Downtown Birmingham/Bloomfield

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • HEALD: NORTHERN LAKES SEAFOOD

NEW THREAT TO WATER QUALITY PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS POSING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CONCIERGE DOCTORS: CHANGING FACE OF MODERN MEDICINE ENDNOTE: THE NEXT STEP IN THE CITY MANAGER SAGA

FEBRUARY

FEB

19-22

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THE SUIT T H É ÂT R E D E S BOUFFES DU NORD

Written by Can Themba, Mothobi Mutloatse, and Barney Simon Directed by Peter Brook Wed-Thur, February 19-20, 7:30 pm Fri-Sat, February 21-22, 8 pm Power Center 121 Fletcher St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 There are shadows lurking in the periphery of even the most jovial surroundings. And there is no one better to explore these shadows with than the legendary stage and film director Peter Brook, whose 71-year career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, London’s West End, Paris’s Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, and countless other companies and has irrevocably changed contemporary theater.

The Suit “brims with a gentle effervescence and musicality that you associate with entertainments usually described, a bit dismissively, as charming,” says the New York Times. “Yet even as it draws you in like the gregarious host of an intimate party, this story of adultery in apartheid South Africa is quietly preparing to break your heart.”

Brook’s tender production articulates the nuances of life’s highs and lows through a tale of simmering resentment that is less about betrayal than forgiveness – and the devastating heartbreak that can befall humans who are unable to forgive.

POST-PERFORMANCE Q&A (WEDNESDAY)

S T. P E T E R S B U R G PHILHARMONIC

Yuri Temirkanov, conductor Denis Kozhukhin, piano Saturday, February 22, 8 pm Hill Auditorium 825 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 The St. Petersburg Philharmonic returns to Ann Arbor with the young pianist Denis Kozhukhin, who makes his UMS debut performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

PROGRAM

Rimsky-Korsakov

Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh (excerpts)

Kancheli

…al niente

Tchaikovsky

Piano Concerto No. 1 in b-flat minor, Op. 23

A Prelude Dinner precedes the performance.

Reservations: 734.764.8489

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Tickets Tickets o on n Sal Sale eN Now ow UMS.ORG / 734.764.2538 UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR

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THE NEW STANDARD OF CARE Shades Optical is the first in Michigan to utilize advanced retinal imaging technology to scan the layers at the back of the eye and view the entire depth of tissue. This allows for early detection of potentially threatening conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes and hypertension. This advancement allows us to diagnose early-stage conditions and promote healthy vision.

DOWNTOWN02.14

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New source of water contamination Personal care products are proving to be the latest threat to both surface water and the water residents consume from municipal water supplies.

CRIME LOCATOR

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39 77

Jean-Charles Boisset: Where California meets France and the Russian River Valley.

AT THE TABLE

85: Eloise Alterman

44: Chris Roebuck

97: Heather Catallo

103 NEW THREAT TO WATER QUALITY

CITY/TOWNSHIP

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.

For those not residing in the free mail distribution area, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual fee.

Phone 248.792.6464 and request the Distribution department or go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order on-line or scan the QR Code here.

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CONCIERGE DOCTORS: CHANGING FACE OF MODERN MEDICINE ENDNOTE: THE NEXT STEP IN THE CITY MANAGER SAGA

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

Publisher: David Hohendorf Ad Manager: Jill Cesarz Ad Sales: Matthew Swigart Graphics: Glynn Barnett News Editor: Lisa Brody

News Staff/Contributors: Allison Batdorff, Rachel Bechard, Hillary Brody, Kevin Elliott, Sally Gerak, Eleanor & Ray Heald, Austen Hohendorf, Garrett Hohendorf, 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 COVER

Cranbrook Academy of Art and Triton Pools, as seen from Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills.

Downtown photo/Austen Hohendorf.

Bluemercury; Coldstone Creamery; Optik Birmingham; Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, HWWB Realtors; Pizza Hut Express; plus more

Landmark restaurant Northern Lakes Seafood has moved its location to the familiar Charley's Crab site in Troy.

SOCIAL LIGHTS

PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS POSING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Birmingham city manager on his way out; library project manager put on hold; new synagogue in city; road funding discussed; Rojo opens; 220 restaurant is sold; Moss enters race.

BUSINESS MATTERS

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Some doctors are beginning to offer a specialized approach to personal medical care as the face of medicine changes.

100

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

32: Robert Schefman

95

Concierge medicine

Aside from the federal government monitoring your cell phone usage, local law enforcement has joined the act.

FOCUS ON WINE

GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • HEALD: NORTHERN LAKES SEAFOOD

FACES

87

Who's tracking you?

Keep the Birmingham library project off May ballot; city wise in changing city manager position.

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.

2.14

DG SKBK

FROM THE PUBLISHER

T

he controversy generated by an article about Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson in the late January issue of The New Yorker, in which he tossed out a couple of what would best be described as insensitive comments about the city of Detroit, begs for some commentary from someone who has known him since the mid-1970's.

The New Yorker article entitled “Drop Dead Detroit! The suburban kingpin who is thriving off the city's decline� was in the final analysis a good personality profile piece on L. Brooks Patterson. The county executive's office, however, contends that they spent several days with the writer of the piece with the understanding that she was doing an article about what made Oakland County a successful municipal enterprise while the city of Detroit was spiraling downward into bankruptcy. The final piece was far from what Patterson's office expected.

What generated the headlines from the magazine article was a couple of quotes that are classic unfiltered Patterson, who has a tendency to offer up frank, blunt and many times entertaining assessments without always considering whether the manner of presentation is politically correct.

The most incendiary part of the piece involved Patterson's resurrection of what has been called a 30-year old quote in which he said that his old prediction about Detroit's decline had come true, likening the city to an Indian reservation where the inhabitants were fenced off and then tossed blankets and corn.

A more acceptable approach would have been to tell the writer that it was predicted that continued poor leadership in the city and flight of the white and then black middle and upper classes from Detroit would leave it, for the most part, with a base population that is less demographically attractive in terms of education, employment, etc., than what is found in Oakland, which is where, along with Macomb and parts of western Wayne County, former Detroiters fled. Framing the issue in this manner would have buffered the county executive from charges that he is a racist, which I personally don't accept.

But then we have come to expect such grating pronouncements from Brooks Patterson, whether the topic is Detroit, the state of affairs in Lansing, or local politicians, as he so ably demonstrated last year in an interview with Downtown.

So I would agree with critics that one of the more iconic and successful leaders in southeast Michigan has to parse his words more carefully, lest his public pronouncements and critics marginalize him at this critical juncture for the region, where the informed, influential and honest opinion of the county executive is needed most.

As for Patterson, he still remains popular in his home county in large part because he has performed to the benefit of his constituents who appreciate the growth of Oakland County into a regional powerhouse that fuels the state of Michigan.

Years ago, as only the second county executive in Oakland, he assembled one of the best government management teams in the country which has allowed him to develop a stable and more secure county, one that leads the region. It is a county that attracts jobs at a quicker rate than surrounding neighboring counties thanks to Patterson's initiatives to develop new emerging business sectors, a county that has set the pace nationally in terms of financial planning with multi-year rolling budgets, and a county that has worked, at Patterson's direction, on behalf of the region on issues like Cobo Hall and the Detroit Zoo while at the same time protecting the interests of his home turf on both those issues and withholding his support on other less deserving regional concepts that have been put forth.

We have Patterson to thank for bringing Oakland to prominence and flexing the county's political muscle on issues beyond our border, making it all the more important that the county executive maintain his and the county's standing as the region moves through some critical issues now on the table, which is best accomplished without the detraction of the side issues created by raw commentary on the city of Detroit.

David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com

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INCOMING Oakland and Detroit Kevin Elliott's account of the relationship between Oakland County and the city of Detroit regarding the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) passes over its origins (Water-Sewer: Regional control in the Offing?/Downtown/December 2013).

Prior to 1956, the then-Detroit Department of Water Supply served only the city of Detroit. As the history of the DWSD puts it, “the Department's conservative management style was radically transformed in 1956 with the arrival of Gerald J. Remus, the new Superintendent and Chief Engineer.”

Remus started a policy of expansion to provide water and waste water services to the whole metropolitan area.

The first step in the expansion involved the Farmington Interceptor which extended the supply to Southfield Township, West Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Township.

Financing for these interceptors was not easy. It was accomplished by creation of the Oakland county Department of Public Works. The department entered into a contract with the city of Detroit for water and sewerage service, to be financed by revenue bonds. The department, in turn, entered into a variety of financing schemes with the various political units in the three townships and several cities to be served by the new interceptor. This is all described in an article in the March 1959 issue of Michigan Health entitled “Oakland County Dept. of Public Works Gives Area-Wide Approach to Sewage Problems.”

To assure the constitutionality of the new financial scheme, my late father, with myself as his lawyer, sued (Oakland County) in Oakland Circuit Court, claiming the financial scheme was unconstitutional. We lost, as expected. However, on appeal, contrary to what was intended, the supreme court in a 4 to 4 decision, failed to hold the new scheme constitutional. Alternative financial arrangements were made to assure the department's payment to the city of Detroit for water and sewage services would be lawful.

What is significant in all of this is that through the largess of the city of Detroit, Oakland County's farmland could be developed for residential and downtownpublications.com

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

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

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

commercial uses with an assured supply of water from the city of Detroit, and an assured place to dump sewage in the city of Detroit.

As I observe the rhetoric over management of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, as well as what a fair charge is for the services it provides the county, the fact is that Oakland County, absent the services of the city of Detroit, would still be rural.

Avern Cohn, United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of Michigan

Powerful article Read about your article on Twitter and then read the whole thing (Becoming Victims/January 2014/Downtown). Powerful stuff.

Makes you glad your kids are grown up and at least have the skills to make conscious decisions instead of being such unwitting victims, doesn't it? Such an interesting article.

Phyllis Weeks, West Bloomfield

Comprehensive story This is one of the most comprehensive stories (Becoming Victims/January 2014/Downtown) on human trafficking written.

Very well done. Congratulations.

Jane White, Director, Michigan Human Traffic Task Force

Fascinating profiles I have just finished reading the five profiles (“Faces”) in your current issue (January 2014/Downtown).

All are well done, all are fascinating, all tell about persons who are making exceptional contributions.

Well done.

Frank Auld, Birmingham DOWNTOWN

11

Halt library spending I just finished reading your Endnote (Balance library/Downtown/January 2014).

I think you are very right to halt any money (being) spent at this time (on the Baldwin Library).

We are asked to pay for any pet peeves that come along. You can get any and all information in a second on the computer, print it out and save all that gas and parking fees.

We live in different world today; we all have a computer for news or reading and research is quite different than 50 years ago.

(Birmingham residents) are paying for too many services that we never will use.

Anthony Filoramo, Birmingham

The Baldwin vote

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DOWNTOWN

I have been following the Baldwin library discussion for over a year and now I see where people are hoping to put this on the ballot this spring.

This project seems to have gotten out of control in terms of the amount of money it will take to complete the renovation. One has to wonder how a “renovation” project got to the $21 million level.

I know the special committee studying the library project has spent countless hours and has supplied the public with information at meetings and on a website but opposing or at least questioning the project at an open meeting is not always comfortable. I suspect that the only ones the committee has heard from are supporters of the project.

As to putting this issue on the ballot in May, that approach seems dishonest at best. A building project of this size should be on the November ballot this year when more people will be at the polls.

Name withheld upon request

Misleading title In your January publication the article, "Rabbi lied; resigns from local temple”, written by Lisa Brody, correctly states that Ms. Alpert was not a "rabbi" but an imposter making the tittle incorrect and suggestive that rabbis lie.

A correct title should have read "A staff member of Temple Beth El resigns".

I do not have to tell you that your misleading title has implication that can be used to defame rabbis who do not lie. Yes, rare exceptions occur.

Isaac Barr M.D., Bloomfield Township 2.14

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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 January 17, 2014.

Placement of codes is approximate.

anci Rands N associate broker CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

BLOOMFIELD | $995,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full Baths 4966 Square Feet MLS# 213066047

248.701.9000 nrands@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,999,000

Landmark 1920’s French Norman estate on a 1.49 acre riverside site. Timeless appeal. Original hardware and Pewabic tile. Gorgeous paneled Living Room with limestone fireplace. Perfect for renovation or expansion. Double lot.

5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 3 Half Baths 9302 Square Feet MLS# 213020114

An incomparable Post Modern Masterpiece on 3.3 wooded acres. Sophisticated and functional living spaces. Wide gallery halls. Pool and tennis court. Private Master retreat. Spectacular in daylight and when illuminated at night.

- SOLD -

- UNDER CONTRACT -

- SOLD -

BIRMINGHAM | $2,495,000

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $1,249,000

BIRMINGHAM | $798,000

6 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 6866 Square Feet MLS# 213027252

2004 built in-town home with exceptional features.

Private apartment over 3 car garage. Gourmet Island Kitchen. Breakfast Room.

T

5 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 4798 Square Feet MLS# 213105266

Distinguished heart of Bloomfield Tudor on a private acre. Gracious 2-story Foyer. Inviting spaces. Great Master Suite.

4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 3386 Square Feet MLS# 213083021

Great in-town Colonial expanded and renovated in 1997. Exquisite crown moldings. Cherry/granite Kitchen. Holy Name Area.

he real difference in Real Estate

RandsColburn.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Colburn Meredith associate broker CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.762.5319 mcolburn@hallandhunter.com

- SOLD -

BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $1,990,000 4 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 6785 Square Feet MLS# 213051993

Impressive contemporary estate on 2.28 acres.

Courtyard and pool. Flowing floor plan.

Banquet-sized Dining Room. All bedrooms are suites with balcony or deck. Gourmet island Kitchen. Expansive LL. Cabana and greenhouse.

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

Historic property overlooking Wing Lake, restored and expanded in 2001 to extraordinary elegance and functionality. Grand foyer with domed rotunda. 1st floor Master Suite. Cook’s Kitchen. Wine Cellar. Finished Lower Level.

Build Site - SOLD -

- SOLD -

BIRMINGHAM | $395,000

BIRMINGHAM | $1,695,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 3 Half Baths 5071 Square Feet MLS# 213094417

Exceptional Quarton Lake Tudor completely renovated and expanded in 2006.

Incredible quality and craftsmanship. Pool.

T

Build Site Lot Size 42’ x 112’ .11 Acres MLS# 213092424

TROY | $365,000

Outstanding in-town 4 Bedrooms location! Rare opportunity 2 Full, 1 Half Baths to build a custom residence 2827 Square Feet within a block of the MLS# 213112874 Townsend Hotel.

Deep lot in cul de sac location. 2-story Foyer.

Island Eat-in Kitchen opens to Family Room. Finished LL with 2nd Kitchen.

he real difference in Real Estate

RandsColburn.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Baker and Lynn Deby Gannes 248.379.3000 lbaker@hallandhunter.com

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.379.3003 dgannes@hallandhunter.com

T

he Lynn Baker and Deby Gannes Team of Hall & Hunter Realtors leverage over 60 years of combined experience in the Real Estate industry, having sold more than 1100 Michigan homes since 2001, valued in excess of $425,000,000.

Community work and volunteering has been the cornerstone of their value systems. Deby has been a Docent at The Detroit Institute of Arts for over 30 years and very active at Cranbrook Schools. Lynn has worked in developing effective programs at the Pontiac Light House, Judson Children’s Center and Greater Honored in 2012 and 2013 as Hour Detroit Magazine’s Detroit Society for the Blind. Their community Real Estate All-Stars–the top 2% of Michigan realtors involvement has established relationships with the with the highest sales volumes–Lynn and Deby are Kresge Foundation, Oakland University, Henry consistently considered the top listing agents at Hall & Ford Hospital, Crittenton Hospital plus many other Hunter Realtors and sell nearly organizations. Lynn and Deby are 50% of their own listings. passionate about philanthropy and maintain a deep commitment to Every client deserves a The team attributes their individuals, family and community. trusted partner and advisor success on the core values of trust, expert opinion, tenacity and Lynn and Deby care about doing that will communicate experience. “Our philosophy has what is right for their clients and to them, be able to speak on strive to be a “Realtor For Life.” been to sell real estate as a ‘minibusiness,’ with each buyer and their behalf, maintain their These philosophies have been seller receiving our full attention,” the reason that referrals are the integrity and provide Lynn said. “We also develop foundation of their business. individual marketing plans for They do what is the best for each winning negotiation skills. our clients because the real estate individual, their family, friends and market conditions and economy neighbors. “Every client deserves are constantly evolving.” a trusted partner and advisor that will communicate to them, be able to speak on their Prior to Lynn and Deby forming a partnership at behalf, maintain their integrity and provide winning Hall & Hunter Realtors in 2001, Lynn worked as negotiation skills,” Deby said. “Our clients also a residential realtor as well as a Sales Director for deserves exclusivity and the best service possible in a a number of renowned area builders. Deby also confidential manner.” specialized in the residential real estate market, accumulating 25 years of experience in selling homes The Lynn and Deby Team are currently composed of in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne Counties. Both Lynn seven part-time staff, which includes Gayle Barker, and Deby have a background in Special Education and Sarah Cusick, Marsha Davis, Veronica Jones, Carol hold graduate degrees in their respective fields.

Matthews, Donna Rousseau and Elaine Schultz.

“

”

Lynn and Deby’s listings at V iewLynnandDeby.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Hill Susanrealtor CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.225.1399 shill@hallandhunter.com

BIRMINGHAM | $999,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 3425 Square Feet MLS# 214001469

Beautiful Quarton Lake home on huge 212’ lot. Kitchen with granite island, workstation, pantry and dining area opens onto living room with fireplace overlooking patio and deep backyard. Entertainer’s dining room offers fireplace. Private study. Mudroom with built-ins. Master suite has fireplace, vaulted ceilings, huge walk-in closet and custom bath. Ensuite 2nd bedroom. 2nd floor laundry. A finished lower level with family and exercise rooms adds an additional 1420 square feet of living space. Perfection!

ROYAL OAK | $159,900 3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths 1338 Square Feet MLS# 214003073

Great location close to Birmingham. Large family room. Beautifully updated kitchen. 2 bedrooms, full bath, hardwood and laundry on main floor.

Spacious bedroom with full bath upstairs. Nicesized fenced back yard, deck & 1.5-car garage.

- UNDER CONTRACT WEST BLOOMFIELD | $249,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2010 Square Feet MLS# 214002982

Gateway Park end-unit condo with rare 1st floor master. Vaulted ceilings and many windows to bring in natural light. Upstairs loft overlooks spacious great room with gas fireplace and cedar deck. Main floor laundry. Large basement.

these and other listings at V iew hallandhunter.com

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Perrotta and Dorothy Michael Perrotta 248.217.7222 CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

dperrotta@hallandhunter.com

248.672.0494 mperrotta@hallandhunter.com

- VACANT LAND -

GAYLORD | $549,000

BURT LAKE | $449,000-$925,000 MLS# 213200267 MLS# 213200271 MLS# 213200282

Lakefront lots on all-sports, 27-square-mile Burt Lake in northern Michigan. The adjoining wooded lots have 679’ & 255’ of sandy bottom lake frontage. Located on a paved dead-end county road 8 miles from I-75.

4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2984 Square Feet MLS# 214001255

Custom home on all-sports Manuka Lake with approximately 80 acres, additional garage/ workshop, trails and deer blinds—all flanked by hundreds of acres of state land! Guest quarters with kitchen and bath. 3.5-car garage.

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- SOLD -

- SOLD -

BIRMINGHAM

TROY

4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2512 Square Feet MLS# 213073443

Newer construction close to town. Adjoining family room & kitchen. Master suite with fireplace Finished LL with 4th bedroom/bath.

4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 3000 Square Feet MLS# 213096303

Sought after Buckingham Woods. Large great room.

Newer granite/stainless steel kitchen. Finished rec room in lower level.

ROYAL OAK | $159,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths 1000 Square Feet MLS# 213203437

V PerrottaRealEstate.com

Classic brick bungalow close to downtown Royal Oak and Red Run Park.

Many updates. Great patio for entertaining.

iew these and other listings at

442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Sal Impastato realtor CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.763.2223 simpastato@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD | $749,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full Baths 2943 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 213202949

Complete renovation on this mid-century walkout ranch set on a spectacular and scenic ravine lot. The vaulted great room with fireplace and wall of windows opens to new kitchen with Viking appliances and Quartz counters. A master suite includes sitting room, private outdoor deck, walk-in closet and dream bathroom.

Family room boasts 2nd fireplace, door wall to patio and ravine. Many updates, including new siding, roof, most windows, driveway and landscape. Walnut Lake privileges.

FRANKLIN | $1,499,000 5 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 4500 Square Feet MLS# 213078518

French Chateau new construction to be built.

