Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • MARSH: BIRMINGHAM MARKET NORTH END

DRUG MONEY

CRIME DOES PAY WHEN FORFEITURE FUNDS AT STAKE

MASS TRANSIT

2016 WILL BE LITMUS TEST FOR FUTURE

ENDNOTE: VOTE NO ON BALDWIN LIBRARY PLAN TAX

MICHIGAN’S LEADING REALTOR 2010 2012 2013

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Crime certainly does pay Local municipalities find that drug forfeiture funding can be a hidden source of revenue for fighting crime in Oakland County communities.

CRIME LOCATOR

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • MARSH: BIRMINGHAM MARKET NORTH END

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

DRUG MONEY

Kelly Dobkin

CRIME DOES PAY WHEN FORFEITURE FUNDS AT STAKE

Elizabeth Guz

MASS TRANSIT

2016 WILL BE LITMUS TEST FOR FUTURE

Peter Leonard Carol Craine

ENDNOTE: VOTE NO ON BALDWIN LIBRARY PLAN TAX

CITY/TOWNSHIP

City parking to be studied; redevelopment at Maple and Telegraph; upcoming millage votes; West Elm store coming; plus more

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Around for 98 years, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan is considered the leading public affairs research organization.

Astrein's Creative Jewelers; Coqueta; Sam Sarkis Photography; Hot Mama; The Bird & the Bread

AT THE TABLE

Br. Guy Consolmegno

Public affairs research

A great deal of the planning has taken place for mass transit for the region but a 2016 vote on funding is key.

BUSINESS MATTERS

FACES

Mass transit update

THE COVER

The non-profit Community House in Birmingham, first founded in 1923 to help strengthen the community at-large through its program offerings. Downtown photo: Rachel Bechard

SOCIAL LIGHTS

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

ENDNOTE

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J. Marsh makes a debut as our new restaurant reviewer with a look at Market North End in Birmingham.

Voters should definitely vote against the library proposal on the special May election ballot in the city of Birmingham.

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SINCE 2011 ALMOST $100 MILLION IN CLOSED SALES VOLUME 71 CLOSED SALES

IN BIRMINGHAM - #1 RANKED AGENT*

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IN BLOOMFIELD TWP/ HILLS - #3 RANKED AGENT*

17 CLOSED SALES

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

akland County and the southeast Michigan area will be facing some tough questions leading up to the ballot in 2016 when it is more than likely that funding for mass transit in the region will be put before voters.

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Details on what regional leaders are possibly planning appear in this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue of the newsmagazine in a piece by news editor Lisa Brody. The basic thrust of the plan is that high speed bus vehicles, with dedicated traffic lanes on a few major roads in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, along with numerous stops along the route, will more than likely be the model of mass transportation implemented if voters okay some funding mechanism two years from now.

In large part the decision for the dedicated bus lane approach is a matter of money. Capital costs of rail lines are simply out of the question. So lawmakers basically wrote legislation in the last session to assure that high speed busses would be the transportation approach as they pieced together support for a Rapid Transit Authority (RTA) that will be charged with coordinating existing Detroit and suburban (SMART) bus systems and implementing a wider mass transit system to serve the region.

current system, at least in Detroit, seldom runs on time and many times fails to function at all.

Supporters point out that a freshly coordinated city/suburban bus system and a dedicated rapid speed bus line will address the current transit failings. They also suggest that the direct line bus approach will attract added development along major corridors, some of which are already fully developed, at least in the suburbs. And of course, with the hotbutton issue of the brain drain of young degreed Michiganders, they like to suggest that mass transit will help slow the loss of locally grown and educated talent, although that is only one of multiple factors that attract the next generation to larger metropolitan areas that appear healthier economically and more vibrant in terms of leisure time offerings, despite the efforts of those underwriting the current pockets of revival in the city of Detroit.

Aside from figuring out how to sell a tax to the region on this mass transit plan, the biggest question will be what is the most logical, as well as most politically feasible, form of taxation.

On the one hand the approval in Lansing of the RTA is a major accomplishment, following 23 previous attempts for approval of a regional transit authority which could wade through the current political minefield of coordinating the city and suburban bus systems while launching a regional mass transit program.

The two most often mentioned forms for funding mass transit are a dedicated property tax or an increase in auto registration fees. On the former, someone will need to address the special taxing authorities, such as tax incrementing financing and downtown development authorities that dot the landscape across the region now, sucking up a fair percentage of new taxes that regional voters approve, like they have with the millage support for the Detroit Zoo, the Detroit Institute of Arts, as well as local special millages, a major bone of contention that will only become more of an issue in the short-term future.

But passage of legislation to facilitate the RTA will be the easy task in this endeavor. Selling the concept to voters and convincing them that mass transit is worth a tax could be another matter.

Further, the property tax route is not the most stable method of support, as everyone has learned in the most recent Great Recession.

Yes, regional leaders have been saying for months that there appears to be support for a mass transit system for the region, perhaps the only comparable sized area in the country without mass transit.

Expect to hear other options, involving either a localized sales tax or income tax or perhaps a local payroll tax, more stable income sources that communities across the country have implemented and which canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be siphoned off by other special taxing authorities.

After all, there are a reported 140,000 people now living in Detroit who work in the suburbs and a bit more than that number of suburbanites who work in Detroit, according to Gov. Rick Snyderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of strategy, William Rusten, in an interview months ago.

As you can see, the mass transit issue will take considerable work and discussion before 2016 beyond the basic logistical planning for operating the system. And those involved in putting this new system into effect and selling the taxpayers have considerable work to do before putting this on the ballot.

But that is no assurance voters will approve increased taxes for mass transit. Critics question the need to invest in a mass transit system and often point out the low ridership of the existing bus network that serves parts of the suburbs and the city, but the

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

THE TH HE SECRET SEC CRET IS S OUTT

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INCOMING Golf course revenue Excellent follow up reporting on the golf courses (Downtown/March 2014).

A $68K surplus is good news, but to pay off the $650K club house at Lincoln Hills, one last item needs to be implemented â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that being, open up both courses to the general public starting September 1st every season.

There is always a fall off in rounds when school and college/pro football start.

Since all the other expenses are paid, any and all greens fees, etc. go directly to the bottom line.

Keep up the good work.

Terry Gates, Birmingham

Questionable library plan As a senior, longtime Birmingham resident and frequent library user, I am writing to express my concern over the Joint Library Building Committee and city commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seeming determination to drive Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s millage up 5 percent to 15.84 mills (the highest in our area, beating even Bloomfield Hills) by the special election on May 6th.

Their plan is to spend $21.5 million of our tax dollars on what will be, in effect, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a new libraryâ&#x20AC;? in order to meet the future needs of our community. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;futureâ&#x20AC;? in this case being established by a list of suggested improvements expressed by the public in a survey collected in just 64 days in 2011.

Only 391 Birmingham residents (less than 2 percent) responded to the survey. The wants and needs of 208 residents of Beverly Hills and Bingham Farms, who will not be responsible for paying any of the $21.5 million, were taken into account and given equal weight, despite the fact that their â&#x20AC;&#x153;wish listâ&#x20AC;? has no economic impact on the taxes for their households.

I also have concerns over whose vision of the future Birminghamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taxpayers will be called upon to meet. We should be concerned about the needs of our children, grandchildren and future generations. However, statistically, the survey responses do not represent these groups. First, 50 percent of the respondents had no children under the age of 18 living at home. Even worse, only 9 percent of the respondents, our real future, were under the age of 30. Fifty

seven percent of the respondents were 51 years and older with 19 percent of them being over 70 years of age. So, out of the 647 surveys, 384 respondents were older than 51 years of age.

Lastly, I see a lot of comparisons being made between the Baldwin and the Bloomfield Township Library, as if it is the only benchmark of the future available. Serving twice the population of Birmingham with its latest additions already 5 years old, it seems like the wrong benchmark.

There are many newer â&#x20AC;&#x153;libraries of the futureâ&#x20AC;? being built in this country; all reducing their space for storage and being built for far less cost than proposed here.

I would urge all taxpaying residents to look at the survey results and the other background documents. Most responses involve a desire for improved services that could be met within the existing building. Earlier, a terrific solution to renovate and expand the library to meet these needs was proposed, the Fanning Howey Review, at a cost of $2.8 million. How did we get to $21.5 million?

Our higher taxes are going to make our city unaffordable for families with small children and for seniors. Keeping in mind all of the other pressing expenses we face (roads, sewers and perhaps a new senior center), I question whether this latest plan is a responsible use of tax dollars.

Michael Sinelli, Birmingham

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Extravagant library plans I am trying to understand the reasoning and logic behind the proposed Baldwin Library expansion project.

Library Director Doug Koschik favors placing the $21.5 million Library expansion millage vote on a special May election ballot to save construction costs. Library Board member Frank Pisano says that they have done their due diligence and the project is ready to go. Joint Library Building Committee member Jim Suhay is convinced that the community's needs and wants were thoroughly researched during the three-year project.

Perhaps any one of them can tell us this: Why, if accurate and thorough due diligence was done and saving money was of primary importance, did this group totally

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overlook what was sitting right in their own back yard?

The Birmingham Board of Education had their building up for sale for over two years during the library development committee's due diligence study period. Its location is less than 600 feet from our current library. The board of education building has 22,000 square feet. It has 54 covered on-site parking spaces. And it sold late last summer for $2 million dollars. This building was ripe for an easy conversion to virtually any combination of study rooms, computer space, gathering areas and anything else that would be required for the next few decades.

So,this begs the question; what possible credibility does the library development committee have in proposing a $21.5 million dollar re-do to our current library when they were not even interested in looking at revamping an existing city property for something that might approach a total cost of $5 million and increase library size by over 50 percent?

This is just one of many reasons why this proposal should be voted down in May and other alternatives explored. As it exists, the project is merely an extravagant monument to the dreams of the library board and represents a totally irresponsible approach to meeting a very worthy challenge...all of which the citizens of Birmingham could be burdened with financing for years to come.

Douglas Fehan, Birmingham

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I was raised to respect money, not spend it frivolously just because you can. Unfortunately, that’s not the approach being taken with the $21.5 million library proposal on the ballot for the May 6th election.

The library board and Joint Library Building Committee had two options that were studied for Baldwin. One, the prudent option, was to spend $3 - $4 million on the current library doing necessary infrastructure upgrades; study and youth room expansions; plus making the building ADA compliant. But instead of picking the financially responsible option, we somehow ended up with a $21.5 million proposal to build the Taj Mahal of libraries because “this is Birmingham”.

Of course “this is Birmingham”

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.

While we don’t have a specific word limitation, we reserve the right to edit for length.

also means we pay the highest property tax rates among our surrounding communities. The city portion of our millage (i.e., not including the school or county portion) is 15.07 mills, or ranging from 14 percent – 47 percent higher than what our neighbors pay in Troy, Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak and Bloomfield Township.

Adding the projected average .77 mills per year to repay the proposed library bond debt will make this spread even greater.

Another concern about the library proposal is that we are being piecemealed on spending. There are other projects coming down the pipeline in the next few years that may be put for a millage vote: the senior center, investment in roads and sewers, and possibly money to shore up our retiree health care and pension obligations. While I generally have a dim view of tax increases, I consider these other issues as having a higher priority than replacing a perfectly fine library. If the library millage is passed, the likelihood of passing subsequent millages for more important projects is diminished.

May elections have historically low voter turnout. The last time Birmingham had a May election was 2006 with a voter turnout of 3.7 percent. If you believe in spending money responsibly and do not want to pay higher property taxes for a project that is not a priority, then you need to get out and vote 'no' on May 6. Otherwise, someone else will make a decision on how to spend your money.

Brad Coulter, Birmingham

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CRIME LOCATOR

NORTH

Map key

Sexual assault

Assault

Murder

Robbery

Breaking/entering

Larceny

Larceny from vehicle

Vehicle theft

Vandalism

Drug offenses

Arson

These are the crimes reported under select categories by police officials in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills through March 14, 2014.

Placement of codes is approximate.

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FORFEITURE MONEY FROM ILLEGAL DRUGS WHEN CRIME DOES PAY

C

BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

riminals and cops both know there is money to be made in the illegal drug trade, but for far different reasons. For those who make their living selling illicit drugs, the allure of easy money and illgotten riches is often an empty promise compared to the reality they discover, living in the ramshackle homes and ragged clothing found inside many drug dens. Yet others prosper on the backs of others, and for a time can enjoy fast cars, lavish clothes and dazzling jewelry, and magnificent homes and furnishings. Yet, it’s often only a matter of time before law enforcement finds them and takes hold of all of their possessions because they were purchased with money made from drug profits. And the money law enforcement receives from the proceeds of their efforts is drug forfeiture money, and it can mean the difference between just managing for a local police department, to being able to purchase badly needed equipment for which many local governments can no longer budget.

For many small and midsize police departments in Oakland County, their partnership with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department or a federal law enforcement agency by providing an officer to a dedicated task force or investigative division means that a portion of the money the larger agency procures through drug enforcement and drug forfeiture money will come back to their local department.

“On our level, we target anyone who violates narcotics laws and that includes anyone selling even small

amounts. They are subject to being hit in the pocket book by having their assets seized,” said Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Investigation Division.

Capt. Joe Quisenberry. “If they are dealing in a car, we take it. It could be a a high-end car and other times we take their jalopy.”

Assets seized by law enforcement under drug forfeiture laws means the seized property may be sold, which then allows law enforcement departments to use those funds for law enforcement purposes. Seizures ranging from nickel and dime drug dealers to high volume narcotics traffickers brought in $26.5 million in 2012 for law enforcement across the state. That amount includes almost $1.5 million taken by police departments in Oakland County, as well as $908,317 by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Enforcement Team in 2012 alone.

Regardless of the property seized, Quisenberry said the department only goes after items of value, which can then be liquidated for cash. Those funds are then split amongst the departments that have officers on the narcotics enforcement team. By law, all proceeds must be used for law enforcement purposes only and not other municipal needs.

“Cars, bank accounts, jewelry. There are toys, like televisions and gameboys,” Quisenberry said, listing some of the types of items seized in drug arrests. “We don’t take things we can’t liquidate. But, we’ve had highend jewelry, high-end cars. We’ve taken a Bentley, Vipers, Corvettes and Cadillacs. There’s a lot of personal stuff. We might get into high-end entertainment systems, televisions and slot machines.

“I’ve never failed to be surprised or shocked how drug dealers or criminal organizations live,” Quisenberry continued. “Some might be in filthy places and others in high-end houses. It runs the gamut. But the whole ‘Scarface’ image from the movies, it is an illusion in southeast Michigan. We deal with the neighborhood drug problem, not the international one.” akland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe said the department takes in about $1 million each year through drug forfeitures. That money is divided up between the sheriff’s office and local police departments which have officers assigned to the sheriff’s narcotics team. The narcotics team seized $908,317 worth of cash and assets in 2012, and about $1.4 million in 2011. For local Oakland County departments like the Birmingham Police Department and the Bloomfield Township Police Department, which both have officers assigned to the sheriff’s narcotics team, that equates to an average of $35,000 to $40,000 per year. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office received $504,543 in 2012 and $646,488 in 2011, of which the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office receives a percentage.

In addition to having an officer assigned to the sheriff’s narcotics team, the Bloomfield Township Police Department also has an officer assigned to a FBI violent crimes/gangs task force and a special multi-jurisdictional surveillance team. As a result, the department receives forfeitures funds from multiple sources, adding to their coffers.

Bloomfield Township Police Capt. Scott McCanham, of the department’s investigation unit, said the majority of its forfeiture funds come from the sheriff department’s narcotics team.

“That was about $35,000 last year, but it ranges each year. It’s been in the $40,000’s in the past,” he said. “We received none from the other units last year. There was one seizure with the Troy group (Oakland County FBI) recently – that was the surveillance team – and they ended up with a pretty good size seizure, so we’ll get a share of that next year.”

In total, McCanham said the department has about $170,000 in forfeiture funds available, which includes about $150,000 in state and local forfeitures and $20,000 from federal forfeitures. About 80 percent of the purchases, including of police equipment, have been made by the department using forfeiture funds, he pointed out.

“We had a small percent (of money) this year used for training, manuals and that kind of thing,” he said. “A lot is used to pay for expenses in the K-9 unit. Seventeen percent last year went to animal expenses, 2 percent for supplies, and 1 percent for non-profit organization donations, like CrimeStoppers.”

A much smaller Oakland County department, with only six full time officers, the Walled Lake Police Department, received more than a half million dollars in drug forfeiture funds in 2012 and 2013, and is one of the largest recipient of asset forfeiture funds in Oakland County.

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Specifically, Walled Lake received a total of $349,425 in forfeiture funds in fiscal year 2012 and $225,410 in fiscal year 2013, which ended June 30.

Unlike most other departments, those totals include assets from criminal investigations on the federal and local levels. The majority of those totals include forfeitures made by a federal task force operated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, to which the department assigned an investigator from 2007 until July 2013, when budget restrictions forced the city to cut the narcotics officer’s position. alled Lake Police Chief Paul Shakinas said the forfeiture funds received by the city from the DEA include assets seized in any investigation that the Walled Lake investigator worked, regardless of jurisdiction. For instance, a major narcotics investigation reaching from metro Detroit to the Kansas City area would produce forfeiture funds for Walled Lake, regardless if the case fell outside the city’s borders. About 20 percent of the forfeiture funds obtained from the team’s case were given to the DEA, while the remaining 80 percent would be split between police departments with officers on the task force.

As of June 30, the Walled Lake Police Department had a balance of $125,876 of federal forfeiture funds and $41,543 state and local forfeiture funds. While the department no longer has an officer on the DEA team, funds may continue to be dispersed from investigations that included the officer’s team.

“We just received a check for $88,000,” Shakinas said. “We got 5 percent of almost $2 million on that one. The percentage depends on how many groups are involved.”

Shakinas said purchases made with drug forfeiture money have been spent primarily on equipment and upgrades. Purchases must be recommended by the police chief and approved by city council. Using the funds, the department has been able to replace its fleet of patrol cars, construct a meeting room that is used by city council and for police training, create a workout room, as well as other purchases. The department has also used forfeiture funds to replace an officer’s salary, which Shakinas said is permitted for one year as a one-time measure.

Walled Lake financial manager Colleen Coogan said the city was one of about a dozen that was audited by the Department of Justice to ensure the forfeiture funds were being spent in accordance with forfeiture laws.

“Everything is audited every year by our city auditors, but that was from the Department of Justice,” Coogan said. “They do their own and the state of Michigan does their own audits.”

Shakinas said he hopes to bring the position back, but restrictions on forfeiture funds can’t be used to pay for salaries or benefits every year.

“We are coming into the budget and will make a pitch,” he said about the position. “If you are paying $100,000 in salary and benefits for the position, and have a return of $200,000 – which is historically what we were bringing in each year – it can make sense. It’s a big commitment for a department, and it’s a tough gig losing a full-time officer, but there is an asset to the position.

“We have had a handful of cases where we’ve been able to call in that group and they will work a local case here that would have been outside our realm, or very difficult to handle. Picking up a phone and getting nine undercover officers is a great asset.”

In another moderate size Oakland County police department, Birmingham Police Chief Donald Studt said his department had an officer assigned to the DEA in the past, but has opted to assign an officer to the Oakland County Sheriff’s narcotics team instead. While the return from drug forfeitures isn’t always as much as the department receives from participating with the federal agency, Studt said having an officer on a more localized team has some advantages.

“Essentially, we get a crew,” Studt said. “If there is a problem in Birmingham, the officer on the unit can get a crew together that is part of that unit and handle the problem with more resources than what would have been available within our department.”

While Studt said the DEA unit has obvious resources, those resources aren’t typically as available to the local departments because the unit is focusing on larger narcotics operations. Additionally, he said the return from

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Studt said the remainder of the city’s drug forfeiture fund would be about $35,000 after the purchases of digital cameras and NOPTIC camera equipment. Past purchases by Birmingham’s department, he said, have included handguns, tools, police vests and other items.

“It’s been very helpful,” he said of the drug forfeiture fund.

Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Director David Hendrickson said the amount of drug forfeiture funds the department receives is minimal.

“For us, it’s not always a good idea to send someone to a task force,” Hendrickson said of the public safety department, which consists of about 25 police and fire officers. “It’s run pretty efficiently here, and we don’t have an extra body to assign to that.” Bloomfield Hills, with under 4,000 residents, has minimal crime and a joint police/fire public safety department, meaning officers work 24-hour shifts, 12 hours on police and 12 hours on fire.

Hendrickson said the department has about $6,000 in its drug forfeiture account, and there hasn’t been any expenditures made from that account in that past two years.

