT&T tower granted permission A request from AT&T to allow an application to install a new wireless communication tower on city-owned property in Bloomfield Hills to provide residents with better cell service coincided with public safety needs to improve emergency communication

DOWNTOWN

service, and Bloomfield Hills city commissioners unanimously gave city manager Jay Cravens approval to sign an application for a special land use permit providing there would be no commercial uses on the tower.

Cravens presented a memo to commission on Tuesday, August 9, noting that AT&T had approached the city's administration several months ago about the feasibility of installing a new wireless communication tower/facility on cityowned property, as several of their current leases are set to expire and do not provide the coverage they need to serve customers in the northern part of Bloomfield Hills. He wrote that AT&T said they had investigated several sites, and felt the best location for their facility was on department of public works property.

Cravens said that coincidentally, public safety chief David Hendrickson was in the midst of preparing a memorandum indicating that his department was experiencing poor radio coverage and reception.

Hendrickson said he personally experienced the poor reception when he was riding along with an officer and talking with a suspicious person in someone's yard. The officer attempted to speak to dispatch using his hand-held, he said, but was unable to transmit. The incident occurred within one mile of city hall.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to allow for the application to be signed for a special land permit for AT&T to install the new wireless communication tower. Once Cravens signs and sends in the application, he said it could be months before plans go before the city's planning and city commissions.

Residents request school stay as park During public comment at the August 8 Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees meeting, several members of the public requested trustees intervene with a proposed school board sale of Hickory Grove Elementary School to a private developer in order to maintain it as township-owned parkland, but it was explained that would be too costly and not part of the township's master plan.

Several residents living in the neighborhood adjacent to the former Hickory Grove Elementary School, 81

1st Annual Darakjian Pre-Owned Watch Fair

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2800 Lahser Road, spoke to the board against a pending purchase by Bloomfield Township's developer and builder Robertson Homes, which has presented a proposal to the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education to develop the property as 34 condominiums. The residents each said that they understood that the school itself “needed to be flattened,” and that it was obsolete, but they each said they wanted the township to keep the property as a park.

Township supervisor Leo Savoie explained that the bigger issue is the park. “The master plan for the township created 50 to 60 years ago did not call for any (parks),” he said.

“You have one parcel that is going to sell for between $4 -$6 million,” he continued. “It is owned by a totally separate entity from the township – the school board. We don't have the money, and it would have to be a township-wide SAD (special assessment district),” also explaining that a special assessment vote before all the township's voters about 20 or more years ago failed. “I don't know why someone in the Adams corridor, or the Inkster corridor, or the Franklin corridor, would support it. It's not like we have 15 sites there for 15 parks for a township-wide benefit.

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

To further questioning, he also explained that while Robertson Brothers presented 34 sites to the school board, they will have to follow the same zoning and planning process as any other developer, and they will not likely get that density, similar to what happened at Academy of Sacred Heart. “The plans presented, it will need to be under the Open Preservation Ordinance. It will come under our scrutiny,” Savoie said.

Meatballs, t-shirts locating in downtown Vacant storefronts rarely last long in downtown Birmingham.

Witness two recent vacancies that will soon have new merchants coming to the downtown area. The Subway sandwich shop, located at 126 S. Old Woodward, suddenly closed on Friday, July 22, at 3 p.m., and Double Up, 175 W. Maple, closed July 30, after lengthy issues with its landlord. Both location will see new life – Subway, as a unique new fast downtownpublications.com

casual meatball restaurant by the owner of Brooklyn Pizza; and Double Up as Homage, a vintage apparel and T-shirt store out of Columbus, Ohio.

Sam Abdelsatah, owner of Brooklyn Pizza on Henrietta Street and another in Troy, said he has been traveling to both San Diego and New York, “and the meatball concept has gotten very trendy on both the east coast and west coast. It's usually a sit-down concept with a bar. Here, it will be fast casual, revolving around all kinds of meatball sliders.”

Abdelsatah said his new brainchild, to be called Polpetta, which means meatball in Italian, will focus on all different kinds of meatballs, from regular meat, barbeque chicken, buffalo chicken, spicy pork, “and the best in my opinion, vegetarian,” he said. “It's very high in protein and it's delicious.”

The meatballs will be served on different kinds of buns, with a variety of sauce options. The restaurant will also feature other sandwiches, pastas, sides and salads. There will be seating for about 35 patrons indoors, as well as take out and delivery. While he does not yet have a firm opening date, he is currently aiming for November.

“It's going to be trendy, but we normally cater to families, kids, young moms with kids, and we will do that, and will also definitely be a place for office workers to walk in and get something to eat,” Abdelsatah said.

What it won't be is a spot that serves alcohol. “We've been here for 20 years, and we have a very loyal clientele, and we would like to have something else to offer them.”

Homage, which highlights vintage, sports and college T-shirts, will be entering the metro Detroit market with their store on W. Maple.

Building owner Richard Sharer said the lease started mid-August, but he was uncertain as to when they would move in and open their doors.

Formal complaint filed over email list Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie is facing a complaint filed with the Michigan Attorney General's office over his use of a township email list to send out an endorsement he received during the recent primary election.

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The email list he used was comprised of people who had signed up to receive news from Bloomfield Township.

The issue of the use of the township email list was first raised

by Savoie at the July 11 Bloomfield Township board of trustees meeting.

“About 30 days ago, I asked Bill Hampton (township attorney) if the email addresses were FOIAble, and he said he believed they were,” Savoie said at the meeting. “I sent out an endorsement from the Eccentric. After that, I informed Jan (Roncelli, township clerk), and Neal (trustee Barnett), that about 300 to 400 people had received a form.”

There are approximately 3,000 subscribers on the township's email list. The subscription page has a provision stating that email addresses will be used only for township communications. Savoie said that he was not aware of that policy.

He said that he had just that day asked Hampton once again if the township's email list “is a private or public entity, and he is checking into it.”

“Whose bill is that on?” trustee Dave Buckley had asked.

Treasurer Dan Devine, who lost a bid for re-election to trustee Brian Kepes, said, “The damage is done.

It's private. They were mislead. It was done to confuse absentee voters.”

Savoie said his intent was pure, and done with the advise of counsel from Hampton. Once he received a complaint, he asked Hampton to look into it further.

Recently, township resident Alice Wachol filed a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General's office, seeking an investigation.

The attorney general's office does not currently have a time line for a response.

Two local fitness studios to expand Longtime Bloomfield Township pilates studio Equilibrium will be opening up a second home in downtown Birmingham, and Citizen Yoga, a Royal Oak yoga studio, has

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finalized a deal to open their third studio in Bloomfield Township.

Nancy Hodari, owner of Equilibrium Studio for the last 20 years, located on Telegraph just north of Maple Road, at 6405 N. Telegraph, Buildings G & H, said she has leased the former site of Townsend Street Pilates, 189 Townsend Street, in Birmingham, after the former pilates studio closed at the end of July.

“I had no plans for a second location but I heard Townsend Street (Pilates) was closing, and as I live in that neighborhood, I was intrigued by the potential,” Hodari said. After living in Birmingham only five years I know that residents like to do as much as possible in the vibrant downtown area, including me.”

Hodari said it will take five to six weeks to give the space a “much needed facelift/remodel” from the same designers who created the original Bloomfield Township studio, Ausberg Interiours, Birmingham residents Mark and Laurie Wallace.

“Their design has remained fresh and interesting and I called to

express my appreciation for their talent not thinking they would have time to help me with this remodel,” she said. “They have a few very prominent clients who require their full-time attention. They surprised me with the promise to help me transform the space into a high tech urban oasis.”

Equilibrium follows the Stott method of pilates, which focuses on using the natural curvature of the spine. “I am passionate about pilates. I think it is like health insurance; everyone needs it. It is not a fad or a trend,” Hodari said.

She said there will be some of the same instructors and programming as Bloomfield, and some new ones, along with new “menu” items.

Moving into Bloomfield Township, at 6400 Telegraph, at the northwest corner of Maple, in the newlyrenovated building which once was Bally's Fitness, will be Citizen Yoga, launched by yogi and former TEDx Talk speaker Kacee Must.

“We're a very community-centric studio. We're experts and accessible at the same time. We teach the how,

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the why and the when with each pose, that's one of the things that differentiates our studio,” Must said.

“Our whole focus is making people feel seen and that they belong.”

Must launched Citizen Yoga Royal Oak in 2013 at 500 S. Washington, and in early 2015, opened Citizen Yoga Detroit at 1224 Library Street.

The Bloomfield Township location, which will open in March 2017, will be her third. “We have plans to expand outside of metro Detroit in early 2018,” Must said.

The Bloomfield location will be 2,400 square feet, and will have kids care, acupuncture and massage.

Royal Oak also offers those amenities, while Detroit does not offer child care. They also have showers stocked with shampoo and conditioners, hair dryers and communal prep areas.

For those with physical challenges, Must said the studio has regular back classes and “We're starting a new program called The Yoga Doctor, in collaboration with Yogamedics, using a custom software program that measures

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flexibility, helps people recover from injuries, helps determine what can and can you not do, what poses should you focus on, and what can't you do. We're the first recreational studio in the country to focus on measurable outcomes.”

Smart parking meter trial begins The city of Birmingham, perennially dealing with a parking problem, is working to get a leg up by testing two different brands of “smart” parking meters for the public to try out. The trial began Monday, August 1, with 32 different meters installed in front of city hall.

Martin Street in front of city hall, an area with diagonal street parking, is the test area for two different kinds of smart parking meters that will allow those using them to pay by credit card directly at the meter, using their MasterCard, Visa or Discover card, as well as old fashioned coins or the city's approved Park Mobile parking app.

In order to test out the different styles of meters, 16 CivicSmart Liberty meters were installed on the north side of the street, replacing the current meters, and 16 IPS M5 meters on the south side of the street.

CivicSmart Liberty meters provide users secure credit card processing, a high resolution LED display, and color-coded display for easy navigation and use.

IPS M5 meters utilize solar power and state-of the-art data management, wirelessly networked to a web-based management system.

Both systems maintain they offer smart technology for cities, and that a smart parking program can improve infrastructure.

The city of Birmingham is requesting public input on the two different meters from those using them, as one component that will be used in order for the city to move forward on the best parking system for the city. There are boxes nearby on Martin, between Pierce and Henrietta, where citizens can fill out surveys and drop them off.

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The project was initiated as part of the Old Woodward Avenue reconstruction project, which is planned for spring 2017.

Overbrook closed for culvert replacement Overbrook Road in Bloomfield Township was closed Thursday, August 4, through early September for a culvert replacement project.

The Road Commission of Oakland County (RCOC) closed the road, located just west of Lahser Road, for the removal of twin culverts in order to install a concrete box culvert; new wing walls; and the relocation of the existing water main by Bloomfield Township. The $400,000 project is being funded by RCOC and Bloomfield Township.