Private 1st floor master suite. Dramatic 2-story foyer and great room. Spacious kitchen with hearth room. Upper level with 3 bedroom suites and loft/study area. Walkout LL. 4-car garage.

BLOOMFIELD | $699,900 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 3981 Square Feet MLS# 214003376

Prime location in Hills of Lone Pine gated community. Views of stream and waterfalls.

Updated kitchen. Great room with soaring ceilings and 2-way fireplace. Spacious 1st floor master suite.

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Hardy Lanie Cosgrove realtor CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

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BIRMINGHAM | $649,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 3266 Square Feet MLS# 213120857

Renovated in-town home blends Old World character and modern amenities. A white kitchen with granite and double ovens adjoins the family room with limestone fireplace. Master with fireplace and stone bath. Mud Room. 2nd floor sound-insulated laundry. 2011 professionally finished LL with 10’ ceiling, tile bath and office. Front porch to enjoy excitement of downtown Birmingham!

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442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009

Hardy Lanie Cosgrove realtor CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

248.703.1105 lcosgrove@hallandhunter.com

BLOOMFIELD VILLAGE | $1,999,000 5 Bedrooms 4 Full, 3 Half Baths 4733 Square Feet MLS# 213113645

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the landmark estate of author and American treasure Elmore Leonard. French Regency design. 1.27 acres with pool and tennis court. Stately 2-story foyer, Pewabic tile, 3 fireplaces. Generous room sizes and an ideal floor plan for formal entertaining. Well cared for with a generator and waterproofed lower level.

3-car garage. Co-listed with Madelon Ward, (248) 703.9522, and Adam Waechter, (313) 801.8018.

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

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

248.644.3500

Christine Drinkwater

hondell S Patterson

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BIRMINGHAM | $1,299,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 4300 Square Feet MLS# 213101235

Spacious open floor plan. Spectacular chef ’s kitchen with quartz, marble and stainless steel overlooks great room. Extensive trim and hardwood. Command center with desk & lots of storage. Master suite with fireplace.

BLOOMFIELD | $789,000 5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 3617 Square Feet MLS# 214001695

Completely updated Village home taken to the studs in 2000. Chef ’s kitchen. Large master suite. Fifth bedroom or spacious bonus room. Private backyard with large brick paver patio and pergola.

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

248.644.3500

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS | $2,150,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 6648 Square Feet MLS# 213113645

Landmark estate home nestled on almost 3 acres. State-of-the-art kitchen opens to great room. Impressive and unique staircases. Private guest quarters. Elevator. Tennis court. Walkout terrace. Co-listed with Madelon Ward.

Custom home with extensive renovation blending fine materials, craftsmanship and amenities. Gorgeous mill/iron work.

Meticulously maintained. Chef ’s Kitchen with premium appliances. HEPA filtration system.

- SOLD BIRMINGHAM | $599,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2471 Square Feet MLS# 213200856

2001 Hunter Roberts built colonial located across from Pierce School/park. Flowing floor plan. 9” ceilings. Updated granite island Kitchen. Master Suite with Keeping Room and large walk-in closet. Finished LL.

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NEW THREAT FOR LOCAL WATER SUPPLY PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS BECOME SOURCE OF POLLUTION

BY LISA BRODY

B

rushing our teeth each morning and evening is a routine that we all follow without thinking about what is in the toothpaste we buy at the drugstore. We carefully brush, rinse and spit that toothpaste down the drain. More and more of us wash our hands with liquid hand soaps and disinfectants, and care for our skin with facial products that exfoliate and cleanse our faces with tiny beads that remove dead skin cells and reveal a sparkling and refreshed new us. Inside many personal care products that help clean and rejuvenate us are plastic microbeads –some of the beads are only fractions of a millimeter long – that provide the friction to clean our teeth and skin.

While we may glisten after washing, the dangerously bad news is that these beads don't dissolve in water. Ever.

They are designed to wash down the drain. Which means they then make their way into the water treatment system and eventually into our lakes and streams where they remain. No one knows for how long. There, they absorb and retain other chemical contaminants.

Because these plastic microbeads are so tiny, to fish and other water creatures, they mimic food organisms, and they eat them.

There, the pellets and the contaminants get passed up the food chain, back to us. But instead of landing on our faces as scrubs and cleansers, they end up on our plates. And they likely are in our drinking water.

For those at risk of health problems, the contaminants add further dangers because they can alter the genetic makeup of aquatic organisms, resulting in either death or deformities. People with weakened immune systems, including children, pregnant women and the elderly, can develop more serious problems both from ingesting contaminated fish as well as water with contaminants.

Researchers have found plastic microbeads from personal care products in all of the Great Lakes, except for Lake Superior, where its remoteness has preserved its water quality, at least for now.

Jon Allan, director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Office of the Great Lakes, said the the issue of microparticles “has emerged very recently. We have to be vigilant with the Great Lakes. It's not something that was around years ago. It's not a static picture and it's changing routinely. We have to make progress on existing particles as well as new emerging contaminants. It's a community effort of state and local health officials' efforts to make sure local residents are drinking safe, healthy water.”

P

lastic microbeads were first discovered in the Great Lakes in 2012 when a New York environmental chemist had a hunch they may be there after numerous studies documented the presence of large amounts of plastic in the world's oceans. “If we find it in the oceans, we're probably going to find it in the Great Lakes,” said Sherri (Sam) Mason, associate professor of chemistry at SUNY Fredonia of her supposition that the particles would be found in these waterways.

Of the plastics collected during their 2012 and 2013 research, about 80 percent of the pieces were less than one millimeter in size, and most of them were spherical, suggesting they were released into the environment as pellets. What's more, Mason said, many of them were the same size and color – including white, blue, green, or orange-red – as the small beads used in a number of personal care products. They are tiny pellets that are not found, or mimicked, anywhere in nature. But to fish and other aquatic creatures, they are small particles that look like food and are easily ingested.

Besides fish from the Great Lakes, which we may enjoy as lunch or dinner, how else is this representative of a possible danger to all of us? Our drinking water comes from Lake Huron and the Detroit River, both of which have shown levels of contamination. The question remains, what comes through our taps after processing at water treatment plants?

Many of us in Oakland County receive water from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which notes that their drinking water meets or surpasses all federal and state drinking water standards. Residents living in southern Oakland County, including Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Royal Oak, and Southfield, receive water distributed by the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA), which provides Detroit water through its member distribution systems.

“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.”

He noted that there are very small amounts of toothpaste and facial scrubs and other personal care products in our drinking water.

“The EPA and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department have done some testing, but I don't think it's much of a concern.”

The consensus is that our drinking water is contaminated, with trace amounts of chemicals filtering through the Detroit Water and Sewerage wastewater treatment plants, which takes water from the Great Lakes and rivers, as well as sewage, and treats them.

“Chemicals have been in our water for a long time. It's just now that we're able to detect them in extremely small quantities,” noted Mary Lynn Semegen, water quality manager at Detroit Water and Sewerage.

R

ichard 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.

Semegen said that 2007 is the most recent study the department did with the EPA, which was its first phase, and while it was not published, Detroit Water and Sewerage is currently working on phase two.

“The EPA asked us to do samples of contaminants at the southwest water treatment plant in Detroit for raw river water and for treated water,” she said. “They were looking at 85 different chemical compounds, and only found two in the treated water, and in levels that are so small that even if you drank it for a lifetime, you wouldn't have enough for a full dose.”

Semegen said they were looking for personal care products; endocrine disrupters; pharmaceutical products; caffeine; acetaminophen; dilantin, an anti-convulsant drug; warfarin, an anticoagulant; Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical in certain plastics which has been shown to have hormone-like properties; camphor; and perchlorate, which is found in jet fuel. BPA and camphor, used in some ethnic cooking, perfumes and aromatherapy, medicines, like Vick's Vaporub and anti-itch gels, hairsprays and deodorants were found. Benzie noted that perchlorate has been found, and they're determining if it should be regulated and at what levels.

“Perchlorate is being fast tracked. It's been found a lot in the water near military bases and airports,” Benzie 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.”

“BPA is now ubiquitous in the environment, so it's not surprising (it was detected). But once it went through treatment, it was reduced tenfold,” Semegen said, noting it received no special removal treatment.

BPA was investigated in 2008, and in 2010, the FDA identified it as a possible hazard to fetuses, infants and young children. BPA has been removed from baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable water bottles, but it remains pervasive in the water supply.

Semegen said that 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.”

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For emerging contaminants, which is the classification personal care products falls into, the EPA has placed them in the unregulated contaminant program, which Benzie said is currently in its third round of testing. “They check them every five years or so. They take different contaminants and chemicals, and set standards nationwide,” he explained. “They want to sample them quarterly nationwide, three months apart from water systems, or twice yearly from groundwater, and then determine if it's worth monitoring, or if their presence is ubiquitous.”

Any public water supply with a population greater than 10,000 people has to perform the monitoring, he said.

Benzie also said that individual states have the authority to determine to what extent they want to be involved in testing contaminants. “Michigan makes sure the EPA has the right contacts and the right sampling points identified to oversee all of the other monitoring,” he said.

“Beginning in October 2014, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is getting ready to do some sampling under the Unregulated Contaminants Monitoring Rule on endocrine disrupters, or hormones, in the water supply,” Semegen said. They will do the monitoring 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. So what is in our drinking water, and is it safe to consume?

According to SOCWA, there are limits on the amounts of certain contaminants in the water in all public water systems, but there are some. Drinking water, including bottled water, can contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. “The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk,” their website states.

The sources of our Oakland County drinking water includes rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it does dissolve some naturally-occurring minerals, SOCWA points out, and can pick up other substances from the presence of animals or from human activity.

C

ontaminants that can be picked up include microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

“A big problem comes from failing septic systems,” said Oakland County 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.”

Other contaminants, such as salts and minerals, can be naturally occurring or can be the result of urban storm runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. Pesticides and herbicides, from agricultural and residential uses, also pose a danger to the water supply. Organic chemical contaminants and radioactive contaminants can be caused naturally or from oil or gas stations, from urban storm water runoff, or from failing septic tanks.

And now, there is the danger of personal care products.

“Most of our sewage and storm water pollutants are pulled out at our water treatment centers,” said Nash. “But tiny granules are another story. Toothpaste can cause buildups that no screenings can prevent. We can get sandbars of granules from toothpaste.”

In terms of the tiny microbeads in surface water in Oakland County, Nash responded, “It happens. It's there.”

T

hat must mean we're ingesting tiny plastic microbeads when we drink tap water. While it's not a reason to stop drinking our municipal water, which is considered some of the best in the country, why it's there and how to get rid of them is something to look at. And that's by examining the pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, and how and why they are utilizing these products.

In efforts to beautify the public, some contend that the beauty industry has helped pollute the waters of the earth. Some manufacturers use traditional biodegradable exfoliators such as coconut husk. But that product is more costly than plastic, which is cheap, plentiful and cost effective.

It does appear that several personal care product makers are looking to phase out these products after pressure from the Plastic Soup Foundation, a Netherlands-based environmental group that seeks to curb the amount of plastic in the ocean.

“I believe microbeads in things like face scrubs may be banned.

Companies are certainly beginning to remove them,” noted Semegen.

Initially, Johnson & Johnson stated, “To date, the science shows that microbeads from personal care cleansers are removed in wastewater treatment systems.” However, science disproved that, and they recently put out another statement announcing a phaseout of the plastic microbeads from their beauty and baby care products.

“We want our beauty and baby care products to reflect consumers' current and future needs so they will always have complete peace of mind when using our products.” The company has said it is assessing the environmental safety of a “promising alternative” to the tiny beads. They are aiming for a full elimination of microbeads in their products globally no later than 2017.

Unilever, whose personal care brands include Vaseline, St. Ives, Pond's, Alberto VO5, and other hair and skincare products, announced it too would phase out the plastic beads used in those products worldwide by 2015. While doing so, they still fought the evidence, saying in a statement, “The amount of plastic in the marine environment thought to originate from the use of plastic scrub beads in personal care products is considered to be limited compared to other sources.”

L'Oreal is another company which has announced they will be phasing out their use of microbeads. For them, it is a public relations necessity – the corporation owns The Body Shop, a brand of personal care products which markets itself as socially and environmentally conscious. Testing has ascertained that microbeads were found in some of The Body Shop products.

L'Oreal said that “it is committed to ensuring that all of our products have the best-in-class environmental profile.” They said they conduct research on the impacts of its items on aquatic ecosystems and said they will not develop any new products using plastic microbeads as exfoliants and “the company favors substituting them in its existing formulae whenever possible.”

When you go to choose a personal care product, how do you know if a product you may want to use has included one of these environmentally toxic beads? Check the ingredient listing. If there is the word “polyethylene”, reject the item for another one with a more natural scrubbing particle, such as coconut husks, ground peach pits, or borax.

So ultimately, can you drink the water in Oakland County? The answer remains yes. It's safe by all standards, is tested weekly at numerous sites throughout the county, as well as by the city of Detroit.

FACES

Robert Schefman

A

rt classes weren’t being offered at Detroit Country Day School when Robert Schefman graduated and started an internship at Harper Hospital performing autopsies. In fact, it wasn’t until he entered Michigan State University with the intention of studying medicine that he enrolled in his first art course. Today, Schefman’s artwork is displayed throughout the country, including the Robert Kidd Gallery in Birmingham.

“The connection between the two remains,” Schefman, an associate professor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit where he serves as the chair of the college’s Foundation Department. “Most doctors I know are very interested in art. There are things that are very common to both art and medicine, one being perception, and developing perception. They do that in medical schools now, they make them take art classes to find different aspects and relationships. That’s the creative process. That’s pretty much what an artist does.”

Sculpting is what Schefman does. Or at least, what he was trained in and did until about eight years ago when he changed direction and started focusing on painting.

“I wanted to be more specific, instead of making metaphors,” he said. “I saw an option that needed exploring, and I went and explored it, and have been ever since.”

Sculptures, in their minimal form, are metaphors for language, Schefman explains. Painting on the other hand, he said, allows him to be more specific by presenting illusionist narratives. The work, while based in illusion, is more representative of reality that his sculpting.

“What most people call realism is really the illusion of reality, and nonobjective or abstract art is very, very real,” Schefman said. “The illusion is what its all about. It’s like a movie, you know the people aren’t there in front of you, but there are actors playing a part on something projected on the screen – it’s the same thing. I set the place, the narrative and characters.

It’s like a one-frame movie.”

In addition to Birmingham’s Kidd Gallery, Schefman has had solo exhibits at the U.N. Plaza in New York City; the Midland Center for the Arts; at the Janice Charach Gallery, West Bloomfield; The Krasl Art Center, in St. Joseph; and the Oakland University Gallery. His works are in collections at the Broad Museum, in East Lansing; the Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina; The Detroit Institute of Arts; Wayne State University; The Cooley Law School in Lansing; and the University of Iowa. He’s also had group exhibits at the Fort Wayne Museum, in Indiana; Art Miami; Scope; Art Chicago; Art Los Angeles; and others.

While teaching the creative process is part of his job as a professor, Schefman said the most important thing for an artist to have is motivation.

“That’s the single most important part of making any artwork. Skill can be learned. Any direction can be chased after. Getting someone motivated to work and take it as far as it can go, and then taking it a step further – that’s the most important thing they can do,” he said. “The talent thing is highly overrated. Anyone will be talented if you are motivated to keep working.”

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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the United States specifically addressed the public’s right to privacy from the government through the Fourth Amendment, there are few, if any, laws that limit the amount and type of big data collection that is being gathered today by private companies. Nor could it have been imagined in 1776.

Details about the federal government’s surveillance programs are still coming to light in the months following the leak of secret documents made public by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden. Those documents led to the federal government’s acknowledgement of the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of data on mobile phone calls, and sparked a number of lawsuits about the program that are still being decided by the federal courts. Other documents leaked by Snowden reveal the government has compelled companies to provide access to private citizen’s data, and indicated it directly paid AT&T to place some employees in drug-fighting units around the country with the DEA. It was called the Hemisphere Project, a previously hidden program in which the government paid AT&T to place employees in units alongside Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local detectives in areas throughout the country. The phone company employees then supplied investigators with phone data from as far back as 1987. The project involved a massive database of call records for every call traveling through the AT&T switch, whether the calls originated from an AT&T phone or another carrier. In a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in a federal drug case in California, about 4 billion records were added to the database each day. oncerns about the government’s access to private data and potential violations of the Fourth Amendment have also been raised about how some local law enforcement agencies are conducting surveillance, including the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Jonathan Weinberg, a professor at Wayne State University’s Law School who studies technology in relation to the law, said whether the federal surveillance programs have violated the Fourth Amendment is still being decided by federal courts. The United States Supreme Court announced on January 17, 2014, that it will decide in two cases whether police need a warrant to search the cellphones of people they have arrested. The cases will be argued in April and decided by late June.

However, he said laws restricting the amount and types of data collected in the private sector are much more lenient and unlikely to change.

“Whether you like it or not, we are subject to a tremendous amount of surveillance and data collection in our everyday lives,” Weinberg said. “If you’re like most people, when you visit various sites on the web, DoubleClick — which is owned by Google — will keep notes on which sites you visited and what you looked at. DoubleClick will then talk to Nielsen and Experian, who have collected other information about you.

“In Europe and the EU (European Union), they have stronger laws limiting the collection of data that is available for monitoring people, and we have never done that. It’s hard to see politics making any substantial move in that direction. I think that we don’t have a national political process where I see that happening. The United States business community would strongly oppose such a law.”

Data collected by DoubleClick, Nielsen, Experian, a credit reporting company, and other Internet advertising, marketing and data companies can sell consumer information to and about customers, which includes both businesses and federal government agencies, such as the NSA. Investigative agencies can then use the data they purchased in conjunction with other information acquired by wireless providers and other sources. The agencies then analyze that data for their investigations.

“One of the things the NSA does is just buy a lot of privately collected information,” Weinberg said. “They buy it from DoubleClick. The NSA is just one of their customers.”

In addition to Internet activity, data stored by smartphone applications is available to the makers of those applications, often referred to as apps.

Further information can be gathered by businesses using sensors to track customers and build shopper profiles through location data accessed through WiFi-enabled phones. Recently, the Wall Street Journal indicated a few new companies have installed tracking sensors at their clients’ businesses to follow people where they live, work and shop.

“The one thing you may find comforting is that, unless you are really unusual, there are no people who know anything about you – there are

C

only computers,” Weinberg said about Internet tracking data. “All of this is stored in a computer somewhere, and the computer has an algorithm to show you whatever it is you might want to buy. It isn’t a person; the computer is spitting out things that try to get you to buy something. Does that make it better? It depends on the individual reaction.” akland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said while the department takes precautions to ensure investigations adhere to Fourth Amendment and Michigan’s own privacy laws, the amount of personal information being gathered by private companies dwarfs surveillance actions and data collection done by local law enforcement.

“In the world of technology there’s almost nothing that is private, and most of the time it’s not the government. We try to put out warnings about it,” Bouchard said. “E-mails are scanned, including the headers and contents, oftentimes by the company that is providing the e-mail service.

If you put a picture on Facebook, it uses geo-facial positioning, which tags every picture you take, directly pinpointing location information. Some social media redacts that information, but it doesn’t mean they don’t retain it. Who knows what they do with that information.”

Bouchard said his department must follow state and federal laws during the course of an investigation in order to ensure evidence is obtained legally and is admissible in court. He said the private sector isn’t forced to follow the same “legal or moral compass.”

Technological advances at the sheriff’s office have raised concerns locally for its ethical and legal usage. Reports in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Detroit Free Press have indicated the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has obtained a device known as a “Stingray.”

“Stingray” is the name for the Harris Corporation’s line of “cell site stimulator” devices, also called IMSI catchers, in reference to the unique identifier, or international mobile subscriber identity, of wireless devices, according to an amicus brief filed in federal court by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Wireless carriers provide coverage through a network of base stations that connect wireless devices to the network, and an IMSI catcher masquerades as a wireless carrier’s base station, prompting the device to communicate with it. When it does, a Stingray may collect data associated with the mobile device, collecting that information and pinpointing their location within about two meters.

However, the ACLU claims that the use of Stingrays violates the Fourth Amendment rights of third parities by indiscriminately collecting data from unintentional targets connecting to the Stingray; and that government agencies using Stingray devices typically fail to include the extent and capabilities of Stingray devices to magistrates when requesting a search warrant or court order authorizing its use.

Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe declined to comment on the reports of their department’s possible usage of Stingrays. The Department of Homeland Security, in assisting local law enforcement agencies with grants to obtain Stingray devices, requires participating departments to enter into a nondisclosure agreement.

“When it comes to investigative techniques, you have to hold them close to the vest,” McCabe said. “We follow the law, and the law is always evolving as court decisions come down all the time, especially as related to technology. We have no problem following the rules, and they are what they are.”