“Some years we might bring in $1,000 or up to $10,000. Officers might arrest someone who has money on them, and we go through the forfeiture process if we believe those monies were obtained illegally,” he said. “We haven’t spent any of that money in some years. Typically, it’s used for unbudgeted items that would improve law enforcement. I’ve been here about nine months, and I haven’t seen in the past few budgets that we’ve spent any of that money.

“This is a great community, so it’s probably a good thing that we don’t have a lot of those funds.”

Similarly, in another quiet area of Oakland County, drug forfeiture funds in the Village of Wolverine Lake have totaled only about $15,000 over the past decade and a half, said Wolverine Lake Police Capt. John Ellsworth.

“We do very small amounts, and we spend that money very slowly and very wisely. We only spend it on things that are unbudgeted items that would be considered helpful in law enforcement,” Ellsworth said. “We bought a Taser that broke and wasn’t in the budget.”

Ellsworth said the department has about $15,000 in its drug forfeiture fund, with little more than that seized within the village over the past 15 years. All seizures in the village, he said, have only included cash.

“If we come across any drug operations, and there is money involved, that usually is a small amount,” he said. “We don’t have a plethora of drug dens, but we do come across it from time to time.”

Ellsworth said all of the drug forfeitures done by the department are done locally and are controlled by the state of Michigan. Federal drug forfeitures, he said, have more restrictions on how the money can be used and may place requirements on how quickly it must be spent.

Michigan drug forfeiture laws were expanded in recent years to allow money received through drug forfeitures to be spent on various law enforcement needs, rather than for items or activities specifically used for drug enforcement operations. Additionally, agencies may provide forfeiture funds to nonprofit agencies whose primary activity is to assist law enforcement agencies with drug related investigations or to obtain information about solving crimes.

State laws also allow for the distribution of forfeited lights for plant growth or scales that have been procured from marijuana growing operations to be donated to elementary/secondary schools or institutions of higher learning. In 2012, for instance, agencies across the state donated 79 plant growth lights and 81 scales to 22 school districts with a combined value of $17,600.

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Michigan law allows for two ways in which seized property can be forfeited. The most common property are seizures that are done administratively. Unless a drug dealer or another party can provide evidence of a valid legal interest in the property, the forfeiture process can be streamlined. In many cases, they aren’t contested, as some owners don’t have legitimate sources of income to have legally obtained the property seized. If property is valued at more than $50,000, or it wasn’t seized under certain circumstances, a court proceeding must be conducted in circuit court to legally forfeit the property.

“Back in the 1970s, state and federal laws were adopted for the purpose of hitting drug dealers in the pocketbook. Anyone in narcotics trafficking could have assets taken from them, regardless if they have been convicted of a crime,” said Quisenberry of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Investigations Division. “That statute has stood the test of time. You can’t always arrest someone, so if you hit them in the pocketbook, it helps reduce crime.”

Drug forfeiture laws allow authorities to seize cash and property that have been purchased with drug proceeds or used in a drug-related crime.

While authorities must show that connection in a civil procedure in order to take property, cash and assets may be forfeited without a criminal conviction. Money obtained from drug forfeitures must be used for law enforcement purposes. ecently, a bill was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives to tie asset forfeitures to criminal convictions. The bill, HB 5212, introduced by state Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), would amend the state’s civil asset forfeiture law to prohibit the sale of property seized unless a person has been convicted of a crime or fails to claim interest in the property. The sale of property without a criminal conviction, Irwin said, goes against a person’s right to due process.

The bill doesn’t seek to prohibit the immediate destruction of property that may not be lawfully possessed or that is dangerous to the health or safety of the public. The bill states that any public officer negotiating for forfeitures in violation of the law, or authorizes or participates in that negotiation, would be guilty of misfeasance in office.

Some local law enforcement agencies say requiring a criminal conviction would actually hurt the process and it isn’t even possible in some cases.

“We are aware of the legislation and we are not in support of it,” said Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe. “Sometimes there may not be a conviction because a drug dealer makes a deal and there isn’t a conviction. Or they may agree to work with police. That’s just the way it works.”

McCanham, with the Bloomfield Township Police Department, said currently the forfeiture process involves a civil proceeding, which is different than the criminal aspect of an investigation. “We have steps to follow,” he said. “We can’t sell or auction property outright until we have completed the civil process.”

The bill, which was introduced on January 8, 2014, and referred to the Michigan House Committee on Criminal Justice, hasn’t yet been brought up by the committee, and may not be in the future, said state Rep. Klint Kesto (R-West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wolverine Lake, Walled Lake), who co-chairs the committee.

“I’m aware of how it works, and frankly, the way the system is right now, I think it does work,” Kesto said of the state’s forfeiture laws. “A criminal conviction is different than a civil adjudication. The burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a very high burden, and that doesn’t extend to property.”

Kesto said he is working to introduce a bill that would extend some asset forfeitures to crimes involved with human trafficking, which he said would help to combat that issue and improve public safety. That bill, he said, would involve asset forfeitures involved with organized crime.

“For them to put in (the law) that a person must be convicted of a criminal violation, it’s almost giving them an extra out for a person who is profiting from a criminal enterprise to be able to get away with it,” Kesto, a former Wayne County assistant prosecutor. “I think this bill doesn’t address the real issue out there, in terms of public safety.”

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REGIONAL TRANSIT 2016 FUNDING ELECTION TO DETERMINE THE FUTURE

BY LISA BRODY

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he car has always been king in metro Detroit. It’s our heritage and our legacy. We’re Motown, the Motor City. From the first Model A rolling off Henry Ford’s assembly line, it has led to a culture and currency pervading all others. In the 20th century, the automobile industry led to both Detroit’s ascendency as one of America’s great cities, and to its decline. The designs of early Lincolns, Packards, Chevy BelAirs, Ford Mustangs, Cadillacs and Corvettes became the narrative of their times, epitomizing our yearning for wide open spaces, seeking our fortune out west, “getting our kicks on Route 66,” and locally, cruising up and down Woodward.

It also helped contribute to Detroit’s suburban sprawl, because our cars could take us farther and farther out from the city’s nexus. In the 1950s and 1960s, as new highways criss crossed and subdivided Detroit, it further led to urban decay. The automobile, our motorized oasis, drove us away from the troubles at the core.

As we all know, what the automobile culture also deprived southeastern Michigan of was a functional and affordable mass transit system.

Detroit is the nation’s largest city without a mass transit system. According to the New York Times on March 10, 2014, more Americans used public transportation – subways, trains, and busses – than anytime since 1956, as service has improved, local economies have grown, and travelers increasingly have sought alternatives to the car for local metropolitan travel. From 1995 to 2013, transit ridership rose 37 percent, well ahead of the 20 percent growth in population and 23 percent increase in miles traveled. The Times noted it is a fundamental shift in the way people are moving about within their communities.

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Additionally, young adults are increasingly choosing to not spend their transportation dollars on autos, even here in the Motor City. More and more, they are delaying getting their driver’s licenses and putting off expensive purchases of cars well into their 20s and 30s, and instead finding walkable or ridable alternatives.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2010, the average one-way commute time for workers in the United States has increased. Detroit typifies U.S suburban and exurban sprawl, with some people commuting as long as 90 minutes each way every day. But the lack of reliable public transportation also makes it difficult for those without dependable automobiles to get to and from work in a reasonable amount of time consistently, as the region’s busses are notorious for their unpredictability. Detroit had the lowest rate of adults working or looking for employment in 2012, largely due to 26 percent of households lacking a vehicle, compared to 9 percent nationally, according to a 2013 study by the Ann Arbor Transportation Research Institute.

“Everything starts with a job,” Mayor Mike Duggan told Bloomberg.com. “We need jobs in the city and we need to be able to transport people to where the jobs are,” he said, noting that busses are Detroit’s only mass transportation and they’re often late or non-existent, due to an aging, broken bus fleet. “Riders have difficulty connecting with suburban busses,” Duggan continued, regarding the perpetual conflict between DDOT and SMART bus systems.

Efforts to merge the city and suburban bus systems have been a political hot potato for years.

“That’s where the need for public transportation comes in. We are definitely an auto-dependent region,” said Jeff Bross, project manager for Data Driven Detroit. or decades in Detroit, there have been efforts to create some form of mass transit, from the circular 2.9 mile People Mover in the 1980s to 40 years of failed efforts to create a regional transit authority. In February 2013, legislation was finally passed in Michigan to create the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority, to orchestrate and improve transit in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Washtenaw counties and riders in the city of Detroit. Other counties can potentially join the RTA, but there are no opt-outs for municipalities within the member counties of the RTA. But the question still remains whether voters in those counties will be willing to pass a referendum to fund mass transit options in the form of rapid bus transit, and whether the RTA can hire a competent CEO who can master the politics of the region, as well as coordinate the appointees and work with state legislators, city and county officials, as well as efficiently integrate regional transit with existing bus service and a light rail service designed to connect disparate sections of gentrified Detroit so that they can all work together for commuters of southeastern Michigan.

As passed by the state legislature, the RTA will be overseen by a chief executive officer and a board of directors that is to be appointed by county executives, the mayor of Detroit and the governor of Michigan. The board members cannot be elected officials, employees of the involved counties or transit agencies. The aim of this style of governance is to make sure the RTA serves riders and the region, and not individual agency’s agendas.

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Legislators on March 12, 2014 declined to provide the RTA with any funding in the state’s supplemental budget, but did promise it would receive $900,000 immediately from MDOT to allow it to begin hiring staff and help it develop and implement a master plan for public transit in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, with another $1.1 million to come in June. That is just the tip of the iceberg of what the RTA will need in order to get going, although Paul Hillegonds, the chairman of the RTA board, said it will allow them to get it through 2016, when they plan to go before voters for a millage to provide funding to build and operate public transit in the region.

The RTA will have responsibility over several areas of transit in southeastern Michigan. Under the umbrella of the RTA will be included Detroit and suburban bus service, known as DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) and SMART (the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation), Ann Arbor’s bus and transit service (AATA), the People Mover, the upcoming M1 Light rail service that is beginning construction, and proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) service which would connect Detroit, metro airport and some of the suburbs, which is currently in the study phase. While there would be coordination of the different agencies under the banner of the RTA, they would not be merged.

There is not yet a leader for the RTA. John Hertel, general manager of SMART, briefly accepted the job of executive director of the RTA, and then when financing was not quickly procured, he chose to stay with SMART. “Gov. Snyder is very supportive of this legislation and for the RTA,” said Mario Morrow, a spokesperson in the governor’s office. “He recognizes the need for regional transportation is very necessary, and understands clearly that for the counties and southeastern Michigan, regional transportation must be in place. He is confident that it will work.”

Morrow said that there is a posting for CEO of the RTA. “Unfortunately, John Hertel declined to take the position, but if he felt it wasn’t a good fit for him, he did the best thing by declining the post. It’s going to be a lot of working with legislators and others through this process. He’s a friend.”

“This is an issue that has been debated for at least the last 30 years,” noted Steve Mitchell of Mitchell Research and Communications. “We need mass transit. Detroit is one of the few major cities in the world without mass transit. The governor has been very successful in getting the legislation passed. The question is if there will be the allocation of resources to get it done.”

While the need for regional transportation is finally recognized by state legislators and desired by many across the region, it won’t be quickly achieved. Like anything with multiple players in government representing various interests, not only is there constant juggling, but analysis and scrutiny of the chess pieces of mass transit continues so it does not stagnate as a transit plan to nowhere.

Currently, the plan for mass transit in the metro Detroit area would coordinate a few different transit options under one synchronized umbrella. In January, Duggan announced some transportation improvements to existing transportation options of DDOT busses to help city residents get to jobs and to provide greater accessibility for people with disabilities. The Job Access and Reverse Commute programs works to

smooth out the current challenges in the DDOT bus system, including increasing routes on several major thoroughfares in the city, and increasing night and weekend bus service in the city.

But that is just a first step, and a band aid which barely covers the wound of the region. A more sizable program is now taking off, representing a broader vision although it only covers a small land mass. public/private streetcar initiative, the M1 Rail, recently broke ground along Woodward in downtown Detroit, and underground work has commenced. The hope is to have its first riders by fall 2016. The M1 Rail is a $140 million 3.3 mile streetcar project which will run from downtown Detroit to Midtown Detroit with frequent stops along the right lane. So far, sources report that the M-1 Rail project has raised about $132 million from various corporations, foundations, government sources and non-profit agencies. It still needs about $10 million more, with about $6 million potentially identified. Naming rights are a possibility as a source for a part of the gap in financing.

Once up and operational, M-1 will operate as a private non-profit, with its operations and maintenance outsourced to a private vendor, which has yet to be chosen.

What is light rail? It is a form of urban transportation, also referred to as streetcars or trolleys, which operate passenger cars on a dedicated track electronically with power being drawn by an overhead electric line, and is usually driven by an operator on board the vehicle. It utilizes high capacity electric rail cars and mostly operates within exclusive right-of-way lanes, although sometimes they operate in mixed traffic.

“The M-1 Rail are streetcars that are pedestrian accelerators, with people hopping on and off of them,” explained Brad Strader, planning division manager at LSL Planning in Royal Oak. “Some people think M-1 Rail is a joke, but it’s not,” asserted Mark Nickita, a Birmingham City Commissioner and architect and urban planner with Archives DS in Detroit which is working with Parsons Brinkerhoff of the Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) on areas around the planned stations for the rapid transit plans throughout the metro area, and where to put them, although not on the M-1 Rail. “It’s not three miles in a circle – it’s three miles in length.

You can’t walk three miles straight easily and quickly.”

Nickita explained that the M-1 Rail and the People Mover are completely different entities.

“The M-1 Rail is designed to connect all these different communities. It’s a connector. It makes for a greater downtown. All the assets are interconnected by the M-1 without needing a car, from the New Center area and the Fisher Building, Henry Ford Hospital, TechTown, the Amtrak Station, the Cultural Center, with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Public Library, and Science Center, Wayne State University, Orchestra Place, the Detroit Medical Center, Cass Park and Canfield, Majestic Theater, the new hockey arena and entertainment district, Foxtown and the Fox Theater and Comerica Park, Grand Circus, Campus Martius, all the way down to Larned and the (Detroit) River. If you live, work and play anywhere in that area, you can hop on and off. It will have a significant impact on the center of Detroit, and connect the districts in Detroit.”

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The New Center District Development plan said it “will focus on creating a walkable mixed-use community that will utilize the new M-1 Rail transportation and connect with TechTown’s new district development and Henry Ford Hospital. It will include locating development opportunities, filling vacant retail space, supporting mixed use development, and creating a parking plan that will support the increase of new residents and business. The district plan also includes improved safety, viaduct and streetscape enhancements.”

Nickita pointed out that the M-1 Rail will differ from rapid transit between the city and suburbs the way that in Chicago “it’s the difference between the ‘L’ and commuter rail.”

To accomplish the long-term goal the region has wanted for commuter transit has necessitated a much broader vision than 3.3 miles.

SEMCOG has been the engine working on a commuter transit system. An alternatives analysis has been conducting studies, including community forums, for the last 18 months to determine what kind of system, where, how much it would cost, where stations would be located, how to fund it and other concerns. An alternatives analysis is a transportation planning process for evaluating modal and general alignment options for a transportation corridor, and is viewed as a good planning practice in assisting communities with objectively selecting the transit options that will address various communities’ needs.

Carmine Palombo, director of transportation for SEMCOG, said they have gone through “months of study of higher level transit analysis, going through comparable studies of cars going through the same routes we’re looking at. In the next couple of months, we’ll be finalizing our analyses in order to make our recommendations.” ollowing Gov. Snyder’s initial transportation agenda, and which then the legislature approved, it was identified that a regional transportation system will be operated by rapid bus lines along Woodward, from downtown Detroit to Pontiac; downtown Detroit to Mt. Clemens along Gratiot; from downtown Detroit to Ann Arbor along Michigan Avenue, including service to Detroit Metropolitan Airport; and then a connector between Pontiac and Mt. Clemens along M-59.

The first route will likely be Woodward from Detroit to Pontiac, a 27-mile route; it is the one now being actively studied. Nickita said the second route could be either the Gratiot line, or the airport line, because there is a strong desire to see connectivity with Metro airport.

“We’ll have a complete study of this phase in the next few months to present to the Regional Transit Authority, which must approve the plan, then we’ll need to do engineering work,” Palombo said. “While we’re beginning development, the reality is that there are no resources right now to construct it. We’re dependent upon the RTA, which is asking the people of the four counties to support a regional tax to fund and operate this transit system. This is one of the things they would hopefully include in supporting. The RTA has taken a position to ask for funding for it and put it on the ballot in 2016.”

A ballot initiative will be placed before voters on the November 2016 general election in order to achieve funding for construction and operation of regional transit, which will likely take the form of bus rapid transit.

Palombo noted that, as they continue to proceed with planning and engineering work, it will be the end of 2016 before they have the

F

answer to the question about how to fund it. “If the answer to the ballot proposal is yes, we can move forward. If it’s no, it will take longer,” he said.

Nickita is optimistic about funding now that there is the RTA. “Federal funding goes to where regional planning is in place,” he said. “ The RTA is working to get funds from the feds. We pay all these taxes, and haven’t been able to get back money in grants and federal funding as well as from the state and locals. We never had a city/suburban system in place, and certainly have never had a system that worked efficiently, so the feds have never considered giving money to us, and didn’t channel any money our way. I see significant changes coming now that there is a mechanism to channel money to (with the RTA).

Detroit is the largest city in the country without mass transit, which should actually help us. It should make us a priority to get funding. It’s a big fundamental move.”

Unlike the M-1 Rail, which is using light rail, this rapid regional transit plan is being designed to utilize bus rapid transit (BRT). It’s a bus-based mass transit system that is often referred to as a “surface subway” because it is above ground but moves rapidly with a few specific stops at stations.

To be considered BRT, busses usually operate in their own dedicated lane in order to avoid traffic congestion. While the M-1 Rail is being designed to operate at side lanes, so riders can easily hop on and off, current plans for the BRT on Woodward would have a dedicated lane down the center so as to not interfere with traffic, cyclists and pedestrian, as well as right-hand turning cars and parked cars. Exclusive right-of-way and/or bus priority at signalized intersections allows large volumes of riders to move quickly. Also, since the purpose is rapid transit, rather than frequent stops, the center lane would allow for less impeded gridlock.

However, the final determination for the placement of where BRT would go on the roadway would ultimately rest with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), which owns Woodward. Palombo said they are waiting for MDOT’s final analysis on Woodward before SEMCOG can make their final recommendations.

“If you can’t build it on their road, it’s not an option,” he said.

“The rapid transit serves a different purpose than M-1Rail,” said LSL Planning’s Strader, which has been conducting the $7 million alternatives analysis study for SEMCOG, paid for with a federal grant. “It’s for longer purposes, longer travel. It’s for bigger distances between stations, and it will move more rapidly. They’re designed to augment and highlight one another.”

While called busses, BRT are not busses in the classical sense. They sit low to the ground, with the station platforms level to the busses, and are easily accessed by the disabled and parents with strollers. They are usually high capacity vehicles which operate in their own dedicated lanes and, unlike streetcars, operate with an engine versus an overhead electric line. Their major connection to traditional busses is they have rubber tires.

In Cleveland, their system uses bendy stretchlimo like busses that are flexible for turns and can hold up to 100 riders at a time.

They are considered desirable for metro Detroit for a few reasons. They are far more economical to bring in and utilize than light rail or subways because they operate on existing streets with minor modifications. Unlike light rail, there is no

infrastructure, other than stations, that will need to be built in order to make it operational. And BRT routes can be modified over time, unlike a subway line or a light rail track. It’s also very easy to keep the lane of traffic for mixing in with traditional traffic when not utilized by BRT. “I see it being a lot more affordable than light rail,” Palombo said.

Strader said that for the Woodward route, there will likely be about 20 stations, which averages out to one every mile or so. “The streetcars for M-1 on Woodward have stations every three to four blocks, in comparison,” he said.

It is believed that ridership will be very high, he said, which is how they are determining the number and placement of the stations. “We can also change the number of the stations if ridership and development warrant it,” he said. alombo said they are not just seeking to build the routes and their spines. “Part of what we’ll be doing on Woodward is looking at the background of the bus network (SMART and DDOT) so that there will be enough service provided to passengers to accommodate the larger areas,” Palombo said.

“We have to make sure that people can get to and from these facilities, whether by car, walking or biking, in order to take advantage of these higher transit facilities. We’re hoping that there will be some areas along the route where we can put park and ride facilities, where they will make sense.”

“Typically, with these kinds of development, you determine where the population requires park and rides within a few blocks of a station,” Strader added.

Strader said that they will, at some point, have park and rides in Oakland County, but the study has not yet identified where.

