GERAK: SOCIAL SCENE • J. MARCH: TRIPLE NICKEL IN BIRMINGHAM
THE INTERVIEW:
JIM NASH BRINGING ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY TO WATER RESOURCES OFFICE RELGIOUS FREEDOM: LEGISLATIVE BATTLE AVOIDED IN LEGISLATURE HOMELESS IN OAKLAND: THE LATEST COUNT FOR THE COUNTY COP CAMERAS: COST, PRIVACY CONCERNS SLOW ADOPTION
$3,449,000
$2,850,000
Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Township
lakefront
$1,690,000 Bloomfield Township
KATHY BROOCK BALLARD 248.318.4504 MICHIGAN’S #1 REALTOR 2010 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014
$1,475,000 Birmingham
Vacant Land
$1,090,000
$1,079,000
$899,000
$899,000
Oakland Township
Bloomfield Township
Bloomfield Township
Bloomfield Hills
275 S OLD WOODWARD, BIRMINGHAM
|
248.318.4504
$2,199,999
$1,999,000
Birmingham
Bloomfield Hills
$1,599,000 Bloomfield Township
lakefront
$1,100,000 Oxford Township
lakefront
$795,000
$790,000
$759,000
$449,000
West Bloomfield
Bloomfield Hills
Bloomfield Township
Birmingham
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DG
DAN GUTFREUND R EA L
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YOUR PROOF IS IN MY RESULTS Genius Marketing. I am the most heavily and creatively marketed agent in our area, which for you means unparalleled exposure for your home! Impactful Presentation & Positioning…From staging your home to customized marketing/advertising that delivers the widest local, national and global reach.
White-Glove Signature Treatment. We handle every detail of your transaction from beginning to end, offering a host of personal services for a seamless experience. Skillful Negotiating. I’ve achieved record-breaking sale prices and tenaciously secure the best terms and deals for my clients. Well-Rounded Experience…Backed by extensive knowledge in residential construction, sales and marketing.
Top Producing Agent 2013 & 2014
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DOWNTOWN06.15
40
The interview: Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash Jim Nash took over the helm of the water resources department after the 2012 elections, and has brought his environmental leanings to the Oakland County department.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
20
The state’s most vulnerable citizens could once again be impacted as Michigan House leadership proposes eliminating completely the Earned Income Tax Credit as part of the latest proposal to address funding for the poor roads now that voters have had their say.
INCOMING
22
Our readers' opinions on issues facing the Birmingham/Bloomfield communities or their reaction to content in past issues of Downtown.
CRIME LOCATOR
25
A recap of select categories of crime occurring in the past month in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills, presented in map format.
MUNICIPAL
109
A three-lane West Maple nears approval; TIF approved for city Triangle District; Comcast contract renewed; Lucido Jewelers comes to Birmingham; Sklar push for Birmingham dining platform rejected; safety path work continues; Whole Foods coming; plus more.
BUSINESS MATTERS
127
Signature Sotheby’s International Realty; Beyond Juice; Upstairs Downstairs; Drought, The District Lofts; Baus The Gromming Haus; plus more.
AT THE TABLE
133
The new Triple Nickel restaurant in Birmingham will most likely turn into a place to be seen, but will most likely not be sought out for its quality of dining, so says reviewer J. March after two visits to the establishment on S. Old Woodward.
THE COVER Shain Park in downtown Birmingham. Downtown photo: G. Lynn Barnett.
400 s old woodward | birmingham
10 Units. 4 Penthouses. attheforefront.com
Bloomfield Hills Estate $2,550,000
DIRECT:
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Cass Lake Front ~ $2,990,000
Bloomfield Hills Lake Front ~ $2,899,000
Private Island Retreat ~ $2,499,000
Franklin Village Estate ~ $2,599,000
Orchard Lake Front ~ Price Upon Request
G IN D N PE
Bloomfield Hills Estate on ~ 3.5 Acres $1,799,000
Turtle Lake $1,699,000
Bloomfield Hills $1,499,000
Turtle Lake New Construction from $1.5 million
$
OVER 40 MILLION SOLD IN 2014
Hills of Lone Pine $1,499,000
Heron Bay $1,195,000
Bloomfield Hills $999,000
G IN D N PE
West Bloomfield $999,000 or $7,900/MO
Bloomfield Hills $649,900
Oakland Township $999,000
Clinton Township $699,900
Clarendon Crest of Bloomfield Hills Lot on Over 1.3 Acres $549,900
Bloomfield Hills $599,900
RELIGI OUS FREED OM 47 Religious freedom fight Michigan will most likely not be put through the battle that has erupted in other states over religious freedom and the discrimination issue surrounding the topic.
99 Police body cameras Aside from cost, there are a host of issues involved with the decision about equipping local police with body cameras any time soon.
39
Stephen Dewyer
COMMUNITY HOUSE
135
William Seklar, President of The Community House, writes about the new board of directors and a variety of events taking place at the iconic gathering place in Birmingham.
SOCIAL LIGHTS
137
Society reporter Sally Gerak provides the latest news from the society and non-profit circuit as she covers recent major events.
ENDNOTE
146
Our latest thoughts on the what is now proposed for a three-lane West Maple in Birmingham; no new dining platforms should be approved until parking problem gets resolved.
FACES
39 58 97 107 123 125
Stephen Dewyer Jody Levy Andrew Madvin Andrew Weidenbach Douglas Sills Fr. Bernie Owens
RENEE LOSSIA ACHO EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN AGENT AND AN EXPERT
The Truth is in the Numbers:
• Over $40 Million in Birmingham & Bloomfield Sales Annually 2012, 2013 & 2014 • $35 Million Pending and Sold YTD 2015 • $300 Million Area Sales Since 2005 • Birmingham’s Top Selling Agent 2013 & 2014 • Wall Street Journal / Real Trends Top Agent 2011, 2012, 2013 • Hour Detroit Magazine Real Estate All-Star 2011, 2012, 2013
The Strength of 3: Renee and her team work collaboratively as consultants to market, sell or find the perfect home by assessing and tailoring a plan specific to each client’s goal. The strength of each member ties the process together seamlessly from initial contact to closing. The results speak for themselves... so do her clients:
“From the moment we met, you had the ball rolling immediately. In all of our years working with various real estate agents, you rank #1. We appreciate all of your help, professionalism and expertise. What a great team!” – Carol and Andre Konski Amanda Fisher Renee Lossia Acho Top Producer Buyers Agent
Carrie Clement Client Relations
TOP PRODUCER | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014
BIRMINGHAM’S TOP SELLING AGENT 2013 AND 2014
- NEW TO MARKET -
- NEW TO MARKET -
BIRMINGHAM
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
BIRMINGHAM
855 Pleasant Street | $3,450,000
1465 Quarton Ridge Circle | $2,500,000
630 Stanley Boulevard | $1,499,000
5 Bedrooms 4 Full, 3 Half Baths 7,394 Square Feet MLS# 215045260
Location, luxury and land (1+ acres)! Grand 1st floor master with outdoor patio. 3000 sq. ft. resort-like LL with kitchen & sport court.
4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,900 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215041390
Magnificent, lush one-acre residence with 1st floor master suite & 3000 sq. ft. walkout LL. Saltwater pool. Birmingham schools.
4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 5,167 Square Feet MLS# 215018640
Elegant city living at its finest! Dramatic 2-story entrance with curved iron staircase. Magnificent master suite. Finished LL.
- NEW TO MARKET -
- NEW PRICE -
- NEW TO MARKET -
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
BIRMINGHAM
WEST BLOOMFIELD
251 Barden Road | $1,150,000
1540 Pierce St. | $899,000
7092 Yarmouth Drive | $569,000
4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,704 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215050216
Cranbrook neighborhood with grand 1st floor master and spa bath. Back yard oasis with patios & pool. Finished walkout LL.
4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 3,356 Square Feet MLS# 215008300
Stylish custom-built home with soaring ceilings & huge windows. Master with fireplace & walkout terrace. Finished LL with 5th bedroom.
5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 5,510 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215047235
Private wooded setting plus granite & stainless kitchen opening to family room. Master suite with spa-like bath. Impressive walkout LL.
248.310.1414 Renee@ReneeAcho.com | ReneeAcho.com
442 S. Old Woodward Ave. | Birmingham, MI
PUBLISHER David Hohendorf NEWS EDITOR Lisa Brody NEWS STAFF/CONTRIBUTORS Allison Batdorff | Rachel Bechard | Hillary Brody Katie Deska | Kevin Elliott | Sally Gerak | Austen Hohendorf Sarah Kovan | J. March | Kathleen Meisner | Bill Seklar PHOTOGRAPHY/CONTRIBUTORS Jean Lannen | Laurie Tennent Laurie Tennent Studio VIDEO PRODUCTION/CONTRIBUTOR Garrett Hohendorf Giant Slayer ADVERTISTING DIRECTOR David Hohendorf ADVERTISING SALES Keenan Crow Heather Marquis GRAPHICS/IT MANAGER Chris Grammer OFFICE 124 W. Maple Birmingham MI 48009 248.792.6464 DISTRIBUTION/SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed monthly at no charge to most homes in Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills. Additional free copies distributed at high foot-traffic locations in downtown Birmingham. For those not receiving a free mail copy, paid subscriptions are available for a $12 annual charge. To secure a paid subscription, go to our website (downtownpublications.com) and click on “subscriptions” in the top index and place your order online or scan the QR Code here.
INCOMING/READER FEEDBACK We welcome feedback on both our publication and general issues of concern in the Birmingham/Bloomfield community. The traditional “letters to the editor” in Downtown are published in our Incoming section and can include written letters or electronic communication. Opinions can be sent via e-mail to news@downtownpublications.com or mailed to Downtown Publications, 124 W. Maple Road, Birmingham MI 48009 WEBSITE downtownpublications.com
FACEBOOK facebook.com/downtownpublications TWITTER twitter.com/downtownpubs
Member of Downtown Publications DOWNTOWN | WESTEND | THE GUIDE
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YOUR FULL-SERVICE PARTNER FOR CABINETRY & DESIGN Peruse our cabinetry lines and material displays to make your project exceptional. We service homeowners directly as well as professionals such as interior designers, builders, and architect. FOR HOME OWNERS: Visionary Cabinetry & Design provides a fullservice design experience. From conceptual designs to materials selection, our experts help you every step of the way. We take the time to truly listen to our clients, and focus on designing a beautiful and functional space you will be proud of for years to come. FOR PROFESSIONALS: Visionary Cabinetry & Design offers as much or as little service as you need. We have full-service designers on-site and outstanding relationships with our cabinetry and materials providers. Cabinetry is available with our without installation. Let us enhance your reputation!
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
pfront I need to explain that I have never been a fan of income redistribution, at the federal or state level, but I do feel that the the government has some responsibility to provide a safety net in society for those who legitimately attempt to make their way but simply can't earn enough to support themselves or their families.
U
In modern day parlance, those who are employed yet continue to struggle are often referred to as the 'working poor' among us. It is estimated that nearly 32 percent of Michigan low-income families that work are considered part of the 'working poor' class that struggles to meet basic needs. This might also start to explain the 25 percent child poverty rate in this state. That’s why I found it particularly offensive that this group of Michigan residents could find themselves targeted in the latest proposal coming out of the Michigan House of Representatives where GOP House Speaker Kevin Cotter has put forth a plan to address the deteriorating state road conditions by eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Michigan EITC was cut severely in 2011 when Governor Rick Snyder attempted to balance the budget following tax cuts issued to the business community under the guise of creating jobs – the results of which are subject to debate. The federal government allows for an EITC and the state plan up until 2011 allowed for 20 percent of the value of the federal EITC to be recognized on state income tax returns. It was cut to six percent in the budget balancing act. Of course, the EITC would have been returned to a higher level had the state income tax proposal on the May 5 ballot not failed so miserably, a bone thrown to legislative Democrats in late 2014 to gain votes when it came time to put the income tax hike for “roads” on the ballot. As part of Cotter's plan, the EITC would be eliminated entirely, which would affect individuals making below $14,800 annually and families earning less than $47,747. On average, the annual average Michigan EITC amounts to $140 for families, not a great amount but at that level everything counts. What is the driving philosophy behind the House Speaker’s plan? In large part, the make up of the Michigan House – growing more
conservative with each election – and the long-term impact of term limits both contribute to off-the-wall ideology like we are seeing in the Cotter plan. It's the same twisted logic that drove the Michigan House late in 2014 to adopt a notax-hike proposal for the roads which many critics said drained money from the education system and from local governments. With lawmakers limited to only three twoyear terms in the house, and the growing cacophony from the far right fringes, our paid Lansing lawmakers are hesitant to make hard decisions that come with the job. So you get plans like the Cotter proposal that would not only attack those with less political clout but would also tap restricted funds in Lansing, like those on the economic development front, including incentives for the film industry and the state’s tourism promotion. And then you get what is generally considered “fantom funding” ideas like capturing part of the projected growth in the general fund in coming years, even though Lansing does not have a good track record when it comes to accurately assessing what the future of funding holds. The House Speaker's proposal does provide for some tax and fee increases at the pump, user fees on electric and alternative fuel vehicles and increasing the tax on diesel fuel. But on the whole, the latest proposal for fixing the roads falls short of a guarantee of a solid and steady stream of annual revenue into the future for assuring our road system is improved and then maintained beyond the short-term. What's needed at this time is leadership in Lansing which involves making unpopular decisions when it comes to creating new revenue which most observers agree is needed if we are to get on top of the road problems in this state. We saw an inkling of leadership in the Michigan Senate last year when senators adopted a road plan that basically doubled the gas tax at the pump with increased revenues going strictly to road work, but then it moved nowhere in the Michigan House because of the political factors mentioned above. It's time for both chambers in Lansing to bring forth a plan that would generate new revenue, without a vote of the people, to raise the estimated $1 billion needed annually to address the road problem. But that would require leadership unafraid to make tax and fee decisions without regard to the chances of re-election when their terms are up.
David Hohendorf Publisher DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com
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INCOMING Boomers challenge I wanted to thank Lisa Brody for writing the article "Boomers drug challenge" (Downtown/May). Thank you for covering this very important issue. In the near future we will be seeing rhetoric pickup regarding marijuana commercialization and we have to make sure our youth are protected and we learn from what is happening to the communities that have been duped by the motivation of profit. I would love to be part of the discussion if you choose to cover this issue in the future. Thank you again for the well written Baby Boomer article. Scott Masi Brighton Center for Recovery
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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.
at their professional best in making sure their hotel guests and the visitors to the hotel were, as always, welcomed and well taken care of. The city of Birmingham and the Townsend hotel are second to none, and can stand side by side with any of the the great cities hotels throughout the world. Ilene Emmer Bloomfield Hills
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DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM SINCE 1989 227 S. OLD WOODWARD AVE.
DOWNTOWN
06.15
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 May 21, 2015. Placement of codes is approximate.
Cheryl Riback Associate Broker, ABR, SRES
248.808.3112 CRiback@HallandHunter.com
NEW LISTING
BIRMINGHAM 200 Aspen Road | $2,499,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,102 Square Feet MLS# 215046538
An architecturally stunning home in a most desired location within walking distance to downtown. Enter through a limestone and brick front and be impressed by the symmetrically designed oval foyer and sweeping stairway. Crown moldings and hardwood floors throughout main floor. Commercial kitchen with granite counters, island and breakfast nook. Luxurious master suite with dual baths. Extraordinary fully equipped fitness room. Large dining room, living room with beautiful fireplace, great room, library and study/office. Covered porch and 3-car garage. Adjoining lot is available to purchase with home for $735,000 for an estate-sized property.
LAKEFRONT
ORCHARD LAKE 3819 LaPlaya Lane | $3,300,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 6,148 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214079844
Enjoy the splendor of lake living in this prime estate on 2.53 acres with 150 feet of frontage on Upper Straits Lake. Quality details throughout, including boat/finished guest house and beautiful views from the new open cook’s kitchen and family room that leads into a sun room. Large dining and living rooms. Amazing master suite with fireplace, office and spectacular lake views. Second sun room, exercise room and 2 additional bedrooms in walkout lower level that walks out onto a beautiful patio. Art studio, extensive landscaping and generator. 3-car garage. Live like you’re on vacation all year round!
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Nanci J. Rands
Meredith Colburn
Associate Broker
Associate Broker
248.701.9000
248.762.5319
NRands@ HallandHunter.com
MColburn@ HallandHunter.com
BLOOMFIELD HILLS 5635 Wing Lake Road | $2,895,000 4 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 6,065 Square Feet MLS# 215033951
On a hilltop overlooking Wing Lake, this property was restored and expanded in 2001 to create a breathtaking combination of traditional and contemporary design. Decorative elements from the 1920s merge seamlessly with modern architectural details. The grand foyer has a soaring rotunda and leads to the original living room with fireplace, beamed ceiling, and decorative frieze that depicts Edsel Ford’s transcontinental Model T journey. The chef’s kitchen offers a large octagonal granite island and top-of-the-line appliances. Master suite on entry level has spa-like bath. Wine cellar. Finished lower level.
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 675 Hillcrest Drive | $2,495,000 6 Bedrooms 7 Full, 1 Half Baths 6,758 Square Feet MLS# 214096401
Spectacular estate property on 3.73 lushly landscaped private acres just off Vaughan Road. Refined living and entertaining spaces complete with large pool, spa, tennis court and all-sports court. Gracious entry foyer leads to herringbone wood-floored living and dining rooms. Updated island kitchen is open to spacious informal dining. Exercise room and large sunroom overlook back lawn and pool. Master suite with cathedral ceiling and updated bath. 1500 sq. ft. guest house offers living room, studio kitchen, laundry, loft bedroom and expansive deck. 3-car garage. Fabulous opportunity!
For more information, visit RandsColburn.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Meredith Colburn Associate Broker
248.762.5319
BLOOMFIELD HILLS 1390 Kirkway Road | $4,500,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 9,544 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215006601
Luxury abounds throughout this stunning 2005 Tobocman contemporary on nearly 2 acres overlooking Lower Long Lake. The foyer opens to an expansive great room accented by wall-inset gas fireplace, domed sky lights and floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views. Gourmet kitchen leads to the family room with handsome built-in cabinetry and fireplace. Luxurious first-floor master suite has travertine master bath and two custom walk-in closets. A glass tile-enclosed indoor pool highlights the walkout lower level with large rec area and full kitchen. Entry and lower level laundry. 230 feet of lake frontage. Co-listed with Cindy Obron Kahn
BLOOMFIELD HILLS - JUST LISTED 4710 Ardmore Drive | $1,950,000 6 Bedrooms 5 Full, 2 Half Baths 9,446 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215050292
Stunning 2000 built soft contemporary on nearly 2 private acres. Jerusalem limestone and stucco exterior. Brazilian cherry wood floors. 1st floor master suite. Poggenpohl kitchen. Expansive, fully finished walkout lower level. 4-car garage.
BIRMINGHAM - JUST LISTED 698 Southfield Road | $850,000 3 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,791 Square Feet MLS# 215045638
Walk-to-town condo alternative with 1st floor master. Two-story great room with fireplace. Gourmet kitchen. Fully furnished LL has full bath, entertainment area, exercise room and wine cellar. Private perennial Zen garden with patio and fountain. Attached garage.
For more information, visit RandsColburn.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Meredith Colburn Associate Broker
248.762.5319 MColburn@HallandHunter.com
BIRMINGHAM - JUST LISTED 1016 Lake Park Drive | $2,600,000 5 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 6,208 Square Feet MLS# 215043961
Awarded 1st place design in Detroit Home Magazine, this exquisite French Normandy architecturally designed home is situated on a private corner lot in Quarton Lake Estates. Renovated in 2010 by prominent national designer, the home features custom finishes and cabinetry, heated floors and new leaded windows. Spectacular master suite with heated marble floors. Fully finished lower level with wine cellar, theatre room, exercise room and designer bath. Elevator services all floors. Fully renovated 3rd story suite with 6th bedroom/library and sitting room. Extraordinary landscaping with new patio, gas fireplace and French fountain.
FRANKLIN VILLAGE - JUST LISTED 30706 Woodside Drive | $425,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,996 Square Feet MLS# 215046325
Outstanding mid-century Franklin Ranch on acre site. Open floor plan. Tobocman kitchen. Master suite with cathedral ceiling, custom walk-in closet. Master bath has dressing table, jetted tub, separate shower and private water closet. 3-car garage.
BIRMINGHAM - SALE PENDING 890 Redding Road | $589,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,413 Square Feet MLS# 215012151
Charming Cape Cod on an expansive lot, 70’ x 236’. Hardwood floors and inviting living spaces throughout. Master suite with sitting alcove. Finished lower level with rec room and wine cellar. Heated 4-seasons sun room. Quarton Elementary.
The Real Difference in Real Estate
Lynda Schrenk Realtor
248.760.6026 LSchrenk@HallandHunter.com
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 3755 Lahser Road | $3,200,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,806 Square Feet MLS# 214101406
Exquisite country estate offers sweeping views of Bloomfield Hills Country Club. Gated private yard includes pool, sport court & fire pit. Chef’s kitchen opens to family room & pool. Master suite retreat. Stunning LL features gym, steam bath and bar.
NEW PRICE
4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 3 Half Baths 4,039 Square Feet MLS# 215036281
SALE PENDING
BIRMINGHAM 820 Hazelwood Street | $949,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 3,400 Square Feet MLS# 215044739
BIRMINGHAM 1480 Suffield Avenue | $1,200,000
SOLD
BIRMINGHAM 987 Floyd Street | $649,000
Completely renovated vintage 3 Bedrooms home. Gourmet DeGuilio 2 Full, 1 Half Baths kitchen. Master with fireplace. New studio garage apartment 2,223 Square Feet with kitchenette and full bath. MLS# 215017451
Quarton Lake Estates 2014 renovation, including kitchen with Carrara marble counters & stainless appliances opening to 2-story great room and blue stone patio. Finished basement with fireplace, daylight window, kitchen & half bath. Extra large private yard.
BIRMINGHAM 648 Humphrey Avenue | $245,000
3 Bedrooms Two blocks from downtown & across from Barnum Park. 1 Full, 1 Half Baths Modern open floor plan with 1,191 Square Feet custom kitchen. Master suite MLS# 215033951 has fireplace & luxury bath.
Charming home just a quick walk to downtown! New wood floors throughout. Private master with luxury bath opens to patio and fenced yard.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Lynn Baker & Deby Gannes 248.379.3000 CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
LBaker@HallandHunter.com
248.379.3003 DGannes@HallandHunter.com
$4,100,000 | MLS# 215028534
$3,250,000 | MLS# 214109665
$1,225,000 | MLS# 215021446
$1,099,000 | MLS# 215045285
$899,999 | MLS# 215040730
$849,900 | MLS# 215047646
Let us help you find a new place to “land” this
s
Š!
$869,900 | MLS# 215042333
$779,900 | MLS# 215024114
For more information, visit LynnandDeby.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Adam Waechter Associate Broker
313.801.8018 akwhallandhunter@gmail.com
NEW LISTING
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 300 Nantucket Drive | $1,790,000 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 2 Half Baths 5,933 Square Feet MLS# 215049284
Dominick Tringali design on corner lot in revered Rudgate sub. Custom chef’s kitchen with commercial grade Wolf appliances. 1st floor master suite leading to brick paver patio. 2nd floor bonus room could be 6th bedroom. Partially finished LL. Heated 3-car garage.
BIRMINGHAM 530 Townsend Street | $1,424,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,263 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214122654
In-town, 3-level luxury townhouse with no detail overlooked! Brazilian hardwood floors. Granite island kitchen with Viking appliances, sitting area & access to private terrace. Oasis master suite. Finished lower level. Elevator services all floors. Heated 3-car garage.
NEW PRICE
LAKE
NEW LISTING
ACCESS
NORTHVILLE 17990 Mission Point | $1,389,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 2 Half Baths 7,263 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215028492
BLOOMFIELD 749 Kensington Lane | $499,000
Exquisite custom home on 5 Bedrooms Stoneridge Lake. Views of 3 Full, 2 Half Baths lake & pool. Oasis master suite. 3,375 Square Feet Walkout LL. Outdoor BBQ/ MLS# 215017451 kitchen, sandy beach & dock.
Tranquil setting with 1st floor master leading to deck. 1st and 2nd floor laundries. Finished LL. 5-car garage. Whole house generator.
BEVERLY HILLS VILLAGE 17040 Dunblaine Avenue | $299,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full Baths 1,261 Square Feet MLS# 215049173
Pristine ranch on double lot. Updated granite/stainless kitchen. 1,000+ sq. ft. of finished space in great lower level. Birmingham schools.
For more information, visit AdamWaechter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
D. Ryan Wolf Realtor
248.891.2221 RWolf@HallandHunter.com
BIRMINGHAM 1753 Pine Street | $599,900 4 Bedrooms 2 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,565 Square Feet MLS# 214091137
BIRMINGHAM 1844 S. Bates Street | $569,900
Desirable neighborhood close to Quarton Lake. Center island granite kitchen opens to family room with access to patio. Natural hardwood floors throughout main level. Large master bedroom with tray ceilings, walk-in closet and updated bath with jetted tub. Walk to town.
5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,727 Square Feet MLS# 215047142
Newer open floor plan Colonial offers cherry kitchen with large breakfast island, dedicated work space and French doors to brick paver patio. Master suite with large jetted tub. 2nd floor laundry. Bedroom/den and full bath on 3rd floor. Custom lower level craft room.
SALE PENDING
BEVERLY HILLS VILLAGE 18137 Riverside Drive | $550,000 5 Bedrooms 3 Full, 1 Half Baths 2,948 Square Feet MLS# 215016193
Just renovated West Beverly Colonial! Beautiful chef’s kitchen. New flooring. Brand new 2-stage furnace. 1st floor laundry. Birmingham schools.
SALE PENDING
BLOOMFIELD 3690 Berkshire Drive | $309,000 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 2 Half Baths 2,456 Square Feet MLS# 215035291
Westchester Village home with Birmingham schools. Large family room adjoins 3-season porch. Possible 4th bedroom. Rec room in LL.
BIRMINGHAM 1679 Graefield Road | $144,900 2 Bedrooms 1 Full Baths 925 Square Feet MLS# 215037611
Bright, move in ready condo in desirable Williamsburg of Graefield. Hardwood floors. Extra large master bedroom. Kitchen with tons of storage.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Pam Gray Realtor
248.842.4696 PGray@HallandHunter.com
SALE PENDING
BIRMINGHAM 1196 Lakeside Drive | $1,349,000 5 Bedrooms 5 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,182 Square Feet MLS# 215040848
Fantastic home on a very special piece of property that backs to the woods and river for total privacy. Completely renovated in 2007 and freshened again in the last 3 years. Large, island gourmet kitchen opens to a comfortable family room that has French doors to a charming screened porch. Classic living room with one of 3 fireplaces. Gracious formal dining room. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout. Each of the 5 bedrooms has bathroom access—3 en suite. The master bedroom includes a large fireplace, walk-in closet and private screened porch. 2nd floor laundry, finished lower level and 2 garages: 2-car attached and 1-car detached with storage. Central vacuum & generator.
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 2953 Baytree Court | $625,000 4 Bedrooms 4 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,266 Square Feet MLS# 215000939
Wonderful house on .67 acre cul-de-sac lot deep in The Hills of Oakland! Fantastic island kitchen with newer European stainless steel appliances and granite countertops opens to the light-filled family room with soaring ceiling and impressive brick fireplace. Entertain your guests in the spacious living and dining rooms with bay windows for added charm. Cozy library and huge laundry room with catering kitchen round out the main level. Luxurious master suite has dual walk-in closets and spa bathroom. Massive finished daylight lower level includes a wet bar, wine room with kitchenette and another full bath. Large deck and nicely landscaped yard. 3-car garage.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Pam Stoler, CRS, GRI Associate Broker
248.840.0044 PStoler@HallandHunter.com
CITY OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS 35 Hidden Ridge | $2,350,000 3 Bedrooms 6 Full, 3 Half Baths 11,008 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 214107981
Set the stage for a grand entrance into this beautiful home with its towering 2-story foyer featuring marble floors and extensive millwork. Entertain in the comfort of the spacious dining room. Light-filled great room with soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The wood-paneled library boasts a gas fireplace, herringbone wood floor and built-ins. Kitchen with Downsview cabinetry opens to 2-story Florida room. Master suite with dual baths with steam showers, walk-in closets and gas fireplace. Finished walkout lower level offers a sauna, full bar and family room. Entertain outdoors by the private in-ground pool. Whole-house generator. 4-car garage.
For more information, visit PamStoler.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009
248.644.3500 Erin Keating DeWald
Amy Zimmer & Tiffany Glime
Realtor
248.469.6430 AZimmer@HallandHunter.com
248.259.3544
248.930.5656
erin@erinkdewald.com
TGlime@HallandHunter.com
BIRMINGHAM 625 Ridgedale Avenue| $574,900 3 Bedrooms 2 Full, 2 Half Baths 2,522 Square Feet MLS# 215040404
Completely updated Poppleton Park gem with charm, character and modern amenities. Updated kitchen with premium appliances opens to family room with access to brick paver patio. Fabulous master suite. New (2013) 2-car garage. Steps from downtown!
BIRMINGHAM | $749,000 1331 Cedar Drive | 1331Cedar.epropertysites.com 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 2,818 Square Feet MLS# 215049379
Turn-key newer construction with sophisticated modern influences blocks from downtown Birmingham. Great indoor and outdoor living spaces. Custom Berloni kitchen with large island. Finished lower level. Attached 3-car garage and gated drive.
SALE PENDING
BLOOMFIELD HILLS 3795 Quarton Road | $469,000 4 Bedrooms 2 Full. 1 Half Baths 2,384 Square Feet MLS# 215042310
Move-in ready Colonial with fabulous updates: new kitchen, all-new bathrooms & newly remodeled family room with stone gas fireplace and custom built-ins. Also, new furnace, 70-gallon hot water heater, all new windows & new sump pump.
BERKLEY | $169,000 1992 Ellwood Avenue | 1992Ellwood.epropertysites.com 3 Bedrooms 1 Full Baths 1,045 Square Feet MLS# 215042168
Charming Berkley bungalow on corner lot. Warm and cozy interior. Updated kitchen. Updated full bath. Newer windows. HVAC 2014. Furnace 2010. Hardwood floors. Lower level has home theatre. Courtyard with covered patio. 2-car garage.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
442 South Old Woodward Avenue Birmingham, Michigan 48009
248.644.3500
Patty Blair
Ginny Fisher
Realtor
Realtor
248.613.0465
248.593.0518
PBlair@HallandHunter.com
GFisher@HallandHunter.com
WEST TROY 2376 Tall Oaks Drive | $829,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 5,557 Total Sq. Ft. MLS# 215028765
Desirable Beach Forest sub! Grand 2-story foyer with radius staircase & bridge overlook great room. Access to Trex速 deck from great room & kitchen. Tranquil master suite. Finished walkout LL offers full bar, bonus room, full bath & unbelievable storage.
