Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield by Downtown Publications Inc.

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • J. MARCH: TORINO IN FERNDALE

DANGER UNDETECTED CHEMICALS THAT ESCAPE TESTING IN MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES

IMMUNIZATIONS: PERSONAL FREEDOM CLASHING WITH MEDICINE POLICE DETECTIVES: HOW LOCAL DEPARTMENTS CRACK CASES ENDNOTE: OUR CHOICES FOR AUGUST ELECTION

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Michigan’s #1 Realtor 2010 2012 2013 Exquisite Walnut Lake estate on 4+ acres of manicured lawns. Sprawling home features over 16,000 Sq. Ft. Live a recreational lifestyle in refined elegance.

Handsome City of Bloomfield Custom estate on Cass Lake, estate commands attention. Unique contemporary blends Custom built & master modern & traditional. Majestic crafted w/large formal rooms w/high ceilings, finished gathering spaces. Exquisite w/gold Italian plaster. quality & attention to detail. Impressive LL.

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City of Bloomfield estate home on almost 3 acres w/carriage house perched over natural stream. Expansive yet intimate owner’s wing. Bright Chef’s kitchen.

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Breathtaking views on exclusive Pine Lake. Large 5 bedroom ranch home on exquisite lot. Over 3,800+ square feet with open floor plan & views of lake & grounds.

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K A T H Y BROOCK BALLARD 248.318.4504 The city of Bloomfield has only a few 2 plus acre "walk out" sites available, this is 1 of them. Adjacent to the Cranbrook educational community & surrounded by majestic mansions.

A warm & traditional setting for fashionable life in Birmingham, this newly rebuilt 3 story colonial offers 5,400 Sq. Ft. of professionally designed space.

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DOWNTOWN08.14

29 43 Drinking water contaminants Tap water from Detroit is touted as some of the highest quality drinking water but there are some 200 chemicals present that are not regulated.

CRIME LOCATOR

UNDETECTED

IMMUNIZATIONS: PERSONAL FREEDOM CLASHING WITH MEDICINE POLICE DETECTIVES: HOW LOCAL DEPARTMENTS CRACK CASES ENDNOTE: OUR CHOICES FOR AUGUST ELECTION

Patrick & Amy Ayoub Ben Riggan

THE COVER

Birmingham hotel complex proceeding; lily pads back at Quarton Lake; Toast denied dining platform; Nina McLemore coming to 550 Merrill; Hogan's stays open; pension bonds; plus more.

DOWNTOWN U

DOWNTOWN • WESTEND • THE GUIDE 124 WEST MAPLE ROAD BIRMINGHAM MI 48009 P: 248.792.6464 downtownpublications.com facebook.com/downtownpublications • twitter.com/downtownpubs

Publisher:David Hohendorf AdManager:Jill Cesarz AdSales:Heather Marquis Graphics:G. Lynn Barnett NewsEditor:Lisa Brody

NewsStaff/Contributors:Allison Batdorff, Rachel Bechard, Hillary Brody, Kevin Elliott, Sally Gerak, Austen Hohendorf, Garrett Hohendorf, J. Marsh, Kathleen Meisner, Laurie Tennent

DOWNTOWN

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

ENDNOTE

The annual Birmingham Bike Festival, host of the 2014 Michigan State Criterium Championship, will be held Sunday, August 24. Photo: Scott Kroske.

Eater Young Guns Chef Garret Lipar and owner Noah Dorfman takes dining to new heights at Torino in Ferndale with Prix Fixe approach.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

CHEMICALS THAT ESCAPE TESTING IN MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES

Alisha Siegel

MUNICIPAL

DANGER

Benjamin Bennett-Carpenter

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Thai Taste; Evereve; Napier's Kennel Shop and PetPeople; Orange Theory Fitness; Russ Simon Beauty; plus more.

AT THE TABLE

Patrick Brown

DISTRIBUTION: Mailed monthly at no charge to homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies are distributed at high foot-traffic locations.

A look at how detective bureaus are staffed in local public safety departments and how investigations are conducted.

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

Katie Costello

The investigators

Over 10 percent of Oakland County parents opt out of having their children vaccinated, creating a public health hazard.

BUSINESS MATTERS

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • J. MARCH: TORINO IN FERNDALE

FACES

27 41 48 55 73 79

Immunization opt-outs

For those going to the polls, we repeat our recommendations for the August 5 primary election ballot.

INCOMING: We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. The traditional Letters to the Editor in Downtown are published in our Incoming section, and can include traditional letters or electronic communication. Your opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com; or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 West Maple Road, Birmingham MI, 48009. Letters must include your full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

08.14

DAN REAL

GUTFREUND ESTATE

SKBK

SPECIALIST

Real Estate All Star

FROM THE PUBLISHER

hen Downtown this past February published information about Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard’s department using a military-style surveillance device to capture cell phone data, I personally found it bothersome. The suitcase-size surveillance device is called the Stingray. The portable device mimics a standard cell tower, allowing police agencies to grab phone data from a target phone. The problem is that the surveillance device intercepts data from all phones within one mile or a greater area in some cases. To boil down the particulars, not much is known about the Stingray because some say the U.S. Homeland Security Department, while others say the manufacturer, the Harris Corp., requires a non-disclosure agreement with all units of government, who then can hide behind that fact to deny Freedom of Information Act requests for specifics, including copies of the contract. Costs for Oakland County, thought to be the only Michigan local public safety unit to have such a surveillance device, have been estimated anywhere between $170,000 – $400,000 if you include training and upgrades, underwritten mostly by grant funds from the U.S. Homeland Security Department. Once again, no specifics are readily available. Similar devices generally capture content of calls and other cell communications, which reportedly can be expanded in terms of details once a data dump has been made. Burchard’s office maintains that it is only used to track specific criminals to aid in their arrest. Supposedly, his office seeks approval from the court to target a phone, then once data is captured, seeks another court order to gather more information beyond location of the phone, things like addresses, phone logs and text messages. Let’s grant the sheriff the benefit of the doubt for now, but let’s also remind ourselves that on the flip side you have police in places like Miami who informed the city council that the Stingray was needed to monitor protesters at a world trade conference being held there. There were also reports that Florida police have used the Stingray over 200 times without obtaining a warrant, and in Los Angeles, the police department uses the device for “any investigation imaginable,” according to the Electronic Freedom Foundation. And that’s the rub. Michigan and some local governments have been conducting surveillance on citizens dating back to the 1920’s, although the government surveillance debate really went public with the Red Squad debacle from the 1970’s when it was learned that the city of Detroit and the Michigan State Police had built up files on members of what was called the “new left” – which included not just anti-war activists but also members of environmental, gay and women’s groups.

Between the city of Detroit and the Michigan State Police, there were estimated to be 90 or more law enforcement officers dedicated solely to Red Squad activities consisting for the most part of infiltration of political and social groups, resulting in spying on an estimated 50,000 people from a political spectrum that ranged from the right to the left, with heavy emphasis on the latter. Even more disconcerting are reports that Red Squad files were shared with some larger corporations intent on blacklisting those who had been under surveillance in their quest for “model” hourly workers. Thanks to political activist, politician and university professor Zolton Ferency and the ACLU, the courts ruled in January 1976 that Red Squads violated both the Michigan and U.S. Constitution and the state and Detroit units were disbanded. Surveillance targets are allowed to see their own personal files until 2017. So if history has taught us anything, the government must be reined in from time to time, especially with the changing technological capabilities for capturing private information, and that’s ignoring the issue of what corporate interests compile on consumers, a topic for another time. That is why I found it refreshing that current Michigan State Representative Tom McMillin, a term-limited Republican from Rochester, has introduced two bills to establish guidelines on cell phone data surveillance, codifying in writing the need for warrants, requirements that those caught up inadvertently in the surveillance would be notified, and establishment of an oversight board that would make sure rules are constantly updated as program upgrades develop. What’s the chances for passage? McMillin is a candidate for the U.S. Congress 8th District seat, so if he survives an August primary and the November general election, there goes the driving force on this issue. Regardless of McMillin’s fate, it is not likely that the legislature will tackle this with any sense of urgency, although it should. Citizens are already subjected to an Orwellian array of privacy invasions, from NSA spying, a growing number of surveillance cameras with facial recognition capability, auto license recognition software, red light surveillance cameras and the like. McMillin’s state bills would be a good first step to establishing some minimum standards and protections from a local law enforcement surveillance effort that has considerable potential for abuse.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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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 July 18, 2014. Placement of codes is approximate.

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POSSIBLE DANGER IN THE WATER UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS IN MUNICIPAL DRINKING SUPPLIES BY KEVIN ELLIOTT

ap water supplied by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has been touted for decades as being some of the highest quality drinking water produced by any public utility in the country and required water quality reports by local communities regularly indicate drinking water that meets or exceeds federal standards. But it’s what isn’t contained in annual water reports released to the public that may raise concerns. A national analysis of drinking water utilities across the country conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested water supplied to more than 250 million Americans in 45 states. While the report found that 92 percent of the public drinking water utilities surveyed are in compliance with federal drinking water standards, only 114 of the 316 contaminants identified in the analysis are required to be tested under federal law. That leaves more than 200 chemicals that aren’t subject to any kind of government regulations or safety standards in our drinking water.

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“The nation’s tap water has been compromised by weak federal safeguards and pitiful protection of drinking water supplies,” said Jane Houlihan, senior vice president of research at the EWG. “In most U.S. households, pouring a glass of tap water means exposing families to hundreds of distinct chemicals and pollutants, many of them completely unregulated.” mong the unregulated chemicals discovered over a five-year testing period were perchlorate, a toxic chemical that is used as a component to rocket fuel, which has been identified as a contaminant in tests conducted by the DWSD. Other contaminants identified in the national analysis included the industrial solvent acetone; metolachlor, which is used in weed killers; freon, which is used as a refrigerant; and radon, a highly radioactive gas. Other contaminants, such as chromium-6, which has been categorized by the EPA as a likely carcinogen, isn’t specifically required to be tested, but is grouped together with the less toxic chromium-3 under total chromium standards. The EWG report further states that the EPA and congress force water utilities to spend more than $4 billion a year to treat contaminated water, while a fraction of that is spent cleaning and protecting rivers and reservoirs. “Utilities do the best that they can treating a big problem with limited resources,” Houlihan said. “We must do better. It’s not uncommon for people to drink tap water laced with 20 or 30 chemical contaminants. This water may be legal, but it raises serious health concerns. People expect better water than that, and they deserve it.” The EWG analysis revealed 97 agricultural pollutants, including pesticides and chemicals from fertilizer and/or manure-laden runoff; 205 industrial chemicals linked to factory discharges and consumer products; 86 contaminants that originate in polluted runoff and wastewater treatment plants; and 42 byproducts of water treatment processes or pollutants that leach from pipes in storage tanks. In Oakland County, the majority of residents receive drinking water from the DWSD system, while others not hooked into Detroit’s expansive system are served by local municipal or individual wells. For Oakland County residents hooked directly into the DWSD system, water comes from two main

The water then flows through fine sand filters, called beds. These filters remove more particles and certain micro-organisms that are resistant to chloride. Finally, a small amount of phosphoric acid and chlorine are added to the treated water just before it leaves the plant. The phosphoric acid helps control the lead that may dissolve in water from household plumbing systems. The chlorine keeps the water disinfected as it travels through water mains to reach customers. In addition to a controlled and monitored treatment process, the water is tested for a variety of substances before treatment, during various stages of treatment, and throughout the distribution system. Hundreds of samples are tested each week in certified laboratories by highly qualified and trained staff. Despite the efforts, the DWSD said some contaminants found in the source water may still remain in the water when it reaches a customer’s tap. Data included in the EWG obtained by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) includes the presence of bromochloroacetic acid, an unregulated contaminant created as a byproduct during the water treatment disinfectant process. The chemical, as well as seven additional regulated chemicals typically produced during the water treatment or delivery process, were found in the water in the Birmingham system, as well as other communities receiving water from the DWSD, which besides Birmingham include Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Commerce Township and Walled Lake. Additional contaminants that may be present in source water include microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife; inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming; pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources, such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses; and organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organics, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems. “A big problem comes from failing septic systems,” said Oakland County

It's not uncommon for people to drink tap water laced with 20 or 30 chemical contaminants. This water may be legal, but it raises serious health concerns. – Jane Houlihan, senior vice president of research, EWG. sources. Residents living north of 14 Mile Road receive their water pulled from the utility’s Lake Huron Water Treatment Plant, while those south of 14 Mile receive water from the DWSD’s Springwells treatment plant, along the Detroit River. Other communities, such as Waterford and White Lake townships, receive water from underground wells throughout the township. Additionally, many southern Oakland County communities purchase water from the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) at three locations. SOCWA provides DWSD water through its member distribution systems to residents in Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Southfield and Southfield Township. “We test our water at least once a week at 50 different locations,” said Jeff McKeen, general manager of SOCWA. “Detroit (Water and Sewerage) tests continuously at points of production.” Communities in the SOCWA system may receive water at times from the Detroit River or lower Lake Huron. Each source is given a susceptibility rating from “very low” to “very high” to determine the susceptibility of potential contaminants. The susceptibility of the Detroit River source water intakes were determined to be highly susceptible to potential contamination, while the Lake Huron source water intake is categorized as having moderately low susceptibility to potential contaminant sources. Patrick Williford, principal analytical chemist for the DWSD water quality laboratory, said the department takes hundreds of water samples each day during its water processing in order to maintain quality and develop best treatment practices. He said the department also monitors many secondary and unregulated contaminants that can enter the system. “We do process control testing, which means we are monitoring the quality of drinking water going through the system during processing to help us develop the best treatment.” The water treatment process begins with disinfecting the source water with chlorine to kill harmful micro-organisms that can cause illness. Next, a chemical called alum is mixed with the water to remove the fine particles that make the water cloudy or turbid. Alum causes the particles to clump together and settle to the bottom. Fluoride is also added to protect teeth from cavities and decay.

Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash. “Coliform and other things that make you sick can get into the surface water and people who live close to septic systems have issues because of high water tables. When there’s a failure, it happens quick.” Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, according to the DWSD, and often does. ocal governments receiving water from the DWSD system, as well as water systems relying on wells to supply drinking water to the community, are required to issue annual drinking water quality reports, sometimes dubbed “Consumer Confidence Reports.” The reports provide a basic snapshot of a community’s water quality. However, not all the contaminants that may be present in a particular community’s drinking water are regulated by the EPA. For instance, Waterford Township, which receives its water from 19 wells in 11 different locations in the township, lists seven unregulated contaminants that were tested in 2013. Of the seven contaminants, three were sampled at detectable levels, including molybdenum, strontium and chromium. Molybdenum is an essential nutrient in human diets, and is found in small amounts of leafy vegetables, grains, sunflower seeds and other foods. The typical U.S. diet provides about 100 micrograms per day, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which uses a health advisory level for molybdenum of 90 micrograms per liter (ug/L). Waterford Township’s water has a molybdenum presence of about 6.95 ug/L, according to the township’s 2013 water quality report. The report also showed strontium levels at 359.9 ug/L, with the EPA’s recommended limit of 4000 ug/L for drinking water. Strontium is a naturally occurring element that may be found in rocks, soil, dust, coal and oil. Naturally occurring strontium isn’t radioactive, but may be harmful to children, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Chromium levels of .05 ug/L were recorded in Waterford Township’s drinking water, according to the report, with no levels of chromium-6 in the drinking water. The EPA recommends a maximum contaminant level of total chromium in drinking water to be at 100 parts per billion, or about 100 ug/L.

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Chromium is an odorless and tasteless element found in rocks, plants, soils, humans and other animals. The most common forms of chromium are chromium-3 and chromium-6. Chromium-3 is an essential dietary element, but chromium-6 is often produced by industrial processes and is classified as a likely carcinogenic for humans, according to the EPA. “Chromium and other things were (present),” Williford said about testing conducted by the DWSD in 2011. “There are some claims out there by groups about chromium, and we have done some monitoring on them. They are all within regulatory limits.” Williford said total chromium levels at the DWSD rank it as a “nondetected” contaminant, which means that combined levels of all chromium variations are below the method reporting limit (MRL), which is also below the EPA’s maximum contamination level (MCL) of total chromium, which is .1 mg/L, or 100 parts per billion, or ppb. However, chromium-6 was found at the DWSD’s Water Works Park plant tap on May 16, 2011 at .13 ppb and at .09 ppb on December 6, 2011. The MRL or the minimum level of contaminant able to be detected by lab equipment, for the 2011 analyses was .02 ppb, he said. Currently, the EPA doesn’t have an MCL requirement on chromium-6, and testing isn’t required to determine what percentage of total chromium is chromium-6. Julia Ortiz, spokeswoman for the EPA’s Drinking Water Division, said that in 1991, the EPA established an enforceable drinking water standard of 100 ppb for total chromium, which includes all variations of chromium, including chromium-6. “This standard was established on the best available science at the time, which indicated that some people who use water containing chromium in excess of the drinking water standard over many years could experience allergic dermatitis (skin reactions),” Ortiz said. owever, the EPA in 2011 said recent studies indicate the potential for greater human health risks from chromium-6 than what was previously thought. Based on newer public health information, the EPA that year issued new recommendations to water systems to encourage enhanced drinking water monitoring for chromium-6. Currently, Ortiz said, the EPA is in the process of assessing chromium-6 regulations. The EPA’s findings are expected to be available for public comment in 2015. Meanwhile, California this year became the only state to place regulations into effect regarding chromium-6 levels in drinking water. Effective July 1, California’s maximum contaminant level for chromium-6 is at .010 mg/L or 10.011423 ppb. Chromium-6 is produced by industrial processes and manufacturing activities, including discharges from steel and pulp mills, among others. At many locations, chromium compounds have been released into the environment through leakage, poor storage or improper disposal practices. Chromium compounds are very persistent in water as sediments, according to the EPA. According to the EWG, various conditions can cause chromium-3 to turn into chromium-6, and vice versa. The widely used tap water disinfectant chlorine, for instance, can cause this to happen. Highly acidic conditions may also cause changes. “For years, scientists assumed that all hexavalent chromium was converted into trivalent by the stomach’s acidic environment, rendering it harmless,” Rebecca Sutton said in the report on chromium-6 in drinking water she wrote for the EWG. “It’s now clear, however, that some of this toxic chemical can pass through the stomach unchanged and penetrate tissues and organs throughout the body. Studies in both animals and people show that exposure to hexavalent chromium via drinking water leads to elevated chromium in tissues, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, blood, liver, kidneys and spleen, and increased toxicity.” Sutton also said that some individuals, particularly children and pregnant women, may be particularly susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of chromium-6. People with less acidic stomachs, she said, appear to have limited ability to convert hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium, exposing them to higher levels of the toxic form and putting them at greater risk. Contamination of tap water with chromium-6, or hexavalent chromium, was the basis of the 2000 movie, “Erin Brockovich,” which told the story of chromium in the cancer-stricken town of Hinkley, California. Residents there won a $33 million settlement from Pacific Gas and Electric. A 2005 Wall Street Journal investigation of the chromium contamination in Kettleman City, California, revealed the gas company had hired consultants to publish a fraudulent analysis of cancer mortality and chromium in a attempt to disprove the link between illnesses and the element. Sutton’s EWG report on chromium-6 looked at the contaminant’s presence in 31 of 35 cities tested in the country, including Ann Arbor, Michigan. While those 31 cities serve more than 26 million people, California is the only state that currently requires testing of chromium-6 in drinking water. downtownpublications.com

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“The total number of Americans drinking tap water contaminated with this compound is likely far higher than is indicated by EWG’s tests,” Sutton said. “At least 74 million people in nearly 7,000 communities drink tap water polluted with total chromium, which includes hexavalent and other forms of metal, according to EWG’s 2009 analysis of water utility tests from 48,000 communities in 42 states.” The EWG’s paper urges the EPA to move faster in establishing a legal limit for hexavalent chromium in tap water and require all water utilities to test for it. Ortiz said the EPA regularly re-evaluates drinking water standards and, based on new science on chromium-6, had begun a rigorous and comprehensive review of its health effects in 2008. In September 2010, the EPA released a draft of that scientific assessment for public comment. In February 2012, the EPA began a new schedule to assess the effects of chromium, which is still underway. Once it is completed, Ortiz said the EPA will review its conclusions and consider all the relevant information to determine if new drinking water standards for chromium-6 are warranted, or if any other revision to the current total chromium standard is needed. While the annual reports typically contain a table of contaminants that are detected in a community’s water, there may not be legal requirements for a water utility to bring the contaminant below recommended levels. Richard Benzie, community drinking water department director for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the EPA has a process where they develop a candidate list of possible dangerous contaminants for future regulatory action. “It’s a multi-year process of toxicological studies, where they are researching animal and/or human studies on their exposures. It can take 10 to 15 years from the time it pops up to recognize its dangers and its presence,” he said. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to review each National Primary Drinking Water Regulation at least once every six years and revise them, if appropriate. The primary standards are legally enforceable standards that apply to public water systems, and aim to limit levels of contamination. Secondary standards also exist as non-enforceable guidelines regulating

was “well below” the EPA’s MCL, but slightly above the detection limit at the Springwells plant. he two contaminants are included on a list of provided to Downtown Publications of regulated and not-regulated contaminants that required monitoring but were not detected at all five water plants between 2008 and 2014. The list includes various synthetic organic chemicals, VOCs, radioactive contaminants, inorganic contaminants, flame retardants, explosives and other contaminants. Mary Lynn Semegen, water quality manager for the DWSD, said the most recent study of unregulated contaminants the department conducted was in 2007, when the EPA asked the department to do some water samples of contaminants at the southwest water treatment plant in Detroit for raw river water and for treated water. Examining 85 different chemical compounds, she said only two were found in the treated water, and those were in levels so small that they pose no threat to human health. One of the chemicals found was perchlorate, which the EPA is in the process of determining if it requires regulating, and at what levels. Benzie said perchlorate is being fast tracked by the EPA. “It’s been found in a lot of the water near military bases and airports,” he said. “It’s also common in some food and in beer. It’s not easy to remove from water in treatment because it’s voluble. It can be dangerous to the fetus of a pregnant woman and to the development of the thyroid. It’s a difficult decision. When they make a decision to go regulate something, they have two years to determine the regulations.” In addition to perchlorate, Semegen said the DWSD’s testing found Bisphenol A (BPA) in the system, a chemical in certain plastics which has been shown to have hormone-like properties. “BPA is now so ubiquitous in the environment, so it’s not surprising (it was detected). But once it went through treatment, it was reduced tenfold,” she said, noting it received no special treatment for removal. For emerging contaminants, the EPA has placed them in the unregulated contaminant program, which is in its third round of testing. She said the EPA checks them every five years and takes different contaminants and chemicals and sets national standards. The EPA samples those quarterly,