RCOC recommends a detour of Nearbrook Road to Long Lake Road to Lahser, back to Overbrook, and vice versa.

RCOC expects the project to be completed sometime in early September.

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FACES

Cec Vetraino Strine ormer Cranbrook Schools teacher Cec Vetraino Strine spent decades teaching students at Brookside Elementary School before retiring in 2013. Now the community that she spent so much time serving is working to help her to help others battling cancer through "Cranbrook Envisions A Cure," an annual walk/run to help fund cancer research and support groups.

In the summer of 2007, Strine was diagnosed with epithelialmyopepithelial carcinoma, a rare form of cancer in the salivary gland.

That November, she started a seven-week regiment of daily radiation treatment.

"My family was outstanding, starting with my husband, Steve," she said. "It was our journey together, not just mine. He arranged his work schedule and took me to all the treatments. The other piece of it was Imerman Angels."

Founded by Jonny Imerman, a former student of Strine's, the foundation matches cancer patients with survivors who act as mentors to support those battling cancer. Reaching out to Imerman himself, Strine was matched with a mentor who had beaten the same form of cancer she was battling.

"Once you are paired, you work out how you want to be contacted.

Tim made himself available 24/7, and said to call anytime day or night," she said. "To be able to talk to someone who had been through this – that was crucial."

Following her treatments, Strine and fellow cancer survivor and Cranbrook alumna Sarah Jacobs celebrated their recovery by walking the perimeter of Kingwood Lake. The walk was later expanded and in 2009, they established the annual Cranbrook Envisions A Cure event.

“Eventually, when we were done with treatment and the side effects, we were feeling better. We both shared that common bond of Cranbrook

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and the community, and how they supported us," Strine said. "It was really Sarah's words that 'maybe we should expand this,' and that 'the walk really belongs to the whole community,' that lead to it."

With the help of folks at Cranbrook, more than 300 people attended the first community walk around the lake. Today, thousands of people participate in the event, which has raised more than $35,000 for cancer research and support groups.

Strine continues to organize the event, which will be held this year on Sunday, September 18, but the Cranbrook community is heavily involved. The 2016 event is sponsored by both Cranbrook's cross country club and tennis team, with support from many students, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents and friends. While attendance is free, the event raises funds through voluntary donations which benefit various charities.

"We have tables set up for each charity," Strine said. "If someone just goes to a table and learns about something that can help them – that's awesome. But if they feel inclined to donate, we certainly appreciate that."

While charities included in the event differ from year to year, Strine said Imerman Angels is always included. Strine has also mentored more than a dozen cancer patients through the organization since her own recovery.

Her efforts, she said, can be summarized by a quote by Maya Angelou: “I have learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw things back.”

"That really resonated with me," Strine said. "I'm still here, and the help from the doctors, family and Imerman Angels goes on and on. I have to give back. It was a given."

Story: Kevin Elliott

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Benjamin Reynaert hen I first moved to New York, one of my first jobs was to sew Christmas tree skirts for Martha Stewart,” said Benjamin Reynaert, noting that his time with needle and thread segued into a host of other craft projects for Martha Stewart Living, including a handmade guestbook that was featured in the star’s collection.

A fine artist with an architecture degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, Reynaert has found gainful employment as a bookbinder, props and interiors stylist for an e-commerce site, and most recently, as a magazine editor for Elle Decor, which captures the world of luxurious home design.

Born in South Korea, Reynaert was raised in Bloomfield Township, and points to the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (BBAC) and the Cranbrook campus as major influencers on his creative sensibilities and career path, alike.

“I aggressively took classes there. I convinced my parents to let me take classes at the BBAC every semester in high school,” he said, while attending Seaholm High School. “Going to the Cranbrook Art Museum was really powerful, and learning about the Saarinen family, (who) designed the Cranbrook campus, and are furniture designers.”

Having come a long way from his childhood days of drawing detailed layouts of imaginary homes, Reynaert acknowledged that, “drawing is still something I rely on everyday. I’m always thinking of new ways to present things and photograph things, and it helps to sketch out all those ideas. So all that stuff that I was doing as a kid has informed how I think about things.”

Interested in the connections between different industries, Reynaert places emphasis on “studying things that are not at all related to what you’re doing.

“I love following fashion brands on Instagram to get a sense of what trends are happening, or even if it’s with what’s going on with architecture. For some reason, I’m seeing – in terms of color – a lot of peacock blue and teal,” he said. “Aside from that, definitely a big floral trend. I’ve been following Gucci for a while, and their new creative director is shaking things up in new ways with patterns and color, and it’s this huge mash up of different patterns, materials and textures.”

In his professional life as a magazine editor for Elle Decor, Reynaert frequently partners with designers in New York, or elsewhere, and coordinates with a photographer to capture a fresh feel of the space, while still honoring the personal work of the designer. “Thomas Jane, a decorator in New York, has the Jane Design Studio and a home in New Orleans. It was really fun to work with him and see how he thinks of space. I’ve been going to New Orleans every month for the past few months. There’s so many great homes. It’s unlike anywhere else in the country.”

For now, Reynaert has settled into an apartment in Queens, about 40 minutes from Manhattan. “It’s definitely a roller coaster, and can be intense,” but, he admits, the energy, art, and inspiration can’t be beat.

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FACES

Marissa Boyajian ith her passport stamped in Vancouver, London, Sochi, and now Rio de Janeiro, associate producer Marissa Boyajian has attended the last four Olympic games, and covered three of them in her still-young career with NBC. Boyajian’s run with the Olympics began while working as executive assistant to NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol, who she said was instrumental in bringing “the Olympics into American homes, with so much storytelling, and so many features.

“He taught me so much about work ethic and, at heart he was a creative guy, so he introduced me to storytelling. He was my foray into sports.”

A 2004 graduate of Lahser High School, Boyajian got into broadcasting through her experience with the Biff, the Bloomfield Hills high school radio station. Involved with 88.1 WBFH for three years, Boyajian knew she wanted to study broadcasting in college.

“I ended up visiting Syracuse (University), and there were five or six generations of WBFH people who had gone to Syracuse.”

Naturally, she enrolled, and after graduating with her degree in broadcast journalism, got her foot in the door with NBC interning as a page. Eight years later, Boyajian enjoys more creative freedom.

“In the last year, I feel like I’ve been able to have ownership over my work, and have been able to produce my own things.”

In advance of the August games in Rio, Boyajian travelled across the country working on a series that spotlighted Team USA. Interviewing top athletes from a host of cities, she talked to beach volleyball players in California, rowers in Princeton, New Jersey, wrestlers in Iowa, and more.

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“The Olympics are really cool and exciting because you see a new culture, but the most exciting thing for us is that – we’ve been thinking and talking about these athletes for almost two years, there’s the World Championships and the Olympic trials and all that, but, this is so cheesy – being a part of what the full Olympic spirit is what it's all about.”

As a field producer for features, profiles, and documentaries, Boyajian works behind the camera, orchestrating the interview, the shot list, and writing the narrative to round out the piece.

“I tell the camera crew I need a shot of this, and come up with a shot list. I always work in a world where everything’s on tape. The writing aspect comes in when we use sound bites to write in between the clips, to carry the story along.”

Back in the studio she reads the transcript and partners with the editor to arrange the piece and add music. “I’m constantly listening to music, and those cool cutty shots, I do that, too.”

A Detroit suburbanite from Bloomfield Township turned New Yorker, Boyajian has taken well to the Big Apple, and finds that friends and family seek out her advice on where to shop, eat, and visit.

“In New York City I feel like I’m a concierge service, so I feel I could do some kind of content, like lifestyle or something like that, eventually.

“I like being in a creative job. I’d like to be somewhere maybe where I could drive the content. I think the digital space is really exciting, and I would want to go more towards some of my own passions – food, travel, and fashion.”

Story: Katie Deska

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BUSINESS MATTERS Eye care move There’s no need to check your vision if you’ve noticed Optik Birmingham, 247 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, has moved from its former location – all the way to next door at 245 W. Maple Road. The optical service moved in early August into the space formerly used by Tender, 271 W. Maple, as its shoe and handbag location. Neither of the moves will alter services and merchandise offered by the two longtime Birmingham businesses.

Tender co-owner Karen Daskas announced in March that the store would be returning to its original footprint when it opened 22 years ago.

Meanwhile, Dr. Joe Ales, of Optik, has been providing eye care to the community for 30 years, as well as unique, one-of-a-kind, never worn vintage eyeware, along with contemporary designer eyeware. In addition, Optik offers cool accessories, such as art deco Bakelite necklaces and bracelets from the 1920s, vintage purses from the 1950s, and art. There are also two other locations of Optik.

Banks consolidate Arbor Bancorp Inc and Birmingham Bloomfield Bancshares, Inc., have agreed to the acquisition of Bank of Birmingham, 33583 Woodward, in Birmingham, by Bank of Ann Arbor.

The all-cash transaction of about $33.3 million is expected to be finalized by the end of 2016. The combined organization will have about 225 employees, and will allow Bank of Birmingham to offer customers access to an enhanced portfolio of products, services and offer the bank greater lending capabilities, said Tim Marshall, president and CEO of Bank of Ann Arbor. The deal will also allow Bank of Ann Arbor to expand its footprint into Oakland County. Bank of Ann Arbor is a locally-owned and operated bank serving Washtenaw and western Wayne counties, with offices in Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township, Ypsilanti and Saline. Bank of Birmingham is a fullservice bank, delivering financial services to small and medium size businesses, professionals and individuals who primarily work or live in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Beverly Hills and Franklin. Bank of Birmingham President Rob Farr will continue to serve as president of that location following the finalization of the transaction.

Rockind Law on the move Criminal defense law firm Rockind Law, 36400 Woodward Avenue, Suite 210, in Bloomfield Hills, has relocated its office from its Southfield location. Neil Rockind, who founded the firm in 2000, said the move, on Woodward between Maple and Big Beaver, allows the firm to focus on their clients’ needs. “We have outgrown our current space in Southfield

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and are pleased to be moving to an extremely desirable area in Oakland County on the busy Woodward corridor,” he said. “This matches our growing reputation as the go-to criminal defense law firm in Michigan. Our new office is designed around our practice, with both a conference room and trial prep and war room. Clients will immediately feel comfortable in knowing they are in the right place with the right firm.” The firm specializes in criminal defense of various charges, including white collar crime, drunk driving, narcotics and assault.

Restaurant lender opens A boutique business lender that located to Birmingham earlier this year has recently created the Restaurant Loan Corporation in downtown Birmingham.

Ready Capital Corporation, 199 Pierce Street, in Birmingham, opened its downtown location earlier this year. The new Restaurant Loan Corporation opened at the same location in August.