There is also the potential for growth and development in the communities and neighborhoods along Woodward near the stations, called transit-oriented development (TOD). “Often some level of investments occur near the stations,” Nickita said. “I think around the stations there will be significant investments. Those cities may want to consider zoning a little differently around those areas in order to plan for the future.”

In other cities, it is not uncommon to see retail and residential, especially in the form of apartments and lofts, sprout up within walking distance of transit stations.

Ensuring commercial development within a TOD to serve mixed incomes is critical, according to Scot Spenser, a transit equity expert and associate director of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a Baltimore foundation which works to ensure better futures for disadvantaged children. Spenser said that in many places with TOD, development doesn’t take into account the needs of different users with different income levels.

“The services along transit stops are important for someone for whom transit is not a choice or a luxury,” he said. “Are there day care centers or social services agencies helping folks who are transit dependent?”

The question today remains, without funding, is rapid transit a realistic possibility or just another phantom pipe dream?

“Bottom line, it is not going to be business as usual in metro Detroit,” Nickita optimistically said.

“People want more transportation options than just a car. You know, people associate freedom with driving a car. But true freedom is having a car – and other transportation options as well.”

P

anci Rands N associate broker CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.701.9000 nrands@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,995,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 6065 Square Feet MLS# 213082198

On a private, landscaped hilltop overlooking Wing Lake, this historic property was restored and expanded in 2001 to extraordinary elegance and functionality. The Living Room is highlighted by a mural depicting Edsel Ford’s 1st transcontinental Model T journey. The Cook’s Kitchen features an octagonal island. 4-seasons Sun Porch. 1st floor Master Suite. Finished Lower Level with Wine Cellar and Exercise Facility.

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Colburn Meredith associate broker CHRISTIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,495,000 6 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 9446 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214021305

Extraordinary 2000 built soft contemporary on nearly 2 private acres. Michael Willoughby design with limestone and stucco exterior. Brazilian cherry wood floors. Elegant living room with panoramic views. Formal dining room.

Sophisticated 1st floor master suite with private sitting room and Bisazza Italian glass tiled bath. State of the art Poggenpohl kitchen. Fabulous fully finished walkout lower level. 4 car heated garage. Outdoor spa.

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Baker and Lynn Deby Gannes 248.379.3000 lbaker@hallandhunter.com

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.379.3003 dgannes@hallandhunter.com

Get ahead of the real estate competition for spring!

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SHELBY TOWNSHIP $1,199,900 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 3 Half Baths 6500 Square Feet MLS# 214005038

FRANKLIN VILLAGE $1,100,000

Builders own home on 3/4 acre. Gunite pool. Master with fireplace. Finished LL with kitchen/bar, family room & complete theater.

Cul-de-sac backing to woods.

5 Bedrooms 2-story living room. 1st floor 6 Full, 1 Half Bath master. Finished LL with 7921 Total Sq. Ft. kitchen, bedroom, family MLS# 214021621 room with 106” screen.

OAKLAND TWP. $357,900

OAKLAND TWP. $595,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 2964 Square Feet MLS# 214021944

4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 3794 Square Feet MLS# 214021911

ROCHESTER HILLS $995,000

5.64 acres. Granite kitchen.

Serene view of pond.

Covered porch. 1st floor master. Finished LL with 2nd kitchen. Heated barn.

V

4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2616 Square Feet MLS# 214018098

Cul-de-sac setting in sub with walking trails, pool & tennis. Spacious master suite. Kitchen overlooks family room. 3-car garage.

An acre on gated park-like setting. 1st floor master suite. 2-story library with secret room. Finished walkout LL. 4-car garage.

FRANKLIN VILLAGE $295,000 Build Site .58 Acres 132’x150’x176’x180’

MLS# 213039695

Best priced site in the estate section of Franklin (N. of 13 Mile Road). Surrounded by million dollar plus homes.

Close to everything!

iew Lynn and Deby’s listings at

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Edwards & Chris Kelly Small 248. 924.1375 cedwards@hallandhunter.com

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248. 631.8750 ksmall@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD | $1,650,000 6 Bedrooms 4 Full, 3 Half Baths 7500 Square Feet MLS# 214014216

Legendary Birmingham architect, Wallace Frost designed this California style, Mid-century architectural residence on 3.6 acres, including 100’ lakefront lot. Privacy and serenity with expansive views. Many original 1950’s design elements, including colorful terrazzo floors and original St. Charles stainless steel and enamel kitchen. Newer, dramatic front entry.

6 fireplaces. Radiant heated floors throughout. Renovate and add a 2nd story for exceptional treetop and lake views.

Sellers: We will advertise your property in the next issue! Call for more information.

- MULLET LAKE FRONTAGE -

INDIAN RIVER | $12,900,000 10 Bedrooms 10 Full, 5 Half Baths 14,497 Square Feet MLS# 214008556

- REDUCED PRICE -

- CLEAR LAKE FRONTAGE -

CHARLEVOIX | $1,095,000

WEST BRANCH | $699,000

Gated masterpiece with 5 Bedrooms + Loft 2390’ of shoreline. 27.5 4 Full, 1 Half Baths acres of pine-studded 3930 Square Feet forest. Sweeping 131’ MLS# 213031109 veranda. 10-car garage.

Newer year-round retreat 4 Bedrooms on prestigious Michigan 3 Full, 1 Half Baths Avenue. 100’ of sandy 3850 Total Sq. Ft. beach frontage. Stroll to nearby dining and shopping. MLS# 213070714

Northern lakefront retreat on 20 acres. 180’ of Clear Lake frontage. 80’ dock, 28’ pontoon boat with trailer.

Huge 3000 sq. ft. garage.

Co-Listed with Pam Gray

iew Chris and kelly’s listings at V www.ChrisandKellySold.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Waechter Adam associate broker CHRISTIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.593.0851 akwhallandhunter@gmail.com

BLOOMFIELD | $1,399,000 5 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 5414 Square Feet MLS# 214017285

Spring is almost hereâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;get your golf clubs and be ready to enjoy this spectacular setting on the 4th fairway of Bloomfield Hills Country Club. Open, elegant and formal design with large living spaces and vaulted ceilings throughout. First floor master, first floor laundry and large teenage/in-law suite. Beautiful granite kitchen. Mostly hardwood floors. Basement used for storage and mechanicals only. Natural gas/whole house generator.

and other listings at V iew these AdamWaechter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

hristine C Drinkwater associate broker CHRISTIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.318.4745 cdrinkwater@hallandhunter.com

BIRMINGHAM | $2,998,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 5200 Square Feet MLS# 213108630

New construction opportunity on sought after Lake Park in Quarton Lake. Alex Bogaertsdesigned East Coast classic traditional with exceptional craftsmanship and detailing. 2-car attached garage plus detached 2-car garage.

BIRMINGHAM | $1,399,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 4100 Square Feet MLS# 214017774

Stunning fresh traditional on beautiful Birmingham Blvd. Quality craftsmanship, exquisite millwork and attention to detail.

Spectacular kitchen, hardwood throughout, exceptional master suite. 3-car garage.

BIRMINGHAM | $839,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 3245 Square Feet MLS# 213102744

Beautiful new construction by Great Lakes Custom Builder. The homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spacious and open floor plan is rich with beautiful appointments and top-of-the-line materials, including quartz, marble, and hardwood. The kitchen, featuring Kitchen Aid stainless appliances and a butlers pantry, overlooks the great room with floor to ceiling stone fireplace for effortless living and entertainment. Mud room. Large yard. Ideal location close to school, parks, town and shopping!

V hallandhunter.com

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009 CHRISTIEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

Katherine

Jardine realtor 248.755.4710 kjardine@hallandhunter.com

248.644.3500

anci Rands N associate broker 248.701.9000 nrands@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD | $549,000 5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2832 Square Feet MLS# 214014761

Best opportunity in the Village! Newer kitchen with Wolf/Sub Zero appliances.

Enclosed 3-season porch. New mechanicals in 2012. Award-winning designer has drawn renovation plans. Birmingham schools.

ROYAL OAK | $269,000 Multifamily-3 units 2156 Square Feet 3 Parking Spaces MLS# 214014751

Great location close to all the action of downtown Royal Oak! 3 units: 2 bedroom lower with front office; 1 bedroom upper with enclosed porch, and 1 bedroom back.

Tenants pay utilities. Laundry on premises.

FRANKLIN | $1,595,000 5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 5469 Square Feet MLS# 214021613

Outstanding 2005 custom build on private landscaped site. Soaring ceilings. Flowing floor plan. Spacious gourmet island kitchen and breakfast room. Elegant master suite with sitting room and luxe marble bath. Finished LL.

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009 CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

Ginny Fisher realtor

248.644.3500

Amy Zimmer &

Tiffany Glime 248.469.6430 azimmer@hallandhunter.com

248. 593.0518

248.930.5656

gfisher@hallandhunter.com

tglime@hallandhunter.com

- JUST LISTED BLOOMFIELD | $758,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 3856 Square Feet MLS# 214017265

Elevated private setting. Stunning 2-story foyer and living room. Dramatic staircase.

Oversized master has 9’ ceilings, spa bath and walk-in with custom cabinetry. 3-car garage.

Newer composite deck and landscaping.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $1,699,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 4800 Square Feet MLS# 213006575

Private gated enclave on ravine setting. Total of 7000+ square feet. Renovated Millennium cherry kitchen opens to family room.

Finished walkout with possible 5th bedroom.

Lower paver terraces. 4-car garage.

BIRMINGHAM | $595,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 2 Half Baths 2678 Square Feet MLS# 214022935

Fantastic updated home in great location.

2-story foyer. Sophisticated island kitchen.

Stylish family room with custom built-ins.

Outstanding master suite with brand new luxe bath. 2nd floor laundry. New patio and deck.

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009 CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.644.3500

Thank You

to our wonderful clients!

Your support and referrals inspire us to exceed your expectations. YOU made us #1 at Hall & Hunter for 2013.

Thank you for trusting and believing in us.

Lanie Hardy Cosgrove Hall & Hunter Realtors’ 2013

TOP PRODUCER 248.703.1105 lcosgrove@hallandhunter.com Lanie Hardy Cosgrove (left) and her sister/assistant Leslie Hardy

iew Lanie’s listings at Vhallandhunter.com

FACES

Guy Consolmagno

M

any people may not realize that the Vatican employs a curator of meteorites; even fewer know he is a Detroit Tigers fan.

Growing up in Birmingham, the Baldwin Public Library was the most wonderful place in the world, said Br. Guy Consolmagno, who was assigned in 1991 as a researcher and curator of the meteorite collection with the Vatican Observatory. When he returns for visits, “I do try to get to Cranbrook (Institute of Science) because I have a relationship with the people there, and we have meteorites on loan there from the Vatican. I used to ride my bike up there. Certainly Cranbrook did a lot to foster my love of science.”

Born on Detroit’s east side, Consolmagno’s family moved when he was six-years-old from Harper Woods to Birmingham, where his curiosity of the universe was fed by science fiction books at the library and his teachers at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. He later attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School before earning degrees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Arizona in planetary science. Consolmagno taught at Harvard and MIT before joining the US Peace Corps, eventually entering the Society of Jesus and being appointed to the Vatican Observatory.

“I used to be a journalist, but I discovered astrophysics was a lot easier,” Consolmagno said about his pre-astronomy career.

Most recently, Consolmagno was elected in February as president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, where he will continue planetary research and head up public outreach for the foundation, which is based in Tucson, Ariz.

“That’s the sad thing of leaving my post. The new curator will have (the Vatican’s meteorites) go to his favorite museum, so anyone who wants to see the Mars meteorite from the Vatican at Cranbrook should get there soon.”

Discoveries on Mars and other planetary discoveries are the most exciting research currently being conducted in the field, Consolmagno said. Also of interest is Jupiter’s moon of Europa, which Consolmagno wrote his master’s thesis about while at MIT. “We are discovering now that it’s even more wonderful than we thought,” he said about Europa. “It has an ice crust, but under it is an ocean. It might be a wonderful place to look for life.”

Consolmagno said the fact that the Vatican is working to be on the forefront of scientific discoveries shouldn’t surprise people. The process of science and religion working together is one of the topics he lectures and writes about in his books.

“It surprises people mostly of a certain generation,” Consolmagno said about the Vatican’s work in astrophysics. “When I was growing up, I learned science from the sisters at the grade school. Why should there be a conflict?

“As a scientist, I don’t know it all, and as a person of faith, I can’t know it all. Science and religion, if done right, teach you how to live with a degree of uncertainty, that there is more going on that is out of my control, and that’s a good thing for anyone to live with.”

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Vatican Observatory

Bloomfield Hills | $2,395,000 Old world elegance & charm greet you at the door. The perfect blend of luxury & quality on a private cul-de-sac with magnificent grounds. 1.5 acres of tiered boulders, wooded and park-like areas to relax by. Custom floor plan with dramatic two-story living room with floor to ceiling windows. Enchanting first floor master with private garage access & distinctive cherry den. Warm inviting kitchen with two-way fireplace to family room. All bedroom suites, theatre room and finished walkout lower level with bedroom suite, family room, billiards room and kitchen.

213091475

Farmington Hills | $439,900

Birmingham | $1,390,000

Gorgeous home situated on a scenic wood lot. Flowing floor plan with soaring cathedral ceilings, extensive use of hardwood flooring, custom draperies and designer upgrades throughout. Spacious first floor master with luxurious bath.

Second master suite with fireplace, skylights and optional private entrance on upper level. Bay window in breakfast area overlooks deck gazebo and wooded view. 3 carside entry garage. Outstanding location!214003397

Amazing transformation of architecturally unique home! Premier In-Town location on .27 scenic acres backing to Rouge River! Original exterior charm, with sleek contemporary. Interior renovation by Kim Dent Design with today’s luxury standards. New SS Gaggenau, Subzero, recess. Lighting throughout.

Hardwood floors, marble pewabic tile, 2 fireplaces, 2-story great room with private rear deck, paver drive & patio.

Attached 2 car garage. 214001462

MAX BROOCK REALTORS

|

Birmingham | $384,900 Walk to downtown from this exceptional Birmingham colonial! Next to Howarth Park. Dining room with bar area, dine-in kitchen, expansive great room for entertaining with door wall leading to large deck. Hardwood floors & recessed lights throughout. Spacious master suite, dual closets. Lower level entertainment center. Upgrades.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Bloomfield Hills I $535,000 The Heathers. Ashleigh ranch with finished walk-out lower-level on the water. 2 bedrooms and den. Atrium off living room/dining room. Kitchen with hardwood floors, granite island. Deluxe master suite with water views and updated bath with skylight. Updated hall bath. Walk-out lower-level with large great room, fireplace, 3 bedrooms, updated bath and storage. Light and bright throughout. Membership available in club for golf, dining, pool and tennis!

Farmington Hills I $749,000

Bloomfield Hills I $349,000

A hidden treasure on scenic 2.41 acres. French Country home with 4,794 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3.1 baths of charm and quality! Estate-like driveway leading to the entrance and circles around the front of the home.

Professionally landscaped with lots of beautiful brick paver accents, landscape lighting and oversized patio in the back. Great room with bay window offering picturesque views. Cedar and Trex 3 season room (700 square feet) with Sundance hot tub, remote controlled skylights. 214012525

Outstanding views of nature on a fabulous wooded lot.

Secluded lot yet close to everything! Custom built ranch -Double winged hexagon home with custom features.

214003860

4130 TELEGRAPH ROAD BLOOMFIELD HILLS MICHIGAN 48302 248.644.4700

M ax x Broock Realtors Bloomfield Hills 4130 TELEGRAPH ROAD BLOOMFIELD HILLS

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CRC

CITIZENS RESEARCH COUNCIL: PARSING PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES

T

BY LISA BRODY

oday our governments, whether local, state, or federal, are fractured and often rendered ineffective, with political infighting, special interests, and rabid polarization. Yet, it’s hardly the first era which has endured this lack of collaboration, and it’s unlikely to be the last. Thomas Jefferson wisely said, in dealing with his own political opponents of the time, “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”

Whether the issue is education, taxes, wages, or pot holes, there are always two sides of an issue. And if there are two sides, there are likely to be three, or more, opinions. People agree; they disagree.

But are they armed with the knowledge to make wise decisions for the people they represent? Over the decades, that too has been debated.

What has been constant in Michigan, despite changing political hot potatoes and issues, for the last 98 years, is the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.

The Citizens Research Council of Michigan is a public affairs research organization whose sole objective since it began in 1916 has been to provide legislators, business people and the media with factual, unbiased, and independent information on significant issues concerning state and local government organization and finance. It is a privately-funded, not-for-profit organization which takes absolutely no political stance whatsoever, making it the ultimate resource for Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

“I think they are highly regarded,” said Bill Ballenger, founder and associate editor of Inside Michigan Politics. “They are regarded as one of the pre-eminent government analysts and organizations in the state. They have been for years. As far as I can tell, they have always had a reputation for being fair and balanced. I think they’re excellent. They’re completely non-partisan. It’s almost impossible to make a case against them.”

However, for many who are unaware of the work they have done and continue to perform on a daily basis, they are a secret hiding in plain sight. While they’ve been around for almost a century, there are many working in the public policy realm seeking information who aren’t aware of their free and readily available information, which can be downloaded from their website, www.crcmich.org.

They also have webinars available for free to anyone seeking information on their website. And you don’t have to be a public sector worker to take advantage of their unbiased research and analysis. It’s available to everyone.

“What we’re trying to do is improve public policy with high quality, non-partisan research so that those who need it can make better decisions,” said Jeffrey Guilfoyle, president of Citizens Research Council who was expected to leave his current position

effective March 21. He points out that there are many other organizations that can provide research and information, but often from a biased, partisan point of view. “It’s hard to find information with any spin. For example, take no-fault insurance. There is good information out there. But it’s usually prepared by one side or the other. We try to fill that void (without any slant) because we don’t have any vested interest. We talk about policy trade offs on issues after we research it so that people can make educated decisions based on their own values.”

The mission of Citizen Research Council is to promote the development of informed public policy at all levels of Michigan government through the development of factual and unbiased analysis of the most critical issues pertinent to state and local government. They work to promote the development of superior public policy through work in monitoring trends in state and local finances; analyzing the structure and organization of government; conducting in-depth studies of major public policy issues; identifying options to address policy concerns; and informing and educating public officials and concerned citizens to promote efficiency.

The council notes that while many of the issues they cover and research have political overtones, their analyses are noted for being balanced and unbiased. And they do not lobby any side on any issue. The information is merely there for the taking – or reading.

“The Citizens Research Council attempts to analyze and reflect as many responsible points of view as possible in the conduct and presentation of its research results,” their website says. “Its value derives in large measure from its independent stance on issues of political importance.”

While the American Civil Liberties Union works for civil rights and civil liberties, and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy sees each item through the lens of a free market economy, which is free from the intervention by government interference, the Citizens Research Council has absolutely no agenda but to seek better decisions by policy makers, legislators and local officials, better oversight by everyday citizens, and better accountability in Michigan government, all by providing an independent voice in their analysis.

They note that by adhering to the three principles of accuracy, objectivity and independence over the years, they have been able to develop and maintain a high degree of credibility with both public officials and citizens of the state, allowing it to become a respected voice on state and local governmental organization and finance in Michigan.

“The quality of research they do is outstanding,” affirmed Steve Mitchell of Mitchell Research and Communications.

State Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake, Commerce Township,

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Join the local business leaders, almost 400 of whom use Downtown on a regular basis, in our May issue.

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LOCAL

Walled Lake, West Bloomfield) agreed. “Since information gathering is what we do in order to make the best decisions possible, I go to every source possible,” Kowall said. “I consider them one of the best sources for what I do.”

Kowall said the state legislature has non-partisan researchers available to legislators and their staffers so that they can accumulate information, investigate issues and study them thoroughly before coming to a decision and voting one way or another on a proposal or bill. “I have used them (Citizens Research Council) in the past, and they’ve been very useful. When I’m looking for something, I’ll turn over every rock to find the information that can help me make an informed decision.”

As a non-profit, the Citizens Research Council is a 501(c)(3) organization which is supported by private contributions and donations that are tax deductible. They have six full-time staffers in two Michigan offices, one in Lansing and one in Livonia. There is a 75-member board of trustees chaired

by Eugene A. Gargaro Jr. of the Manoogian Foundation. Significant players on the Michigan civic, philanthropic and business landscape sit on the board of trustees, including Terrence Adderley of Kelley Services; Jeffrey Bergeron of Ernst & Young; Mary Sue Coleman, outgoing president of University of Michigan; Rock Ventures’ Matt Cullen; David Egner of Hudson-Webber Foundation; Nancy Schlichting, CEO of Henry Ford Health Systems; John Rakolta Jr. of Waldbridge; Edward C. Levy of Edw. C Levy Co.; Philip Power of The Center for Michigan; and Paul Hillegonds, of the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority.