BIRMINGHAM 734 S. Bates Street | $1,999,900 5 Bedrooms 6 Full, 1 Half Baths 4,913 Square Feet MLS# 215001343
Sophisticated French Manor home in the heart of downtown. Dramatic foyer with breathtaking elliptical staircase. 1st floor master with spacious Italian glass-tiled bath. Beautifully detailed lower level. Fenced & gated yard with paver stone patio.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
Mark L. Bess
Sal Impastato
Realtor
Realtor
248.425.3778
248.763.2223
MBess@ HallandHunter.com
SImpastato@ HallandHunter.com
BIRMINGHAM| 275 Aspen Road | $1,299,000 4 Bedrooms 3 Full, 2 Half Baths 4,731 Square Feet MLS# 215044473
Brick and cedar colonial on one of Birmingham’s most sought after streets. Seamless expansion with spacious rooms throughout. Huge island kitchen with Viking appliances, butler’s pantry and breakfast area. Vaulted family room boasts fireplace, custom built-ins and palladium window overlooking patio and private yard. Amazing master retreat includes vaulted ceilings, fireplace, new limestone bath and separate makeup room. 1st floor laundry, 3-car garage/walk-up finished storage area and newer mechanicals make this home a must see!
NEW WATERFRONT LISTINGS
LOON LAKE | 3834 Newport Way Dr. | $724,900
SPRING LAKE | 51370 Clear Spring Lane | $699,000
Lake views from almost every room! 101’ of lake frontage. Granite/maple island kitchen. Finished walkout lower level with 2nd kitchen. Heated, 3-car garage.
Lakefront living at its best in this 5 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home on Spring Lake. Fully finished walkout lower level with 2nd kitchen. Spectacular master suite.
BLOOMFIELD | 2744 Brady Drive | $329,900
WEST BLOOMFIELD | 6574 Perham Drive| $324,900
Completely updated and move-in ready! Gorgeous all-new kitchen. Master with new limestone bath. Outdoor built-in fireplace. Bloomfield Hills schools.
Spacious Colonial in desirable location. Private library, large living room and eat-in kitchen. 22’ x13’ master suite with new bath. Lower level rec room.
For more information, visit HallandHunter.com 442 South Old Woodward Avenue | Birmingham, Michigan 48009
FACES
Stephen Garrett Dewyer loomfield Hills native, artist and writer Stephen Garrett Dewyer was looking for a fresh perspective on Detroit's art scene in 2013 after returning to the Motor City from the Baltimore area. Unable to find many, he decided to form an innovative outlet for himself and others to create their own. "I had a few exhibitions in Detroit and saw that there was no venue for covering art, at least practically none that were active," said Dewyer, cofounding editor of the Infinite Mile online art journal. "That got in my mind, given how much art happens in the city. It could really use some art writing. For me, it was to give some art writing and discuss the politics behind some of the things happening in Detroit." Working with artist and friend Jennifer Junkermeier, who had just arrived in Detroit from New York City, Dewyer took the 8 Mile Road and turned it on its side to form the Infinite Mile (infintemiledetroit.com) to serve as one of only a handful of Detroit-based art journals in the city. The site, which publishes monthly, uses reviews, articles, writings, artists projects and photo essays to support art and culture in Detroit. Operating as a collective, the journal accepts up to two submissions per year from contributors that they find relevant and important to write about and discuss in the public realm. First published in December of 2013, Dewyer said the response from the art community has been great. The majority of the contributors are fellow artists. "We have a little over 70 contributors," said the former Andover graduate. "There are some great works in the city, but sometimes it isn't given the visibility it deserves. Infinite Mile has allowed us to do that." In addition to co-editing and writing for his art journal, Dewyer teaches art
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at Oakland University as a part-time professor and continues to work as an artist. He holds a master's degree in sculpture from the Yale University School of Art and earned a bachelor's degree in art history, theory and criticism from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. As an artist, his work has been exhibited in Baltimore, Detroit, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. Dewyer said much of his work focuses on performance and installation work. "A lot of it is transit," he said. "I would take the bus and take video, then play that on a loop. It reflected the bus loop, and the loop of the video. Transportation is an issue at the forefront." Outside of his work, Dewyer is interested in politics and participates in organizing demonstrations for social justice, including occupations on Wall Street and several demonstrations in Detroit. In 2011, Dewyer's passion for demonstrations made him the subject of an article in The New Yorker magazine. "I was arrested and made it in The New Yorker," he said. "I wound up meeting the author of the story in jail. You meet some interesting people in jail, definitely." Dewyer had been sitting at an intersection and was jailed for 48 hours while participating in the 17 November Day of Rage demonstrations in response to the eviction of Zuccotti Park in Lower Manhattan. "Infinite Mile was a way to bridge art and politics in a way that organizing wasn't exactly letting me do," he said. Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
NASH OAKLAND COUNTY WATER RESOURCES COMMISSIONER BY LISA BRODY
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im Nash was elected as Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner in 2012 for a four-year term. Nash, a Democrat, was previously an Oakland County commissioner representing Farmington. Downtown spoke to Nash in a one-onone interview on what his job entails, his passions as an environmentalist and his efforts towards sustainability and his opposition to fracking.
Downtown photos: Laurie Tennent
DOWNTOWN: For the benefit of our readers who may not be as familiar with your name, can you give us some of your personal background, including your background in public service? What is the Water Resources Commissioner? NASH: I was an Oakland County commissioner for eight years until I won election to this office. I’ve been in politics for many, many years. I used to be in the Democratic Party in Florida, so I’ve been doing this kind of thing for a long time. I’m married – my 30th anniversary is in July. We have four kids, three grandkids, all living in Michigan. My last youngest just graduated from high school last year, so she’s 19. I’ve been an environmentalist my whole life. My father, who would be 117 years old this year, personally heard Theodore Roosevelt speak about the environment when he was a child. He drilled it into me. I’ve been an environmentalist my whole life because of that. It means a lot. He used to repeat a quote from Theodore Roosevelt that “conservation is a great moral issue that involves a great patriotic duty for it involves ensuring the safety and continuance of the nation.” And I totally understand that. And I would say the world now, because we’re all interconnected. But it’s a moral issue because it’s our kids and our grandkids future that we hold in our hands. As the Indians said, “You have to judge what you do by the next seven generations.” I’m a believer in that. It’s the basis of sustainability. It’s something that I live by. Every decision that we make has an impact on the future, and we have to understand that before we make a decision. In this office, this is the environmental office of the county. The water resources commissioner used to be called the drain commissioner. It was changed in 2009. Ourselves, and Washtenaw County and Kent County, and a couple other counties use that title, and everybody else uses drain commissioner. Drain commissioner was the original title. It was started in 1911, because mostly it had to do with drains. Back in the beginning it had all to do with agriculture. Since we’re extremely flat county for our agriculture, we had to do something with water. Beginning at the turn of the 20th century, they developed the drain commissioner office in Michigan and it’s grown since then. My office does way more than that. We do chapter 20, chapter 18 and chapter 4 drains, which basically channel water from where you don’t want it to places it’s okay to have it. My office operates 28 communities in Oakland County; we operate their systems. We do lake levels, we do lake maintenance, a lot of different things around water. In a county like ours, it makes sense to be a water resources commissioner because we just do a lot more. Smaller counties basically, all they do is drains; it’s much more limited. We also work with our neighboring counties on inter-county drains; with Wayne and Macomb mostly. We also operate the sewage disposal systems for 47 communities in Oakland County – that’s storm water and sewage. DOWNTOWN: The Oakland County Water Resources Commission (WRC), formerly the Drain Commission, takes care of local communities’ water supply, drainage systems, sewage disposal systems, operates and maintains certain lake levels, reads meters, and deals with residents’ flooded basements after major storms and system failures. That’s a lot of
I'VE BEEN AN ENVIRONMENTALIST MY WHOLE LIFE. MY FATHER… PERSONALLY HEARD THEODORE ROOSEVELT SPEAK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN HE WAS A CHILD. HE DRILLED IT INTO ME. I'VE BEEN AN ENVIRONMENTALIST MY WHOLE LIFE BECAUSE OF THAT. responsibilities for you and your staff to oversee and monitor. How large of a staff do you manage and what is the annual budget for the WRC? NASH: We have just under 300 employees. When I came into office we had about 250. In September/October of 2014, we took over the Pontiac Sewage System, so we brought in a whole bunch of employees, some we transferred from the old system, because we run that now. My total budget is around $400 million, of which we get about one percent from the county’s general fund. Very, very small amount. It’s my salary and a few of my top folks. The rest is from all our systems we operate. It’s all done by ratepayers. We do major projects, we do bonding for those projects, so we do a lot of financial work. We work with communities on almost everything. It’s either done in collaboration with communities, or they request our help on things. DOWNTOWN: State law also outlines that you are tasked with legally establishing and maintaining normal lake levels for waterways in Oakland County, of which there are currently 54 that have a court-established level. What about all of the other lakes in the county, since there are 358 in Oakland? When the WRC talks about regulating lake levels, what does that specifically refer to? Why are lake levels important? NASH: These are done through circuit court, and there’s a procedure that people have to go through to request it. This can be the most contentious issue my office deals with because when you’re dealing with lake levels, some people think lake levels should be higher, some people think lake levels should be lower, and some people can get quite exercised about these things. We have to be diplomatic when we’re dealing with groups and people who live around these lakes. DOWNTOWN: What are lake levels? NASH: Citizens request a lake level and the courts
decide whether that’s rational through the process of deciding what the lake level should be, and then that lake level is set. By law, we can only go within a couple of inches in the summer and winter. In the winter, because water freezes, we wanted it lower, because when spring comes all the melt comes in there and that raises that up there, and if it raises it too much we would get in trouble. Once the thaw is over, we have the normal level for the rest of the year. We have a dam at the end of the lake, so if it gets too high, we let it out; sometimes, in very dry summers, we have pumps that pump water into a lake to bring the water up if it goes down too much. We haven’t had to worry about that too much. We’ve had way more rain than usual in the summers lately. They’re expecting that to continue. Modeling shows that will continue the way climate is changing. The warmer the atmosphere is, the more water it held in the atmosphere. As it goes along, once it hits a cold place, which is usually the Great Lakes, it’ll let go of that water, because it can’t hold it anymore, if the water changes. That’s how you get thunderstorms. The data shows we are experiencing more strong storms than we ever have in the past. This storm we had last August in southeast Oakland County I see as an example of that. It fits in with the modeling – expecting more heavy downfall kind of rains, and the new data that we just got from the Oceanic and Atmospheric Association – we had been operating from data from 1950 – 1980. Now we have new data from 1980- 2010. And that data shows large increases in large storm events, very powerful storm events that travel fast. Those kind of storms, like we saw last year, are expected to be more frequent. So we have to be ready for that. I’ll tell you that the Huron River Watershed that is based in Ann Arbor, but the Huron River starts in Oakland County, are very concerned about that. They have a very active climate resiliency program. It’s a newer concept of understanding the impacts of weather or whatever kind of event you’re looking at from a government agency, and paying more attention to what that means to now and the future. This is how we’re going to be looking at things now. The way models are changing, the way data is changing, we have to understand that there are going to be more of these kinds of storms and we have to build our infrastructure to accept that and not have the problems we had. DOWNTOWN: Maintaining lake levels has in the past been a labor intensive chore but there had been talk about attempting to modernize lake level control. Has much been done in the way of this or does it still remain a labor intensive task? NASH: A lot of what we do is called SCADA, which is our system of data and control that we use for all of our systems and controls, and we’re really working hard right now to expand that in all our operations, but specifically for that. DOWNTOWN: Beyond lake levels, does the WCR involve itself with lake quality programs at all? What role does your office have in meeting clean water regulations relative to discharges into surface waters – either point sources or non-point sources? NASH: There are lake improvement boards, and members of my office sit on these boards, and they deal with weed controls, and we give them advice. Once the Clean Water Act was passed in the ‘70s, they went after point sources, and why they really went after point sources, do you remember when
the Cuyahoga River caught fire in ‘69, ‘70. When the Clean Water Act came in, they said we have to stop the kind of pollution that allows rivers to catch on fire. So they went to point sources, meaning pipes that come out of the ground and dump right into a body of water, from a factory, that’s mostly what they went after, factories, chemical plants, things like that. Then they went after wastewater treatment plants because they bring in waste water, they treat it, and then it still goes out a pipe. The thing we’re going after right now, the last few years, are the non-point sources. That means anytime you have an impervious surface, like a roof, a parking lot, sidewalks, roads, that means for every drop of water that goes on it has to go down a drain. It’s either done separately or it’s done as a combined system. Most of our systems in Oakland County, southeast, are combined systems, so it’s sewage and storm water. Then what’s not captured by the storm water system just goes down, and it takes whatever chemicals off the road surface, the oil that’s trapped on there, all kinds of things that can sit on there. Once it’s washed down there it becomes part of the water, and that’s part of the point source pollution. In terms of what we’re concerned about right now, it was shown in rather dramatic detail when Toledo didn’t have water to drink because there had been so much runoff, collected algae. That’s from non-point source pollution. The vast majority is just runoff. It’s runoff from agricultural land, from parking lots, roofs. We’re trying to steer that stuff to storm water systems so they’re treated or stop it where it is and let it infiltrate it into the ground where it is. A lot of it is going to be green infrastructure. We’re working on green infrastructure, the state is working on green infrastructure, and the federal government is working on it. Green infrastructure is the option of other than gray infrastructure, which is concrete – the big giant pipes, culverts, the things that we use. There’s two things about green infrastructure, it’s much cheaper to install, because you’re not building these giant concrete things and it’s much cheaper to maintain because you’re not worried about them collapsing. It’s much easier to use. Green infrastructure is things like rain gardens, rain barrels, pervious surfaces like brick. If you can keep the water on the surface it falls in and let it go into the ground then that relieves all the storm drains of that water. That’s the theory behind green infrastructure. More and more communities are using it; more and more businesses are using it. It’s really inexpensive. We’re trying to encourage more people to use it, because then we’ll have less problems. If you can take that first inch of rain and infiltrate it on your property before it leaves your property, then that second inch runs off instead of the first, and you’ll stop a lot more water from getting into the system. That means you have to treat less. DOWNTOWN: Infrastructure, especially in older communities, is under increasing stress, with water mains and drains. How is the WRC working to check, rehabilitate and repair water mains, drains and other parts of the system? NASH: We have a very strong asset management system here in Oakland County, and as an organized system is much more prevalent than just a five or six years ago. The state just
IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT RIGHT NOW, IT WAS SHOWN IN RATHER DRAMATIC DETAIL WHEN TOLEDO DIDN'T HAVE WATER TO DRINK BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN SO MUCH RUNOFF, COLLECTED ALGAE. THAT'S FROM NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION. authorized two years ago the SAW program, which is storm water, asset management, and wastewater. It’s a program of grants, a program of $400 million that was originally collected by Brownfield legislation that was a ballot initiative in 1996. It was never used. The governor and the legislature came up with this idea to get local governments to use asset management through grant loans. Oakland County got the most loans of any county in the state under that program, helping local governments with infrastructure with asset management. We’re doing a tremendous amount of work in Pontiac right now, all through our own system and systems we operate. We’re TV’ing these lines to check the conditions of these lines and when we find problems, we fix them on the spot, or we plan larger projects to fix them on a larger scale. It’s a very important part of what we do. DOWNTOWN: How would you assess the Water Resource Commission’s sewer and drain system’s capacity to handle a major rain event, as well as how well the retention treatment basins throughout the county perform? In the past, the county was working to meet a number of federal mandates relative to discharges – have all those issues been addressed or are you still working to meet federal standards? NASH: The George W. Kuhn is the largest in Oakland County; we serve 14 communities. The facility itself was finished in 2004, and it has 125 million gallons of storage before it’s released treated or to the storage treatment plant in Detroit. The infrastructure around that is very new. But a lot of the storm water drains and laterals, that are the responsibilities of the local governments, many of those are very old. They’re really in very good shape. We have not had any serious collapses. Some of the lateral pipes have not been well maintained, because local communities just haven’t had much money. But they’re doing the best they can.
The storm that happened in August (2014) wasn’t an infrastructure failure, it was just that it was such an overwhelmingly large storm. No matter what we did it couldn’t have held it all. The George W. Kuhn, people think it’s a flood control system, but it’s not. It’s a water quality control system. It’s meant to trap and control storm water in basins so that doesn’t end up in the Clinton River. The Farmington/Evergreen, all that goes to the wastewater treatment plant in Detroit. That doesn’t have its own treatment. The GWK does. The Evergreen/Farmington has several smaller basins – in Birmingham, there’s the Birmingham basin. We have three of them down there, they operate extremely well. We’re not having the same problems as the older infrastructures. That’s all collected and treated in the main wastewater treatment center in Detroit. In extreme storms we will treat some of that and release it into the local rivers, but it’s treated under state permit. From our perspective, we’re all within permit, even that massive storm in August, the water we released was still within permit. The way the system works, we have weirs, it’s like a dam. Once it gets to the maximum level of 125 million gallons at the GWK, it treats it with sodium hypochlorite, which is like chlorine, to kill all the bacteria. Once we know it’s cleared, it goes over that last weir and goes into the Red Run River and the Red Run Drain and then the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair. If that storm stops before it’s full, that water sits there and slowly drains out into the big wastewater treatment plant in Detroit. If it goes past that, it goes over that last weir and goes into the Red Run and goes into the Clinton River eventually. What happened with this storm was there was so much water that the outtake of the George W. Kuhn was going into the river, but the river was higher than the intake of the system. It was over Dequindre Road – so the water couldn’t go anywhere. It was trapped there. That’s why everything backed up behind that and people’s basements flooded. We got about $1.75 million worth of damage to the George W. Kuhn itself. Once the water stopped in Warren, everything started receding from there. Once it got below that weir – Bang! – everything starting flowing again. Right around 10 that night, everybody said the water started going down, they must’ve opened a gate. There was no gate to open. It’s just that super pushback of water opened. When that water went down, all the water went down. It had had time to treat it, so what was released was not contaminated water. It was very clean water that was released. If it hadn’t been for that backup, we might have released something else. But we released so much water, it just totally overwhelmed the system, all the way to Lake St. Clair basically. We’re designed to take care of a 10-year, one hour storm, meaning you’re not likely to get a storm of that much magnitude except for one every 10 years. We’re designed for that. That’s what the federal and state regulators say we have to be designed for. So we design for that. This was a 320year storm. There’s no system that could hold that kind of storm back. The modeling shows these kinds of storms are going to become more common, so we have to be more prepared for that, and that’s what we’re working to do. Long-term, we’re working with the communities of encouraging green infrastructure and starting to have people understand that we can’t stop these kinds of storms but we can deal with them better.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302
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ocated near the end of an exclusive private street, this home affords you one of the best YLHZV LQ %ORRPÀHOG DQG ODNH DFFHVV YLD WKH FDQDO WR )RUHVW /DNH /RZHU /RQJ /DNH DQG 8SSHU /RQJ /DNH DOO sports). Completely renovated in 2006, this home provides 5 bedrooms, 4 full EDWKV KDOI EDWKV D IXOO\ ÀQLVKHG ZDONRXW ORZHU OHYHO DQG RYHU VT IW RI PXOWL OHYHO HQWHUWDLQLQJ GHFNV with spectacular views of nature DQG WKH ZDWHU %ORRPÀHOG 6FKRROV 0/6
A grand family home on the water
View the Virtual Tour: tours.realvisionstudio.com/58406
FOR MORE INFORMATION* OR TO REQUEST A VIEWING, PHONE OR E-MAIL: 586-929-6055 mkozemchak@iic-usa.com *6HOOHU LV D OLFHQVHG 5HDO (VWDWH $JHQW
EVERY SUNDAY 9am–2pm through October 18 Located on N. Old Woodward across from Booth Park
Strawberry Sunday’s “Chef Clash� June 28
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DOWNTOWN
06.15
DOWNTOWN: In late 2014, Oakland County joined with other counties to approve the Great Lakes Water Authority, which heralds a regional approach to managing what was the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. Many have credited your predecessor, John McCulloch, with helping pave the way for the regional system, with his detailed monitoring of the Detroit system and his willingness to fight against rate increases he felt were unfair. Noticeably absent during the debate on the new Regional Authority was the WRC. What role, if any, does the WRC have in the regional system? NASH: Well, I was in the negotiations from the beginning all the way through, working with Judge (Sean) Cox. My office, two of my top assistants, Sue Coffey and Jody Caldwell, are really driving the due diligence for Oakland County. We’re working with the executive (L. Brooks Patterson) very closely. We’re under a federal gag order by Judge Cox so we really can’t go into any detail. Historically, I can say, within a few months of coming into office I was approached with a plan that really mirrors the plan we came up with under Judge Cox, which was to regionalize the system, to pay the city a $50 million a year fee. They approached us very early because they had an emergency manager and bankruptcy breathing down their neck and they wanted to get ahead of it. Within a couple of weeks of them coming to us with this proposal, the emergency manager came in and took over. It kinda died for a while. A couple of months later, the emergency manager brought up the proposal again. We worked with his law firm, Conway McKenzie was one. They had come up with an initial proposal for the suburbs to pay the city $9 billion over 40 years, which would have been starting at $94 million a year and increase to $250 million a year as payment to the city, and nobody could deal with that. Everybody said, “That’s crazy.” You can’t take that much out of the system without bankrupting the whole system. The negotiations fell apart, nobody was talking. Wayne County suggested we have mediation. That’s when Judge Cox was brought in as mediator and immediately a gag order was put in place. There were several months under a gag order before an original memorandum of understanding was done. Once we did that, we went public and it was signed on by the three executives and the governor and the boards of commissioners of all the counties passed a resolution supporting the memorandum and due diligence that has to be done. Since then, my office has been working very hard on this. We’ve had a huge amount of input. All the sides have been getting along better than we have in decades. It feels good. On the staff level, we get along extremely well. We’ve started the authority now, we’ve had some meetings. They don’t have the power yet to do much. We’re working in the right direction. It’s a complicated thing. We have a deadline – it’s supposed to be working on the 9th of July. DOWNTOWN: You have long had an interest in the environment and sustainability. How does your position at the Water Resources Commission gel with that? How do you feel you are able to make a difference in maintaining Oakland County’s water, lakes and the environment? NASH: Very well. We’re not the regulatory agency;
A STUDY IN PENNSYLVANIA (IN 2014) SHOWED THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT CONTAMINATION IN WATER WELLS BY LARGE SCALE FRACKING, AND YOU CAN'T ARGUE WITH THAT…WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER STATES THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONTAMINATION ISSUES. we’re the enforcement arm of the regulatory agencies. In Michigan, a lot of the rules of the regulatory agencies, the EPA, are enforced by the DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality). We answer to the DEQ on most issues. We have a very good relationship with them. We have a very good reputation as a well-run county, and that shows. They’re very interested in the George W. Kuhn. The DEQ has come to us with a proposal to develop green infrastructure for the DEQ for the George W. Kuhn because it’s a very important product, and if we can do it here, they can take it statewide. We’re very interested in helping with that. I get along well with people as a rule. Every other year I go to all of the communities. This year I will; I did it year before last, just so we have a relationship. In the past, there’s been some frustrations, some clashes between my office and some of the local communities. Some of them, and Birmingham is one – we kind of demand things without explaining them, and I think we’ve changed that attitude. I hope. We’re really working together better than we have in the past. I’m very conscious of personalities, of how people perceive me, this office, that we’re a regulator, that we make demands on people and we don’t really care what you think. I’m totally not that way. For a long-term, sustainable program, you have to have the collaboration and cooperation. You can’t just demand from people because people chafe under that. If we have to do something because the DEQ tells us to, we’re going to go to that community and explain why it has to be done and how we may be able to do it better, and if you have some ideas we might be able to use. DOWNTOWN: You’ve said that hydraulic fracturing – fracking – isn’t a personal crusade, but a part of your mission as Water Resources Commissioner. Fracking is certainly a contentious issue, with the MDEQ in 2013 noting that over the last 50 years, about 12,000 wells have been drilled and fracked for oil and
gas. You’re fervently opposed to it. How does fracking imperil drinking water, lakes and rivers in the county? How can it potentially contaminate wells and groundwater? NASH: I’m opposed to a few things. I’m opposed to the large-scale horizontal programs that have just started in Michigan in the last few years. There have been 12 wells altogether drilled that way; one of them took 21 million gallons of water, which is destroyed – the water can never be used again. The water has to be deep water injected. When you’re drilling several miles underground, it is briny water, it’s salt water and it has chemicals in it and it has radioactive isotopes in it. When it comes out of the ground, when it has been used that way, it goes into the ground with chemicals in it, fracking chemicals, those chemicals under the heat, pressure, and other chemicals underground can change. When they come back above ground, they have heavy metals in them, they have radioactive chemicals in them, they can never be used again. The water cannot be put through a wastewater treatment plant because it’s not going to clean it out of them. That’s why we have deep water injection well treatment disposal. Right now, Oklahoma saw their earthquake rate go from one or two a year to one or two a day – and they’re all in places where they’re doing these injection wells. In terms of water wells and potential for leakage, the large scale horizontal fracturing has no place in Michigan. It’s too dangerous for our water. The kind of fracking that’s been going on for 50 years is shallow fracking uses about a thousandth as much water, but it uses the same chemicals, so the water still has to be disposed of, but it doesn’t use anywhere near as much. But conventional fracking and conventional drilling, I’m not opposed to that at all in Michigan as a rule, but they need better regulation and they should not be in very heavily populated areas. That’s the new thing. Now they’re doing them in the middle of developments, in the middle of subdivisions – and that’s not right. Until very recently, there was no law that required any testing of any aquifer. If you don’t know what’s there before you drilled, and the great majority were never tested after they drilled, if there’s no data, you can’t say it never happened. (A) study in Pennsylvania (in 2014) showed there was significant contamination in water wells by large scale fracking, and you can’t argue with that. The data here is not enough to show that, so we can’t say yet in Michigan. But when you look at other states where there has been a lot of fracking, yes, there has been a lot of contamination issues. The University of Missouri Law SCAN TO LISTEN School did a study in Colorado, TO THE INTERVIEW that every county that had fracking, when they tested the surface waters, they found those fracking chemicals. In all the counties where they didn’t do fracking, they didn’t find those chemicals. I would say unless you have real proof, I wouldn’t chance it if you have people around. I’m here to protect the water, and we have the headwaters of five rivers, so what happens here goes into those rivers. Then we could contaminate other counties from what happens here. We have to be very careful with what we do here.
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RELIGIOUS FREEDOM STATE AVOIDS BRUISING BATTLE BY LISA BRODY reedom is an important and significant word. It's the basis for the first three articles of our Bill of Rights. According to the dictionary, one meaning is “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint”; another definition states freedom is “the power of self-determination attributed to the will, the quality of being independent of fate or necessity.” Yet those definitions of freedom can simultaneously be interpreted from opposite sides of the same coin, forcing conflicting groups to have divergent understandings of what freedom is, and who should enjoy which freedoms.
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Religious freedom, an issue currently being played out and debated across the country, including Michigan, is a prime example of that differing of opinion, and a principle upon which the United States was first established. The freedom of religion is one that supports the freedom of an individual or community, whether in public or private, to practice their religion or beliefs, in practice, worship, teachings, and observance. Many consider the freedom of religion a fundamental human right. The dispute in modern day America centers around how, in efforts to either support or stifle another group’s pursuit of religious freedom, another entity can be hurt, marginalized or potentially discriminated against. That is the tango of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, federally enacted to protect the free exercise of religion in November of 1993 under President Bill Clinton, but resurrecting its head in several states, such as Indiana and Michigan, in efforts to “protect” businesses from having to perform professional duties at gay weddings. Others wonder if the state acts are just an excuse to legislate and legitimize discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender individuals. “The bill has been purely defined, both independently and nationally. It is what it is.
Everyone has an opinion. But we've seen what has happened (in Indiana),” said Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake). “There are some people adamantly opposed to baking a cake with a serpent on it. And then you get into gay rights.” The national Religious Freedom Restoration Act, known as RFRA, was introduced by Democrats Sen. Ted Kennedy and Rep. Chuck Schumer in March 1993, in order to “ensure that interests in religious freedom are protected,” with only three senators voting against the bill. While it was meant to, and does, apply to all religions, it was actually designed towards Native American religions that feel burdened by increased expansion of government lands onto their sacred lands. The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment states that Congress shall not pass laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion. However, RFRA was held to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997 in the case City of Boerne v. Flores, where the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio wanted to enlarge a church in Boerne, Texas. A Boerne ordinance protected the church as a historic landmark. The church sued, citing RFRA, and the Supreme Court struck it down, stating that Congress had stepped beyond their permitted power provided in the Fourteenth Amendment (which addresses citizens' rights).