The new business provides a one-stop menu of business loan solutions for restaurant owners, including mortgages, equipment leasing, lines of credit, working capital and business advances.

“Restaurant owners struggle finding access to low cost capital,” said Makenzie Backonen, vice president of Restaurant Loan Corporation. “Many, if not most restaurants, don’t have a reliable source for capital needs. The restaurant industry needs lenders who understand their industry.” The new business will operate as a division of Ready Capital Corporation, which works with professional trades, such as attorneys, accountants, bankers and brokers, to solve business finance needs.

Welcome Maison Birmingham-based Caden Design Group has been purchased by Lauren Tolles and rebranded and renamed Maison Birmingham, at 1020 S. Old Woodward, in Birmingham. The new business is a full-service design build firm offering interior architecture, interior design, construction and project management and related services.

Maison Birmingham also offers handcrafted, custom cabinetry for every living space, and offers design services for kitchens, baths and all other rooms.

Tolles, who earned her masters in architecture from the University of Michigan, previously owned and operated her own interior design studio and worked with local firms HF:architecture and McIntosh Poris Associates. She purchased Caden Design Group in May.

Ooh la la!

Beauty expert and certified Xtreme lashes specialist Leslie Joseph has

spent the past three years building a following in Birmingham. In August she held the grand opening of her first storefront, La-La Lashes, 251 E. Merrill Street, Suite 240, in Birmingham. Starting with lashes at Margot European Day Spa, in Birmingham, Joseph said she left and started gaining new customers and referrals from other businesses in the city. “All of a sudden, it blew up faster than I thought,” she said. Now in her own space, Joseph specializes in Xtreme lashes, which require a degree of special training she said must be continued every year. In addition, LaLa Lashes has a special room utilized for airbrush tanning, and offers eyebrow arching service. “We are a one-stop shop for beauty,” she said.

20 years of deli The menu at the CityScape Deli, 877 W. Long Lake Road, in Bloomfield Township, has had some slight variations since Larry and Yvette Josifovski purchased it in 1996, but the focus has remained the same: to build Bloomfield’s best and finest sandwiches. The couple and family members who work there recently celebrated 20 years of operating the deli, which was started about five years prior by former owner Mike Peluso.

“We were in the bakery business for 25 years. My dad had his own bakery,” Yvette Josifovski said. Today, she said the deli continues to par-bake their sandwich bread on-site. The deli offers Hungarian goulash, seven different soups, and dozens of classic subs and sandwiches. “We have chicken and vegetarian chili, which is a little healthier. We have more gluten free and vegan items, just to keep up with the times,” Josifovski said, noting that the menu has changed somewhat over the years to match customers’ changing tastes. She said many ingredients are locally grown and purchased at farmers markets, while herbs come from the family’s own herb garden. In addition to changing food trends, the scenery surrounding the deli has changed.

“When we got the deli in 1996, there was only us, a Bill Knapp’s across the street and a Little Caesar’s next to us,” she said. “Now there are like 10 restaurants.”

Forever makeovers Trish Nguyen, owner of 3D Permanent Makeup, 630 N. Old Woodward, Suite 203, in Birmingham, said she is hoping for a September opening of her downtown shop.

The business will focus on eyebrows, facial waxing, eyelashes and hair.

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Lynn Baker & Deby Gannes 248.379.3000 | LBaker@HallandHunter.com 248.379.3003 | DGannes@HallandHunter.com Have you heard? Lynn & Deby sell homes at EVERY price...

Yes, no home too small, no home too large, they DO sell them all!

We specialize in “cottages to castles” listings advertised on 33 websites with 660 links!

VISIT

LynnAndDeby.com

Lynn and Deby - Hall & Hunter Realtors

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 950 Lake George Road | $3,250,000

DETROIT 1700 Lincolnshire | $789,000

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 3102 Royal Berkshire Lane | $699,900

Your own Greenfield Village! Rolling pastures, 2 separate First home built in Palmer Woods on close to an acre Truly a designer showcase home minutes from homes and historically restored barn. Ravine and bridge with formal/informal gardens plus a sunken pond. One- Rochester. Stunning master. Amazing patio & deck with over Paint Creek. Unparalelled private retreat! of-a-kind 3-story mansion with extraordinary details! built-in BBQ kitchen and firepit. Finished walkout LL. 44 acres | Guest House & Barns | MLS# 214109665

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

5,072 Total SF | 4 BR | 4.1 Baths | MLS #216000438

BIRMINGHAM 387 George Street | $605,000

DETROIT 1414 Wellesley | $540,000

OXFORD TOWNSHIP 1850 Barr Road | $352,900

Stunning updated home seconds from Barnum Park & downtown. Remodel design by Kevin Hart. Spacious master suite. Bonus room above 2+ car garage.

Elegant, stately colonial in the premier Palmer Woods neighborhood. Updated kitchen and all-seasons room.

Finished lower level. Attached 3-car heated garage.

Spacious, completely renovated home set on 10 acres of forest, rolling hills and meadows. Great room opens to deck. Granite/stainless kitchen. Walkout lower level.

1,929 SF | 3 BR | 2.1 Baths | MLS# 216051696

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

3,827 TOTAL SF | 4 BR | 4 Baths | MLS #216044802

®

®

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

Kevin Conway Realtor

248.330.3324 KConway@HallandHunter.com

BEVERLY HILLS VILLAGE 19834 Riverside | $799,000 Prime West Beverly location on the river! Landmark colonial on an exceptional setting features a new kitchen opening to great room with direct access to expansive yard offering with panoramic views of the river and nature preserve. Other highlights include a spacious living room with fireplace and private den. Master suite with commanding views. Additional living space in the partially finished basement with family room, exercise room and sauna. Award-winning Birmingham schools.

2,902 SF | 4 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216072473

NEW LISTING

BIRMINGHAM 2210 Avon Lane | $750,000 Pristine home in prime location within walking distance to downtown, playgrounds, golf course & dog park.

Numerous updates throughout, including HVAC systems, water heaters, roof, gutters and windows. Eat-in kitchen with island and premium appliances. Great room has vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace & surround sound system and opens to brick paver patio and great yard. Lovely master suite with steam shower & jacuzzi tub in bath. Basement completely redone in 2015/16 with new carpet, paint and glass block windows. In-ground sprinkler system.

2,915 SF | 4 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216081512

NEW LISTING

BLOOMFIELD 4482 Pine Tree Trail | $574,900 Spacious colonial with more than 3300 square feet of living space on a spectacular private setting! Extensive updates throughout, including roof, air conditioner, tankless water heater, composite deck, kitchen appliances, countertops and backsplash. Expansive great room with fireplace adjoins kitchen for ease in entertaining. Porch with hot tub and direct access to new deck and patio with fire pit.

Circular driveway. Bloomfield Hills schools.

3,336 SF | 4 BR | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216082312

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Holly Geyer Realtor

248.506.7345 HGeyer@HallandHunter.com

BIRMINGHAM 790 Lakeside Drive | $2,975,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,454 Square Feet MLS# 216060604

Custom-built residence with sweeping views of Quarton Lake, just a short stroll to downtown. Bella Cucina kitchen, 5â&#x20AC;? plank walnut floors and luxurious finishes throughout. Master retreat features marble bath and private balcony. Amazing lower level!

NEW PRICE

BLOOMFIELD TWP. 3847 Oakland Drive | $1,599,000 5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 3 Half Baths 5,064 Square Feet MLS# 216029382

Spectacular home overlooking Oakland Hills Country Club! Spacious 1st floor master suite with bath spa.

Beautiful chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen opens to deck and family room. Formal dining room with terrace looks out on the south golf course. Fabulous walkout lower level.

NEW LISTING

BLOOMFIELD 2896 Meadowood Lane | $899,900 5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,543 Square Feet MLS# 216043755

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

TROY 4412 Whisper Way | $349,900 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,186 Square Feet MLS# 216078310

Walk to Troy High from this well-maintained ranch in Merihill Acres. Spacious eat-in kitchen opens to large family room with fireplace, cathedral ceiling and access to all-season room. First floor laundry & full basement.

Beautiful landscaping makes for a park-like setting.

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Ginny Fisher Realtor

248.593.0518 GFisher@HallandHunter.com

BIRMINGHAM | 887 Wimbleton | $880,000

BIRMINGHAM | 1970 Northlawn Boulevard | $799,000

Elegantly updated landmark Tudor in charming Poppleton Park offers stylish details throughout. Beautiful family room addition and lovely formal living room with marble fireplace. Spacious master suite with renovated bath. Impeccable!

Gorgeous setting with panoramic views of Birmingham Country Club golf course!

Beautifully renovated home on elevated site has updated chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kitchen and master suite with heated marble floors in bath. Spectacular finished LL. Newer deck and fenced yard.

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 3 Half Baths | 3,084 Square Feet | MLS# 216066840

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full, 1 Half Baths | 2,984 Square Feet | MLS# 216047532

FOR LEASE

NEW PRICE

BLOOMFIELD HILLS 1772 Heron Ridge Drive | $1,599,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,385 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 216023366

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

WEST BLOOMFIELD 5928 Naneva Court | $387,500 5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,071 Square Feet MLS# 216062770

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

BLOOMFIELD 2307 Lost Tree Way | $2750/month 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,278 Square Feet MLS# 216081392

Updated executive long-term rental is move-in ready! Lovely eat-in granite kitchen opens to spacious family room. Expansive master suite. Finished lower level.

For more information, visit GinnyFisherHomes.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Cheryl Riback Associate Broker, ABR, SRES

248.808.3112 CRiback@HallandHunter.com

NEW PRICE

LAKEFRONT

BLOOMFIELD HILLS 1430 Inwoods Circle | $4,950,000 5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 3 Half Baths 13,884 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 216055097

BLOOMFIELD 1888 Pine Ridge Lane | $399,900 3 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,867 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 216059140

ORCHARD LAKE 3795 Indian Trail | $1,249,000

Prestigious Kirk in the Hills with panoramic views of lower Long Lake from all rooms. This stunning custom home is on the highest point of land on the lake. 1st floor master with incredible marble bath. Spectacular finished walkout lower level. Too many details to list!

BUILD SITE

Multilevel condo in prestigious Wabeek Pines.

Terrific master suite.

Access to 3 decks on all floors. Amazing walkout LL.

LAKEFRONT

4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,742 Square Feet MLS# 216075374

LAKEFRONT

SYLVAN LAKE 2500 Garland Street | $749,000 Build Site .36 Acres 55’ frontage MLS# 216041700

Fabulous lakefront lot with breaktaking views of allsports Sylvan Lake. Once-ina-generation opportunity to build among million $ homes!

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. Master suite with separate makeup area and cedar closet. 2 garages for 4 cars. Gorgeous lot!