Some people who use water containing chromium in excess of the drinking water standards over many years could experience allergic dermatitis (skin reactions). – Julia Ortiz, EPA Drinking Water Division spokesperson. contaminants that may cause cosmetic or aesthetic effects, for which water systems are not required to comply. Unregulated contaminants aren’t subject to any proposed national primary drinking water regulations, but are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems. Ortiz said the six-year review of primary standards is to identify those regulations for “for which current health effects assessments, changes in technology, and/or other factors provide a health or technical basis to support a regulatory revision that will maintain or strengthen public health protection.” ut another way, federal law doesn’t require tap water to be safe for long-term consumption; the long-term risks of cancer and other health threats are balanced against the feasibility of purification, according to the EWG’s report. As a result, there are hundreds of contaminants for which there are no legal limits at all, so any amount is legal. Among the contaminants found in water tested by the DWSD were detectable levels of the radioactive material radium 226 and radium 228. Williford said the levels were found in a 2014 test conducted at the southwest plant and Lake Huron treatment plant, but the combined levels of radium were still below half of the MCL standards. Radium is naturally occurring in some organic, deep bedrock aquifers. When consumed in water, a small portion of radium may be absorbed by the digestive tract and distributed throughout the body. The rest is passed unchanged from the body, with some being excreted in waste. Exposure to high levels of radium for extended periods may cause depression of the immune system, anemia, cataracts and fractured teeth, as well as increased incidence of bone, liver and breast cancer. Williford said 2014 tests at the DWSD also showed detectable levels of total xylenes, which include various volatile organic compounds. Xylenes are released into the atmosphere as emissions from industrial sources, auto exhaust and volatilization from their use as solvents. Williford said the level

nationwide, three months apart from water systems, or twice yearly from groundwater, and then determine if its worth monitoring or if their presence is ubiquitous. BPA was first investigated in 2008, and again in 2010, as the FDA identified it as a possible hazard to fetuses, infants and young children. It was removed from baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable water bottles, but it remains pervasive in the water supply. Beginning in 2014, the DWSD is getting ready to do some sampling under the unregulated contaminants monitoring rule on endocrine disrupters, or hormones, in the water. That monitoring will continue for a year in order to see if there are chemicals present that the EPA may want to regulate in the future. The EPA uses the unregulated contaminants monitoring rule program to collect data on chemicals and contaminants that are suspected of being present in drinking water but do not yet have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Semegen said BPA was found in the water system at 233 parts per trillion untreated; but at 27 parts per trillion treated. “That’s extremely low levels,” she said. “It’s detected in nanograms per liter or parts per trillion. Figure it as one drop in a trillion other drops.” However, those tiny drops may be adding up to create a toxic mix of contaminants that should be considered by the EPA, according to some environmentalists. “The framework under which the EPA sets drinking water standards is outdated,” said Sutton. “For example, the agency is not required to set maximum legal limits for contaminants at levels that protect the health of children or to consider the heightened vulnerability of the fetus and newborns. “In addition, the EPA sets maximum legal limits for contaminants as if people are exposed to just one at a time. That’s not the reality – research shows that people carry hundreds of chemicals in their bodies at any given time. A growing number of studies also show that the risks add up when people are exposed to multiple chemicals that can act in tandem or cause harm, and that total risk can be greater than the sum of the parts.”

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FACES

Katie Costello or metro Detroit natives returning to the Motor City after spending years out of town, the return home can be a bit of a shock to the system. But the experience has been particularly eye-opening for former Peace Corp volunteer Katie Costello. “I’m still adjusting,” said the 24-year-old Birmingham native. “Each day is a little different.” Costello recently spent two years in the African nation of Zambia. For 24 months, Costello made her home in a mud hut in the village of Mufabwe, where she taught English and health to villagers. No running water. No electricity. Luxuries included a cat to kill the mice under her grass roof. “Clean sheets for my bed,” she said, of the things she has enjoyed since returning home. “I was really excited about clean, washed sheets. “It was the first time I really traveled, so I had low expectations. I think that helped me, so I went in with a good attitude and learned how to work and be productive,” she said of her time abroad. “My first impression was excitement. I was overwhelmed by all the people that came to meet me.” Costello signed up for the assignment during her senior year at Grand Valley State University, where she earned a degree in psychology. The first three months of her journey were spent in training. Then she was sent to Mufabwe. Alone. There she taught at a school with about 1,500 students. “People tend to lump all of Africa together, but each country is very different,” she said. “Zambia is the most hospitable place I’ve ever been. I used public transportation and individuals’ cars, and they made me food without ever questioning. I never felt in danger.”

Costello said days would typically begin about 5:30 a.m., with the sunrise. A well provided water for all needs, and it had to be filtered before use. Bags of popcorn and oatmeal were often collected from the city, about three hours away, and brought back to the village where it could be pounded into a lump and eaten with local vegetables. “I went in as a teacher, and taught English and health, but my real interest area was health and empowerment,” she said. “Gender and reproductive health. I did a lot of girls and boys camps, and we built a library that was funded by the Zambian people. Books were donated by people in Birmingham.” Costello said some of her teachings were a bit controversial to students, particularly sex education and differing ideas on gender roles. Still, once she took time to gain the trust of others, she said she was accepted with open arms. “I wasn’t expecting to actually love the people,” she said. “I knew I would have friends and get along, but they created a family for me. I wasn’t expecting that kind of love.” Since returning home, Costello said she is focusing on finding a job in the human services field. She said she is hoping to work with gender equality and family planning. “Unfortunately, all the problems I dealt with in Zambia are world wide, so I will always have a job, probably. That’s nice, but it’s unfortunate it’s happening all over.” Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Jean Lannen

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rior to 2007, Jenny McCarthy had been popularly known as a Playboy model and comedian. Her resume, so to speak, expanded in May 2007, when she announced that her two-yearold son, Evan, had been diagnosed with autism, and it had been caused by vaccinations. She wrote a book, “Louder than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism”, describing how Evan’s autism was triggered through a vaccination, and that she had helped him recover as a result of alternative therapies, all of which have been rejected by the medical and scientific communities. McCarthy based her claims that vaccines cause autism on a paper by a British researcher, Andrew Wakefield, which linked the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism, which was later proven to have been based on manipulated data and fraudulent research. In fact, Wakefield’s study was formally retracted and he has been struck off the medical register in England. He is no longer licensed to practice medicine.

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Yet both the myth that autism and other illnesses are caused by childhood immunizations persist, with some parents with access to lifesaving vaccines choosing not to vaccinate their children. The debate McCarthy set off persists. In fact, in Oakland County, over 10 percent of parents currently choose to opt out of vaccinating their children, not only preventing their own offspring from being inoculated from diseases that could be wiped out, but creating a public health threat because these same children can become carriers, exposing others to diseases that can make thousands ill. Throughout Michigan, about 6 percent of parents have not vaccinated their children by the time they entered kindergarden, an increase from 1.88 percent in 1993. It’s a situation that infuriates Commerce Township pediatrician Dr. Beth Baver of Edgewood Pediatrics. “Parents don’t get it. They’re also exposing other people to many, many terrible diseases. There is so much misinformation on the Internet, but they believe that they know more than me,” she said. “Anyone can put anything on the Internet, and so much information is not true. I can show them a scientific study that shows them there is no correlation between vaccines and autism. It’s been proven false. Jenny McCarthy’s son has been proven to not have autism, but a genetic illness. It’s sad that people will not believe me, as an educated doctor, versus junk on the Internet.” “A typical physician goes through 14 credits of tough pre-medical science and mathematics college courses, takes a difficult admissions exam, and only 5-10 percent of these hardworking candidates get accepted to medical school. After two years of intense advanced-level biology and biophysics courses (liked by many to ‘drinking from a fire hose’) and two more years of rapid fire clinical rotations, one enters residency for another four to seven years, and often an additional fellowship after that. Still, many patients fall into the rut of ‘noncompliance’ or ‘nonadherence’ as it has more recently been termed: the refusal, intentional or not, to follow a doctor’s medical recommendations,” wrote Jean Kim in the Daily Beast on July 14, 2014. “The dark side of alternative medicine is the rejection by otherwise rational human beings of basic scientific principles and safety.” In order to attend school in Michigan, as well as all 50 states, children are required to receive immunizations against childhood illnesses and other communicable diseases by the time they begin kindergarden, and then again at grade seven. According to the Center for Disease Control, and echoed by the Michigan Department of Community Health, current guidelines recommend that in order to enter all public and non-public schools in Michigan, children must receive three doses of a Hepatitis B vaccine, the first between birth and four weeks, preferably before the baby is discharged from the hospital, and then again at least eight weeks after the first dose, with the final dose at about 24 weeks. The rotavirus vaccine, to prevent against a serious and contagious gastroenteritis virus, is usually given to babies at six weeks old, and again four weeks later, and then after another four weeks. hildren need four doses of the polio vaccine by the time they begin kindergarden, and then another three doses of a booster between seven years old and 18. Polio, a highly contagious viral illness that can cause paralysis, difficulty breathing and even death, was least seen in the United States in 1979, but continues to affect children and adults in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and areas in Africa, according to the Mayo Clinic, due to a lack of vaccinations. Epidemiologists affirm that there is absolutely no link between the polio vaccine and HIV, despite assertions in the 1990s by the writer Edward Hooper. Four doses of the DTP vaccine, for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, are needed to provide immunity to these diseases, with one given at 18 months of age and a booster given to children 11 and older. Two doses of the MMR, measles, mumps and rubella, shot should be given to children on or after they are a year old, with the second dose given four weeks later. The chickenpox, or varicella, vaccine, is a newer vaccine given to children in two doses at or after 12 months old. In addition, a yearly flu shot is recommended, but not required, for school attendance.

Older children, at sixth grade, are recommended to receive a meningococcal vaccine. Karen B. Mitchell, M.D., program director for Providence Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program in Southfield notes that making sure that everyone in the family has been immunized is important not only for the individual’s health, but for everyone’s well being. In Michigan, only 72 percent of Michigan children and 63 percent of teens have received their full contingent of immunizations, according to the CDC. ome parents may not have gotten around to getting their kids fully vaccinated. Kathy Forzley, manager of the Oakland County Health Division, said that many parents don’t get around to vaccinating their children by the time they start school, and because their child cannot start school without the immunizations unless a medical waiver is signed, they sign the waiver. “Many parents aren’t 100 percent opposed to vaccinations. This is a busy community with busy parents. We actually have many parents who intend to vaccinate their kids, but just have not gotten around to it,” Forzley said. “It’s not a good practice because it’s important to vaccinate children on schedule. We’re working hard right now to educate parents about starting early with back-to-school pushes, so parents don’t run into that crush at the end of August, beginning of September, where they can’t get their children into the pediatrician or family doctor.” Forzley said all vaccines are available at the Oakland County Health Department, which has two offices, one on Greenfield in Southfield, and the other on N. Telegraph in Pontiac. Dr. Jennifer Castro of Bloomfield Pediatrics in Bloomfield Township said that the trend her practice is seeing is less parents opting out of vaccinating their children than even just a few years ago. “Parents are educating themselves more, and there are more and more studies that show that vaccines are safer than ever before. Some parents are still choosing to spread it out, and still hesitate to fully follow the pediatric recommendations, or still have fears. We don’t recommend that, but we do work with people,” she said. Some parents, however, still choose religious or philosophical opt-outs. “Education is our best tool. If we’re educated for the good and bad, we can make the best decisions possible, so parents can make the wisest decisions for their children. As pediatricians, we tell you we’re making decisions based on the best information we have today. We explain that among the consequences is the potential to get the disease, which could be a mild case, the loss of a limb, loss of hearing, all the way to death,” Castro said. “We’re fortunate to live in a society that doesn’t see a lot of consequences to not vaccinating.” Baver tells another tale. “I saw a baby that was 11-months-old, and the parents refused all vaccinations, and she got whooping cough. Whooping cough is no fun. It lasts three to four months. The parents kept saying, ‘What can you do?’ Nothing. You chose to not immunize your child and she’s now sick, and she’s going to cough for three months until she turns blue.” For some parents, despite the medical advice, they have medical, religious, or philosophical reasons that caused them to make the choice to not immunize their children. Fiona McCann, a massage therapist in Troy, decided not to immunize her three-year-old son Collin, and to date, he has not had any vaccinations. “I had a negative reaction to vaccines first when I was 16 and I was working for Birmingham Schools in their day care,” McCann said. “There was this sweet 18-months-old boy, Andy. One day, he went to get vaccinated and he never spoke again. He just pinched, rocked and pounded his ears. He was fine before his vaccination. This is not normal, but it’s what happened from the vaccination.” Of her 32 nephews and nieces, she said none have been vaccinated and all have been well. “My mom said we’re born with partial immunity. We’re continually getting an immune system,” she said. She said she’s not sure if she and her ten siblings received all of their vaccinations as children. McCann, and other parents who choose not to vaccinate, can still

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send their children to public, private or parochial schools in Michigan, but they must get a signed waiver from a medical doctor, or fill it out themselves, and state a reason for their abstention. While McCann said she may choose to home school Collin, if she does send him to a public school when he reaches kindergarden age, she will opt for a philosophical exemption from vaccines. accines that Michigan requires a waiver for are diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenza type B and pneumococcal conjugate (for pre-school programs), meningitis, and varicella (chickenpox). These mandates apply to all children attending a licensed daycare program; any public or private school; many summer camps; and some colleges and universities. All of the local public and private schools follow the state guidelines. “Immunizations can never be ‘required’ but they are strongly recommended,” said JoAnne Messina of Bloomfield Hills Schools. “I am not allowed to prevent a student from enrolling even if they have never been immunized. Parents simply complete a waiver and provide the reason that they are not having their child immunized. Generally speaking, parents object to immunizations for religious or personal/philosophical reasons. Doctors have a separate form to complete if there are medical reasons to avoid immunizations.” Vaccine exemptions fall into three categories, medical exemptions, where a child has a serious allergic allergy to the vaccine or components of the vaccine, or may have an immune system disorder; religious exemptions, where the person’s organized religion prohibits vaccinations; and the philosophical, or personal belief, exemption. True medical reasons are rare, as are severe allergies to elements within vaccines, or children with compromised immune system disorders which prevent them from receiving any vaccines. They are also most at risk from exposure to illnesses and childhood diseases. “Many of the waivers are self-prescribed ‘medical’ reasons by parents, and they’ll put down a reason that a doctor would not recognize,” said Forzley. “I rarely hear religious reasons (for exemptions),” said Baver. She said about 10 percent of her parents opt out of vaccinating their children due to philosophical reasons, consistent with current Oakland County numbers, which are currently 10.3 percent. “All of them seem to suffer from fears that have been built up year after year from the Internet.” To combat some of their trepidations, she said their practice tries to have conversations with them, present them with flyers and information about the necessity of inoculating their children. “We try to re-educate them,” she said. “I try to talk them, lay it out and explain to them what the truth is. They’re convinced the vaccines will harm their children, even though it’s not true. Old vaccines were not the same quality as we have today. There are no preservatives, and they’re not getting a whole bacteria or a whole virus, or a chemically-treated antigen. Children are exposed to thousands of antigens everyday – far more than we expose them to in a single vaccine. “About 25 percent of parents will be convinced, and they’ll think about it, and do it on an altered schedule, maybe spread out the vaccines, or wait until their child is older,” said Baver. “But there are plenty of patients who won’t, or who will wait until the child is much, much older.” “Some of the concerns about the number of antigens and the number of vaccines children have to get are so minuscule,” said Dr. Pamela Hackert, chief of medical services for the Oakland County Health Department. “One finger up the nose has so many more antigens than any one vaccine. If you don’t get your child vaccinated, it’s the same as not using a car seat for your child – not everyone does, but everyone should.” Hackert explained that the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatricians recommend that many vaccines should be given at certain times, and together, “because they work synergistically. They were designed to work well together.” “Some parents decide to break up giving their children vaccines, but they actually put their children at more risk,” said Oakland County’s

Forzley. According to a 2000 study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), many scientific and medical research studies repeatedly have found that individuals who exercise religious and/or philosophical exemptions are at a great risk of contracting infections, which puts themselves and their communities at risk. Individual versus public health priorities were first argued in the United States Supreme Court over 100 years ago, when a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts refused to be vaccinated for smallpox because he believed that the law violated his right to care for his own body the way he knew best. The Court rejected the man’s challenge, and in 1905, laid the foundation for state actions to limit individual liberties in order to protect the public’s health. That precedence has remained through other challenges: the public good over an individual’s liberty. While some parents assert biblical support against vaccinating their children, few religions actually support that contention. Religious objections are generally based on the ethical dilemmas connected with using human tissue cells to create vaccines, and the belief that the body is sacred and should not receive certain chemicals, blood, or tissue from animals, and should be healed only by natural means. According to Dr. Vincent Ianelli MD, on pediatrics.about.com, “While there seem to be many people in religious groups that cluster together and refuse to get vaccinated, they are often actually claiming personal belief exemptions and not true religious exemptions.” In actuality, almost all religions permit, and even encourage, the vaccination of its members. While some believe that Catholics are opposed to vaccines, the Catholic Church is actually pro-vaccine, even for those which are cultured in cells that were originally derived from aborted fetuses. “If no safe, effective alternative vaccines exist, it is lawful to use these vaccines if danger to the health of children exists or to the health of the population as a whole,” states the church. Other Christian churches do not have any specific scriptural or canonical objections to the use of vaccines. There is some confusion regarding Jews because some vaccines contain components of pig and gelatin, inferring that it must then be against Jewish dietary law for their members to be vaccinated. Rather, it follows the edict “to save a life,” where vaccines are judged based on concepts of medical law and are encouraged. mong some Muslim fundamentalists in some areas of the Third World, there is a belief that it is against Islam for adherents to be vaccinated against the polio vaccine. But the majority of Islamic leaders have issued clear statements describing how immunization is consistent with Islamic principles. Since 1952, Jehovah’s Witnesses have stated that vaccination “does not appear to be in violation of the covenant made with Noah.” Christian Scientists, who fundamentally believe that diseases are not real and can be healed by focused prayer, do not have rules against immunization. Members of the Dutch Reformed Church, going back to a tradition of refusing smallpox vaccines in the early 1800s, do believe in the adverse effects of vaccines and traditionally refuse vaccinations. Because of this, there have been polio, measles, congenital rubella syndrome, and mumps outbreaks in their communities, including one in the Netherlands in 2013 where 1,226 cases of measles, including 176 serious cases leading to complications including encephalitis and pneumonia. “We have had one or two families with religious waivers. Both families were Jehovah’s Witnesses,” said Kristin Ahrens, health and wellness curriculum director and the middle school nurse for Detroit Country Day School. She said there are a couple of students with medical waivers and a handful that have philosophical waivers. What some parents who opt out of immunizations may not realize is the risk their children can pose to others. A person carrying a disease may not become ill, or may not get sick for a while, but can still spread the virus to others, and once it begins to spread, a highly-communicable disease can’t be easily contained. Measles, for example, results in a very visible rash, but there is a significant period of time between being

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MORTGAGES FROM CHARTER ONE exposed to the virus and the actual development of the rash. People actually become contagious with measles before they break out with the rash and can spread the virus before they even realize they have the disease. Ahrens said that while there are always worries about non-vaccinated children being carriers of diseases or illnesses, “Our parents are pretty welleducated, so there aren’t any panics.” Bloomfield Hills Schools’ Messina noted that, “If you think about it, it isn’t just the school that is at risk. We refer to these diseases as ‘childhood diseases’ because they are most often contracted during childhood, but that doesn’t mean that adults are safe. Several years ago, I worked with a man who contracted measles, despite his childhood immunization. Any person who has not been immunized runs the risk of contracting ‘that’ disease and then spreading it.” Efficacies weaken and exposure can prove harmful, especially to members of the public who may have illnesses, have a disease, be recovering from surgery or cancer treatments. Parents who sign waivers with a philosophical reason for exempting their child from vaccinations when they begin school usually have to remove their children from school if there is any kind of a communicable disease outbreak for the duration of the outbreak. iona McCann said that she will not have a problem removing her son from school if and when the time comes. She said her concern for autism outweighs any concern about her son missing school. “I feel all vaccines are the same. There is a negative effect with all of them. The chemicals that are in them, and all sort of crazy stuff in them, are dangerous.” “We all follow the same state-mandated rules,” explained Judy Evola, spokesperson for Walled Lake Consolidated Schools. “Whenever there is any kind of communicable disease outbreak, we notify the Oakland County Health Department, and we work with them. We notify the parents in the classroom, and in some cases, the entire school, usually be e-mail or by voicemail. We provide the parents with fact sheets from the Oakland County Health Department. It’s always our priority to keep our parents informed.” Marcia Wilkinson, spokesperson for Birmingham Public Schools, concurs. “In the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease, we follow the directions of the Oakland County Health Department. That may mean that non-immunized children have to stay home but that is determined by the county,” she said. “The decision to immunize is a very personal one for a family. While we certainly respect that decision, we must also act in the best interest of the general population and follow all health department protocols.” “Whatever medical professionals tell us, we follow that, and then we have to get a doctor’s approval before the student can come back to school,” Evola said. Oakland County’s Forzley said that when there is an outbreak, such as a chickenpox outbreak, and a student has to stay home, usually parents will then decide to bring their child in to become vaccinated. Once inoculated, they can return to school. While vaccines can be expensive, especially for physicians to purchase as pharmaceutical companies have increased their costs to doctors, health professionals all want to assure parents that in Michigan, vaccines are covered by providers. Those without insurance or with limited coverage can get free or reduced cost vaccines through the Oakland County Health Department. “It’s called the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, for insured or reduced cost throughout the state, and many pediatricians and family doctors also participate,” Forzley said. “Cost is always an issue, but in Michigan, if you don’t have coverage, the government provides it for you. Maybe you can’t get free vaccinations at my office, but they’re available at the health department,” said Dr. Castro. “We don’t make money off of vaccines. But there’s no excuse to not get vaccinated because of cost.”