An ACLU Freedom of Information Act Request dated August 3, 2011, regarding cell phone record investigations at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office was denied by the department. Among items included in the request were those relating to the acquisition of cell phone location records; policy procedures and practices to obtain such records; data detention policies; the use of cell phone records to identify targets; probable cause; statistics of use and additional items was denied, as the office stated “no such records exist” in some cases and that the request “doesn’t sufficiently describe the record requested” as required under the law.

“Location data can be huge,” Bouchard said, regarding its value to an investigation. “We do that in the restraints of the law and court opinions.

But the private sector doesn’t do that.”

Bouchard said keeping up with technology is always a challenge when it comes to investigative techniques. Additionally, he said investigators must make sure to stay within the restraints of the law so that procedures don’t jeopardize a case in court. And while some surveillance activity may be capable on the physical level, it isn’t permitted under state law.

“We aren’t allowed, even with a court order, to do wiretaps,” he said.

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“We can’t get content wiretaps placed in terms of hard wires or cell phones.

For us, if we do something outside the law, then the evidence isn’t usable.

We want to make sure we do a case right, and we don’t want someone getting off because the process was deemed inappropriate.”

Bloomfield Township Police Chief Geof Gaudard said currently it’s legal for investigators to search the contents of a cell phone or computer if a suspect has been arrested. However, Bouchard said there are efforts at the state and federal level to change that law and restrict the search of mobile devices without a warrant. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the two cases could well impact local law enforcement searches.

“The law continues to evolve and change with regards to cell phones and being able to obtain information from a cell phone,” Gaudard said. “We have to go through a legal process to do that, but we still have to pursue it because everyone has a cell phone, and everyone conducts business, legal or not, on a cell phone. If we weren’t looking at that, we would be negligent in our job. But we have to follow the law when we do that. Decisions from the court are constantly changing as technology changes. There is always a battle of protecting someone’s privacy, and when courts rule on new technology we often call the prosecutor for advice in that area. It’s ever changing because technology is ever changing.”

Gaudard said there are misconceptions regarding the law and capabilities of law enforcement. For instance, he said there are exceptions to the search warrant rule such as the ability to search a person and their personal effects at the time of arrest. And, while placing a tracking device on someone’s vehicle or mobile device requires a court order, having an officer physically follow a suspect doesn’t require authorization from the court. nother misconception relates to the capability of some technology and whether it is used by law enforcement agencies. Thus is the case regarding a wireless network system that had been operated by the Road Commission for Oakland County dubbed MOTOMESH, said undersheriff McCabe, who asserted local law enforcement never participated in the road network system.

“There is no such thing as MOTOMESH in Oakland County law enforcement,” he said. “Big lie.”

The system, as explained by the sheriff’s office, was a product offered by Motorola in 2006. The RCOC used a similar system, he said in an e-mail, in utilizing its video feature to track the flow of traffic through intersections.

The system also had the ability to track MAC addresses of cell phones of people in passing vehicles, which are essentially a device’s equipment number. The system would then see how the phone moved to determine the flow through a predetermined area. Once the phone exited the area, its tracking was dropped.

The sheriff’s office said Oakland County didn’t use the tracking feature.

An e-mail provided by McCabe indicated the RCOC used the system as a demo, and that it was placed in different areas to remotely watch how traffic was flowing. It could also be used during a catastrophe as a “self-healing” mobile local area network (LAN) to allow video to be compiled in a specific area if required, such as a major explosion. All the video could then be sent to a remote secure area to review.

The sheriff’s office said the RCOC removed the system in 2009, and that the equipment is currently stored in the attic of the RCOC. McCabe did not say why it was not used by law enforcement.

Aside from misconceptions, Bouchard said the department must – and does – stay within the confines of the law when conducting investigations using new technologies.

“We philosophically guard the rights afforded to our community; that’s our job, to follow the letter of the law. That’s what makes us truly free,” Bouchard said. “The scariest part for me, having grown up and read George Orwell – the private sector is already there. And that’s who taps into that information is the biggest concern that I can see.”

Indeed the comparison’s to Orwell’s 1949 description of a dystopian future, described in his book “Nineteen Eighty-Four”, have been made by critics of the NSA’s bulk data collection program, as well as at least one federal judge who found the program violated the Fourth Amendment. Yet, another federal district court judge found the NSA’s program was legal and didn’t violate the Fourth Amendment.

While United States District Court Judge William Pauley III found in his opinion of a federal case filed in New York, ACLU v James Clapper, that the NSA’s program doesn’t violate citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights, United States District Court Judge Richard Leon stated in similar case filed in Washington DC that the program indeed violates the Fourth Amendment. In each of the cases, the judges’ interpretation of a 1979 US Supreme Court decision differed in how it is applied to the two parallel cases filed in 2013.

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In the case filed in New York, the plaintiff, the American Civil Liberties Union, claimed that their telephone records could be used to identify those who contact the ACLU, such as journalists, clients, legislators and members of the public, and is likely to have “a chilling effect.” Further, the ACLU claims the NSA’s metadata collection exceeds the authority granted to it by FISA and violates the First and Fourth Amendments.

“The right to be free from searches and seizures is fundamental, but not absolute,” Judge Pauley wrote in his opinion. “Every day people voluntarily surrender personal and seemingly-private information to transnational corporations which exploit that data for profit. Few think about it twice, even though it is far more intrusive than bulk telephone metadata collection.” he Supreme Court found in 1979 that individuals have no “legitimate expectation of privacy” regarding the phone numbers they dial because they knowingly give that information to telephone companies when they dial a number. That case involved the use by law enforcement of a pen register device, which is an electronic device that records all numbers called from a particular telephone line.

While the technology of the telephone has changed since the ruling, the type of data collected, Pauley found, was essentially the same in the 1979 case as it is under the NSA’s program.

“All the government sees is that telephone number A called telephone number B,” Pauley wrote. “It doesn’t know who subscribes to telephone number A or B. Further, the government repudiates any notion that it conducts the type of data mining the ACLU warns about in its parade of horribles.”

A separate ruling in the District of Columbia by US District Court Judge Leon found the NSA’s program does violate the Fourth Amendment.

“The court in 1979 couldn’t have ever imagined how the citizens of 2013 would interact with their phones,” Leon wrote. “For the many reasons discussed below, I am convinced that the surveillance program now before me is so different from a simple pen register that Smith is of little value in assessing whether the Bulk Telephony Metadata Program constitutes a Fourth Amendment Search. To the contrary, for the following reasons, I believe that bulk telephone metadata collection and analysis almost certainly does violate a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

While Leon recognized that people expect phone companies may occasionally provide information to law enforcement, he said it’s very different to suggest citizens expect all phone companies to operate what’s effectively a “joint intelligence-gathering operation with the government.”

Which decision is right? Can the NSA continue its snooping practices on both U.S citizens and others around the globe? A final decision on the program will be determined in a higher court, and President Barack Obama has announced plans to overhaul the NSA’s phone data collection program.

Through the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), the government is able to store vast amounts of telephone metadata, which is information that includes telephone numbers, as well as the time, length and date of a call. Metadata doesn’t include any content of calls, the name, address or financial information of the parties included in the calls. Through the leaked documents and subsequent admission by the NSA, the government acknowledged it has collected metadata since May 2006 for basically every telephone call in the United States, including calls made to and from numbers outside of the country, as well as calls placed entirely within the United States.

Though metadata for all calls is collected, there are restrictions on how and when it may be accessed and reviewed. The NSA may access the metadata to further a terrorism investigation by searching a database for a number associated with a terrorist organization. That information is used to determine which results are likely to contain information that would be of value to counterterrorism investigations.

“The almost-Orwellian technology that enables the government to store and analyze the phone metadata of every telephone user in the United States is unlike anything that could have been conceived in 1979,” Leon said. “The notion that the government could collect similar data on hundreds of millions of people and retain that data for a five-year period, updating it with new data every day in perpetuity, was at best, in 1979, the stuff of science fiction.”

In reaching his conclusion, Leon evoked the Founding Fathers of the United States, stating that the NSA’s program infringes on the degree of privacy to such an extent that Leon “indeed has little doubt that the author of our Constitution, James Madison, who cautioned us to beware of the ‘abridgment of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power,’ would be aghast.”

We’ll all see by late June if the current Supreme Court agrees.

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FACES Chris Roebuck

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he use of video in online advertising and marketing is reaching new levels with technology being introduced by Chris Roebuck and the founders of Birmingham-based Clicktivated.

"We want everything to be simple," said Roebuck, who founded the interactive video company with two others, including his father, Joe Roebuck. "We think it should be simple and quick. Our motto is: simple, clean, fun and quick."

The proprietary technology behind Clicktivated's interactive use is advanced, but the concept is simple: click any item in a video to learn more about it. On the viewer's end, suppose you're watching your favorite music video online and want to know what kind of shoes the artist is wearing, or what kind of guitar they are playing. Simply click on the thing you want to learn more about, and a small bookmark pops up to the side of the video with information about it.

"There was nothing out there that existed," Roebuck said. "We got together and wanted to come up with a nonobtrusive, interactive application that we could use with video. We didn't want to interrupt the content. Content is king, and there are already other technologies out there that have overlays and get in the way, usually with a lot of moving dots and whatnot getting in the way of the video.

We didn't want to do that."

Roebuck said video features are completely dictated by the client, with Clicktivated simply "tagging" the video and returning it back to the client. A demo video on the company's website, www.clicktivatedvideo.com, Roebuck said, includes about 15 to 20 objects for viewers to click, is about two minutes long and took about an hour to process. He said the technology can be applied to nearly any video, sometimes in the matter of minutes or only a few hours, depending on the number of items a client wants embedded in the video.

"We are the only game in town that has this technology, and we are getting very good feedback," he said. "The response has been awesome and the application can go into any marketplace that exists."

The potential of Clicktivated caught the attention of Birmingham-based IncWell LLP, a Birmingham-based venture capital firm started by former Chrysler Corp. CEO Tom LaSorda and Birmingham real estate owner Ted Fuller, which has invested $250,000 in Clicktivated.

"We were looking for a strategic partner, rather than just investors," Roebuck said. "We found that with IncWell, which is local with a large substantial, national reach."

Clicktivated clients include Michigan State University, Cranbrook Schools, Gamer Saloon, and others. About another 10 companies will feature Clicktivated video in the coming months, and the company will soon be expanding business to Nashville.

"We will be expanding into major markets, but Birmingham will probably be home, and we will have offices here," Roebuck said, who attended Cranbrook Kingswood High School and studied advertising at Michigan State University. "It's one of those things where we'll have to be close to customers, so we'll have a presence in New York and Los Angeles."

Story: Kevin Elliott

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Gourmet kitchen with commercial grade appliances, 2 ovens, with stainless steel, custom hood, custom pot and pan rack, granite, island, garden window and lots more. Large breakfast eating area. Nice mixture of hardwood and tile floors. Large master suite with fireplace. Windows and siding '08, roof '06 and furnace '12. Bloomfield Hills schools.

Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 21311667

Donna Barlow

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West Bloomfield $7,500,000 Undiscovered masterpiece built in 2004. 20,000 square feet of living space on five wooded acres. Celebrity living with tennis court, gym, in-ground pool, hot tub, dry sauna. Additional kitchen, bar, multi-purpose room, great for entertaining and sports. Adorned with 18th century castle inspiration.

Secluded environment, yet close to city amenities. Private walking trails with stream. Highest quality construction with unique detail.

Seven bedrooms with 7.4 baths. 213037220

Farmington Hills $925,000 Spectacular European castle inspired estate, designed by acclaimed architect, Alexander V. Bogaerts. Gracious, well-built custom Tudor home luxuriously appointed with only the finest craftsmanship and materials throughout. Situated on nearly an acre with beautiful landscaping and Koi pond.

Perfectly maintained. Walkout lower level has 12' ceiling, kitchen, fireplace, hot tub and full bar. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 213082791

Marie Constante

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Bloomfield Hills $1,150,000 A true slice of heaven in the City of Bloomfield Hills on 1.45 acres. Updated walk-out Ranch with open floor plan takes full advantage of the views of the treed park-like yard. Magnificent landscape includes ornamental pond & pathways. Hardwood floors on first floor. Spacious first floor master suite. Newer island kitchen features white cabinetry and black granite counters. Charming sky-lit breakfast room has cathedral ceiling and a fireplace. Great room opens onto a spacious deck . Beautifully finished walkout lower level offers a family room and bedrooms or office space. Gas generator. Close to Cranbrook.

Troy $650,000

Troy $635,000

Gracious Executive Colonial in Troy's highly desired Beach Forest subdivision, perched on a hilltop with a gorgeous, private lot. New roof (2011), newer windows or glass, carpet, state of art furnace & air conditioning (2010) & a tank-less water heater. Two story foyer features leaded glass door and spiral staircase. Vaulted ceiling & fireplace in formal living room. Eat-in island kitchen recently updated with granite. Family room/library with 2nd fireplace. Newer concrete patio has built in lighting & gas grill. Electric fence. Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 214001354

Exceptionally updated executive home, with a great location deep in Somerset North Subdivision. Chef 's island kitchen with premium appliances and fireplace.

New master bath featuring steam shower, heated floors, soaking tub, heated towel bars and new custom closets. Master has vaulted tray ceiling and plantation shutters. Beautifully sunlit great room with floor to ceiling windows.

Finished lower level offers kitchen, media room and full bath as well as a potential guest bedroom. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 214000064

Maureen Francis

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Rochester $6,750,000 Private Gated Community of Estate Custom Homes! Country French Normandy home with over 14,000 square foot of living space on four acres. Custom design and details throughout. Walkout lower level, selections still available to choose. Six car garage. Four bedrooms with 5.3 baths. 213101162.

Presented by Ronni Keating

Bruce Township $5,299,900 Beautiful 100 acre Private Gated Estate. 16,000+ square feet of finished living space designed by architect Dominick Tringali. State of the art custom kitchen featured on cover of Dream Kitchen Magazine. Nine seat movie theater. Five bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms, 3 powder rooms, each bedroom has it's own private full bathroom. Wine cellar with adjoining wine tasting lounge. Elevator servicing all three floors. Too many amenities to list! 213056486 Presented by Sandra Treboldi & Susan Johnson

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Bloomfield Village $1.895.000 Outstanding opportunity to live in the desirable Indian Mound area of Bloomfield Village! One of a kind family home. All five bedrooms are suites. Master has fireplace, luxurious bath and oversized walk in closet. Custom kitchen opens to the breakfast and hearth spaces with cozy fireplace. Other features include: gorgeous family room, formal living and dining rooms, spectacular .65 acre lot and finished basement with workout room and second kitchen.

Six bedrooms with 6.2 baths. 213098476 Presented by Bill Tracy

Birmingham $1,749,000 Stately brick Colonial located on one of Birmingham's most prestigious streets. Superb lot was landscaped to perfection, including a new in-ground swimming pool in 2006. The white kitchen offers Wolf, Sub Zero and granite. First and second floor laundry rooms. Generator. Enormous second floor bonus room is a finished basement alternative. Epoxy floors in 3 car heated garage. This wonderful Arlington gem has tasteful interior design and a timeless appeal.

Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 213063163 Presented by Linda Eriksen

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Bloomfield Hills $1,499,000 Must see interior renovation to appreciate architectural details and quality of finishes. Kitchen with two sided fireplace features Bosch, Subzero, Miele and Thermador stainless steel appliances. Romantic master suite with spa bath, dressing table and fireplace. French doors lead guests from interior living spaces to brick terrace and private yard. Third floor bonus room (30X20) with wet bar, skylights and storage area. Expansive finished lower level.

Five bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 213101450 Presented by Darlene Jackson

Oakland Township $1,199,900 Outstanding home perched high on one acre, cul-de-sac and custom throughout. Loaded with hardwood, crown moldings, 5 fireplaces, hearth area in kitchen, lower level finished with music room, huge workout area and kitchen. Kohler generator, professionally decorated with exquisite landscaping, outside entertaining on two levels and Hardiplank siding. Over $600,000 in updates since 2007. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 213094384 Presented by Susan Johnson

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

Birmingham $1,199,900 Incredible opportunity to own 2012 Detroit Home Design Award winner, breathtaking contemporary home. Only the finest materials were used including Arriscraft stone veneer, commercial brick, Kawneer commercial windows and doors, two story living room with floating fireplace, custom staircase supported by glass wall and custom railing, radiant heat flooring, state of the art kitchen with Downsview cabinetry and Miele appliances. 213120780 Presented by Mia Bardy

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Bloomfield $945,000 Picturesque setting to build your dream home or renovate existing walkout Ranch. Salt water pool, view of pond. Instant equity; property is situated amongst many newer multi-million dollar homes. Seller has architectural plans by Morgan Heller and Michael Willoughby & Assoc. Soil report available upon request.

Four bedrooms with 3.2 baths. Presented by Darlene Jackson

West Bloomfield $699,000 Beautiful home great for a family! 4,000 square feet of open living space with 2005 square feet in finished lower level. Gorgeous brick paver deck with stainless steel BBQ unit and kitchen outside! Great curb appeal. Three car attached garage. A must see! Four bedrooms with 4.2 bath. 213061736.

Presented by Sandra Treboldi

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Bloomfield Hills $650,000 - $1,150,000 “Barton Hills� this new gated community is exquisitely located within the city of Bloomfield Hills. Architectural, construction review and approval are required. Some architectural concepts are available for consideration. Development is beautifully treed, has wonderful contour and grand views.

Presented by Mike Cotter

Bloomfield Hills $476,000 - $614,160 The newest City of Bloomfield Hills gated community offers this superb lot; a natural walkout overlooking the pond and beautifully treed lot. A full set of plans for the exquisite home that could be built are available or bring your own plans. Different lots to choose from. Presented by Kathy Lyons

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Bloomfield Hills $869,000 Spectacular Cape Cod in prestigious Chelmsleigh neighborhood offers over 5400 square feet of living space (including lower level). Updated kitchen with Downsview cabinetry, large 1st floor master suite (21 x 20) with additional bedroom on main floor, four full updated baths, library with Oak floors and built-ins. Large windows throughout offer views of the beautifully landscaped .93 acre yard. Three car garage with heated air conditioned workshop.

Four bedrooms with four baths. 213110576 Presented by Beverly McCotter

Clinton Township $849,900 Incredible and meticulous home in the exclusive Bellagio Estates. Four gorgeous bedrooms, a loft that can be a fifth bedroom, and six beautiful bathrooms.

The bedroom on the entry level is currently used as a den but can also be used as an au pair suite. This home offers over 4,000 square feet of luxurious living space. Gracious kitchen with high end cabinetry, granite countertops and premium stainless steel appliances to the beautiful hardwood flooring throughout and the open loft space upstairs which can be converted to a bedroom. Finished lower level with full kitchen. Garage is completely tiled, heated and has a fireplace. This home has all the upgrades, including a private backyard with a beautiful in-ground pool. 214002944. Presented by Lisa & Tony Scaccia

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Franklin Village $995,000 Beautifully nestled on an ultra private three acre site is this magnificent Cape Cod overlooking the Franklin River, wildlife and serenity. This spacious property includes library and both family and large keeping room, Cedar Shake roof, new HVAC and expansive deck. All of this and walking distance to the magic of the Village. Three bedrooms with 2.2 baths. 213082998 Presented by Mike Cotter

Bloomfield Hills $725,000 Wonderful Bauhaus style Contemporary home surrounded by nature! Fabulous open floor plan offers brand new Scavolini kitchen with quartz counters and new Miele stainless appliances, bamboo flooring, redone baths with custom cabinets and marble. Three bedrooms with direct access to full bathrooms and private balconies, entry level laundry room, large private yard backing to pond and Walnut Lake privileges! 213111763 Presented by Chris Johnson

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Birmingham $899,000 Charming in 4,383 square foot in town home. Newer appliances, large master suite, second floor library and laundry. Close to the Townsend Hotel. Great potential. Also for Lease. Land contract possible with sizable down payment. Four bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 213203010 Presented by Nancy Beachum

Lake Oakland Frontage $895,000 Beautiful Lake Oakland lakefront home with all the updates, amenities and 210 feet of lake frontage-Beautifully finished walkout lower level with fabulous in-ground private swimming pool with fiber optic lighting. Fabulous stone fireplaces. All updated and ready to move in. First Floor master bedroom.

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213049806 Presented by Lee Embrey

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Commerce Township $699,900 Over 1 million dollars of improvements and building costs in this state of the art home designed for family living and entertainment. Features include gourmet kitchen, two story living room, Brazilian cherry floors, 5 star resort yard with heated in ground pool, multi level decking, patios, extensive mature landscaping, lower level with recreation and media rooms, gorgeous bar area and full bath, Full house generator. Must see to believe. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths.