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Thursday, June 25 6-8:30pm Tickets $150
Proceeds benefit education & ArtAccess programs at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
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In 2003, the federal Act was amended to only include the federal government. It was successfully utilized in the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby Decision involving Obamacare, which permitted the company to not provide birth control to its employees as a health care expense, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act, stating it conflicted with the religious beliefs of the company's owners. Since, individual states have turned to RFRA as a tool. Yet according to cases which continue to come before the U.S. Supreme Court, it's constitutionality continues to be tested, with the government having to show compelling state interest in restricting religious conduct. For an example, in 2013, the Arizona legislature created their own act after a New Mexico photographer who refused to document a same-sex couple's commitment ceremony was determined to have violated New Mexico's public accommodation laws. After public outcry, former Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the bill. In December 2014, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a Religious Freedom Restoration Act on straight party lines, by a vote of 59-50. However, the state Senate declined at the time to put the bill up for a vote. It was sponsored by former Speaker of the House Jase Bolger (R-Marshall), who said the goal was to merely protect people and their beliefs and practice of religion. At the time, they used differing examples, such as the baker who didn't want to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, as well as a Jewish mother who didn't want an autopsy for her son who died in a car crash, or a pediatrician who doesn't want the child of a lesbian couple as a patient. ep. Mike McCready (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township) said he voted for the bill in 2014. Today, he's unsure if he would be as supportive, as a new Senate bill heard in committee in late April 2015, Senate Bill 4, is designed to be expanded to the private sector as well as public sector. Sponsored by state Sen. Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), wrote recently regarding his proposed RFRA bill, “Why is Michigan looking to pass its own RFRA and why have so many other states done so? A Supreme Court ruling said that states would need to pass their own state version of RFRA if it wanted its citizens to be protected by overzealous governmental laws or actions...Many states, including our neighbors such as Illinois, started passing state level RFRAs to fully restore the First Amendment rights of their citizens...Far from being a 'license to discriminate,' both the federal RFRA and the proposed Michigan RFRA are a shield to make sure people retain their full First Amendment rights and have an opportunity to defend themselves if governmental laws or actions unfairly impinge upon their sincerely held religious beliefs.” “Bolger was lining it up with the federal bill that was approved. It was just for government workers. It didn't involve private workers,” McCready said. McCready did note that “we have a diverse community that we live in, especially here in the district. I don't know how the government should or shouldn't be involved.” “I allowed the bill to have a hearing. I thought it was very educational. Everyone got to have their say, and now we can move on to other issues,” said Sen. Rick Jones (RGrand Ledge) and chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee, who said in early May he did not intend to bring the bill before the Senate committee for a vote. “The Governor is opposed based on Elliott-Larsen, and I don't have any say in bringing that before the full Senate. But more importantly, businesses have said that they don't want to have any backlash like they had in other states.” Shirkey's senate office said he would not comment further on his own bill. Numerous businesses, large and small, object to a Michigan RFRA and to the concurrent lack of expansion of civil rights to the gay community, as evidenced by
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testimony not only during this Senate hearing, but more notably in 2014. Simultaneous to the introduction to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 2014 and as a companion to the bill, former state Rep. Frank Foster (R- Petoskey) introduced an expansion to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include the LGBT community. The goal was to amend the state's civil rights act to provide protection to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected from employment discrimination. Businesses around the state strongly supported the expansion of Elliott-Larsen, as does the governor. But not only did the legislation fail because Republican leadership would not include the transgender community in the bill, but it also ended up costing Foster his seat in the state House. “Two years ago, a Democrat from Ann Arbor, Jeff Irwin, came to me and said, 'You probably don't know this, but there's no protection from gender orientation and identity.' I said I didn't know that,” said the 28-year-old Foster. “Irwin told me he wanted to sponsor a bill to include it, but that would be better coming from a Republican. I understood and agreed. Probably in February (2014), I understood the implications this would have for me, as well. The polling numbers in my district were terrible, but I felt we in Michigan were on the wrong side of history.” Foster said that the previous fall, he met Lee Chatfield, who would go on to unseat him, in the district. Chatfield told him straight out that he didn't like the expansion of the Elliott-Larsen bill, and that if Foster didn't give it up, he would be forced to run against him. “I understood what he was saying. But, think about this, it's only one bill,” Foster said. “He gave me a deadline of December 21 (2013), and then he filed to run against me. The rest is documented. He ran, and it was the highest primary turnout the district had ever seen. “It was a campaign against gay rights.” Foster said he has no regrets. He disagreed with Chatfield, now the state representative for the district, on the issue, “and it's a socially conservative district. I knew what I was walking into. I told my staff, at the end of the day, all we've lost is our jobs. We've kept our ethics.” Despite losing the primary campaign, Foster stuck to his principles and pushed the amendment to the ElliottLarsen bill during his last months in the state House. What is the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and why has it become such a political hot potato? Also known as Public Act 453 of 1976, the law is named after its two primary sponsors, Daisy Elliott (D-Detroit) and Melvin Larsen (R-Oxford). It prohibits discrimination on the basis of “religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status” in employment, housing, education, and access to public accommodations. It passed in 1976 with 25 votes in the Michigan Senate, and 79 votes in the Michigan House, and was signed into law by Governor William Milliken. It has been in effect in Michigan since March 31, 1977. According to interviews with Elliott and Larsen at the time, and written about in 2014 in MLive by Tim Skubick, the original legislation was meant to focus on African Americans, and it was believed that adding “sexual orientation” would prevent the bill from passing, so it was left out at the time. Many issues raised at the time by the disabled community were subsequently addressed with the passage of the Michigan's Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act in 1976. Actual legislation to include the LGBT community wasn't introduced until 2005. Since, there have been several bills introduced to add protections for the LGBT community. Foster's bill, ultimately did not receive support from the LGBT community because the final draft only included sexual orientation and not gender identity; it was
supported in hearing but did not receive a committee vote. “We are actively seeking to achieve an (inclusive) Elliott-Larsen Act,” said Cassandra Varner, communications and development director for Affirmations in Ferndale. “Last year it was modified to not include gender identity, and we feel very strongly that gender identity must be included as a recognized, protected class.” Seeking to create and maintain a vibrant and healthy business environment, executives from AT&T Michigan, Fiat Chrysler, Dow Chemical, Whirlpool, Herman Miller, Strategic Staffing Solutions, Steelcase, Henry Ford Health Systems, Cook Investments, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Warner Norcross & Judd, Cascade Engineering, Area Agency on Aging, and Production Tool Supply, among others, spoke in October and November 2014 to the House's Commerce committee urging the amended adoption of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity. “Michigan is in a global war for talent,” said Brad Williams, vice president, global relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the annual Mackinac Policy Conference. The Detroit Chamber supported the Elliott-Larson bill last year, which they announced at the 2014 Mackinac conference. “Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, we felt, were welcome to come to Michigan and utilize their talents here.” Williams said after they announced their support of Elliott-Larsen, there was talk that the House was going to run a Religious Freedom Restoration Act bill with it. “They felt the Elliott-Larsen bill would neutralize the RFRA, and the civil rights act would have protections from that RFRA bill, unlike in Indiana, where even the revised bill did not explicitly prohibit discrimination. Elliott-Larsen would prohibit discrimination.” he Michigan Chamber of Commerce said they have not yet taken a position on either ElliottLarsen or Religious Freedom. Wendy Brock of the Michigan Chamber said, “We're currently listening to our members to see how they feel it impacts their businesses. We're hopeful we can learn from what's going on in other states.” Dr. Gary Rudgers, global regulatory leader for new business within Dow AgroSciences, told the Commerce committee during hearings, “In a highly competitive world where innovation is the key to securing competitive advantage, we know that it is our employees that are key to our success...With a shrinking and every more diverse talent pool, it is essential for us to actively include everyone to ensure we attract, develop and advance the very best talent. At Dow, we are committed to attracting, developing and retaining a diverse workforce across all spectrums: race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sex, age, protected veteran status, genetic information, mental or physical ability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Specifically, our LGBT policies have been good for our workplace for two main reasons: 1) retention of our employees has been enhanced, because they know they can perform their jobs openly and with full support of their personal and family situation without fear of repercussion and therefore have more reason to be committed to the company in return, and 2) better recruitment of allies and younger workers, who often gauge inclusive policies as a litmus test for prospective employers.” Brian Walker, CEO of Herman Miller, explained to the committee, “Embracing the unique talents and perspectives of all our employees is an integral part of our business strategy. By doing so, we create more innovative solutions for our customers, develop stronger community and supplier relationships, and provide a supportive environment where all employees feel welcome and able to bring their whole selves to work. Unfortunately, our own
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workplace practices come up against the statewide reality that it is still legal in Michigan to fire someone, refuse housing, or refuse service to this community, all things that directly undermine our own efforts in the workplace.” The sentiment was heard by the committee repeatedly. “For Michigan to drive further growth, the legislature must act to expand the protections in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to protect current and future residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation, as well as gender identity,” Cynthia Pasky, CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions, said. “It is time to modernize the law and do the right thing for our community, the right thing for our economy, and the right thing for Michigan.” “It's definitely great that it's gotten so much support from the business community and large corporations,” said Affirmations' Varner. “Diversity and equality are at the top of their priorities at the Big Three.” The requested civil rights non-discrimination protections covering sexual orientation and gender identity are guaranteed to citizens in 19 other states, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), from states as diverse as California and Massachusetts to Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois and Washington state. Three other states, New York, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin, offer protections based upon sexual orientation only. espite demands by Michigan House Democrats and the LGBT community, sources said there was not support within the Republican caucus for gender identity to be included in the 2014 bill. While many Republicans across the state could accept inclusion of sexual orientation in the bill, that was their line in the sand. For the transgender community, as well as the greater LGBT community as whole, that was a non-negotiable item. Some working both in the legislature, and behind the scenes, felt it may have been in the LGBT community's best interest to meet Republicans half-way, and get the amendment with sexual orientation approved, and then move it forward for the transgender community at a later date. “It's a debate between pragmatism and ideology,” said one individual who declined to be named. “Take half a loaf, and work on the rest of the loaf.” Ironically, Foster said, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder supported a lower court ruling “that transgender would be covered under sex. So it was covered already under Elliott-Larsen legally. But we need to show the business community and the state, and people outside the state, that Michigan is tolerant, and at the end of the day, I couldn't move the bill without transgender in it through the House because Republicans wouldn't support it, and I couldn't move a bill which just included sexual orientation in it, because the Democrats wouldn't support it. “The Religious Freedom bill was important to a number of people in the House from all over the state, and I knew that to get my bill moving, it was necessary to make it mesh or make it move in tangent with RIFR, and I made that happen with Speaker of the House Bolger. He was supportive of what I was doing but wanted to know that there would be protections for the religious with this,” Foster explained. “I was trying to accomplish more tolerance with my bill, and I didn't want the Religious Freedom bill to go through without the Elliott-Larson changes, because I didn't want the bigots of the world to prevail, to have an excuse to discriminate.” The Elliott-Larsen bill was not brought before the full House for a vote. Former Sen. Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) chose not to put the Religious Freedom bill on the lame duck agenda, noting he did not have enough votes, 20, to have it pass, although several Republican senators did request it at the time. Governor Rick Snyder stated in 2014, and again today, he would veto any RFRA bill that came before him, as long as it was not coupled with an expansion of the ElliottLarsen Civil Rights Act, to include sexual orientation and gender identity. “The Governor has said he would veto the Religious Freedom bill if it came to his desk unless it was accompanied by an expansion of the Michigan Civil Rights Act,” said Dave Murray, deputy press secretary for Governor Snyder. “He has numerous concerns without the added protections.” Williams of the Detroit Chamber of Commerce was pleased that a few weeks ago Sen. Jones did not bring the recent RFRA up for a vote. “I came up for the hearing because I wanted the business community's voice to be heard,” he said. “Because I didn't want silence to insinuate consent. At the same time, I'm glad wiser heads prevailed. The Governor's opposition is a road block to the legislation.” “My stance is there's a federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act,” said Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce, West Bloomfield). “As a Catholic, the Pope mentioned treating everyone fairly and equally. At the same time, no one's religion should be burdened by the government. But it must be some sincerely held religious belief, not just an excuse that is discriminatory.” “I just keep going back to the Constitution, that all people are created equally, and if we just go back to what our forefathers wrote, we'd all be just fine,” said Sen. Kowall. “Our rights are pretty well-defined, and the Michigan Constitution is even clearer than the federal Constitution, that everyone is equal.” On May 7, 2015, state Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) introduced Senate Bill 315, to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include the LGBT community.
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HOMELESS TAKING ANNUAL COUNT IN OAKLAND COUNTY BY SARAH KOVAN
ccording to Carrie, a homeless mother of two in her early thirties, “People see homeless people as lazy, dirty people who don’t do anything to help themselves. They think we’ve never worked and come from poor, rough backgrounds.” While Carrie is homeless, she is not lazy or dirty, and she does not come from a poor, rough background. In fact, Carrie grew up in a suburban area of Ann Arbor with happily married parents. Carrie said she dealt with “depression, anxiety, and a strong fear of abandonment which lead to dysfunctional relationships, addictions and rebellion,” causing her to drop out of high school just one credit shy of her diploma.
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Before she came to the Pontiac Shelter Grace Centers of Hope eight months ago, Carrie said she was living with her husband and children, and holding onto a job cleaning houses. “I was trying to hold onto my life,” she explained. “But due to the pain and drug abuse in my life, I eventually gave my kids to my parents, so that I could get my life straight. Without recovery, I wouldn’t be any good to anybody. I was left with nothing else but to find help.” Carrie is just one of the thousands of people in Oakland County who find themselves without a home each year. “A lot of people think homelessness stems from an inner city life,” said Megan Gillesby, communications and special events coordinator at Grace Centers of Hope. “But homelessness can happen to anyone. It’s becoming more suburban and it is prevalent here in Oakland County. We receive an average of 23 phone calls a day.” Each year in late January, Oakland County tallies the number of homeless individuals living within the county's 910 square miles. The Alliance for Housing of Oakland County, a 501(c)(3) made up of organizations from both the private and public sectors with a common goal to “end homelessness and increase affordable housing opportunities in Oakland County,” is responsible for coordinating and reporting all data used to calculate annual homeless counts, but the legwork is done by groups of partner agencies, college interns, and community volunteers. “Each group leader – there are teams of four – go to a safety and information-gathering training. They then train their other team members. We have two deployment centers, one in Pontiac and one in Royal Oak. Teams meet up and leave from each area depending on what map of an area they cover,” explained executive director of Alliance for Housing Leah McCall. This street count conducted by the volunteers is used to determine the point in time, or PIT count, which the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires of all communities seeking federal grants to assist in the fight against homelessness. The PIT count serves as a snapshot of homelessness in Oakland County on a single night and therefore serves as an estimate of the average number of homeless people in the county at any given time.
he groups bring along care packages and provide information regarding housing and food services in order to engage the homeless individuals they encounter. “The PIT count is tied to the federal dollars that our community receives so it is very important to really try to connect with everyone we can,” said McCall. “If someone is willing to talk to them, they complete a sheet that asks for demographic data as well as other questions. If they won’t speak to a volunteer team, they try to offer them the items they have brought and write a descriptive statement to be used in the total numbers. We have also added a service count the next day. (That is where we) send out volunteers to a day shelter and soup kitchens, asking where they spent the night last night.” While the street count takes into account only unsheltered individuals – those sleeping outdoors or in cars or other places unfit for residence – shelters provide their housing inventory counts, or their numbers of inhabitants, from the night of the PIT count. The totaled counts are then analyzed and reported by the Alliance for Housing. The 2015 PIT count, conducted on January 28, was 486 people, with 96 unsheltered individuals and 360 individuals in emergency shelters and transitional housing. The figures show a slight rise in the number of homeless people since 2014, when the Oakland County PIT count was 457. However, the counts have dropped significantly since 2013, when the PIT count was 698 – up 192 from 2012's PIT count. The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a web-based database, collects information regarding unduplicated counts of homeless persons assisted by the Alliance for Housing service providers in a given year and their basic demographics. The data is used to create an annual state of homelessness report, which computes the total number of homeless people served on any of the 365 days that year – not just on a single night in January. The data provided by the HMIS report is used for
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congressional reporting and to inform the community, assist in writing grants, report to funders, track outcomes, and update the Continuum of Care’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. The most recent report available is from 2013, when approximately 3,503 homeless individuals were served – 133 more than the 3,370 served in 2012.
ccording to the report, of the 3,503 served in Oakland County in 2013, approximately 62 percent were African American, approximately 34 percent were white, and approximately 5 percent were Hispanic. Forty-three percent had high school diplomas – indeed 22 percent had some college education as well – and 10 percent had earned GEDs. Six percent were veterans. Forty-one percent of those counted were homeless for the first time. Among the most frequently reported reasons for homelessness were eviction, job loss, mental health, and domestic violence. While the 2014 report has not yet been released, numbers are expected to show a slight decrease in the number of homeless people served. Perhaps the overall decrease in the estimated number of homeless people within the county since 2013 has been due to the solution-based actions taken by Alliance for Housing and local shelters. “In Oakland County, we believe in collaboration as a way to maximize our resources,” said McCall.“[For example,] we rely on our street outreach teams through Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH). This program focuses on outreach for those who are homeless and have severe and persistent mental illness and are engaged in mental health services. Staff routinely visit the shelters and warming centers, canvass streets, parks and other areas to outreach those in need. Staff practice engagement, provide housing case management and assist in linking with services while still employing housing-first practices. Program participants are assisted with applying for Social Security as applicable, using the SOAR approach which provides an expedited process for applying for entitlements.” Elizabeth Kelly, executive director at HOPE, reported that, “In 2014, [HOPE] added a navigator position to our staffing so that shelter guests have the opportunity to better connect with services that are a pathway out of homelessness – community mental health services, medical services, and housing. All of these combined serve to make for a stronger transition out of homelessness for the guest. Additionally, we've identified that there is nowhere for a homeless individual to go when discharged from the hospital to recuperate at home, so we are launching a specialty shelter called HOPE Recuperative Care to help people recover from illness, surgery, or chronic condition in safety and connect them with resources to secure stable housing.” Ryan Hertz, CEO and president of South Oakland Shelter (SOS), which provides temporary lodging and supportive services to the homeless, said SOS has focused on “expanding [its] housing solutions to reduce shelter length-of-stay and continue freeing up existing shelter beds. We believe that this is a more sustainable solutions-oriented approach than seeking resources to increase our number of shelter beds.” At Grace Centers of Hope, where its mission is to assist homeless and disadvantaged individuals and families, individuals like Carrie can participate in the one-year Life Skills Program. Participants are given the Test of Adult Education so that the staff can create individualized programs based on their needs. Nine months into the program, participants attend resume writing and career search workshops so that they can begin looking for jobs. “My main focus now is to seek employment and to get my high school diploma,” Carrie said, noting she now sees her children once a week. “I want to get my high school diploma and go to college and get an MSW (masters in social work) and be a caseworker here at Grace Centers of Hope. I was spiritually bankrupt before, but, here, I have developed a relationship with God through prayer and mediation. What I find will be most important for my future is to give back the kind of help that was so freely given to me at Grace Centers of Hope.”
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FACES Jody Levy ay after day, hour after hour, former Birmingham native Jody Levy thinks about watermelon. “It’s a very delicate fruit, and the water is the cleanest water source on earth. Every time it goes through a node on the vine, it gets filtered," Levy said about the fruit that is bringing her new business, WTRMLN WTR, success on a national level. "It's also 92 percent water." It's that 92 percent that Levy has found a way to extract and bottle into a growing health drink. Coldpressed, organic watermelon juice that offers more health benefits than popular coconut water and a better taste. Levy, a former Cranbrook Kingswood graduate who worked for a decade as a creative director for o2 Creative in Royal Oak, co-founded the business after moving to New York. Like the tough exterior that protects the juicy interior of the watermelon, it’s hard to crack Levy’s enthusiasm for WTRMLN WTR. “I founded this company with the mission to educate people about clean, healthy food and clean healthy living, and to create a product that isn’t full of chemicals, not pasteurized, and full of nutrients. Watermelon is a super food,” Levy said. “It’s just watermelon and organic lemon. It prevents muscle fatigue, fights free radicals, and it’s a natural Viagra. Everyone has a story about watermelon." Raised in both Birmingham and Bloomfield Township, Levy grew up learning the basics of business from her father. After high school, she went on to study art and design at the Art Institute of Chicago, focusing on immersive entertainment art, where theater, design and film intersect. Now, Levy's knack for business and artistic talents are serving her latest venture well. "My co-founder is from St. Louis, and is in real estate in New York. He had an idea to do something with watermelon, so I wanted to do everything, the branding and design. We decided to partner. I was the CEO of the company, then hired a beverage expert to take over. The brand itself gets a lot of attention." Launched in 2013, WTRMLN WTR has recently been made available at Whole Food Markets and Plum Markets. In early May, Levy launched a pop-up shop in New York City's SOHO neighborhood. On May 28, Levy returned to Birmingham from New York for a local launch at Shades Optical. "I know my strengths and weaknesses," Levy said. "It's all about building a tribe, with everyone doing their part of the whole." For her own part, Levy is working to make her brand of watermelon water go beyond the natural food market and be a healthy alternative to sugary beverages. The challenges, she said is that the science is challenging, and the fruit itself is expensive and complicated to grow for production. The process uses both the watermelon flesh and the rind before being hand-skinned. And while her focus is now on WTRMLN WTR, Levy's business sense and artistic talents will likely serve other startup businesses she's working on. As for details about those, she's keeping quiet for now. "It's natural for me," she said. "I was working with my dad when I was 6 years old at his office. He had a distribution business. I remember hand coding the inventory and numbers. The funny part is how naturally business comes to me. I've always struggled with numbers, but it's always been part of me, so I figured it out."
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Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Jonsar Studios
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MARKET OFFERINGS JUNE 2015
View of Vetheuil by Claude Monet
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The Signature Sotheby's Story Over the years there were many evolutions of our brokerage – starting in 1932 when the Snyder and Buck firm was incorporated in the center of Birmingham one year before the city officially existed. With each change, the goal has remained the same – improving our community, businesses and helping our neighbors with their real estate needs. Nine years ago we acquired Snyder, Kinney, Bennett and Keating and partnered with Sotheby’s to become SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty. SKBK quickly became the leader in the high-end real estate market throughout metro Detroit. Now as times change, so must our company. In order to support our continued growth strategy – become more widely recognizable and to better serve our clients, we have now become Signature Sotheby's International Realty. Never before in our 90-plus year history has our company enjoyed a greater reputation for strength, security, financial discipline and doing what is right for our agents and clients than we do today. Last year we not only controlled the high-end housing market throughout southeastern Michigan, but we also sold the two most expensive homes in Michigan history – these homes were sold by word of mouth and hard work and were not available on the market. Our agents and brokers offer that same hard work to each one of our clients. We continue to focus, as always, on what has gotten us here – building lifelong relationships with our agents, clients and communities. Our team works hard to know and understand your complete real estate picture. We put you at the center of everything we do. And we work together to help support the communities in which we all live and work. Thank you again for entrusting us with your business and we look forward to an even more robust future to come.
Douglas H. Hardy, MD Chairman
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Sotheby’s - Global Exposure The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand’s global media plan is designed to deliver more than 1 billion media impressions, solidifying our brand as the voice of luxury real estate. Our plan includes impactful, exclusive and first-to-market partnerships with an increased strategic focus on mobile and editorial content with some of the most preeminent media reaching all corners of the globe. Our goal is to present the properties represented by our worldwide network to a broad audience of potential buyers who value and seek the unique.
1 billion media impressions
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Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Global Exposure THE NEW YORK TIMES
Our 2015 advertising program with The
New York Times is a continuation of years prior and is structured to fetch nearly 300 million media impressions through branding and listing exposure elements, utilizing local ownership advertising opportunities and fixed positioning on various New York Times channels. This long-term plan features exclusivity and dominance in both print and digital marketing opportunities, designed to attract a diverse worldwide audience to more than and maximize our reach 40 million unique NYT monthly readers.
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Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Global Exposure THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Our continuous collaboration with
The Wall Street Journal offers an array of opportunities to showcase the homes represented by our network to the global audience that turns to this media icon for their daily source of insights into both micro and macro financial and economic landscapes. Designed to deliver 170 million impressions, this marketing strategy is comprised of a worldwide, multi-faceted program providing our brand with and dominance Wall Network D exclusivity throughout The Street Journalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Digital
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Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Global Exposure ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST Every day, Architectural Digest inspires millions of affluent home enthusiasts to redesign and refresh their lives through a multi-platform presence that includes print and digital connections. Our alignment with AD will deliver an anticipated 14 million media impressions and encompasses an integrated online partnership through a commanding presence on
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architecturaldigest.com. Recently redesigned and re-engineered, architecturaldigest.com ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST Every day, Architectural Digest MRWTMVIW QMPPMSRW SJ EJžYIRX LSQI IRXLYWMEWXW
attracts toonredesign average moretheir than unique monthly consuming about 10 and refresh lives900,000 through a multi-platform presencevisitors, that includes print and digital connections.
Our alignment with AD will deliver an anticipated 8 million media impressions and encompasses an pages per visit and the perfect environment to uniquely showcase the Recently homesredesigned we integrated onlineispartnership through a commanding presence on architecturaldigest.com. and re-engineered, architecturaldigest.com attracts on average more than 900,000 unique represent. monthly visitors, consuming about 10 pages per visit and is the perfect environment to uniquely showcase the homes we represent.
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Oakland Township $1,899,000
Wood Lake Frontage $2,599,000
Custom designed one owner home in a gated exclusive community in Oakland Township. Pond Vallee's woodedAboulevard entrance setscity an of enchanting stage forThis one of private retreat in the Bloomfield Hills. Oakland County's most luxurious residential communities. This magnificent Georgian Colonial sits on a private,custom over two acre wooded site.dramatic Crown moldings throughout, built estate features stone entrance with extensive hardwood floors, two stairways. Open floor plan, gracious foyer. The lower level was custom designedaand a large bar with sink hill features top setting andwood panoramic views ofand the appliances, lake. slate floors, wine room, stone fireplace, theater, massage room, craft room. Over 9000 square feet of living space with 6.5 car garage! Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 215005320
Bloomfield $1,495,000 Wonderful Private Estate on 1.44 acres featuring pool, cabana, full kitchen, bath and dressing room. Extensive brick patios and lush landscaping. Home has Contemporary feel but can be Transitional. Floor to ceiling windows and door walls. Four bedroom suites, six full baths, two half baths, seven fireplaces, three kitchens, generator, sun room, exercise room, large game room. Lower level family room, kitchen and fireplace. 215013035
Ronni Keating
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Birmingham $1,399,000 Move in by spring! Custom built Birmingham home by Town Building Company. This extraordinary home to be built in this fabulous location. Incomparable materials and workmanship. Exciting open floor plan, high ceilings, custom woodwork and cabinetry, incredible attention to detail, solid core doors and hardwood floors. Granite kitchen, stainless appliances and an outstanding master retreat. Additional third story with bedroom, bath and loft space. Front covered porch, spacious yard and extra wide lot. Three car attached garage. Great opportunity to make all your selections for the home of your dreams. Live in Birmingham with all the conveniences at your fingertips! Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 215001773
Bloomfield $929,000
Bloomfield $769,000
This is an exceptional home with open, airy living space spanning three expansive stories. High ceilings, generous light, Brazilian cherry floors, two double-sided fireplaces. The elegant formal living/dining room is served by a stunning granite and stainless chef â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s island kitchen. Master suite with a balcony, walk-in closet, custom cherry millwork dresser and opulent bath styled with custom Ann Sacks tile, his/hers vanities, a soaking tub and frameless glass shower. Two spacious bedroom suites occupy the lower level with a media room, game room, storage and access to the outdoors. Impeccably-landscaped. Five bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 215031044
Nearly two acres of lush park-like grounds, a beautifully-appointed 4000 square foot, Ranch offers a gracious open flow for family living and entertaining. The interior boasts high ceilings, generous light, three fireplaces, dark stained hardwood floors + a spacious living room, formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast bar, great room with a doubleheight window wall, 19 foot ceiling, opens to the dining and breakfast rooms, home office with sitting area, huge master bedroom, and second floor studio overlooking the pool. A large screened porch and rear decks offer natures best. Custom in-ground pool and fenced private yard. Five bedrooms with four baths. 215018428
Dan Gutfreund
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Lake Angelus Frontage $1,799,900 Fabulous newer built with breathtaking views from every room in this South facing Transitional home. Over 9,500 plus square feet of living space. Beautiful hardwood floors, granite and marble. Cherry kitchen with top end appliances, two large islands, first floor master bedroom and finished walk-out lower level. Four car extra high garage. Sandy frontage and backs to nature preserve. Five bedrooms with 5.1 baths. 215033174
Lake Angelus Frontage $1,499,000
Lake Angelus Lake Frontage $1,249,990
Beautiful custom built and designed Lake Angelus lakefront built to entertain. Breathtaking views from all the floor to ceiling windows. Fabulous new gourmet kitchen, four fireplaces and vaulted ceilings throughout. Large master suite overlooking the lake. Expansive deck and Gazebo. Walkout lower level with professional walk up bar seats ten. Sauna and open air Gunite lounge pool with waterfall. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 214092489
Prime Lake Angelus Shores Drive Ranch Home. Completely remodeled in the past seven years. 4500 square feet with three bedrooms, three full baths, high end appliances, granite, hardwood floors, fabulous views, whole house generator. Three car heated garage and driveway, boathouse for storage, paver patios with beautiful landscaping. Too many amenities to list. 215044426
Lee Embrey
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Bloomfield $2,399,000 Spectacular updated estate with magnificent panoramic view of Wing Lake. This exquisite home features a fabulous open floor plan, a gourmet kitchen by Bella Cucina with premium cabinets, high end stainless steel appliances. Lime stone counters, hardwood floors, extensive crown moldings and millwork handcrafted by Bill Teetle. Five bedrooms, four full and two half baths, a grand master suite with a luxurious master bath, large walk-in closet, fireplace and tremendous view of Wing Lake. Additional Features include a finished lower level walk-out with full kitchen, family room with fireplace, full bath and great storage. Professionally landscaped with two charming guest house that include kitchen and baths. This home was built with the finest craftsmanship and detail. 215044661
Bloomfield Hills $2,350,000 Magnificent private wooded estate located on almost two acres. This exquisite home features over 14,000 square feet of living space including indoor two lane bowling alley and swimming pool. This well designed soft contemporary is unparalleled in craftsmanship and designer appointments, and features four large bedrooms, five full baths and two half baths, gourmet kitchen with premium cabinets, glass counter tops, high end stainless steel appliances, a spectacular living room with grand marble fireplace, an unbelievable master suite with his/her walk-in closets, sitting room overlooking indoor pool, finished lower level with kitchen, exercise room, fireplace, sauna and great storage, professionally landscaped yard with tiered deck overlooking backyard paradise. 215025899
John & Bridget Apap
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Completed Summer 2015
Birmingham $3,599,000
Great Lakes Custom Builder presents a spectacular East Coast Traditional Custom Luxury Home designed by Alex Bogaearts features four bedrooms, 5.3 baths with stunning panoramic views of Quarton Lake. This exceptional home features a warm and inviting cooks kitchen with gorgeous custom cabinetry, top of the line appliances marble/quartz surfaces throughout. This timeless and classically finished home features an impressive two story grand foyer with barrel ceiling and magnificent staircase, warm hardwood flooring throughout, handcrafted mill work, paneled library, generous rooms and fabulous floor plan for entertaining and living. Large master suite with fireplace, custom closets, spacious and luxurious master bath with exquisite finishes. Finished lower level with climate controlled wine room, full bar, powder room plus additional fifth bedroom with full bath. 215012434
Birmingham $1,399,000
Birmingham $898,000
This generous and elegant floor plan will entice the most discerning buyer. French doors on the library with exquisite lighting and warm and inviting fireplace. Large and light filled kitchen with amazing cabinetry opens to cozy hearth room with dual sided fireplace and breakfast room. Stunning great room overlooks private fenced yard and patio. Expansive second floor with huge master suite with fireplace and luxurious spa like bath, vanity area and exceptional custom closets. Three additional bedroom suites, second floor laundry and bonus loft area for added functionality and versatility. Covered terrace porch with French doors and beautiful landscape round out the curb appeal. 215044949
Gorgeous new construction by Great Lakes Custom Builder. Spectacular floor plan with beautifully appointed white kitchen opens to light filled great room and breakfast room. Grand foyer opens to formal dining room and library with French doors. Master suite with fireplace and built-ins, dual walk-in closets and a luxurious master bath with soaking tub and walk-in shower. Second floor laundry, generous closet spaces and hardwood flooring. Huge finished basement boasts additional living space and bar, full bath and bonus room with egress window and closet. Landscaping, patio and fenced yard. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 215042537
Christine Drinkwater
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248.644.7000
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Birmingham $1,485,000 In-Town Living at it's Best! Door steps to the Townsend Hotel, Shain Park and Birmingham Shops. Charming home (not a condo) on one of the best streets in Birmingham. Great open floor plan for entertaining. Attention to detail; custom brick, cedar shake roof, copper gutters, hardwood floors, crown molding, ten foot ceilings, two custom winding staircases, elevator access to all floors. Wonderful bright living and dining room combo with dual marble fireplace. Enjoy a Chefs kitchen, granite, top of the line stainless appliances, breakfast bar and butlers pantry open to a sunny family room overlooking the backyard. Superb master suite with fireplace and balcony. Handsome master bath with marble floors, dual sinks and marble shower and jacuzzi, plus white custom his and her closets. Two guest bedrooms with custom closets and sharp white marble bath. Classy finished lower level with custom Cherry den with fireplace, plus lower level marble shower bath. Upstairs laundry, rare three car heated garage. Nicely landscaped with heated driveway system. Perfect in-town location. Three bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 215031009
Mike Sbrocca
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
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Franklin Village $2,950,000 Outstanding 10,000 square foot DesRosiers designed contemporary on private 5.7 acre setting. Airy and light filled open floor plan. Elegant master suite with fireplace, marble bath, spacious walk-in closet and dressing room. Two full kitchens. Walk-out lower level with recreation room, wine cellar and two gracious bedroom suites. Extensive custom landscaping and hardscaping. Six car garage, full house generator and new roof complete this exquisite custom home. Three bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 215021735 Co-listor Cindy Obron Kahn
Bloomfield Hills $949,900 Exquisite 2014 total renovation on two acre wooded lot in Bloomfield Hills. Extensive use of wood, granite, limestone along with magnificent trim detail. Beautifully updated kitchen with Viking appliances and sunlit breakfast room. Lovely living room with French doors opening to paver patio and lush grounds. Second floor master suite with new closet, private balcony and state of the art master bath. Two new air conditioning units, furnaces, Pella windows. Finished lower level. Move right into this incredible home. Five bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 215045422
Heather Salesin
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
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Delivering over 1 Billion impressions worldwide
Sotheby’s International Realty® 2015 MaRketIng Plan JAN
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DEC
INTEGRATED PARTNERSHIPS NYTimes.com Gallery Unit NYTimes.com Great Homes Slideshow Sponsorship NYTimes.com Mobile Carousel Unit NYTimes.com Gateway Unit WSJ.com Exclusive Social Connect WSJ.com Exclusive Real Estate Sponsorship WSJ.com iPad Mansion Exclusive Sponsorship WSJ.com Custom Partner Video WSJDN.com Global Network Video MansionGlobal.com Lifestyle Search Ownership MansionGlobal.com Exclusive Video Ownership MansionGlobal.com Homepage Featured Properties MansionGlobal.com Mobile App Sponsorship MansionGlobal.com Cover Takeover FT Distinctive Living Co-branded print ads FT.com Distinctive Living Co-branded Banners FT.com Distinctive Living Sponsorship FT.com Distinctive Living Homepage Carousel FT.com Distinctive Living Email Promotion FT.com Property Display Units FT Property Print Promotion FT.com Property Enewsletter Content FT.com Property Editorial Articles FT.com Hompeage Roadblock FT.com Launch Listings Sponsorship Bloomberg.com Editorial Units & Articles Bloomberg.com Social Connect Bloomberg.com High Net & Luxury Consumer Individual Audience Targeting AD.com Blogvertorial Sponsorship AD.com e-Newsletter Sponsorship AD.com Exclusive Sponsorship of Celebrity Homes for Sale AD.com Exclusive Sponsorship of Estates for Sale AD.com Homepage Roadblock Dwell.com Custom Sponsored Posts Dwell.com #ModernMondays Twitter Integration Dwell.com Homepage Parallax Unit with Video Dwell.com Real Estate Partner Exclusivity SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING SEARCH ENGINE MAKETING Google Yahoo! Bing.com Yandex YouTube eGallery SIR Touch Gallery INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANT SALES BRAND PUBLIC RELATIONS
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Delivering Over millionimpressions impressionsworldwide worldwide Delivering over800 1 Billion Sotheby’s International Realty® ®
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I NV E ST ME NT
YOUR HOME IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET FOR MORE REASONS THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. Historically, real estate has provided homeowners with their greatest return on investments, an appreciation in value that has been at times both short and long term. It is difficult to put a price on something of such significance, whether it is primary, secondary or vacation home. At the Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International RealtyÂŽ brand, we firmly believe in the inherent value of home and helping our clients realize their investment goals by offering unrivalled accesss to qualified people and distinctive properties around the world.