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Completely updated 5 Bedroom Colonial with stately columned entry and circular aggregate drive. Kitchen with granite island and breakfast bar. Handsome Library. Private yard with paver patio. Finished Lower Level. 3-car garage.

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Phenomenal 2004 renovation and remodel of a classic hilltop Colonial on a beautifully landscaped corner lot. Gourmet granitecountered Kitchen with professional appliances. Luxe Master Suite with skylit Bath. 3-car garage.

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Patrick Brown loomfield Hills native Patrick Brown was born to play professional hockey. “I started skating when I was 3-years old, and I dreamed of playing in the NHL since then,” said Brown, who just signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes. “I loved watching the Red Wings, especially my dad when he was playing. My style is a little different now.” Brown’s father, Doug Brown, played 15 seasons in the NHL, including the 1997 and 1998 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings when he helped to capture back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. “I never felt pressure, I always took it as positively as I could,” he said. “I don’t think I was ever living in his shadow, and that ended up helping me a lot.” Certainly, hockey is in the family’s blood. In addition to his father’s professional career, Patrick’s uncle, Greg Brown was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1986, and is now an assistant hockey coach at Boston College, where both Patrick and his father attended school and played hockey. Patrick’s younger brother, Christopher, in July was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres, and will play in the USHL before he, too, plays for Boston College. In addition to his hockey pedigree, Brown’s mother, Maureen, played golf for Boston College, and his grandfather was Wellington Mara, former owner of the NFL’s New York Giants. In high school, Brown served as co-captain of the Cranbrook Kingswood hockey team, where he helped guide the team to the 2010 Michigan High

School Athletic Association Division III state championship. At Boston College, he majored in economics and played with the university’s hockey team, helping to earn several championship titles, including an NCAA championship in 2012. In September, Brown will move to Raleigh, North Carolina for training camp. “I’m just working as hard as I can to make a good first impression,” Brown said. “I’m going to play my game. I’m a gritty, hard-nosed forward. I play as good defense and good offense as I can. Working as much as I can, blocking shots and winning face-offs.” So, what would Brown be doing if he weren’t playing hockey? “I’d be looking for a job, probably,” he said. “I took school very seriously. Hopefully, I would be working.” Brown said a strong work ethic is part of his game on the ice, which was instilled early in his hockey career. In order to stay in shape and prepare for the training season, Brown works out with 2SP Elite Athletic Development in Madison Heights. It was also taught to him early on how to conduct himself both on and off the ice. “The most important thing is to be humble and work as hard as you can,” Brown said. “Representing yourself off the ice with respect. You are representing yourself, your school and your family. You aren’t just representing yourself when you don’t have a jersey on. You’re representing your team.” Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: John Quackenbos / Boston College Athletics

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Cases involving criminal sexual conduct are a rare exception, he said. More typical criminal cases McDonnell tends to work on include thefts or drug possession. Yet nothing was typical about the evening of April 30, 2014, when a Bloomfield Hills man was shot during a botched robbery at his home. It was nearing midnight at David Zacks’ home in the 700 block of Woodwind Drive when a man claiming to be a police officer approached the 57year-old attorney’s door and demanded to be let into the house. Zacks refused and threatened to call the police. After Zacks shut the door, the stranger drew a handgun and shot several bullets through the door, striking Zacks around the stomach and hip. Police, at the time, said the shooter fled to a dark colored vehicle that left the area. The following day, Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Director David Hendrickson revealed the incident stemmed from a botched robbery involving a 23year-old woman Zacks had previously met. The woman allegedly concocted a plan to break into the Zacks’ home with the help of three men and steal the contents of a safe and other valuables. When the group arrived to find the home occupied, police said they obtained a gun and returned to rob him. Within days, Bloomfield Hills police arrested four suspects in connection to the incident, including Cassandra Lynne Chobod, 23, Devon Miller, 21, Christopher Hernandez-Montiel, 20, and Henry Williams, 20, all of Macomb County. Authorities say Zacks met Chobod at a gentlemen’s club in Dearborn where she was working as a dancer. Chobod and the other suspects have since been ordered to stand trial on multiple charges. endrickson, who was hired in May 2013 to head up the Bloomfield Hills Public Safety Department, said he has been focusing the department on providing fast and effective service. That includes having patrol officers conduct investigations themselves, rather than simply handing them off to a detective. For the Bloomfield Hills department, that means having better trained officers, conducting quicker investigations and increased chances of solving routine crimes. “From our perspective, we are a small department. We have 25 officers,” Hendrickson said. “We really only have the need for one detective, and we can supplement that with the officers that are on the road.” So, how does a law enforcement agency with one detective and about two dozen patrol officers crack a major case like the Zacks’ shooting and bring four suspects up on charges within five days? In short: it doesn’t. Realizing the need for help with more serious crimes, Hendrickson had the department join Oakland County’s Major Crimes Assistance Team (MCAT) in March of 2014. A month later, the decision would prove to be a wise one when working the April 30 shooting. “We took a case where we had an attorney shot and went five days from shooting to prosecution,” said Birmingham Deputy Police Chief Mark Clemence, who serves as coordinator for the MCAT. Clemence, who helped form MCAT in 2009 with Troy Police Department Captain Keith Frye, said the team had a total of 11 detectives assisting the Bloomfield Hills Police Department on the shooting investigation, including two from Auburn Hills, four from Troy and one each from Bloomfield Hills,

Birmingham, Rochester, Clawson and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Rochester Hills substation. “The majority of serious crimes are done by a small number of people. The more we can work together and collaborate, the better we are going to be,” Clemence said. “We have different investigators in MCAT who are experts in different areas. That’s one of the reasons MCAT was formed, to draw on that experience. It’s still that department’s case. Basically, we play an advisory role. It’s still that department’s jurisdiction.” MCAT was created as a collaborative initiative aimed at resolving complex criminal cases by providing additional personnel and equipment to member agencies involved in major criminal investigations. The team was formed through interlocal agreements with participating governments. Agencies participating in the MCAT include Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Troy, Rochester and investigators in Rochester Hills at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s substation. he Birmingham Police Department’s Investigation Division is headed by a “working” lieutenant, meaning he or she actively works cases. Additional investigators in the division include a general case detective, one school liaison officer, who works as a general detective during the summer months, and one investigator assigned to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET). The division is responsible for follow-up investigations involving crimes, liquor and narcotics violations, liquor license applications and employee background checks. The investigative division also conducts educational seminars and decoy operations to promote awareness and compliance regarding alcohol and tobacco laws. According to the department’s 2013 annual report, the department had a total of 18,372 calls for service, which includes investigation cases, as well as traffic and patrol calls for service. In terms of investigative cases, the department took 58 calls for cases of vandalism; 32 burglary cases; 187 larcenies; 15 vehicle thefts; six robberies; and three cases of criminal sexual contact. Clemence said detectives work an average of 1,000 total cases a year that come into the department, with identity theft being one of the largest growing crimes being investigated. In addition to collaborating with MCAT, the Birmingham Police Department, as well as most others in Oakland County, can receive assistance from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, which operates a state-of-the-art crime lab, including a biological and DNA testing lab that recently completed construction and will be open for operation soon. “Our DNA lab just finished construction,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “We have been waiting to have that in-house for about seven years. It’s a very long, arduous process, and we are now in the testing phase. It’s really the final piece of the puzzle for it to be stand alone.” Bouchard said the office already processes firearm and computer forensics and a host of other specialties, which are available for use by local departments. The final component, he said, is the capacity to test for DNA evidence. “We hope to be up and running this year,” Bouchard said. “In terms of how operational and how many cases we take, that will take a little

time. We will start with internal cases and high priority cases. We intend to staff up the lab over time,” he said, adding that a director for the lab was already hired. “The Michigan State Police has a tremendous burden, and the closure of the Detroit Crime Lab caused a slow down for the whole state. The state has been undersourced by policy makers for a long time.” Bouchard said his push for establishing a lab capable of processing DNA came while waiting for results of DNA evidence in connection to a particular rape case. Investigators waited for evidence results from the state crime lab for about eight or nine months, he said. “We got the results and made an arrest, but in the meantime, there were two more assaults,” he said. “That crystalized in my mind that we needed to refocus. It has taken years. It’s very expensive, not just the equipment, but the build out on the facility and staff, which is highly trained and skilled. It’s an ongoing, continual cost. In my mind, it’s one of the most important things we can offer. It helps solve crimes and it does it fast.” The sheriff’s lab provides crime scene analysis to any law enforcement agency in Oakland County that requests assistance, and does so on a 24-hour basis. The lab also operates a mobile crime lab, which can respond to any crime scene, civil disorder, drowning or other incident scene to collect and tag evidence, photograph, video and remove any evidence to be analyzed. Routine analysis includes fingerprints, latent prints, composites, narcotic and dangerous drug determinations, and expert testimony on blood splatter interpretations. The sheriff’s investigative division includes several other specialized teams, task forces and programs. The division’s auto theft unit is a multijurisdictional task force investigating all auto theft related crimes. The office touts a 79 percent drop in auto theft rates since the unit was formed in 1986. The unit in 2013 recovered 236 stolen vehicles worth $2,317,449. Specialized units, such as the auto theft unit, are typically utilized by local police departments, as well as investigators assigned to individual substations, such as those in Commerce Township. ommerce Township’s substation employs three general detectives and a school liaison officer, who investigates general detective cases during the summer months, and a detective sergeant. The detective bureau is assigned all felony cases, as well as some misdemeanor cases. Initial reports are typically taken by patrol deputies, with cases assigned to detectives. Detectives at the substation were assigned 357 total cases in 2012, with a big increase to 417 in 2013. Detectives assigned to the substation work also have all the sheriff’s office’s specialized resources available to them, such as the fugitive apprehension team; a computer crimes unit; fire investigation unit; multi-agency narcotics enforcement team; warrants unit; special investigation unit and gangs task force; and a multi-agency crime suppression task force. The sheriff’s arson investigation unit is utilized by virtually every police department in the county. Recognized as one of the top investigation units of its kind in the country, the unit conducted 162 fire investigations in 2013, of which 37 were determined to have been caused by arson. Wolverine Lake Village Acting Police Chief John Ellsworth said while the village’s police department

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doesn’t employ a detective, each of the department’s officers is responsible for following up on investigative cases on their own. The department employs five full-time officers, three part-time road patrol officers, and one parttime marine patrol officer. Ellsworth said officers are capable of investigating most crimes, but assistance from the sheriff’s office and neighboring departments have been requested for assistance. “We ask for assistance from surrounding communities for specific situations, like an evidence technician. Having Oakland County helps,” he said. “They have been a great asset. They are definitely on top of it when it comes to major crimes. We work very well together. We don’t turn it over to them — they work with us. Since we are a nice, quiet, little community, it doesn’t happen very often.” he neighboring city of Walled Lake has one detective assigned to its investigative division, who is responsible for handling all cases officers aren’t able to finish by the end of their shift, said Walled Lake Police Chief Paul Shakinas. The detective, who is appointed by the chief, also handles warrant requests, and district and state court appearances. “We handle what we can here,” Shakinas said. “There really isn’t much we have to farm out that we can’t do in-house, even though we are small.” While major cases aren’t common in Walled Lake, the department found itself in the midst of two homicide investigations within the past year. “If we have a serious crime, like murder, I’ll assign a major crimes task force,” Shakinas said. “I assign a group of officers. The last one, I assigned eight officers to that, and they all had different jobs.” Walled Lake police officers on May 11 were assigned to a homicide investigation involving a 21year-old man who came into the police department with his mother and admitted to killing a man and trying to hide the victim’s body in his closet. Alex Jay Adamowicz was charged on May 13 with homicide for the April 12 slaying of John Watson, 51. Police said Adamowicz came into the department with his mother after she came over to his apartment at 1483 W. West Maple to visit for Mother’s Day. Shortly after arriving, she noticed a foul smell in the apartment and questioned her son. Police discovered Watson’s partially decomposed body wrapped in cellophane in a bedroom closet. Shakinas said Adamowicz slashed Watson’s neck on April 12 during an argument. He was arrested the following day in Novi on drunk driving charges and held overnight. After being released, Adamowicz made an effort not to leave the apartment where he was concealing the Watson’s body. The investigation was the second recent homicide case for Walled Lake police, which on December 17, 2013 arrested a 28-year-old man for the suspected shooting death of his 45-year-old neighbor. Police say Charles Jacob Simkins shot and killed Edwin Criswell during an altercation stemming from a dispute about a dog in the 1100 block of Sigma. Shakinas said the department handled the majority of the investigation, but had some assistance from Michigan State Police for processing DNA. “We are just getting stuff back now for the December murder,” Shakinas said. “That’s an acceptable timeframe. For blood draws for DUIs, it’s about three or four weeks.”

The Walled Lake Police Department also is part of the West Oakland Major Crimes Team Task Force, which is headed up out of the Novi Police Department and includes departments in Wolverine Lake Village, Wixom, South Lyon and Novi. The task force was utilized in 2012 when several vehicles were shot at along the I-96 corridor. Raulie Casteel, of Wixom, was convicted in January 2014 of terrorism for the shootings, which occurred in Oakland, Ingham, Shiawassee and Livingston counties. Shakinas said the detective position is typically a three- to five-year assignment that gives officers an opportunity to receive additional training. “It’s usually a three-year detail that we rotate,” Shakinas said. “They have the opportunity for different training. I try to give them three years. We have run them for five (years), but there is some burnout at that point.” Detective positions at some larger departments is typically a longer commitment, and competition to land the job is often highly competitive. Captain Scott McCanham, who heads up the Bloomfield Township Police Department’s Investigative Division, said officers who make detective usually stay in that position until retirement. “Once they become detectives, they generally don’t leave the bureau,” McCanham said. “They tend to retire out of there.” The Bloomfield Township Police Department’s Investigative Division consists of adult and youth investigations, and is staffed by detectives trained in all aspects of criminal investigations, as well as some specialized investigations. McCanham said there are five full-time detectives and two school liaison officers in the division, all of whom rotate assignments every five years. The division also employs a civilian identification technician and an evidence technician, who oversees the property evidence room. “They can investigate anything, but we try to keep them with some specialities,” McCanham said. “We rotate that around a little because you can get burned out doing one type of crime all the time.” onsidering the wealth of information a detective gathers during his or her career, it’s not uncommon for departments to call upon former investigators to assist in a case or court testimony. “We had a retired detective we called on a case he worked from 1997,” McCanham said. “He retired at the end of 1999, and he was needed in court. It was off a case he worked, and that suspect was up on homicide.” Detective positions at the department are highly coveted. A recent opening in the detective bureau resulted in about 35 applications from officers in the department. In order to be eligible for the position, officers must have at least four years of experience at the department, and pass a written test. Applicants are assessed by seniority, and go through a step-by-step review process that includes an oral board examination, a command-staff evaluation and other department evaluations. The division maintains an in-house crime lab and a certified, latent-print examiner, which McCanham said helps save time in processing prints because investigators don’t have to rely on the state or county crime labs to get results.

“They are always busy,” McCanham said of county and state crime labs. “We do anything we can do to lighten their load, and our detectives appreciate the turnaround time we have here.” In addition to being a member of MCAT, McCanham said the department receives assistance from state and county departments when needed, particularly in the area of arson investigations and computer forensics. “We are limited on computer forensics, which is one of the hottest topics and trends,” McCanham said. “The time required to become an expert in that area is considerable. We aren’t a big enough department to dedicate someone to that all the time. We don’t hesitate to use the county or state for computer forensic examinations. We have enough knowledge to know when we need to push it to that level.” The Oakland County Sheriff’s Computer Crimes Unit conducted 267 examinations in 2013. Examinations typically take as long as 23 weeks to complete an examination because computer hard drives dramatically increased in size. he Bloomfield Township Police Department’s Investigative Division was assigned 1,058 cases in 2012, and closed 727 cases the same year. A case is closed when no more can or needs to be done with an investigation. A case may be closed with or without a prosecution, but remains open as long as it is relevant and productive leads can be generated. In addition to criminal investigations, the township’s investigative division conducts background investigations, which take an average of two to three weeks to complete. “We don’t put numbers on things, but we want our people to come up with two to four references that aren’t on anyone’s reference list,” McCanham said. “You find them and knock on their doors.” McCanham said identity theft is a category on the rise and one that takes considerable time to investigate. Two of the department’s detectives focus primarily on identity theft and fraud. “The requirements to prove one of those cases is unbelievable,” McCanham said. “You have to prove whoever cashed (a fraudulent check) knew it was fraudulent, and prove the identity of the person who did it. Banks that require thumb prints make it easier, but we still have to talk to the suspects, and the stories are endless. We have to prove that check was stolen and they knew it was stolen. The new technological stuff that comes out – it’s like they are a step ahead of us. They know the game and the scams out there are unbelievable.” Bouchard said most of the local departments in the county rely on the sheriff’s computer crimes unit to assist with computer crimes. “When I became sheriff, I tried to look over the horizon and see what would be facing us in the future,” he said in forming of the computer crimes unit. “Computers are not only a staple in everyone’s life, but every criminal’s life. We might find a crime that was done with a computer, but we also can find motive. We assisted a neighboring county years ago with a homicide. No crime was committed with the computer, but evidence on the computer was very helpful in creating motive and proving forethought in the mind of the perpetrator.” Evidence obtained through technology was also one of the keys to identifying and locating the suspects charged with the Bloomfield Hills shooting case, Clemence said. “Cell phones,” he said, without revealing the specifics of the investigation.

FACES

Benjamin Bennett-Carpenter ife and death, with a side of religion. Such is the typical fare that feeds writer, Cruel Garters poetry magazine publisher, and Oakland University instructor Benjamin Bennett-Carpenter’s appetite for knowledge. “I’m interested in the whole shebang, life and death being one of them,” he said. “I’ve been kind of obsessed with death for as long as I can remember.” It was an incident after college that brought Bennett-Carpenter to contemplate death on a personal level. While teaching in Honduras, BennettCarpenter was woken in the middle of the night by a close call with death. “A bullet was accidentally fired through a window, about 18 inches above my head while I was sleeping. In one moment, I realized my own mortality.” The experience and his subsequent research led Bennett-Carpenter to write a dissertation about the topic of mortality. The son of a military man, Bennett-Carpenter said he moved around quite a bit during his childhood, growing up mostly in the Buffalo and Rochester, New York areas. It wasn’t until he read the poetry of John Ashbery that he became interested in literature. “Ashbery is what made me think that poetry isn’t horrible, after all,” he said. “It was a little of a revelation reading him from a point where I had very little interest in poetry beyond school.” The interest has led to a collaboration with fellow Oakland University instructor Glen Armstrong to create Cruel Garters, a stripped-down poetry

publication, featuring poems from both established writers and newer voices. “I’m a little embarrassed,” he said. “It really is the brainchild of Glen Armstrong.” The poetry magazine is a passion project for the two. Within its pages, there is no advertising. No descriptions. Only poetry. “There is no problem with highly polished, highly produced publications. Some announce that you are going to read a poem or something literary” Bennett-Carpenter said. “I find it distracting from the words on the page. (Cruel Garters) is a no-nonsense publication. If you pick up a copy that has been left on a bus, or that is just sort of left laying there; it’s almost like comic books, a thin, inexpensive publication. Looking at what is out there, there’s not a lot that is combining high and low culture pop. This is kind of an attempt to bring both of those together.” At $1 a copy, neither Bennett-Carpenter nor Armstrong are going to the bank with Cruel Garters. Since 2005, Bennett-Carpenter has been a special lecturer in writing and rhetoric at Oakland University, where he teaches courses in writing and rhetoric, creativity and interdisciplinary studies. He lives on the campus of Cranbrook Kingswood in Bloomfield Hills, where he previously taught part time, with his wife, Lynn Bennett-Carpenter, who is the Upper School weaving and fiber arts studio teacher. Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Jean Lannen

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FACES

Alisha Siegel loomfield Township native Alisha Siegel didn’t set out to be a photographer, but when her family took her grandfather’s old camera out of the back of his closet and handed it to her, a new passion took hold. “I took it home and started playing around with it,” Siegel said. “It functioned and it was in insane condition. They gave it to me and let me put it to use. That made my obsession with photography come out. It’s been a side project and a passion, but in the past two years, it’s become more serious. It has become a substantial part of my income.” Now living in Brooklyn, New York, Seigel studied retail and consumer sciences at the University of Arizona after graduating from Andover High School. While at college, she spent her summers working with fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, assisting in the visual aesthetics of stores, window displays and merchandising capabilities. After earning her degree, she went on to work as a buyer for Fab.com. But outside of her job, she began working on her photography passion, using both her grandfather’s Rolleiflex 120mm camera, as well as modern, digital equipment. Siegel said she has since left Fab.com, and is working as a private contractor and photographer, specializing in websites and production. On July 24, Siegel held her first photography show, Summer Series, at Brooklyn Fireproof East. “It’s a creative, collective environment featuring different artists,” she said of the exhibit. “I have 18 pieces in it, all 20-by-20 inches, black-and-white,

medium format. Hopefully, people will buy them.” Siegel said she and others were reviewing her work when someone suggested she put on a show of her own. “It never really crossed my mind,” she said, adding that the majority of her photo work had been for specific clients. “Then the stars aligned, and it worked out. Eventually, I decided I was doing it.” While much of her contract work for clients is done with her digital equipment, Siegel said using film first taught her to be patient with her shots so that she could intentionally capture specific moments. “I only have 12 shots on one roll, so I concentrate more because I’m not taking 100 shots in two minutes,” she said. “That patience translates on film, and it also gives a raw feeling that digital doesn’t get anymore. A lot of people relate to my photography and don’t realize the raw quality is shown. It speaks more and has more dimensions to it. You don’t always get that with digital.” Being patient and learning to have a “good eye” behind the camera is one trait helping Siegel transform her hobby into a sustainable career. However, having the appropriate business acumen has been just as important as her artistic ability. “Everyone told me I have a great eye, but if you don’t have a savvy business plan behind it, it’s hard to make anything of it,” she said. “Networking really opened doors up for me.” Story: Kevin Elliott

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MUNICIPAL Bloomfield Hills to issue pension bonds By Lisa Brody