BUILD SITE

BLOOMFIELD 465 S. Evansdale Drive| $699,000 Vacant Land 200’ x 202’ x 360’ x 390’ MLS# 216055223

Breathtaking views from cleared 1.75 acre lot to accommodate up to 10,000 sq. ft. home with walkout LL. Plenty of room for pool/tennis.

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009

248.644.3500

Lynda Schrenk Realtor

Amy Zimmer & Tiffany Glime 248.469.6430

248.760.6026

AZimmer@HallandHunter.com

248.930.5656

LSchrenk@HallandHunter.com

TGlime@HallandHunter.com

NEW PRICE

BIRMINGHAM 366 W. Brown Street, Unit #2 | $869,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,033 Square Feet MLS# 216067008

Completely renovated downtown condo boasts open floor plan & sophisticated urban flair. Gourmet kitchen. Espresso wood floors & recessed lighting.

Master bath with Carrera marble. Finished basement with wine room. New courtyard patio. 2-car garage.

BEVERLY HILLS | $485,000 30077 Fox Run Drive | 30077FoxRun.epropertysites.com 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,750 Square Feet MLS# 216071672

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 with remodeled/expanded limestone bath. 1st floor laundry.

For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Beauty

(SALON)

by J. Lyle Ltd. 235 Willits Alley Birmingham, MI

$

20 Blow Outs

tuesday through friday

248:: 540:: 0046

FACES Kitty Dubin ward-winning playwright Kitty Dubin moved to the Detroit area more than four decades ago as a teacher without any immediate job prospects. Since then, the longtime Birmingham resident has written eight professionally produced plays, more than a dozen short works, and developed a playwriting program for Oakland University.

Dubin's latest work, "Rights of Passage," is a collection of short plays that blend comedy and drama to explore life's journey, from birth to death. The play is set to debut at the Jewish Ensemble Theatre (JET), where she was named playwright-in-residence in 2006.

"Personally, I write within my own experience, but I change it up.

All these plays, these short plays and rights of passage aren't my exact experience, but there's a germ of my experience in these plays," Dubin said, who moved to Bloomfield last year after living in Birmingham for more than 30 years. "I can't write authentically or make it real otherwise. I think they are so real because I know these people and these situations, and I can portray them realistically and give someone something to think about."

Dubin's own experience in playwriting began while earning her masters degree in English from Wayne State University. One of her courses required her to write a play, something that she had never done.

"One doesn't start out to be a playwright," she said.

Her professor was so impressed with the play, he urged her to enter it in a competition at the Hilberry Theatre, where the play was produced. The experience stuck with her, and after earning a second masters degree from Oakland University, she returned to Wayne State for post-graduate studies in writing. In 1997, she approached Oakland University about offering a playwriting class for their theater department. Starting as a two-credit class, the course grew into a four-credit course that is offered through both the theater and English programs at the university.

"My enthusiasm for teaching hasn't dimmed in 20 years," she said. "When I drive to Oakland, I'm so excited to get there and teach. That keeps my skill level up."

Dubin's talents have earned her equity productions at the Jewish Ensemble Theatre, in West Bloomfield; the Purple Rose Theater, in Chelsea; BoarsHead Theatre, in Lansing; and the Live Oak Theater, in Austin, Texas, as well as productions in New York City, Chicago, and other locations. Her works have also earned her awards from the International Jewish Short Play Competition; the Vitality Playwriting Festival, in Chicago, and other competitions in Michigan.

And, while Dubin wrote her first play more than 40 years ago, some of her greatest successes have taken place since starting the playwriting program at Oakland University. It's there, she said, that she stresses the limitations of writing a live play in comparison to producing for film and television. She also pushes her students to understand the importance of developing structure in their work, in addition to great conversation.

"A play is not just 'blah, blah blah.' It's not just dialogue and people talking. There has to be structure and a main character, a protagonist, that goes through some kind of change," she said.

"They have to be in a slightly different place at the end of the play than at the beginning of the play, otherwise you are asking the audience to watch a slice of life. You could just watch someone eat a piece of pie."

A

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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

ember’s deli DELI-FRESH, DELI-DELICIOUS

BREAKFAST LUNCH

ember’s deli

DINNER CATERING PARTY TRAYS TAKE-OUT

DOWNTOWN

Nearly 45 years in business Recently remodeled

SEPTEMBER PARTY TRAY SPECIAL

Take 10% off trays for over 15 people

M-F: 7am – 8 pm Saturday – Sunday 7 am – 4 pm

3598 W. Maple Road Bloomfield Hills 48301 Maple and Lahser in the Village Knoll shopping center

248.645.1033 • www.embersdeli1.com 107

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.

Motoring around Jason Mood and Christopher Johnson, co-owners of The Meeting House in Rochester, have partnered with James and Gino D’Agostini to open a new food truck called Motor Powered Hospitality, with the D’Agostinis bringing their business experience to the management side of the venture.

Only recently delivered to the team, the food truck appeared at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac during the weekend of the Woodward Dream Cruise.

“It’s a full-on mobile kitchen that is decked out. We can cook anything we can do at The Meeting House in that – it has all the bells and whistles. We can do high-end food out of it, and dogs and burgers,” said Mood. “We’d like to potentially cater private parties, to participate in food truck rallies in different cities, anything that gets Motor Powered Hospitality out there.”

Mexican touch While chefs James Rigato, of Mabel Gray, and Luciano Del Signore, of Bacco Ristorante, travel overseas for an Italian pop-up, Rigato’s Hazel Park restaurant Mabel Gray will go undercover as a taqueria, led by chef Omar Ramirez, of Rigato’s first signature restaurant, The Root. Served Tuesday, September 6, through Saturday, September 24, Ramirez will bring “home cooking, fresh ingredients, moles, and recipes from my mom,” who, as a kid, he followed in the kitchen at home in Mexico. Offering a 36-ingredient mole pablano as well as a mole verde, the difference in flavors, Ramirez said, comes to the peppers, the ancho chile versus the pablano. Another one of his specialities is the posole, a stew. “You braise the pork, cook it with chiles, boil peppers, and blend it out, and make like a stock with the pork, and cook it all together. Add hominy, then garnishes – cabbage, radishes – and top with avocado.” Mabel Gray is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, at 23825 John R Road in Hazel Park. The special taqueria will be open the same hours.

Rock City relocation By early September, Hamtramck’s three-year-old Rock City Eatery will relocate to Midtown. The new space, at 4216 Woodward Avenue, allows for bigger and better cooking equipment that will serve to expand the menu.

“We got a couple pizza ovens, and with the charbroiler you can cook vegetables, and get good smoky flavor – to me that’s a big bonus.” said chefowner Nikita Sanches, who operates the restaurant with his wife, Jessica Imbronone Sanches. As an adventurous chef, he said the menu is “a mix of all different cultures, all different ingredients,” and takes inspiration from his childhood trips to the produce market in Moscow, where he was born. Menu favorites like Poutine, and Spaghetti and Beet Balls, will continue to make an appearance, accompanied by new dishes, including addictive pizzas; the daring (and more literal) Ants on a Log; and the new-fangled Lobster Roll, wrapped in rice paper and served atop yeast broth.

Affordable homemade Italian Forthcoming Italian restaurant, La Lanterna is a new project from the Barbieri family, owners and operators of Detroit’s Foxtown Grille, Grosse Pointe’s Café Nini, and the two Da Edoardo restaurants located in Grosse Pointe Grand Blanc. Opening their fifth restaurant downtown in The Albert, 1214 Griswold, Ed Barbieri, III, said, “It’s going to be across the street from my grandpa’s original location. All the recipes are from my grandpa and my dad. We’re going to have Lasagna alla Bolognese on the menu, some seafood pasta topped with fresh tomatoes, and fettuccine with meat sauce.” As for the pizza menu, he said “Some classics and, you know how people like to freak out on the pizzas, so we’ll have some of those, too.” Serving authentic northern Italian cuisine, all the filled pastas will be handmade including the gnocchi, tortellini, and ravioli. Set to have 60 seats and a full bar, Barbieri said diners can expect it to be “very affordable for everybody.”

Ghost appears Designed as a “neighborhood steakhouse,” Grey Ghost has opened in Brush Park and is serving fresh takes on standard steakhouse dishes, along with fish, cured meats, and a “non meat” portion of the menu. Chef Joe Giacomino, along with brothers John and Dave Vermiglio, came together with beverage aficionado Will Lee of Selden Standard, to create a restaurant that’s appealing to locals and destination-diners alike. With the counter billed as available for walk-in seating only, there’s a section that’s

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.

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.

reservation-only. “It’s tough to deal with baby sitters, to drive into the city for 45 minutes, so we wanted to do reservations for a lot of our tables,” said Giacomino. The team, which developed relationships with farmers and meat producers, aims to defy a “pigeonhole,” and so offers items including General Tso’s Chicken Sausage, Spare Ribs with cherry barbeque and fennel slaw, Crudité and Scallop Thermidor. Housed at 47 E. Watson in Detroit, with the entrance off of to the side of Woodward, the clean shine of metal, leather, and black and white tile contrasts with raw brick, dark wood, fabricwrapped chairs, and patterned accents.

Gastropub and moonshine Offering gastropub fare and live music nightly, Rusted Crow Detroit is an expansion of Joe Schebel’s Rusted Crow Distillery in Dearborn. Located across from Grand Circus Park on the ground floor of the Kales Building, 78 W. Adams Road, the Detroit restaurant is owned by Schebel’s brother-inlaw, Freddie Giordan. Executive chef Joe Button, formerly of Andiamo Restaurant Group, created a fun menu that includes an appetizer of fried, balsamic-marinated portobello mushrooms; a salad with roasted corn; a burger topped with a mac and cheese patty; and the Oyster Po Boy, with crunchy Sriracha slaw. As a sister location to the distillery, the restaurant exclusively pours Rusted Crow Spirits –vodka, gin, rum and moonshine – along with a wide variety of craft brews. “We are emphasizing the liquor and craft cocktails. We have fresh squeezed juices, and we make our own simple syrups,” said head bartender Amanda Sibert. Live music begins at 9 p.m.

Gus’ arrives Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, which opened mid-August, is “literally the greatest fried chicken in the world” said Zack Sklar, partner in Schmaltz Hospitality LLC, which acquired rights to the Memphis-based franchise. Located at 4101 Third Avenue, at Alexandrine, in Detroit, Sklar said it’s the secret recipe for the batter that makes the fried chicken the star of the show. The eatery’s homemade pie is the runner up, followed by the sides, including creamy coleslaw, fried pickles, traditional potato salad, baked beans, and collard greens. “We’re super geeked. We’re off the beaten path, and I’ve looked to open something that’s not in the epicenter of everything that’s going on. Gus’ is for everyone. A lot of the (restaurants) opening are higher-end and are great, but our concept is for the city, for all walks of life. Everyone loves fried chicken.” Schmaltz Hospitality LLC is a newly-formed restaurant group that splintered off of Peas and Carrots Hospitality, which is operated by Sklar, Jim Bellinson and Joshua Humphrey. The company partnered with Wendy McCrory, owner of Gus’, after Sklar’s longtime friend Zach Goodman introduced Sklar to the brand, said Jaimee Tepker, Sklar’s assistant. Diners can get chicken and a couple sides for about $7 to $10.