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009 | signaturesothebys.com
19 SIGNATURE JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:32 PM Page 1
Market Share | By Dollars SIGNATURE MARkETS More Homes Over $1.5 Million 25.75%
8.60%
7.78% 5.79% 3.65%
Signature Sotheby’s International
Max Broock Birmingham
Hall & Hunter Birmingham
Higbie Maxon Agney
Cranbrook Realtors
2.89%
2.84%
2.70%
2.67%
2.50%
Max Broock Bloomfield
Shain Park Realtors
Berkshire HWWB
RE/MAX New Trend
CB Weir Manuel Birmingham
*Current Active Listings provided by Realcomp II Ltd. 8.1.14
SIGNATURE SEllS More Homes Over $1.5 Million 21.48%
13.70%
13.05% 10.68%
5.87%
5.37% 3.77%
Signature Sotheby’s International
Max Broock Birmingham
Hall & Hunter Birmingham
CB Weir Manuel Birmingham
Max Broock Bloomfield
Shain Park Realtors
Berkshire HWWB
3.19%
Cranbrook Realtors
2.50%
Keller Williams Troy
1.90% RE/MAX New Trend
*Year to Date Sales provided by Realcomp II Ltd. 8.1.14
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
20 TWO PROP MIX JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:31 PM Page 1
Lake St. Helen Frontage $1,950,000 HUGE PRICE REDUCTION! Ultra custom log cabin boasts the most exquisite view to be found. Essentially an 85 1/2 acre playground that is nearly brand new. All sports lake, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, four wheeling, as well as located a mere 20 minutes from Forest Dunes Golf Course. The residence is situated upon 3 1/2 acres with its own beach. The 6+ detached garage is heated with a clock tower that could be turned into a guest house very easily. The adjacent 82 acres encompasses the last two lakefront properties to be had. Two thirds of the lake land is government owned not to be built on for the next 100 years. The acreage can be built upon with a home, multiple homes, condos, or left as is with six perfectly nestled custom heated hunting blinds. Home alone had building costs of over 2.2 million and seller is willing to reduce the price from over 2.5 million for all of the acreage and the residence to 1.95 million! Drive is only 2 hours up I-75 from Birmingham! 214113311 Presented by Jennifer Valenti
Lake Huron Frontage $1,900,000 Log Home Living Magazine said..."This is one of the most impressive lodges on the Great Lakes." Nestled on 368 feet of the finest sugar sand beach in Northeast Michigan, this is truly a magnificent one of a kind home. This soaring Spirit Lodge sits on an estate size property just under five private acres of groomed manicured grounds. The lodge is 7300+ square feet with five bedrooms and 4.5 baths and is being offered completely furnished. Many furniture pieces have been hand made specifically for this home. It truly custom in every sense of the word with crafted three story spiral stairway (London staircase of Canada), imported Italian Granite, all custom cabinetry, solid "Stallion" oak doors and trim. Other features include a theater room, indoor and outdoor hot tub, steam sauna and an endless pool (year round) off the master bedroom wing. There is also a guest cottage and a barn/garage 49'x18'. The materials used have made this home very energy efficient home. 215046037 Presented by Candice Cuyler
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
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Bloomfield $1,900,000 Spectacular! Wabeek Forest, soft contemporary/transitional home with over 6000 square feet of living space, not including the finished, walk-out lower level. Home constructed with steel beams! Home is elegantly graced with several curved walls. Superb quality throughout with extensive use of granite and marble. Soaring, two story ceiling in foyer and living room. Newer hardwood floors in living room, dining room and family room. Exciting four story suspended staircase leading to observation tower. Large, updated kitchen with Grecian marble backsplash is open directly to family room with custom circular window and cozy fireplace setting. Vacation year round with indoor, heated swimming pool. (30x10). Master suite with two walk in closets. Master bath with spa like tub and outstanding large, marble shower. Enjoy the serene privacy of this wooded lot from screened in porch, custom brick patio or numerous decks. Five bedrooms with 4.3 baths. 215004894 Presented by Kay Hartwell
Bloomfield $1,200,000 Beautiful custom built site condo with high end appointments and quality built in. Open floor plan with high ceilings and expansive windows. Every room bursts with sunlight including the lower level. Custom designed with extensive use of stone, hardwood floors, iron staircase and more. First floor master bedroom with his and hers walk-in closets. 2780 square feet. Walkout lower level with high ceilings and windows, family room, exercise room, two bedrooms and full bath. Brick paver driveway. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 215000805 Presented by Dana Labes
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
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Bloomfield $1,675,000 Situated within prestigious Eastways Farm, lies the area’s flagship property with unrivalled features and amenities. The property boasts a strong architectural exterior, while inside lies a beautifully-designed, light-filled, luxurious home. The spectacular open plan kitchen includes the latest in transitional European design with the finest Downsview cabinetry, and Wolf and Sub-zero appliances. The glamorous master suite provides a five star boutique hotel experience, with stone fireplace, 100 year old barn beams, breathtaking shower, roll top bath and a stunning walk-in closet. The floor plan is designed for today's modern lifestyle including a two-story great room, large open plan kitchen, home office, dining room, first floor master suite, four additional bedrooms, second floor recreation room, laundry room, large mudroom and four car garage. Five bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 215044937 Presented by Courtney Monigold
Round Lake Frontage $1,145,000 Truly a one of a kind Mackinac manor style home reminiscent of Queen Anne architectural styling. Located on private all sports Round Lake, just minutes from great restaurants and shopping in beautiful downtown Brighton. This home boasts nearly 6800 square feet of custom lakefront luxury. Four beautiful and spacious bedroom suites that all overlook lake side of home, master has a walkout balcony area . One of a kind two story round room that includes floor to ceiling windows/stone fireplace and a 800 bottle temperature controlled wine cellar. Extra large custom walk around veranda/porch with gorgeous extra large pillars. 193 feet of beautiful sandy lake frontage on a corner lot. Fully finished walkout with radiant heated floors, second kitchen, and game room area that leads out to brick paver patios that are surrounded by beautiful perennial gardens. Four bedrooms with 4.2 baths. 214111895 Presented by Renee Kerr
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248.644.7000
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Walnut Lake Frontage $1,125,000 FABULOUS!! Colonial on private, wooded 1.01 acre lot. The grand entrance patio overlooks exclusive all-sports Walnut Lake with Birmingham schools. This home features six bedrooms, six full bathrooms, whole house generator, new windows throughout, master suite is a beautiful second floor oasis with large walk-in closet and his/hers bathrooms. Other features of this home include an open loft area that overlooks the family room which is open to the country French kitchen, a beautiful sunroom overlooking the lake, full bar room on the entry level is perfect for entertaining. The fully finished lower level has a large recreation room, bedroom full bath and a garden room, stunning six car garage. Hardwood floors throughout areas on the main level, large family, living and dining room, main floor office/study is completed with its own gas fireplace. 215019935 Presented by Greg Johnston
Birmingham $999,999 A rare find in Birmingham! This tastefully appointed Contemporary home with first floor master suite sits on a private Cul-de-Sac in Quarton Lake Estates. The luxury of an elevator servicing all floors makes this home handicap accessible as well. From the minute you walk into this open foyer to walls of windows overlooking the private rear yard with patios, the light and open floor plan engulf you. Bamboo flooring, his/her California Closets, newly redone master bath suite with heated floors, kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite, premium appliances, first floor laundry, second and third bedroom suites with an additional large open office space on the second floor which could easily be converted to a fourth bedroom. Lower level features a private gym, wine storage, workshop room and half bath. Heated garage. Central vacuum and full house generator. Three bedrooms with 3.2 baths. Presented by Donna Barlow
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
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Northville $999,900 Incredible opportunity to own a sprawling 11+ acre Northville Country Estate that has been lovingly maintained by it's original owners. Features include; a beautiful Ranch style home with a 44'x26' raised covered patio that overlooks the property, finished walkout lower level with fireplace, wet bar, indoor pool and spa, a gorgeous three story barn with horse stalls and industrial workshop, four acres of fenced paddocks and a 50 x 100 pole barn. Five bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 214020842
Presented by Mia Bardy and Felicia Scappaticci
Bloomfield Hills $975,000 Classic function, traditional design and timeless livability. This three bedroom, walkout brick home of architectural integrity embraced by high-end finishes, delivers a drop-dead gorgeous interior showcasing an award winning conservatory, dining room, sensational kitchen, gathering room, library complete with built-ins and a wonderful master suite with his and her walk-in closets. Outdoors resplendent with an architecturally designed kitchen terrace, separate pergola, and fire-pit terrace all on a wooded ravine setting. Three bedrooms with 3.2 baths. 215043298 Presented by Sue Lozano
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
25 TWO PROP MIX JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:30 PM Page 1
West Bloomfield $849,900 Stunning property with all amenities of resort living and access to all sports Pine Lake! This contemporary ranch house offers an amazing open floor plan. High ceilings, huge window, floor to ceiling offering you a panoramic view of the astonishing back yard from every window. Chef 's kitchen with two cooking areas beautiful wood and stainless steel cabinets, granite counters, a huge island, professional appliances and cozy breakfast area. Huge master suite with extra high ceilings, large spa like bathroom and two walk-in closets. The professional landscaped grounds are showcasing a beautiful salt water pool, koi pound with waterfalls, hot tub and a very large gazebo with built-in Tuscan pizza oven and Argentinian grill. Amazing living space in the finished walkout basement, home theater room, sauna. First floor laundry, great closet space and 3 car garage. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 214056631 Presented by Silvia Stan
Green Lake Frontage $795,995 Incredible opportunity to own the premier piece of Green Lake property. Almost two acres and 424 feet of water frontage. Love the peace and serenity of this electric motor lake. Almost 3700 square feet of sophisticated living space on two floors with a first floor master and walk-out to lake. This home sits at the end of a dead end street for the utmost in privacy. Imagine waking to the spectacular panoramic views of the water. Sunsets are not to be missed from the house, patio or boat. Beautiful vaulted ceilings in great room with floor to ceiling fireplace give a completely open feeling to the living space. The kitchen is perfectly situated on the lake side for full advantage of the views. Many updates to home including granite and stainless kitchen, heated bathroom floors, newer windows, 2010 roof, 2012 new well, 2011 new forced air heating. West Bloomfield School district. 25" metal dock. Five bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 215018499 Presented by Michelle Yurich
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
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Independence Township $829,000 Beautiful Bridge Valley soft contemporary with outstanding views and tons of privacy. Nestled deep within this fine neighborhood on a 1.5 acre wooded lot that overlooks water and offers privacy and natural beauty. Open floor plan. Featuring a spacious first floor office or den (easily converted to a 5th bedroom), two story grand entry and two story living room, spacious formal dining room and large kitchen with counter and generous breakfast eating areas, outstanding walkout lower level with family room, wet bar, full bath, sitting room (another 5th bedroom option), craft area and game room. Four bedrooms with five baths. 215029828 Presented by Chris Johnson and Bill Tracy
Oakland Township $799,999
West Bloomfield $619,900
Gorgeous all brick colonial located on over 10 acres of privacy for under $800K. Nature lovers will enjoy this serene and exclusive site. Two-story foyer with over 6,000 finished square feet, three fireplaces, marble flooring, library located on first floor, additional office or craft room located on the second floor loft, master suite is located upstairs with bath overlooking private backyard, first floor bedroom with full bath, large laundry room/mud room, finished lower level walkout with bar and fireplace. Brick pavers on lower level walkout, gazebo and hot tub. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 215044344 Presented by Susan Johnson
Fantastic home in one of the most desirable subdivision's in West Bloomfield with coveted Bloomfield Hills schools! Here are the highlights of this beautiful home. Cul-de-Sac setting, resort style backyard with in ground pool, hot tub, and brick pavers, over-sized $100,000 Kitchen Studio designer kitchen with commercial appliances, recently renovated marble master suite, dressing room and over sized shower, John Morgan built-ins, full bath in mud room for swimmers, finished basement, hardwood floors. Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 215046607
signaturesothebys.com
Presented by Kathy Manoogian
248.644.7000
27 THREE PROP MIX JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:30 PM Page 1
Birmingham $739,900 Walk to town from this beautiful custom built brick home! Dramatic two story entryway flows well into this open floor plan. Dark hardwood floors throughout, gourmet kitchen, large bedrooms with Jack-n-Jill bath, lovely master bedroom with walk-in closet and spa bathroom. Copper cutters, brick paver driveway lead up to a heated two+ car garage with 500 square foot guest house above with cork floors and full bathroom! Four bedrooms with 4.1 baths. 215041371 Presented by Brian Dimmer
Bloomfield $709,000
Oakland Township $679,900
Character abounds in this Village charmer. Granite tile foyer takes you to newer kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counters, slate back-splash and stainless steel appliances. Living room, freshly painted with fireplace flanked by built-ins. Family room with recessed lighting with floor to ceiling windows overlooking paver patio and private yard. Master bedroom opens to expansive white bathroom with jacuzzi tub, stall shower, walk-in closet and exercise area. Private bath attached in bedrooms two and three. Bedroom four offers built-in cabinets, deep closet and molding accents. Finished lower level. Hardwood floors through-out. Four bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 215041834 Presented by Lisa Masters
Step into *First Class State-of-the-Art Home* with a two-story foyer and great room. Totally renovated 2011, filled with granite, hardwood, updated tile, carpeting, new deck, updated kitchen. First floor luxurious master suite with fireplace, dressing area and jetted tub. Exquisite landscaping, waterfall, pond with bridge and gazebo. Home sits on almost an acre. Lower level includes huge workout area with mirrors, sauna and recreation room area. Three bedrooms upstairs, one full suite and the other two are a Jack & Jill layout. Three car side entry garage. 215029055 Presented by Susan Johnson
signaturesothebys.com
248.644.7000
28 THREE PROP MIX JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:29 PM Page 1
Bloomfield $459,000 Do not wait to come and see this beautiful home in coveted Bloomfield location! Beautifully maintained and spacious home features new gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite, new windows, updated baths, two natural fireplaces, hardwood floors, walk-out lower level, private and wooded yard. Priced to sell fast! Five bedrooms with three baths. 215022604 Presented by Kim Gallager and Mia Bardy
West Bloomfield $450,000
Shelby Township $379,900
Beautifully updated colonial on a quiet cul-de-sac street in the award winning Birmingham School District. Spacious rooms and lovely open floor plan throughout. Newer granite island kitchen features large breakfast room. Wonderful stone fireplace in family room with exposed beams on the vaulted ceiling. Bay window and gleaming hardwood floors in the formal living room. First floor laundry. All baths are updated too. Master suite is an oasis with a large walk-in closet and a sitting room. New laminate flooring and hardwood on the upper level. Four bedrooms 2.1 baths. 215040629 Presented by Maureen Francis and Dmitry Koublitsky
Beautifully remodeled colonial located in the Sherwood Forest Subdivision on a cul-de-sac. Boasts an open floor plan wonderful for entertaining along with a gorgeous backyard complete with an in-ground pool. Updated kitchen with granite countertop. Updated master bathroom. Second floor laundry. Finished basement. Three bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 215045751
signaturesothebys.com
Presented by Liz Banstra
248.644.7000
29 THREE PROP MIX JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:30 PM Page 1
Pleasant Ridge $369,000 Best of both worlds. Quintessential old world charm meets the beautiful artistry of today's tastes. This jewel box features a gourmand's delight in the remodeled kitchen, complete with stunning granite and artisan cabinetry. Gorgeous hardwood floors throughout and a roaring wood burning fireplace. Remodeled maser suite with a large walk-in closet and south facing wall of windows overlooking the backyard. Versatile 13 x 8 bonus space adjacent to the master bedroom may be used for anything your heart desires. Master bath has a jetted tub and shower. Finished basement features knotty pine built-ins and an area that can be used as a lower-level bedroom or exercise/ballet/Pilates studio. Three bedrooms with two baths. 215043630 Presented by Lorraine Yalman
Bloomfield $282,400
Holly $209,900
Private gated entrance takes you through this beautifully landscaped brick paver patio area to the front entrance of this highly sought after Fernwood model. Perfectly updated with bamboo flooring in the great room, dining room, kitchen and breakfast area. Newer kitchen and lavatory. Freshly painted. Sumptuous master suite with fireplace. Recreation room wired for surround sound. Enjoy the sunshine on your private deck. Newer furnace and hot water heater. Mr. Organized and Mrs. Clean live here. Three bedrooms with 3.1 baths. 215041992 Presented by Kathy Lyons
Beautiful home just minutes from downtown Holly. Updated kitchen with appliances included. Bright open living room with gas fireplace, powder room, den/library and laundry on first floor. Wood floors in many rooms. Finished basement with wet bar, full bath, daylight windows and lots of storage space. Large master bedroom with vaulted ceiling, great walk-in closet, bath with tub and shower. Door wall off kitchen to large deck with stairway to great yard overlooking wooded area. Four bedrooms 3.1 baths. 215044809
signaturesothebys.com
Presented by Jim Casey
248.644.7000
30 THREE PROP MIX JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:29 PM Page 1
Troy $309,500 Emerald Lakes Village Quad level-First time on the market. Be ready to enjoy boating, swimming, fishing and access to a private beach this summer. Great water views from this very clean home. Four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, freshly painted throughout. New flooring in living room and dining room. Hardwoods upstairs in bedrooms. New carpeting in family room. Three bedrooms upper level, one bedroom in lower level walkout. Large private rear yard with flower garden. This is a very well cared for home, looking for a new owner. Troy schools. 215044627 Presented by Donna Barlow
Independence Township $314,816
Bloomfield Hills $165,000
A spectacular two-story foyer and great room with a floor-to-ceiling adobe fireplace welcomes you in this custom contemporary home. Huge kitchen island/bar and newer cherry cabinets makes entertaining a pleasure. Oak wood floors throughout. Master retreat with Berber carpet includes a seating area, walk-in-closet, and master bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower. A studio/loft with two skylights overlooks the great room. Partially finished basement includes a pool table and lots of built-in features. Brand new roof in 2015. Three bedrooms with 2.1 baths. 215043970 Presented by Carmen Mollicone
Refreshing, spacious, and elegant corner unit condo. Beautiful setting with views of lawns, gardens, or a pond from every window. Perfect for downsizing: large room sizes, generous storage. Updates including a kitchen renovation, refreshed paint, and newer windows. You will love the study with French doors opening to private balcony. Large master suite. Formal dining room. Private 800 square foot basement with natural light, hosts washer and dryer, cedar closet, and plenty of storage room. Two bedrooms with two baths. 215043698
signaturesothebys.com
Presented by Diane Cancro
248.644.7000
31 SIGNATURE JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:32 PM Page 1
near or far
A Full Service Relocation Department with Distinguished Connections Helping our clients navigate the world of real estate is what sets us apart. We are unmatched in our ability to connect buyers and sellers globally. As a primary real estate brokerage for Cartus Relocation, a global leader in the relocation industry, Signature Sotheby's International Realty participates in servicing relocation buyers coming into our area and sellers moving out of the area every day.
This is our world. Because a homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appeal extends far beyond what is near. EXPERIENCE A WORLD OF CONNECTIONS With 740 offices in 52 counties, we are all encompassing. From the enchanting beauty of France to the age-old country that is Thailand. Our locations may be abounding, but our unique-ness remains perfectly constant.
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32 SIGNATURE JUNE 2015_Layout 1 5/14/15 5:29 PM Page 1
LIKE NO OTHER YOUR HOME COULD HAVE COUNTLESS VISITORS this month, without your ever needing to open the door. To showcase your home on sothebysrealty.com, is to gain additional exposure on over 16 highly regarded websites around the globe. From the online digital network that is wsj.com, to the international luxury resource jameslist.com, introduce your home to those near and those far. Because the more introductions, the more possibilities
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Lara J. Forte Loan Officer NMLS # 1169665 T: 248-912-9031 C: 248-284-5178
John & Bridget Apap Fine Homes Specialists Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com
41820 Six Mile Road Northville MI 48168
LForte@mbmortgage.com
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
932 Pilgrim Avenue Birmingham | New to the Market | One of a Kind in Quarton Lake Estates
1263 Brookwood Street Birmingham | $995,000 | Exquisite Gem in Quarton Lake Estates
John & Bridget Apap Fine Homes Specialists Cell 248.225.9858 japap@signaturesothebys.com
415 S. Old Woodward | Birmingham, MI 48009
4383 Oak Grove Drive
1375 Scenic Court
Bloomfield Hills | $2,399,000
Bloomfield Hills | $2,350,000
514 Chase Lane
345 Martell Drive
Bloomfield Hills | $1,999,900
Bloomfield Hills | $1,399,000
328 Barden Road
6626 Country Club Lane
Bloomfield Hills | $1,349,000
West Bloomfield | $1,300,000
1786 Bates Street
229 Clifton Road
Birmingham | $979,000
Bloomfield Village | $849,900
Lynn Wiand
John & Bridget Apap
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Imagine owning your very own private, new construction, luxury resort, nestled on the only remaining lot in Quarton Lake with views of the waterfall, lake, park & river. Beyond the electric gated entrance with camera and alarm system, sits this exceptional private estate. Generous open floor plan. Stunning great room perfect for entertaining shares a dual sided fireplace with elegant study. Cooks kitchen with top of the line stainless steel appliances, rich exotic wood cabinetry, walk-in pantry and command center. Master suite features a fireplace and its own private patio, spacious spa like master bath with freestanding tub, walk-in shower and beautiful custom closet/dressing areas. Approximately 8000 sq ft of finished living space, walkout lower level with climate controlled wine room, full bar area and spa/sauna. Handcrafted mill work, impeccable materials and gorgeous architectural details throughout. Ready Fall 2015. 215012288 y nc pa u c Oc e t ia ed m Im
Great Lakes Custom Builder presents a spectacular East Coast Traditional Custom Luxury Home designed by Alex Bogaearts features four bedrooms, 5.3 baths with stunning panoramic views of Quarton Lake.This exceptional home features a warm and inviting cooks kitchen with gorgeous custom cabinetry, top of the line appliances marble/quartz surfaces throughout. This timeless and classically finished home features an impressive two story grand foyer with barrel ceiling and magnificent staircase, warm hardwood flooring throughout, handcrafted mill work, paneled library, generous rooms and fabulous floor plan for entertaining and living. Large master suite with fireplace, custom closets, spacious and luxurious master bath with exquisite finishes. Finished lower level with climate controlled wine room, full bar, powder room plus additional 5th bedroom with full bath. Ready Summer 2015. 215026686
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FACES Andrew Madvin irmingham resident Andrew Madvin has been a student and instructor of glass blowing for nearly two decades, but it wasn't until he was in high school that he discovered his passion for creating art. "I remember being excited to take a jewelry course in high school. I found I enjoyed working with my hands and designing. I started there, and got a scholarship to the Center for Creative Studies, and discovered glass," he said. "I got a late start in the arts. We weren't really a family of artists. For me, it was the combination of building things, starting with nothing and ending up with something, and the process and techniques of the craft. I live to experiment, in more of a playful way than an intellectual way." In addition to his studies at CCS in Detroit, Madvin studied at the Pilchuck Glass School at the California College of Arts and Crafts, in Oakland, California. In 2000, he opened Axiom Glass Studio in Detroit's Russell Industrial Center. The space allows for a full welding studio, woodworking studio, metal fabrication studio, his glass furnace and two galleries. Like baking a cake or a batch of cookies, all of his works start with raw materials. In the case of glass blowing, Madvin seeks out the highest quality for clarity and malleability so he can bend and shape it while heating and cooling. "My furnace melts about 400 pounds (of glass) at a time. It's a good size furnace," he said. "Basically, it is glass blowing. You dip the rod in and extract the hot glass. You're working with molten glass, and there's a lot of heat and light coming from the fire. There's a constant movement to the glass. That's one of those qualities of the glass that I was attracted to." Madvin's works include glass sculpture, bowls and his series of bold and unique "Thorn Vessels." The vessels utilize clear, glass thorns that both elevate the brightly colored bowls, and add stability to them. Light reflected from the thorns reflect into the vessels and give them the appearance that they are glowing. "My latest direction has been using cast glass," he said. "It's a more methodical process. It involves making a mold, and you can achieve more architectural glass, with more angles and lines. But it's hot glass, not hot casting." In addition to the offerings at his gallery, Madvin's work has been exhibited throughout North America, at studios, shows and fairs. His work can also be seen at the Detroit Institute of Arts gift store. "I've been doing art festivals since I graduated," he said. "It's a good way for an artist to focus on what they want, and it brings clientele. It's a good way to develop ideas." While Madvin said his own parents didn't expose him to art at an early age, his work served to influence his younger brother, Robert, who also went on to study glass at CCS. The brothers share space at the Axiom studio. Robert, who went on to study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, incorporates influences from the island into his own glass sculptures, called Pochacu, meaning rock or stone. "Definitely, my kids will be exposed to art at an early age," he said of his two daughters, ages 3 years and 10 months.
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Story: Kevin Elliott
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BODY CAMERAS HOST OF ISSUES INVOLVED WITH THE DECISION ABOUT EQUIPPING LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS BY KEVIN ELLIOTT lected officials, civil rights leaders and law enforcement agencies looking for ways to ease tensions between police officers and the public may have differing beliefs on the extent of police brutality occurring across the nation, but all of them agree that the use of bodymounted cameras could be part of a solution. Law enforcement agencies in favor of adopting new video technology say body cameras provide an accurate record of their interaction with members of the public. For police, that means good cops are likely to be exonerated of wrongdoing. For individuals abused by police, the video may validate their claims and hold bad officers accountable. While both police and the public agree on the use of body cameras, specifics on when and where they should be used, as well as who should have access to footage, is hardly a black and white issue. "We aren't opposed to body cameras. A lot of departments are in favor of them," said Robert Stevenson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Police Chiefs. "We've been used to having our actions recorded from in-car camera systems, and those have been very beneficial for police. But, the problem isn't as simple as people make it sound. There are a lot of unintended consequences that people don't think about." Factors that law enforcement departments must consider before using body cameras include the cost of purchasing the equipment as well as storing the video. Likewise, the longer an agency is required to store video footage, the greater the need for storage will be, as well as the cost. Beyond the expenses, the use of body cameras raises serious questions about privacy.