214003518 Presented by Mia Bardy

Bloomfield $550,000 Incredible value for this rare five bedroom home in the Heart of Bloomfield Village. Great layout for family living, this property features gorgeous hardwood floors throughout including under carpets, except family room, newer windows and roof, new heating, air conditioning system in 2012, new kitchen with high end appliances-subzero/wolf. Spacious 3 season room, addition with gorgeous stone fireplace, large room sizes all situated on a beautiful lot. Top rated Birmingham Schools. Five bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 214001261 Presented by Kris Barich & Molly Henneghan

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West Bloomfield $750,000 Custom, custom, custom! Gorgeous upgrades including spectacular circular staircase done in Brazilian cherry and wrought iron. Cherry hardwood floors in dining room, living room, library, and family room. Two story family room with pillared fireplace opens to beautiful granite and stainless kitchen. Master bath is spectacular. Finished lower level has beautiful custom wood bar, full bath, and granite kitchen. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths 213097958 Presented by Kathy Manoogian

Washington Township $699,000 Exquisite split-level home, just over 4,000 square feet in size, located in an upscale Washington Township neighborhood on a beautiful private lot. High end finishes throughout. Granite counter tops in kitchen and all bathrooms, and granite tile flooring in Foyer. This home offers two master suite options - one on main level and an additional option of a master suite on upper level as well. Finished walkout lower level with full kitchen. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths.

213110534 Presented by Lisa & Tony Scaccia

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Northville $649,000 This beautiful brick Colonial in prestigious "Steeplechase Sub" is like NEW! Many upgrades and custom features. Grand two story foyer open to pillared living room, dining room and library. Double door to private study, gourmet kitchen with granite and maple cabinets, nook overlooking two story family room. Dual staircase, hardwood floors, master suite with sitting area, large bath and huge walk in closet. Walk-out lower level. Clubhouse with fitness center and two pools. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213099680 Presented by Felicia Scappaticci

Rochester Hills $385,000

Royal Oak $252,000

Extremely private setting located on a cul-de-sac with pavers and beautiful garden. This extremely well-maintained home exudes the *perfect location. Huge family room, breakfast nook, reading/relaxing area with built-in bookcases, library, finished lower level with recreation room and full bath. Newer windows, roof, furnaces and air conditioning. This home is spacious and move-in ready!

Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 213112534 Presented by Susan Johnson

A perfect 10! Every inch of the home has been redone. Hardwood floors throughout. Gourmet kitchen with Verde Butterfly granite counters. Door wall leading to composite deck, two gorgeous remodeled baths with ceramic tile, basement Limestone tile and granite counters. Fully finished lower level with bar and laminate flooring. One year home warranty. Three bedrooms with two baths. 213207047 Presented by Nancy Beachum

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Royal Oak $579,900 Sharp custom built home on a private street. First floor master suite, gourmet kitchen with high end appliances, first floor laundry, library/office with built ins, three fireplaces. Full finished lower level with full bath, kitchen, laundry area, exercise room, 22 x 25 recreation room and lots of storage space.

Great back yard with deck and full outdoor kitchen. Seven bedrooms with seven baths. 213095559 Presented by Jim Casey

Birmingham $564,900

Birmingham $359,000

Wonderful Condo Alternative! Eclectic custom designed contemporary home within walking distance to downtown Birmingham. First floor master and two bedrooms on the upper level. The second floor library/office could be a 4th bedroom. Dramatic 2 story great room. Very open and free flowing floor plan with great natural light and many skylights to enhance the natural open beauty of each room. Large wooden deck off the great room for outdoor entertaining.

Three bedrooms with two baths. 213202580 Presented by T. Gerald Etue

This beautiful Birmingham Colonial is located close to parks and shopping.

Featuring custom granite kitchen with three bedrooms and 1.1 baths. Nice living room and finished basement. Two car detached garage and fenced back yard. 213206312 Presented by Sandra Treboldi

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Birmingham $439,500 Mid-Century Modern design with fabulous natural light. Great lot on quiet high-end street. Many newer windows, new boiler (2013). Kitchen (late 1980's) has tons of storage. Natural fireplace in living room and wood-burning stove in family room. Heated attached 2.5 car garage. Easy access to ample attic storage. Walking distance to high school with running track and chip-path to downtown Birmingham. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths.

213095371 Presented by Diane Cancro

Bloomfield $345,000

Beverly Hills Village $314,900

Beautiful Colonial on a private lot. Elegant open floor plan. All exposed (first time sanded) hardwood floors throughout, new roof 2008, new energy efficient furnace 2013, eat in kitchen with granite and cherry cabinets, master suite with walk in closet, family room with gas fireplace and Florida room. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths 213116063 Presented by Mary Gleeson

Restoration Hardware inspired center entrance Colonial remodeled in 2012.

Bright open concept kitchen with white Merillat cabinetry, granite counter tops, GE profile stainless appliances. Hardwood flooring throughout.

Updates include; new roof and gas fireplace in 2010, new garage opener 2013, Three season room converted to year round, brick paver patio, partially finished basement with loads of storage. One year home warranty.

Three bedrooms 1.1 baths. 214002038 Presented by Julie Dean

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Bloomfield Hills $559,000 This wonderful custom built home offers a open floor plan with entry level office, private master suite, gorgeous living room with hardwood flooring and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the private yard with mature perennial gardens. Walkout lower level with full bath leads to patio and extensive decking with gazebo. Four bedrooms 3.1 baths. 213117850 Presented by Chris Johnson

West Bloomfield $450,000

Pleasant Ridge $227,000

Luxury living in this 2 story Colonial is one of the best deals in highly sought after Wyndham Pointe Subdivision. Fabulous spacious gourmet kitchen featuring granite counters and island, new stainless Jenn Air appliances. Rare first floor master suite, jetted tub and shower his/her sinks. Vaulted grand great room gas fireplace. Loft entertaining area can be 4th bedroom. Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213119884 Presented by Susan Kissick

Beautifully renovated home in desirable Pleasant Ridge. This home is on double lot with perennial and sprinkler system. All new appliances including washer and dryer. Granite kitchen, new baths, large sun porch, hardwood floors throughout, newer vinyl windows and large shed 20 x 12.

Enjoy Pleasant Ridge pool and fitness center. Upper floor can easily be in-law quarters or apartment! Four bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 213110079 Presented by Joanne McGuire

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CONCIERGE MEDICINE: PAYING THE PRICE FOR QUALITY OF CARE

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BY LISA BRODY

ur lives are ruled by sets of transactions and the choices we make. When we want something to put on our feet, we can shop at Payless for passable black shoes. Or we can head on over to Neiman Marcus for a pair of Prada pumps or black loafers. In need of a cup of joe? There are lots of choices. You can make a quick cup of instant, or a steaming pot of your favorite brew. New single cup coffee brewers, such as Keurigs, are now part of the options. And then there are coffee shop selections, from Starbucks to Biggby to Tim Horton’s and Dunkin’ Donuts.

In today’s world, health care is also ruled by sets of transactions, from eligibility to reimbursement of coverage. It has become a system often ruled by financial decisions, rather than medical considerations.

Some physicians and patients are choosing to seize their health care back from insurers and the government through a series of independent transactions with doctors of their own choosing who offer personalized care. It’s called concierge medicine.

Concierge medicine is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician where the patient pays the doctor an annual fee or retainer in exchange for enhanced personal medical care, including 24/7 access to the doctor via cell phone and e-mail, no waiting for visits, electronic medical records, and even visits to the patient’s home or office. While patients who are electing this kind of care rave about the advantages, detractors warn about the dangers of a two-tiered health care system developing in the United States.

Once upon a time, health care consisted of visiting your family doctor for everything from pediatrics to geriatrics, and just about everything in between. He delivered your baby, saw it through well visits and the croup, watched your kids grow up, and eased you through middle age and into your waning years. Like Marcus Welby MD, he (because there were few female physicians) was available when you and your family

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were sick, coming into the office whenever needed, and even making house calls. He was practically part of your family.

Of course, Dr. Welby never discussed payment. Because one, that was TV. Second, it was in another era.

In today’s health care system, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, with its pros and cons, many more people will have access to health care (a pro), there are others who feel more like a number than a patient (a con).

As the ACA is phased in, health experts believe there will be a critical primary care physician shortage, with primary care doctors – internists, general practitioners, family practice doctors, geriatric specialists – retiring early, specializing, or even moving out of medicine altogether as insurance reimbursements become even tighter. The Wall Street Journal forecasts an expected shortfall of 60,000 physicians in 2015 and 90,000 by 2020, which is roughly 10 to 15 percent of all practicing physicians, even as millions of newly-insured patients enter the system. The likely result of these physician shortages? We’ll likely experience longer waits for doctor appointments and less time with our doctors when we actually get in to see him or her.

“Because of declining reimbursements, primary care physicians will be forced to see as many as possible each day in hurried 10-15 minute appointments, simply to make ends meet,” Paul Hsieh wrote in Forbes magazine in March 2013. either patients, nor doctors, enjoy being a number, spending more time in the waiting room of a doctor’s office than with the doctor themselves. In an effort to reclaim their practices, some primary care physicians are transitioning their offices to concierge medical practices, where the emphasis is on personal care. It all comes with a price tag, which some patients are more than willing to pay. In exchange, concierge physicians carry smaller patient loads, usually around 500 patients, rather than the usual 2,000 to 2,500 patients of an average primary care physician.

The price can average around $200 a month, where in exchange the patient will obtain a personal physician on call 24/7; house calls; no waiting in a typical crowded doctor’s waiting room; unlimited appointments; complete physical exams; wellness, fitness and lifestyle screenings; weight management; nutritionists; lab tests; x-rays; coordination if you become ill while traveling; mental health checks; well-baby checks; acute care visits; online access to medical records; home delivery of medication; hospital visits from the doctor; transportation to appointments, if needed; coordinated care with specialists; and even hotel reservations for your family during a medical crisis.

Concierge medicine is a relatively recent innovation for medical practices. It’s believed to have been the brainchild of the former team doctor for the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, who after seeing firsthand the excellent level of care professional athletes were receiving, decided to provide the same kind of services to nonathletes. He founded MD2 (pronounced “MD Squared”) in 1996 in Seattle. The idea resonated both with physicians who felt overworked and understaffed, and patients seeking a more “Ritz Carlton-like” level of service and care from their doctors.

“We recognized back in 2000 that health care

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was moving from personal to a more institutionalized form, and it wasn’t what we wanted to do,” said Dr. John Blanchard of Premier Private Physicians, a concierge medicine practice with offices in Troy and Clarkston. “We felt we needed to have time with our patients, to have the excellence to have the time with patients. Health care has been cutting reimbursement to doctors, which has forced doctors to see more patients, so the time doctors have with their patients have declined. The average time today with patients for most doctors is only 10 minutes.”

Early reports that those signing up for health insurance through the ACA’s federal and state marketplaces who tend to be older and less healthy, rather than younger individuals, in the 18 to 34 year old demographic, could cause premiums to rise and tax primary care physicians even more than they currently are.

“What good is insurance if it forces you to sit in a waiting room for three hours, or you can’t get into your doctor for two weeks when you’re sick?” asked Dr. Scott Grant of Birmingham, who began converting his primary care practice to a concierge practice, or one that practices “executive medicine” a few years ago. “We only take people with insurance. (My patients) are paying only an enrollment fee, which is like an access fee in addition to their health care insurance. It picks up the stop gap. It’s for the people who want to make the best use of their health insurance. Because there are 30 million more people being added to the health care rolls with Obamacare. That means a one-hour waiting room wait will now become a two-hour wait, and you may not see someone who graduated medical school.”

At some primary care offices, patients are treated by nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

“People today don’t trust their doctors because they don’t have relationships with their doctors,” asserts Blanchard. This lack of trust, coupled with the increasing shortage of physicians, and the aging of the baby boomers, the last of whom will turn 50 in 2014, meaning they will have greater health care needs in coming years, “has created the perfect storm of poor service and poor delivery of health care,” Blanchard said. “We saw all this happening in 2000, and we sought to restore the doctor/patient relationship.”

To Blanchard and his six fellow associates at Premier Private Physicians, having as much time as they need with their patients, and patients having complete access to them, was the final impetus to complete the transition to a concierge medical practice. “Each doctor only sees about 500 patients, versus about 2,500 patients. Patients are given complete access to us. They can call us on our cell phones anytime, or contact us by e-mail. There is no waiting in a waiting room. It’s restoring the relationships in health care.”

Tom Proctor, a Bloomfield Township businessman, was referred to Blanchard by a friend who is a patient of Blanchard’s. “I had really not established a relationship with a previous primary care physician and I knew I needed to. I’m the type of person who can’t stand going to the doctor. I felt I needed a doctor I was comfortable with and had access to,” Proctor said. “He (Blanchard) said come in and have a cup of coffee and let’s sit down and talk about you. He explained concierge medicine and the practice. I wanted to make sure I liked him as a doctor and as a man.”

After a physical, Proctor was so pleased, his whole family now goes to the practice, with his wife seeing Blanchard’s female associate. “There have been a few occasions where I’ve needed him when I’ve been out of town, and I’ve contacted him, and he helped me right away,” Proctor said. “Once, I was out of the country, and I texted him ‘here’s my situation, can you help?’ and it was taken care of right away. My wife had a more serious situation and he took care of it because he has hospital privileges and he was able to be there. In a large internal medical practice, where we’d have to go through lots of nurses, I don’t know that it would have been handled the same way.”

Grant has been reducing his practice to the 500 patient mark. While he still sees some of his non-concierge patients, particularly his geriatric patients, “we are very conservative about the number of new patients we are accepting” for his general practice. “We did not discharge any patients from the practice and we haven’t shut people out who have not joined this part of the practice,” yet they are taken to a different waiting area, and do receive different time and attention.

“Access to me, for my executive patients, is 24/7,” Grant said. He will go to the office or home of anyone within 10 miles of his office at Brown and Pierce streets in Birmingham. “If patients give 10 to 15 minutes of notice, they can come in and see me immediately,” he said of his primarily male patients.

“Our clarion call is ‘call ahead care,’” Grant said. “It’s a heads up that they’re coming in. We allow 20 minutes to one hour per patient. We usually get a sense for what they’re coming in for.”

In keeping with his no-waiting philosophy, Grant actually got rid of his traditional waiting room, he said. “I made it into a lounge with a lounge chair, four big club chairs, hardwood floors, beverage service, a large screen TV,” he said, designed for patients and their family and their comfort.

In order to justify their time and expense with the patient, concierge physicians should be thorough physicians, with complete knowledge and ability to be a patient’s internal medical doctor, family practitioner, pediatrician if the family chooses to bring young family members, and be knowledgable in subspecialties like endocrinology and cardiology. It’s like being an expensive, very well-educated general practitioner.

“We manage 85 percent of their health care needs right here,” Blanchard said. he cost to be a member, or patient, of a concierge practice is not cheap, but neither is it exorbitantly expensive.

Premier Private Physicians is available to individuals for $2,500 annually, or to a couple for $4,500 annually. In a family, children may be added for $1,000 a year each. Elderly parents can also be added at $2,500 each, or $4,500 for a couple annually. Premier Private Physicians offer a 5 percent discount if payments are pre-paid.

“It’s about $209 a month, for unlimited office visits, no copays or deductibles because we don’t bill their insurance. We find specialists for them.

We’ll draw their blood here, and insurance is billed by the lab. We provide an executive-style physical that lasts about three hours, and includes things like a stress test and mental health questions. We provide comprehensive wellness plans and healthy living plans,” Blanchard pointed out. “We’re here for them throughout the year. If they’re hospitalized, I

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care for them in the hospital, so they don’t have someone who doesn’t know them. It’s like having a close friend of family member who is a doctor.”

Grant offers a three-tier model, with patients paying anywhere from $500 to $2,500 a year, depending on their age and the services they choose. Currently, he has a 90 percent retention rate.

For younger patients, 25 to 35 years old, Grant suggests the Associate level, for $500 annually.

The Executive Class, for patients 36 and up, costs $1,000 a year. For $2,500 a year, patients aged 36 and up can be enrolled in the Executive Gold tier. All patients receive 24/7 care with Grant and no waiting access to their health care.

Those enrolled in the Executive level tiers are also provided with executive level annual physicals, a four-page written health assessment, two urgent care visits a year for themselves or family members, and they’re enrolled in electronic medical records called Patient Fusion which allows patient access to laboratory results, physician notes, specialists records, and the like, at any time, from anywhere. “It makes it so they can access their medical files at 3 in the morning from where ever they are,” Grant said.

Further, if a patient of Grant’s needs the further care that necessitates a specialist, Grant makes the arrangements with an exclusive group of specialists he deals with. “I speak directly to those physicians and I can get them in in half the time” than if the patient called from a referral sheet, he noted.

“If they should happen to end up in the emergency room, I make all the arrangements. I drop everything and manage all the details to expedite the care,” he said.

For patients choosing the Gold level tier, he cares for both the patient and their spouse, and will accompany patients to their specialist and emergency room visits in addition to all of the other services, as well as make house calls. hile the perception of concierge medicine can be construed as elitist or exclusive, favoring the rich at the expense of the poor, both Blanchard and Grant said they see patients who are wealthy as well as middle class as concierge patients. Neither Grant nor Premier Private Physicians have suffered from a lack of patients to care for – Blanchard actually has been forced to close his practice, although his partners’ practices are still open.

“The advantage of direct medical care is there for people of various ages. The value is high for people with multiple chronic medical issues who want personalized health care. They need more time and care from you. The elderly may have more difficulty communicating problems, or move more slowly. Young professionals like it because they don’t have time. Their need is to be cared for rapidly, and they like the convenience of being cared for when they need to be,” Blanchard pointed out. It’s also ideal, he said, for healthy patients who want first class preventative health care.

According to Michael Tetreault, editor of Concierge Medicine Today, “It’s not health care for the rich.” Most concierge medical practices are insurance compatible, offering more time for the patient with the doctor. Limited waiting time in a waiting room is a key selling point. Of patients choosing a concierge practice, 34 percent earn less than $100,000 per year; 39 percent earn between $100,000 to $200,000 a year; 14 percent ear between $200,000 and

W

$300,000; 5 percent earn between $300,000 and $400,000; 3 percent, between $400,000 and $500,000; 2 percent earn between $500,000 and $600,000; and only 1 percent earn more than $700,000 per year.

Grant said that many patients choosing his executive medicine tiers are paying their annual fees using their health saving accounts, making it IRS eligible.

Blanchard acknowledged that some people have financial difficulty paying for the fees his practice charges. “But, like other things, what starts out as a luxury becomes a necessity,” he asserted. “Personal computers, cell phones – once, only the wealthy had them, and now everyone does. We’re seeing that. Health care is one of the most valuable things we have, so to pay $200 a month for health care is important for many people. I provide value. If you look at the cost of a daily bagel and a Starbucks, you could have a personal physician.”

“You have to be able to afford it,” Proctor acknowledged. “But its one of the best monies spent. It doesn’t waste my time, which is huge.”

“I believe it’s (concierge medicine) restoring the free market to health care because it will drive down prices and increase care for patients,” Blanchard continued. “People are now realizing how important health care is to them, and making determinations about how they are spending their money.”

Some local and national corporations are also recognizing the value of personalized health care. Premier Private Physicians have many top executives at Chrysler, General Robotics and Fanuc Robotics in Rochester, among others, are providing membership at the practice as a paid benefit. “They are seeing the value in having the top people in their organization have top-notch health care throughout the year,” said Blanchard.

“I believe it will expand throughout the workforce, because it keeps people out of the hospital and the emergency room. People in our practice end up in the hospital one-fifth of the time of those in other practices. There is money saved in keeping people out of the ER.” Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum, a geriatric physician in Royal Oak who is vice-chief of Medical Services at Beaumont Health Systems in Royal Oak, moved his practice to a quasi-concierge form about five years ago because “I resented the whole Medicare system, not that people shouldn’t have insurance,” he said. He stopped accepting Medicare and insurance, with each patient being privately charged for services.

They do not pay an additional membership fee to be part of Rosenbaum’s practice, and “my patients have had my cell phone number for years, that’s no different,” he said.

“I charge for my care that I give them in the office, the hospital or at home,” Rosenbaum said, noting that he usually goes to the patient’s home “for people who are really infirm, at the edge of life.” Laboratory tests, X-rays, and other tests are not performed at his office, and are covered and billed to patients’ insurance.

Rosenbaum said he still sees about the same number of patients as he did before, but that he enjoys caring for his patients much more than he did before. “I don’t know if the practice will grow, because I can’t be busier, but with geriatrics there is always turnover,” he noted.

Economically, because his practice is not a true concierge practice, he said it’s been a wash.

“Since the day I started this, I feel reborn. I’m having more fun than I ever had,” he said.