The Bloomfield Hills City Commission unanimously passed a resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, July 8, with the intent to sell and issue bonds to retire its outstanding pension obligations. Bloomfield Hills City Manager Jay Cravens said the city has had discussions with their bond counsel, Terry Donnelly of Dickinson Wright, who recommended the issuance of $17 million in bonds to fully fund and retire the debt for their pension obligations, as well as to close defined pension obligations for all new employees. Cravens said the $17 million figure includes all bond and administration costs. The bonds would expire in 20 years. “By issuing the $17 million in bonds, we will see potential savings of $4 to $12 million over the life of the bond, based on bond counsel’s assumptions,” Cravens said. Commissioners were pleased with the potential savings. The bonds will be retired through regular property tax revenues throughout the year, although Cravens said they don’t yet know what those payments will be. “We can’t go out to the bond market until 45 days after we’ve announced, in case there are petitions against this. Our AAA bond rating will certainly improve our stature and lower the interest rate we’ll have to pay. I believe we’ll get a very competitive rate. We’ll likely go out for them around the end of the year.” A change in state law in 2013 allows municipalities to borrow money to sell bond in order to fully fund their pension fund and to diversify their portfolio with the assumption that investment returns will offset risks. An unfunded defined benefit pension is one where no assets are set aside, and the benefits for retirees are paid for by the employer, usually with benefits paid directly from current workers’ contributions and taxes. The state law only allows municipalities or counties to bond for unfunded liabilities. Cravens said what he likes about this is “it closes off the defined benefit program for new union employees. Existing union employees will still have it, but new union employees will go to a defined contribution program – a 401K, like existing non-union employees in the downtownpublications.com

Nina McLemore coming to Birmingham By Lisa Brody

ina McLemore, a designer women’s clothing company known for dressing professional women seeking fine quality, will be opening a studio in Birmingham in early August, at 550 Merrill Street, in the former Birmingham Schools administration building which is now known as 550 Merrill. McLemore, who was profiled in the Wall Street Journal in July for dressing high profile executive women who seek to look polished without looking too trendy and high fashion, has other boutiques in New York City, Aspen, Vail, Palm Desert, Nantucket, Sarasota, Charleston, San Francisco, and Chevy Chase, Maryland, along with other locations around the country. She chose Birmingham after women in Aspen, Vail, and Palm Desert, in particular, urged her to come here. “Many Detroit area customers said ‘You need to be in Birmingham,’” she said. A former department store and specialty buyer who later worked in finance, McLemore grew up designing and sewing many of her own clothes. Over the years, through professional organizations, she said she kept hearing from women “that I can’t find clothes to wear, really wellmade, tailored clothing out of fine fabrics,” she said. She said she’d go into meetings, and every woman would be in an Armani black suit or a St. John suit. “I wanted to sell directly to the consumer, where there would be better value to them.” Today, she said, 45 percent of sales are through McLemore stores; 45 percent through direct sales in women’s homes; and 10 percent via specialty stores. The Birmingham studio space will be shared with Karen Egren Jewelry, a Bloomfield Hills jewelry designer and purveyor. Egren’s husband Michael found the space and reached out to McLemore. “My clothes all work with jewelry,” she said. McLemore clothing, which is worn, according to the Wall Street Journal, by women like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Janet Yellin, is colorful, classic clothing completely made in the United States from fine European fabrics. It is designed for real women – “If you have hips or a bust, you can wear our clothes, as well as a size O,” McLemore said. The Birmingham studio will be open by appointment.

city. It saves the city quite a bit of money, and it provides us with a known number that we have to set aside each year, based on salary, versus how well an administrator manages the benefit program.” Commissioners agreed, unanimously voting to approve the resolution. Voters now have 45 days to petition to stop the issuance of the bonds, which will end around Labor Day. By state law and bond language, there needs to be a certain percentage of voters who voted in the last governor’s race to petition to stop the issuance of the bonds in order to halt the city from proceeding. “That’s a pretty steep requirement for anyone to achieve,” noted Cravens.

Toast denied dining platform request Birmingham City Commissioners on Monday, July 14, denied the request to amend the special land use permit to provide an outdoor dining

platform for Toast Birmingham, which would have taken up two parking spaces on Pierce Street, citing the parking crisis in Birmingham and the fact that the restaurant already has outdoor seating on the sidewalk. Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker explained to commissioners that Toast Birmingham, which was one of the first bistro licenses approved in 2008, was coming before them to request an amendment to the special land use permit originally approved when they received their bistro license, which granted them 24 outdoor dining seats on the sidewalk. Ecker said that in 2008, Toast had requested one parking spot for a dining platform, and the city commission had denied them then in order to see how it worked out for them with sidewalk dining. She said the restaurant now finds they need more outdoor seating in order to compete with some of the other local establishments. Toast Birmingham currently has 65 indoor seats, with 10 at the bar, 24 on the sidewalk, and they requested an

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additional 28 on an outdoor platform that would be constructed over two parking spots. “I thought that when we approved the bistro ordinance (in 2007) it was an either/or – either there would be dining in the sidewalk or the platform,” said commissioner Rackeline Hoff. Ecker said that was not the case and that the ordinance language did not indicate that. Hoff said that with another 28 approved seats, there would be a total of 117 seats. “My concern is that was not the intent of the bistro ordinance, and because parking is one of the most serious concerns right now in Birmingham, I don’t see how we can give up two of the parking spots, especially on Pierce.” Commissioner Gordon Rinschler disagreed. “We’ve given a spot to Elie’s, to Streetside (Seafood), and dropped a spot for the crosswalk, so it’s a double standard to say no because of parking. I’m all for it.” “Since we reviewed this, we rebuilt Martin Street, so parking has gone up in the area quite a bit. Another issue is I’ve seen valets plugging meters on Martin Street,” said commissioner Mark Nickita. “Richard Astrein was concerned enough (about this) to call me today that they’re double dipping because they have a very wide sidewalk,” commissioner Tom McDaniel said. “It’s not fair.” “It seems to me that with the publicity of the parking problem, there’s the perception of a message that we really don’t care about parking if we take two more spots away, as the committee is examining the problem,” commissioner Stuart Sherman noted. “At this moment, I don’t want to send that message.” “When we expand, we take out parking, and how does it affect the other businesses when their customers can’t find parking?” Hoff asked. “One by one, it decreases the opportunity for those who want to go into our other businesses and we should be supporting our business community.” Mayor Scott Moore concurred. “I agree. Looking at this parking situation, there are ideas in the pipeline, but they’re not there yet. This should be delayed for a year.” Chris Longe, architect for Toast, said, “Two parking spots are not going to solve the parking crisis.” However, the commission took no action, essentially denying the request. 57

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08.14

Lily pads back at Quarton Lake By Lisa Brody

A proliferation of lily pads have surged again at Birmingham’s Quarton Lake, with the city preparing a new course of action in an effort to combat the scourge that has been taking over the lake, hopefully once and for all. In the last three years, the growth of lily pads in the lake has gone from a few pretty flowering plants to a nuisance vegetation that has been threatening to overtake the waterway. Last summer, following public outcry from neighbors living near the lake, the city researched its options to combat the overgrowth. Experts from Michigan Department of Environment Quality (MDEQ) worked with the Birmingham Department of Public Services (DPS) and consultants from engineering firm Hubbell, Roth & Clark. “Based on the condition of the lake and thorough analysis conducted by HRC, the city recommends beginning treatment this year,” DPS Director Lauren Wood said in 2013. “Treatment options include mechanical harvesting and chemical treatments. Overall, the aquatic nuisance vegetation management plan will take between three to five years to restore balance in the Quarton Lake ecosystem.” Birmingham residents opposed the use of chemical treatments, and in September 2013, the city mechanically harvested the lily pads. However, it was not a permanent solution and the lily pads are back. “It’s a repeat of last year,” Wood acknowledged. Wood is preparing a staff report to present to Birmingham’s city commission on Monday, July 28 on the status of Quarton Lake along with an action plan. “We’re already dredging the lake as part of a five-year plan. We’re doing it again in August. The best course of action that I’m finding is a best practices chemical treatment,” Wood said. “I’m still checking with MDEQ on viable options and other specific treatments being used around the state right now.” Originally a catch basin for Rouge River tributaries, Quarton Lake is part of an eight-acre park with a signature waterfall which was created just north of Maple Road, west of Southfield, when the Rouge River downtownpublications.com

Valentine named city manager By Lisa Brody

he Birmingham City Commission on Monday, June 23, unanimously approved the appointment of Joe Valentine as the new city manager, removing the “interim” title from his name as of Tuesday, July 1. Valentine had been interim city manager for the last five months, since the city and previous city manager Bob Bruner could not come to terms over a new contract. Bruner was city manager from February 14, 2011 until February 13, 2014. “Having been at this for four to five months, it’s a pretty smooth transition,” Valentine said. Valentine has been with the city of Birmingham for 17 and one-half years, since January 1997, when he began his career as a management intern. He recalled that he then became a management analyst, then briefly interim executive director of the Birmingham Principal Shopping District before returning to the management analyst position. He has also worked as the city’s human resources director before becoming assistant city manager in 2011 to former city manager Tom Markus. When Markus left to become city manager of Iowa City, Iowa, Valentine briefly became interim city manager while the Birmingham City Commission did a search for a new city manager. Once Bruner was hired, Valentine once again was assistant city manager until February of this year. “It was a unanimous vote to promote Joe to city manager,” said mayor Scott Moore. “The commission took recognition of his long tenure with the city into account – he’s done every job with the city. There’s not one part of city government he’s not involved himself with, whether it’s BAASC, Greenwood Cemetery, labor negotiations, budgets, he’s even been an auxiliary police officer. We did our due diligence, looked at his background, and concluded he’s the guy for us. We believe he’ll be another long-term city manager for Birmingham.” Former city manager Markus served Birmingham for 22 years, and his predecessor Ralph Kenning was city manager for 23 years. Contract negotiations between Valentine and the commission were set to begin July 3. “I don’t anticipate a problem,” Moore said. “I don’t know if it will be for a term or indefinite. Whatever happens, it began July 1, so we’re all set.” “We’ll be wrapping the contract up shortly. I assume that will be a fairly simple process,” Valentine agreed. Valentine, who has been a Birmingham resident for the last 10 years, said, “It’s a great place to work, a great place to live. I’m very fortunate. There are a lot of great things happening and I look forward to continuing the great efforts underway and making the community better, addressing the challenges as they come along.”

was dammed. It is nestled between Oak, Lakeside and Lake Park streets. A surrounding park offers walking and nature trails, a fishing dock, public art and open parkland. It is believed a dredging project in late 2011, which sucked sediment off the lake floor into drying bags in a grassy area along the lake’s western shore on Lake Park Drive, precipitated the rapid increase in the lily pads’ growth. Lily pads, also known as water lilies, can be beneficial plants that tend to grow in shallow areas, according to the city. The growth of moderate levels of aquatic plants and algae are important to natural processes that occur in lakes and impoundments to maintain a balanced ecosystem. However,

excessive aquatic nuisance vegetation growth has been present in the lake periodically since 2005 due to low flow conditions and improved water clarity. Special conditions such as warm waters and temperatures, a lack of deep freezeups, and/or droughts are factors that increase the amount of lily pads on water bodies. According to the department of ecology, the water lily is a fragrant, aquatic perennial herb that grows rooted in mucky or silty sediments in water up to six or seven feet deep. It prefers quiet waters such as ponds, lake margins and slow streams, and grows in acidic or alkaline waters. If unmanaged, they can become dense and cover acres of water, preventing

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wind mixing and extensive areas of low oxygen can develop under the water lily beds. When properly managed to form a patchy distribution interspersed with open water, however, water lilies can provide an excellent habitat for fish, deer, beaver and other wildlife. Mechanical harvesting is done by large machines which both cut and collect aquatic plants. Harvested weeds are disposed of in landfills, used as compost, or in reclaimed spent gravel pits or similar sites. Harvesting is usually performed in late spring, summer, or early fall when aquatic plants are close to the water’s surface. Up to several acres per day can be cut and harvested per day, and harvesting is considered an excellent way to create open areas of water. The advantages of harvesting are that it removes the phosphorus and nitrogen from the water, immediately clears the lake, helps slow the sedimentation rate of the water, and the habitat for fish and other organisms are not eliminated. The disadvantages of harvesting are that, like mowing a lawn, the vegetation grows back and has to be harvested again. There is little or no density removal of the plants cut, and there needs to be a place to off-load the vegetation that is harvested. Fish and other organisms can be caught up in harvesting; it is a very expensive procedure; and requires routine maintenance. This year, with its lengthy and harsh winter, the lily pads are about a month behind in the normal growth schedule, Wood said, “but now they’re rearing their heads.”

Palladium project clears planning The Birmingham Planning Board granted final site plan approval, with conditions, for the renovation of the Palladium Building at its meeting on Wednesday, June 25, and it now moves to the city commission for final approval. Renovation of the Palladium Building in Birmingham from two levels of retail and two movie theater levels to one story of retail, two stories of office, a modified movie theater, underground parking, and three rooftop residential units was met with resistance from the planning board, primarily over the developer’s decision to replace 59

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MATTERS 60

escalators in the building with elevators. Per the current plans, there will be three elevators for the entire 140,000 square foot building, of which one, a service elevator, will not go to the new fifth floor residential units. Planning board members had great reservations and concerns over the ability for all users of the building, especially moviegoers, to easily exit the building in a timely manner. The Palladium Building, at 202 N. Old Woodward, was sold to Bloomfield Hills’ A.F. Jonna Development and Management Co. in March, with plans for completely renovating and modifying the existing building. The 140,000 square foot mixed use retail and entertainment development had been owned by Related Real Estate in New York City. According to a memo prepared by Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker, the existing Palladium Building was approved by consent judgment on May 5, 1999. Under the terms of the consent judgment, the court approved the preliminary and final site plans for the building, and the planning board had the authority to approve only the design of the building and the proposed streetscape. Ecker told planning board members that while Jonna plans to renovate the building and change some of the building’s uses, he will maintain the same building footprint. Windows will be added to the second and third floor elevation, and the iconic words around the perimeter of the building will remain. The first floor will continue to be retail or restaurants. Jonna intends to convert the basement level retail space into underground parking with 56 parking spaces to support the new office and residential uses proposed in the building, an addition of 15 spaces since their initial presentation. This lower level parking garage will be accessed by a new ramp accessed off Ferndale Avenue. Ecker noted that there is a parking crunch in Birmingham, particularly in the daytime, and the nearby Park Street structure will not be able to accommodate a large influx of office workers. In April, there were 313 people on a waiting list for a parking permit at the structure, Ecker stated in a memo. Currently, the structure has two floors under construction. “You will have to warn office tenants there will be a shortage of parking for them,” board member Bert Koscek said. “You’re adding

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64,000 square feet of office space. There will be a demand of about 180 parking spaces each day.” The current second floor, part of the Palladium movie theater, will be split into two floors of office space. “Both floors will fit within the existing envelope of the second floor as the floor is currently built for stadium-style theater seating,” Ecker wrote in her memo to planning board members. The existing third floor of the building is proposed to remain as a movie theater, although it would now become the fourth floor. Jordan Jonna, son of A.F. Jonna owner Arkan Jonna, spoke to the planning board, and told them that they intend to change the theaters “from 2,300 to 600 seats.” He said the fifth floor residential units will all be rental. “We want to make this building functional for a long time. This property is very dear to us. We want to put in the best uses,” he said. However, planning board members were very concerned about the limited elevators. “I do not think this area was addressed very well. I’m concerned about how they service all the different spaces,” said board member Janelle WhippleBoyce. “You have very different uses. Maybe you need different lobbies.” Jonna responded, “We have to make it work. If we have to go back and add another elevator, we would have to do that. These will be oversized elevators. The theater times will be staggered. We have to make these businesses work. An escalator does not work. They’re very maintenance intense. We’ve looked at this in-depth. We cannot market this building without approvals, and we don’t want the building to sit vacant. The theater will likely close.” “It’s an intense mixture of land use, of public in and out. I love this building, but you’re wrong,” said board member Scott Clein. “We should tell you to go back and talk to experts, just like with a traffic expert,” said Koscek. Planning board chairman Robin Boyle agreed, “We want to see more details before this goes on to the city commission.” However, after more discussion, the planning board unanimously voted to approve the final site plan with the condition that A.F. Jonna Development and Management provide them with a detailed pedestrian circulation analysis for the building with full analysis prior to going before the city commission for final site plan approval. 08.14

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MUNICIPAL Hogan’s restaurant to remain open

New 220 Merrill opening late July

By Lisa Brody

With a pending sale to Walgreens falling through, Bloomfield Township’s Hogan’s restaurant will spiff itself up and remain open, according to owner Rick Bochenak. The restaurant, open for decades at 6450 Telegraph Road just north of Maple, is open daily. Bochenak said he had never planned to sell the restaurant, “but Walgreens approached us, and it was an unbelievable amount of money to do a land lease. It was too good to pass up. Then time passed and they did not extend their timing.” Last winter, Agree Realty, representing Walgreens, submitted an application to the township’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 indicated an interest in having a drive thru for their pharmacy, which would have required variances to achieve their goals. In February, township supervisor Leo Savoie discussed that the northwest corner of Maple and Telegraph in Bloomfield Township was primed to be redeveloped with Hogan’s restaurant to become a Walgreens, the Goldsmith Gallery jewelers seeking to redevelop its property as a retail center, Beau Jack’s restaurant sold to new owners, the Mobil station having been purchased by the BP station across Telegraph, and the Bally’s property owners looking to sell and redevelop. Beau Jack’s is currently under reconstruction to become Beau’s restaurant, under new ownership by Peas & Carrots Hospitality Group, and is scheduled to open in August. Bochenak acknowledged that he and the owners of the other businesses met several times with township officials, especially about opening up parking lots for new traffic patterns to permit access for customers between businesses, to create a development agreement with the property owners for joint access and site circulation between each other’s properties. “I was all for it it, but that’s not the way it went,” Bochenak said. Now that the Walgreens sale has fallen through, he said he is definitely keeping the restaurant open and freshening it up. “I’m painting the

fresh, newly-renovated 220 Merrill restaurant will open on Thursday, July 31 to diners, with a new menu, a new chef and new owners. New owners Denise Ilitch and Zaid Elia have hired chef Scott Garthwaite, a midwestern native who was recently chef de cuisine at Sage Restaurant in Las Vegas’ Aria Resort and Casino and a former Iron Chef winner. Garthwaite has created a contemporary American menu which focuses on fresh seasonality, Ilitch said. “The former 220 was more Italian. This will be more traditional American. It will be very seasonal, very fresh, with farm-to-table cuisine,” Ilitch said. “He wants to emphasize all of the wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables available, and we’re going to see quarterly seasonal menu changes.” Menu items will include steaks, fish, veal, lamb chops, pastas, burgers, salads, and even a coffee and pastry bar featuring Starbucks coffee and and in-house pastry chef with the name of Kenneth Ilich, “no relation,” she noted. Old 220 favorite, the perch, will remain on the new menu. A change in the menu isn’t the only difference diners will notice when 220 reopens. Besides a top-to-bottom renovation that began with replacing aged HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, Elia said they have opened up the interior walls “while keeping the intimacy of 220’s dining rooms.” They added a wood burning oven. The original oak walls, crown moldings, and ceilings were kept and refurbished, while the bar was redesigned. Two private dining rooms were added, each with a fireplace and TV. While not a sports bar, Ilitch said there are six TVs scattered throughout the restaurant. “You can’t be in Detroit and not celebrate special moments,” she said. “We want to offer our guests that.” As an added amenity, each table, as well as the bar, will offer charging stations so diners can recharge their cell phones. The new restaurant will accommodate 200 patrons inside, with 75 at expanded outdoor patios, which will now wrap around to Edison’s. Elia said plans for Edison’s are still under consideration. “We’ve engaged our architect, Mark Knauer out of Chicago, to begin working on Edison’s,” he said. “This is definitely a 2014 reinterpretation of 220,” Ilitch said.

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restaurant, putting in new carpet, adding TVs in the bar area, redoing the parking lot,” he said. While new items were added to the menu about six months ago, Bochenak said more updated items are being added to the menu, which includes steaks, seafood, pasta, ground rounds, Mexican, soups and salads. Hogan’s has 240 seats, with 160 of those in the restaurant’s bar area.

Robert Kidd Gallery closes after 40 years Forty years after it first opened in Birmingham, the Robert Kidd Gallery on Townsend Street will close at the end of the summer, gallery director Ben Kiehl announced, following the deaths in recent years of the gallery’s founders, Robert Louis Kidd and Ray Frost Fleming.

The gallery, which exhibited emerging contemporary artists alongside noted, highly established contemporary artists, will continue to exhibit and offer artwork for sale through the month of July, and then will cease operations by the end of the summer. “We encourage people to come. We will be selling artwork throughout that period, and we have one of the largest selections of contemporary artwork in the midwest,” Kiehl said. Kiehl said the decision to close the gallery was made by administrators of Fleming’s estate. Kidd died in April 2007; Fleming died five years to the day later, in April 2012. “Ray Fleming’s estate controlled the gallery and it is a conscious decision to close as part of the administration of the estate,” Kiehl said. The Robert Kidd Gallery, at 107

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Townsend Street, was founded in 1976 by Kidd and Fleming, both graduates of the Cranbrook Academy of Art, after first operating by Kidd as a small gallery and weaving and yarn studio. The gallery, with over 5,000 square feet of exhibition space, always offered a wide array of abstract and realist paintings, sculpture and drawings. Exhibits over the years included works by Milton Avery, Harry Bertoia, John Chamberlain, Sam Gilliam, Larry Rivers, Hans Hoffman, Helen Frankenthaler, Alexander Calder, Deborah Butterfield, Franz Kline and Richard Diebenkorn. Kiehl said that once the gallery is closed, he will pursue making his own artwork and continuing to reach out to the art community.