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Ann Arbor Deputy Police Chief Greg Bazick said his department purchased about 86 body cameras in May, and has been testing them with about 20 officers and supervisors on each shift. Plans, he said, include eventually manning all officers with body cameras, bringing the total number closer to 140. "The biggest expense is storage," Bazick said. "They are high-definition video. From what we can see (storage) is the biggest consideration for departments. The cameras are relatively inexpensive, but the longterm storage is really the issue right now." azick said the body cameras being used by the department are able to use the same storage system as the department's in-car camera system. However, the amount of space used more than doubled, as the department added 25 Terabytes to its existing 17 Terabytes. The total cost for the body-camera system is nearly $175,000, with additional expenses expected as the system is expanded. The city of Ann Arbor was able to receive a discounted purchase price for its initial body cameras, as it was able to secure a discount from the manufacturer. The Washtenaw Sheriff's Office and the Ypsilanti Police Department have also purchased body cameras from the same vendor. In terms of how long to store the data, Bazick said the department is following the current 30-day requirement that applies to all police video taken in the state. "What we are seeing, technically, to evaluate them in the field is the easy part," he said. More difficult, Bazick said, is developing policy regarding what information is released to the public. "We are interested to see the impact here," he said, "and finding the balance of providing the community with access to those well intended versus those who want to be voyeurs." Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard gives an example of potential privacy issues based on his experience in his early days as a police officer. A young woman, he said, was getting out of a shower when she slipped and fell on the floor, getting stuck between the bath tub and the toilet. When Bouchard arrived, the woman was injured and naked. Under current state law, such footage recorded by a body camera would be available to anyone in the public making a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. "The biggest concern I have is FOIA, and how do we protect the people we serve from being victimized by some reality TV wannabe," he said. "To be real clear, we want and expect complete accountability for law enforcement behavior. We want accountability, but we don't want to victimize people in doing that." Skeptics may discount Bouchard's concern, but for law enforcement officers in the Seattle area, the number of FOIA requests coming into departments after the Seattle Police Department began using body cameras proved to be so overwhelming that some departments decided to forgo using them until additional protections have been made. In Paulsbo, Washington, just outside of Seattle, police chief Al Townsend said a man identifying himself as "The Requestor" went to several area police departments and requested every video – whether recorded in-car or with a body camera – available. For the small 20-man police department of Paulsbo, that meant eight months of footage, and years to meet the request. "It was a guy who was living in his mom's basement. He did it anonymously to start with, under the name ‘police-video-requests dot, whatever,’"
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Townsend said. "In Washington, you don't have to identify yourself, and you can make these requests anonymously, and we are required to comply with that. "There are a couple issues. One, we have to redact certain pieces of information that we can't give out. And, if we know who is in the video, we actually have to give the person in the video an opportunity to go to court and try to keep the video from being released, should they want to. We had to try and find, for eight months of video, all the people who would have been in these videos and give them the opportunity to seek injunction. Basically, we figured the redaction time alone was going to be about four or five years, just to provide those eight months of video." In neighboring Bremerton, Washington, Police Chief Steve Strachan said the requests caused the department to halt plans to purchase body cameras. "What it came down to was that we would be contributing to voyeurism and exploitation of people," he said. "They could request everything and put it on YouTube." In Paulsbo, Chief Townsend said they started working with the man who made the requests, who eventually cancelled his efforts. "When we told him we were going to have to identify everyone that we could identify in these videos and give them the opportunity to seek injunction, he stopped his requests," he said. "He said, 'that's what I wanted you to say. I wanted you to tell me you were going to try to protect the privacy of people in the videos.' It was very weird. But, it doesn't prevent the next guy from coming along and asking for the same thing for different reasons." The man, a computer programer, ended up being hired by the Seattle Police Department and is working to help find ways to redact videos in order to protect individual privacy while still maintaining the public's right to police records, said Seattle Police Detective Patrick Michaud. He said the department is now helping other agencies across the nation in finding ways to meet the challenges that the use of body cameras pose. Back in Oakland County, Bouchard said current state law allows any person to request police video and do with it what they please. In order to address the issue, White Lake Republican Jim Runestad has introduced legislation to address who may request footage, and how long is has to be retained. The bill, HB 4234, was introduced in February and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. Committee members took testimony on the bill in April, after which several amendments were made. The bill has yet to be voted out of the committee and presented to the House for a vote. Under its initial form, the bill would create the "Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Privacy Act." The act, if approved, would prohibit a recording taken in a private place from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, with some exceptions. The act would also specify under which a recording would be subject to FOIA; how long a recording must be kept by an agency; and stipulate that a recording must be held for up to three years if a complaint against a law enforcement officer was made after the retention period expired. Under the initial bill, any video taken in a private place – or one where an individual may reasonably expect to be safe from casual or hostile intrusion or surveillance – is exempt from disclosure under the FOIA. Exceptions to disclosure would include a person who is the subject of the recording; an individual whose property has been seized or damaged in relation to, or is otherwise involved with a crime to which the
recording is related; or a parent or legal guardian or attorney for the individual in the video. So far, Runestad said the bill has been amended to require agencies to retain initial video for 45 days, up from 30. That change, he said, was made at the request of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, which is also pushing for more openness in those who may request information. "We are looking at different aspects to try to make sure that, as much as possible, we are keeping the balance between privacy and law enforcement doing its job," Runestad said. "Between the media associations and law enforcement and some other groups, it's a real balancing act. "We probably aren't going to get everyone on board with something like this. It's a newer concept and has a lot of ramifications. I don't think there's an ability to make everyone happy with the bill, but we can make a vast improvement over what is currently there, which is nothing." equests for comment from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters weren't returned. According to a statement from the association, the first version of the bill prohibited disclosure in private places, such as a person's home. Working with Runestad, the association said it was able to come up with new wording in the bill. Under a revision of the bill, the wording regarding prohibitions for FOIA requests is omitted, while language stating any FOIA request made would require the agency to hold the footage for up to three years. The current changes, which haven't yet been approved by the committee, have been sharply criticized by law enforcement. "I'm very disappointed with the direction, after working with (legislators) for months," Bouchard said of the current draft of the bill. Stevenson, with the Michigan Association of Police Chiefs, said the association had originally supported the bill, but has withdrawn support of the latest version. "We were in favor of that bill, until they gutted the FOIA protections in there," he said. "In the original version, there were limitations on who could FOIA what information. The way it is now, anyone is entitled to the records, so we don't think that's a good policy. In private practice, there are way to redact faces on video, but that's expensive and labor intensive. Who is going to pay for that?" Rep. Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township) who serves as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the committee is still holding hearings on the bill and isn't ready to vote it out of committee yet. He said FOIA and privacy issues are one of the issues that needs to be looked at as more agencies elect to use body cameras. Dave LaMontaine of the Police Officer's Association of Michigan said the association doesn't support the current legislation because it doesn't provide adequate protection for officers. "It's now on it’s seventh revision, or so. We were involved pretty late in the game. They finally figured out that maybe they should ask the people who have to wear these things if they have concerns about it," he said. "We are in support of body cameras, the concept itself, but this legislation is absent some critical concepts. It's been rushed." Of main concern to officers, LaMontaine said, are protections from management and supervisors abusing the video to unjustly punish officers. "We want there to be a ‘just cause’ protection in there when management is reviewing these situations,"
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he said. "Traditionally, what gets left behind is that people toting around the tin star or badge aren't treated like citizens. They are treated differently. We don't want (video) reviews for no apparent reason. This is a problem we have had in the industry. Someone could scrutinize them for not wearing a hat or something like that." LaMontaine said officers know there will be situations where video is reviewed because of a complaint by a citizen, but they want to make sure management isn't taking liberties by reviewing entire shifts and picking out minor issues to arbitrarily punish officers. "We recognize the value of body cameras. If a department doesn't have them, they are looking at getting them. We think body cameras are the way to go," he said. "We are nervous that the feds or state will mandate it and not fund it. This is a trend. We are at the table having these discussions. We think it will exonerate police officers, and if they don't, he has to take his medicine, and we aren't going to stand in the way of it." Most local police departments in Oakland County are monitoring legislation before deciding to purchase body cameras. In addition to questions about FOIA, police chiefs throughout Oakland County are waiting to see whether any legislation will be approved, and how it will impact their budgets at agencies both small and large. "We are waiting to see where the cards fall, and what's required and what will be available to us as far as funding goes," said Wolverine Lake Village Police Chief John Ellsworth. "We have very good in-car cameras and they serve their purpose, but with the national cry for body cameras... we don't want to take the lead in this fight." Neighboring Walled Lake Police Chief Paul Shakinas said his department is also watching pending legislation at the state before moving on body camera use. "Currently, we don't have plans on implementing body cameras," he said. "We're happy with the cameras in the cars for the time being." Shakinas said the department has tested body cameras from different vendors, but that it is not yet ready to implement them. The issue, he said, has less to do with cost than it does finding an appropriate policy regarding their use. "Nobody can agree on that yet," he said, citing issues with privacy, retention and litigation. "It's also another thing for myself and city administration to do for FOIA. We probably get an average of six to eight FOIA requests per week through the police department, and there will be much more if that is added." hakinas said the department would also have to redact any footage that reveals information relayed from the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), such as license plate registration or other confidential information that isn't subject to FOIA. "I do like the concept of it, having an eye out there all the time," he said. "But it's a whole different thing when you have a camera on a medical (call) and they are naked. We aren't ready for that yet. There's not a solution. "I'm a huge proponent of cameras, especially with the whole, 'we hate the police thing' right now." Some larger departments echo the sentiments of the smaller police forces in Oakland County. In Birmingham, police Chief Don Studt said the department is looking at cameras in order to keep up on the technology and potential issues; however there are no plans to purchase them at the moment. Bloomfield Township Police Capt. Scott McCanham also said the department is monitoring legislation, as well as the capability of body cameras.
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"They will probably come in the future, but that's a big-ticket item," McCanham said. "It's not an easy deal." Bloomfield Hills Police Chief David Hendrickson said while he is a proponent of the current in-car camera system that the department uses, he said he doesn't see a need for the use of body cameras in Bloomfield Hills, at the moment. LaMontaine with the police officer's association, also said there are questions as to how often cameras should be recording during a shift. In addition to privacy concerns of the officer and individuals in embarrassing situation, he said constant recording could make people less willing to share information with officers if they believe someone will find out who provided confidential information. "How is a citizen supposed to give information? All of that is subject to FOIA," he said. "People's lives are in the wind. We fish people's bodies out of the water. We see suicides and brains on the wall and on the ground. We see all of that. I'm not sure people are ready to see that, and it's all going to be out there." Milford Police Chief Thomas Lindberg, who also serves as president of the Oakland County Police Chiefs Association, said the topic of body cameras is discussed each month amongst members of the association. So far, he said, he doesn't know of any departments in Oakland County that have department-wide use of body cameras. However, Milford has recently purchased two body cameras for testing. Those are being used for investigations and for special-events patrols, such as parades. "We'll put them on patrol officers downtown if there's an event, especially if there's a beer tent," Lindberg said. The cameras are "first generation," meaning they don't have the capability of recording through a full 12hour shift, nor can they perform remote uploads of video into the department's video system. Officers must plug the cameras directly into a computer and download the data. Newer cameras can be programmed to automatically download footage once in range of the department's wireless system. "They are useful for investigations, but the ones we have aren't practical for all-day, everyday patrol use." Sheriff Bouchard, however, disagrees with limiting the use of body cameras. Instead, he said, he would prefer to have them record during a deputy's entire shift, if they are used. "Obviously, anybody doesn't like having a camera strapped to them all day at work. Any conversation of the day, any comment you make, or having lunch and making a silly joke, maybe not inappropriate, but silly, being recorded. But, with accountability comes some uncomfortable situations. It has to come with a balance," he said. "People say to turn it off at lunch, but there were three officers eating lunch in Washington state, and they were assassinated while eating that meal. I'm more of a fan to leave it on." The Michigan State Police (MSP) Department has been utilizing body cameras for several months, with about two dozen units used by troopers in southeast Michigan, and by members of the Capitol Security Section. "Utilizing these devices increases transparency and helps protect both law enforcement officers and citizens," said state police spokeswoman Tiffany Brown. "We also want to be mindful of officer and citizen privacy concerns, ensure that officers are properly trained in the use of body cameras, and make certain that appropriate policies and procedures for use are in place." Brown said the pilot period will help the department explore various capabilities and develop proper policies and procedures. While there is no set date as to when
the pilot program ends, she said the department will "proceed cautiously when considering any full deployments." Currently, she said, troopers are required to activate the body cameras during any situation that may result in enforcement action. Countywide, Lindberg said the Oakland County Police Chiefs Association is in favor of using body cameras, but take issue with any legislation that would require their use. urrently, one bill has been introduced into the Michigan House of Representatives that would require police departments to use body cameras. The bill, HB 4229, was introduced by Rep. Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit). Under the legislation, any law enforcement officer carrying a gun or a Tazer would be required to wear a body camera and record events that occur while on duty. The cameras would be required to be activated whenever the officer is on duty, with the exception of some personal matters, such as using the bathroom or having a private conversation. Under the bill, officers would also be required to notify people if they are being recorded, and ask for permission to record under certain circumstances, such as entering private residences. Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth) who chairs the House Criminal Justice Committee where the legislation was referred in February, said he doesn't have any plans to move the legislation. "It's a well-intentioned bill, but practically speaking, the cost of purchasing, maintaining and monitoring this equipment is cost prohibitive to the vast majority of municipalities in Michigan." While Heise said it's fine if departments want to pick up the technology on their own, trying to mandate body camera use on the state level is an overburden to departments. Michigan Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake) said he has mixed emotions about requiring body cameras. From a purely physical standpoint, he said it's possible to overload officers with equipment. "Think about what an officer is carrying â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a Tazer, handcuffs, sidearm, a vest â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we keep putting more and more weight onto these officers and we are expecting them to perform as an Olympian," he said. "Also, if we mandate something, we are going to be on the hook for paying for it. We would have to buy them, and train them, maintain them and conduct reports. Those are financial questions we have. The first question is: how much is this going to cost?" On the federal level, president Obama has called for an increase in body camera use. While not going so far as to propose mandating camera use, the president in December proposed a three-year $263 million investment package to expand the use of body-worn cameras, as well as training for law enforcement officers. As part of the initiative, the Body Worn Camera Partnership Program would provide a 50 percent match to states and local units of government who purchase body cameras and associated equipment. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a $20 million grant program to help state and local departments purchase body cameras. While the program may benefit some departments, Bouchard said it would be a drop in the bucket for a department the size of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. "Startup of a program for us would be about $2 million," he said. "There are 800,000 police officers in the state, so only about 19 departments would be able to do it. The bigger challenge is policy that goes with it, not just funding."
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Remarkable red brick Georgian home on 2 acres Wonderful proportions & timeless details throughout Master suite and 4 additional ensuite bedrooms
BIRMINGHAM | $1,5 $1,500,000 $1
BLOOMFIELD IELD VILLAGE VILLAGE | $1,399,000 $1,399,000
Hunter Roberts Homes classic Meticulous design and cra Construction ion to be completed August 2
d Homes outstanding craftsmanship Fantastic floor plan Construction on to be completed August Aug 2015 G
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FRANKLIN KL VILLA VILLAGE | $1,295,000
BIRMINGHAM | $1,100,000 00 0 00,0 00,000
Beautiful private iv acr Four levels of superior u living and enter Spacious a walk
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WEST WEST BL BLOOMFIELD OOMFIELD $69 $695,000 5,000
Tremendous views of private Pine Lake Renovate or build your custom home Docking and boathouse facilities Accent pond and rolling terrain End-unit townhouse with bright master suite Walk to Cranbrook community
BIRMINGHAM $5 49,000 $549,000 Fabulous home on 1/2 acre Sophisticated finishes & craftsmanship Enough room to add on or build
442 44 2 S. Old Woodward Woodwar oodwa d A Ave. ve. Birmingham, rmingham, MI MI 48009 4800
FACES
Andrew Weidenbach ranbrook Kingswood hockey coach Andrew Weidenbach may have had a successful career on the ice himself had it not been for a fishing accident in his youth in northern Ontario. Today, Weidenbach is heading one of the most successful scholastic hockey programs in the state, with three of his former players having gone on to play at the professional level. "I played travel and junior hockey when I was younger, but I had a serious injury that ended it all for me. I didn't pursue hockey," he said. "Years later after getting married, my wife talked me into coaching my son." Weidenbach took his wife's advice, coaching his sons and working in construction. Eventually, he was offered a full-time coaching position in Tier II Junior A hockey as the head coach and general manager of the Detroit Compuware team. He coached from 1986 to 1990, leaving the league with a record of 190 wins, 37 losses and 18 ties, as well as being named North American Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year three times, and earning four playoff championships, four Junior A championships and five USA Hockey Junior A tournaments. In 1990, Weidenbach was named the head coach of the Plymouth Whalers, later renamed the Detroit Junior Red Wings. In 1993, Weidenbach started his career with Cranbrook. The school was looking for a coach, and had narrowed the search to four or five finalists when a friend of his mentioned his name to the athletic director. "The athletic director asked a little more about me, and I met him and we hit it off really well. He asked if I would be interested at coaching at Cranbrook," Weidenbach said. "I wasn't sure if I would fit in well. I was a
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little hesitant at first, and I signed a one-year contract. I figured at first it was just one year and they probably wouldn't want me back, anyway." Weidenbach has been head coach of the team ever since. During his time as head coach at Cranbrook, the team's record (through the 2013-14 season) is 415 wins, 147 losses and 33 ties. The team has won the MHSAA Division III state championship in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015. Despite the success, he said building the program at the school was hard work. "We only won eight games my first year. We won maybe 11 or 12 after that," he said. "Trying to build a program and get it up and running, by year three we started experiencing some success. We won the regionals and then went on to the state championship, which we won in year four. It's a process, and it takes a while to build a program." In addition, Weidenbach has worked as a skating coach to the Detroit Red Wings during the team's rookie development camps, most recently in 2013. To be able to work in hockey for 30 years without having to leave the Detroit area, he said, is very fortunate. "I feel like I have to pinch myself sometimes," he said. "It's like it's fate sometimes. I'm doing something I love, every day. I didn't plan to be here or be a coach or work in athletics at Cranbrook. For the past 30 years, I've been able to do that, and I love every minute of it, and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
MUNICIPAL The latest plan for West Maple Road
Whole Foods coming to Birmingham By Lisa Brody
By Lisa Brody
The Birmingham Multi-Modal Transportation Board on Thursday, May 7, reviewed the findings and recommendations of the W. Maple Steering Committee, and determined traffic would flow best with a threelane configuration, and they recommended trying a six-month test run after the road is repaved in 2016. The W. Maple Steering Committee, along with a detailed presentation by Birmingham's transportation consultants Fleis and Vandenbrink, examined the stretch of W. Maple between Southfield and Cranbrook roads. This part of W. Maple is in bad shape, with the right lanes crumbled and full of potholes. Birmingham originally planned to resurface the road in 2015, but postponed the project to 2016 to qualify for federal funding that will cover 80 percent of the construction costs. A key item the Multi-Modal board discussed was the steering committee's recommendation to convert the roadway from a four-lane road to a three-lane road, with a lane in each direction and a center left turn lane. An early suggestion had been to re-stripe the road now and try it out, but the steering committee recommended waiting and doing that after the repaving, and then conducting a six-month evaluation of the new road configuration. Although there has been discussion for many months about incorporating a bike lane in both lanes along W. Maple, the W. Maple Rd. Steering Committee recommended deleting the bike lane and to mark the pavement so that portion of pavement acts as a paved shoulder. Another recommendation of the committee is to add, or maintain, a right turn lane for eastbound traffic at the Southfield Road intersection to reduce congestion. There has been concern among neighboring residents regarding safety and accident rates increasing, as well as drivers using neighboring streets as cut-throughs if this configuration were to be enacted, but the steering committee said there were safety benefits to be gained instead, including lower average speeds, reduced traffic conflict points, the reduction of accident rates and accident severity, and improved gaps downtownpublications.com
he Whole Foods store in Troy at Maple and Coolidge roads will move to Birmingham to expand its offerings in a building that will be twice the size of its current location. “We're very, very excited. We've been looking for a bigger location for a long time. It will be almost double the size of the current one,” said Michael Bashaw, Midwest regional president of Whole Foods Market. The new Whole Foods, purveyors of organic foods and natural products, will be located at 2100 E. Maple Road, just to the west of the new LA Fitness behind Big Rock Chophouse. There is currently an office building on the site, which will be redone and modified for a late 2017 opening. The planned 46,000 square foot building, versus the existing store's 28,000 square feet, “will allow us to do everything bigger,” Bashaw said. For Whole Foods, Bashaw said, bigger is better. They intend to greatly expand their produce department, put in a large juice bar where, he said, customers can get customized juices as well as cold pressed juices. “We also intend to have much more ready-to-cook meals. Our meat and seafood will be bigger and we'll have our own smoker for our seafood, so we'll have fresh smoked fish. We'll be making our own bacon right on site.” Bashaw said the site in Troy, which was once a Merchant of Vino store prior to Whole Foods acquiring the location, “the grocery area has been undersized, as has the frozen area. The new one will be three times the current store. Our specialty food department will be much bigger, as will prepared foods. For example, we have one area currently. The new store will have five.” He said the Birmingham location will include a bakery that makes bread from scratch, “and we will have much more pastries.” They will also feature wine, beer and artisan distilled spirits. Bashaw said they hope to add a popular feature in many Whole Foods around the country to the new Birmingham location, “if we're allowed to by the city commission,” Bashaw said. “Now we put bars inside many more stores.” Technological advances in the business will be employed throughout the store, from brighter lighting to touch screens which allow shoppers to order sandwiches. Shoppers will also be able to order food from their computers or smartphones via an app, and “we'll have it ready for you when you get here,” he said. Noting competition from other local markets and specialty stores, like nearby Papa Joe's, Bashaw said, “Competition is good for us and good for customers. It ups everyone's game. Our advantage will be our parking. We have 275 parking spaces.” As for the late 2017 opening date, he said they have an existing lease in Troy that has to be honored.
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in traffic for easier turns onto W. Maple from the surrounding neighborhoods. The steering committee also recommended there should be enhanced pedestrian crossings at Lake Park and Chesterfield, ADA-compliant ramps at all corners, the removal of little-used bus stops and enhanced higher-used bus stops along the roadway by adding concrete pads, benches, and shelters, as well as enhanced technology in the existing signal to control and optimize signal lengths and their timings. The Multi-Modal Transportation Board voted to recommend to the city
commission the steering committee's recommendation of trying out W. Maple as a three-lane configuration with a center turn lane and no bike lanes. The Birmingham City Commission will examine the issue at their meeting June 1.
Open preservation at ASH site okayed A presentation by land developer and builder Howard Fingeroot of Pinnacle Homes for a site application split of 15 acres of wooded land from
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Academy of the Sacred Heart to create a 17-unit development for empty nesters to be called Legacy Hills, under the open preservation option, was fought by some neighbors, but ultimately approved by the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, April 27. The purpose of the open space preservation option is to provide the developers with a means to preserve wetlands and woodlands by clustering homes to create greater open space nature areas. The option allows for homes to be closer together than the township's normal ordinances permit, with less setbacks. If granted, the applicant must then submit a full site plan to the planning commission and board of trustees for approval. Bloomfield Township Planning, Building, and Ordinance Director Patti Voelker informed trustees that the proposed lot split plan, which features woodlands and wetlands, is consistent with the township's master plan. Academy of the Sacred Heart has chosen to sell off the land on the easterly portion of the school's campus. “The parallel plan is an alternative to a traditional development plan, ending in a cul-de-sac,” Voelker said. “In the cluster, 17 lots are delineated, as well as wooded areas, open spaces and the preservation of trees. Either plan, if approved, will require a lot split submission to the township from the existing school campus and new school entrance drive, as well as the rededication of its tennis courts.” While the school is selling off 15 acres, Voelker said, it will still have 24.75 acres to be maintained, which complies with the requirement for schools to be at least 10 acres. Fingeroot told trustees that they are a “Michigan-based home building company building about 150 houses a year, primarily in Oakland County. We currently have about three or four in the township, all $1 million or more.” He said the proposed development is designed for an empty nester community, “where there is a strong demand from empty nesters. They would all be ranches. It has been extremely well received. People want to right-size and stay within the community, to stay close to friends, family, doctors, clubs and churches.” He said the benefit of these will be less traffic, smaller massing of homes, less impact on schools, and they will be professionally landscaped. Pinnacle Homes, he said, has met with the Road Commission of Oakland 109
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County, wetlands consultants, environmentalists, traffic engineers, civil engineers and woodlands specialists. By developing under the open preservation option, the intent would be to be less disruptive to trees and natural features, reducing 350 trees on the site, rather than 1,000 under traditional development site planning. He countered those with objections to developing the site under the open preservation option. “There's less impact on them. About 50 to 60 percent of the sites I develop have wetlands,” Fingeroot said. “So I go to MDEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) and I do them under the MDEQ.” He emphasized that if this option wasn't approved, “We'll go the easier route of traditional development.” Jeff Axt, who lives in one of the neighborhoods next to Sacred Heart, calls himself a vocal opponent to the proposed lot split and development, which he noted was first proposed by the school a couple of years ago. Axt said he and other neighbors have obtained 150 petition signatures from homeowners off Kensington, Squirrel and other streets opposing the lot split and this specific development, objecting to losing trees, alleging added traffic concerns and
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endangered wildlife habitat destruction. “The developer can come in and apply under our traditional ordinances and likely be approved,” said supervisor Leo Savoie. “Patti Voelker believes this parallel plan has a realistic likelihood of being passed. And our ordinances support this.” Trustees voted in favor of the site plan application process under the open preservation option by a 4-1 vote, with treasurer Dan Devine voting against, and clerk Jan Roncelli and trustee Neal Barnett absent.
Birmingham renews Comcast contract The Birmingham City Commission unanimously approved a 10-year renewal of their service agreement with Comcast on Monday, April 27. Birmingham City Attorney Tim Currier informed commissioners, the current cable franchise agreement with Comcast was to have expired March 16, 2015, but a series of extensions led to the franchise agreement expiring April 29, 2015. This new agreement will expire April 27, 2025. Currier said Birmingham, which participates in the Birmingham Area Cable Board, will continue to receive a 5
percent franchise fee. Up until now, the city has been receiving 3 percent of all public, education and government (PEG) fees. With this new franchise service agreement, Currier said those PEG fees will be phased down to 2 percent over the next three years. The reason is because Michigan Public Act 480 provides for uniform video services for local franchises; ensures local control of the right-of-way; provides for fees from providers to local governments to provide for local programming, including public, educational and government (PEG) access channels. It also deals with renewals and extensions of franchise agreements, as well as penalties for violations. PEG is the public access, educational, and government access programming which is supported by telecommunication companies paying a percentage of their gross revenues to local communities so they can provide programming for the public good, whether it's televising municipal meetings, school programs, or other shows. Each cable company, by state law, pays the local municipality 5 percent of their gross revenues in the form of franchise fees. The percentage of gross revenues for PEG fees varies among local community boards. “The stipulation in the Uniform State Video franchise law (PA 480), was
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that PEG fees must be at least 2 percent. Birmingham had been receiving 3 percent prior to this new contract. Our concern is that one-third reduction in PEG fees would substantially impact the programming currently provided for through the Birmingham Area Cable Board and Bloomfield Community Television,” Currier wrote in a memo. Comcast, which on April 24 dropped its proposed merger with Time Warner Cable, assured the commission there will be no change in service to residents. Currier said that during negotiations, Comcast agreed to a slide in PEG funding, with Birmingham receiving 2.75 percent in fees from now through April 26, 2016; 2.50 percent from April 27, 2016 through April 26, 2017; 2.25 percent from April 27, 2017 through April 26, 2018; and 2 percent from then on. “Comcast has also agreed to pay $10,000 for our attorney fees,” he said, which will go to the cable board. “We can continue to use their iNet, which maintains the Birmingham police department, fire department and all schools in our cable board. Right now, we're not going to push forward on a conversion to HD programming, iNet or other technology under this contract.” Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the resolution to renew the contract.
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City approves TIF for Triangle District By Lisa Brody
After postponing adoption of a development plan and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan for a Corridor Improvement Authority to create parking for Birmingham's Triangle District, Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved its adoption at their meeting on Monday, May 11, after learning how Oakland County will work with them. The Corridor Improvement Authority consists of the Triangle District, from Woodward east to Adams, Maple Road south to Lincoln, minus residential. In the northern area of the district, there is a need for about 400 parking spaces; in the southern, about 700 spaces. The preliminary cost to acquire land, set up provisions for building two structures, and to build them over a period of about 25 years is $37.2 million. To help pay for adequate parking for the district, the city wants to create a TIF, which allows a city or other
taxing authority to capture the increase in value of properties into a separate taxing authority for the purpose of setting it aside for a major construction project. Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker informed commissioners that Oakland County has approved a new county policy regarding municipal TIFs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They (Oakland County) will opt out at the beginning of the process, then they will work with the TIF committee and deliberate, and they can then choose to opt back in,â&#x20AC;? Ecker said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They will only participate up to 50 percent, unless the community is putting in three times the amount, which we are, so they could then put in 75 percent.â&#x20AC;? She said they have had several meetings with county officials. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have already looked at the parcels (in the Corridor Improvement Authority). They have also added in personal property and amounts that they would go in at 75 percent. They advised the city manager it could be a two to three month process. We want to proceed because we want to capture 2014 values.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x153;I recommend the adoption of the plan in order to proceed in the first year,â&#x20AC;? city manager Joe Valentine said. Commissioners concurred, voting 6-0, with Gordon Rinschler not in attendance.
Parking lot approved to ease shortage
The city of Birmingham has entered into a lease for a temporary municipal parking lot in the northern end of downtown to help alleviate the parking shortage along N. Old Woodward, and city commissioners unanimously approved monthly parking permits for the site at their meeting on Monday, May 11. The temporary parking lot was created out of a former gas station at the corner of Woodward and Oak which has been for sale, Birmingham engineer Paul O'Meara explained to commissioners. Forty parking spots have been created after the site was cleaned, new asphalt was put down and parking spaces were painted. Only permit holders will be allowed to park at the lot, which will be
patrolled and monitored by Birmingham police. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have an opportunity to rent the old gas station,â&#x20AC;? O'Meara said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do have contaminated soil, and since it's adjacent to the Rouge River, we worked with the city attorney and the business owner, who wants to sell the property.â&#x20AC;? The city will pay the owner $600 a month to lease the property, beginning June 1, and then will sell 40 monthly parking permits at a cost of $45 a month, with permits offered to current businesses and employees parking in and around Parking Lot 6 on N. Old Woodward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are about 190 permits and adjacent selected sites on the street. There is a great deal of lack of capacity, which frustrates a lot of people,â&#x20AC;? O'Meara said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think this is a good opportunity to get a lot of cars off the streets.â&#x20AC;? O'Meara said that if the owner sells the property, there would be a 90-day notice to the city. Commissioners vote 6-0 to approve the lease for the parking lot, with commissioner Gordon Rinschler not in attendance.