“Medicare was the Rube Goldberg of the medical system. That made me nuts. I hate working for

someone else. When you’re working for Medicare, you’re working for the government, not the patient. Now, it’s emotionally uplifting.

I’m unburdened.”

Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and Troy offers concierge services to patients and their family members, but not in the same way as the medical practices. Their services include errand running within a 15-mile radius of either hospital, such as retrieving forgotten items left at home when an emergency has occurred necessitating a hospitalization, personal shopping and making bank deposits. They’ll also assist with car services like dealership appointments and oil changes, help with mail forwarding and lawn services, pet care, house maintenance, tax services, transportation arrangements, purchasing of tickets, help in getting alterations and repairs, and assistance in procuring flowers and gifts for patients and family members. enry Ford Hospital also offers concierge services in Detroit and West Bloomfield.

“The focus started about four years ago in an effort to demystify the Detroit medical barrier, and to make it a softer landing for people,” said concierge supervisor Nancy Long, who is located at the main hospital in Detroit. “Often, people are just sitting there stunned, and don’t even know where to turn. My staff of four, they’re calm and not easily rattled.

We’re very soothing.”

Long said that she and her staff of four are notified every day of all of the people who have come in from out of the tri-county area, whether they are in the emergency room, have been medivaced in, or are coming in to see specialists and have tests. “We’re operating from a transport list of anywhere from 10 to 30 names a day,” said Long. “We find out where they’re from, and provide them with a welcome bag.

Sometimes people just arrive with the clothes on their backs and we provide food vouchers, a map of the hospital, pen and paper, because from so many survey cards people have said they don’t know what the doctors and nurses are saying, and “I need a pad of paper and a pen so I can write down what is being said.’”

Long said that for some family members and patients who may be on the transplant list or receiving cancer treatments, they can help arrange for a one or two-bedroom apartment, for a fee, on the Henry Ford campus.

“We’re asking people if they’re OK, providing warmth, a place to turn, with professionalism,” she said, noting that she and her staff all wear gray suits. Comments back include, “Such a reassuring presence during a difficult time.”

While the hospitals themselves are not offering concierge medical care in the same way as private practitioners, it points to the recognition of the increased importance of personalized medical services. Although the number of concierge physicians is currently still small, Forbes magazine reported that as many as 10 percent of physicians are considering switching to a concierge practice, having increased 30 percent in the last year. They point out it saves the patient money, provides superior care, allowing physicians to generally practice better medicine at a higher compensation.

Meaning we are likely headed for a two-tiered health care system, for better or for worse, where those who can will for pay for private care, and the rest will wait in waiting rooms.

“When your doctor is working for you, no one can take him away from you, because you’re paying for him,” Blanchard pointed out.

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Eloise Alterman

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loomfield Hills high school student Eloise Alterman is using her musical talents to cause an Internet stir.

As a 16-year-old student at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Alterman isn't quite old enough to get into some of the venues she would like to play, but her age isn't stopping her from having her songs heard. Take for instance the dozens of self-produced music videos she has posted to YouTube, which have garnered her nearly 4,000 subscribers and almost a half-million views.

"I write a lot more than I play covers, but I don't put them on YouTube because of copyright issues," said Alterman, who started playing guitar about four years ago. "I play a lot during the summer, and I do a lot of YouTube videos. I'm under 21, so you can't play a lot of bars. I can't get in.

It's hard when you're younger. I'm just trying to get my name out there."

Consider that teen sensation Justin Bieber used YouTube to get discovered and land a recording contract, and it's obvious that the selfpromotion method is a proven technique. As for whether or not it will work for Alterman remains to be seen.

"First, I have to get through high school," she said. "I hope to get signed with a record label or something where I can sing my own songs."

While Alterman performs various covers on her YouTube channel, ranging from Miley Cyrus to Elvis Presley covers, there are a few original tunes she has shared. Whether original or a cover song, Alterman appears at ease behind a guitar or piano while performing for the camera.

"The first time I played in front of people was at my eighth grade

graduation. I sang Forever Young," she said. "There is also Blissfest (Folk and Roots Music Festival) in Harbor Springs in the summer, and I've played there. I've played in some bars Up North in the summer."

Last year, Alterman helped raise nearly $50,000 for teens in underserved areas with "Teens4Art," a non-profit she started. The funds, which were raised through live shows at Orchard Lake Country Club featuring herself and other musicians, go toward youth art scholarships through programs at the Majestic Theater in Detroit. She also helped raise money for Children's Leukemia by performing at a special event at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.

Alterman's musical tastes range from country to classic rock, with a selfproclaimed love for homegrown tunes ranging from The White Stripes to Bob Seger.

Her musical journey began in the 6th grade, when she first took guitar lessons. While she quit the lessons about two years later, she continued to learn the instrument on her own, and picked up the piano and ukelele on her own, as well. And while her voice is strong, she said she has never had singing lessons. She later learned to write her own songs with the help of another music teacher.

"The songs I write are very personal," she said. "They all sound different.

I'm not sure what genre they are, but they tell stories. They tell about personal experience."

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CITY/ TOWNSHIP City manager to leave in February

By Lisa Brody

Birmingham City Manager Bob Bruner's contract was not renewed Monday night, January 13, in a closed session portion of the city commission's regular meeting, effectively terminating his employment with Birmingham when his current contract ends February 13, 2014.

Mayor pro tem Stuart Sherman, sitting in for mayor Scott Moore, read a statement from the commission, which was in closed session for an hour and fifteen minutes.

“After extensive consideration, the commission has decided to let Mr. Bruner's contract to expire on February 13, 2014. We expect Mr. Bruner to complete the terms of his contract. Over the next few weeks, we intend to appoint an interim city manager and will have these discussions at an upcoming city commission meeting.”

The next Birmingham city commission meeting was set for Monday, January 27. At that time, assistant city manager Joe Valentine was expected to be named interim city manager.

The decision to not renew Bruner's contract concludes a short, but strange by Birmingham standards, period of indecision and confusion at city hall. It began December 12 when Bruner rejected an offer from the commission of a new contract that contained an 11 percent wage increase, which was originally scheduled for a vote by the city commission on December 16.

Several Birmingham sources, who requested anonymity when discussing the negotiations with Bruner, said that the city commission offered Bruner a new contract, of indefinite length, that contained an increase in salary of 11 percent, which would have put his salary at $131,000. The sources all felt he was offered a very competitive compensation package. Some sources pointed out he is younger, with less experience, than other city leaders with comparative salary packages. Bruner, sources told Downtown Publications, wanted a 15 percent wage increase.

He also requested in the early stages of negotiations that the city provide him with both a car and a downtownpublications.com

Birmingham Restaurant Week

D

iners unite -- the ninth annual Birmingham Restaurant Week returns January 27-31 and February 3-7, with two weeks of delicious dining to break up the cold and gloom of winter.

To date, 16 of Birmingham's best restaurants are participating in this year's Restaurant Week, including Big Rock Chop House, Cafe Via, Elie's Mediterranean Cuisine, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Forest Grill, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, Luxe Bar & Grill, Phoenicia, Salvatore Scallopini, Social Kitchen & Bar, Streetside Seafood, Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro, The Rugby Grille, The Stand Gastro Bistro, Toast, Townhouse Bistro and What Crepe?

Affordable, gourmet meals will be offered for lunch and dinner.

Pricing remains the same as the past few years, with three-course lunches available for $15, and three-course dinners for $30.

Birmingham's Principal Shopping District, which sponsors Restaurant Week, notes this culinary extravaganza offers restaurant goers delicacies from the city's top chefs who create special and unique menu items, often specifically for the event.

This year there will be a silent auction throughout Birmingham from January 27 through February 7. Birmingham merchants will donate items on which patrons and shoppers can place bids. All proceeds will benefit two programs, the Charles A. Main, M.D. Pediatric Cancer Survivor Scholarship Fund of Beaumont Children's Hospital and Beaumont's Pediatric Oncology Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic.

Patrons can learn more about participating restaurants, chefs and event menus at birminghamrestaurantweek.org. Reservations may be made by contacting the restaurants directly. house in Birmingham "because property is so expensive". He was informed that the city would not provide a house or car as part of the compensation package.

While Bruner has disputed requesting for a house, a low-interest home loan, a car or car allowance, and more generous benefit package, Downtown Publications has verified those requests from him at various points since Bruner and the city began discussing his future tenure and compensation.

Bruner notified Birmingham City Commissioner George Dilgard on December 12 that he was a candidate for the city manager position in Huntington Woods and told all of the city commissioners on December 16. According to sources, following the December 12 offer of a proposed employment agreement, Bruner also sent city commissioners several "inflammatory and insulting" e-mails.

On December 17, Bruner, who has been with Birmingham since February 14, 2011, sent city staff and members of committees with which he worked an e-mail alerting everyone that he was now a candidate for the Huntington Woods position while at the same time noting that he hoped Birmingham

officials would change their position on the proposed contract which he had rejected.

Bruner, in a rather odd twist of events, also sent out notice of his current state of affairs in Birmingham to 14 other city managers in Michigan although he refused to discuss on the record why he shared the issue with other city managers.

Bruner brought added public attention to his situation by broadly sharing e-mails sent to Downtown Publications in which he disputed portions of a story the publishing group first broke on December 23 about the stalled contract talks and the Huntington Woods job application.

On Friday, January 3, Bruner informed commissioners and media that he had withdrawn his application for the job as city manager of Huntington Woods in an effort to come to an agreement with the Birmingham City Commission on terms for a new contract.

Prior to the January 13 meeting, Bruner also proposed to the commission that they extend his current contract for three months to allow him to work on some pending projects in the city, although there was no public discussion of the

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contract extension, which some observers speculated was an attempt by the city manager to set the stage to repair relationships with the commissioners.

During this entire saga, several commissioners privately questioned Bruner's airing of his “dirty laundry” to city staff, other city managers and members of city boards and committees, including copying others on e-mail communications.

“Why would he make all this public?

I have no idea what would motivate this guy,” said one commissioner, questioning Bruner's judgement.

“We're all dumbfounded.”

Bruner did not join the commissioners when they returned from the closed door session, where a couple commissioners said Bruner seemed completely surprised by the commission decision to let the contract expire.

Senior living projects building underway Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills, a luxurious, full-service senior community located at 41150 Woodward Ave., just north of Opdyke, has broken ground, with expectations of opening in September 2015, while All Seasons of Birmingham, designed for senior independent living, has started construction.

Michael J. Damone, president of Cedarbrook Senior Living, said the goal of Cedarbrook of Bloomfield Hills is to give lifelong residents of the Birmingham/Bloomfield area the opportunity to stay in their hometown while receiving the appropriate level of care they require.

“I grew up here. I went to school here and continue to remain active here. After decades of experience building retirement communities across the country, it was my mom who first encouraged me to bring full-service senior living to Bloomfield Hills,” Damone said. “My goal is to develop a community that my mom would have been proud to live in.”

Once completed, the senior living facility will be the only continuing care retirement community in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area. That means it will provide independent living, couples care, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing in one facility.

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by Beztak Properties, recently broke ground on E. Maple at Elm Street. It is designed for those who can live independently but would like the amenities of a senior living establishment.

Cedarbrook is situated on 7.5 acres, and the 164,000-square foot building will be built into the hillside with separate areas for each area of residency. Residents will be assured of state of the art security, resident health monitoring systems, and electronic records keeping, Damone said. Amenities include heated underground parking, a wellness center, fine dining options prepared by an onsite executive chef, a movie theater and a balcony or patio for each resident.

Both Cedarbrook and All Seasons are currently taking pre-leasing reservations.

Rojo Mexican restaurant opens

By Lisa Brody

Rojo Mexican Bistro has opened for business in the former Max & Erma's restaurant location at 250 E. Merrill in Birmingham.

Rojo Mexican, which has locations in Rochester, Novi, St. Clair Shores and Partridge Creek Mall, is a family-friendly Mexican restaurant open for lunch and dinner with a wide range of tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, tableside guacamole, and other favorites, according to Steve Simon, operating partner.

“We're a family restaurant with great food and beverages,” Simon said.

Simon said the restaurant offers lots of specials each week, including $1 tacos on Tuesdays and Happy Hour all day on Thursdays. As a service to businesses in the downtown area, they provide free delivery at lunch to any business or retailer.

The restaurant was completely renovated while maintaining the same interior floor plan as Max & Erma's, which was in Birmingham for years. In the spring, there will be 22 outdoor seats added next to the restaurant at an outdoor patio on the restaurant's sidewalk. A red canopy covers the new entranceway and some windows replaced for doors that can open to the outside, creating more outdoor access. downtownpublications.com

YOUR PLANS. OUR TOOLS. LET’S BUILD.

Rojo Mexican is open daily for lunch and dinner, and reservations are accepted. Hours are Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

220 restaurant sold to Denise Ilitch

By Lisa Brody

The venerable Birmingham restaurant 220 at 220 Merrill Street has been sold by owner Judy Roberts to Denise Ilitch and a group of partners, a manager at the restaurant confirmed in mid January.

Roberts was unavailable for comment, but previously had confirmed it was out for contract and Birmingham city officials confirmed that a liquor license transfer has been requested.

220 has been in business in its current incarnation since 1994, when Roberts and her then husband, Bill Roberts of Roberts Restaurant Group, opened it with an AmericanItalian theme specializing in pasta, veal, seafood and steaks. Bill Roberts, owner of Streetside Seafood in Birmingham, and Cafe ML and Roadside B & G in Bloomfield Township, currently has no affiliation with 220.

220, and its lower level nightclub Edison's, are housed in the “Old Detroit Edison” building, where Detroit Edison once had their northern suburban offices. Until 1975, Detroit Edison customers could drop off their small appliances for repairs, pay their electric bills, or even exchange burned out light bulbs for free at the counter where 220's bar now stands. In the 1970s, with regulatory changes demanding Edison charge for light bulbs, they closed the location and sold it to developers. At the same time, Birmingham was allowing for liquor licenses. In 1979, Herb and Carolyn Schmid opened a German-American theme restaurant called 220 Merrill.

Ilitch, a member of the wellknown Detroit Ilitch family, is copublisher, with Dennis Archer Jr., of Ambassador Magazine, Denise Ilitch Designs in Birmingham, and is on the University of Michigan Board of Regents. The Ilitch family owns the Little Caesar Enterprises, Red Wings, Tigers and Fox Theater, while Marian Ilitch owns Motor City Casino.

Ilitch did not return phone calls

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and messages left for her regarding her plans for the restaurant.

It is believed that the restaurant would be closing at the end of January for renovations, but the restaurant's current manager would not substantiate that. However John Heiney, executive director of Birmingham's Principal Shopping District, said 220 declined to participate as it had in past years in the city's upcoming Restaurant Week, which will take place January 27-31 and February 3-7.

As for planned changes to the dining establishment, the manager said, “We need to see what the new owners have planned.”

Library construction manager delayed

By Lisa Brody

A resolution drafted by outgoing Birmingham City Manager Bob Bruner to solicit proposals for an “owner's representative” or construction manager for the possible renovation and reconstruction of the Baldwin Public Library was determined to be premature by city commissioners at their meeting on Monday, January 13, and the resolution was tabled.

Bruner told commissioners that he felt a construction manager would be utilized as an advisor to the process to save time and stay on schedule for a 2015 bond sale if approved by voters. The resolution before commissioners would have not only permitted the city to hire a construction manager, but to solicit proposals from architectural and engineering firms for requests for proposals (RFP) before the possible May 6, 2014 proposed bond vote, receive the proposals, and as well as make an architectural and engineering recommendation by June 16, 2014.

Following months of work, meetings, and analysis, the joint library building committee chose a conceptual plan in October from Quinn Evans Architects which would involve taking down both the 1960 and 1980 additions, leaving only the original 1927 building, which would be enhanced. A new building would be built in the shape of a rectangle on Merrill Street stretching from Chester to Bates the full length of the block, two stories tall with the addition of a basement for three stories of use. The new building downtownpublications.com

New synagogue planned for city

By Lisa Brody

T

he Chai Center, a Lubavitch Jewish synagogue, has purchased the vacant land parcel at 856 N. Old Woodward in Birmingham and is planning to build a small synagogue along with a retail store to sell Judaica items.

Currently in the planning stages, the Chai Center purchased the land in 2013, reported architect Irving Tobocman, who is working with the center. The site has been vacant for years and long-time Birmingham residents will remember the location as the former Carrie Lee's Chinese restaurant. It has been a large hole in the ground behind Douglas Cleaners, just south of Oak Street, for years.

“It's an awful site – it's a huge hole that's been sitting for a long time. It looks like a meteor has come from heaven sitting there,” said Tobocman.

Tobocman said the synagogue will be a small facility, with a main sanctuary containing 112 seats. In the front, per Birmingham zoning ordinances requiring first floor retail, there will be two retail spaces for the synagogue to sell Judaica items to the general public. “They will be split in two by a via, a wide sidewalk pass through to the street,” Tobocman said. Neither store will be open on Saturdays or Jewish holidays, per Jewish law.

Tobocman presented plans to the Birmingham Planning Board in December in a pre-application discussion to receive feedback from the board, which he said went very well. “It was very well received. I was very, very pleased,” he said.

The synagogue will be a two-story edifice, with the main floor on street level, and a lower level that will mirror the first floor. The ravine walk out will contain a social hall and a mikvah, which is a Jewish ritual bath.

The Chai Center is run by Rabbi Boruch Cohen and wife Ita Leah Cohen, who live on Lakeside in Birmingham. Lubavitch Jews are Orthodox Jewish often associated with the Chabad outreach movement of “reaching out with love toward every single Jew.” Tobocman said they hope to break ground in late summer or early fall. The synagogue still has to develop architectural plans and receive approvals from the planning board for final site plans and then go before the Birmingham city commission for final approvals.

would be integrated and connected to the original library on the main floor in the center of the block.

In presenting his recommendation for an owner's representative for the project, Bruner said that on November 26, the commission directed city staff to work with bond counsel to develop a financial plan to fund a library millage. He said during that process, it became clear there may be a problem with the schedule. “We then met with representatives from the architectural firm, Quinn Evans, to see if it would be feasible for a May 2014 bond vote and a 2015 bond sale.” Bruner said it was determined that if the bond was put on the ballot for May and passed, it could be put on July 2014 tax bills, allowing the city to develop a new schedule to build the library. “So the timing for issuing RFPs is very important,” he said.

Commissioners were uncomfortable with the idea of hiring someone before having even approved putting a bond on the May 6 ballot, much less having it approved by the public.

“I want to be clear. Staff would write the RFP for the builder's representative. Who would write the RFP for the project?” asked commissioner Rackeline Hoff. Bruner responded that the representative would. Hoff then asked why staff couldn't write an RFP for the architectural/engineering RFP. “They could, but it's a very complicated building project,” Bruner responded.

Commissioner Tom McDaniel asked if in the $21.5 million project estimate an owner's representative was included. Bruner said there was not, and that the money to pay for a representative would be spent out of pocket.

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“From my standpoint, we're putting the cart before the horse,” McDaniel responded. “We agreed to look at all capital expenditures at the long range planning meeting (on Saturday, February 1), and we have time.”

“My feeling when I saw this on the agenda was that we had yet to have the discussion about the bond, and I think we should have that discussion first,” said commissioner Mark Nickita. “There has been a lack of dialogue of what we're doing next, and I think that should take place first.”

Mayor pro tem Stuart Sherman said, “When we issue those bonds, we want to have a very clear idea of what the costs will be, if it will be a $30 million project versus a $20 million project.”

Commissioners then tabled further discussion on the library project.

Library opponents lobby their cause

By Lisa Brody

A staunch opponent of the proposed Baldwin Library expansion and renovation project spoke to members of the Birmingham Principal Shopping District (PSD) board of directors at their monthly meeting Thursday, January 9, during the public comment portion of the meeting, sharing with the board that he and another Birmingham resident have offered to pay for members of the joint library building committee to fly to Miami to meet with another library consultant and design firm, or to have a phone consultation.

Birmingham resident David Bloom labeled the library expansion and renovation project a “boondoggle”, noting there are a number of other pressing community needs city leaders should examine before approving a special $21.5 million bond election for Birmingham residents, including roads, sewers and senior citizen needs. Bloom also passed out copies of e-mail communications between himself, Baldwin Library Director Doug Koschik, members of the joint library building committee, and Dr. Doug Weaver, another resident actively opposing the library project.

Bloom and Weaver particularly are opposed to the high cost of the proposed project. Bloom told PSD board members he figured that the 91

The 10 things I wish every Home Seller knew BEFORE marketing their home for sale.

The Myths and Realities of Selling Real Estate 1. Business: First and foremost, you must treat selling your home like a business. You are selling your highest valued asset. Do everything you can to take the emotion out of the equation, and understand that THE MARKET dictates the price.