Birmingham Kroger closing for remodel The Kroger grocery store at Maple and Woodward in Birmingham will close Saturday, August 2, for 16 weeks so the store can undergo a complete remodeling, according to Kroger officials. The store, at 685 E. Maple Road, is expected to reopen sometime in November after undergoing a $5 million renovation which will include the addition of a new sushi section, a new soup and sandwich area in an improved deli department, a new olive shop, and a Murray’s cheese shop, a Greenwich Village, New Yorkbased business which imports cheeses from around the world. The produce section will be expanded, with an enlarged organic produce area, expanded meat and seafood area, as well as improved and expanded floral area, bakery and natural foods departments. Brandon Barrow, consumer affairs manager for Kroger, said the footprint of the store will remain the same, but the interior will be reworked in order to make the shopping experience easier. “We want to give our shoppers the best experience possible to get what the need, and get in and get out,” Barrow said. He said they will be relocating the grocery sections, pharmacy and health and beauty areas “to assist shoppers with their shopping experience and to allow for better traffic flow around the store.” Starbucks and the Chase Bank branch are expected to remain in the newly-renovated grocery store. 67

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Nine-story hotel eyed for Woodward-Maple Group 10 Management, which purchased the former Barclay Inn site at Maple and Woodward in Birmingham in May 2012, is looking to develop a nine-story mixed use complex which would include an upscale Hampton Inn, first floor retail, three floors of office space, a parking deck, and two floors of rental apartments. Victor Saroki of Saroki Architecture in Birmingham, who is working with Group 10, said Group 10 is moving forward with plans, and has had preliminary meetings with the city of Birmingham to help determine the direction the project should take. Saroki and Mike Koza of Group 10 both emphasized that nothing has been submitted yet to the city for approvals. “We have a lot of challenges, a lot of ideas to get to where we will be successful and have success with the city of Birmingham,” Koza said. Kenny Koza, president of Group 10’s hospitality division, agreed. “There’s no guarantees we’ll get approvals. We’re still figuring out the parking deck with the city. They would like public parking to drive development east into the Triangle District.” “We’re moving forward, but it’s very preliminary,” Saroki said. “We’re most concerned at this point about the circulation on the site, its access and approach on Woodward, from

Parking permit rates increasing August 1 Birmingham’s monthly parking permit rates at all of the city’s structures and lots will rise effective August 1, after Birmingham City Commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation from the city’s Advisory Parking Committee at their meeting on Monday, June 23. Birmingham City Engineer Paul O’Meara told commissioners that the city is in the midst of a parking crisis at certain times of the day which has lasted at least a year. An ad hoc parking committee was to begin meeting this week to consider parking recommendations for the future, but in the meantime, O’Meara said, the Advisory Parking Committee has recognized the immediate need to increase the amount of parking, “so

both vehicles and pedestrians, and how do we make it better. We still have to have more meetings with the city.” At this point, Group 10 is proposing a nine-story building reaching the maximum height allowable for the city’s Triangle District of 114 feet, with a private underground garage for 160 vehicles for use by the hotel and apartments. “You want hotel guests and apartment owners to have their own secure parking,” Saroki said. The first floor of the building would be retail, with adjacent surface parking. There would then be three floors of office space, and above that three floors of an upscale Hampton Inn Room and Suites. “There’s no need to compete with The Townsend Hotel. We already have a world class hotel (in Birmingham). We need other hotel options, more affordable options that are new, modern and clean,” Saroki explained. He said the Hampton Inn would have 120 rooms, “which is typical of a Hampton Inn.” Group 10 Management owns and operates other mid-price hotels in the area. Above the hotel, the development is proposed to have two floors of approximately 25 to 30 apartments, that would vary in size between 1,000 to 1,400 square feet. “I’ll recommend they be open and modern,” said Saroki. He expects that they will be moderate in price. A public/private parking deck is also proposed in conjunction with the

city of Birmingham that would potentially provide about 340 parking spaces. Saroki said it could be a municipal parking garage, and they are currently in discussions with the city. “This is new for the city for public/private partnerships, although they’re becoming more common in urban downtown areas,” he said. “There’s a need for parking in the Triangle area.” Birmingham is currently experiencing a parking crunch in the downtown area as well as the Triangle district, which is roughly bordered by Woodward, Adams, Maple and Lincoln. City officials and developers suggest that a parking structure is needed to encourage more development in the district. Kenny Koza said there is currently no timetable for developing the hotel complex. “Right now, it’s just drawings and schematics. I know the city wants it to be a gateway project, and we’re hoping it accomplishes the goal of being a gateway project as well.” Group 10 Management is a hospitality and real estate company which specializes in asset management, run by the Koza family. Long-time Michiganders, their roots were first planted with a grocery store in Detroit in the early 1970s before they grew and diversified to supermarkets and hotels. Today, they have more than 180 entities. Their goal is to focus on brand leaders in the middle market. “Our current strategy is focused on

there is a need for money. We will need to bond in the future to build,” he said. “Monthly parking permits have not increased in 10 years, and they’re in hot demand.” The recommended price increases for the monthly permit fees, which are used primarily by employees working in Birmingham, are $5 a month per car, except for the Peabody Street structure, which would be increased by $10, because it is the area where there is the most demand, O’Meara said. Some of the structures and lots would have a second increase in a year, effective July 1, 2015. As of August 1, 2014, the Pierce Street Structure will increase to $60; Peabody Street Structure, $55; Park Street Structure, $50; N. Old Woodward, $50; Chester Street Structure, $40; Lot 6 regular permit, $55; and Lot 6 economy permit, $35.

As of July 1, 2015, the Pierce Street Structure will increase to $65; Peabody Street Structure, to $65; Lot 6 regular permit, $60; Lot 6 economy permit, $40; and South Side permit, $45. Regular visitor parking will remain the first two hours free, and subsequently, each hour is $1. Commissioner Rackeline Hoff noted the need for the money, “but we have to consider a delicate balance. It will make a difference in workers lives. I don’t want businesses to leave, or workers to find other jobs because they can’t afford to pay more.” Mayor Scott Moore asked O’Meara if there has been much response from businesses, and O’Meara said the city’s Principal Shopping District (PSD) was notified, but that “I have not broadcast this” to businesses.

locating a select number of highly visible properties in key strategic locations, such as central business districts or major cities and areas near major airports,” reads the corporate website. The company has recently added a Springhill Suites at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and a Holiday Inn and Suites and Conference Center in Romulus, near the airport.

Old Woodward to be resurfaced in fall The resurfacing this year of Old Woodward from Willits to Landon in downtown Birmingham was approved by city commissioners on Monday, June 23. Birmingham engineer Paul O’Meara requested the extra project, noting that “Old Woodward is getting rough right now. We have federal funding for a complete rebuild of the street for 2018, but we would like to remill and reasphalt the street this year rather than later.” The project, which will also include crack sealing the sidewalks, will cost $160,000. O’Meara said this project “would allow us to present a good face for four to five years.” O’Meara presented commissioners with the option of deferring other scheduled projects, but commissioners said moving some money from the general fund to this project was a wiser move than deferring projects, and they voted, 7-0, to approve the resurfacing work for Old Woodward, in addition to the

Commissioner Gordon Rinschler disagreed with Hoff. “Starbucks just raised their rates. This is the bargain of the century. It’s ludicrous. I can’t see worrying about 50 cents a day.” Commissioner Mark Nickita agreed. “It’s $3 a day. I work in downtown (Detroit), and it’s $10 a day at least. It think the demand, the interest in office space, I think there’s room to go up. I have no problem with this.” “I would have raised Pierce as much as Peabody because that’s the premium deck,” noted commissioner Stuart Sherman. Moore pointed out that money raised from the parking permits stays within the parking system to improve and increase the capacity. Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the recommendation to increase the rates.

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415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

other scheduled road projects for the year. “It’s a no-brainer to me,” commissioner Tom McDaniel said. “If you don’t do it this year, it’s going to be in bad shape next year. I support not shorting the other work and taking the money from the general fund.” “I agree we should not eliminate the streets we were planning on doing, but do them all,” commissioner Rackeline Hoff said. O’Meara said the Old Woodward project would be scheduled sometime this fall.

Kingsley Inn bought by the Elia Group By Lisa Brody

The iconic Radisson Kingsley Inn on Woodward in Bloomfield Hills has been purchased by the Elia Group, a Birmingham real estate group which recently bought the 220 Merrill restaurant, among other properties, principal Zaid Elia confirmed. “We are doing a top-to-bottom

review to see what kind of renovations are needed on the property to see how we can best improve the property for our guests,” Elia said. The Kingsley Inn, at 39495 Woodward, which has been operated as a Radisson property for several years, will continue to be operated as a Radisson, he said. “We have engaged a company called Hotel Investment Services in Troy, which is a professional hotel management services company, and they will be operating it for us. Since we took over the ownership May 1, occupancy at the hotel is at 85 percent.” The hotel has 150 rooms and multiple banquet rooms in its lower level. It was first built in 1958, and renovated in 1997, and sits on almost 8 acres of land in Bloomfield Hills. Elia said they are currently in discussion with multiple organizations to relaunch the banquet facilities. The hotel used to house Northern Lakes Seafood Restaurant and Deli Unique, both run by The Epicurean Group, but their leases were not renewed last fall,

•

according to Eric Djordjevic, president of The Epicurean Group. Northern Lakes Seafood has since relocated to Troy. Elia said the former Deli Unique space, which closed Thanksgiving 2013 weekend, “will reopen in the next few weeks as a new place.” He declined to name what the new restaurant would be, but said “a majority of the original staff has been rehired.” He said he has had numerous leads and calls for the Northern Lakes Seafood restaurant space, but that nothing had yet been decided. “My plans right now are to run the property as a Radisson, and to take it one step at a time,” Elia said.

E-cigarettes banned for minors in city Birmingham city commissioners have unanimously approved a ban for minors of the possession or use of electronic cigarettes, the same as traditional cigarettes. Birmingham Police Chief Don

Studt said while Birmingham police have not yet had a problem with youth possessing or using ecigarettes, “We’re ahead of the curve. We anticipate it could be a problem,” he told commissioners at their meeting on Monday, June 23. The Michigan state legislature has passed a similar law prohibiting the use and possession of e-cigarettes by minors, but it has not yet been signed by Gov. Rick Snyder. Commissioner Gordon Rinschler asked Studt why the city needed an ordinance against e-cigarettes. “Why not just wait until Snyder signs (the law)?” he asked. “It’s nice to have these on the books locally as an ordinance and not just as a state law,” Studt answered. “It’s important to take a stand in relation to minors. Regardless of what the state does on e-cigarettes, inside, outside, not in restaurants, this just deals with minors. This will send a message both to minors and to the stores.” Studt told commissioners that police will enforce the ordinance just as the currently do with regular cigarettes.

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rchitecture by Alexander V. Bogaerts Associates, Design by Georgia & Assoc. You'll be amazed at all the detail & custom features this home has to offer. Perfect set-up for those couples who love to entertain they will appreciate all the convenience of every little nook & cranny. NEW Upscale Gourmet kitchen, long Quartz island counter w/gas cook-top, seamless 1 piece SS counter & sink, countless built-in cabinets & top-of the-line SS Appliances. Walk-out Master Suite, w/pan ceiling & a spectacular 2-story custom wood walk-in-closet (25x11), BainUltra jetted tub, heated floor, make-up area, and granite counter. Auto buffs will go crazy w/parking for 5 full size cars & 3 toys. Large office suite with a separate entrance & walls of built-in cabinets, perfect for any in-home career or convert it to a 5th bedroom/au-pair suite. Wine lovers will delight w/the 700-bottle temperature controlled secure walk-in cooler adjacent to a cozy walk-out den w/stone fireplace, bar & private patio w/pergola. Living area w/vaulted ceilings, fireplace. Rich hardwood floors. Formal Dining. Full wall of windows across rear of Family Room, overlooking a gorgeous waterfall surrounded by a professionally designed brick paver patio perfect for entertaining. Long paved circular driveway. Finished basement. New Roof 2014.

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Patrick and Amy Ayoub loomfield Hills couple Patrick and Amy Ayoub are hoping the timing is right for the launch of a new line of watches designed in Detroit that are set to be available this month. “I created a line with Bozeman Watches, but (I) stopped being active with them in 2007, and sold out in 2010,” Patrick Ayoub said, who recently formed the Detroit Watch Company with his wife, Amy. “I got to know a watchmaker on the east coast, who was my mentor. It’s been a great lesson, and Amy has been a great supporter. We discussed together doing our own brand, and when to do it. After separating (from Bozeman), people started asking why we didn’t have our own brand.” What was missing, Patrick said, was a story behind the product. “You have to have a story, and we didn’t have one. We thought we would move on.” “We were walking in downtown Detroit, and felt so inspired,” Amy said. “We turned to leave, and in that moment Patrick said, ‘I think I finally figured out what to call our watch company. It was an epiphany.” Drawing on his experience in the automotive design field, as well as his work designing time pieces over the past decade, Patrick designed two initial lines of watches for the company. Both the “1701” and the “Pride of Detroit Aviator,” are rooted in Detroit’s early history. Inspired in part by the success of Shinola, as well as Detroit’s resurgence, the launch of Detroit Watch Company was conceived. They’d found their story. Patrick and Amy moved to Bloomfield Hills in 1996 from Barcelona when

Patrick was offered a position on Chrysler’s design team in Auburn Hills. He had previously worked as a designer for BMW and Volkswagen. He is now creative design director with SRG Global, in Auburn Hills. “Patrick is one of the most beautiful sketch artists I’ve seen, said Amy, who is also an experienced designer. “His watch designs are exquisite.” Patrick said each of the watch designs begin with a piece of paper and pencil, with sketches drawn by hand, from the cases and dials to the crowns. The designs, he said, are inspired both by his own vision and by the story behind each model. For instance, the “Pride of Detroit” model is named after a Stinson-Detroiter monoplane that was flown in 1927. The watch features a modern pilot crown with embossed Detroit fleur-de-lys, and an embossed Pride of Detroit plane graphic on the case back. “As a French Canadian, my wife is in love with everything that is French,” Patrick said, noting that he is a native of Montreal. “That is why we use the fleur-de-lys, and it gives some background on the French settlers.” While the Ayoubs said the launch of the watch company has been an extremely time consuming project, they don’t have plans to leave their current careers. The business model, therefore, adds a degree of exclusivity to the watches. “If we sell 500, we are very happy, and very busy,” Patrick said. “If we go to 1,000 or more, it’s going to be very hard.” Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Jean Lannen

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Impeccably Clean And Well Decorated Home With 4 Bedrooms & 2.2 Baths. Light Maple Cabinetry & Granite Counters, New Anderson Windows, New Drive, Beautifully Finished Rec Room With Extra Storage Closets. House Is Wired With 12 Zone Back Up Generator System. Wait Until You See This Back Yard With Custom Wrought Iron Fencing & A Heated Pool! 214070139 $369,000

2 Story Entry, Front Hall, Powder Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Room. Peninsula Kitchen W/42" Maple Cabinets & Granite Countertops, Soaring Cathedral Ceilings In Breakfast & Great Rooms & Canopy Ceiling In Master W/ Double Vanity, Bath & Large Shower. 3 Nicely Sized Bedrooms On The Second Level, Nicely Finished Lower Level. 214070230 $329,900

Stunning Open Floor Plan With Hearth Rm And Fireplace Next To Gourmet Kitchen With Marble Counters And Upgraded Cabinets And Appliances. Lux First Floor Master Suite With Large Fashion Bath & His And Her Closets. Upstairs Bedrooms Offer Large Closets And Jack And Jill Bath. Enjoy This Wonderful Golf Course Community With Clubhouse, Pool, Tennis Courts And Exercise Facility. 214067626 $649,000

Located Near The End Of A Quiet No Traffic Dead End Street. Neutral Decor With Fresh Paint On First Floor, Basement And Exterior Siding. Master Bedroom With Walk In Closet And Bath, Vinyl Windows, New Roof 2007. Attractive Hardwood Floors Throughout, Neutral Ceramic Baths. Large Full Basement. Park Like Yard With Meticulous Landscaping 214066873 $180,000

Beautiful brick ranch with updated maple cabinets with island, newer floor, updated windows, updated bath, master with 1/2 bath, natural fireplace, fresh paint, hardwood floors, 6 panel doors, low Plymouth Twp taxes, prime location close to I 275. 214064826 $209,900

Custom 3 Bedroom Home with romantic master Br with adjoining luxury bath and a glassed in two person shower. walk right into your dressing room with built-in Shoe Shelves. Beautiful Granite kitchen with expensive cabinetry and stainless applns. You can relax in comfortable and glassed in 4-season Sun Rm over looking the Deer and a flowing stream with a waterfall. 214064509 $540,000

Large Kitchen With Granite Counters & Large Island. Hardwood Floors, First Floor Master Suite With Fashion Bath, Walk In Closet Plus Sep Tub And Shower. 1st Flr Laundry Rm. Lg Living Room And Flex Room Could Be Library Or Formal Dining Room. Walkout Deck . Wonderful Finished LL. Great Second Story Bedrooms With Lots Of Charm & Skylights. Large Finished Room Over Garage. 214062202 $277,000

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Elegant & Inviting Home. Meticulously Maintained Inside And Out. Screened 3Season Rm & Deck. Bright, Cheerful Kitchen. Inviting Living Rm. Large Great Rm Has Marble Surround Gas Fp W/Mantel. Gorgeous Master Ste W/Volume Ceiling, Huge Walk-In-Closet & En Suite Bath W/Double Vanity, Tub & Sep Shower. Second Floor W/Jack & Jill Double Vanity Bath. 214061138 $304,900

Immaculate Home, Completely Remodeled From Top To Basement, Perfect For Entertaining! Gorgeous Kitchen With Upgraded Cabinets, Custom Tile Back Splash. All Newer SS Top Of The Line Appliances And A Double Oven, Custom Granite Counter Tops, Porcelain Tile Floors In Kitchen & Baths. Hardwood Floors Throughout. Newly Finished, Open Basement With Full Bath. 2140569493 $164,900

Well Maintained 3 Bed Brick Ranch In Convenient Location. Updates Include Remodeled Kitchen, Roof Tear Off 2012, Furnace 2008, C/Air 2010. Kitchen Features Spacious Dining Area. Finished Basement Has Wet Bar, Glass Block Windows And Play Room Or Office. Oversized Garage And Enclosed Patio. Nice House! 214050195 $158,500

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Elegant Fox Lakefront home on over an acre with 115 ft of lake frontage in exclusive Lakeridge of Wabeek. Panoramic views of beautiful mature trees and Fox Lake. Walls of windows from floor to ceilings. Almost 7000 sq ft, open and bright floor plan that offers natural light throughout. Too many amenities to list, must see! 214069287 $789,000

Fabulous Commerce Pines ranch, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, finished basement with possible 4th bedroom and bar, very open floor plan with cathedral ceilings. Great room with fireplace, door wall to decking. Spacious master with walk-in closet. Extra deep garage. 214066130 $259,000

Spacious waterfront home in popular location. Immediate occupancy. Enjoy 253 acre all-sports Duck Lake. Extra wide sloping lot. Well maintained 4/5 bedroom home has loads to offer. Home sits on extra wide portion of canal and makes a perfect swim area. Main lake in view and very close by. 214037514 $329,000

Spectacular Mission Springs home. Located deep in heavily wooded neighborhood with protected grounds. Kitchen has a quality porcelain tile floor, glass tile back splash, cherry cabinets, and beverage fridge. Spacious master suite with updated vanities. 2 bedrooms have worry-fee wood laminate floors. Inviting great room complete with gas fireplace and vaulted ceiling. 214032965 $387,900

Great Location! Gorgeous 1.5 story, first floor master with open floor plan! Former builders model! Huge master with vaulted ceilings, dual walk-in closets, large soaking tub, separate custom tiled shower with bench. Island kitchen with hardwood floor, granite counters, SS refrigerator, walk-in pantry & more! Beautiful 2 story foyer leads to large great room with fireplace. 214041577 $575,000

Lovely and warm colonial in a wonderful setting. Formal and casual living with an open bright kitchen to the eating and cozy family room with granite we bar. A spacious first floor office with a great view. Large Master Suite and all bedrooms are spacious. Finished basement with full bath and wet bar & cabinet. Great for entertaining. Great location. 214044854 $369,000

Must see beauty, every room has been updated. Hardwood floors throughout the entire home. Open floor plan with natural sunlight and soaring ceilings. Lovely Cherry Wood kitchen with granite counter tops. Fabulous finish lower-level. Open Florida room off of the kitchen with surround door walls ands plantation shutters. 214050319 $345,000

First offering on Milford colonial. Located on quiet street on 2.32 private acres. Home has new deck, shingles, carpet, and interior paint. Kitchen has newer oak cabinets and appliances. Family room off kitchen with full brick fireplace. Large bay window in the large living room. Full basement. 214059032 $257,500

Well maintained Chalet Style lakefront. Popular sought after location. Enjoy the spectacular main lake views. home offers a finished walk-out lower level, three car garage, and a very private setting. You'll love the location with beautiful Bloomer park directly across the street. Open Great Room and Large Master. 214051974 $469,000

This 6th floor unit is in the most sought after location with water views from every windows and very private. The kitchen and main bath have a gorgeous granite floors. The open floor plan is great for larger furniture and entertaining. The library/study can be a family room or a third bedroom. Enjoy the indoor swimming pool, hot tub and exercise room in the clubhouse all year. 214065663 $199,900

Spacious Commerce area ranch in popular location. Situated on a quiet dead-end street. Home offers a large wide open living area. Beautiful kitchen with new granite counters. Custom ceramic tile throughout kitchen and foyer. Spacious great room has vaulted ceiling and beautiful brick fireplace. 214068051 $216,900

Custom build and very spacious, freshly painted and move-in condition, stunning new granite island kitchen with new Stainless Steel appliances and bar fridge included, family room with gas fireplace, beautiful master suite with extra large master bath complete with jetted tub, shower and double sinks, walk-in closet. Elaborate landscaping and incredible curb appeal! 214072093 $324,000

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LEGACY JEWELRY IS ANTIQUE JEWELRY

LEGACY JEWELRY. EVER-CHANGING, EVER-EVOLVING COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE, VINTAGE AND ESTATE JEWELRY. ONE OF A KIND PIECES THAT EXCITE AND THRILL YOUR IMAGINATION. LOVE, WEAR AND SHARE. GOLD, DIAMONDS & PLATINUM. WE ARE CURRENTLY PURCHASING ALL FINE ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE JEWELRY. ONE PIECE TO ENTIRE COLLECTIONS. NOT JUST A SHOWCASE. AN ENTIRE STORE DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF ANTIQUE & VINTAGE JEWELRY I INVITE YOU TO SHARE IN MY PASSION NEAL BLAZ 700 N. Old Woodward, Ste. 200 Birmingham, MI 48009

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Ben Riggan arriage, a new house and a new business – life has been busy for new Bloomfield Township resident Ben Riggan and his wife, Megan Stowers. “We just got the keys to the house,” Riggan said in July of the couple’s new home in Bloomfield Village, near Maple and Lasher. Riggan, 32, said he’s excited to move to the area from his former Lake Orion home. The move will also bring Stowers, a pediatric dentist, closer to her practice in West Bloomfield. Riggan, however, will likely remain on the move during his work day to grow the recently formed “Paw Pods” business. The business is another of the more unique ideas that Riggan has come up with and brought to reality with the help of several business partners. “We had two Springer Spaniels,” Riggan said, remembering the sad day he brought his sick dogs to the veterinarian. “We had to have them euthanized. The only option for taking them home and burying them at the time was to take them in two plastic cadaver bags. It wasn’t the best experience one could have.” Hoping to offer other pet owners a better way of saying goodbye to their beloved pets, the seeds of Paw Pods were planted. “We decided to come up with something that was more dignified, all around,” he said. “There are a lot of pet caskets out there, but they cost anywhere from $600 to $8,000, and not everyone can afford that. We decided to come up with an eco-friendly version, and make it very affordable.” The result is the Paw Pod: an eco-friendly pet burial system. Each pod is made from recycled bamboo and rice husk. Each of the biodegradable pods

comes with a sympathy card and a seeded leaf, designed for burial. Upon burial, pet owners can sign the card and plant the seeded leaf, which will in turn sprout perennial wildflowers. “The wildflowers grow year after year, and it creates a living memorial,” Riggan said. Launched in January 2013, Riggan said he is working now to have the product available in veterinarian offices and major pet stores throughout the country. It’s currently available on the company’s website, as well as Amazon.com. In addition to the new business, Riggan is co-owner of Five Lakes Communications, with Birmingham resident Jacob German. Riggan, along with German, is also responsible for “Hired On The Spot,” which they launched in 2010. The business, which didn’t quite catch on, centered on “wearable resumes,” in which customers could have their resume printed onto a T-shirt to wear when they were out and about and in need of a job. Riggan said work with Paw Pods has been keeping his busy. “We are selling a product, but we are also providing an experience for a family,” said Riggan, who studied psychology at Michigan State University. “Our product is eco-friendly, but it’s also about the experience. Pets in American society really have a place in the family. It was taboo for a while to talk about pet deaths, but we know we will probably outlive them.” Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Jean Lannen

BUSINESS MATTERS Thai carry out Thai Taste opened in late July at 3955 Telegraph Road just north of Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Township, offering fresh, traditional Thai food, according to owner Steve Preayawan. Strictly a carry out location, Preayawan may offer delivery service in the near future. “We cook fresh everyday, all of the traditional Thai specialties,” he said. This will be the third Thai Taste, with a Troy location opened in 2008 and a Waterford spot that opened in 2010.