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 Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

Pop-up relocates Beginning with a relocation within Pontiac, James and April Forbes, chefowners of The Menagerie, 31 N. Saginaw in Pontiac, are in the midst of revamping their pop-up dinner/weekly brunch concept. Service will continue at the current space through September, at which point the duo will move to 12 S. Mill Street for an October opening of the new jazz restaurant, accented with Sunday pop-ups. Chef Kyle Williams, currently the in-house brunch chef, is curating the new menu. Once it’s up and running, Williams will take over the kitchen full-time, while Sunday Brunch will be reserved for various pop-up hosts. Catch a glimpse of The Menagerie on Tom Daldin’s Under the Radar, airing on PBS Thursday, September 8.

Pop-Up Intel Yemans Street, 2995 Yemans Street in Hamtramck: Owner-operators Corrie and Matt Tinker will serve a signature brunch at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, September 24, as part of an Out to Brunch event. Jordan Ceresnie, owner of Ann Arbor-based Cheese Street food truck, and former pastry chef at The Root, hosts dinner September 29.

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.

GET A HEAD START ON THE HOLIDAYS.

Book your holiday gathering before

October 31, 2016 and receive:

10% off Room rental on Thursday - Saturday events.

Food and beverage minimums apply.

30% off Room rental on Sunday - Wednesday events.

Food and beverage minimums apply.

For more information or to book your event, call 248.644.5832 or e-mail banquets@tchserves.org

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

Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations.

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

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

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

Maria’s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily.

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

248.851.2500.

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

248.626.2982.

The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch.

Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations.

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

248.851.8782.

The Lark: American. Dinner, Tuesday-

downtownpublications.com

West Oakland

Sundays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. thru October 23rd Located on N. Old Woodward across from Booth Park BirminghamFarmersMarket.org

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.

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Saturday. 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.

B

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.

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

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

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

248.620.6100.

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

248.634.5208.

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

248.795.2077.

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

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

248.625.5660

SEPTEMBER 18

Harvest Festival

10/23 End of Season Celebration

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

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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.

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

downtownpublications.com

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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HAPPY HOUR MONDAY THRU SATURDAY Reduced pricing on food and cocktails 4 P.M. - 7 P.M.

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248.220.4237 Reservations Accepted thestandbistro.com th hestandbistro.com m

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RE Krausmann Broker โ 372โ 248.371.9999 275 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE, BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009

FACES

Robyn Coden t’s like ‘Deer Gone Wild’ out here!” said lifestyle blogger Robyn Coden, as she watched her four-legged neighbors trample her backyard on the edge of Birmingham.

Coden’s unrestrained humor permeates her approach to life, and the musings of which she publishes on “Dim Sum & Doughnuts,” a blog discussing the ins and outs of being a mother of two girls, the first adopted from China at 11 months, and the second, born in Petoskey the following year.

Laughing as she remembered the early moments of parenthood shared with her husband, Mark, co-owner of Michigan's Camp Tanuga, Coden offered, “Going to China was one of the best times of my life. We were there 17 days, sleep deprived, and like, ‘We have a new baby and she’s from China and we have no idea what we’re doing!’ I loved our experience so much, but the wait of having a family is brutal, adopting or trying to get pregnant. It just happens when it’s supposed to happen. And no one told me that.”

At age 13, Coden was catapulted into the trying times of adolescence without her loving mother present, as she had just passed away. Now at 45, Coden uses Dim Sum & Doughnuts as a platform to share with her kids the stories and guidance she missed from her mom.

“If something happens to me, I need my girls to know who I am, what I would’ve told them. I’ve been telling (my 7-year-old) – death is her big thing right now, and what’s going to happen – that Daddy isn’t allowed to get remarried for at least two years and he can’t like anyone more than

I

me ever, ever. And if they have a question, they can go to the blog and they can put it in the search engine, and Mommy will have something to say about everything,” she laughs.

Although Coden created Dim Sum & Doughnuts as a journal-like dedication to her daughters, she has acquired a varied following, including future parents interested in adoption.

“I’m good as a reference, and for people that are on the ride. I think the more we talk about (adoption), the less it becomes a stigma.

Adoption is a long road, and it has its ups and downs, but certain things like stigma should not be a part of it.”

Posting a couple times a week, Coden also writes on marriage, camp life, charity work, and “rants.” She takes questions and comments from her readers, and responds with posts like, “Intrusive In-Laws, Awkward Moments and Family Questions,” or “Anti-Semitism, Restaurant Meltdowns, and Masturbation.”

Garnering the attention of other adoption education sites, Coden was approached with a job offer, to which she respectfully declined. “(They) contacted me, but they said it was too edgy, and could I reword it. I turned them down. I had to. That’s who I am. I have to find the people who are right for us.

“Dim Sum & Doughnuts is representative obviously of the girls. Jay is this delicious doughnut and Frankie is good, but has sharp edges like chopsticks.”

Story: Katie Deska

Photo: Laurie Tennent

RENEE LOSSIA ACHO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AGENT AND AN EXPERT

Birmingham’s Top-Selling Agent | Hall & Hunter Realtors’ 2015 Top Producer

Amanda Fisher Associate Agent

Carrie Clement

Associate Agent

Renee Lossia Acho Top Producer

“

Renee Acho is a standout! We have used her and her team on both the buying and selling sides, and we can attest that there is no finer team to lead you through the real estate process. She is extremely well connected with a robust network, from fellow realtors to contractors to school personnel. She and her team work very well together to make sure all the fine details are covered and helping to ease our stress. Renee demonstrated her willingness to get the deal done while protecting our best interests and providing needed guidance from start to finish. We highly recommend Renee and would hire her again in the future without hesitation.

– Birmingham Transferees

”

BIRMINGHAM | 370 Pleasant Street | $2,445,000

BIRMINGHAM | 187 Euclid Avenue | $1,699,000

Cutting-edge design by HM Homes on one of Birmingham’s most premier streets. Spectacular 1500 sq. ft. LL with 5th BR. 4-car garage.

5,200 SF | 4 BR | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 216056614

Four levels of custom perfection set in the coveted San Francisco District.

Stunning kitchen and master suite. Expansive 3rd floor loft and lower level.

5,692 Total SF | 3 BR | 3 Full, 1 Half Baths | MLS# 216068200

BLOOMFIELD | 2810 Turtle Grove Court | $1,499,000

BLOOMFIELD | 7260 Parkhurst | $1,225,000

Masterfully designed & custom built Cape Cod estate by renowned Cranbrook Custom Homes in one of the most exclusive gated communities 4,170 SF | 4 BR | 3 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 216064014

Newly-completed Nantucket-style home set on over one acre of private landscape. Open floor plan accented by rich details throughout.

4,453 SF | 4 BR | 4 Full, 2 Half Baths | MLS# 216058423

248.310.1414 Renee@ReneeAcho.com | ReneeAcho.com

442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fallâ&#x20AC;? in Love With Our Exciting Autumn Lineup The First Annual Bates Street Block Party will be held September 10th, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Community House in Birmingham. This unique outdoor event, which will take place in the streets surrounding the House, features tastings from area restaurants as well as Michigan food vendors, who will provide samples of great local cheeses, meats, baked goods, jams and other edible products. The event will also feature local beer, wine and spirits tastings. Children will enjoy activities including balloon animal sculptures and face painting. Adults: $25/$30 at the door; Kids 12 & Under: $5/$10 at the door; Kids 3 & Under: Free.

The 29th annual Birmingham House Tour, presented by Hall & Hunter Realtors, takes place Thursday, September 22, and features seven unique homes ranging in style from traditional to contemporary. Tour hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 the day of the tour. An optional soup and salad luncheon ($15) will be served at The Community House from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The 31st annual OUR TOWN Art Show and Sale, takes place October 14-16 at The Community House.

The juried, all media art show provides a forum for Michigan artists to show and sell their work. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission to OUR TOWN is free.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art in Vogueâ&#x20AC;? Our Town Opening Night Preview Party kicks off Thursday, October 13. The evening includes cocktails, strolling hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres, music and first opportunity to preview and purchase artwork.

Tickets for the Opening Night Party are $75 per person.

Let us help you get home - worry free.

Bill Seklar

Chad Whistler NMLS ID 140091

Toni Thwaites NMLS ID 291301

Troy Bergman NMLS ID 140061

THE BIRMINGHAM GROUP:

Other Fall TCH Happenings Italian Conversation and Cooking: Come find out what is myth and fact about Italian history, language and cuisine. Sample various regional Italian foods while learning about the history and language of the land of Dante, Michelangelo, Count Cavour, Maria Montessori, Enzo Ferrari, Luciano Pavarotti, Gianni Versace, Sophia Loren, Massimo Bottura and many other notable Italians.

Wildtree Workshops: Rediscover Dinner the Wildtree Way. Join us for a fun Wildtree Workshop and go home with 10 dinners too! Wildtree offers you quick, easy, healthy and affordable mealtime solutions that even the fussiest eater will love and bring your family back around the dinner table. Wildtree is USDA certified organic and all products are all natural, no preservatives, additives, chemicals, dyes, MSG, high fructose corn syrup or nuts. Food should be natural, nutritious, delicious, and easy to prepare - all at the same time.

TCH Wine Club: Join The Community House Wednesday evenings for our NEW monthly wine tasting series. Try over seven different wines per month and light hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres to complement each pairing. Monthly giveaways are included in the threemonth membership.

ABC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Anything But Chardonnay â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 21st Chardonnay is still one of the top selling wines in America, with good reason. But, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s explore different white varietals from all over the world. Join us in our quest to find refreshing, fruit forward and maybe some other oak aged whites.

Harvest & Hard Cider â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 26th The weather is changing! Our thoughts have shifted to red wine and cider. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s learn more about the alcoholic beverage made from apples.

Bubbly & Bows â&#x20AC;&#x201C; November 30th Who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t love bubbles? Tisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the season. This night will be full of our best sparkling and California Cabs. It will be a perfect opportunity to purchase holiday gifts for your loved ones.

Argentine Tango: Have you always wanted to learn how to perform the Tango? This intro crash course will give you the confidence. James Valentino will break down the Argentine Tango into easy to understand concepts that will have anyone enjoying this beautiful dance. If you can walk, you can dance. Join us to learn some of the basic elements of tango that will help you start your dance journey.