2. Perfect Presentation: Before your house hits the market, it should look and feel as if you are doing a photo shoot for Architectural Digest. I cannot stress this enough. It is a mistake to think you can sell your house the same way you live in your house. You have to have an understanding of how buyers think. Fresh coat of paint on the walls, Kitchen and Bathroom counters cleared, beds made, toys and dogs put out of sight, excess furniture put in storage, and most important …TOILET LIDS DOWN! Your Realtor should have a minimum of 15 STUNNING PROFESSIONAL photos taken, preferably with a wide angle lens.

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net gain of the added space really meant that the community would be paying $2,734 per square feet on the additional space constructed. He stated that he not only objects to the total cost, but that he says the library's needs of the future don't require what is now being proposed.

He also objects to Birmingham residents being the only ones being taxed for the library expansion when neighboring communities who use the library under contract arrangements would not be taxed as well.

Following months of work, meetings and analysis, the joint library building committee, of which mayor Scott Moore and commissioners Gordon Rinschler and Rackeline Hoff were members, chose a conceptual plan in October from Quinn Evans Architects which would take down both the 1960 and 1980 additions, leaving only the original 1927 library building, which would be enhanced. A new building would be built in the shape of a rectangle on Merrill Street stretching from Chester to Bates the full length of the block, two stories tall with the addition of a basement for three stories of use. The new building would be integrated and connected to the original library on the main floor in the center of the block.

In November, Birmingham City Commissioners accepted the schematic designs and directed city staff to develop a financial plan to fund a library millage that, if approved by the commission in February, would go before Birmingham voters on May 6, 2014.

The city will need to issue a bond to pay for the expansion and renovation, which would likely be for $21.5 million. Because the library is owned by the city of Birmingham, only residents of Birmingham will be asked to pay for the expansion and renovation, even though Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms and Bloomfield Hills residents, under contract arrangements, use the library.

Included in the packet Bloom handed out to PSD board members was information from and about Aaron Cohen Associates, library consultants, designers and facility planners Bloom and Weaver have independently been in contact with regarding the Baldwin Library building project. Cohen wrote in an e-mail to Bloom on December 23 that “Key to developing a consensus downtownpublications.com

approach in the design and planning of the library is to address value management. Value is defined as a ratio of function to cost...Value is increased by providing a flexible and adaptable library environment...The entire existing library is not perceived as having value to the community – except for the 1927 building reading room.”

Koschik, in e-mail exchanges to Bloom and Weaver on December 31, thanked them for their interest in the building project, but said that since the city and library began the project nearly two years ago, public notice had been given for every meeting, 50 documents, including committee meeting minutes and PowerPoint presentations, had been posted on the library's website, and on municipal access TV. In response to Bloom and Weaver's offer to meet with Cohen, he wrote, “Please note that, if voters approve the cost of the project, detailed design and cost issues will be addressed in phase 2, perhaps with a different architect...Any formal action prior to that RFP process would be unnecessary and inappropriate.”

Parks panel supports Kenning Park plan The Birmingham Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday, January 7, endorsed a concept plan to redevelop and improve Kenning Park and have the plan move to the city commission for final approval.

The overall concept plan was prepared by Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio (JHLE) in Ann Arbor following public forums in October and committee and public comments at the December 3 parks and recreation meeting. At that meeting, JHLE presented two different options for the park, each with different alternatives, in order to make the most efficient use of the park's space.

JHLE presented two plans for consideration; one plan was labeled the Master Plan, the other, Phase One Plan.

“The major difference between the Master Plan and the Phase One Plan is that the Master Plan includes additional green space around the skateboard park and additional parking west of the tennis domes,” said Lauren Wood, director of public services.

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BUSINESS MATTERS Beauty spot opens One of only two locations in Michigan of a national beauty, makeup, skincare and spa retailer, Bluemercury, has opened in Birmingham at 172 W. Maple Road, in the former 6 Salon location. Marla Malcolm Beck, co-founder and CEO of Bluemercury, said she was "blown away" by customer response in October when the franchise opened its first Michigan location in Ann Arbor. "Birmingham is seeing a resurgence in luxury retail, and with the welcoming, neighborhood feel of our shops, we know we've made the best choice," Beck said. Established in Washington D.C., Marla and Barry Jon Beck founded Bluemercury in 1999, and personally chose Birmingham for the location of their new store, which is nearly 2,500 square feet and features a full-service spa with three treatment rooms, as well as makeup stations throughout the store. The spa offers its signature oxygen facials, glycolic peels, waxing and microdermabrasion. The store is also carrying Bluemercury's line of M61, performance-based products

created by Beck and launched in 2012, which is dubbed as the "world's first highly-technical, natural cosmeceutical brand." All of the 90plus brands carried by Bluemercury are handpicked by Marla Beck. The store also offers expert advice from its staff. "For our team, it's about utilizing the latest technological achievements and combining this knowledge with a level of customer service that is rarely seen in this day and age," Beck said.

Ice cream shop closes Coldstone Creamery, 108 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham, closed its doors to customers at the end of 2013.

The specialized ice cream franchise was started more than 25 years ago and got its name from the frozen, granite stones use at each of the locations that servers use to prepare custom ice cream creations. The Birmingham location was owned by Clarkston resident John Brueck.

Pizza Hut Express open The number of pizza options increased in January with the opening of a new Pizza Hut Express location at 34200 Woodward Avenue,

Birmingham, next to Papa Joe's. The location is owned and operated by the Redberry Resto Brands, of Canada, and offers pizza, pasta, wings and other items that are found at Pizza Hut locations.

Optical shop expands Dr. Joe Ales of Optik Birmingham, an optometry and vintage eyeware shop on Maple in downtown Birmingham, is expanding his optical services. In February, he will be joining Oakland Opthalmic Surgery P.C. at 800 Adams Road in Birmingham. Oakland Opthalmic Surgery, which offers complete medical and surgical care of the eye, has been providing eye care to the community for over 60 years. Ales said he is expanding is optometric services to Oakland Opthalmic, while still keeping Optik on Maple.

Realty name change Prudential HWWB, Realtors, 880 S. Old Woodward, has changed its name to Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, HWWB Realtors, following the purchase of real estate brands Prudential and Real Living by the California-based Berkshire Hathaway.

The HWWB office dates to the 1960s when John Hannett was a teacher and basketball coach for Detroit Country Day School in Birmingham.

He began selling real estate to supplement his income, but eventually found the venture to be more profitable and quit his teaching job. In the 1990s Hannett teamed up with Kathy Wilson and Doug Whitehouse to grow the business.

Gerry Burke joined them as a managing partner in 2007. In 2009, HWWB became affiliated with Prudential Real Estate Affiliates.

Kmart closes The Kmart store at 2101 S. Telegraph north of Square Lake Road in Bloomfield Township closed on January 12 after years of service. The store's closure is part of a series of actions Kmart is taking to reduce ongoing expenses, adjust the company's asset base, and accelerating the transformation of the company's business model, said Howard Riefs, director of corporate communications for Sears Holdings, which owns and operates Kmart stores. The Bloomfield location had 18 employees.

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FACES

Heather Catallo

A

ward winning investigative reporter Heather Catallo believed in middle school that she was too shy to go into public speaking. That all changed once she got on the radio airwaves at Bloomfield Hills' Andover High School and started making speeches in her forensic classes. Today, Catallo is part of WXYZ's Action 7 News team, where she has won numerous awards for her reporting.

"If I had never done that, I don't know if I would have pursued it," Catallo said about her career in journalism. "It's a lot of work, especially the investigative pieces, but it's a lot of fun. My favorite is to actually make things change where there needs to be by shining a flashlight on it. It's very rewarding knowing you are making that kind of difference."

Catallo's work has led to criminal convictions, prompted FBI investigations, and spurred government reforms. Some of her most recent work has been providing coverage of the Kwame Kilpatrick corruption trial, as well as investigations into Wayne County government, which has led to resignations, terminations, suspensions and indictments in the Ficano administration.

Catallo has won the DuPont-Columbia Award for broadcast journalism; five local Emmy awards, including best reporter; named Best Reporter of the Year in 2010, 2009 and 2007 by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters; first place awards in open government reporting and investigative reporting by the Society of Professional Journalists; and other professional accolades.

Catallo said some of her most effective and favorite work focused on the state's foster care system, in which children were being removed from homes

through the Wayne County juvenile court system without properly following procedures and waiving children's rights. The coverage resulted in an FBI investigation and reforms in that system.

"We tackle some issues that I think a lot of TV stations wouldn't do, and we get a lot of push back from the power brokers we go after," Catallo said.

"Thank goodness we have a company that backs us. Our company, corporatewide, considers investigative to be one of the most important things we do, but it is still a challenge of time versus what you come up with," she said.

Coverage of the Kilpatrick trial, she said, was challenging, as the federal court didn't allow cameras into the courtroom. Additionally, she had the task of trying to condense a full day of testimony into a tiny timeframe each day, for months.

"It was a challenge visually, but it was a huge story and very important to our region," she said.

While Catallo is best known for her high profile, investigative work, she still is part of a news team that covers daily news and features. However, having a reputation for writing about wrongdoing can put everyday people on edge.

"That happened the other day. With the massive freezing weather, I was doing storm coverage," she said, recounting a ride along with a snowplow driver who initially thought he was the target of an investigation when he saw her. "When you get people fired, or arrested, that can make them more reluctant to talk to you. Sometimes more eager."

Story: Kevin Elliott

Photo: Laurie Tennent

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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.

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

248.645.2150.

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.

Beau Jacks: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday; Dinner, daily. No reservations.

Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630.

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

167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110.

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. No reservations. 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

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Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220.

Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766.

Cosi: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9200.

Deli Unique of Bloomfield Hills: Deli.

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

Dick 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.

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

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

248.792.6109.

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.

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FOCUS ON WINE Where California meets France and the Russian River Valley

by Eleanor and Ray Heald

J

ean-Charles Boisset was born in 1969, in the wine village of Vougeot, Burgundy, France, over looking the Chateau du Clos Vougeot, where pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards were first planted by Cistercian monks in 1110.

Today, Boisset directs the family wine business founded in 1961 by his parents, Jean-Claude and Claudine. It includes 21 wineries in some of the world’s most prestigious terroirs, from Burgundy to the south of France, to California’s Napa Valley and Russian River Valley.

He leads the firm with a commitment to wine quality and a deep respect for the environment.

Organic and Biodynamic farming has been implemented at all Boisset estate vineyards in Burgundy and California.

Jean-Charles and his sister Nathalie created Domaine de la Vougeraie which united the company’s vineyards into one of Burgundy’s leading domaines. He has taken an active role in all aspects of winegrowing to ensure sustainable farming practices.

Coming to America “In 1981, at eleven years old,” Boisset explains, “I came to America with my parents and grandparents and fell in love with the people and their lifestyle. While in California we visited the historic Sonoma County winery of Buena Vista where the wine pioneer Agoston Haraszthy first made wine in 1857. My grandmother purchased some of the Buena Vista wines that we tasted later at our hotel and I realized the potential of the California wine industry. At that point I said to my sister how great it would be to one day return to make wine in California.”

That happened in 2000 when Boisset returned with several French wine and vineyard specialists. He relates, “We realized from our visit that Carneros and the Russian River contained special terroir for growing Burgundian varieties chardonnay and pinot noir.”

In 2003, Boisset purchased DeLoach Vineyards, in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, and later he added Raymond Vineyards in the Napa Valley and finally Buena Vista Winery in Carneros, where he was first introduced to California wines.

“We have totally restored the cellar of Buena Vista, the oldest California winery. We wanted to retain the history of winemaking in California, but provide the very latest in modern winemaking equipment to our winemakers. We renovated it fully so we can make wine in a historic cellar.

“Because I’m from Burgundy, I always craft our California wines to model Burgundy. For chardonnay I

100

look for the same character found in Montrachet, Meursault and Chablis: minerality, acidity and richness.

Today, we have 27 winemakers for our 21 wineries in France and California that continally interact, visit and share winemaking techiques. We learn and exchange information from both sides of the Atlantic on how to constantly improve our products. For instance, JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset 2010 #3 $123 is a blend of pinot noir from the Russian River Valley and Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits.”

A Franco-American tasting of Boisset Family Estates: Bouchard Aine & Fils PouillyFuisse 2011, $26. Pear and apricot aromas and flavors introduce an elegant wine with a delicate oak note. Excellent with seafood and shellfish.

Buena Vista Chardonnay Carneros 2011, $20. Aromas of kiwi and pineapple are followed by flavors of apple, pear and peach with a creamy finish.

Domaine de la Vougeraie Vougeot 1er Cru “Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot” 2010, $113. A concentrated chardonnay, full and rich with excellent balance of acid and fruit in a generous package.

Raymond Napa Valley Reserve Selection Chardonnay 2012, $20. A full-bodied wine with aromas of orange and citrus followed by palate flavors of lemon and pear, ending with an extended finish.

DeLoach Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2011, $24. This pinot is a perfect accompaniment to roast duck. It features spice aromas, followed by plum and raspberry flavors – simply delicious.

Bouchard Aine & Fils Pommard 2009, $49.

Attractive notes of spice, cherry, citrus and oak, introduce a well-balanced wine that provides a long, smooth finish.

Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Noir 2011, $25.

Aromas and flavors of black cherry and cranberry with perfect balance of fruit, acid and tannin. This wine pairs nicely with grilled quail or pork tenderloin.

Domaine de la Vougeraie Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru “Les Corvées Pagets” 2010, $96. Aromas of cherries and berries highlight this Burgundy from entry through a firm mid-palate and long finish.

For a Valentines Day celebration include the PiperHeidsieck Brut red label, $45. Fine bubbles, juicy apple and pear fruit with a smooth finish.

Eleanor & Ray Heald have contributed to numerous international publications, including the Quarterly Review of Wines.

Contact them by e-mail at focusonwine@aol.com.

DOWNTOWN

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.

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.

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.

Northern Lakes Seafood Co.: Seafood.

Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 39495 North Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7900.

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.

2.14

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101

SUPERBOWL OR OTHER OCCASIONS

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VALENTINE’S DAY OR OTHER OCCASIONS DOWNTOWN

2.14

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

248.792.6200.

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

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

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

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

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

248.932.0800.

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

Reservations. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123.

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

Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

248.333.3887.

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

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

Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American.

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

248.731.7066.

The Corner Bar: American. Dinner.

Wednesday-Saturday. Reservations.

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

The 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.

What Crepe?: French. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, Breakfast & Lunch, Sunday. No reservations. 172 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009.

248.792.5634.

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

248.566.3566

downtownpublications.com

AT THE TABLE Northern Lakes Seafood: new location for landmark eatery

Menu Focus Turners favorite appetizers include Buffalo Popcorn Shrimp, $13, from Okemos shrimp farm served in a popcorn box, Vernor’s Braised Short Ribs, $12, served with a

By Eleanor Heald tiny Boston Cooler (Vernor’s ginger ale topped with corianor nearly two decades der whipped cream) and the Epicurean Group’s Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Northern Lakes Seafood Cake, $12, poached in Yates restaurant has become a Cider served with whole grain landmark in the metromustard seeds soaked politan Detroit eating overnight. scene. Recently, it moved The menu’s Fresh its location from Fish Market has nine fish Woodward and Long selections prepared grilled, Lake in Bloomfield Hills broiled, blackened, baked, to the Met Hotel on steamed, sauteed or buttermilk Crooks Road in Troy and fried and served with ciderthe former home of mustard beurre blanc, dill tarCharley’s Crab. tar sauce, or honey-horseradThe Epicurean Group’s ish cream. Your server can sugpresident, Eric J. gest the best preparation for Djordjevic, includes your fish choice. The Faroe Northern Lakes Seafood Island Salmon, $27, from the among its prized properfar north Atlantic is Chef ties, which include Coach Frank’s Signature Dish, broiled with a pomegranate molasses Insignia, Deli Unique, glaze. Florida Red Snapper, Novi Chophouse and $32, is a firm, flaky fish preGastronomy. pared with a housemade tomaIn refurbishing the to jam topped with citrus salt.

Seared day boat scallops with pickled artichoke, charred onion, tomato restaurant, Djordjevic has basil, parmigiano-reggiano flan and lemon butter sauce. Downtown Turner recommends a whole preserved the warmth and crisp, photo: Laurie Tennant Maine lobster, $32/lb., 8-oz. historical feeling of the Maine lobster tail, $38, with drawn butter or call ahead for Charley’s Crab dining room, originally the living room of a one pound tail. the Alvan Macauley Grosse Pointe mansion, dating from Chef Frank admits to a serious sweet tooth. “After a big 1929. Djordjevic retained the historic elements and incormeal I like something mildly sweet. My favorites include porated a modern feel to the room.

Chocolate Hazelnut Torte, $10, ‘Lobster’ Mille-Feuille, $8, The new location offers a great bar popular at happy and Crème Brûlée, $6, prepared by Northern Lakes’ inhour, especially for patrons of the Met Hotel. It includes a house pastry chef.” cocktail bar with mixologist, a wine bar with certified sommelier Hannah Farms helping with wine and food Land Lovers matches, and a raw bar specializing in fresh oysters, sushi Turner explains, “Our non-seafood menu must meet the and sashimi. A special from the Raw Bar is Fruits de Mer integrity of our seafood menu. I recommend the petite for two, $38, that includes crab legs, shrimp, oysters and filet, an 8-oz. Creekstone filet, $45, or an enormous 22-oz. littleneck clams. A seafood tower features Michigan Tomahawk Rib Eye, $85, each served with whipped potaShrimp & Jumbo Lump Crab, $14, with Louie Dressing, toes, roasted bone marrow and St. Julien Port Veal Demi yum.

Glace.

F

Local Focus Executive chef Frank Turner, recently of Coach Insignia and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, explains, “The mission here is to have a seafood restaurant with nationwide acclaim that uses the bounty that Michigan has to offer. I’ve been working the locavor movement since before it was popular. Michigan’s agricultural diversity is second only to California.

“Local emphasis is more difficult to achieve, especially with produce, when 18 inches of snow is on the ground.

So we buy Michigan preserved items like jams and dried mushrooms, plus Great Lakes fish, farmed shrimp from Okemos, Michigan wines, Michigan made liquors, Vernors beverages, Zingermans’ cheeses, toasted soy nuts and honey.”

DOWNTOWN

Wines Seafood lovers should look for the fantastic selection of Michigan white wines, but if you prefer beef, share a bottle of the Shady Lane Blue Franc, $40, from Leelanau County or a glass of Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet, $12, Sonoma, California.

Northern Lakes Seafood, 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 248.646.7900. Monday-Thursday 5-10 p.m. Friday – Saturday 5-11 p.m. Sunday 5-9 p.m. Happy Hour MondayFriday 3-6 p.m. Convenient Parking.

Eleanor Heald is a nationally published writer who also writesthe wine column in a double byline with her husband Ray for Downtown. Suggestions for Quick Bites section can be e-mailed to QuickBites@downtownpublications.com.

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Michael Sbrocca

Bloomfield Hills

History, grace, grandeur and beauty all joined forces in 1924 and the result was 1765 Hillwood Drive. With updates too numerous to list here, the best of the past & present is now available for purchase. A feeling of solidity, strength and impeccable English country style surround you through each step of the home. Superb workmanship, detail & quality.

LIST WITH A LOCAL & SELL! With nearly 30 years as a Birmingham resident, Michael Sbrocca is your local expert whether you’re buying or selling. He has 25 years of real estate experience spanning from new construction, remodeling, commercial and land development. His wealth of knowledge will provide you the tools required to achieve your desired results. Contact Michael, your local expert today.

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msbrocca@skbk.com

248.709.9119 415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE Center for Wealth Education Launches Why a Center for Wealth Education?

Most people just do not understand the many areas of Wealth Management - sadly, a misleading term since many people need these products whether they are considered “wealthy” or not. TCH wanted to help by bringing in experts in all the areas of wealth management to educate the public in an information rich, non-selling environment.

“Taking Care of You Now”: Wednesday, February 12th – 6:30-8:30 p.m. TCH will launch the first of a three-part monthly series of evening seminars where expert panelists will present in easy to understand terms what, at times, can be complex products. People really need to understand these items to protect themselves, their assets, and their loved ones. For example, anyone over 18 should have a Health Care Directive; whether you have a young, blended or complicated family life or business partnership you need to think about trusts, wills, disability and life insurance, investments, and perhaps different types of personal and commercial loans. Not to mention long term care insurance. Many people do not fully understand flood and excess liability insurance options.

No matter where you are in your personal or your business life cycle, come learn with others in the “safe” environment of The Community House.