New name for Hot Mama

Hot Mama, the store in downtown Birmingham at 128 S. Old Woodward, for moms, young and older, is being renamed Evereve, according to store founder and CEO Megan Tamte, after many shoppers have confused the store with a maternity store. The first Hot Mama store opened in Edina, Minnesota in 2004, after Tamte became a first-time mother seven years before and had difficulty finding good-looking, comfortable and well-fitting fashionable clothing. Now, with 50 stores nationwide, Tamte and her husband are giving the stores a new name “to make our mission clearer. Evereve. It means life, because we honor life, for the woman who gives life and lives life.” The store carries a large variety of designer and affordable denim, including AG, Paige and Seven for All Mankind; casual tops and sweaters; skirts, dresses, pants, leggings, and scarves and jewelry accessories.

“We work to help find out what is right for your pet,” she said. The Birmingham location will be the third Michigan location, after opening in Grosse Pointe, and last year, in Bloomfield Township next to Trader Joe’s at Maple and Telegraph. Open seven days a week, not only are pets welcome, but there will be two selfservice dog washes within the store. Coming over to help staff the store will be employees from Napier’s Kennel Shop at 33967 Woodward in Birmingham, which is closing its doors for good after 60 years as a family-owned business. Gina Ray, who has owned Napier’s for the last 20 years, said, “I’m dissolving Napier’s and joining PetPeople on their management team, and I’m taking my employees with me. We think there are really good synergies between their philosophies and mine.” Napier’s will be closing right after the Dream Cruise, which is August 16, and long time patrons will be able find her just a few doors down on Woodward. “I’m bringing all my knowledge and expertise, and they’re going to carry a lot of the same products.” Until Napier’s closes, everything will be on sale, 10 to 75 percent off.

Boutique closed one ten below, which opened in July 2013, closed its doors this past July. The Birmingham boutique, at 110 S. Old Woodward, offered luxury apparel, accessories, footwear and handbags, along with bridal couture after it merged with bridal boutique Le Salon in January 2014, which joined one ten below after operating in the Willits Alley. Owner Martin Khemmero could not be reached on the closure, and there is now a for lease sign in the window.

Tea shop to open

downtownpublications.com

The Mad Hatter Cafe, a new tea room and bistro, is planning to open in August at 185 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham, in the former Quiznos location. It will be open for brunch, lunch and dinner, with customers

into its Chicago regional hub office,” Schwartz wrote in an e-mail. The office closed in mid-July. As part of the downsizing, six team members were displaced.

Makeup artist joins spa

Orange is coming Orange is the new workout, with Orange Theory Fitness coming to Birmingham’s Adams Square with high intensity interval training classes that are heart-rate monitored. The new fitness studio, one of 110 locations around the country, will be opening in the former Curves location, which closed the end of July. Scheduled to open in November, membership pre-sales will begin in early August, according to Chad Smith, who owns the studio, as well as one in Canton, with Scott Marcus. Orange Theory Fitness will offer 40 to 60 classes a week, seven days a week, with a maximum of 24 people in a class. “There’s no gimmicks. It’s real hard work,” Smith, a former head strength coach with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, said. Each class attendee wears an individual heart rate monitor so that trainers can keep track of heart rates, allowing people to stay within one of five heart rate zones. Every class features cardio, on treadmills or rowing machines, and circuit work, using dumbbells, TRX, and other kinds of fitness exercises of interval intensity exercise. “In an hour class, you can burn 700 to 1,000 calories,” Smith said. “It’s for anyone, because it’s heart rate-based.” Early memberships will run about 30 percent less than when the studio opens in November. Classes run about $8 to $15 per class.

Wells Fargo office closed

Pet store changes PetPeople, a chain of pet stores out of Columbus, Ohio, focused on high quality, natural, wholesome, and nutritious pet foods and treats for dogs and cats, will be opening in mid-September in the former Neighborhood Hardware location in Birmingham at 33801 Woodward. While they don’t run a lot of sales, according to marketing manager Terri Montigny, they focus on educating their sales associates on what is right for your individual pet.

having the option of dining in or picking up from the bakery counter. Besides scones, muffins, pies, macarons, and cookies, the dining room, which will be available for private parties, will offer small bites, soups, high tea, a tiny tea for children, as well as a children’s menu, and supper items such as chicken pot pie, salmon, steak, and hot dogs. They plan to offer children’s, women’s and men’s teas (with oysters and whiskey), along with mimosas and Bloody Mary’s.

The Wells Fargo financial services office at 255 E. Brown Street in Birmingham has closed, according to Anne E. Schwartz, head of Wells Fargo Corporate Communications in Milwaukee. “As a part of our normal business operations, Wells Fargo regularly looks at its office structure to ensure we are operating as productively and efficiently as possible. While still committed to serving the greater Detroit area, the company has decided to consolidate its Birmingham, Michigan location

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Russ Simon has opened Russ Simon Beauty within Beauty by Rx in downtown Birmingham at 286 W. Maple. “We’re two companies in one,” he said, with clients calling Beauty by Rx to make an appointment. Simon, a makeup artist for almost 11 years, received his masters in the art in Los Angeles, is specially trained for all kinds of makeup applications, from weddings, fashion shows, photo shoots, and even special effects. Simon said he applies lash extensions with Extreme Lash, because “they’re the best company. They’re the company that started lash extensions.” Russ Simon Beauty performs makeup, brows, waxing, lashes, air brush tanning, and is available for private parties at www.russ-simon.com.

Zoom Artistic Photography Kat Phillips, owner of Zoom Artistic Photography, has closed her gallery at 217 S. Old Woodward next to the Birmingham 8 Theater after 13 years in downtown Birmingham, but wants to assure customers she’s still working. “We decided to close the retail space. The way I have been working since I had my son nine years ago is by appointment. I used the gallery as a creation station,” Phillips said. “I enjoyed sharing the space with my fellow artists.” Zoom was a fine art photographic gallery which showcased Phillip’s photographs as well as many other local photographers’ works. She said people can still access her at kat@zoomartisticphotography.com Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication. . 81

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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.

5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607. Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.865.9300. 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 Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984 Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879. Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily. 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 Cameron’s Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.1700. China Village: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221. Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555. Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766.

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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 O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.1135. Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. 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. Elie’s Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. Forest Grill: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400. Fuddrucker’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. Hogan’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. Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166. La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.5800.

THE RESERVE AT BIG ROCK CHOPHOUSE WELCOMES PRESENTS CLIFF LEDE WINERY ITS Opening Act: Lee Abraham Eastern Sales Manager

Summer Wine Tasting Tourand Schedule Headliner: Remi Cohen Director of Viticulture Winemaking Big Rock Chophouse is celebrating the summer with special Thursday, April 3, 2014 | 6:30 p.m. wine tasting tours. If you missed our July tour of Spain, be sure to save-the-date for two moreof tours August and September. Chef’s Selection Horsind’oeuvres Lede Sauvignon appetizers Blanc, Napa and Valleysample 2012 a variety Join us forCliff complimentary Breggo from Riesling, Anderson Valley, 2009 of wines the following wineries: When Doves Cry Pheasant August 5, 2014 | 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

ramp soup / braised leg steamed bun / huckleberries

French Tour with Anne Markovich-Girard from Robert Kacher. Breggo Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley, 2012 Express Yourself September 16, 2014 | 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Scallops

La Crema California’s Wines wild mushroom puree / “Cool morels /Climate” crimson lentils Breggo Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, 2011

Each tasting tour is $20 per person inclusive of tax and tip. Walk on the Wild Side Venison

Attendees will receive a 20% jam discount bonus fritter to traffic jam blue cheese cake / pancetta / root vegetable dine at BigCliff Rock following LedeChophouse Claret, Napa Valley, 2011 the event! Reservations must be made to dining. Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag’sprior Leap District, 2011 Strawberry Fields

Voucher good for the purchase of food and beverage, dine in only, must macerated berries / sable / mousse / coulis use the night of the event. No other discounts apply, non-transferrable, Illy Coffee Service no cash value, not good towards 20% tip or 6% sales tax.

Courses named after “Rock Blocks” in the Cliff Lede Vineyards. Chef Matthew C.E.C. Feel free toExecutive dress in your favorite RockFitchett, n’ Roll attire for the event.

Pastry Chef Eric Voigt.

Price fixed $125 inclusive of tax, tip and valet. Reservations required as space is limited. For more information or to make reservations, call 248.647.7774.

Big Rock Chophouse is the proud recipient of the

Executive2014 Chef Brian Henson, MCAA Chefof of Excellence the Year. Pastry Chef Eric Voigt. A.C.F. Achievement Award. 245 South Eton, Birmingham • bigrockchophouse.com 248.647.7774 • • 248.647.7774 bigrockchophouse.com

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RICH RELATIONSHIPS | Building authentic relationships and fully engaging with you is crucial to making sure you’re satisfied with all aspects of your dining experience. Spend time in our restaurants and you’ll find we always do more than just serve guests. We get to know you. Begin a lasting relationship with us.

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

DOWNTOWN

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

08.14

AT THE TABLE Torino: a stellar dining experience under Chef Lipar By J. March

must admit that I was pretty excited about reviewing Torino in Ferndale. Since named 2014 Restaurant of the Year by the Detroit Free Press, Torino’s accolades have been pouring in, including Executive Chef Garret Lipar being named to the Eater Young Guns Class of 2014. This class includes 16 of the most distinguished young chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers and hospitality professionals across the country. A huge honor in and of itself, what’s most impressive to me is Chef Lipar’s use of local product at the Young Guns celebration with his dish of Michigan shrimp, fermented corn and asparagus. Anytime any chef uses the national and local stage to promote the bounty the state of Michigan has to offer, this girl gets happy. Though not often recognized as a culinary gem, Michigan can represent. So can the chefs who truly decide to use the amazingly rich local resources as the platform for original thought and exciting dishes. Garret Lipar is on this list. At 26 years-old, Lipar’s experience reads like that of a seasoned veteran. Growing up in Waterford he developed an early appreciation for local produce through his grandparents’ garden. Eventually he attended the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and then made stops at Public in New York, BOKA and Alinea in Chicago, and Frantzen in Sweden. Prior to this, Lipar had the honor of working as a dishwasher, nursing home cook and line cook. Humble and gracious, Lipar is ahead of his time in his willingness to listen, his appreciation for his staff and his ability to not take himself oh so seriously. As an industry veteran I am aware how rare that is, but what’s best about it is that it shines through in his food – beautiful in all of its parts but humble at the core. In what can only be called a brave move, owner Noah Dorfman backed the idea for a Prix Fixe tasting menu as the only option at Torino. Working out of a 9 x 15 kitchen with no gas burners or walk-in cooler, the staff at Torino puts out food five nights a week for the tiny space that houses nine tables and 48 seats. As inconceivable as it is to me, Lipar looks at this not as a deterrent but an opportunity to hold small amounts of product so that most of what is prepared is local, seasonal and delivered daily. This, with perfectly executed cooking methods, smoky flavors from a Yakitori grill and carefully chosen, beautifully balanced flavors, makes for an experience worthy of the hype. We started with a Bento Box of squash prepared three ways. Milkweed blooms, squash blossoms and grilled squash all unique in preparation and all harmonious. Our second dish was apricot with nasturtium, whey and young green grapes. Peppery nuances with tart firm grapes and the musky flavor of the apricot that played perfectly off of each other neglect just a pinch of salt. Asparagus was next with chocolate, coriander and red bud flowers. With great hesitancy I tasted the sum of its parts individually and was not blown away. Together it came into its own. Tomato-Tamato came next. Heirloom tomatoes, English peas, honey and eggplant prepared in a style similar to caponata. Perfectly blanched tomatoes offered the texture and sweetness that were the perfect vehicle for the smoky, acidic eggplant and the

Top: Asparagus with chocolate coriander, red bud flowers; Center: Tomato-Tamato with english peas, honey, eggplant; Bottom: Spruceberry, strawberry, spruce buds, framage franc. Downtown: Laurie Tennent

greenness of the peas. Protein was next with pike, frisee, rhubarb, gooseberry and smoked greens. Pike is not something you commonly see on menus. Unpleasing in its whole form to those familiar and painfully difficult to debone, it sadly hasn’t found its way into most Michigan restaurants. To that I say for shame. In the skilled hands of Chef Lipar, pike has become my new local favorite. Partnered with the sweet tart of the gooseberry and rhubarb and the bitter frisee, it took on an iconic state of its own. So much so that I pushed the smoky greens aside. Porcelet with turnips, balsamic and wild greens were then served. Pork belly is everywhere these days. I attribute it to being the natural progression of a bacon-obsessed society, but then again it could be because it just tastes really, really good. No food named after a body part has ever been so sought after and enjoyed. Disagree? When’s the last time you were up for Head Cheese or Pig Ears? Belly, however, brings to mind the warm flavors of salty pork and creamy fat coming together to create what I can call nothing other than euphoric. This little piggy was especially exciting because of its milk fed diet and thoughtful care in Quebec where it is raised in a family environment. Though the Yorkshire is not local, Lipar is synonymous with his work with Mangalistas from the Michigan market. Dating back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Mangalistas slowly faded out over time due to their extremely high fat content (a blonde Mangalista is roughly sixty percent fat). Michigan is one of few centers for the breeding and sales of said pig and Lipar is paving the way for its inclusion of all things Michigan. Obviously meant to be the star of the dish, the pork was paired with turnips, balsamic and wild greens, all of which added hints of flavor that played the perfect supporting cast.

A much needed palate cleanser came next in the form of cucumber, shiso, sherry and almonds followed by what I refer to as the best dessert ever. Strawberries (two kinds), spruce buds, strawberry vinegar and angel food gelato. Clearly deconstructed shortcake of sorts, this dish can only be described as plate-licking good. I am not a fan of strawberries. I find them cloying and overwhelmingly sweet. The spruce buds provided the perfect pungent herbaceousness, the vinegar an extra kick of acid and the gelato the mouth rounding texture to pull all things together in a mind blowing quartet that changed my mind forever. Lastly, digestifs in the form of Mignardise and coffee. Clearly, I viewed this as a stellar dining experience. Out of curiosity I looked at some Yelp reviews to see the view of others and found most people felt the same. Sadly there were several knocks for cost and portion size that are both unfair and the product of ill-informed diners. Rather than get into several analogies about the cost of mass produced items versus fresh local ingredients, let me just say this: good things cost money. Period. And in order to enjoy an experience that includes nine courses, bigger is not better. There are plenty of places to get your doggy bag on for thirty bucks. This is not one of them. Portion sizes were spot on and the price is reflective of the excellent product provided. Torino also offers a beverage pairing (standard or premium) for an extra charge. We opted for the standard and sadly were not blown away. Huge props for original varietals and unique pairings but with the exception of the Rosé with the dessert course, there were more misses than hits. However, food is the star of the show at Torino, and though you may love a big cab or a sweet white, I strongly suggest talking to the Sommelier regarding a pairing that won’t take away from the food or overpower what has so lovingly been put into place. The cocktail list is well chosen and a perfect fit for the space. It includes a playful tequila-based drink called the Jalisco Shortcake and a refreshingly clean gin-based drink called Cucumber Zen. Not to be missed though is the Sensei Palmer with Earl Grey infused vodka, yuzu juice, mint and lemon bitters. Service was prompt and informative but a bit odd with a straight faced, stoic-like Sommelier partnered with an overly zealous waiter that for some would have been perfect, but for us was a bit over the top. Investing in a course-out is a courtship of sorts. A flirtation between kitchen and patron that entails trust for the sake of something pleasurable you never imagined for yourself. The beauty of it is the promise of a new experience that you can choose whether or not to return to. Not only is Torino worthy of your trust, but undoubtedly a place I will return to in order to feel the love. Torino, 201 East Nine Mile, Ferndale 48220. 248.247.1370. Dining hours are from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday and 4 p.m. until midnight Friday – Saturday. Current Prix Fixe price is $89 with optional beverage pairings for an additional charge. Reservations are recommended and can be made by phone or on OpenTable.com. Handicap access; street parking available. 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.

Bloomfield Hills

$2,599,000

The quintessential French Manor in the heart of Bloomfield Hills designed by Michael Willoughby. ● ● ● ●

6,830 sf 6 Bedrooms 4 Full & 3 Half Baths 2 Story French Colonial

● ● ● ●

Fabulous 1st Floor Master Suite State of the Art Custom Kitchen Limestone Foyer w/ Museum Lighted Art Gallery Blue Stone Patio Overlooks Exquisite Landscaping

Bloomfield Hills

For more info/photos, Text T11930815 to 85377.

For more info/photos, Text T790686 to 85377.

Franklin

$1,500,000

Exceptional waterfront home with over 5,000 sf of living on all sports Upper Long Lake with fabulous lot that has lush gardens, waterfalls, bridge and dock - a perfect retreat! ● 5,052 sf ● Amazing Cooks Kitchen ● 5 Bedrooms ● Family, Living & Dining Rooms View Lake ● 3 Full & 2 Half Baths ● Walkout Deck & Stone Patio to Amazing Lot ● Ranch w/ Finished LL Walkout ● Peaked Ceilings & Hardwood Floors

$1,899,900

Bloomfield Hills

$999,900

Brand new BUILD JOB on magnificent 1.67 acre site in the estate section of Franklin Village.

Custom Contemporary of your Dreams on Private Cul-De-Sac has been reduced to sell!

● ● ● ●

4,440 sf 4 Bedrooms 3 Full & 2 Half Baths 2 Story Transitional Colonial

● ● ● ●

Come Pick Out Your Finishes Fabulous Kitchen with Breakfast Nook 1st Floor Spacious Library 3 Car Garage

6,813 sf 5 Bedrooms 4 Full & 2 Half Baths 2 Story Contemporary

For more info/photos, Text T11875834 to 85377.

Bloomfield Hills

● Gorgeous Setting on Wooded Lot ● Marble Foyer to Fabulous Living & Dining Area ● Spacious White Kitchen with Breakfast Nook ● Amazing Finished Lower Level Walkout

For more info/photos, Text T1122749 to 85377.

$699,900

Unbeatable price for this square footage in Bloomfield Wabeek Manor! Beautiful custom home with great floor plan & is in pristine condition. ● 4,827 sf ● Fabulous Open Floor Plan ● 4 Bedrooms ● Updated Huge Custom Kitchen ● 4 Full & 2 Half Baths ● Gorgeous Lot w/ Circular Drive on Cul-De-Sac ● 2 Story Colonial ● Great Finished Lower Level for Entertaining

Birmingham

$549,900

5 Houses South of Brown Street, a Hop, Skip and Jump to Downtown - Don't Miss This! ● ● ● ●

1,885 sf 2 Bedrooms 2 Full & 1 Half Baths 2 Story Colonial

For more info/photos, Text T11942788 85377.

● Dark Hardwood Floors Throughout ● Updated White Kitchen w/SS Appliances/SubZero ● Fabulous Family Rm-French Doors to Private Deck ● Amazing Master Suite with Skylights & Huge WIC

For more info/photos, Text T11914797 to 85377.

Franklin

Birmingham

32440 Franklin Road, Franklin, MI 48025

555 S Old Woodward, Birmingham, MI 48009

248.626.8700

248.283.8700

www.CranRealtors.com

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

Home is where you love to be

Second Annual Farm to Table Block Party Food Fest The Community House (TCH), Presenting Sponsor Huntington Bank and Event Chair Robb Harper of edible WOW Magazine are pleased to bring back the very successful Farm to Table Block Party Food Fest on Saturday, September 6th (4 p.m.-8 p.m.) for the second year. We’ll block off the streets surrounding TCH so you can stroll around enjoying local chefs’ delicious tastings, farmers’ produce, food vendors, and wine, beer and distilleries whose ingredients are all grown and made in Michigan. We’ll have fun youth activities as well. Join us and help sustain Michigan!