A 35-member board of directors, chaired by Bergeron, with Terrence Donnelly of Dickinson Wright PLLC as vice chairman, oversees the operations of the council. They are an active policymaking body for the organization, adopting policies, selecting the president over the years, including Guilfoyle, establishing the research agenda, approving the budget and exercising general oversight over the entire organization to insure it follows its mission and remains true to its nonpartisan doctrine.

Guilfoyle said that their research and information is open and available to anyone who is interested in accessing it, but is primarily used by people who are interested in public policy. In its 98-year history, the Citizens Research Council has researched virtually every aspect of state and local government, including all of the state wide ballot proposals. They investigate and provide the public with information on state and local tax policy issues, state and local government relationships, education governance, governmental structure and organization, the state budget process as well as what issues are affected each year by the budget process. ther issues the group continues to examine are the highway administration and finances, and how it impacts management decisions. Public education is another subject which receives thorough examination, as it is perennially important to both those in government, and those being governed. “We do a lot of research on K-12 education,” Guilfoyle said. “We explain the current topics and pending legislation.”

Higher education is also looked at.

Depending upon the government’s agenda, the Citizens Research Council investigates local governmental consolidation and cooperation, public health, Medicaid, health care finances, mental health and other care health care issues. Corrections issues also take precedence at various points.

All of the council’s research is centered on and focused upon Michigan, and Michigan only. “We rarely deal with any federal issues,” Guilfoyle said.

“We really deal with state and local issues.”

Public policy is their entire focus. “We are not doing any academic research,” he emphasized. “Our research and studies are designed to be used by and for someone who needs to react and respond to the issues. Our goal is to provide information that helps you make a decision, and that covers a broad gamut.”

For example, just in early 2014, they have researched and produced reports or provided news organizations with information on Detroit’s bankruptcy situation, with Eric Lupher, director of local affairs telling the Detroit News in February that some other communities in a similar situation would support legislation putting the onus for collecting taxes on employers outside their borders, in opposition to the Emergency Manager’s assessment that an ordinance couldn’t be passed to collect taxes on employers outside their borders.

“We have 22 cities in Michigan that levy an income tax,” Lupher told the News. “Almost universally, they would all like to be able to collect those

O

taxes, but they can’t do it locally. They need the legislature to come in and say, ‘If you’re employing people from Detroit or Hamtramck or Lansing, you need to withhold these taxes and remit them to those cities.’ ” In March, MLive broke down a 2013 study they did on no-fault auto insurance, which found that Michigan’s no-fault law accounted for medical claims in Michigan that cost insurers 57 percent more than claims in other states with similar crashes. Citizens Research Council also found that auto insurance premiums in Michigan are 17 percent higher than the average in other states. ducation is a topic that is both frequently researched by the council, and regularly requested and accessed by policy makers and those who cover the news. While school district consolidation is being sought by the governor, and state officials have dissolved two school districts in the last year for insolvency, a balanced study done by the council actually indicated that the tactic of district dissolution should be used sparingly.

“The dissolution of any unit of local government is a serious matter as it marks the finality of a community institution that many residents deem important and have come to rely on for needed services. This is especially true when the dissolution is involuntary and not the direct result of local decisions.. Dissolving a school district is no exception given the emotional and sentimental attachment that many residents have to their neighborhood school and in light of Michigan’s strong traditions of local control of public K12 education. The state’s primary mechanism for dealing with local government fiscal emergencies is Public Act 436 of 2012 (Local Financial Stability and Choice Act)....policymakers enacted a new law to allow the state to deal with financially troubled traditional local school districts in a much more expeditious way. Through this mechanism, state officials bypass the deliberative processes outlined in Public Act 436 and, after determining that a school district is no longer financially viable, close all of the district’s schools and assign its students to other districts. This ends the district’s role as a K-12 education provider, although the district continues to exist but only to levy previously authorized taxes,” the council wrote in December 2013.

They have also researched and issued papers on outsourcing of school employees, of whether to open up districts to outside students, and property tax limitations and their impact upon school districts.

“The Citizens Research Council strives, without regard to political party or agenda, to frame educational issues in a balanced and thought-provoking context. You can always count on their findings to be solid and trustworthy,” said Mike Flanagan, Michigan Schools’ Superintendent.

Guilfoyle said the council researches and writes about every ballot proposal prior to elections in order to inform the electorate, “although it doesn’t have to be on the ballot – we write about a lot of other things, as well.”

In the last 10 years, the have provided research and information on human embryonic stem cell research; same sex marriage; medical marijuana; personal property; health care; Medicare and Medicaid; pensions; gambling; mass transit; fracking; and this year, wolf hunting, the minimum wage, and dozens of other relevant topics.

Each year, they decide which issues they are going to research based upon scrutiny by the staff and the board of directors, making sure it always meets their mandate and criteria. Certain projects are done on a continuing basis, such as updating the outline of the Michigan tax system; monitoring the state of Michigan’s budget; as well as analyzing all statewide ballot issues. Then they take outside requests, which can come from associations, government agencies, elected officials, foundations, and business and labor.

And if a staffer is particularly interested in an appropriate issue, that may be put on the agenda, also.

“Local governments come to us to understand the issues they are being confronted with,” he said. “We give lots of talks to local groups all of the time. We have worked on municipal mergers, like the Saugatuck/Douglas one (in western Michigan), and found things in the law that we were able to point out on both sides,” Guilfoyle said. At a vote, in November 2013, the proposed merger was voted down.

A statement made by Lent Upson, the first executive director of the council almost a century ago, is prominent on every page of their website. It states, “The right to criticize the government is also an obligation to know what you are talking about.” It’s an adage that Guilfoyle, his staff and board continue to hew to daily.

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415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

FACES

Kelly Dobkin

C

hicken soup with matzoh balls and potato pancakes are the traditional comfort foods that New York food writer Kelly Dobkin thinks of that remind her of home in Bloomfield Hills, but she has now developed other tastes.

“The Jewish food I grew up eating is my comfort food, but I like it all,” she said. “I find oysters to be comfort food.”

Dobkin, who studied political science at the University of Michigan after graduating from Andover High School, said she had never really considered a career in writing. She hadn’t studied journalism. And by no means was she a culinary expert. So how did she end up writing and editing articles for Zagat in New York City?

“I love to eat,” she said. “When I first moved to New York City, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I wrote in the entertainment field for a couple of years. Then I started writing a blog, and it turned into a food blog. I was going out to restaurants anyway, so I thought, ‘maybe I could do this as a career.’”

Dobkin was right. Soon after starting her personal blog, she began freelancing food articles for various websites and publications. She later became an associate editor at Eater NY, and in 2011 landed at Zagat, where she has covered New York City and national dining beats. Her work has appeared in Eater NY, Eater National, Business Insider, Reader’s Digest, The Today Show, NY1, Huffington Post, BonAppetit.com, Time Out NY, CBS and Metromix. She has also interviewed numerous celebrity chefs, including Martha Stewart, Jacques Pepin, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentis, Grant Achatz and others.

To better understand her subject, Dobkin attended the French Culinary Institute in New York. She even considered a career in the culinary field, but decided writing was a better fit for her. But that doesn’t mean her chops don’t extend into the kitchen. Last year, Google, which owns Zagat, hosted a cooking competition among its employees with celebrity chefs and food critics as the judges.

“It was awesome,” Dobkin said, who made tuna tartare as her special dish. “Eric Ripert said I had nice skills, so that kind of made my whole year.”

Eating at some of the finest restaurants in the nation and New York hasn’t spoiled Dobkin’s tastes for some of Detroit’s unique dishes.

“I don’t come back as much as I would like. I noticed a lot of trends from bigger cities. A lot catches on in Birmingham, and a lot of edgier places are opening in Ferndale and Detroit that are similar to New York, LA or San Francisco,” she said. “Detroit does have a great food scene. The thing I miss so much is the great Middle Eastern food. You can find it in New York, but it just isn’t the same. I recently went to Phoenicia for the first time. I was really impressed.”

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Gabi Porter

MARKET OFFERINGS APRIL 2014

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Wood Lake Frontage $2,599,000 A private retreat in the city of Bloomfield Hills! This custom built estate features dramatic stone entrance with a hill top setting and panoramic views of the lake. Featured in design magazines for superior quality and unique design. Fabulous! Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 213040393

Birmingham $1,290,000 Quarton Lake Estates, first floor master suite with his/her baths and French doors leading to flagstone patios and lovely gardens. Open floor plan with hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen. Three bedrooms on upper level with sitting area and computer room. Bright study with bay window, plantation shutters and fireplace. Fabulous lower level for entertaining with game room and theater. Three car garage and generator. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 213115173

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Iron Lake Frontage $799,000 Picture perfect log home with 240 feet of Iron Lake frontage. Great room features soaring ceiling, stone fireplace and expansive arched windows overlooking the lake.

Cozy first floor master has a stone fireplace, jacuzzi, glass shower and sitting room. Kitchen has Hickory cabinets, Corian counters, dining area and sitting room. Finished walkout lower level with kitchen, game room, family room, double sided fireplace. Spruce logs with metal roof, copper gutters and bluestone porch.

Three bedrooms with three baths. 213102362

West Bloomfield $295,000 Fabulous detached Ranch condo with Fieldstone accented elevation, spacious, open floor plan and vaulted ceilings. This condo is neutrally decorated and ready for your finishing touches. Study could be third entry level bedroom. Master suite with vaulted ceiling and bath with jetted tub and separate shower. The completely finished lower level is ideal for entertaining and boasts a bedroom suite with mirrored cedar closet and full bath. Tucked well within this beautiful community.

Three bedrooms with three baths. 214019910

Mike Cotter

Paula Law

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Bloomfield Price Upon Request This modern masterpiece, the epitome of sophistication and style exhibits an unparalleled level of architectural detail and design. The impressive two story window views overlook the majestic 4.5 acre property. Cutting edge design incorporates mixed use of materials such as warm woods, steel, glass, and stained concrete creating a symphony of warmth and interest. The ultimate in luxury, this exquisite entertainers delight includes everything imaginable; master spa retreat, pool, cabana, cellar, theater, yoga room and billiard room. Four bedrooms with 6.3 baths. 213103383

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Bloomfield Hills $2,990,000 Exquisite Bloomfield Estate built by artisans from around the world. This estate home is situated on over 1.2 acres with a walkout setting. Stunning manicured grounds.

The first floor has second kitchen, dining and family rooms, billiards room, sauna, steam shower, full service bar, elevator, gym. Five fireplaces. Six car garage.

A Very Special Home! Five bedrooms with 6.1 baths. 213092552

Bloomfield $2,295,000 Stately Colonial on large cul-de-sac lot redone to perfection by Dan Clancy in 2012. Wonderful family home with flowing floor plan boasts 9,000 square feet of living space. Built with the highest quality materials. Six bedroom suites and master suite retreat with sitting room amazing estate-sized corner yard with extensive landscaping and hardscaping including fabulous salt water pool and large play area. Finished lower level with second full gourmet kitchen, 1.1 bath, recreation room and private entrance. Three plus car garage. Six bedrooms with 7.2 baths. 214017392

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Lake Angelus Frontage $2,975,000 Fabulous Lake Angelus Estate on 8+ acres. Custom built with over 10,000 square feet of living space. Spectacular views of pristine Lake Angelus from every room. Eleven foot ceilings, hardwood floors, custom cabinetry and custom granite throughout. Mature trees, orchard and gardens. One of four vintage boathouses with full plumbing and electrical (1 bedroom apartment) a truly unique property reminiscent of the older estates on the East Coast. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 214008650

Deer Lake Frontage $1,899,900 Fabulous Secluded Deer Lake Estate! Walk to downtown Clarkston. Unbelievable views and sunsets from deck or your in-ground infinity pool. Separate guest quarters, two kitchens, granite/marble, hardwood. White sand frontage, crystal clear lake swimming. Seven fireplaces, every possible amenity with 8,700 square feet. An entertainers dream, waterfall, Theatre room. Beautiful landscaping, architectural master piece, pavers, heated driveway. All on prestigious Deer Lake.

Four bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 214017209

Lake Angelus Frontage $1,899,900 Fabulous views from every room from this Beautiful Hidden Gem on the South Shore. One plus acres with 100'+ lake frontage with almost 7,000 square feet of living space. This newer construction has a five car heated garage, finished walkout with 13' ceilings. Full deck and patio across the lakeside of home. Sandy frontage with permanent dock to park all of your toys. Cedar and Stone with custom cedar roof. Paved Road. Six bedrooms with 5.2 baths. 214007649

Lee Embrey

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Birmingham $2,149,000 Custom built by Trowbridge nothing about this home is less than grand, sits hilltop in the "San Francisco" area of Birmingham. Just steps away from downtown, open floor plan with 2 way fireplace between family room and library, gourmet kitchen, grand master suite, separate in-laws suite, completely finished lower level with full bath, bar and theater. Five bedrooms with 6.2 baths. 213102038

Birmingham $1,189,000

Bloomfield Hills $829,000

Incredible opportunity to own 2012 Detroit Home Design Award winner, breathtaking contemporary home. Only the finest materials were used including Arriscraft stone veneer, commercial brick, Kawneer commercial windows and doors, two story living room with floating fireplace, custom staircase supported by glass wall and custom railing, radiant heat flooring, state of the art kitchen with Downsview cabinetry and Miele appliances. Three bedrooms 3.1 baths.

214007351 Co-listor Mia Bardy

Beautifully appointed 4,000 square feet Contemporary Ranch Home. This home is surrounded by a mature trees and situated on almost 2 acres of property in one of the most desirable areas in Bloomfield Hills, with Birmingham Schools.

Surrounded by custom-built multi-million dollar estates, with an open floor plan, high ceilings and updated with dark stained hardwood flooring throughout.

Professionally landscaped gardens, custom in-ground pool and fenced in yard.

For the car buff, this home has a 4 car attached garage. Come out and see this beauty before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too late! Five bedrooms with four baths. 214021164

Dan Gutfreund

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Bloomfield Hills $3,200,000 History, grace, grandeur and beauty! A feeling of solidity, strength and impeccable English country style surrounds you throughout every step of this home. Unsurpassed workmanship, detail and quality are everywhere, awaiting your discovery. A few of the many updates include new wiring, heating, electrical and a spare no expense kitchen done to breathtaking detail by The Kennebec Company and will surpass every expectation. Generously sized rooms, sun light, storage, irreplaceable finishes, two swimming pools and a world class spa retreat. An Estate for the most discerning! Eight bedrooms with 6.4 baths. 214015758

Mike Sbrocca

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Birmingham $1,290,000 One of a kind Contemporary European style home on a park like setting close to downtown Birmingham and Rouge River trails! Spectacular open floor plan, two story great room with stone fireplace, light oak floor and big windows. Large dining room, premium gourmet custom kitchen with top of the line appliances. Beautiful master suite with skylights, luxurious bath, sauna and terrace. State of the art patio with built in GE grill. Brick and stone castle on double lot. Just gorgeous! Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213069864 Presented by Silvia Stan

Bloomfield $749,500 Custom-built in 2000, this elegant Bloomfield colonial set on a beautiful, spacious lot awaits new owners. Open floor plan begins right from foyer and flows through dining room with china cabinet, Great room with custom wood pillars and stone fireplace, then breakfast room leading right into the kitchen with large island and plenty of countertop and cabinet space. Large windows open the view of beautiful private backyard with extensive rear deck and hot tub. First floor master suite with its own fireplace, sun room and sauna! Huge master bath features jet tub, shower and is adjacent to oversized walk-in closet. Large formal library with French doors and built-ins.

Central vacuum system. 3-car attached garage. Huge basement ready for finish. Bloomfield Hills schools. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 214019402 Presented by Maureen Francis and Dmitry Koublitsky

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Birmingham $619,000 Rare opportunity to purchase this charming and meticulously maintained home nestled in Birmingham Estates. Open and spacious kitchen with breakfast area, large formal dining room, hardwood floors and antique, mahogany stained glass doors connect the living room and family room for large gatherings. Updates include central air, hand-made ceramic kitchen floor tile, bathrooms and many new windows. The archways and cozy spaces speak to the era of the home. The three seasons porch and swing are the perfect spot to relax and enjoy. Deck, pergola, professional landscape and paver walkways enhance this large parcel. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths.

214021087 Presented by Tammy Hernandez

Hummer Lake Frontage $689,000

Oakland Township $659,000

Enjoy your own private fishing and golf on this 42 acre retreat. Brick two level Ranch with 5,500 square feet of living space including a private guest wing.

Twelve acre private lake (great fishing), two par three golf holes. Two master suites and two great rooms with full wall fireplaces. Walkout lower level, terraced gardens and 30' x 50' Pole Barn. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths.

213076843 Presented by Beverly McCotter

This beautifully appointed custom built home is in pristine condition. The kitchen features cherry wood cabinets with walnut stain, granite counter tops, a Sub Zero refrigerator and a Wolf free standing gas range. The upper level has three bedrooms and large loft area, one Jack and Jill bath, and one Princess suite bath. Lower level is finished with day light windows, a wet bar, family room, bedroom, full bath and hobby room. Triple zone heating and cooling system which utilizes three furnaces. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 214014920 Presented by Lisa and Tony Scaccia

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West Bloomfield $549,000 Drive down the circular private driveway into this sought after area. Walk in the front doors to the open updated floor plan with new ceramic tile and hardwood floors.

First floor master with new carpet, updated bathroom and a private balcony! The living room leads into the beautiful dining with custom moldings and vintage chandelier. Kitchen has new granite, stainless appliances, back splash opens to family room. New hardwood staircase with custom runner leads to new carpet upstairs.

Jack-n-Jill bathroom nestled between two large bedrooms upstairs and just down the hall is the guest and playroom with full bath. New high efficient heating and cooling, water tank, and environment friendly fully sealed interior. New door walls and windows in basement, new landscaping with professional re-grading. Restored deck in the back looking over mature trees. Bloomfield Hills schools. Five bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 214012301 Presented by Lisa LaBelle

Oakland Township $499,000

Birmingham $324,900

Beautiful Knorrwood Ridge home in Oakland Township. This home boasts large foyer leading to a two story great room with a wall of windows. Foyer, study, hall, first floor powder room, kitchen, eating area all newly refinished hardwoods. Great room new carpet. Fireplace in both great room and kitchen eating area. Butler pantry to formal dining room. First floor laundry. Master bedroom suite with fireplace and large walk in closet. Three car garage. Great home in a wonderful location. Rochester schools. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths.

214018616 Presented by Donna Barlow

Don't miss this brick Colonial in an active family neighborhood. First floor features large sun filled living room with natural fireplace, dining room opens to a large deck with fenced backyard. Cozy kitchen and two nice sized bedrooms.

Second floor features huge master bedroom with built-in closets, renovated bath and fourth bedroom. Finished lower level and bonus sun room off garage.

Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 214021334 Presented by Jenny Turner.

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FACES Elizabeth Guz

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lizabeth Guz’s middle child, Michael, would have been 22 years old in March.

“He had been anxious and depressed for a long time,” Guz said. “I knew something was wrong, and it became worse as an adolescent. He had been to a therapist and psychologist, and it was very frustrating. He started self-medicating, and ended up overdosing.”

Michael was only 17, just finishing his junior year at Groves High School, when years of struggle with bipolar disorder came to an end in 2009. Later that year, the Guz family formed the Michael Guz Memorial Fund at the University of Michigan Depression Center, as well as Ella Designs Jewelry. The jewelry business works with her son’s fund, donating half of the profits and all donations to the fund to the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund.

“I felt I had a choice,” Guz said about moving forward and transforming her grief into something more positive. “I talked with others who lost children. I realized I can’t change the past, but I can change the future and how I handle this. I wanted to make a decision for my kids to overcome this, and to take a more proactive approach.

“I started looking into charities, and found Prechter, and it was perfect for us. My mother in-law suffered from mental illness, so there is a genetic link in the family. I wanted to prevent it from happening to my other children, and grandchildren.”

The goal of the fund is to find genetic solutions for individuals with bipolar disorder and help them live better lives. Bipolar disorder is a medical condition caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and marked by significant changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior.

The Michael Guz Memorial Fund has generated about $70,000 in gifts to support bipolar research. Last year, Guz donated $25,000 to the fund, which was generated from the jewelry business she and her daughter started.

“I look for things that I like, and then I usually try to find pendants or something and put my own twist on it,” Guz said of the jewelry designs. “There are different chains on things, and beautiful magnetic clasps that can be attached. It’s very versatile, like modular jewelry” The pieces, which will soon be available online at www.elladesignsjewelry.com, run between $35 and $295. Guz sells the pieces at various shows throughout the year, and they are available by contacting Guz directly through information at the website.