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No street platforms for two restaurants By Lisa Brody
Restaurateur Zack Sklar's two new Birmingham restaurants, Au Cochon and Arthur Avenue, will only be able to offer sidewalk seating for outdoor diners after Birmingham city commissioners unanimously turned down his request for two outdoor dining platforms on Old Woodward in addition to the sidewalk seating at their meeting on Monday, May 11. A public hearing for a final site plan and special land use permit for the two restaurants at 260 N. Old Woodward was continued from a city commission on April 27, after commissioners recommended to Sklar that he go back and try to rework the sidewalk dining area to accommodate more diners, because they were not inclined to support taking more spaces away from parking, notably on Old Woodward. The two restaurants are proposed to go into the former Chen Chow location in the Palladium Building, now undergoing a complete renovation after being purchased by A.F. Jonna Development & Management Company. While the two restaurants would be separate operations, they would operate under one Class C Liquor license and share one kitchen. “Each restaurant has its own entrance, bar area, tables, a wall separates them, but they come together in the back at the kitchen and office space,” said Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker. She said the northern storefront would be Au Cochon, described as a French diner, to be open from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; the southern storefront will be Arthur Ave., which Sklar described as an updated Salvatore Scallopini. “Perfect for moms dropping kids off out of their minivans,” which is proposed to be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. Ecker said that Au Cochon is designed to have 78 seats plus a bar, as well as 18 outdoor seats; Arthur Ave. will have 176 seats inclusive of bar seats and a private dining room for up to 32 people, plus outdoor dining. Sklar, who also owns and operates Social Kitchen & Bar in Birmingham, as well as MEX and Beau's Grillery in downtownpublications.com
Lucido Jewelry coming to Palladium By Lisa Brody
ucido Fine Jewelry, a first-generation family fine jewelry store with locations in downtown Rochester and Sterling Heights, is coming to downtown Birmingham into the Palladium Building at the corner spot of S. Old Woodward and Hamilton, in the former Tower Records and Arhaus Furniture location. Vince Lucido, co-owner of the jewelry store along with his brother Joseph Lucido Jr., confirmed the announcement along with Jordan Jonna of A.F. Jonna Development & Management Co., owner of the Palladium Building. “We're really, really excited to be part of the Birmingham community,” Lucido said. “What a great spot.” Lucido said they will be bringing in watch and jewelry lines unique to the Birmingham retail community, such as Rolex watches, Hearts on Fire diamond jewelry, and fashion items. “We're in the process of putting together the jewelry lines,” he said. Lucido Fine Jewelry was started by the two brothers in 1987 in Sterling Heights with the goal of making it as elegant as possible without being intimidating, with their customer's comfort their first priority. Lucido anticipates opening the Birmingham location, which will be 2,800 square feet, in October, for the holiday season. “Currently, inside right now is just concrete and steel, so we have to renovate the whole space,” he said. “The plans aren't quite finished, but they will be in the next week, and then we'll be moving really quickly.”
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Bloomfield Township, said at the April 27 meeting that he and his company, Peas & Carrots Hospitality, were requesting patio dining as well as two parking spots for two dining platforms. Ecker said that the restaurant group initially requested four parking spots for larger dining platforms, but the city's planning board's outdoor dining commission did not support that in February. At a subsequent meeting, when they returned requesting two parking spots, it was not supported, either. “It's no secret that Birmingham is a walkable community and everyone wants to be outdoors. We really want to be outside to capitalize on the outside business,” Sklar had said. Both restaurants will have nanowalls, accordion-style windows that open and fold into the walls. “We really need the extra seating outside. On a nice day in the summer, the outside may be 100 percent full, while the inside is 50 percent full. There are enough parking spaces, and most people are walking in the summer months. It's a nice happy medium.” At Monday's commission meeting, Ecker said that a reworked proposal for sidewalk seating “would only pick up two tables, giving them a total of 12. They continue a request for platforms in addition to dining on the sidewalks.” “As per the city's request, we went
and looked at what (commissioner) Mr. Nickita suggested. We only came up with two two-tops – which is four seats near the front facade,” Sklar said. “We did talk about it being crucial to operations. This is a Class C liquor license, not a bistro, in our investment of $750,000, in opposition to a $20,000 (bistro) license, our rent is substantially, substantially, substantially increased. We cannot operate without this outdoor seating. It's crucial to our operations. It was evident this Mother's Day weekend, when the places with outdoor seating did well, and the ones without did not. Other tenants have looked at the space where Barrio operated, and they are not going in because of the lack of outdoor space. That is why the landlord is suffering with that space. “ I just wanted to inform you also that bistros must close at midnight. Class C liquor licenses do not,” Sklar continued, as commissioners had had a problem with his proposed closing time of 2 a.m. for both establishments. “I don't think it should be treated like a bistro, and we need to have a pro rata share of our $750,000 investment.” Commissioner Rackeline Hoff asked, “Why were you only able to get in two (sidewalk) tables?” “Based on servers, adding a chair at a table, guard rails – this was the best plan. This is the most efficient
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way we saw in putting this patio together,” Sklar answered. “But if you have the platform, you have ADA access?” Hoff asked. “Yes. The platform adds more and it's more seating. It's very simple so we can get more money so we can afford our rent. We want to be successful and I want to city to work with us,” Sklar responded. “It's not the best layout, but it does meet the ordinance,” Ecker said. Hoff asked if the windows of the restaurants would open and how many diners could have fresh air inside. Sklar said they would open, but that he didn't know for how many. “But you can't have your dogs, and you're not outside.” Commissioner Mark Nickita then made the motion to approve the final site plan and special land use permit for outdoor dining only on the sidewalk, and commissioners voted 60, with commissioner Gordon Rinschler not in attendance.
Township continues safety path program Bloomfield Township trustees unanimously approved awarding a contract to continue the township's safety path program for the 2015 year at their meeting on Monday, May 11. Township Engineer Olivia OlsztynBudry said that this year the township received four bids for construction of the 2015 safety paths trustees had determined in late 2014. “We will be constructing about 2.2 miles of paths this year. We took bids in April and four bids came in. Italia was the low bid and we recommend awarding them the bid for $1.7 million.” Safety paths will be constructed this year on the west side of Adams Road, from Ashover to South Boulevard; the east side Squirrel Road, from Lakecrest to Long Lake Road; the north side of Wattles Road, Kensington to Squirrel roads; the east side of Kensington from Mohr Valley Road to Wattles; and the north side of Maple Road from Red Coat Lane to Telegraph Road. Repairs to existing paths are also included in the bid. “Last year, we only had one bid,” noted supervisor Leo Savoie. “We were very pleased to have four this year,” Olsztyn-Budry said. Trustees voted 7-0 to approve the contract. 115
255 Lakewood
Bloomfield Hills
$2,195,000
Spectacular setting and home on Endicott Lake. New kitchen with stained walnut cabinets, large island, breakfast bar & quartz counters. All 4 BRs are suites with updated baths. Finished walk-out lower level includes 2nd kitchen. Three car garage, inground pool and picturesque views. Birmingham schools.
3136 Morningview Terrace
Bloomfield Hills $1,299,900
Landmark Tudor in Bloomfield Village sitting on a beautiful half acre lot. Five bedrooms, 3.2 baths. Extensively remodeled and a recent addition. Cedar shake roof. Elevator. Finished basement. Birmingham schools.
844 Pilgrim
Birmingham
$1,100,000
Five bedroom brick colonial located on a great lot in the heart of Quarton Lake Estates. Expanded master suite includes big walk-in closet, bath with granite top double sink vanity and vaulted ceilings. Two car attached garage.
1170 Chesterfield
Birmingham
$1,999,900
Stunning newer build on a large 155x150 lot, just over a half acre in Quarton Lake Estates. Beautiful white kitchen with black granite, wood floors and a huge center island. Four bedrooms and 4 full baths up, finished basement. Three car side entry garage.
137 Dourdan
Bloomfield Hills
$1,199,000
660 Lakeside
Birmingham
$1,099,900
Home to be built. An executive development of million dollar plus homes. 5 br, 3.5 baths. 1st floor master. 3 car garage. Other lots available. Bloomfield schools.
Wonderful home overlooking Quarton Lake. Five bedrooms, 3 full baths - all updated. Finished basement with large rec room. Two car rear entry garage. Lots of charm and character. A great home and lot - offers many options in one of Birmingham's best locations. Walk to town.
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275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham
384 Puritan
Birmingham
$999,999
602 riverside
Birmingham
$699,900
Quarton Lake Estates 1923 Tudor-renovated with modern amenities and stylish decor. Newer kitchen with granite counters, limestone and ss appliances. Four bedrooms up with updated baths and second floor laundry.
Fabulous lot backing to woods. Private community in heart of Birmingham. Design your dream home. Lot price only
1379 Dorstone
Bloomfield Hills
$999,900
174 Hillboro
Bloomfield Hills
$499,900
Stately Bloomfield Village home on gorgeous 3/4 acre lot .Beautiful kitchen with white marble top counters. Large 1st floor master suite. 4 bedrooms, 4.1 baths. Nice stone patio on wonderfully landscaped lot.
Expanded Westchester ranch in 2005 with a great open floor plan and a full basement. Updated kitchen with granite counters and center island. Three bedrooms, 2.1 baths. Two car attached garage. Birmingham schools.
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2361 Windemere
Birmingham
$329,500
Expanded Pembrook bungalow with a huge master suite. Nice kitchen with granite counters with separate eating space. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Finished room in basement. 2 car garage.
1113 N old Woodward #36 Birmingham
CHris Pero Associate Broker
248.797.0784 cgpero@yahoo.com
$229,900
Second floor condo in Woodward Place. Updated unit with granite counters in the white kitchen. Two bedrooms and two full baths. Wonderful common area grounds along Rouge River. Carport.
275 S. Old Woodward Downtown Birmingham
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SPRING SAVINGS By Lisa Brody
Bloomfield Hills city commissioners on Tuesday, May 12, unanimously approved their 20152016 fiscal year budget and set the millage rate with no increase to the previous year's rate. Bloomfield Hills Finance Director and Treasurer Karen Ruddy presented commissioners with a budget with a $9.5 million general operating fund for both revenues and expenses. In a memo, she wrote that the budget utilizes $40,840 of the building department's previous years' restricted fund balance. “However, general operating revenue was greater than expense, which added $186,066 to the fund balance,” she wrote. “The net effect of the above increased overall fund balance by $145,226.” The fiscal year 2015-2016 budget includes a new capital improvement fund, which will account for expenses for new computers, vehicles, equipment and land improvements. In previous years, Ruddy explained, those purchases were put in the general fund. The millage rate will remain at 10.6 mills, with 9.5 mills being allocated to the city's general fund, and 1.1 mills allocated to the roads fund. Last year, the millage was raised, for a three-year period, for major road reconstruction work. Commissioners approved the budget and millage rate 5-0. “That millage money is being used right now for the major reconstruction of Vaughan Road, and for Cranbrook Road S., which will begin after July 4,” said commissioner Sarah McClure. “Vaughan is actually ahead of schedule. And by doing both (roads) in the same construction year, when we went out to bid, we had construction savings of around $400,000.” In addition, residents pay .39 mills for contracted library services for the use of Birmingham's Baldwin Public Library, for a total of 10.99 mills. “The city is doing very well,” McClure said. “There is a great deal of real estate and construction activity in the city. The challenges going forward are the roads, which we'll need to continue to spend significant dollars on.” She noted the city has made a great deal of progress in the last year downtownpublications.com
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on the unfunded pension liabilities, paying them off by issuing $15.8 million of bonds through municipal investment. “That was huge progress,” she said. The next challenge for commissioners, McClure said, will be dealing with other post-employee benefits, where the latest actuarial figures show they are only 50 percent funded. “That's what we're beginning to work on going forward,” she said.
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New spending plan for Birmingham set With taxable value coming in higher than expected, Birmingham city commissioners were able to lower the city's millage for the upcoming fiscal year, as well as lowering sewage rates as they approved the budget for the 20152016 fiscal year at their meeting on Monday, May 18. City manager Joe Valentine said the city's projections for taxable values was for an increase of 2.3 percent. “In a follow up with the board of review and an actual increase from the county's equalization division, the final numbers came in at an increase of taxable value of 5.6 percent,” Valentine said in April after a budget review meeting, more than twice the anticipated rate of increase in property values. The current millage rate for Birmingham residents for fiscal year 2014-2015 is 15.0862 mills. State constitutional amendments cap a municipality's revenue growth to the rate of inflation, often forcing communities to lower the millage rate when property values increase. Finance Director Mark Gerber said the change in value produced a $770,000 difference in Birmingham's favor. “We decided to split the difference, and use $380,000 for staff expenses and the rest to lower the millage,” Gerber said. The 2015-2016 proposed millage rate was revised to 14.8269. Property tax revenues are anticipated to amount to $20.3 million. The city receives $3.2 million in revenue from licenses and permits, and $2.3 million from charges for services of the almost $30.3 million 2015-2016 budget total. Public safety is the largest budget expense, at $12.2 million for 20152016. Major and Local street funds amount to about $6.7 million in
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expenses for the fiscal year; with engineering and public services running $4.1 million. Residents will see a 14 percent increase in water rates, translating to about $25.20 for the average home, which Birmingham receives from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. However, sewer rates will decrease 1.6 percent, which Gerber said will lower the average Birmingham customer by $12.60. Commissioners unanimously approved the 2015-2016 budget with lowered millage and sewer rates and increased water rates.
Theatre, restaurant plan receives okay By Lisa Brody
Birmingham city commissioners unanimously approved a liquor license with an entertainment and dance permit with all day Sunday sales for the Emagine Palladium Theatre and Ironwood Grill inside the Emagine Palladium at their meeting on Monday, May 18. Planning Director Jana Ecker explained that the Palladium Building, at 250 N. Old Woodward at Harmon, was sold previously to the A.F. Jonna Company. “Within that sale was three liquor licenses, with them being transferred first to Jonna and then to the new operators,” she said. “Essentially, Emagine Theatre is looking to use one of them.” The Emagine Palladium Theatre will have a newly-designed marquee and elevation in the same place as the former Uptown Palladium marquee. Above the marquee, Ecker said they are looking to remove the windows and put in nanowalls, foldable window/doors “to get some fresh air in.” While the Birmingham Planning Board had recommended to Jonna early on that there be separate elevators for movie, office, and residential users, they initially rejected that. “They have come back, and now there will be completely a separate entrance on the first floor for the theaters, a separate entrance for office users, and a separate elevator for residential. There will be a total of five elevators.” The theaters will be on a newly created fourth floor. Five theaters will have a total of 550 seats, all with reserved chairs which recline. A membership model for both the downtownpublications.com
Township liquor licenses renewed loomfield Township trustees unanimously approved the renewal of all of the Class C and Tavern liquor licenses held in the township, as well as began a discussion of how to proceed with allocating their remaining license in the future at their meeting on Monday, May 11. A report prepared by Bloomfield Township Police showed that there are currently 14 Class C liquor licenses in active use, and four Tavern liquor licenses, where only beer and wine by the glass can be served. One Class C liquor license is held by Steve's Deli but is not in use, but there are no licenses in escrow, according to police captain Scott McCanham. McCanham informed trustees there were no significant violations at all this past year. “We did our usual plain clothes investigations,” he said. “We have no negative thoughts for any of these establishments for 20152016.” Class C liquor licenses are held by 5th Tavern, Andiamo West, Bagger Dave's, Beau's, Cafe ML, Eddie Merlot's, Heather's Club, Hogan's, Maple Theater, MEX, Roadside B&G, Rusty Bucket, The Golden Crown and Moose Preserve. Tavern licenses are held by Fuddrucker's, Honey Tree Grille, The Gallery Restaurant and The Wine Guy. Township attorney Bill Hampton said that there are only two liquor licenses still available in the township under the state's quota system, “and we have one pending. I am recommending to the board that we establish a waiting list. We could then determine where we would like them to go, such as the new Bloomfield Park, or a nice new restaurant in another area. So we could have a public hearing in the future on which ones and where we would want. That's done in many communities successfully, I might add.” Supervisor Leo Savoie asked if a motion was needed to act on creating a liquor license waiting list, and Hampton said no, but not act on any requests when they come in. “Develop a waiting list,” he said. McCanham said he was aware of other jurisdictions doing that. “How long of a time would they be on a waiting list?” asked trustee Neal Barnett. “There's no specific period of time,” Hampton responded. Trustees then voted 7-0 to approve renewing all of the existing Class C and Tavern liquor licenses for 2015-2016.
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theater and restaurant will allow members priority to reserve seats up to two hours before show time; after, non-members can purchase seats for a $5 premium. The public will also be welcome at the approximately 200-seat Ironwood Grill, which will also have a bar area. “There is quite a fair range of options on the menu,” Ecker said. “You can go in from the public, or can go into the theater and be served, not during the movie, but before.” In a twist, Emagine owner Paul Glantz said the marquee will not advertise movies. “Most theatergoers access movies and times by their smartphones. They're also reserving and buying their tickets online. We've been doing this successfully since 2002. Glantz said he is designing the theaters as a family experience. “We want people to feel safe sending their
children and teens with great civility because we'll have parents cell phone numbers,” he said, recalling previous problems at the former site. “It's a neighborhood venue to serve the Birmingham/Bloomfield market. We'll heavily police and use security so there'll be no groups of marauding youth.” Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve a final site plan and special land use permit for the restaurant and theater, which is slated to open in July.
Ordinance changes for front garages Designs for new homes in Birmingham will need to comply with a zoning ordinance change on front garages, with the city seeking to control the size and prominence of
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front-facing garages, unanimously approved by the Birmingham city commission on Monday, April 27. Birmingham Planning Director Jana Ecker told commissioners that post1998, “We got a lot of complaints that the garages (on new and renovated homes) were dominating the fronts.” She said that in an effort to combat that, in the mid-2000s, “we changed the ordinance to have no more than 50 percent of the front facade garage, and mandated that a garage had to be set back five feet from the rest of the house, and also to limit the size of each garage door to eight feet on each side.” In the last few months, she said, the city has been receiving a lot of complaints. “People have been getting creative,” she said, pointing to photos of homes with “bonus” rooms of five feet attached to front garages in order to get away with large garages. Over a period of several months, the city's planning board looked at the zoning ordinance, reviewing different aspects of how to maintain the ordinance with a front or side attached garage. “We came up with a determination that any front-facing attached garage must have a setback of a minimum of five feet from the portion of the front facade that is the furthest setback from the front property line,” Ecker said. “We also changed the maximum width of a garage door from eight feet to nine feet, because with today's larger vehicles, it's harder to maneuver. We believe, by these changes, it would make the front door more prominent.” Architect Mark Johnson addressed the commission, saying, “I have been designing buildings in Birmingham for years, and (with the changes), 75 to 80 percent could not be built, including the Marshall Fredericks home on Lake Park. The new definition of front facade is going to create a problem. These are all talking about homes that have paved the front yards. I would change the language where the paved spaces to the garages in front of the houses. That is where the problem is. Your new language penalizes and forces garages to the rear lot, and you have to give up more open space to the driveway.” “Overall, I think we have to put a stop to what's going on,” mayor Stuart Sherman countered. “This should be an evolving matter,” said commissioner Scott Moore. “It's a step forward.” Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the zoning ordinance change. 121
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FACES Douglas Sills ife is sweet,” Douglas Sills noted, a few weeks after both opening, and then closing, in the show “Living on Love” on Broadway with opera star Renee Fleming and fellow actors Jerry O'Connell and Anna Chlumsky. While the comedic farce was always intended to be a limited run, “it was more limited than we intended,” Sills said, who was nominated for a Tony award in 1998 for “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” “My first paid acting gig was at 17 in Southfield with Nina Machus (former Kingswood music teacher). It was ‘The Fantastiks.’ It was the first show I was paid for. I was doing theater since I was 12, since I saw my brother and sisters doing it at Camp Tanuga, which made me want to see what that was all about,” said Sills, who graduated from Cranbrook Kingswood in 1978. “Nina and Fred Bellinger at Cranbrook were who helped me refine it, and made me more professional.” Following college at the University of Michigan, he debated a career in acting or heading to law school. “My dad said, you want to try acting, go and see. It was an indescribable and unquantifiable gift.” Fifteen years later, he once again debated heading to law school. “I thought I had experienced what I had experienced. I was going to go when I had this gift come along, called 'The Scarlet Pimpernel.' It changed my professional life. I had a strong response from the New York Times and the theater community, which was so supportive and it opened up whole new opportunities.” He said he tried to parlay that success to create more success. “I wasn't able to execute my business plan into a recurring role in a TV series, but I got very close many times, and had many guest roles.” He kept returning to the stage, in leading roles in “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Into the Woods”, “The Addams Family”, “Spamalot”, and several other shows as well as parts in movies and TV. In 2007, he came home and took over the family real estate management company, First Holding Management Company, which manages and owns 1.7 million square feet of commercial space and 1,700 apartment units. “I stopped acting for three years to reformat the business to fit my strengths and weaknesses, versus my father's or my sisters,” he said. “In 2010, I started taking shorter theater gigs while still managing the business. I Skype in the mornings, follow e-mail chains, and I come in town and stay at the Townsend pretty frequently. I have good staff and good sisters. They're both involved, and they're both lawyers.” Next, he'll begin a workshop on the animated movie “Anastasia.” “The thing that attracted me to this business, especially when I went to grad school at ACT in San Francisco, is I could see spending my life in various parts, and never becoming obsolete. I look forward to doing new roles and the greatest challenge for me is originating a new role in a piece in Manhattan on Broadway. I feel lucky I've gotten that shot. “There's nothing as gratifying as walking around midtown Manhattan, greeting friends, putting your hand on the door of a theater, and feeling like you're a member of the most exclusive club in the world.”
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Story: Lisa Brody
NANCY KARAS Results with First Class Service Lakefront & Luxury Estates | Executive Relocation Top Producer
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BLOOMFIELD TWP Lower Long Lakefront, 6,975 total finished sq ft, 4 beds, 4.3 baths, 1.71 acres, 1300 feet of lake frontage, Don Paul Young designed, 4 car gar, Bloomfield Hills schools. Entry level master. Won 2010 Detroit Home's 1st place Design $3,999,900 award for its timeless style.
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BLOOMFIELD TWP Lower Long Lakefront Ranch with 6,469 total finished sq ft, 5 beds, 3.2 baths, 1.36 acres, 400+ feet of lake frontage, finished walkout LL, 3 car gar., Bloomfield Hills schools. Picturesque and private, this is the epitome of luxury estate living. $2,199,000
BLOOMFIELD TWP Lower Long Lakefront 6,425 total fin sq ft, 4 bed, 3.1 bath, .9 acres. Classic and pristine mid-century modern ranch, fin walkout, Bloomfield Hills schools. Rare sunrise & sunset views with southern exposure! $1,325,000
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WEST BLOOMFIELD Pine & Orchard Lake Views 5,391 total finished sq ft, 4 beds, 4 baths, 3 car gar .5 acres. 2006 built contemporary, fin walkout, w/kit, FR, bed, bath, Bloom. Hills schools. Beach privileges on Pine Lake. $845,000
BLOOMFIELD TWP 3,800 total finished sq ft. Sharp, light & bright Wabeek Oaks condo. Updated granite kit, 3.1 baths, 3 upper bdrms, space to build entry level bdrm. Lower level walk-out: has 2nd large kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, Bloom. Hills schools. $369,900
BLOOMFIELD TWP 3,049 total finished sq ft. 4 beds, 3 baths. Many updates! Newer roof and mechanicals. Granite kitchen w/ fireplace and gathering area. FP in living room too! 2nd kitchen, family rm, bdrm, in lower level walk-out! Large yard. Birimngham schools. $368,900
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FACES
Fr. Bernie Owens nspiration can come from anywhere. For Fr. Bernie Owens, it came in the form of a movie one day at a theater in Royal Oak. "It came out in 2011, and I went and was blown out of the water," Owens, who has served at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills for about two decades, said of the movie "Of Gods and Men”. The movie depicts the plight of nine monks who chose to live in a largely Muslim population in Algeria in 1996 during the Algerian civil war. "Seeing these people taking death threats and making decisions on whether they should stay or leave – asking what is most faithful to God. There is a value that is greater than their own self survival, and it prevails.” The film inspired Owens to accept, at age 74, a three-year mission at the Mwangaza center near Nairobi, Kenya. "It hits it on the head. People that have a close relationship with God, it was more important even than their own personal survival," Owens said. "There are some values that transcend the craziness of the world. It's not love in the abstract, it is love,” of the movie and how it moved him. "Nairobi is about as high as Denver. It's about 6,000 feet up where I live," Owens said in May during a return trip back to Manresa Jesuit Retreat. "I received an e-mail from there last night. It's raining a lot there, heavily. The farmers want it, but the snakes and snails come out when the rain ends. “It's gloriously beautiful." In Kenya, Owens does a lot of individual guidance during eight-day retreats. Those he guides are silent during the eight days, except during their conversations with him, about 45 minutes each day.
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"I have walked with over 130 people in the year-and-a-half that I've been there," he said. "A lot of listening, and its something in their life that I get to witness. It's eight days meditated with Bible passages. Letting all of their personal issues settle." Born in Flint, Owens' father moved the family around while working for General Motors, spending time in Grand Blanc, Royal Oak and Janesville, Wisconsin. He was ordained in 1972 and earned his doctorate in Christian spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He later taught at University of Detroit Mercy before serving at Manresa in 1994. There, he taught more than 200 people in an internship program, led pilgrimages and earned a lifetime achievement award. In 2010, Owens started work on his book, "The Master's Garden," which has sold more than 1,000 copies since being released in April. "It's a Christian's look at where life will ultimately take us all, and what happens to us at the end of our journey," he said of the book. "The scriptures declare we are all God's art in progress. One chapter describes what the human being looks like when God is finished with him or her, another what the human race as a people look like." In addition to promoting the sale of his book, Owens is working on fundraising efforts for buildings at the center in Nairobi, as well as organizing a pilgrimage to Italy next year. On June 19, he will return to Kenya. "I'm not watching soap operas or vegging out in front of the TV," he said. Story: Kevin Elliott
Photo: Laurie Tennent
Photo by Jade Albert
Learn more at
autismspeaks.org/signs Some signs to look for:
No big smiles or other joyful expressions by 6 months
No babbling by 12 months
No words by 16 months
© 2014 Autism Speaks Inc. “Autism Speaks” and “It's time to listen” & design are trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved. The person depicted is a model and is used for illustrative purposes only.
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BUSINESS MATTERS
Signature Sotheby’s Nearly a decade after acquiring Snyder, Kinney, Bennett and Keating and becoming SKBK Sotheby’s International Realty, the company is changing its name to Signature Sotheby’s International Realty, announced Douglas Hardy, chairman of Signature Sotheby’s. The company started in 1932 when the Snyder and Buck firm was first incorporated in Birmingham. Today, the company controls a good portion of the high-end housing market throughout southeastern Michigan. The name change is part of the company’s strategy of continued growth, and to become a more widely recognizable name to better serve clients, according to Hardy. “A number of Sotheby’s around the country are changing their legacy names to more recognizable names,” Hardy said. “Companies around the country, as they grow and expand into new markets, those older legacy names aren’t as easily understandable.”
Beyond Juice expansion Beyond Juice, 270 W. Maple Road, in Birmingham, will be expanding operations this summer with the opening of three additional locations, including restaurants in Detroit’s Eastern Market, Evergreen Road in Southfield and a location in Somerset Mall, in Troy. Mijo Alanis, who opened the Birmingham location in 2005, said he spent several years cutting through red tape to acquire the licensing rights for southeastern Michigan after the former parent company suffered a decline in activity. The stores are now independent, with a new Beyond Juice brand that could be available for franchising in the future. “I had to go through a lot of red tape to expand, and that was trademarking the name and registering it so I own it,” Alanis said. “I’ve done that over the past couple of years, and now have a partner. She is in IT and the corporate world, and she helped develop our juice line.” From one location to now staffing about 150 employees, Alanis has grown the business and worked on the Beyond Juice brand to expand locations. Alanis said the Eastern Market location, which is scheduled to open in August, will serve as a hub location where juice and food are manufactured and distributed to other locations. The Southfield location is scheduled to open in mid-June. Alanis said Beyond Juice began doing more marketing about three years ago when marketing raw juice. A series of popup stores over the past 24 months, as downtownpublications.com
well as other events has helped to create a brand awareness. Now, there is often a line out of the door at the Birmingham location.
Hotel honors for Townsend The Townsend Hotel, located at 100 Townsend Street, in Birmingham, was recently named one of the 500 best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure. The Townsend is the only Detroit-area hotel on the magazine’s “T+L 500” list. The 500 distinguished properties were chosen by a reader survey that evaluated rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value.
Design store closes After eight years in business at 311 E. Maple Road in Birmingham, interior design studio Upstairs Downstairs closed in May. Owner Margie Popovich, who will continue to offer interior design services, said in a statement, “It has been an honor to collaborate with Birmingham for the past nine years, but it has come time to say goodbye. The relationships I have cultivated will be at the top of a long list of things I’ll miss. The spirit of Upstairs Downstairs will move forward with me as I focus on design and helping you craft your house into a home. Thanks again, Birmingham. It has been wonderful.” Popovich can be reached at mpopovich@upstairsdownstairsstudio.com.
Drought new location Devoted fans of Drought, the coldpressed raw juices available in the 555 Building inside the Center for Yoga in Birmingham as well as inside the Shinola store in Detroit, will soon have another location to find the all-natural juices. Co-owner Julie James opened the Birmingham location in late 2014. Drought offers organic cold pressed raw juices for pick up, full cleanses, daily specials, as well as shots, such as one-ounce ginger shots. James said cold pressed raw juices maintain all of the nutrients and enzymes of the fruits and vegetables, and “is an extremely premium process. It’s the finest way. The juices maintain a three-to-five day shelf life.” Drought will now open a fifth location in early June at 4078 W. Maple just east of Telegraph, in Bloomfield Township. A spokesperson for the company said the 800-square foot store will be a stand-alone shop, not located inside another facility. Other Drought locations are in Royal Oak, Plymouth and Detroit.
Modern barber shop Daniella Dushaj has opened her first men’s hair salon and barber shop this month at Baus The Grooming House, at 790 N. Old Woodward, in Birmingham. Dushaj, who also works as a stylist and instructor, said she is hoping to recreate the traditional barber shop with a modern twist. “It’s a men’s salon, but with a little more high-end, cigar-lounge feel,” she said. “We have barbers and stylists, and offer many services, not just haircuts. It’s like a mini-spa for guys.” Men’s cuts, color and scalp massages are available, as well a facial services, including shaves and hair trims, and waxing and manicures. The location was formerly occupied by Bella Belli Maternity for 11 years. Dushaj said she was looking for a downtown location and came across the space as she was contemplating a location in Rochester. “I walked into the space and had a gut feeling,” she said. “I stumbled across it and loved it.”