Selling Leasing Management Residential & Commercial

Camille Jayne

Jay Greenspan, Broker www.MetroSold.com www.MetroSold.com Jgreenspan@metrosold.comw

The February 12th panel will focus explicitly on defining and explaining what you need to know in five areas: Basic Estate Planning (Dan Serlin, partner, Serlin, Trivax & Stearn); Disability and Long Term Care Insurance (Drew Besonson, wealth and estate planning advisor, Northwestern Mutual); and Personal and Commercial Banking products (Jenny Meier, EVP, Bank of Birmingham.)

The Center Monthly Panel Topics: The monthly panel topics are organized based on the themes of “Taking Care of You Now”, February 12th (as detailed above); “Taking Care of Your Assets”, March 12th (Investment Management, Life Insurance, Retirement Planning and Taxes); and “Taking Care of Your Property & Others”, April 9th (Property/Casualty/Liability Insurance, Advanced/Specialized Trusts, Legal Guardians, Business Structuring and Key Person Insurance and Family Foundations.)

After all panel discussions, there will be 30 minutes to talk to the individual panelists. There is no charge, however registration is required at: www.tchserves.org or by calling 248.644.5832. Bring family and friends.

248-488-SOLD 248-488-SO LD MICHIGAN MI CHIGAN METROPOLITAN METR ROPOLIT TAN A REAL REALTORS™ LTORS S™

A DIVISION DIVISION OF OF MICHIGAN MICHIGAN PROPERTY PR ROPER RTY MANAGERS MA ANAG GER RS

“FLAT-OUT “FLAT- OUT ELECTRIFYING!” ELECTRIFYING!” —Boston —Bos ton Globe Globe

AYY musical WA DW AD king BROA the groundbreaki

Wealth Education Resource Binder: My company, Matters at Hand™, produces a “Keys to Wealth Education” Resource Binder organized by the panel themes of “Taking Care of You”, “Taking Care of Your Assets” and “Taking Care of Your Property & Others.” It is filled with definitions, guidelines, questions to ask wealth management advisors, and key take away points of each section. We’ve donated the binders to TCH’s Center for Wealth Education. The binder will be available for purchase for $20 either at the panel discussions or online at www.tchserves.org, with all proceeds donated back to TCH. NEW: A Great Way to Network While Actively Learning!

Bulletproof Discussion Workshops TCH will present a brand new professional development monthly series of concept learning and discussion workshops. Each month a new concept will be discussed for half the session time by the presenter, Camille Jayne (me). Then, a fun case study will be presented for attendees to discuss with their table mates that illustrates the concept just learned.

Photos s by Jer Jeremy re emy Daniel

Thurday., February 20th 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. “Securing Great Relationships” will be the first Discussion Workshop concept, outlining disciplined tactics of how to transform a specific person you’ve identified into a valuable relationship. $25.

Register at: www.tchbulletproof.org. Sponsored by: Bank of Birmingham, dBusiness, Oakland University, Raymond James, TAMMA Capital and Vasileff Medical Group.

February Offerings: Young Professionals Speed Networking: Thursday, Feb 6th, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy an evening of drinks & networking with other young professionals. $5 members/$20 nonmembers; includes one drink ticket. Register at: www.tchserves.org

“Vintage Jewelry Sale & Tea”: Saturday, February 15th - Tea 11:30 a.m.; Sale 12:30-5 p.m. Enjoy classic teas, tea sandwiches, fruit, desserts and coffee; then peruse 40+ vendors selling handmade vintage, repurposed and new jewelry. $40.

Register at: www.tchserves.org.

B A CK BY P OPUL A R DEM A ND

D troiit Opera House De

5 S HOWS ONLLY

J n. 31–Fe Ja F b. 2

Tickets: T icket s: ticketmaster.com, t icket master.com, 800-982-2787 8 0 0 -9 8 2-2787 & Fisher Fisher Theatre Theat re & Detroit Det roit Opera Oper a House Hou se box offices of fices • Info: Info: BroadwayInDetroit.com B r o a d w a y I n D e t r o i t .c o m & box G roups (10+): (10+): 313-871-1132 313 - 871-1132 o -mail orr e e-mail 313 - 872-10 0 0 • Groups 313-872-1000

Camille Jayne is President and CEO of TCH. downtownpublications.com

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G roups@BroadwayInDet roit .com Groups@BroadwayInDetroit.com

DOWNTOWN

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Here is the update on the recent social scene. Many more photos from each event appear online each week at downtownpublications.com where readers can sign up for an e-mail notice when the latest social scene column is posted. Past columns and photos are also archived at the website for Downtown.

Keep the Faith Fiesta!

Sally Gerak Even though she departed for college and a career in law many years ago, Birmingham native Kathleen Curran still has lots of pals in town. And 250 of them showed up to raise money for the mission she founded in Santa Cruz, Bolivia almost 10 years ago. Kathy Carroll‘s colorful art welcomed them to the Bloomfield Village home of Mike and Sharon Mulroy where a heated tent helped accommodate the crowd. The Fiesta theme was evident in the Mexican cuisine prepared by the host committee - the Mulvoys, Mark Andersons, Doug Sparkses, Rudy Stonisches, Matt MacLeans, and Dan Padillas – with the Margueritas at the ready on the bar. In addition to paying to party, some guests also bought raffle tickets and chinelas (flip flops hand decorated by the mission students. The very spirited party raised $26,000, which will go a long way at Curran’s privately-funded Mission Keep the Faith Bolivia, because it’s annual budget is a modest $51,000. To see how it is breaking the chains of poverty in South America’s poorest country go to www.keepthefaithinbolivia.org.

Teens 4 the Arts’ Open Mic & Family Fun The same Friday night as the above-reported charity event, more than 200 people of all ages convened at Orchard Lake Country Club to celebrate talented teens and raise money for the Mosaic Youth Theatre’s Arts Access Fund. MYT is the award-winning arts program Rick Sperling founded in 1992.

It’s rigorous regime is not only creating Detroit’s future artists, but future doctors, lawyers and teachers as well. It seems like only yesterday that many of the local teens that helped plan the OLCC event and performed in it were little kids enjoying the Harry Potter-theme fundraisers for Lighthouse PATH their moms coordinated at the same club a decade ago. It’s proof that an early introduction to philanthropy nurtures more of the same. It was also good to see the performers, both those from T4A and those from Mosaic, display such talent as well as an interest in getting acquainted around the dining room tables.

All sang an impromptu rendition of “Seasons of Love” from “Rent” at the show’s conclusion. Then a jam session ensued as performers and guests of all ages gathered around the piano and sang until the evening ended. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the event raised nearly $55,000 and surely expanded the definition of community for lots of teens. Learn more about Mosaic at www.mosaicdetroit.org.

CCFA’s Gala Evening at the Movies For 36 years the local chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America has been staging a popular, moviefocused fundraiser. This year it attracted 375 (at $100 & up) to the Palladium for socializing and dining on the stroll before the program. It honored Denise Ilitch for her philanthropy, which she explained as a family tradition. She recalled how her dad asked her at the dinner table, “What did you contribute today?” She evoked laughter when she reported her reply, “Nothing, Dad. I’m only 10.” downtownpublications.com

Keep the Faith Fiesta!

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7 1. Keep the Faith founder Kathleen Curran of Santa Cruz, Bolivia with Susan and Mike Mulroy of Bloomfield. 2. Dan (left) and Patti Padilla and Amy and Matt MacLean of Birmingham. 3. Maureen Anderson (left) of Troy with Pamela Hildebrand and Katie Nienstedt of Birmingham. 4. John and Carolyn Gleich of Birmingham. 5. Jean Charboneau (left) and Meg Conroy of Birmingham. 6. Molly Markley (left) of Bloomfield with Brier and Garry Neal of Birmingham.

7. Cheryl Sellers (left) and Patty Heppler of Bloomfield. 8. Tina Stonisch (left) of Birmingham with Mary and TJ Hughes of Beverly Hills. 9. Patty Sharkey (left) of Troy, Sue Galloway and Anne Vachon of Birmingham. 10. Brian Coyne (left) and Susan Hall of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK But the real star of the program was Emme Coleman, who did a Q&A with emcee Channel 2’s Raj Roop. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 8, the teen has overcome her initial embarrassment and become an articulate and involved advocate for the 49,000 Michiganders, including 5,000 kids afflicted with one of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Thanks to generous sponsors, the annual event raised more than $137,000. It will support research and patient services like the pediatric summer camp that Coleman lauded in her remarks.

Teens for the Arts

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1. Noah Eisenberg of Bloomfield. 2. Abbey Jackman of Bloomfield. 3. Performers Noah Eisenberg (left) of Bloomfield, Meredith Mackey of Commerce and Aristotle Taylor of Detroit. 4. Danialle Karmanos (center) of Orchard Lake and performer Eloise Alterman (left) with Eileen Kiriluk of Bloomfield. 5. Performer Grace Giampetroni (left) with Claire Fisher of Bloomfield. 6. Shea Henderson (left), Catherine Pardi and Chloe Kiriluk of Bloomfield and Sara Gerard of Birmingham.

CCFA Gala Night at the Movies

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1. Raj Roop (left) of Bloomfield with honoree Denise Illitch of Bingham Farms and Anthonie Burke of Novi. 2. Barb Bowman (center) with her granddaughters Gracie (left) and Emme Coleman of Bloomfield. 3.

John (left) and Janet Grant and Katie Coleman of Bloomfield. 4. Kathy Boggan (center) of NYC with Tom Berman (left) of Keego Harbor and Jason Brown of Beverly Hills. 5. Don DeClerck (left) of Bloomfield with David and Clark Lindsay of W. Bloomfield.

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Homes for Autism’s Ring of Hope Dinner

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1. Honoree Jim Berline of Bloomfield with his wife Debra and daughters Quincey of W. Bloomfield and Erin of Birmingham. 2. Walter Oehrlein (left) of Bloomfield with Bill Schramm of Lake Orion. 3. Carole Shullman (left) of Birmingham and Francie Oehrlein of Bloomfield. 4. Mike Jennings (left) of Ferndale and Carl Shullman of Birmingham.

DOWNTOWN

Autism’s Ring of Hope Dinner Some of the 70 guests ($200 tickets) who attended Homes for Autism’s benefit dinner that honored ad man Jim Berline gathered at the Village Club bar during the cocktail hour to watch the MichiganNorthwestern football game on TV. The soft spoken honoree was among them and was particularly knowledgeable about the action.

When Michigan won the game in the third overtime, the football fans answered the dinner bell, but they had to wait until John Hertel introduced Berline during the program to learn that the humble honoree was such an excellent wide receiver at Michigan. In one season (1967) he caught more passes (54) than did the more well-known Anthony Carter. In his acceptance speech, Berline, who rubs elbows with corporate icons, said his father was the most impactful person in his life. The senior Berline had played football at Penn State before WW II, which he barely survived, losing one leg in the famous Battle of Anzio. “(Despite 30 operations and losing a foot in height) he did not consider himself handicapped,” said Berline, adding that he always made decisions based on “What would my dad do…and would he be proud of me.” A standing ovation and rousing entertainment by the Midwest Dueling Pianos capped off the evening. Funds raised at the 17th annual event will provide and maintain independent living homes for adults with autism and developmental disabilities.

An Old Tradition Revived London Chop House owners Ellena, Nico and Maria Gatzaros invited people to their second annual 02.14

revival of a tradition that started decades ago at the original London Chop House – raising money for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. More than 100 December 9 luncheon guests – including the Sam Valentis, Tom Schoeniths, Dick Manoogians and Don Austins – joined in the sing-a-long led by The Salvation Army Divisional Brass Band. With Paul W. Smith as emcee, they filled the kettle with a not too shabby $40,000.

Go to www.salmich.org to add to their beneficence.

Evening with the Cardinal The Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul have been quietly helping the needy since it was founded in France 400 years ago. The Oakland County association has 350 members whose fundraising events have traditionally been ladies’ luncheons. “We thought it was time to have a more substantial program,” explained Katie Neinstedt who, with Kim McInerney, co-chaired an evening that featured Adam Cardinal Maida sharing stories from “Inside the (papal) Conclave.” This apparently was an idea whose time had come as it attracted 150 guests ($50, $100), including quite a few men, to Bloomfield Hills Country Club. The Cardinal was introduced

by Holy Name Church Pastor Msgr.

John Zenz who worked closely with Maida for nearly 20 years. A highly esteemed speaker, Zenz’s interesting and personal remarks did not disappoint. Although what actually goes on inside the papal conclaves cannot be revealed, Maida’s description of all that surrounded the College of Cardinals’ elections of the last two Bishops of Rome (Popes) was fascinating. Maida was over the voting age (80) for the last conclave for which he said he was essentially a note taker. “There was no “book” on (Francis), but God put His light on Francis…and his love for the poor,” he concluded.

Boys & Girls Club Celebration The Women’s Association fundraising dinner celebrating exceptional community citizens is always something of a love-in, and the 27th annual that attracted 150 ($250, $500 tickets)) to Orchard Lake Country Club before the holidays was no exception.

Program highlights included remarks by Youth of the Year Bryan Moya, 15, from downtownpublications.com

Ladies of Charity’s Evening with the Cardinal

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1. Katie Nienstedt (left) of Birmingham and Kim McInerney of Bloomfield. 2. Dorothy (left) and Augie Perrotta and Lois Thornberry of Bloomfield. 3. Ava Wixted (left), Celia Lipsky and Jackie and Dave Ong of Bloomfield. 4. Val Conway (left), Dawn Rassel, Betty Desmond and Colleen Monohan of Bloomfield. 5. Karen and Joe Caserio of Bloomfield. 6. Jerry (left) and Carolyn Andrea and Kay Browne of Bloomfield.

7. Kathleen Cahill of Bloomfield with Adam Cardinal Maida of Plymouth. 8. Bryan Becker (left), Colleen Burcar and Peter and Judy Ajluni of Bloomfield. 9. Sharie Sakal (left) of Rochester Hills with Joan and Terry Page of Bloomfield

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Women’s Association B&G Clubs In Celebration Dinner

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1. Event chairs Beth Eberly (left) of Bloomfield and Mary Nunez of Orchard Lake. 2. Honoree Danialle Karmanos (center) of Orchard Lake with WA chair Linda Gillum (left) and past honoree Lil Erdeljan of Bloomfield. 3. Youth of the Year Brian Moya (center) of Ann Arbor with board members Mitch Harris (left) of Troy and Kirk Martin of Bloomfield. 4. Past WA chair Kathy Martin (left) and Anne Morley of Bloomfield with Kay Albertie of Orchard Lake. 5.

Sean (left) and Maria Coyle, Valerie Straith and Tom and Linda Dekar of Bloomfield. 6. Past honoree Alex Erdeljan (left) of Bloomfield with honoree Pete Karmanos of Orchard Lake.7. Past honorees Joe and Kathy Antonini of Bloomfield.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Baldwin Library’s Books & Bites

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1. Janelle Boyce (left) and Charles Wickins of Birmingham with Donna Smith and Kathryn Bergeron. 2. Frank and Amy Pisano of Birmingham.

3. Dave Zimmer (left) of Bloomfield with Tom and Missy Mark of Birmingham. 4. Sheila (left) and John Brice, Geri and Gordon Rinschler and Pat Olson of Birmingham. 5. Annette Reich (left) with Karen and Rob Rock of Birmingham. 6. Margaret Betts (left) and Dorothy Conrad of Birmingham.

Marian Alumnae Holiday Gift Gathering

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3 1. Event chair Yvonne Fisher McCready, ’83 (right) of Bloomfield with her Madison (left) and Louise. 2. Katie Emig Braue (left), ’06 of Detroit, Michelle Gill Lievois, ‘85 of Bloomfield with Katie Mullen Nienstedt, ’82 of Birmingham and Kathy Kelly Cardello, ’87 of Beverly Hills. 3.

Sarah, ’05, (left) and Pat O’Leary Knipper, ‘77 of Bloomfield. 4. Sue Bentley Atwell, ’82 of Bloomfield and Cathy LaBlanc Goeckel, ’76 of Waterford. 5. Kathy Mielock Carroll, ’83 and Kathy Ambrose Reason, ’81 of Bloomfield.

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DSO Volunteer Council Nutcracker Luncheon

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1. Kelly and Pat Hayes of Birmingham. 2. Robin Schroeder (left) of Bloomfield and Victoria Liggett of Grosse Pointe. 3. Louise Reza (left) of Royal Oak and Karla Sherry of Bloomfield. 4. Kat Haynes (left) of Bloomfield and Lori Knollenberg of Troy. 5. Paul W. Smith, Kim Smith and Sandie Knollenberg of Bloomfield. 6. Margo Karmann and Joann Cherney of Bloomfield Hills. 7. Elle Wilkinson of Birmingham and Ann Endres of Rochester Hills.

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the Ann Arbor club which he joined when he was 10. There, he is learning that he “…can make a difference in others’ lives (by helping) the Mexican kids…I am learning to be successful,” he declared.” Lil and Alex Erdeljan eulogized honorees Pete and Danialle Karmanos as “…smart, accomplished…the personification of the American dream… And the best part is they are not done yet.” WA chair Linda Gillum then presented the award, and Pete, who was a club member in his youth, handed the mike to Danialle because “…I usually get us in incredible trouble (when I speak).”

Danialle conducts her Work It Out fitness program at the clubs and enthusiastically lauded Moya, Lil, thinking outside the box, questioning authority and the B&G Clubs. Past honorees at the dinner were Kathy and Joe Antonini, Sue and Paul Nine, Lil and Alex Erdeljan, Linda and Rod Gillum, Sharon and John James, and the late Tom Moore’s wife Bev and daughter Beth. The evening’s proceeds totaled $75,000 to help the clubs grow their 18,000 members into responsible, selfreliant and caring people.

Baldwin Library’s Books & Bites Library supporters have a winning fundraising format. The fourth annual event attracted more people (248 at $50 each) and raised more money ($26,000-plus) than last year.

The “bites” were small plate selections provided by nine generous, local food and beverage purveyors. In addition to serious socializing, most guests participated in the “pick your own prize” raffle of 25 appealing packages. Board and committee member Frank Pis ano was especially lucky, winning two of the prizes. Chair Janelle Boyce’s committee was comprised of Frank Pisano, Rosemary Miketa, Dorothy Conrad, Melissa Mark, Karen Rock, Jeremy Zeltzer and staffers Doug Koschik, Kathryn Bergeron and Josh Rouan. Proceeds will be used to expand the library’s outreach services to such as the homebound and vision impaired.

Marian Alumnae Holiday Gathering A cocktail buffet at Bloomfield Hills Country Club attracted 50 Marian High School alums. It was chaired by Yvonne McCready with co-chairs Sue Bentley Atwell, Kathy Kelly Cardello, Patty Zack 02.14

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Ghesquiere, Katie Mullin Nienstedt, Kathy Ambrose Reason and Babbie Balow Thomas. Although the girl talk was non-stop, the raison d'être for the social was to collect contributions for the annual Marian Benefit Evening auction that Jane Davlin is chairing on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the school. It begins with mass in the chapel before cocktails, dinner, student entertainment and auctions that Katie Parks is chairing. For tickets, go to www.marian-hs.org/Marian-Benefit-Evening.

Nutcracker Luncheon & Boutiques The 31st annual DSO Volunteer Council’s holiday luncheon and boutique chaired by Sandie Knollenberg and Charlotte Worthen lured 275 people to the Detroit Athletic Club. With Alice Haidostian playing the piano, they socialized and shopped at 10 Somerset Collection pop-up boutiques before sitting for lunch.

MOT’s rising young star John Riesen set the mood by singing several holiday favorites, and dedicated the familiar “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” to “Mrs. Sherry.” That would be VC special events VP Karla Sherry, whom he thanked for encouraging his singing career ever since his days at DCDS with her son Peter. WJR’s Paul W. Smith emceed the program that included drawing raffle winners of 10 swell prizes. VC president Deborah Savoie, Sherry and Ginny Lindquist comprised the advisory committee for the event that some guests described as “…the best yet.”

Habitat for Humanity’s Extravaganza Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County’s inaugural fundraising gala attracted 215 to The Townsend Hotel. Event chair Susie Mansoor welcomed 90 of them to the Benefactor reception in the penthouse before all convened for dinner and the program emceed by WWJ’s Marie Osborn. Osborn, the daughter of a bricklayer, spoke knowingly of the importance of having a home, as did Kara, a Habitat client who helped build the home she now owns in Lake Orion. It is one of the 165 homes Habitat has built in Oakland County.

A concert by jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic capped off the elegant evening that raised more than $75,000 to help Habitat build homes, community and hope.