“I wanted it to be affordable and fun,” she said. “Something people can add onto. I want them to be able to buy lots of different pieces.”

Guz’s work now allows her to honor her son and help others who may be suffering from bipolar disorder themselves or who have loved ones looking for help.

“It’s amazing to me when selling at a show, everyone has a story,” she said. “People are starting to talk more about it. With more commercials and medications available, people are talking about it more. There’s still a stigma, but people are realizing it’s a legitimate illness, and I do have hope that there will be more attention given to it.

“The fund is doing amazing things and more groundbreaking research to make treatment more tailored for the individual by testing stem cells and finding what medications will work best.

Eventually, I think it will save lives.”

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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Teach Connect Help

No charge. Registration required. www.tchserves.org or 248.644.5832 The Community House, 380 South Bates, Birmingham, MI 48009

CITY/ TOWNSHIP Downtown parking study panel okayed In an effort to determine the longterm parking demands and needs in the central business district of Birmingham, the Birmingham City Commission unanimously approved a resolution at their meeting on Monday, March 10, to form an Ad Hoc Parking Study Committee populated with members of other city committees.

The Birmingham Advisory Parking Committee had recommended the formation of this subcommittee, in an effort to determine how best to meet the increasing needs for both permit and visitor parking in downtown Birmingham. City engineer Paul Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara told commissioners that at this point in time, the city is potentially looking at adding two floors to the Pierce Street deck and looking at reusing the Bates surface lot, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so it raises the question of how much parking do we need in the central business district.â&#x20AC;?

The ad hoc committee will assess whether there is a true demand to build additional floors onto the Pierce Street structure, at Pierce and Merrill streets, as Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara has recommended, for a cost of $9 million. He recently reported to the advisory parking committee that a current study only yielded a small amount of responses relative to the number of permit holders in the downtown area. It has also been recognized that a number of businesses put themselves on the waiting list for parking permits at more than one parking structure, and do not necessarily remove themselves if they receive a permit for an employee.

Commissioner Tom McDaniel said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have a feeling there are a lot of false positives in the monthly permit list. Is there some way to clean it up so we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get duplication?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care how many are on a waiting list,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara responded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to go into the parking decks and count how many people are parking in a lot on a weekday afternoon,â&#x20AC;? stating that would give them an accurate accounting of how many people are working and visiting Birmingham.

Commissioner Gordon Rinschler said he like that methodology because â&#x20AC;&#x153;it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be based on speculation.â&#x20AC;?

Birmingham Palladium building sold

By Lisa Brody

The Palladium building in downtown Birmingham has been sold to Bloomfield Hillsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A.F. Jonna Development and Management Co., numerous sources confirmed to Downtown Publications.

The 140,000 square foot mixed use retail and entertainment development has been owned by Related Real Estate in New York City. It features a 12-screen cinema complex with seating for 2,200, which is operated by Uptown Entertainment, part of Ilitch Holdings.

Currently, the Palladium 12 movie theaters are the only operational business in the building, which was built and opened in 2001, and once housed Buca di Beppo, a Brazilian steakhouse, Tower Records, City Cellar and Blue Martini, and later Chen Chow Brasserie, Barrio and Hamilton Room, and Arhaus furniture.

Jonna Development plans to convert the building to first floor retail along with two floors of office space, according to sources.

Underground parking will be added to the building. There is very deep lower level space that had been part of Buca di Beppo and Tower Records which can be excavated for parking, although it is estimated to be a costly undertaking.

The new owner plans to completely reface the building, adding windows and alternate design elements, sources said.

Those with knowledge of the deal said Jonna Development paid between $12 and $13 million for the building, and will be putting in at least twice that much in reconstruction costs.

Several calls to Arkan Jonna were not returned.

While some discussed adding the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Triangle District into the study, Rinschler said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough of a vision of the Triangle District, and what it will be, to know what to look at.â&#x20AC;?

Commissioner Rackeline Hoff disagreed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do see a relationship between downtown and the Triangle District. People will park in the Triangle District and walk across Woodward,â&#x20AC;? she said.

An influx of high-tech companies into Birmingham in recent years has increased the demand for monthly parking permits at the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parking structures, causing demand to exceed supply in all five of the cityowned parking garages, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara has told both the Principal Shopping District board, parking committee and city commission during its longrange planning session.

Birmingham has five parking garages at pivotal points in the downtown area to accommodate shoppers, diners and retail/office workers. They are the Pierce Street structure; Park Street structure; Old Woodward structure; Peabody Street structure; and the Chester Street parking structure. The Auto Parking

System constructed the five current structures from 1966 to 1989.

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara reported that once the Chester Street garage opened in 1989, there was a period of little growth in the downtown area, and for many years it appeared as though the newest facility would be chronically underutilized.

At the same time, demand remained consistently strong at the Pierce Street structure and to a lesser extent, he said, in the Peabody Street structure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the passage of the Downtown 2016 Master Plan, and its new liberal zoning rules that would encourage more building, the Advisory Parking Committee became concerned that the system was not going to be able to handle the increase in demand,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meara wrote in a memo. It led the committee to several actions, including an effort to increase the supply of parking spaces on the street wherever possible; a study of the Pierce Street structure to see if it could be expanded by two levels; and a system-wide parking study which was conducted and finalized in 2000.

It determined that the city should increase its parking capacity first in

the southeast corner in response to demand and in anticipation of future use of several underdeveloped properties.

However, since the growth in demand was not imminent at that time, the city took no action. Since, several buildings have been built along with the construction of a lot of residential living space. With the decline of the economy in 2007, the parking system was able to continue to meet the needs of most businesses. There were plans to build an underground parking facility below Shain Park when it was redeveloped, but costs proved higher than expected and that plan was shelved.

Fast forward to 2013 and there has been an explosion of development and new businesses in downtown Birmingham. One key change is that while a previous business may have had four or five employees, newer tech companies coming to Birmingham are filling desks with numerous people on computers, increasing the number of employees requiring parking permits at the parking structures. The former Jacobsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store on Maple is now McCann-Erickson USA advertising agency, with several hundred employees parking in the Chester Street lot.

Commissioners unanimously voted to create a limited time ad hoc parking study committee which will look at the long-term demands for parking throughout the central business district, as well as establishing targeted needs for the Triangle District. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Think outside the box. We need more than just stacking more parking on a deck,â&#x20AC;? said commissioner Mark Nickita in voting yes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We could enhance street parking or develop shuttle parking.â&#x20AC;?

Township corner to be redeveloped

By Lisa Brody

Bloomfield Township officials have been working behind the scenes to redevelop the northwest corner of Maple and Telegraph roads into a premier development involving multiple properties that are either now changing ownership or are in the early stages of individual development.

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According to township supervisor Leo Savoie, Hoganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant is scheduled to become a Walgreens, the Goldsmith Gallery is seeking to redevelop its property as a retail center, Beau Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant has been sold to new owners, the Mobil station was purchased by the BP station across Telegraph and the Ballyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property owners are looking to sell and redevelop.

Agree Realty, representing Walgreens, has submitted an application to the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planning department to redevelop the property as a 10,000 square foot property with a mezzanine for offices and storage, Bloomfield Township Planning Director Patti Voelker said.

She said they also have shown an interest in having a drive thru for their pharmacy. However, they would need variances to achieve their goals.

Voelker also said that Goldsmith Gallery has been in discussions to knock down the building in which it is currently located and seeks to build a retail building to accommodate a reduced footprint for

their jewelry store with plans to tear down the existing building and put up a U-shape retail center in its place. Needing four variances, Savoie told Nick Tufenkjian, the propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner, and Lou DesRosiers of DesRosiers Architects, that he was not supportive of new construction that does not comply with zoning ordinances and requires several variances, and encouraged Tufenkjian to meet with adjacent property owners to discuss development opportunities.

Tufenkjian and the design review board agreed to a 60-day postponement of his proposal to allow him to meet with other property owners and consider other development opportunities.

Savoie said that Gary Cochran, owner of Beau Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant, a township fixture since 1976, has decided to sell his restaurant, to Jim Bellinson and chef Zack Sklar, of Peas & Carrots Hospitality Group, owners of Social Kitchen and Bar in Birmingham and MEX in Bloomfield Township. Beau Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last day of operation will be Monday, March 31.

Peas & Carrots will begin construction on their new restaurant on Tuesday, April 1, with a planned opening in the summer of 2014.

Sklar announced that they intend to call their new restaurant Beauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

The menu concept will express his exploration of American cuisine, he said, and feature rotisserie prime rib, bbq chicken, and cedar plank salmon, along with sides such as quinoa fried rice, johnny cakes, and fried green tomatoes.

Beauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will remain a casual restaurant, with Ron Rea of Ron & Roman in Birmingham working with Sklar to remodel the interior with â&#x20AC;&#x153;the atmosphere of a high-end hotel featuring large tufted leather sofas and coffered ceiling treatments,â&#x20AC;?

Sklar reported. He said the exterior will be a classic tudor, with a classic, luxurious interior.

The owner of the former Ballyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site, Savoie said, is now ready to sell the property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been meeting with the owner and interested parties for over a year. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely a tear down, with retail the logical choice, though it could be something else.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone needs a variance to do what they want to do and I am on the record as saying I will not support any variances. I want everyone to get together and work together,â&#x20AC;? Savoie said. He stated the township has begun to create an overlay business district for the area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had three meetings with all of the owners and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting somewhere,â&#x20AC;? Savoie continued. They have brought in an urban planner to come up with a conceptual plan for the area and are now working to create a development agreement with the property owners so there is joint access and site circulation between each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s properties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope to have something in the next 180 days.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of enthusiasm and coordination between all of the owners and hopefully weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be coming before the board of trustees in the near future,â&#x20AC;? Voelker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s such a dynamic corner.â&#x20AC;?

Savoie agreed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has the opportunity to be a premier corner in southeastern Michigan, certainly in the township.â&#x20AC;?

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Zoning changes are underway in the township to create an overlay district.

Birmingham to get West Elm retailer

By Lisa Brody

West Elm, the upscale national retailer that offers modern furniture, home décor and home accessories, better known to Birmingham and Bloomfield shoppers through its catalogues, is coming to Birmingham on Maple Road, filling the long-vacant space that once housed record store Harmony House and the menswear store Structure, and more recently womenswear store Lexi Drew.

The Birmingham store, portions of which have been vacant for more than a dozen years, will fill 10,000 square feet at a prime location on Maple Road near Linda Dresner, Tender and Optik. It will be the first West Elm store in Michigan.

Corporate representatives of West

Elm, out of Brooklyn, did not return calls regarding this new store. West Elm was founded in 2002, with about 60 stores across the United States, Canada and Australia. It is a whollyowned subsidiary of Williams Sonoma, which also owns Pottery Barn, PB Kids and Mark and Graham.

Demolition work has been underway at the Maple Road site for several weeks. The initial work permit from the city of Birmingham was not in the name of either West Elm or the owners of the building.

Bailey Schmidt of Birmingham purchased the former Kresge building on Maple Road in 2012 with plans to redevelop the site as a fivestory multi-use building, either as retail, office and residential or as a hotel. When that did not prove financially feasible, Bailey Schmidt sought to lease out the vacant site while maintaining the Roots store at the corner of Maple and Henrietta, where it has been since 1997. There are only four Roots stores in the United States, with Birmingham one

of the four. The others are Aspen, CO; Park City, UT; and Los Angeles.

With this vacancy filled, the retail portion of downtown Birmingham will be 98.5 percent filled, according to John Heiney, executive director of the Principal Shopping District. The office occupancy rate is currently at 91 percent.

Library contract renewal on ballot

By Lisa Brody

Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens presented a memo to city commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, March 11, regarding placing a proposal on the August primary ballot to renew the millage contract with Birmingham’s Baldwin Public Library for library services.

Cravens said the new millage proposals would be for the same rate, .30 mills, but it would increase the terms of the renewal to six years from three years.

“The general feeling is that

everyone has seen value in the contract with Baldwin,” he said.

Bloomfield Hills City Attorney Bill Hampton was given the go ahead at the meeting to begin crafting ballot language, with the plan to present it to commissioners at their April meeting. If approved then, it will be placed on the August primary for voters to approve.

“If it fails, it will go on the November ballot for fewer years, but the hope is we won’t have to go that way,” Cravens said.

In November 2011, Bloomfield Hills residents approved a dedicated .39 library millage for a three-year contract for full library services for residents. Since, the arrangement has proved very popular with both residents and the library, officials have said. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 3,869 residents in Bloomfield Hills. As of the end of February 2014, 1,022 residents have registered at Baldwin Library, and as of the end of the 2012-2013 fiscal year, they checked out 20,376 items.

At the time of the initial contract,

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Bloomfield Township | $1,990,000 | This beautiful 7000+ square foot home is situated high on a hill overlooking Island Lake. With large windows and a wrap around deck, the lake and private dock can be seen from every room. Designed with a modern contemporary style. Relax and entertain in this exquisite home. Many recent updates ensure maintenance free living for many years to come.

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Bloomfield Township | $1,790,000 | Stunningly updated rambling, open, light-filled floor plan on private cul-de-sac overlooking 2nd fairway of Forest Lake Country Club. Features include rich detailed custom moldings, coffered ceilings, judges paneling, volume ceilings, gourmet kitchen, marble foyer, gorgeous fireplaces, & magnificent paver patio with pool overlooking panoramic view of the golf course. Must see to appreciate this quality home.Presented by: Rebecca Meisner T: 248-639-4814 | rmeiser@cbwm.com

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Lorraine Yalman came to Bloomfield Village nearly 10 years ago and has taken the entire Birmingham/Bloomfield area by storm.

Originally a California native, she worked her way to the top of her field as a marketing and advertising professional and spent nearly 20 years in that profession. Her expertise was in media, working for Top 10 international advertising agencies. Over the years, she strategized and negotiated billions of dollars in media.

She brought this expertise to the world of real estate and quickly became one of CBWM’s top agents, an honor that she covets.

Lorraine set out to change world of buying and selling homes for the better. Her ongoing goal is to exceed her clients’ expectations. She takes great pride in her stellar client satisfaction record and the successful results she consistently brings.

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She has earned the prestigious recognition of becoming a part of Coldwell Banker’s International Diamond Society, has the distinction of being one of our elite agents and was indoctrinated into our Circle of Excellence. She is also one of Hour Detroit Magazine’s Real Estate All Stars.

Lorraine Yalman 248-686-1334 | lyalman@cbwm.com www.cbwm.com/lyalman

Bloomfield | $499,000 Enjoy the feeling of country living and be five minutes from downtown. 2.11 luscious acres.

Presented by: Deidre “Didi” Etue T: 248-639-4818 | detue@cbwm.com

Troy | $649,327 Absolutely stunning and sophisticated East Oak River Colonial. Updates top to bottom!

Presented by: Megan Clark T: 248-372-9082 | mclark@cbwm.com

Birmingham | $515,000 Warm, relaxing, comfortable home rests in a treed setting & is close to downtown.

Presented by: Bob Taylor & Jennifer Doctor T: 248-639-7948 | rtaylor@cbwm.com

Oakland Township | $549,999 Quiet cul-de-sac locale & beautiful yard are just 2 of the many features of this lovely home.

Presented by: Marjorie Duncan T: 248-565-3563 | mduncan@cbwm.com

Salem Township | $2,500,000 The most incredible equestrian compound in S.E. Michigan, situated on 49.07 acres.

Presented by: Jim Wolfe T: 248-639-7947 | jwolfe@cbwm.com

Salem Township | $1,000,000 Stunning custom home on 2.82 wooded acres on private cul-de-sac! Travertine floors.

Presented by: John Goodman T: 248-639-4816 | jgoodman@cbwm.com

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Birmingham | $945,000 Charming 1930’s Connecticut colonial situated on a beautifully landscaped .5 acre lot in one of Birmingham’s finest areas.

Presented by: Robert Dundon T: 248-733-5901 | rdundon@cbwm.com

West Bloomfield | $659,900 Newer custom home on canal to private All Sports Upper Long Lake!

4,457 total sq. ft. Soaring two--story foyer and great room with fireplace.

Presented by: John Darvis T: 248-639-7965 | jdarvis@cbwm.com

Bloomfield Hills | $579,999 Beautiful 1.7 acre property featuring pond and incredible views. Updated kitchen.

Presented by: Mark Marangon T: 248-639-4839 | mmarangon@cbwm.com

Waterford | $597,200 Elegant, sophisticated, contemporary with soaring ceilings and sunset views of Loon Lake.

Presented by: Cindy Hannah T: 248-639-7980 | channah@cbwm.com

Rochester Hills | $1,250,000 Breathtaking! Endless amenities, every element is well thought out and meticulously designed.

Presented by: Jeffery Alasina T: 248-639-4833 | jalasina@cbwm.com

Bloomfield Township | 399,900 Charming & on private .61 acre lot deep in Foxcroft. Living room/dining room with fireplace.

Presented by: Robert Dundon T: 248-733-5901 | rdundon@cbwm.com

Royal Oak | $139,000 Great location, truly walk to town. Townhouse style 1/2 duplex with updated kitchen and bath.

Presented by: Wendi Miller T: 248-639-7946 | wmiller@cbwm.com

Rochestser | $489,000 Motivated Seller!! Don’t miss this beautifully landscaped spacious home with upgrades galore.

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Birmingham | $1,625,000 Luxurious in-town Birmingham Condominium home. Quality built by Kojaian homes, this home has 2 bedrooms on 2nd floor.

Presented by: Gwen Schultz T: 248-731-5144 | gschultz@cbwm.com

Bloomfield Township | $998,000 Showcase in and out! Ideally located with stunning views of the ravine.

Extraordinary 5 bedroom home Generous living spaces. Amazing kitchen.

Presented by: Barbara Spencer T: 248-731-5147 | bspencer@cbwm.com

West Bloomfield | $550,000 Gorgeous and birds watcher’s favorite, with amazing view of beautiful, private Green Lake.

Presented by: Sufian Hannon T: 248-731-5149 | shannon@cbwm.com

Bloomfield Village | $679,900 Elegant custom Colonial with dramatic 2-story formal dining room on a beautiful treed lot.

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Birmingham | $575,000 Tranquil Idyllic setting on peaceful tree lined with mature trees, bushes & perennial plantings.

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Bloomfield Township | $489,000 Beautiful 4 bedroom 2.5 bath traditional Colonial with 3-car garage. Formal Living & dining rooms.

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Independence Township | $799,000 Outstanding Oakhurst Golf & Country Club.

Lorimer built with attention to detail.

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Oakland Township | $599,900 New Eco-Smart construction to be built, brick and stone exterior, 9’ ceilings, 8’ doors.

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Birmingham | $1,900,000 | Exquisitely designed with a gracious warmth & elegance. This home offers craftsmanship and quality beyond compare.

Hardwood floors in most of the home. 6 fireplaces. Each bedroom is a suite. State of the art kitchen w/amenities to please a master chef, has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens. Luxurious suite over garage. Stunning finished lower level offers great entertaining space. Garage is a true 4 car.

Presented by: Barbara Draplin T: 248-639-7976 | bdraplin@cbwm.com

Birmingham | $1,699,000 | Coveted Holy Name area: Walk to restaurants, theatres, shops, Quarton Lake, & Farmer’s Market. Stunning Newer Custom Construction w/ SPECTACULAR space and quality. Open layout suitable for traditional or contemporary furnishings. Formal living and dining rooms. Family room adjacent to kitchen w/stainless steel Thermador appliances - 2 dishwashers - and a very large island. Separate butler’s pantry.

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Birmingham | $1,850,000 | Custom built by Brandywine, this exquisite home, offers quality & amenities beyond compare. This house is definitely within walking distance to downtown Birmingham. Hardwood flrs & beautiful mill work adorn every room. Designer kitchen opens to great room for comfortable living. Each bedroom is a suite. Granite in kit, baths, & 2nd floor laundry room. This stunning home is like new and truly turn key!!

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Bloomfield Hills | $1,899,000 | Uncompromising in quality and amenities, this magnificent residence is situated on almost an acre of lovely landscaped private grounds. Foyer w/Brazilian walnut floor open to two story living room w/limestone fireplace & expansive windows. Library w/judges paneling & coffered ceiling. Incredible kit w/large island & heated floor. First floor master w/fireplace & luxurious bath. 17x10 solarium. Fab lower level.

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Bloomfield Village | $725,000 Handsome Georgian Colonial. Great floor plan with large rooms and wonderful flow for entertaining. Granite kitchen with large serving area.

Presented by: Rosalee Hill T: 248-639-4813 | rhill@cbwm.com

Novi | $1,047,500 Move right into this impressive brand new Maybury Park Estates home that boasts brick & limestone curb appeal, flexible floor plan. and more!