Take advantage of today’s active market and low interest rates. Call me today for all of your real estate needs!

Great Chefs & Vendors at Food Fest: You will enjoy fabulous chefs’ delights from up to 20 restaurants such as The Stand Gastro Bistro, Forest Grill, The Root, Camille Jayne Toasted Oak, Peabody’s, Colors, Clean Plate, Dorsey Culinary Academy, and Lafayette Market & Café (more are still signing up) who will explain how they’ve used their ingredients which you can purchase from the very farmers like Upland Hills Organic Farm who will be selling their harvests alongside the chefs. Help sustain Michigan by purchasing delicious Michigan made treats from vendors such as Calder Dairy, Cooper Street Cookies, Imerman Cake Co., Mighty Good Coffee, Monty’s Beef, Raw Foodie, Eli’s Tea Bar, and many more. Enjoy Michigan made brews by Northern United Brewing Company – as well as delicious wines from Verterra Winery, and libations from Journeyman Distillery.

JUDY CUNNINGHAM 248-205-1235 jcunningham@cbwm.com www.cbwm.com/jcunningham 294 E Brown Street, Birmingham

WEIR MANUEL

We thank our contributing sponsors: WXYZ Channel 7, Metro Times, Whole Foods, and 96.3 WDVD. Have a great time on a Saturday afternoon with your family and friends to help sustain Michigan farmers, chefs and vendors – all while knowing you are helping TCH to “feed and sustain” children and families in need. Farm to Table Raises Money to Sustain Children & Families in Need: “Farm to Table” is an important fundraising event for our iCount™ Children’s Obesity Prevention, as well as TCH’s new “Feed Your Family’s Future” family literacy outreach program. In its third year, the iCount summer program has grown to help 500 teens in Detroit and Pontiac through Detroit Public and Charter Schools, Matrix Human Services, Horizons Upward Bound and the Boys and Girls Club. We are very grateful to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as our major iCount sponsor. The new Feed Your Family’s Future program targets underserved parents of pre-school age children who need help sustaining their families, and “getting a break” going forward in the working world. Thanks to PNC Foundation, Talmer Bank and Howard & Howard, PLLC, TCH is offering 150 families this program, but over 1,000 are on the waiting list hoping to get in the program. Join In The Fun/Meet Your Neighbors: Bring your family to our Farm to Table Block Party and be part of sustaining our community. Your $25 ($10 per child under 12) includes very generous chef’s tastings and one drink ticket. Register at: www.tchserves.org or call 248.644.5832. Get your tickets early as we’re sure to have 1,000+ people this year! If it rains, we’ll hold the event inside TCH on the entire main floor. Other TCH Happenings TCH Fall Open House, Thursday, August 21: Join us to visit with class teachers, TCH Directors of our Early Childhood Center, Travel and Banquet & Catering. All those who sign up for a class at the Open House get 10 percent off a fall class! To register: www.tchserves.org or call 248.644.5832. Grand Get Away to Venice, Lake Como, Milan & Monte Carlo! Oct 28-Nov 5: If you haven’t experienced a TCH travel department trip, you’ve never been pampered enough. Take off from Detroit, land in Venice and return through Nice. To register, call 248.644.5832. TCH Dance Academy Season Starts Its 50th Year: Register for children’s classes in Ballet, Creative Dance, Tap, and Jazz – all taught using the nationally recognized Leap n’ Learn curriculum! New student registration: August 5th-23rd. Nutcracker ballet auditions for ages 5 & up this September. Contact Renee Wood at reneew@tchserves.org or 248.594.6415. Camille Jayne is President and CEO of TCH. downtownpublications.com

SUMMER SAVINGS a

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Camcorders • Cell Phones • Cordless Phones • E-Readers Laptops • Mobility Scooters • Motorcycles • Alarms Limit 1. Offer valid on in-stock products at participating locations. • pricing. Vehicles Watches • Watercraft • CFL Not valid with otherVacuums offers or business Some • exclusions may apply. Must present coupon instore; not valid for online purchase. No cash value. See store for complete details. NP037 F LED • Miniatures • & much more

DOWNTOWN

34164 Woodward Ave. Birmingham 248-644-0666 (East side of Woodward, just north of Lincoln, under the flag) M-F 8:30-9 | Sat. 9-8 | Sun. 11-6 For additional savings visit batteriesplus.com

Bloomfield Hills

$1,275,000

Showcasing a 2009 award winning architectural design for a conservatory/dining room, opening to an outdoor cooking terrace with built in stainless grill, a fire-pit and pergola covered hot-tub terrace all on a wooded ravine. 214062114 Addison Township | $600,000 This home is custom built with many artistic features. Two story stone fireplace in the middle of an open floor plan both up and down. Lower level wet bar with fountain feature. Five carport bays, large pole barn with two stalls. Two parcels included; Parcel 05-12-100-043 has 5.34 acres and has a walk-out Ranch with over 5,000 sq ft. Parcel #2 05-12-100-044 has 12.78 acres with a potential for another split. 214065416

Birmingham | $285,000 Great 2-3 bedroom Ranch featuring large living room with additional bonus room in the back of the house. Newer features in the last four years; washer, dryer, hot water heater, stove and roof. City inspection yearly for approved license to lease. 214073044

Birmingham | $380,000

Royal Oak | $124,000

Charm, location, and convenience! This timeless architecture has a lot to offer. Living room with gas fireplace, two full baths, newer windows, master bedroom with a private balcony. Even a finished third floor loft area for additional bedroom space with several skylights and an abundance of closet space. This lot abuts the alley, check out the possibilities. 214072004

Open the front door to an open living space in the great room, kitchen and dining area. This area features vaulted ceiling, wood flooring and neutral decor. 214073122

Susan Lozano 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

248-421-7313

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Child Safe Michigan’s Gala Night People came to the New Orleans-theme Child Safe benefit at The Townsend in a party mood. The 150 VIPs ($500-ticket) came early to meet some of board member Danny Sillman’s Compass Management athlete clients. Event volunteer Stephanie Brigstock, a U of M graduate whose father Tom played football there, was especially proud of Michigan’s Trey Burke, Sally Gerak Mike Martin and Brandon Graham, but MSU alums in the crowd were vying for pictures with Draymond Green and Jerel Worthy. Another 125 ($300-ticket) arrived for cocktails and dinner. The program was emceed by Fox 2’s Taryn Ashe and Jason Carr, a married couple, who noted that the event was a date night for them. Board chair Keith Pomeroy saluted honorees Mark Smits and Jim Wolfe and the event co-chairs Joel and Andrea Partrich Brown and Charlie and Cathy Sosnick Schwartz, before Steve Gross conducted the brief live auction ($53,150) and dedicated giving ($17,000) pledges. Iconic New Orleans dishes starred on the dessert menu. Some 100 Child Safe supporters ($100-ticket) accepted Sillman’s invitation to an After Party at the Corner Bar, where most stayed until the 2 a.m. closing. The spirited soiree netted more than $222,000 for Child Safe Michigan, which served 300 at risk children last year, including the 37 who were permanently adopted by a loving family.

Child Safe Michigan’s Gala A Night in New Orleans Gala

1. Cathie Sosnick Schwartz and Andrea Partrich Brown of Birmingham 2. Jim Wolfe (left) of Ferndale and Danny Sillman, Charlie Schwartz and Joel Brown of Birmingham 3. Keith and Sonia Pomeroy of Birmingham 4. Betsy Reich (left) of Sylvan Lake, Ethan and Gretchen Gonzales Davidson of Birmingham and Lee Gonzales of Flint 5. Barbara DeClerk (left), Char Terry and Wendy Silverman of Bloomfield 6. Jeff Schoenberg (left) of Birmingham and Ed Sosnick of Bloomfield 7. Rick Williams (left) of Bloomfield, Elizabeth Brazilian and her cousin Brian Manoogian of Birmingham 8. Taryn Asher and her husband, Jason Carr, of Bloomfield 9. Eric Dietz (left) of Troy and Bob Pliska of Bloomfield 10. Stephanie Brigstock (center) of Birmingham with Mike Martin and Brandon Graham

Oakland Literacy Council’s Motor City Wine & Food Festival at The Players Club

3 downtownpublications.com

1. Mindy (left) and Rick Lopus of Detroit, Mary Rosenbusch of Rochester and Camille Breen of Bloomfield 2. Debbie and Ralph Castelli of Pleasant Ridge 3. Bob Gaylor left) of Rochester Hills and Don Breen of Bloomfield 4. Judy (left) and Rita (right) Lindstrom of Bloomfield with OLC’s Shari Barrick (standing left) and Julie Hoensheide of Rochester Hills

DOWNTOWN

MOCAD Evening of Art & Science The close relationship of mathematics and music has been known since the time of Plato, but 12 contemporary artists and 11 Taubman Institute scientists recently demonstrated that their disciplines could also have a relationship. The resulting artistic collaborations, which were curated by Lynn Crawford, brought compassionate art buffs to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit to benefit the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program. Seventy-five VIPs ($1,000-tickets) came early, sipped, socialized and studied the art. They were joined by the $500-ticket holders (140 total) for the Forte Belanger catered dinner of farm fresh fare served at long tables centered by slender rectangles of green grass accented by a simple bright yellow Gerbera daisy. More art enthusiasts arrived with $75-tickets for the AfterParty. When all the silent auction bidding was over, the creative event had netted $100,000 to fund the best and brightest scientists at the University of Michigan medical research institute established in 2007 by A. Alfred Taubman’s generous gift. Motor City Wine/Food Festival “We have never (before) put on a show for an outside group,” Jim Turnbull told the 80 supporters ($150-tickets) of the Oakland Literacy Council gathered on a Sunday afternoon in the Historic Players Playhouse in Detroit. A more appreciative audience for “Oedi”, a one-act comedic “Frolic” based on Shakespeare’s “Oedipus”, would be hard to find. Constant laughter filled the theater where the guests had dined before the show. Most were seeing the playhouse for the first time. And in keeping with the Motor City festival theme, post-performance dessert bar offerings included Faygo root beer and Vernor’s floats, a sundae bar and bumpy frosted cupcakes. The finale of the two part benefit festival founded by Mary Rosenbusch and Bob Gaylor raised $11,000 to combat adult illiteracy. For more information about the council, which can use volunteer tutors, go to www.oaklandliteracy.com; about the 89

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK An Evening of Art & Science at MOCAD

playhouse, which may be rented for special events, go to www.playersdetroit.org.

1. Dr. Eva Feldman (left) of Ann Arbor, Kathy Goldberg of Birmingham, Lynn Crawford of Bloomfield and Edie Briskin of Birmingham 2. Ed Levy and Linda Dresner Levy of Birmingham 3. Sid (left) and Maddy Forbes with Marcia, Lisa and Gene Applebaum of Bloomfield 4. Simone DeSousa (left) of Detroit with Aimee Lanciault of Bloomfield and Susan Foley of Birmingham and Marie Muller of Ann Arbor 5. Eric and Kathy Larson of Bloomfield 6. Elyse Foltyn (left) and Suzanne Hilberry of Birmingham with event coordinator Gail Ball of W. Bloomfield 7. Abe Slaim and Sheri Mark of Bloomfield with ALS’ Paula Morning of Canton

Suite Dreams Project’s Hats Off luncheon

1. David McKnight (center), Janine Shaman (left) of Birmingham, Marianne Sarafa of Farmington Hills 2. Kris Appleby (left) and Kay Ponicall of Bloomfield with Ronnie Dahl of WXYZ 3. Samar Ajluni of Bloomfield 4. Avery Appleby (left), Maria Schwartz, Elizabeth Mitchell and Brynn Burkart of Bloomfield 5. Christian Bouchillon (left) of Bloomfield and mom Kristen 6. Meredith Carrel of Birmingham 7. Jillian Shaman of Birmingham 8. Bronte Burkart (left) and Quinn Appleby of Bloomfield, Lily Shaman of Birmingham 9. Kristi Schaub (left) of Bloomfield, Robin Eikenberry of Birmingham 10. Marcus Nolte (left), Mike Ponicall, Andy Appleby and Jon Tallinger of Bloomfield

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Suite Dreams Project’s Hats Off Luncheon Suite Dreams Project’s Hats Off luncheon, which outgrew more than one venue, has found a new home at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield. Janine Shaman and Mariann Sarafa co-chaired SDP’s 13th benefit there. Some 475 attended and more could have been accommodated. The Victor Saroki-designed clubhouse has a spacious ballroom lobby, with places to sit for those who wish to do so, and a spacious ballroom with views of the golf course visible through many windows. As per the invitation suggestion, most guests wore hats, including David McKnight, who has designed the aesthetics for all 13 events. No surprise to this reporter, who has covered all of the Hats Off events, when we saw Samar Ajluni arrive we just knew her hat would win the “Best Hat” award. “I made it this morning with gift and décor flowers I had in the basement,” the talented lady explained. Nineteen other hats were deemed “Great Hats” and all received a Max Mara tote bag with goodies. Program highlights included Kristen Bouchillon’s invocation, her nine-year-old son Christian’s piano and vocal rendition of “Let them see you in me” and Avery Appleby’s update on how SDP’s dream of making sick children’s personal spaces conducive to recovery has grown. The raffle of 13 prizes raised $15,000 and the savvy ticket-pricing ploy (a table of 10 for $1,000 versus $150-single) resulted in 40 table sponsors – all of whom were given a bouquet of yellow (the event color) roses. The event raised $75,000 for SDP, which was founded by Kay Ponicall and Kris Appleby. Check it out at www.suitedreamsproject.org. Variety Benefactor Garden Party Variety, The Children’s Charity enjoys generous support of its fundraising events. But due to this year’s calendar, Variety’s Table Tops luncheon and A Star Is Born Gala were staged a mere two days apart. This did not allow the board and committee members to salute the event benefactors in advance as is their tradition. Instead, a month later, when the weather was more reliable, Connie and Larry Hodas hosted a beautiful Benefactor Garden Party at their hilltop home overlooking Upper Straits 08.14

Lake in Orchard Lake Village. About 125 of the beneficent were able to attend. Connie graciously spent lots of time at the front door welcoming arrivals after they had traversed the magnificent entry courtyard. The traditional architecture of the Victor Saroki - designed manse was noteworthy, outside and in. As designer Lucy Earl explained when asked about the twin living rooms on either side of the central foyer, “That’s perfect symmetry in the French tradition.” Guests socialized on the terrace around the pool and savored Andiamo cuisine superbly presented buffet style. There were no speeches. Just warm hospitality - good food and drinks, camaraderie and a splendid kick off to summer. Lyric Opera’s Enchanted Evening Since it was instituted by the Motor City Lyric Opera, the inaugural annual Metropolitan Detroit Virtuoso award just had to go to Michigan Opera Theatre founder and artistic director Dr. David DiChiera. And it had to be presented by MCLO founder and artistic director Mary Callaghan Lynch. Her soaring soprano voice was showcased in many of DiChiera’s productions beginning when she was a voice major at Marygrove College in the 1970s and MOT was a fledgling opera company. In fact, their shared history and mutual admiration was spotlighted during the award presentation at MCLO’s annual Enchanted Evening cocktail benefit. It attracted some 200 supporters to the Detroit Athletic Club where guests were also treated to a selection from MCLO’s current Opera on Wheels – “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” That opera’s anti-bullying message has been heard, free of charge, by 10,000 inner city students this year. The event raised approximately $20,000 to help MCLO teach ethics thorough the magic of music. For more information go to www.mclopera.org. Founders Junior Council Social A sold-out crowd (100) of art lovers gathered June 25 on the Rossetti Headquarters rooftop at the Federal Reserve Building for the Founders Junior Council annual meeting and Summer Social cocktail party. The event kicked off the FJC’s 50th anniversary celebratory year and featured guest speaker Fernando Palazeulo, the international developer and new owner of the Packard Plant. He spoke about his past projects in Spain and Peru and why he chose Detroit, saying that he believes art and downtownpublications.com

Variety Benefactors Garden Party

1. Kevin (left) and Kendra Cassidy of Bloomfield, Larry and Connie Hodas of Orchard Lake 2. Lucy Earl of Bloomfield and Jane Synnestvedt of Birmingham 3. Linda O’Brien (left) of Orchard Lake, Tom and Rita O’Brien and Felicia Shaw of Birmingham 4. Debbie Knowles (left), Judy Solomon and Michael Bressler of Birmingham 5. Jill-Marie Ferrier and Philip Mara of Bloomfield 6. Natalie Cochran (left) of Birmingham, Rhonda Sabatini of Bloomfield 7. Bob Allesee (left) and Dana Baskin Coffman of Bloomfield, Nathan Mersereau of Livonia

Grand Prixmiere benefiting the Belle Isle Conservancy

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1. Kim Reuss (center) of Bloomfield with Roger and Kathy Penske of Birmingham 2. Mark Reuss and Bud Denker of Bloomfield 3. Michele Hodges (left) of Grosse Pointe, Sarah Early and Beth Chappell of Bloomfield with Kathleen McCann of Harrison Twp. 4. Paul W. (left) and Kimmie Smith of Bloomfield with Joe Vicari of Clinton Twp. 5. Tammi Alberts (left) and Wendy Metzger of Bloomfield 6. Tom (left) and Marybeth Howe, Alaz Aroya and Jerry Timmis of Birmingham 7. Fair Radom (left), Jessie Elliott and Vivian Pickard of Bloomfield and Scott Sandefur of Rochester Hills 8. Matt (left) and Tony Early of Bloomfield 9. Lori Duggan (left) of Detroit, Kim Smith of Bloomfield, Lila Lazarus of Orchard Lake and Sandy Pierce of Northville

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Founders Junior Council’s Summer Social

1. Blake Ellis (left) of Grosse Pointe, Fernando Palazuelo of Lima, Peru, Packard Plant project manager and architectural historian Kari Smith of Palazuelo’s Arte Express 2. Scott (left) and Ann Strickland of Birmingham, Lindsay Rosenthall of Royal Oak, David Gasper of Bloomfield 3. Nancy Cummins of Birmingham, David Lilly of Detroit 4. Kristen Lusn (left) and Jason Edelson of Birmingham, Katie Katz of Detroit 5. Jennifer and David Zimmer of Bloomfield 6. Tony Carroll (left) of Detroit, Kathy Huber of Rochester, Ron Victor of Birmingham (Photos by Eric Wheeler)

Sunset at the Zoo Benefactor Party

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1. Event host Nancy Cotton (left) of Grosse Pointe with Ryan, Stephen and Bobbi Polk of Bloomfield 2. Sunset co-chairs Ashley Crain (left) and Kelle Ilitch of Bloomfield 3. Zoo director Ron Kagan (left) of Royal Oak and DZS board member Linda Aviv of Birmingham 4. Event host Sean (left) and his twin brother Jon Cotton with John Nicholson of Grosse Pointe 5. Susie Vestevich (left) of Birmingham and Bonnie Larson of Bloomfield 6. Jim Hayes and Denise Abrash of Bloomfield 7. Bob Littman (left) of Birmingham with Lauri BeskerKroll of Harper Woods and Maggie Dobrowitsky of W. Bloomfield

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history are central to the revitalization of any city. In the near future Palazuelo even suggested he’d like the Packard Plant to host a DSO concert of classical music among the industrial ruins. Following his talk, Continental/Forte Belanger catered small bites, Blue Nectar sponsored a specialty cocktail - the Packard Paloma and DJ Conor Mendenhall played summer lounge music. At the end of the perfect-weather al fresco event, Katie Katz’s centerpiece plants were donated to Greening of Detroit. FJC’s next quintessential urban event, Fash Bash, is Thursday, Aug. 14. For information, go to www.foundersjuniorcouncil.org. Grand Prixmiere for Belle Isle Conservancy The PWC Grand Prixmiere presented by Chevrolet surely was “A Night in the Fast Lane”. It was the first time the Belle Isle Conservancy benefit was held on the island itself and the 500-plus arriving guests drove their cars to the party tent on the same island road that became the race track the following two days. “A stroke of genius,” more than one guest observed. And the tent had a clear side offering a view of the 90-year-old Scott Fountain, which, miraculously, was working after many years of being in disrepair. Kim and General Motors executive VP Mark Reuss chaired the sparkling evening that included a take on the 1970s $10,000 Pyramid TV game show emceed by Paul W. Smith. It paired IndyCar drivers Helio Castroneves, James Hinchliffe, Tony Kanaan and Graham Rahal with Reuss, Bud Denker, Sandy Pierce and Cindy Pasky for rounds of good natured trivia banter. Pasky and Kanaan won the Grand Pyramid. During the live auction, the sell-out audience ($500-tickets) bid generously ($237,000) on three outstanding packages donated by Chevrolet. Then they pledged more than $19,000 to send 700 Detroit Public Schools children to the Belle Isle Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory for science and environmental lessons and Reuss made a surprise gift of $50,000 from the GM Foundation. Adding the extensive corporate beneficence, the Grand Prixmiere raised more than $650,000 to support the work of the Belle Isle Conservancy. For details about more events on the island go to belleisleconservancy.org. Sunset at the Zoo Three weeks before the annual event attracted 2,100 to the Detroit Zoo, dozens of the Sunset benefactors ($750-tickets) socialized, sipped and supped al fresco at the Grosse Pointe home of Sean and Nancy Cotton. The grounds contained a pond that suggested the zoo’s Cotton Family Wetlands and future wolf habitat, a gift that was acknowledged during a brief program at the Benefactor Bash with a crystal piece for the senior Cottons and a wolfshaped topiary for the hosts’ garden. Also at the soiree zoo director Ron Kagan and board 08.14

member Linda Aviv gave the Nautilus Award to “remarkable volunteer” Stephen Polk for making the largest gift ever to the zoo – $10 million for the development of the $29.5-million Polk Penguin Conservation Center. At the main event chaired by Ashley Crain and Kelle Ilitch, guests sampled signature dishes from 40 of Detroit’s best restaurants, sipped cocktails including the signature Howling Wolf, bid $124,000 in the live auction for such items as a golf trip for four to Ireland that sold for $49,000, bought Sunset Keys ($26,000) for chances at donated goods and danced to music by the Jerry Ross and the Tom Butwin bands. Many also took tram tours of the animal habitats and ogled the Detroit Flyhouse performers. The party was the most successful in its history, raising more than $500,000. St. John Hospital Annual Guild Dinner The men’s Guild of St. John Hospital, which has played a critical fundraising role since it was established in 1948, staged its 54th annual dinner at Penna’s of Sterling. During the cocktail hour the bountiful hors d’oeuvres stations provided savory rationale for the banquet hall’s popularity. (Think non-stop mounds of crab claws, shrimp and lamb chops.) And when the 800 guests ($250-tickets) took their seats for dinner, each was asked how well done he/she wanted his/her filet mignon. Impressively, it was served as ordered. The program Alex Lucido emceed followed dinner and honored Ed Deeb , Dr. Sanjay Batra , Tony Ferlito and Dr. David Cotton and his family. In acceptance speeches, Deeb paid tribute to Sister Vernice McQuade’s contributions to the hospital community and Batra declared, “(St. John’s) is home.” All saluted the camaraderie that the guild affords its 500 members. After three raffle prize winners were drawn, comedian Dave Coulier took the spotlight. He was an especially good choice because, as the St. Clair Shores native noted, “Fifty-four years ago I was born in St. John’s.” The evening raised $125,000 which the guild earmarked for the hospital’s Mary Ann Van Elslander Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Nursery. JARC’s SpringElation Nearly 2,000 partygoers, assisted by 150 volunteers, frolicked at JARC’s 16th annual family friendly fundraiser at the Detroit Zoo. Cochaired by Deborah Kovsky-Apap, Ethan Gross and Lindsey and Greg Weitzman, it featured a special polar bear feeding, rides on the Carousel and Tauber Family Railroad, live entertainment by StarTrax, pictures with the Detroit Tiger mascot PAWS, and new this year, The Robot Garage LEGO building station. Thanks to generous sponsorship the fun-filled evening raised more than $250,000 forJARC’s services to children with disabilities. For more information or to make a donation today, visit jarc.org. downtownpublications.com