Preservation Gingerbread Events Both of the Friends of Preservation downtownpublications.com

Habitat for Humanity’s Extravaganza

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5 1. Susie (left) and Imad Mansoor and Janet Haddad of Bloomfield 2. Tom Murray (left), David Stone and Steve Ramaekers of Birmingham 3. Arkan and Renee Jonna of Bloomfield 4. Melinda Stone (left), Ann Murray and Christine Ramaekers of Birmingham 5. Amalia (left) and Rocky Raczkowski of Troy with emcee Marie and John Osborn of Royal Oak

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Preservation Bloomfield’s Family Hour

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4 1. Event chairs Mia Materka (center) of W. Bloomfield and Sue Nine (left) and Carol Shaya of Bloomfield. 2. Trinity, (left), Michael, Sonia and William Lee of Bloomfield. 3.

Friends of Preservation Bloomfield president Patti Jessup (left) of Bloomfield with Gingerbread House judges Donna Rorabaugh of Rochester Hills and Lois Hennessey of Sterling Hgts. 4. Pat Hardy (left) and Luba Hotra of Bloomfield 5. Sandra Pape (left) and Lisa Neuman of Bloomfield. 6. Lisa Wilson (left) of Bloomfield and Debbie Gerard of Birmingham. 7. Shelly Semanco (left) of Washington, Kathy Petoskey of Birmingham, Carol Ziecik of Bloomfield, Audrey Olmstead of Troy and Ann Abrahamson of Clawson.

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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK Preservation Bloomfield’s Gingerbread Brunch

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7 1. Tess (left) and Shelly Turca of Birmingham, Payton, Whitney and Will Schmit of Clarkston. 2. Andre Sosa (left) of Bloomfield, Brendan VanCleave of Troy and Aidan Papineau of Novi. 3. Lizzy Lamarche (left) of Bloomfield, Mollie Stenger of Beverly Hills, Erin Cosgrove of Birmingham, and Audrey and Caroline Flynn Bloomfield. 4.

Ava Kalaj (left) of Clarkston and her grandmother Ann Fecko of Bloomfield. 5. Noelle (left), Ava and Maria Cassel of Birmingham with Santa and his elf Cassel 6. Santa and event co-chair Carol Shaya (second from right) with her family Emilid (left), Adriana, Julio and Andre Sosa of Bloomfield. 7. Santa and Pat Hardy (center) of Bloomfield with Mollie Stenger (left) of Beverly Hills, Audry and Caroline Flynn and Lizzy Lamarche of Bloomfield and Erin Cosgrove of Birmingham. 8. Lourdes (left), Renee and Gabriel Zawaideh of Birmingham. 9. Molly holding Laura, Joey and Nicholas Hane of Bloomfield.

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Detroit Public TV benefit with Il Volo Italian singing sensations Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, Gianluca Ginoble, best known as Il Volvo, attracted 85 Detroit Public Television supporters to a very special dinner at the Rattlesnake Club.

For a $1,000 per couple donation the capacity crowd came from all over the country to the event which was promoted only in the PBS magazine.

The popular operatic/pop trio, miked

by Thunder Audio, serenaded on the stroll offering such songs as “Jingle Bell Rock”, “O Holy Night”, and their acclaimed version of “O Sole Mio.” The latter is in their concert “Il Volo Takes Flight - Live from the Detroit Opera House,” which has been shown on national PBS outlets more than l,500 times.

Hob Nobble Gobble

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1. Maggie and Bob Allesee of Bloomfield 2. Gary Wasserman (left) of Metamora with Dan and Elaine McMahon of Birmingham and Kelly McMahon of Grand Rapids 3. Paul W. (left) and Kim Smith with Rich Devore of Bloomfield 4. Brock Appleby (left) and Banks Burkart of Bloomfield 5. Colleen and Joe Newmyer of Bloomfield 6. Norman and Nicole Yatooma of Bloomfield with their four daughters 7. Elizabeth and Syd Ross of Bloomfield

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Bloomfield’s holiday-themed events played to capacity crowds at Oakland Hills Country Club. The evening Family Hour crowd of 200 included about 80 youngsters who loved decorating their own giant gingerbread cookies, making book marks out of their freeze-frame photos, and creating a “tic-tac-toe” board with their Home Depot tool kits. Of course, visiting Santa was also popular, even with some grown ups. The following morning, another 210 guests were treated to beautiful music by the Bloomfield Hills High School chamber strings and the Lee family musicians – esteemed violinist Sonia and her son Will and daughter Trinity – before brunch.

Including the sale of the 14 remarkable gingerbread houses and other special boutique items, the two-part event raised more than $30,000.

These dollars will enable completion of the Barton House on the Bowers Farm campus for more community use. And maybe more importantly, according to Sue Nine who cochaired the event with Carol Shaya and Mia Materka, the community spirit the preservation project has inspired is unprecedented.

Hob Nobble Gobble Of the many events I cover each year, Hob Nobble Gobble is the most fun family event, and moving it to Ford Field three years ago was a stroke of genius. The vast space there permits larger rides like the giant boat that swings back and forth near the ceiling, more carnival games and a large dance floor. More than 2,000 guests (at $200 to $1,000 per person) partied at the black tie extravaganza 02.14

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK which had a Downtown Our Town theme, especially evident at the buffet table that stretched from one side of the football field to the other. The magical evening, complete with Santa Claus and big time entertainers, had a new sponsor this year – Ford Motor Company, which also presented one of the six Prize Giveaway Stations where guests got a Shelby Cobra model car. The 24th annual event benefited the 87th America’s Thanksgiving Parade which also had a new sponsor – Art Van Furniture.

South Oakland Shelters’ Big Boy Dancing with the Stars

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SOS Dancing with the Stars

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1. Jennie Cook (left) of Birmingham with Bob Liggett of Grosse Pointe and event judge Ike McKinnon 2. Ed Doyle (left) of Bloomfield, Ron Moore of Grosse Pointe, James Carroll and Bill Cook of Birmingham 3. Dianne (left) and Al Meyers and board member Mike and Patty Moran of Bloomfield 4. Dr. Steve (left) and Tara Grekin of Bloomfield with Lois Frank and of W. Bloomfield and Dr. Jim Grekin of Farmington 5. Niki Serra (left) of Birmingham and Alisha and Ellie Serra of Ann Arbor 6. Tony (left) and Dianne Agro of Detroit, Steve and Michelle Hendrick, Ralph and Lori Haney and Tammi Alberts of Bloomfield 7. Bill and Cynthia Perkins of Bloomfield

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BARD Foundation’s Gobble Wobble

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1. Nick (left) and Lauren Freund of Birmingham and Greg DeMars of Royal Oak 2. Anne Strickland (left) ofBirmingham and Patrick Thorton with Matt Cracchiolo of Royal Oak and Parker Lynch of NYC 3. Brett Hudson (left) and Ashley Fell of Birmingham 4. Matt & Katie Neff of Birmingham

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Brave Knight Benefit

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1. Event hosts Brad and Nettie Boivin of Bloomfield. 2. Kari Michael (left), Meredith Morse, Heather Gillespie and Erica Kives of Bloomfield and Kyle Smith of St. Clair Shores 3. Erin and Cass Casucci of Bloomfield 4. Mike and Molly Hawkins of Bloomfield 5. Gene and Carol Boivin of Bloomfield. Photos: Claudia O'Brien Photography.

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Jennie and Bill Cook have chaired this popular South Oakland Shelter fundraiser all five years of its existence, but this year they recruited a third co-chair, Kim Owens, aka the recording artist KEM. Owens was a logical choice, and not just because he serves with Jennie on the SOS board. As he told the 250 guests gathered at The Townsend the Saturday before Thanksgiving, “I (used to be homeless and was a client of SOS.” He went on to note that life can go from bad to good in a blink of an eye and that “…God has been good to me.”

The Cooks and Owens thanked lots of people, especially those from new sponsor Big Boy International and Gail & Rice production talents. The celebrity judges were Detroit Auto Dealers Association’s Rod Alberts, journalists Carol Cain and Lila Lazarus, and former Detroit Police Chief Dr. Ike McKinnon. The dancers who logged lots of practice sessions at the Royal Oak Arthur Murray Dance Studio and looked very professional were Tara and Dr. Steve Grekin, Niki Serras, Victoria Liggett and Norman and Nicole Yatooma.

The audience loved all the dancers but the judges gave a slight nod to the Yatoomas. Before their performance Norman revealed that Nicole had suffered a concussion during a strenuous practice session, but declared, “The show must go on.” Counting the silent auction proceeds ($17,000) and the $5,000 Owens donated at the end the program, the event raised $125,000 for SOS, which partners with local faithbased congregations to provide year round rotating shelters for homeless people.

BARD Gobble Wobble The Born And Raised Detroit Foundation’s seventh annual Thanksgiving weekend fundraiser attracted 400 to The Reserve where DJ Jimmy Con and the Dan Rafferty Band energized the scene big time.

BARD board members spotted in the 02.14

SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK sold out crowd included Anne and Scott Strickland, Patrick Thorton, Lauren Freund, Greg DeMars, and Parker Lynch.

They will soon be deciding which initiatives that contribute to building a positive way of life will receive the $25,000 Gobble Wobble raised. Last year they supported the Ruth Ellis Center, Alternatives for Girls, Horizon Upward Bound and Beyond Basics.

To get involved with BARD, go to www.bornandriasedetroit.org.

Brave Knight Benefit The third annual Brave Knight Benefit for pediatric brain tumor research attracted 325 to The Townsend on the third anniversary of the late Julian Boivin’s brain stem tumor diagnosis. The evening featured a strolling supper, silent auction, raffle prizes and live entertainment by The Royce & Jenn Band. It also spotlighted Brave Knight’s partnership with a collaboration of over 30 leading institutions and researchers - the DIPG Collaborative - and remarks by its founding partner Keith Desserich. He explained how cooperative research funding eliminates duplication, fosters institutional collaboration and ensures the efficacy of fundraising by member foundations like the Julian Boivin Courage for Cures Foundation which netted $90,000 from the benefit. For more information, go to www.courageforcures.org and www.dipg.org.

Christ Child Society Christmas Home Tour

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1. Karen Kearnes (left) of Bloomfield and Shawn Vestevich of Birmingham 2. Colleen Rebock (center) of Birmingham with Susan Hall (left) of Bloomfield and Mari MacKenzie of Birmingham 3.

Maryclare Pulte (left) of Bloomfield and CCS president Elaine Szot of Troy 4. Pam Gray and Curtis Posuniak of Bloomfield 5. Mary Kroneman of Birmingham 6. Mary Dakin (left) of Birmingham, Julie Greive and Karen Brown of Troy 7. Adam Dalabo (left) of Birmingham and Mary Platto of Troy with Nichola Hendry of Bloomfield 8. Jean Fay (left) of Bloomfield and Peppertree’s Judy Walby of Troy

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BBAC Shop & Champagne

Christ Child Christmas Home Tour Event chairs Karen Kearns and Shawn Vestevich and their Christ Child Society committee were up to the task. They topped the previous year’s record-setting attendance as 700 people visited the five magical homes open for touring, and shopped and brunched at Birmingham Country Club. Around the tables at the country club, folks were talking about their favorite aspects of the homes belonging to Josie and Jerry Sheppard, Molly and Mike Beauregard, Kelly and Chris Gould, Colleen and Mike Rebock and Phyllis and George Whitehead. Many also commented on how warm and accommodating the docents recruited by Lori Gothard and Carol Roney were. Thanks also to the sponsors, recruited by Ann Jordan and Babbie Thomas, the annual event raised a new record high $40,000 for the 101-yearold society which serves at-risk children for the love of the Christ Child. For more information, go to www.ccsdetroit.org.

BBAC Shop & Champagne The popular, champagne-splashed preview of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center's Holiday Shop attracted 400 to the center for serious socializing and shopping.

The shop was stocked by more than 100 artists. Ornaments, including some made of gourds, unique jewelry, recycled and felted wool creations, soaps and whimsical

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1. Annie VanGelderen (left) of Commerce with Ken and Patty Eisenbraun and Danielle Susser of Bloomfield 2. Andrea Tama (left) of Farmington Hills and Cap and Carolyn Hall of Bloomfield 3. Lori (left) and Dave Walthen with Josh Sherbin of Bloomfield 4. Robert Chiaravalli (left) of W. Bloomfield, Andre Pappagallo of Beverly Hills, Elaine Borruso of Bloomfield and Susan Gasparian of Berkley 5. Joyce LaBan (left) of Bloomfield with Jane Linn of W. Bloomfield

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ceramic garden stakes were just some of the giftables guests snapped up. We also spotted a sports-themed children’s book that was hot off the press, according to it's illustrator, Patty Eisenbraun. Check it out at www.thesmallsports.com. As she did as a dedicated volunteer before she was hired to be the center’s CEO/president, Annie VanGelderen chaired the preview party. It also featured superb comestibles generously donated by local purveyors. Thanks also to generous sponsors, the effort raised some $40,000 to support education and access programs at the BBAC . Check out workshops and classes at www.BBArtCenter.org.

Alternatives for Girls High Tea

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1. Shirley Maddalena (left) and Carol Zuzenak of Bloomfield 2. Kathy Dalton (left), Joan Cleland and Pam Budde of Bloomfield 3. Gail Wilson (left) of Rochester Hills and Tracy Tener of Bloomfield 4. Ashley Fall (left) of Birmingham and Suzanne Battersby of Beverly Hills 5. Diane Montrose (left) of Farmington Hills, Connie Purucker and Martha Montrose of Bloomfield

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Project HOPE Holiday Luncheon & Boutique

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1. Laurie Balian Aiello (left) of Birmingham and Bettina Gregg with Sherry Saginaw of Bloomfield 2. Christine Strumbos (left) and Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield 3. Jackie Bagley (left) and Anita Hedeen of Bloomfield and Linda Juracek-Lipa of Birmingham 4. Ellie Tholen (left) of Birmingham, Rosemary Bannon and Irene Davis of Beverly Hills 5. Joy Garber (left) of Bloomfield and Christina Rizzo of Grosse Pointe

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Alternatives for Girls Holiday High Tea Interior designer Shirley Maddalena has been hosting a charity high tea at the Townsend for all 25 years that the hotel has existed. In recent years it has benefited the Alternatives for Girls organization. Because the Townsend staff is so dedicated, Maddalena only needs a small event committee - Carol Zuzenak, Amy Ayoub and Pat Hardy – to present the silent auction of the white elephant donations many guests bring. Among the 120 guests at this year’s sold out party were several mother/daughter duos and at least one guest, Kathy Dalton, who has attended all 25 teas. The party raised more than $12,000, an event high, to help homeless and high-risk girls and young women be safe, grow strong and make positive choices in their lives. To learn more about AFG, including its Role Model Dinner on March 19 at The Fillmore, go to www.alternativesforgirls.org.

Project HOPE Holiday Luncheon/Boutique Laurie Balian Aiello and Bettina Gregg chaired the Project HOPE Women's Division annual Holiday Luncheon and Boutique which attracted 121 to Forest Hills Country Club and raised more than $6,000 for Project HOPE’s worldwide health services.

Guests shopped the wares of five vendors, bought raffle tickets ($1,235) while the Mercy HS Mimes frolicked, and relished music by pianist Alice Haidostian and the Bloomfield Hills H. S. Jills. But the event highlight was WD president Sherry Saginaw’s presentation of a bouquet of yellow roses to event honoree Maggie Allesee who founded the event 20 years ago when she was the WD president. The indomitable octogenarian would also be in the spotlight 10 days later when she received an Honorary Doctorate from her alma mater, Florida State University, where she helped endow the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography at FSU’s School of Dance. She also was head cheerleader for the school’s first cheerleading squad and earned the first FSU varsity letter given to a woman.

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ENDNOTE

Birmingham city commission acted wisely he last month or so has been a surreal one for those in Birmingham’s city government and working at city hall. The peaceful and urbane community was rocked briefly when outgoing city manager Bob Bruner decided that not only was a contract offer to renew his first pact with Birmingham not to his satisfaction, but he was going to make sure that anyone and everyone knew about it.

For those who may not have read the municipal stories online, which Downtown first broke on December 23, sources say Bruner notified Birmingham City Commissioner George Dilgard on Thursday, December 12, when presented with the details of a new contract of indefinite length offering him an 11 percent pay increase which would have put his salary at $131,000, plus benefits, and that he was a candidate for the Huntington Woods city manager job. He then told all of the city commissioners on December 16, which was the supposed deadline for the city commission to have approved a new contract with Bruner.

According to sources, following the December 12 offer of a proposed employment agreement, Bruner sent city commissioners several “inflammatory and insulting” e-mails and chose to cancel a planned closed session of the city commission to discuss his compensation

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package. Bruner later took himself out of consideration for the Huntington Woods position.

Bruner then e-mailed Birmingham staffers and some Birmingham boards detailing what he said was the history of negotiations with the city commission. He also e-mailed 14 city managers in Michigan to give them an update on the negotiations for a new city contract, a kind of “burn the crops” or scorched earth approach when negotiations got tougher.

Prior to his public tantrum, Bruner, who has been with Birmingham since February 14, 2011, was considered a shoo-in for a renewal of his contract. But no one, whether they are a public or a private employer, likes to have an employee air their dirty laundry in public, attempting to embarrass them in an effort to gain the upper hand. They also don’t want to be publicly humiliated by having the city manager apply for a job elsewhere in the midst of negotiations being carried out in good faith.

Whether hubris or immaturity, it is a sign of someone you don’t want in your organization.

The Birmingham City Commission wisely, and unanimously, chose not to renew Bruner’s contract on January 13. Bruner will leave Birmingham when his current contract expires February 13.

Residents and business people should be assured that Birmingham will be fine, as it has always been. Assistant city manager Joe Valentine has been elevated to the position of interim city manager, and he has an excellent history with Birmingham, having been taught by the best. Valentine, assistant city manager to former city manager Tom Markus, who was a fiscally prudent yet visionary city manager for Birmingham for 22 years, was initially considered by the commission when Bruner was hired, but he wasn’t quite ready. He is now. Knowledgeable about all aspects of the city and city government, he recognizes areas where city staff may have gotten a little lax in the last three years, where those with personal agendas, rather than the city’s, have been allowed to prosper, and where hiring in certain departments has been permitted to creep up unnecessarily.

City commissioners have been together, with no turnover, for several years. They are a stable bunch, with varied professional, community and civic backgrounds. They know the city and they are fully aware of where adjustments are needed in city hall. And Valentine is the right man, at the right time, to aid commissioners with the task.

Keep library millage off May ballot e wrote an Endnote last month urging Birmingham city leaders to examine all issues in the city that may need attention before committing to a dedicated bond millage for $21.5 million to renovate and expand Baldwin Public Library. In essence, a thorough look at the city’s needs versus wants.

While Baldwin Public Library is certainly a city treasure, we are concerned that a massive overhaul of the library may fall into the want category once all of the city’s needs are thoroughly analyzed and prioritized, which will only begin to be done when the city meets on Saturday, February 1, to hold its annual longrange planning meeting.

At that meeting, all department heads report to the city commission as to what they would like to tackle in the upcoming year and what their department needs. While Birmingham Police Chief Don Studt may not request more police officers for the upcoming fiscal year, for example, the department is certainly down in personnel by several officers from pre-recession levels. The city’s road fund is significantly lower than in the past – and we’ve all seen what this winter’s freeze-thaw cycle has done to the roads and the

W

creation of the skip-the-pothole game. Some say there is a parking crunch in the downtown area due to increased occupancy of office space and retail leading to greater demand for parking permits. Discussions of adding to one or more of the parking structures will need to be paid for with funds from somewhere. There is also a faction in the city pushing for facilities for a senior citizen program.

Then there are Birmingham’s legacy costs, of which we have heard very little discussion. One of the first priorities interim city manager Joe Valentine may want to undertake is examining the city’s legacy costs and determining how great those costs are and whether they should be paid down, perhaps as Bloomfield Township did in 2013, in the form of issuing pension obligation bonds.

All of which leads us back to Baldwin Library.

Baldwin was first built in 1927, with its entrance facing Martin Street, parallel to city hall.

Additions were added in 1960 and 1980, which not only enlarged the library, adding larger reference, meeting and youth rooms, but also reoriented its entrance to Merrill Street.

The $21.5 million price tag to build the addition

and renovation, however, does not include architectural costs of at least $1 million to design the new building, which will really determine the true cost to build it; nor costs for technology or furnishings once it’s built. Further, staffing costs to operate a new technologically-improved library have not been discussed publicly.

We believe the entire process has been handled in a rushed fashion, and perhaps for some became an exercise in monument building. The important questions of how much will this entire project really cost in the end – construction, furnishings and staffing — must be answered before city leaders authorize a bond proposal. And then it must be reviewed against other true needs of the community now and in the short-term future.

To put this issue on the May ballot does not allow sufficient time to gather and digest all the information. Further, a May vote would be a lowturnout, dedicated election, a deceptive tactic we have seen in the past when the proponents of other ballot questions sought an advantage at the polls, not necessarily in the best interest of all Birmingham residents.

If this issue deserves to go before voters, then the November 2014 general election ballot would be the proper timing.

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