Presented by: Tracy Wick T: 248-513-8439 | twick@cbwm.com

Birmingham | $499,000 Excellent opportunity to own a triplex. First floor unit is newly renovated with a new kitchen.

Presented by: Barbara Draplin T: 248-639-7976 | bdraplin@cbwm.com

Birmingham | $385,000 Newly remodeled walk to town beauty! Open floor plan. Granite kitchen with stainless accents.

Presented by: Janet Burger T: 248-792-8848 | jburger@cbwm.com

Bloomfield Township | $365,000 Sharp, meticulously cared for home in popular Hickory Heights. Recent updates throughout!

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Bloomfield Hills | $339,000 Nestled in the woods this Tobocman designed ranch condo on the second floor is a gem!

Presented by: Erin O’Neill T: 248-639-4857 | eoneill@cbwm.com

Green Oak Township | $1,198,000 110’ of lakefront in spectacular two-story home with gorgeous views of all sports Hidden Lake.

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Birmingham | $192,000 Great price, great Locale! Walk to downtown and the Rail District from this charming bungalow.

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Orchard Lake | $1,250,000 | Panoramic views of Cass Lake! Sprawling ranch features beautifully updated kitchen, hardwood floors, 1st floor master bedroom, Family Room with fireplace and finished lower level walk-out. Energy efficient lighting and California closets through-out. Heated garage and generator. Newer updates include pool (‘12), multi-level deck (‘13), landscaping (‘12). Electronic boat lift for boat dock included.

Presented by: Teri Spiro T: 248-639-7967 | tspiro@cbwm.com

Hamburg Township | $1,550,000 | Totally custom ranch with 693’ of frontage on the point! Turn key with all furniture, docks, pontoon and jet skis. Four-car and two-car heated garages. Volume ceilings throughout. Totally renovated 2012/new kitchen with 42” solid cherry cabinets, Wolf & Sub-Zero refrigerator, granite throughout. $300K in landscaping, BMW speakers throughout, basketball court, hot tub, fire pit. Lookout loft with spiral staircase.

Presented by: John Goodman T: 248-639-4816 | jgoodman@cbwm.com

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CONGRATULATIONS! #1 OFFICE IN MICHIGAN: CBWM - BIRMINGHAM CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 1. John Farhat 2. Erna Whitmire 3. Mark Marangon 4. Robert Dundon 5. Rebecca Meinser 6. Jennifer Zachary 7. Patrick Carolan 8. Kendra McConnell Hurd 9. Gwen Schultz 10. Steve Cole 11. Karen Greenwood 12. Teri Spiro 13. Donna Bousson 14. Wendi Miller 15. Majorie Duncan 16. Erin O’Neill 17. Lorraine Yalman

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TOP LISTING UNITS SOLD 1. Brian Carolan 2. Patrick Carolan 3. John Farhat TOP BUYER CONTROLLED SALES 1. John Farhat 2. Erna Whitmire LOYALTY AWARD Don Amalfitano Brian Carolan RISING STAR Shannon Shakora BIG DEAL Lena Oskanian

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© 2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker ® and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

248-792-8833 | cbwm.com Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel: Locally Owned and Operated.

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Franklin Village | $649,000 This elegant design new construction offers 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2-story great room, spacious kitchen with walk-in-pantry & so much more!

Presented by: Cory Sultana T: 734-392-8191 | csultana@cbwm.com

Birmingham | $499,900 Opportunity in the heart of Poppleton Park. Traditional, center entrance home is move-in ready yet offers the possibility for expansion and renovation.

Presented by: Jennifer Zachary T: 248-639-4832 | jzachary@cbwm.com

Sale Pending

Sale Pending

Bloomfield Township | $305,000 In desired Hickory Groves Hills. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath. Slate foyer. Living room with bay window.

Presented by: Erna Whitmire T: 248-639-7949 | ewhitmire@cbwm.com

Bloomfield Township | $294,900 Awesome updated Colonial! Award winning Bloomfield Hills Schools. Ktchen of your dreams!

Presented by: John Darvis T: 248-639-7965 | jdarvis@cbwm.com

Royal Oak | $249,000 Downtown renovated bungalow on a double lot! Updated kitchen with glass tile back-splash.

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Bloomfield Township | $135,000 Move right in! Desirable Foxcroft condo with great locale. Updated kitchen with all appliances.

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP MORTGAGES FROM CHARTER ONE Baldwin Library officials said it would benefit from providing services to Bloomfield Hills as the revenue would allow them to remain open more hours, retain more staff and provide greater services. The agreement reached between the two entities in June 2011 had Bloomfield Hills pay the library $268,681 in the first year of the agreement, and in successive years, the rate increased by 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever was less.

Roberts to open new restaurant

By Lisa Brody

Bill Roberts, owner of the popular local restaurants Beverly Hills Grill, ML Cafe, Streetside Seafood, Roadside B & G and Town Tavern, has signed a purchase agreement for the Fox Grill restaurant location in Bloomfield Hills.

Fox Grill, at 39556 Woodward Avenue just south of Long Lake Road, recently shut its doors after approximately two-and-one-half years of operations. The upscale American-style bistro was owned by Mark Aichele and Nigel Barnett.

Roberts said he has signed a longterm lease with building owner Arkan Jonna. Fox Grill was the centerpiece of The Plaza center, which was built on the site of the former Fox & Hounds restaurant location. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be there for a long while,â&#x20AC;?

Roberts said.

Roberts said he will not be keeping the restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name or menu, but at this point is keeping restaurant concepts under wraps. He did emphasize that the eateryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concept will be something completely different than Roadside, on Telegraph north of Square Lake in Bloomfield Township, and ML, at Maple and Lahser, also in Bloomfield Township. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to tailor what we do to the neighborhood market, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make changes to the restaurant,â&#x20AC;? he said, including adapting the interior to make it more comfortable for guests, creating a better traffic flow and improving the bar area. He said they intend to keep the outdoor seating, but â&#x20AC;&#x153;weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll dress it up and make it more comfortable for our guests.â&#x20AC;?

Roberts said he hopes to open sometime later this summer. The

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restaurant will be subject to transference of its liquor license from Aichele and Barnett to Roberts, and all design changes must come before the Bloomfield Hills Planning and City Commissions for approvals.

Four millages may be facing voters

By Lisa Brody

Bloomfield Township trustees are considering putting four millage proposals on the August 5 ballot, and analyzed the separate proposals and their chances of winning voter approval at a special study session on Monday morning, February 24.

Three of the millage proposals would be renewals of existing millages that will be expiring in 2014. The fourth would be for a continuation of the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety path program plus money specifically allocated for roads. All four of the millages were last collected from township taxpayers in 2013.

Two of the expiring millages are public safety millages for police and fire services. Township supervisor Leo Savoie said money from the millages would go directly to help fund all operations of the police and fire departments and not for equipment needs.

One of the millages is for 1.136 mills, the other for 0.6941 mills, so the total, if placed on the August primary ballot, would be for a total of 1.8277 mills. Both millages would be for 10 years.

In 2016, an additional public safety millage will also be expiring.

Two other public safety millages, for 1.3 mills, were renewed by residents of the township in 2010.

Savoie said at the meeting the two expiring millages cannot be combined together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put all of our eggs in one basket, for continuityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake,â&#x20AC;? he said.

He did state that there would be significant cuts to the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public safety departments if the bonds did not pass. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pass, we would seriously have to contract with Oakland County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department for police services,â&#x20AC;? Savoie stated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing more runs for services, not less, than 10 years ago, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re impacting our residents more than ever.â&#x20AC;?

Township clerk Jan Roncelli said,

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Trustee Neal Barnett stated he was in support of placing the two public safety millages on the ballot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fortunately, our residents have been generous in the past,â&#x20AC;? he noted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not asking for an increase Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m comfortable supporting it as long as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re talking about the same level of services.â&#x20AC;?

Trustee Corinne Khederian also supported the millage proposal and was also supportive of continuing to stagger the public safety millages, â&#x20AC;&#x153;in case the economy takes another downturn.â&#x20AC;?

The third millage proposal is also a 10-year renewal for the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior services, inclusive of the senior services center at 4315 Andover Road. The millage is seeking to raise $772,000, and is for .4839 mills. Savoie noted that this segment of the population in the township, over the age of 50, is growing significantly and the center is averaging 400 people a day.

Director Christine Tvaroha said that transportation needs of seniors, both in general and to and from the senior center, continues to be an increasing need. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We pick people up at their homes, provide medical transportation, help with their marketing and errands, with the assistance of SMART grants,â&#x20AC;? she said. She noted that many of the centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programs, including yoga, tai chi, mahjong, and others, are self funding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our senior services center is the gold standard for the area,â&#x20AC;?

Khederian said.

Barnett said, in supporting this millage proposal, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will be a wonderful opportunity to assess the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support of this.â&#x20AC;?

Savoie said if the millage does not pass, all programming will be shut down and the senior services center will be closed.

Discussion of the last millage proposal began as a renewal of the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safety path millage, a five-year, .4839 mill seeking to raise $1.5 million to complete the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 70 mile safety path master plan and provide for maintenance, but Savoie suggested an alternate proposal for a new safety path/roads millage for the same amount, but for 10 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to offer an alternative, to turn it into a 10-year millage and have it utilized for safety paths and/or roads â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for road maintenance and road repair, to be allocated as needed,â&#x20AC;? Savoie suggested to trustees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the millage brings in

$1.5 million, put $500,000 to road improvements since the safety paths are 80 percent done. This would create greater reserves and have the ability for us to spend on more difficult safety path construction.â&#x20AC;?

He also said this alternative would allow for snow removal on the safety paths, which the township does not currently do. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen people walking down busy streets because the safety paths werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t available,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be taking $500,000 out of our budget for roads, for salt and overtime this year. The reality is the roads are horrendous. Many of the roads are Oakland County roads, but many are the townshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and we have to deal with them.â&#x20AC;?

Trustee Brian Kepes said he was concerned about putting roads and safety paths together in the same millage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clearly our roads are deteriorating. This would never raise enough to get where we need to be.

I think that if we need a road millage, we should do that. As for snow clearing, it would be good to know what other communities are doing.â&#x20AC;?

Barnett said the township would have to be extremely clear so the public would know that the funds could not be transferred over to roads from safety paths. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in favor of the safety paths.

Overall, we have a walkable community, and we have an obligation to continue and complete them,â&#x20AC;? said Khederian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have concerns about the safety of them. I do like diverting some of the funds to the roads as the roads are deteriorating.â&#x20AC;?

All four millage proposals were scheduled to be put before the trustees for a vote at their meeting on Monday, March 24.

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The general release was approved by commissioners at their meeting on Monday, March 10. Brunerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last day of employment was Thursday, February 13. The city commission

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declined to renew Brunerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contract in early January. Bruner had been Birmingham City Manager for three years, beginning February 14, 2011.

Contract renewal talks between Bruner and the commission fell apart over terms of the agreement, and what members of the commission felt was Brunerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airing of â&#x20AC;&#x153;dirty laundryâ&#x20AC;? regarding his negotiations.

Currently former assistant city manager Joe Valentine is serving as interim city manager.

According to the agreement, the $15,000 payment is a lump-sum payment to have been paid to Bruner

by March 20, 2014, subject to withholding taxes. In exchange, if at any point the city deems necessary, Valentine explained, Bruner will come back and provide information and testimony on any projects he worked on while he was employed

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According to the release, Bruner has agreed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;release, waive, and discharge all manners of action, causes of action, claims, rights, charges, suits, damages, debts, demands, judgements, obligations, grievances, attorneys fees, or any kind of liabilities of whatsoever nature...from the beginning of time to the end of the world.â&#x20AC;?

Single waste hauler could be on ballot The Bloomfield Hills City Commission on Tuesday, March 11, discussed recommending a single waste hauler to residents and placing it before them as a proposal on the November ballot.

The issue has long been a contentious one in Bloomfield Hills, with many residents preferring to choose their own waste hauler.

However, the wear-and-tear on the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads, caused by different companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garbage and recycling trucks visiting individual homes on different days of the week, is part of the reason there will be an advisory vote on the November ballot, city manager Jay Cravens said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Similar to the how Bloomfield Township and other local communities do it, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to recommend having one contract for the whole community,â&#x20AC;? he said.

City staff is completing research on the benefits of going with a single waste hauler, and then Cravens said the city commission will be presented with his recommendations at the April city commission meeting, in order to vote on putting it on the November ballot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they approve it, we could then

go forward with an RFP (request for proposal) to determine which waste hauling company we would recommend for Bloomfield Hills. We hope to have it done in early fall, so voters would know in November which waste hauler it would be, what it would cost for waste and recycling pick up, and what day of the week they would have pick up on so they can make an informed decision,â&#x20AC;? Cravens said.

Cravens said that going with a single waste hauler for the entire city would create less wear-and-tear on the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads, provide better service for individual homes and businesses, and remove more recyclable items.

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All liquor licenses renewed in city All of the restaurants in Birmingham with Class C liquor licenses and The Townsend Hotel, which has a Class B liquor license, received unanimous renewals for 2014 after a review of their 2013 licenses by city commissioners during the Monday, February 24, city commission meeting.

In contrast to some recent years, there were no significant issues at any of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurants in 2013.

Christian Wuerth, former assistant city manager, told commissioners four establishments were cited by police in 2013 for minor offenses, and four establishments received citations by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for selling alcohol to someone under the age of 21, notably during a police sting.

Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt said he did not feel there were any problems in town. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite a change from previous years,â&#x20AC;? said commissioner Rackeline Hoff.

While the commission prefers to have a higher percentage of food to beverage ratio, it was noted that Griffin Claw Brewery did sell more liquor than food last year. Churchillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reported that it sold more tobacco products than food or liquor.

Wuerth said that there are four Class C liquor licenses in escrow, three at the Palladium building; and the former Midtown Cafe license, which is owned by Ruthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chris Steakhouses, owners of Cameronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steak House and Mitchellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In all my years, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recall so few incidents,â&#x20AC;? said mayor Scott Moore. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a true joy, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a testament to the restaurant establishments.â&#x20AC;?

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P

eter Leonard had always kicked around the idea of writing fiction novels, but it wasn’t until after spending three decades in the advertising business that he followed the lead of his father, Elmore Leonard.

“It was kind of a goof. I didn’t think I would be a novelist,” Peter Leonard said about the writing career he began about seven years ago. “My dad was famous, and I thought it wouldn’t happen for me.”

Despite his doubts, Leonard has written a half dozen novels in the past seven years, and the ideas keep flowing at his Birmingham home where he does most of his writing on yellow legal pads of paper. Currently, Leonard is working on “Unknown Remains,” a novel that opens up on the morning of 9/11 when two men employed with collecting money for a loan shark pull up to the twin towers. As one of the men heads inside to collect a debt from the 84th floor, a jet crashes into the first tower.

“It has been nonstop,” Leonard said of his writing. “I keep getting ideas.

Sometimes I put the book down that I’m writing, and I write a couple chapters of a new story. Then I pick it up again and decide if it’s any good or not. It’s kind of nice. It delays what I’m working on, but gives a launch pad to the next story.”

The work wasn’t always that easy for Leonard. He still recalls his father Elmore’s critique of a six-page story Peter wrote after graduating from college. “‘Your characters are like strips of leather drying in the sun, they all look and sound the same,’” Elmore said in a three-page response to Peter’s story.

“I didn’t write another piece of fiction for another 27 years, but not because of his scathing review.”

Instead, Leonard was hired as a copywriter for an advertising agency after college. He later founded his own advertising agency, which he owned and operated for nearly 30 years. It wasn’t until more recently that he tried writing again.

“Writing fiction is the most satisfying thing for me that I’ve ever done,” Leonard said. “I just enjoy it and love it. I didn’t ever know I would like it this much. It’s a great way to spend time. You create your own world.”

Leonard’s books include “Quiver,” “Trust Me,” “Voices of the Dead,” “All He Saw Was the Girl,” “Back from the Dead,” and “Eyes Closed Tight.” The writing process is the most enjoyable, but he said researching can be equally so.

“The research process can be fascinating, especially if you are hanging out with the Detroit Police Homicide Department, as I did several years ago for almost a month,” Leonard said. “But research can also be tedious.”

Leonard said some of his favorite books have been written by his father, of course, as well as Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, James M Cain, and Robert Parker. Although when writing, he tries to avoid outside reading.

“My style, I hope, doesn’t change. I hope it’s locked down,” he said. “But I don’t read a whole lot while I’m writing because I don’t want to be influenced by anyone.”

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Carol Craine

F

inding clothes with just the right balance of comfort and fashion used to be a challenge for Bloomfield Hills’ Carol Craine. Then she founded her own line of clothing.

“I would sit and sketch clothes when I was younger, then try to find a seamstress to make me those things,” Craine said. “I would get an idea in my mind of what I wanted, but it was hard for someone to interpret my sketches.”

While she had experience buying, selling and merchandising women’s fashion, the idea of starting her own line was something that always stuck with Craine. The first entry into the market for the Groves High School grad started at a small niche boutique in Franklin where she designed and produced hand knit sweaters.

Then came her son and the decision to focus on being close to him. Two decades later, Craine has realized her dream of starting her own clothing line with Craine & Jonson.

“I never thought in a million years that I’d be able to do this locally,” Craine said about owning and operating her own clothing line in metro Detroit. “The journey started working with people in New York and Chicago, and it was frustrating. I asked who was doing something with fashion in Detroit, and Christine Jonson’s name came up. I knew her years ago, so I called her.”

Craine said she worked with Jonson, a designer and pattern maker with a studio in Hazel Park, to come up with a pattern that would “look good” but not be “too complicated.” In a matter of weeks, Jonson nailed the design and the two decided to go into business together.

“I’m really committed to producing this line in every way from Detroit,” Craine said. “I just want to make it as simple and joyful as I can. And I’m really proud to be doing it here. It’s not easy to do here. There are a lot of frustrations, but I’m determined to find a way.”

Craine & Jonson currently consists of six handcrafted T-shirts that are crafted to be comfortable and simple in nature, with the ability to function on many levels. From jeans to skirts, shirts, cargos, lace, leather and other pairings, the T-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, henleys and scarves serve as layering apparel.

“They aren’t fitness clothes, but there is a certain comfort in fitness clothes,” Craine said. “I’m very sensitive. The design, fit and fabric, I worked really hard on each one of those things. I think they look really good, but they also feel really good. Early on it was funny because before long, we only wanted to wear these. We felt bad for the other things in our closet.”

Craine said she hopes to have the clothing available at local stores soon, including She, in Bloomfield Hills, where she plans on doing a spring trunk show. The brand is also available at the Craine & Jonson website at www.crainejonsoncom.

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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BUSINESS MATTERS Astreinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th From a fledgling, second-story crafts shop opened in 1974 to their recently renovated, 1,500 square-foot jewelry store, brothers Gary and Richard Astrein have always focused on quality products and outstanding personal service. Now in its 40th year of business, Astreinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creative Jewelers, 120 W. Maple, Birmingham, is open with a contemporary storefront and interior for its customers. Few retailers have been a part of Birmingham for as long as Gary and Richard, who in March completed the third major renovation of their store, which has always featured a collection of name brand and custom-designed products unique to their store. Beginning in a 500-square foot, second floor space above their current store, the brothers got their start in the business when their younger brother, Craig, returned home from a trip to Arizona with a collection of turquoise. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Turquoise was the hot thing then, so we started to work on it,â&#x20AC;? Richard Astrein said about the formation of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Upstairsâ&#x20AC;?, the small shop that sold jewelry, pottery and assorted crafts that would eventually become Astreinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The brothers eventually transformed into a more traditional jewelry store and moved to their current first floor space in 1976.

The transformation became complete when Astreinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hired four custom jewelers. Today, the brothers have three jewelers onsite who produce classic and contemporary designs, along with an incomparable selection of certified diamonds and gemstones and exceptional creations in platinum and yellow and white gold. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can pretty much do anything today, any idea, picture or thought,â&#x20AC;? Gary said of the custom designs that make up about half of the storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products.

Maintaining classic jewelry offerings, as well as keeping up with contemporary design trends is part of the reason the Astreinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attribute to their success in the highly competitive Birmingham jewelry market. Astreinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has also updated its store, first in 1976, again around 1987, and most recently in 2014. The storeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new contemporary feel was designed by Ron & Roman architects of Birmingham. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We figured it was a good time to do it,â&#x20AC;? Gary said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t update, people feel like you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t paying attention to the store, & & & &

and then not paying attention to them. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care, they feel slighted.â&#x20AC;?