St. John Hospital Guild Dinner

1 1. Ed (left) and Joanne Deeb of Bloomfield with Grace and Carl Rashid of Grosse Pointe 2. Deanne (left) and Dr. Sanjay Batra of Franklin with Raj and Shikha Batra of Bloomjfield 3. Aanika (left), Aryan and Anjali Batra of Franklin 4. Kevin Rinke (left) of Birmingham, Don Prost of Grosse Pointe, Don Gooley of Harrison Twp. and Dan Felstow of Macomb

The Garden Party

1. George Helms (left) with Peter Betrus and Steve Racine of Bloomfield 2. Elizabeth and Syd Ross of Bloomfield 3. Pam Racine (left), Joyce Helms and Amy Ordona of Bloomfield 4. Bill Seklar and his daughter Bailey of Bloomfield 5. Joe and Lynn Nowak of Bloomfield 6. Frank (left) and Kim Campanale of Orchard Lake with Norm and Bonnie LePage of W. Bloomfield 7. Betsy Heid (right) of Bloomfield with Joe (left) and Georgia Banyai and Paul Illich of Royal Oak 8. Bob Rossiter (left) of Birmingham with his brothers Brian of Wixom and Tom of Northville 9. Jackie Sefferman (left) of Bloomfield and Kristin Didio of Shelby Twp.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK The Garden Party For the first time since it was launched in 2009, The Garden Party was threatened with rain this summer. But the morning showers were over when the first guests began to arrive at Meadow Brook Hall to sample the fine food and wine that stars at the Sunday afternoon al fresco event, which was presented by Advance Engineering. And, although AE does make products for the food industry, “I got involved because of the charities,” said owner George Helms. Those beneficiaries are the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan, the Children’s Tumor Foundation and Oakland Community College’s Culinary Studies Institute. They will share the $200,000 the sixth annual event raised. As each of the 600-plus guests arrived, his/her souvenir wine glass was first filled with sparkling wine from L. Mawby winery to sip on the stroll to the festival tent. There were 20 more wine stations offering dozens of pours ranging in price from Celani Family Vineyard’s Cabernet Ardore at $159.97 to Terranoble Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca at $7.97. The wine pourers were helpful in making pairings with such culinary offerings from 28 restaurants as: Beverly Hills Grill’s jumbo lump crab and asparagus crepe with a ‘Bloody Mary’ deviled egg; Morton’s Steakhouse’s beef tenderloin medallion topped with pepper sauce; Eddie Merlot’s seared scallops with nasturtium vinaigrette and pea puree; The Lark’s salt-baked shrimp; and Red Coat Tavern’s popular hamburgers. The idyllic event also featured great hats on the ladies, the classic cars displayed on the lawn beyond the terrace and, for the first time, a 52-card raffle for a 24bottle wine cooler valued at $1,700 and filled by the winner with wines served at The Garden Party.

JARC’S 16th annual SpringElation

1 1. Emily Korotkin (left) and Ken Korotkin of Bloomfield, and Andrea, Maya, Casey and Jeff Belen of Birmingham 2. Gigi and Jaime Barratta of Bloomfield 3. JARC president Ron Applebaum (left) of Huntington Woods, JARC CEO Rick Loewenstein of W. Bloomfield, JARC president elect David Grand of Ann Arbor 4. Brett Gonte (left), Julia Eisenshtadt and Lauren Ruby of Bloomfield, Robot Garage staffer Tim Dijkstora, Aidan Keenan and Hannah Keenan of Farmington Hills

HAVEN’s Raise the Roof Gala

4 1. Beth Morrison (center) of Bloomfield with Nina Campbell (left) of Detroit and Lara Phillip of Rochester Hills 2. Brad Simmons (left) and Paula Biskup of Birmingham, Mary Ann Lievois of Bloomfield 3. AJ Lafrate (left) of Rochester and Chuck Moore of Birmingham 4. Danielle Iafrate (left) of Rochester with Teri and Erin Moore of Birmingham 5. Beth (left) and Mike Lieberman of W. Bloomfield with Dr. Brent and Karen Davidson of Bloomfield 6. Greg (left) and Teresa Mulawa of Rochester and Mary Ellen and Rick Tonis of Birmingham 7. Todd and Pam Wyett of Bloomfield

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HAVEN’s Raise the Roof Gala Youthful volunteers in yellow construction hard hats were at the ready to assist the 370 HAVEN supporters who flocked to the Troy Marriott for the inaugural Raise the Roof Gala. The party’s theme reflected the goal of the Seeds of Hope (capital) Campaign – a new facility to house all of HAVEN’s comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Headed by Brad Simmons and Sarah McClelland, it has reached 80 percent of its $5million goal, enough for the ground breaking, which occurred 12 days after the gala that was chaired by Nina Campbell and Lara Fetsco Phillip. Like its predecessor Promenade of Hope fundraising events, the gala offered lots of socializing and silent auction items ($29,000) plus two 52-card raffles ($6,600), an MGM Grand raffle ($3,180) and a spirited live auction ($18,250) of eight items conducted by Christopher Aslanian. Also like its predecessor, it featured an emcee named Lewis – Glenda Lewis, the daughter of Diana Lewis who emceed the preceding 25 annual events. Stirring testimony by a self-proclaimed proud survivor of abuse inspired rousing applause 08.14

when she concluded, “I am a HAVEN renovation. I was rebuilt from the ground up, too.” The Raise the Roof Gala raised nearly $290,000, including a $50,000 gift from G.M. Others may contribute to the campaign or register ($125-ticket) for the Second Annual Tailgate Party at havenoakland.org. The tailgate - Tackling Domestic and Sexual Violence – 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12, at Birmingham Country Club, will feature the Detroit Lions vs. the Minnesota Vikings on large screen TV, special liquor tastings, cigars, putting contests, raffles and a live auction. Liberty Mutual Invitational The scene on the veranda at Oakland Hills Country Club was Pure Michigan. Supporters of Boys Hope Girls Hope socialized while waiting for the golfers to complete scramble format play on the legendary South Course. Event co-chairs Frank Torre and Kerrie Binno were pleased that more than 150 dinner guests ($150 each) joined the 144 golfers ($875 each) to conclude the day’s activities with music by Jenn and Royce during the cocktail reception and silent auction before dinner. In recent years, the BHGH event has been a charity partner of the Liberty Mutual Invitational so the first place team gets to play in the National Finals at TPC Sawgrass next February. But the real winners are the scholars from at-risk situations who reside in the two BHGH homes in northwest Detroit, those in the BHGH college support program, and those in the communitybased program at Cristo Rey High School in southwest Detroit. One of them, Miriam Franklin, said she wants to get an MBA and be an entrepreneur. Then she offered everyone a business card for her dog walking business. Thanks to the golf and dinner tickets, the silent auction, the short live auction ($25,450) conducted by Charles Wickins, pledges for a new van ($19,250), a raffle ($6,000) and generous sponsors the 23rd annual event raised approximately $200,000 for the academic, spiritual and leadership program that opened its first Detroit home in 1985. According to Binno, who is a BHGH board member, “This is the best evening ever.” Music Hall’s Cars and Stars Because the vintage Music Hall elevator stops short of the roof, leaving a steep flight of stairs to climb to the hall’s rooftop 3Fifty Terrace, we agreed with the fellow passenger who opined, “I think Vince needs to raise money for a new, glass-enclosed exterior elevator to go all the way to the top.” Once up there, the 180 VIPs ($600tickets) enjoyed an idyllic midsummer evening in the Secret Rooftop Garden. Views of the Madison Avenue neighborhood, vignettes with live “muses”, and socializing highlighted the cocktail hour before dinner in the white festival tent. There, long tables were accented with colorful flowers, small garden stone place cards painted with guests’ names and individual loaves of crusty French bread in a paper wrapper printed with the event sponsors names – “Our bread and butter.” downtownpublications.com

Boys Hope Girls Hope Liberty Mutual Invitational

1. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson (center) of Clarkston with event chairs Frank Torre of Bloomfield and Kerrie Binno of Birmingham 2. Mike Schuchard (left) of Birmingham, Joe Mnich of Livonia, Ed Braet and Mark Angott of Shelby Twp. and John Weisendorf of Sterling Hgts. 3. Charles Wickins (left) and Jo Coleman of Birmingham with Judge Linda Parker of Detroit, Malese Plater of W. Bloomfield 4. Vic Ventimiglia of Birmingham and Laura Bayoff-Elkins of Beverly Hills 5. Joe Saker (left) and Chance Richie of Bloomfield with Dario Bergamo of Rochester Hills 6. Carolyn Doyle (left) and John Lindsey of Birmingham 7. Tami Touchette (left) and Richard Kerwin of Bloomfield and Violet Gintsis of Fenton 8. Steve Cole (left) of Bloomfield with Jessica and Thomas Raupp of Clarkston 9. Sherriff Mike Bouchard (left) of Birmingham with Linda O’Brien of Orchard Lake, Maureen Giammoza of Beverly Hills, Dr. Cindy Grines of W. Bloomfield

Franklin Garden Club Walk & Picnic

1. Picnic host Pat Hamburg (left) of Bloomfield, walk co-chairs Barbara Borden of Franklin and Shirlee Kipp of Bloomfield and club president Molly Hammerle of Franklin 2. Susan Chamberlain (left), Betty Bright and Young Kim of Bloomfield and Sharon Wolf of W. Bloomfield 3. Joyce Pippel (left), Pat Ciagne and Shirlee Kipp of Bloomfield 4. Sandra Moers (left) and Dorothy Nagy of Bloomfield and Sue Ruby of Beverly Hills 5. Mary Cafferty (right) with Sally Turner (left) of Bloomfield and Kathy Minns of Birmingham 6. Blue Turtle Designs metal artist Lisa Robideau (left) and Joan Mulvehill (left) of Newport with vendor co-chair Elisabeth Simko of Bloomfield

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Music Hall’s Cars & Stars

The live auction of three items that MH president Vince Paul conducted following the splendid dinner was short and sensational, raising $11,600. Winning bidders were Leland Basset, David McKnight and Carol Friend. The latter collected her prize – a very personal, center stage serenade when the dinner crowd joined 600-plus concert goers in the theater for Grammy Award-winning singer Michael Bolton’s concert. The love songs he performed perfectly suited the party theme – “For the Love of Music Hall.” They also thrilled Friend, she confided afterwards. About 100 guests extended the Pure Michigan-type evening past midnight at the after-party on the rooftop terrace dancing to music by DJ Steve Love. The romantic soiree raised $280,000 for the historic performing arts center.

6 1. Laura Raisch (center) of Royal Oak with Nancy and Steve Wegienek of Birmingham 2. Vince Paul (left) of Grosse Pointe with Jim Vella of Canton and Susan Lampinen of Pleasant Ridge 3. Cheryl Fallen (center) of Grosse Pointe with Denise Kurowski and her daughter Annalisa of Birmingham 4. Shrik (left) and Meena Mehta of Bloomfield and Somal and Dilip Dubey of Troy 5. Francoise Colpron (standing) and her husband James Schwyn of Birmingham with Mark Kilbourn and his wife Carol Friend of Troy 6. Linda Juracek-Lipa (center) of Birmingham with Bob and Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield 7. Jim (left) and Patti Prowse and Sandy Duncan of Bloomfield

Preservation Bloomfield Antiques, Treasures and More

Antiques, Treasures and More About 200 people stopped by the Barton Farmhouse and adjoining gazebo at the Bowers Farm over the June weekend that Preservation Bloomfield members staged a sale. Luba Hotra coordinated the display of donated and consignment items in the farmhouse-tuned-antiques-shop. The inventory included furniture, linens, artwork, jewelry, china, silver and clothing. Two of the visitors were especially lucky shoppers. A chest of vintage silverware looked familiar to Sandi Pape. It was the same pattern her grandmother had given her (one place setting) when she was 10-years-old. She was moved to buy the whole chest and said it will always remind her of her grandmother’s gift. When Pat Hardy saw Kathy Carroll looking around, she immediately pictured her in the snazzy, vintage black dress that Hotra was selling on consignment. “I knew it would only fit a size-0,” said Hardy, who persuaded Carroll to try it on. “Sure enough, Kathy took one look, slipped it on over her workout suit and looked (like) dynamite. Yes, she bought it,” reported Hardy. In addition to the $8,500 sale proceeds, PB also signed up new members of the Friends group which works to restore the Barton Farmhouse: Susan McIntosh, Renee Rivera, Kathleen Brang, Meredith Bezak and Ruth Holmes.

1. Ginny Bennett (left) and Sandi Pape of Bloomfield 2. Luba Hotral and Kathy Carroll of Bloomfield 3. Cynthia VanOeyen of Bloomfield 4. Sheila Konwinski (left) and Gail Barget of Bloomfield 5. Katie Kiyo and Joan Cleland

Franklin Garden Walk Since 1986, the Franklin Garden Club has staged a garden walk each June. This year Shirlee Kipp and Barbara Borden chaired the walk that featured six gardens. Before heading to the gardens, many of the 700 ticket holders first perused the vendors’ offerings in the Michigan Artisan Market chaired by Elizabeth Simco and Laura Miller. It was set up around the Franklin Village gazebo where ticket co-chairs Pat Ciagne and Joyce Pippel had their volunteers on duty. Three days later, Pat Hamburger hosted the garden club’s post-walk picnic at her art-accented Bloomfield home. The 50plus members who attended brought homemade salads. These delicious dishes were a nostalgic reminder of the salad luncheon the club used to host on walk day. Thanks to more restrictive health regulations, that component had to be scrapped. Losing the luncheon ticket sales has also negatively impacted the event fundraising. However, the 2014 walk still raised more than $7,770. It will be used to support MSU horticultural scholarships plus such non-profits as the Belle Isle Conservancy, Bowers Farm and Greening of Detroit to name just a few of the projects. The club welcomes new members. Contact president Molly Hammerle at mhammerle22@att.net.

Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390.

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ENDNOTE

Our endorsements for August primary

irmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills voters on Tuesday, August 5, will be deciding a number of primary election contests, including the U.S. Congress 11th District and the Michigan Senate 13th District, as well as local ballot questions in Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills and a county mass transportation millage. Because it is a primary election, as a voter you will be casting ballots, either at the polls or by absentee ballot, only in one party to determine who would be that party’s best standard bearer going into the November general election. Our endorsements, repeated here from the July issue, are based on answers candidates gave to our questionnaires, which had to be returned for consideration, along with knowledge we may have of some candidates. Candidate responses on the issues can be found at downtownpublications.com.

U.S. Congress 11th District Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills (Republican) There is an incumbent in this race, Kerry Bentivolio of Milford, often referred to as the “accidental congressman” because he was the lone Republican on the ballot in 2012 once the prior congressman, Thad McCotter, failed to make the ballot due to falsified petitions that were brought to light. This congressional district, which stretches into the west Oakland area and part of western Wayne County, was redrawn in the latest reapportionment to make it an even safer Republican district with the addition of Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, and the elimination of some communities in western Wayne, so Bentivolio was basically assured a general election victory. But that does not mean he belongs in congress. Overall there is a disturbing fringe element aura surrounding Bentivolio. We went beyond the outrageous public pronouncements made by the incumbent, from his initial willingness to conduct a public hearing in the district on chemtrails, the name the conspiracy crowd gave to the alleged practice of the federal government spraying mind altering drugs or toxins on the American public through jet exhaust, to his suggestion that impeaching the president would be a “dream come true.” Instead, we reviewed over 100 bills and resolutions to which he gave support in 2013, and which included his call for repeal of the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, preventing the government from collecting income taxes except in time of war declared by congress. And that’s just one of the fringe positions he has taken. Of course, there is also his support of the devastating government shutdown in 2013, which wreaked havoc on the economy of the country, and the fact that even after a compromise was struck in congress, Bentivolio still voted to keep the government gridlocked. Frankly, the weirdness factor is just too much for us and, if it hasn’t already, eventually will render Bentivolio isolated and ineffective in terms of representing this district. Fortunately there is a strong alternative in this primary race, DAVID TROTT of Birmingham, an owner of multiple businesses that include a real estate firm, title companies, publications, and law firms.

Trott is a consistent, reasoned conservative who has been involved in Republican party politics for years, and has been in the trenches, so to speak, dating back to even before his stint on the staff of Bill Broomfield when he represented much of this district decades ago in congress. Trott currently has the backing of all the trusted Republican leaders in the county. He has demonstrated that he can run a strong campaign and has the skill set to be the standard bearer for Republicans going into the November general election contest. And, if Trott moves beyond the general election, his business and political experience will serve the district well.

(Democrat) Two Democrats, Anil Kumar and Bobby McKenzie, rise above the others seeking their party’s nomination for the 11th Congressional District. Unfortunately, the two share such similar viewpoints on each of the issues, from job growth and gun control to immigration reform and foreign policy, that we had difficulty distinguishing one from the other. However, we have been more impressed with the campaign that we see being run by ANIL KUMAR, despite the union endorsements McKenzie has been piling up. Kumar is an immigrant success story; a physician with a first-hand perspective of the Affordable Care Act, and, at latest reporting, may have a more sizable war chest to wage a campaign.

Michigan Senate 13th District Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills (Republican) This district, which has been represented by term-limited Republican Sen. John Pappageorge for the last eight years, represents not only Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, but also Troy and Rochester. A field of five seeking the GOP nomination includes three former Republican state representatives. We give the nod to CHUCK MOSS, who previously represented the House 40th District which covered this local area. A very capable past chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee, he is a knowledgeable and seasoned legislator. We believe he would be the best standard bearer for the Republicans in November, albeit in an uphill race from a smaller geographical base from this part of the district.

(Democrat) On the Democratic side, RYAN FISHMAN has demonstrated that he is taking the primary very seriously, despite being in a Republican leaning district. He understands the issues, is taking an energetic approach to the campaign and fundraising, reaching out to various demographics, and could prove a worthy opponent come November, regardless of the Republican bent of this district. SMART Millage Increase SMART, which operates public transportation throughout Oakland County and the region, is requesting a renewal and an increase of the .59 mills it currently levies to one mill for 2014 to 2017, estimating that the new tax will generate approximately $27 million when levied in 2014. According to SMART, since 2008, it has lost $48 million in revenue due to lower property values, and despite operating and wage cuts and concessions, its budget is still off by about $11 million.

Additionally, its bus fleet has aged to the point that 80 percent of the vehicles have more than 500,000 miles on them, straining maintenance capabilities, and there is no funding for replacement busses. If approved, voters will see the increase on their tax bills at the end of the year. While 37 communities in Oakland County opt-out of SMART service, including Bloomfield Hills, we recommend voters in Birmingham and Bloomfield Township vote YES to continue this vital transportation service.

Bloomfield Township Ballot Proposals There are two public safety millage renewals for Bloomfield Township. Public Safety A, which seeks to continue to levy up to 1.1336 mills for 10 years, 2014-2023, raising $3.7 million annually, replacing a millage that expired in 2013. Public Safety B is a millage renewal of up to .6941 mills for a period of 10 years, 2016-2025, which would raise just under $2.3 million annually. It would replace a millage expiring in 2015. All township millages are collected during winter (December) taxes; the last time Public Safety A was collected was December 2013, and if renewed it would be collected this December. If renewed, Public Safety B will not be collected until 2016. For Bloomfield Township, police, fire and public dispatch represents about 70 percent of the annual budget, to the tune of $26.7 million. At $5.9 million, these two millages comprise about 22 percent of the total public safety operational funding, an important part of keeping the community safe. We recommend a YES vote. The township is also requesting a renewal of its senior services millage, to continue staffing and operating the Bloomfield Township Senior Center at .2439 mils for another 10 years, commencing with the December 2014 tax bill. It is estimated the proposal will generate $792,000 in its first year. The center was built about five years ago through a capital improvement program bond, and its budget of $1.6 million is supported half by the senior services millage and half through programs and fees. This asset to the community should continue to be supported, and we recommend a YES vote. We also support a renewal of the safety path millage with a YES vote for another five years of .4839 mills, which would generate $1.6 million in 2015. If renewed, taxpayers would see it on the December 2014 tax bill. Begun in 1998 with an original levy of .53 mils for five years, and renewed twice for five years each, the township has successfully installed safety paths throughout the township, connecting it to other communities, and creating a walkable environment. A 2008 master plan determined where and when safety paths would be installed, and projects remain to be completed, as well as ongoing maintenance.

Bloomfield Hills Library Millage Renewal Residents in Bloomfield Hills finally enjoy the use of a community library, at Birmingham’s Baldwin Library. They are being asked to continue the .39 mils per year for full library privileges, with the change from three years for the millage to six years. It is estimated the city will collect approximately $286,000 in 2015, after residents pay the millage with their December 2014 taxes. We urge a YES vote to continue offering this important service to residents.

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