The District Lofts Birmingham’s Rail District is welcoming phase 2 of The District Lofts at 375 S. Eton Street, featuring 18 spacious residential loft rental homes ranging in size from 1,300 square feet to 2,300 square feet. Loft units feature two-bedroom, two-bath and two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath floor plan options. First floor of the building will be occupied by retail and commercial tenants. The District Lofts are located just minutes from Birmingham’s vibrant downtown and are nestled amidst shops, art galleries, antique stores, and restaurants. Leasing reservations are currently being accepted. The District Lofts project is the work of Bonnie and Norm Lepage who also own big Rock Chophouse and the Griffin Claw Brewing Company in the Rail District.
Jeff Glover office With several offices throughout the metro Detroit area already, Jeff Glover and Associates will be opening a new location in June at 330 Hamilton Row in Birmingham. Glover, who is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty, said the initial office will consist of about six employees, with space for up to 30. “We do a lot of business in Oakland County, and it makes sense to have a centrally located office. We want to support the business we do in northern Oakland County,” Glover said. “Also, because we do so much advertising and spend so much on marketing, it makes sense that the
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higher-end consumer wants to work with us. It makes sense to have a physical location and presence there.”
New software company NNG, a global software developer based in Hungary, opened a North American office at 320 Martin Street in Birmingham in late April. The company developed the awardwinning iGO Navigation Software. Vice president of business development Jim Robnett said that the Birmingham office, which will house the company’s North American senior executives as well as support teams for sales, marketing, engineering, and supply chain management, “will be a critical proving ground for our new technologies. Suburban Detroit is the focal point of the automotive industry. This, coupled with the exceptional technical talent located in southeast Michigan and the close proximity to our customers and partners, made Birmingham an ideal location for NNG’s new North American Automotive offices. Consumer demand for a truly integrated and differentiated navigation experience in the car continues to intensify, and NNG is well positioned to capitalize on an evergrowing need.” Stoyka also noted that the new office “will host its Tier One and OEM customers and other partners and suppliers, but not end consumers or users.”
Brightmont Academy A multi-campus K-12 school called Brightmont Academy, which emphasizes one-student to oneteacher instruction, recently opened a Birmingham campus at 33483 Woodward Ave. Because the learning process at Brightmont Academy is fully tailored to the individual student’s needs, the school says it is able to address students with learning difficulties, students looking to advance, those struggling in school, and students in need of a more flexible schedule. Birmingham campus director Cathi Stojkov evaluates the needs of each student and then uses her experience in individualized instruction to identify the best way to teach a student. Multiple enrollment options include full-time private school instruction, individual courses, tutoring and summer school. Business Matters for the Birmingham Bloomfield area are reported by Katie Deska. Send items for consideration to KatieDeska@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication. 127
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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 listings include nearly all dining establishments with seating in the Birmingham/Bloomfield area, and then some select restaurants outside the immediate area served by Downtown. The complete Places To Eat is available at downtownpublications.com and in an optimized format for your smart phone (downtownpublications.com/mobile), where you can actually map out locations and automatically dial a restaurant from our Places To Eat.
Birmingham/Bloomfield 220: American. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 220 E. Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.2220. 5th Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2262 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9607. Andiamo: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.865.9300. Bagger Dave's Legendary Burger Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6608 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.792.3579. Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 42805 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.499.6867. Beau's: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.626.2630. Bella Piatti: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 167 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.494.7110. Beyond Juice: Contemporary. Breakfast & Lunch daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 270 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.7078. Big Rock Chophouse: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 245 South Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.7774. Bill's: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Daily. Reservations, lunch only. Liquor. 39556 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.9000. Birmingham Sushi Cafe: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 377 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.8880. Bistro Joe’s Kitchen: Global. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Sunday brunch. Liquor. Reservations. 34244 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.0984. Bloomfield Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 71 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.645.6879. Brooklyn Pizza: Pizza. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 111 Henrietta Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6690. Café ML: New American. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Call ahead. 3607 W. Maple Road, Bloomfield Township. 248.642.4000. Cafe Via: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 310 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8800. Cameron’s Steakhouse: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 115
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Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.1700. China Village: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 1655 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.758.1221. Churchill's Bistro & Cigar Bar: Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.4555. Cityscape Deli: Deli. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Beer. 877 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.540.7220. Commonwealth: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.9766. Cosi: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 101 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.9200. Dick O’Dow’s: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 160 West Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.1135. Eddie Merlot's: Steak & seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 37000 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.712.4095. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 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, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 263 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2420. Embers Deli & Restaurant: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 3598 West Maple Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.645.1033. Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 323 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.723.0134. Forest Grill: American. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 735 Forest Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9400. Fuddrucker’s: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Beer & wine. 42757 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.333.2400. Greek Island Coney Restaurant: Greek. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 221 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.1222. Griffin Claw Brewing Company: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday and Sunday. No Reservations. Liquor. 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.
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Strolling Hors D'oeuvres Oysters, Shrimp, Canapés, Cheese, Meats Cade Sauvignon Blanc First Course Local Butter Lettuce, Vanilla Figs, Banana Chips, Poached Pears, Goat Cheese, Hazelnuts Plumpjack Chardonnay Second Course Michigan Pork , Cherry Confit, Wild Rice, Morels Cade Cabernet Napa Valley • Cade Cabernet Howell Mountain Third Course Beef Medallions, Foie Gras, Gnocchi, Asparagus Odette Apadation Cabernet • Odette Estate Cabernet Dessert Fourme D'ambert, Croquant, Bacon Short Bread, Red Wine Caramel, Celery Leaves, Truffles Plumpjack Cabernet • Coffee service Price Fixed $150 inclusive of tax, tip and valet. For more information or to make reservations, call 248-647-7774 or visit bigrockchophouse.com.
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IHOP: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2187 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301. 248.333.7522. Kerby’s Koney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2160 N. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.1166. La Marsa: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner daily. Reservations. 43259 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.5800. Leo’s Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 154 S. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.9707. Also 6527 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.646.8568. Little Daddy’s Parthenon: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 39500 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.647.3400. Luxe Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily; Late Night, 9 p.m.-closing. No reservations. Liquor. 525 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6051. Mad Hatter Cafe: Tea Room. Brunch, Lunch & Dinner. No reservations. Liquor. 185 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.540.0000 Market North End: Mediterranean. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 474 N. Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.712.4953. MEX Mexican Bistro & Tequila Bar: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday, Dinner, daily. Liquor. 6675 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Township, 48301. 248.723.0800. Mitchell’s Fish Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 117 Willits Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.646.3663. Mountain King: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 469 South Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2913. New Bangkok Thai Bistro: Thai. Breakfast, Monday-Thursday; Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, daily. No reservations. 183 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.2181. Nippon Sushi Bar: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2079 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Township, 48302. 248.481.9581. Nosh & Rye: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 39495 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.646.7923. Olga’s Kitchen: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 2075 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.451.0500. Original Pancake House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 33703 South Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5775. Panera Bread: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 100 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.7966. Also 2125 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.253.9877. 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.
DOWNTOWN
Qdoba: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 795 East Maple Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.988.8941. Also 42967 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Township, 48304. 248.874.1876 Roadside B & G: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1727 S. Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7270. Rojo Mexican Bistro: Mexican. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 250 Merrill Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.6200. Salvatore Scallopini: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 505 North Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, 48009. 248.644.8977. Sanders: American. Lunch, daily. No reservations. 167 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.3215. Social Kitchen & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations, parties of 5 or more. Liquor. 225 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.594.4200. Stacked Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Delivery available. No reservations. 233 North Old Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.5300. Steve’s Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6646 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield, 48301. 248.932.0800. Streetside Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday; Dinner, daily. Reservations, Lunch only. Liquor. 273 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.645.9123. Sushi Hana: Japanese. Lunch, MondayFriday; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. 42656 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48304. 248.333.3887. Sy Thai Cafe: Thai. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 315 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.9830. Tallulah Wine Bar and Bistro: American. Dinner. Monday-Saturday. Sunday brunch. Reservations. Liquor. 55 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.731.7066. The Corner Bar: American. Dinner. Wednesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.647.2958. The Bird & The Bread: Brasserie. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 210 S. Old Woodard, Birmingham, 48009. 248.203.6600. The Franklin Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 32760 Franklin Rd, Franklin, 48025. 248.865.6600. The Gallery Restaurant: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & wine. 6683 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, 48301. 248.851.0313. The Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2395 S. Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills, 48302. 248.858.7688. The Rugby Grille: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Townsend Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.642.5999. The Stand: Euro-American. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 34977 Woodward, Birmingham, 48009. 248.220.4237. Toast: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.258.6278. Touch of India: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 297 E. Maple Road, Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7881. Townhouse: American. Brunch, Saturday, Sunday. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 180 Pierce Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.792.5241.
06.15
Triple Nickel Restaurant and Bar: American. Dinner daily. Liquor. Reservations. 555 S. Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951. Village Coney Island: American. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 653 S. Adams. Birmingham, 48009. 248.593.7964. Whistle Stop Diner: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily; No reservations. 501 S. Eton Street, Birmingham, 48009. 248.566.3566.
Royal Oak/Ferndale Ale Mary's: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 316 South Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1917 Anita’s Kitchen: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.548.0680. Andiamo Restaurants: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 129 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.582.0999. Assaggi Bistro: Italian. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.584.3499. Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 711 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, 48067. Bistro 82: French. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 401 S. Lafayette Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.0082. The Blue Nile: Ethiopian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.547.6699. Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 310 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.268.1621. Cafe Muse: French. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 418 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.4749. Cork Wine Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 23810 Woodward Ave., Pleasant Ridge, 48069. 248.544.2675. D’Amato’s: Italian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 222 Sherman Dr., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.7400. The Fly Trap: Diner. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. Dinner, Monday-Friday. No reservations. 22950 Woodward Ave., 48220. 248.399.5150. Howe’s Bayou: Cajun. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22949 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.691.7145. Inn Season Cafe: Vegetarian. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. No reservations. 500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.547.7916. Inyo Restaurant Lounge: Asian Fusion. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 22871 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.543.9500. KouZina: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.629.6500. Lily’s Seafood: Seafood. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.591.5459. Local Kitchen and Bar: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.291.5650. Lockhart’s BBQ: Barbeque. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 202
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E. Third St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.584.4227. Oak City Grille: American. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 212 W. 6th St, Royal Oak, 48067. 248.556.0947. One-Eyed Betty: American. Weekend Breakfast. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 175 W. Troy St., Ferndale, 48220. 248.808.6633. Pronto!: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7900. Public House: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 241 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.850.7420. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak, 48073. 248.549.0300. Ronin: Japanese. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 326 W. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.546.0888. Royal Oak Brewery: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 215 E. 4th St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.1141. Toast, A Breakfast and Lunch Joint: American. Breakfast & Lunch, daily. No reservations. 23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 48220. 248.398.0444. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 318 S. Main St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.541.1186. Torino: American. Dinner, WednesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 201 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale, 48220. 248.247.1370. Town Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 116 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.544.7300/ Trattoria Da Luigi: Italian. Dinner, TuesdaySunday. Reservations. Liquor. 415 S, Washington Ave., Royal Oak, 48067. 248.542.4444. Vinsetta Garage: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley, 48072. 248.548.7711.
Troy/Rochester Brookshire: American. Breakfast, daily. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Liquor. Reservations. Liquor. Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Dr., Rochester, 48307. 248.453.8732. Bspot Burgers: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 176 N. Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.218.6001. Capital Grille: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2800 West Big Beaver Rd., Somerset Collection, Troy, 48084. 248.649.5300. Cafe Sushi: Pan-Asian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1933 W. Maple Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.280.1831. Ganbei Chinese Restaurant and Bar: Chinese. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 227 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.266.6687. O’Connor’s Irish Public House: Irish. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 324 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.608.2537. Kona Grille: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 30 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48083. 248.619.9060. Kruse & Muer on Main: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 327 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.652.9400. Lakes: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 5500 Crooks Rd., Troy, 48098. 248.646.7900.
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Not to b bee explained. exp explained . To be be exp experienced.
sunday brunch
Sunday11am - 2pm
West Bloomfield/Southfield
th thestandbistro.com hestandbistro.com m 132
McCormick & Schmickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: Steak & Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, 48084. 248.637.6400. The Meeting House: American. Weekend Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 301 S. Main St, Rochester, 48307. 248.759.4825. Miguelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cantina: Mexican. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 870 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, 48307. 248.453.5371. Mon Jin Lau: Asian. Lunch, MondayFriday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1515 E. Maple Rd, Troy, 48083. 248.689.2332. Mortonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, The Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 888 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.404.9845. NM CafĂŠ: American. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 2705 W. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, 48084. 248.816.3424. Oceania Inn: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Village of Rochester Hills, 3176 Walton Blvd, Rochester Hills, 48309. 248.375.9200. Ocean Prime: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2915 Coolidge Hwy., Troy, 48084. 248.458.0500. Orchid CafĂŠ: Thai. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. 3303 Rochester Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.524.1944. P.F. Changâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s China Bistro: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Somerset Collection, 2801 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.816.8000. Rochester Chop House: Steak & Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 306 S. Main St., Rochester, 48307. 248.651.2266. Ruthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chris Steak House: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, 48084. 248.269.8424. Silver Spoon: Italian. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6830 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, 48306. 248.652.4500. Steelhouse Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy, 48085. 248.817.2980. Tre Monti Ristorante: Italian. Lunch, Thursdays. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1695 E. Big Beaver Road, Troy, 48083. 248.680.1100. Bacco: Italian. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 29410 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.356.6600. Beans and Cornbread: Southern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29508 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, 48034. 248.208.1680. Bigalora: Italian. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. No Reservations. Liquor. 29110 Franklin Road, Southfield, 48034. Mariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2080 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, 48323. 248.851.2500. The Bombay Grille: Indian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. 29200 Orchard Lake Rd, Farmington Hills, 48334. 248.626.2982. The Fiddler: Russian. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Thursday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 6676 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.851.8782. The Lark: American. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.661.4466.
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Mene Sushi: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 6239 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.538.7081. Meriwetherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s: Seafood. Lunch, MondaySaturday. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 25485 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, 48034. 248.358.1310. Pickles & Rye: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. 6724 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.737.3890. Prime29 Steakhouse: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 6545 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.7463. Redcoat Tavern: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. Liquor. 6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.865.0500. Shangri-La: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Orchard Mall Shopping Center, 6407 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.626.8585. Spositaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ristorante: Italian. Friday Lunch. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 33210 W. Fourteen Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248. 538.8954. Stage Deli: Deli. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 6873 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Township, 48322. 248.855.6622. Sweet Lorraineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CafĂŠ & Bar: American. Weekend Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 29101 Greenfield Rd., Southfield, 48076. 248.559.5985. Yotsuba: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7365 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, 48322. 248.737.8282.
West Oakland Gravity Bar & Grill: Mediterranean. Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday, Dinner. Reservations. Liquor. 340 N. Main Street, Milford, 48381. 248.684.4223. It's A Matter of Taste: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2323 Union Lake Road, Commerce, 48390. 248.360.4150. Pepino's Restaurant & Lounge: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday - Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 118 W. Walled Lake Drive, Walled Lake, 48390. 248.624.1033. The Root Restaurant & Bar: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday - Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 340 Town Center Blvd., White Lake, 48390. 248.698.2400. Volare Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 48992 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, 48393. 248.960.7771.
North Oakland Clarkston Union: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 54 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.620.6100. Holly Hotel: American. Afternoon Tea, Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, Brunch, Sunday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 110 Battle Alley, Holly, 48442. 248.634.5208. Kruse's Deer Lake Inn: Seafood. Lunch & dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7504 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, 48346. 248.795.2077. Via Bologna: Italian. Dinner daily. No reservations. Liquor. 7071 Dixie Highway, Clarkston. 48346. 248.620.8500. Union Woodshop: BBQ. Dinner, Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday, Lunch & Dinner, Saturday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday. No reservations. Liquor. 18 S. Main St., Clarkston, 48346. 248.625.5660
06.15
AT THE TABLE Triple Nickel: place to be seen, but not for dining By J. March
hat better name for a restaurant in the 555 building on Old Woodward than the Triple Nickel? The original name of Crush was nixed after owners and designers decided it was too "dated". Upon overhearing the construction crew refer to the location as the Triple Nickel, a name was born and soon after, this American Style Bistro opened on April 6th. Owners Marc and Trina Blancke have been in the game for awhile as the duo behind Sinbad's in Detroit, along with Executive Chef John Fleming. According to the Triple Nickel web page, the idea behind their newest venture is an "American Style restaurant that reaches deep into the culinary pantry of America and delivers an experience unlike any other." Well, I can't support the first part of that, but I can say that it was most certainly a unique experience. I made two visits to the Triple Nickel – once on a weekend; once during a weekday. The weekend visit entailed me sitting upstairs in a room that can only be compared to an echo chamber and the other was downstairs and altogether confusing as the whole buffalo/canoe theme had me thinking more of American Indians then good old America. You can't imagine my surprise when I discovered the design firm responsible was Ron & Roman. I have known both to be thoughtful, imaginative and tasteful. Not so much with the Triple Nickel. Between the cavernous upstairs with its cheap furniture and haphazard design and the bawdy coin/animal/boat kitsch downstairs, it read more Trading Spaces meets Trading Places than Ron & Roman. Wanting desperately to get over the décor, I decided a drink might be a good start. The 20-minute wait for one of two oblivious bartenders to greet us didn't help. Eventually I got a drink. Not the drink I ordered mind you, but the 21-year-old bartender's version of a Negroni that included Vanilla Vodka in the place of gin. Though that sin is one that I was not willing to forgive, I wanted to keep an open mind regarding the food so, fearful that we may not see her again for 20 more minutes, we ordered appetizers. And this is the story all about how food gets turned upside down. BBQ buffalo meatballs that, excepting size, were the texture and flavor of what accompanies Spaghettios in a can. Smoked Whitefish Spread that not only was plated cafeteria style in the form of a huge ice cream scoop in a lettuce leaf, but had the texture and flavor that could only be pleasing to those in need of soft, bland food. It was only when the stuffed calamari came did I realize that I may have to abort my mission. Two squid stuffed and baked to a point that the bodies where so expanded it looked like two huge maggots on a plate. Based on appearance alone, my guests refused to even try them. In the name of duty I cut into the drum tight skin and took a bite that included Maryland lump crab stuffing and a lemon caper sauce. Oh boy, how I've considered the words to explain the taste and texture. After many thoughtful examples (some more rated R than PG), I have decided that the best explanation would be to say that it was like eating a
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Seared Atlantic Salmon with Spicy Mango Glaze. Downtown photo: Laurie Tennent
two-inch thick finger stuffed with tuna fish. That is the nicest thing I could come up with. We forged on into salads and ordered the Caesar and Chopped Salad. The Caesar was unremarkable (thankful for that after the appetizers) and the Chopped was bland, lacking anything but a lot of bruised greens and a balsamic that oddly, had zero acid which is an amazing feat for vinegar. We also had the Indian Chile that was thankfully delicious and quite near the catalyst for a fist fight as we were all starving. With a heavy sigh, we ordered entrees. First pasta with seasonal vegetables described as rigatoni, parmesan, basil and a light veggie based sauce. The rigatoni was so overcooked that it broke upon contact with a fork, the basil was nowhere to be found, the 'light' veggie based sauce was five parts butter, one part stock and, unless I missed the inception of a season called Jolly Green Giant, were most certainly not seasonal. Hoping the perch might have translated nicely as one of Sinbad's signature dishes, we ordered it. At the very least I was hoping I could scavenge up a few capers in the lemon caper sauce. Nope. Not a caper in sight yet an acid free lemon sauce underneath perch that had zero taste and the texture that once again would please the masses at Shady Acres retirement home. We moved onto the Tomahawk Pork Chop with chimichurri sauce, just hoping for a hint of smoke or acid or heat or flavor. Instead we were treated to a dry, overcooked, tough chop with chimichurri that may have quite possibly undergone flavor re-assignment surgery and was waiting to come into its own taste. Dessert was offered but passed on immediately as not only did I have zero desire to slam yet another course, but my co-diners wanted to go get some food somewhere. Before you say that I’ve been too harsh, let me clear up a few things. This isn't about the lack of fanfare over a chef or owners. I do often write about trendy, highly publicized openings, chefs and restau-
rants. However, I am just as happy to go somewhere the concept is simple, the line cooks make the magic and the service is prompt without the 'flair'. Good food can be appreciated at any price point, made by those remiss of a title and not always served on china. I'm a slob for food, not a food snob. The difference is that integrity in product and good intentions in service supersede an off night or an overwhelmed bartender who is unintentionally neglectful. The Triple Nickel's web page states the following: “We harvest the richness of America's farms, fields and ranges...To the extent possible the Triple Nickel will “buy American, and source locally”...Regardless of your menu selection, all our offerings start with the highest quality meat, seafood, chicken and produce.” This is a clear rip off of the farm to table movement and a way of attracting those who are restaurant savvy. To use this in its loosest translation and count on an address alone to float your establishment is a slap in the face to those who operate other restaurants and those who frequent them. Though we clearly did not enjoy our meal, I was not surprised. Money is the name of the game at the Triple Nickel. That is empirically clear from the décor and the service to the menu and the ingredients. I've no doubt that, much like Sinbad's, Triple Nickel will become more a place to be seen than a part of the dining scene. Don't believe me? Take my ten cents to the Triple Nickel. My guess is you'll want half of it back. Triple Nickel, 555 South Old Woodward, Birmingham 48009. 248.480.4951. Hours are listed as Monday through Sunday starting at 4 p.m. Street and valet parking available. Prices vary from $11$29. Wheelchair accessible. J. March has 25 years experience in the restaurant industry in southeast Michigan, including certification as a sommelier. If you have short restaurant items for our Quick Bites section, e-mail to QuickBites@downtownpublications.com.
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The Birmingham/Bloomfield area is filled with discriminating diners and an array of dining establishments. Make sure the message for your restaurant reaches the right market in the right publication—Downtown. Contact David Hohendorf for advertising rate information. O: 248.792.6464 Ext. 800 DavidHohendorf@downtownpublications.com
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Angelina Italian Bistro: Italian. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1565 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.1355. Antietam: French. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, 48207. 313.782.4378. Bucharest Grill: Middle Eastern. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2040 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.965.3111. Cliff Bell’s: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 2030 Park Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.961.2543. Coach Insignia: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.2622. Craft Work: American. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 8047 Agnes St., Detroit, 48214. 313.469.0976. Cuisine: French. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 670 Lothrop Rd., Detroit, 48202. 313.872.5110. The Detroit Seafood Market: Seafood. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1435 Randolph St., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.4180. El Barzon: Mexican. Lunch, TuesdayFriday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 3710 Junction St., Detroit, 48210. 313.894.2070. Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café: Cajun. Breakfast, daily. Sunday Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Saturday. Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 400 Monroe Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.965.4600. Giovanni’s Ristorante: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 330 S. Oakwood Blvd., Detroit, 48217. 313.841.0122. Green Dot Stables: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2200 W. Lafayette, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.5588. The Grille Midtown: Steak & Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 3919 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.0892. Jefferson House: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd., Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4318. Joe Muer Seafood: Seafood. Lunch, Monday- Friday, Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, 48243. 313.567.6837. Johnny Noodle King: Japanese. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2601 W. Fort St., Detroit, 48216. 313.309.7946. Maccabees at Midtown: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 48202. 313.831.9311. Mario’s: Italian. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4222 2nd Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.1616. Midtown Shangri-la: Chinese. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 4710 Cass Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.974.7669. Motor City Brewing Works: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Beer & Wine. 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, 48201. 313.832.2700. 1917 American Bistro: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 19416 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 48221. 313.863.1917. Prism: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, TuesdaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 555 E. Lafayette St, Detroit, 48226. 313.309.2499. Red Smoke Barbeque: Barbeque. Lunch
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& Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. Trappers Alley Shopping Center, 573 Monroe Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.962.2100. Roma Café: Italian. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 3401 Riopelle St., Detroit, 48207. 313.831.5940. Russell Street Deli: Deli. Breakfast & Lunch, Monday-Saturday. No reservations. 2465 Russell St, Detroit, 48207. 313.567.2900. Santorini Estiatorio: Greek. Lunch & Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 501 Monroe Ave, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.9366. Selden Standard: American. Weekend Brunch. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, 48201. 313.438.5055. Sinbad’s: Seafood. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 100 St Clair St., Detroit, 48214. 313.822.8000. Slows Bar BQ: Barbeque. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 48216. 313.962.9828. Small Plates Detroit: American. Lunch & Dinner, Monday-Saturday. Reservations. Liquor. 1521 Broadway St., Detroit, 48226. 313.963.0702. St. CeCe’s Pub: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1426 Bagley Ave., Detroit, 48216. 313.962.2121. Tap at MGM Grand: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third Street, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1234. Taqueria Nuestra Familia: Mexican. Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 7620 Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.5668. Tom’s Oyster Bar: Seafood. Lunch, Monday-Friday. Dinner, MondaySaturday. Reservations. Liquor. 519 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, 48226. 313.964.4010. Top of the Pontch: American. Dinner, Tuesday-Saturday. Reservation. Liquor. 2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.782.4313. Traffic Jam & Snug: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 511 W. Canfield, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.9470. 24grille: American. Sunday Brunch. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, 1114 Washington Blvd, Detroit, 48226. 313.964.3821. Union Street: American. Lunch & Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 4145 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.831.3965. Vince’s: Italian. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday. Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1341 Springwells St., Detroit, 48209. 313.842.4857. Vivio’s Food & Spirits: American. Saturday Breakfast. Lunch & Dinner, daily. No reservations. Liquor. 2460 Market St., Detroit, 48207. 313.393.1711. The Whitney: American. Breakfast, Lunch, & High Tea, Monday-Friday. Sunday Brunch. Dinner, daily. Liquor. Reservations. 4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 48201. 313.832.5700. Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria and Cucina: Italian. Dinner, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1646. Wolfgang Puck Steak: Steak & Seafood. Dinner, daily. Reservations. Liquor. 1777 Third St, Detroit, 48226. 313.465.1411. Wright & Co.: American. Dinner, MondaySaturday. No reservations. Liquor. 1500 Woodward Ave Second Floor, Detroit, 48226. 313.962.7711.
06.15
THE COMMUNITY HOUSE
Link WachLer Designs Concierge custom jewelry designing in the comfort of your home or office.
TCH Hosts 90 Year Olds & Youth ParkArt Celebrating Nonagenarians – 90 & Beyond Luncheon: For the fourth year in a row, on Thursday, June 11th from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., TCH invites all members of the community 90 years or older to a luncheon honoring them for their contribution to our society over the decades. TCH and our presenting sponsor, Talmer Bank and Trust – are proud to host this high-energy celebratory luncheon in our Wallace Grand Ballroom. Those over 90 (our honorees) will enjoy a complimentary lunch made possible by All Seasons of Birmingham (other guests are $35). Last year we had a capacity crowd of 220, with over 100 of the attendees being over 90 years old – and one over 100! We had a waiting list – so register soon. The room is filled with touching moments as we introduce all the honorees, and thank them individually from the stage. Bill Seklar
Michigan’s Most Internationally Awarded Jewelry Designer Please contact Link for your free design consultation.
Honorees will have their photos (with their family and/or friends) taken by professional photographer and sponsor Aly Darin, of Aly Darin Photography. When they sign up for the event, we ask the honorees to send us a “then and a now” photo of themselves (one from their past and one current). We put these great photos on the big screen when we introduce them. While enjoying a delicious TCH lunch, volunteers will present our honorees with a keepsake gift made possible by Managed Asset Portfolios. Entertainment will be in the form of a fun presentation on “Technology Through the Decades.”
L i n k Wa c h L e r 248.882.2031
link@linkwachler.com linkwachler.com M e m be r o f A m e r i c a n G e m T r a d e A s s o c i at i o n
We also thank our other generous sponsors for helping to make this extraordinary celebration possible, including Vasileff Medical Group, who is once again sponsoring complimentary valet service. TCH Hosts Youth ParkArt in Shain Park: TCH will host ParkArt on Friday, June 26, from 5-9 p.m. in Shain Park. Sponsored by Raymond James, ParkArt is a youth oriented artful evening that includes 12 hands-on youth art projects (Calligraphy, Fiber, Henna, Mural Painting, Origami, Tie-Dye and more); as well as Pavilion stage performances by TCH Youth Summer Theater Actors and TCH Dance Academy Ballet Ensemble. Admission to the event is free; with a $5 per art project fee. Proceeds from ParkArt benefit TCH 21st Century Leaders and iCount Childhood Obesity Prevention outreach programs. Happenings around the House TCH Travel Adventures Presents: Northern Exposure July 21-23. A twonight stay in Petoskey, Michigan with excursions to Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. Trip also includes a day visit to Mackinac Island and lunch at the historic Grand Hotel. Niagara-on-the-Lake August 14-16, 2015. A two-night trip stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Trip includes two tickets to the theatre, two breakfasts and two dinners, and a stop at Niagara Falls for a photo opportunity. TCH Announces its 2015 Board Officers: The TCH Board of Directors recently announced its 2015 Board Officers: Rob Farr, Chair of the Board; Donald Kunz, Vice-Chair; Deborah Sloan, Secretary; Becky Walton, Treasurer; Renato Jamett, Member-At-Large; and William D. Seklar, President & CEO. It is indeed our honor and privilege to welcome TCH’s new board officers. We are humbled and honored by your willingness to serve. Congratulations to all! TCH Summer Camps at TCH: Looking for a fun summer camp for your child? TCH hosts camps for all ages and interests. AM Camps, PM Camps and Full Day Camps! Lunch service and after care available. Camp space is limited.
Let us help you get home - worry free. Chad Whistler NMLS ID 140091
Toni Thwaites NMLS ID 291301
Troy Bergman NMLS ID 140061
THE BIRMINGHAM GROUP:
To register for TCH classes, camps and programs go to www.tchserves.org or by calling 248.644.5832.
Call us today for a free preapproval or mortgage analysis! 248.283.8500 275 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI 48009 birmingham@johnadamsmortgage.com
William Seklar is President and CEO of The Community House.
Company NMLS ID 140012
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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.