Elementary Drawing: Experience the colorful magic of fall in the Young Rembrandts classroom. We will kick off the fall season with a drawing of a cute Bear dressed and ready for school. Drawings of a video game favorite Pixel Block Character and the architecturally famous Notre Dame Cathedral are also in the lineup. YR unique drawing methods improves creative and critical thinking skills needed by todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students in order to be competitive. All this and more awaits our fall drawing students.

For reservations, tickets or more information about these and other Fall classes and events at TCH, please go to tchserves.org or call 248.644.5832.

Call us today for a free preapproval or mortgage analysis!

248.283.8500 275 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009 birmingham@johnadamsmortgage.com Company NMLS ID 140012

KEEP IT LOCAL 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 October issue.

Ad deadline Friday, September 16.

Contact Mark Grablowski.

(O) 248.792.6464 or (C) 586.549.4424 MarkGrablowski@downtownpublications.com

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DOWNTOWN

117

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.

The Garden Party

1

The Garden Party The most perfect weather in the eight-year history of The Garden Party greeted more than 600 party goers ($150 ticket) arriving at the festival tent Sally Gerak at Meadow Brook Hall. Just outside the entry, pretty RGA models were selling boutonnières for men. Inside, most guests started the experience with a sparking rose’ before cruising the other 100 wine stations, including that of the Celani Family Vineyards. Food stations (27) offered such fare as truffled eggs (Bistro 82), crab salad (Bill’s), signature hamburgers (Red Coat Tavern) and lobster and crab croquets (DAC). Outside on the lawn classic cars looked right at home with the historic mansion as a backdrop. The eagerly anticipated afternoon raised more than $130,000 for trade school scholarships at Oakland Community College Culinary Studies Institute and Macomb Community College’s Applied Technology Programs.

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Beyond Basics Art Preview “I’d move in here tomorrow,” said 50-year-old Scott Houghton. He was one of 110 people ($75, two-$100 ticket) and “here” was the All Seasons of Birmingham senior community, which was hosting an art exhibit reception benefiting Beyond Basics literacy programs. Patrice Lockwood coordinated the convivial cocktail party that included the work of four artists - Marnie Fender, Valerie Allen, Armin Mersmann and Todd Burroughs. (Six of their works sold during the party with 50 percent going to Beyond Basics). Lockwood also donated the wine and champagne that people were sipping in the Bistro with hors d’oeuvres from a scrumptious buffet. In the central Piano Lounge, incoming Beyond Basics board president Jack Aronson thanked All Season’s Jerry Beznos for his hospitality, Patrice for organizing the evening and BB founder Pam Good for the program that served 6,000 children last year. The delightful evening raised $11,500 for Beyond Basics, which brings needy Detroit and Pontiac school children up to their grade reading level in six weeks.

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1. Syd & Elizabeth Ross of Bloomfield. 2. Roberts Restaurant Group’s Maria (left) & Bill Roberts of Bloomfield, Big Rock Chop House’s Norm & Bonnie LePage of W. Bloomfield. 3. Tom (left) & Nan Grobbel and Linda Schrenk of Birmingham, Jeff Christianson of Bloomfield. 4. Jan & Paul Hoge of Bloomfield. 5. Michele Dorian & Duane Walczak and Matt Walczak of Bloomfield.

6. Cheryl Hall-Lindsay (left) of W. Bloomfield, Larry Walsh and Bonnie Jobe of Bloomfield.

7. Sabrina (left) & Ryan Vaughan of Troy, Alesandra & Steve Stout of Rochester Hills. 8. Patti (left) & Mark Perrone of Troy, Sarah Deson of Birmingham.

Beyond Basics Art Preview

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1. Todd Burroughs (left) of Royal Oak, Patrice Lockwood and Pat & Laura Fenton of Birmingham.

2. Jack (left) & Annette Aronson of Bloomfield, BB co-founder/CEO Pam Good of Birmingham.

3. Suzie & Al McDonald of Birmingham. 4. Sheryl & Rick Kammer of Bloomfield. 5. Connie (left) & Ian McEwan of Birmingham, Dorie Shwedel of Bloomfield. 6. Carol & Curtis Pope of Bloomfield. 7. David Stanislaw and Linda Schrenk of Birmingham

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Variety Benefactors Reception Supporters of Variety, The Children’s Charity enjoy a warm camaraderie that was evident at the Sunday evening cocktail party hosted by Ana and Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez at their classic Birmingham home. About 100 people who had subscribed at the benefactor level to the Table Tops or A Star Is Born events held earlier in the spring attended the al fresco affair. The hosts were also honorary chairs of the Star event – a role that meshes with their own Sanchez’s Little Smiles charity. It treats families faced with the challenges of caring for children with health concerns to a fully-catered suite at the ballpark for a special game experience. The bountiful Caribbean buffet spread in the sprawling kitchen and gathering room attracted people inside where interior designer/past Variety president Michael Coyne’s talent is displayed. And, like many three-year-olds, when adorable Anabella Sanchez joined the party scene she could not resist dancing to the live music.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Heroes Gala John and Marlene Boll’s endearing rags to riches story was in the spotlight at the 2016 DSO Heroes Gala & Benefit Concert. The sixth annual event attracted 250 gala guests ($1,000) and 1,200 concert only goers ($25 - $75) to Orchestra Hall for the Extraordinary Night of Broadway to honor the Grosse Pointe couple whose generosity and caring has enriched countless community institutions. Before their marriage 62 years ago, Marlene was a dancer with the Radio City Rockettes and met John, the son of Dutch immigrants, when he was a soldier. Two years later he persuaded her to come to Detroit and be his wife.

His early working years in construction were symbolized with work boots in a vignette displayed in the Max & Marjorie Fisher Music Center atrium, the red carpet reception and afterglow dance party venue. Broadway singer/actress Megan Hilty ( a Marilyn Monroe lookalike) starred with the DSO, including five musicians from the Youth Orchestra. Hilty dedicated “Almost like Being in Love” to the Bolls and got a standing ovation when she concluded with “Diamonds

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Are a Girl’s Best Friends”. DSO CEO Anne Parsons announced that the elegant evening netted more than $900,000 in support of the DSO’s commitment to transforming the lives of youth across the region through music education.

American Heart Association Heart Ball Jason Hall and Dan Mahlebashian chaired the 29th annual Heart Ball that attracted 450 people to Eastern Market. Cocktails and the silent auction ($30,000) were served up in Shed 5, where the Andiamo catering crew passed yummy appetizers, not all heart healthy, as one might expect. Guests strolled to Shed 3 for a gourmet, plated dinner and the program emceed by Rhonda Walker. It featured a live auction conducted by Wade Leist who garnered $40,450 for 10 lots. Teen heart transplant recipient Trevor Sullivan and his parents took center stage following a video depicting his journey. “I don’t know my donor…but I thank him from the bottom of my old and new heart,” Trevor said. His Passion Pitch resulted in pledges totaling $60,000 for research. Guests strolled back to Shed 5 for the PULSE After Party that kept the dance floor beating until midnight. The evening raised more than $1 million for the American Heart Association.

The Franklin Garden Club The Franklin Garden Club staged its 31st annual Garden Walk and more than 800 people ($12, $15 tickets) toured the six splendid gardens. The gardens, each with unique features, are nurtured by: Dennis Jans, Dominic Fava, John Uppenlatz, Susan Chambers, Rose Marie Battey and Marc Whitefield. Many visitors first shopped at the Made-inMichigan Artisan Market set up adjacent to the Franklin Village Gazebo. Pat Hamburg chaired the event committee comprised of Peggy Dufault, Judy Adelman, Pat Ciagne, Sue Ruby, Maureen Babicz, Sharon Wolf, Kathy Lorencz, Bobbi Cornwell, Susan Saxe, Sue Clayton and Georgia Charnas. Most of the club’s remaining members served as docents at the gardens. At the end of the week, Cindy Schiano hosted the wrap-up luncheon. The legendary Schiano hospitality was competition for conducting business, but outgoing president Cynthia Amann did pass the gavel to Ann Huston. She also said she had agreed to chair the 2017 walk and announced that the 2016 walk proceeds will enable the club to downtownpublications.com

Variety Benefactors Reception

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1. Event hosts Ana & Anibal Sanchez of Birmingham. 2. Aubrey Tobin (left) of W. Bloomfield, Faye Gornbein of Bloomfield, Dave & Jeffrey King of Birmingham, Caroline Groeneveld of Bloomfield. 3. Felicia Palazzolo-Shaw (left), Susan Cohan and Dan Glinieck of Birmingham. 4. Lois & Mark Shaevsky of Bloomfield. 5. Harvey (left) & Elaine Minkin and Carol Ziecik of Bloomfield. 6. Ana Sanchez of Birmingham with Michael Coyne of Bloomfield. 7. Susan & Matt Paroly of Bloomfield.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Heroes Gala

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1. John (left) & Marlene Boll of Grosse Pointe, Roger & Rosette Ajluni of Bloomfield. 2. Ethan & Gretchen Davidson of Birmingham. 3. Erica (left) & Ralph Gerson of Bloomfield and Dorothy Gerson of Franklin. 4. Sandra Moers (left) of Bloomfield, Barbara Van Dusen of Birmingham. 5. Ed & Linda Dresner Levy of Birmingham. 6. Bonnie Larson with Mimi Strek of Bloomfield. 7. Sally Orley of Bloomfield, George Larson of Chicago.

American Heart Association Heart Ball

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1. Jessie Beld-Elliott of Bloomfield, Dan Mahlebashian of Novi. 2. Patti & Jim Prowse of Bloomfield. 3. Lee & Mary Pantely of Bloomfield.

4. Jason Hall of Detroit, Millie Hall of Southfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK give more than $9,000 to educational and environmental projects. Club members, who evidence a warm camaraderie, also host garden visits for members throughout the summer.

For membership information, go to franklingardenclub.org.

The Franklin Garden Club

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1. Pat Hamburg (left) of Bloomfield, Cindy Schiano of Franklin. 2. Cynthia Amman (left) of Bloomfield, Ann Houston of Bingham Farms. 3. Peggy Dufault (left) of Birmingham, Mary Sue Ewing of Franklin, Shirlee Kipp of Bloomfield. 4. Kae Gaskin of Bloomfield. 5. Susan Chambers ( left) of Bloomfield , Bobbi Cornwell of Lathrup Village. 6. Sharon Wolf (left) of W. Bloomfield, Lavon Cook and Jennifer Weight of Bloomfield. 7. Lynn Choudhury (center) of Bloomfield, Carol Arnold (left) and Judy Ernst of Franklin.