Coqueta opening Lama Tayeb had a dream of offering beautiful and unique European womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing, attire that couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be found anywhere else locally, and sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s making that dream come true with Coqueta, a new high-end womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store that will open in April at 142 S. Old Woodward in Birmingham. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to provide items for people so they can say, now I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to travel for them,â&#x20AC;? she said. Coqueta will offer everyday sports-chic clothing to evening attire, including cocktail and formal wear that is perfect for weddings, prom, and bar and bat mitzvahs, for â&#x20AC;&#x153;the sophisticated lady and her teen daughter,â&#x20AC;? Tayeb said. Shoes, purses, evening bags and other accessories discovered on shopping trips to Milan and Paris round out the store. Tayeb travels every few months to Milan and Paris, finding special designers that are not commonly found in Michigan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want ladies to come in, look at the items, enjoy shopping and look forward to what I am bringing from Europe,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Photography studio Award-winning photographer Sam Sarkis has opened a second studio location of his Sam Sarkis Photography at 219 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham. Sarkis, who started his own studio in 1986, will also keep his original location in downtown Farmington, but will offer the second location in Birmingham for clients closer to this side of town.

The business features a full-service photography studio, and provides photography services for fashion, weddings, special events, family and children and other needs. Sarkis, who started in the fashion photography industry, is a Professional Photographers of America (PPA) master.

Hot Mamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s here Hot Mama, a casual chic clothing store targeting fashionable mothers opened in March in downtown Birmingham at 128 S. Old Woodward, in the former DbleUp location. The store, which is designed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;make moms look and feel hot,â&#x20AC;? according to its website, is the fourth of its kind in

Michigan, with a total of 39 stores in 14 states. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are thrilled to open Hot Mama in downtown Birmingham,â&#x20AC;? said co-founder and CEO Megan Tamte. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The retail district, with its eclectic mix of boutiques and upscale shops, reminds us of our first store at 50th and France in Edina, Minnesota.â&#x20AC;? Tamte and her husband, Michael, opened their first store about eight years ago to focus on moms that want designer clothing with unparalleled service. It was created to be an upscale, yet downto-earth, boutique offering contemporary designer clothing and premium denim suited for a motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age and lifestyle. About 60 percent of Hot Mamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers are over 40years-old.

The Bird & The Bread Comfort food with a modern day, European-influence: rotisserie chicken with potato gratin or mac & cheese, or gourmet pizza cooked in an open-hearth oven. Those are just a few of the dishes available at the new The Bird & The Bread restaurant, 210 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, that held its grand opening on March 18. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely a casual setting that is meant to be an everyday destination, and friendly to family and children,â&#x20AC;? said owner Kristin Jonna, who officially opened the doors to the restaurant in February. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also have an extensive beverage program.â&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not surprising that the restaurant features about 100 different wines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 by the glass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; considering Jonnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience. She has already had success with two other businesses in southeast Michigan, including Vinotecca in downtown Royal Oak and Vinology in Ann Arbor. In addition to wine, The Bird & the Bread features two dozen craft brews and a mix of craft cocktails. Vacant since August of 2012, the large space where The Bird & the Bread is located was formerly occupied by South Bar. Jonna said transforming the space from a former club atmosphere to a family-friendly, comfortable restaurant with adequate banquet space seemed like the right fit for Birmingham.

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PLACES TO EAT The Places To Eat for Downtown is a quick reference source to establishments offering a place for dining, either breakfast, lunch or dinner. The 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.

Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.865.9300.

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

248.792.3579 Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304.

248.499.6867.

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

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

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 Eaton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774.

Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009.

248.593.8880.

Bistro Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

CafĂŠ ML: New American. Dinner, daily.

Alcohol. 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 Cameronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

Cosi: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham,

48009. 248.203.9200.

Deli Unique of Bloomfield Hills: Deli.

Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923.

Dick Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily.

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

248.642.1135.

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

Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.9888. Also 4089 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.258.9939.

Elieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Grill: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday.

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

Fox Grill: American. Lunch, Monday through Friday; Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch.

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

248.792.6109.

Fuddruckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Beer & wine.

42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.333.2400.

Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek.

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

Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American.

Liquor. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. 575 S. Eton Street, Birmingham. 248.712.4050.

Hoganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6450 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301.

248.626.1800.

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.

Kerbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Koney Island: American.

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

248.333.1166.

La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward

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248.858.5800.

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, 48301. 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.

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

Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Also 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: Deli. 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.

Peabody’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 34965 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009.

248.644.5222.

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.

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. 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.

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 Gallery Restaurant: American.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 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.

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

AT THE TABLE Market North End

By J. March

L

Made with potatoes and garlic, the burrata was amazingly light and kissed with the perfect amount of garlic. Beets and crispy pita gave this dish the a blast of acid and a needed crispy texture. The skordalia is house-made and served with deliciously buttered crostini and fried peppers that, although listed as hot, lacked the spiciness fitting for the

uckily for me Market North End has original roof decor or else I may not have found it. Located in the corner space of an office/retail building off of Old Woodward and Park Street in Birmingham, it’s easy to miss but completely worth the find. Look for the shopping cart filled with brightly colored balls that not only adorns the roof but is the perfect metaphor for what is a colorful and original eatery.

Market North End was started less than a year ago

by Joe and Kristin Bongiovanni, who prior to this had managed the Bongiovanni family-owned Luxe Bar & Grill across the street. Their combined experience in the industry is reflected in the thoughtful layout and use of space in the dining room. Cozy but not crowded, the space mirrors the eclectic menu with its mix of tables, chairs and artwork resulting in a contemporary urban design. Joe’s experience is also prevalent in the small, but well thought out menu that reads rich in culture and flavors.

My dining partner and I started with two aperitifs in the form of Craft Cocktails.

The Gentleman’s Calling (Old Forester 86 Bourbon, Aperol and Zucca) and The Black Pizze Diavolo (top), Pizze Nuevo Tina (right), and branzini. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent Market (Gosling’s Dark Rum, Averna Amoro, Ginger Ale, creamy center. We also ventured into ultimate comMint) were well balanced and at $10 were sizable fort food territory with the pasta fritters - balls of pours. Though not terribly original or long, the spaghetti with ham, mozzarella and peas, then cocktail list includes selections from savory to fried and served with a tangy, perfectly acidic sweet and incorporates lesser known ingredients tomato sauce. like Amaro, Aperol and Falernum. Although The salad and soup choices continued the staunch in my support of the Michigan beer scene, theme of Old World and Mediterranean flavors with the draft selection was thoughtfully chosen from everything from a chickpea stew to a calamari Odd Side Citra Pale Ale to Carlsberg Pilsner and salad with romaine, ricotta and gorgonzola. We there was a diverse bottle list. Unsure of what we opted for the lentil soup and celery and fennel were going to order for lunch, we chose a bottle of salad.

The soup was rich with cauliflower, carrots, Los Rocas Rosé from a small but utterly impressive celery and bulgar.

Although completely vegetarian, wine list. In a world of either predictable California it ate like a hearty stew.

The salad, so promising on cabs or unheard of boutique wines, this list was paper, was flat and lacking in flavor. The celery and ripe with solid classics like Ridge Zinfandel and fennel were without the crispness of fresh cut, and DuMol Chardonnay to delicious bargains like Muga the lemon vinaigrette was dull and uninspiring, Rioja Reserva and Nino Franco “Rustico”. Also making me wish I had opted for the Tuscan kale available on tap were Saintsbury Pinot Noir, salad with Spanish sardines and a mustard vinaiMacrostie Chardonnay and King Estate Pinot Gris grette. from Washington, a pleasantly surprising pour in When we asked our server what she considered lieu of mainstream Italian Pinot Grigio. their “signature” dish, she steered us towards the The starters varied from Snacks to Shares in the pizza.

With over 10 offerings, the list was full of form of favorites like homemade chips and salsa to choices including the Cinque with clams and white wings and ribs. Far more exciting are the offerings sauce, the Tre with fennel sausage, leeks and red of lesser known dishes like burrata and skordalia.

onions, and a traditional margherita called the Uno. We settled on the Nove with pancetta, red onion and arugula. Sadly, the pizza did not come together for either of us. The crust was texturally unappealing and the arugula flat and overwhelming, considering the lack of sauce and crunch.

The entree selections, or “Plates”, are broad and well chosen with steak, seafood, chicken and pasta all making a showing. Though the preparations are safe, there is something to be said for simple done right.

The branzini was served whole (though offered as a filet, I am always a fan of the entire fish and all of its amazing parts, including skin and cheeks) and roasted to perfection. In a world of foods masked in bacon, flavored oils and sauce, this is one fish that should be left to its own beautiful devices. Sweet, slightly oily and perfectly flaky with a simple chopped salad of cilantro, tomatoes and red onion, this was pure bliss.

Unfortunately the house-made pappardelle with lamb and pork ragout disappointed.

There is nothing like fresh pasta, but when cooked improperly it takes on a heavy, chewy character that is altogether unappealing. This, coupled with the lack of lamb and too-large pieces of pork made this dish my least favorite.

Eager to finish with some espresso and a simple panacotta or baklava, I was left to black coffee (no espressowhich is nearly a crime, especially in an restaurant driven by Old World ideology) and a brief uninspired description of desserts that left me feeling that they may taste like an after-thought, too.

Despite a handful of mixed or bad reviews (most of which include patron complaints and things beyond owner responsibility) and a few misses while we were there, I liked Market North End and its eclectic range of flavors and simple preparations. I think that its future is promising. Now about that espresso machine...

Market North End, 474 North Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.712.4953. Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. Sunday noon until midnight. Kitchen open until 11 p.m.; pizza until midnight. Entrees $14-36; pizza $11-15 Full bar, handicap access, patio seating and street parking. Reservations not accepted but there is callahead seating.

J. March has 25 years experience in the restaurant industry in southeast Michigan, including certification as a sommelier. If you have short restaurant items for our Quick Bites section, e-mail to QuickBites@downtownpublications.com.

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THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Reaching More With More Thanks to all our supporters, staff and volunteers, TCH has been able to deliver on our mission of reaching more people with many more programs that truly make an impact on strengthening our community. Thankfully, we have been able to â&#x20AC;&#x153;spread our wingsâ&#x20AC;? to help more of those in need in the tricounty area.

Look below at the amazing 2013 accomplishments â&#x20AC;&#x153;around the House,â&#x20AC;? as well as programs that reached Camille Jayne into the community through TCH efforts: â&#x20AC;˘ 31,140,000: Steps logged by at-risk teens in our iCountâ&#x201E;˘ Childhood Obesity Prevention program â&#x20AC;˘ 210,000: People who walked through TCH doors whom we gladly served â&#x20AC;˘ 77,000: Miles logged by TCH Travelers (from Chicago to Cuba to Italy) â&#x20AC;˘ 53,483: Meals prepared by TCH chefs â&#x20AC;˘ 22,000: Number of diapers changed in TCH Early Childhood Center â&#x20AC;˘ 15,100: Class registrations â&#x20AC;˘ 5,750: People who attended TCH community events helping to raise money for our childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outreach programs â&#x20AC;˘ 3,654: Hours donated by our volunteers â&#x20AC;˘ 2,326: Children read to each month by our Story Tellers Guild volunteers â&#x20AC;˘ 1,600: People who attended TCH Dance Academy & Ballet Ensemble performances â&#x20AC;˘ 1,051: Classes offered at TCH â&#x20AC;˘ 1,000: Business people who attended TCH professional development lecture series, seminars and/or Business Symposium â&#x20AC;˘ 636: Senior Men Club members who gathered at TCH for learning and fellowship â&#x20AC;˘ 522: Welcoming and knowledgeable volunteers who helped TCH deliver on our mission â&#x20AC;˘ 500: Dancers in TCH Dance Academy â&#x20AC;˘ 400: Students who participated in our Student Art Town Exhibit and Workshops â&#x20AC;˘ 342: At-risk teens who participated in TCH iCount Childhood Obesity Prevention Program â&#x20AC;˘ 310: Michigan artists who were juried into our annual OUR TOWNâ&#x201E;˘ Art Show â&#x20AC;˘ 236: Corporate functions held at TCH â&#x20AC;˘ 136: Guests who appeared on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making A Difference at TCHâ&#x20AC;? TV Show â&#x20AC;˘ 58: TCH Corporate & Business Partners â&#x20AC;˘ 36: Couples who celebrated their weddings and/or receptions at TCH â&#x20AC;˘ 20: Restaurant & catering chefs who prepared delicious tastings at the Fall Farm to Table Strolling Block Party â&#x20AC;˘ 1: Number of 5 star rated early childcare centers in Oakland County â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ours!

Thanks to all who are part of our effort of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building Vibrant Community Together!â&#x20AC;?

Happenings Around TCH: April 9th Center for Wealth Education Panel, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This is the last of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s panel presentations as part of TCHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for Wealth Education. Expert panelists will educate the public in an information rich, non-selling environment. This panel will focus on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taking Care of Your Property & Othersâ&#x20AC;?, explaining the ins and outs of Property Casualty Insurance (Jesse Schatz of JPS Insurance); Specialized, Minor and Education Trusts; Legal Guardians, Foundations (Judith Fertel-Layne, Estate Planning Attorney, Dickinson & Wright); Key Person Insurance and Business Structuring (Drew Besonson, wealth and business advisor, Northwestern Mutual). No matter where you are in your personal or business life cycle, come learn at TCH. No charge. Registration is required: www.tchserves.org or 248.644.5832. Bring family and friends!

April 20th: TCH Easter Brunch Buffet!

We have two seatings: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PLUS, an Easter egg hunt and a visit with Mr. Easter Bunny for the children. Come enjoy in a beautiful, traditional country club atmosphere for only $25 per adult and $12 per child. Reservations: 248.644.5832.

Camille Jayne is President and CEO of TCH.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK St. Regis Auction

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St. Regis School Auction Before the Grammy and Academy Awards shows, Megan Marderosian, Tinney Newman and their committee of St. Regis parents staged their own Live from the Red Carpet event at Birmingham Country Club. The theme inspired many moms to glam it up for the party that attracted 100 VIPs ($125 ticket Sally Gerak included raffle ticket for $5,000 tuition credit) to the early reception. Just as the early reception was ending, church pastor Msgr. Chuck Kosanke, school principal Denise Ball and the husband-wife emcee team of Taryn Asher and Jason Carr drew the name of the raffle winners â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mike and Sarah DuBay. Another 240 guests ($75 ticket) then arrived and all started bidding electronically for the 12 Grade Packages and a spot at one of the 35 Social Scene parties for all ages. The buffet dining fare was splendid and lots of people electronically tracked the silent auction bidding from the room where the U-M/ MSU basketball game was playing on the large screen TV. Spartan fans dominated the crowd and had the most to cheer about. Until the end of the game, which the Wolverines won. The live auction of nine items was spirited. Rick and Erin Brockhausâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s donation of a yacht party for 25 garnered the highest bid ($6,000), bringing the live auction total to more than $23,000. Thanks also to silent auction bidding (nearly $75,000), generous sponsors, donors and a dedicated committee, the annual event grossed about $160,000 for technology and enrichment at the elementary Catholic school.

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Circle of Friends Luncheon For half of the 36 years that CARE House has existed (originally as the Child Abuse and Neglect Council) its Circle of Friends has staged a benefit luncheon. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was chaired

by Maria Roberts and Pam Mannion, each of whom brought her teenager to the event at The Townsend. The keynote speaker, well known child crime victim advocate John Walsh, is passionate about his mission inspired by the tragic murder of his son in 1981. That Elizabeth Smart was one of the 60 missing children Walshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Wantedâ&#x20AC;? TV show was responsible for rescuing alive was especially interesting to many in the audience of 360. Smart was the 2012 luncheon speaker and Walshâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s details of her rescue by an alert motorcycle cop prompted him to salute the 17 police officers who were honored at the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have the toughest job in the world,â&#x20AC;? he declared. Before Walsh spoke, Gov. Rick Snyder got applause when he mentioned some state progress in the child welfare field: in the last year 700 workers have been added, the budget has been doubled and the adoption rate has increased to 90 percent. He also presented certificates to the honored law enforcement workers and to Birmingham attorney Dave Williams. The latter first worked at CARE House out of the county prosecuting attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office and now does pro bono legal work there. Executive director Carol Furlong also recognized the Circle of Friends founders Doris August, Janet Grant, Dr. Linda Sircus, Lois Shaevsky and Vicki Celani, who is now board chair; past board chair Cathie Weissenborn, and seven who have been patrons ($175 donation) for 18 years. They are Maggie Alleseee, Lil Erdeljan, Elyse Foltyn, Barbara Goldberg, Jan Hoge, Darleen Jackson and Patricia Rosen.

The 18th annual event raised $50,000 to help CARE House protect children.

3 1. Megan Marderosian (left) of Birmingham, Denise Ball, Msgr. Chuck Kosanke and Tinney Newman of Bloomfield 2. Garrett Kanehann (left), Mike DuBay and Nick Gorga of Birmingham 3. Sarah and David Bubb of Bloomfield 4. Julie Kowal Chisholm (left) and Chuck Chisholm of Beverly Hills, Sara and Chris Kowal of Bloomfield and Dan and Margie Kowal of Birmingham 5. Julie Pietrosante (left) of Bloomfield, Amy Carroll and Traci Gruley of Birmingham and Meg Stenger of Beverly Hills 6. Joe and Susie McCarthy of Bloomfield 7. Natalie Pellegrino (left) and Maureen Gill of Bloomfield 8.

Megan Marderosian (left) of Birmingham and Tinney Newman (right) with Taryn Asher of Bloomfield 9. Chris and Julie Devine of Bloomfield 10. Pam (left) and Garrett Kanehann of Birmingham and Jud Pietrosante of Bloomfield

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Circle of Friends Luncheon

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Winter in Bloom–Laurie Tennent Botanicals Laurie Tennent’s spectacular botanical photographs baked on aluminum have been attracting art lovers to the Robert Kidd Gallery for several months but “planting” 10 of them in the snow around Cranbrook House was a stroke of genius. It was like the return of the native since she made all the original images last summer in the gardens that surround the historic manse. Looking as radiant as the art, the photographer greeted 60 well wishers ($75, $125 tickets) at a party chaired by Randy Forester benefiting the House and Gardens Auxiliary. The next day he and Laurie led a group around the house to look at all the prints. Laurie also described her inspiration and how she actually transferred the pictures onto the aluminum. The group totaled nine. It likely would have been larger were it not for the falling, heavy snow. The exhibition will be at the Robert Kidd Gallery through Feb. 28.

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1. Keynote speaker John Walsh (left), Gov. Rick Snyder, CARE House board chair Vicki Celani and executive director Carol Furlong of Bloomfield and county executive L. Brooks Patterson 2. Tatum (left) and Pam Mannion and Maria Roberts of Bloomfield 3. Dave Williams of Birmingham 4. Julia Girdler (left), Jeannie Bourget and past board chair Cathie Weissenborn of Bloomfield 5. Leslye Rosenbaum (left) of W. Bloomfield and Lois Shaevsky and Doris August of Bloomfield 6. Sarah Thewes (left), Anna Rea and Lisa Bouchard of Birmingham, Gail VanCleave of Troy and Julia Borg of Livonia 7. Maryclare Pulte (left) and Kathy Cubbin of Bloomfield, Michelle Minturn of Grosse Pointe and Nancy Timlin of Franklin

“Winter in Bloom – Laurie Tennent Botanicals” Preview Party

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1. Laurie Tennent (left) of Bloomfield and Jeannie Tennent of Bingham Farms 2. Event chair Randy Forester (left) of Birmingham with Kate and Woody Booth of Beverly Hills 3. Annie Thomis (left) and 6 Arnie Hirsch of Birmingham and Ben Scheiwe.

4. Bob Swanson (left) of Bingham Farms and Gordon Cox of Bloomfield 5. Karen Street of Birmingham and Ben Kiehl of Hamtramck 6. Chris Ward (left) of Beverly Hills and Beth Hoxie of Birmingham 7. JJ Benkert (left) of Bloomfield and Molly MacDonald of Beverly Hills

Marian Benefit Evening Jane Davlin and her dedicated committee of Marian High School parents staged a splendid Benefit Evening. It attracted 300, many of whom arrived early to begin the evening at Mass. The Marian Melodies serenaded them from the chapel into the gym for cocktails and the silent auction. Many guests were not only MHS alumnae but are now parents of current students and socializing was serious competition for the electronic silent auction bidding, but the silent auction still raised $36,000.