Variety’s Table Tops Luncheon
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Rainbow Connection’s Dream Makers Ball Nearly 200 Rainbow Connection supporters ($250 ticket) gathered at the Townsend for the 30-year-old non-profit’s inaugural Dream Makers Ball. Before dinner they socialized, sipped, savored passed hors d’oeuvres and bought raffle tickets ($8,000). The program had highlights, all interspersed with illusions performed by Jasen Magic with help from Wish Ambassador Tessa and 2003 Wish Child Blake. Founder L. Brooks Patterson explained how a 1980 tragic plane crash led to RC, which, to date, has granted 2,897 far ranging wishes for Michigan children with life threatening illnesses. Board president Greg Anderson praised sponsors, doctors, staff and volunteers and he bragged, “There is no waiting list at Rainbow Connection. We wait for (the kids).” Auctioneer Greg Bator got guests to bid $39,000 + in the live auction for 10 items. Board member Jeff Hauswirth was really effective getting guests to part with more cash – $45,000+ in outright pledges. In all, the first annual gala raised more than $200,000, which will enable Rainbow Connection to make lots of dreams come true. There are many opportunities to support RC, including the event that gave birth to it – the 36th annual Dobson Open golf outing on July 27. Find out about all of them at rainbowconnection.org/events/.
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1. Timothy Corrigan (center) of Los Angeles with Sali Refka (left) of Bloomfield and Jane Synnestvedt of Birmingham. 2. Michael Coyne (center) with Maria Roberts (left) and Valerie Ahlgren of Bloomfield, Cindy Carney and Anne Strickland of Birmingham. 3. Jeffrey King (left) of Birmingham, Deb Thomas of Troy and Mark Johnson of Pleasant Ridge. 4. Carol Chadwick (left) of Beverly Hills, Maggie Allesee of Bloomfield, Judy McClelland of Birmingham, Todd Lampman of Jackson. 5. Mary Ann O’Neill (left) of Bingham Farms, Erin DiMarco of Bloomfield, Sherry Cantricks and Felicia Palazzolo Shaw of Birmingham. 6. Fran Schlesinger (left) of Birmingham, Julie Bockoff of Bloomfield. 7. Kelly Talmers (left) of Birmingham, Susan Paroly and Chris Decker of Bloomfield. 8. Shelley Roberts (left) of Birmingham, Sherry Singer of Bloomfield. 9. Linda Juracek-Lipa (left) of Birmingham, Judie Sherman and Betty Bright of Bloomfield. 10. Kelly Shuert (left) of Bloomfield and Connie Beckett of Troy.
downtownpublications.com
Variety’s Table Tops Luncheon Lots of people, including this reporter, are hooked on HGTV home renovation shows. Well, the 300 Table Tops Luncheon guests ($95 & up) Sally Gerak at Pine Lake Country Club were treated to the ultimate fixer upper saga by advertising-executive-turned-designer Timothy Corrigan. Corrigan captivated all as he talked about the history of the dilapidated, 45,000 square foot Chateau du Grand-Lucé in France’s Loire Valley that he bought in 2004 for $3-million. Because it is one of three chateaus to survive the French Revolution and is historically registered, he had to abide by such demands as inventorying each of the 156,953 trees on the 100 acres. Four-plus years and $10-million later, he has a handsome home, surrounded by gardens and orchards, filled with comfortable. elegant rooms for entertaining friends. His book about the chateau – “An Invitation to Chateau du Grand-Lucé: Decorating a Great French Country House” – was published in 2011. Luncheon guests bought up all the available copies. (Find it at Timothycorrigan.com.) The other stars at Table Tops were, ta da, the tables. Thirty-one of them created by professional designers. They were dazzling in variety, innovation and beauty. In addition to their time, talent and resources, each designer also donated something from the table for the Pick Your Prize raffle, which raised $7,000. Corrigan scored points with all when he mentioned that the event is “…known by designers all over the country.” The eighth annual Table Tops Luncheon raised more than $35,000 for Variety’s programs for children in need.
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Gleaners Women’s Power Events The second annual Women’s Power Happy Hour attracted 300 influential women ($150, $100-under 35) and a few men to the colorful, Mexi-eccentric Zenith at The Fisher restaurant a month before the 22nd annual Power Breakfast. The breakfast was held at Gleaners Community Food Bank Detroit headquarters. Both socials are high energy affairs notable for executive level networking and, at the Happy Hour, noshing on Mexican-accented small plate fare. The Happy Hour was chaired by Dawn Rassel, Linzie Venegas, Karen Mazo and Paige Lustig. There was no planned program because, as Rassel remarked with a smile, “No one could get all these women to be quiet.” The Power Breakfast, which opened with an original song by Erin Noel, brought out 650 ($120, $85-under 35). It was chaired by Beth Gotthelf and Kathleen McCann. Highlights included the moving personal hardship stoDOWNTOWN
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK ries a current and former client told and testimony by school administrators that the Gleaners weekend backpack food program has significantly improved students’ attitudes. Gleaners president Gerry Brisson received rousing applause when he announced that the Women’s Power events and their associated Million Meal Match month-long campaign had exceeded their goal by raising 1,268,103 meals.
Rainbow Connection’s Dream Makers Ball
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1. L. Brooks Patterson (center) and Mark & D’Ann Crawford of Clarkston. 2. Ruth Eschbach (right) of Bloomfield and Roland & Carol Eschbach of Rochester. 3. Lynn Sirich (left) of Birmingham, Jeff Hauswirth of Lake Orion, Liz Luckenbach and Chris McLogan of Birmingham. 4. Drs. Roland Chou (left) of Troy and Jeffrey Taub of Birmingham. 5. Charlie Gleeson (left) of Bloomfield, Milva Secco and Marian & Art McWood of Grosse Pointe
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Gleaners Women’s Power Events
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1. Linzie Venegas (left) of Grosse Pointe, Dawn Rassel of Bloomfield, Karen Mazo of Woodhaven, Paige Lustig of Birmingham. 2. Ellen Rogers (left) of Bloomfield, Molly MacDonald of Beverly Hills, Kathleen McCann of Northville. 3. Coco Siewert (left) of Birmingham, Nancy Bluth of Bloomfield. 4. Barb Hughes (left) of Bloomfield, Kim Roberts of Mayville. 5. Jackie Brown of Washington and Erica Peresman of Birmingham. 6. Marilyn Trent (left) of Rochester, Rachelle Bonelli of St. Clair Shores. 7. Suzette Hohendorf (left) of Birmingham, Rhonda Bass of Macomb, Bridget Green of Oak Park, Tracey Cholish of Milford and Bridgett Lomax of Detroit.
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Kadima’s Healthy Body Healthy Mind
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1. Robin Tobin-Murav (left) of Farmington Hills, Lisa Rotter of Franklin and Harriet Rotter of Bingham Farms. 2. Gail Danto (left) and Helen Katz of Bloomfield. 3. Betty Sorkiwitz (left) of Bloomfield and Julie Shiffman of Farmington Hills. 4. Nancy Serlin (left) and Miry Bernard Serlin of Farmington Hills, and Anaruth Bernard of W.Bloomfield, Andy Roisman of Beverly Hills. 5. Betsy Winkelman (left), Gail Katz and Jeannie Weiner of W. Bloomfield.
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Kadima’s Healthy Body Healthy Mind The early morning gathering Robin Tobin-Murav chaired to spotlight Kadima’s mental health services attracted 250 people to the Townsend. Before the program they socialized, bought raffle tickets and perused stations set up by sponsors like some National Association of Professional Organizers members. They displayed pictures of Kadima’s activity center they recently reorganized. The refreshing continental breakfast was served at tables centered with arrangements of gardening supplies to be donated to the 25 Kadima residences. Tobin-Murav’s moving description of a mother dealing with two disturbed teens was especially compelling when she revealed the mother’s identity – herself. “I wish I had known about Kadima,” she concluded. Then Yoga Shelter instructor Barbi Stalburg Bell passionately pitched the benefits of yoga as “… brain, body and soul food” before bestselling author Marci Shimoff shared four of the 21 happiness habits in her book “Happy for No Reason”. In the process, she engaged the audience and demonstrated that negative words make one weak and, conversely, positive words actually give one strength. The exercise amazed all. Kadima, which also provides parent support groups and outpatient services, will stage its 14th annual Golf Classic Monday, July 13, at Franklin Hills Country Club. The event honors Nicole and Matt Lester and benefits the Lois & Milton Zussman Activity Center for Kadima clients. For reservations, call Michelle Malamis at (248) 663-4343. French-American Chamber Annual Gala Fiat CEO and FAC chief marketing officer Olivier Francois was the honoree at French-American Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner gala that attracted 165 members and guests ($160 & $190-tickets) to Oakland Hills Country Club. During the cocktail hour guests schmoozed, sipped champagne and perused a silent auction 06.15
staged to raise funds for Doctors without Borders. The superb, Frenchaccented dinner started with escargots a la Bourgonoune and concluded with a petit four trio. But the real sustenance of the evening was contained in the honoree’s talk. With vigor and videos, Francois gave a marketing lesson as he talked about branding. When he concluded with references to FCA’s “…find it in Detroit” ads, the Frenchman got a standing ovation. FACC president Faurecia’s Cedric Ballarin also gave him a Tiffany & Co. crystal prism engraved with a personal tribute. Before Francois spoke, pediatrician Dr. Yolaine Civil shared some of her experiences from four medical mission trips. In summary, the evening was time decidedly well spent. Founders Junior Council events The Founders Junior Council’s ArtSeen “Diego & Frida in Detroit”, which was chaired by Leah Zanetti and Kristin Lusn, attracted a sold out crowd of 150 ($75, $95 tickets) to the DIA for an evening that began with a Blue Nectar tequila cocktail reception and a seated dinner tasting of Mexican fare in the Riviera Courtyard. The three-course menu featured recipes from a cookbook written by Diego Rivera’s daughter, Guadalupe Rivera. The Joyas de Mexico dancers and Mariachi Gallos de Oro! entertained the young professionals and Blue Nectar’s Marco Zanetti shared tequila lore. A post dinner reception in the Kresge Court attracted 100 more guests ($45, $55-tickets) for drinks, Mexican pastries, festive Mexican music and folk dancing performances. The event was a fitting salute to the DIA exhibition of 50 works created when Riviera and Kahlo were in Detroit. It runs through July 12. It was also one in a series of FJC events celebrating the auxiliary’s 50th anniversary. The series kicked off a week prior to ArtSeen with a party at the Manoogian Mansion that attracted 100 FJC supporters. Funds raised at the 50th Anniversary events will go towards the FJC’s $50,000 commitment to the museum’s Art Carts & Drawing in the Galleries programs. The next event is June 4 in a Grosse Pointe home. The final event Remember + Imagine - is June 17 at the DIA. For tickets ($100) to any of the events, call (313) 833-4005. Cranbrook Academy of Art’s STUDIO The end of the school year is enthusiastically celebrated at Cranbrook’s graduate art academy by downtownpublications.com
French-American Chamber Annual Gala
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1. Jennifer & Cedric Ballarin of Bloomfield. 2. Olivier Francois (left) of Paris, FR, Xavier Mosquet of Birmingham. 3. Francois Colpron (left) and Jim Schwyn with Drs. Joe Skoney and Luisa DiLorenzo of Birmingham. 4. Brigit DeSmet (left), Thomas & Beatrice Dart of Bloomfield. 5. Paul & Jan Hoge of Bloomfield. 6. Peter (left) & Stephanie Schwartz of Bloomfield, Vaishali & Prashant Patel of Birmingham. 7. Sharon (left) & Mahesh Nayak of Troy, Erica Peresman & David Jaffe of Birmingham. 8. Yousif & Mara Ghafari of Bloomfield. 9. Lauren Mendelson of Huntington Woods and Jean Marc Vico of Birmingham.
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Founders Junior Council ArtSeen
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1. Kristin Lusn (left), Marco Zanetti & Leah Zanetti of Birmingham. 2. Anne Carney Strickland (left) and Julie Strickland of Birmingham. 3. Kathy Huber (left) of Rochester Hills, Bernadette Lussier of Grosse Pointe, Trish Dewald of Royal Oak, Heather Kazmierczak of Birmingham.
Founders Junior Council 50th Anniversary Kick Off Party
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1. Amanda Van Dusen (center) of Pleasant Ridge with Carolyn Levin and Kathy Rines of Bloomfield. 2. DIA Director Graham Beal of Detroit. 3. Kathy Rines of Bloomfield and Andrew Camden of Grosse Pointe. 4. Lindsey Rosenfeld (left) of Royal Oak, Amy Zimmer of Bloomfield, Carolyn Duggan of Detroit and Elanah Nachman Hunger of Franklin. 5. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and First Lady Lori Maher.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK the 150 students, faculty and the academy’s generous supporters. The latter turned out 320 strong ($450 & $250 tickets) for the 2015 STUDIO event. They first socialized in a festival tent erected on the museum lawn. But before they strolled to the students’ studios where the Forte Belanger dinner was served, emcee Steve Jasgur jollied them up to pledge a total of $100,000 (in varying lots) for the academy scholarship fund. The 10 dinner venues were presided over by each department’s Artist-in-Residence so the dinner conversations were shaped by those personalities. The topic chosen by Metalsmithing’s Iris Eichenberg, “What would you be doing if you could do something other than what you are doing?” evoked intriguing answers. CAAAM Director Chris Scoates and his wife Fiona Raghabv made the rounds of all the studios to greet and thank the guests. After dinner, several hundred people partied and danced in the museum where the 2015 Graduate Degree Exhibition had been installed a week earlier. The next day, more than 500 people of all ages came to the free OPEN STUDIOS where they reveled in demonstrations of 3-D printing and other creative projects and viewed and bought lots of the students’ works. Thanks to generous sponsors like Mercedes Benz Financial Services and others, STUDIO raises more than 10 percent of the academy’s hefty, annual scholarship budget.
Cranbrook Academy of Art’s STUDIO
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1. Bonnie Larson (left) of Bloomfield, Allan Rothfeder of Birmingham, Phillip Morici of Sylvan Lake. 2. Susanne & Peter Zieringer of Bloomfield. 3. Maxine Frankel (center) with Erin & Dom DiMarco of Bloomfield. 4. Ethan (left) & Gretchen Davidson of Birmingham, Gregg & Harriet Orley of Bloomfield. 5. Aaron Patrick Decker and Iris Eichenberg of Bloomfield. 6. Chris Scoates & Fiona Raghabv of Bloomfield. 7. John Henke & Leslie Craigie of Birmingham. 8. Barbara & Bill Ludwig of Birmingham. 9. Bill (left) & Pamela Gerber of Bloomfield, Ann Williams & Frank Edwards of Royal Oak. 10. Stephanie and Wendy Potts of Birmingham.
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Benefit for CARE House & Variety 1. Ellen Rogers (left) and Jessie Beld Elliott of Bloomfield with designer Nina McLemore. 2. Pat Rosen (left), Kathy Zanolli, Jennie Cascio. 3. Valerie Ahlgren and Maria Roberts of Bloomfield.
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Benefit for CARE House & Variety The Nina McLemore/Karen Egren shop located in the renovated former Birmingham Schools Administration building attracted dozens of Variety and CARE House supporters during the six days that the two designers had committed to returning 15 percent of sales to those charities. But the scene was particularly spirited during the cocktail reception on April 23 that Ellen Rogers and Jessie Beld Ellott hosted. Sixty-five fashionistas like Renee Godin, Cheryl Hall Lindsay and Vicki Celani turned out to meet jewelry designer Egren and clothing designer McLemore, whose clientele includes corporate leaders and such notables as Condoleeza Rice and Hillary Clinton. And the women did not just chat and relish wine, avocado deviled eggs and tenderloin bites from Roberts Restaurant Group, either. They realized nearly $5,000 for the charities by buying McLemore’s timeless clothes and Egren’s jewelry, plus 06.15
1351 CEDAR BEND, BLOOMFIELD HILLS $999,900 Truly distinctive residence that is perfectly located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, on an elevated, treed lot with a fantastic view. Chefs kitchen and luxuriously appointed master suite. Unsurpassed quality & craftsmanship. Beautifully finished lower level, in-ground pool and very private rear yard.
444 E. PARENT, ROYAL OAK $364,900 Incredible industrial style loft close to downtown Royal Oak. Over 2000 sq ft of open living space with tall ceilings and high-end finishes. True gourmet kitchen with modern, imported cabinets, stainless appliances, and granite island. The second story features a large loft area. The master suite with walk-in closet and luxurious master bath with separate shower room.
1937 SHIPMAN, BIRMINGHAM $699,999 Sophisticated and impeccably maintained colonial. Chefs kitchen and magnificent master suite w/spa bath including heated floors, huge walk-in closet and gas fireplace. Convenient 2nd floor laundry. Nicely landscaped yard w/brick paver patio and walkway. Finished lower level with ample ceiling height and 4th bedroom w/full bath.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK another $350 from raffle tickets for some jewelry Egren donated. Both hostesses praised the designers’ creativity, generosity and their entrepreneurship. Their designs may be viewed online at Karenegren.com and ninamclemore.com.
Cranbrook Academy of Art’s STUDIO
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Women of Courage and Achievement More than 800 high achieving women ($175 & up tickets) and a few men flocked to the MGM Grand for the Michigan Women’s Foundation annual southeast Michigan awards event which was chaired by Tricia Keith, Geneva Williams and Patti Poppe. During the program, Poppe got rousing applause when she announced that her company, Consumers Power, which “…is not your father’s energy company,” has many women engineers and was giving the foundation $160,000. MWF CEO Carolyn Cassin also had fun with old stereotypes by referring to the foundation as ”…the new girls network,” when she cited its various initiatives that help women achieve economic and social equality. (Find its programs at miwf.org.) She also paid a moving tribute to past event honorees, the late Lil Erdeljan and Irma Elder. After dinner, WDIV’s Carmen Harlan emceed a Q & A with the four honorees Marlene Boll, Donna Inch, Grace Lieblein and Andra Rush. They concluded with a piece of advice from each: Lieblein –“Get out of your comfort zone”; Rush – “Don’t let others define you”; Inch – “Be a compassionate, productive leader”; Boll – “Work like it depends on you; pray like it depends on God.” Thanks also to silent auction bidding ($17,000) and generous sponsors, the event raised a record high ($460,000 plus the Consumers Energy gift of $160,000) for the foundation that was founded in 1986 by Bloomfield native Mary Jo Pulte.
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1. Vivian Pickard (left) of Bloomfield, Carolyn Cassin and Marlene Boll of Grosse Pointe, Donna Inch of Dearborn, Grace Lieblein of Berkley and Andra Rush of Brighton. 2. Patti Poppe (left) of Bloomfield, Geneva Williams of Detroit, Tricia Keith of Royal Oak. 3. Cynthia Ford (left) of Grosse Pointe, Christine Lovio George of Bloomfield, Debra Samson of Kirkland, WA. 4. Beth Chappell (standing left) and Zina Kramer of Bloomfield, Florine Mark of Farmington Hills, Lois Cohn (seated left) and Sue Marx of Birmingham. 5. Betty Bright (left) of Bloomfield, Maura Corrigan of Grosse Pointe. 6 Jessie Beld Elliott (left) of Bloomfield, Karen Nicklin of Clarkston, Maj. Gen. Gwen Bingham of Macomb.
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Karmanos Cancer Institute Annual Dinner
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Karmanos Cancer Institute Annual Dinner The 33rd Annual Dinner, chaired by Debra and GM Sr. VP Bob Ferguson, attracted nearly 600 ($750 & $525 tickets) to the newly-remodeled GM Design Dome in Warren. The beautiful people, beautiful lighting, beautiful Cadillacs on display, and a Detroit Symphony Orchestra quartet glammed up the futuristic venue which was further electrified by a NUCLASSICA violin quintet performance. WDIV’s Hank Winchester emceed the program. Highlights included: GM CEO Mary Barra’s tribute to her friend, the late Lil Erdeljan; world champion auctioneer Shane 06.15
Ratcliff’s spellbinding vocal prowess that made the live auction the best in event history (more than $367,000); more donation announcements like GM’s contribution of the $200,000 that the first retail production Cadillac CT6 brought at auction; the GM Foundation’s $500,000 for cancer research and Lear Corp.’s $250,000 match for funds generated by the live auction and dedicated giving portion. In all, the dinner raised more than $2.8 million for a 24-hour acute care clinic in the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Intensive Care Unit. ORT / ART and the City What a great partnership – ORT’s educational programs, Somerset Collection and College for Creative Studies. They combined to attract more than 400 ORT supporters to Eastern Market’s Shed Three to dine on the stroll and check out the auction display of iconic Detroit products and CCS student creations inspired by Somerset merchants. Cuisine from Plum Market , El Guapo taco truck and the Mac Shack sustained guests from several generations while they bid ($20,000+) in the silent auction and watched artist Dave Santia create three portraits for a live auction that Nate Forbes conducted like a pro. Counting the $20,000 Forbes got folks to bid in the live auction, the event, which was chaired by Nicole Eisenberg, Susan Gordon and Lisa Nederlander, raised more than $125,000 to support ORT’s global network of schools and programs. The next ORT fundraiser – Rub-A-Dub, Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Franklin Hills Country – is ORT’s biggest. Contact Nicole Miller at (248) 723-8860 about sponsorship opportunities. Junior League Spring Sophisticate Detroit’s Guardian Building, which was built in the 1920s, inspired the Junior league of Birmingham spring fundraiser that attracted 130 to the architectural gem. Lisa Krueger and Kate Montgomery chaired the soiree that featured Elisa Dunaskiss as “the champagne glass girl.” Her custom “skirt” held champagne glasses that served as raffle tickets for a pearl necklace. Rebecca Merriman won the necklace. Charleston music, dining on the stroll, a photo booth to capture the flapper girls’ attire, and the afterparty at the nearby Fountain Bistro made the night memorable. It also raised about $22,000 for JLB’s downtownpublications.com
ORT / ART and the City
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1. Jeanne Bourget (left), Lisa Bouchard and Nicole Eisenberg of Bloomfield. 2. Kaylie Eisenberg (left) with Kate and Susan Gordon of Bloomfield. 3. Nate Forbes (left) of Franklin and Stephen Eisenberg of Bloomfield. 4. Arlene Barris (center) of Bloomfield, Doreen Hermelin and Mel Lester of Bingham Farms. 5. Audrey Feys of Birmingham and Andrew Forbes of Franklin. 6. Shanna Gorga (left) of Birmingham, Christa Norland and Tracy Nystrom of Bloomfield, Amy Runyan of Rochester Hills. 7. Brenda & Howard Rosenberg of Bloomfield. 8. Eric Medwed of Commerce & Lena Epstein of Bloomfield. 9. Corina Pulvu (left) of Washington, Chelsea Grimes of W. Bloomfield, Marin Goldberg and Stephanie Brigstock of Birmingham. 10. Jay Sitefman and Marlene Rosenberg of Bloomfield.
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SOCIAL LIGHTS/SALLY GERAK educational and charitable community programs. For more information go to lbham.org.
Junior League Spring Sophisticate
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1. Marguerite Bodem (left) of Troy, Sarah Ambrose of Royal Oak, Taron Burris of W. Bloomfield, Katherine Banerian of Bloomfield. 2. Christopher Cook (left) and Johnathan Carlson of Birmingham, Steve Pien of Farmington Hills. 3. Meggie (left) & Jeff Midbo of Birmingham, Jeff & Erin Raff of Clarkston, Jessica Davis of Royal Oak, Shiela Jones of St. Clair Shores. 4. Eric & Julie Gheen of Birmingham. 5. Elizabeth Smith (left) of Farmington Hills, Courtney DeFauw of Birmingham, Amanda Kent of Rochester. 6. Jessica Davis (left) of Royal Oak, Meggie Midbo of Birmingham, Libby Lopez of Auburn Hills, Erin Raff of Clarkston. 7. Kevin (left) & Tracey Kevelighan of Bloomfield, Alison & Dan Ristovski of W. Bloomfield.
ALS Legacy of Hope Awards Gala The second annual ALS Legacy of Hope Gala at the Detroit Athletic Club attracted 230, including last year’s honoree Dr. Eva Feldman, ALS Michigan board members and the Richard Mandells, Harold Burrells, Bob Boesigers and Kevins Lassers to name a few. They honored Dr. Daniel Newman, director of the Harry J. Hoenselaar ALS Clinic at Henry Ford Hospital, and Quicken Loans CEO Bill and Marlene Emerson. The evening raised about $100,000 to provide care, services, advocacy, cutting edge research and, more importantly, hope for the ALS community.
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Manresa Pot Planting Party In preparation for The Master’s Garden at Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, committee members and Manresa friends gathered in the barns to fill a variety of donated pots with a mix of sun and shade loving spillers and fillers, all donated by event sponsor Telly’s Greenhouse. When the dirty “party” ended, the industrious crew had 58 containers ready to be sold at the third annual event. It is 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, May 30. It will feature a garden marketplace, speakers, the pot sale & raffle, tours of the house and grounds and music by Tola Lewis. For tickets ($35 –includes lunch) go to manresa-sj.irg.
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Oakland County Bar Signature Event Those lawyers and judges did it again. More than 400 of them convened at Oakland Hills Country Club to sip, sup and socialize in order to improve the accessibility and affordability of legal services in Oakland County. Sponsors of the 16th annual foundation event donated $242,000 and ticket sales added $67,720 for a grand total of $310,000. This brings foundation grants to more than $1.7 million since it was founded in 1999. For more information about the OCBFfunded community programs go to ocba.org.
Send ideas for this column to Sally Gerak, 28 Barbour Lane, Bloomfield Hills, 48304; email samgerak@aol.com or call 248.646.6390.
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ENDNOTE
Hold on platforms until parking resolved irmingham is enjoying a problem many other communities would love to have – an extreme shortage of parking caused by nearly full occupancy rates for retail and commercial space. Shoppers, restaurant diners and office workers engage in almost hand-to-hand combat over precious parking spaces not only on the street at meters, but at increasingly hard-to-get spots in the city's parking structures. City officials recognize there is a parking crisis, both real and perceived. An Ad Hoc Parking Study Committee recently completed its work, finding that there is technically an overall surplus of parking spots in the city, but significant parking shortages in both the downtown area and the Triangle District where they are needed most. The city commission is in the midst of creating an Ad Hoc Parking Steering Committee to determine how to move forward with the city's parking shortages. They are moving forward to add two floors to the Pierce Street parking structure in the center of downtown. There are also recommendations to create a parking structure, coupled with residential, commercial and retail, around the surface lot on Willits Street adjacent to the N. Old Woodward Street parking structure. Down the road, two parking structures will need to be constructed in the Triangle District to encourage development in that area of the city, east of Woodward, west of Adams, between Maple and Lincoln, and commissioners recently approved a taxing authority to set aside money to fund them. Paul O'Meara, the city's engineer, asserts that the city is not short of parking; it's just in other areas of the city. Need a parking spot? Head south of the central business district, near the 555 Building, and there is more availability. But for most shoppers and restaurant diners, the reality is, they can circle Maple and Old Woodward for quite a while without success. Some will leave the city for shopping areas with easier accessibility. Convenience of patrons, whether real or perceived, must be the watchword of city leaders. Which leads us to the issue of dining platforms on the city's streets, which were designed and incorporated into the city's 2007 bistro ordinance to invigorate pedestrian traffic, which they have done successfully. On the opposite hand, they have – and continue to – eat up coveted parking spots on the most desirable downtown streets.
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On Pierce Street alone, Elie's, Streetside Seafood and Townhouse have enjoyed great success with outdoor dining platforms. Recently, Birmingham's city commission granted Toast two additional parking spots for a dining platform in addition to its outdoor sidewalk seating. Retailers were extremely unhappy, noting that those spots represent $35,000 each a day in retail traffic. Yet, Toast felt it could not compete without the additional outdoor seating. Zack Sklar similarly fought for outdoor dining platforms for his two new restaurants, Au Cochon and Arthur Avenue, to be located at the Palladium, although there will be sidewalk dining. Yet, commissioners said no more to dining platforms on Old Woodward, noting traffic problems and parking difficulties. We concur, and believe the commission should take it a step further, and put a complete moratorium on outdoor dining platforms which utilize parking spaces, until the city comes to a final resolution on parking. Yes, the bistro ordinance requires outdoor dining. But the city commission has not truly followed the spirit or the letter of the bistro ordinance in quite a while. Bistros licenses were designed to be extinguished as owners and operators ceased their operations, in order to allow new ideas to flourish, and to expressly not sell and transfer them. However, several have been sold and transferred. They were designed to have no more than 65 seats. Yet, creative owners have clearly stretched those definitions, as the “outdoor” seating with plastic at Social, Market and Cafe Via have evidenced. They were also established as economic generators, in order to specifically target areas of the city which needed new vitality. Commissioners also stated that they would not just move forward with ideas just to placate a number. Yet, some very flimsy and unsustainable bistro concepts have been approved to move forward, in what appears to be an effort to be friendly rather than visionary. So we think for the time being that no more dining platforms should be added to the city landscape until the parking problem is finally resolved. While at first it may seem that the loss of only a couple of parking spaces per platform is not that great, but under the current circumstances, we will support the position of those merchants who struggle each day for every space near their store that they can preserve.
Test of three lanes on Maple wise move or the last couple of years, the city of Birmingham, businesses and many residents having been weighing in on a proposal to possibly redesign the stretch of West Maple Road between Southfield and Cranbrook roads into a three-lane roadway versus its current incarnation of a four-lane road with two lanes of traffic in each direction. As a three-lane road, traffic engineers and urban planners have recommended one lane of traffic in each direction with a center lane for left turns. The Birmingham Multi-Modal Transportation Board has been studying the road as part of the city's multi-modal transportation plan to confirm if changes should be made to the road configuration when the road is resurfaced in 2016. In May, the W. Maple Steering Committee, along with transportation consultants Fleis and Vandenbrink, recommended to the Multi-Modal Transportation Board that traffic would flow best
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with a three-lane configuration. It next goes to the city commission for approval of a six-month trial run on Monday, June 1. It is likely commissioners will approve the plan to try it out, for as some have said, “paint is cheap.” The only difference commissioners may make is to re-stripe the pavement this summer and fall, after the Quarton Road construction is completed, rather than waiting until after reconstruction is done in 2016, in order to more quickly gain information on the validity – or not – of the plan. This was not a quick decision. Previously, the city commission approved a Multi-Modal Transportation Plan, which is intended to provide guidance for all future transportation projects in Birmingham. The process began in May 2012, when city planners began the creation of a master plan for multi-modal transportation which they believe will transform the future usage of
streets, sidewalks, rail, busses, bicycles and other forms of movement in the city for all users. The goal is that as roads and streets are repaired and redeveloped, they will be looked at, analyzed and redesigned with more than just cars in mind. Originally, W. Maple was also designed with bike lanes alongside the traffic lanes, but in the final analysis, that was scrapped for safety reasons. Residents living both north and south of W. Maple have flooded the city with complaints, letters and petitions, along with neighboring community Bloomfield Township at a recent meeting, protesting the proposed changes. Several months ago, we agreed with them. But after studying the proposal, we recognize that the traffic engineers and urban planners should be given the opportunity to improve an important roadway. If it doesn't work, Birmingham can go back to four lanes. After all, it's only paint.
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