JVS Strictly Business Awards Luncheon

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1. John Rakolta of Bloomfield. 2. Zack Sklar and Chris McQuiston of Birmingham. 3. Derek Dickow (left) of W. Bloomfield, Ed Levy of Birmingham. 4. Lilly Epstein Stotland (left) of Birmingham and Don & Margi Epstein of Bloomfield. 5. Lena Epstein & Eric Medwed of Bloomfield.

6. Bo Jacobson (left) of Bloomfield, Lacey Jacobson of Birmingham, Carol Segal Ziecik and Mert Segal of Bloomfield. 7. Aaron Chernow (left) of Bloomfield, Jeffrey Tischler and Joshua Eichenhorn of W. Bloomfield. 8. Sandra Moers (left) of Bloomfield, Sue Lasser of Birmingham.

Detroit Economic Club Chairman’s Dinner

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1. Joe Vicari (left) of Clinton Twp., Rod & Tami Alberts of Bloomfield, Clarice Michaels of Rochester Hills. 2. Marlene (left) & Bill Emerson of Bloomfield, Sandy Pierce of Northville, Patricia Mooradian of Bloomfield. 3. Beth Chappell of Bloomfield. 4. J.R. (left) & Leslie Hesano of Birmingham, Steve Grigorian of Bloomfield, Don Whitford of Macomb.

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JVS Strictly Business Awards Luncheon If networking is your thing, the lobby of the MGM Grand ballroom was the place to be prior to the JVS Strictly Business Luncheon. Chaired

by Joshua Eichenhorn and Jeffrey Tischler, it attracted 730 and raised $300,000 for JVS (formerly Jewish Vocational Services). It is so successful because it features a keynote, power broker speaker whom everybody wants to meet (this year, John Rakolta), and bestows awards for Business Leadership, Rising Entrepreneur and Employees of the Year (this year, three). They all spoke and their stories were compelling.

Rakolta’s message concerned the urgency of a quality education for all Detroit school children. Business Leadership awardee Detroit Labs attributes its success to eschewing titles, making all employees team members and investing in them.

Rising Entrepreneur Chef Zack Sklar who, with partner Jim Bellinson, owns a flourishing restaurant business with 500 employees, said, “If you don’t build your own dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs.”

The three Employees of the Year were all job hunting when each successfully utilized different JVS programs and are now valued employees: Lacey Jacobson of REDICO LLC; Chris Stonehouse of Macomb Community College; Antonio Anderson of Action Wood 360. All had their fans in the audience.

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Detroit Economic Club Chairman’s Dinner Once a year members of the Detroit Economic Club gather at the Chairman’s Dinner, not to discuss the great issues of the day, but rather to have a good time raising money to support that mission. This year nearly 400 members and their guests ($125 & $250 tickets) convened for cocktails in the Pennsylvania Courtyard at The Henry Ford. The al fresco setting was quite conducive to serious socializing, with passed hors d’oeuvres before adjourning to the museum for the dual entrée dinner of succulent sirloin and salmon. A brief program featured DEC president Beth Chappell, DEC chairman/event sponsor Ford’s Bill Ford, event sponsor Lear’s Matt Simoncini, and event sponsor First 09.16

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK St. Vincent DePaul Golf Classic

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Merit’s Sandy Pierce as cheerleaders for the 82-year-old club’s programs.

Especially its program that annually enables 1,600 students to meet with business leaders, and its Young Leader program for the under-40 set.

Ashley Langford and Jason Wize followed their elders in the spotlight and confirmed the YL program’s efficacy. Thanks also to generous sponsors the 2016 Chairman’s Dinner raised more than $200,000.

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1. Susan Swider (left) & Dr. Lucia Zamorano of Orchard Lake. 2. Roseann Royle (left) of Birmingham and Bill Brazier of Clarkston, Claudia Harlan of Bloomfield. 3. Anne Marie Veneroni (left) of Bloomfield, Yuler and Debbie Jackson of Rochester Hills. 4. Jeff Rumley (left) of Grosse Pointe, Mario Apruzzese of Rochester Hills, Tom Elward of W. Bloomfield. 5. Gu Chawney (left) of Beverly Hills, Chad and Irvin Swider of W. Bloomfield, Peter Betrus of Bloomfield. 6. Paul (left) & Sue Nine of Bloomfield, Beth Brazier-Rydesky & & Dr. Peter Rydesky of Clarkston. 7. Dave LewAllen (center) of Rochester, Ayrm (left) and Tim Ward of Detroit. 8. Patrick Donahue of Rochester.

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RESTORE Purple Rain Fundraiser

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1. Hon. Ed Sosnick of Bloomfield, Edee Franklin of Huntington Woods. 2. Bill Bullard of Highland, Valerie Straith and Kimberly Whipple of Bloomfield. 3. Leslie Craigie & John Henke of Birmingham. 4. Rachel Stanler-Jonas (left) of Royal Oak, Regina Slowey and Brian Henry of Bloomfield. 5. Hon. Colleen O’Brien (left) of Clarkston, Hon. Wendy Potts, Linda Orlans & Gerry Padilla of Birmingham. 6. Harriet Rotter (left) of Bingham Farms, Judy Komer of Bloomfield.

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St. Vincent DePaul Golf Classic When the golf was completed, 180 supporters of St. Vincent de Paul’s Camp Ozanam gathered for cocktails, auction action and dinner at Pine Lake Country Club. The annual fundraiser, launched 25 years ago by the late “Red” and Msgr. Jerry Martin, had a new focus this year – the late Irvin Swider, who was affectionately known as “Mr. Wonderful”. The Irvin F. Swider Eternal Flame Award will be presented annually to a person or organization that improves the lives of children. Accepting the inaugural award for the family, Mary SwiderSpresser expressed their gratitude for the honor and added, “Fr. Martin married our parents and baptized most of us (six children).” Camp Ozanam, named after the Society of St. Vincent De Paul founder Frederick Ozanam, is located on Lake Huron north of Lexington. Over a six-week period each summer it is paradise for one week to disadvantaged kids.

During the dinner program, two of them, a brother and sister, praised the friendships they made there and sang a silly camp song, “Fried Ham”. As event honoree, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron was also featured in the program. Likewise golf winner Mark Angellotti.

Dr. Lucia Zamorano chaired the event which was co-chaired by Claudia Harlan, Beth Brazier-Rydesky and Brian Petterle. It raised more than $150,000 to help send 600 urban kids to summer camp.

RESTORE Purple Rain Fundraiser Because the RESTORE Foundation raises funds to sustain the Oakland County Drug Courts and because the “singer known as Prince” died in April of a drug overdose, staging a foundation benefit that put the spotlight on the star’s music made sense. It was also lots of fun. Jan Calvert, Rachel Stamler-Jonas, Rosemarie Wilson and Dan McCarthy performed great Prince songs. Think “Little Red Corvette”, “Kiss”, “On the Couch”, “I Wanna Be 09.16

Your Lover” and “Purple Rain”. But two others starred at the event which attracted 125 ($60 and up tickets) to the Iroquois Club. Angela, whose saga included 21 months in jail for armed robbery to support her drug habit, got a standing ovation because she has been in recovery for five years, has a job, a fiancé and a future.

“Addiction is a physical disease, not a value thing,” she concluded. Mark’s story about hearing the words, “Your son (23) is dead,” was also filled with pain and hopelessness in the face of the drugs that killed his son. However, drug court enabled his nephew to get well. “He’s now like a son…We need more people like you guys,” he said.

Following the two compelling testimonials to the value of the drug courts, foundation president Ed Sosnick declared, “This is the most important work I have ever done.”

Now that’s saying something, considering that “work” includes 28 years on the bench, plus time in the county prosecutor’s office and private practice. The event raised about $10,000.

Lighthouse of Oakland County For 13 years, a benefit founded by Maggie Allesee and Sue Nine to honor exceptional citizens, has been a fundraiser for Lighthouse of Oakland County. Two hundred supporters ($150 & up tickets) gathered at Oakland Hills Country Club for cocktails and silent auction bidding before a splendid seated dinner.

WJR’s Marie Osborn emceed the program that had highlights, including new Lighthouse CEO Rick David, who was like a kid in a candy shop. “(To me) CEO means Chief Enthusiasm Officer, “ he said, adding, “(It’s easy when you) are passionate about people you care about in a place you love. I feel so fortunate to be at Lighthouse,” he concluded. Former Lighthouse client Rachael Pica spoke about how much her children loved the two years they all lived in a PATH apartment while she got the skills to turn her life around. “I’m extremely grateful to PATH,” she concluded.

Citizen honorees Drs. Harris and Phoebe Mainster, who have been married for 56 years, talked about being rejected by the Peace Corps because they were married.

Undaunted, the Healer (Harris) and the Educator (Phoebe) began selffunding their own missionary trips to underserved regions throughout the world. Their first of 42 was 45 years ago with their four children. Honoree Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy who was first elected in 2004, downtownpublications.com

Lighthouse of Oakland County

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1. Drs. Harris & Phoebe Mainster of Bloomfield. 2. Honoree Kim Worthy (center) of Detroit, event co-chairs Sue & Paul Nine of Bloomfield.

3. Laura (left) and Harve Light of Rochester Hills, Margaret Cooney Casey of Beverly Hills. 4. Maggie Allesee (left) of Bloomfield and Juliette Okotie-Eboh of Detroit. 5. Mary (left) & Dennis Winkler of Rochester Hills, Rick & Pat David of Pontiac. 6. CJ & Patty Ghesquiere of Bloomfield.

7. Maryann Cromwell (left) of Bloomfield, Deirdre Waterman and Portia Fields-Anderson of Pontiac. 8. Dan (left) & Linda Rocheleau of W. Bloomfield, Eileen & John Ball of Bloomfield. 9. Arlene Mainster Holtzman (standing left) of Boston, MA, Brandon, Phoebe and Harris Mainster of Bloomfield, Lisa Mainster Menuck and Jill Mainster Menuck of Birmingham, Daniel Holtzman (seated left) of Boston, MA, Mark Menuck and Craig Menuck of Birmingham.

PAC(k) the Patio

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1. Dustin Heneigar (left) of Royal Oak, Jeff Bayalis and Jeffrey Imerman and Dana Sorensen of Birmingham. 2. Cassandra Gut (left) of Northville, Elizabeth Godek of Birmingham, Lisa Nederlander of Franklin. 3. Joe Covino (left) of Plymouth, Sean Metros of Bloomfield, Andrew Hopper of Ypsilanti, Karl Knas of Bloomfield. 4. Jeff Addison (left) of Royal Oak, Elizabeth Morley of Rochester, Tera Pearce and Josh Robbins of Birmingham.

5. Mollie Proctor left) of Bloomfield, Rachelle Nozero of Novi, Diane Farber of Bingham Farms, Gail Pope-Rashid of Bloomfield. 6. Barb Cebulski (left) of W. Bloomfield, Patricia LaFrance and Bryan Pike of Roseville, Amber Wehrle of Rochester, Nicole Horien of Clawson.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK spoke about all the types of crime her office investigates and concluded, ”We speak for the victims of crime.”