And when guests settled in to savor their buffet dinner fare, this reporter understood the Vine & Dine party theme. Fox Grill Catering and wine purveyors Paul and Jim Lufty combined on a memorable presentation of superbly sauced beef medallions, broiled salmon and vegetable ravioli paired with fine wines. “The girls eat (almost) like this every day,” said MHS dad Art Kelsey, explaining that Fox Grill Catering is the very popular school lunch vendor. Highlights of the post-dining activity included hard working Scholarship Raffle chair Mike Burns’ daughter’s name being drawn as the big winner, which everyone heartily applauded; MHS president Sr. Lenore Pochelski‘s pitch for the proposed, new Marian Commons; and the live auction of 17 items conducted by auctioneer Christopher Aslanian. The two highest bids came

from sports fans: $3,500 to see the Detroit Lions play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field and $3,250 for 20 in the GM suite at Comerica Park. In all, the live auction raised $31,250, leading the Mothers and Dads Clubs’ event proceeds to a conservative estimate of $100,000.

Marian High School Benefit Evening

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1. Jane Davlin (left) and Brad Hyde of Bloomfield and Elizabeth Abowd-Rockwell of Farmington Hills 2. Katie Parks (left) of Bloomfield, Annemarie and Tim Udell of Birmingham 3. Thomas (left) and Marybeth Howe of Birmingham, Scott and Susan Handorf of Beverly Hills, Teri and Chuck Moore of Birmingham 4. Mary Taylor (left) of Birmingham, Jennifer Champion and Lauren Fisher of Bloomfield 5. Terry McLaughlin Norris (left) and Annie Norris of Birmingham, Nancy Lufty of Bloomfield 6. Maria Glod (left) and Nannette Dadabbo of Bloomfield, Debby Hannigan of Birmingham 7. Bill Hall and Greg Fisher of Bloomfield 8. Ann Doman (center) of Birmingham, Rich (left) and Therese Easton of Bloomfield 9. Sheryl McConaghy (left) and Margie Adams of Bloomfield 10. Maureen Hudson (left) and Dave and Kathy Petoskey of Bloomfield

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St Hugo Do You Believe in Miracles Auction

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1. Gina Rook, Kathy Kowalewski, Kim Petrucci and Susan Roberts of Bloomfield. 2. Brian Olah of Bloomfield, Joe Carroll of Royal Oak and Mike Marsh of Bloomfield. 3. Indigo Stewart (left) of Bloomfield and Adrian Dundon of Ferndale 4. Ron and Nicole Pawczuk of Bloomfield 5. Julie Wasco of Bloomfield, Randi Seeber of Orchard Lake, Erin Marsh of Bloomfield and Jodi Carroll of Royal Oak 6. John and Molly DeFrancesco of Bloomfield 7. Kathy and auctioneer Don Kowalewski of Bloomfield

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BEF Unabashed Bash Birmingham Public Schools students contributed talent to the Birmingham Education Foundation ‘s Unabashed Bash and rightly so. It raises funds for treasured enrichment programs in their schools. The 13th annual version attracted 270 of their parents, teachers and fans to The Townsend. The Seaholm String Chamber Ensemble performed classical music during the cocktail hour while people socialized and bid ($19,385 total) for the 179 silent auction items. After they were seated for dinner at tables centered with clay pots hand painted by art students to highlight the event theme ( Local Roots Global Reach), the Seaholm Maple Motion dance team and Groves HS senior Alec Barnes’ “Thank you, BEF” video claimed their attention.

After dinner eight singers from the Groves Performing Arts Company sang a selection from the Broadway musical “Matilda”. Before the dance floor action revved up, the live auction of 12 nifty donations raised $26,150 thanks to friendly cajoling by Stacey Duford and WOMC’s Jim Johnson (JJ). Not counting the online auction that continued for another week, the Bash raised an estimated $90,000.

Believe in Miracles Auction Gina Rook, Kathy Kowalewski, Kim Petrucci and Susan Roberts and their committee of St. Hugo of the Hills’ moms had fun planning the annual school auction using an Olympics theme. It was based on broadcaster Al Michael’s “Do you believe in miracles?” comment during the 1980 games and they were pleased when the framed, autographed copy of the USA “Miracle on Ice” hockey team sold for $2,000 to kick off the live auction. The patriotic accented festivities attracted 464 ($75 & up tickets) to Orchard Lake Country Club on a very snowy Saturday night.

They had a huge silent auction (258 items) to study while dining-on-thestroll. The 10 unique artworks created by the “little miracles” that attend St. Hugo had great appeal as did the Social Scene parties which led the

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silent auction bid to total $36,600.

After Don Kowalewski energetically auctioned all 14 items in the live auction ($26,000 total), the Power Play band got everyone on the dance floor before they savored late night snacks.

The event proceeds exceeded $135,000 to be used for technology updates at the Blue Ribbon Catholic elementary school.

Solanus Casey Center’s Nourishing the Soul

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Winning Futures’ Corks and Forks Winning Futures sixth annual Corks and Forks attracted 350 people to The Reserve. They sampled more than 40 different wines and savored a gourmet buffet. They also applauded recipients of WF’s inaugural Sam Cupp Impact Awards Man of the Year Paul Glantz and Woman of the Year Marcie Brogan for their significant community service. The event raised nearly $35,000 to benefit WF’s awardwinning youth development and scholarship programs that empower youth to succeed through mentoring and strategic planning.

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1. Fr. Larry Webber (center) of Detroit, Carey Cornacchini (left) and Laurie Maass of Bloomfield 2. Bob Cornacchini (left), Paul Lufty and Craig Maass of Bloomfield 3. Mike Witoszynski (left) of Birmingham, Tom and Vicki Celani of Bloomfield 4. Raj (left) and Ajay Chawla of Troy, Susie and Tom Betrus of Bloomfield 5. Mary and John Schelske of Bloomfield 6. Candice (left) and Daniel Vallone and Rick and Victoria of Bloomfield 7. Jinan (left) and Kelly Dalloo of Bloomfield, Brian Yaldo of W. Bloomfield 8. Amy Garbacz of Royal Oak and Jeff Christian of Bloomfield 9. Mary Finkel (left) of Bloomfield, Jeff and Carolyn Jensen of W Bloomfield

Humble Design’s Bring Home the Love

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1. Treger Strasberg (left) of Birmingham and Lauren Carson of Bloomfield 2. Eva Meade (left) and Loren Stone of Bloomfield 3. Venus Denson (left) of Troy, Loren Weiner and Kerrie Binno of Birmingham 4. Brooke Fisher (left) with Connie Quarrier of Birmingham and Liz Johnson of Bloomfield 5. Jennifer Cook (left) of Bloomfield and Stacey Kives of Beverly Hills 6. Liz Modell (left) and Lauren Fisher of Bloomfield and Elyse Foltyn of Birmingham 7. Sheila Stone (left) of Huntington Woods and Sharon Eisenshtadt of Bloomfield

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Nourishing the Soul Benefit The Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit is well known for fighting hunger, but the monks also maintain a beautiful center memorializing the Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey adjoining it where they nourish the spirit. Ten years ago the late Anthony and Catherine Lutfy began staging a wine splashed dinner event to support the center.

This year it attracted 430 to The MET hotel in Troy where 12 wine vendors presented great pours during the cocktail hour and the seated dinner.

Carey Cornacchini and Laurie Maass chaired the 10th annual benefit. They coordinated a silent auction that raised $23,000, two 52-card raffles that raised $10,500 and they got Fox-2’s Charlie Langton to be the auctioneer for the live bidding ($40,000) that followed dinner and a video presentation of the center’s gardens and sculptures. Guests gave resounding applause to the generous bidders who bought the Chef’s dinner for eight at Oakland Hills Country Club because it sold three times for $5,000 each. When the evening concluded, it had raised $120,000 for the center. Visit it at www.solanuscenter.org.

Humble Design’s Bring Home the Love Humble Design, the organization that Treger Strasberg and Ana Smith founded five years ago with “one truck and an idea” to furnish and decorate homes for the recently homeless, has done so for 364 families. As

Strasberg told the 100 supporters ($100 tickets) gathered at Neiman Marcus for a midday Valentine fundraiser, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We make a real differenceâ&#x20AC;Śninety-eight cents out of every dollar we raise helps our families.â&#x20AC;?

One of those recipients, Robin Hunter, a domestic abuse survivor who was sleeping in a car with her two kids last year when she learned about HD from COTS (Coalition on Temporary Shelter), then spoke. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My kids were amazedâ&#x20AC;ŚHumble Design is doing Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workâ&#x20AC;Śthank you so much,â&#x20AC;? she concluded. Guests also watched HDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Life Changingâ&#x20AC;? video, socialized, snacked on small bites passed by Cutting Edge Cuisine, shopped and decided which goody they wanted in the pick-your-ownprize raffle. The seven raffle prizes included a family photo session by Marla Michelle Enchanted Photography and an artistic creation

by Loren Weiner. The event raised nearly $15,000.

Cirque - Carnevale di Venezia More than 600 mostly younger art lovers from the Founders Junior Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ($95 tickets) frolicked carnival style at the DIA. Masked men escorted them from their cars past the fire eaters and a Venetian gondola into the museum where lighting transformed the Great Hall and the Rivera Court into a Bacchanal party scene (see Photo Gallery). In addition to the elaborate masks, visual diversions included human statues, mimes, slit walkers, illusionists, acrobats, fire performers and Luigi Bruni Salonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s live models dressed by Roma Sposa to represent the drama and passion of Carnevale di Venezia. DJ Urban Kris kept the dance floor lively except when two Michigan Opera Theatre singers performed selections from Phantom of the Opera and the winning mask was announced.

Savory and sweet small bites were passed throughout the evening to accompany the cocktails and liquored-infused hot chocolate. Late night snacks included sliders and Better Made potato chips. Some locals in the crowd included past FJC president Nicole Wagner, Amy Zimmer, Nicole Eisenberg, the Mark Zeffiroes, Steve Grekins and the Allan Nachmans, whose young grandsons made a brief appearance to see the party their mom (co-chair Elanah Nachman Hunger) had been working on for so long.

Project 1 Benefit for Hope Closet Project 1, an all volunteer organization that helps one person, one family, one

Founders Junior Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cirque - Carnevale di Venezia 1. Amy Zimmer (center) of Bloomfield with Rob Belloni (left) and Anthony Ahee of Grosse Pointe 2.

Cynthia Bass of Clarkston and Michael Scheid of Bloomfield 3. Elanah Nachman Hunger of Sylvan Lake flanked by Bacchanal performers 4. Luigi Bruni Salon models in dresses from Roma Sposa Salon

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Christ Church Cranbrook Evening for Outreach

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6 1. Julie Sosa and Ellen Rogers of Bloomfield 2. Joann Gordon (left) and Teri Fenner of Bloomfield 3. Eva Dodds (left) and Tera Parker of Bloomfield, Patti Chinois of Birmingham 4. Maria Coyle (left) and Verjek Ohanian of Bloomfield 5. Lighthouse CEO John Ziraldo with Michelle Jonna (left) of Bloomfield, Darlene Jackson and Adrienne Zarghami of Birmingham 6. Nicole Eisenberg (left) of Bloomfield, Brooke Fisher of Birmingham, Stacy Kives of Beverly Hills 7.

Natalie Trerice (left) of Troy, Abby Hoglund and Lauren Boos of Birmingham

cause at a time, staged a benefit for the Hope Closet which provides prom finery for young women in need of financial assistance to attend their school prom.

The party, chaired by Erin Shaw and Whitney Drake, attracted more than 100 Project 1 supporters to Neiman Marcus. The price of admission was a prom dress or accessories and more than 300 dresses plus shoes, handbags and jewelry were donated. Guests socialized, savored spirits and desserts, and sampled 25 different spa services. For more information go to www.projectonecares.org and www.hopecloset.com.

Saks Fifth Avenue PATH benefit

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Christ Church Evening for Outreach Seba Bodden, Leslie McMaster and Pam Redfield chaired the Christ Church Cranbrook 2014 Evening for Outreach to Focus: HOPE’s Outdoor Learning Center for Children. Their committee had assembled an outstanding array of auction items for the 200 guests to consider buying when they weren’t buying raffle tickets, socializing to music by Ursula Walker and Buddy Budsen or savoring Diane de Movellan’s cuisine. It saluted Detroit’s Mexican, Greek, Polish and Arab ethnic groups plus Detroit originals like Coney dogs, Vernor’s Boston Coolers and Sander’s hot fudge sundaes. Midway through the evening, Christopher de Movellan and Tom Post conducted a spirited live auction of 12 lots. Former Rector Gary Hall’s donation of a weekend in Washington, D.C. brought the top bid ($2,500). Also popular in the silent auction were the 12 social events being hosted throughout the year for which some available slots remain. View these (CCC Entertains 2014) at christchurchcranbrook.org.

Including the live auction ($17,385), the event netted $41,500 for the state-of-the-art playground.

Construction will begin in the early summer and volunteers are welcome.

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Daughters of the American Revolution The Piety Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 79th anniversary at a Community Awards luncheon at The Townsend.

At the event Ruby Weidner and Zelna Randall received awards from Regent Christine Richman for 25 years of service to the chapter which promotes historic preservation, education and patriotism.

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1. Leslie McNamara (left) of Birmingham, Rev. Beth Taylor and Pam Redfield of Bloomfield. 2. Rob McGregor and Focus: HOPE’s Bill Jones of Birmingham 3. Martha and Glen Eberly of Bloomfield 4. Kit McDonnell (right) of Bloomfield with Peter and Paula McDonnell (left) of Beverly Hills 5. Tom Post of Bloomfield and Lynn Gillow of Birmingham 6. Rob Croll (left), Wendy Dittrich and Andrew McNamara of Birmingham 7. Lauren and Tom Balames of Bloomfield 8. Sue Johnston of Birmingham 9. Sara and Paul Kane of Bloomfield 10. Episcopal bishop Rev. Wendell and Karlah Gibbs of Detroit and CCC interim rector Rev. Ron Pogue of Bloomfield 11. Mary and Chuck Letts of Bloomfield 12. Kathy Doyle (left) of Rochester and Sarah Post of Bloomfield 13. CCC organist John Repulski of Bloomfield with Mary Redfield of Des Moines, IA 14. Tom Post and Mollie Proctor of Bloomfield

FAR Conservatory’s Sing Out 4 Kids Sherine Marzouk and Karla Sherry chaired the fundraiser that attracted a sold out crowd (172) to the Sky Box at Royal Oak’s Emagine Entertainment center. They socialized, sipped, savored the offerings at the slider bar and checked out the silent auction offerings before settling in for the karaoke show emceed by Jay Towers. The talented good sports in the spotlight were Blaine Fowler, Monica Gayle and Dean Greve, Josh White Jr., Scott and Alexa Lusader, Steve Acho, John Riesen, Angela Goetz, Allan Lee and Sean Quisenberry, Bob Blumenfeld, Judy Zorn, Jeff Nahan, and Mark and Leo Palmer. The latter, a participant in FAR’s music therapy, and his father got the most rousing receptions when they sang “I Won’t Give Up.” A two-item live auction brought the auction total to $11,235, and the evening’s proceeds to more than $30,000 for the Birmingham-based organization. It provides creative arts therapy and recreation services to more than 1,200 children and adults with mental, physical and emotional impairments all over Michigan.

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ENDNOTE

Vote NO and start over with library plan irmingham voters on May 6 will decide the fate of a proposed $21.5 million expansion and renovation of Baldwin Public Library.

Others will begin casting absentee ballots this month, which is why we are weighing in on this important topic in this issue of Downtown.

If approved by voters, the average annual cost for a Birmingham household will be $124, or $2,500 over the life of the 20-year bond.

We are urging voters to say NO to the Baldwin Library proposal on the ballot this May, and for a variety of reasons.

Baldwin Public Library is one of Birmingham’s jewels. Located across from downtown Birmingham’s Shain Park and The Community House, it resides on a full block bordering Merrill, Bates, Chester and Martin, and first opened in 1869 with just under 50 books.

The library we all know and revere was first opened in 1927 with its entrance on Martin Street, an elegant tudor revival designed to mirror city hall. The need for more space has prompted to two additions, one in 1960 and another in 1981, the last designed by architect Gunnar Birkerts, a modern rap-around structure which added to the youth area among other spaces, and is today derided as not matching the library’s original structure nor surrounding area, and not meeting and adapting to the library’s needs.

Several years ago those involved with the library began a discussion of ways to improve the library, ranging from an approximate $3 million plan to one created by local architect Victor Saroki that was estimated to cost about $10 million. When these options were reviewed at the start of 2012, the city commission called for a Joint Library Building Committee to be established with the task of reviewing all options for Baldwin Library. A Joint Library Building Committee was set up, consisting of three city commissioners, three library board members, and a planning commissioner. In May 2013, they hired Quinn Evans, a historic preservation architectural firm from Ann Arbor, and they performed a survey and held public meetings to determine what library users would like from the Baldwin Library, and ultimately presented three options for the library building committee, among them the $21.5 million plan that is facing voters in May. No doubt library personnel, members of the library committee and the joint building committee have put in countless hours in trying to arrive at a plan of action for the library, and for this we are grateful. However, we have many significant concerns about the $21.5 million library plan, including methodology used to arrive at identifying community desires and the final physical layout of the proposed revised Baldwin Library.

First, let’s talk about methodology.

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Currently, there are four communities which utilize Baldwin Library – residents from Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Bloomfield Hills, but as Baldwin Library is a municipal structure of Birmingham, only Birmingham residents will pay for its improvements. Between the four communities there are over 35,000 residents but only 674 people participated in a two-month long Internet survey, 391 of which were from Birmingham, a tragically small response on which to build a $21.5 million vision. Of those respondents, 57 percent were over the age of 51; and 50 percent had no children under the age of 18 living at home.

With something this important to the community as a whole, before hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on construction management, at least $1 million on an architect, and millions more for a library that may or may not meet the community’s needs, we believe it behooves everyone involved to begin the process again by first hiring a qualified research company to perform an actual survey, with a three-four percent error rate, to accurately determine the community’s desires for their library.

The term “library of the future” has been used repeatedly, yet no one, from the current library director, highly vocal library board members, nor members of the Joint Library Building Committee, have been able to say what that will be, not unusual as we look across the country as everyone tries to assess the role of the public library of the future. But there does seem to be a growing consensus among many library analysts across the country that it will be a place to gather, work collaboratively and create innovative projects, in addition to being a center of information both in printed and in digital form.

Against that background, any future library will be a place requiring flexible space. Indeed, even in the flawed survey, respondents overwhelmingly said they wanted more meeting space at the library, as well as more study spaces.

The designs rendered by Quinn Evans provide for four new study spaces and an auditorium, as well as addressing the ADA weakness of the current library. While the two previous additions to the library would be demolished as part of this project, the replacement will add 16,000 square feet of space but roughly only half of that would be useable public space, and worse, much of it is inflexible in its design.

Because we are not architects, we talked with two successful Oakland County architects, both of whom pointed out that the current design and floor plan of the new library precludes the ability to adapt the library space in the future if the role of printed books and overall library needs change.

Today, schools, offices, houses of worship, hotels and conference spaces are all being fashioned with the ability to accommodate changing future

needs, whether it is via movable walls or other means. Since the “library of the future” is still an unknown quantity, its design needs to be visionary and flexible enough to adapt, rather than a monument to 2014 architectural tastes.

The $21.5 million Baldwin Library plan is woefully inadequate and expensive when you consider the longer term value received. We urge library director Doug Koschik and his board to return to the drawing board and be innovative and creative in tackling this civic offering. The proposed improvements to the Baldwin Library will enhance a fine library, but despite the protestations of some who assert that the bond must be approved now to save money later (less than 2 percent), this is not a good plan for the city of Birmingham.

Beyond our main concerns, we have other issues with the Baldwin Library plan.

We think that if voters agree and reject this bond in May, at a minimum an altered composition for any future study committee must be put in place, starting with reducing the number of city commissioners who sit on this panel. It does not logic to have three commissioners on this panel who then recommend to their fellow city commissioners what should go before voters when only four votes are needed to decide an issue at the city commission level.

Further, broaden the makeup of the committee to include an urban planner in addition to someone from the planning commission, perhaps other librarians, someone with an architectural background - in short, get creative.

A new plan should also take into account future operational costs, despite claims by supporters that day-to-day costs will remain the same with the plan being voted on in May. Our cursory research indicates that costs could be increasing in the future as different kinds of personnel may be needed as the nature of research in a library changes and different skills are required to help and service patrons as the role of libraries gets defined.

We also feel strongly that more attention should be paid to the logic of the 2016 Master Plan for the city which recommends returning the entrance of the library to Martin Street, and in a city with difficult parking options, conveniences like a drive up book return would make sense.

Lastly, somehow the needs of Baldwin Library for the future must also be balanced against other possible city needs, such as roads, aging infrastructure and senior services, that might require voter/taxpayer support in the short-term future.

There is no reason to rush to make changes at the Baldwin Library. Vote NO on the May bond issue and let’s develop a better and more cost effective plan for the future.

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