Charles Wickins then conducted a brief live auction and pledging. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the redwhite-and-blue splashed party raised $100,000 for LOC programs that help families break the cycle of poverty.

Meadow Brook Theatre Concert & Cuisine

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8 1. Betty Ridan (left) and Patti Finnegan-Sharf of Bloomfield. 2. Cheryl Marshall (left) and Travis Walter, Bob & Colleen Brnabic of Rochester. 3. Donna & Jeff Buller of Rochester Hills. 4. Tom (left) & Denise Gray and Randy & Chris Barnett of Rochester. 5. John & Anita Savio of Rochester Hills. 6. Lori Holtsclaw (left) of Rochester Hills, Dawna Gierak of Detroit. 7. Judy (left) & David Garrett and Frank & Bea Lude of Rochester Hills. 8. Todd Frerichs (left) and Chris & Pete DeSteiger of Rochester Hills. 9. Donna Walker (left) of Shelby Twp., Debra Bryan of Rochester Hills.

10. Elizabeth Anderson (left) of Rochester and Diana Beauchamp of Rochester Hills.

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TCH Jazz on the Rocks

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1. Jack (left) & Shirley Porter of Bloomfield, Carol & John Aubrey. 2. Alvaro Sanchez & Raquel Amigo of Birmingham.

3. Tim & Ann Rader of Birmingham. 4. Tom Varbedian (standing) of Bloomfield, Lee Miskowski (seated left) and Jim & Barbara Suhay of Birmingham.

Meadow Brook Theatre Concert & Cuisine Oakland University’s Meadow Brook Theatre is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year as “Michigan’s answer to Broadway.” Nearly 600 supporters ($85, $125 tickets) of Michigan’s largest non-profit professional resident theatre flocked to the third annual summer fundraiser. They chatted and cocktailed al fresco before going into the lobby to peruse the silent auction ($6,250) and to sample fare from 15 food stations. But the scene inside the theatre was the raison d’être for the event.

During a very brief live auction before the concert by “Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone”, MBT artistic director Travis Walter was joined on stage by Peter Noone to help generate bidding excitement, and they garnered $4,270. Noone and his band then had ‘em dancing in the aisles to such favorites as “I’m Into Something Good”, “Mrs. Brown, you’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” – all Noone hits from the ‘60s. A standing ovation and an autograph line winding though the lobby concluded the benefit evening.

Thanks also to generous sponsors, the benefit raised some $35,000.

Next on the MBT schedule is opening night of “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” on Oct. 8. It launches the 2016-2017 season of seven productions plus seven children’s productions.

TCH Jazz on the Rocks As if to confirm that the Van Dusen Terrace at The Community House is a splendid summer spot regardless of age, the Jazz on the Rocks series kicked off there Aug. 4 with the Johnny Trudell Quartet. Ron Kischuk is the artistic director of the Thursday night series, initiated upon the recommendation of jazz aficionados John and Carol Aubry. They were celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary at the inaugural event. Before his soulful rendition of “Satin Doll”, Trudell said, “This one’s for you, Maggie.” He meant Maggie Allesee who was at a front row table with her husband, jazz pianist Bob Allesee, and Barbara Van Dusen.

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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PAC(k) the Patio The President’s Advisory Council’s first annual PAC(K) the Patio gathering attracted about 100 ($50 ticket) to the Van Dusen Terrace at The Community House. Some of them brought clothing donations for two non-profits, Jackets for Jobs and the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. The donation component was a nice fit with the mission of PAC – to advise and give counsel to the TCH president on a wide range of issues with emphasis on fostering philanthropy in the next generation. PAC cochairs Jeff Bayalis and Jeffrey Imerman briefly interrupted the sipping, supping and socializing to welcome the mostly younger professionals and thank Dana Sorensen for coordinating the cocktail party. One PAC member, Michael Leach, had an especially young date – his toddler Ellie whom he had snagged at pick up time from the house Early Childhood Center.

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ENDNOTE

Regional transit plan: more details needed e want to be clear right from the beginning – we are very supportive of the concept of mass transit, and absolutely believe the southeast Michigan region needs a good mass transit system linking the city of Detroit with wide flung areas of its suburbs.

But we have a problem supporting the current Regional Transit Authority (RTA) plan and the accompanying 1.2-mill proposal which will face voters on November 8, details of which can be found in a story in this edition.

Here's the gist of our overall beef: The RTA master plan stands more as a plan for a plan – meaning too much of it is still undeveloped, with too many details missing.

Every dream comes with a cost, and unfortunately, at this point in time, we have too many concerns with the dream the RTA has currently imagined. We are not willing to buy into the hazy logic that “if we build it, they will come.” One need only look at the current SMART (Suburban Mobile Authority for Regional Transportation) system that has been supported for nearly 50 years and only has 44,000 daily riders on 43 routes to realize that this logic doesn't hold up.

Ideally, we would have recommended more time to work out important and critical details of the plan, allowing the RTA to put it before voters in 2018.

Instead, it was rushed so as not to compete with the SMART millage renewal, itself a one-mill property tax, which is planned to go before voters in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties.

To put it in context, this is the 24th attempt in the last 40 years to create a regional transit system in metro Detroit. This one was created when the Michigan state legislature passed Public Act 387 in 2012, creating the RTA. Unfortunately, they didn't

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adequately fund it, and their first CEO, John Hertel, chairman of SMART, stepped down in 2014 without ever having signed a contract. The current CEO, Michael Ford, previously ran the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. During the RTA's first year, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) had been in control of funding, but that organization is now only marginally involved.

According to Oakland and Macomb county officials, they had been asking for specific details on how the RTA would seek federal and state funding for RTA services since November 2015, along with other concerns such as how the RTA would provide some semblance of services to two-thirds of Oakland County, despite those residents paying for it for 20 years, annual accountability and equal say for voting on the RTA board.

RTA officials, members of the business community and Pavlovian critics attempted to paint with a broad brush both Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, saying they had waited until the last minute to bring up their issues in an effort to sandbag regional transit – when in reality these issues had been on the table since last fall.

Patterson and Hackel were doing their job demanding details and accountability from the the RTA, and their residents expect nothing less.

While some of the executives' issues have conceptually been resolved, we remain concerned that the RTA does not know how much money they may receive in federal and state grants in operating funds.

They have projections, but nothing concrete, but are seeking the millage anyway. The plan will go forward for all concerned if three of the four counties approve the millage.

So here's the start of our major questions that no one has been able to address: What if federal money disappears 10 years down the road? We have seen such policy changes from Washington D.C. in the past. Will local residents be asked to increase their tax commitment to this system once it has been started? What about bus fares, which must be part of the ongoing operational revenues for any system? When will such details be worked out?

How will RTA officials go about buying or condemning land for stops along the routes and what will this cost be? And is it really a priority – other than as a showcase project – to create an airport shuttle system on day one?

While the RTA advertises that the tax will cost the owner of an average home in the metro area $95 annually in additional taxes, that is for a home worth $200,000, with a taxable value of $100,000. If your home is worth $1 million in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township, the RTA tax you pay may be closer to $600 or more annually, on top of a SMART millage tax of about the same amount. That's about $1,200 a year – real money in anyone's budget.

Lastly, we are not willing to accept the analogy that funding this mass transit effort is akin to funding local schools which contribute to the overall value of the community whether you use them or not. When schools come up for millages, we demand they tell us in detail what they will spend our money on. We think a transit plan, costing $4.7 billion over 20 years, $63 million of which will come from Oakland County in the first year, should have to do the same thing.

Bring this mass transit plan and millage request back once all the details have been worked out. That is how good government works.

Mandate annual school water quality testing ead and copper contamination discovered in at least a dozen Oakland County school districts makes clear the need for water quality testing to be required in Michigan schools, and for state lawmakers to provide adequate funding for water sampling.

Public water suppliers since 1991 have been required to test a smattering of water taps in their communities for lead and copper levels. Federal law requires that 90 percent of those taps tested fall under a concentration of less than 15 parts per billion (ppb) for lead, and under 1,300 ppb for copper. Those requirements, however, offer little evidence as to whether the plumbing at local schools are leaching contaminants into water being used by children, staff and visitors. Currently, there is no requirement for schools to test water for lead and copper on public drinking water supplies. It is a glaring oversight of the federal law, which is intended to protect populations most at risk for lead and copper poisoning: children.

In light of the Flint water crisis, some districts and private schools have taken to conducting their own water sampling programs on a voluntary basis, and at their own cost. Those results have since shown that lead and copper contamination at schools is far greater than suggested by annual water reports issued by local municipalities.

In April, governor Rick Snyder announced a series of

L

reforms he hoped would be taken up at the state level to address water quality, including requiring all school districts in the state to test their water for lead and copper. The call to action instead put a freeze on legislation introduced months earlier by Republican state senator Rick Jones, which would require districts to conduct water sampling for lead and copper.

While Jones said the governor's plan would supposedly provide greater safety assurances than his bill, no alternative has been introduced by lawmakers.

Rather than waiting for a new bill, we urge lawmakers in the senate's governmental affairs committee to take up Jones' proposal, which provides a beginning for testing requirements in the state.

Testing requirements should be applied to all public schools, as well as private and parochial schools.

Parents should be assured that the schools they send their children to have safe potable water. We believe that testing should be conducted on a rotating basis each year, with all potable drinking water taps – drinking fountains and cafeteria sinks – tested once every two years. So that there is no excuse for schools abrogating their responsibility, we believe it is critical that lawmakers providing a plan to require such testing also provide the funding at the state level so districts, as required under the Headlee Amendment adopted by voters years ago. And districts should make the results available to the public on their websites in clear

language any layman can easily understand.

If state lawmakers are truly concerned about protecting the most at-risk population in the state, lead and copper testing must include all childcare facilities in the state. Michigan already requires childcare operations to be licensed by the state. With the number of parents working and utilizing childcare facilities, how can the drinking water at those buildings not be at least below the federal action limit for lead and copper?

And, while we believe state funds should be provided for testing at school districts, most childcare facilities, which are an individual business or in a home, tend to have far fewer drinking water locations than a school district. Therefore, it's appropriate to require testing at childcare facilities as a cost of doing business.

Currently, the ability to fund water sampling programs, as well as the lack of uniformity on sampling guidelines and uncertainty on future requirements is causing some school districts to forego or limit testing in their buildings. Quick and clear action on the issue at the state level is therefore needed to protect students as quickly as possible, and we would expect state lawmakers from Oakland to help lead the charge on this issue.

While some legislators and school districts may be willing to wait for the governor to push his plan, we are not. The health and safety of our children are too important for a wait-and-see attitude.

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